Back Bay in Boston is an interesting mix of touristy restaurants and stand-out hole-in-the-wall hits. Between Newbury Street, Boylston and the neighboring off-roads you’ll find hundreds of restaurants- making it incredibly overwhelming to pick a restaurant in Back Bay.
Amidst the sea of Back Bay restaurants to choose from, we’ve narrowed it down to 15 trustworthy options that never disappoint. Below are the 15 Back Bay restaurants in Boston we recommend for lunch or dinner. And if you’re looking for brunch options check out our Back Bay Boston brunch guide!
1. Faccia a Faccia, Italian
The brainchild of culinary masterminds, Ken Oringer and Jamie Bisonette, Faccia a Faccia is the hottest new restaurant in Back Bay. The menu combines classic Italian dishes like pasta and bruschetta with the exceptionally innovative techniques and twists in true Oringer/Bisonette fashion.
If you’re a fan of their other restaurants like Little Donkey, Toro, or Coppa, you’ll love Faccia! Don’t skip their house potato chips with green goddess dip and caviar or their rotating uni squid ink pasta with Calabrian chiles!
276 Newbury St.
2. Uni, Sushi/Japanese
This is turning into a Ken Oringer appreciation post, but we couldn’t leave Uni off the menu. Uni is hands down the best sushi restaurant in the city. The fish is ridiculously fresh and combinations like Shima Aji(Trevally) with parsnip miso and Thai bird chili will make your taste bunds dance and your heart sing!
370 Commonwealth Ave.
3. Citrus and Salt, Mexican
In this hip aesthetically decorated spot with pink walls and tall palm trees, you’ll find Mexican food with a spicy twist! Corn isn’t just on the cob at Citrus and Salt, it’s dusted with Flaming Hot Cheetos. Everything on the menu from the beef cheek to the chilaquiles nachos satisfies. And don’t skip the refreshing dole whip for dessert!
142 Berkeley St.
4-6. Four Seasons One Dalton, Multiple restaurants
- Zuma
- Trifecta
- One+One
The Four Seasons One Dalton has three unique restaurants on the same property! They’re all cooking up something different and worthy of their own praise! Try One+One for a comforting après ski brunch, head to Trifecta for an elegant high tea or go to Zuma for Japanese food so good even Khloé Kardashian is a fan!
1 Dalton St.
7. Saltie Girl, Seafood
Seafood lovers, Saltie Girl awaits you. From fried lobster and waffles to fresh ceviche, Saltie Girl knows how to do seafood right. Whether you want your fish fried, broiled, baked or, raw Saltie Girl is the spot to get your fix.
279 Dartmouth St.
8. Contessa, Milanese
If you haven’t heard of Contessa, do you even live in Boston?
The Milanese rooftop restaurant (perched atop The Newbury hotel) is worth all of the praise since its opening. The food is fresh and delicious, the servers are lovely, and garden filled terrace with panoramic views of the Public Garden, Common and city skyline can’t be beat.
3 Newbury St.
9. Sorellina, Italian/French
For incredibly elevated Italian fare, Sorellina checks the box! The chic, dimly lit atmosphere makes it lovely for romantic outings or special occasions. The plates here are small but every bite is like a trip to Italy itself!
1 Huntington Ave.
10-12. Eataly, Italian (multiple restaurants)
- La Pizza and La Pasta
- La Piazza
- Terra
The Italian eatery, Eataly, is filled with quick grab and go options on top of three full-service restaurants! On the top floor you’ll find a beautiful garden restaurant, Terra, with hearty entrees and an abundance of indoor greenery. You can enjoy the outdoor rooftop in summer at Terra.
Downstairs, La Piazza is focused on smalls bites, cheese, and charcuterie, and across the stretch is the pizza pasta restaurant with some of the city’s simplest yet most delicious pizza and pasta! The margherita pizza is crafted with a perfect blend of fresh tomato, basil, mozzarella and sourdough crust all topped with flavorful extra virgin olive oil!
800 Boylston St.
13. Deuxave, French/farm-to-table
The farm-to-table French restaurant serves dishes that draw a fine line between elevated cuisine and a pure form of artwork. The foie gras here will melt in your mouth as will the succulent Long Island duck.
371 Commonwealth Ave.
14. Café Sauvage, French
The new French cafe is one of our favorite Back Bay brunch spots in the city right now! But it’s also lovely for lunch and dinner. Here you’ll get a fancy meal all without breaking the bank.
25 Massachusetts Ave.
15. Buttermilk and Bourbon, Southern
Craving Southern food? Look no further than Buttermilk and Bourbon. The Chicken and Waffles here are made with cheddar infused waffles and just might be the best in the city!
160 Commonwealth Ave.