Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Central and Western MA

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Central and Western MA? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Old Inn On The Green

4.8

4.8 (970)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

New Marlborough

About the restaurant

Dining at The Old Inn on the Green is an extraordinary experience: fine wine, great food, attentive, knowledgeable service and the dining rooms illuminated only by candle light. Chef and Owner Peter Platt, along with his team, work to create innovative and memorable meals that are an event unto themselves. Currently, we are offering a $85 prix fixe menu with 5-6 choices per course every night we are open. The hours for dinner are Wednesday through Sunday 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm for both indoors and in an all new screened outdoor room. The wine list is graced with an array of thoughtfully selected estate bottled wines from France, California, Italy and around the world. In addition to candlelight, in the colder months there are wood burning fireplaces in each room. A copy of our current menu can be found on the home page of our website www.oldinn.com.

Top review

PamVIP

Dined 6 days ago

What an incredible experience! The food, drinks, atmosphere, and service were all wonderful. Donna, our server for the evening, was incredible. Although this is a destination restaurant for us, we will be sure to add this into our annual rotation!

Chashu Ramen + Izakaya

4.8

4.8 (577)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Worcester

About the restaurant

Chashu Ramen + Izakaya is bringing fire to Worcester. The latest collaboration between Worcester’s own Son Vo of Kaizen and Pho Sure and Tam Le of Pho Linh and Reign Drink Lab, Chashu brings Japanese inspired fare to downtown Worcester. Power lunches, happy hours, and sophisticated nightcaps are about to be redefined.

Top review

Nick

Dined 2 days ago

Great food as always. Service was great and very quick. Will be back soon

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Popular dish

chicken leg

Popular dish

fried chicken bao bao

Popular dish

salmon

Mezze Bistro + Bar

4.8

4.8 (2363)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Williamstown

About the restaurant

Mezze Bistro + Bar serves a prix fixe menu inspired by the Mediterranean using local ingredients. Craft cocktails, boutique wines, and small-batch beers highlight the beverage program. We are nestled next to Williamstown Rural Lands' Sheep Hill. During summer dine al fresco on our deck, please make a note if that's your preference in your reservation. To learn about private dining options for groups of up to 25 contact: mezzebistro@mezzeinc.com.

Mezze Hospitality Group, includes Mezze Events, a full-service events company, BLUEBiRD & CO. casual, a la carte restaurant at the base of Jiminy Peak. Come for the food, stay for the rooms with Mezze Guesthouse, a five-unit, boutique & contactless accommodation only steps above Mezze Bistro.

Top review

peterVIP

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Great spot and always delivers. Food, service and atmosphere were top notch.

Publick House

4.7

4.7 (2903)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Sturbridge

About the restaurant

We welcome you to the Publick House Historic Inn where delicious homemade food and comfortable lodging becomes your home away from home. When you come to the Publick House to feast on our generous meals and enjoy the comfort of our Yankee hospitality, you'll be warmed by the same magnificent open hearths that warmed our early American ancestors. Whether you're looking for a restaurant that offers family dining, need comfortable accommodations, or you're in need of a convenient meeting place, planning a bridal shower or want the perfect venue for your dream wedding...the Publick House Historic Inn welcomes you.

Top review

Marsha

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent meal, beautiful setting, felt very Christmasy

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Popular dish

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Popular dish

New England Clam Chowder

Popular dish

Fish & Chips

STATE Food + Drink

4.8

4.8 (14)

$30 and under

American

North Adams

About the restaurant

Inspired by the West Coast upbringing of its founders, STATE Food + Drink combines a love for local ingredients with a mission to create a sense of place and belonging. Through a commitment to sustainability, seasonality, and community, the restaurant offers an inviting space where people can gather, connect, and enjoy fresh, flavorful cuisine. Established September 2024 and located in Greylock WORKS in the Northern Berkshires.

Owner/Creator, Tu Le328North
Executive Food Director, Aaron Willis The Generous Chef

Top review

Jeni

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Outstanding Night Out. Has several vegan options for my husband. Menu items all unique, creative and delicious. Server was genuinely and attentive. Atmosphere industrial chic, although it was a bit chilly next time...next time will dress in more layers. Actually, we enjoyed having to go two doors down to a distillery for our drinks which were AMAZING. We will definitely be back soon! Congratulations to the new owners!

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Experience

Sunday Supper @STATE

B Napoli

4.8

4.8 (1925)

$30 and under

Contemporary Italian

West Springfield

About the restaurant

bNapoli Italian is a contemporary Italian restaurant serving authentic cuisine from the Naples region of Italy using only top quality ingredients. Reservations are highly recommended as they are booking for indoor as well as outdoor dining on their 28 seat enclosed patio.

BNapoli is known for their professional yet approachable service, beautifully created from scratch menu and inventive balanced cocktails. They offer an eclectic 100 label variety of new and old world wine focused mainly on North America and Italy from a glass enclosed temperature controlled wine room. Their cocktail menu is culinary based and guest focused offering creative seasonal takes on timeless classics and they also offer six draft lines featuring local breweries as well as a small curated selection of bottles.

Top review

LiyaVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Everything was excellent! The food and drink was perfectly done.

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The Student Prince Cafe

4.6

4.6 (757)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Springfield

About the restaurant

Since 1935, Student Prince has offered largest selection of Bavarian and German beers paired with American, Seafood, Steakhouse, and European-inspired cuisine.

Top review

Mary

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

A Christmas experience you must do every year! The decorations, carolers and of course, delicious food 🎄

Willy’s Steakhouse Grill & Sushi Bar

4.8

4.8 (2920)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Shrewsbury

About the restaurant

Welcome to Willy's Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, nestled in historic Shrewsbury Center. Established in 1995, we offer an intimate dining experience characterized by elegant wood paneling, crisp white table linens, a polished granite bar, and soft lighting.

We pride ourselves on serving the finest choice cuts of beef, dry-aged for a minimum of 21 days, along with exquisite seafood delivered fresh daily. Our menu also features skillfully prepared sushi, perfect for the most discerning sushi connoisseurs. From classic favorites to original signature entrées, each dish is crafted with the freshest ingredients, including locally sourced produce.

Enhance your meal by selecting from our extensive wine list, or let our knowledgeable waitstaff assist you in finding the perfect pairing. Our seasoned servers and bartenders are dedicated to providing exceptional service.
We have private parking and valet service available for added convenience.

Top review

MichelleVIP

Dined today

This was a wonderful meal from start to finish - we celebrated the holidays with our adult kids, we enjoyed festive beverages, perfectly cooked food, and scrumptious desserts. Service was awesome, we weren’t rushed nor was service slow- it was perfectly timed between courses. The price was a bit higher, but the portions and value were worth every penny.

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Popular dish

14 oz Prime New York Strip Sirloin

4.5

4.5 (3118)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Groton

About the restaurant

Drawing inspiration from the region’s history and natural surroundings, the 156-seat freestanding restaurant reflects elemental themes of wood, water, iron, and fire, reminiscent of the carriage houses and blacksmith shops that once dotted the landscape. The centerpiece of Forge & Vine is an eight-foot wood fired grill and open kitchen with counter seating where guests can enjoy dinner while interacting with the chef. Welcoming residents as well as visitors to the area, Forge & Vine offers a strong sense of place with a design sensibility that brings in the outside with floor to ceiling windows offering breathtaking pastoral views of Gibbett Hill. The restaurant boasts spacious and casual bar with service inside and out and features classic and comfortable cuisine sourced from the best produce, seafood, and meats that New England offers.

Top review

Dined 2 days ago

Always a great experience at "The Forge". Service is excellent, drinks are great, food is terrific, ambiance is wonderful. Highly recommend trying some of the appetizers as well as some of the signature cocktail drinks. The main courses are always wonderful - you don't make a mistake with any of them. It's also the only place where we always have dessert - they are creative and wonderful. Enjoy!

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The Barn Kitchen & Bar at The Williams Inn

4.7

4.7 (616)

$31 to $50

American

Williamstown

About the restaurant

Join us at The Barn, the signature restaurant of The Williams Inn. The Barn serves familiar New England classics, seasonally inspired, locally sourced, masterfully prepared cuisine – prepared with an open mind and a fresh vision. Our restaurant has been thoughtfully designed especially for those who crave dining experiences that inspire a deeper connection with the community.

Top review

Marilyn

Dined 4 days ago

Another exceptional experience at The Barn. My husband's 75th birthday and his Black Russian drink was delicious. For food, we ordered a calamari appetizer, Scottish salmon, and rib-eye steak. Everything was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented, A special eggnog rice pudding was offered as a dessert option, we shared it, and it was complimentary. Service was attentive. We will be returning to The Barn--they have kept their quality and service at a high standard.

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