It would be understandable if you passed by Tony & Elaine’s thinking it was just another dated red sauce joint in Boston’s tourist-trod North End. With a vibe straight out of the ’70s—from the red vinyl booths to the bottles of straw-wrapped Chianti on every checker-clothed table—the spot, located just off the Freedom Trail, is indeed a classic Italian-American restaurant. So if Prosciutto di Parma, calamari, and spaghetti and meatballs aren’t what you’re craving, keep on walking toward downtown Boston. But the comfort food at T&E’s is updated with high-quality ingredients and technique. We love the sizable plates of Chicken Parmesan with house-made mezzi rigatoni and Orecchiette Sausage & Rabe.

It’s hard to get more hidden than a shoebox of a taqueria without a website in Waltham, but real ones know that some of Boston’s best Mexican food can be found at Taqueria El Amigo. Despite its low profile in the suburbs along the Charles River, this longtime favorite has earned tons of acclaim around the region for simply delicious tacos topped with cilantro, homemade hot sauce, and a slice of ripe avocado along with a choice of fillings (including silky and flavorful tongue or beef cheek, if that’s your jam); fall-apart-tender chicken enchiladas; and loaded burritos. Take it all to go if the few seats inside the shop are already claimed.

Wine director Jodie Battles is the hidden talent behind the thoughtful yet esoteric wines matched to the culinary stylings of the restaurants Ken Oringer co-founded with ex-partner Jamie Bissonnette (Toro, Coppa, Little Donkey). Bar Pallino, the group’s speakeasy-style wine bar, showcases all-natural picks in an appropriately hidden space, tucked beneath their latest restaurant. Located between Fenway Park and Boston Public Garden, the dimly lit bar below Faccia a Faccia on Newbury Street is a relaxing place to land after exploring the city. More than 70 wines plus a variety of amari, vermouths, and mezcals are in the mix, along with snacks like burrata and caviar. The elevator-accessible basement bar also offers curated spritzes and cocktails, including Negroni on tap.

The team behind Greek stunner Krasi unveiled this intimate basement cocktail bar, which honors the goddess Hecate in mysterious ways. Find the speakeasy-style  alleyway entrance in the Back Bay and discover another world: Drinks are inspired by global folklore and use unusual ingredients, such as Sanguine Alchemy, a savory combination of mole mezcal, gin, black garlic mastiha, tomato, hibiscus, and Sichuan peppercorn. A streamlined menu conjures classic bar snacks in new ways, such as Chinatown Crab Rangoon Dip with wonton chips; and Deviled Eggs with pickled ginger, miso, and wasabi. Expect to wait for seats; Hecate does not accept reservations. 

Stanza dei Sigari was first a speakeasy out of necessity: During Prohibition, North End residents gathered at this neighborhood hangout to imbibe on the sly. Now, it’s just a vibe. Stanza dei Sigari is Boston’s last remaining cigar bar, but it attracts even non-smokers to a historic subterranean space that’s only accessible via a steep staircase. For an unmatched authentic experience in Boston, take a seat at the molded wooden bar or in one of many leather armchairs to enjoy craft cocktails, such as an extra-boozy Espresso Martini or the M&M, a Manhattan variant made with a rosemary-vanilla-cinnamon simple syrup.