Jumbo Seafood Restaurant
On any given night you'll find some of the city's top chefs here after work with chopsticks waving. The eight water tanks filled with live seafood make fish and shellfish obvious choices. Crispy calamari with jalapeño peppers go down like popcorn. And whole fish in a sweet and spicy sauce may cause you to look left, then right, then lick the plate if no one's looking. They're all stellar examples of fresh and delicious Hong Kong-style cuisine, but the kitchen also soars with pork chops, garlic-laden fresh pea tendrils, and eggplant. Added bonus: Jumbo stays open into the wee hours of the morning. 5 Hudson St., Boston, MA jumboseafoodrestaurant.net.
Art Cliff Diner
With choices like green eggs and ham and root beer floats, the Art Cliff's menu is a bit like that of a child's tea party. The tastes at this '40s-era diner, however, are pure refinement. Former fine-dining chef Regina Stanley uses ingredients from nearby Morning Glory Farm for her creations; highlights include sweet potato biscuits with maple butter, and asparagus, tomato, and goat cheese frittatas. The pecan-stuffed pancakes alone have brunchies of all ages lining up on the vinyl counter stools seven days a week. 39 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, MA 2568, .
Provisions
Its name may sound utilitarian, but don't be fooled. This homey café makes the most tempting sandwiches on the island, like the aptly named Turkey Terrific: Thick, home-baked wheat bread topped with smoked turkey, buttery stuffing, cranberry sauce, and just enough mayo creates portable perfection for the beach or taking in the Straight Wharf view. Our only advice: Try not to order it every day; the entire sandwich menu, as well as the homey, baked goods and sweets (lemon squares, cranberry-walnut pound cake), deserves your full attention. 3 Harbor Sq., Nantucket, MA 2554, .
East Ocean City
A good gourmet always appreciates knowing where his food comes from. And at East Ocean City, where lobster, fish, shrimp, and king crab swim happily in large tanks before being plucked for your plate, it's pretty obvious. The menu includes everything from exotic shark fin soup to classics like sweet-and-sour chicken and beef with mushrooms. The fish dishes are all flaky as only just-caught fish can be, and the accompanying fresh vegetables and savory sauces make each dish pop with flavor. 25-29 Beach St., Boston, MA 2111, .
House of Siam
In a town with no shortage of commendable Thai restaurants, everyone has a favorite. But House of Siam wins us over with both big-picture style and thoughtful details. The duck with red curry alone is worth the trip—perfumed with sweet coconut milk and studded with eggplant and bright-flavored basil. Ditto the "Five King," an aromatic mix of plump shrimp, fried fish, squid, scallops, and mussels in a chile-laden broth. Dive into all of it seated among miniature beaded lamps, curly bamboo, and gilded fixtures set against brick-red walls. Then try to tell us that all Thai restaurants are the same. 542 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA houseofsiamboston.com.
La Royal
The third time is most definitely another charm for husband-and-wife team chef JuanMa Calderón and Maria Rondeau. This year they followed up their nationally acclaimed restaurants Celeste and Esmeralda with La Royal, a Peruvian dinner party—pink neon bathes the back-bar’s Pisco bottles—in Cambridge’s quaint and quiet Huron Village. Between the stemmed glasses overflowing with sweet, citrusy ceviche and the feasts of whole branzino grilled in plantain leaves, it further elevates Calderón’s already artful cooking. Three words: We’re dazzled again. 221 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, laroyalcambridge.com.
Jamaica Mi Hungry
Set your GPS: Chef Ernie Campbell’s beloved Jamaica Mi Hungry truck (pictured) is now permanently parked at an Allston lot, outside the address where a second restaurant is set to open this fall. (There’s already a brick-and-mortar joint in Jamaica Plain.) Speed by to snag signature, heat-seeking jerk chicken, hearty and comforting goat curry, or stellar sides like sweet plantains from Campbell, whose hardly idle hands are also busy managing kitchen operations for CommonTable, a citywide initiative to feed vulnerable communities during the pandemic. 182 Western Ave., Allston, MA 02134, jamaicamihungry.com.
Madaket Road Path
Like all things on this island, Nantucket’s bike paths were designed with aesthetics in mind—think: rolling hills, unspoiled harbor vistas, and, best of all, the safety of being tucked away from traffic, occasionally meandering through forests and other preservation land. If you must pick one direction, head west to Madaket, where at the end of the road you’ll find Madaket Beach, a favorite for families to while the day away under rainbow umbrellas. Before heading back into town, stop by Millie’s Market for a scoop of s’mores ice cream and savor the sweetness of summer. Nantucket, MA nantucket-ma.gov/985/Bike-Paths.
