14 Best Lunch Spots in Boston for an Afternoon Adventure

Getting some lunch with friends and being able to catch up is always an enjoyable time. No matter where you go out to eat, or what the conversations you have may consist of, it’s always nice to get out there and catch up with friends and family over some tasty food. If you live in Boston, or are even just visiting the area, there are a lot of incredible restaurants to check out. Come see what our top picks for lunch restaurants in Boston have in store for you today!

Have you ever heard of a GiftYa electronic gift card? If you haven’t, make sure to consider getting one today so you can experience and explore many restaurants, shops, recreational attractions, and even get personal services done all around the country. Upload this e-gift card right onto your debit card for easy access and get ready for a day to remember while enjoying a meal at one of these top seven lunch restaurants in Boston today!

1. Saltie Girl

Seafood dishes are hard to pass up whenever you check out this restaurant!

📍 279 Dartmouth Street | Back Bay | saltiegirl.com

We know that you may be looking for one of the best lunch restaurants in Boston to hit up with your friends and family. If you are struggling to find something new and exciting, make sure to check out Saltie Girl today! Saltie Girl is known for their incredibly fresh seafood, raw bar, and many other goodies that you will fall in love with.

Don’t miss out on Saltie Girl and some of their best seafood dishes, including their lobster rolls, torched salmon belly, fried lobster, snow crab toast, clam chowder, tinned fish, fried clams, sea urchin crudo, and lots more. Check out Saltie Girl in Boston today for a meal you’ll never forget!

“Others had the lobster and waffles, burger, and lobster roll. Everyone left the table more than satisfied!” – Yelp Review 

2. Parish Cafe & Bar

You can never go wrong with gourmet sandwiches and craft cocktails!

📍 361 Boylston Street | Back Bay | parishcafe.com

Do you love sandwiches? Sometimes there is nothing better than a delicious sandwich filled with flavor, and where can you get one of those? In Boston, there’s no other place like the Parish Cafe & Bar where you can try out a lot of delicious gourmet sandwiches and hamburgers, along with craft cocktails to perfectly complement your meal! 

Make sure to check out Parish Cafe & Bar where you can try out everything from zuni rolls, hot and cold chicken salads, chicken sandwiches, Mexican meatball sandwiches, spicy tuna burgers, meatloaf club sandwiches, and lots more. Don’t miss out on the Parish Cafe & Bar with their tasty sandwiches and cocktails! 

“Parish is unique in that they feature popular sandwiches created by chefs from other restaurants.” – Yelp Review

3. Neptune Oyster

Get all the seafood you could ever dream of in Boston

Buy a Neptune Oyster gift card

📍 63 Salem St #1 | Boston | neptuneoyster.com

When in Boston, it’s essentially an unspoken rule that you must try the seafood. They have some of the best cuisine in the country, including delicious foods like clam chowder, lobster rolls, and of course oysters. And if high-quality oysters are what your stomach is craving, you must not overlook lunch at Neptune Oyster, where a variety of excellent seafood-inspired dishes await. 

You can experience the essence of the ocean in every bite when you dine at Neptune Oyster. Their impressive menu consists of plenty of flavorful dishes, such as Spanish octopus, bluefin tuna, bone-in ribeye, black sea bass, and a raw bar with a spread of oyster, shellfish, cocktail, and caviar selections. Neptune Oyster also offers specials that change daily, ranging from squid ink risotto to shrimp and grits. 

“The line outside moves pretty quick. Inside is quaint & cozy; you may share a close table with strangers. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch, and we were planning our next meal before we even got the check. This is a Boston-must!” – Yelp Review 

You can pick up a Neptune Oyster gift card with the link!

4. Ma Maison

Do you love the taste of French cuisine? There is no better place to go to than here! 

📍 272 Cambridge Street | Beacon Hill | mamaisonboston.com

If you love trying out new kinds of food or dishes you never thought possible, then you need to come to Ma Maison as soon as possible! Ma Maison is a french restaurant known for their incredibly amazing recipes that are made with the freshest ingredients possible. You can even enjoy some sophisticated dining in a setting perfect if you’re celebrating any special occasion.

Ma Maison has everything you need when it comes to delicious French cuisine, such as foie gras, French onion soup, lobster bisque, veal chops, steak tartare, braised short ribs, frog legs, and so much more. Check out Ma Maison for all of your French cuisine needs right now that are perfect for any lunch date!

