Christian Clerx, founder of CityZapper.com, travels the world for his work in search of special places and stories. In this edition, he recommends Boston, the epitome of New England and the cradle of American freedom. Boston is known as one of the most historic, prosperous, and influential cities in the US and is rich in sights and museums.
From lobster rolls From literature, from art by the harbor to candlelight cocktails: Boston is more than a city, it is a statement. Here, intellect and elegance go hand in hand effortlessly. The air smells of the sea and ambition at the same time. Harvard is just around the corner, while the best oysters in New England are served just a short distance away. Boston feels compact enough to explore on foot, yet large enough to surprise you time and again. Imagine a cocktail bar behind a pharmacy and a museum where Frida Kahlo hangs next to Virgil Abloh. Boston unites the best of three worlds: the brain of Harvard, the style of Back Bay, and the class of Beacon Hill. A city where knowledge is attractive, tradition remains timeless, and even a coffee with oat milk exudes an intellectual air. Smart, stylish, and a touch snobbish, and precisely for that reason irresistible.
Breakfast & Brunch
Mike's City Diner
2174 Washington Street, South End
A Boston classic, where the portions are generous and the atmosphere genuinely no-nonsense. Jay Hajj, born in Beirut and having fled the Lebanese civil war, built his American dream here. His dishes are rich in flavor and stories, exactly as a diner should be.
Mikescitydiner.com
Frenchie
560 Tremont Street, South End
A touch of Paris in the heart of the city. In this charming brasserie, you can enjoy crêpes, champagne, and brunch in a conservatory filled with twinkling lights. The interior is reminiscent of the Rive Gauche, but the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, exactly what you want on a Sunday morning.
Frenchieboston.com
Bagelsaurus
1796 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
You can find the best bagels in Boston in Cambridge. Here, they are hand-rolled and slowly fermented, creating that perfect balance between chewy and crispy. The toppings are surprisingly creative and always fresh. Ideal for a quick, but excellent start to the day.
Bagelsaurus.com
Lincoln Tavern
425 W Broadway, South Boston
At Lincoln Tavern, every day is the weekend. Brunch flows seamlessly into drinks here, and the atmosphere is always lively. The pancakes are famous, the mimosas generous, and the staff knows their guests. It feels like a neighborhood pub with a healthy dose of energy.
Lincolnsouthboston.com
Restaurants
James Hook & Co.
440 Atlantic Avenue, Seaport
One of Boston’s most authentic spots: James Hook & Co. has been serving lobster in all its forms since 1925. What once began as a transport company bringing lobsters from Maine and Canada to the city grew into an institution. Tens of thousands of kilos of lobster are still processed and served here daily. Everything is fresh, uncomplicated, and unsurpassably delicious.
Jameshooklobster.com
Scampo
215 Charles Street, Beacon Hill
Scampo combines Italian refinement with a generous dose of character. Chef Lydia Shire cooks in a former prison, giving the restaurant a unique atmosphere: luxury with a raw edge. Think handmade pastas, homemade mozzarella, and a wine list that is as elegant as the location itself.
Scampoboston.com
Rochambeau
900 Boylston Street, Back Bay
A chic brasserie with Parisian flair, where steak frites, fish, and oysters take center stage. Rochambeau is located on Boylston Street, right amidst the designer shops and luxury boutiques, making it the ideal spot to end an afternoon of shopping with a glass of wine at the bar. The atmosphere is cosmopolitan, the service relaxed, exactly as it should be in Back Bay.
Rochambeauboston.com
Field & Vine
9 Sanborn Court, Somerville
Field & Vine is a sustainable restaurant entirely centered on the seasons, nestled in a sheltered courtyard in Somerville. The interior is lush green, with plants on the walls and wooden tables that appear to come almost straight from the farm. Here, you can taste local ingredients in pure, creative dishes.
Fieldandvinesomerville.com
Bars & Nightlife
Rebel rebel
1 Bow Market Way, Somerville
A quirky wine bar with a distinctly feminine energy. At Rebel Rebel, it’s all about natural wines, a relaxed atmosphere, and good company. The name is a nod to rebellion, but the only rule here is: drink what you like. No airs of stardom, but plenty of character.
Rebelrebelsomerville.com
Haley.Henry
45 Province Street, Downtown
“Small-scale, stylish, and full of personality – Haley.Henry is a bar with heart. Owned by women and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, and loved for the combination of natural wines and Spanish tinned seafood. Right in the middle of the bustling business district, this place feels surprisingly relaxed; an intimate sanctuary for those who love good food, good wine, and nice people.
Haleyhenry.com
Wine Bar at Tasting Counter
14 Tyler Street, Somerville
At this elegant wine bar, everything revolves around sustainability and refinement. The selection consists of carefully chosen organic and biodynamic wines, served by people who have mastered their craft down to the last detail. A place for those who don't just drink wine, but want to understand it.
Tastingcounter.com
Shojo
9A Tyler Street, Chinatown
Shojo is an Asian cocktail bar with guts. Between the neon light and the street art. Here, they serve creative cocktails with an Asian twist – from sake with yuzu to whisky with matcha. The interior is playful and modern, the atmosphere energetic. Ideal for an evening that turns out just a little differently than planned.
