Guidebook for Boston
Food Scene
Amazing tacos and incredibly sweet and friendly family-owned spot only a five minute walk. It's a hole in the wall, so plan to take your tacos (or burritos or enchiladas or tamales) to go and sit in the park across the street or bring them back to sit on our porch. They also have Mexican coca-colas, chips and salsa/guacamole, flan, and tres leches to add to your meal!
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Chilacates Amory St
224 Amory StAmazing tacos and incredibly sweet and friendly family-owned spot only a five minute walk. It's a hole in the wall, so plan to take your tacos (or burritos or enchiladas or tamales) to go and sit in the park across the street or bring them back to sit on our porch. They also have Mexican coca-colas, chips and salsa/guacamole, flan, and tres leches to add to your meal!
Ten Tables is our go to neighborhood spot (10-15 minute walk) for a special occasion dinner. It's on the pricier side for this neighborhood, but it has a great atmosphere and delicious food. It's tiny (hence the name) so definitely make a reservation. We recommend their chef's tasting menu if you're adventurous and looking for something special.
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Ten Tables
597 Centre StTen Tables is our go to neighborhood spot (10-15 minute walk) for a special occasion dinner. It's on the pricier side for this neighborhood, but it has a great atmosphere and delicious food. It's tiny (hence the name) so definitely make a reservation. We recommend their chef's tasting menu if you're adventurous and looking for something special.
Sweet and small Italian restaurant on Centre Street (10-15 minute walk) surrounded by other shops and restaurants. Yummy food, including a fun Monday night special for two in a homey but sophisticated atmosphere. They also do a really good and really popular American brunch on weekends.
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Centre Street Cafe
669A Centre StreetSweet and small Italian restaurant on Centre Street (10-15 minute walk) surrounded by other shops and restaurants. Yummy food, including a fun Monday night special for two in a homey but sophisticated atmosphere. They also do a really good and really popular American brunch on weekends.
This is our favorite coffee shop within five minutes walking distance of our condo. They have a large variety of coffee and tea drinks, including some fun seasonal offerings. They also offer good breakfast sandwiches, scones, muffins, cookies, sandwiches, and salads. This is a popular place for families on the weekends and hipster artist types to work during the week so it can get crowded. There is some outdoor seating here as well.
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Ula Café
284 Amory StThis is our favorite coffee shop within five minutes walking distance of our condo. They have a large variety of coffee and tea drinks, including some fun seasonal offerings. They also offer good breakfast sandwiches, scones, muffins, cookies, sandwiches, and salads. This is a popular place for families on the weekends and hipster artist types to work during the week so it can get crowded. There is some outdoor seating here as well.
Amazing almond croissants and other delicious pastries (the eclairs are good). They also have a second location, La Rana Rossa, with a more limited bakery selection, that serves yummy pizza at night. No seating at Blue Frog, so expect to take out.
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The Blue Frog Bakery
3 Green StAmazing almond croissants and other delicious pastries (the eclairs are good). They also have a second location, La Rana Rossa, with a more limited bakery selection, that serves yummy pizza at night. No seating at Blue Frog, so expect to take out.
This is one of our local favorites and a much-loved neighborhood institution. Nice casual vibe and yummy Cuban food. We especially love the ropa vieja, chicken fricassee, yellow rice, and plantains (either maduros or tostones are good depending on your preference!). They also have a variety of yummy tropical shakes.
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El Oriental De Cuba
416 Centre StThis is one of our local favorites and a much-loved neighborhood institution. Nice casual vibe and yummy Cuban food. We especially love the ropa vieja, chicken fricassee, yellow rice, and plantains (either maduros or tostones are good depending on your preference!). They also have a variety of yummy tropical shakes.
This place has amazing Ethiopian food in a cute and friendly atmosphere. Lots of options for vegetarians and meat-eaters. It's tiny (like a lot of JP restaurants) and very popular, so make sure you make a reservation on the weekend or be prepared to wait!
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Blue Nile Restaurant
389 Centre StThis place has amazing Ethiopian food in a cute and friendly atmosphere. Lots of options for vegetarians and meat-eaters. It's tiny (like a lot of JP restaurants) and very popular, so make sure you make a reservation on the weekend or be prepared to wait!
Iconic JP based ice cream shop with a wide variety of flavors. We highly recommend cookies & cream and brownie batter, as well as their interesting seasonal flavors. Some people love their coffee, but I don't like it!
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J.P. Licks
659 Centre StIconic JP based ice cream shop with a wide variety of flavors. We highly recommend cookies & cream and brownie batter, as well as their interesting seasonal flavors. Some people love their coffee, but I don't like it!
Saturday mornings about a five minute walk from our condo. Small but good selection of local produce, meat, eggs, cheese, and usually some other items. There is usually also prepared food available, sometimes bagels, samosas, or other offerings.
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Egleston Farmers Market
179 Germania StSaturday mornings about a five minute walk from our condo. Small but good selection of local produce, meat, eggs, cheese, and usually some other items. There is usually also prepared food available, sometimes bagels, samosas, or other offerings.
Parks & Nature
About a fifteen minute walk from our condo is beautiful Jamaica Pond. There is a path that goes all the way around the pond (about 1.25-1.5 miles) and is popular with families, joggers, and dog walkers. During the summer you will also see people fishing at the pond. There is a boathouse where you can rent row boats and kayaks during summer hours.
