Where Resy Chefs Loved Eating in Boston in 2023

“My top restaurant meal of 2023 is definitely the omakase experience at 311 here in Boston. Chef Wei Fa Chen and his team are executing some really exciting Japanese dishes, followed by some of the best sushi out there — I would even place it at the same level as the top places in New York and Tokyo …”

— George Mendes, Executive Chef at Amar

“One of my most memorable meals this year was at the always-fabulous Chickadee. The food, drinks, and hospitality are always amazing. Everything we had that night was not only delicious and unique but also beautifully and thoughtfully composed. Chickadee is a beacon of consistency and professionalism, and a restaurant I love to introduce to others, as it never disappoints.”

— Ted Hawkins, Director of Operations/Partner at The Coda Group (SRV, The Salty Pig, Gufo, Baleia)

“The most memorable meal of 2023 for me was at Field & Vine in Somerville, MA. Field & Vine is the type of place you eat at and feel a little jealous afterwards! The open fire cooking, the small intimate setting, and the perfectly seasoned and seasonal dishes, all while being so easily unpretentious!”

— Stephen Marcaurelle, Chef/Partner at The Nautilus Pier 4

“Sitting at the chef’s counter at Lenox Sophia, chatting with chef Shi [Mei] while eating his playful-yet-focused food felt transportive. I still dream of the king trumpet mushroom with house-made elderflower miso. That dish was definitely one of the best things I ate in 2023.”

— Claire Makley, General Manager/Owner at Tonino + Founding Member of The Koji Club

“My husband and I got a rare Saturday night off and were able to snag a last-minute booking at Lenox Sophia in the Seaport. It’s a BYOB restaurant and we had just picked up some fun bottles, so we chose one and headed in for a five-course prix-fixe menu before going to see Sylvan Esso at the newer MGM Music Hall. The restaurant is a tiny space, minimally decorated. The food was some of the best we’ve had in Boston. We enjoyed each and every course. Simple, in-season ingredients cooked perfectly. The service was warm and familial but didn’t interrupt our rare, toddler-free time together.”

— Sara Markey, Owner/Operator at Field & Vine and June Bug

“There’s nothing like Mahaniyom in Boston. From beginning to end, every cocktail and plate is thoughtfully made and delivered with genuine care and hospitality.”

— Luke Fetbroth, Chef/Owner at Tonino

“Southern Pines Diner Car is a pop-up across the courtyard from Rebel Rebel in Bow Market, and it’s straight fire in sandwich form. Can a sandwich compete with a fine dining meal? If it’s made by chef Matthew Bullock (also the founder of the locally lauded Southern Pines Supper Club), that answer is ‘absolutely yes,’ and it might actually blow them all out of the water. The selections rotate seasonally, but my current go-to is the Rouxgaroux, a truly transcendent combo of Cajun barbecue-spiced chicken thigh, roux sauce, and jalapeño slaw, served on toasty buttered brioche. It’s a spicy, creamy, crunchy delight, and I can eat it with one hand while I carry my infant in the other, which is what makes a meal great for me these days!”

— Lauren Friel, Sommelier/Owner at Rebel Rebel, Wild Child, and Dear Annie

“Tonino was my top meal of 2023. While the food is exceptional, the warmth of the dining room, the sweet details that make you feel comfortable in every corner, and the beverage menu (with sake!) for everyone is what differentiates this place from any other Italian concept in Boston.”

— Alyssa Mikiko DiPasquale, Owner at The Koji Club

“Best meal of the year was at Tonino in Jamaica Plain. Everything we had was really well executed. Simple dishes, like house focaccia with spreads and calamari salad with pickles, were the best versions of what they could be. One stuffed pasta dish really stood out. It was stuffed with Taleggio in a simple butter sauce with aged balsamic. So simple, so good.”

— Andrew Brady, Chef/Partner at Field & Vine, Dear Annie, and June Bug