The neighborhood pizzeria of our dreams landed in Newton Centre thanks to chef Lydia Reichert and her partners at nearby favorite, Sycamore. Like any great pizza, Jinny’s starts with the dough—flavorful and slowly fermented—and a great selection of high-quality toppings. Pies—like the McL’oven (pepperoni, mushrooms, caramelized onions, mozzarella, tomato sauce) and Alla Norma (eggplant, basil, ricotta, smoked mozzarella, chili flakes, tomato sauce)—are perfectly blistered in a beautifully tiled, 700-degree oven. And don’t toss that crust aside: Order a house-made dipping sauce like our fave, the North End, for those final bites of your slice. Outdoor seating is dog-friendly, and like all dining-in at Jinny’s, it’s first-come, first-served.

If you’ve yet to visit Pho Viet’s, you’re missing out on some of the best Vietnamese food in the Boston area. The family-owned restaurant group is a local mainstay with locations in Newton Centre and on Comm. Ave. in Brookline, near the BU campus serving up fresh rolls, bowls of the namesake pho, and bún (vermicelli) with lemongrass pork, but it’s the Banh Mi that really puts Pho Viet’s on the map. Springy sliced ham and terrine or other grilled meats are paired with crunchy vegetables and mint on a crusty roll. Chef’s kiss.

Just two short blocks from the Newton Highlands T stop, a top-notch vegetarian and vegan experience awaits. Walnut Grille is a plant-based restaurant with a menu reflecting seasonal flavors and local farms. For lighter fare, you’ll find everything from fresh juices and smoothies to grilled pizzas. For those a bit hungrier, try the Polenta Napoleon with fennel bearnaise and black-eyed pea salsa. But it’s not just vegan and vegetarian options that fill the menu—there are plenty of dishes that can be made gluten- and soy-free. Walnut Grille is open daily for lunch and dinner with patio dining as well as takeout. 

Good bagels in Boston? Are you sure? Oh, we’re sure. In fact, Rosenfeld’s Bagels has been around for more than 45 years. Abiding by the old-school rules of bagel-making, this Kosher-certified bakery adds a little malt syrup into the mix to achieve its signature sweetness. More than 20 varieties of bagels are offered every Wednesday through Sunday, including the elusive egg bagel and Sunday-exclusive Cinnamon Sugar. Bialys and other classics of Jewish baking, like challah and chocolate babka, are counter-ready as well. Your turn to host brunch? Order bagels by the dozen with sides of house-mixed schmear and platters of smoked salmon and accompaniments. You’ll be the host with the most.

Cozy yet sleek, Flora’s Wine Bar pops bottles from around the globe, shakes up seasonal cocktails, and stocks the best craft beer in West Newton. The menu is simple, thoughtful and just the right amount of satisfying with cheese and charcuterie boards and small bites like Heirloom Tomato and Ricotta. Flora’s also offers private parties and caters to off-site locations. Take it outside on Flora’s lively sidewalk patio to enjoy it with your puppy pal. Your glass is waiting.

Started in the South End, Mida translates to “he gives me” and is defined in its generosity and community. Chef Douglass Williams does it again in Newton: The feeling is palpable. Mida favorites that make it one of the best Italian joints in Boston, like the garlic butter Focaccia, the Paccheri Bolognese, and house-made gelato, have made the journey to the new outpost. But it’s the notable addition of thin crust, New Haven-style pizzas and weekday lunch service that have us contemplating a move to the ’burbs. Each meal is meant to be a gift just for you, and we’d never turn down a good gift.

Just off the beaten path lives Buttonwood in the Newton Highlands area. Buttonwood dishes rustic American fare in a welcoming environment, whether on the sidewalk patio, inside the navy blue dining room, or from a place at the bar. Seasonal inspiration floods the menu while staying approachable, with dishes like Sesame-Ginger Eggplant Dip with sesame lavash crackers. But it’s the mainstays such as Pizza Shop Greek Salad and Cast Iron Cornbread that we just cannot quit. On the beverage side, the lists of small-production wines, local beers, and craft cocktails rival city standouts. A neighborhood restaurant in the truest sense, Buttonwood is fitting for family dinners, special occasions, and all the just-becauses in between.