From steakhouses and taverns to Mexican and Thai, these are the best restaurants in Braintree, MA. There’s something for everyone, no matter what you’re craving.
While Braintree may be famous for being home to the first Dunkin Donuts, that’s not all this Boston suburb has to offer. You’ll also find the South Shore Plaza, plenty of green space, and, of course, good eats. While the South Shore Plaza Food Court has some quick and easy options like Buffalo Wild Wings, Uno Pizzeria, Johnny Rockets, a Chinese restaurant and Dave and Buster’s, there are so many other quality restaurants in town worth checking out. (Though one of our top recommendations, Davio’s, is actually in the food court.)
No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll want to check out these best restaurants in Braintree – there’s a reason they’re popular!
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse
250 Granite Street, Braintree MA 02184 // 781-843-4810
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse Braintree stands with an impressive facade in the South Shore Plaza, located conveniently for mall shoppers. Inside, diners are wrapped in the embrace of an intimate atmosphere with dark wood, tall white columns, and vibrant nautical-themed art. For those who prefer more sunshine with their antipasti, the location boasts outdoor dining with cheerful cerulean umbrellas sheltering the white linens on the tables.
Davio’s serves Northern Italian cuisine, but as its name implies, the star of the show is their steaks. As befits a Boston-area restaurant, however, you’ll find plenty of seafood selections, from crab cakes to scallops.
Friendly and accommodating service is standard in this restaurant, with reviewers praising waitstaff by name often.
What to get at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse – Braintree: Regulars are wild for the spring rolls, which come in Philly cheesesteak, chicken parm, and Buffalo chicken varieties. Vegetarians should consider the sweet corn-burrata agnolotti with zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and lemon butter or the hand-rolled potato gnocchi with organic mushrooms, basil, and truffle butter. The ribeye and the short ribs are also popular entrees and any steak is recommended for your first time here.
Cafe Asiana
25 Pearl St, Braintree, MA 02184 // (781) 843-0883
Ordercafeasiana.com
Located equidistant from Sunset Lake and the Pearl Plaza shopping center, Cafe Asiana’s modest brick storefront and blue-and-gold sign understate what loyal customers say is the best Asian food they’ve ever had. Glossy wood table tops await you inside, bringing sheen to the unfussy atmosphere of the interior.
The restaurant is known for great food and specializes in Thai curries, including Green, Red, Yellow, and Massaman varieties. Its focus has paid off, earning accolades from the Boston Globe, Readers’ Choice, Patriot Ledger, and the Market Survey of America.
Locals praise the owners of the business, who have run the restaurant for more than 20 years, noting the owner still makes some deliveries and remembers their kids’ names. Talk about great customer service – there’s no wonder this is a local favorite as far as restaurants in Braintree go.
What to order at Cafe Asiana: Everyone seems to rave over the shumai and Peking ravioli appetizers. The spicy beef with peanuts is recommended, as is the Pad Thai and Jordan chicken. Vegetarians have a whole menu section to choose from, with curries, tofu-based dishes, and veggie-based versions of their most popular dishes, like the Pad Thai.
Southside Tavern
941 Washington St, Braintree, MA 02184 // (781) 848-0511
Southside Tavern is the eatery for diners who also want to enjoy sports on television. With grey siding and a modest sign, you might look for the giant American Flag on the front wall or the packed parking lot to find the restaurant and bar.
There are plenty of TVs to choose from while you enjoy pub fare and drinks. Southside Tavern also boasts a large outdoor seating area for people to enjoy when the weather is warm. Reviewers recommend mixed drinks like the raspberry lime Rickey. Check the menu and specials because the restaurant often comes up with new options to choose from!
What to order at Southside Tavern: Enjoy the combination of comforting and hearty when you order the spare rib grilled cheese. The buffalo chicken wontons are a popular choice as well. For salads, try the hearty butternut squash salad, which comes with spinach, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, feta cheese, white balsamic dressing, and fried onions. It’s all but guaranteed to make your taste buds happy!
Anchan House of Thai Food
373 Washington St, Braintree, MA 02184 // (781) 848-8288
An unassuming wood-panel facade on a converted house kitty-corner to the Braintree VFW announces Anchan House of Thai Food. Inside, wooden lanterns suspended from the ceiling gently illuminate the tables. Whitewashed brick and mirrors give the intimate restaurant a feeling of spaciousness.
The decor and the food are both worthy of being Instagrammed. While the food is said to be delicious and delicately spiced, regulars praise the Thai iced tea, Green Tea Thai Iced Tea, and other beverage options on the menu, including alcoholic mixed drinks.
Regulars love the fresh ingredients and liberal spice that make the dishes top notch and stand out from the crowd. The appetizers and entrees alike are flavorful and packed with veggies and meat.
What to order from Anchan House of Thai Food: Order the Golden Bags appetizer for a treat. They contain ground chicken and shrimp mixed with corn and wrapped in a rice skin punch. You can’t go wrong with the Pad Thai, but regulars also recommend the crispy chicken fried rice. The massaman curry contains sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, and peanuts and is popular.
Cielo Mexican Restaurant
1209 Washington St, Braintree, MA 02184 // (781) 519-4454
Tucked in a wooded area along the Monatiquot River, Cielo Mexican Restaurant’s exterior features a striking mural. Inside, the decor is modern and sleek, with a full bar and exciting blue under lights at the bar seating.
Regulars come for the lunch combos and the enormous burritos. With a scratch kitchen, the fresh dishes, including fresh-made guacamole and raspberry ice cream, please regulars and newbies alike.
There’s also intimate outdoor seating for warm nights. An extensive drinks menu allows customers plenty of options as well. The entrees are generously sized and the restaurant offers both excellent service and delicious food.
What to order at Cielo Mexican Restaurant: Order the guacamole fresco, mixed tableside, for a fresh, delicious appetizer before enjoying an entree like the Baja fish tacos or the California burrito. The fajitas are also recommended for their flavor and portion size.
Highland Grill & Pizzeria
1701 Washington St, Braintree, MA 02184 // (781) 848-8110
Tucked into Highland Plaza in a teeny stand-alone building, Highland Grill & Pizzeria marks the height of the Braintree Highlands. With an interior only holding a handful of tables, most devotees order takeout or delivery.
Their New York-style pizza comes for $2.99 per large slice, and with two dozen specialties, they have a flavor for everyone. They also serve sandwiches, wraps, dinner plates, calzones, salads, wings, and even soups.
What to order from Highland Grill & Pizzeria: The Big Mac Pizz is a fan favorite, which comes loaded with all the toppings you’d expect, including chopped pickles. The fried chicken is perfectly tender and juicy, reviewers say. Vegetarian options are not short on the pizza menu, with the veggie lovers, Margarita, Spinaka, California, and Greek specialties all coming meat-free. Don’t miss the Buffalo chicken potato skins on the appetizer menu and kids will love just a classic cheese pizza.
Kristin’s Breakfast and Lunch
349 Washington St, Braintree, MA 02184 // (781) 843-2022
This corner restaurant in a cozy line of shops has a surprising amount of seating for its patrons. A handwritten menu on a blackboard runs all along the wall, listing off the two dozen types of pancakes offered at Kristin’s. Out of all the Braintree restaurants, if you’re looking for a nice breakfast – this is the place to go!
This beloved breakfast spot opened in 2003 and won the Best of Braintree Best Spot for Breakfast for 17 consecutive years. While the restaurant is cash-only, they have recently begun allowing customers to pay via Venmo.
Portion sizes are enormous, and though there are 24 kinds of pancakes, there are also egg benedicts, omelets, and other breakfast fare on offer at Kristin’s. Reviewers note the staff is friendly and helpful, and the restaurant has an old-fashioned diner feel.
What to order from Kristin’s Breakfast and Lunch: The coffee cake pancakes taste more like a coffee cake than actual coffee cake, so that’s a great place to start if you have a sweet tooth! For those who want something more savory, try the meatloaf omelet for a truly hearty breakfast or lunch. For those interested in old-fashioned fare, the johnny cake pancakes, hash, and real maple syrup recall days of yore.
