Dining in Massachusetts is always an adventure. Sure, you could head down to the local chain seafood place or go to that same familiar burger dive. Order the same entree, eat, and go home. Or, you could have an incredible food experience at one of these unique restaurants in Massachusetts. If you’re looking to make some memories as well as fill your belly, look no further. We’ve got a list of some must-try places for the next time you’re researching “restaurants near me” in Massachusetts!

1. Union Oyster House, Boston
41 Union St, Boston, MA 02108, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Daderot
Our list of unique restaurants in Massachusetts begins with none other than the famous Union Oyster House in Boston. This is the nation's oldest restaurant. They started serving tasty seafood in 1826, but the building has been there for at least 250 years. The wives of the founding fathers used to do their sewing here and King Louis Philippe once lived on the second floor. Think about that. This place has had over 186 years to perfect their chowder. For more information, you can visit the Union Oyster House online. Next, take a look inside the oldest continuously-operated restaurant in the U.S. when you watch the brief video below.

2. Common Ground Cafe, Hyannis
420 W Main St, Hyannis, MA 02601, USA
hyanniscommonground.com
Please note: Common Ground Cafe may be temporarily closed. Words cannot do this place justice. Common Ground Cafe is staffed by members of The Twelve Tribes, a spiritual group advocating love and harmony. The interior falls somewhere between a medieval tavern and the Keebler elves' tree home. Booths and tables appear to be growing out of the walls and colored light streams in through the stained glass windows. Some seating areas are even sunk into the floor or tucked away in their own little wooden nooks. There's a full smoothie bar upstairs and the food is absolutely incredible. Like what your fairytale grandmother would make if your fairytale grandmother was into making delicious Reubens and hummus wraps. Curious to learn more? Head on over to Common Ground Cafe online.
3. The Clam Box, Ipswich
246 High St, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
clamboxipswich.com
This place has been serving up fried clams and scallops since 1935. This oddly-shaped restaurant has been featured in numerous magazines and shows. It was even spotlighted by the Food Network. If you can bear the line, you'll be in for an amazing seafood experience. For more, be sure to visit The Clam Box online. The Clam Box might just have the best fried seafood in the world. Learn more when you watch the quick video below!

4. American Flatbread, Somerville
45 Day St, Somerville, MA 02144, USA
Facebook/Flatbread Somerville
Next up on our list of unique restaurants in Massachusetts is a place known as American Flatbread. In the mood for a wood-fired pizza? Do you prefer your pizza with a side of bowling? This is the place for you. Flatbread serves up incredible artisan pizzas and has full-service bowling lanes right there in the restaurant. For more information about this restaurant, you can visit American Flatbread online.
5. Fire + Ice, Boston Back Bay
205 Berkeley St, Boston, MA 02116, USA
fire-ice.com
Another amazing place where the cooking is part of the experience. Craft your own tasty food on their giant round grill upstairs and then head to the underFire bar downstairs. To learn more, check out the Fire + Ice website.

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6. Toro, Boston
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118, USA
toro-restaurant.com
Toro is a Barcelona-style tapas restaurant located in Boston’s South End. They serve authentic and fresh Spanish-style small plates, and only use the finest locally grown and sustainable ingredients. Go here for a fun, authentic, and unforgettable Spanish dining experience. For more information about this incredible spot, be sure to check out the Toro website.
7. Gibbet Hill Grill, Groton
61 Lowell Rd, Groton, MA 01450, USA
gibbethillgrill.com
You know the food is fresh when you can see it growing from your table. Gibbet Hill is one of the only restaurants in New England that has a produce farm on site, and Chef Tom Fosnot shapes his menu around what is seasonally available. Needless to say, every dish is a star and the gorgeous rural atmosphere will make you feel like you're way out West. For more information, check out Gibbet Hill Grill online.
8. Blu Karma, Danvers
6 Purchase St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Facebook/Blue Karma
Blu Karma serves up a visual feast as well as one for your taste buds. Go here for some of the best sushi in town with the best looking plates you'll see anywhere. For more information, including hours and the menu, you can visit Blu Karma online.
9. Herrell's Ice Cream, Northampton
8 Old S St, Northampton, MA 01060, USA
Facebook/Herrell's Ice Cream
So this is probably not the place to sit down to a full meal, but with over 200 ice cream flavors (like Burnt Sugar 'n' Butter, Damn Yankees Devilment Stripe, White Rum, and Earl Grey) this is one stop you definitely want to make after dinner. Or, you know...for breakfast. Learn more by checking out Herrell's Ice Cream online.
10. The Barnacle, Marblehead
141 Front St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USA
Facebook/The Barnacle, by Jim Peake
Last but certainly not least on our list of unique restaurants in Massachusetts is The Barnacle in Marblehead. This restaurant is right on the tip of Old Town in Marblehead with a perfect view of the Neck and Harbor. The food is cheap but the view is five-stars. A great place to grab some incredible seafood and take in the sunset. Try the Bloody Mary now and thank me later. To learn more, check out The Barnacle online. You can also check out the video below to learn a bit more about why locals love the Barnacle.

Sometimes, the same old is just not enough. Sometimes you want a restaurant to serve up amazing memories as well as a great meal. These incredibly unique restaurants in Massachusetts will make you call a friend from the table just to brag about the great experience. What’s your favorite Massachusetts spot to grab a unique meal? Be sure to tell us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! You can also fill out a nomination form for the chance to see your favorite places around Massachusetts featured in an upcoming story.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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unique restaurants in Massachusetts

Beth C. | October 07, 2021

What are some other unique restaurants in Massachusetts?

Some unique restaurants in Massachusetts to try include:

  • Redbones in Somerville
  • Student Prince Cafe and Fort Restaurant in Springfield
  • Lobster Pot in Provincetown
  • Hungry Ghost Bread in Northampton
  • The Salty Pig in Boston
  • Gibbert Hill Grill in Groton
  • The Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield
  • White Hut in West Springfield
  • Flour Bakery + Cafe in Back Bay
  • The Federal in Agawam
  • True Bistro in Somerville
  • Bistro Les Gras in Northampton.

 

You've probably discovered by now that the vast majority of restaurants in Massachusetts are unique. Whether that's because of their impressive history or unforgettable location, most restaurants in the Bay State are hard to forget. Learn more about these wonderfully unique restaurants in Massachusetts.

Where can I find the best seafood in Massachusetts?

One of the best parts about visiting Massachusetts is the chance to enjoy some truly delectable seafood. Fresh lobster rolls, anyone? If you're feeling like indulging in the best seafood in Massachusetts, you can't go wrong with a trip to any of the following coastal spots: Seaglass Restaurant and Lounge in Salisbury, Bob Lobster in Newbury, Rob Moore Lobster Co. in Rockport, Neptune Oyster in Boston, Turk's Seafood Market & Sushi in Mattapoisett, Fishermen's View Seafood Market & Restaurant in Sandwich, and Mac's Shack in Wellfleet. Have you visited any of these incredible coastal restaurants in Massachusetts?

 

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