Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Greater Boston

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Greater Boston? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Urban Hearth

4.8

4.8 (684)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Farm-to-table dining in the comfort of our home: that is the unique experience you will find at Urban Hearth. Located in a cozy North Cambridge storefront, our intimate dining room, knowledgeable, friendly staff, and exquisitely crafted menu are the heart of our dinner service. Join us for a la carte or at our chef's counter where you'll have the pleasure of interacting with Chef Erin Miller while dining.

We share a story of culture, community, discovery and home. The globally-inspired, locally-sourced dishes we serve celebrate our rich and complex connection with food. The table is set, whether marking a special occasion or the end of a busy day, we look forward to sharing the evening with you. We welcome private event bookings for graduations, birthdays, weddings and more. To equalize the pay disparity between tipped staff & kitchen staff during our busy times, we add a 5% kitchen appreciation fee to each check. We require 24 hours notice for all cancellations.

Top review

JulianaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Neighborhood gem, small and quiet farm to table restaurant in west Cambridge. Creative cuisine with interesting mix of texture and flavors and presentation. Welcoming ambience and service. Attentive to allergy concerns and suggestions.

Sycamore

4.9

4.9 (2807)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Newton

About the restaurant

Sycamore is a seasonally inspired, chef-owned neighborhood bistro in Newton Centre. Emphasizing locally sourced produce, fish and meat, our menu draws on classic European country food; rustic and wholesome. Our beverage program is designed to complement the cuisine. The wine list focuses on passionate small producers, our beers are by and large domestic craft selections and the cocktail list highlights classic drinks and sipping spirits.

Top review

andreaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Love the new carrot salad and the salmon! The farro salad never disappoints. And Kate is the best!!!

dbar

4.9

4.9 (1481)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Dorchester

About the restaurant

dbar is a full service restaurant that seamlessly transforms into a nightclub and lounge as the night goes on. Formally an old school Irish pub filled with mahogany charm, dbar has been renovated into a hip chic hot spot. With warm glowing candles & long leather banquettes, dbar offers a casual and comfortable atmosphere that attracts clientele from Dorchester and surrounding areas. The unique and classy menu inspired by Executive Chef Christopher Coombs changes with the seasons and features the finest and freshest available ingredients throughout the New England area. Most of the menu takes a French twist, but also contains an assortment of comfort foods (such as our famous Veal & Pancetta Bolognaise) and old favorites (like our simple yet delicious Giannone Chicken Under a Brick.)

Top review

ElizabethVIP

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Always wonderful. One of our neighborhood places!

Brighton Bodega

4.8

4.8 (117)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Brighton

About the restaurant

A full service restaurant with a focus on small plates and street food fare, along with craft spirit

Top review

Chi

Dined 4 days ago

Not too bad. worth checking out for a casual dining experience.

North Street Grille

4.7

4.7 (481)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

North End

About the restaurant

Welcome to the North Street Grille.
Boston’s Best Brunch

Top review

Mary

Dined 6 days ago

ALWAYS a great time and a delicious meal. Great staff as well, don't miss it if you can fit it into your visit.

Joe's Original Kitchen + Bar

4.7

4.7 (2791)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Dartmouth

About the restaurant

Joe's Original, formerly Not Your Average Joe's -Dartmouth features a casual, made - from scratch menu served in a restaurant and bar that offers guests a place to gather with family and friends. Our menu is filled with elevated American favorites, and our goal is to combine the delicious cuisine of a fine dining restaurant with the comfortable atmosphere of a neighborhood bistro- a place where everyone knows your name.

Enjoy global comfort food and guest favorites such as chicken enchiladas, grilled steak tips, buffalo-caribbean chicken tenders, wood-fired pizzas, hand-formed burgers, and house-made desserts at Joe's Original in Dartmouth. Serving up creative meals and hospitality for 30 years!

Top review

LynnVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Outstanding restaurant! Delicious food with great service!

Abby Park

4.8

4.8 (2853)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Milton

About the restaurant

The story of Milton's thriving restaurant scene starts with Abby Park. We opened in 2009 as the town's first eating establishment with a full liquor license, serving up American comfort food, local beer, and approachable craft cocktails. Newly renovated and revitalized, Abby Park offers a full entertainment calendar and an exciting late-night bar scene. With several options for private dining and catering, let us host your next event whether it is a business dinner, cocktail party or wedding. We have proudly become a local neighborhood establishment, serving our residents and families.

Top review

SueVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Abby park never disappoints us. We always have a great meal. And the cocktails are fabulous.

Discover more

3 Course Lunch for $25!

3 Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (326)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Franklin

About the restaurant

"3" is a casual, fine dining restaurant that has operated for over fifteen years in Franklin. We have developed a reputation for delivering a high quality food, beverage and hospitality experience for our guests with an innovative menu of popular American dishes. Each prepared with a contemporary, creative twist, with a focus on freshness, quality and simplicity.

Top review

William

Dined 4 days ago

There are good restaurants in this area but they are not in large numbers. Restaurant 3 is a standout and a local favorite. I just love their Rigatoni Bolognese.

Steel and Rye

4.8

4.8 (1753)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Milton

About the restaurant

Thank you for reserving a table at Steel & Rye!
PLEASE NOTE: FOR WEEKDAY LUNCH RESERVATIONS, STEEL & RYE OFFERS COUNTER SERVICE FROM OUR BAKERY BETWEEN 7:00 A.M. AND 4:00PM (Mondays until 2:30pm).

All reservations after 4pm for Dinner will be provided full table service and are for inside tables only. Outside parking lot tables are currently first come, first served and orders may be placed via QR code.

Top review

Laura

Dined 4 days ago

First time visit. Cool atmosphere, great drinks, and food very good. We’ll definitely go back.

Not Your Average Joe's Peabody

4.6

4.6 (605)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Peabody

About the restaurant

From our famous focaccia and dipping oil, to our legendary pizza, salads, and sandwiches, we offer something for everyone at Not Your Average Joe's. Come in for fan favorites like our Mustard Crusted Chicken or Steak Tips, stay for the extended list of wines, craft beer, and crafted cocktails. We serve an extensive gluten free menu, happy hour, weekend brunch, and have full-service lunch and dinner 7 days a week in the dining room or bar area.

Not Your Average Joe's Peabody is a family-style restaurant that offers a bar area, main dining room, and wide array of seating options from high tops to booths to community tables. Our restaurant sits in the beautiful Northshore Mall near Sears, Legal Sea Foods, and the Sears Auto Center. Located just off Yankee Division Highway, it has easy access to Lahey Medical Center Peabody, the Salem Country Club, Bishop Fenwick High School, Endicott Square Shopping Center and more.

Top review

maryannVIP

Dined on Apr 18, 2025

So delicious and wonderful service! Love going back every Friday night!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Greater Boston

Explore more Diners' Choice lists