Here’s what NYT got wrong about Boston’s best restaurants list

Readers Say

Boston.com readers had thoughts about what should have been on that recent 25 best restaurants in Boston list from the New York Times.

More than two dozen local restaurants got a shout-out in The New York Times as their food writers’ and editors’ picks for best restaurants in Boston.

But how do Bostonians feel about a New York publication telling them where they should eat? We heard from 37 readers who kept their answers surprisingly mild. 

Sure, there were some complaints over why a list would be called the “best in Boston,” when over half of the restaurants on The New York Times ranking are not actually in Boston proper — Eater Boston also pointed that out in their takeaways.

But some of our readers celebrated the picks.

“Mooncusser brings it every night. Amazing food, drink, and hospitality,” said Rose from South Boston.

“Sarma is a gem,” said JD from Medford.

“The Times got it right with Toro,” said Patricia N. from North Carolina, formerly from Hingham.

But what did these Times writers miss? If our readers were hired to write and eat for the publication — which, based on these picks, maybe they should — here’s five restaurants they most recommended.

Plus, see the all the reader-recommended best of Boston restaurants in our full list below:

Brassica Kitchen + Cafe

Notes: New American and neighborhood cafe in Jamaica Plain; Eater Boston calls their fried chicken “legendary.” 

This JP spot is reader-approved by Emily G. of Chestnut Hill and Susan H. of Jamaica Plain.

brassicakitchen.com; 3710 Washington St., Jamaica Plain

Elephant Walk

Notes: French-Cambodian in the South End; open since 1991.

“I think a favorite neighborhood spot that flies under the radar but delivers delicious, fresh, and always interesting Colonial Cambodian food is Elephant Walk. It should make the list. It has a wonderful menu, a wait staff that should get gold stars, and drinks that make you happy, combining things you don’t usually think of. We are lucky in the South End to have such a gem,” said Stacey C. of Boston. Selena B. from Quincy also recommends an outing at this South End restaurant. 

elephantwalkboston.com; 1415 Washington St., Boston

Hook + Line

Notes: Seafood in the Seaport; its sister restaurant is Alcove. 

“It is new and has the best fried clams, great oysters, beautiful branzino, and amazing creative cocktails. (Restaurateur) Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli needs to be recognized next time on your list,” said Debbie S. from South Boston. Rose also called their fried clams the best in the city.

hookandlinebos.com; 10 Fan Pier Boulevard, Boston

Mistral

Notes: French-Mediterranean bistro in Back Bay; part of the Columbus Hospitality Group, which owns Mooo, Sorellina, and Ostra.

“Mistral not making this list is an outrage,” said Brittany K. from Kingston. James O. from Beverly shared these same thoughts as well.

mistralbistro.com; 223 Columbus Ave., Boston

Oleana

Notes: Eastern Mediterranean in Cambridge; the team behind Sofra and Sarma, which both appeared on the original NYT list. 

“How could you include Sarma and Sofra and leave off Oleana?” said Chris from Natick. Alex from Lynn and Patricia N. similarly gave praise to this Cambridge hot spot. 

oleanarestaurant.com; 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge

All reader-recommended best of Boston restaurants:

• Alden & Harlow, new American; 40 Brattle St., Cambridge
• Bagel Guild, bakery; 100 Hanover St., Boston
• Brassica Kitchen + Cafe, new American; 3710 Washington St., Jamaica Plain
• China Jade, Polynesian-Chinese; 44R Dodge St., Beverly
• China Pearl, dim sum; 237 Quincy Ave., Quincy
• Deuxave, modern French; 371 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
• Elephant Walk, French-Cambodian; 1415 Washington St., Boston
• East Chinatown Restaurant, Chinese; 415 Hancock St., Quincy
• Grill 23 & Bar, steakhouse; 161 Berkeley St., Boston
• Hook + Line, seafood; 10 Fan Pier Boulevard, Boston
• Karma, Asian fusion; 105 Thoreau St., Concord
• La Campania, Italian; 504 Main St., Waltham
• Little Donkey, global tapas; 505 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
• Mamma Maria, Italian; 3 North Square, Boston
• Mistral, French-Mediterranean; 223 Columbus Ave., Boston
• Moona, Mediterranean; 243 Hampshire St., Cambridge
• Oleana, Eastern Mediterranean; 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge
• Northern Spy, classic New England; 4 Rolling Mill Way, Canton
• Select Oyster Bar, seafood and Mediterranean; 50 Gloucester St., Boston
• Semolina Kitchen & Bar, Mediterranean; 572 Boston Ave., Medford
• Sogno, Italian; 304 Cambridge Road, Woburn
• Taberna de Haro, Spanish; 999 Beacon St., Brookline
• Uni, sushi; 370A Commonwealth Ave., Boston
• Urban Hearth, new American farm-to-table; 2263 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge