Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Boston

Located in the popular South End of Boston, Picco is a well-established and loved Italian restaurant. An acronym for Pizza and Ice Cream Company, Picco is known for their exceptional thin-crust style pizza and homemade organic ice cream, which are all made with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant is characterized by its bright blue awnings, simple decor and outdoor seating. With a bubbly crust, fresh cheese and herbs, the pizzas are exquisitely prepared and can be custom ordered with a variety of toppings ranging from homemade ricotta to broccoli rabe. The ice cream is richly flavored and made in-house. The flavors rotate daily but often include chocolate, mint chip, ginger and passion fruit.

Famed to be one of the earliest Italian café establishments in Boston, Caffe Vittoria has been serving espresso and gelati to the Italian community of the North End since 1929. The cafe features old-world décor, where coffee enthusiasts can appreciate vintage brewing machines, shiny bakery cases, and parlor tables. On weekends, a lively post-dinner crowd keeps the place humming until late at night. While they are known to serve excellent hot chocolate and espresso, other enticing options include traditional tiramisu, cannoli, biscotti, and more.

This coffeehouse's dining area is set apart from the front counter, so those who want to sit and enjoy their coffee can do so with a little less noise from the grinder. Just before you enter their dining area, you will notice all the necessary condiments you need, in order to make your meal more enjoyable. For Starbucks lovers, their cappuccino smoothie tastes just like a Frapuccino. If you're in need of something more substantial, their wraps, salads, sandwiches and baked goods will hit the spot.

Deep in the South End, there is a small establishment where inexpensive, gourmet-quality food really does exist. The menu at Franklin Cafe ranges from meatloaf to sushi-grade tuna, all served with impeccable sides such as mashed potatoes with chives or lentil and bean sauce. Even the chicken livers are great here. The dining room is small and crowded, and the noise level can be high. This cafe, which has a full service bar, is very popular, and waits of an hour or two are common, even on weekdays.

In the greenbelt oasis of Boston's Post Office Square, Sip Cafe's sunny seating area and green interior blend seamlessly into the surroundings. The coffee at Sip is phenomenal in terms of taste and origin. Only one vendor, George Howell, supplies Sip's entire selection of their single origin house coffee. Be wary though, Sip specifically uses a light roast that packs more caffeine into a cup than less zealous coffee fanatics are used to. With a whole range of sandwiches, soups, and other snacks made from local produce, Sip Cafe is the perfect place to get a real feel for Boston life.

Gear up to delight in the delicious street food of New York, brought to Boston by The Chicken and Rice Guys. This food truck is a welcome relief for lunch and sees hungry crowds awaiting its arrival. The menu is simple, rice served with chicken or lamb, drowned in spicy red sauce. It is a wholesome option for people on a shoe-string budget. The locations and timings change regularly, visit their website for latest updates. Payment is accepted through cash only.