South End: Foodie Heaven

Boston has a robust restaurant scene, and the South End is its thriving center. Along every lamplit sidestreet and at every tree-crowded corner, there are bustling brunch spots like Fritz Lounge, innovative lunchtime cafés like the tiny Hidden Kitchen, and elegant dinner spots like the legendary Hammersley’s, glowing like a beacon in the night to the hungry and discerning. But the South End isn’t all about food. The distinctive nineteenth-century bowfront rowhouses and the towering Cathedral of the Holy Cross create an air of old-world sophistication. The South End also boasts a booming art scene, including the city’s most eye-popping galleries and art centers, and the SoWa Open Market, where droves of art lovers crowd the stalls in the summer months to browse handmade gifts, artwork, vintage treasures and, of course, artisanal foods.