Located in the heart of Boston's South End, Toro is an upbeat Barcelona-style tapas bar. Owned by acclaimed chef Ken Oringer, Toro has become one of Boston's must-visit restaurants. Perfect for sharing, the traditional tapas served here are small portioned dishes that allow patrons to order and try various cuisines. Toro's vast menu features a variety of tapas, including empanadas, sliders, paellas , and more. Not to be outdone by their cuisine, the signature drink menu at Toro offers wine on tap, cocktails, champagne, and bottled beer. Their brunch is one of the best in the city, offering pitchers of sangria, mimosas, and bloody marys. Be prepared to wait or arrive early, as this popular establishment doesn't accept reservations.
Housed in the Boston Center for the Arts, The Beehive restaurant and bar is almost like an opera house in itself, with live jazz, a cabaret, and a lot more action. There are fine satin drapes and exquisite artifacts adorning the eatery, which will sure catch your attention. There is no denying the fact that it is a popular hangout among the night birds, and the bar and lounge scene here is also upbeat and lively. The food is a regular mix of the grilled and Mediterranean varieties, with lamb ribs ruling the roost. Sausages, pasta, and risottos also sit happily together on the menu, and the wine sure flows freely on all days. Everything about the place has an arty feel to it.
Tourists still flock to Bull & Finch Pub, a.k.a. Cheers Boston, the inspiration for the Cheers television series which ran for 11 years and won several awards. Immerse yourself in the cozy ambiance, adorned with memorabilia that pays homage to the beloved sitcom. Visitors can enjoy a casual and friendly environment, complete with classic pub fare and a good selection of drinks. Menu options are diverse and well worth the money spent. With its nostalgic charm and a reputation for great food and drinks, Cheers is a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists in Boston.
For daring Asian cuisine enthusiasts, Myers + Chang promises to cater admirably to their needs. The chefs' interpretations of Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisine are both thoughtful and novel, drawing huge crowds. Some must-try dishes here are full-flavored braised pork belly buns, delectable pot stickers, and excellent tea-smoked pork spare ribs. On weekends, Myers + Chang serves up a dim sum brunch menu that is the perfect way to have a social hangover breakfast, with plenty of sharing and a riot of flavors.
Located in the popular South End of Boston, Picco is a well-established and loved Italian restaurant. An acronym for Pizza and Ice Cream Company, Picco is known for its exceptional thin-crust style pizza and homemade organic ice cream, which are all made with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant is characterized by its bright blue awnings, simple decor and outdoor seating. With a bubbly crust, fresh cheese and herbs, the pizzas are exquisitely prepared and can be custom-ordered with a variety of toppings ranging from homemade ricotta to broccoli rabe. The ice cream is richly flavored and made in-house. The flavors rotate daily but often include chocolate, mint chip, ginger and passion fruit.
The Helmand is Boston's first Afghan restaurant. It has a wonderful atmosphere with yellow walls, hand-woven rugs, a wood-burning stove and tables set with linen and fresh flowers. Dishes here are seasoned with spices like turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon and cilantro. One specialty is the flatbread, which you dip it into the yogurt-mint sauces. The pumpkin appetizer with yogurt and ground beef is also popular. Menu items include lamb with grapes, marinated tenderloin and leek-stuffed ravioli. The restaurant also has an excellent selection of wine.
How does a short drive after dinner sound? Great, especially if it takes you to Lizzy's—the world of smooth and creamy ice creams. Located just 11 miles off Boston, the dessert parlor serves 40 flavors of this delicious delight. Want to go for something different? Then dig into the smooth hot fudge. The venue also serves light meals throughout the week until 6p. And if you are in a large group, then why not go for their special Homemade Sundae Party? Just tell them when and where. These treats are available in scoops at some other stores across the city.
Located in Winchester, Mamadou's Artisan Bakery is a part of a chain of specialty food shops which is renowned for its baked goods. Its flaky croissants will remind you of Paris bakeries while its hearty baguette bread will keep you coming back for more. Walnut bread, Italian bread, sourdough, multigrain bread and Ciabatta are a few other varieties of baked goods which can be found here. Grab a croissant on your way to work or take home a couple of loaves to spruce up your dinner.
Club Passim has been on the cultural scene of Boston for a long time. It is frequented by the Harvard intellectuals for evening get togethers. Club Passim works to promote local and folk music. No alcohol is served here, you can order vegetarian pizzas from the in-house pizzeria, libations from the juice or just a cuppa. Boston is known for its cultural and arts scene and this is a definitely a good place to soak up the arts.