Best Fine Dining in Massachusetts

"This venerable, decades-spanning stalwart in Harvard Square, which happens to have one of the best patios around, remains a fine-dining favorite in a trending-casual industry. It’s the kind of place that is excellent for entertaining the in-laws over mignonette-dabbed oysters or boards bearing local cheeses; waffles topped with fried chicken, decadent foie gras butter and wild apple purée; and buttermilk biscuits enhanced with rose rhubarb jam and almond crémeux. Don’t relegate Harvest to special occasions, though."

"Renowned in Cambridge for high-quality dining, Harvest has won numerous awards for its food, wine and service. Serving contemporary New England cooking, it can be found right on Harvard Square where it has been a regular sight since the 1970s. Harvest describes itself as a welcome respite from the hectic life of the square, boasting elegant decor and a relaxing ambience."

"Bricco is the mainstay property of neighborhood restaurateur Frank DePasquale and has a well-executed menu of pastas and classic Italian entrées alongside indulgent steaks and surf and turf. The restaurant’s breads, fresh pastas and imported meats are sourced from DePasquale’s own old-world panetteria and salumeria next door. Bricco also boasts one of the few late-night menus in Little Italy, Boston, offering a selection of antipasti and pizza until 2 a.m."

"Bricco’s star has been rising steadily since restaurateur Frank DePasquale revamped the menu to feature modern interpretations of regional Italian dishes. Bricco has garnished superlative reviews from food writers in Boston and around the country – Best Guaranteed Meal in the North End and Best...See More"

"Farm-to-table spot Urban Hearth is open Tues-Sat, 4-10pm, featuring a menu with items like whisky smoked salmon tartare. Reservations can be made here."

"Juliet makes this list because - even though there’s a prose poem on the menu - it’s somehow the least pretentious fine-dining restaurant we’ve ever experienced. This tiny Union Square spot feels less like a fancy French restaurant and more like a casual get-together in your friend’s endearingly messy apartment. Your friend’s probably not capable of serving up a five-course tasting menu with hyper-local ingredients, though, let alone one that changes up every few weeks and is put together with a unified theme."

"An ambitious new addition to Cambridge's competitive scene, Juliet-run by Joshua Lewin and Katrina Jazayeri-is our favorite new spot for brunch. The couple's first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Somerville serves soft-cooked omelets with wild mushrooms and fresh herbs and toast with cured salmon topped with tamarind and yogurt."

"The Chart House is located nearby the Boston Harbor Cruises dock and has excellent steaks, seafood, and sandwiches. Check out the Aquarium"

"Menton may be Barbara Lynch’s most expensive fine dining establishment, but with good reason. Its elevated, French and Italian Riviera fare can be enjoyed either à la carte or via a tasting menu customized on the "chef’s whim", with dishes spotlighting decadent ingredients like foie gras and periwinkles. Plush details—from French linens to Austrian crystal—and attentive service will make you feel utterly pampered."

"Sneak out for our #DineOutBoston lunch and enjoy this delicious cheesecake with... Menton’s glamorous setting in Freedom Trail along the brick buildings is just the perfect place to dine on the finest French cuisine in town. Their warm hospitality, award-winning cuisine selection, warm hospitality, and their wise wine variety makes Meton a top-notch restaurant that no one wants to miss."

"Da Vinci Ristorante is a go-to for locals who claim Da Vinci to be their favorite Italian in the city. A white table cloth spot, you'll enjoy an elegant evening under the dimly lit simple chandeliers that dangle from the ceilings of Da Vinci. In a category all their own, Da Vinci's menu moves beyond basic Italian to meld Italian with Indian creating something truly special."

"BASILE Fine Italian Kitchen is highly recognized and admired in Boston’s stylish restaurant scene. They bring wonderful flavors and ambiance to the South End/Back Bay area."

"Inside the Four Seasons Hotel you'll find this gem of a spot; Bristol Lounge is an upscale hangout in the downtown area where you can dine in the pristine dining room overlooking the Public Garden or enjoy a more casual bite in their bar area. Serving breakfast daily, you'll enjoy bites of fluffy pancakes, crisp bacon and omelettes that range from regular to extraordinary. Bite into their lobster omelet, sip a smoothie and sample a true taste of Boston."

"Perhaps unsurprisingly, this Boston Brahmin hangout delivers an ultra-classic take on pancakes. The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons serves their Buttermilk Pancakes with mixed berries and Vermont maple syrup during weekday breakfast service and weekend brunch. While only the “classic” preparation appears on the menu, you’re never too old to request blueberries or chocolate chips."

"Located inside the Four Seasons Hotel Boston, this restaurant is one of the favorite haunts for the Bostoners. You get the marvelous views of the historic Boston Public Garden while savoring your favorite dish. The adept use of local and seasonal ingredients to create upscale food will definitely win your heart."

"The Atlantic Wharf location of Smith & Wollensky overlooks the historic Fort Point Channel. Their outdoor dining scene is bustling during the warmer months when diners can score a seat for dinner or just drinks at their outdoor bar and take in the sweeping waterfront views. Offering diners prime dry aged steaks, premium seafood, award-winning wines and an extensive cocktail list, it is a hot spot for a business lunch or special dinner."

"What is it with steak-and-seafood chains and shellfish towers?. The one at Smith & Wollensky comes sized for two, four, or six ($72, $133, or $179 respectively), featuring Maine lobster, chilled colossal crab, jumbo shrimp, oysters, and more, with various accoutrements."

"The magnificent Venetian-style palazzo that houses this museum was home to ‘Mrs Jack’ Gardner herself until her death in 1924. A monument to one woman’s taste for acquiring exquisite art, the Gardner is filled with some 2500 priceless objects, primarily European, including outstanding tapestries and Italian Renaissance and 17th-century Dutch paintings. The four-story greenhouse courtyard is a tranquil oasis that alone is worth the price of admission."

"In our opinion, one of Boston's best kept secrets is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Beyond the famed robbery which stripped this museum of 9 priceless works of art, that have still not been found, it is one of the most splendid and unique museums you will ever visit. Here's a great list of other hidden gems in the city of Boston."

"A Renaissance palace imported from Italy, stuffed with precious art by its eccentric owner, and recently greatly expanded."

"Harvard University was originally founded here in 1636, and Harvard Yard remains the historic and geographic heart of the university campus. Flanked by its oldest buildings, the yard's main entrance at Johnston Gate opens up to wide lawns, gracious architecture and a buzzy academic atmosphere. Free historical tours depart from the Smith Campus Center, or you can take a self-guided tour."

"As Harvard Square is the center of Cambridge, Harvard Yard is the center of Harvard College. Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest university in America. You can take a free 70 minute walking tour with a student guide or just do a DIY stroll like I did."

"The brightly colored Luxembourg chairs are out in full summer force on the Ivy League campus' main grassy knoll. Open to the public and surrounded by dining option to boot."

"Boston Public Garden and Boston Common happen to be a pair of public parks, with the former being at the centre of the city and the latter being the first public park of the United States. While the two are excellent for simply taking a stroll, admiring the wildlife, monuments and fountains or riding the Swan boat, the former is also a botanical garden which showcases a variety of flora. The Victorian touch of the parks provides a romantic feel, which is why they are preferred locations for weddings."

"Adjoining Boston Common, the Public Garden is a 24-acre botanical oasis of Victorian flower beds, verdant grass and weeping willow trees shading a tranquil lagoon. The old-fashioned pedal-powered Swan Boats have been delighting children for generations. The most endearing spot in the Public Garden is the Make Way for Ducklings Statue, depicting Mrs Mallard and her eight ducklings, the main characters in the beloved book by Robert McCloskey."

"Wander around to the Public Gardens, or sit by the Frog Pond. It is a great way to enjoy the city without spending a penny."

"Located in South Boston, Massachusetts, Carson Beach is a public beach regularly maintained by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Historically, It has always been famous for its bathhouse and other amenities, furthermore, it was recently renovated and is known to have three pavilions, food and recreation stands along with other facilities. Things to do: There are many fun and interesting places nearby when you visit Carson BeachSouth Boston Bark ParkBoard the Cruise for a TourMolly Moo’s Ice Cream & Cafe Walkaway from Carson Beach to Fort IndependenceAddress: [126-171] William J Day Blvd, Boston, MA 02127."

"126-171, William J Day BoulevardBoston, MA 02127617-727-5290. Why you’ve got to go: Located along the South Boston shoreline, Carson Beach is one of Boston’s most popular public beaches. What to do: An expansive 3-mile stretch of beach dotted with parks, Carson Beach, though it isn’t a great spot for swimming, has plenty of space for other quintessential beach fun, such as beach volleyball, looking for shells, walking through the waves and just sunbathing, of course!"

"Families visiting Boston in warm weather can add a bonus to the trip with a day at the beach. The closest choice is Castle Island, 22 aces south of Logan Airport where you can tour Fort Independence, a site dating to Colonial days, take scenic walks along the harbor, fly a kite or toss a frisbee, enjoy the beach and a big playground. To get there, you can drive, take the #9 bus or ride the Red Line T to Broadway Station, then transfer to bus #9 or #11."

"Lying very close to M Street Beach and with the Boston Harborwalk right by it, L Street Beach is one of the three Boston’s in-city beaches (the other two being Carson Beach and M Street beach). It has a bathhouse, play area for children and other facilities too.Things to do:Curley Community CenterTouchie’s Shamrock PubSouth Boston Bark ParkL Street TavernDorchester HeightsGate of Heaven Catholic ChurchAddress: L Street Beach, Boston, MA 02127. Distance from Boston: 9 min (5.3 mi) via I-93 S"

"A post shared by Kyle Klein (@kylekleinphoto) on Oct 9, 2019 at 12:50pm PDT. The George Washington Statue in Boston’s Public Garden is an extremely impressive sculpture standing 22 feet tall on top of a 16-foot pedestal. The statue stands in the Public Garden right by the Arlington Street entrance."

"DorchesterDorchester’s dining scene doesn’t earn nearly as much love as some of Boston’s northern neighborhoods, but one trip to Field’s Corner will have you singing its praises for all to hear. The pint-sized district is a veritable melting pot equipped with cozy Irish pubs interwoven with the best Vietnamese restaurants the city has to offer. For the ideal cross-cultural exchange, head to local favorite Ánh Hồng Restaurant for some much-needed steak and tripe pho, then finish up across the road at The Blarney Stone, a historic tavern peddling its fair share of local craft beer.How to book: For Ánh Hồng, reserve and order take-out online."

"The Blarney Stone is open for takeout and delivery through Caviar - expect bar food options like nachos and steak tips. There’s a strict no kissing policy in place."

"Irish spot The Blarney Stone is open daily from 12-9pm for outdoor dining - call (617) 436-8223 to make a reservation."