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Boston

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Alex Lau

People in Boston do care about more than just the Red Sox (and the Pats, the Bruins, and Dunkin’). They care about their food, from classic New England seafood fresh off the boat to mindbending bistros and bars with attitude. When it comes to exciting eating, this is a big town: The best stuff is happening on the other side of the river, so get ready to explore the outer neighborhoods of Somerville and Cambridge, including a Middle Eastern café well worth the trek.

The Hit List

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Yume Ga Arukara

The Cambridge counter slinging uncompromisingly delicious udon
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Juliet

The all-day café of our dreams
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Sofra

The Middle Eastern pastry shop/café that Ottolenghi hits when he’s in town

Restaurants, Bars, and More

Bar Mezzana

Where handmade pastas and tiki drinks somehow pair perfectly

Shepard

The smartest restaurant in Cambridge

The Wine Bottega

Natural wine hideaway in the North End

Backbar

Hidden-away Somerville haunt for innovative yet unstuffy cocktails

Bondir

Cozy Cambridge romance in tasting menu format

Loyal Nine

Old-fashioned New England cuisine goes new-school

Row 34

Eat Boston’s best oysters straight from the source

Alden & Harlow

Yes, you can order ALL of the veg-forward small plates

Neptune Oyster

Raising the (oyster) bar to new heights

Craigie on Main

The classic farm-to-table bistro for every grown-up dining need

No. 9 Park

Classic refinement from the chef who started it all

Spoke

Somerville’s welcoming wine bar with serious small plates

State Park

Once upon a time there was a bar…

Drink

Quintessential craft cocktail bar in Fort Point

Render Coffee

Serious coffee in a chill space

Pavement Coffeehouse

The micro-chain to seek out

Barrington Coffee Roasting Company

Your parents’ coffee company—but totally not

Farm and Fable

Shop for new pottery and old cookbooks

Boston Shaker

Cocktail shop to the pros

The Verb Hotel

Design hotel next to Fenway Park with rock ‘n’ roll vibes

The Liberty Hotel

Historic, elegant hotel in (yes!) a former prison