Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Central MA

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Central MA? 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 favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Baba Sushi Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (111)

$30 and under

Japanese

Worcester

About the restaurant

Baba Sushi Restaurant is an award winning sushi restaurant in Worcester. Not only does it serve up the most innovative and freshest sushi, consider the sushi making classes on Sundays if you’d like to learn how to make them at home. Baba Sushi Restaurant takes pride in offering a sophisticated atmosphere. The master chef and owner of Baba Sushi Restaurant was trained in China and enjoys pushing to bring more creativity and innovation to the art of sushi. The results are as entertaining to see as they are to consume. With sushi, starters, salads, soups, tori tori and entrees to choose from, every visit can be a new experience.

Top review

LaurenVIP

Dined today

Always wonderful food and service at Baba. Perfect for a date night

Chashu Ramen + Izakaya

4.8

4.8 (577)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Worcester

About the restaurant

Chashu Ramen + Izakaya is bringing fire to Worcester. The latest collaboration between Worcester’s own Son Vo of Kaizen and Pho Sure and Tam Le of Pho Linh and Reign Drink Lab, Chashu brings Japanese inspired fare to downtown Worcester. Power lunches, happy hours, and sophisticated nightcaps are about to be redefined.

Top review

Nick

Dined 2 days ago

Great food as always. Service was great and very quick. Will be back soon

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Popular dish

chicken leg

Popular dish

fried chicken bao bao

Popular dish

salmon

The Rail Trail Flatbread Co. - Milford

4.8

4.8 (301)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

Milford

About the restaurant

The Rail Trail Flatbread Co., celebrated its grand opening on 12/12/23, marking not only a milestone in Milford's downtown revitalization but also a nod to the original Hudson location's success. Built in a meticulously renovated former bank that features a spacious restaurant and bar, outdoor patio, and upstairs events space, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The Milford location reflects a two-and-a-half-year renovation effort, preserving historical elements like the century-old clock, vault door, and exposed brick walls. The open dining layout encourages interaction, adorned with family photos for a homey feel.

Though famous for flatbreads, Rail Trail boasts diverse offerings, each component is made in-house. Notable flatbreads include "Fig & Walnut" and "Mexican Street Corn," alongside the popular "Primo Pepperoni." Appetizers like "Hot Tots" and "Sesame Cauliflower" showcase Rail Trail's culinary creativity.

Top review

connie

Dined 7 days ago

Great night!! Food and Service- Excellent. Pretty loud near the brick fire section of the restaurant. Next time I’ll request away from the kitchen, maybe it won’t be as loud. Otherwise, everything was awesome! Will definitely go back!!

Clintons Bar and Grille

4.7

4.7 (1903)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Clinton

About the restaurant

Clintons Bar and Grille offers a vibrant and casual atmosphere with details in our custom lighting, a fully stocked bar area with lounge seating, and a focus on guest satisfaction that provides a unique dining experience in the heart of Clinton.

The detailed contempoary American menu leaves plenty of options for any of our guests' palates ranging from the ever popular butternut squash raviolis to our deliciously tender filet. Come experience a little slice of the city on High Street.
Outdoor dining will be available weather permitting.
Kitchen closes one hour before closing.

Top review

Mike

Dined 2 days ago

Another great experience!! Melissa is wonderful!!!

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Tavern in the Square - Shrewsbury

4.7

4.7 (1006)

$30 and under

American

Shrewsbury

About the restaurant

Tavern in the Square located at the Lakeway Commons on route 9 in Shrewsbury. Our Tavern in the Square Shrewsbury location features an open floor plan along with a 50 seat bar that extends on to our patio. 50 beers on draft and a menu made with the freshest ingredients and our big screen TV’s to watch all your favorite sports teams. Our all season enclosed patio features dining tables, bar chairs, and a lounge area.

Top review

Ruth

Dined 7 days ago

Great overall service starting with the hostesses followed by the waitress and server. Food was served in a timely manner and delish. Alcoholic beverages were just as great.

