Visit the 24 Boston-Area Restaurants Featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Everyone’s favorite frosted-tipped chef and television host Guy Fieri has spent 40 seasons visiting restaurants around the country on his hit Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives—including quite a few in and around Boston. If you’ve often found yourself sitting in front of the TV salivating over the dishes that Fieri gets to try and wishing you could have them yourself, well, now’s your chance.

There’s no shortage of Fieri-approved eateries around the area, serving everything from red-sauce Italian cuisine to supersize lobster rolls and stacked burgers. (There’s also Guy Fieri’s Boston Kitchen + Bar downtown, if you want to dine on “trash can nachos,” bacon mac and cheese burgers, and bourbon brown sugar barbecue wings at Fieri’s own spot.) Our suggestion? Sit back, relax, and enjoy as we guide you through the restaurants of Flavortown—ahem, Boston.

Last updated September 2024 to reflect Fieri’s season 40 visits to Source in Cambridge (first aired on August 16, 2024) and Sweet Cheeks Q in Boston (first aired September 6, 2024). Two forthcoming episodes feature as-yet-unannounced local spots, too, although the descriptions give some major hints. Season 40, Episode 6 (“Wide World of Chefs”), first airing on October 4, will feature “a Cambridge, Mass., joint [that] is mashin’ it all up with top-tier Turkish dumplings and craveable Korean crab mac.” That’s got to be Little Donkey in Central Square, which serves a globe-trotting menu that includes manti, meat-filled Turkish dumplings, and blue crab “mac and cheese.” And Season 40, Episode 7 (“Home Cooked Flavor”), first airing on October 11, will feature “a joint in Somerville, Mass., makin’ savory scones and stackin’ sweet-and-tangy meatloaf on English muffins.” We see you, Vinal Bakery, with your scones and English muffins—including this meatloaf-topped English muffin.

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Jump to:

• In and around Boston: Local, currently operating, and ready for your visit.
• Worth a Drive: In farther-away parts of Massachusetts.
• Gone but Not Forgotten: Remembering the spots that have closed.

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In and around Boston

These Triple D-featured spots are nearby, open, and awesome.

Angela’s Café

Best of Boston winner Angela’s is a pair of laidback restaurants in Eastie specializing in plates from the Puebla region of Mexico. Fieri flew over to the Eagle Hill (Lexington Street) spot for the show—but no matter which one you visit, you’ll find breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus full of favorites like the chilaquiles, fried corn tortilla chips sauteed with a sauce of your choice and topped with shredded chicken, queso fresco, and avocado, and served with eggs and refried beans. Check out the recipe here.

As seen on: Season 15, Episode 11 (“Food Done Right”); Special Episode 8 (“Triple D Nation: East Coast Eatin’”)

131 Lexington St., East Boston, 617-567-4972; 1012 Bennington St., East Boston, 617-874-8251; angelascafeboston.com.

Bagelsaurus

Owner Mary Ting Hyatt and her team make every one of their bagels by hand, and then the bagels are slow-fermented over 24 hours. The result? Heavenly varieties like sea salt, cinnamon raisin, and poppy, for pairing with spreads (say, honey-rosemary cream cheese) or building sandwiches such as the Hot Smoked, piled with smoked salmon from Boston Smoked Fish Co., pickled red cabbage, red onion, and fresh dill. Fieri to Hyatt upon tasting the BLT (featuring thick-cut bacon and oven-roasted tomatoes): “You’re a dangerous woman.”

As seen on: Season 30, Episode 15 (“Bagels, Biscuit and Boar”)

1796 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge, 857-285-6103, bagelsaurus.com.

Blunch

This morning-through-midday South End kitchen’s pressed sandwiches are the real deal. It’s impossible to go wrong with whatever you pluck off the menu, whether that’s the Bird sandwich with chicken breast, mozzarella, oven roasted tomatoes (recipe), and artichoke aioli, or the vegetarian Provencal (the “Hippie Picnic,” as Fieri called it) with Vermont goat cheese, tomatoes, kalamata olive puree, and basil cashew pesto. (We also love the breakfast sandwiches.)

