boston – Wandering the Gap

Food is one of the things I look forward to most when traveling, so I’m excited to share this (unofficial) Boston food tour! I recently spent 48 hours in Boston on a solo weekend trip, and I had a great time exploring and eating my way through the city. With incredible restaurants and mouthwatering bites around every corner, Boston is a dream for foodies. Without further ado, here’s a guide to everything I ate in Boston!

Boston Food Tour: Everything I Ate in Boston, MA

Breakfast

The Berkeley – since I earned a $100 credit at Hotel AKA Back Bay for booking through my American Express Platinum Card, I splurged on room service one morning. The hotel’s on-site restaurant is called The Berkeley, so I, of course, had to try the namesake breakfast!

Boston food tour, by travel blogger Wandering the Gap

The platter includes two eggs, breakfast potatoes, toast, and your choice of bacon, sausage, or sautéed spinach (I opted for sausage). I also got a glass of grapefruit juice, and everything was fresh and flavorful. Not the most extravagant or unique breakfast, but a solid start to the day nonetheless.

Dunkin’ Donuts – you can’t go to Boston without visiting Dunkin’ Donuts, right? I grabbed a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel from the one at Boston Logan International Airport before my flight home. It hit the spot but didn’t blow me away.

Lunch

Boston Sail Loft – this spot emerged as a top contender while researching where to get clam chowder in Boston, and I completely understand why. The chowder was thick and creamy with big chunks of potato and clam, and loads of dill. I highly recommend ordering a cup!

Union Oyster House – I love seafood and wanted to enjoy as much as possible in Boston, so I grabbed 1/2 dozen raw oysters from Union Oyster House, America’s oldest restaurant. They were briny, buttery, and slightly sweet—hands down some of the best oysters I’ve ever had. You also get a few pieces of cornbread as a free starter, which was a nice treat.

James Hook & Co – for lunch on my second day in Boston, I swung by James Hook & Co to try a butter lobster roll. My expectations were high, but I ended up being a little disappointed by the quality and amount of lobster, given the steep $36 price tag. The flavor itself was good, but the lobster was slightly chewy, and the bun was nothing to write home about. I’ll definitely get a mayo lobster roll next time I’m in Boston.

Dinner

Monica’s Mercato & Salumeria – I had the best Italian sub of my life from Monica’s Mercato! It came with prosciutto, mortadella, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, balsamic, hots, and pickles. All the ingredients tasted high-quality, and everything complemented each other deliciously. While the sub wasn’t cheap at $20, it was such a hearty sandwich that I think the price was justified.

SRV – another benefit of the Amex Platinum Card is you’re eligible for a $100 Resy credit every quarter, which I used to book a dinner reservation at SRV. This intimate Italian eatery specializes in small bites, freshly made pasta and risotto, and innovative cocktails. The vibes here are cozy and romantic—perfect for a dinner date (or a solo date, in my case). I started with a Delizia Turka cocktail made with rose gin, chamomile grappa, almond, and lemon, and it was really unique and refreshing.

For appetizers, I went with the baccala mantecato (salt cod on black bread) and mozzarella in carozza (fried mozzarella with red pepper aioli). The salt cod was flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the mozzarella was rich and savory. My server also offered me a complimentary order of bread and polpette (meatballs) since the kitchen was running behind. The bread was good but nothing special, though it was excellent dipped in the red sauce that the meatballs came in.

I settled on the pea risotto for my entree, which featured guanciale, lemon, and pecorino. This risotto was seriously life-changing! The combination of salty guanciale and cheesy risotto with the subtle pops of sweetness from the peas was simply divine.

Of course, I made sure to save room for dessert. I opted for the affogato (espresso poured over ice cream), which was delightful, though I wish the ice cream had a stronger vanilla bean flavor. Overall, this meal was exceptional!

Drinks

Tatte Bakery – the black sesame latte from Tatte Bakery was just the fuel I needed for a fun-filled day of exploring Boston. I was hesitant to visit Tatte because of its popularity on social media, but the clerk at Hotel AKA Back Bay recommended it upon check-in, and I’m glad I tried it. The black sesame added a nice nuttiness to the latte without overpowering it.

