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.
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.
Grill 23 & Bar
Carnivores descend upon this old-boy's-club dining room to eat big portions, tell tall tales, and pay top dollar. While some of our more subdued purveyors complained of undue ambient noise, you can always request the quieter area beyond the bar. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
Dali Restaurant and Tapas Bar
If you think you can get better tapas in Spain, you're wrong. How did we survive without Dali? 415 Washington St., Somerville, MA .
Back Bay Bistro
A hands-down winner with no grounds for dissent. 565 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
The Ritz Carlton Hotel Bar
We acknowledge the perennial favorite of our readers. Served in tiny glass decanters. 15 Arlington St., Boston, MA .
The Bar at the Ritz Carlton Hotel
Sweet, but neat, with more bubbles than Lawrence Welk. 15 Arlington St., Boston, MA .
Rosie's Bar & Grille
Open, welcoming, and serving until the wee hours, it has twice the ambience and none of the stage lights or lines. 1667 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA .
Bay Tower Room
Even better if you're a member of the private, lunch-only Bay Club. 60 State St., Boston, MA .
Carlos at the Ritz Bar
His discretion is matched only by his attentiveness. Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Boston, MA .
Inn Square Men's Bar
Funky and loud. Real loud. 1350 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA .
The Spa at Chatham Bars Inn
No need to forfeit the Cape’s sea breeze when you unwind with a treatment at the Chatham Bars Inn’s spa: Surrounded by nature and the salty air from the ocean less than a quarter-mile away, its private outdoor cabanas are the perfect spot to unwind with a bliss-inducing deep-tissue CBD massage. If you’re looking to make relaxation the full focus of your Cape getaway, book one of the hotel’s spa suites (in-room soaking tub, sauna, and steam shower included). 297 Shore Rd., Chatham, MA 02633, chathambarsinn.com.
Grill 23 & Bar
It’s notoriously difficult to unseat an incumbent. Such is the case with the city’s standard-bearer steakhouse, a Best of Boston winner year after year (after year, after … ). Look, we’d love an excuse to vary our endorsement, but — straight talk, people — nobody throws red meat to the voters (i.e., our stomachs) like this chief-executive-courting chop shop with a world-class wine program and hand-rolled cigars. And besides, as those famous 100-day-aged rib-eyes make clear, some things only get better with time. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, grill23.com.
Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen
With eats, beats, and spiked sweet tea like this, you’ll never hit the snooze button on a Sunday morning again. Darryl’s all-you-can-eat brunch buffet is a rollicking good time every weekend, a place to feast on mouthwatering southern favorites — say, fried chicken and catfish cheddar grits — to the backdrop of live music from jazz and blues performers. Come hungry, and leave happy (with a very, very, full belly). 604 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02118, dcbkboston.com.