Although an appealing exterior is an added bonus for any restaurant, it’s sometimes the most nondescript places that offer the best food. That’s certainly that case with some of Boston’s most beloved eateries. Here are 9 diamonds in the rough that are well worth a second glance:
- KO Catering & Pies at the Shipyard (East Boston)
Facebook/KO Catering & Pies
Tripadvisor/olianna11 Look beyond the industrial setting and you’ll soon be won over by this Australian restaurant. KO specializes in individually-sized short crust pies, crammed with meat or veggies and topped with puff pastry. The address for the location pictured is: 256 Marginal Street in Boston. You’ll find a second location at 87 A Street in Southie.
- Grotto (Beacon Hill)
Facebook/Grotto
Facebook/Grotto Known for its prix fixe dinners, Grotto is a snug restaurant dishing up scrumptious Italian fare – try the gnocchi with short ribs. This romantic spot is hidden underground at 37 Bowdoin Street in Boston.
- Shabu-Zen (Chinatown)
Tripadvisor/janetfa2016
Tripadvisor/Anderson d Looking for a delicious, interactive food experience? Then head to Shabu-Zen for some of the best hot-pot cuisine you’ll ever try. This unassuming restaurant can be found at 16 Tyler Street in Boston.
- Boston Shawarma (Fenway/Kenmore)
Facebook/Boston Shawarma
Facebook/Boston Shawarma Next time you crave Middle Eastern food, look beyond Boston’s Shawarma’s bland exterior, because succulent beef and lamb shawarma is waiting for you inside. This eatery is located at 315 Huntington Avenue in Boston.
- Anchovies (South End)
Facebook/Anchovies
Facebook/Anchovies Come for the wine and beer selection, stay for “The Ricciardi,” a delectable dish showcasing chicken sage sausages with penne pasta. You’ll find Anchovies at 433 Columbus Avenue in Boston.
- Pinocchio’s Pizza and Subs (Cambridge)
Tripadvisor/David R
Tripadvisor/Tienne2001 To stay in business for fifty years, you’ve got to be doing something right. At Noch’s, that means making yummy and hearty Sicilian pizza and subs. The restaurant is located at 74 Winthrop Street in Cambridge.
- Mana Escondido (South End)
Facebook/Mana Escondido Cafe
Tripadvisor/danthemaninboston617 For authentic Puerto Rican fare such as jibaritos and mofongo, check out this popular eatery. Mana Escondido is located at 68 Aguadilla Street in Boston.
- Roy’s Cold Cuts (East Boston)
Facebook/Roy’s Cold Cuts Roy’s is a family-run hidden gem tucked away in Eastie. The stuffed peppers here deserve to star in any foodie’s dreams. Head to 198 Marion Street in Boston to try them for yourself.
- Paraiso (Dorchester)
Facebook/Paraiso Restaurant
Facebook/Paraiso Restaurant The lunch buffet at this Dominican and Puerto Rican restaurant offers scrumptious food and great value for money. You’ll find Paraiso at 750 Dudley Street in Boston.
What’s your favorite unassuming restaurant in Boston? Let us know in the comments!
Facebook/KO Catering & Pies
Tripadvisor/olianna11
Look beyond the industrial setting and you’ll soon be won over by this Australian restaurant. KO specializes in individually-sized short crust pies, crammed with meat or veggies and topped with puff pastry. The address for the location pictured is: 256 Marginal Street in Boston. You’ll find a second location at 87 A Street in Southie.
Facebook/Grotto
Known for its prix fixe dinners, Grotto is a snug restaurant dishing up scrumptious Italian fare – try the gnocchi with short ribs. This romantic spot is hidden underground at 37 Bowdoin Street in Boston.
Tripadvisor/janetfa2016
Tripadvisor/Anderson d
Looking for a delicious, interactive food experience? Then head to Shabu-Zen for some of the best hot-pot cuisine you’ll ever try. This unassuming restaurant can be found at 16 Tyler Street in Boston.
Facebook/Boston Shawarma
Next time you crave Middle Eastern food, look beyond Boston’s Shawarma’s bland exterior, because succulent beef and lamb shawarma is waiting for you inside. This eatery is located at 315 Huntington Avenue in Boston.
Facebook/Anchovies
Come for the wine and beer selection, stay for “The Ricciardi,” a delectable dish showcasing chicken sage sausages with penne pasta. You’ll find Anchovies at 433 Columbus Avenue in Boston.
Tripadvisor/David R
Tripadvisor/Tienne2001
To stay in business for fifty years, you’ve got to be doing something right. At Noch’s, that means making yummy and hearty Sicilian pizza and subs. The restaurant is located at 74 Winthrop Street in Cambridge.
Facebook/Mana Escondido Cafe
Tripadvisor/danthemaninboston617
For authentic Puerto Rican fare such as jibaritos and mofongo, check out this popular eatery. Mana Escondido is located at 68 Aguadilla Street in Boston.
Facebook/Roy’s Cold Cuts
Roy’s is a family-run hidden gem tucked away in Eastie. The stuffed peppers here deserve to star in any foodie’s dreams. Head to 198 Marion Street in Boston to try them for yourself.
Facebook/Paraiso Restaurant
The lunch buffet at this Dominican and Puerto Rican restaurant offers scrumptious food and great value for money. You’ll find Paraiso at 750 Dudley Street in Boston.
For more mouthwatering restaurant recommendations, check out “11 Mom & Pop Restaurants In Boston That Serve Home Cooked Meals To Die For” and “These 10 Restaurants In Boston Don’t Look Like Much… But WOW, They’re Good.”
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