1. Banyan Bar & Refuge
8.6
553 Tremont St (Clarendon), Boston, MA
Asian Restaurant · South End · 32 tips and reviews
Rohit Gupta: Tons of awesome small plates. Tried a bunch, really liked the fried chicken, warm lobster bun, pork bun, crispy rice, avocado, and fried fish.
Priyam Shah: Fluke Crudo is amazing! There is a cocktail with Thai chili liqueur which is also great!
Sarah: Delicious dumplings!
2. Orinoco Kitchen
8.5
477 Shawmut Ave (at W Concord St), Boston, MA
Arepa Restaurant · South End · 36 tips and reviews
Boston.com: The stuffed corn cakes known as arepas and the palmito salad (greens, hearts of palm, jicama, and bacon-wrapped dates) are musts. Read more.
Emmily Hu: Definitely get the bacon wrapped dates and come early so you don't have to wait for a long time
BU Today: Some favorites from our review: fried sweet plantains ($4.25) and the pepito de carne ($7), French bread stuffed with sautéed onions, grilled flank steak, red peppers, tomatoes, and sweet red sauce. Read more.
4. Blunch
8.2
59 E Springfield St (Harrison Ave), Boston, MA
Sandwich Spot · South End · 35 tips and reviews
Erica M.: Be sure to try one of the breakfast bagel sandwiches. They are DELISH! Personal fave: Onion bagel with sausage, mozzarella, spicy, add egg. Keeps you full for hours.
Bravo: Sweet little spot with a terrible name, more than makes up for it with homemade soups and sandwiches. -Tania Peterson, Top Chef Just Desserts
BU Today: Breakfast and lunch are the only options here, but when homemade soups, pressed sandwiches, and bagelwiches taste this good, who needs dinner? Top off your meal with a gooey triple chip cookie. Read more.
5. Metropolis
7.9
584 Tremont St, Boston, MA
Wine Bar · South End · 33 tips and reviews
Natasha Knoth: Everything was impeccable. The scallops, vegetarian risotto and rainbow trout all exceeded expectations. As did the strawberry chess cake, blueberry and ricotta sponge, and peach crumble desserts.
Andrew Nigrosh: Ask for Tony's Rigatoni. You will not regret.
Xavier: Very nice charming place! Good service, nice music and reasonable price. Free coffee refill. If you like sweet brunch the Blueberry pancakes are very good. 👍🏻
6. The Wholy Grain
275 Shawmut Ave (at Hanson St), Boston, MA
Café · South End · 48 tips and reviews
Harumi U: Very neighborhoody cute coffee shop that had great pastry selection. They even have some that are gluten free for those who need it. You sit outside and birds come to greet you!
Sean Donovan: Best blueberry muffin in town! Fresh, local blueberries and a sugar dusting!
Natasha: They have Branston pickle!! (British cheese sandwich spread, delish!)
7. The Butcher Shop
8.7
552 Tremont St (Waltham St), Boston, MA
Gastropub · South End · 64 tips and reviews
Boston Magazine: When chef Barbara Lynch opened this South End boîte, she proved that slabs of fat-streaked, air-cured meats and stylish Bostonians make an excellent, if unlikely, pairing. Check the stellar wine list. Read more.
Steve Schlafman: Best steak tartare in the world.
Ben Zipkin: The bartenders here are awesome. Ask for their recommendations on wine and food.
8. Oishii Boston
8.5
1166 Washington St (E. Berkeley St.), Boston, MA
Japanese Restaurant · South End · 85 tips and reviews
The Feast: Exceptional sushi with creative, artistic offerings; the lunch special is a fantastic value. Be sure to tack on an order of the smoky broiled edamame. And be prepared to order seconds. Read more.
ZAGAT: Try the gourmet bar snacks from 5:30–6:30 PM and 10–11:30 PM Tuesdays through Saturdays (and 5:30–9:45 PM on Sundays). Small bites like risotto and Kobe sliders are only $6.
Mike Proulx: Try the "white tiger" maki. It practically melts in your mouth.
9. B&G Oysters
8.6
550 Tremont St, Boston, MA
Seafood Restaurant · South End · 126 tips and reviews
Maddie: Excellent dry white wine variety to choose from to pair with your lunch or dinner. Friendly staff. Mixed green salad hit the spot as a light, fresh appetizer. Lobster roll and fries are a must
Murat Birgul: Great for Oysters 👍👍
GourmetLive: This tiny subterranean South End haunt is always electric. The raw bar is chiefly dominated by an incredible oyster selection including numerous East and West coast varieties.
Graham Siegel: Steaks are great, true carnivores try the skirt or the bone-in ribeye (rare, of course)! Chimichurri sauce is perfect for dipping those frites. For wine, can't go wrong with shiraz or malbec.
👸Cindyrella: Doesn't get much better than this!! Can you say AMAZING?!! We will be back.
Diana Tran: You have to get the bone in filet mignon with a side of pork belly Mac and cheese. Asparagus was really salty
Christine DaCruz: Coffee is on point. The pre made Greek salad was delicious. Lastly, the turkey sandwich was perfectly stacked, the pickle and Dijon mustard were a winning combo for my tastebuds. Finish w/banana bread
ToryBurch: There’s only one thing you need to know: order the sticky sticky bun, a pastry so extraordinarily gooey that it had to repeat itself.
Michael Katz: The home made Oreos are heavenly.
13. Addis Red Sea
544 Tremont St (btwn Hanson & Waltham), Boston, MA
Ethiopian Restaurant · South End · 35 tips and reviews
Cameron Ryan: Get the combo platter w/beef. Spicy, savory & big enough for 4-6people to eat. I had their coffee, which they roast & grind in-house.
BU Today: Some favorites from our review: Doro tibs (chicken dish) and vegan atakilt. Ethiopians traditionally have coffee after meals so stick around and try a rich coffee offering! Read more.
James Shank: Get the doro wot and a nice, cold Tusker.