The Best Boston Restaurants To Take Your Out-Of-Town Guests

Can you believe Thanksgiving is less than a week away? I know I can’t. But whether we’re ready for it or not, this time of year often means hosting friends and family from out of town.

While turkey will obviously be the star of the show food-wise next week, there will be plenty of other opportunities to eat non-Thanksgiving fare. I’m here with a few suggestions for edible ways to give your visitors a warm welcome and pleasant memory of Boston’s food scene.

Impress your guests by grabbing some cannoli or baked goods in the North End, enjoying some tasty cocktails or taking them out for some late night dumplings in Chinatown.

Mike’s Pastry
Most out-of-towners will want to visit Boston’s North End at some point. And if they have a sweet tooth, they’ll definitely want to check out this renowned Italian bake shop on Hanover street. In my opinion, the cannoli at Mike’s Pastry are worth the hype and the wait in line, especially if you’ve got company with you!

Bova’s Bakery
While you’re in the North End, Bova’s Bakery is another spot you’ll want to show your guests. This beloved bakeshop has an unbelievable selection of cookies, cakes, pastries, breads and more. My personal favorites are their cinnamon sticks and lobster tail pastries. If you show up with a box of Bova's pastries on Thanksgiving, your family is sure to forgive you for not checking in with them as often as they would’ve liked this year.

Blossom Bar
They say the day before Thanksgiving is the biggest drinking night of year, so if you’re one of the many people having a beverage or two that evening, why not make it tasty? Stop by Blossom Bar in Brookline for some craft cocktails from award-winning bartender Ran Duan.

Dumpling Cafe
Reconnecting with friends and family can often lead to late nights — especially when drinks are involved. And while Boston isn’t known for its abundance of late night establishments, there are a few spots where you can grab a bite, even after midnight. One of my favorites is Dumpling Cafe. This Chinatown spot serves a variety of dumplings, Taiwanese specialties and more, and it is open until 2 a.m.

Gourmet Dumpling House
If you’re looking for another dumpling spot, and you’re definitely calling it quits before midnight, then head to Gourmet Dumpling House in Chinatown. The line for their beloved soup dumplings will often stretch down the block. If that’s too intimidating for you, you might have more luck at their sister restaurant, Dumpling House, in Cambridge, where you can find the same great soup dumplings for usually a shorter wait.