Loading...
-
$ | North End |
Frank DePasquale’s sandwich and pasta shop is easy to miss, but just follow the steady stream of savvy locals down the alley adjacent to his award-winning restaurant to find the tiny spot packed with imported Italian meats and cheeses, vinegars, tomatoes, olive oils, and more. The monumental Italian sandwich is a heaping pile of mortadella, Genoa salami, soppressata, provolone, and all the fixings, while the packed Chicken Parmagiano is a shareable feast. All are served on house-made breads from the panetteria next door.
11 Board Alley, Boston, Massachusetts, 02113, USA
Known For
- Local favorite
- Huge, made-to-order Italian sandwiches
- House-made breads
-
$ | North End |
Established in 1929, Caffé Vittoria—Boston's oldest Italian café—is rightfully known as Boston's most traditional Italian café, which is one of the reasons the place is packed with locals. With gleaming brass, marble tabletops, four levels of seating, three bars that serve aperitifs, one of the city's best selections of grappa, and one massive, ancient espresso maker, this old-fashioned café will make you want to lose yourself in these surroundings. Bring your wallet because they are cash-only.
290–296 Hanover St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02113, USA
Known For
- Specialty coffee drinks
- Grapa
- Gelato
-
$ | Downtown |
This place is famous among the city's working professionals, who willingly wait in long lines for the signature Chilean-style sandwich, a delicious combination of green beans, chicken, muenster cheese, tomatoes, and an avocado spread on fresh bread. There are a few other offerings, including empanadas and rice pudding.
101 Arch St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, USA
Known For
- Bread baked fresh daily
- Signature Chilean sandwich
- Tasty orange cake
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sat.–Sun.
-
$ | Downtown |
After more than a decade, locals still love this vegetarian restaurant's chickpea fritters, not to mention the daily changing menu of freshly prepared sustainable and local veg- and vegan-friendly sandwiches and plates. Boston and Cambridge feature a number of Clover locations, but this one is bright and airy with huge windows that open onto School Street. Awesome place to stop for lunch along the Freedom Trail.
27 School St., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Known For
- Chickpea fritter sandwich
- Housemade juice sodas and George Howell coffee
- Sourcing ingredients locally and sustainably
-
$ | South End |
When folks need coffee, a great sandwich, or an irresistible sweet, like a pecan sticky bun, lemon tart, or double chocolate cookie—or just a place to sit and chat—they pay a visit to one of owner Joanne Chang's 10 Flour bakeries, including this one in the South End. A communal table in the middle acts as a gathering spot, around which diners enjoy morning pastries, homemade soups, hearty bean and grain salads, and specialty sandwiches, which change seasonally.
1595 Washington St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, USA
Known For
- Scrumptious sweets
- Delicious salads and sandwiches
- Laid-back setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$ | Downtown |
If you can't agree among your traveling partners what to eat where, this food hall features 20 different local vendors featuring delicious and top-quality foods of all varieties. Gourmet doughnuts from Blackbird, porchetta sandwiches from Pennypacker's, Jewish deli eats from Mamaleh's, sushi at Fuji, and so much more are here.
100 High St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, USA
Known For
- Tons of options from local vendors
- Live DJs in the evening
- Open anytime you're hungry
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
-
$ | Beacon Hill |
This upscale bakery and café with several locations in Boston takes pastries to the next level. From tea cakes to the Jerusalem bagel, expect hearty baked goods with an air of elegance and influenced by the owner's Israeli heritage. Fantastic coffee drinks, including the house's signature halva latte. A breakfast, lunch and brunch menu features hearty plates all day, from breakfast sandwiches to salads, bowls, and shakshuka (an egg dish with tomatoes and peppers). The café's vibe welcomes those who appreciate attention to detail in both the food and the bright, lively atmosphere—so expect to wait in line. Tatte started as a single location in 2008; today it has expanded with locations across Boston.
70 Charles St., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Known For
- Traditional North African shakshuka
- Signature nut tarts that are as pretty as they are tasty
- Convivial atmosphere
-
$ | Downtown |
This upscale bakery and café takes pastries to the next level. From tea cakes to the Jerusalem bagel, expect hearty baked goods with an air of elegance and influenced by the owner's Israeli heritage. Fantastic coffee drinks include the house's signature halva latte. A breakfast, lunch, and brunch menu features hearty plates all day, from breakfast sandwiches to salads, bowls, and shakshuka (an egg dish with tomatoes and peppers). The café's vibe welcomes those who appreciate attention to detail in both the food and the bright, lively atmosphere—so expect to wait in line. Tatte started as a single location in 2008; today it has expanded with locations across Boston.
125 Summer St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, USA
Known For
- Owner Or's take on traditional North African shakshuka, served with challah bread
- Signature nut tarts that are as pretty as they are tasty
- Convivial atmosphere
-
$ | |
This upscale bakery and café takes pastries to the next level. From tea cakes to the Jerusalem bagel, expect hearty baked goods with an air of elegance and influenced by the owner's Israeli heritage. Fantastic coffee drinks, including the house's signature halva latte. A breakfast, lunch and brunch menu features hearty plates all day, from breakfast sandwiches to salads, bowls, and shakshuka (an egg dish with tomatoes and peppers). The café's vibe welcomes those who appreciate attention to detail in both the food and the bright, lively atmosphere—so expect to wait in line. Tatte started as a single location in 2008; today it has expanded with locations across Boston.
