To all of the suburbia natives trying to find your footing in Boston, you may need some guidance on where to get good grub. You’re probably looking to impress the family when they visit for parents’ weekend and show them that you’ve found your way in city living — and there’s nothing like an awe-inspiring meal to do just that.
To those of you reading who are juniors or seniors, you may have already found the best spots around the city. If you’re a freshman or sophomore, you might not have left your campus bubble.
It’s not the same as having your friendly neighborhood go-to spots just right around the corner, waiting for you on a Friday night. Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. We’re in Boston, where the only tornado you’ll find is a whirlwind of renowned restaurants and chefs.
Here is a list, by neighborhood, of the restaurants that are sure to impress the parents this weekend:
Coolidge Corner
Coolidge Corner reminds me the most of my hometown. It’s got a mix of small businesses and big chains, and no matter what day or time, you’ll be met with people looking to get out of their house without venturing far from home.
For pastries and a latte, there’s Starbucks and Dunkin’ within the same block, but there’s nothing adventurous there. Instead, bring your family to Lakon Paris Patisserie for extravagant croissants and seasonal drinks, or Maruichi Select for their strawberry matcha latte and a lemon tea donut.
Mecha Noodle Bar will be selectively impressive. It is a chain in the Northeast, primarily in Connecticut and Massachusetts, but it’s a marvel for anyone outside of those states. Paris Creperie, an inventive and lively cafe, serves up loaded savory and sweet crepes to cater to any craving. Finally, Zaftigs takes the crown on the largest menu in Brookline, with lists upon lists of comforting Jewish classics.
Brookline/Brookline Village
If I could recommend any restaurant, it would be Mahaniyom, a funky Thai tapas spot deep in Brookline Village. Just a few doors down is Mahaniyom’s sister restaurant, Merai, which serves Thai-style pub food and crafty cocktails. I’d urge you towards Mahaniyom, but if that’s all booked, Merai is a perfectly viable second choice. Also in the area is Cutty’s, a takeout sandwich spot with an impressive menu.
Beacon Street can honestly have its own food tour. Start at Matsunori Hand Roll Bar, but be sure to plan enough time to endure the wait. Matsunori is walk-in only and is guaranteed to garner a line. Further down Beacon street sits Bar Vlaha, a Greek restaurant flaunting the cuisine of the Vlach people. Whether you visit for brunch or dinner, Bar Vlaha is hardly comparable to anything you’ve had before. Barcelona Wine Bar is a good option if you’d like to give your parents a look into your average weekend at Boston University.
Back Bay
Joe’s on Newbury is a Boston classic. It’s an elevated restaurant with New England flair that will give your family a taste of Bostonian favorites. Just a few blocks away is Atlantic Fish Company, with a higher-end menu catered to Boston classics. It’s a surf and turf type of restaurant, so if you’re weary of fish, there are still other options on the table.
Faccia a Faccia is a trendy Italian restaurant on Newbury Street that puts a modern youthfulness into the traditional Italian scene in Boston. This isn’t the spot you visit when you’re looking for a family-style comforting italian meal, but rather the place you choose when you’re looking for an eclectic twist on a classic cuisine. Uni is a pricey, swanky sushi restaurant tucked beneath The Eliot Hotel, perhaps most fitting for any special occasion or celebration. Moon Bar in Bay Village has a small, yet impressive menu best suited for an adventurous eater. If this is your pick, do not forgo dessert — both options could be the highlight of the meal.
Downtown Crossing
This neighborhood isn’t one where I’d deem most worthy of a food visit, but here’s a few to hit if you’re out in the area.
Somaek is a no-frills Korean spot nestled on a block of Boston gems. High Street Place food hall is a fun way to taste classics from across the city in one seating. Ruka may be the only restaurant where you can find a Peruvian and Japanese crossbreed in one menu. Though Somenya is closer to Chinatown than Downtown Crossing, it’s another spot worth mentioning with its cozy basement restaurant, specializing in cold udon and soba noodles.
South End
KAVA Neo-Taverna is by far my favorite pick in this neighborhood. It’s a small storefront with the perfect menu for a family-style meal. Order as many things as you can fit on your table and share them all for the best experience. Toro is a better counterpart to Barcelona Wine Bar, as it is not nearly as overcrowded and rowdy.
MIDA is another modern Italian spot worth the visit outside of the North End, and Ilona is a viable Mediterranean option right across the street. Baleia serves Portuguese style dishes in a beautifully decorated restaurant. Petulas is a bit more of a trek, but its well-rounded menu and lively atmosphere make it worth the distance.
North End
Trattoria Il Panino might be the first place that pops up when you search for a restaurant in the North End. It’s a Boston classic and a tourist favorite with massive portions served to you right from the pan. It’s likely to be booked, so I’d recommend Panza as a backup choice. Ciao Roma is a funkier option off of the chaos of Hanover Street, but the chaos is a part of the experience. The Mike’s, Modern or Bova’s debate will never be settled, but be sure to pick at least one for your post-feast cannoli.
Neptune Oyster is a restaurant I have been dying to try. It is renowned as one of the best places to get a lobster roll in Boston. This spot doesn’t take reservations, so plan your visit accordingly. Galleria Umberto is another spot I have yet to try, but have heard so much about. It has maintained impressive ratings and could be a perfect grab-and-go option for an activity-packed day — just note that the spot is cash-only.
Seaport
Seaport is another neighborhood where I wouldn’t prioritize food, but definitely a spot to do a walk through along the water with your family. Most of the restaurants are seafood-focused and typically pricier. If you’re hell-bent on a Seaport meal, I’d point you towards Woods Hill Pier 4. This was one of the first restaurants I went to in Boston, and one that sits at the top of my list for a revisit.
Cambridge
Cambridge isn’t exactly Boston, but it’s a Boston-adjacent neighborhood worth at least one of your evenings. My restaurant pick for this parents’ weekend is Pagu, a Spanish and Japanese tapas spot that was recently nominated for a James Beard Award. I grew up in a family of adventurous eaters, and this menu instills hope in satisfying my high-standard parents.
Another James Beard nominated chef resides in Cambridge at Gustazo, a restaurant with incredible Cuban food. Oleana is a Turkish restaurant with a welcoming interior and an impressive menu from top to bottom. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. I have been multiple times and I wait for the next after each time I leave.
Book a table at Puritan & Company for a goodbye brunch and order the chef’s choice pastry basket and the fluffiest brown butter pancakes you’ll ever have.
I encourage you to do your own research, but feel free to lean on this guide for some foolproof options. I am a firm believer that food is the best way to explore a new place, so lead your families on a culinary journey across the city this parents’ weekend.
