Best Historic Restaurants in South End

Price

££
£££
££££

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodIndianMexican

Regions

BostonBoston Metro South

Areas

Back BayBeacon HillBrooklineCambridgeCharlestownDowntown Crossing

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral toiletWheelchair access

66 restaurants available nearby

1. Beehive

4.6

Exceptional(7190)

££££Price: Expensive

• American • South End

Booked 84 times today

The Beehive is an underground Bohemian eatery and bar featuring fabulous cuisine, libations, artwork and world class live music. Nestled below the Boston Center for the Art’s historic Cyclorama in Boston’s South End, we are conveniently located to local theaters, the Calderwood Pavilion as well as Boston's Theater district. The Beehive serves the eclectic fare of Chef Ryan Skeen - rustic comfort food infused with American and Mediterranean influences. Join us for dinner, weekend brunch, patio dining, great cocktails at our bars and next level live music. If you like the Beehive you'll love our sister restaurant Cosmica Mexican Food & Bar for elevated Mexican cuisine and cocktails located two blocks away.

2. Metropolis Cafe

4.8

Exceptional(1591)

££££Price: Expensive

• American • South End

Booked 46 times today

Metropolis Café, nestled in Boston’s Historic South End with views of lively Tremont Street, combines fine dining and warm hospitality at casual prices. Our dinner menu features favorites like Rigatoni, Pan Roasted Natural Chicken with foraged mushroom crème and whipped garlic Yukon potatoes, Sriracha Glazed Brussels Sprouts served with house-made buttermilk ranch and celery salad, and our creamy Risottos. Join us for a beloved neighborhood brunch on weekends, where locals and visitors enjoy a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. Whether you’re stopping by for dinner or a weekend brunch, Metropolis Café offers an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of Boston’s South End.

A photo of Banyan Bar + Refuge restaurant

3. Banyan Bar + Refuge

4.6

Exceptional(1386)

££££Price: Expensive

• Asian • South End

Booked 38 times today

Indulge in a captivating culinary journey at Banyan Bar + Refuge, a fusion of Southeast Asian and New England flavors. Our menu boasts a tantalizing array of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy creations that promise to delight your palate. Immerse yourself in a delightful atmosphere filled with great music and a relaxed ambiance as you enjoy the historic South End.

4. Prima

4.7

Exceptional(872)

££££Price: Expensive

• Italian • Charlestown

Located on the edge of City Square Park in Charlestown, Prima is an energetic Italian celebration of reimagined classics. Our beautifully restored grand bar and dining room – which overlooks the park as well as the city skyline – strives to honor our building’s past and its prestigious placement at the gate of this historic Boston neighborhood.

5. Estella

4.2

Awesome(676)

££££Price: Expensive

• American • Beacon Hill

Booked 83 times today

Estella Restaurant, a culinary gem in downtown Boston, invites you to an exceptional dining experience that fuses flavors from diverse cultures. Founded by George Brandão in tribute to his extraordinary mother, Estella—a beacon of love and dedication—the restaurant embodies unity and diversity at its core. Our signature dish, the Famous Worrell Oxtail Rasta Pasta, is a harmonious blend of tender oxtail and vibrant Caribbean spices, a must-try for food enthusiasts seeking unique flavors. Estella has been featured in prestigious publications such as Eater Boston's Best Restaurants in Downtown Crossing and Best Cocktail Bars in Boston. Located steps away from iconic landmarks like the Boston Common and the historic Freedom Trail, Estella is the perfect destination for locals and visitors seeking an extraordinary dining experience. Join us, where every dish tells a story and every moment celebrates culture, unity, and culinary artistry.

6. Contessa - Boston

4.7

Exceptional(118)

££££Price: Expensive

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 54 times today

Perched atop The Newbury Hotel like a crown jewel, Contessa is a grand destination. Guests are welcomed from morning till night to a sunlit, rooftop restaurant with Art Deco references and mid-century modern detailing, offering sweeping views of Back Bay and the Boston Public Garden. The menu offers a wide variety of delicious options, from feasts of antipasti, carpaccios and pizzas, to pastas and large steaks. A vast wine list, classic cocktails and a selection of dolci punctuate a beautiful meal.

A photo of Union Oyster House restaurant

7. Union Oyster House

4.5

Awesome(8723)

££££Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Faneuil Hall

Booked 95 times today

The Union Oyster House, located on the Freedom Trail, near Faneuil Hall, enjoys the unique distinction of being America's oldest restaurant. This Boston fixture, housed in a building dating back to Pre-Revolutionary days, started serving food in 1826 and has continued ever since with the stalls and oyster bar, where Daniel Webster was a constant customer, in their original positions.

A photo of Trattoria Il Panino restaurant

8. Trattoria Il Panino

4.5

Awesome(6522)

££££Price: Moderate

• Italian • North End

Booked 156 times today

Trattoria Il Panino is the kind of place that one would expect to find along the Amalfi Coast. It is a warm, friendly, unpretentious and a food-focused environment. From the casual and positive energy of the atmosphere and waitstaff, to the serious and professional energy of the kitchen, the frontand back of the house form a desirable marriage. The entrance on 260 Hanover street has a full liquor license.

9. Ciao Roma

4.8

Exceptional(1081)

££££Price: Expensive

• Italian • North End

Booked 41 times today

Italian restaurant using the freshest ingredients and house-made pasta. Focusing on Southern Italian cuisine, we serve a full bar and curated wine list. Located on the historic Freedom Trail overlooking North Square.

A photo of OAK Long Bar + Kitchen restaurant

10. OAK Long Bar + Kitchen

4.6

Exceptional(1878)

££££Price: Expensive

• Unspecified • Back Bay

Booked 55 times today

OAK Long Bar + Kitchen is an exciting American brasserie restaurant in the heart of Boston's Back Bay. Enjoy specialty, hand crafted cocktails at the exquisite coppertop bar and a farm to table menu featuring local ingredients and purveyors.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
Dnmrj
Greater Boston •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The food is exceptional. We’d been before but had forgotten just how good the food is. A definite 5 star experience!
More info
Banyan Bar + RefugePrice: Expensive• Asian• South End
•
4.6
R
RobertVIP
Greater Boston •40 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
wonderful experience all around -well made creative cocktails, tasty entrees and great service
More info
PrimaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Charlestown
•
4.7
G
glennVIP
Greater Boston •37 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The restaurant has been around for about 30 years and always extremely busy. There must be a reason! If you want a great meal at a "Boston" restaurant this is the place to go.
More info
Metropolis CafePrice: Expensive• American• South End
•
4.8
N
NajeebaVIP
Greater Boston •18 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Server was pleasant and all of the food was delicious!
More info
EstellaPrice: Expensive• American• Beacon Hill
•
4.2
M
Mar
Mexico City •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Best burguer ever! Exquisite! The server was super nice and the music great too we arrived at 8:45pm it was perfect the music started around 9:15pm The tuna tartar is also good, and the mezcal drink was my favorite!
More info
BeehivePrice: Expensive• American• South End
•
4.6

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