Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Boston

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall 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!

Moonshine 152

4.9

4.9 (1813)

$30 and under

American

South Boston

About the restaurant

A modern -American, neighborhood bistro restaurant in Southie (South Boston) by Chef-owner Asia Mei (as seen on Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay & Phantom Gourmet). With a globally-inspired, comfort food meets street food menu, Chef Asia puts her unique spin on both East & West Coast style cooking, striving to match the beautiful restaurant’s aesthetic, contributing to numerous glowing re-reviews, accolades & praise. Her "Best of Boston" Buttermilk Fried Chicken Wings, her award-winning Burgers & Vegetarian Burgers, Street Tacos & weekly changing specials are only some of the reasons she was awarded the 2023 Best of Boston Neighborhood Restaurant in South Boston.

Moonshine 152 is located at 152 Dorchester Avenue, on the corner of Dorchester Avenue & West 4th Street in South Boston. We are one block from the Broadway Red Line train station, with bus connections local bus connections. We are a short walk from the South End & Ink Block neighborhoods as well as The Seaport & Downtown Boston.

Top review

Todd

Dined 7 days ago

Great food provided by a chef who hand delivers the food and cares about your experience. highly recommend!

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Popular dish

Butterscotch Pudding

A photo of 'Shine Famous Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Bites of a restaurant

Popular dish

Jalapeno Crab Rangoons

Waverly Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (390)

$31 to $50

American

Charlestown

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Charlestown, Boston, just steps away from the Bunker Hill Monument and the Freedom Trail, Waverly Charlestown is a neighborhood restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Join us for a legendary brunch, dinner, and cocktails in our cozy dining room, or grab coffee and lunch on the go.

Breakfast and brunch fans, this is for you! You don't want to miss our signature banana bread, house made pastrami hash, rotating coffee menu and refreshing, creative cocktails. Voted Boston Magazine's 2024 Best Brunch in Boston!

Come and enjoy a cozy dinner by the fireplace or watch the chef's at work at our kitchen counter. Walk-ins are always accepted at our intimate bar. We're looking forward to seeing you!

Top review

Guidegirl

Dined 4 days ago

We enjoyed our evening at Waverly. Just wish we didn’t have to wait over 30 minutes for our reserved table. The food was good and plenty. I like the interior of the restaurant. It was very lively.

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4.8

4.8 (529)

$30 and under

American

Brookline

About the restaurant

We are currently open seven days a week. Saturday & Sunday we are open with an All Day Menu. Reservations can be made on our website, or through OpenTable. Due to the intimate nature of our dining room, if you would like to make a reservation for more than 4 guests, please give us a call at the restaurant.

We hold reservations for a 15 minute grace period. Please call us if you are running late, we will do our best to hold your table but cannot guarantee it. Due to the size of our dining room, we do appreciate 1.5 hour dining experiences for parties of 1-2 guests, 2 hours for parties of 3-4, and 2.5 hours for parties of 5 or more guests that book reservations. We always welcome walk-in guests to our bar.

Reach us at 617-396-8199 with questions, comments or additional assistance. We hope to see you soon!

Top review

JaneVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent service, warm and cozy ambience. The food, as always was fantastic!

Oak Bistro

4.8

4.8 (261)

$31 to $50

American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Step into Oak Bistro, the freshest addition to Inman Square, Cambridge, MA. Uncover American cuisine with a modern spin, influenced by global flavors. Our cozy setting welcomes young professionals, students, and families for an unforgettable culinary experience. Led by a chef-driven vision, we infuse diverse cultural influences, meticulous attention, and adaptability into crafting innovative and delectable dishes. Come share in the creation of enduring memories while supporting our vibrant local community.

Top review

CJ23VIP

Dined 1 day ago

The food was delicious. We had the short ribs croquettes, pear salad and scallops. The service was excellent. Highly recommend it!

Daedalus

4.8

4.8 (496)

$30 and under

American

West Cambridge

About the restaurant

Tucked in a converted greenhouse, Daedalus is a casual restaurant that serves New American cuisine and drinks in spacious surrounds. The restaurant's menu changes to reflect the season. Diners rave about the crab cake sandwich, the buffalo tenders and the Daedalus burger.

