Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Boston Metro North

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Boston Metro North? 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Paradiso Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (496)

$30 and under

Italian

Swampscott

About the restaurant

Paradiso Ristorante is a family-friendly restaurant located across from the Swampscott train station. Small kitchen with big flavors.
Executive Chef Benedetto Carenza from Avellino, Italy prepares Italian cuisine that will make you want to lick your plate. All menu items are cooked to order. Quality is our number one priority. Enjoy the ambiance of our “soon” newly renovated lounge and dining room. The casual atmosphere of our lounge offers 6 flat screen TVs, along with our dining room, outdoor heated patio and outdoor tent.

Top review

CarenVIP

Dined on Nov 9, 2024

We love coming to Paradiso for dinner especially when we have Michael as our server! He’s the best and the food is delicious!

Ledger Restaurant & Bar

4.7

4.7 (2640)

$31 to $50

American

Salem

About the restaurant

This historically unique location houses the new restaurant from Matt O'Neil chef/owner of The Blue Ox in Lynn. O'Neil collaborates with Executive Chef, Daniel Gursha, formerly of Bambara, Cambridge and A Voce and Bouley in New York City, offering a progressive New England concept, where traditional 19th-century dishes, cocktails, and techniques will be elevated with 21st-century resources.

Top review

Maureen

Dined 4 days ago

Loved this place. We are from the west coast visiting and several people recommended this place. Did not disappoint.

Post 1917 Steakhouse

4.7

4.7 (181)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Reading

About the restaurant

A steakhouse: city vibe, local heart. Our menu is hand selected to feature locally and ethically sourced ingredients. Our head chef and owner Jason Carron has revolutionized the New England restaurant community for two decades. With his acute attention to detail, Carron has helped struggling restaurants find their purpose and passion, restoring their place in the industry. Having given hope to hundreds of restaurants over the years, Carron is opening his first steakhouse this spring, bringing that same level of attention to his own restaurant. Every ingredient is well thought out to innovate the plate with not only something aesthetically pleasing, but more importantly delicious. His farm to table approach, ensures the highest level of ingredients go into every meal you enjoy.

Please note our dress code: No gym wear, hooded sweatshirts, shorts, or ball caps are to be worn. All men are strongly encouraged to have a collar. No tank tops. Jackets are not required.

Top review

eric

Dined 4 days ago

So glad Reading finally has a world class steakhouse. Chef Jason is a marvelous host and the food was incredible

Black Cow

4.6

4.6 (66)

$31 to $50

American

Newburyport

About the restaurant

CORRECTION, THE BLACKCOW DOES ACCEPT RESERVATIONS FOR BOTH LUNCH AND DINNER. PLEASE CALL US AT (978)499-8811 TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION, RESERVATIONS ARE FOR INDOOR DINING ONLY!.

Reservations for parties larger than 4 you must call 978-499-8811.

Located in a city rich in maritime history, the Black Cow boasts spectacular ocean views from its rooftop deck and fine dining with walking distance to all that Newburyport has to offer. By land or by sea, the Black cow represents all the hospitality and beauty New England has to offer.

Top review

Tyler

Dined 7 days ago

Steak tips and burger was amazing. 2 very happy customers.

Not Your Average Joe's Peabody

4.5

4.5 (592)

$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

RichardVIP

Dined on Nov 26, 2024

Enjoyable evening.. Had a meeting there and found the service to be excellent..

Hawthorne Hotel Dining

4.5

4.5 (305)

$30 and under

American

Salem

About the restaurant

Nathaniel’s Restaurant at the Hawthorne Hotel offers a perfect start and end to any day. The morning hours are bright with the wall of windows, the plates are creative and include all the Breakfast favorites; Pancakes, Waffles, our Hearty Hawthorne Breakfast, and our Famous house-made Hawthorne Corned Beef Hash!

Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, Nathaniel’s transforms into a lounge-like atmosphere, with candles, live piano and acoustic entertainment or ambient music playing from our brass gramophone. Sit beside the baby grand piano, beneath the famed author’s portrait, or in front of the historical culinary tribute cabinet and you will find there is a reason our guests have loved Nathaniel’s Restaurant for decades.

Our Tavern restaurant offers a comfortable pub style atmosphere, with our toasty fireplace and warm ambience, you can't help but sink into our comfy arm chairs, while sipping a hot toddy!

Join us to experience our Executive Chef, Vanessa Still's, fantastic menu!

Top review

Judy

Dined 4 days ago

I got the flatbread appetizer for my meal. Not only was it delicious there, the leftovers were equally as good at home.

The Autograph American Tavern

4.5

4.5 (143)

$30 and under

American

Andover

About the restaurant

Now Open! Enjoy Lunch and Dinner at our American Tavern. Family friendly and perfect for the sports enthusiast.

Top review

Nancy

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

All menu items are delicious. The fish and chips are tender and lightly battered. Salads are amazing as well as the nachos

The Millers Tavern

4.3

4.3 (584)

$30 and under

American

Methuen

About the restaurant

New American Restaurant in Methuen, Massachusetts.

Top review

Alan

Dined on Dec 3, 2024

Took advantage of their Senior Discount which is very generous. Food was top notch and our waiter was terrific - friendly and knowledgeable. Couldn't ask for anything more

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4.3

4.3 (121)

$30 and under

Grill

Burlington

About the restaurant

Goodnight Johnny’s American Music Bar is Burlington’s newest hot spot for live music and quality food and drinks. Goodnight Johnny’s features top musical entertainment and a full service restaurant with classic American menu offerings. Our upbeat atmosphere caters to local adults looking for a quality, a reasonably priced experience and excellent service. We offer lunch, dinner, a weekend brunch, a few drinks and live music.

Top review

Melissa

Dined 7 days ago

We had a great time today at brunch with Santa. Food was great and so was service. We would definitely go back for brunch whether or not it is themed!!

Hotel Salem - The Roof

4.1

4.1 (60)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Salem

About the restaurant

Unique among Salem restaurants, The Roof offers Salem’s only open-air rooftop bar and restaurant serving the necessities—strong drinks and simple food. Located at the top of The Hotel Salem, this seasonal dining space features an outdoor kitchen and expansive views of Salem’s cobblestone streets and bustling harbor. Expect to find some of the best-crafted cocktails in the area, as well as tacos, rice bowls, and more.

Top review

Bridget

Dined on Oct 16, 2024

We came to watch the sunset and the full moon. It was gorgeous and perfect. Good drinks too. Would definitely recommend!

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