Uni

"A grande dame of Boston’s sushi scene, chef and restaurateur Ken Oringer’s Uni has been one of the city’s finest spots for fancy bites of fish for over two decades. Many chefs who now run their own sushi counters (including spots on this list) have come through Uni, and it is well-regarded in the industry." - Erika Adams, Valerie Li Stack, Eater Staff

"I really love the atmosphere at Uni. It feels big and cavernous, but the service is really intimate and the food is really special, and anytime there’s anything to celebrate, that’s the first place I think of. — Rachel Miller" - Tanya Edwards

"Uni, located in The Eliot Hotel, is one of Boston’s flashiest restaurants—there are murals on the walls that could be pulled straight from the ICA and lots of moody lighting. Try one of their Japanese cocktails with ingredients like gin, makrut, cilantro, and lillet, while you debate between ordering barracuda sashimi with persimmon and serranos or kabayaki unagi with fig. Go wild and add on a $26 spoonful of uni, quail egg, yuzu, and caviar. Everything is incredible, and yes, that spoon is worth it." - tanya edwards

"It almost feels like cheating to put Uni on this list, because the restaurant features so many dishes – like nigiri and a deep starters menu – that are best consumed alone. Don’t hurry when you grab a spot at the bar. Slow down and savor bites of wagyu temaki, miso eggplant and all the fresh sushi and sashimi your heart desires." - Nathan Tavares, Tanya Edwards, Eater Staff

"If you’re the type who might feel guilty about ordering a single spoonful of food that costs $26, then save Uni for your birthday when you can slurp down this mixture of quail egg and caviar with zero shame. This Back Bay izakaya is a fun, sceney spot that works for either dinner or late-night ramen after you finish at the bars. Luckily, you can usually get a reservation the day before, so even if you’ve been pretending that your birthday isn’t actually coming, Uni’s an excellent option." - joel ang, dan secatore, tanya edwards