Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Greater Boston

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Greater Boston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

dbar

4.9

4.9 (1482)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Dorchester

About the restaurant

dbar is a full service restaurant that seamlessly transforms into a nightclub and lounge as the night goes on. Formally an old school Irish pub filled with mahogany charm, dbar has been renovated into a hip chic hot spot. With warm glowing candles & long leather banquettes, dbar offers a casual and comfortable atmosphere that attracts clientele from Dorchester and surrounding areas. The unique and classy menu inspired by Executive Chef Christopher Coombs changes with the seasons and features the finest and freshest available ingredients throughout the New England area. Most of the menu takes a French twist, but also contains an assortment of comfort foods (such as our famous Veal & Pancetta Bolognaise) and old favorites (like our simple yet delicious Giannone Chicken Under a Brick.)

Top review

ElizabethVIP

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Always wonderful. One of our neighborhood places!

Machu Picchu

4.9

4.9 (82)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Somerville

About the restaurant

You no longer need to travel to Lima to experience great Peruvian cuisine, as Machu Picchu is a restaurant right on your doorstep in the greater Boston area .Now just a T stop away from the Green line. Machu Picchu serves up the freshest and most Authentic dishes, like Lomo saltado and Ceviche. All arranged to perfection for each patron's plate. Machu Picchu is a special place to go to experience culture and great food. If you are looking for a romantic dinner for two or host a large event, Machu Picchu is for you. Not only will you have some great food, but the extensive cocktail list will definitely help you top off a great evening out.

Top review

BrianVIP

Dined on Apr 7, 2025

Great food and flavor. Extensive drink menu and friendly service. It was a quiet evening. the appetizers are well worth it. If you are in the Cambridge/Somerville area worth a stop.

BLEND

4.9

4.9 (91)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Dorchester

About the restaurant

Blend is a gastro pub that combines the aspects of great food, music, lights and entertainment all into one. Blend "blends" up that neighborhood gastro pub feel where everyone is welcome. Gay owned and Operated, come check us out!

DRAG BRUNCHES ARE 1ST AND 3RD SUNDAYS UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED
instagram handle : blendboston

Please note when booking for a drag brunch to not choose outside. All drag brunches will be held inside.

TUESDAYS ~ Our Normal Dinning Room is closed for our local cornhole league, hightop bar tables are available but please keep in mind those tables are in the bar area and it will be busy!!!

Top review

Jean

Dined on Apr 6, 2025

A great experience. Food was great and staff was very attentive.

Fresh Boston

4.9

4.9 (4)

$30 and under

American

South Boston

About the restaurant

If you have to cancel, please give us as much advance notice as possible. We have a 10 minute grace period. Please call us if you are running late. Thank you!

Brunch: Saturday + Sunday 10:30a - 3:00p. We also serve our full lunch menu during Brunch

We are all about the good vibes here at Fresh Boston, drawing from our original location on Nantucket! We have a full bar, full liquor store, & full dine-in area as well as "grab & go". Our unique concept has everything you need with a vibe

>We are open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays)
> Brunch Saturday + Sunday 10:30a-3p (we also serve our full lunch menu during brunch)
>Our Liquor Store is fully stocked with spirits, beer, seltzers & over 225 facings of wine.
>Catering & Private Events freshboston.com/catering

Top review

KelsieL

Dined on Dec 22, 2023

Absolutely love fresh my new favorite restaurant in Southie! Highly recommend

The Nautilus - Nantucket

4.9

4.9 (107)

$50 and over

Pan-Asian

Nantucket

About the restaurant

Leading Nantucket’s thriving restaurant scene, The Nautilus (est. 2014) is an island staple built on the idea of a shared social experience. Founders Liam Mackey (food), Clinton Terry (drink) & Stephen Bowler’s (wine & business) island-mentality of being “serious about what we do, but not taking ourselves too seriously” perfectly sums up The Nautilus experience. The highly regarded culinary program is a sort of ‘New England coastal cuisine meets Asian & global haute street food’ vibe featuring small plates served tapas style, combined w/ larger group feasts (think Peking inspired duck). The culinary inspired cocktails draw on both seasonal & regional inspirations while the wine & sake list is recognized as a “Best Of” by Wine Spectator. Fueled by curated, energetic music, the stimulating yet neighborly atmosphere makes the new & unfamiliar feel comfortable & intimate, a philosophy that seamlessly ties the food, cocktails, wine & ambiance together to cr

