Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Arlington

186 restaurants available nearby

1. Tryst Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(1622)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Arlington

Booked 8 times today

Tryst Restaurant serves creative American cuisine, using local and seasonal ingredients.

2. Giulia Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(1791)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Cambridge

Booked 20 times today

Giulia is a chef-owned regional Italian restaurant located between Harvard and Porter Squares in Cambridge. It is the first restaurant of award-winning Chef Michael Pagliarini. Its reputation has spread nationally with frequent out of town guests as well as Boston area locals.Giulia puts a particular emphasis on hand-crafted pastas, made each day on our custom-built chef’s table adjacent to the open kitchen.Best of Boston Italian Restaurant. All Italian wine list with unique Italian varietals. Local purveyors, dry aged local beef, burrata di andria, stone milled flours, vegetarian options.Giulia is currently open for indoor dining and limited outdoor dining. We accept reservations up to two weeks in advance. To reserve a patio table, please call us at 617-441-2800. All reservations made online are for indoors only. Kindly note that our patio is uncovered so reservations there are weather dependent and will be canceled in the event of inclement weather.

3. Pammy's

4.8

Exceptional(2247)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Cambridge

Booked 23 times today

Pammy’s is a New American restaurant inspired by the feel of an Italian neighborhood trattoria. Perched between Cambridge’s Central and Harvard Squares, Pammy’s is a cozy yet sophisticated neighborhood destination. For husband and wife team Chris and Pam Willis (who live right up the street), Pammy’s is an extension of their living room. They’ve brought together their love of great food, easy hospitality and chic vibes to create a lively space that is welcoming to all looking for a memorable meal. With dishes that lean heavily on Italian flavors but are not restricted by any rules of the cuisine, the food is unpretentious and delicious. A fireplace wrapped in white ceramic, an oversized salvaged communal table designed for side-by-side dining and rich leather banquets are just some of the design elements that make up Pammy’s charm.We're currently serving a Prix Fixe menu for all reservations. A la carte dining is available for walk-in guests at our bar and in our lounge.

4. Harvest

4.6

Exceptional(5192)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Cambridge

Booked 48 times today

A steady Harvard Square presence for almost 50 years, Harvest embodies the ever-evolving spirit of Cambridge and deep respect for culinary tradition. Our seasonal menus marry the innovation of contemporary cooking with a timeless respect for American culinary traditions and an emphasis on local farmers and purveyors. Our spacious bar, fireside dining, and hidden gem of a patio each offer a welcome reprieve from the fast-paced world happening just outside our doors.Serving Lunch, Dinner, and Saturday/Sunday Brunch with seating on our seasonal outdoor Garden Terrace. We highly recommend making a reservation; outside tables are available weather permitting and may be requested but cannot be reserved or guaranteed. Harvest offers Private Dining from 15 to 60 people. Sit-down lunches, dinners, and receptions are just some of the Private Functions Harvest can provide.

5. La Royal

4.7

Exceptional(44)

Price: Expensive

• Peruvian • Cambridge

Booked 11 times today

Maria Rondeau and JuanMa Calderón of Boston's award-winning Celeste (Eater Boston's 2018 Restaurant of the Year and Esquire Best New Restaurant) and Esmeralda in Vermont (Esquire's 2021 list of Best New Restaurant in America), open La Royal, their newest Peruvian restaurant down the block from their Cambridge home. While at Celeste, JuanMa recreates his mother’s rustic home-cooking that he grew up with in Lima, his menu at La Royal explores the varied cuisines throughout Peru, offering original takes on dishes from the country’s different regions. They also bringing the same spirit of curation and collaboration from both Celeste and Esmeralda to this project… at La Royal, they've collaborated with professor and award-winning cookbook author Darra Goldstein on a selection of macerated liquors. Maria, a trained architect, has designed the space to create an inviting, lived-in feel, with the kitchen at the heart of the whole project.

6. Puritan & Company

4.6

Exceptional(2194)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Cambridge

Booked 21 times today

Puritan & Company is a gem of a restaurant in Cambridge. The reviews are glowing, praising its creative menu, excellent service, and comfortable, inviting atmosphere. It's a place where guests feel welcome and the food and drinks are celebrated for being 'outstanding', 'inspired', and 'original'. It's also a favorite among locals and visitors alike, making it a true neighborhood gem.

A photo of The Hourly Oyster House restaurant

7. The Hourly Oyster House

4.7

Exceptional(1422)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Cambridge

Booked 22 times today

The Hourly Oyster House is a vibrant neighborhood gem in the heart of Cambridge, known for its thoughtfully sourced and playfully prepared seafood. Reviewers rave about the friendly service, comfortable dining environment, and the delicious food, particularly the oysters. The menu is described as creative, and the ambiance is said to be delightful and cool. The restaurant is also praised for its great value, making it a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike.

