Shortlisted: 8 Restaurants In Marlborough, MA That Locals Love!

From idyllic trails and ponds to its diverse cultural scene, Marlborough is a fantastic place to live and visit. But superb dining choices are the hallmarks of a great city, and Marlborough surely delivers in this aspect. With over a hundred places serving all sorts of cuisines, restaurants in Marlborough never fail to impress. Whether it’s sushi, Mexican eats, or a good ol’ steak, this city has got it all!

So to narrow down your choices, we’ve rounded up what we think are the best restaurants in Marlborough, MA.

Our picks are must-visits when you’re in the city – experience excellent service, aesthetic settings, and of course, some mouth-watering food at these local eateries. Let’s dig in! 

Our Top Eight Picks For The Best Restaurants In Marlborough, MA 

1. Welly’s Restaurant 

Fantastic American comfort food served in a lively atmosphere with outdoor seating.

If what you’re looking for is a seemingly endless menu with all things comfort in a family-friendly and lively atmosphere, head to Welly’s Restaurant.

Located on Main Street, this place has been a defining local favorite for over a decade, dishing out impeccable comfort-style dishes and cheesy pizzas. Its cozy, brick-walled interior and lively bar with TVs offers a casual and relaxed dining experience, while the outdoor seating arrangement has a few tables under umbrellas that are perfect for people watching. 

Their menu offers pretty much everything – from handhelds and seafood to pasta and pizzas. While Caesar salads are typically considered a pretty standard appetizer, Welly’s takes it to a whole new level with a perfectly creamy house-made dressing – definitely order it!

From the entrees, we highly recommend the haddock, which is always fresh, stuffed with an amazing cracking stuffing, and baked to perfection. Pair it with their vegetable medley or rice pilaf. There are gluten-free and vegetarian options as well, including the Greek pasta that’s swimming in a flavorful white wine and garlic sauce.

Don’t forget to try the Portuguese-style fresh mussels or the classic shepherd’s pie, and wash it down with their lip-smacking good sangrias! 

Drop by Welly’s for anything from quick sandwiches to unfussy surf and turfs and salads, any day from 11 am onwards.

Oh and, they have plenty of lunch and dinner specials every day, including a fun late-night bar menu for the weekends (open till 10.30 – 11 pm) 

Address: 153 Main St, Marlborough, MA

2. Firefly’s BBQ

Fun BBQ place with draft beers, spacious patio, and live music plus dancing. 

If you’re big on BBQ, head straight towards Firefly’s – don’t even look left and right. It’s easily one of the top restaurants in Marlborough, MA – mostly for its succulent and mouth-watering BBQ, but also for its lively and spacious patio.

It’s a fantastic outdoor setting, complete with a bar and TV, a shaded area with plenty of tables, couches for lazing on, and live acoustics (Fridays and weekends) to accompany your BBQ.

Their sleek interior is equally roomy, with a bar and all sorts of seating options, surrounded by big TV screens everywhere. You can even hop into ‘Dante’ – their indoor dance/live music room. Needless to say, you’re in for a whole lot of fun if you choose to dine at Firefly’s!

As for the menu, it has all things BBQ that you could ever want. Start with their jumbo wings or the brown sugar glazed Candy Lacquered Bacon. Continue with their meaty baby backs, or the flavorful and melt-in-the-mouth Texas beef brisket, and pair them with their award-winning, sensational sauces (we recommend the Memphis and North Carolina).

If you don’t intend to get your hands messy, their pulled pork sandwich or the hefty Bodacious BBQ bowl (layered with mac n cheese, coleslaw, bbq beans, and your choice of meat) make for excellent alternatives. Don’t forget to order a side of their red beans and dirty rice – it’s one of the best combos you can get! 

On Sundays, they host brunch with all the BBQ favorites, including scrumptious chicken and waffles and some of the best craft cocktails in the city.

So give them a visit between Tuesday to Friday from 4 pm onwards and 11.30 am onwards on weekends – we bet you’ll be hooked! You can even roll in late till midnight on Fridays and Saturdays for a drink or two at one of the liveliest and most fun restaurants in Marlborough, MA!

Address: 350 E Main St, Marlborough, MA

3. Linguine’s Italian Eatery 

Scratch-made pasta, meatballs, and Italian comfort fare served in a no-frills space.

Craving home-style, comforting Italian eats? There’s no place better than Linguine’s Italian Eatery for that, which has been feeding Marlborough folks fresh, homemade Italian food for 25 years.

This unassuming, quaint little place is located on a quiet street but is always bustling with hungry patrons inside. The interior is pretty low-key and has a casual and comfy neighborhood eatery vibe where you can walk in with shorts and enjoy a meal that’s no less than five stars! 

