Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Greater Boston

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall 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!

Moonshine 152

4.9

4.9 (1875)

$30 and under

American

South Boston

About the restaurant

A modern -American, neighborhood bistro restaurant in Southie (South Boston) by Chef-owner Asia Mei (as seen on Chopped, Beat Bobby Flay & Phantom Gourmet). With a globally-inspired, comfort food meets street food menu, Chef Asia puts her unique spin on both East & West Coast style cooking, striving to match the beautiful restaurant’s aesthetic, contributing to numerous glowing re-reviews, accolades & praise. Her "Best of Boston" Buttermilk Fried Chicken Wings, her award-winning Burgers & Vegetarian Burgers, Street Tacos & weekly changing specials are only some of the reasons she was awarded the 2023 Best of Boston Neighborhood Restaurant in South Boston.

Moonshine 152 is located at 152 Dorchester Avenue, on the corner of Dorchester Avenue & West 4th Street in South Boston. We are one block from the Broadway Red Line train station, with bus connections local bus connections. We are a short walk from the South End & Ink Block neighborhoods as well as The Seaport & Downtown Boston.

Top review

Kelley

Dined 5 days ago

One of my favs in Greater Boston! Delicious food, yummy ambiance. Love introducing friends to this place, highly recommend!

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Popular dish

Butterscotch Pudding

Popular dish

Jalapeno Crab Rangoons

G Bar & Kitchen

5.0

5 (200)

$31 to $50

American

Swampscott

About the restaurant

G Bar & Kitchen in Swampscott provides a beautiful interior with dark, rich wood flooring, bright red chairs situated along the bar, and pale colored chairs, tables and booths along the opposite walls. Big windows let in plenty of sunshine to help increase the brightness and inviting atmosphere of the interior whereas friendly staff members make you feel like an honored guest at G Bar & Kitchen. Upon first glance at the menu, you will notice plenty of delicious options like the shrimp chow fun and gnocchi. You also have stuffed acorn squash, lamb rack, duck, haddock, veal chop and a N.Y strip to name a few. There is an option for just about every flavor preference so you are sure to leave feeling satisfied and yearning to come back for more when you visit G Bar & Kitchen.

Top review

Steven

Dined 3 days ago

Great food and service. Will be going back soon, real soon!

Olivia’s (Fairhaven)

4.9

4.9 (441)

$50 and over

American

Fairhaven

About the restaurant

Olivia's Restaurant aims to be a neighborhood restaurant in the heart of Fairhaven highlighting fine coastal cuisine, classically made craft cocktails (sometimes with a twist) with an emphasis on thoughtful service and unwavering hospitality. We are open for dinner only (for now) so our team can excel at providing the ultimate dining experience.

Top review

Hope

Dined 4 days ago

The food was delicious, the staff was very welcoming and efficient, and we love coming here

Salt Raw Bar + Fine Cuisine

4.8

4.8 (1089)

$30 and under

American

Plymouth

About the restaurant

SALT RAW BAR + FINE CUISINE

Top review

Lawrence

Dined 1 day ago

Very creative seafood/Asian cuisine. We had a great meal.

Ships Inn

4.9

4.9 (493)

$31 to $50

American

Nantucket

About the restaurant

The Ships Inn Restaurant offers one of Nantucket's finest dining experiences. Located in an historic whaling captain\'s mansion built in 1831, the dining room and lounge are below street level and have an updated colonial atmosphere. Tall windows along two walls let in the summer breezes and let escape the sounds of happy conversation. This restaurant is a very good choice for an evening out with friends, and there are cozy, intimate alcoves for more romantic encounters. American/French cuisine is featured, with everything freshly prepared on the premises. Chef Mark Gottwald's food is bold and flavorful, and presented with understated elegance. Dinner menu selections include lobster, calamari, crab cakes, salmon, prawns, chicken, duck, beef, and lamb. Only the freshest ingredients are used. Members of our restaurant staff have been part of the Ships Inn family for an average of seven years or more. Friendliness, attentiveness, and food knowledge are the cornerstones of our operation.

Top review

Kevin

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

Excellent as always. Best steak on island. Scallop appetizer perfect

Metropolis Cafe

4.8

4.8 (1633)

$31 to $50

American

South End

About the restaurant

Metropolis Café, nestled in Boston’s Historic South End with views of lively Tremont Street, combines fine dining and warm hospitality at casual prices. Our dinner menu features favorites like Rigatoni, Pan Roasted Natural Chicken with foraged mushroom crème and whipped garlic Yukon potatoes, Sriracha Glazed Brussels Sprouts served with house-made buttermilk ranch and celery salad, and our creamy Risottos. Join us for a beloved neighborhood brunch on weekends, where locals and visitors enjoy a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. Whether you’re stopping by for dinner or a weekend brunch, Metropolis Café offers an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of Boston’s South End.

Top review

Andy

Dined 1 day ago

I have been visiting Metropolis for 15 years when on work trips from the UK. Service and food are always consistently great.

Fresh Boston

5.0

5 (6)

$30 and under

American

South Boston

About the restaurant

If you have to cancel, please give us as much advance notice as possible. We have a 10 minute grace period. Please call us if you are running late. Thank you!

Brunch: Saturday + Sunday 10:30a - 3:00p. We also serve our full lunch menu during Brunch

We are all about the good vibes here at Fresh Boston, drawing from our original location on Nantucket! We have a full bar, full liquor store, & full dine-in area as well as "grab & go". Our unique concept has everything you need with a vibe

>We are open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays)
> Brunch Saturday + Sunday 10:30a-3p (we also serve our full lunch menu during brunch)
>Our Liquor Store is fully stocked with spirits, beer, seltzers & over 225 facings of wine.
>Catering & Private Events freshboston.com/catering

Top review

MaggieVIP

Dined on Apr 30, 2025

Fresh has the best sandwiches, staff, and vibes in all of South Boston. I love this place!

Layla's American Tavern

4.8

4.8 (68)

$30 and under

American

South Boston

About the restaurant

Layla’s offers a comfortable and classic setting. Our seasonal menus are approachable, carefully crafted and consist of fresh, home-spun American fare skillfully led by our Director of Culinary Operations, Chef Chris Bauers and Executive Chef Ian Bass. Our beverage program is creative, fun and ever-changing. We place an emphasis on keeping it local and feature over 50 bottles and draughts, many of which are from our favorite local craft breweries. Our carefully selected wine list delivers new and old world varietals, with several wines and seasonal sangrias on tap. Our cocktails are crafted with fresh ingredients that change with the seasons. Layla’s is committed to our guests’ experience with a true passion for hospitality and service. Saddle up to one of our high top tables or grab a cozy booth for a more traditional dining experience. We look forward to having you join us!

Top review

Joshua

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

The food was excellent and the service was exceptional which is a rarity these days. Our waitress was personable and answered questions about the menu intelligently and had the perfect balance of not rushing us and not making us wait to ask water, the check, etc. A fun place to go...

Prairie Fire

4.8

4.8 (567)

$30 and under

American

Brookline

About the restaurant

We are currently open seven days a week. Saturday & Sunday we are open with an All Day Menu. Reservations can be made on our website, or through OpenTable. Due to the intimate nature of our dining room, if you would like to make a reservation for more than 4 guests, please give us a call at the restaurant.

Our Beer Garden is open for the season. It will be open during our normal business hours, weather dependent. It is seated on a first come, first serve basis. We do not take reservations for the beer garden.

We hold reservations for a 15 minute grace period. Please call us if you are running late, we will do our best to hold your table but cannot guarantee it. We do appreciate 1.5 hour dining experiences for parties of 1-2 guests, 2 hours for parties of 3-4, and 2.5 hours for parties of 5 or more guests. We always welcome walk-in guests to our bar.

Reach us at 617-396-8199 with questions, comments or additional assistance. We hope to see you soon!

Top review

SophiaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing food, service, and ambience. Our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood and of all of Boston.

Soco Tavern

4.7

4.7 (51)

$30 and under

American

Fairhaven

About the restaurant

Welcome to SoCo Tavern! Join us daily from 11:30am to close for American-style tavern favorites, specialty pizzas, fresh seafood, smash burgers, craft cocktails, and local beers on tap. Whether you're dining in or hanging out in The Garage, we've got great food and good vibes waiting for you.

Top review

LindaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Food, atmosphere, and service is excellent! Highly recommended.

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