A guide to Boston's hidden gem restaurants

Why it matters: In an algorithm-driven world, it's good to hear from real people about the best food places instead of social media fads.

Here are some of the most popular crowdsourced hidden gems:

🍅 Carlo's Cucina Italiana in Allston - A venerable spot feeding generations of students on a budget with more than just red sauce. Get the chicken parm.

🧆 anoush'ella in the South End - The best no-frills Armenian Lebanese food in a neighborhood that can get pricey.

🍜 Ganko Ittetsu Ramen in Brookline - Certainly a contender for the area's best ramen.

🍚 Kala Thai Cookery - A gem of a Thai food place hidden downtown by the Public Market.

🌍 Suya Joint - Nubian Square's go-to for "All African" favorites, owned and operated by Nigerian chef Cecelia Lizotte.

🫒 Deehan's thought bubble: Don't sleep on the South Bay Olive Garden. It's cheap as hell now and probably the sixth or seventh best eatery in the entire South Bay shopping center.