Their menu is incredibly vast, but the wait staff is well-versed on the offerings and everything is always made-to-order – guaranteed!

What’s even more impressive is that doughs, pasta, meatballs, and pretty much everything on the humongous menu is scratch-made at this tiny place, making it one of the best restaurants in Marlborough, MA for fresh delicious food.

If you’re in for handhelds, definitely try the classic meatball sub, loaded with provolone cheese and their homemade tomato sauce. Calzones and pizzas here are always crispy-crusted on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, made with fresh homemade dough, as are the different types of pasta.

Other notable entrees include the Chicken Broccoli Rabe sautéed in a white wine sauce and served over pasta, and the indulgent Veal Braciole, layered with homemade bread crumbs and baked to perfection.

No matter what you order, expect loaded plates of generous portions, so come with an appetite! Wipe up your plate with the freshly baked delicious bread they serve as soon as you’re seated. 

Drop by this family-owned place any day from 11.30 am onwards on weekdays, 12 pm on Saturdays, and 3 pm on Sundays. We bet you’ll be coming back for more soon!

Address: 350 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, MA

4. Thairiffic 

Fancy Thai restaurant offering Thai specialties and Asian cuisine with outdoor seating.

Serving flavorful Thai food and other Asian delicacies, a meal at Thairiffic is truly terrific, especially since their ambiance feels so elegant and inviting and the fact they’re so accommodating of dietary requirements.

Indulge in favorites like Pad Thai and fragrant curries in their spacious dining room that has dark wood accents, fancy chandeliers, floral decor, and a dimly lit atmosphere. Comfy seats with large windows opening into the street make dining here a relaxed experience despite the frilly ambiance. They also have side-walk seating under umbrellas with cute hanging plants for the al fresco diners. 

Both the omnivore and vegetarian can find something to love at Thairiffic since almost everything on their expansive menu has a vegetarian alternative.

Start with their delicately wrapped Saigon rolls, filled with rice noodles, avocado, greens, and shrimp (or tofu), or the flaky curry puffs bursting with veggies and shredded chicken.

Move on to the tantalizing entrees, where dishes like Pad Thai, mango curry, and Mongolian beef will have you swooning over them! And their roasted duck specials? Absolutely divine and expertly executed!

Celiacs will find several gluten-free picks, including pad thai and most of the curries and soups. And you can also request some dishes to be fully vegan.

Oh and, spicy food enthusiasts can challenge themselves with plenty of red hot dishes like the spicy basil fried rice. 

Hop over to this family-run place any day between Monday to Friday from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm for lunch and any day of the week from 5 pm onwards for dinner. Bring along someone who’s iffy about Thai cuisine – we bet they’ll leave a changed person!

Address: 128 Main St, Marlborough, MA

5. Chill Kitchen and Bar

Casual spot serving gourmet New American food with a charming patio and live music. 

John and Coleen Logomasini’s Chill Kitchen and Bar is exactly what it sounds like – a place to chill (with delicious food, of course!).

Kick back and relax with gourmet-style food at this casual yet contemporary spot that is neatly lined with tables and a bar surrounded by fun and quirky decor.

While the indoor space is great on its own, their closed-in patio is a pretty cute area to sip on sangrias when the weather is nice. They’ve even got space heaters here for the winter months, so you don’t have to miss out on the starry skies! 

The menus here are expansive, where celiacs, vegetarians, and meat-lovers can rejoice and enjoy elegant plates of just about everything. Lunch features creative fish tacos with pineapple and honey sriracha in it and gourmet sandwiches such as the crab cake sandwich made with fresh homemade crab cake with garlic aioli and greens.

Dinner has even more indulgent stuff, such as the sought-after scallop risotto and melt-in-the-mouth short ribs over gnocchi, marsala mushrooms, and a creamy sherry sauce. Don’t overlook the butternut squash ravioli (a fan favorite!) with pesto cream sauce and a balsamic drizzle to cut through the richness.

There are plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options here as well. And their brunch menu (weekends only) has some of the best Florentine Benedict and steak and eggs you’ll ever have, along with a uniquely tasty sweet potato hash.

Don’t forget to try their amazing craft cocktails or something from the eclectic wine menu. Top all of that beautifully presented food with the live music they often have on weekends, and you’ve got yourself a memorable dining experience.

So drop by any day from 12 pm onwards on weekdays and 10 am onwards on weekends for exquisite food in a relaxed and ‘chill’ atmosphere!

Address: 416 Boston Post Rd E, Marlborough, MA

6. The Fix Burger Bar

Relaxed spot for burgers and beers with a charming deck overlooking a lake.

The Fix Burger Bar is one of the best restaurants in Marlborough, MA for all your burger fixings.

Made-to-order burgers are served alongside some great draft beers and hand-crafted cocktails at this casual, easy-going place.

