Best friends have an interesting way of knowing your weaknesses. So when Hayley came up with the idea that maybe we should take a weekend trip to Boston in less than a month, she knew I would agree against my alleged budgeting priorities.

And just like she insisted, I didn’t regret it for a second. Here is a list of all of the recommendations that came our way and the places we found on our own. I hope you can cross even more off the list than we did (indicated by the green check marks)!

Boston is grouped into neighborhoods, which reminded me of Minneapolis, but they’re much more connected either by their subway (the T) or by foot, so that’s how I’ll group our recommendations:

Beacon Hill/ Back Bay

“Old school Boston where you feel like you went back in time. Tatte Bakery ✅ is here and I would highly recommend for breakfast/coffee.”

“You won’t be disappointed by the architecture and houses there… you can see the Massachusetts State House on the hill. Liberty Hotel has an awesome bar – it used to be an old jail, so very cool interior. Charles Street nearby also has a bunch of cute spots and Acorn Street is iconic. ✅ Boston public gardens & Boston Common, which is beautiful and near Newbury Street (fancy street with lots of shops!) ✅ and Copley Square. ✅  Past the gardens you’re closer to Fenway area, which is where there are a lot of fun dive bars to go out to – even if you aren’t catching a baseball game.”

Our review: This is Hayley’s favorite neighborhood, so we spent quite a bit of time walking through the neighborhoods. I LOVED seeing the green space of the Boston Common and Public Gardens, you can see why it’s a running city.

North End/ Little Italy

“Any restaurant here will be delicious, make sure to go to modern pastry to get a cannoli. Giacomos is delicious and iconic, but there is always a line so maybe not the best option if you have limited time. Ward 8 is a cool cocktail bar right by TD garden.”

“Start at Faneuil Hall & Quincy Marketplace ✅ and follow the Freedom Trail to a couple of places of interest. ✅ Paul Revere’s house is there ✅ (just walk by, don’t pay to go in) and it’s got the best cannoli place (Mike’s Pastry on Hanover St.) in town. ✅ Cafe Vittoria is a good, old Italian spot with boozy coffee drinks and pastries. A few other good Italian restaurants in the area are Giacamos, Bacco✅ Bricco, Grotto.”

Our review: We spent a lot of time here Friday, and found our way back again on Sunday before leaving. Beacon Hill combined with North End can make you forget you’re in the US, but just a neighborhood over the hustle and bustle of the city returns. I stand by the Mike’s Pastry being a must-do (note: it’s cash only), and dinner is worth prioritizing in this neighborhood!

South End

✅Gaslight: French place, great for brunch

✅Beehive: great for brunch or at night, live jazz

(reviews below are as the were given to me)

South End Buttery: my favorite breakfast spot ever. quick serve with good coffee and little breakfast treats, get the biscuit sandwich!

Coppa: my favorite restaurant in boston, delicious italian, super good wine and cozy vibe.

Toro: Spanish tapas right around the corner from my old apartment

Flour: another adorable bakery with the best cookies…a few spots around the city.

Myers and Chang: amazing dim sum brunch and dinner…SO good.

Area 4: fun cocktails on tap and delicious wood fired pizza. there is also one in cambridge.

B&G: great patio and amazing oysters

Yvonne’s: good place for dinner or swanky bar to visit

Our review: Beehive was a highlight of the trip. It may have been because I was very hungry from going to CorePower before. Or it could have been the live jazz that could be enjoyed on both floors, great cocktails, and trying my first shakshuka! Definitely plan on a reservation, but we got a spot at the bar- I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the house. South End is also great for walking around, it felt more spacious and homey.

Seaport

❌Drink: my favorite bar in Boston. they have an amazing burger and play good rap music and don’t have a drink menu, you just tell the bartender what you like and they make you a good cocktail

❌Committee: good drinks and snacks, super chill atmosphere. good for day drinking/hanging.

“The Seaport district has blown up in recent years. It’s kind of the cool hip spot now and there are a lot of fun breweries / bars. You can easily walk or uber from downtown and it’s right on the water. I’d recommend Legal Harborside – it’s a fun bar/restaurant with an awesome rooftop! Harpoon Brewery & Beer Hall is a five minute walk from there, which is an awesome local brewery. Fan Pier Park on the north end of Seaport has a beautiful view of the harbor / city. Envoy Hotel roofdeck at night. James Hook Lobster for lobster rolls.”

Our review: We saved Seaport for going out Saturday night, and it was packed. The two places above with the sassy red X’s I added while we were out are due to both being at capacity and not taking more people. We ran into this at a few more places here. If the description above sounds fun, go to the breweries and restaurants during the day/evening to have better luck than we did!

Cambridge

✅Little Donkey: probably my second favorite boston restaurant…”global tapas” and has a fun atmosphere

Pammy’s: good italian with yummy wine and cocktails

Brick and Mortar: fun cocktail bar with super good drinks

“The other area I’d suggest checking out if you have time or are close by is Cambridge – across the river – to see MIT and Harvard Square (though Harvard is a bit further of a walk). MIT is right on the river and it’s a beautiful campus. Again, only if you have extra time and feel like walking the bridge. It’s a great view of the city! If you do make it to Cambridge, stop at Curio Coffee for the mini waffles.”

Our review: We were staying at the Royal Sonesta on the water in Cambridge, so a lot of our time here was walking to and from our destination, but it was a great central location. Little Donkey was our first stop after landing and it started us off on the best foot. I was underwhelmed by Harvard to be honest, so I wish we had made it over to MIT.

 

p.s. I’m not an oyster fan, but if you are, I was told the good oyster/seafood spots are Neptune Oyster, The Daily Catch, Atlantic Fish Co., Eventide Oyster Co., Island Creek Oyster Co.

Hope this helps! Enjoy Boston!!