Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Central MA

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Central MA? 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!

Baba Sushi Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (111)

$30 and under

Japanese

Worcester

About the restaurant

Baba Sushi Restaurant is an award winning sushi restaurant in Worcester. Not only does it serve up the most innovative and freshest sushi, consider the sushi making classes on Sundays if you’d like to learn how to make them at home. Baba Sushi Restaurant takes pride in offering a sophisticated atmosphere. The master chef and owner of Baba Sushi Restaurant was trained in China and enjoys pushing to bring more creativity and innovation to the art of sushi. The results are as entertaining to see as they are to consume. With sushi, starters, salads, soups, tori tori and entrees to choose from, every visit can be a new experience.

Top review

LaurenVIP

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

Always wonderful food and service at Baba. Perfect for a date night

Chashu Ramen + Izakaya

4.8

4.8 (581)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Worcester

About the restaurant

Chashu Ramen + Izakaya is bringing fire to Worcester. The latest collaboration between Worcester’s own Son Vo of Kaizen and Pho Sure and Tam Le of Pho Linh and Reign Drink Lab, Chashu brings Japanese inspired fare to downtown Worcester. Power lunches, happy hours, and sophisticated nightcaps are about to be redefined.

Top review

Sean

Dined 6 days ago

This was our second time eating at Chashu Ramen + Izakaya, and it was just as good as the first. The ambiance and service is top notch! The restaurant itself has a great vibe. The food and drinks are also top notch! We started off our meal with the fried chicken and brisket bao, both were great the meat was tender and the slaw and sauce were a nice tangy contrast. The bao buns themselves were incredible; perfectly soft and pillowy. We both had ramen for a main course. I got the red miso tonkatsu and my partner got the ghost tonkatsu. Both were amazing, the noodles were perfectly cooked, the broth was rich and flavorful and the toppings perfectly prepared. A warning that the ghost tonkatsu was super spice was definitely warranted. It left us both with our faces flushed and noses running in the best way possible. Definitely one of our new favorites in Worcester!

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Popular dish

chicken leg

Popular dish

fried chicken bao bao

Popular dish

salmon

Publick House

4.7

4.7 (2921)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Sturbridge

About the restaurant

We welcome you to the Publick House Historic Inn where delicious homemade food and comfortable lodging becomes your home away from home. When you come to the Publick House to feast on our generous meals and enjoy the comfort of our Yankee hospitality, you'll be warmed by the same magnificent open hearths that warmed our early American ancestors. Whether you're looking for a restaurant that offers family dining, need comfortable accommodations, or you're in need of a convenient meeting place, planning a bridal shower or want the perfect venue for your dream wedding...the Publick House Historic Inn welcomes you.

Top review

happydiner

Dined 3 days ago

Exceptionally good food. Pot Pie and Pot Roast are our favorites.

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Popular dish

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Popular dish

New England Clam Chowder

Popular dish

Fish & Chips

The Rail Trail Flatbread Co. - Milford

4.8

4.8 (304)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

Milford

About the restaurant

The Rail Trail Flatbread Co., celebrated its grand opening on 12/12/23, marking not only a milestone in Milford's downtown revitalization but also a nod to the original Hudson location's success. Built in a meticulously renovated former bank that features a spacious restaurant and bar, outdoor patio, and upstairs events space, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The Milford location reflects a two-and-a-half-year renovation effort, preserving historical elements like the century-old clock, vault door, and exposed brick walls. The open dining layout encourages interaction, adorned with family photos for a homey feel.

Though famous for flatbreads, Rail Trail boasts diverse offerings, each component is made in-house. Notable flatbreads include "Fig & Walnut" and "Mexican Street Corn," alongside the popular "Primo Pepperoni." Appetizers like "Hot Tots" and "Sesame Cauliflower" showcase Rail Trail's culinary creativity.

Top review

Tammy

Dined 2 days ago

Manager was very friendly. Made great suggestions. Took his time in a good way…didn’t rush our experience.

Willy’s Steakhouse Grill & Sushi Bar

4.8

4.8 (2930)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Shrewsbury

About the restaurant

Welcome to Willy's Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, nestled in historic Shrewsbury Center. Established in 1995, we offer an intimate dining experience characterized by elegant wood paneling, crisp white table linens, a polished granite bar, and soft lighting.

