community
New York Times Names Three Boston Restaurants to August 2025 Top 25 List
The ranking arrives as OpenTable reports Boston's dining scene ranks among the most interesting in the country.
How we reported this
The New York Times August 2025 list of the 25 best restaurants in Boston names Baleia in the South End for Portuguese cooking, Bánh Mì Ba Lẹ in Dorchester for Vietnamese dishes, and Udon in Porter Square and the Seaport for Japanese fare.
OpenTable's May 2026 update states that Boston now ranks among America's most interesting dining cities, with farm-driven kitchens in Cambridge and a 2025 Michelin Guide that spotlights Asian-influenced cooking. The timing matters for local diners who track how national guides reshape reservations and weekend plans in neighborhoods from the South End to Dorchester.
Established spots that continue to draw crowds
Neptune Oyster at 63 Salem St remains a steady presence on multiple guides for its seafood and oysters. Row 34 at 70 Sleeper St earns repeated mentions for oysters served straight from the source. Oleana in Cambridge, opened in 2001 by chef Ana Sortun, keeps its reputation for Eastern Mediterranean meze and an outdoor garden that draws repeat visits.
These addresses sit alongside the newer New York Times selections without overlap in the current lists. The Infatuation and Bon Appétit both continue to rank Neptune Oyster among Boston's strongest seafood options, according to their published guides.
Where to start planning a meal
Diners can cross-check the New York Times list against OpenTable's current availability notes for the Cambridge farm-driven spots and the Seaport location of Udon. Reservations at Row 34 and Neptune Oyster often fill first on weekend evenings, while Oleana's garden seating requires advance booking during warmer months. The verified entries give Boston residents a short list of addresses that match both recent national rankings and longstanding local favorites.