Highly acclaimed for its enticing Mexican fare, dining at Angela's Cafe is certain to transport diners to the streets of Mexico, amid tacos, tostadas and burritos. The colorful cafe done up in hues of red and orange welcomes its guests and charms them with its friendliness. Among the best-selling dishes on the menu is the exquisite Chiles En Nogada that is recommended by the Chef himself. It consists of chiles stuffed with picadillo and served with pomegranates and walnut sauce, making the dish resemble the Mexican flag. Other classic items on offer are the Mariscada or mussels and clams fried with jalapenos in a garlic sauce and tilapia that must be tried atleast once.
Neptune was God of the Seas, but the Neptune Oyster however isn't as vast as the waters he ruled over. This is a small pearl that can seat about two dozen people in simple and neat surroundings. Apart from oysters and clams, you'll get a variety of other seafood and if you're in to it, you can try some smoked and raw salmon. You can also savor some Italian seafood like North End Cioppino and Whole Loup de Mer.
Located in the heart of Boston's South End, Toro is a lively Barcelona-style tapas bar. Owned by acclaimed chef Ken Oringer, Toro has become one of Boston's must-visit restaurants. Perfect for sharing, the traditional tapas served here are small portioned dishes that allow patrons to order and try various cuisine. Toro's vast menu features a variety of tapas including empanadas, sliders, charcuterie and more. Not to be outdone by their cuisine, the signature drink menu at Toro offers wine on tap, cocktails, champagne, and bottled beer. Their brunch is one of the best in the city, offering pitchers of sangria, mimosas, and bloody marys. Be prepared to wait or arrive early, as this popular establishment doesn't accept reservations.
Housed in the Boston Center for the Arts, The Beehive restaurant and bar is almost like an opera house in itself with live jazz, cabaret and a lot more action. There are fine satin drapes and exquisite artifacts adorning the eatery. A popular hangout among the night birds; the bar and lounge scene here is also upbeat and lively. The food is a regular mix of the grilled and Mediterranean variety, with lamb ribs ruling the roost. Sausages, pasta and risottos also sit happily together on the menu. The wine sure flows freely on all days and everything about the place has an arty feel to it.
Tourists still flock to Bull & Finch Pub, a.k.a. Cheers Boston, the inspiration for the Cheers television series which ran for 11 years and won a number of awards. Avid fans should be forewarned, however; the exterior is very familiar, but the inside is nothing like the TV version. Drinks and food are served here, but its icon status is the main draw. It is considered by many to be one of the top tourist attractions in Boston!
The Helmand is Boston's first Afghan restaurant. It has a wonderful atmosphere with yellow walls, hand-woven rugs, a wood-burning stove and tables set with linen and fresh flowers. Dishes here are seasoned with spices like turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon and cilantro. One specialty is the flatbread, which you dip it into the yogurt-mint sauces. The pumpkin appetizer with yogurt and ground beef is also popular. Menu items include lamb with grapes, marinated tenderloin and leek-stuffed ravioli. The restaurant also has an excellent selection of wine.
Set apart from the cash register, behind a row of three coolers filled with smoothies, sodas, and juices, exposed brick walls surround the dining room of Darwin's Ltd. Stone benches and tables of two, in front of floor to ceiling windows, along the street side of the dining area, allow guests to enjoy a more private setting. Throughout the center of the dining area, tiled tables give Darwin's Ltd. a bistro style feel. Along the back wall, a black leather couch and lounge chair allow guests to relax, below a tapestry of rustic window frames. The sandwiches, made on a selection of fresh breads, and coffees make Darwin's Ltd. a wonderful choice to begin or end any day.
White brick walls give this corner creamery a homey feeling. Guests can sit at small tables, near the counter; or they can sit on stools, in a small room, set apart from the noise of the cash register, and look out onto the street. For those who would like to sit and relax on a hot summer afternoon, Berry Line offers free WiFi to go with their alternating selection of yogurts topped with various fruits and candies. Berry Line's best feature is the welcome they offer first time guests—a sample of their yogurt.
If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine you will love Santouka Hokkaido Ramen. Built to replicate the charm of a local restaurant in Japan, this restaurant perfectly satisfies all expectations one might have from it. The lively atmosphere at this restaurant is amplified by its big, round tables which are designed to increase interaction between customers and share a good conversation over a delectable meal. Through great innovation the chefs at this restaurant prepare delectable dishes that suit the taste of the modern crowd without altering much of the traditional flavor that makes the dish special. Pioneers in ramen, there isn't a dish here that has ever left patrons disappointed or dissatisfied.
This three-story Harvard Square institution is more of an entertainment megaplex than a mere Chinese restaurant. The first floor is a Chinese restaurant. The second floor is a sports bar with dartboards. The third floor functions as both a comedy club and a dance club. Comedy shows take place Thursday through Sunday. Food is available on all three floors, as are gigantic scorpion bowls and other exotic concoctions.
Overlooking the Harvard Yard, Mr. Bartley's was established in 1960 by Joe and Joan Bartley. The third generation of the Bartley family has joined the gang to serve the locals their venerable burgers. Mr. Barteley's is an institute by itself and is always bustling with people. Decked up with political posters, quirky signs and bumper stickers, it has been churning out great burgers for decades now. Their unfrozen beef is hand-cut and ground daily to give their burgers a distinct taste. Celebs like Shaquille O’Neil, Bob Dylan and Adam Sandler have dined here. Savor their gourmet burgers like The People's Republic Of Cambridge, The Tom Brady, The Hashtag, The Barack Obama, The Putin and The Health Connector. Though funnily named, their hamburgers are worth every bite and money.