Wellesley offers a variety of eateries, from fancy to homey to chains. While some lament the lack of beer/wine served at most places in town, the silver lining is that you can bring your own booze to many restaurants in town and save yourself a bundle.
Wellesley’s best known and most unique restaurant is Blue Ginger, opened by Ming and Polly Tsai in 1998. Blue Ginger, which features east-meets-west cuisine, is on the upscale side, though beyond the main dining area is a more casual lounge as well as a noodle bar. Blue Ginger has come to attract visitors from well beyond Wellesley in large part to Ming Tsai’s high profile as a “celebrity chef” via his Simply Ming TV show and other activities, including those related to food allergy awareness.
Wellesley’s other celebrity chef is Michael Schlow, who opened the Italian restaurant Alta Strada in Wellesley Square in 2007, replacing Todd English’s Figs. Schlow has made his mark with several Boston-based restaurants, such as Radius.
OK, enough with the celebs.
Other restaurants looking to make a name for themselves in and out of town include Bobby’s American Grille and Milestone, both of which opened in 2009.
Bobby’s, in lower falls on Washington S., is owned by a family with deep Wellesley and restaurant roots, and boasts a black walnut bar and spirited atmosphere. Milestone, whose proprietor has co-owned the popular Maugus Restaurant in Wellesley since 1980, features southern European cuisine.
Also standing apart is The Cottage, an airy restaurant (with bar) with southern California cuisine that was opened in 2007 by a Wellesley native with a sister restaurant in La Jolla, Calif. The Cottage was one of Linden Square’s first anchor tenants.
A slew of Asian restaurants dot the town, from sushi-and-more joint Yama to Chinese restaurants like Tian Fu and China Sky to Thai eateries such as Lemon Thai Cuisine and Amarin (which also has a Newton location).
Other restaurants featuring ethnic delights include Italian restaurants such as Comella’s, which has a signature dish called the “Mess” and Papa Razzi, part of a chain; Singh’s Café, an Indian restaurant on Washington St. that opened in 2009, and Café Mangal, a Wellesley Square restaurant known for its Turkish cuisine.
La Riviera Gourmet on Washington St. offers breakfast, lunch and to-go dinners, plus baked goods.
One of Wellesley’s densest restaurant rows is Linden St., which in addition to previously mentioned Cottage is home to seafood restaurant The Captain’s Table and Takeaway, better known as Captain Marden’s. Also on Linden Street are: Jimmy’s Café, which offers casual dining (including breakfast) and is so old school it lacks a website; the Linden Store , a deli; plus chains Qdoba (a good supporter of local sports teams, though wish they were more generous on portions) and California Pizza Kitchen.
Not to be overlooked in town are more modest eateries such as the Weston Road Cafe, which offers breakfast and lunch. Another unique breakfast and lunch (and tea!) spot is Dorset Tea & Coffee, opened in 2006 by the Khudairi sisters.
If you’re more in the mood for baked goods, options include Susu’s, Quebrada, Wellesley Bakery and others.
Then there’s always Dunkin’ Donuts, which has locations on Linden St. , Washington St. and Rte. 9, as well as Starbuck’s, which has spots in Linden Square and Wellesley Square, plus just over the line in Newton in lower falls.
More details on these and the rest of Wellesley’s eateries below:
Town’s most famous restaurant, known for its East-West cuisine and celebrity chef-owner Ming Tsai, who opened the restaurant with his wife Polly in 1998 (video from Chronicle TV show)
Worth noting: Getting a reservation can be tough but it isn’t impossible. Make sure to mention you’re a local. We’ve gotten in on a Saturday night without a reservation (though sat very close to the kitchen)…. Ming’s Web site is slick, promoting his line of cooking goods and his public television program. Restaurant features a lounge that’s more casual than the main dining area. A noodle bar is also offered.
Restaurant with adjoining retail fish market. Serves breakfast, lunch, Sunday brunch, and dinner. Closed for dinner on Sundays. 279 Linden St.
781-235-3737
*Worth noting: Parking can be challenging at peak hours; kid friendly menu and service.
