Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Central and Western MA

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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!

Baba Sushi Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (134)

$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

MikeVIP

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

The food was superb, the staff even better. Couldn’t be more welcoming, a fantastic experience.

Villa Napoletana

4.8

4.8 (793)

$30 and under

Italian

East Longmeadow

About the restaurant

“The combination of exquisite food, superb service and excellent ambiance all create an experience you will never forget.” Since 1998, Villa Napoletana has offered the finest southern Italian cuisine, service and atmosphere to all who enjoy making memorable experiences. Villa Napoletana is committed to selecting only the freshest ingredients available. To us it is a constant culinary challenge to bring guests the finest Italian food that can be provided. We look forward to serving our guests with innovative specials!

Top review

MattVIP

Dined on Jun 28, 2025

What a great and fun neighborhood Italian place! Service from Tamar was incredible and the food was excellent!

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 3 days ago

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

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The Student Prince Cafe

4.8

4.8 (791)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Springfield

About the restaurant

Since 1935, Student Prince has offered largest selection of Bavarian and German beers paired with American, Seafood, Steakhouse, and European-inspired cuisine.

Top review

Mary

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Came here for apps and dinner and the outdoor patio atmosphere was really great and relaxing. They do have valet service so you don't have to worry about finding a parking spot. We enjoyed the apps and dinner. which were great Would love to see a bit more grilled fish on the menu!! Note to chef!!

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

Lattitude (West Springfield, Massachusetts)

4.7

4.7 (1801)

$30 and under

Global, International

West Springfield

About the restaurant

Chef/Owner Jeffrey Daigneau “wanted to share his craft with the community he grew up in, treating them to a new level of dining experience – the "Lattitude experience.” He wanted to highlight freshness and the use of local seasonal products create some unique fresh cuisine for guests. With a farm to table concept flowing from the pages of his menus by way of grilled beef tenderloin with white sweet potato puree, pan seared Diver scallops and his famous fried brussels and much, much more, Chef Daigneau has brought back the excitement of dining out. He strives to cover all of his guests’ favorite tastes to invite emotion and inspiration during their dining experience! Thank you for stopping by. The Lattitude team and Chef Daigneau always look forward to having you as their guests. Cheers!

Top review

Diane

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Great food, great service and love the atmosphere!

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Popular dish

Fried Brussel Sprouts

Johnny's Tavern

4.7

4.7 (1075)

$30 and under

American

Amherst

About the restaurant

Johnny’s Tavern in Amherst manages to provide a mixed ambiance of classy, laidback charm and décor. The dining room provides a nice atmosphere for a date night or a group of friends. Even a rather large group can sit comfortably in the expansive dining area. The bar features televisions where you can catch your favorite sporting events while dining on your food.

The food at Johnny’s Tavern is delicious and always well-prepared. Meals are cooked to order to ensure that diners with various dining preferences can all come in and enjoy a meal. If you are looking for some recommendations, you should try the truffle fries, brussels sprouts, burgers or the house made gnocchi. Stop in at Johnny’s Tavern to see what other amazing food options are available on the menu.

Top review

JudyVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Jeff was our server, who successfully balanced our party of 2 while attending to a party of 13 and his other tables with kindness and professionalism. A busy night with UMass orientation did not significantly slow down the kitchen nor did it impact the excellent quality of the food that we so appreciate. It was also a night where the entire team helped each other, which is a clear sign of how they have each other’s backs. Well done!

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.

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 2 days 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

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