200 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Known For
- Traditional North African shakshuka
- Signature nut tarts that are as pretty as they are tasty
- Convivial atmosphere
-
$ | Beacon Hill |
Don't be surprised to see a queue at this neighborhood hot spot, no matter the time of day. Regulars happily line up for waffles topped with fresh fruit, caramel and banana french toast, huge salads, and hefty sandwiches, all made to order as you do from the counter. Newbies should note The Paramount's unspoken rule: Don't take a seat until after you wait in line, order, and pay.
44 Charles St., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Known For
- Long, but quick-moving, lines
- Decadent, all-day breakfast items
- Old Bay–seasoned home fries
-
-
$$ | |
There's nothing fresher than eating fish the same day it's caught, and that's what you get at this family-owned seafood shack. Open since 1950, the local favorite serves fresh oysters, crab cakes, fried oysters and clams, steamers, and lobster. Tasty sandwiches speak of New England; fish platters come fried, grilled, or baked; and there's a whole section of the menu devoted to lobster preparations. If you forget that this is a take-out joint, look around; the no-frills, character-heavy decor will remind you.
300 Northern Ave., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Known For
- Lobster, lobster, lobster
- Being simple and authentic
- Limited seating options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
-
$ | Harvard Square | Middle Eastern
Algiers Coffee House, upstairs from the Brattle Theatre, is a favorite evening hangout for young actors and artists. Linger over mint tea or a plate of hummus, or enjoy a glass of wine on the second-floor terrace and watch the world go by.
40 Brattle St., Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA
-
$ | Beacon Hill |
Inspired by the authentic Mexican takeout readily available in West Coast cities, Anna's owner moved to Boston and opened shop more than 25 years ago. This small, local chain has been a hit ever since for its burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. Diners can select from 10 different meat and veggie-based toppings, from grilled steak and marinated pork to slow-cooked chicken.
242 Cambridge St., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Known For
- Tacos al pastor—marinated, rotisserie cooked pork with pineapples and onions
- Fat, flavorful burritos
- Bringing the heat with really spicy sauces you can add on
-
$ | Harvard Square |
Two postdoctoral-fellowship students founded this tasty oasis that serves superlative soft frozen yogurt made from milk, cane sugar, fresh fruit, and other natural ingredients. The shop has featured well over 150 frozen yogurt flavors like rose, chocolate coconut, passion fruit, and green tea, and dedicated staff bakers create many of the homemade toppings, including the cheesecake chunks, chewy mochi bits, brownie bites, and honey-nut granola.
3 Arrow St., Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA
Known For
- Award-winning fro-yo
- Homemade bakery toppings
- Fresh fruit add-ons
-
$ | |
Creative, delicious, and irresistible, the sweet treats from Blackbird Doughnuts have a cult following—even rock star Adele praised them when in town for a concert. One of several outposts in the city, the Fenway location is tiny and it's a good idea to get there early before your fave flavor sells out.
20 Kilmarnock St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA
Known For
- Fan favorite Boston Cream
- Creative, unusual flavors
- Turn your doughnut into an ice cream sandwich with soft-serve
-
-
$ | |
Bon Me's moniker is a whimsical take on Vietnam's signature sandwich, the banh mi, and the versions that this local fast-casual restaurant serves are authentic to its spirit, if not with traditional ingredients. Diners can create their own bowls (salad, noodle, or rice), selecting from a variety of proteins, veggies, and sauces. The menu also boasts a number of chef creations ranging from ramen to pho. House drinks include a heady Vietnamese iced coffee and citrus ade.
313 Congress St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02210, USA
Known For
- Tasty proteins
- Spicy ginger lemonade that will flare your nostrils
- Customized bowls
-
$ | North End |
The allure of Bova's Bakery, a neighborhood institution since 1926, lies not only in its takeaway Italian breads, calzones, and pastries, but also in its hours: 24 a day (the deli closes at 1 am, however). Family owned and operated, this is where you can not only satisfy a hunger with their homemade Italian breads, oversized subs, and Sicilian pizza and calzones, but also a sweet tooth with their famed Sicilian chocolate-dipped cannoli, Florentine cannoli, award-winning tiramisu, and raspberry and blueberry turnovers.
134 Salem St., Boston, Massachusetts, 02113, USA
Known For
- Open 24/7
- Tiramisu
- Fresh baked bread
-
$ | North End |
An Italianate version of a sports bar, Caffè dello Sport has two wide screens transmitting live soccer. The buzz is from not only the world games excitement but also the espressos, pastries, beer, wine, cordials, and gelato. They also offer freshly baked croissants, muffins, turnovers, and breakfast sandwiches in the morning, and panini (using imported Italian products), salads, and pizzette for lunch.
308 Hanover St., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Known For
- Soccer games
- Full espresso bar
- Gelato
-
$ | Harvard Square |
This snug, more than 70–year-old shop (family-owned and -operated up until a few years ago) in Harvard Square purveys exotic imports, including cheeses, chocolates, British biscuits, jams, olive oils, and mustards, along with sandwiches, cheeses, and charcuterie to go. You'll also find a generous assortment of champagnes and domestic caviar, fine wines, and assorted beers.
6 Brattle St., Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA
Known For
- New England goods
- Made-to-order sandwiches and charcuterie
- International gourmet sweet shop
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
-
$ | Harvard Square |
Named after the art of the tea ceremony, the new-age feel to this spacious outpost starts with organic teas and coffee (displayed in canisters behind the counter) and extends to hearty meal options such as hot noodle soup, cold noodle salads, multigrain rice bowls, wraps, vegan dishes, and smoothies. Linger over free Wi-Fi.
955 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, USA
Known For
- Loose leaf organic teas
- Noodle bowls
- Bubble teas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner