Best Historic Restaurants in Back Bay

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodIndianMexican

Regions

Boston

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 restroomWheelchair access

65 restaurants available nearby

A photo of OAK Long Bar + Kitchen restaurant

1. OAK Long Bar + Kitchen

4.6

Exceptional(1878)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Unspecified • Back Bay

Booked 54 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.

2. Joe’s On Newbury

4.7

Exceptional(3049)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Back Bay

Booked 71 times today

Joe’s on Newbury, located on Boston’s historic Newbury Street, offers the comfort food you crave. A staple in the Back Bay for over 35 years, the popular spot serves a New England inspired menu featuring classic dishes and an extensive beverage list. Joe’s on Newbury offers brunch, lunch, and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating as well as an enclosed patio, giving diners the feel of being outside all year long. Delivery and take-out options available.

3. Zuma Boston

4.7

Exceptional(72)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Back Bay

Booked 16 times today

Zuma Boston is a vibrant, contemporary Japanese izakaya located in the heart of the city, blending traditional Japanese dining with a modern twist. The restaurant boasts a stylish interior featuring warm wood accents, elegant lighting, and an inviting atmosphere that encourages social dining. Guests can indulge in a diverse menu that includes expertly crafted sushi, grilled robata dishes, and delectable small plates, all made using the finest seasonal ingredients. The open kitchen adds to the vibrant dining experience, allowing patrons to witness the culinary artistry firsthand.Positioned near popular attractions, Zuma Boston is conveniently located just a short stroll from the historic Boston Common, The bustling Theater District and the renowned Boston Public Garden, offering guests the perfect opportunity to explore the beauty of the city before or after their meal. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Zuma Boston promises a memorable culinary experience in a dynamic urban setting.

4. Eva

4.5

Awesome(449)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Back Bay

Booked 42 times today

Please note that our patio is seated on a first come first serve basis; all tables are set for a 90 minute reservation limit.Eva means full of life. It is also the initials to my children, Elias & Vivian Aboujaoude, who are my life. Eva is a space designed to be welcoming and bright, a place for great food, refreshing cocktails and lively conversation. All while sitting back to enjoy and observe the hustle & bustle of beautiful, historic Newbury Street from one of the largest outdoor patios.

A photo of Legal Sea Foods - Copley Place restaurant

5. Legal Sea Foods - Copley Place

4.1

Excellent(3136)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Back Bay

Booked 31 times today

Discover the heart of Boston with a view! Our Copley Place location offers stunning floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the city's historic South End. Enjoy a meal in our spacious main dining room, relax at the bar, or host an event in our expansive private space on the second floor, just near Saks Fifth Men's Store. Enjoy local favorites, including Boston's best clam chowder, oysters and raw bar, lobster, grilled and fried seafood, as well as steaks, pasta and more! With convenient direct indoor access to the Westin and Marriott hotels, as well as the Prudential Center, Copley Place is the perfect stop for a delicious meal and breathtaking views. Short on time? Grab our Legal classics to-go!

6. Prima

4.7

Exceptional(872)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Charlestown

Booked 88 times today

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.

7. 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.

8. Estella

4.2

Awesome(676)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Beacon Hill

Booked 86 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.

A photo of Union Oyster House restaurant

9. Union Oyster House

4.5

Awesome(8722)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Faneuil Hall

Booked 97 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

10. Trattoria Il Panino

4.5

Awesome(6522)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • North End

Booked 152 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

I
Ibtesam
Greater Boston •1 review
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
Great place to catch up with friends on Newbury without breaking the bank
More info
Joe’s On NewburyPrice: Expensive• American• Back Bay
•
4.7
R
Rebecca
Greater Boston •2 reviews
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
We tried the Fixe Prix offering. This dinner was excellent. Food at Legal is usually pretty good, but our dinners (grilled salmon and striped bass) were particularly good.
More info
Legal Sea Foods - Copley PlacePrice: Expensive• Seafood• Back Bay
•
4.1
D
DebVIP
Greater Boston •39 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Our meals were fabulous and the service was exceptional. Cocktails were delicious and we were presented with a ‘happy birthdays’ dessert on the house. We were seated by the fireplace to celebrate our birthdays in style. Not a thing to change!
More info
OAK Long Bar + KitchenPrice: Expensive• Unspecified• Back Bay
•
4.6
A
April
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
Food was amazing. Hotel is gorgeous but the ambience of Zuma for me didn’t match the quality of the food and other parts of the hotel. Especially for the price.
More info
Zuma BostonPrice: Very Expensive• Japanese• Back Bay
•
4.7
AN
AmandaN
Greater Boston •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Delicious! And our server was excellent. Great location.
More info
EvaPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Back Bay
•
4.5

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