Shojoboston.com
Farmacia
5 North Square, North End
Hidden behind an unassuming facade in the North End, you will find Farmacia: an exclusive pharmacy-style speakeasy with just nine seats. Intimate, stylish, and with an eye for detail. Every cocktail feels like a little secret carefully passed on. Reservations are advisable, as nine seats fill up quickly.
Farmacianorthend.com
Shopping
Cambridge Antique Market
201 Monsignor O'Brien Highway, Lechmere
Five floors full of antiques, vintage furniture, and hidden gems. The Cambridge Antique Market is a true maze of styles and eras, where you can effortlessly wander for hours. From old jewelry to industrial lamps and retro furniture, every floor feels like a mini voyage of discovery. A paradise for those who love unique finds with a story.
Cambridgeantiquemarket.com
Nice Home
38 Wareham Street, South End
A stylish concept store where Dutch design and Scandinavian simplicity meet. Founded by a Dutch owner, Lekker Home is known for its minimalist aesthetic, sustainable brands, and carefully curated collection of furniture and home accessories. The store exudes tranquility and class, serving as a subtle ode to good design without frills.
Lekkerhome.com
Helen's Leather
110 Charles Street, Beacon Hill
A family business with character, a fixture in Boston for over thirty years. Helen's Leather specializes in cowboy boots, leather jackets, and accessories that tell a story. Inside, it smells of leather and tradition, and every boot seems made for someone with an adventurous spirit. Authentic, artisanal, and typically American.
Helensleather.com
EH Chocolatier
145 Huron Avenue, Cambridge
A small, refined chocolatier where everything is made by hand. The chocolates, bars, and truffles from EH Chocolatier are as beautiful as they taste – subtle, elegant, and full of character. Perfect for a luxury souvenir, or simply because you want to treat yourself to something special. Even the packaging is a joy to receive.
Ehchocolatier.com
Museums & Culture
Cambridge City Hall
795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
A beautiful historic building that not only has administrative significance but also holds an important place in American history. In 2004, the first same-sex marriages were performed here – a moment when love and equality went hand in hand. A visit that reminds us of progress, courage, and change.
Cambridgema.gov
Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
24 Harbor Shore Drive, Seaport
A modern temple for art on the water, where international names like Yayoi Kusama and Virgil Abloh fill the walls. The ICA is just as impressive inside as it is out. The building itself is a masterpiece of architectural art, with windows overlooking the harbor. Combine an exhibition with a walk along the water and you have a perfect cultural afternoon with a skyline view.
Icaboston.org
Boston Museum of Science
1 Museum of Science Driveway, West End
The Museum of Science is an ode to curiosity. From interactive shows to nighttime events with cocktails among the planets, this is science with style. Ideal for families, but also surprisingly inspiring for adults. It is the place where learning and experiencing effortlessly come together.
Mos.org
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Columbia Point, Dorchester
An impressive tribute to the life and legacy of John F. Kennedy. The collection displays personal documents, photos, speeches, and historical objects that bring his vision to life. The location by the water makes the museum extra special. After your visit, take a moment for a walk along the coastline, especially around sunset.
Jfklibrary.org
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way, Fenway
One of Boston’s most enchanting museums. Housed in a Venetian palazzo filled with art, flowers, and stories. Here, masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Degas hang in rooms that feel like a private residence. The museum is also known for the infamous art heist of 1990. A mystery that remains unsolved to this day and makes the whole thing even more intriguing.
Gardnermuseum.org
Hotels
XV Beacon
15 Beacon Street, Beacon Hill
A stylish boutique hotel in a classic building with fireplaces, art on the walls, and views of Boston Common. XV Beacon feels like a townhouse where you are welcomed by people who remember your name. The combination of warm elegance and discreet service makes this a place where luxury feels natural. As if you are temporarily living in a piece of Boston history.
Xvbeacon.com
The Dagny Boston
89 Broad Street, Downtown
A new Art Deco-inspired hotel in the heart of the city. The Dagny exudes creativity and power, and that is no coincidence. For the name refers to a feminist newspaper from the seventies. Inside, you will find a mix of retro glamour and modern sophistication, with a lively lobby bar and rooms where comfort and character go hand in hand.
Thedagnyboston.com
Fairmont Copley Plaza
138 St. James Avenue, Back Bay
An icon of Boston grandeur. Since its opening in 1912, the Fairmont Copley Plaza has welcomed guests with marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and classic service on Copley Square. Here, you are not just staying in a hotel, but in a chapter of the city's history.
Fairmont.com/copley-plaza-boston
Four Seasons Hotel Boston
200 Boylston Street, Back Bay
Anyone who loves peace, space, views of greenery, and service squared will feel right at home here. The Four Seasons is situated directly on the Boston Public Garden and offers rooms with panoramic views of the city and the park. Waking up in the morning with sunlight filtering through the trees and having breakfast with a view of the water. That is the charm of this classic oasis in the heart of Boston.
Fourseasons.com/boston
Mandarin Oriental Boston
776 Boylston Street, Back Bay
Eastern tranquility and modern luxury come together perfectly here. The rooms are spacious, the design understated, and the spa is regarded by many locals as one of the best in the city. Whether you are coming to relax for a weekend or combine a business trip with some pampering, at the Mandarin Oriental, it is all about balance and calm amidst the hustle and bustle of Boston.
Mandarinoriental.com/boston/back-bay