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    • 5 days ago
    • 5 min read

Savory Stops: 10 Must-Visit Restaurants in Worcester, Mass.

Wondering where to eat in Worcester? The city’s dining scene has exploded, offering everything from a legendary gastropub to a standout sushi spot. Worcester has transformed into a food lover’s paradise, boasting West African to Vietnamese cuisine, a nationally-noted beer bar, and even an under-the-radar food truck. Here are the standout spots earning our love right now:

Accra Girls Restaurant

For authentic West African cuisine, Accra Girls is a must. Located on Grafton Street, this gem offers a "Taste of Ghana" with specialties like kenkey and banku with fish, okra or yam stews, and spicy fried plantains. Their kenkey (fermented corn dough balls) and banku (fermented corn and cassava dumplings) are traditional dishes that pack a flavorful punch, often served with fish and spicy sides. Even better, in 2020, the Accra Girls crew expanded their culinary footprint by opening Akra at Worcester Public Market. Akra allows guests to customize their meals by choosing from a variety of rice, vegetables, and meats to build their own bowls and wraps, providing a quick and delicious way to enjoy West African flavors.

  • 1280 Grafton St., Worcester, 508-459-0054

  • Akra, 150 Green Street Worcester, akraeatery.com


Armsby Abbey

Known as one of New England’s best beer bars, Armsby Abbey excels with its curated draft list featuring regional treasures and hard-to-find brews. At any given moment, you can find exceptional brews from Vermont’s fabled Hill Farmstead alongside interesting imports and cult-favorite labels. But don’t let the impressive beer selection distract you from their equally excellent gastropub fare. The menu features grazing-friendly boards of charcuterie and artisan cheeses, as well as hearty seasonal offerings like stout-braised short rib pot pie and pan-roasted chicken with maple shallot brown butter. Their double-patty burger topped with marrow caramelized onions is a must-try for burger enthusiasts.

Baba Sushi

Located on Park Ave, Baba Sushi serves the freshest sushi in town. The brick- and beam-accented space provides a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere. Enjoy super-fresh fluke, salmon, uni, yellowtail, eel, and more in rice or hand rolls. Pair your sushi with spicy starters like shichimi pepper-encrusted tuna belly, and cool off with creative cocktails such as the orange-, peach-, and red wine-spiked sake sangria. Baba Sushi’s commitment to quality and freshness is evident in every bite, making it a standout choice for sushi lovers.

Bocado Tapas Wine Bar

Bocado offers big flavors in small plates. Since opening in Worcester in 2006, this chic tapas spot has expanded to Wellesley, maintaining its reputation for delivering bold, flavorful dishes. The litany of little dishes pack a lot of punch, from the hot cherry pepper sauce that perks up the shrimp hamburguesas to the fried calamari augmented with orange horseradish cream. The pomegranate molasses and sundried tomato-olive salsa that dresses slow-roasted chicken is another standout. And of course, no visit to Bocado is complete without trying their paella, available in several varieties such as saffron rice with chicken and slow-roasted pork in a charred onion and bacon broth. Wash it all down with Spanish wines and pitchers of sangria in passion fruit, mango, peach, and more styles.

B.T.’s Fried Chicken & BBQ

B.T.’s Smokehouse in Sturbridge is renowned for its barbecue, and its Worcester spinoff, opened in 2020, specializes in fried chicken. Their Nashville-hot breading is a standout, offering a perfect crunch that yields to juicy, tender meat. The Wormtown location still offers other barbecue staples, including platters of pulled pork, beef brisket, and sides such as mac ‘n’ cheese, pecan pie, and “sexy grits.” This spot is a haven for anyone craving comforting, Southern-style fare.

Dalat Restaurant

Dalat is a no-frills spot for Vietnamese cuisine. The spare and frill-free interior might not catch your eye, but the food certainly will. Dive face-first into steaming bowls of delicious pho, curry, and fish soups. Plates of silky vermicelli noodles with pork or shrimp and sizzling beef skewers are other highlights. Dalat offers excellent prices for generous portions, making it a great value for those craving authentic Vietnamese flavors.

Deadhorse Hill

Chef Jared Forman brings fine-dining experience from NYC to Worcester with Deadhorse Hill. Forman, who has worked at legendary establishments like Per Se, Gramercy Tavern, and Momofuku Ssäm, showcases his culinary prowess in an unfussy, farm-to-table setting. The menu features decadent options like suckling pig croquettes with saffron aioli, creamed herring on toast with salmon roe and pickled onions, and lobster Benedict, perfect for a luxurious Sunday brunch. The focus on local, seasonal ingredients ensures a fresh and memorable dining experience.

Mama Roux

Mama Roux, a New Orleans-inspired food truck, serves up some of the best Southern comfort food in the area. Although it’s most often found parked at the Botanist dispensary in neighboring Shrewsbury on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s worth the short trip. Jonathan Demoga’s menu features fried chicken sandwiches, boudin balls, jambalaya, stewed okra and tomatoes, and whatever else he fancies. Each dish is crafted with love and attention to detail, bringing the vibrant flavors of New Orleans to New England.

‘Olo Pizza

‘Olo Pizza specializes in wood oven-fired, Neapolitan-style pies. Their menu offers red sauce-slathered pizzas topped with thick cups of pepperoni, roasted peppers, or local sausage, as well as white pizzas dressed up with spicy soppressata, Buffalo chicken, or sweet pickled peppers. Not in the mood for pizza? Try their oven-cooked chicken wings with a lemon pepper rub, fried Brussels sprouts with goat cheese pesto and a drizzle of hot honey, or Nutella- and mascarpone-filled zeppole for dessert.

Red Pepper

Red Pepper offers a sprawling Sichuan menu that covers all manner of noodles, rice, hot pot, moo shi, and more. Their fiery pickled-pepper plates will alight your taste buds, providing a spicy thrill for adventurous eaters. The consistency and flavor of their dishes set Red Pepper apart from other Chinese takeout spots, making it a favorite among locals. The restaurant also allows for BYOB, making it a great place for a casual and enjoyable meal with friends or family.

Conclusion

Worcester’s dining scene has blossomed into a vibrant and diverse culinary landscape. Whether you’re craving the bold flavors of West African cuisine, the delicate artistry of sushi, or the comforting warmth of Southern barbecue, there’s something for everyone in this charming city. These ten must-visit restaurants are just a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Worcester’s food offerings. So, next time you find yourself in the Heart of the Commonwealth, make sure to explore these culinary gems and savor the best that Worcester has to offer. Source: Bostonmagazine.com

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