The Mercantile

4.6

4.6 (879)

$30 and under

American

Worcester

About the restaurant

Serving up New American Tavern Cuisine in our two-floor full-service restaurant and bar, equipped with two 50-seat bars, world-inspired snacks and entrees, brick pizza oven, private event space, and an open rooftop patio that offers views of downtown Worcester and City Square. Located next to the DCU Center and minutes from Polar Park, we’re a natural choice pre and post-game.

*Due to limited patio seating, we do not take reservations for our patio. Please note the patio request in your reservation, or ask upon arrival, and we will do our best to accommodate.

**The rooftop is open Wednesday-Friday 4 PM - close. Saturday & Sunday 12 PM - close.

***Public parking is available at The Mercantile Center Garage with direct access to the restaurant on Level 3A.

Top review

Allison

Dined 4 days ago

Always a great spot! Food was yummy. And always love the Gingerbread houses!

Forge and Vine

4.5

4.5 (3118)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Groton

About the restaurant

Drawing inspiration from the region’s history and natural surroundings, the 156-seat freestanding restaurant reflects elemental themes of wood, water, iron, and fire, reminiscent of the carriage houses and blacksmith shops that once dotted the landscape. The centerpiece of Forge & Vine is an eight-foot wood fired grill and open kitchen with counter seating where guests can enjoy dinner while interacting with the chef. Welcoming residents as well as visitors to the area, Forge & Vine offers a strong sense of place with a design sensibility that brings in the outside with floor to ceiling windows offering breathtaking pastoral views of Gibbett Hill. The restaurant boasts spacious and casual bar with service inside and out and features classic and comfortable cuisine sourced from the best produce, seafood, and meats that New England offers.

Top review

Dined 2 days ago

Always a great experience at "The Forge". Service is excellent, drinks are great, food is terrific, ambiance is wonderful. Highly recommend trying some of the appetizers as well as some of the signature cocktail drinks. The main courses are always wonderful - you don't make a mistake with any of them. It's also the only place where we always have dessert - they are creative and wonderful. Enjoy!

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4.5

4.5 (681)

$30 and under

American

Worcester

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Black & White Grille & Pizzeria! We are family owned & operated, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best quality product and service as we would to our own families. Together with our staff, we devote our time to creating entrees that cater to all taste buds. We hope that you enjoy your time spent with us as you dine. Our goal is to make your experience one that will leave you coming back for more.

Top review

Dennis

Dined 4 days ago

First time in an igloo. Couldn't ask for a better eating experience. The food , the ambience, the quiet peaceful privacy of the igloo was great! Will come again.

Table Twelve

4.4

4.4 (393)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Worcester

About the restaurant

From our welcoming and warm team of professionals, to our fresh, scratch made menu items, our only goal at Table Twelve is making sure you can’t wait to come back again. We feature a collection of menu items to satisfy all taste buds. We put a few modern twists on some classics, offer a wide variety of light lunch options as well as hearty dinner choices, and just a pinch of Greek-spiration (you HAVE to try the Fried Feta!).
Your celebrations are our celebrations, your romantic dinner, late night desserts, lunch meeting, catch up with friends, some quiet alone time (or loud, we don’t judge), are the moments our days and nights are made of and it is our pleasure to be part of those moments with you!
We take pride in providing you with warm service and avorful meals. We are fresh, friendly, and local and here to serve you.

Top review

Lauren

Dined 2 days ago

The food and drinks were fantastic per usual. I usually get the pomegranate martini. I tried the Turkey dinner and that was outstanding also.

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Experience

Sunday Brunch @ Table Twelve!

The Neighborhood Tavern

4.1

4.1 (196)

$30 and under

American

Northborough

About the restaurant

Diverse menu, Craft Beer Selection, 33 Sports TV, Neighborhood Vibe, Saturday and Sunday Brunch. American Bar and Restaurant.

Top review

Lori

Dined 7 days ago

I had the special - a roast beef sandwich with tomato, cheese, and onion, with dipping sauce. It was DELICIOUS! I wish they'd put that on their permanent. My spouse had his favorite - the pesto chicken sandwich, which is always good. I love their tots - crispy outside and tender inside. Our server was nice and the meal was paced out well.

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