37 Best Restaurants in Back Bay, Boston for 2024

There is so much to explore in Boston but you’ll find some of the city’s best restaurants in Back Bay, Boston. This upscale neighborhood lies along the Charles River and features plenty of art galleries, shops and old brick townhouses with classic architecture.

Back Bay was inspired by 19th-century plans for Paris, according to the American Planning Association, which makes it one of the best neighborhoods to explore on foot.

Of course, after you spend your time seeing what the city has to offer, you’re going to get hungry, which will lead you to search for the best restaurants in Back Bay, Boston. This neighborhood is lined with restaurants, cafes, bakeries and bars that locals and visitors alike frequent.

Searching for authentic New England seafood? Want a taste of Italy? Need a date night spot for this weekend? We’ve got you covered with this guide to new and established restaurants in Back Bay, Boston.

 Jump to Section

• Best Casual Restaurants in Back Bay, Boston
• Italian Restaurants in Back Bay, Boston
• Romantic Restaurants in Back Bay, Boston
• New Restaurants in Back Bay, Boston
• Restaurants in Back Bay, Boston FAQs

Best Casual Restaurants in Back Bay, Boston

1. Parish Café

Parish Café is one of the oldest restaurants in Back Bay Boston, being around for 30 years. And after you try this sandwich shop, you’ll know why. They often have some of the city’s most well-known chefs add a signature sandwich to the menu so you can truly have a feast of flavors. Taking cooking classes near you and online cooking classes are great ways to try chef-made food and learn how to recreate it.

2. Buttermilk and Bourbon

This restaurant in Back Bay, Boston will make you feel like you’re in the South. The menu featured homemade biscuits, fresh fried chicken and peel-and-eat shrimp that have diners coming back for more. A laid-back spot, it’s the perfect place for some comfort food.

3. The Banks Fish House

If you’re craving Boston seafood, this is the best casual restaurant in Back Bay, Boston to try. The contemporary exterior of The Banks Fish House is comfortable and the perfect place to try some local fish and oysters. Plus, there’s a raw bar you’ll definitely want to try.

4. Santouka

Looking for the best bowl of ramen in the city? This restaurant in Back Bay, Boston might just have it. The line outside the door is proof. Santouka offers tonkotsu, toroniku and vegetarian ramens, just to name a few. 

5. Casa Romero

Bright walls inside a historic brownstone are the signature of this Mexican restaurant in Back Bay, Boston. Need a taco and margarita fix? Casa Romero your place. Plus, it has a back patio that’s the ideal spot to hang out in during the summer.

6. Greco

Arguably the best casual Greek restaurant in Back Bay, Boston, Greco is the spot to go to for fresh Greek cuisine. Stop in for lunch or dinner for a traditional gyro and feta and oregano fries. And you can’t walk away without the Greek doughnut holes called loukoumades topped with honey, cinnamon and nuts.

7. Luke’s Lobster

Hailing the official lobster roll of the Boston Fed Sox, this fun Back Bay restaurant is the perfect place for some classic seafood. Using sustainably sourced ingredients, enjoy lobster rolls on a New England-style bun at Luke’s Lobster. Or sample a few of the offerings with a lobster roll flight.

8. The Salty Pig

This restaurant in Back Bay, Boston is within walking distance of Copley Place. So, when you’re done exploring, you can check out The Salty Pig's housemade charcuterie boards, handmade pasta and stone-grilled pizza. Plus, sip on a glass of wine while you eat.

9. Saltie Girl

The innovative presentation of favorite seafood dishes makes Saltie Girl one of the most fun Back Bay restaurants. It’s a charming and laid-back spot where you can get an incredible selection of coastal dishes. Though the small spot might be busy, it’s worth waiting for a table.

10. Crazy Good Kitchen

Crazy Good Kitchen claims to have the best burger in town and with good reason. It’s one of the best casual restaurants in Back Bay, Boston right on Newbury Street. The meat is ground in-house, leading to a juicy patty topped with melty cheese and fresh toppings. They also serve chicken sandwiches, wings and tenders. If you’re looking for a place to indulge, this is it.

Italian Restaurants in Back Bay, Boston

11. Faccia a Faccia

There are plenty of Italian restaurants in Back Bay Boston but Faccia a Faccia is where to go if you want a seafood-forward dinner. Using fresh ingredients and in-season produce right from the nearby farmers’ market, you’ll get a taste of coastal Italian cuisine.

