The Top Restaurants in Dorchester
The Dot dining scene is flush with exciting offerings: phở, tacos, roti, and so much more.
The Yellow Door Taqueria menu goes beyond tacos. / Courtesy photo
Boston’s largest neighborhood is also the most diverse. Whether you’re looking for the best Vietnamese cuisine in town, perfect patio dining, tasty tacos, great local beer, or a no-frills counter serving up Trinidadian roti or West African stews, you’ll find it all in Dorchester. From Lower Mills to Fields Corner to Ashmont, here are some of our favorite restaurants in the neighborhood, with notes on must-try cafés and bakeries, too.
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This guide was most recently updated in March 2025; stay tuned for periodic updates.
See also:
- So, You Want to Live in Dorchester?: Let this neighborhood guide help you decide.
- We Can’t Wait for These 2025 Restaurant Openings: Find details on forthcoming Dorchester openings, including a full-service restaurant version of the Haitian food truck Gourmet Kreyòl, a Vietnamese coffee shop and roastery, and a nut-free bakery.
Restaurants
224 Boston Street. / Courtesy photo
224 Boston Street
This homey New American restaurant remains a hidden gem despite being around for 30-plus years. That’s partially because it’s truly hidden—you have to walk through the lush garden patio of trellised flowers to enter the cozy tavern. Now owned by Southie restaurateur Eric Aulenback, 224 Boston is worth seeking out for ever-changing comfort food, like oven-roasted spicy chicken wings; short rib poutine; and a satisfying meatloaf with black garlic gravy.
224 Boston St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-265-1217, 224boston.com.
Well-balanced bánh mì are the specialty at Bánh Mì Ba Le. / Photo by Chelsea Kyle for “A Chef’s Guide to Eating Well in Dorchester“
Bánh Mì Ba Le
An excellent bánh mì—a classic Vietnamese sandwich—must begin with excellent bread, and this no-frills counter spot in Savin Hill has that part down pat. House-baked baguettes are soft inside with a crispy exterior—the perfect match for crunchy and bright pickles, unctuous pork pâté and salty cold cuts, and tender lemongrass-marinated beef. This incomparable sandwich will run you less than $10, so there’s no excuse not to order bubble tea, an avocado shake, or a sweet and tasty Vietnamese iced coffee, too.
1052 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-265-7171, balebanhmiboston.com.
The Banshee
Rugby, live music, Survivor watch parties, award-winning trivia nights—the Banshee is Dorchester’s neighborhood sports bar and gathering spot for all occasions. It’s got Irish pub vibes but a worldly comfort-food-filled menu that jumps from jumbo steak and cheese egg rolls to chicken parm sliders to tacos.
934 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-436-9747, bansheeboston.com.
The Bowery Bar
A lively Lower Mills favorite for boozy brunch and outdoor dining (on a huge patio in the warmer months and in private, heated yurts in the winter), the Bowery Bar comes from a local group that also includes a few “American taverns” (see Lucy’s below) and a taqueria and tequila bar (see Chubb’s below). Here, find jazzed-up pub fare—spicy tuna tacos, a falafel burger, curry chicken bowl—and indulgent weekend brunch with a side of spiked coffee drinks.
2261 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-698-2261, bowery-bar.com.
Bred Gourmet’s Bred burger. / Courtesy photo
Bred Gourmet
This Best of Boston burger joint—which expanded to Cambridge in late 2024—consistently delights with its smoked prime beef patties topped with, say, “pig candy,” butter, caramelized onion, Wisconsin cheddar, and maple bourbon aioli. There’s plenty aside from beef, too, like a tangy gochujang-sauced fried chicken sandwich with cilantro and pineapple; a jerk salmon burger with crispy onions; toppings-laden Cajun fries; and fruit smoothies.
2255 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-698-0103, bredgourmet.com.
Chubbs Taco & Tequila Bar
Sibling to the Bowery Bar above, this 2024 arrival offers a Mexican-inspired menu that focuses on tacos: ancho Buffalo chicken, coconut shrimp, tuna poke, and more. (Burrito bowls, taco salads, and a few other items round out the menu.) And there’s tequila, of course—try it in a variety of flavored margaritas or the gold-flake-garnished “Cadillac of Margaritas.”
