Boston's Best Restaurants Worth The Hype

With the bevy of restaurant choices in Boston, it can prove difficult to decipher the "hype" from "the real deal." It's a crowded food scene out there, with new establishments popping up weekly, it seems, to further thicken the competition. There are a number of Boston restaurants worth the hype, however here is a list of examples worth checking out the next time the ol' stomach rumbles.

Giacomo's Ristorante
355 Hanover St.
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 523-9026
www.giacomosblog-boston.blogspot.com There's certainly no shortage of great Italian food within the city of Boston, particularly within the area's legendary North End district. Giacomo's Ristorante is one of the most popular and respected Italian joints in the city, which is no mean feat, enjoying a nearly bulletproof reputation for its traditional, quality fare. Giacomo's is cash only and accepts no reservations, so get there early, or prepare to wait in line for some of the tastiest Italian delicacies Boston has to offer.

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Rino's Place
258 Saratoga St.
Boston, MA 02128
(617) 567-7412
www.rinosplace.com Although Boston's North End popularizes Italian food throughout the city, Rino's Place makes a supremely strong case for East Boston as yet another, contending example of fine Italian food within city limits. Located on Saratoga Street in between Brooks Street and Putnam Street, the delicious, quality Italian cuisine over at Rino's has even garnered the attention of Food Network's hit show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," with host Guy Fieri coming over a while back to rave over this joint's hype-worthy eats.

Strega Waterfront
1 Marina Park Drive
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 345-3992
www.stregawaterfront.com Deliciously fresh seafood and Italian classics set the stage over at Strega, a waterfront dining staple that is definitely worth the favorable hype it has received from its loyal clientele. Indeed, Strega has earned its fair share of raving fans over the course of its existence at its Marina Park home, serving up such sumptuous dishes as Lobster Fra Diavolo and garlic mussels alongside the classics, such as Chicken Parmesan. This place is worth visiting again and again.

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Craigie On Main
853 Main St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 497-5511
www.craigieonmain.com Craigie On Main specializes in adventurous, tasty cuisine combined with inventive takes on comfort food classics, proving that this Cambridge joint is worth all of the hype bestowed upon it by its rabid foodie fan following. Craigie On Main is trendy, smart and growing in popularity amongst young food fans looking for a restaurant to push the culinary envelope, and this Main Street spot responds in kind with an impressive array of eats, including crispy pig tail, bone marrow and even lamb belly. Forward thinking? Sure, but definitely worth the hype!

Tapeo Restaurant & Tapas Bar
266 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-4799
www.tapeo.com Heading to Newbury Street in the Back Bay for our final hype-worthy restaurant, Tapeo Restaurant & Tapas Bar serves up traditional Spanish cuisine and tapas (sharable, small plate) dishes to a loyal, raving fan base. Croquets, paella, empanadas and fried goat cheese are just a few of the delicious treats available at Tapeo, a joint that offers outside seating during the warm spring and summer months to dine al fresco style and people watch along its busy Newbury location, making this a no-brainer, must-see spot.

George Pacheco has been writing professionally about arts and entertainment for over a decade. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, George currently resides in a humble New England home with his wife, cat and massive music and film collection. His work can be found at Examiner.com.