Kara Lydon Nutrition
Go ahead and gobble up those cookies sans guilt: Registered dietitian nutritionist Kara Lydon encourages her clients to eschew fad diets in favor of intuitive eating, which means enjoying satisfying meals filled with carbs, proteins, and fats (and, yes, the occasional sweet treat) whenever hunger strikes. Not sure how to begin? Lydon’s blog (a.k.a. “the Foodie Dietician”) and e-book offer countless recipes so you can get a jump-start on your health before you even book an appointment. 399 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, karalydon.com.
Sycamore
This neighborhood favorite may be the kind of place where passersby tap the window to greet friends and family inside, but it also draws diners from far beyond Newton Centre thanks to chefs David Punch and Lydia Reichert. Rich sweet-potato muhammara with pillowy grilled pita, and suckling pig confit with bright fennel purée and blood-orange marmalade share menu real estate with those duck, lamb, and pig boards that everyone's always raving about. It's also home to the most satisfying vegetarian entrée we've ever tried: spiced leek pancakes with local squash and crispy Brussels sprouts. 755 Beacon St., Newton Centre, MA 02459, sycamorenewton.com.
Scituate
With its harbor vistas and wide sidewalks, Front Street always had the potential to be a South Shore destination—all it needed was a little pep. This year, we're finally seeing that potential fulfilled, with brand-new hot spots (Galley Kitchen & Bar, Lucky Finn Café); neighborhood stalwarts (T.K. O'Malley's, Mill Wharf); and high-end restaurants (Oro, Riva) all playing nicely along the charming half-mile strip. Day-trippers and locals alike enjoy movies at the Mill Wharf Cinemas, ice cream at Nona's, and browsing at sweet shops like the Welch Company and the Roman Table. The best part? It's right on the water. MA
Tu y Yo
The frills are few at the humble but festively colorful Tu y Yo, but none of that matters once you experience the authenticity of the expertly prepared food. Traditional family recipes are executed to perfection, from the shredded chicken breast slow cooked in chipotle peppers and tomatoes to the jumbo shrimp grilled in bay leaves, garlic, oranges, and chipotle sweet-sour sauce. The friendly staff tries hard to make every visitor here feel at home (a quality we're sure, like the recipes, has been passed down for generations) and is adept at guiding diners through the almost shamefully inexpensive entrées (all well under $20) and intriguing wine selection. 858 Broadway, Somerville, MA tuyyo2.com.
Campo de' Fiori
You have 20 minutes to eat. And you have taste. What to do? Head to Campo de' Fiori in Harvard Square's Holyoke Center Aracade (a Financial District outpost is slated for a year-end opening), where fresh Pane Romano—a moist-yet-crispy flatbread—is spread with Nutella for breakfast, topped pizzalike for lunch, and made into luscious sandwiches, like the Parma (with prosciutto and fontina). It rivals its namesake in Rome. Fat-free fruit gelati and fresh pastries add a sweet finale. And with Combo meals priced between $2 and $5, all we can say is Brava! Holyoke Center Arcade, 1350 Massacusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
M. F. Dulock
Anatomy of a Winner: Whether you're shopping for an elegant dinner party or a simple weeknight meal, you're sure to find a bevy of options at this Somerville meat specialist. That's because the butchers here break down whole animals to create a variety of tasty cuts. Here's how they carved up a Berkshire/Yorkshire hybrid pig. 1. Pig head, for an adventurous crowd. 2. Boneless pork loin, which is perfect for roasts. 3. House-ground sweet Italian sausage. 4. Garlic-and-thyme sausage farce, for making stuffing. 5. Pig skin, for frying into cracklings. 6. Rolled porchetta, filled with garlic and herbs. 201A Highland Ave., Somerville, MA mfdulock.com.
Craigie on Main
Tony Maws has made a name for himself with the meaty inventiveness of his dinner menu, and his brunch menu reflects that same ethos. Oft-changing dishes include rabbit ragout layered with smooth, creamy grits; tender roasted veal and cheese pressed into a gooey sandwich; and beef cheek, brisket, and tongue tossed into a savory hash and served alongside onion rings. Equal attention is paid to items bubbly and sweet, like the ever-changing "Sunday Sparkler" cocktail and the luxurious house-made doughnuts drizzled with thick caramel sauce. 853 Main St., Cambridge, MA craigieonmain.com.