“I'd love to come back and try their dinner menu. This is a great place for a casual hangout or a nice date!” – Yelp Review 

5. The Friendly Toast

An eclectic dining spot where breakfast is the highlight of the menu

Buy a gift card for The Friendly Toast

📍 35 Stanhope St | Boston | thefriendlytoast.com

What’s better than all-day brunch options and a full-service bar? If you find yourself hungry for a tasty meal in Boston before dinnertime, you won’t have to look much further than The Friendly Toast. This quirky hangout spot is renowned for their delicious menu packed with breakfast and brunch staples that will leave your stomach satisfied whether it’s early morning or in the afternoon. 

The Friendly Toast is jam-packed with an array of sweet and savory dishes fit for a diverse selection of taste buds and cuisine preferences. Try out their signature brunch menu items such as chicken and waffles, breakfast street tacos, and spicy salmon roll toast; fall head-over-heels in love with eggs benedict dishes like their chorizo benny and chicken cordon bleu benny; or opt for a filling handheld that includes picks like the vegan breakfast burrito, turkey bruschetta sandwich, and classic house-made smash burgers. 

For more sugary options, The Friendly Toast serves sweet cream pancakes, French toast, and Belgian waffles all served with pure Vermont amber syrup. Don’t forget to pair your dish with a craft cocktail from the bar with delicious choices like mimosas, lemon drop martinis, and spiked coffee drinks such as coconut caramel coffee and maple bourbon cold brew. 

“Nothing but good things to say about this Friendly Toast location! The food was great, our server and all other staff were kind and helpful, and the retro decor inside is so unique and special. Even the menus are so cool!” – Yelp Review

Does this sound like a mind-blowing lunch waiting to happen? Pick up a gift card for The Friendly Toast when you follow the link!

6. Mike & Patty’s

A corner cafe for all those who love a nice and cozy environment with great food!

📍 12 Church St | Bay Village | mikeandpattys.com 

Deciding where to eat can sometimes be a struggle, especially not knowing what’s open or the real problem, what’s gonna be actually good to eat! Well, Mike & Patty’s is here to take all the worries away with their award winning restaurant. Specializing in sandwiches, this popular spot has taken the Boston area by storm and along with their tasty coffee that pairs weirdly well with their sandwiches. 

Mike & Patty’s has a combined “Breakfast & Lunch” menu and just some of the items on their include the “Fancy” which is two fried eggs, bacon, cheddar cheese, avocado, red onions and their house mayo on toasted multigrain bread, the Grilled Crack which consists of a fried egg, double bacon, American, Swiss, cheddar and gruyere cheese on buttered sourdough, and the “Robbie” which has roasted turkey, cheddar, avocado, red onions and the house mayo on toasted multigrain bread!

“Yelp helped me find this neighborhood gem. It was walking distance from my hotel so I went around 8am on a Thursday. I walked right in and was warmly greeted. I went with The Fancy. So much flavor in every bite! If you're near, go visit!” – Yelp Review

7. Blunch

Surprise! Breakfast and lunch is served here alongside their famous chocolate chip cookies!

📍 59 E Springfield St | Boston | eatblunch.com 

Another sandwich centric place here! Since 2008 the aptly named Blunch has been serving the best breakfast and lunch foods out there! Serving not just savory items but also sweet, Blunch serves satisfyingly good pressed sandwiches, lighter stuff like salads, and a bunch of pastries and other baked goodies to treat yo’ self with!

From the “Big Papi” which is a part of their pressed sandwich section consisting of black forest ham, pickles, swiss cheese, spicy aioli, all on a crusty baguette and “The Meltdown” which is triple pressed mozzarella, cheddar, and swiss cheese, with shop boursin and tomato all on sough dough! And then sweets like brownies, blondes, churros, scones, and their popular triple chocolate chip cookies!

“Great place for a quick bite.  Lots of great options.  The staff is always so friendly and the food comes out quick. Only downside is that there isn't a ton of space to eat but now that the weather is getting nicer, you can try and snag a spot outside!” – Yelp Review

8. Crack’d Kitchen & Coffee

These breakfast sandwiches are definitely all they’re cracked up to be and more!

Buy a Crack’d Kitchen & Coffee gift card

📍 535 Lowell St | Peabody | crackdkitchen.com

All right, so we have a bit of an outlier on this list. Crack’d Kitchen & Coffee is located a little ways outside of Boston city proper, but it’s so good that it’s well worth the extra driving time it may take to get there. And if you would rather avoid the traffic of Boston in general, then this tasty breakfast and lunch joint is exactly your cup of tea (or coffee). 

Crack’d is a culinary-driven gourmet eatery that takes the universal love of the breakfast sandwich and delivers an iconic dining experience for the local community. Explore their mouthwatering egg sandwiches featuring delicious proteins like chorizo, country bacon, maple sausage, and black forest ham. If you want to skip out on the egg, Crack’d has lunch specialties like the chicken caesar wrap, falafel wrap, and their sweet and spicy chicken. For greener lunchtime picks, try out their Mediterranean and superfood bowls, or perhaps a farmhouse or cobb salad. Pair any breakfast or lunch dish with a creamy milkshake or smoothie, with flavors like mango berry, strawberry shortcake, and cinnamon caramel crunch. 

“Had a quick business lunch with a colleague and friend the other day in this little food stop at the end of the plaza. My friend said that I had to try the grilled chicken sandwich with the chipotle aioli sauce; so I did. It was fantastic! Ordered up with a side and some chips and I was in Heaven. Service was fantastic and helpful with navigating the large menu. He was kind enough to highlight some of the favorites and specialties.” – Yelp

With food this good, you’ll be addicted to their dishes in no time! Hurry and grab a Crack’d Kitchen & Coffee gift card and share the love of breakfast!

9. North Street Grille

Serving big plates with American fare in a quaint space!

📍 229 North St | North End | bestbrunchboston.com 

What started as a dream to create a friendly neighborhood restaurant with great food and service soon became a reality in 2004 when North Street Grille first opened its doors in Boston. Now this “go-to” spot has become one of the best places to grab brunch in the city with an experienced team behind in the kitchen working hard to take recipes and make them even better, North Street Grille is here to bring dedication to everyone!

On the “Dine-in Menu” the North Street Grille has a bunch of options for all those looking for good food with good portions. With items like Chicken & Waffle Sliders, Burrito Pancakes (maple ham, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and maple hollandaise), Hand-Made Jalapeño Poppers, BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders, the Spicy Crispy Chicken Wrap, and more, this hot spot has so much to bring you definitely won’t go hungry here!

“This restaurant has possibly perfected brunch. The banana bread french toast is unreal, so delicious. The chicken and waffles, chef's kiss. Corned beef hash, crushing it. And the boozy milkshakes!!! Bless their hearts.” – Yelp Review

10. Norwood Spice

Add a little spice to your lunchtime plans with this spot’s extensive menu

Buy a Norwood Spice gift card

📍 655 Washington St | Norwood | norwoodspice.com

Another great dining spot for lunch, Norwood Spice is a little ways south of the city of Boston, but absolutely worth the drive if Indian cuisine is your jam. This small family-owned restaurant serves up traditional Nepali and Indian dishes that will warm your heart and fill your stomach in no time at all. 

Let your taste buds bask in the pleasant sensation of exotic spices and immerse yourself in another culture while you enjoy a meal out. Norwood Spice has an accommodating menu for vegetarian guests along with plenty of non-veg and seafood options as well. Try some of their mixed veg curry, paneer tikka masala, chicken korma, lamb saag, or shrimp tandoori–it’s all out of this world!

“For the dollar, this place is amazing. Absolutely love everything I've tried! The family loves every dish but especially the chicken tikka masala and the chicken jalfrezi.” – Yelp Review

You can score a Norwood Spice gift card when you follow the link!

11. Row 34

Fish entrees, an entire oyster menu, and craft beer ready to serve is perfect for your lunch outing!

📍 383 Congress St | South Boston | row34.com 

Row 34’s love for seafood runs deep, meaning they put the absolute best effort into making sure that everything on their menu is fresh and built from the best ingredients around. They’re here to make seafood, something you’ll want to try, and through their expert chefs and knowledgeable staff, this spot is perfect for all those craving a taste of the sea at lunch time.

Though their lunch menu is relatively simple, that doesn’t take away from the sheer tasty-ness of their food! With dishes like New England Clam Chowder, Pan Fried Crab Cake, Crab Bolognese, Grilled Salmon, Bacon Cheddar Burger, Fish Tacos, and more, you’re sure to make your sea food cravings satisfied!

