This Boston Travel Guide is well overdue – I constantly receive messages about where to eat and what to do in Boston. So here it is folks! Well, part of it. This is the “where to eat” guide and the following guides will be: what to do, activities with kids, where to stay, etc. As new restaurants come about and I try new places, I will continue to edit and add to these lists. But I think this is a good start! Once I’ve posted them all, I will include a post with links to each one and have a link on the side of my blog so it’s easy to bookmark for later.
A few things to note about Boston when traveling:
- Getting Around: It’s really easy to get around when you’re in the city and everything is really close to each other. We typically either Uber, Take the T (subway), Walk and sometimes drive. Highly recommend walking if it’s a nice day!
- My favorite neighborhoods: The South End (not to be mistaken by “Southie” or “South Boston”), Beacon Hill, Back Bay and I love taking the T to the Cambridge/Somerville areas
- Below I have broken it down by Brunch, Dinner, Coffee + Treats and then labeled each one by their neighborhood and why I like each place! If you have any specific questions, please comment or send me an email: jessica@ohidesignstudio.com
BRUNCH + LUNCH:
– Marliave: Neighborhood: an amazing French restaurant that started in 1885 and was reopened by an amazing chef here in Boston. Ask to sit upstairs! The oysters are great!
– Row 34: Neighborhood: Fort Point // you HAVE to go and splurge on a warm, buttery lobster roll! It’s the best in the city!!! Oysters – you cannot go wrong with the Row 34 Duxbury or Island Creek Oysters on the raw bar menu.
– Hotel Envoy: Neighborhood:On a nice day, go to the rooftop for a cocktail + city views (there’s usually a line, so try to get there early if possible)
– The Gallows: Neighborhood: South End (not “Southie” or “South Boston”) // great brunch spot
– Juliet: Neighborhood: Somerville // The pastry basket, toasts (all of them are excellent), breakfast tacos, and scrambled eggs are sooo good! Highly recommend checking out this cute spot in Somerville. Stop by Union Square donuts after if you have saved room! 😉 Union Square is a cute area so walking around after brunch is always fun.
– Steel & Rye: Neighborhood: Dorchester // I tried this place a couple of weeks ago with some friends for dinner and they mentioned their brunch is a must!
– The Friendly Toast: Neighborhood: a few locations // LOVE this place for breakfast any time of the day! Great for families!
– Sweetgreen: Neighborhood: a few locations // I cannot go long without a Sweetgreen trip. Their salads are THE BEST!
– Bostonia Public House: Neighborhood: Financial District (Fanuiel Hall area) // Their brunch is excellent and they have live music! It’s spacious and we rarely have a long wait to be seated. Tip: Try the bloody mary bar!
– Alive & Kicking Lobsters: Neighborhood: Cambridge // Okay, the first time I went here I was so thrown off because it’s legitimately in a house and you eat in the garage/outside area. But they have the best fresh seafood for a very reasonable price! Keep in mind this place is no frills, but so worth it. 😉
– Bon Me Neighborhood: a few locations + food truck // I haven’t tried something I didn’t like! Make sure to get the spicy ginger lemonade.
– Alden & Harlow: Neighborhood: Cambridge // I’ve only been here for dinner, but really want to try their brunch after looking at their menu! AMAZING spot for dinner too!
DINNER:
– Little Donkey: Neighborhood: Cambridge // Small plates influenced by local market fare and global cuisine – I am NEVER disappointed when I come here! Brunch here is amazing as well.
– Aria Trattoria: Neighborhood: North End // our favorite Italian in the North End!
– Frenchie: Neighborhood: South End // Love the design of this restaurant and the owner is incredibly nice! Love coming here for lunch or dinner. You just can’t go wrong with the South End.
– Aquitaine: Neighborhood: South End // Another French restaurant in the South End – I haven’t been back since they renovated and I am dying to go back!
– Coppa: Neighborhood: South End // Probably my favorite Italian in all of Boston! It’s a bit small, so try to make reservations if possible!
