A hidden gem in the South End that serves cocktails and oysters! From their website: In 2003, Barbara opened B&G Oysters providing the city with a classic yet stylish oyster bar. At the center of the dining room of this subterranean restaurant is an open kitchen surrounded by a white marble bar and black bar stools. Cool blue and grey tiles accented by stainless steel lend a calming oceanic aura to the space while the funky music playing keeps the mood fun and social. The menu offers exquisitely fresh seafood including a daily selection of 12+ oyster varieties, ready to be shucked, New England classics like lobster rolls and fried clams, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The selective and reasonably priced wine list features a number of whites and sparklers as well as a selection of smooth reds that compliment shellfish and seafood. Never tried a Gigamoto? No worries. This is a staff that loves their mollusks and bivalves: they can discuss oysters the way other servers might discuss a fine wine, able to describe a particular oysters origin, flavor profile, and farming method.

Hamersley's Bistro is a four star French inspired restaurant in the South End. Hamersley's features one of Boston's first open kitchens, allows you to see the chef, Gordon Hamersley, while he cooks your dinner. The design of Mistral is both elegant and casual, resonating with the ambiance of Provence as arched floor to ceiling windows drench the room with light. Hamersley's prides themselves on fresh, never dull ingredients and impeccable customer service(the majority of the waitstaff have been with Hamersley's Bistro for years). Select menu items include "Halibut and Clam Roast with Bacon Braised Greens, Big White Beans and Black Trumpet Mushrooms-$29," "Grilled Beef Rib-Eye with Garlic, Marrow Bone and “Bistro” Potatoes and Red Wine Sauce-$36," and "Maple Brioche Bread Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream and Walnut Praline-$9."

Dine on pizza and pasta in this tiny place (just 10 tables) on a side street across from the Franklin Cafe. "Big dish" entrees, like sirloin, are very good, but it's the pizza and wine list, which owner Christine Didiuk updates constantly, that keep people coming back.

Joe V's is one of those typically great and under-rated neighborhood spots that you wish someone had told you about long ago. Popular with those who live in the South End neighborhood. Casual, comfortable, and unpretentious ... a great find since the South End continues to go increasingly upscale. Joe V's is good food at reasonable prices. While it is best known for pizza, there is plenty more on the menu.
Boston Magazine named Joe V's the winner of Best of Boston 2004 Neighborhood Restaurant, South End...saying "Joe V's has already shown that it can hold its own in a neighborhood crowded with great restaurants. The excellent food at reasonable prices ranges from thin-crust pizzas with a tangy, garlicky sauce, to confidently executed classics (lobster ravioli), while delicious brunch dishes (the South Beach omelet, with Egg Beaters, ham, and tomato) keep the locals dropping in all weekend long."^[1]

If you're just looking for a great place to lounge at night, 28 Degrees is a great venue to sit back, drink, eat and relax to the tune of the finest underground sounds and DJs. The basket of french fries is particularly tasty. From 5 to 7 on week days, they serve oysters for $1 a piece.

Masa is a Southwestern restaurant with a flair (think Border Café casualness combined with more experimental, daring cuisine.) Not only a great restaurant, Masa is proud of their bustling happy hour crowd that enjoys $1 tapas as well as $5 pitchers of Sangria. Masa is known to have live entertainment from time to time and offers late brunch on the weekends. The chandeliers are an oddity in the room, and the copper bar is interesting, but it's all casual; dressing down is an acceptable custom here. Masa in Spanish means 'dough.' However, you shouldn't only be concerned about the variety that’s being kneaded in the kitchen. The dough to which I’m alluding is the amount of cash that leaves your wallet at the end of the evening. Be prepared to spend a lot (outside of happy hour) but consider the money well spent. The food is divine. Thursday night is Latin Night from 9pm to 1am with Salsa dance lessons from 10:30pm to 11:30pm. Tip: Make a reservation, even for brunch. Throughout the month of December Masa will be offering a $29 pre-fix menu. (at certain hours only) Come in Sunday through Wednesday 5PM to 10PM or 5PM to 6:30 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Mommies at Masa for Christmas Masa will be hosting a Mommy and child holiday floral workshop on either Dec. 10th or 17th 11am-2pm.

The recently opened full-service dining area boasts a warm, cavernous appeal (including a working fireplace, a boulder-like wall that serves as a tactile homage to the elements and an upscale ambiance downstairs with windows peeking out to a rock garden that actually feels like you're dining in a cave) and a stylish, but cramped, space upstairs. The moderately-priced menu boasts a few comfort-food staples like their winning parmesan-garlic fries with chipotle aioli. The fries have a tasty, crunchy coating and score points with its creative cone-style presentation. The South End Buttery's menu has several stellar pasta dishes including its penne with pumpkin seed pesto and serves up some killer braised beef short ribs with parsnip puree that literally melt in your mouth. The vibe is cozy. Perfect for a first date or an intimate gathering of friends. As far as the upstairs cafe area, it's delicious, but small. Kind to children, but no high chairs for this South End local hangout. There is a cafe that serves everything from coffee to cupcakes, quiches to tuna melts.

This place used to be known for its interesting middle-eastern influenced cuisine, despite the mediocre service. However, the restaurant has changed its menu to a completely generic array of kebabs and humus at South End prices.

Oishii Boston is located in the South End SOWA district and its contemporary decor and ambience reflects the artistic side of this up-and-coming Boston neighborhood. Awarded a stellar 28 (their highest rating) by Zagats for its food, this upscale sushi restaurant is the brainchild of Chef Ting San who is dedicated in crafting his creations with the freshest ingredients and literally treats each plate as a work of art. While this hidden gem is perfect for a romantic evening out, locals frequent Oishii for lunch to sample prix fixe Japanese cuisine at its best.