As seen on: Season 20, Episode 2 (“Stuffed and Twisted”)

59 E Springfield St., South End, Boston, 617-247-8100, eatblunch.com.

Boston Burger Company

All the sizzling beef patties are taken to the next level at this local burger chain (Fieri visited the Somerville original.) Exhibit A: burgers like the Mac Attack (Fieri’s favorite), smothered in four-cheese mac and cheese and bacon (recipe), as well as the Killer Bee, stacked with beer-battered onion rings, bacon, and honey barbecue sauce. They’re all so delicious the restaurant could “serve [them] on a trashcan lid,” and Fieri would still bite. (Pro tip: Try to save some room for the restaurant’s monstrous milkshakes, too.)

As seen on: Season 15, Episode 8 (“Burgers, Noodles and Quahogs”); Season 33, Episode 1 (“Takeout: Worldwide Delivery”); Special Episode 5 (“Triple D Nation: From Near to Far”); Special Episode 10 (“Top 10 Burgers”); and Special Episode 44 (“Knockout Burger Joints”)

37 Davis Sq., Davis Square, Somerville, 617-440-7361, and other locations; bostonburgercompany.com.

Café Polonia

The handcrafted furniture lends a cozy, homey ambiance at Southie’s memorable destination for traditional Polish and Eastern European cuisine. You won’t soon forget the meat pierogi served with caramelized onions and bacon bites or the pork loin stuffed with ham, mushrooms, cheese, and more (recipe).

As seen on: Season 21, Episode 1 (“Roadtrippin’ in Beantown”)

611 Dorchester Ave., South Boston, 617-269-0110, cafepolonia.com.

Casa Razdora

This old-school Italian restaurant in the Financial District—open only for weekday lunch—is a place where you can bank on friendly service and fresh house-made pasta. Plates like the lobster ravioli in fra diavolo sauce are utterly divine—as is the porcini cascioni stuffed with an “outrageous” (according to Fieri) filling of mushrooms, sausage, and gorgonzola. Here’s the restaurant’s recipe for pasta al pesce, seafood pasta.

As seen on: Season 21, Episode 4 (“Worldwide Flavorfest”); Special Episode 50 (“Incredible Italian”)

115 Water St., Downtown Boston, 617-338-6700, casarazdora.com.

Cutty’s

This Brookline takeout-only sandwich shop, a multi-year Best of Boston winner, was opened by spouses Rachel and Charles Kelsey in 2010. And guess what? Their superlative sandwich creations—like the justifiably famous Beef 1000, slow-roasted beef, crispy shallots, and Thousand Island dressing on a brioche roll—will keep customers returning for years to come. Per Fieri, the sandwiches are all “out of bounds.”

As seen on: Season 15, Episode 5 (“Massachusetts Madness”) and Special Episode 64 (“Northeast Feast”)

284 Washington St., Brookline, 617-505-1844, cuttyfoods.com.

Deep Ellum

Featured in a 2014 episode alongside sibling and neighbor Lone Star Taco Bar, this beloved Allston gastropub closed in 2020 after 13 years in business, with Lone Star expanding into its space (including a fantastic hidden patio out back). But, good news for fans of truffle gorgonzola fries and killer beer selections: Deep Ellum returned in 2023, now out in Waltham but as fantastic as ever. At the original location, Fieri tried a house-cured salmon sandwich for brunch and Chicken 2 Ways (smoked andouille-style sausage and confit thigh) for dinner. Cured salmon is available on Deep Ellum 2.0’s brunch menu, too, on a bagel with chive cream cheese, capers, and red onions.