“EVERYTHING WE ORDERED WAS AMAZING!! 100% recommend if visiting Boston and looking for a light yet perfectly filling meal. The crab cake was the best I've ever had and the warm lobster rolls with butter are prepared perfectly. Amazing.” – Yelp Review

12. Sally Ann’s Bakery

This cozy space is a perfectly peaceful setting to savor a delectable lunch

Purchase a Sally Ann’s Bakery gift card

📍 73 Main St | Concord | sallyannsbakery.com 

Located to the northwest of Boston, Sally Ann’s Bakery is a quaint little place that offers custom cakes, desserts, and charming sweets that enchant customers from all over. It also happens to have a light lunchtime menu with some of the best sandwiches and soups you will find around the greater metro area. 

While you can always enjoy indulging in a sweet pastry any time you visit Sally Ann’s Bakery, their lunch menu starts at eleven-thirty and ends at two so be sure to plan accordingly. Freshly baked bread serves as the foundation for all of their exquisite sandwiches; try out their loaded tuna curry, roasted turkey, or the number one-rated BLT in town. Their lunch specials change daily and may consist of tasty options like grilled brie and apple, roast pork with apple chutney, and falafel wraps. 

“Best turkey sandwich I have ever tasted! Their food tastes fresh and is always delicious. The service is great. The atmosphere is quaint and cozy. Love it!” – Yelp Review

Treat yourself to something sweet with a Sally Ann’s Bakery gift card from GiftYa!

13. Carmelina's

Big portions of classic Italian dishes with a modern twist in a big open concept space!

📍 307 Hanover St | North End | carmelinasboston.com 

“Traditional Sicilian comfort food with a Mediterranean twist.” That’s what the very popular Carmelina’s Boston is here to provide to all those who walk through their doors. From highly acclaimed chefs Damien DiPaola and di Cucina Michael Hollenkamp, they’ve taken DiPaola’s old family recipes and have turned them into modern adaptations with equal parts pasta and seafood. Aka it’s all so darn yummy!

On the menu is an array of things to take delight in, from wines, craft cocktails, and beer, to sides, salads, appetizers like Fried Calamari and Black Angus Beef Carpaccio. Also on the menu includes pasta dishes like good ol’ Bolognese, Maine Lobster Ravioli, and Gnocchi al Forno, along with Chicken Milanese and Pesce Pistachio as main courses! 

“Absolutely love Carmelina's! They wait staff is very quick with attending during your meal and is always coming around to check in/refill drinks. Smaller restaurant but makes up for in the best Italian dishes and atmosphere. I love that they don't serve dessert to support the local bakeries (we recommend Modern a few doors down). Will definitely be going again!” – Yelp Review

14. The Salty Pig

Focusing on American comfort food that’s all things pork!

Buy a Salty Pig gift card

📍 130 Dartmouth St | Back Bay | thesaltypig.com

Back Bay and South End, known for being Boston’s most famous neighborhoods, and The Salty Pig is the classic example of being a “neighborhood” staple, with backward foods and a specific emphasis on charcuterie. Mixing and matching house made meats and cheeses, The Salty Pig offers something a little different than your average afternoon lunch adventure.

On the lunch menu you can have the Salty Pig Board which has Prosciutto Cotto, Pork Rillette, Manchego, and Smoked Shallot Marmalade, the Farmstead Board which has Mt. Alice, Swallow Tail Tomme, Tres Bonne Gouda, Almonds, Fresno Pepper Jam, and Honey. Also the Italian Grinder sandwich which consists of Salami, Cotto, Mortadella, Provolone, Cherry Peppers, Red Onion, and Arugula, Rigatoni pasta, Margherita pizza, and more!

“We had a great lunch at the salty pig. The farmhouse board was great to start. All of the cheeses were so interesting and the toppings were amazing. The pizza was also so good. We had a great meal! No complaints here!” – Yelp Review

Buy a Salty Pig gift card when you click the link!

That's it for our list of the best lunch joints in beautiful Boston, MA.

Well there you have it, those are some of the best lunches in Boston! From street foods, to diner foods, classy French and Italian, and more, these spots are perfect for any occasion of a great afternoon lunch out with friends, family, and other loved ones!