The 20 Best Worcester Restaurant Openings Every Year Since 1995

Saturday, May 23, 2015
GoLocalWorcester News Team

After 51 years in business, the legendary El Morocco shut its doors in 1994. Arguably the most popular restaurant in the city’s history, the El Morocco was a destination for Worcester residents, celebrities and the political-elite for many years. Although El Morocco is no more, its closing played a bigger role in the city than many people even consider - it paved the way for an incredible amount of great Worcester restaurants.

Following El Morocco’s closing, over the past twenty years there have been hundreds of new restaurant openings and the city has witnessed the development of Shrewsbury Street’s Restaurant Row, the re-birth of Worcester’s Canal District, and the growth of restaurants that serve as foundations of the city’s dining experience.

SEE SLIDES BELOW: The 20 Best Restaurant Openings in Worcester Every Year Since 1995

GoLocalWorcester has put together a list of the 20 best restaurant openings in the city since 1995. For each year between 1995 and 2014, GoLocal has selected a restaurant that (1) is the most popular of the group of restaurants that opened that year, (2) is still open (if applicable), (3) offered the city a new dining experience (food, atmosphere), and (4) serves as a dining “staple” in the city.

Some years were incredibly slow for restaurant openings in the city. Only two restaurants in the entire list are now closed (1997, 2001), and yet they still remain the most popular of the restaurants that opened that year.

Here are the 20 Best Restaurant Openings in Worcester Every Year Since 1995:

  • 2014

    Restaurant: The Fix Burger Bar

    Address: 166 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester

    Website: thefixburgerbar.com

    The newest of Niche Hospitality's restaurant group, the Fix Burger Bar is already a hit on Shrewsbury Street - and fills the void of a great burgers on Restaurant Row.

     

  • 2013

    Restaurant: Mare E Monti Trattoria

    Address: 19 Wall Street, Worcester

    Website: mareemontitrattoria.com

    At the location that was the former home of Cafe Espresso Trattoria, Mare E Montis is doing Italian arguably better than anyone in the city. 

     

  • 2012

    Restaurant: Cafe Espresso Trattoria

    Address: 395 Chandler Street, Worcester

    Website: cttrattoria.com

    Cafe Espresso moved off of Wall Street and opened on Chandler Street in 2012. Still BYOB and the same classic Italian food.

     

  • 2011

    Restaurant: Nuovo

    Address: 92 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester

    Website: nuovoworcester.com

    The most underrated restaurant on Shrewsbury Street, Nuovo has been doing things right for the past four years. It's a great alternative to its neighbor across the street, VIA, and many consider it to be the best meal in the city.

     

  • 2010

    Restaurant: Smokestack Urban BBQ

    Address: 139 Green Street, Worcester

    Website: bbqstack.com

    The first restaurant in the city to do BBQ well, the Smokestack originally opened in 2010 on Harding Street (now home to Compass Tavern) before it moved to Green Street in 2012. One of the greatest draft beer selections teams well with the best wings and best ribs in the city. And the best (and only) all-you-can-eat Bacon Happy Hour.

     

  • 2009

    Restaurant: La Scala

    Address: 183 Shrewsbury Street, #4, Worcester

    Website: lascalashrewsburystreet.com

    An exceptional addition to Restaurant Row, La Scala is famous for its Antipasto and classic Italian dishes. In the summer, its patio bar expands the restaurant and forms a casual atmosphere throughout. A great place for a great meal and don't forget to try to pizza.

     

  • 2008

    Restaurant: Armsby Abbey 

    Address: 144 Main Street

    Website: armsbyabbey.com

    It's the craft, imported and specialty beer mecca of the city and serves up one of the best brunches in the city.

     

  • 2007

    Restaurant: VIA Italian Table 

    Address: 89 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester

    Website: viaitaliantable.com

    The best bar menu in the city by far, VIA is the most recent addition to the Worcester Restaurant Group and an exceptional neighbor to its partner 111 Chophouse across the street.

    Photo Credit: Luke M. Vaillancourt

     

  • 2006

    Restaurant: Bocado 

    Address: 82 Winter Street, Worcester 

    Website: bocadotapasbar.com

    A Tapas bar in Worcester that's open until 2 AM? Sign us up. 

     

  • 2005

    Restaurant: Piccolo's

    Address: 157 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester 

    Website: piccolos157.com

    Took the place of the former Primo's and hasn't looked back since. One of the best Italian meals in the city and John Piccolo is back in the kitchen cooking. How can you lose?

     

  • 2004

    Restaurant: Viva Bene Ristorante

    Address: 144 Commercial Street, Worcester

    Website: vivabene.com

    Best dinner and a show the city can offer. Have a great dinner at Viva Bene and then head into Club Simplyfargone for some live music.

     

  • 2003

    Restaurant: Ma Maebelle's Jerk Grille and Natural Juices (One Love Cafe)

    Address: 800 Main Street, Worcester

    Formerly One Love Cafe, now it's home to Ma Maebelle's Jerk Grille and Natural Juices. This place has the best Jamaican food in the city. 

     

  • 2002

    Restaurant: El Basha

    Address: 256 Park Ave, Worcester

    Website: elbasharestaurant.com

    The second of two locations, El Basha opened up on the West Side in 2002 to serve up its Mediterranean cuisine.

     

  • 2001

    Restaurant: Tortilla Sam's

    Address: 107 Highland Street, Worcester

    CLOSED in 2013

    Now home to Thai Time, Tortilla Sam's was a fixture on Highland Street in Worcester and one of the all-time best Mexican restaurants the city of Worcester has seen.

     

  • 2000

    Restaurant: Flying Rhino

    Address: 278 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester

    Website: flyingrhinocafe.com

    It's summertime, so where else would you go? The best outdoor party on Shrewsbury Street, the Rhino has been flying high for 15 years. Look for the big Corona bottle on the roof if you want to have a great time.

     

  • 1999

    Restaurant: 111 Chophouse

    Address: 111 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester

    Website: 111chophouse.com

    A landmark of the entire city, 111 put Worcester on the steakhouse map in New England. There is zero competition here: the best steak in the city.

     

  • 1998

    Restaurant: Corner Grille

    Address: 806 Pleasant Street, Worcester

    Website: cornergrille.com

    Corner Grille changed the pizza game in Worcester 17 years ago. There's nothing quite like it - and nothing comes close to its quality. Corner Grille is here to stay.

     

  • 1997

    Restaurant: Thyme's Square on Hudson

    Address: 455 Pleasant Street, Worcester

    CLOSED

    Thymes Square on Hudson closed its doors in 2005 and became the 80s Lounge - which subsequently became Johnny Mac's.

     

  • 1996

    Restaurant: Ciao Bella

    Address: 402 Grove Street, Worcester

    Website: ciaobellarestaurant.biz

    Celtics legend Bob Cousy goes here - and he demands only the best. Ciao Bella dine-in and take-out business eclipses anyone else in the area. Have you tried their crust?

     

     

    Photo Credit : Dan N. - Yelp.com

     
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