These are places I actually send people to.
Dali (Somerville) – Spanish small plates, cool vibe. Been around forever and still earns it. Get the gambas.
Oleana (Cambridge) – Ana Sortun's Middle Eastern-influenced cooking. One of the most creative menus in the city and somehow still flies under the radar nationally.
Umami (Cambridge) – Omakase that locals will tell you rivals O Ya at a fraction of the price. Reservation only, small room, worth every penny.
The Dubliner (Downtown) – Actual Irish pub with actual good food. Not a tourist trap. If you've walked past it assuming otherwise, you've been wrong.
Ma Maison (Near TD Garden) – Tiny French bistro that feels like it got lost on the way to Paris. Nobody talks about this place enough.
Capri (South End) – Beautiful new Italian spot with a great bar and outdoor seating in the summer. Perfect stop after the SoWa market since it's right next door.
Sarma (Somerville) – Turkish mezze that still requires booking weeks in advance. Tip: get there when it opens, it usually has bar seating.
Pammy's (Cambridge) – Delicious Italian small plates with a twist. Skip the fixed menu and get there early to grab a seat at the bar.
Mahaniyom (Brookline) – Best Thai spot nobody outside Brookline talks about. Great food, incredible hospitality, and they bring you tequila shots if you're celebrating. Also has a black-light bathroom mural which is a 10/10 detail.
Galleria Umberto (North End) – Cash only, lunch only, closes when they run out of dough. Sicilian slices and arancini that locals have been lining up for for decades.