Take a Culinary World Tour — Right in Our Backyard

You had it all planned… a flight to some far-off land, launching a vacation filled with seeing new sights and feasting on interesting and exciting foods.

But the Spring 2020 arrival of the coronavirus put the brakes on those plans, grounding all flights and putting countries around the world in some level of lockdown.

So … are you back to the same old, same old meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Sure, there’s nothing wrong with a tuna sandwich for lunch, or a good steak cooked to perfection on the backyard grill. But you had your heart set on trying some stimulating new cuisines.

Wait! Don’t fret! You’re already in the right place to enjoy a variety of gastronomic delights!

North Central Massachusetts is peppered with terrific restaurants featuring an astounding array of foods. You don’t have to leave the region to take a tasteful world tour…just decide what country or region of the globe you’d like to “visit” — and a quick drive will take your taste buds there.

In this unsettling pandemic era, regulations for indoor and outdoor dining are constantly changing, so you’ll want to be sure to check on the current status of any destination you’re thinking about taking your appetite to visit. But don’t let that stop you from expanding your menu horizons!

Take a Spin of the Compass

Whether you’re in the mood for some South of the Border flavor, a sampling of European plates, or a taste of Asia, you’ll find it in the cities and towns of North Central Massachusetts.

Taste of Vietnam

Of course, generations of locals have enjoyed American-influenced Chinese food. After all, who can pass up a generous pupu platter, plate of beef lo mein, or steaming bowl of egg drop soup? To be sure, this region has lots of those very popular restaurants ready to satisfy your yen for a taste of the Orient — in fact, you could spend your entire vacation trying them all.

Everyone, too, has an absolute favorite Italian restaurant … and their go-to, indisputably best pizza shop. And when you need a quick food fix, this area is home to scores of familiar burger and sub shops.

But there are new restaurants, too, waiting to expand your horizons. How about some authentic Vietnamese cuisine at A Taste of Vietnam in Leominster,  or a dinner of Tamarind Duck or Pad Pik King at Bangkok Hill, a Thai restaurant in Lunenburg?

 Love Mexican food? You’ll want to try the chimichanga and fajitas at Zapata Mexican Cocina in Fitchburg! And for a great margarita to accompany a south of the border meal, try Happy Jack’s in Leominster.

Comeketo Brazilian Steakhouse

Did you know you can find a slice of South America right here in Johnny Appleseed’s backyard? Check out the Coxinha (croquette stuffed with seasoned shredded chicken) or an empanada platter at Comeketo Brazilian Steakhouse in Leominster.

Or maybe it’s time for a take-out trip to Bion Greek Kitchen in downtown Fitchburg, featuring taste treats from a pork souvlaki platter to a mouth-watering serving of Portokalopita (Orange Pie).

And if you just can’t get Italian food off your mind, you’ll want to stop by Il Forno in Lunenburg for  some Calamari Fritte, Veal Scallopini with Lobster Meat, or— in celebration of autumn—Pumpkin Risotto Carbonara. Want more? Visit Dario’s Ristorante in Fitchburg, for some mouth-watering Linguini Abruzzi or Gamberi Formaggio, or a simple Insalate de Capra.

Wait! Don’t forget your sweet tooth! Satisfy that yearning with some Scandinavian delights from The Kitchen Garden in Baldwinville: Korvapuusti (Finnish Cinnamon Rolls), a Finnish Coffee Bread, or Scandinavian Almond Cake. (Of course, there are more familiar baked goods, too — all kinds of luscious cookies, muffins, breads… is your mouth watering yet?)

Home Again

Imagine that — a world-wide gastronomic tour … without all the hassle of an airport, cost of a plane ticket, or trouble of lugging your suitcases from place to place!

Bull Run Restaurant

When you’ve finished your trip around the globe and are ready to settle back in for some familiar American food, you can’t go wrong with a visit to any of the region’s most popular spots, like the Old Mill Restaurant in Westminster, Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley,  Brady’s in downtown Leominster, the Forge & Vine in Groton, or, for a taste of down home New England, SS Lobster in Fitchburg.

So you had to cancel your travel plans … but take heart! You can take a culinary trip around the world, right here in North Central Massachusetts.