Blank Street – Blank Street is another coffee chain I saw all over social media, and it definitely impressed me. I got the strawberry shortcake matcha, a delicious blend of oat milk, matcha, and strawberry jam. It literally tasted like I was drinking a slice of cake because it was so sweet, but I loved it!

Samuel Adams Boston Brewery – if you’re a beer lover planning a trip to Boston, I highly recommend taking a tour of the original Samuel Adams Brewery. We sampled three brews throughout the tour while learning about beer and the history of Sam Adams. Unfortunately, I only remember two of the beers (the Cold Snap White Ale and the Oregon Trail, which is exclusive to that brewery location), but I enjoyed all three and the tour experience as a whole.

The Berkeley – in addition to my room service breakfast, I also got a free drink at The Berkeley with my $100 hotel credit. The La Mer cocktail is made with vodka, elderflower, blackberry, lemon, and Prosecco, and it was amazing! I loved the sweetness and tartness paired with the bright citrus notes.

Dessert

Red Apple Farm – apple cider donuts are my favorite fall treat, so I had to try one from Red Apple Farm in Boston Public Market. The mini donut was perfectly bite-sized, and I was a big fan. Between the cinnamon sugar coating, genuine apple flavor, and cake-like texture, what’s not to love?

Parziale’s Bakery – I was on a mission to try some of the iconic Italian pastries Boston is known for during my trip, and Parziale’s was stop number one. This bakery has been serving up treats for over 100 years, so they know their stuff. I got a pound of assorted cookies and was obsessed with every single one. I’m not even exactly sure what kind I tried—just that they were insanely tasty!

Bova’s Bakery – to continue my cookie tour of Boston, I picked up a pound of assorted cookies from Bova’s to bring home and share with my husband. Somehow, I liked these even better than the ones from Parziale’s. I found the assortment to have a little more variety, and they tasted a tad fresher. Both bakeries really wowed me, though, so you can’t go wrong with either.

Boston’s food scene truly blew me away—I cannot wait to return and try even more delicious spots! Let me know where I should eat on my next trip so I can try all your favorite Boston bites.

Check out my other food guides:

Should You Book a Reykjavík Food Tour? Iceland Food Tour Review

Must-Try Icelandic Foods | Iceland Food Guide

Everything I Ate in Charlotte, NC | Charlotte Food Tour

My most recent solo adventure was a whirlwind weekend trip to Boston, and I’m here with a complete Boston travel guide so you can steal my itinerary! I have fond memories of visiting the city as a kid and have been dying to return, so I’m thrilled I finally got to make it happen. I spent two nights exploring (and eating) all the best Boston has to offer, and I’m sharing all the details of my trip so you can plan your own weekend getaway.

48 Hours in Boston Travel Guide

Day 1

8:30am – my flight landed at Boston Logan International Airport shortly before 8:30, and I headed over to the Logan Express pickup spot, which was clearly marked and easy to find. The shuttle runs every half hour, so I only had to wait a few minutes for the next one to arrive. After a 20-minute ride, I hopped off at the first stop for Stuart Street and walked a few blocks to my hotel.

Note: Logan Express rides from the airport to Back Bay are free.

9am – I arrived at the Hotel AKA Back Bay around 9 to drop my luggage and was pleasantly surprised to learn my room was ready. Since my flight was free with miles earned through my American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, I decided to splurge on my hotel. I booked it on my Amex Platinum Card and earned a $300 credit, as well as a complimentary room upgrade. The accommodations were modern, minimal, and spacious, with everything I needed for a comfortable weekend getaway.

Boston travel guide, by travel blogger Wandering the Gap

9:30am – my 2:15am wakeup call was catching up to me, so the front desk clerk recommended Tatte Bakery for a pick-me-up. There, I grabbed a black sesame latte to enjoy on my way to the Boston Public Library. The Central Library location in Copley Square is absolutely stunning, with ornate architecture, murals, and sculptures. I spent about 20-30 minutes wandering around here and admiring the views.