A nice little bar is surrounded by booths and a very low-key aesthetic, which is great for a quick bite or a drink or two.

But in our opinion, their deck offers the best dining experience, as it overlooks Lake Williams and has plenty of tables under umbrellas. With the charming lights and overall setting, the area looks even better at night – perfect for taking in the skyline views while scarfing down juicy burgers.

Their menu mainly revolves around burgers that are made with freshly ground patties and loaded with drool-worthy toppings. For example, their Enzo burger has a roasted garlic pesto, smoked mozzarella, fried prosciutto, a lemon herb drizzle, and veggies over grilled chicken on a herb ciabatta. Talk about a loaded burger!

Other interesting picks include the Spartan with a grilled lamb patty, herb goat cheese, and sundried tomato, and the juicy Gatsby that comes with a half-pound American Wagyu patty with slab bacon. Yum!

Don’t care for these combos? Go ahead and build your own burger with the staggering array of patty and topping options they’ve got! Throw in a side of their amazing chicken wings and wash it down with their expertly-made sangrias. A truly satisfying meal!

They’ve also got homemade veggie patties and Beyond Burger patties for the meat-averse crowd, and even the meat-lovers can enjoy it by throwing in some avocados and arugula on it for a healthy, guilt-free, yet delish burger meal.

The Fix Burger Bar is open every day from 12 pm onwards. Don’t forget to check out the daily specials when you walk in! 

Address: 139 Lakeside Ave, Marlborough, MA

7. Crazy Stone 

Elegant Japanese restaurant serving sushi and hibachi with a view of Hager pond.

Sushi becomes edible art at Crazy Stone, where talented chefs delicately roll the freshest of fish.

Located on Boston Road, this place has shaken up Marlborough’s sushi scene with some stellar sushi and a gorgeous interior.

Although it’s a casual spot, the dining room is elegant and almost minimalist, tastefully decorated with Japanese lanterns here and there among shiny clean tables. A dainty cherry blossom faux tree is surrounded by high tops, overlooking the Hager pond at the back of the restaurant. A stunning setting! 

The menu has lots of creative sushi offerings by the chef, as well as hibachi and noodle entrees. Try deliciously daring creations like the Out of Control roll, made with spicy tuna, spicy yellowtail, and some equally spicy Kani (imitation crab). The S-figure is also a popular pick, made with shrimp tempura, avocado, and cream cheese, wrapped in soy paper, and topped with spicy Kani.

Alongside many creative Nigiris and ocean-fresh sashimi, they have skillfully executed entrees including hibachi, teriyaki (including tofu teriyaki!), and stone entrees where you can cook your meat on a red hot stone brought out to your table. Pretty cool, huh? No matter what you get, everything always comes out looking beautiful and artful.

With an extremely hospitable and hard-working staff, Crazy Stone will instantly become your favorite sushi/Japanese restaurant in Marlborough. So drop by any day from 11 am onwards (noon on weekends), or get some quick takeout – you’ll be impressed either way!

Address: 1009 Boston Post Rd E, Marlborough, MA

8. Zarape

Family-owned vibrant Mexican joint with Mexican beers and a spacious patio.

There’s nothing like flavorful tacos and cheesy enchiladas on a day when you’re craving good food but can’t decide what to eat. Well, Zarape has got you covered for such days because their Mexican offerings make it one of the best restaurants in Marlborough, MA.

It’s been around for over a decade, and is the go-to place for locals when they want authentic Mexican food.

Although most Mexican restaurants are decorated with colors, Zarape takes it all to a whole new level. Chairs and tables here are carved and painted with vibrant paintings, while the wood-paneled walls are adorned with fun knick-knacks. It’s a cozy and festive vibe inside, while their spacious patio is also pretty charming with well-spaced tables and floral decor. 

Their menu is seemingly never-ending, with a variety of margaritas and Mexican draft beers. Once you’re done munching on the chips and salsa served as soon as you’re seated, get their sizzling Zarape fajitas that have chicken, sausage, steak, and shrimp, or the overloaded tostadas served with freshly made guac.

Their soft fish tacos are pretty great too, made with tilapia and filled with all the Mexican goodness you could ever want. Everything here is served hot, in generous portions, and always packed with flavor.

Then end it all on a sweet note with some of their apple chimichangas with ice cream or churros. Your pick. 

Located on a quiet residential street, this family-owned gem is open every day except for Mondays from 11 am onwards, so do drop by and say Hola! 

Address: 33 Maple St, Marlborough, MA

Restaurants In Marlborough, MA: Our Final Thoughts 

This city has its fair share of top-rated restaurants, so it can get hard to pick out a place. Save yourself the hassle and visit our selected restaurants in Marlborough, MA – they’re truly the best!