Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Central MA

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Central MA? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Herb Lyceum

4.9

4.9 (32)

$50 and over

American

Groton

About the restaurant

We’re excited to introduce Herb Lyceum Bistro, where you, your families and friends can visit the farm for our inventive tasting dishes & inviting atmosphere, but with the more traditional restaurant experience of choosing your own adventure.

Top review

Davevip

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

We have lived in the area all of our lives and we finally made it to dinner here. All I can say is what an amazing meal and total experience. A truly remarkable dining experience you won’t be sorry.

Discover more

Experience

Tricks and Treats Dinner

Baba Sushi Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (98)

$30 and under

Japanese

Worcester

About the restaurant

Baba Sushi Restaurant is an award winning sushi restaurant in Worcester. Not only does it serve up the most innovative and freshest sushi, consider the sushi making classes on Sundays if you’d like to learn how to make them at home. Baba Sushi Restaurant takes pride in offering a sophisticated atmosphere. The master chef and owner of Baba Sushi Restaurant was trained in China and enjoys pushing to bring more creativity and innovation to the art of sushi. The results are as entertaining to see as they are to consume. With sushi, starters, salads, soups, tori tori and entrees to choose from, every visit can be a new experience.

Top review

Jillvip

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

We had to wait a bit for our table, despite our reservation but it was ok. Food was excellent as always. Service was excellent as well. Can’t go wrong with Baba!

The Rail Trail Flatbread Co. - Milford

4.8

4.8 (278)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

Milford

About the restaurant

The Rail Trail Flatbread Co., celebrated its grand opening on 12/12/23, marking not only a milestone in Milford's downtown revitalization but also a nod to the original Hudson location's success. Built in a meticulously renovated former bank that features a spacious restaurant and bar, outdoor patio, and upstairs events space, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The Milford location reflects a two-and-a-half-year renovation effort, preserving historical elements like the century-old clock, vault door, and exposed brick walls. The open dining layout encourages interaction, adorned with family photos for a homey feel.

Though famous for flatbreads, Rail Trail boasts diverse offerings, each component is made in-house. Notable flatbreads include "Fig & Walnut" and "Mexican Street Corn," alongside the popular "Primo Pepperoni." Appetizers like "Hot Tots" and "Sesame Cauliflower" showcase Rail Trail's culinary creativity.

Top review

Robert

Dined 6 days ago

Always a consistent night at Rail Trail! Food and service always good!

Clintons Bar and Grille

4.8

4.8 (1847)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Clinton

About the restaurant

Clintons Bar and Grille offers a vibrant and casual atmosphere with details in our custom lighting, a fully stocked bar area with lounge seating, and a focus on guest satisfaction that provides a unique dining experience in the heart of Clinton.

The detailed contempoary American menu leaves plenty of options for any of our guests' palates ranging from the ever popular butternut squash raviolis to our deliciously tender filet. Come experience a little slice of the city on High Street.
Outdoor dining will be available weather permitting.
Kitchen closes one hour before closing.

Top review

Dan

Dined 5 days ago

First time and will definitely go back. Everything was DELICIOUS! Our Waitress, Melissa was very attentive.

Discover more

Popular dish

Chicken

Chashu Ramen + Izakaya

4.8

4.8 (540)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Worcester

About the restaurant

Chashu Ramen + Izakaya is bringing fire to Worcester. The latest collaboration between Worcester’s own Son Vo of Kaizen and Pho Sure and Tam Le of Pho Linh and Reign Drink Lab, Chashu brings Japanese inspired fare to downtown Worcester. Power lunches, happy hours, and sophisticated nightcaps are about to be redefined.

Top review

Bill

Dined 4 days ago

Great first experience!! Wish I had been more hungry ! Will try the ramen next time. It looked legit!

Willy’s Steakhouse Grill & Sushi Bar

4.8

4.8 (2860)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Shrewsbury

About the restaurant

Willy's Steakhouse Grill & Sushi Bar is the premier steakhouse in Central Massachusetts. Steak isn't the only item we are well known for, we are also known for exquisite sushi.

