Guidebook for Boston

Bob
Guidebook for Boston

Food Scene

Features Spanish tapas, wines from Spain and South America, and a lively people watching scene at the large bar area, as well as a sidewalk terrace environment in fair weather.
169 locals recommend
Barcelona Wine Bar
1700 Beacon St
169 locals recommend
Features Spanish tapas, wines from Spain and South America, and a lively people watching scene at the large bar area, as well as a sidewalk terrace environment in fair weather.
Excellent meat-centric menu, this intimate 10 table restaurant features great wines and meats and cheeses too. If you want to grab a drink and meet some locals, the butcher's table in back is fun. Reservations are recommended.
33 locals recommend
The Butcher Shop
552 Tremont St
33 locals recommend
Excellent meat-centric menu, this intimate 10 table restaurant features great wines and meats and cheeses too. If you want to grab a drink and meet some locals, the butcher's table in back is fun. Reservations are recommended.
My favorite place in Boston for fish dishes as well as oysters and raw bar, and an unbeatable 'lobstah' roll. The outdoor patio in fair weather is also a plus. Reservations are recommended.
72 locals recommend
B&G Oysters
550 Tremont St
72 locals recommend
My favorite place in Boston for fish dishes as well as oysters and raw bar, and an unbeatable 'lobstah' roll. The outdoor patio in fair weather is also a plus. Reservations are recommended.
One of a few truly late night dinner hang-outs where the kitchen is open til 2am every night of the week --and the food is high profile, not bar food. Usually late nights the place is pumping out some fairly loud music on the jukebox, this is a great place to see people of all ages. This awesome secret has been going strong for decades in Boston on a romantic back street.
46 locals recommend
Franklin Cafe
278 Shawmut Ave
46 locals recommend
One of a few truly late night dinner hang-outs where the kitchen is open til 2am every night of the week --and the food is high profile, not bar food. Usually late nights the place is pumping out some fairly loud music on the jukebox, this is a great place to see people of all ages. This awesome secret has been going strong for decades in Boston on a romantic back street.
Best Italian place in the South End, this old school eatery may require a bit of a wait to get in, but it is worth the wait. Excellent pasta and Italian dishes served piping hot and fresh, and generous portions - fabulous fresh bread. This place always has a wait - often even WITH a reservation, but has been going strong for 30+ years.
115 locals recommend
Giacomo's
355 Hanover St
115 locals recommend
Best Italian place in the South End, this old school eatery may require a bit of a wait to get in, but it is worth the wait. Excellent pasta and Italian dishes served piping hot and fresh, and generous portions - fabulous fresh bread. This place always has a wait - often even WITH a reservation, but has been going strong for 30+ years.
This would be my top local pick for a romantic white table cloth dinner, and excellent consistent food (eclectic American). About an 8 min. walk through the neighborhood, take Tremont west to West Newton Street and walk diagonally to Franklin Square Park and you're there.
46 locals recommend
Stella Restaurant
1525 Washington St
46 locals recommend
This would be my top local pick for a romantic white table cloth dinner, and excellent consistent food (eclectic American). About an 8 min. walk through the neighborhood, take Tremont west to West Newton Street and walk diagonally to Franklin Square Park and you're there.
Great for a drink or dinner, this place is also fun on the weekends for brunch, not only for the homemade pop-tart of the day, but for checking out the wait staff sporting there favorite colorful PJ's. Try the Staff Special.
23 locals recommend
Tremont 647
647 Tremont Street
23 locals recommend
Great for a drink or dinner, this place is also fun on the weekends for brunch, not only for the homemade pop-tart of the day, but for checking out the wait staff sporting there favorite colorful PJ's. Try the Staff Special.
Great cafe for breakfast (try the amazing breakfast frittata sandwich!) and tasty lunch sandwiches as well, and hang at the fireplace in the chillier months. Only 2 blocks east on Tremont St. Sidewalk seating in fair weather as well...
145 locals recommend
Caffè Nero
733 Centre St
145 locals recommend
Great cafe for breakfast (try the amazing breakfast frittata sandwich!) and tasty lunch sandwiches as well, and hang at the fireplace in the chillier months. Only 2 blocks east on Tremont St. Sidewalk seating in fair weather as well...
Great ambiance for a formal dinner, with a bar that locals hang out in predominantly. Good comfort food elegantly served. Try the Mac n Cheese with Canadian bacon, or the Miso-Glazed Salmon Salad.
22 locals recommend
Stephi's on Tremont
571 Tremont St
22 locals recommend
Great ambiance for a formal dinner, with a bar that locals hang out in predominantly. Good comfort food elegantly served. Try the Mac n Cheese with Canadian bacon, or the Miso-Glazed Salmon Salad.
Best Indian restaurant in Boston. One block away. Affordable lunch pre fixe most days now as well...try the Ecletic Modern Indian offerings!
19 locals recommend
Mela Indian Restaurant
578 Tremont St
19 locals recommend
Best Indian restaurant in Boston. One block away. Affordable lunch pre fixe most days now as well...try the Ecletic Modern Indian offerings!
Best thin crispy crust pizza around (served with a charred bottom unless requested otherwise). Also specializes in gelato, ice cream and many beer offerings...3 blocks away!
59 locals recommend
Picco
513 Tremont St
59 locals recommend
Best thin crispy crust pizza around (served with a charred bottom unless requested otherwise). Also specializes in gelato, ice cream and many beer offerings...3 blocks away!
For a really special evening, sign up for a cooking class at Stir, which is a single table demonstration kitchen where renowned sous chefs from Barbara Lynch's team cook for a group of ten each evening. ($145-$225/person) Reserve by email well in advance of your stay! http://stirboston.com/category/class/
Stir
102 Waltham Street
For a really special evening, sign up for a cooking class at Stir, which is a single table demonstration kitchen where renowned sous chefs from Barbara Lynch's team cook for a group of ten each evening. ($145-$225/person) Reserve by email well in advance of your stay! http://stirboston.com/category/class/

