When Earls Restaurants decided to open their first Boston location inside the Shops at the Prudential Center in Back Bay eight years ago, the culinary scene was all abuzz, eagerly awaiting the debut of the Canadian restaurant group’s largest location and second Massachusetts restaurant. (The first Earls opened at Assembly Row in 2014).
Since then, Earls Kitchen + Bar has become one of the city’s hottest dining destinations, not only for an after-work crowd, but also for diners looking for a creative twist on classic dishes.
You can opt to be seated at the Prudential Center's main floor “Cocktail Lab,” upstairs in the enormous dining room, bustling lounge area, or our favorite spot, the year-round rooftop patio that has a retractable roof for inclement New England weather.
Get started trying one of their creative cocktails like a Guava Martini or Hugo Lemon Drop, or a local beer from the many offerings on draft.
If you visit here with a larger party, be sure to try the showstopper Spritz Tower for eight featuring either an Aperol or Sunset Spritz.
We recommend starting off right with a sampling of their jumbo, and we do mean enormous, lump crab cake. Overstuffed with fresh crabmeat, the sampling large enough for two was topped off with a flavorful caper remoulade, pickled red onions, fresh avocado and arugula, and a tasty lemon vinaigrette.
What makes Earls really stand out is that every dish is made in-house from scratch. Their expansive menu is sectioned off into approachable offerings featuring new additions, daily rituals, sushi selections, plant-based dishes, main events, and desserts.
Sure, there is a spicy California roll on the menu here, but if you are serious about sushi, you will want to try one of their newest dishes, the Aburi Salmon Sushi Press. The enormous sampling features torched dashi salmon, pickled ginger, spicy jalapenos, micro cilantro, and unagi.
Other popular appetizers include Szechuan shrimp and pork dumplings, sticky Korean ribs, Yuzu calamari, and crispy birria tacos.
For main events, we recommend their standout Spicy Calabrian Pasta. The deliciously hearty dish features caramelized chorizo sausage and fresh pasta tossed in a kicked-up Calabrian chili sauce with garlic breadcrumbs, and topped with parmesan cheese, fresh basil and creamy burrata.
The globally influenced, modern American menu also features a Tomahawk maple-glazed pork chop, steak + sushi, Cajun blackened chicken, miso-glazed Chilean sea bass, truffle tortellini, Baja tacos, a sesame citrus noodle bowl, and southwest chicken avocado salad.
Their classic burger served on a toasted brioche bun topped with fresh tomato, sliced red onion, leaf lettuce, pickles, mayonnaise, and mustard is made even better when accompanied by a side of addicting truffle fries.
If you can save room for dessert, they everything from sticky toffee chocolate pudding and bourbon pecan pie to key lime pie and crème brulee cheesecake.
Be sure to keep an eye out for Earls’ third Massachusetts location slated to open in 2027 at Seaport West within Commonwealth Pier.
Earls Kitchen + Bar is located at 800 Boylston Street in Boston.
