13 Locally-Loved Restaurants in East Boston in 2024

Do you plan your trips around the meals you'll enjoy? If so, these restaurants in East Boston are a dream come true. Easty, as the locals affectionally call it, is known for having an incredible dining scene that caters to every craving, but stands out for its authentic Italian and seafood spots.

Of course, with so many fantastic options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to the best restaurants in East Boston according to locals. From cozy pubs perfect for after-work drinks and grub to charming spots ideal for birthdays, anniversaries and casual midweek dinners, these restaurants offer a wide range of culinary experiences.

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• Best Restaurants in East Boston
• Best New East Boston Restaurants
• Best East Boston Waterfront Restaurants
• Restaurants in East Boston FAQs

Best Restaurants in East Boston

Get your appetite ready because these are the best restaurants in East Boston for a taste of authentic Boston fare.

1. Union Oyster House

Step back in time at America’s oldest restaurant: Union Oyster House. This Boston landmark has been serving seafood lovers for over 200 years and offers a menu packed with local favorites like oysters, Basque-style mussels, housemade crab cakes and classic chowders. It’s one of the most memorable restaurants in East Boston with retro décor, dim lighting and cozy booths that give off that old Boston dining vibe.

While the booths can be snug, the adjustable tables ensure a comfortable experience for everyone. What’s more, this multi-award-winning eatery has been celebrated far and wide, recently earning in Taste Atlas' list of the 50 most legendary restaurants in the world.

2. Kelley Square Pub

Kelley Square Pub is one of the go-to restaurants in East Boston for pizza, pasta and BBQ lovers. This lively yet cozy spot is famous for its honey steak tips, offering a perfect balance of sweet, spicy and savory flavors. If you’re in the mood for BBQ, the ribs are a must-try — slow-cooked for hours until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with flavor. Oh and be sure to start your meal with the stuffed quahog appetizer, served in the half shell and filled with a delicious clam and seafood stuffing.

3. Santarpios

With pizza being one of the most loved foods in Boston, it’s no wonder Santarpios is one of the top restaurants in East Boston. The pizza here is made with care with dough that’s prepared fresh daily, homemade sausage and sauces that are cooked from scratch each morning. Popular choices include the sausage, garlic and hot pepper pizza as well as the white pizza with no sauce. For something different, try one of their barbecue dishes, served with spicy hot cherry peppers and freshly baked Italian bread. No visit to Santarpio’s is complete without sampling their famous kebabs. Grilled to perfection, these savory skewers are served as an appetizer, filling the air with their irresistible aroma as soon as you walk through the door.

4. Milano’s Deli

Milano’s Deli on Saratoga Street is among the oldest restaurants in East Boston and has been serving up hearty Italian classics for over three decades. Milano’s menu offers a variety of hot and cold subs, calzones, wraps and breakfast sandwiches, making it a go-to spot for any meal. Standout favorites include the chicken tip and cheese sub, the sausage Ariano calzone and the eggplant parmigiana. Their eggplant parmesan sub, in particular, has achieved near-iconic status among locals — particularly because even the "small" portion is plenty for lunch and leaves room for leftovers. As one of the standout restaurants in East Boston, Milano’s Deli is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience authentic East Boston hospitality and timeless Italian flavors.

5. Meridian Market

Serving the community for over 30 years, Meridian Market is one of the top Italian restaurants in East Boston. This family-owned spot serves up authentic Italian cuisine including handmade pasta, daily homemade specials and their legendary chicken parm, which is made with freshly prepared marinara sauce every day. Meridian Market is also known for its incredible sandwiches, generous portions and fresh, made-to-order dishes. 

Standouts include the Caprese sub and the chicken Caesar, featuring juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken and crisp lettuce. The meatball sub is another fan favorite, with hearty, flavorful meatballs that are truly unforgettable. With portions so generous you could share a sandwich — but so delicious you won’t want to—  Meridian Market delivers great value and even better flavor.

6. Rino's Place

Rino’s Place is one of those family-owned restaurants in East Boston that are known for generous portions, fresh ingredients and from-scratch cooking. With just 30 to 40 seats, the space is small and cozy, offering an intimate dining experience that feels like home. As you’d expect from one of the best East Boston Italian restaurants, every dish at Rino’s is made fresh daily and their ever-changing specials mean there’s always something new to try. 

One standout option is the chicken parmesan which is so massive it takes up an entire plate and is packed with flavor. But the dish that truly put Rino’s on the map is their legendary lobster ravioli. A perfect blend of Italian tradition and Boston seafood, it’s a must-try that keeps people coming back for more. Rino’s is also famous for its homemade pasta which is rolled out by hand and cooked to order every day. While the restaurant doesn’t take reservations and often has a line out the door, the wait is well worth it.

Best New East Boston Restaurants

Whether you’re a lifelong Eastie looking for a new dining experience or a curious visitor from out of town, these are the best restaurants in East Boston for a real taste of the neighborhood.

7. Rincon Limeno

Rincon Limeno is a comfy Peruvian family restaurant that transports you to the heart of South America. Once you step in, you're immediately greeted with the friendliest smiles and the most welcoming hospitality, with staff that make amazing recommendations. Appetizers on the Rincon Limeno menu include vibrant fresh mussels dressed with onions, peppers and lime juice as well as their delectable ceviche mixto. 

Seafood is a Peruvian specialty, so it's no surprise that you'll find classic dishes such as pescado a lo macho and fried snapper smothered in a seafood sauce. The chupe de camarones is also incredibly tasty and comforting, while the arroz con mariscos (Peruvian paella) is packed with flavor and comes with lots of squid and shrimp.