10am – from the library, I made my way to Newbury Street, which is famous for its brownstones and luxury shopping. I ended up at the Public Garden, using it as a shortcut for my next destination.

10:15am – Beacon Hill Books & Cafe was a top recommendation for things to do in Boston, so I had to see it for myself. This charming shop is just as cute and cozy as it looks on social media, and thankfully, it wasn’t too busy. I browsed here for a little bit before meandering over to Acorn Street, a 19th-century cobblestone path lined with beautiful brick homes. There were still some Christmas decorations up, and the entire area was incredibly picturesque.

10:30am – from there, I walked to Boston Common and hopped on the Freedom Trail. The 2.5-mile-long route highlights 16 historic landmarks throughout the city. I would love to return and take a guided tour to learn more about each place, but I still had a great time seeing them on my own. The trail itself is denoted by a line of red brick (or paint, depending on the location), making it easy to follow. Here are all the sites I saw during my stroll:

Massachusetts State House
Park Street Church
Granary Burying Ground
King’s Chapel and Burying Ground
Old City Hall
Old South Meeting House
Old State House
Faneuil Hall + Quincy Market

11:30am – by mid-morning, I was starting to get hungry, so I popped into Boston Public Market for a mini apple cider donut from Red Apple Farm. It was the perfect little treat to refuel and continue walking.

12pm – next, I took a detour from the Freedom Trail to Boston Sail Loft. In my research to find the best clam chowder in Boston, this spot kept popping up. I can confirm it’s amazing! The soup was rich and creamy with hearty chunks of potato and clam and tons of dill—super delicious paired with a refreshing Southie Lager.

12:30pm – after my quick bite, I returned to the Freedom Trail to see the Paul Revere House and Old North Church, my northernmost destination for the day.

1pm – I started heading back south in the direction of my hotel, stopping at Parziale’s Bakery to pick up a pound of assorted cookies. I also got an Italian sub from Monica’s Mercato, located right around the corner, to enjoy for dinner later. Let me tell you, both eateries looked and smelled like absolute heaven!

1:15pm – since I was on a mission to try as much seafood in Boston as possible, I had to get some oysters at Union Oyster House. Fun fact: it’s America’s oldest restaurant, dating back to 1826. The complimentary cornbread was surprisingly tasty, and the raw oysters were the best I’ve ever had.

2pm – my feet were seriously starting to hurt at this point (I was already at almost 20,000 steps), so I made the trek back to my hotel to relax and refresh for a few hours.

4:30pm – one of the experiences I was most looking forward to on my Boston trip was a tour of the original Samuel Adams Brewery. It was only $15 and well worth the price, in my opinion. We spent about an hour learning about beer and how it’s made, the history of Sam Adams, and sampling some brews, of course! My favorite was the Cold Snap White Ale, but we also got to try some varieties that are exclusive to the brewery. At the end of the tour, you get a mini tasting glass—a great travel-friendly souvenir.

6pm – by 6, I was back in my hotel room, enjoying my Italian sub and taste-testing some cookies. Spoiler alert: everything was to die for.

7pm – I lounged for a bit before grabbing a drink at the hotel’s restaurant, The Berkeley. I got the La Mer, a tart yet sweet and refreshing cocktail with vodka and prosecco.

Pro tip: Since I booked the hotel through my Platinum Card, I earned a $100 credit to use onsite—meaning, all the food I ordered at The Berkeley was free!

8pm – I didn’t feel like turning in quite yet, so I walked to a nearby movie theater to see Primate, which was wildly over-the-top. Then, it was time to rest up before my next day of adventuring.

Day 2

8:30am – day two in Boston started with a room service breakfast. I ordered a glass of grapefruit juice and The Berkeley, a platter that comes with potatoes, eggs, your choice of bacon, sausage, or sauteed spinach, and sourdough toast. Nothing groundbreaking, but a solid meal nonetheless.