Drinks & Nightlife

Music, two no-cover sets on Thursday-Sunday, is the main draw here, although the food and rathskeller atmosphere is awesome. Music changes every night, with a blues/jazz set at 6:30 and something a little more eclectic for the 9:30 set. Although the bar area is a scene for hip professional 20-30 somethings, the venue attracts all ages for the music and fare. Brunch: Try the Eggs Shakshuka, a spicy Moroccan dish of chorizo, creamy! polenta and tomato sauce!
229 locals recommend
Beehive Restaurant
541 Tremont St
229 locals recommend
Music, two no-cover sets on Thursday-Sunday, is the main draw here, although the food and rathskeller atmosphere is awesome. Music changes every night, with a blues/jazz set at 6:30 and something a little more eclectic for the 9:30 set. Although the bar area is a scene for hip professional 20-30 somethings, the venue attracts all ages for the music and fare. Brunch: Try the Eggs Shakshuka, a spicy Moroccan dish of chorizo, creamy! polenta and tomato sauce!
Old school blues and jazz. 'Nough said. Bring your own food, or from the pizza joint next store.
96 locals recommend
Wally's Cafe Jazz Club
427 Massachusetts Ave
96 locals recommend
Old school blues and jazz. 'Nough said. Bring your own food, or from the pizza joint next store.

Parks & Nature

Only a 15 minute walk away, the park is great for biking or walking along the Charles River, with views of downtown and MIT and Cambridge across the river. Rent sailboats, kayaks, or a Venetian gondola if you like. The river walk offers runs from 3-6 mile loops by crossing the BU, Harvard, Longfellow, or Museum of Science bridges. The bike loop is up to 17 miles as well.
95 locals recommend
Esplanade Hatch
1 David G Mugar Way
95 locals recommend
Only a 15 minute walk away, the park is great for biking or walking along the Charles River, with views of downtown and MIT and Cambridge across the river. Rent sailboats, kayaks, or a Venetian gondola if you like. The river walk offers runs from 3-6 mile loops by crossing the BU, Harvard, Longfellow, or Museum of Science bridges. The bike loop is up to 17 miles as well.
MONTGOMERY PARK: The unit has access to a gated 100-year old private park shared by the residents of the block. Hammocks, picnic tables and Labrador chairs are nestled by perennial flower gardens and the shade of a 150 year old Copper Beech tree. Use the brass key to access the garden gate on Dartmouth St., two doors past Gifted gift shop.
Montgomery Street
Montgomery Street
MONTGOMERY PARK: The unit has access to a gated 100-year old private park shared by the residents of the block. Hammocks, picnic tables and Labrador chairs are nestled by perennial flower gardens and the shade of a 150 year old Copper Beech tree. Use the brass key to access the garden gate on Dartmouth St., two doors past Gifted gift shop.
A 20 minute walk, the Boston Common and Public Garden offer swan boat rides, ancient burial grounds, ice skating on Frog Pond, and there is almost always something else going on, from Shakespeare in the Park to small free concerts.
440 locals recommend
Boston Public Garden
440 locals recommend
A 20 minute walk, the Boston Common and Public Garden offer swan boat rides, ancient burial grounds, ice skating on Frog Pond, and there is almost always something else going on, from Shakespeare in the Park to small free concerts.

