Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Melrose

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

BostonBoston Metro North

Neighborhoods

ArlingtonBack BayBeacon HillBrightonBrooklineBurlington

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

127 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Giacomo's Ristorante - Melrose restaurant

1. Giacomo's Ristorante - Melrose

4.7

Exceptional(1267)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Melrose

Booked 29 times today

Giacomo's Ristorante in Melrose provides delicious Italian cuisine in a comfortable, traditional atmosphere. Open for dinner, enjoy convenient parking and large portions of authentic Italian meals suitable for both everyday dining and special occasions. Giacomo's Ristorante offers dishes, including fried calamari, Prince Edward Island mussels, home made Maine crab cakes, cream filled fresh mozzarella over tomato salad with honey-basil vinaigrette and more. There is also arugula salad, veal parmigiana, chicken piccata, grilled beef tenderloin, grilled tuna, pan roasted cod and more, as well as some vegetarian entree options. After dinner, enjoy desserts, such as tiramisu along with coffee or cocktails.

2. Bistro 5

4.8

Exceptional(2161)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Medford

Booked 16 times today

Bistro 5 is a beloved neighborhood gem, described by locals as a 'cozy setting' and a 'real treasure.' Chef Vittorio's Italian fare with French and Spanish influences is highly praised for its freshness and unique flavors. The restaurant is frequently highlighted for its attentive service, excellent food, and intimate ambiance. Bistro 5 is a favorite spot for both casual dinners and special occasions.

3. Matadora

4.5

Awesome(644)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Spanish • Woburn

Booked 34 times today

Wood-fired steak & spanish tapasA modern, Spanish-inspired steakhouse with flavorful cuts, exemplary wine and bold drinks. Within a dramatic setting, Matadora blends unique Spanish dishes with classic staples for a unique, bull-stopping dining experience.

A photo of Vinny's Ristorante restaurant

4. Vinny's Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(743)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Somerville

Booked 11 times today

Located in the heart of Somerville, Vinny’s serves the best in Sicilian-style cooking, made only with the finest ingredients. Our Dinner and Lunch entrees are superb! Along with a wide choice of Wines, Vinny’s has a full bar as well as the best desserts this side of the North End. Our premium deli sandwiches are available all day, as well as Meals To Go, subs and catering. Come on down and enjoy your next meal here at Vinny’s.

5. Sam's Kitchen

4.9

Exceptional(124)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Woburn

Booked 8 times today

Sam’s Kitchen a long desired dream is now put into motion. With a prodigy in the kitchen, only special homemade quality foods are to be delivered. With Italian cuisine experience since 1988, head chef Samuel Azevedo promises to provide nothing but the best tasting food whether it be a take-out, sit-in or catering order. Be the judge and make your way down to Sam’s Kitchen!

6. Grill 23 & Bar

4.7

Exceptional(8962)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steak • Back Bay

Booked 121 times today

Brandt family beef, New England seafood, seasonal produce, decadent desserts, a world-class wine list, outstanding service and warm hospitality. A truly American experience. Boston’s top steak and seafood grill for more than 30 years. Consistently named Boston's Best Steakhouse by The Improper Bostonian Magazine and Boston Magazine. A 2000+ bottle wine list that encompasses wines from around the world and is the only Boston recipient of Wine Spectator’s Grand Award.

7. Pammy's

4.7

Exceptional(2332)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Cambridge

Booked 24 times today

Pammy’s is a New American restaurant inspired by the feel of an Italian neighborhood trattoria. Perched between Cambridge’s Central and Harvard Squares, Pammy’s is a cozy yet sophisticated neighborhood destination. For husband and wife team Chris and Pam Willis (who live right up the street), Pammy’s is an extension of their living room. They’ve brought together their love of great food, easy hospitality and chic vibes to create a lively space that is welcoming to all looking for a memorable meal. With dishes that lean heavily on Italian flavors but are not restricted by any rules of the cuisine, the food is unpretentious and delicious. A fireplace wrapped in white ceramic, an oversized salvaged communal table designed for side-by-side dining and rich leather banquets are just some of the design elements that make up Pammy’s charm.We're currently serving a Prix Fixe menu for all reservations. A la carte dining is available for walk-in guests at our bar and in our lounge.

