Toscanini's
This sweet spot's rotating cast of ultracreamy flavors ranges from worldly (burnt caramel, bananas foster) to otherworldly (mango chili, sage) and everything in between, providing thrills for ice cream traditionalists and adventurists alike. 899 Main St., Cambridge, MA 2139, tosci.com.
Sniffles and Sneezes, Dedham Visiting Nurses Association
What the world needs now is love, sweet love—and somebody to look after sick kids while their parents are working. Who better to do it than the Visiting Nurses? (Preregistration is required.) 1100 High Street, Dedham, MA .
Sel de la Terre
We love the hint of sweetness in the fig-and-anise loaf at Sel de la Terre, and covet the bakery's chewy sourdough. But one bite of the buttery brioche at this boulangerie makes us feel we've died and gone to heaven. 255 State St., Boston, MA seldelaterre.com.
Maria's Pastry Shop
Fresh, chilled, and creamy sweet, the ricotta filling gushes from the flaky cannoli shells at Maria's, making these pastries not only the area's best, but at $1.25 per, among the most affordable. No stale tourist treats here. 46 Cross St., Boston, MA .
Panificadora "La Sisegoza"
There are trays of exotic sweets here, including our favorite, the guayaba empanada—a cream-cheese pastry filled with tangy homemade guava puree. We also like the rice pudding, perfect and creamy, sprinkled with cinnamon. 622 Hyde Park Avenue, Roslindale, MA .
Priscilla of Boston
The old guard (and their daughters) have long favored this hushed salon that sells sophisticated pieces by Melissa Sweet and Watters and Watters. Every shopper is outfitted with a soft robe to don between changings.
Neptune Oyster
Cold with mayo, or hot with butter? Neptune ends the great lobster roll debate by excelling at both. The constant is perfectly firm, sweet lobster piled into a large brioche roll, with a particularly generous percentage of tail meat. 63 Salem St., Boston, MA 2113, neptuneoyster.com.
Vicki Lee Boyajian, Inc.
All the essential elements meld in these sweet, petite treats: an airy, flaky shell; a pastry cream redolent of vanilla with flecks of the bean; a bittersweet chocolate ganache; and a candied violet. Divine! Boyajian is also famous for spectacular wedding cakes. 1019 Great Plain Ave., Needham, MA .
Lobsta Land
Forget ambiance and views—here, it's all about the lobster roll. And it's a behemoth, with five ounces of fresh, sweet tail and claw meat tossed in just enough mayo, then heaped onto a blimp-size brioche bun. 84 Causeway St., Gloucester, MA 1930, lobstalandrestaurant.com.
B-Side Lounge
Getting the coating to proper crispiness without rubberizing teh squid puts the B-Side lounge in an elite fraternity. The superlative fiery-sweet dipping sauce puts it over the top. 92 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 2139, bsidelounge.com.
Cafénation
Finding a seat on the weekend can be nearly impossible, and given the offerings—fluffy made-to-order omelets, creamy iced lattes, melt-in-your-mouth sweet crêpes—it’s easy to see why. 380 Washington St., Boston, MA 02135, cafenation.com.
Petsi Pies
Only the most flavorful morsels of perfectly ripe, sweet fruits make the cut for Renee McLeod's blueberry, mixed berry, and tart cherry crumb desserts. We're pie-eyed with love. 285 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA 2143, .
New Shanghai
Chinese food doesn't get any better than the Crispy Eels with Sweet Sauce, Vegetarian Goose, Crispy Scallops with Black Pepper Sauce, and General Gao's Sphrimp, washed down with a cold Tsing Tao beer. 21 Hudson Street, Boston, MA .
Franklin Southie
You don't need reservations to snag a seat at this local favorite, where the fritto misto and steak tartare are best chased with a pickleback. What to Order: The fried catfish; crispy-pork lettuce wraps. 152 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA franklincafe.com.
Ko at the Shipyard
We mourned the loss of a local gem with the closing of Scup's in the Harbour, but when it was replaced by this Australian spot—which offers meat pies, salads, and down-under treats like potato wedges with sweet chili sauce—we breathed a heavy sigh of relief. What to Order: The chicken pita; chickpea salad; meat pie. 256 Marginal St., East Boston, MA kocateringandpies.com.