Great Grub-Favorites Of MetroWest
Local Tip: Bar Athena in Holliston: “Excellent restaurant. The menu is ever-changing and amazing, the ingredients are always very fresh, and the staff is exceptional. One of my favorite restaurants, near or far!” – Kate M.
You no longer have to drive to Boston for the finest dining Massachusetts has to offer.
Startups and community mainstays alike have recently been drawing critics on road trips down the Mass Pike, while delighting local residents with great food close to home.
Food is at the center of local culture and the broader social scenes of area towns. As driven locals young and old build these communities towards new futures, these destinations offer a collective portrait of MetroWest in plates, cutlery and tablecloths...
For Waking Up
South Street Diner
38 South St., Westborough
508-870-0101
A small downtown diner with low-priced burgers, fish, tacos and more. With a friendly staff, they’re best known for breakfast. Cash only.
Mauro’s Village Cafe
2 Main St., Southborough
508-485-8730
A longtime local staple serving classic comfort food including homemade pies, juicy steaks, and a generally diverse breakfast menu.
The Spoon
1 Lumber St. #102
774-803-7125
A cozy diner with a community atmosphere serving breakfast, with dinner service on Fridays.
Muffin House Café
43 Main St., Hopkinton
508-625-8100
A local bakery with breakfast sandwiches, pastries and more. They specialize, though, in enormous homemade muffins in flavors ranging from chocolate chip to pina colada and cappuccino.
Around The World
Soul of India
103 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury
978-261-5790
A beautifully decorated destination for authentic, thoughtfully crafted Indian cuisine. Members of Boston’s DaVinci restaurant group first founded Soul of India and continue to hold the spot to the high standards of its kin.
Minado
1282 Worcester St., Natick
508-647-0495
A sprawling Japanese buffet featuring gourmet sushi, meats, dumplings and more. Kids get discounts. Those under 3 feet tall get in free.
Dumpling Daughter
37 Center St., Weston
781-216-8989
An aptly named dumpling destination that also serves a variety of Chinese cuisine. Led by Nadia Liu Spellman, the daughter of beloved 1980s Boston Chinese food pioneer Sally Ling, Dumpling Daughter allows BYOB and advertises itself as a “nut-free zone.”
Pho Dakao
101 Concord St., Framingham
508-872-2211
A Vietnamese, French fusion restaurant. Diners love the fresh meats and vegetables at Dakao. Take a look, too, at the expansive drink menu of bubble tea, limeade, wine, sake, and beer.
Samba Steak and Sushi
1138 Worcester Rd., Framingham
508-628-0288
An authentic spot proudly serving sushi and Asian style steaks in a traditionally decorated setting. Widely acclaimed, Samba proudly sees itself as a bridge between Western and Eastern cuisine.
29 Rustic Mediterranean
29 Hudson Rd., Sudbury
978-443-1400
A scratch kitchen proudly placing the word “rustic” over their marquee as they craft thoughtful, simple recipes from around the Mediterranean region. They also offer a packed wine menu including their own house brew.
Kous Kous
40 Hollis St., Framingham
508-875-1333
This take-out restaurant is a middle eastern gem! Moroccan food in its truest authenticity! Delicious options, freshly made at very reasonable prices.
Date Night
Bullfinch’s Restaurant and Catering
730 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury
978-443-4094
A high-end restaurant serving what feels like every kind of meat under the sun between multicultural brunch and dinner menus. Don’t miss live music every weekend!
Heritage of Sherborn
33 N. Main St., Sherborn
508-655-9521
A “gastro-pub” featuring seasonal menus, high-end wines and intimate dining settings. Restaurateur duo Josh and Jen Ziskin cater as much towards date night clientele as they do to large groups seeking fine dining experiences.
Coach Grill
55 Boston Post Rd., Wayland
508-358-5900
Fancy fine dining tailored to all interests and tastes. The grill offers a variety of seafood, pork and steaks alongside a wide array of wines.
Bar Athena
770 Washington St., Holliston
774-233-2975
A brand-new bistro-style restaurant in downtown Holliston operated by a husband-and-wife duo and openly welcoming children as their clientele.
Family Night
Owen O’Leary’s Restaurant and Brew Pub
50 Turnpike Rd., Southborough
508-481-1714
An Irish pub with a massive menu including everything from burgers, to soup, to pizza, to sandwiches, tacos and, of course, plenty of drinks for the adults.
The Dudley Chateau
20 Crest Rd., Wayland
508-655-0010
A favorite neighborhood hangout, situated on Dudley Pond in Cochituate. Fantastic pub grub with healthy alternatives. Perfect to gather for food, sports and spirits. Watch your favorite teams or play a game of darts. For the perfect casual night.
Longfellow’s Wayside Inn
72 Wayside Inn Rd., Sudbury
978-443-1776
A beloved family-oriented dining hall at the historic Wayside Inn. Steeped in 300 years of history, the Inn offers typical American cuisine alongside a reasonably priced kids’ menu.
Tomasso Trattoria and Encoteca
154 Turnpike Rd., Southborough
508-481-8484
Upscale Italian eats offering Italian staples and flawless desserts alongside a kids menu that does not shy away from serving high-end food to younger customers.
Taco Tuesday
South Street Diner (Thursdays)
38 South St., Westborough
508-870-0101
A small downtown diner, South Street hosts a weekly taco night for just $4.95 a plate. Cash only.
Hola Restaurant and Tequila Bar
154 Turnpike Rd., Southborough
508-460-2058
The dishes are consistently of high quality. Simple, authentic Mexican dishes and the spicy Margarita with sliced jalapenos is like nothing else!
Baha Restaurant
2 Mill St., Natick
508-655-2242
A small spot specializing in Mexican street tacos. Beyond that, though, they offer fajitas, burritos and more alongside a kids' menu.
Ladies' Night
Bella Costa Ristorante
147 Cochituate Rd., Framingham
508-626-1726
An award-winning, family-run restaurant known for its pasta and fish combinations. Portions are large, and ingredients are always fresh.
Erica's Ristorante
78 Front St., Ashland
508-881-1982
A restaurant boasting a self-described “eclectic” menu with lots of fish, pasta, and inventive appetizers like baked goat cheese with pears and figs.
Central Public House
42 Main St., Hopkinton
508-625-2570
A place for beautifully plated American rooted cuisine inspired by the tastes and climate of Boston’s Seaport District restaurants. They’re known for burgers, but don’t skip out on house-made hummus or jambalaya.
Sports Bars and Pubs
Bourbon's Kitchen and Cocktails
47 Beacon St., Framingham
508-861-7997
Casual, popular spot featuring craft cocktails and a clever pub menu that includes shareable plates. Great atmosphere. Ask for desserts, because they don't show them on the menu.
The 4’s Sports Pub
666 Waverly St., Framingham
508-879-1979
A no-nonsense pup serving classic American food. Billing itself as one of Framingham’s original pubs, it’s a community favorite drawing customers across generations.
Ashland Ale House
23 Pond St., Ashland
508-861-7780
Classic pub plates served in a comfortable, sizable space featuring a large bar with beers on tap. Fun trivia on Tuesday nights!
Local Tip:
"Bourbon's Restaurant – food and drinks are off the wall!" – Anthony A.