As seen on: Season 21, Episode 1 (“Roadtrippin’ in Beantown”)

467 Moody St., Waltham, deepellum-waltham.com.

Dirty Water Dough Company

The secret to Dirty Water’s scrumptious pizza dough? The restaurant’s own home-brewed Dirty Water IPA. Stop by either the Back Bay or East Boston location and order one of the specialty pies tested by Guy Fieri, including the Dirty Taco pizza with chili-style ground beef, shredded mozzarella, and crushed Doritos. Here’s the restaurant’s recipe for Steak and Cola pizza.

As seen on: Season 30, Episode 14 (“Pizza Plus”)

222 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-262-0090; 20 Maverick St., East Boston, 617-567-6767; dirtywaterdough.com.

Greek Corner Restaurant

“Lights-out delicious” is one of Fieri’s more famous catchphrases, and there’s no doubt about it—we’re always left feeling food-coma-bound after a feast at this dazzling neighborhood Greek joint, a multi-year Best of Boston winner. Don’t snooze on the roasted lamb gyro, its hot pita packed with vegetables and tzatziki sauce, or the pastitsio (recipe): baked macaroni with ground beef, tomato sauce, myriad spices, and creamy béchamel sauce.

As seen on: Season 10, Episode 3 (“Timeless”) and Special Episode 3 (“Triple D Nation: Layered, Stuffed and Stacked”)

2366 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge, 617-661-5655, greekcorner.us.

In a Pickle

Slide into a comfy booth seat in front of the bright green walls of this Waltham breakfast and lunch joint. The menu is chock-full of creative, colorful dishes, from the pumpkin bread French toast (recipe) to the hot-as-hell El Diablo omelet with sliced jalapeños and Buffalo hot sauce (and extra Tabasco, if you dare).

As seen on: Season 31, Episode 1 (“Guy’s All-Star Guests”)

265 Moody St., Waltham, 781-891-1212, in-a-pickle.com.

Kelly’s Diner

The Boston area has no shortage of historical attractions, but here’s one modern landmark you won’t find on the Freedom Tour: Kelly’s Diner, one of the first diners to ever be featured by Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The 1950s dining car, moved all the way to Somerville from Delaware, lured the chef with its outstanding lobster rolls, apple pancakes sprinkled with cinnamon, and three-decker club sandwiches.

As seen on: Season 1, Episode 11 (“Diners A-Plenty”) and Special Episode 1 (“Triple D Nation: A Little Lighter”)

674 Broadway, Ball Square, Somerville, 617-623-8102, kellysdiner.net.

Lone Star Taco Bar

Fieri clearly loves Mexican food—his own first Boston restaurant (now closed) was Guy Fieri’s Tequila Cocina, after all. So it says something that he gave his stamp of approval to this Allston hangout (which also has a location in Cambridge) and its menu of chicken ranchero tostadas (recipe), grilled street corn, margaritas, and more.

As seen on: Season 21, Episode 1 (“Roadtrippin’ in Beantown”)

479 Cambridge St., Allston, 617-782-8226; 635 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 857-285-6179; lonestar-boston.com.

Mike’s City Diner

Mike’s has appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives four times, and it’s easy to understand why once you’ve tasted feast-worthy classics like the Turkey Dinner, rounded out with plenty of sides, or the famous Pilgrim sandwich (piled high with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce). Here’s the recipe for Mike’s City Diner’s corned beef hash, another favorite.

As seen on: Season 2, Episode 7 (“Talkin’ Turkey”); Season 32, Episode 4 (“Takeout: Tastier at Home”); Special, Episode 39 (“Ultimate Turkey Fest”); Special Episode 98 (“Triple D Nation: Trottin’ Out the Turkey”)

1714 Washington St., South End, Boston, 617-267-9393, mikescitydiner.com.

Mr. Bartley’s Gourmet Burgers

The mayor of Flavortown is hardly the only famous person to have visited this historic Harvard Square restaurant: Bob Dylan, Jackie Onassis, and Al Pacino are among the American royalty to have dined inside its poster-covered walls. He’s the only one, though, who can brag that he’s designed a burger for the menu—the Triple “D” burger, that is, a double patty with American cheese, barbecue sauce, grilled onions, bacon, and an optional fried pickle upgrade. Here’s the restaurant’s recipe for the chili-topped Kevin Garnett burger.