12. Sonsie

Another long-standing restaurant in Back Bay, Boston, Sonsie is a favorite place to go for Italian food. It has had a prime location on Newbury Street for over 30 years. And people love to sit with a plate of pasta, cocktails or espresso drinks and enjoy the sights.

13. Davio’s

If you’ve never tasted North Italian cuisine, Davio’s should be your introduction. This Italian-inspired steakhouse restaurant in Back Bay, Boston serves fine cuts of meat, Maine lobster and classic Italian dishes. Plus, it has an on-site bakery so you can end the meal with something sweet.

14. Sorellina

The modern black and white interior shows the contemporary elegance of this restaurant in Back Bay, Boston. The luxurious menu features staples like Maine lobster, prime beef and the exotic wine list is worth splurging on at Sorellina.

15. Piattini

A rustic Italian restaurant in Back Bay, Boston, Pianti is a staple of Newbury Street. Three dining rooms offer an intimate experience and two patios that will transport you to Tuscany in the warmer months. Pianti is also known for its wine bar, so enjoy a glass while you eat.

16. Strega Italiano

Strega Italiana prides itself on crafting dishes with recipes passed down for generations. This restaurant in Back Bay, Boston uses homemade pasta topped with sauces made from secret recipes. It’s on the expensive side but the large portions and delicious taste make it worth it.

17. Terra

Cooking its food on a wood-burning grill, Terra offers classic dishes made with housemade pasta and grilled meats. The stunning third-floor restaurant has lush greenery, exposed brick and a skylight to create a warm and cozy restaurant near Back Bay, Boston. It’s also located in Eataly, so you can grab some Italian ingredients on your way out.

18. Serafina

This authentic Italian restaurant in Back Bay, Boston is located right on Newbury Street. The extensive menu at Serafina features a variety of classic dishes like cacio e pepe and rigatoni alla bolognese. Plus, you have to end the meal with a dessert like their tiramisu or chocolate cake.

19. Contessa

Contessa is one of the most sought-after restaurants in Back Bay, Boston. If you dine here, you might even get a celebrity sighting. Enjoy the famed menu while enjoying views of Downtown and the Boston Public Gardens from this rooftop restaurant in The Newbury Hotel.

Romantic Restaurants in Back Bay, Boston

20. Bistro du Midi

Imagine views of the Public Garden while you sip on a glass of wine. Could there be a better date idea in Boston? If you’re thinking ‘no,’ you’ll want to make reservations at Bistro du Midi as soon as possible. This restaurant in Back Bay, Boston serves a fusion of French and New England cuisine that will be your most delicious date night yet.

21. Asta

You might want to have a standing monthly date night at this restaurant in Back Bay, Boston. That’s because Asta offers a tasting menu that changes monthly. This means you’re getting the most innovative dish with the freshest ingredients. How fun would it be to try new dishes together every month?

22. Uni

Slide into the brown leather booth of this warm and cozy restaurant near Back Bay, Boston. Uni is known for its innovative sushi creations, which you can watch be prepared at the sushi bar. Or head to this Japanese restaurant in Back Bay, Boston to try street food small plates inspired by global cuisines.

23. Mistral

An elegant bistro with white tablecloths and contemporary chandeliers, Mistral is the perfect restaurant in Back Bay, Boston for an elevated date night. Serving a French-Mediterranean fusion, Mistral is one of the most unique spots for a couple to spend the evening. From grilled pizzas to salmon to duck, you’ll have plenty of choices for a decadent night out.

24. Porto

Porto’s award-winning chef will transport you to the Mediterranean. This restaurant in Back Bay, Boston borrows from cuisines from around the region. Serving housemade pasta, lamb chops and branzino, you might have a hard time choosing one entreé.

25. Deuxave

Sleek, glamorous and lit by chandeliers, this restaurant in Back Bay, Boston is one of the city’s best places for date night. Ideal if you’re looking for a dressed-up date night, Deuxave is an elegant restaurant that offers French cuisine and an extensive wine menu to choose from.

26. Hecate

This speakeasy bar and restaurant in Back Bay, Boston is cozy and dimly lit, the perfect spot for a date night. Cozy up in one of the booths at Hecate or grab a spot at the bar. You’ll enjoy some cocktails with unique flavors and served in unique glasses. Plus, a few bites for a late-night snack.

27. The Street Bar

If you can’t make it to the rooftop of The Newbury Hotel, try this street-level restaurant in Back Bay, Boston. Aptly named The Street Bar, this bar and restaurant is a cozy spot for a date night. Craft cocktails, an extensive wine list and American dishes. Share a dessert to end the night on a sweet note.