Please note Sushi is not available on Mondays.

Top review

Kathyvip

Dined 4 days ago

Willy's never disappoints! We've been going there for over 20 years and we've never had anything but positive things to say regarding the quality of the food as well as the service. The wait staff is top notch! Our server, Carlos was great during our recent visit and Sharon is a long tenured professional. We're so fortunate to have such a high quality restaurant in our local area.

Discover more

Popular dish

14 oz Prime New York Strip Sirloin

Popular dish

Baked Stuffed Lobster

Dino's Ristorante

4.6

4.6 (127)

$30 and under

Italian

Worcester

About the restaurant

Dino's Restaurant is an authentic Italian restaurant located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dino’s has been serving its customers the finest Northern and Southern Italian cuisine, as well as a variety of American foods, for over 40 years, with seafood as a specialty. In that time, Dino's serves cuisine from both the northern and southern regions of Italy, with seafood, steaks, veal, and pizzas being the specialties of the house.

At Dino’s, we believe that our customers deserve the best. With that in mind, we ensure that all of our entrées are cooked to order, using the freshest ingredients, which are visually pleasing to the eye as they are to the palette. We also offer business, social and holiday function facilities in The Café, our private function room, which includes a full service bar. Dino’s also provides catering and delivery services. It is our pleasure to serve you and let us give you a little taste of Italy!

Top review

Andrew

Dined 6 days ago

The environment is nice, server - Bailey did great job taking care of us. Food is great, the app - sampler was but over cooked but meals was made awesome. Dessert - limcello cake was delicious!

Specialty Bar and Grill

4.7

4.7 (164)

$31 to $50

American

Worcester

About the restaurant

INSPIRED BY DISHES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, WE PREPARE A MENU OF FRESH CUISINE, SAUTÉED AND GRILLED.

Top review

Beth

Dined on Aug 1, 2024

We had a great dinner here. The atmosphere was excellent, a bit noisy but not bad. The view is great, overlooking Mirror Lake. Service was friendly and very fast! The Brussels sprouts and Ruben sandwich were fantastic! They make their own pastrami and excellence shows. The only negative was the nachos: Most of the plate was chips, minimal toppings and the cheese sauce tasted like American Cheese and/or Velveeta. bleh. We sent it back. But that was the only negative among a bunch of positives. I highly recommend trying this place!

Lucia's Tavola

4.6

4.6 (1504)

$31 to $50

Italian

Ayer

About the restaurant

Chef owned and operated Lucia's Tavola is a fine dining Italian restaurant. Lucia's features a menu comprised of Chefs family favorites, Chef originals, traditional Italian & local ingredients creating unique Italian inspired cuisine.
Lucia's also offers an extensive cocktail menu and a complete, well balanced wine list.

Top review

Pam

Dined 1 day ago

Service was great and the food was good, however, the proportion of sauce to pasta made no sense. We both had enough sauce for four more servings of pasta. The pasta was not to equal one serving but there was an excessive portions of sauce.

Discover more

Popular dish

Seafood Risotta

Alicante Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (195)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Mendon

About the restaurant

Alicante Mediterranean Grille is a waterfront restaurant that offers picturesque scenery with a relaxed and casual ambiance. It has an impressive menu that consists of unique items. All meals are prepared to order, with fresh produce and only high-quality cuts of meat.

Alicante Mediterranean Grille is a well-known venue for casually going out, private parties, gatherings and celebrations . Patrons are welcome to enjoy their meals on the patio ( seasonality), surrounded by the beautiful scenery overlooking the water, or inside the large, bright dining room. The dining room at Alicante Mediterranean Grille is decorated with chandeliers, trendy artwork and unique accent pieces.

Top review

juliaacav

Dined 7 days ago

Everything about our experience was A+!! This was our first time at Alicante and we will most definitely be back very soon. The food was absolutely amazing, drinks were exactly as we like them, service was perfect, and the ambiance was great! Thank you for a fantastic meal and dining experience and see you soon!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Central MA

Explore more Diners' Choice lists