750 Adams St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-609-8226, chubbstacos.com.
Comfort Kitchen’s jerk jackfruit sliders. / Photo by Rita Ferreira/Comfort Kitchen
Comfort Kitchen
This critically acclaimed darling debuted in 2023, quickly snapping up local and national accolades for its creative take on global comfort food showcasing flavors and cooking techniques of the African diaspora. That means diners’ll find anything from kelewele (spicy plantains) to jerk roasted duck to a brunch breadfruit hash. Don’t miss the cocktails, such as a mezcal-based espresso martini spin with iru (a Nigerian condiment), kola nut syrup, Licor 43, and espresso.
611 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, Boston, 617-329-6910, comfortkitchenbos.com.
Creamy burrata and prosciutto at Dbar. / Photo by Andy Ryan
Dbar
Chef Chris Coombs and business partner Brian Piccini, who are also behind the Back Bay’s Deuxave and two Boston Chops steakhouses, launched their Boston Urban Hospitality empire with this neighborhood restaurant-slash-gay-friendly nightclub. Come for great cocktails and cuisine like tuna ceviche with wonton chips, rotating flatbreads, and pork belly mac ‘n’ cheese—and stay for the fun and inclusive dance nights and karaoke.
1236 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-265-4490, dbarboston.com.
Dora Taqueria
Try all things birria at this cheery taqueria: tacos, ramen, tortas, and more. Add some street corn, churros, and horchata, and you’ve got yourself a feast. Following Dora’s 2020 debut here, it expanded to Woburn, Weymouth, and Rochester, New Hampshire; tell your beyond-Boston friends.
112 Stoughton St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-322-5353, dorataqueria.online.
Dorchester Brewing Company
A rooftop, an in-house barbecue restaurant (M&M BBQ), and the Museum of Bad Art—not to mention fantastic beers—make this brewery and taproom an essential part of the local beer scene (and barbecue scene). No matter what’s on tap, you’ll find a house brew worth sampling, from crisp helles zwickelbiers to stone fruit sours to New England IPAs and beyond.
1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-514-0900, dorchesterbrewing.com.
Brunch at Lower Mills Tavern. / Courtesy photo
Lower Mills Tavern
Super friendly service is the highlight of any visit to this cozy spot, one of several eclectic local establishments co-owned by Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey. But you’ll also find a nice beer selection, high-end spirits, and fresh fare. The kitchen team sources from local producers like Capone’s for dishes such as Cajun shrimp linguine; you’ll also find short rib grilled cheese, steak frites, and lots more. Give weekend brunch a try, or catch some live music on a Thursday night (no cover!)
2269 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 857-267-4461, lowermillstavern.com.
Lucy’s American Tavern
Another approachable upscale American bar, this one is especially appealing for the Adams Village area because of its convenient location right off the Southeast Expressway. The large space offers a lively bar scene with a great beer selection and even wines on tap, plus pub grub like spicy Buffalo dip, dry-rubbed chicken wings, and the Burger Royale, topped with aged cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon, bourbon barbecue sauce, and crispy onion strings.
13 Granite Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-326-6677, lucysamericantavern.com.
A spread of food at McGonagle’s, including a chicken and leek pie, chicken curry, pizza, and more. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
McGonagle’s
This massive Irish pub debuted in late 2024, following the successful formula of its big sibling downtown, the Dubliner, with live music, the perfect pour of Guinness, and an exceptional food menu overseen by chef Aidan McGee, whose resume includes Michelin-starred restaurants across the ocean. We love classics like the fish and chips and a sausage roll featuring meat from Adams Village Butcher nearby, and don’t miss the modern fusion-y dishes like the Irish-Chinese spice bag—chicken with peppers, onions, and fries, tossed in a spice mix and served with curry.
367 Neponset Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-514-4689, mcgonagles.com.
McKenna’s Cafe
This longtime breakfast-and-lunch spot is a favorite haunt of Savin Hill native and former mayor Marty Walsh—and seemingly everybody else in town. Don’t let the weekend-morning crowd deter you: Add your name to the list, and grab a cup of coffee from the takeout counter; the wait really won’t be too long. And when you finally sit down, you’ll be rewarded with hearty plates like steak tips and eggs, granola-crusted French toast, or a “turkey stuffer” sandwich with all the fixings. McKenna’s has been around for decades, though one of the current owners is also behind newer spots in the neighborhood, Savin Hill Bar and Kitchen and Ghost Pepper Taqueria.