* Our take: (March, 2007): The dinner menu offers great variety, with plenty of seafood options, including specials, at reasonable prices (entrees between $9 and $16). We found service friendly, and it’s often provided by local high school students. Our oysters, claim strip roll, clam chowder and hamburger were all tasty and fresh. Seating includes inside and outside tables, plus a counter and a captain’s booth in the back, where a painting of the captain hovers over you. Alcohol isn’t served, but you can bring your own. (Jan., 2006):
This tidy, casual restaurant dishes up the usual breakfast eats of bacon and eggs, pancakes and muffins, along with extensive omelette choices. I had a Maine Mini omelette, which contained two eggs, real crab, cheddar cheese and zucchini. I had low hopes for the zucchini, expecting green mush, but it was folded al dente into the omelette and was very fresh. My dining companion was thrilled with his bacon, served crisp as he requested, and his croissant. Summer-quality watermelon was served to each of us. DB
Italian restaurant, with take-out and catering
288 Washington St.
781 235-7300
Worth noting: Signature offerings are called “Messes,” mixes of veggies, pasta and other foods; Comella’s also has a restaturant and market in West Newton.
Opened in 2007 by a Wellesley native who previously launched a restaurant with the same name in California; features food with Southern California taste.
Breakfast, lunch, take-out dinner, ice cream 390 Washington St.
781-235-1885
Our take: (Feb, 2008) We stopped in for breakfast on a Saturday morning and were among the few people there. A quiet cafe with a host of treats on display and a good view of marathoners in training running up and down the race course. We had croissants, which were flaky and fresh, and a breakfast sandwich, which held together nicely and tasted good. We ordered at the counter and seated ourselves. Service was polite and efficient. You won’t find a lot of extras available for breakfast, such as yogurts or fruit. Many tempting lunch and dinner offerings were on the menu boards. Breakfast prices were quite reasonable. BB
Where to eat in Wellesley
Wellesley offers a variety of eateries, from fancy to homey to chains. While some lament the lack of beer/wine served at most places in town, the silver lining is that you can bring your own booze to many restaurants in town and save yourself a bundle.
View Wellesley MA restaurant map in a larger map
Wellesley’s best known and most unique restaurant is Blue Ginger, opened by Ming and Polly Tsai in 1998. Blue Ginger, which features east-meets-west cuisine, is on the upscale side, though beyond the main dining area is a more casual lounge as well as a noodle bar. Blue Ginger has come to attract visitors from well beyond Wellesley in large part to Ming Tsai’s high profile as a “celebrity chef” via his Simply Ming TV show and other activities, including those related to food allergy awareness.
Wellesley’s other celebrity chef is Michael Schlow, who opened the Italian restaurant Alta Strada in Wellesley Square in 2007, replacing Todd English’s Figs. Schlow has made his mark with several Boston-based restaurants, such as Radius.
OK, enough with the celebs.
Other restaurants looking to make a name for themselves in and out of town include Bobby’s American Grille and Milestone, both of which opened in 2009.
Bobby’s, in lower falls on Washington S., is owned by a family with deep Wellesley and restaurant roots, and boasts a black walnut bar and spirited atmosphere. Milestone, whose proprietor has co-owned the popular Maugus Restaurant in Wellesley since 1980, features southern European cuisine.
Also standing apart is The Cottage, an airy restaurant (with bar) with southern California cuisine that was opened in 2007 by a Wellesley native with a sister restaurant in La Jolla, Calif. The Cottage was one of Linden Square’s first anchor tenants.
A slew of Asian restaurants dot the town, from sushi-and-more joint Yama to Chinese restaurants like Tian Fu and China Sky to Thai eateries such as Lemon Thai Cuisine and Amarin (which also has a Newton location).
Other restaurants featuring ethnic delights include Italian restaurants such as Comella’s, which has a signature dish called the “Mess” and Papa Razzi, part of a chain; Singh’s Café, an Indian restaurant on Washington St. that opened in 2009, and Café Mangal, a Wellesley Square restaurant known for its Turkish cuisine.
Maugus, mentioned earlier, has a Greek flair and sometimes offers nighttime jazz,. It ‘s an old-timey diner that attracts a mix of clientele, including business types wheeling and dealing over breakfast.
La Riviera Gourmet on Washington St. offers breakfast, lunch and to-go dinners, plus baked goods.
One of Wellesley’s densest restaurant rows is Linden St., which in addition to previously mentioned Cottage is home to seafood restaurant The Captain’s Table and Takeaway, better known as Captain Marden’s. Also on Linden Street are: Jimmy’s Café, which offers casual dining (including breakfast) and is so old school it lacks a website; the Linden Store , a deli; plus chains Qdoba (a good supporter of local sports teams, though wish they were more generous on portions) and California Pizza Kitchen.
