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

1995

Restaurant: Peppercorn's Grille & Tavern

Address: 455 Park Avenue, Worcester

Website: epeppercorns.com

Peppercorn's is the epitome of what Park Ave restaurants should strive for. And it's been a foundation of the city's dining experience for the past 20 years. Great food goes well with Wormtown beers.