Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in Cambridge, Greater Boston

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

BostonBoston Metro NorthBoston Metro West

Neighborhoods

AllstonArlingtonBack BayBeacon HillBrightonBrookline

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

249 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

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1. Puritan & Company

4.8

Exceptional(2309)

$$$$

• Contemporary American • Cambridge

Booked 29 times today

Puritan & Company, led by Chef-owner Will Gilson, serves modern American cuisine, with particular emphasis on traditional New England fare, and not without occasional excursions into other ethnic ingredients and styles. Our mainstays are ingredients sourced from farms we know and locally to the extent possible, and always a sense of fun.Our dining room is a casual and fun place to dine. We love to share our excitement about the food and wine we serve like we would in our own home. Guests and their friends should feel comfortable in our friendly and even familial environment as we make our food and guest the number one focus.Our next door space, Puritan Oyster Bar, offers limited reservations via puritancambridge.com

2. Mumbai Spice

4.3

Awesome(202)

$$$$

• Indian • Back Bay

Booked 2 times today

We are committed to using fresh, minimally processed meat in an effort to offer healthy food. Our food is made from scratch, so some dishes may take longer than others to prepare. Our food is free of MSG and any artificial additives or preservatives. We use vegetarian base in our vegetarian dishes, not chicken or fish stock. All our food is prepared in 100% pure, cholesterol free, zero trans-fat vegetable oil. For your convenience, parking is validated after 6pm for the duration of an hour and a half in the Whole Food Garage.

3. Olé

4.6

Exceptional(972)

$$$$

• Mexican • Cambridge

Booked 7 times today

We are very excited to present Olé's renovated space and updated bar menus to the neighborhood. Olé has been in Inman Sq for 15 years, bringing traditional as well as innovative Mexican cuisine to Cambridge. Our 6 seat bar served us well over the years, but we always wanted a little more. Now we have it!Please join us in our new space name with new cocktails, wines and new bar dishes.More about the Restaurant: In eclectic Inman Sq. lies a distinctive restaurant - Olé, where Chef David Tapia creates authentic Mexican delicacies from Veracruz, Oaxaca, amongst others. Popular for table side-award winning Guacamole it's the perfect destination for an outstanding evening.

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4. Pammy's

4.8

Exceptional(2582)

$$$$

• American • Cambridge

Booked 51 times today

Pammy’s is a New American restaurant inspired by the feel of an Italian neighborhood trattoria. Perched between Cambridge’s Central and Harvard Squares, Pammy’s is a cozy yet sophisticated neighborhood destination. For husband and wife team Chris and Pam Willis (who live right up the street), Pammy’s is an extension of their living room. They’ve brought together their love of great food, easy hospitality and chic vibes to create a lively space that is welcoming to all looking for a memorable meal. With dishes that lean heavily on Italian flavors but are not restricted by any rules of the cuisine, the food is unpretentious and delicious. A fireplace wrapped in white ceramic, an oversized salvaged communal table designed for side-by-side dining and rich leather banquets are just some of the design elements that make up Pammy’s charm.We apply a 6% Kitchen Admin Fee to all checks that exclusively benefits our Back of House staff, who by MA law may not be included in the tip pool.

5. Little Donkey

4.7

Exceptional(2363)

$$$$

• Tapas / Small Plates • Cambridge

Booked 26 times today

We’ve only got one rule: there are no rules. Our menu is an eclectic mix of global flavors, inspired by our chefs’ travels around the world. From Istanbul meat ravioli to ramen cacio e pepe, our menu is always unique and forever evolving. With a full raw bar, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, we’ve truly got something for everyone. Owned and operated by James Beard Award Winning Chef Ken Oringer, Little Donkey has been serving global tapas in Central Square since 2016

6. Judy's Bay

4.7

Exceptional(48)

$$$$

• Japanese • Cambridge

Booked 13 times today

New England Izakaya featuring seasonal and regional seafood. Cozy fireplace, drinks and rustic Japanese & East Asian flavors.

