Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Central MA

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Piccolo's

4.8

4.8 (844)

$30 and under

Italian

Worcester

About the restaurant

A unique destination for Worcester's movers and shakers, Piccolo's has become the place to go for great Italian cuisine, a glass of good wine and an eclectic social mix not found elsewhere on Shrewsbury Street.

Top review

FrancisVIP

Dined 5 days ago

As always, Piccolo’s was great. Our server, Theresa, was terrific and was very knowledgeable about the dinner offerings. We will be back.

Clintons Bar and Grille

4.8

4.8 (1973)

$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

Tracie

Dined 2 days ago

Never disappoints, food is always excellent, salads are very generous and the service is great

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Chashu Ramen + Izakaya

4.8

4.8 (637)

$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, Chashu brings Japanese inspired fare to downtown Worcester. Power lunches, happy hours, and sophisticated nightcaps are about to be redefined.

Top review

Heidi

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

Been there 4 times and always consistently good!! Food great and atmosphere pleasant

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Popular dish

chicken leg

Popular dish

fried chicken bao bao

Popular dish

salmon

Tavern in the Square - Shrewsbury

4.7

4.7 (1073)

$30 and under

American

Shrewsbury

About the restaurant

Tavern in the Square located at the Lakeway Commons on route 9 in Shrewsbury. Our Tavern in the Square Shrewsbury location features an open floor plan along with a 50 seat bar that extends on to our patio. 50 beers on draft and a menu made with the freshest ingredients and our big screen TV’s to watch all your favorite sports teams. Our all season enclosed patio features dining tables, bar chairs, and a lounge area.

Top review

Rachel

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Our server, Aleena, was so nice! Food was great, I never come here without getting the fried pickle chips (and they never disappoint!). Very allergen friendly and I appreciate how many GF options there are! Drinks are on a pricier side… It was also very busy for a Wednesday night.

Black & White Grille

4.7

4.7 (744)

$30 and under

American

Worcester

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Black & White Grille & Pizzeria! We are family owned & operated, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best quality product and service as we would to our own families. Together with our staff, we devote our time to creating entrees that cater to all taste buds. We hope that you enjoy your time spent with us as you dine. Our goal is to make your experience one that will leave you coming back for more.

Top review

Rosemary

Dined 3 days ago

Always very satisfied to dine at Black & White Restaurant. It was an extremely busy night. The staff was friendly and hustling and all appeared to handle the bustle

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Experience

🍉🫧Kids Night @ Black & White Grille🎨

The Mercantile

4.6

4.6 (1023)

$30 and under

American

Worcester

About the restaurant

Serving up New American Tavern Cuisine in our two-floor full-service restaurant and bar, equipped with two 50-seat bars, world-inspired snacks and entrees, brick pizza oven, private event space, and an open rooftop patio that offers views of downtown Worcester and City Square. Located next to the DCU Center and minutes from Polar Park, we’re a natural choice pre and post-game.

*Due to limited patio seating, we do not take reservations for our patio. Please note the patio request in your reservation, or ask upon arrival, and we will do our best to accommodate.

**The rooftop is open Wednesday-Friday 4 PM - close. Saturday & Sunday 12 PM - close.

***Public parking is available at The Mercantile Center Garage with direct access to the restaurant on Level 3A.

Top review

Judy

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

Our food was very good, our server was very attentive and we were very pleased with our experience. I would recommend Mercantile for great dining in a pleasant setting.

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Worcester

4.6

4.6 (717)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Worcester

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Worcester serves the finest USDA Prime beef available, broiled at 1,800° and served on 500° plates, so your steak stays hot, juicy and delicious from first bite to last. Enjoy our New Orleans-inspired appetizers, USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts. All this while you enjoy our warm, inviting atmosphere and Ruth’s Chris’ genuine hospitality. So, whether you’re a regular or have just been wondering what all the buzz is about, Ruth's Chris is the perfect excuse to enjoy the perfect night out. Dinner is served nightly, reservations are suggested, and private dining and offsite catering may be arranged.

Top review

Linda

Dined 1 day ago

Great patio w good food and service that sped up. Sauces are delicious w double checks needed to make are anything in the side comes in the side. We would go again but check tip pre allocated and sauce on side checks

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Experience

$55 3-Course Menu

Experience

Moët & Chandon TasteMaker Dinner

The Rail Trail Flatbread Co. - Milford

4.6

4.6 (388)

$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

Debbie

Dined 1 day ago

Made a reservation for an outdoor table, but the tables outside were actually picnic tables. That’s a big negative. So we relocated our reservation inside. The restaurant is bright and bustling inside. The restaurant was busy, but not overcrowded when we arrived at 6 PM. But bythe time we left at 7:30 there was a line waiting for a table. Overall, a very good experience. The pizza was delicious. Our waiter was very nice and accommodating.

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Experience

Kids Eat Free - 4th of July Weekend

Forge and Vine

4.5

4.5 (3300)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Groton

About the restaurant

Drawing inspiration from the region’s history and natural surroundings, the 156-seat freestanding restaurant reflects elemental themes of wood, water, iron, and fire, reminiscent of the carriage houses and blacksmith shops that once dotted the landscape. The centerpiece of Forge & Vine is an eight-foot wood fired grill and open kitchen with counter seating where guests can enjoy dinner while interacting with the chef. Welcoming residents as well as visitors to the area, Forge & Vine offers a strong sense of place with a design sensibility that brings in the outside with floor to ceiling windows offering breathtaking pastoral views of Gibbett Hill. The restaurant boasts spacious and casual bar with service inside and out and features classic and comfortable cuisine sourced from the best produce, seafood, and meats that New England offers.

Top review

Cheryl

Dined 6 days ago

We had a wonderful evening we ordered the two flatbreads and they were amazing. They were enough so we didn’t have to order a meal. A few cocktails to end the evening outside was fabulous. Will definitely go back. Our server Abby was great, attentive and friendly, would ask for her again. Overall top notch place. Can’t wait to go back.

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Popular dish

Seared Scallops

Popular dish

Seared Day Boat Scallops (GF) S

Popular dish

French Onion Soup

The Neighborhood Tavern

4.3

4.3 (223)

$30 and under

American

Northborough

About the restaurant

Diverse menu, Craft Beer Selection, 33 Sports TV, Neighborhood Vibe, Saturday and Sunday Brunch. American Bar and Restaurant. Our restaurant is designed to be a high-spirited entertainment destination for people of all ages. With a focus on creating a lively atmosphere, we offer an extensive beer list featuring close to 50 draught options alongside a modern and elevated pub fare menu. Whether you're here for lunch, dinner, after-work cocktails, or a special event, Tap Neighborhood Tavern provides a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience. We are thrilled to join the dynamic Northborough community and look forward to welcoming you to our new home!

Top review

Lori

Dined 4 days ago

We dine here maybe once a month or so because we can walk to it. This time I had the roast beef sandwich from the Specials menu and it wad delicious! I had this once before, or something similar, back in the winter and I loved it too. Please put this permanently on the menu. And the tots are the best I ever had. I order them every time because I can't get tots like this anywhere else. They are so crisp and flavorful. My spouse had the Chicken Pesto Sandwich, another favorite of mine and he loved it. Our server Breanna was friendly, fun, and just the right amount of attentiveness.

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