There is something special about summer in Boston. After being cooped up inside for months, we take advantage of any opportunity to soak up the sun and feel the ocean breeze. Faneuil Hall, with its outdoor mall setup and close proximity to the harbor, is an ideal way to spend a summer day exploring and eating with out-of-towners.
Yes, you'll face the tourist crowds ambling along the charming cobblestone streets. But it's worth it because you'll also find some of Boston's best local eats to help you power through a day of shopping.
So grab your mother-and-law and spend the day playing a hungry tourist in Boston at these spots:
Steve's Greek Cuisine is a fantastic first stop. Since closing its Newbury St. location, Quincy Market is now the only place in Boston to find their citrusy, salty (and locally famous) Avgolemono Soup. Chock full of rice, chicken and egg, this hearty broth is balanced with the zippy brightness of lemon.
Follow the warming soup with one of Steve’s mouthwatering wraps filled with tender, juicy meat and topped with tangy tzatziki and veggies. While you can't go wrong with any of the wraps—in my opinion—the gyros take the cake. The rich, meaty mixture of lamb and beef is offset by refreshing garlic tzatziki. Crunchy lettuce and onions with juicy tomatoes round out the lunchtime indulgence.
And of course no Greek meal is complete without baklava. This flaky, sticky-sweet honey and walnut dessert has my number, and I'd be willing to be you won't stop at one little piece.
If seafood is more your speed, stop in to the Walrus & Carpenter. This restaurant is a great place to get your oyster fix, and unlike many of the local hall vendors, it has seating! The briny, bivalve delicacies are the focus of this establishment, but chowders and lobster rolls are also on the menu, along with creamy, buttery lobster bisque to fill you up.
And the lobster rolls here? They're often touted as some of the best in town, and loaded with sweet, tender meat on soft chewy bread with minimal fixings - the way they should be.
Magnolia Bakery is a New York City legend, but you’d be mistaken not to visit their Faneuil Hall location. It’s the crown jewel of Quincy Market. You’ll find a delicious selection of cupcakes, cookies, pies and more, all baked from scratch.
The star at Magnolia is their infamous banana bread pudding. You will revel in its creamy goodness. But the Boston location offers something special: The Boston Cream Pie Banana Bread Pudding. Enjoy layers of vanilla pudding, vanilla wafers, bananas and a decadent chocolate fudge.
Tourists come from far and wide to eat at Magnolia in New York City, so don’t miss the chance to enjoy these heavenly treats in your own backyard.
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Regina Pizzeria is a North End institution. Locals and tourists have enjoyed their brick oven pizzas since 1926. But lines can get long, especially in the summertime, but rest assured that you can skip the lines and grab a slice at Quincy Market. And all of their pizzas have that signature, perfectly-baked, crust.
The Prosciutto Con Spinaci, a classic combination, is a sure bet. As is the classic cheese pizza. There are several delicious options to choose from, and once you order, your slices are heated to perfection on-site in a brick oven.
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Just a few steps away from Quincy Market you’ll find Saus and their award-winning French fries made with aged potatoes that are hand-cut daily and twice fried for texture. You’ll get to customize your meal and choose from 15 dipping sauces. Favorites include the truffle ketchup and smoky chipotle mayo.
If you don’t fill up on fries, which is hard to do, you’ll definitely fill up on their other menu items. Choose from poutine with kimchi, a pork belly pork carnitas sandwich, or friks, the hand-rolled beef and pork sausage. Saus has a late-night menu after 10pm, so you can grab those fries any time you desire.
If you’re looking for a lively spot to grab a margarita, Mija is for you. Get a reprieve from the crowds of tourists just outside with a rustic wood-paneled interior and surrounding glass windows. On nice days, the bar is all open air.
As a cantina and tequila bar, cocktails will be the highlight of your experience at Mija, especially the margarita. Mija has one of the most extensive tequila collections in Massachusetts. So if you can’t decide on a cocktail, enjoy a selection from one of their more than 100 tequilas.
(This article was updated on July 2019.)