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7. Toro

4.6

Exceptional(526)

$$$$

• Tapas / Small Plates • South End

Booked 91 times today

Toro, in Boston, helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef, Ken Oringer, serves delectable Spanish tapas dishes in its contemporary and charming restaurant. The tortilla Española with a kale, egg, potato and onion omelet and the Boquerón's white anchovies in vinegar and olive oil make excellent pintxos starters. Some of Toro's most vibrant and delectable tapas plates include the chicken empanada de pollo with charred tomato salsa, the salt cod fritter croquettes de Bacalao with tempura lemon rings and the asado de huesos roasted bone marrow with oxtail marmalade. Equally inventive cocktails, such as the morning star with spicy gin, dark rum, citrus and ginger beer and the tinto de verano with red wine mixed with lemon-lime soda.Toro's weekend brunch plates include the salchicha y huevos jalapeno maple sausage, fried eggs and crispy potatoes and along with other plates, make it a prime brunch spot.

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8. Uni

4.6

Exceptional(2553)

$$$$

• Contemporary Asian • Back Bay

Booked 40 times today

Serving inventive Japanese cuisine using the freshest seafood from Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji market and local New England fishermen, and borrowing influence from the streets of Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Bangkok and Bangladesh, Uni is the evolution of Ken Oringer’s intimate sashimi bar of the same name, which expanded into the former Clio space in 2016. UNI is currently helmed by Executive Chef David Bazirgan.

9. Josephine

4.4

Awesome(503)

$$$$

• Italian • Somerville

Booked 35 times today

An homage to the variety in Italian food with a focus on wood fired pizza...Josephine is the latest concept from James Beard nominated Chef Michael Scelfo of smash hits Alden & Harlow, Waypoint, and The Longfellow Bar. Josephine is a celebration of family and food, focused on Italian favorites and simple pleasures.Josephine features deep dish & thin wood fired pizzas and whimsical riffs on classic Italian foods, all set in a lively space. A massive marble bar with craft cocktails, ice cold martinis on tap, and a huge out door space that's dog friendly with an outdoor bar and fire pit will bring you back again and again.

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10. La Royal

4.6

Exceptional(248)

$$$$

• Peruvian • Cambridge

Booked 41 times today

Maria Rondeau and JuanMa Calderón of Boston's award-winning Celeste (Eater Boston's 2018 Restaurant of the Year and Esquire Best New Restaurant) and Esmeralda in Vermont (Esquire's 2021 list of Best New Restaurant in America), open La Royal, their newest Peruvian restaurant down the block from their Cambridge home. While at Celeste, JuanMa recreates his mother’s rustic home-cooking that he grew up with in Lima, his menu at La Royal explores the varied cuisines throughout Peru, offering original takes on dishes from the country’s different regions. They also bringing the same spirit of curation and collaboration from both Celeste and Esmeralda to this project… at La Royal, they've collaborated with professor and award-winning cookbook author Darra Goldstein on a selection of macerated liquors. Maria, a trained architect, has designed the space to create an inviting, lived-in feel, with the kitchen at the heart of the whole project.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

R
Ramachandra Murty
Greater Boston •1 review
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
The dishes are top-notch. Service is good. Excellent dinner experience.
More info
The Maharaja$$$$• Indian• Cambridge
•
4.6
L
LeonGold
Atlanta •47 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Excellent service, exceptional food and drinks. A favorite every time we come to Boston.
More info
The Q Restaurant$$$$• Asian• Theater District
•
4.8
L
Larry
Philadelphia County •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Absolutely the best Yunnan province cuisine I’ve had since I last visited Kunming. Aside from the extraordinary food,the staff and owners were exceptionally warm and friendly. Will definitely visit again when I’m back in Boston..
More info
Yunnan Kitchen$$$$• Chinese• South End
•
4.7
C
CARAGold
Greater Boston •23 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Caesar provided excellent service with lots of great recommendations. Food was fresh, delicious and came out fast. Will definitely return!
More info
Cosmica$$$$• Mexican• South End
•
4.4
P
Penelope
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined on May 21, 2026
I have been to this location with my friends before and had a lovely time, so when I booked a family dinner, I knew I was in good hands. The food was as delicious as always, and staff were very attentive to our larger party. We had a fantastic time, and I will be going back again!
More info
wagamama, prudential center, boston$$$$• Pan-Asian• Back Bay
•
4.2

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