10:15am – my first stop of the day was the Harvard Art Museums. Located on the famed university’s Cambridge campus, the three museums are free to visit and feature an impressive collection of artwork and artifacts. It was snowing outside, so I took my time exploring everything for a few hours.

12pm – around noon, I left the museums to stroll around Harvard. The campus is gorgeous, and it was fun to imagine what life would be like as a student there. I soon arrived at Harvard Book Store, a shop that’s been open for almost a century and offers a wide array of new and used books.

12:30pm – while waiting for my Uber, I walked to Blank Street for a strawberry shortcake matcha. I went in blind with no expectations and was blown away by how delicious this drink was. It was very sweet, but the strawberry and matcha flavors combined perfectly—almost like drinking a slice of cake. I’m still dreaming of it!

1pm – I enjoyed the Italian cookies from Parziale’s so much that I decided to pick some up from Bova’s Bakery to compare. Don’t worry, I shared the love and brought them home to enjoy with my husband. I ended up liking these a smidge better than Parziale’s because they tasted a little fresher, and the 1-pound assortment had a greater variety of cookie types.

1:30pm – for lunch, I got a butter lobster roll from James Hook & Co. It was my first time trying a lobster roll, and while it was good, I didn’t love it. The flavor was excellent, but the lobster was slightly chewy, and the portion felt small for $36. Next time, I’ll have to try a mayo version from a different restaurant to compare.

4pm – I spent a few hours decompressing in my hotel before my next outing: the Mapparium at the Christian Science Plaza. The Mapparium is a three-story-tall, stained-glass globe from the 1930s that you can walk inside. During the 20-minute tour, we learned about the history of the globe and the Christian Science Monitor. It was a really cool experience, and the Mapparium was absolutely stunning.

Pro tip: Entry is free with a military ID.

5pm – since I was feeling peckish after the Mapparium tour, I ordered some masala fries from The Berkeley to enjoy in my hotel room. They were SO good—highly recommend!

7pm – I ended my Boston trip on a delicious note with dinner at SRV, an Italian eatery. The restaurant was incredibly cozy, and I was a big fan of the chic, low-key atmosphere. I started with the Delizia Turka, a gin-based cocktail, which was really unique and tasty.

For appetizers, I ordered the baccala mantecato (salted cod on black bread) and mozzarella in carozza (fried mozzarella with red pepper aioli). The cod was tender and flavorful, and the mozzarella was indulgent and of exceptional quality. My waiter also offered me a complimentary order of polpette (meatballs in tomato sauce with cheese) and bread since the kitchen was running a little behind. The meatballs were divine, and the bread was perfect for dipping in the leftover tomato sauce.

I opted for the guanciale and pea risotto as my entree, and it was truly life-changing. The risotto was expertly cooked with a dreamy combination of salt, cheese, and a hint of sweetness from the peas. I couldn’t finish it because it was so rich, but I loved every bite! Of course, I had to get an affogatto (ice cream topped with espresso) for dessert, and it was also heavenly.

Pro tip: I made my dinner reservation through Resy using my Platinum Card and got a $100 credit back, making my meal (almost) free.

Day 3

7:30am – after two very fun-filled days, it was time to make my way back home to North Carolina. That morning, I trekked through the snow with my luggage to take the Logan Express from Back Bay Station to the airport.

Note: Taking the Logan Express from Back Bay to BOS is $3, and you get a “ticket to skip” to go to the front of the airport security line—a great deal, in my opinion.

8am – the ride to BOS was quick and uneventful, and I got through airport security in no time at all. I grabbed a breakfast sandwich from Dunkin’ Donuts (when in Boston, right?), and waited for my plane to start boarding. Unfortunately, we were delayed a few hours due to the weather, but I ended up getting upgraded to Comfort+ (shoutout again to my Delta SkyMiles Gold card), which was a bonus.

3pm – landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport and drove home!

Boston definitely takes the cake as one of my favorite solo travel destinations. There’s so much to see and do, the city was easy to navigate, and I felt safe the entire weekend. I hope my Boston travel guide inspires you to plan a trip!