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Little Big Diner

4.2 (623 reviews)
Open • 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM

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LITTLE BIG DINER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Little Big Diner

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Server's station
Mae-Lou Z.

We really enjoyed Little Big Diner! The seating area is small but that's standard for most ramen restaurants. The service was quick and attentive and the server knew what she was talking about any time we had questions. I got the Spicy Tan Tan and it was delicious. The noodles were well cooked and the broth was flavorful. My boyfriend got the Shoyu and he also really enjoyed his meal (and he's picky!). We'd go back again if we get the chance!

Paitan Chicken Ramen
Drashti T.

Came here on a weekday night. Since it's a small place, there was quite a wait for seating. There was a parking nearby for easy parking. I got the chicken ramen and I have to say it was one of my favorite all time. The chicken was juicy and melted on your tongue. The broth was rice and savory. The egg was the perfect level of jammy. I would love to come again.

Spicy Miso Ramen
Norm C.

It's a fun little place. Service was quick and patient. The server gave me a cheers as he dropped off my yuzu highball. What a nice gesture! The soup is flavorful and the noodle was okay. The fried chicken was just addictive or I was really hungry. Highly recommend. There is outdoor seating in the summer and limited seating inside. Typically gets packed by 7pm and a queue to be seated. I recommend going around 5pm.

Angela S.

I was very very skeptical of a Newton Ramen spot lol, however LBD did beat my expectations. We've been twice to LBD, and it is one of the better ramen spots around the city. The noodles are cooked well and the chasiu was always really good - not too fatty and not too lean. The egg is really decent too. The miso ramen is my fave so far, however, i got the shoyu last time and it came with an overwhelmingly amount of pickled ginger? Like why? It didn't add anything to the soup, it just made it worse. The drinks and karaage are really solid as well. Overall, LBD is reasonably priced for pretty decent food and service! It is a small spot, so there will be a wait during busy times.

Shoyu
Meg C.

I wanted to like this place and had high expectations since I enjoy sister restaurants Jinny's Pizzeria and Sycamore and it has great reviews, but this Shoyu ramen was -extremely- salty to me. The broth's saltiness was very sharp and lacked the umami depth that I'd expect from the soy sauce. The toppings were pretty good, I liked the egg and the chashu, which was on the thicker side and not too fatty. The menma was marinated in soy and would probably be alright on its own, but in this case just magnified the saltiness. Noodles were okay, but couldn't save the bowl - I didn't finish it. I eat a lot of ramen around the Boston area and this was a first for me. Service was quick and it is a small cozy spot with ~10 small tables, and parking is pretty easy on the street or the lot across the way. Glad I tried it, but this is not a good ramen spot for me.

Spicy Tan Tan Ramen
Rebecca M.

Little Big Diner is a master class in ramen. Without fail, the noodles have the perfect bite and bounce, the broth is consistently rich and packed with flavor, and the playlist rotation is *always* a vibe. It's a small space with a big following, and for good reason. The tantan ramen is a standout and family favorite--it's a creamy sesame broth with just the right amount of heat. Adding the Heiwa tofu takes it to another level if you're a pescatarian like me! Since they don't take reservations, timing is everything. Arriving when they open (or a little before) is your best bet to avoid the inevitable wait. But even if you have to linger outside for a bit, trust me--it's worth it!

miso ramen (vegetarian)
Christiane M.

so yummy! i got the non spicy miso vegetarian ramen and tbh i wish i got the spicy but it was still great. super cute restaurant but also super small so definitely best to go in small parties. would go back

Nick S.

The atmosphere and service were both excellent. The servers were knowledgeable, bringing the food out promptly and with a friendly attitude. They also made great recommendations for our party. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to my expectations, which were high based on all the rave reviews. I ordered the chef's ultra ramen, and in my opinion, a great ramen should be defined by its broth and ingredients, but this one fell short on both. The noodles were decent, but the rest of the ingredients didn't really complement the ramen. The broth was overly salty yet lacked depth--it just tasted like salt. The highlight of my meal was the Karaage chicken, which had great flavor and was really enjoyable. I probably wouldn't return unless I'm with friends.

