Boston, according to locals

Many commenters praise Oleana's food, and several diners use it for special occasions.

Many people recommend Sarma, and many diners praise the food, with several commenters advising an early arrival.

Many commenters praise the burgers.

People recommend Row 34, and a few commenters praise its oysters.

Many people rank Grill 23 at or near the top of Boston steakhouses, and commenters point to the aged ribeye, while one diner calls the Kobe cap the best cut.

Mr. Dooley's draws strong support for an Irish-pub atmosphere, live music and Guinness.

Live music and a sociable Irish-pub atmosphere are The Burren's main draws in Davis Square.

Biddy Early's earns repeated recommendations as a downtown dive with an unpolished, local feel.

The Tam is a recurring downtown dive-bar recommendation, especially as the last stop on a crawl.

Darts give Silhouette a distinctive place among Allston's dive-bar recommendations: one player praises its dedicated dart room, and another also suggests it for darts.

Most people who weigh in recommend the Regina chain, and many who name an outlet mean the North End original, which is the one on this map; the other branches are not covered here.

Most people who weigh in recommend Ernesto's, and many who place it mean the North End shop on this map (one names an East Boston outlet). Three say the slices are very large and three describe it as a simple spot for a quick slice, though some say there is little room to sit. Some say it beats Regina's. Caveats: one finds the pizza good but not the giant-slice style they wanted and says the slices are usually weak, and two say it is underwhelming or not impressive.

More people recommend Santarpio's than warn against it, and many who name a location mean the East Boston one on this map. Several say it still holds up: one visits about once a year and is never disappointed, one has gone for decades and still finds it good, and some praise the sausage pie (one mentions jalapeno). Opinion against it is strong, though: many call it poor, ordinary or overrated, two say it was good decades ago but has lost its appeal, and a few say it coasts on its reputation.

Most people recommend Galleria Umberto, and many praise its square, Sicilian-style slices; some also say the arancini are worth ordering.

Most people who weigh in recommend Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale, and many praise its pizza; several mention its old-school, no-frills feel, and one suggests asking for extra cheese and well done.

Friendly Toast draws more breakfast recommendations than warnings across its Boston and Cambridge outlets, including the repeatedly named Stanhope Street location in Back Bay.

Diners recommend Tatte across its Boston-area cafes, including Seaport.

Kelly's Diner in Ball Square draws breakfast recommendations from across several discussions.

Diners recommend Flour across several Boston and Cambridge cafes, including Fort Point.

The Paramount on Charles Street is repeatedly recommended for a traditional breakfast.

Many visitors recommend the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and a good number call it a personal favorite in Boston.

Visitors praise the electricity show and the planetarium and Omni Theater shows, and many say they still enjoy the museum as adults.

Many visitors recommend the Museum of Fine Arts, and several say it is big enough to fill a full day.

Many visitors recommend walking Boston Common, especially in snow.

Overall, visitors lean toward recommending the Freedom Trail, and many suggest walking it for its history, with Old North Church, USS Constitution and Paul Revere House often named alongside it.

Most people recommend Wa Shin, and many praise its omakase, with some singling out the fish.

Many diners recommend Ebi Sushi, usually naming its Somerville spot in Union Square.

Many diners describe 311 in the South End as a standout omakase, and a few rank it the top option they have tried in Boston.

Cafe Sushi's Cambridge location near Harvard is recommended by many people, and one person ranks its sushi among the best nearby.

Many diners recommend Umami Omakase in Cambridge, calling the food delicious, excellent or exceptional, and one says it is the best value for money locally.

Most people recommend Harvard Book Store in Harvard Square, and many point to its used-book basement.

The West Street shop downtown is a used bookstore where a couple of visitors enjoy browsing and a few praise the outdoor section.

Many people recommend Trident, and several call it a favorite; a couple of visitors describe it as cute, and one says the upper floors of the Newbury Street shop are good for lingering.

Many people recommend Commonwealth Books, a used bookshop downtown.

Many people recommend Beacon Hill Books & Cafe, a bookshop with a cafe on Charles Street in Beacon Hill, and a few call it charming, cute or beautiful.

Grill 23 in Back Bay is one of the most-named steakhouses in Boston, and the large majority of commenters who mention it recommend it.

Mooo is among the most-named steakhouses in Boston, and the large majority of commenters who mention it recommend it; many name the original Beacon Hill location.

Most commenters recommend The Stockyard in Brighton, and several call it an old-school steakhouse.

Most commenters who weigh in recommend Abe & Louie's, and several rank its steak among the best in town.

Frank's Steakhouse in Cambridge is an old-school steakhouse that many commenters recommend, and several describe its old-time townie atmosphere.