This week my “baby” brother came to visit us in Boston before heading off to start college in North Carolina. He’s a self-proclaimed foodie so we treated him to a few days of eating around town!
For an easy casual outfit that always feels classic and put-together, I love these linen shorts paired with either a relaxed fit button-up shirt (white or stripes) or a more fitted top like this sweater rib tank (pictured below). These shorts are a great length with a tailored fit, and come with a fabric belt as well. Size 00 measures 12.6” across the waist. Just got the Sandshell color as well which are on extra sale at checkout!
For more local recommendations including spots that I eat at or order takeout from regularly, check out our Boston Visitor’s Guide, which I try to keep updated every so often!
Breakfast: Mike & Patty’s
Multiple locations
A local favorite for breakfast sandwiches! They are most known for their Grilled Crack sandwich with 3 kinds of melty cheese, but my usual is the Fancy with fried eggs, bacon, cheddar cheese, avocado, crunchy bits of onion and housemade mayo. They also offer a vegan sandwich with Just Egg. For a more low key / smaller but also tasty breakfast sandwich, we get the sausage egg + cheese on an english muffin from Billy’s Sub Shop.
What we get: The Fancy, or Grilled Grack for more indulgence
Coffee + Dessert: Jonquils Cafe
Newbury Street
This desserts at this cafe are little works of art, and they sell out toward later in the day. While you’re paying extra for the visuals, the taste is pretty good too! I got the apple which is filled with apple confit, caramel, cream cheese, chocolate sponge cake and crunchy bits. There’s outdoor seating, and the decor is cute inside with extra seating downstairs.
What to get: Any of the beautiful desserts!
Lunch: ORALE Mexican Grill
Cambridge
We got a variety of tacos and the elote here – all were fine, but the birria tacos definitely stood out as the best item we ordered and better than other Mexican spots where we’ve tried this dish. The shells were perfectly cheesy and crisp without being too greasy, and the stewed meat inside was tender and nicely complemented the dipping broth. I would suggest eating these on the spot (vs. delivery) if possible!
What to get: Birria tacos
Snack: North End Sushi
North End
Quick bite while walking around in the Faneuil Hall / Government Center / North End area. This is literally a takeout counter at a hole in the wall with no seating, but you can walk to the nearby Greenway and enjoy the breeze. I don’t usually get their nigiri here, as their sushi rice is seasoned sweeter than I’d like for nigiri, but we often get their maki platters for guests, or hand rolls which are usually packed with fresh fish.
What to get: Maki platters or hand rolls. I usually do for yellowtail scallion, spicy salmon or scallop!
Drinks: Contessa
Newbury Street
Beautiful spot for brunch / lunch, dinner or just a drink. Gorgeous interior plus a rooftop view over the Boston public garden!
Lobster Roll + Chowder: Saltie Girl or Neptune Oyster
Back Bay (Saltie Girl) // North End (Neptune)
The photos in this post are from Neptune Oyster, a classic and iconic Boston restaurant, but I have to say I personally prefer Saltie Girl by Newbury Street.
Neptune Oyster is a more of a cramped (we shared a table with another couple) little spot with no reservations so you must stand in line sometimes for hours, and Saltie Girl takes reservations and has a more spacious (and cute!) dining area. I find the lobster roll at both restaurants to both be good, but to me, the clam chowder is hands down better at Saltie girl with a creamier consistency, chunks of clams and topped with a fried clam for texture.
Late Night + Drinks: SOJUba
Fenway / Kenmore
Came here for Korean food and drinks after changing into a “nighttime appropriate” outfit (IYKYK from my Instagram stories : ) Their original wings with honey mustard were perfectly crispy. Everyone talked about how nice the crunch was and how we need to try the soy garlic flavor next time! We got their Boodae Jeongol / army stew pot and garlic noodles, but I have to say, Nick’s garlic noodles are just as good if not better!
Hi Jean, I’ve been following your blog for years and years since close to the beginning and have finally been able to use it as a guide around Boston with your other older article as I’m currently here for work from Australia for a week. Have been to Saltie Girl – delicious lobster roll and Mike’s for breakfast today. Thanks for helping me make the most of my few days off here!
Hi, Jean!
I love, love, love your blog and IG. Would you be willing to share which restaurants were food allergy friendly or pretty good at accommodating food allergies? My kids have similar food allergies as Nori’s.
Also: I live in the Boston area so I’m not looking for super exciting places that impress. As I am sure you have experienced, it’s just exciting to find a restaurant that is accommodating and relatively safe.
We eat sushi and shabu (hot pot) a lot since they do not use a lot of dairy, egg or nuts at all! We go to Spring shabu all you can eat or Shabu zen (2 locations) and zen has a detailed allergy guide if you ask to see it. Futago udon is delicious and the owner and chef is helpful when answering allergy Qs. We also go to wagamama which I don’t find exciting but the kids enjoy it, and they seem to be conscious of allergies when we ask about it.
Thank you!! I’ve had good experiences with getting allergy accommodated food at Otto, Stoked Wood Fire, Veggie Galaxy, Oakleaf Bakery, and Life Alive. We haven’t done Asian food as much but I really want to. We have been meaning to try out Sumiao Hunan Kitchen as they seem allergy friendly.
We also have eaten at Dumpling Daughter a ton of times!
All of these spots look delicious. Mike’s is probably my favorite breakfast in the country. So great.
I love these outfits. I need a new white button up but I’m looking for one that’s not super sheer. How do you like the Everlane one here? My second question is that beautiful Sezane sweater. It’s been sitting in my cart for over a week. How’s the quality and fit of it? Thanks for this post!
I love the Everlane one since it’s lighter in weight and the looser relaxed fit I’m looking for! I find I reach for it lots more than my tailored shirts. And the Sezane sweater is beautiful quality, with a slightly shrunken, very slightly cropped fit. Love and would highly recommend!
Thank you, Jean! These details really help. Looking forward to ordering now!
Sarma, Oleana, Myers + Chang, Flour Bakery, and George Howell Cafe are my absolute favorites in the Boston area.
Sophia, I agree! Flour Bakery especially. Oleana used to be a solid go-to, but the last time I went there (admittedly maybe 6-7 years ago now), I wasn’t as blown away. You’re giving me hopes to give it another try!
You’ll have to let us know what you think if you have a chance to try it again!
I will! I will say I do love love love Oleana’s sister restaurant, Sofra, in Watertown. Highly recommend if you haven’t given it a try yet!
Oh those are some great spots too!
That one sandwich with bacon! OMG, I can’t believe you can eat this food and stay as slim as you are. It must’ve been so much fun taking your brother all around. The linen shorts are so chic on you and I love, love, love that jacket-type romper. SUPERB! Some day soon I’m going to go to Boston and I’m going to try all these food places! Thank you Jean. Love your posts.
Hi Val, so great to hear from you! It was so fun to have my brother visiting. I hope you do get a chance to visit Boston sometime!!
Thank you! Perfect timing as we are flying out next month for the Red Sox-Yankees game. Excited to try a couple of these places.
That sounds like such a fun trip, enjoy!!