Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Boston

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Boston? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

dbar

4.9

4.9 (1472)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Dorchester

About the restaurant

dbar is a full service restaurant that seamlessly transforms into a nightclub and lounge as the night goes on. Formally an old school Irish pub filled with mahogany charm, dbar has been renovated into a hip chic hot spot. With warm glowing candles & long leather banquettes, dbar offers a casual and comfortable atmosphere that attracts clientele from Dorchester and surrounding areas. The unique and classy menu inspired by Executive Chef Christopher Coombs changes with the seasons and features the finest and freshest available ingredients throughout the New England area. Most of the menu takes a French twist, but also contains an assortment of comfort foods (such as our famous Veal & Pancetta Bolognaise) and old favorites (like our simple yet delicious Giannone Chicken Under a Brick.)

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined on Nov 26, 2024

Always a great experience DBar! Servers are excellent.

Sycamore

4.9

4.9 (2742)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Newton

About the restaurant

Sycamore is a seasonally inspired, chef-owned neighborhood bistro in Newton Centre. Emphasizing locally sourced produce, fish and meat, our menu draws on classic European country food; rustic and wholesome. Our beverage program is designed to complement the cuisine. The wine list focuses on passionate small producers, our beers are by and large domestic craft selections and the cocktail list highlights classic drinks and sipping spirits.

Top review

Jurgen

Dined 5 days ago

This is an awesome find in Newton. Excellent food, very friendly service and a nice ambiance. Every dish, duck pate, tuna tartare, pasta with special bolognese sauce and steak was perfectly prepared, sides and salad were outstanding.

North Street Grille

4.9

4.9 (452)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

North End

About the restaurant

Welcome to the North Street Grille.
Boston’s Best Brunch

Top review

CareyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Food was fabulous. Restaurant is very small so reservations are a must.

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4.8

4.8 (641)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Farm-to-table dining in the comfort of our home: that is the unique experience you will find at Urban Hearth. Located in a cozy North Cambridge storefront, our intimate dining room, knowledgeable, friendly staff, and exquisitely crafted menu are the heart of our dinner service. Join us for a la carte or at our chef's counter where you'll have the pleasure of interacting with Chef Erin Miller while dining.

We share a story of culture, community, discovery and home. The globally-inspired, locally-sourced dishes we serve celebrate our rich and complex connection with food. The table is set, whether marking a special occasion or the end of a busy day, we look forward to sharing the evening with you. We welcome private event bookings for graduations, birthdays, weddings and more. To equalize the pay disparity between tipped staff & kitchen staff during our busy times, we add a 5% kitchen appreciation fee to each check. We require 24 hours notice for all cancellations.

Top review

AndreVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Really, really good. Every dish. Excellent service.

Brighton Bodega

4.8

4.8 (102)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Brighton

About the restaurant

A full service restaurant with a focus on small plates and street food fare, along with craft spirit

Top review

Daniel

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Our server Bobbi was outstanding! Food was excellent, except for the desert (Irish Pudding?) which was off-the-charts spectacular!

Abby Park

4.8

4.8 (2820)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Milton

About the restaurant

The story of Milton's thriving restaurant scene starts with Abby Park. We opened in 2009 as the town's first eating establishment with a full liquor license, serving up American comfort food, local beer, and approachable craft cocktails. Newly renovated and revitalized, Abby Park offers a full entertainment calendar and an exciting late-night bar scene. With several options for private dining and catering, let us host your next event whether it is a business dinner, cocktail party or wedding. We have proudly become a local neighborhood establishment, serving our residents and families.

Top review

Yvonne

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent as always. Great service, lively atmosphere, good value.

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4.6

4.6 (854)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

South Boston

About the restaurant

Imagine yourself wandering through a local public market, enjoying culturally unique street foods, socializing and immersing yourself in new or familiar surroundings. We believe, for the public good, everyone should have the chance to experience this magic.
We proudly invite you to join us at Publico, where our goal is to channel the senses of exploring a new locale through globally inspired fare, libations, and mid-century meets rustic décor.
Our simple plates meld elements and flavors from Europe, South and North America. Prepared with traditional techniques and time tested recipes, our approachable offerings highlight the season’s freshest, sensibly sourced ingredients from local farms and purveyors. Paired with wine selections from around the world, a selection of local craft beers, or indulgent cocktails, your experience is designed to leave you with a modestly priced passport stamp for your palette.

Top review

Sarah

Dined 4 days ago

Staff were so kind, and I had one of the best salads I’ve ever had. Will return, even though we live pretty far away!

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Experience

The Winter Market at Publico

West End Johnnie's

4.7

4.7 (726)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Faneuil Hall

About the restaurant

Johnnie's is a collection of memories for all. Personally autographed pictures and genuine memorabilia of your favorite movie stars, politicians, athletes and musicians. Casual, upscale dining in a great location. Set on the side of the "Old West End" just blocks away from North Station, the TD Bank North Garden, historic Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. The decor consists of a combination of light and dark woods, copper, brass and luxurious leather with huge floor to ceiling windows that you must see to appreciate. The menu consists of contemporary American classics with various, multi-ethnic influences. We open at 4pm every Tuesday through Saturday for dinner,as well as our famous Reggae brunch from 11am to 3pm on Sundays. We are also open Mondays with Garden events and we do open early for afternoon games and concerts. For reservations of groups larger than 6, please call to check for availability.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined on Dec 5, 2024

We had a fantastic time. A friend recommended it and so happy we reserved a table there. Service was awesome. Great vibes and cool decor. The food was delicious. My family all eat differently and everyone got something they were very happy with. That rarely happens. Good value on pricing and portion size. Highly recommend

Shy Bird - Kendall Square

4.6

4.6 (738)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Shy Bird is an all day rotisserie, bar, cafe & takeaway. We strive to be affordable, approachable and accessible while offering crave-able food, warmth, and hospitality. We offer a serious beverage program that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Top review

DbirdieVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Peri peri chicken: AMAZING Fries: SUPREME Love it here!

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4.8

4.8 (1708)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Milton

About the restaurant

Thank you for reserving a table at Steel & Rye!
PLEASE NOTE: FOR WEEKDAY LUNCH RESERVATIONS, STEEL & RYE OFFERS COUNTER SERVICE FROM OUR BAKERY BETWEEN 7:00 A.M. AND 4:00PM (Mondays until 2:30pm).

All reservations after 4pm for Dinner will be provided full table service and are for inside tables only. Outside tables are currently first come, first served and orders may be placed via QR code.

Top review

Clay

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Outstanding meal in every respect: service, cocktails, oysters, apps, salads, and four different entrees (cod over creamed lentils, harissa fried chicken, beef shanks and chard ragout pasta, melt in your mouth short ribs).

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