Metrowesterners, what’s actually good on Moody Street? We’re going to be in the vicinity for a couple of nights this weekend and I’d like some guidance. Does not have to be fancy. We do have some pickiness and the like but tell me what you like and I’ll sort it out. Thank you!
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Deep Ellum and Joco’s are both good for bar food, sandwiches, and beverages. Deep Ellum is a little more upscale. If you have a group, there is some space in the very back or upfront near the window. Otherwise, Joco’s has tables and can accommodate more easily.
Amuleto is good for Mexican, but is also a little spendy (I think lunch is priced better). For Chinese, I really have been enjoying Taste House. They have a full bar, in addition to their food offerings.
I haven’t tried Rassa yet, but a couple people on this board have and seem to have liked it. It’s the most recent Indian restaurant on the street.
Further up Moody Street is Shopper’s Cafe, which also has good bar food and sandwiches.
Haven’t tried Sweet Basil, DaVinci’s, or Vinotta. Bistro 781 is ok for brunch, but not mind blowing. In A Pickle (if you can get in) is the better choice for that. Brewer’s Tap and Table has a great beer and wine list. Food is generally well executed. The interior is kind of like a barn though and I have found it can get loud.
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Thank you! The pub places would probably be best for us, but it would be great if I could make one of the Italian places work. We don’t have a big group, just a family with one very picky eater. This is a very helpful overview.
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I agree with @Amandarama 's take on things.
What type of food/meal are you looking for? Moody’s has changed a lot over the past 5 years or so and, IMHO, the food scene on Moody used to be better.
There are a few new Indian places on Moody that I haven’t been to yet as well.
Taste House I like - but the interior is “harsh” (the lighting in particular).
Brewer’s Tap and Table has gone through a few changes over the years, I haven’t been since their latest menu was done, but historically it’s always been good.
On Main street, not far from Moody - There is Tessie’s, which is also more bar style food. Enzina’s pizza is my favorite pizza in the area, but I find their prices for other dishes pretty high. Il Capriccio’s new space is nice, I haven’t eaten there is a few years now probably though - but the food has always been good.
Oh, and how do I not mention Mu Lan, which is always good.
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I haven’t been to Sweet Basil, but the same owner runs Juniper in Wellesley, which I LOVE.
Solea is good if you want tapas or a smaller meal. I also like Gustazo for Cuban food. (For what it’s worth, both are good for gluten-free options / safety so they may be able to accommodate other special requests well, if that’s necessary.)
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Thanks everyone! We only went out one night, and we ended up at the Brewer’s Table, which met all of our needs (my 22yo daughter ordered a beer and when the server looked at her license he said “you’re from Portland Maine? What are you doing here?” and went on about the breweries in Portland.) But the real highlight was wandering around the scruffier end of Moody St, where we marveled at the many Asian markets, had ice cream at Lizzy’s, and shopped at the Global Thrift Shop (amazing, but I gather there’s some drama there with the owners and employees). Apparently the other end of the street is more what we were expecting (new money in old buildings) but we liked this end much better. We have lots of immigrant communities in Maine but they don’t have a commercial outpost anywhere and any revitalized downtowns are full of artisanal this and and handcrafted that. The next day, my husband and one kid went to the Museum of Innovation and Industry and were blown away (the other two of us stayed in to get ready for the memorial service we were there for), and we all resolved to live in Waltham were we ever to live in the Boston area. Which we won’t, but whatever.
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I’m glad Brewer’s Tap and Table worked out for everyone.
It’s funny to me (I live in Waltham) that you’re under the impression there are two sides of Moody Street - a scruffier side and a new money side. In my opinion there is only one side of Moody street and you were there. The two Indian markets are some of the best in the Boston area. We have a few Indian friends who make regular drives out here to Waltham to stock up. Where the “fancier” restaurants have been changes with time, but it’s always the same Moody street hahaha 
The diversity and mix of people in Waltham is what drew us here as well. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Yes, I was about to say something along these lines, but stopped because I thought “what do I know of Moody Street who only the the pre-pan Moody street know?”
Glad that there’s still just one side.
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