Rare Steakhouse

The Only Certified Kobe Beef Restaurant in Massachusetts — Book It for the Right Occasion

Rare Steakhouse holds a credential that no other restaurant in Massachusetts can claim: it is the sole registered member of the Kobe Beef Federation in the state, meaning the A5 Wagyu from Hyogo Prefecture on its menu is the real thing, not a labelling approximation. That distinction alone determines whether Rare belongs on your shortlist. If you are planning a special occasion meal at Encore Boston Harbor and want a steakhouse that can deliver something genuinely hard to find anywhere in New England, this is the booking. If you are after a weeknight steak without the casino-resort context, Abe & Louie's or Mooo are easier options in the city proper.

Getting There

Rare sits inside Encore Boston Harbor in Everett — technically outside Boston's city centre, but the resort runs custom luxury yachts year-round from the Boston waterfront, which makes the journey part of the evening rather than a logistical annoyance. Free shuttles also run from the Wellington MBTA station. For a celebratory dinner, arriving by yacht is the move: you step off the water and walk into a 210,000-square-foot casino resort before reaching your table. Timing matters here. If you want to avoid the busiest casino floor traffic, weekday evenings are calmer than Friday and Saturday nights, when high-roller activity peaks and the resort fills.

The Room and the Experience

The visual context at Rare is unambiguously casino-resort: high ceilings, deliberate lighting, and the kind of room that signals occasion without requiring explanation. This is not a neighbourhood room or a chef-driven dining loft. It is an upscale steakhouse inside one of the most prominent resort properties in the northeast, and it reads that way. For a business dinner, a milestone birthday, or a celebration that benefits from a grand setting, that register works in the room's favour. Service is notably attentive , water glasses stay full, plates are cleared promptly, and a team approach means you are rarely waiting. That standard of floor management is a meaningful differentiator from mid-tier steakhouses in the Boston market.

What to Order

The Kobe beef is the reason to come. It is available as tenderloin, strip, or rib-eye, with portions starting at four ounces, which allows for tasting-level quantities if you want to compare cuts or split between courses. For those who prefer a domestic alternative, the dry-aged New York Strip from Snake River Farms in Idaho is a credible second choice. Rare's New England context shows up in the seafood: whole broiled Maine lobster, local oysters, clams, and crab cakes give non-beef diners something genuinely regional rather than generic steakhouse filler. The baked lobster mac and cheese and a side flight , three sides of your choice , are practical picks for sharing. The drinks list extends well beyond wine: the menu includes an extensive selection of hard-to-find bourbons, cognacs, and scotches, which makes post-dinner drinking at the table a real option rather than an afterthought.

Dress Code

Rare operates a resort elegant dress code. For men: pants, collared shirts, and closed-toed shoes. For women: no bare midriffs, athletic wear, or jerseys. This is stricter than most Boston steakhouses and worth confirming before you arrive, particularly if guests are coming directly from a casino floor where dress standards are more relaxed.

Who Should Book

Rare is the right call for a special occasion dinner at Encore Boston Harbor, for anyone who specifically wants certified Kobe beef in Massachusetts, or for groups who want a full evening combining dining, drinks, and casino activity. It is less suited to a quick steak dinner in central Boston, where Abe & Louie's is closer and more casual. For a fine-dining experience without the resort frame, Agosto or 311 Omakase offer a different calibre of precision. But for what Rare actually is , an upscale steakhouse anchoring a major casino resort, with a genuine product credential , it delivers on its promise. The 4.7 rating across more than 2,000 Google reviews supports that.

Explore more of what the city offers in our full Boston restaurants guide, our Boston hotels guide, and our Boston bars guide. For broader food and drink planning, see our Boston wineries guide and Boston experiences guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What should I wear to Rare Steakhouse? Resort elegant is the stated dress code. For men, that means pants, a collared shirt, and closed-toed shoes. For women, no athletic wear, bare midriffs, or jerseys. This is enforced more strictly than at most Boston steakhouses, so plan ahead , especially if guests are arriving from other parts of the resort.
• Is Rare Steakhouse good for a special occasion? Yes, this is one of the better special-occasion steakhouses in the Boston area for a certain kind of celebration. The room, service attentiveness, and genuine Kobe beef credential give it a clear reason to exist beyond a generic upscale steakhouse. It works leading for milestone dinners, business entertaining, or any occasion where the casino-resort setting adds to rather than detracts from the experience.
• What should a first-timer know about Rare Steakhouse? It is not in central Boston , it is inside Encore Boston Harbor in Everett. Plan your arrival: the luxury yacht from the Boston waterfront is the most enjoyable option, or take the free shuttle from Wellington MBTA. The dress code is enforced. The Kobe beef is the headline product and the main reason to choose Rare over other steakhouses in the market. Budget accordingly , this is a resort steakhouse at resort prices.
• Is Rare Steakhouse good for solo dining? It is workable but not ideal for solo diners whose priority is atmosphere over food. The casino-resort setting is oriented toward groups and couples marking occasions. A solo diner who is already at Encore Boston Harbor and wants a serious steak will find the food and service standards worth it. For solo dining focused purely on food quality in Boston, 311 Omakase offers a counter format better suited to the experience.
• What are alternatives to Rare Steakhouse in Boston? For a classic Boston steakhouse without the casino context, Abe & Louie's is the closest comparison on quality and format. Mooo is another downtown steakhouse option with a lower barrier to entry. If the draw is high-quality Japanese beef specifically, Oishii Boston and O Ya offer Japanese-driven precision at comparable price points. For seafood-first dining, Ostra and Neptune Oyster are strong alternatives that lean into the New England context more fully.
• What should I order at Rare Steakhouse? Start with the Kobe beef , it is the only certified product of its kind in Massachusetts and the reason this menu exists. The tenderloin, strip, and rib-eye are all available starting at four ounces, so ordering two cuts to compare is a reasonable approach. The Snake River Farms dry-aged New York Strip is a strong domestic alternative. For sides, the baked lobster mac and cheese and the side flight are practical for sharing. The whiskey and cognac list is worth exploring after dinner.
• Can I eat at the bar at Rare Steakhouse? Bar seating availability is not confirmed in available data , contact the restaurant directly to check. The extensive bourbon, cognac, and scotch program does suggest the bar is a destination in its own right, not just a waiting area.
• How far ahead should I book Rare Steakhouse? Booking is rated easy, which means walk-ins may be possible on slower nights. For a weekend reservation or a special occasion, booking at least one to two weeks ahead is sensible given the resort's event calendar and high-roller dining activity. Check availability through Encore Boston Harbor's reservation system directly.