Top review

LisaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Always amazing! Delicious cocktails, delicious food, great service and fun atmosphere. Not as busy or noisy a little pre-season, which we love. Love Nautilus

Mothership Alewife

4.9

4.9 (81)

$30 and under

American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Mothership is a familiar neighborhood hang. Mothership is a place where you can gather with your co-workers after a long day or skip the cooking at home and bring the whole family in. Shareable appetizers for the table, healthy and allergen-friendly options, or a homestyle classic. All are paired with good vibes + beverage options that suit everyone. Whether you're coming with the crew or watching the game at the bar by yourself, we’re your second living room; a place to hang.

Free parking is available to all Mothership guests at 140 Cambridgepark Drive. Take the first left after Mothership, and you will see a parking garage on the left. Simply press the intercom button, and let them know you are a guest of Mothership for entrance!

Top review

Katie

Dined on Mar 29, 2025

My boyfriend and I went per the recommendation of a colleague and it did NOT disappoint. We had the dumplings and flatbread for an appetizer, which were delicious, but the entrees and dessert stole the show. The chicken dish was so tasty. The carrot cake/cheesecake hybrid dessert with salted caramel ice cream was incredible. Our waiter was so helpful when it came down to picking what to eat and was so pleasant all night. Will certainly be coming back!

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Mothership Trivia Night!

Warehouse Kitchen + Sports Bar

4.8

4.8 (495)

$30 and under

American

Financial District

About the restaurant

The concept here is pretty simple. We like to watch sports. We like to drink great beer, fresh cocktails and delicious wine. We like to eat really good food made from scratch. We like relaxed atmospheres with friendly service & warm hospitality.
So, that is what we strive to offer here at Warehouse Boston – an upscale sports bar that offers great food & beverages in a relaxed atmosphere where you might wind up dancing after dinner or the big game.
Our fare is described as fresh, quality, bar food. We make food that we like to eat so we can assure that you’ll like it as well. We make things that go well with beer, cocktails and wine and utilize the freshest ingredients we can find. Our scratch kitchen has something to offer for everyone and our fabulous staff will ensure that all your dietary needs are met.
Warehouse is located at the intersection of the Financial District & Faneuil Hall, just steps from The Boston Aquarium and Boston Waterfront.

Top review

Nick

Dined 2 days ago

The steak wrap and sweet potato tots were really good. The cajun shrimp taco was amazing and the shrimp had a lot of flavor. Seared Mahi-Mahi taco and smash burger taco were good. The carnitas taco was a little too sweet for my liking. The churros were good, but the chocolate sauce that comes with them isn't that good. The staff were super friendly. Will definitely be back!

Bluefins - Falmouth

4.8

4.8 (118)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Falmouth

About the restaurant

Bluefins Falmouth, has a focus on fresh, locally sourced seafood, coupled with inspiration from local Cape Cod farm ingredients. We aim to craft sushi and tempura dishes that both celebrate and showcase seafood in classically inspired Japanese methods and at the same time honoring traditional New England seafood cuisine.

Top review

Stephen

Dined 6 days ago

Great deal, great food, and great vibe on a cold Wednesday night in Falmouth. What could be better.

Offsuit

4.8

4.8 (203)

$31 to $50

Speakeasy

Leather District

About the restaurant

Offsuit is an intimate cocktail bar. We want everyone to enjoy the Offsuit experience; so visits are limited to 90 minutes. Reservations are only available for 7 days into the future.

Top review

ToddVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Consistently excellent with fantastic cocktails and good food and a sharp team who know how to give you a good time.

The Harp - Patriot Place

4.8

4.8 (30)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Foxborough

About the restaurant

We look forward to seeing you in Foxborough! If you are unable to find your desired reservation time, please give us a call (774) 220-9022, and we will do our best to accommodate your group. Please note, patio seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

The Harp is the newest bar & dining destination at Patriot Place. Offering a neighborhood vibe, buzzing game watches for New England sports fans and delicious food and drinks. The spacious bar, dining room, and expansive seasonal patio – with views of newly renovated Gillette Stadium – are joined by elevated comfort food favorites, local beers, and handcrafted cocktails.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined on Mar 29, 2025

The food was great, and the waitress was very attentive.

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AC/DC NO TICKET NO PROBLEM

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