Readers Say

25 best places to eat and drink in Back Bay

We asked readers for the best restaurants and bars in the neighborhood. Here are their favorites.

Diners sitting outside at La Voile on Newbury Street. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

By Kristina DaPonte

2 minutes to read

Keep your hunger at bay — readers have some ideas for where to dine out next.

Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood is home to numerous restaurants and shops whether you’re at the Prudential Center, Copley Square, Newbury Street, or beyond. It is a dining destination in and of itself, with easy access to some iconic attractions from the Boston Public Library, Trinity Church, and of course, the Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston Street.

Amid several new restaurant openings over the past couple years, from Saloniki Greek, Little Whale Oyster Bar, Hue, and Lolita’s reopening, we polled readers for their neighborhood recommendations. We also recently asked readers to tell us their favorite spots to eat and drink in Back Bay. In total, readers shared 25 of their favorite restaurants to visit in the bustling neighborhood.

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Located in the Prudential Center, Pressed Cafe has an expansive menu and serves a selection of juices, salads, and paninis. Reader Keenan from Back Bay praised Pressed for its options.

“A good variety of great food — casual and always quick! The chipotle chicken panini is my go-to, and don’t forget to try the fresh juice options,” he said.

On Newbury Street, American bistro Sonsie came highly recommended by Meena I. from Lexington.

“The bartender is fantastic — and the food has such great variety for everyone. The restaurant is always vibrant — and the summer vibes with the windows open in the front just makes it feel like Europe. I’ve been going to Sonsie since about 1995 and it has never let me down.”

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The other end of Newbury Street boasts The Street Bar, a hotel bar with an extensive wine and cocktail list that has an old-school look that reader John B. from Back Bay appreciates.

“Great cocktails, phenomenal service with a vibe that harkens back to the days of the original Ritz Carlton Bar,” he said.

Below, explore our interactive map and scroll through the full list of reader-recommended restaurants and bars in Back Bay.

25 best restaurants and bars in Back Bay, according to readers

This list combines reader recommendations from 2022, 2023, and 2024.

  1. Abe & Louie’s, 793 Boylston St., Boston
  2. Buttermilk & Bourbon, 160 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
  3. Crazy Good Kitchen, 268 Newbury St., Boston
  4. Dillon’s, 955 Boylston St., Boston
  5. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, 122 Belvidere St., Boston
  6. Eva, 279a Newbury St., Boston
  7. Faccia a Faccia, 278 Newbury St., Boston
  8. Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, 200 Dartmouth St., Boston
  9. Grill 23 & Bar, 161 Berkeley St., Boston
  10. Joe’s on Newbury, 181 Newbury St., Boston
  11. La Voile, 261 Newbury St., Boston
  12. Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar, 271 Dartmouth St., Boston
  13. OAK Long Bar + Kitchen, 138 St James Ave., Boston
  14. Parish Cafe & Bar, 361 Boylston St., Boston
  15. Pressed Cafe, 105 Huntington Ave., Boston
  16. Rochambeau, 900 Boylston St., Boston
  17. Saltie Girl Seafood Bar, 279 Dartmouth St., Boston
  18. Serafina, 237 Newbury St., Boston
  19. Sonsie, 327 Newbury St., Boston
  20. Sorellina, 1 Huntington Ave., Boston
  21. Stephanie’s on Newbury, 190 Newbury St., Boston
  22. The Cheesecake Factory, 115 Huntington Ave. Suite 181, Boston
  23. The Corner Tavern, 421 Marlborough St., Boston
  24. The Street Bar, 1 Newbury St., Boston
  25. Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 338 Newbury St., Boston

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