Where to find Boston’s under-the-radar restaurants, according to five Boston chefs
Whether you're craving Brazilian or Italian, Mediterranean or Mexican.
The Boston-area restaurant scene is a vibrant one, with new, exciting eateries opening all the time and award-winning standbys continuously upping their game. But with such a surplus of choices, some diners will inevitably end up defaulting to the same restaurants you see listed in every guide to the best or whichever restaurant has the most four and five-star reviews on Yelp. To help alleviate this, we reached out to a group of local chefs with one question: What is your favorite under-the-radar restaurant in the Boston area?
Whether it’s a new restaurant that’s just beginning to make a name for itself or a hidden gem that’s been around for years, we wanted to know about the spots that chefs might recommend to their friends.
Oliveira’s Steak House
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“My favorite go-to place when I’m starving is Oliveira’s Steak House in Somerville, a little hidden gem under McGrath Highway that features Brazilian barbecue that is to die for. Try their coconut cake, my favorite cheat meal!” –Shayne Nunes, executive chef of Foundry on Elm and Saloon
There are plenty of Brazilian restaurants in the Greater Boston area, but not many of them will sell you meat by the pound. Whether you choose to pay that way or take the buffet option at Oliveira’s, chances are you’re getting yourself plenty of food. Choose from proteins like sirloin, spicy sausage, beef short ribs, and chicken-wrapped bacon, or toss them all on a plate with some rice, beans, and fried plantains on the side.
Bánh Mi Ba Le
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“One of my favorite under the-radar spots is Bánh Mi Ba Le in Dorchester. It has incredibly authentic Vietnamese cuisine and the best báhn mi you can get anywhere in the region!” –Jason Heard, executive chef of Coppersmith
Located a short walk from the Savin Hill T stop, Bánh Mi Ba Le blends into the neighborhood on Dorchester Avenue, with an inauspicious awning advertising “fast food to go.” While the food may be fast, it’s also some of the most delectable Vietnamese cuisine in the city. The menu highlight is a classic Bánh Mi sandwich that Serious Eats calls “the best I’ve had in this hemisphere, period,” and is available for only $3.50.
Buk Kyung
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“My favorite local hidden gem is definitely Buk Kyung in Somerville’s Union Square. The ambiance is nothing special and they have no liquor license, but it remains a constant source of Korean-related inspiration for me. While they highlight their jajangmyun (black bean noodles) as a specialty, the ganpoongyouk (sweet and spicy crunchy fried pork chunks) is my pick for both the best dish in the Metro area and, if you get the large portion, the best value in the Metro area.” –Patrick Gilmartin, executive chef of The Independent and River Bar
Sandwiched between a nail salon and a Western Union, Buk Kyung isn’t as flashy as Union Square stalwarts across the street like El Potro and Brass Union. But the Korean restaurant holds its own in the crowded Union food scene, serving up inspired takes on Korean standbys like Gangajang Bi Bom Bop at reasonable prices.
Kava Neo-Taverna and Bar Mezzana
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“There are two new restaurants in my neighborhood, [the South End], that are both worth checking out. Kava on Shawmut Street and Bar Mezzana on Harrison Street are freshly minted, highly anticipated, and sure to become ‘crowd favorites.’ While Kava is Greek and Bar Mezzana Italian, the two share a love for simply prepared, delicious food, served by excellent hospitality providers. Both of these restaurants have really comfortable, unique settings, and they’ve captured the spirit of the cuisines that they offer; my family and I have enjoyed ourselves immensely each time we go to one of them. The South End already has an impressive roster of restaurants to be proud of; adding Kava and Bar Mezzana to the list just made life here a little tastier.” –Michael Schlow, James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur behind Doretta Taverna & Raw Bar, Tico Boston, and Alta Strada Wellesley
Kava Neo-Taverna, which opened in May, is part of a new wave of trendy Greek restaurants debuting across the city. It pays close attention to getting its Mediterranean roots right, offering a mix of small tasting plates and hearty entrees typically complemented by a traditional blend of Greek sauces and flavors. Bar Mezzana, which opened in June in the South End’s trendy Ink Block development, serves up coastal Italian fare in the form of a crudo menu that changes daily, handmade pasta, and a formidable wine list.
Angela’s Café, Villa Mexico Café, Bondir Cambridge, and Erbaluce
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“I have a few top places that come to mind. I’m a big fan of Angela’s Café in East Boston. Julie King and Villa México Café have been on my radar since she was in a Beacon Hill gas station and still now that she’s settled into her Water Street location in Faneuil Hall. I think the world of Jason Bond and Bondir Cambridge. And Charles Draghi’s Erbaluce makes my list for higher-end dining. All of these are special in their own way, and they are all consistent in focusing on fresh, local, in-season, and well-executed meals on different levels of simplicity and complexity. I especially enjoy each location because walking in to dine with them makes you feel like walking in to see old friends that are humble and happy to share their new dishes. No fanfare, no fuss; just really good cooking in really welcoming environments.” –Brian Poe, chef/owner of Bukowski Tavern (Cambridge), Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake, and The Tip Tap Room
Chef Poe couldn’t choose just one spot, instead picking two bargain Mexican eateries and two higher-end restaurants. Angela’s Cafe in East Boston offers both traditional Mexican fare and an Americanized breakfast menu, while Villa Mexico has arguably moved from under the radar to on the radar after moving their delicious grilled burritos from a Beacon Hill gas station to Faneuil Hall.
On the upscale side of things, at Bondir, a few blocks away from the bustling 1 Kendall Square complex, chef Jason Bond has won diners over with an ever-changing five-course dinner menu full of local ingredients and innovative combinations. Erbaluce, meanwhile, is an Italian gem tucked away in Bay Village, offering immaculate dishes and a menu that changes nightly.
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