– Yellow Door Taqueria: Neighborhood: Dorchester // Such a good taco spot! It’s pretty small and if you live in the area, you can order it through Uber eats. 😉
– Steel & Rye: Neighborhood: Dorchester // This is super close to our new house and I highly recommend sitting outside if you can (on a nice day of course). The interior is well designed and I heard they also have a great brunch menu. A must try: the Fried Olives
– Juliet: Neighborhood: Somerville // I’ve heard their Prix Fixe menu is AMAZING!
– Pho Le & Pho Hoa: Neighborhood: Dorchester // My favorite pho places! They are authentic and delicious – pho hoa has alcohol and pho le does not FYI 😉
– Shabu Zen: Neighborhood: Chinatown // I love going out to eat with friends and getting Shabu Shabu (hot pot) it’s interactive and makes the dining experience even better. Don’t forget to do a sake bomb! 😉
– Regina’s Pizzeria: Neighborhood: There are a few locations // BEST PIZZA. Enough said.
– Sonsie: Neighborhood: Back Bay // Located right on Newbury St. – love coming here for an early dinner and sitting at one of the tables that looks toward the street. Also, frozen rosé anyone?
– Lincoln Tavern: Neighborhood: South Boston “Southie” // Love their pizzas, oysters, and salads. Easy go-to when I’m in Southie and on a cute street full of shops + restaurants.
– Loco South Boston: Neighborhood: South Boston “Southie” // Favorite taco spot in Boston!
– Eastern Standard: Neighborhood: Fenway // Highly recommend going here if you’re heading to or from a Red Sox game (even though it gets packed)! Their cocktails are SO good and I always leave happy and full!
– Waypoint: Neighborhood: Cambridge // Happy hour oysters…need I say more?
– Puritan and Co.: Neighborhood: Cambridge // Love the steamed mussels & clams + the ambiance is great!
– Pastoral: Neighborhood: Fort Point // Looooove coming here for wine and pizza! Then I like to head across the street to Drink for an after-dinner specialty cocktail.
– Alden & Harlow: Neighborhood: Cambridge // I’ve only been here for dinner but man, it was a great experience! I just looked at the brunch menu and now I’m dying to go back.
– Bambara: Neighborhood: Cambridge // They have an amazing charcuterie board and of course my favorite Island Creek Oysters! Great cocktails as well.
– Barcelona: Neighborhood: South End & Brookline // Tapas and wine…a favorite of mine!
– Coppersmith: The food is pretty good, but I mostly like this place because you can go there in the morning and grab a coffee + work at their cafe, then eat during lunch/dinner and the setting is great! It’s huge! I recommend grabbing a beer on the roof deck on a nice day. Good for families or big groups. Another great brunch spot with a bloody mary bar!
COFFEE + SWEETS:
– Cannolis from either Modern Pastry or Mike’s Pastry (lines can be long, but they are good – cash only*)
– Tatte Bakery – there’s one in Beacon Hill and a few in Cambridge. Instagram worthy spot with amazing breakfast and/or snack.
– Blackbird Donuts: Neighborhood: South End // Sweet and savory donuts…just go! Like now.
– South End Buttery: Neighborhood: South End // Such a cute café in my favorite neighborhood of Boston! I haven’t tried their dinner, but it’s on my list. 😉
– Flour Bakery & Café: Neighborhood: Several locations // such a great spot for coffee and a sweet/savory treat in the morning!
Restaurants I NEED to try:
- Buttermilk & Bourbon
- Saltie girl
- Tapestry Boston
- Southern Proper
- Chocolate Bar at Langham Boston / High Tea
- Luke’s Lobster
- Citrus & Salt
- Lolita (haven’t been to the fort point one & I’ve heard it’s awesome)
- Committee
- Oli Toki
- Lonestar Taco Bar
- Cultivar
Again, this is not my entire list, but it’s a good start! I’d love to hear your favorite restaurants in Boston. 🙂
Photo by: Laura Saur of LCS Studio