Melanie W.

My friend and I came here for an early dinner when they had just opened. We ordered Hawaiian-style burgers, karrage fried chicken, okonomiyaki-style tater tots, and chef's ultra reman to share. Their appetizer portions are enormous that we have leftovers to take home. The service was a little slow, and by the time we finished our meal, the place was packed, and there were people waiting outside. The place was worth a try but nothing really special unless you are around the area.

Spicy Tan Tan Ramen, sub chicken
Divya A.

Fall evening waiting outside a truly little "little big diner" for a table for 4. Anticipation climbed as we saw ramen bowls being served at every table. Better arrive before 6pm or after 8 to avoid waiting for 30mins like we did. The food redeemed the wait for me. Right up there with Ramen Nagi in San Jose. The chicken (substituted for pork) was so yum! I got fried garlic and pmarinated shitake on the side along with chili oil ofcourse. Highly recommend the shiitake. Relished the little leftover I had for lunch the following day. 10/10

Haley C.

Love it here! It's very small, so be prepared to wait. Especially when the outside seating is closed. The food is worth the wait!

Kara-age Fried Chicken
Joy G.

I had bookmarked this place after finding out it was owned by the same people behind Sycamore and Jinny's. Definitely didn't disappoint, though next time I'll be sure to try the ramen or some of the other rice bowls. There are a lot of Asian influences on the menu: Japanese, Thai, Korean, which usually makes me side-eye a place for trying to cover too much ground, though I thought LBD hit the right notes, taste-wise, for the most part. We started off with the chicken kara-age and the papaya salad. The chicken was fried expertly, with a nice coat of seasoning, but eat this first thing as soon as it lands on the table. Our awesome waiter provided us with some of the "as the cooks eat it" sauce on the side, so we could try that too (I preferred the one that came smeared on the bowl). Papaya salad packed a lot of crunch and heat, a must-order on these balmy summer evenings. My husband and friend ordered the chef's ultra ramen, I went with the rice bowl plus huawei tofu. In retrospect, I should have just gotten the ramen or the tuna poke bowl. The rice bowl, despite the toppings of pickled cucumber, carrots, cilantro, and the gojuchang sauce, did not have much flavor. Maybe it's just my terrible spice tolerance because after a while, my tongue was on fire. Portions are generous, we were all stuffed afterwards. Plenty of seating, both indoor and outdoor. There's a parking lot across the street with free parking after 6pm.

Michelle M.

The food was delicious and SO flavorful!!! The broths were both thick and had wonderful seasonings, and the proteins in our ramen was so tender!! The sausages we got for an app were also very, very good! They were perfectly cooked and the mustard gave them an extra little kick! Our server was also super nice and very attentive, and we didn't really wait long for anything during our time there. We were lucky enough that the weather was nice and we got to sit outside and enjoy the day and people watch which was goos but if you enjoy a quieter meal i would suggest eating indoors.

Kara-age Fried Chicken

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3 months ago

This is as good as it gets for Ramen in the Boston area. The ingredients are the best quality and service is great.

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Ask the Community - Little Big Diner

When will you start serving lunch again?

Do they do take out?

No they don't

What is the noise level? Can one have a relaxed conversation with a friend?

Since there is limited seating, and no room for big parties, you'll find the noise level to be low to moderate. However, close proximity of tables means your conversation can be easily overheard.