Arts & Culture

Great multi-venue theatre - see a show from $25-$85 in one of several intimate venues.
8 locals recommend
Calderwood Pavilion (at the Boston Center for the Arts - BCA)
527 Tremont St
8 locals recommend
Great multi-venue theatre - see a show from $25-$85 in one of several intimate venues.
A collection of art galleries and guilds. SoWa Market adjacent offers a small market and a collection of really tasty food trucks from around Boston, on Sundays at 10-4pm in fair weather. Check the web for hours and dates.
12 locals recommend
South of Washington
12 locals recommend
A collection of art galleries and guilds. SoWa Market adjacent offers a small market and a collection of really tasty food trucks from around Boston, on Sundays at 10-4pm in fair weather. Check the web for hours and dates.
560 locals recommend
Museum of Science
1 Museum Of Science Driveway
560 locals recommend
1042 locals recommend
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Ave
1042 locals recommend

Shopping

54 locals recommend
SoWa Open Market
500 Harrison Ave
54 locals recommend
Boston's most elegant shopping district in the Back Bay area is only a 10 minute walk from the unit. If you can't afford the prices, its still worth the walk for the people watching and seeing the brownstones along Commonwealth Ave.
647 locals recommend
Newbury Street
Newbury Street
647 locals recommend
Boston's most elegant shopping district in the Back Bay area is only a 10 minute walk from the unit. If you can't afford the prices, its still worth the walk for the people watching and seeing the brownstones along Commonwealth Ave.
Unique boutique offerings from soaps to interesting homemade foods.
12 locals recommend
Olives & Grace
623 Tremont St
12 locals recommend
Unique boutique offerings from soaps to interesting homemade foods.
Two doors down, this store is great for all kinds of cards and gifts as well as custom jewelry.
13 locals recommend
Gifted
2 Dartmouth St
13 locals recommend
Two doors down, this store is great for all kinds of cards and gifts as well as custom jewelry.

Getting Around

The MBTA Orange Line will deliver you here from the Downtown Crossing station, and its an 8 minute walk to the unit south on Dartmouth Street.
81 locals recommend
Back Bay Station
145 Dartmouth St
81 locals recommend
The MBTA Orange Line will deliver you here from the Downtown Crossing station, and its an 8 minute walk to the unit south on Dartmouth Street.
A 10 minute walk away...
8 locals recommend
Avis Car Rental
100 Clarendon St
8 locals recommend
A 10 minute walk away...
You can reach the unit from the airport a myriad of ways: 1. Subway via MBTA Blue and Orange Lines to Back Bay Station 2. Bus via MBTA Silver Line to Union Park Station 3. Uber: A 15-30 minute ride for $20-$25 4. Taxi: A 15-30 minute ride for $30-$35 5. Water Taxi and Subway: Water Shuttle from the airport to South Station/Rowes Wharf Inquire for more specific directions.
136 locals recommend
Boston - Logan International Airport station
One Harborside Drive
136 locals recommend
You can reach the unit from the airport a myriad of ways: 1. Subway via MBTA Blue and Orange Lines to Back Bay Station 2. Bus via MBTA Silver Line to Union Park Station 3. Uber: A 15-30 minute ride for $20-$25 4. Taxi: A 15-30 minute ride for $30-$35 5. Water Taxi and Subway: Water Shuttle from the airport to South Station/Rowes Wharf Inquire for more specific directions.
There are several rack locations along Tremont Street and Dartmouth near Back Bay Station. Best way to explore Boston and the Esplanade - see Parks and Nature. Go to: https://secure.thehubway.com/register/step1?edPurchaseId=573d3baa7a1ff
Tremont and Berkeley Bluebikes Station
There are several rack locations along Tremont Street and Dartmouth near Back Bay Station. Best way to explore Boston and the Esplanade - see Parks and Nature. Go to: https://secure.thehubway.com/register/step1?edPurchaseId=573d3baa7a1ff

Essentials

79 locals recommend
Foodie's Markets
1421 Washington St
79 locals recommend
7 locals recommend
Giorgiana's
532 Tremont St
7 locals recommend
429 locals recommend
CVS
624 Massachusetts Ave
429 locals recommend
1155 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
413 Centre St
1155 locals recommend
595 locals recommend
Star Market
370 Western Ave
595 locals recommend
149 locals recommend
trader joe's
230 Heath St
149 locals recommend
Across the street - Wine, beer, and liquors, the selections are fairly numerous, but the service is spotty if you need help selecting a wine. For a much better experience about a 5 minute walk away is The Urban Grape on Columbus Ave.
13 locals recommend
The Wine Emporium
607 Tremont St
13 locals recommend
Across the street - Wine, beer, and liquors, the selections are fairly numerous, but the service is spotty if you need help selecting a wine. For a much better experience about a 5 minute walk away is The Urban Grape on Columbus Ave.