Not to be overlooked in town are more modest eateries such as the Weston Road Cafe, which offers breakfast and lunch. Another unique breakfast and lunch (and tea!) spot is Dorset Tea & Coffee, opened in 2006 by the Khudairi sisters.
Wellesley is home to a host of other pizza joints as well. These include Wellesley North End Pizza, one-of-a-kind spots such as College Square Pizza as well as chains such as Bertucci’s and Upper Crust Pizzeria.
If you’re looking for a cold treat, Wellesley has a bunch of options, including Truly Yogurt, Gelato Café, White Mountain Creamery and Lobelia’s, which had been Brigham’s.
If you’re more in the mood for baked goods, options include Susu’s, Quebrada, Wellesley Bakery and others.
Then there’s always Dunkin’ Donuts, which has locations on Linden St. , Washington St. and Rte. 9, as well as Starbuck’s, which has spots in Linden Square and Wellesley Square, plus just over the line in Newton in lower falls.
More details on these and the rest of Wellesley’s eateries below:
Alta Strada
Italian; owned by Michael Schlow, who has made name for himself with several popular Boston restaurants
92 Central St.
(781) 237-6100
Amarin of Thailand
Thai food
27 Grove St.
(781) 239-1350
Bertucci’s Brick Oven Ristorante
Pizza, plus
380 Washington St.
(781) 239-0990
Blue Ginger
Town’s most famous restaurant, known for its East-West cuisine and celebrity chef-owner Ming Tsai, who opened the restaurant with his wife Polly in 1998 (video from Chronicle TV show)
583 Washington St.
781-283-5790
Worth noting: Getting a reservation can be tough but it isn’t impossible. Make sure to mention you’re a local. We’ve gotten in on a Saturday night without a reservation (though sat very close to the kitchen)…. Ming’s Web site is slick, promoting his line of cooking goods and his public television program. Restaurant features a lounge that’s more casual than the main dining area. A noodle bar is also offered.
Bobby’s
American Grille offering classic, contemporary American cuisine
11 Washington St.
(781) 235-2345
Our original interview with Bobby, Jr.
Bruegger’s Bagels
Bagels, soups, sandwiches
97 Central Ave.
781-235-2358
Worth noting: They surprise you every so often with a special variety of bagel, such as red/white/blue in honor of big Patriots football games.
Cafe Mangal
Turkish; breakfast, lunch and dinner
555 Washington St.
(781) 235-5322
Review: A video review of the restaurant by a local.
Worth noting: Closed Sundays; no dinner Mondays/Tuesdays.
California Pizza Kitchen
Pizza, plus
183 Linden Street
Wellesley , MA 02482
Curbside Service Available
Captain Marden’s/The Captain’s Table & TakeAway
Restaurant with adjoining retail fish market. Serves breakfast, lunch, Sunday brunch, and dinner. Closed for dinner on Sundays.
279 Linden St.
781-235-3737
*Worth noting: Parking can be challenging at peak hours; kid friendly menu and service.
* Our take: (March, 2007): The dinner menu offers great variety, with plenty of seafood options, including specials, at reasonable prices (entrees between $9 and $16). We found service friendly, and it’s often provided by local high school students. Our oysters, claim strip roll, clam chowder and hamburger were all tasty and fresh. Seating includes inside and outside tables, plus a counter and a captain’s booth in the back, where a painting of the captain hovers over you. Alcohol isn’t served, but you can bring your own. (Jan., 2006):
This tidy, casual restaurant dishes up the usual breakfast eats of bacon and eggs, pancakes and muffins, along with extensive omelette choices. I had a Maine Mini omelette, which contained two eggs, real crab, cheddar cheese and zucchini. I had low hopes for the zucchini, expecting green mush, but it was folded al dente into the omelette and was very fresh. My dining companion was thrilled with his bacon, served crisp as he requested, and his croissant. Summer-quality watermelon was served to each of us. DB
China Sky
Family-owned and operated traditional Chinese food for dining in or taking out.
11 Forest St.
(781) 431-2388
Worth noting: Features a full bar.
CK’ Shanghai
Chinese
17 Washington St.
781-237-7500
Coconut Thai Cafe
257 Washington St.
781-235-8255
College Square Pizza
Greek pizza, sandwiches, salads
552 Washington St.
781-431-8585
Comella’s
Italian restaurant, with take-out and catering
288 Washington St.
781 235-7300
Worth noting: Signature offerings are called “Messes,” mixes of veggies, pasta and other foods; Comella’s also has a restaturant and market in West Newton.