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House of Noodles - Star Foods - Hand Pulled Noodles In Hot Soup

House of Noodles - Star Foods

4.2(66 reviews)
0.1 mi

Now this is my kind of place. I'm very familiar with Newton, having lived right on the border of…read moreWaltham for a few years and coming close to purchasing property in the town, but this little spot in the center is in a totally under-the-radar location, near a back parking lot but also the main street. Places like those can sometimes be among the most high quality, authentic eateries though I've found. Indeed the interior is not large at all, but still comfortable and with some truly beautiful decorations all around, especially the whole wall in front of where I was sitting, pictures below. I really loved that wallpaper and would totally put that in my house somewhere! But on to the food, it was truly excellent and very authentic. We ordered the stir-fried rice noodles with beef, similar to one of my favorite dishes, Beef Chow Foon, which was hot, fresh, and full of flavor. We also had the wonderful lamb skewers and tried the soupy pork buns with crab meat, a special and comforting dumpling dish. House of Noodles is a noteworthy place and one I'll happily visit again!

Authentic and delicious northern style chinese food spot in Newton that is worth visiting if you're…read morein the area. Fast casual style where you order on a tablet and the food it brought to your spot on the counter if you're dining in. Seems to be a popular spot for take out even during weekend lunch. Food was prepared fresh and served rather quickly. The pork gyoza was crispy and the wrapper was light, good snack or appetizer option. The hot and sour noodles were decent but not as sour as i expected. Still comforting and filling and I'd order it again as the price is quite fair. They have an extensive menu and I'm curious to try more of their food.

Photos
House of Noodles - Star Foods - View when you walk inside

View when you walk inside

House of Noodles - Star Foods - Vegan noodles

Vegan noodles

House of Noodles - Star Foods - Organic Bubble Milk Tea

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Organic Bubble Milk Tea

Sycamore - Baby Kale Salad

Sycamore

4.3(354 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$$

I've been going to Sycamore since I first discovered it in 2014. Back then, it was on my way home…read morefrom work, and I'd stop in a couple times a month--sometimes more. Post-COVID, life looks a little different. I've changed jobs and moved to another town, so it's no longer the easy drop-in it once was. Still, I make a point to come back at least every few months. What hasn't changed is the consistency. This remains one of the most reliably excellent restaurants in the Boston area, and still one of my all-time top five--while others that once held that spot haven't quite held up. One thing has changed, though: the Ghost of Mary. Scotty, the former bar manager, created what's still my favorite cocktail of all time. When he left, the drink left with him (by mutual agreement), and while he generously shared the recipe with me, I've never quite managed to recreate it at home. It was clearly meant to be made by the expert. That said, Sycamore hasn't missed a beat. The space is still as comfortable and quirky as ever, the food remains consistently excellent, and the current bar program is in very capable hands. The cocktails are thoughtful and well-executed--just maybe don't remind me about the one I'm missing

Sycamore is SPECTACULAR!!!…read more Newton centre is probably one of my favorite cities for date night and afternoon shopping. They have some great places to shop and dine and Sycamore is one of them. We have been here multiple times and everytime is better than the last. From the Managers greeting to the service, and atomosphere, Sycamore sure knows how to make customers feel seen and heard and their bellies happy :) We came here after attending a wine tasting not far from here and were able to grab some bar seats. They have a great cocktail and wine list; I always have a hard time choosing just one. I went with a vodka drink called Nothing Rhymes Orange and my husband had a beer. Since we were not that hungry he ordered the Chorizo Croquettas and I had my favorite salad in the world (not kidding) their Kale Salad. Let me just tell you 1. if you don't like kale, you will love this salad. Just the way they make it and the flavors/crunch will make your mouth water 2. you will eat the whole thing. 3. trust me. If there is one app that you need to order its the chorizo croquettas, OMG. They are like little small drops of heaven and there are only 3 so if you plan to share I would recommend ordering more than just one. For dessert, we ordered an Espresso Martini. The only thing that was missing is the coffee beans but still good. Thanks Sycamore for another fabulous dinner and evening. Thanks Kale Salad for being the best ever. I know I will be back for another one sometime soon. Cheers~

Photos
Sycamore - Bar

Bar

Sycamore - Marinated Olives

Marinated Olives

Sycamore - Chorizo Croquettas

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Chorizo Croquettas

Little Big Diner - ramen - Updated May 2026

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