Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Central and Western MA

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Central and Western 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.

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Experience

Tricks and Treats Dinner

Mezze Bistro + Bar

4.8

4.8 (2341)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Williamstown

About the restaurant

Mezze Bistro + Bar serves a prix fixe menu inspired by the Mediterranean using local ingredients. Craft cocktails, boutique wines, and small-batch beers highlight the beverage program. We are nestled next to Williamstown Rural Lands' Sheep Hill. During summer dine al fresco on our deck, please make a note if that's your preference in your reservation. To learn about private dining options for groups of up to 25 contact: mezzebistro@mezzeinc.com.

Mezze Hospitality Group, includes Mezze Events, a full-service events company, BLUEBiRD & CO. casual, a la carte restaurant at the base of Jiminy Peak. Come for the food, stay for the rooms with Mezze Guesthouse, a five-unit, boutique & contactless accommodation only steps above Mezze Bistro.

Top review

Nicolavip

Dined 2 days ago

What a lovely meal. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful. We loved Joy, who took such good care of us with food and wine recommendations. Thank you!

Baba Sushi Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (101)

$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

Abevip

Dined on Sep 24, 2024

Great quality fish! I would say this place is a stand out location for Worcester.

B Napoli

4.8

4.8 (1882)

$30 and under

Contemporary Italian

West Springfield

About the restaurant

bNapoli Italian is a contemporary Italian restaurant serving authentic cuisine from the Naples region of Italy using only top quality ingredients. Reservations are highly recommended as they are booking for indoor as well as outdoor dining on their 28 seat enclosed patio.

BNapoli is known for their professional yet approachable service, beautifully created from scratch menu and inventive balanced cocktails. They offer an eclectic 100 label variety of new and old world wine focused mainly on North America and Italy from a glass enclosed temperature controlled wine room. Their cocktail menu is culinary based and guest focused offering creative seasonal takes on timeless classics and they also offer six draft lines featuring local breweries as well as a small curated selection of bottles.

Top review

Keri

Dined 7 days ago

Our server was fantastic. We were there to celebrate birthdays and had a wonderful dinner. It was hard to talk with such a high noise level but other than that we had a wonderful time. Would absolutely go again.

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Chashu Ramen + Izakaya

4.8

4.8 (544)

$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

Tom

Dined 7 days ago

Consistent excellence. Great food, great drinks, attentive staff, great atmosphere

Baba Sushi Sturbridge

4.6

4.6 (60)

$30 and under

Japanese

Sturbridge

About the restaurant

Welcome to Baba Sushi… Voted Worcester’s Best Sushi Restaurant 9 consecutive years in a row, and a 5-time winner of the prestigious Worcester’s Best Chef award, Chef Wilson Wang is pleased to bring the freshest, most original sushi creations to the newer Sturbridge, MA location.

Wilson also invites you to try his Chinese Hot Pot, a delicious and fun way to enjoy all of your favorite foods.

So Sushi… AND Hot Pot, all under one roof, and made only with the freshest and tastiest ingredients. Thank you for joining us! We are excited to finally be here in Sturbridge and look forward bringing you the finest dining experience.

Top review

Kelly

Dined on Aug 17, 2024

Summer was our server and she was literally one of the best I have had all summer!! Even the valet (we didn’t use) was fun and personable. baba is a little pricey, but we had a great dinner.

Tavern in the Square - Shrewsbury

4.6

4.6 (993)

$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

Daniel

Dined on Sep 14, 2024

Excellent and consistently good food all the way around. Plenty of TV's and nice and vibrant atmosphere.

Forge and Vine

4.6

4.6 (3051)

$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

rick

Dined 3 days ago

It was our daughter's birthday & her 1st time @ F&V. She was blown away. Thank you!!!

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Psychic Medium Night at The Groton Inn

The Mercantile

4.4

4.4 (835)

$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

Brenda

Dined on Sep 22, 2024

Waitress gave excellent service. She deserves a raise!

Max Tavern - Springfield

4.3

4.3 (62)

$31 to $50

American

Springfield

About the restaurant

!Max Tavern's innovative menu features contemporary American cuisine, classic chophouse fare, craft cocktails, and more. Our team strives to make sure you have a memorable dining experience each and every time.

If you're looking to make a larger reservation please contact us directly at (413)-746-6299

Top review

Steven

Dined on Sep 21, 2024

Great food and service at the Bar! My only issue was the Filet was a little small for the price ….but it was cooked to perfection and very good.

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