Summertime is here in Boston! Now that we are past the festivities of the Fourth of July, everyone is going to fall into the dog days and complain there’s no good food in the city. Much like my stance regarding there’s nothing to do in Boston, I vehemently disagree. With two years of life here now under my belt, I’ve compiled my favorites. I will preface most of these for fun, i.e. budget isn’t a heavy criterion in my evaluation.

Spot #1: Stoked Pizza Co.

Locations: Cambridge, Brookline, Cohasset

Being born in New York, I have standards about pizza. If a pizza spot admits they are more experimental than sticking to true N.Y. style, then I am open to more fun. Stoked goes for the experiments while still delivering a great product. 

I popped by here in May with an old college friend who is moving to town next fall. Stoked offers traditional toppings and more fun options. My favorite is the honey bacon bianca. White pizza can be tricky, and I like the flavors going on with the honey and peppers. I will shout out there are multiple gluten free dishes and even a vegan menu for those with dietary concerns. We also partook in some of the cocktails which were quite cute. If you have friends visiting and want to try something more than a traditional slice, stop by here.

Spot #2: Sweet Cheeks Q

Location: Fenway

This is for everyone who says there is no good BBQ in Boston. Yes, nothing will ever measure up to a proper Texas or North Carolina fair, but this comes very, very close and will soothe the craving at minimum. 

Sweet Cheeks Q encourages mixing and matching with the various meats and sides. My go-to is the BBQ chopped prime brisket, which is specifically the end pieces chopped with their BBQ sauce. Pair that with the church basement potato salad and the farm salad as sides and you will be in heaven. The biscuits are a must if you have a big enough group of people. I’ve always loved the dinner so much I have not sampled their desserts, but the display cases glow and tempt me with them every time I go. 

I am obligated to mention they occasionally host a line dancing event with @jplinedance (on Instagram), tickets usually around $20 with a full buffet included with lessons. It’s a very fun time, especially for beginners. 

Spot #3: Barcelona Wine Bar

Locations: Brookline, Cambridge, Southie

Not far from Cleveland Circle lies Barcelona Wine Bar. It is a tapas focused restaurant, and its options are almost overwhelming but in a good way. Plenty of vegetables and cheeses along with some savory meats and charcuterie accompaniments. The drinks are varied and delicious. The sangria is a must and can be ordered by the pitcher for a big enough group. 

This was a fun adventure with one of my old roomies on a warm summer night. Both of us just wanted to casually eat and catch up and this was the low-key spot we wanted. I went with the Guns n’ Roses Sangria and we split the roasted mushrooms, pork belly and bacon-wrapped dates. Jenna was partial to the eggplant though I was saving room for the chocolate cake by that point, which had some lovely notes of coffee in it to enhance the chocolate flavor. Highly recommended for a friends’ night out here if you are itching for an obligatory Boston patio meal. 

Spot #4: The Neighborhood Restaurant 

Location: Somerville

When I first googled “breakfast nearby” in Somerville, the name seemed unremarkable (Okay I’ll confess I thought it was a front). But when I tell you this place is your dream diner meal, trust me. Their strawberry-stuffed French toast (number 97 on the specials menu) is the sweet dream you want to wake up to when you stumble in. The bright red strawberry glaze soaks the homiest French toast I’ve had in the city. Served with 2 eggs, sausage and home fries? I went into a tryptophan induced nap afterwards.

There are plenty of options and nods to various Portuguese dishes to pay homage to the restaurant’s ownership. It’s been a local joint since 1983, and it has a cult following. Consider me part of the cult. I highly recommend crossing the river for this one. Do note it is cash only, so swing by the ATM on your way. 

Spot #5: Citrus and Salt

Location: Seaport

If you need a super bright, aesthetically pleasing Mexican night out, Citrus and Salt is your spot. An undergrad friend of mine visited around finals and we both loved the vibes here. The drinks are adorable and cheeky with their titles and garnishes. The chips and guacamole are a must, though I also endorse the carne asada fries. The menu is tapas based so follow your heart and bring friends to share everything with. And remember to take pictures because the interior is too gorgeous not to.

Boston has an amazing food scene if you know where to go and have fun exploring! I hope my recommendations spice up your summer weekend outings and maybe future visits from friends and family whenever they come to town.

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Catherine Beveridge is a rising third-year student at BC Law. Contact her at beverid@bc.edu.