While living on the East Coast for three years, I only spent two days in Boston, which is not nearly enough time to see/eat/do everything. When my friend Becky moved back to the city and into an apartment in the North End, I immediately booked my trip.
It unfortunately rained for the majority of my stay, but we were still able to venture out, eat a lot of good food and see the best of Boston. Below is a full guide of what to eat, drink and do.
If you’re heading to Boston for a weekend-trip soon, be sure to check out my 48 Hours in Boston Itinerary post.
eat
myers + chang
alden & harlow
citrus & salt
tatte bakery
bricco
drink
yvonne’s
lolita’s cocina
boston seasons
drink
do
freedom trail & new england holocast memorial
boston common & boston gardens
beacon hill & acorn street
isabella stewart gardner museum
harvard campus tour
waterfront, faneuil hall & quincy market
newbury street shopping
boston public library
eat
Myers + Chang
(South End)
website | instagram | map | menu
The Executive Chef of Myers + Chang, Karen Akunowicz, is a Top Chef alum and most recently, the 2018 James Beard award winner for Best Chef: Northeast, after being nominated every year since 2015. Sometimes award-winning chefs can make a restaurant feel intimidating, or a reservation seem impossible, but we were able to get in for “dim sum brunch” the day before we dined and I can say that award is very well deserved. It was one of our favorite meals the entire weekend and I’m hoping I can re-create some of my favorites with their cookbook.
Don’t go here by yourself as you’ll want to order as many items as you can. You won’t want to miss the Fried Egg Banh Mi with Soy Glazed Bacon, Nasi Goreng w/ Pork, Pineapple and Fried Rice and the Grilled Corn w/ Sriracha Butter.
Alden & Harlow
(Cambridge)
website | instagram | map | menu
We ventured out in the rain to hit Alden & Harlow, a “farm-to-table” style restaurant in Cambridge. The menu items were adventurous with multiple rabbit dishes and a cheeky cocktail menu, with names like “Soy You Had a Bad Day” and “Rhuby Slipper.” My tequila, shishito pepper and ginger beer cocktail was incredibly refreshing.
Make an reservation to sit at the marble chef’s counter and get there early to try their secret burger, an item that sells out every night. The surprisingly best item? The Picked Verrill Farm Corn Pancakes.
Citrus & Salt
(Back Bay)
website | instagram | map | menu
Citrus & Salt, described as MexiCali coastal, is full of beachy charm, fresh inventive cocktails and biscuits. Biscuits at a Mexican restaurant? You betcha. They came with a smoked canela butter and poblano-pepperjack spread, making it too easy to inhale them. Additionally, the two mezcal margaritas I ordered both came to the table smoking, and I’m a big fan of creative presentation.
Don’t sleep on the biscuits, and try a few inventive dishes like duck confit flautas with traditional fare like the coconut shrimp.
Note: Myers + Chang, Citrus & Salt and Alden & Harlow were all hard-to-get reservations within a day of dining and all featured the “shared plates” trend, making it perfect to share dishes with friends or on a date.
Tatte Bakery
(Multiple Locations)
We stopped in two Tatte locations, one in Cambridge for post-dinner dessert, and one in Back Bay for a coffee stop. Both were beautiful and definitely Instagrammable, and I wish I would have had the opportunity to try the cheesecake and pastries.
Stop in for an iced caramel latte and grab an indulgent dessert or pastry to go for later.
Bricco
(North End)
There are plenty of Italian options in the North End (Panza and Al Dente both came up a lot in my research), but we just happened to stop into Bricco as it was busy, but we didn’t have to wait. Restaurants like Giacomo’s had lines blocking the sidewalks, so if that’s your style, check it out!
Grab a seat upstairs by the windows and check out the risotto special, which changes daily.
drink
Yvonne’s
(Downtown)
website | instagram | map | menu
Tapped as a “modern supper club,” Yvonne’s is the perfect place for a (pricey) pre-dinner drink before it gets crazy busy. With two bars, a library dining/bar area and couches great for catching up, the delicious cocktails seemed like a bonus.
Most of the couches and intimate areas are first-come, first-serve, just ask the bartender which spots to grab when they become available.
Lolita’s Cocina
(Multiple Locations)
While both locations are hard to get into, the Seaport location of Lolita’s takes dinner reservations, which we used for a late-night snack (chips and guac) and a few margaritas around 9:30 pm.
If you opt to eat dinner here, you’ll receive cotton candy with the check.
Boston Seasons
(Downtown, City Hall Plaza)
We walked by the Boston Seasons patio more times than we could count all weekend and it looked like the perfect place to grab a drink on a beautiful day. The area includes nine custom patio areas, a Brew Yard, mini-golf and an airstream trailer serving Wachusett Brewing Company beer all summer long.
The patio is seasonal and positioned as a three-year pop-up, with 2018 being its first year open.
Drink
(Fort Point)
I didn’t have the opportunity to check this place out, but any cocktail joint with a non-menu, bartender-led creation premise is always a favorite of mine.
do
Freedom Trail & New England Holocaust Memorial
I haven’t walked the entire 2.5-mile outlined Freedom Trail route, but I’ve hit a few of the 16 historically significant sites during my visits, and the Holocaust Memorial multiple times. Boston is an extremely walkable city, so 2.5 miles will feel like nothing and I highly recommend walking slowly through the Holocaust Memorial to read the inscriptions.
Boston Common & Boston Gardens
Whether an early walk through the park with your coffee in the morning or spending more time to do the Swan Boats or relax with a picnic, these are not to be missed (and really hard to be missed if you’re doing a lot of walking).
Beacon Hill & Acorn Street
Walk through the charming neighborhood of Beacon Hill and you’ll be planning your future move to Boston. Every corner was picturesque, but you can’t miss Acorn Street, one of the most popularly photographed streets in Boston. We happened to walk by when it was completely empty due to the rain, so go early if you’re wanting a photo-opp.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
This museum was on the top of my list prior to my visit, but due to some timing issues, we weren’t able to fit it in (and weren’t willing to spend an hour in the pouring rain in line), so I’d recommend heading there right when it opens and purchase your ticket in advance online. I’ve read that the courtyard alone, is worth the $15 entry fee.
Harvard Campus Tour
Another beautiful and picturesque area that will make you wish you spent four years with these surroundings. They didn’t have any campus tours the day we were there, but I read they’re a great way to see all the best areas and learn the history behind them. Downtown Cambridge is also a fun walk, with bakeries, boutiques and restaurants across from campus.
Waterfront, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market
Head to the Waterfront to check out Faneuil Hall (grab some samples on your way through) and Quincy Market, two classic Boston buildings between Downtown and the North End.
Newbury Street Shopping
With boutiques of every price range for eight blocks, walking along Newbury and checking out the walk-up style stores is a perfect way to spend an hour or two.
Boston Public Library
Situated on one side of Copley Square, the BPL is massive and worth a quick stop to view the architecture or sit and work.
While it’s near impossible to fit everything in during one weekend, I’d love to hear your favorite places in Boston and things to do. I’m sure I’ll be back!