Antiques on Cambridge Street
Antiques shopping is notoriously hit-or-miss, but at the 12,000-square-foot Antiques on Cambridge, you're bound to run into something special. After all, this depot represents about 100 venerable vendors. Elegant dining tables and chairs, upholstered furniture, and armoires mingle with collectibles, delicate porcelain, and silver in a pressure-free, relaxed space. It's never been easier to browse at your own pace. 1076 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA .
Bundle of Hope
Clothing, accessories, furniture, and more: Bundle of Hope offers it all, with a delightful variety and a warm personal touch. Leave your kids in the play area while you peruse the high-quality offerings for infants and toddlers; have them try on clothes in the charmingly handpainted dressing room; even let them bring friends along for a tea party. The staff here is more than accommodating, wrapping gifts, making shipments, and setting up baby registries. 146 Front St., Scituate, MA bundleofhope.net.
Chatham Bars Inn
Massages and facials are delightful—until they cut into your precious sun time, that is. Thankfully, the Spa at the Chatham Bars Inn offers the best of both worlds. The facility's outdoor plunge pool, surrounded by lush gardens, is a tranquil way to take in the beauty of the Cape after an aah-inducing rubdown. Al fresco treatments in private cabanas, meanwhile, maximize the therapeutic benefits of the great outdoors. 297 Shore Road, Chatham, MA 2633, chathambarsinn.com.
Moth
Break out your wallet, because every item in this quiet shop is a knockout. Racks of Chloé trousers share space with Catherine Malandrino flowing Grecian dresses. Intricate details play out on black Biya trenches embroidered with bright floral patterns and Luella bags in shades of eggplant and fireball red. The denim-obsessed will covet jeans from rising labels such as Chip & Pepper and Red Engine. 53 South St., Hingham, MA .
Red Rock Bistro & Bar
At first it's easy to overlook the Red Rock's first-class food in favor of the sweeping sea and city skyline views. But one nibble of owners Paul and Louise Petersiel's properly prepared fare will have you back at the table and concentrating on your plate. Grilled pizzas, seared scallops, and a thoughtful wine selection round things out at this comfortable, kick-back-and-relax ocean-side bistro. 141 Humphrey St., Swampscott, MA redrockbistro.com.
Andover Inn
Andover students and faculty know this hearty buffet rocks, so you can expect a packed house on school-year Sunday mornings. The inn has all the standard brunch items but also includes such gourmet goodies as smoked salmon, fruit, and specialty cheeses. Rounding out the meal are enough sweet danishes, croissants, and freshly baked breads to satisfy any palate. 4 Chapel Ave., Andover, MA andoverinn.com.
Mad Martha's Homemade Ice Cream
Tourists and locals alike are so mad for Mad Martha's that the line stretches out the door till closing time each night. Given this shop's flavors, which range from peppermint to Lotsa Dough to Snickers, it's no wonder why. Treat yourself or challenge your beach buddy to an order of the Pig's Delight—12 scoops of delicious, dripping heaven. 7 N. Water St., Edgartown, MA .
Buff's Pub
It would be a shame if this unpretentious little bar near turnpike exit 17 got too trendy. The honey hot Buffalo wings are worth the few years off your life you risk by dipping them in bleu cheese for an unlikely taste sensation. But cholesterolically speaking, what's the difference? A satisfying supply of about 10 wings goes for $2.75 (less at lunch). Buff's Pale Ale, made by Boston Beer Works, is a nice accompaniment. 317 Washington St., Newton Corner, MA .
Bristol Lounge
Life should always pause around 4 p.m. so people can revive themselves with a cup of tea. Besides this genteel refreshment (or coffee, if you must), the Four Seasons Hotel serves the traditional three-tiered silver trays of dainty crustless-cucumber-and-smoked-salmon sandwiches, scones with lemon-curd and Devonshire-cream, miniature fruit tarts, and tea bread. A pampering staff and exquisite views of the Public Garden provide almost more afternoon comfort than kindergarten naptime. Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Kettle Cafe
The variety may not be the most extensive, but Kettle Cafe wins the taste test by a mile. In addition to muffins, croissants, and biscotti at the Kettle, there are only five sandwiches, but each of them is guaranteed to get you back for a return visit. Proscuitto with arugula, shaved Reggiano, extra virgin olive oil, lemon, cracked pepper, and a smear of horseradish on herbed foccacia tries to win your tastebuds over from others such as Black Forest ham with aged sharp cheddar, mango chutney, and grainy mustard on harvest bread. 2888 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
Wilson Farms
This farm's tomatoes are the best summer heat antidote— fleshy and cool, never mealy. The papayas are huge, and the corn— well, teens say it's worth biting into, braces be damned. Wilson Farms has every fruit and veggie you need for your Labor Day cookout, and many you don't. Although some of the exotic produce is shipped in from foreign climes, the rest is farm-stand fresh. 10 Pleasant St., Lexington, MA .
The Helmand
This Afghan restaurant packs a tapestry of spice into every dish, from the marinated meat on the seekh kabab to the delicate baby pumpkin. The broad dining room's flaming bread oven, extensive wine list, and exotic decor transport you from everyday Cambridge to distant Kabul. Soothe your surging palate afterward with full-bodied Turkish coffee. 143 First St., East Cambridge, MA .
Tremont 647
To complement his "Adventurous American Cuisine," chef and owner Andy Husbands shook up an Adventurous version of the classic cocktail as a signature drink. As with any great margarita, the secret is hand-squeezed sour mix (none of that pre-mix swill) and a heaping dose of gold tequila, in this case Sauza. Replacing the triple sec with Grand Marnier doesn't hurt, either. 647 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
Biga Breads
Carmelized onion and cheese ciabatta (a twisted Tuscan bread), triple-raisin loaf, and parmesan-pepper breadsticks are just a few reasons to check out Biga. In addition to retail sales through their cafes, you can find them at Bread & Circus—and on the tables of some of the best restaurants in the city. The cafes now serve roasted tomato and fontina pizzas, salads, and sandwiches like the smoked turkey with caramelized-onion chutney, goat cheese, basil, and Dijon that will make your mouth water! 197 8th St., Charlestown, MA .
Mucho Gusto Cafe & Collectibles
Have your empanada and eat it, too. Mucho Gusto is as much a museum of kitsch as it is a kitchen of Cuba. Mami Aida turns out perfect pork sandwiches, savory rice and beans, beef picadillo, and exceptional cafe con leche in a delightful time-capsule setting filled with collectibles from the '40s, '50s, and '60s (all for sale). The service is prompt, the portions are filling, and the rhumba makes you forget that Massachusetts Avenue is just a block away. 1124 Boylston St., Boston, MA .