A photo of Earls Kitchen + Bar - Assembly Row restaurant

8. Earls Kitchen + Bar - Assembly Row

4.4

Awesome(1755)

Price: Expensive

• American • Somerville

Booked 58 times today

Welcome to Earls Assembly Row, located in the heart of Assembly Row in Sommerville. Join us on our vibrant patio where you can enjoy the fresh air and our daily Happy Hour and drink features. Whether you're seeking a relaxed afternoon with friends or lively evening out, our restaurant provides the perfect backdrop for all of your memorable moments. Unwind, socialize, and elevate your dining experience with us. Your table is ready. We can't wait to see you!

9. Season To Taste

4.8

Exceptional(1647)

Price: Expensive

• American • Cambridge

Booked 21 times today

Season to Taste focuses on celebrating the seasonal bounty of New England by using fresh local ingredients while also incorporating influences from Southern home cooking and traditional European cuisine. With the open kitchen and craft-cocktail bar in the spotlight, Season to Taste is the perfect setting for a casual yet elevated dining experience. Our patio is open weather dependent and is availble on a first come first serve basis. We accept reservations via OpenTable for the main dining room for parties of up to 6. For larger parties, please call the restaurant or email nick@seasontotaste.com.

10. Henrietta's Table

4.5

Awesome(4692)

Price: Expensive

• American • Cambridge

Booked 34 times today

"FRESH FROM THE FARM AND HONEST TO GOODNESS HOME COOKING"Henrietta’s Table opened its doors to a diverse and adoring public 20 years ago. In that time the restaurant has come to be the dining room of Nobel laureates, celebrities and New England Farmers. The Charles Hotel’s Executive Chef, Sean Lizotte, helms Henrietta’s Table and has designed a menu of "honest to goodness New England cooking."Henrietta's Table has been at the forefront of farm-to-table dining since before it was a trend or a hashtag. Located in the heart of Harvard Square, you don't need a degree to appreciate our simple, homemade flavors - just like you'd find in Grandma's kitchen. The Ritz cracker crusted scrod, Yankee pot roast and warm grain bowl are some of our guests' favorite dishes. Our menus rotate daily based on availability from our local farmers and artisans, pushing our chefs to constantly create mouthwatering dishes that let the ingredients shine.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
Christopher
Dallas - Fort Worth •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
My wife and I reserved the recommended two weeks ahead of time. I was not able to find the exact time we wanted (6 PM) but we were able to accommodate the 8:15. We showed up a little early. Everyone was great. Food was awesome. My wife had the pasta and scallops. I had the rare dish, wild hare. We shared the affogato. All of it excellent!
More info
Giulia RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Italian• Cambridge
•
4.8
K
Kelley and James
Washington, D.C. Area •15 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
They need a better ventilation system to rid the dining area from kitchen smoke.
More info
La RoyalPrice: Expensive• Peruvian• Cambridge
•
4.7
L
Leonardvip
Greater Boston •38 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Consistently the best in every way in Cambridge. A local treasure.
More info
HarvestPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Cambridge
•
4.6
J
Julia
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
This restaurant & bar is probably the most upscale in Arlington without any “stuffy” feeling/vibe. Darker lighting (with small table lights to see menu) makes for a nice ambience. I have been here several times for lunch and dinner. My favs are the chicken sausage flatbread, Bourbon steak tips, Bolognese, beet salad. The burger beef is high quality and cooked perfectly but tends to lack flavor (tried twice); a simple touch of salt and pepper would make it tastier. Some Thursdays they have live jazz. Cocktails are made well. Service has always been super — attentive and friendly. Will continue to go back a couple times a month.
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Tryst RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Arlington
•
4.6
A
Amyvip
Greater Boston •25 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Another wonderful meal and evening at Pammy’s, this time for a birthday celebration with a party of 5. Price-Fixe menu was great. I loved the Cobia and Squid Ink gnocchi. I was too full to complete the lumache, but took it home and it was excellent the next day. The lamb saddle, yakitori chicken and lasagna also got excellent reviews. Our server was knowledgeable, helpful and attentive.
More info
Pammy'sPrice: Very Expensive• American• Cambridge
•
4.8

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Arlington

Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Arlington

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186 restaurants available nearby

1. Tryst Restaurant

2. Giulia Restaurant

3. Pammy's

4. Harvest

5. La Royal

6. Puritan & Company

7. The Hourly Oyster House

8. Earls Kitchen + Bar - Assembly Row

9. Season To Taste

10. Henrietta's Table

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable