Worth the Drive: Top Suburban Eats
Updated: March 12, 2009
From upscale bistros to down-home barbecue joints, there are plenty of worthy dining destinations outside of Boston's city limits.
On this page:The In-the-Know Sushi Gem, The Commuter-Friendly BBQ Spot, The Waterfront Hideaway, An Italian Palazzo in the Middle of Suburbia, Gourmet Italian, Minus the Hassle of City Driving, The Over-30 Set's Favorite See-and-Be-Seen Spot.
The In-the-Know Sushi Gem
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Oishii Sushi Bar
Read Reviews612 Hammond St, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (map)
With just more than a dozen seats, this award-winning sushi spot usually has a wait. Its inventive creations have lured countless diners to its nondescript dining room, tucked away in leafy Chestnut Hill on the corner of Route 9.
The Commuter-Friendly BBQ Spot
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Blue Ribbon Barbecue Inc
Read Reviews1375 Washington St, Newton, MA 02465 (map)
Conveniently located off both the Mass Pike and Route 16 (with another location along Mass Ave in Arlington), this award-winning BBQ spot serves up hundreds of takeout meals nightly. Its affordable prices mean that a large order of brisket and sides might be cheaper, and certainly easier, than cooking at home.
The Waterfront Hideaway
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Red Rock Bistro & Bar
Read Reviews141 Humphrey St, Swampscott, MA 01907 (map)
This Modern American bistro enjoys a scenic perch along Swampscott's harbor. Its stylish cocktails and offbeat preparations of fresh seafood please foodies and lounge lizards alike.
An Italian Palazzo in the Middle of Suburbia
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Maxwell's
Read Reviews148 E Central St, Natick, MA 01760 (map)
Located on a blink-and-you'll-miss-it stretch of 135 in Natick, this gourmet fusion restaurant serves its Mediterranean-Asian cuisine in a classy, faux-palazzo setting.
Gourmet Italian, Minus the Hassle of City Driving
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Il Capriccio
Read Reviews888 Main St, Waltham, MA 02451 (map)
Fans of upscale Italian food swear that this Waltham favorite is as good as any in the North End. Add in the fact that you don't have to deal with city traffic or parking, and it's easy to see why Il Capriccio has been a longtime favorite.
The Over-30 Set's Favorite See-and-Be-Seen Spot
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The Metropolitan Club
Read Reviews1210 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (map)
Easy to find along Route 9, this steakhouse's lounge sports one of the area's strongest singles scenes for the over-30 crowd. The gourmet steaks and chops please foodies, while the inventive house cocktails thrill the nightlife crowd.
