5 Dazzling Dining Districts To Visit Across Boston

30.10.2023 - 15:41 / forbes.com

While Boston is best known for its prestigious universities and wealth of historic landmarks, this iconic New England city is no slouch when it comes to drinking and dining either. Both the Boston cream pie and Parker House roll were invented in the heart of the city, while tourists flock to the surrounding area to dine on New England clam chowder, lobster rolls, and a wealth of other succulent seafood dishes. As you plan your next visit to the Bay State capital, don’t miss out on these vibrant neighborhoods, each one imbued with an incredible array of restaurants and bars to explore.

There’s no shortage of charming Little Italy districts scattered across the United States, but when it comes to historical significance, it’s tough to beat Boston’s North End. In addition to fascinating tourist attractions ranging from the 1720s-era Old North Church to the former abode of Founding Father Paul Revere, guests can discover a spectacular dining scene, with Trattoria il Panino serving as a particular highlight thanks to their top-quality espresso martinis and ultra-flavorful zucchini flowers. Meanwhile, fans of time-honored classics like chicken parm and cacio e pepe should be sure to pay a visit to Tony & Elaine's, while Bova's Bakery has been a local favorite for close to a century thanks to their late-night snacks including cannoli, chicken parmesan calzones and pepperoni arancini.

Unlike some of its neighboring districts, Allston has been a part of Boston proper since it was first established—and in the modern era, this charming district is home to an incredible Korean dining scene for visitors to explore. For those in search of classic dishes like galbi-tang, jokbal and dolsot bibimbap, Seoul Soulongtang is a top spot located just steps away from the Harvard Avenue T stop, while Coreanos has earned abundant acclaim for their flavorful Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine, providing diners with hearty dishes like yang yum chicken and bulgogi tacos. And on a balmy summer day, Hopewell Bar & Kitchen is the perfect destination for a refreshing cocktail, offering dark rum-loaded Rocket Queens and fiery Demons Kisses alongside hearty American fare.

A cultural melting pot in the center of the city, Roxbury is home to a particularly diverse array of top-tier restaurants for visitors to explore. For fans of hearty Puerto Rican fare, El Mondonguito is a local favorite thanks to their ultra-rich morcilla and mondongo, while Suya Joint excels at the art of West African cuisine, providing diners with hearty family-style dishes ranging from efo riro to jollof rice—and when it comes to flavorful Caribbean bites, it’s tough to beat Ali's Roti Restaurant. Equipped with two locations across the city, this no-frills joint has