109 Savin Hill Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-825-8218, mckennascafe.com.
Mofongo Factory
One of several great Dominican restaurants in the neighborhood, Mofongo Factory focuses on—you guessed it—all things mofongo, the Puerto Rican-born mashed plantain dish popular throughout the Dominican Republic and beyond. At Mofongo Factory, the hearty dish is almost endlessly customizable with your choice of base, fillings, and add-ons. Try, for instance: bifongo, a sweet and green plantain base; a salami and cheese filling; and a covering of cheese. Or venture into non-mofongo parts of the giant menu—grilled whole red snapper, anyone?
299 Hancock St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-580-9940, order.toasttab.com.
Murl’s Kitchen
Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune has spoken: “hands down you have to get the oxtail” at this homey Jamaican takeout spot near Franklin Park. Hearty portions abound here, from heaping piles of rasta pasta topped with fried lobster, Cajun shrimp, or other options, to jerk pork or chicken plates with rice and plantains.
143 Washington St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-506-7331, murlskitchen.com.
Phở 2000
Another standout Vietnamese restaurant around Fields Corner, this spot serves up rich and aromatic beef phở, loaded with tender flank steak, brisket, tendon, and tripe. Going in with a group? The whole fried catfish is also worth the splurge: Crispy, flaky fish, eaten wrapped up in rice paper with vermicelli and fresh herbs, and dipped in a sweet and tangy sauce, it’s unlike anything else in Boston.
198 Adams St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-436-1908, pho2000dorchester.com.
Phở Hòa
Phở is right in the name, and it won’t disappoint here; the restaurant—open since 1992—has nearly two dozen varieties, all excellent. But when we’re in the mood for something a little beefier, we love to settle in for the bò 7 món, a hearty extravaganza of seven different preparations of beef. Come hungry.
1370 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-287-9746, phohoarestaurant.com.
Phở Lê
Another essential phở-and-more spot in Dorchester’s inimitable Vietnamese dining scene: Try the phở đặc biệt, or special phở, for a blockbuster introduction to the classic noodle soup. This one’s got a little of everything, with thin slices of rare eye round, plus well-done flank, brisket, tendon, and tripe. Or venture into other noodle soups, with spicy Huế-style options and more.
1356 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-506-6294, pholedorchester.com.
Courtesy
Restaurante Cesaria
Cape Verdean cuisine is a unique blend of West African and Portuguese flavors, from seafood to heirloom grains to tropical juices comprising the strong cocktails. There’s no better place to get acquainted with this cooking and culture than at this friendly, upscale spot, which specializes in katchupa—a spicy stew of hominy, beans, pork, cabbage, and linguiça or fish that’s the national dish of the nation of islands. It also serves up live music on the weekends.
266 Bowdoin St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-282-1998, facebook.com/RestaurantCesaria.
Scobie’s Bostonian Reuben and fries. / Photo by Pah Creative
Scobie’s Café & Bar
Scobie’s, which opened in 2024, has pretty much everything: an early-to-late daily schedule, a fireplace and overall cozy vibes, live music, rugby watch parties, full Irish breakfast, whiskey galore. No time to hang out? There’s an on-the-go café, open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Grab a latte and a warm scone with jam and clotted cream, or a doughnut from Union Square Donuts, and continue on your way.
782 Adams St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-765-8075, scobiesboston.com.
A spread of food at Shanti. / Photo by Chelsea Kyle for “A Chef’s Guide to Eating Well in Dorchester“
Shanti Indian Cuisine
The Savin Hill area was the first location for this awesome Indian food restaurant, which added outposts in Roslindale and Kendall Square since its 1999 debut. Kendall sadly closed a few years back, but Roslindale and Dorchester carry on with fiery vindaloos, flaky samosas, and delicious dishes from the tandoori oven.
1111 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-929-3900, shantiboston.com.
Side Chick fried chicken. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Side Chick
It’s all about the ultra-crispy chicken at this casual halal spot in the old Singh’s Roti space. (Singh’s—see below—relocated to a larger address a few years back.) Try over-the-top chicken sandwiches like the Dot, with bacon bits, scallion, and a maple syrup drizzle, on two waffles instead of a bun, or the Hot Cheeto, with banana peppers, lettuce, cheese sauce, and, of course, Cheetos. On the side: all sorts of fried things, including tots, mushrooms, pickles, cheese curds, and more.