We pride ourselves on serving the finest choice cuts of beef, dry-aged for a minimum of 21 days, along with exquisite seafood delivered fresh daily. Our menu also features skillfully prepared sushi, perfect for the most discerning sushi connoisseurs. From classic favorites to original signature entrées, each dish is crafted with the freshest ingredients, including locally sourced produce.

Enhance your meal by selecting from our extensive wine list, or let our knowledgeable waitstaff assist you in finding the perfect pairing. Our seasoned servers and bartenders are dedicated to providing exceptional service.
We have private parking and valet service available for added convenience.

Top review

William

Dined 3 days ago

The food, atmosphere and service never disappoint at Willy’s. Highly recommend!

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Popular dish

14 oz Prime New York Strip Sirloin

4.8

4.8 (813)

$30 and under

Italian

Worcester

About the restaurant

A unique destination for Worcester's movers and shakers, Piccolo's has become the place to go for great Italian cuisine, a glass of good wine and an eclectic social mix not found elsewhere on Shrewsbury Street.

Top review

bonnie

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Great experience. Ashley was terrific. Atmosphere is just what I needed. We will be back.

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Worcester

4.8

4.8 (660)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Worcester

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Worcester serves the finest USDA Prime beef available, broiled at 1,800° and served on 500° plates, so your steak stays hot, juicy and delicious from first bite to last. Enjoy our New Orleans-inspired appetizers, USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts. All this while you enjoy our warm, inviting atmosphere and Ruth’s Chris’ genuine hospitality. So, whether you’re a regular or have just been wondering what all the buzz is about, Ruth's Chris is the perfect excuse to enjoy the perfect night out. Dinner is served nightly, reservations are suggested, and private dining and offsite catering may be arranged.

Top review

Tina

Dined 6 days ago

Went to celebrate Christmas Eve. 1st time to the Worcester location and was very impressed. Everything was wonderful and exceeded expectations (especially for dining out on Christmas Eve). Will be back.

Clintons Bar and Grille

4.7

4.7 (1905)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Clinton

About the restaurant

Clintons Bar and Grille offers a vibrant and casual atmosphere with details in our custom lighting, a fully stocked bar area with lounge seating, and a focus on guest satisfaction that provides a unique dining experience in the heart of Clinton.

The detailed contempoary American menu leaves plenty of options for any of our guests' palates ranging from the ever popular butternut squash raviolis to our deliciously tender filet. Come experience a little slice of the city on High Street.
Outdoor dining will be available weather permitting.
Kitchen closes one hour before closing.

Top review

lauren

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

We always have a great experience here. The food is top botch and our server, Melissa, was so incredibly attentive and good at her job! We love it here.

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4.7

4.7 (144)

$30 and under

Italian

Worcester

About the restaurant

Dino's Restaurant is an authentic Italian restaurant located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dino’s has been serving its customers the finest Northern and Southern Italian cuisine, as well as a variety of American foods, for over 40 years, with seafood as a specialty. In that time, Dino's serves cuisine from both the northern and southern regions of Italy, with seafood, steaks, veal, and pizzas being the specialties of the house.

At Dino’s, we believe that our customers deserve the best. With that in mind, we ensure that all of our entrées are cooked to order, using the freshest ingredients, which are visually pleasing to the eye as they are to the palette. We also offer business, social and holiday function facilities in The Café, our private function room, which includes a full service bar. Dino’s also provides catering and delivery services. It is our pleasure to serve you and let us give you a little taste of Italy!

Top review

Susan

Dined 1 day ago

The food was prepared as ordered and the portions are huge. We both brought food home and I noticed many people walking out with "doggie bags". But that is OK. Several meals for the price of one! The noise level was quite loud even though there is carpet on the floor. The servers were very attentive and pleasant. I recommend this restaurant.

Lucia's Tavola

4.7

4.7 (1537)

$31 to $50

Italian

Ayer

About the restaurant

Chef owned and operated Lucia's Tavola is a fine dining Italian restaurant. Lucia's features a menu comprised of Chefs family favorites, Chef originals, traditional Italian & local ingredients creating unique Italian inspired cuisine.
Lucia's also offers an extensive cocktail menu and a complete, well balanced wine list.

Top review

Jason

Dined 6 days ago

A great meal as always. The Pollo Muratore is an extraordinary dish. Highly recommended. Our server Matilda could not have been better and took care of all of our needs with a big smile.

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