8. Florenza

At Florenza, food is a labor of love made with imported Italian ingredients for the most authentic taste. The pizza dough is fermented for 72 hours to create a light, airy crust that practically melts in your mouth, while the gelato is imported directly from Italy and comes in flavors that will whisk you away to the streets of Rome. 

Fan favorites include honeycomb, pistachio, pineapple and hazelnut. For lunch, don’t miss the primo panini which is big enough to share and is made with juicy, perfectly crisp chicken that pairs beautifully with the lightly charred, cloud-soft bread. And when it comes to pizzas, you can’t go wrong with popular choices like the earthy funghi or the classic caprese.

9. Cunard Tavern

Named after the Cunard Line which once docked its vessels in nearby Jeffries Point, Cunard Tavern celebrates East Boston’s rich maritime history with a stylish, nautical-themed dining experience. The 65-seat space is one of the best rooftop restaurants in Boston and features unique details like a giant illuminated Cunard sign, a striking masthead in the corner and kitchen doors styled like shipping containers.

The menu at Cunard Tavern is as diverse as the neighborhood it calls home, reflecting the cultural influences that have shaped East Boston over the years. From innovative starters like bacon-wrapped Medjool dates stuffed with gorgonzola cheese to Cuban spring rolls inspired by Latin American flavors, each dish tells a story.  As one of the new East Boston restaurants, Cunard Tavern also highlights seafood with dishes like grilled lime shrimp served atop creamy chipotle avocado mac and cheese and perfectly pan-seared scallops paired with sweet corn and lobster salad.

10. The Quiet Few

The Quiet Few is a neighborhood whiskey tavern nestled in the Jeffries Point area of East Boston. As one of the top restaurants in East Boston among locals, it offers a cozy space with rustic décor, brick accents and an elevated dive bar charm that feels like home. While it’s a bar at heart, The Quiet Few takes its food seriously. The menu is packed with nostalgic favorites like crispy wings, roasted cauliflower, fried pickles and even bowls of bacon served with maple syrup, housemade ranch and hot sauce.

11. Carmella’s Market

While Carmella’s has been keeping old-world Italian traditions alive for nearly a century, this eatery is now embracing fresh changes and updates under new ownership. It offers an authentic Italian market experience, complete with a variety of subs, salads, breakfast sandwiches and of course, its famous stuffed cherry peppers. 

Their traditional Italian sub is a best-seller, while the Maverick sub steals the show with housemade meatballs, chicken cutlets, provolone and grated Romano cheese served on a fresh French loaf. Carmella’s is also committed to keeping traditional Italian fare alive by serving up comforting classics like tripe every Saturday morning, making it one of the best restaurants in East Boston for a true taste of Italy.

Best East Boston Waterfront Restaurants

If you’re looking for restaurants in East Boston with a view, then you can’t go wrong with the following selection. These East Boston waterfront restaurants offer world-class dining with breathtaking views of Boston Harbor.

12. MIDA

MIDA is one of the best East Boston waterfront restaurants with a dining experience that celebrates authentic Italian cuisine. Chef Douglas Williams leads the kitchen with a hands-on approach, crafting everything in-house from delicate pastas to creamy gelatos and freshly baked focaccia. On the MIDA East Boston menu, you’ll find several standout items that have become local favorites. The clam pie is a particular highlight, a salty and briny pizza that pays homage to the New Haven-style pizza tradition.

Diners are treated to more than just exceptional food, however. In addition, to the exceptional MIDA East Boston menu, patrons can look forward to panoramic views of the downtown Boston skyline, visible through large windows that flood the space with natural light. With its stunning views of the Boston Harbor and commitment to quality, it has earned its reputation as one of the best East Boston Italian restaurants. What’s more, its sister restaurant in Fenway is close to one of the top Boston art galleries and offers the same high-quality dining experience.

13. ReelHouse

ReelHouse is an innovative local eatery with a dining experience that’s as stunning as its menu. Upon entering, you’re greeted with a lively bistro seating that boasts expansive views of Boston Harbor and the city skyline. This summer hotspot serves up creative dishes like tuna crudo tacos, a creamy clam corn chowder and the quintessential New England lobster roll. 

It’s one of the best restaurants in East Boston for seafood, serving up a daily selection of fresh oysters perfect for pairing with one of their handcrafted cocktails. Whether you're enjoying a casual lunch or a romantic date night in Boston, ReelHouse captures the essence of waterfront dining.

From some of the top Italian restaurants in East Boston to new East Boston restaurants, you’re spoilt for choice when visiting Beantown. There’s simply no shortage of delicious options to satisfy even the most ardent foodie. So, whether you’re indulging in a legendary lobster ravioli or enjoying fresh oysters with a view of the city’s skyline at one of the top restaurants in east Boston with a view, this city has something for everyone. 

For even more fun things to do in Boston, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!

Restaurants in East Boston FAQs

What Is the Best Food Boston Known For? 

From oysters and cod to iconic dishes like New England clam chowder and lobster rolls, Boston is renowned for its seafood. The city is also home to the famed shrimp scampi pizza, as well as favorites like cannoli, Boston cream pie and classic frappes.

Which Famous Chefs Have Restaurants in Boston?

There are quite a few celebrity-owned establishments in Boston’s culinary scene. Award-winning chef and pitmaster Andy Husbands owns The Smoke Shop BBQ which is renowned for its slow-cooked meats and Famous Wings, while local celebrity chef Damien DiPaola heads up Carmelina’s in Boston’s Little Italy and Boston celebrity chef Chris Parsons owns Lily P’s Fried Chicken.