Design Inspiration
Best Restaurant Websites - Boston
December 2, 2019
From North End to Watertown, these are the best restaurant websites of Boston.
Boston, Massachusetts. It's one of the oldest cities in the United States and an important one in the country’s founding. Boston’s dining scene is better than ever. Alongside the old-school (think red-sauce) joints, the city is rich with new culinary talent which ranges anywhere from modern American cuisine to Oaxacan-influenced dining—even some of the best sushi in the world. Boston has an eclectic mix of it all. Like we've done in the past, we tracked down some of our favorite restaurant websites for you to check out.
Blake's
West End
Named after a 19th century Bostonian inventor, Blake’s is an all-day new-American breakfast and dinner concept—boasting fine cocktails and inventive, yet approachable, classic dishes. Their website reflects the witty nature that Blake was told to possess. A character who loved to sing, dance and drink, the playful illustrations and animations throughout the site provide a whimsical foray into the world of Blake and subsequentially, Blake’s Kitchen + Bar, all before stepping foot in the door.
Shy Bird’s new website is a shining example of how great branding, clean design and user functionality create a pleasing online experience. All relevant information is front and center, as they call out for guests to stay connected with the restaurant through an email sign up form on the mobile view. The Boston-based cafe, rotisserie and bar sell both digital and physical gift cards directly through their website, making it easy for guests to purchase while supporting high-margin revenue for the restaurant.
O-Ya has a lot of buzz, leading to good press coverage. With headlines such as “31 Best Sushi Restaurants in America” and “10 of the Best Sushi Restaurants in the World” it isn’t hard to see why. One is instantly captivated by the immaculate dishes all brought to life by beautiful, high-definition images—showcasing the importance that photography’s role plays in great restaurant websites. The website is simple, yet functional. It’s broken down by its 3 locations, revealing menus, press, events and links to make reservations. The mobile experience also boasts quick buttons to purchase a gift card or to book a seat at the high-end Omakase establishment. There’s power in refined simplicity.
Branch Line is a neighborhood rotisserie and woodfired grill in Watertown, MA. Their website features a clean, modern look and feel, congruent with its warm interiors—including the year-round patio and bocce court. The mobile website features quick options to call the restaurant or make a reservation, while the desktop version is optimized to convert visitors just as well. It’s easy to see why Branch Line won an Opentable.com Diner’s Choice 2019 award.
Fans of agave spirits should flock to Burro Bar, the smaller sibling to The Painted Burro, featuring over 100 different bottles of tequila and mezcal. With influences of Baja, Oaxaca, Veracruz and Yucatan, this neighborhood, chef-driven space is a colorful and creative refuge in Boston’s Somerville and Brookline neighborhoods. Their website reflects the restaurant & bars spirit with playful, and vibrant interior photography as well as options to inquire about private events, buy gift cards or make reservations.
Are you a red sauce or white pie person? You can have the best of both worlds at Locale—the modern, yet approachable wood-fire pizzeria in Boston’s North End neighborhood. The website is clean, simple and aesthetically pleasing to the eye, similar to the interiors of the restaurant. It’s a great example of how a restaurant website should accurately showcase the look, feel and experience of a restaurant. A robust press section will do the rest of the convincing you’ll need to visit.
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