28. Oak Long Bar and Kitchen

At 110 years old, Oak Long Bar and Kitchen is one of the oldest in the area. And it’s the history that makes it one of the best restaurants in Back Bay, Boston for date night. The freshest locally sourced ingredients make up the menu of this warm hotel restaurant.

New Restaurants in Back Bay, Boston

29. D16 Lounge & Bar

This new cocktail lounge is located in the basement of an old police precinct. A cool and moody spot, D16 Lounge & Bar serves a plethora of cocktails, small plates and sweets that would make a deliciously hip birthday dinner in Boston.

30. Lenox Hotel Concepts

The Lenox Hotel has opened three new restaurants in Back Bay, Boston. Sweeney’s is a laid-back Irish pub. The Irving is a cocktail bar. A new concept for City Table will be announced in 2025. These new replacements are welcomed editions to the neighborhood.

31. Black Rose European Bakery

Black Rose European Bakery is opening a new sweets restaurant in Back Bay, Boston. The bakery serves French and Italian pastries in MetroWest and has opened a second location on Newbury Street. Both locals and visitors will love grabbing a macaron or cannoli to sweeten their day.

32. Le Mari

Le Mari is a new Mediterranean restaurant in Back Bay, Boston with a modern touch. The spot offers sharable plates for the table as well as homemade pasta and entreés from the land and sea. Le Mari is sure to become a quick favorite of the neighborhood.

33. Amar

Amar will take you to the top of the neighborhood to enjoy contemporary Portuguese cooking. This restaurant in Back Bay, Boston has large windows that boast unobstructed views of the city. And while you look out over the skyline, you can enjoy Portuguese renditions of Wagyu beef and wild striped bass.

34. STK Boston

Open now for just about a year, STK Boston has quickly become a beloved steakhouse in the Back Bay. It’s an upscale steakhouse that’s perfect if you’re looking to splurge. It also has a lively lounge atmosphere and features a DJ, which is great for a night out. You can book private event spaces to host team building activities in Boston.

35. Dani’s Queer Bar

This new restaurant in Back Bay, Boston offers classic bar food and comfort dishes alongside their signature cocktails. Along with their great food, Dani’s Queer Bar offers an inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.

36. Long Bar & Terrace

At this restaurant in Back Bay Boston, you'll find classic New England fare. Long Bar & Terrace is going to be your new favorite place for a lobster roll. Located inside the Raffles Hotel, you'll surround yourself with luxury and enjoy skyline views along with the restaurant's decadent cocktails.

37. La Padrona

The chef of this new restaurant in Back Bay Boston is a James Beard Best Chef winner. La Padrona is a two-story restaurant located inside the Raffles Hotel. Stepping inside, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to an Italian villa. And the Italian countryside-inspired menu takes your tastebuds there as well.

Restaurants in Back Bay, Boston FAQs

What is the famous street in Back Bay Boston?

The Back Bay neighborhood is a few blocks long and wide. But what is the famous street in Back Bay Boston? Newbury Street is probably the most well-known in the area and with good reason. It’s the main road that runs through Back Bay and hosts the majority of the commercial district.

As you walk up and down the street, you’ll find many of the renowned and low-key restaurants in Back Bay, Boston, along with bars and cafés. Plus, there are boutiques and galleries where you can do some shopping.

What is the Italian area of Boston called?

Many cities have a Little Italy, where many residents are of Italian descent and the neighborhood hosts Italian restaurants, cafés and grocers. So, what is the Italian area of Boston called? The North End is often considered Boston’s Little Italy. While there are many incredible Italian restaurants in Back Bay Boston, the North End has incredible offerings as well.

Why are there so many Italian restaurants in Boston?

When people think of Boston and New England cuisine, they often think of seafood. Yes, seafood is a major staple of the city’s culinary scene. However, Italian is definitely one of the most famous Boston foods.

So, why are there so many Italian restaurants in Boston? It’s often attributed to Italian immigrants who arrived from Italy in the 1890s. They settled in the area, bringing their culture and cuisine. Many of them or their descendants opened restaurants. So, you’ll find many places serving authentic Italian food in the city, including a number of restaurants in Back Bay, Boston.

Boston is known for many things, from history to sports but it’s the restaurants in Back Bay Boston that might really put this city on the map. The variety of cuisines, atmospheres and price ranges ensures there’s a place for everyone to eat.

Whether you’re a visitor looking for dinner after a long day of exploring or a local trying to find your new go-to spot, the restaurants in Back Bay Boston are always a good option.

For even more fun Boston ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!