Boston's Best Family-Friendly Dining 2008

Worship rock legends while dining on familiar American favorites.

Reviews:

• “WORST hard rock i’ve ever been to.”
• “just average”
• “NEVER go to a show here!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
• “New Hard Rock is great”
• “Tasty food and cool atmosphere, but prices are high”

Tips: Ask for a booth instead of a table; the booths will give you a closer look at the rock memorabilia hanging from the walls.

Hard Rock Cafe or email Hard Rock Cafe

Open year-round, this local institution has satisfied Newtonites’ ice cream cravings for generations.

Reviews:

• “Rude service”
• “Great ice cream shop!”
• “Great Food, Awful Service”
• “I love Cabot’s!”
• “Memories…”

Tips: Health conscious? You don’t have to have a hot fudge sundae with ice cream—non-dairy and yogurt options are available.

Cabot’s Ice Cream & Restaurant

A favorite of area families and hungry tourists, delivering gargantuan portions of straightforward Italian fare in kitschy environs.

Reviews:

• “Will never go there again.”
• “they’re too proud of their homemade pasta to provide whole wheat substitute”
• “Don’t bother ordering takeout”
• “Consistently good”
• “Picky Italian eater”

Tips: At the end of a meal, diners get to play “Italian bingo.” You might win a gift certificate worth $50 or $10.

Vinny T’s of Boston – Back Bay or email Vinny T’s of Boston – Back Bay

A small-town fish shack with picnic tables, right in the heart of downtown.

Reviews:

• “Just OK”
• “Extremeeeeely fresh seafood!”
• “Great experience on a beautiful summer day!”
• “No can do”
• “good place to eat in the summer "

Tips: When there’s a concert down the street at the FleetBoston Pavillion, expect the area to be extra-crowded. Your best bet is to park in the Financial District.

Barking Crab

The Sunset Grill’s Tex-Mex offshoot expands on the original’s exhaustive food menu while maintaining an epic beer list.

Reviews:

• “Don’t go there… "
• “Nachos and beer”
• “great service, great beers!”
• “best tequila selection”
• “Yummy nachos”

Tips: Looking for a free late-night snack? Check out the complimentary “midnight madness” buffet on Sundays-Tuesdays (midnight-1am).

Sunset Cantina

A Cape Cod seafood shack on steroids, charging city prices for super-fresh seafood.

Reviews:

• “Like a bad joke…”
• “Expensive for poor quality seafood”
• “Not worth the price”
• “Great seafood!”
• “Fantastic Food!”

Tips: Don’t expect a mellow environment on Tuesdays or Wednesdays—boisterous smashing-crab parties are held on those two nights.

Summer Shack or email Summer Shack

Classic Yankee comfort food at one of Boston’s most famous restaurants.

Reviews:

• “Could have been a great experience but… "
• “Good Reputation GONE”
• “Avoid the lobster roll”
• “nasty and gross”
• “Theme restaurant……old market place favorite….traditional recipes”

Tips: Reservations are taken only for parties of 15 or more. On weekends, expect to wait with the masses; have a member of your party wait in line while you peruse neighboring shops.

Durgin Park

Moody Street’s top destination for family-friendly Mexican eats also doubles as an affordable date spot.

Reviews:

• “Don’t miss Thursday taco nights! "
• “FREE TACOS Thursdays! BEST margs on Moody!”
• “Best Margaritas in Waltham!! Patio a plus!”
• “Skip it”
• “Worst on Moody”

Tips: Catching a film down the street? Let your server know, so you won’t have any problems getting to the theater on time.

Iguana Cantina

This waterside location of the world-famous seafood chain keeps tourists happy.

Reviews:

• “Best Clam Chowder in Boston and my favorite restaurant.”
• “Really bad”
• “Quality food and Service”
• “Decent food, terrible service.”
• “Poor management..”

Tips: Amuse yourself with a predinner trip to the nearby New England Aquarium.

Legal Sea Foods

Harvard Square’s largest Irish restaurant and bar serves up decent food and a lively bar scene.

Reviews:

• “Harvard Square find”
• “Great spot in Harvard Square”
• “Great night out!”
• “Great Service, Good Times”
• “favorite bar in the square”

Tommy Doyle’s Irish Pub

Welcoming neighborhood restaurant sports a lively lounge and an inviting menu of pizza and Italian comfort fare.

Reviews:

• “Good – Above average”
• “breakfAST”
• “excellent food, and service”
• “Family-Friendly Food”

Highland Café

Local mini-chain serves contemporary American fare in stylish, low-key environs.

Reviews:

• “TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE”
• “great waiter,awful bartender”
• “Outstanding”
• “Good food, good atmosphere”
• “Good food and decent price. bad wine list and pricey.”

Tips: Burtons offers a different special martini and seasonal beer each month.

Burtons Grill or email Burtons Grill

Harvard-area hangout serves above-average bar food in a relaxed environment.

Reviews:

• “A Crash at Cambridge Common”
• “My favorite spot in Cambridge for a beer, burger or brunch "
• “Avoid daytime "
• “Amazing Beer Selection”
• “Worst Brunch EVER!”

Tips: Post-meal, head downstairs to the Lizard Lounge to see what’s on.

Cambridge Common

More than thirty varieties of the signature dessert make up only a part of this chain restaurant’s gigantic international menu.

Reviews:

• “Yummy for my tummy.”
• “all good but soiled menus”
• “Best variety for a reasonable price. "
• “oh wow am i sick of this place”
• “this is not a family friendly restaurant”

The Cheesecake Factory

Celebrity Chef Michael Schlow (Via Matta, Radius) serves casual Italian fare with a gourmet touch in Wellesley Center.

Tips: A take-away market, open daily from 11am to 7pm, offers ready-to-prepare meals and other treats.

Alta Strada

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