As seen on: Season 8, Episode 1 (“Burgers, Steaks and Chops”) and Special Episode 10 (“Top 10 Burgers”)

1246 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-354-6559, mrbartley.com.

Pauli’s

Since 2011, this North End eatery has been serving up signature overstuffed sandwiches and monstrous lobster rolls. See: the U.S.S. Lobstitution, 28 ounces of fresh lobster meat on a grilled long sub with lemon and mayo, so big you can barely wrap your claws around it. “That’s probably the most honest lobster roll I’ve ever tried,” said Fieri. The restaurant also provided Food Network with the recipe for another classic local dish, Pauli’s take on steak tips.

As seen on: Season 31, Episode 1 (“Guy’s All-Star Guests”)

65 Salem St., North End, Boston, 857-284-7064, paulisnorthend.com.

Rino’s Place

Even after attempting (key word) to polish off one of the enormous Italian meals at Rino’s, you’ll be set with leftovers for days to come. At least all that extra lobster ravioli will come in handy when you settle in for a binge-watch of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, which has featured Rino’s on three separate episodes. Here’s the recipe for Rino’s Special, a chicken, veal, and mushroom dish.

As seen on: Season 10, Episode 7 (“Made to Order”); Season 32, Episode 5 (“Takeout: Dinner and Dessert That Delivers”); Special Episode 15 (“Amazing Italian”)

258 Saratoga St., East Boston, 617-567-7412, rinosplace.com.

Sam LaGrassa’s

Since 1968, LaGrassa’s—a lunchtime favorite for downtown office workers—has been cooking up fresh pots of New England clam chowder (recipe) and sandwiches like Fieri’s favorite: the chipotle pastrami sandwich topped with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and chipotle honey mustard.

As seen on: Season 7, Episode 9 (“Blast From the Past”)

44 Province St., Downtown Boston, 617-357-6861, samlagrassas.com.

Saus

Saus understands that you can never have too many condiments. That’s why this street food-focused spot offers over a dozen different kinds of dipping sauces for its signature fries, including smoky chipotle, truffle ketchup, and pimento-cheddar mayo. (Want something more? Try the poutine with fries, miso-mushroom gravy, and any manner of toppings including crispy shallots or mac and cheese.) Take note: Fieri visited the Faneuil Hall-side original, but there’s a second location—this one entirely vegetarian, and anything can be made vegan—at Somerville’s Bow Market, too.

As seen on: Season 21, Episode 2 (“Seriously Saucy”)

33 Union St., Downtown Boston; 1 Bow Market Way, Union Square, Somerville; sausboston.com.

Source

Fieri highlighted Source’s fan-favorite pepperoni pizza (we love it, too) and French toast baba (recipe) in this episode. The always-busy Harvard Square spot—with kinda-swanky gastropub vibes—debuted in 2020 and wows fans with its sourdough-based pizza crust (and penchant for covering it with tons of pepperonis). If you head in for brunch to try that French toast, get an espresso martini, too.

As seen on: Season 40, Episode 2 (“From Breakfast to the Boot”)

27 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 857-856-6800; sourcerestaurants.com.

Sweet Cheeks Q

This Best of Boston barbecue spot made its Triple D debut in 2024, although chef-owner Tiffani Faison is definitely no stranger to food television, including pulling off a Season 3 win on the Fieri-hosted Tournament of Champions. This episode features “serious sammys and more,” with Sweet Cheeks’ fried chicken (here’s the recipe) and “out of bounds” brisket getting some attention.

As seen on: Season 40, Episode 4 (“Grand Slam Sammy”)

1381 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, sweetcheeksq.com.

