A Restaurant for Every Month: 12 Bucket-List Worthy Spots in Massachusetts

What are your goals for the new year? Is it to tackle a few hiking trails or perhaps visit some of the best small towns in Massachusetts? If one of your goals is to create a Massachusetts food bucket list and try a new bucket list-worthy restaurant each month of the year, you're in luck. Read on to discover some of the best restaurants in Massachusetts that you should visit in the coming year.

January – Blue Heron Restaurant in Sunderland

Start the year off right with a trip to Blue Heron Restaurant in Sunderland, a cozy restaurant that has made its home inside the 1867 Old Town Hall. With its historical setting and delectable fare made with ethically sourced and regional ingredients, you're sure to have a memorable meal. This is one of the most charming restaurants in Massachusetts. Free street parking is available nearby, and reservations are recommended during winter weekends due to limited indoor seating.

February – Gibbet Hill Grill in Groton

Using both local ingredients and produce grown on-site, enjoy a seasonal farm-to-table menu in a romantic farm setting. Gibbet Hill Grill is a perfect place to take your Valentine in February, and you'll quickly find out why this is among the favorite restaurants in Massachusetts. While it’s a popular choice in February, this farm setting is just as enjoyable for anniversaries, birthdays, or a cozy winter night out.

March – Flynn's Irish Pub in Mansfield

An Irish pub is always a good idea, especially during the month of March. Family-owned Flynn's Irish Pub in Mansfield offers plenty of craft beer, comfort food, and an inviting atmosphere that will make you want to come back time and again. And what better place to be around St. Patrick's Day than at an Irish pub like this one? March is one of the busiest times of year here, especially around St. Patrick’s Day, so arriving early or visiting on a weekday can make for a more relaxed experience.

April – Coachmen's Lodge in Bellingham

When spring has sprung and the weather starts to get warm, make your way to Coachmen's Lodge for lunch and dinner. This stunning eatery, with its landscaped grounds and water views, offers Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, with menus that change seasonally. It's also a quite idyllic location to welcome the new season and a popular venue for weddings.

May – Mi Pueblito Orient Heights in East Boston

For some of the best Mexican food, you don't have to go south of the border. Instead, just head to Mi Pueblito Orient Heights in East Boston for some of the best in the city. Its extensive menu features breakfast dishes, ceviche, burritos, enchiladas, salads, pupusas, seafood dishes, and fajitas. Its East Boston location also makes it a convenient stop before or after a walk along the harbor or a trip to nearby parks. There's something here for everyone!

June – Sesuit Harbor Cafe in Dennis

For classic Cape Cod fare in a rustic setting with picnic tables and water views, you can't get much more "Cape Cod" than Sesuit Harbor Cafe. Order a lobster roll (one of the best I've ever had!) in the shack-like building and wait outside for your order. You can take your order to go or find a seat at a picnic table and enjoy the scenery while you indulge in fresh seafood. Sesuit Harbor Cafe is open seasonally, typically towards the end of May through the fall.

July – Fishermen's View Seafood Market & Restaurant in Sandwich

As far as award-winning restaurants in Massachusetts go, Fishermen's View Seafood Market & Restaurant, located along the Cape Cod Canal, is a "boat-to-table" establishment serving some of the freshest seafood on the Cape. Not only will you dine on excellent food, but the canal views in the summertime can't be beat! This eatery has won the Best of Boston award from Boston Magazine and the Travelers' Choice award from TripAdvisor.

Keep in mind that this is a very popular spot during the summer, so you may have to wait for a table. However (and I'm speaking from experience here), the food is well worth the wait!

August – The Impudent Oyster in Chatham

Housed inside a former church off of Chatham's Main Street, you can enjoy the historic atmosphere and upscale dining at The Impudent Oyster. Not only do I enjoy the ambiance here, but the fresh seafood dishes are among the best in Chatham.

And if you plan on staying in town, Chatham Bars Inn, with its water views, luxurious rooms, and upscale amenities, is where you'll want to be.

September – Bittersweet Farm Restaurant & Tavern in Westport

With a rustic dining room, patio dining, and a cozy tavern, you have your choices on where to dine at Bittersweet Farm. The food here is absolutely delicious, and among the customer favorites is the prime rib, which will melt in your mouth! Pair your meal with one of the specialty martinis on the menu. Early fall is an especially lovely time to visit, when cooler evenings make both the patio and tavern inviting options.

October – Rockafellas Restaurant in Salem

October is the month to visit Salem, and what better way to celebrate the spookiest month of the year than to dine at an allegedly haunted restaurant like Rockafellas? While you may have a ghostly encounter, you can also order classic American fare like burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, and chicken wings, and pair them with a draft beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail. One of the coolest parts about this restaurant? It's set inside the historic Daniel Low & Co. building that was once home to a jewelry store.

November – Solstice in Kingston

Solstice is located inside a renovated 19th-century train station. Inside, you'll find a cozy dining room and creative cuisine using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. The menu changes often, so you may experience something uniquely different each time you dine here. It's a wonderful place to celebrate a special occasion.

December – Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley

With a fireplace and festive holiday decor, the historic Bull Run Restaurant is a wonderful place to put you in the holiday spirit in December. Throughout the year, you can attend one of the many concerts or comedy shows hosted here as well. Holiday concerts and comedy shows often sell out, so checking the event calendar in advance is a smart move.

Have you been to any of the best restaurants in Massachusetts? Is there another restaurant that should be on this mouthwatering Massachusetts food bucket list? Let us know by filling out this nomination form. We would love to hear from you!

Ready to transform this list into a full-year journey? With the Only In Your State itinerary planner, you can chart your stops, bookmark your favorites, and organize every meal along the way.