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Jamaica Pond
About a fifteen minute walk from our condo is beautiful Jamaica Pond. There is a path that goes all the way around the pond (about 1.25-1.5 miles) and is popular with families, joggers, and dog walkers. During the summer you will also see people fishing at the pond. There is a boathouse where you can rent row boats and kayaks during summer hours.
This is about a 25 minute walk from our condo, or you can take the T one stop to Forest Hills and walk five minutes from there. The arboretum is run by Harvard University and is beautiful in many seasons. It's a great place for a walk or a picnic.
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Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
125 ArborwayThis is about a 25 minute walk from our condo, or you can take the T one stop to Forest Hills and walk five minutes from there. The arboretum is run by Harvard University and is beautiful in many seasons. It's a great place for a walk or a picnic.
Bike and walking path that runs from right behind our house on Amory Street 3 miles to Back Bay (downtown Boston). Not particularly scenic in the nature sense, but an nice walk or bike into downtown. On your way you'll pass through many different and changing neighborhoods which is an interesting way to get a sense of this diverse community.
Southwest Corridor Park
Southwest Corridor ParkBike and walking path that runs from right behind our house on Amory Street 3 miles to Back Bay (downtown Boston). Not particularly scenic in the nature sense, but an nice walk or bike into downtown. On your way you'll pass through many different and changing neighborhoods which is an interesting way to get a sense of this diverse community.
Entertainment & Activities
Zoo in nearby Franklin Park (also a nice place for walks and jogs). We've never been, but we know lots of people who have been and have had fun!
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Franklin Park Zoo
1 Franklin Park RdZoo in nearby Franklin Park (also a nice place for walks and jogs). We've never been, but we know lots of people who have been and have had fun!
Drinks & Nightlife
Only a five minute walk from our condo. Offers tours and a post-tour tasting room with beer samples :) Not open at night.
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Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
30 Germania StreetOnly a five minute walk from our condo. Offers tours and a post-tour tasting room with beer samples :) Not open at night.
Classic dive bar and live music establishment. Thursday nights are famous for Queereoke. Lots and lots of live music shows.
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Midway Café
3496 Washington StClassic dive bar and live music establishment. Thursday nights are famous for Queereoke. Lots and lots of live music shows.
Restaurant and bar offering a decent selection of beer, wine, and interesting cocktails. There is also a back room that has various music and dance opportunities after dinner hours. The pizza and burgers here are good for families at dinner also.
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Bella Luna & The Milky Way
284 Amory StRestaurant and bar offering a decent selection of beer, wine, and interesting cocktails. There is also a back room that has various music and dance opportunities after dinner hours. The pizza and burgers here are good for families at dinner also.
Classic Boston Irish bar that's pretty famous (a few movies have been filmed there, and it's a popular stop for visiting politicians and other famous folks). Classic food offerings and a fun casual atmosphere.
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Doyle's Cafe
Classic Boston Irish bar that's pretty famous (a few movies have been filmed there, and it's a popular stop for visiting politicians and other famous folks). Classic food offerings and a fun casual atmosphere.
Brand new brewery about a five minute walk from our house. They just opened, so right now they've got about 4 beers they are pouring pints of, and you can get cans to go. They have a nice brick patio for sitting outside, and sometimes have food trucks also. The owners are super nice, and it's a great spot for a beer right by our house!
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Turtle Swamp Brewing
3377 Washington StBrand new brewery about a five minute walk from our house. They just opened, so right now they've got about 4 beers they are pouring pints of, and you can get cans to go. They have a nice brick patio for sitting outside, and sometimes have food trucks also. The owners are super nice, and it's a great spot for a beer right by our house!
Shopping
Good selection of local items and interesting clothes, gifts, jewelry, and cards.
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On Centre
676 Centre StGood selection of local items and interesting clothes, gifts, jewelry, and cards.
Hatched - Eco-Friendly Goods For Babies And Big Kids
Adorable baby store :)
Sweet locally owned bookstore with a variety of cards and other items.
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Papercuts J.P.
60 South StSweet locally owned bookstore with a variety of cards and other items.
Essentials
This is our usual stop if we've forgotten a common ingredient, want to grab a six pack of beer, or are craving a packaged snack. Good selection of beer and wine including some local offerings as well as big brands. There's also a food counter that makes pizza, subs, etc.
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Ruggiero's Market & Liquors - Beer & Wine - Deli & Pizza
3345 Washington StThis is our usual stop if we've forgotten a common ingredient, want to grab a six pack of beer, or are craving a packaged snack. Good selection of beer and wine including some local offerings as well as big brands. There's also a food counter that makes pizza, subs, etc.
15 minute walk from our condo, with everything you would expect from a big name grocery store, as well as a decent selection of products popular in Central America.
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Stop & Shop
301 Centre St15 minute walk from our condo, with everything you would expect from a big name grocery store, as well as a decent selection of products popular in Central America.
Local small and pricier grocery store with a selection of local items and produce, as well as a pretty good local beer and wine selection.
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City Feed and Supply
672 Centre StLocal small and pricier grocery store with a selection of local items and produce, as well as a pretty good local beer and wine selection.
Getting Around
Closest subway stop to us. Take the train towards Oak Grove on your left when you go down the stairs, and arrive in downtown Boston in 12 minutes.
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Green Street station
150 Green StClosest subway stop to us. Take the train towards Oak Grove on your left when you go down the stairs, and arrive in downtown Boston in 12 minutes.