692 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, Boston, 617-506-1757, sidechickboston.com.
The counter at Singh’s Roti Shop. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Singh’s Roti Shop
Think of this Trinidadian shop’s signature roti as pizza-sized flatbreads griddled to order, then stuffed with bold flavors like curried goat, shrimp, spiced chickpeas and mashed sweet potatoes, and jerk chicken. Spice lovers, do not miss the house-made hot sauce, which is thankfully also bottled to take home: It adds a blistering kick to any dish.
554 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, Boston, 617-282-7977, singhsrotishop.net.
Tavolo
Steps from the Ashmont T station, this Italian restaurant has been going strong since 2008. From comfortable date-night dinners to filling Sunday brunches, this is the epitome of neighborhood restaurant. Choose from plenty of house-made pasta options—carbonara with chitarra, for example, or Bolognese with tagliatelle—not to mention pizzas and entrees like braised short rib or grilled salmon. Add a banana bread espresso martini—why not?
1918 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-822-1918, tavolodotave.com.
The menu at Yellow Door Taqueria goes beyond tacos. / Courtesy photo
Yellow Door Taqueria
Situated on the southern edge of town, almost in Milton, this tiny taqueria (one of three locations) is well worth the trek. Standout tacos on house-made tortillas are not always traditional but are always balanced, bold, and Instagram-ready, and the busy bar cranks out cool cocktails like Waking up in Tijuana, a draft tequila-and-coffee concoction.
2297 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 857-267-4201, yellowdoortaqueria.com.
Cafés, Bakeries, and More
Top Shelf Cookies. / Courtesy photo
- Akoko – Coco Leaf: This café specializes in chè, Vietnamese dessert drinks that layer ingredients like pandan jelly, lychee, jackfruit, and coconut milk. 1480 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-506-0010, akokocafe.com.
- American Provisions: Grab coffee, pastries, and breakfast and lunch sandwiches while shopping for cheeses, cured meats, natural wines, and more. 1971 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-514-4599, americanprovisions.com.
- Bambu: Another spot for chè, plus bubble tea, smoothies, and mochi waffles. 287 Adams St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-533-7030, drinkbambu.com.
- Chill on Park: This year-round shop sells ice cream from Roslindale-based Puritan Ice Cream, not to mention ice cream cakes, pints of Tipsy Scoop boozy ice cream, and some other treats, plus coffee and tea. 142 Park St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-297-5401, chillonpark.com.
- Greenhills Bakery: A neighborhood institution for Irish baked goods and imported products, plus sandwiches, pies, breads, cookies, cupcakes, and more. 780 Adams St., Dorchester, Boston, 617-825-8187, greenhillsbakery.com.
- Home.stead Bakery & Café: Sandwiches, salads, and café beverages galore, not to mention the occasional paint night or artist reception. 1448 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-433-7118, dorchesterhomestead.com.
- Honeycomb Cafe: Friendly neighborhood spot with coffee, smoothies, croissants, and sandwiches. 107-109 Savin Hill Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-282-5400, honeycombcafe.biz.
- The Ice Creamsmith: A seasonal Lower Mills mainstay—almost 50 years old!—that makes its ice cream in-house, in flavors such as maple walnut, sweet cream, and banana. 2295 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-296-8567, theicecreamsmith.com.
- JustBook-ish: Bookstore, literary gathering space, and café serving pastries from Nubian Markets, tea-based mocktails, and more. 1463 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-819-9902, justbook-ish.com.
- Lazy Bear Creamery: Cute little ice cream shop with an enormous list of rotating flavors and tropical decor—with a sloth mascot and swings for seating. 383 Neponset Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-992-2597, lazybearcreamery.com.
- Mud House: No-frills, cash-only coffee shop with bagels, sandwiches, and tons of flavored coffees. 389 Neponset Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-282-0024, instagram.com/mudhouse_dorchester.
- Ripple Café: Counter Culture Coffee and Mem Tea are featured here, alongside pastries, sandwiches, a breakfast burger (!), and more. 1906 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-297-5621, rippleboston.com.
- Top Shelf Cookies: Cookies (a dozen rotating flavors), cookie frappes, cookie ice cream sandwiches—need we say more? 516 Gallivan Blvd., Dorchester, Boston, topshelfcookies.com.
Additional reporting by Harriet Gaye
