Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we’ve seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven’t been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.

But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.

Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.

To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Boston, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.

#11. Mei Mei Dumplings

– Rating: 5.0/5 (24 reviews)- Address: 58 Old Colony Ave. Boston, Massachusetts- Categories: Asian Fusion- Read more on Yelp

• Read more: Chef Irene Li talks dumplings, James Beard Award, as food business Mei Mei turns 10 with new growth

#10. Waverly Kitchen & Bar

– Rating: 5.0/5 (60 reviews)- Address: 231 Bunker Hill St. Boston, Massachusetts- Categories: Cocktail Bars, Breakfast & Brunch, Tapas/Small Plates- Read more on Yelp

#9. Lulu Green

– Rating: 5.0/5 (94 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 246 West Broadway Boston, Massachusetts- Categories: Vegan, Cafes, Cocktail Bars- Read more on Yelp

• Read more: Michelin-starred chef brings new food hall The Lineup to downtown Boston

#8. Laughing Monk Cafe

– Rating: 5.0/5 (33 reviews)- Address: 168A Brighton Ave. Boston, Massachusetts- Categories: Thai- Read more on Yelp

#7. Tawakal Halal Cafe

– Rating: 5.0/5 (160 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 389 Maverick St. Boston, Massachusetts- Categories: African, Halal, Somali- Read more on Yelp

• Read more: Are these really the best restaurants in Springfield? Yelp reviews say so

#6. Blue Yama

– Rating: 5.0/5 (25 reviews)- Address: 418 Market St. Boston, Massachusetts- Categories: Ramen- Read more on Yelp

#5. Mister Q Cafe

– Rating: 5.0/5 (58 reviews)- Address: 283 Main St. Boston, Massachusetts- Categories: Cafes, Desserts, Sandwiches- Read more on Yelp

• Read more: A restaurant in this tony Mass. town will be the first since Prohibition to pour liquor

#4. Mo’Rockin Fusion

– Rating: 5.0/5 (108 reviews)- Price level: $- Address: 100 Hanover St. Boston, Massachusetts- Categories: Moroccan, Mediterranean, fast food- Read more on Yelp

#3. Madhouse Cafe

– Rating: 5.0/5 (21 reviews)- Address: 24 Blue Hill Ave. Boston, Massachusetts- Categories: Cafes- Read more on Yelp

• Read more: Want pasta for lunch but in a rush? Check out this new pasta spot in Boston

#2. Mountain House

– Rating: 5.0/5 (25 reviews)- Address: 89 Brighton Ave. Boston, Massachusetts- Categories: Szechuan, Seafood- Read more on Yelp

#1. Bono Restaurant and Catering

– Rating: 5.0/5 (47 reviews)- Address: 271 Meridian St. Boston, Massachusetts- Categories: Bakeries, Salvadoran, Mexican- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.