The November issue of Boston Magazine has compiled a list of the Top 50 Restaurants in Greater Boston, including these wildly popular ones in the neighborhood!

12. Lenox Sophia

Some chefs need massive kitchens to show off, but Shi Mei just needs 16 seats in Southie. This slip of a space dazzles with clever influences (like echoes of Indonesian rendang in grass-fed beef), umami amplification (thanks to months-long fermentation), and occasional avant-garde flourishes (like impossibly airy milk curd in a Caprese salad) on the compact mulitcourse tasting menu. Food geeks vie for reservations at the coveted four-seat counter for a ringside kitchen view, while oenophiles take advantage of BYOB, enjoying special bottles without the typical 300 percent markup.

35. Row 34

While many restaurant chains dilute their magic with each new location, Row 34 just keeps getting stronger. The newest outpost in Kenmore Square—taking over the space once occupied by Row’s former sibling Island Creek Oyster Bar (talk about full circle)—continues delivering a primer in New England seafood. The formula remains flawless: classics like clam chowder balanced against must-order seasonal creations.

36. Bar Volpe

Scene-stealing pastas like the handmade culurgiones, plump goat-cheese-stuffed dumplings, are just the warmup at chef-restaurateur Karen Akunowicz’s southern Italian spot. The spotlight hits A-list entrées next, like a Sardinian paella studded with spicy ’nduja. Even the rotisserie chicken here—easily a forgettable dish elsewhere—is award-worthy, enhanced with black truffles. With stars in your eyes, toast with Negroni flights and porcini-infused Old Fashioneds.

38. Grace By Nia 

Grace by Nia doesn’t just serve dinner—it serves up an entire era. Step through the broad blue doors into restaurateur Nia Grace’s vibrant homage to the jazz age, where you’ll find soul food—comforting bites like oxtail and grits alongside easy-drinking cocktails—and soulful tunes in equal measure. It’s all accompanied by glamorous gold-accented décor that completes the time-travel experience.

You can check out the full list here!