East Ocean City
Select your fish from the tanks near the front and ask the chef to recommend a dish.
27 Beach St
617 542 2504
No DA
Chau Chow City
Contemporary Hong Kong seafood reigns on the first two levels of this multi-story dining emporium. Some of Boston’s best dim sum is served on the top floor.
83 Essex St
617 338 8158
Ginza
This slice of Tokyo in Boston comes alive after midnight, as bar-goers pile in for the outstanding maki rolls and Japanese hot pots.
16 Hudson St
617 338 2261
Penang
Nominally “pan-Asian,” Penang has a chiefly Malay menu, ranging from inexpensive noodle staples to more contemporary concoctions.
685 Washington St
617 451 6372
Hei La Moon
Huge, rather formal pan-Chinese restaurant on the Leather District side of Atlantic Avenue. Attracts a large crowd for weekend morning dim sum.
88 Beach St
617 338 8813
Taiwan Cafe
The typically Taiwanese over-bright cafeteria look should not deter aficionados of authentic, adventurous dishes like spicy pig ears and jellyfish.
34 Oxford St
617 426 8181
No credit cards
King Fung Garden
Mongolian hot pots are the big draw in this modest restaurant with a decor straight out of 1960s Taipei.
74 Kneeland St
617 357 5262
Pho Republique
Hipsters come in droves for the French-Vietnamese food – duck crepes, braised spareribs – the atmosphere, and the mango martinis.
1415 Washington St
617 262 0005
Closed lunch
Buddha’s Delight
Vegan food in the tradition of Chinese and Vietnamese temple cuisine wins over even the most devoted of carnivores.
3 Beach St
617 451 2395
Shabu-Zen
Choose your meats and vegetables and your cooking liquid, then swish away to nirvana.
16 Tyler St
617 292 8828
Saturday and Sunday are the big days for dim sum in Chinatown
Hamersley’s Bistro
The French provincial dishes are both simple and sophisticated.
553 Tremont St
617 423 2700
Myers + Chang
Clever reinventions of classic Chinese dishes, such as lemon shrimp dumplings; also vegetarian-friendly. Sake-based cocktails with guava and lychee are a big hit.
1145 Washington St
617 542 5200
Gaslight Brasserie
French comfort food – from steamed mussels to grilled steak- frites to sautéed skate – goes well with 25 wines by the glass or carafe.
560 Harrison Ave
617 422 0224
Closed lunch Mon–Fri
Tremont 647
Chef Andy Husbands’ New American cooking favors big portions, bold flavors, and lots of smoke with the meat.
647 Tremont St
617 266 4600
Closed lunch Mon–Sat
Les Zygomates
French bistro fare, 30 wines by the glass, and live jazz.
129 South St
617 541 5108
Closed Sun
Rocca
Ligurian cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh herbs and small whole fish, gives this classy South End room a light, upbeat feel.
500 Harrison Ave
617 451 5151
Sibling Rivalry
Chefs Bob and David Kinkead offer individual interpretations of a main ingredient on dueling contemporary American menus.
525 Tremont St
617 338 5338
Masa
Refined New American dishes with southwestern accents are complemented by killer margaritas, colorful decor, and good wines.
439 Tremont St
617 338 8884
Icarus
South End’s most romantic restaurant serves sophisticated, inventive New American cuisine.
3 Appleton St
617 426 1790
Aquitaine
A Parisian-style bistro popular for its snazzy wine bar and its French market cooking. Black truffle vinaigrette makes Aquitaine’s steak-frites Boston’s best.
569 Tremont St
617 424 8577