8. Giulia Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(1847)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Cambridge

Booked 10 times today

Giulia is a chef-owned regional Italian restaurant located between Harvard and Porter Squares in Cambridge. It is the first restaurant of award-winning Chef Michael Pagliarini. Its reputation has spread nationally with frequent out of town guests as well as Boston area locals.Giulia puts a particular emphasis on hand-crafted pastas, made each day on our custom-built chef’s table adjacent to the open kitchen.Best of Boston Italian Restaurant. All Italian wine list with unique Italian varietals. Local purveyors, dry aged local beef, burrata di andria, stone milled flours, vegetarian options.Giulia is currently open for indoor dining and limited outdoor dining. We accept reservations up to two weeks in advance. To reserve a patio table, please call us at 617-441-2800. All reservations made online are for indoors only. Kindly note that our patio is uncovered so reservations there are weather dependent and will be canceled in the event of inclement weather.

A photo of Buttermilk & Bourbon restaurant

9. Buttermilk & Bourbon

4.6

Exceptional(3549)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Southern • Back Bay

Booked 140 times today

Takeout and delivery services are available via our website and Uber Eats. There are three options for seating: Standard (Indoors), High-Top (Indoors), and Outdoors. If one of these options does not appear, it is because we are currently booked for that type of seating during the date and time you are seeking. We offer a fifteen-minute grace period and ask that you call us if you will be running late or your reservation may be canceled. We allow an hour and a half for a reservation of 2 guests and 2 hours for reservations consisting of 3 or more guests. All outdoor patio reservations are subject to being canceled in the event of inclement weather. We look forward to seeing you soon!

A photo of Abe & Louie’s - Boston restaurant

10. Abe & Louie’s - Boston

4.7

Exceptional(9426)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Back Bay

Booked 99 times today

Abe & Louie’s, located in Boston’s Back Bay, is the epitome of a classic steakhouse. The iconic establishment sets the standard for elegant dining with superior service, charm, and appeal in a timeless sophisticated atmosphere. Abe & Louie’s, known for premium steaks, serves classic dishes, fresh seafood, shareable sides, and an award-winning wine list. Abe & Louie’s offers brunch, lunch, and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating. Delivery and take-out available.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
Carlos
Greater Boston •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great service, food, drinks. Amazing dining experience.
More info
MatadoraPrice: Expensive• Spanish• Woburn
•
4.5
E
Edgar
New York City •1 review
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
It’s the best italian food that i ate and the cocktail are so delicious just the place it’s a little small but for other things is really good
More info
Giacomo's Ristorante - MelrosePrice: Moderate• Italian• Melrose
•
4.7
K
Kim
Greater Boston •17 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
This was our second time here and we will definitely keep coming back. The food is fresh and piping hot out as it came out of the kitchen. The servers were very attentive and pleasant and we didn’t feel rushed at all. We got the fried calamari appetizer and it was delicious. Our diners had frutti de mare, veal cutlet, chicken florentine,and lobster ravioli. Not a complaint from anyone. The best part was the dessert . Cannolis were fresh and the shell was crispy. Keep up the good work
More info
Sam's KitchenPrice: Moderate• Italian• Woburn
•
4.9
J
JanetVIP
Greater Boston •115 reviews
4.0
Dined on Apr 26, 2025
The food is really good and lots of options. The service was pretty slow and we were there over an hour before our entrees came out. We were two people and shared on appetizer that was delicious.
More info
Vinny's RistorantePrice: Moderate• Italian• Somerville
•
4.8
J
Jeana
Greater Boston •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 18, 2025
We enjoyed our first visit to Bistro5 and look forward to returning. Very good food and service. We appreciated the variety on the menu, with a mix of standards and creative items. The team seems to take pride in their work.
More info
Bistro 5Price: Expensive• Italian• Medford
•
4.8

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