Trina’s Starlite Lounge

If you’re looking for a retro restaurant vibe with Southern-inspired vittles and playful cocktails, you’ve come to the right place. Trina’s turns out delicious house-made tater tots with rosemary garlic aioli (Fieri was particularly into these), as well as dynamite plates of crispy fried chicken with buttermilk waffles, all ready for drizzling with hot pepper syrup. Extinguish the flames with a drink like the Rockin’ Chair: a combo of black tea-infused bourbon and ginger cognac, served hot or cold.

As seen on: Season 21, Episode 3 (“Cross-Country Classics”); and Season 33, Episode 4 (“Takeout: Ordering All Kinds of Flavor”)

3 Beacon St., Somerville, 617-576-0006, trinastarlitelounge.com.

Veggie Galaxy

Imagine a classic American diner serving strictly made-from-scratch vegetarian food, and you’ve got this Central Square stalwart. Come for the Southwestern breakfast burrito with home fries, the Kendall Square black bean and sweet potato burger (recipe), or the chocolate chip pancakes with caramelized banana butter. Finish with a tasty treat from the on-site bakery from layer cakes to cheesecakes and apple pie. And football fans, take note: As of 2024, Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise, Jr. is a part-owner of the restaurant.

As seen on: Season 30, Episode 16 (“Unique Eats”)

450 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge, 617-497-1513, veggiegalaxy.com.

Yankee Lobster Company

You couldn’t miss the Yankee Lobster Company’s bright, lobster-red awning if you tried. Not that you’d ever want to. The longstanding Seaport operation serves up some of the best seafood-shack favorites around, including creamy lobster mac and cheese, crispy crab cakes, and plenty more freshly caught (and frequently, fried) fish. Here’s the restaurant’s cod cakes recipe.

As seen on: Season 15, Episode 13 (“Turn On Traditional”); Special Episode 56 (“All Stacked Up”)

300 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, 617-345-9799, yankeelobstercompany.com. 

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Worth a Drive

Perhaps you don’t have a shiny red Camaro, but these Fieri-approved spots farther outside of the city are worth the road trip.

• The Blue-Eyed Crab Caribbean Grill & Rum Bar in Plymouth: Fieri described the banana garlic chicken wings as “a calypso band meets Metallica.”
• Charlie’s Diner in Spencer: Diner classics, from bourbon steak tips to corned beef hash.
• Dana’s Kitchen in Falmouth: Portuguese kale soup in a “little cottage tucked away in the woods.”
• J.T. Farnham’s in Essex: Best of Boston fried clams.
• The Little Depot Diner in Peabody: Fieri featured the Boston baked beans and curried mulligatawny soup at this classic lunch-car-turned-diner.
• The Lobster Shanty in Salem: Lobster martini, anyone?
• Morin’s Hometown Bar & Grille in Attleboro: A landmark for old-school French meat pies.
• Patty’s Pierogis in Fall River: “I’m in pierogi paradise,” said Fieri, trying one of the 100+ varieties available.
• Pickle Jar Kitchen in Falmouth: “It’s different, it’s refreshing, it’s creative,” said Fieri, featuring the open-faced barbecue boneless pork on a cheddar scallion scone.
• Shuckers World Famous Raw Bar in Woods Hole: The baked stuffed scrod “tastes bright and fresh and like the sea,” said Fieri.

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Gone but Not Forgotten

Let’s take a moment to recall the late, great local restaurants that were featured on the show.

• Driftwood Publick House and Oysteria in Plymouth: A creative gastropub that Fieri described as “out of bounds,” with dishes like a massive pretzel stuffed with shredded beef and melted cheese.
• Highland Fried in Cambridge: Fried chicken and tiki drinks starred at this Highland Kitchen sibling, but Fieri also praised the gumbo.
• Italian Express Pizzeria in East Boston: The generously portioned frutti di mare, served with house-made pasta, got the spotlight here.
• Tupelo in Cambridge: Inman Square is a little bit less tasty without those confit pork belly corn dogs.

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