Central Square Theater
This intimate stage happens to be the only U.S. theater to enjoy a long-term collab with a research institution (MIT), hence such science-centric plays as 2018’s The Women Who Mapped the Stars, the untold story of Harvard’s 19th-century female astronomy pioneers. 450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, centralsquaretheater.org.
Monument Restaurant & Tavern
At this buzzy new restaurant, brunch is the liveliest meal of the day. Kick things off with the theme-appropriate Cinnamon Toast Brunch cocktail—a White Russian riff garnished with actual cereal bits—before diving into a stack of lemon-poppyseed buttermilk pancakes. 251 Main St., Charlestown , MA 02129, monumentcharlestown.com.
Tangierino
Take a trip to Morocco without leaving Bunker Hill: Drinks flow amid desert vibes in Tangierino’s downstairs shisha lounge bar, a low-lit nook perfect for date nights. With a hookah offerings in a wide variety of aromatics (try the strawberry-mint-scented mix), any evening here is sure to be intoxicating. 83 Main St., Charlestown , MA 02129, tangierino.com.
Tile Showcase
Softly lit like paintings in a museum, the tile displays at this Design Center showroom beg to be explored. Come for myriad ceramic, glass, and stone options from the likes of Pratt & Larson, Island Stone, and Walker Zanger, and leave with dozens of ideas for your next reno. Boston Design Center, One Design Center Place, Ste. 639, Boston, MA 02210, tileshowcase.com.
Dan Bazzinotti, Terra
In an age when chefs can delegate mundane concerns like medium-rare-ness to the sous-vide robots, coaxing precision-tuned nuance from a snarling fire pit warrants OG props. At Terra, Dan Bazzinotti plays the wood-fueled grill like a Stradivarius cello, rattling off dreamy riffs on the Italian canon, like crab tagliatelle with preserved lemon and snap peas, and lamb chops with pomegranate agrodolce. Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199, eataly.com/boston.
Mystic Brewery
In 2011, Bryan Greenhagen founded Mystic on saisons, gruits, and other Old World styles. So when trendy, hop-forward beers such as Voltage IPA first hit shelves last year, he certainly had our attention. The brewmaster’s fruity, dry, farmhouse-style Table Beer is still our favorite, but even with a generous dose of hops, his suds are balanced, aromatic, and lush like no others. 174 Williams St., Chelsea, MA 02150, mystic-brewery.com.
The Smoke Shop
Kendall Square has never seen anything like the Smoke Shop. The brainchild of world-championship pit master Andy Husbands, this is a stylish take on a timeless barbecue joint, but with a whiskey program that would make Jack Daniel blush. In other words, if you’re looking for the smokiest, juiciest brisket around, and want to wash it down with a flight of whiskey, welcome home. Multiple locations. One Kendall Sq., Cambridge, MA 02139, thesmokeshopbbq.com.
Cumar
After nearly 30 years in the business, Cumar still wins our vote for the best selection of full-slab stone in town. Trust owner Angelo Cubi and his team to find you the cream of the crop (Italian marble, Brazilian granite, French limestone—you name it), and then cut and install it perfectly. Your countertops won’t know what hit them. 69 Norman St., Everett, MA 02149, cumar.com.
EverybodyFights
At the end of a long day, there’s nothing better than strapping on a pair of gloves and hitting something. Hard. You can do that—and any other workout tangentially related to boxing—at EverybodyFights. Build your strength with circuit training and punching bags, work on your technique with competitive pro and amateur boxers, and soothe muscles inside the locker room’s rain showers when the gloves come off. Multiple locations. 15 Channel Center, Boston, MA 02110, everybodyfights.com.
Gustazo
Just off the north side of Moody Street, Waltham’s restaurant row, sits this slice of Havana heaven. During the Cuban eatery’s bustling brunch, crêpes stuffed with slow-roasted pork are washed down with guava-mint mimosas and other hairs of particularly delightful dogs. The Spanish Colonial–inspired digs sport artsy Cuban movie posters, overhead mambo beats lend as much pep as the fresh-brewed Umbria coffee, and warm servers make this hacienda a home. 663 Main St., Waltham, MA 02451, gustazo-cubancafe.com.
Jimmy’s Shoe Repair
Unlike the stereotypical cranky cobbler who tsks-tsks your shoe care, the guys here don’t judge. They’ll happily fix even the most whittled-down high-heel stub or scuffed-up toe and send it back looking like new. And if you’re in the market for a quirky addition to your collection, be sure to check out the selection of vintage kicks. 42 Prospect St., Cambridge, MA 02139, .
Beauport Hotel
The North Shore isn’t exactly tourist-averse, but upscale hotels are still surprisingly hard to come by—which made the Beauport a particularly welcome addition when it debuted in 2016, rendering the site of a Birds Eye frozen-foods plant unrecognizable. Boasting beachfront access and a roof deck with a pool and fire pit, the hotel is a short walk from Gloucester’s downtown. But why would you want to leave when Wellfleet oysters and local craft beer are moments away at the in-house restaurant? 55 Commercial St., Gloucester, MA 01930, beauporthotel.com.
Tasting Counter
Ambitious. Playful. Revelatory. Sound like a theater review? Well, indulging in one of chef Peter Ungár’s nine-course tasting menus is a lot like sitting down for a critically acclaimed performance. And it truly is an immersive one, as ticket-holding diners get to watch the chef and his team cook and plate each intricate dish—seaweed-cured kampachi with shiitake custard, tender pork shoulder in a pool of fermented red chili curry—in the small open kitchen. Applause, please. 14 Tyler St., Somerville, MA 02143, tastingcounter.com.
Jenny’s Wedding Cakes
You won’t find any rainbow-hued cakes in Jenny Williamson’s portfolio—and that’s on purpose. The Amesbury baker takes a more refined approach, lending her pared-down aesthetic to bespoke confections almost too pretty to eat. Her penchant for art shines through in meticulously crafted florals and ruffles, while her 20-plus years of baking translates to perfected flavors. Whether you choose a cake filled with strawberry-champagne buttercream or layered with chocolate ganache, these extra-special desserts hit the (sweet) spot. MA jencakes.com.
Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant
Brunch is best served in the company of good friends and shameless rounds of pre-noon cocktails. And right now, there’s no better place to indulge than at Southie’s Lincoln, where the crowd is lively, the dishes are ultra-decadent (did someone say Fruity Pebbles pancakes with cereal-milk anglaise?), and the Bucket of Bubbles makes it easy to toast the day away. Lest you think the lazy late-morning meal is solely a weekend affair, Lincoln serves brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, so you can get your breakfast-pizza fix on your lunch break. 425 W. Broadway, Boston, MA 02127, lincolnsouthboston.com.