Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Boston

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

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!

Urban Hearth

4.8

4.8 (685)

$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

Shawn

Dined 1 day ago

Everything about the dinner was amazing!! The food and ambiance, even the red wine from Bulgaria!

Sycamore

4.9

4.9 (2808)

$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

TheodoreVIP

Dined today

It was great as usual. Scott took phenomenal care of us at the bar

dbar

4.9

4.9 (1481)

$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

ElizabethVIP

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Always wonderful. One of our neighborhood places!

Brighton Bodega

4.8

4.8 (117)

$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

Chi

Dined 5 days ago

Not too bad. worth checking out for a casual dining experience.

North Street Grille

4.7

4.7 (481)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

North End

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Mary

Dined 7 days ago

ALWAYS a great time and a delicious meal. Great staff as well, don't miss it if you can fit it into your visit.

Abby Park

4.8

4.8 (2853)

$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

SueVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Abby park never disappoints us. We always have a great meal. And the cocktails are fabulous.

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3 Course Lunch for $25!

Steel and Rye

4.8

4.8 (1753)

$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 parking lot tables are currently first come, first served and orders may be placed via QR code.

Top review

Laura

Dined 5 days ago

First time visit. Cool atmosphere, great drinks, and food very good. We’ll definitely go back.

Shy Bird - Kendall Square

4.7

4.7 (765)

$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

Danny

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

Amazing! The food was delicious and came out super fast!

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Popular dish

SB Smash Burger

Popular dish

Rotisserie Piri Piri Chicken

Popular dish

Chicken Benedict

Tryst Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1646)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Arlington

About the restaurant

Tryst Restaurant serves creative American cuisine, using local and seasonal ingredients.

Top review

RezaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Solid brunch spot with good food and service at a decent value

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Popular dish

Bolognese Tagliatelle

Harvest

4.6

4.6 (5311)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

A steady Harvard Square presence for almost 50 years, Harvest embodies the ever-evolving spirit of Cambridge and deep respect for culinary tradition. Our seasonal menus marry the innovation of contemporary cooking with a timeless respect for American culinary traditions and an emphasis on local farmers and purveyors. Our spacious bar, fireside dining, and hidden gem of a patio each offer a welcome reprieve from the fast-paced world happening just outside our doors.

Serving Lunch, Dinner, and Saturday/Sunday Brunch with seating on our seasonal outdoor Garden Terrace. We highly recommend making a reservation; outside tables are available weather permitting and may be requested but cannot be reserved or guaranteed. Harvest offers Private Dining from 15 to 60 people. Sit-down lunches, dinners, and receptions are just some of the Private Functions Harvest can provide.

Top review

Gary

Dined 6 days ago

Food was excellent. Atmosphere a little sterile but service was excellent as well.

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