Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Marlborough

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!

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.

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.

Dimly lit with small booths and a laid-back wait staff, this quaint bar and eatery can get crowded quickly. Delux Cafe may not look like much from the outside, but it is the inside that counts. All types come here looking for an inexpensive drink or supper. Quality pizzas and daily specials are satisfying and made promptly. The split pea soup, vegetable pie and herb-roasted pork loin are quite good as well. This is the perfect place to escape the pomp and prices of downtown.