A neighborhood favorite, Daedalus boasts a roof deck that delivers a lovely view of Harvard square. It also hosts two bars (one located on each floor)

Top review

kim

Dined on Mar 1, 2025

We had a wonderful dinner and experience. Our waiter Joe was excellent. The food was creative and so very good! The Brie and pear salad is amazing.

Season To Taste

4.8

4.8 (1697)

$31 to $50

American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Season to Taste focuses on celebrating the seasonal bounty of New England by using fresh local ingredients while also incorporating influences from Southern home cooking and traditional European cuisine. With the open kitchen and craft-cocktail bar in the spotlight, Season to Taste is the perfect setting for a casual yet elevated dining experience.

Our patio is open weather dependent and is availble on a first come first serve basis.

We accept reservations via OpenTable for the main dining room for parties of up to 6. For larger parties, please call the restaurant or email nick@seasontotaste.com.

Top review

Jamillah

Dined 1 day ago

Meal and service were excellent, S2T never disappoints.

Buttonwood

4.7

4.7 (984)

$31 to $50

American

Newton

About the restaurant

Buttonwood is a neighborhood restaurant in Newton Highlands that serves rustic American food. Our bar focuses on local craft beers, classic cocktails, and small-production wines. We serve the full dinner menu at our bar and counter seats, and encourage walk-in parties for the bar and dining room. For our most up-to-date menu please visit us at buttonwoodnewton.com .

Top review

ronald

Dined 3 days ago

dinner was excellent they are doing an excellent job. staff well trained and very attentive.

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Popular dish

Greek Salad

Metropolis Cafe

4.8

4.8 (1591)

$31 to $50

American

South End

About the restaurant

Metropolis Café, nestled in Boston’s Historic South End with views of lively Tremont Street, combines fine dining and warm hospitality at casual prices. Our dinner menu features favorites like Rigatoni, Pan Roasted Natural Chicken with foraged mushroom crème and whipped garlic Yukon potatoes, Sriracha Glazed Brussels Sprouts served with house-made buttermilk ranch and celery salad, and our creamy Risottos. Join us for a beloved neighborhood brunch on weekends, where locals and visitors enjoy a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. Whether you’re stopping by for dinner or a weekend brunch, Metropolis Café offers an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of Boston’s South End.

Top review

glennVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The restaurant has been around for about 30 years and always extremely busy. There must be a reason! If you want a great meal at a "Boston" restaurant this is the place to go.

The Bosworth

4.8

4.8 (41)

$30 and under

American

Downtown Crossing

About the restaurant

The Bosworth Restaurant + Bar is located in the heart of Downtown Boston just steps from the historic Boston Common, offers a dining experience that blends New England classics with Mediterranean influences, crafted by Chef Kinan Ibrahim. Begin your day with a flavorful breakfast, relax in the evening with bespoke cocktails or a curated wine selection, or enjoy a thoughtfully prepared dinner in a warm and inviting setting. For special occasions, we provide private and semi-private event spaces, perfect for everything from intimate celebrations to corporate gatherings, with personalized touches to make your event truly unforgettable.

The Bosworth is located inside Hotel AKA Boston Common.

Top review

Joyce

Dined 5 days ago

We were there for a Bel Glos wine dinner and it was superb all around! We will definitely return as the food and presentation was over the top!

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4.8

4.8 (748)

$31 to $50

American

Jamaica Plain

About the restaurant

Vee Vee in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, is a small, neighborhood restaurant operated by Kristen and Dan Valachovic. The food is best described as creative American, and we feature a well-curated wine and craft beer selection. The vibe is casual, and the menu modest but inventive. As of May 2022, we are open for indoor and outdoor dining in a seasonal patio by reservation or walk-in. We are also happy to offer takeout as well.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Nice neighborhood restaurant, cozy ambiance, very nice service, allowed us to linger talking, food was well prepared but limited menu, $$$.

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