The Cottage
Opened in 2007 by a Wellesley native who previously launched a restaurant with the same name in California; features food with Southern California taste.
190 Linden St.
781 239-1100
Reviews from Yelp and Chowhound.
Deluxe Pizza
1 Forest St.
781-235-6811
Domino’s Pizza
868 Worcester Rd.
781-235-6800
Dorset Tea & Coffee
Serves afternoon tea, plus breakfast and lunch; opened by Khudairi sisters in spring, 2006.
352 Washington St.
781-239-8988
Dunkin’ Donuts
951 Worcester Street (Rte. 9) / 781-235-9815)
12 Washington St. / 781-431-7321
277 Linden St. (shown)
The Gelato Cafe
Italian gelato and fine chocolates
180 Linden St.
(781) 237-5500
Healthy Habits Kitchen
Ready-to-assemble, healthy, homemade meals to go
36 Washington St., Suite 2
781-235-6325
Jimmy’s Cafe
American bistro, with mix of fish, meat, poultry dishes
151 Linden St.
781-431-7616
La Riviera Gourmet
Breakfast, lunch, take-out dinner, ice cream
390 Washington St.
781-235-1885
Our take: (Feb, 2008) We stopped in for breakfast on a Saturday morning and were among the few people there. A quiet cafe with a host of treats on display and a good view of marathoners in training running up and down the race course. We had croissants, which were flaky and fresh, and a breakfast sandwich, which held together nicely and tasted good. We ordered at the counter and seated ourselves. Service was polite and efficient. You won’t find a lot of extras available for breakfast, such as yogurts or fruit. Many tempting lunch and dinner offerings were on the menu boards. Breakfast prices were quite reasonable. BB
Lemon Thai Cuisine
555 Washington St.
781-237-6995
The Linden Store
A deli
162 Linden St.
(781) 235-9837 or (781) 237-9229
Lobelia (replaced Brigham’s ice cream shop/restaurant in 2010)
268 Washington St.
(781) 235-2323
Mark’s Pizza & Subs
12c Washington St.
(781 )237-3850
Maugus Restaurant
A classic diner, with a Greek flair
300 Washington St.
781-235-9647
Video from the Chronicle TV show
Milestone
Southern European cooking
13 Central St.
781 446 6950
Nick’s Pizza House
263 Washington St.
(781) 235-9494
Papa Razzi
Italian food, including pizza
16 Washington St.
(781) 235-4747
Peet’s Coffee & Tea
9 Central St.
781-235-0018
Peter’s Pizza
57 Washington St.
781-235-0031
Qdoba Mexican Grill
185 Linden St.
781-235-3390
Quebrada Baking Co.
Baked goods, including muffins, breads
272 Washington St.
781-237-2111
Rosie’s Bakery & Lunch Cafe
55 Central St
781-431-2532
Singh’s Cafe
Fine Indian cuisine
312 Washington St.
781 235 1666
Starbucks Coffee
68A Central St./ 781-235-2390
101 Linden St. / 781-237-5282
Susu Bakery
Breakfast items, cookies, cakes
575 Washington St.
781 237 7977
Tian Fu
Chinese
442 Washington St.
781-235-1111
Tutto Italiano
Italian specialties, including lunch and breakfast offerings.
570 Washington St.
(781) 431-2250
Truly Yogurt
Ice cream and frozen yogurt
35 Grove St.
781 239-1356
Wellesley Bakery
Baked goods, soups, sandwiches
542 Washington St.
781-235-1171
Wellesley College’s Collins Cafe
Next to Davis Museum and Cultural Center on Wellesley College campus
781-283-3379
Wellesley College’s Lulu Chow Wang Center
Coffee shop, dining room, Cafe Hoop, bar (Punch’s Alley)
Wellesley College campus
(781) 283-3500
Wellesley North End Pizza
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner served)
7 Washington St. (Rte. 16)
781 237 3388 or 3389
Weston Rd. Cafe
Breakfast, lunch diner, with salads, sandwiches/subs
336 Weston Rd.
781 235 1116
Worth noting: Easy to miss, nestled in a spot between Rte.9 and Weston Rd.’s Fells Market, etc….motto is “A place where you can meet anybody.”
White Mountain Creamery
Ice cream
552 Washington St.
781-239-0676
The Wok
Chinese
180 Worcester St (Rte 9)
781-235-0238
Yama Japanese Restaurant
245 Washington St.
781-431-8886
What others have to say about Wellesley restaurants:
TripAdvisor: Assorted reviews
GrubHub: Take-out menus.