Guidebook for Cambridge
Food Scene
There is always a crazy wait here, and it's vegetarian, but it is really tasty. If you're feeling weighed down by greasy food, this is a great option. Don't be scared off by the line out the door, it moves pretty fast.
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Life Alive Organic Cafe
765 Massachusetts AveThere is always a crazy wait here, and it's vegetarian, but it is really tasty. If you're feeling weighed down by greasy food, this is a great option. Don't be scared off by the line out the door, it moves pretty fast.
Greasy diner. Quick, easy, and relatively cheap way to get breakfast.
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Mass Ave Diner
906 Massachusetts AveGreasy diner. Quick, easy, and relatively cheap way to get breakfast.
Small, cute "Italian" food place. Not traditional Italian food, but more... contemporary? I like their pasta and their pizza is even better. They also do a great brunch. This is a small place, so there can be a wait. ALSO... the ventilation is not that great, so if you're sensitive about smelling like food afterwards, you might want to save this for before you take a shower...
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City Girl Cafe & Catering
204 Hampshire StreetSmall, cute "Italian" food place. Not traditional Italian food, but more... contemporary? I like their pasta and their pizza is even better. They also do a great brunch. This is a small place, so there can be a wait. ALSO... the ventilation is not that great, so if you're sensitive about smelling like food afterwards, you might want to save this for before you take a shower...
This is Monta's personal favorite. You must make reservations in advance because they book up. It's great for a fancy date night.
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Oleana
134 Hampshire StThis is Monta's personal favorite. You must make reservations in advance because they book up. It's great for a fancy date night.
This is our favorite sushi place! The rolls are good, but their odd nigiri choices are even better. There's always a wait and line here, so try to call ahead or make a reservation.
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Cafe Sushi
1105 Massachusetts AveThis is our favorite sushi place! The rolls are good, but their odd nigiri choices are even better. There's always a wait and line here, so try to call ahead or make a reservation.
Great for vegans and the like. Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten free diner. Even if you don't have these dietary restrictions, the food is great!
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Veggie Galaxy
450 Massachusetts AveGreat for vegans and the like. Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten free diner. Even if you don't have these dietary restrictions, the food is great!
I love the falafels here and it's always easy to get a seat.
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Kolbeh Cafe
65 Atlantic AvenueI love the falafels here and it's always easy to get a seat.
The homemade flavors are great and the icecream is not TOO sweet. I prefer this place over JP Lick's and Toscanini.
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Christina's Homemade Ice Cream
1255 Cambridge StThe homemade flavors are great and the icecream is not TOO sweet. I prefer this place over JP Lick's and Toscanini.
Great cozy bar with music. I really like their fried chicken sandwich.
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The Paramount
44 Charles StreetGreat cozy bar with music. I really like their fried chicken sandwich.
Amazing coffee if you're willing to wait. (They do pourovers, it's not Starbucks) The pastries are okay.
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barismo 364
364 BroadwayAmazing coffee if you're willing to wait. (They do pourovers, it's not Starbucks) The pastries are okay.
The pastries here are phenomenal. The croissants are huge, it can be a meal on it's own. The breakfast sandwiches are also great. The coffee is okay...
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Tatte Bakery & Café
70 Charles StThe pastries here are phenomenal. The croissants are huge, it can be a meal on it's own. The breakfast sandwiches are also great. The coffee is okay...
Zinneken's Belgian waffles
1154 Massachusetts AveBelgian waffles. Just because.
Middle eastern cafe. I always get the platter with a little of everything. Great tea as well.
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Algiers Coffee House
40 Brattle StreetMiddle eastern cafe. I always get the platter with a little of everything. Great tea as well.
This restaurant moved onto Mass Ave around the corner. If you're vegetarian (I'm not, but I love it anyway), this is a great place to get a quick bite. All ingredients are sourced locally and they pride themselves in providing fast-food that's healthy. The sandwiches are tasty and the sodas are great too.
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Clover Food Lab
1075 Cambridge StThis restaurant moved onto Mass Ave around the corner. If you're vegetarian (I'm not, but I love it anyway), this is a great place to get a quick bite. All ingredients are sourced locally and they pride themselves in providing fast-food that's healthy. The sandwiches are tasty and the sodas are great too.
This place is small and sells bagels... but the bagels are so good. If you go during their busy hours (mornings, weekends), there will be a line out the door, some times even down the block! I recommend the BLT or Hot Smoked sandwich. The honey-rosemary cream cheese is great too.
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Bagelsaurus
1796 Massachusetts AveThis place is small and sells bagels... but the bagels are so good. If you go during their busy hours (mornings, weekends), there will be a line out the door, some times even down the block! I recommend the BLT or Hot Smoked sandwich. The honey-rosemary cream cheese is great too.
Fancy Italian, but oh so good. You'll need advance reservations,... or show up really early for seats at the bar.
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Giulia
1682 Massachusetts AveFancy Italian, but oh so good. You'll need advance reservations,... or show up really early for seats at the bar.
THE BEST DONUTS. EVER. Try the caramel bourbon donut... and have their coffee- it's from Counter Culture.
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Union Square Donuts
20 Bow StTHE BEST DONUTS. EVER. Try the caramel bourbon donut... and have their coffee- it's from Counter Culture.
This is our favorite Mexican place. Okay, maybe it isn't the most authentic, but we like it more than the others. Monta likes getting the plate with carnitas.
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Felipe's Taqueria
21 Brattle StThis is our favorite Mexican place. Okay, maybe it isn't the most authentic, but we like it more than the others. Monta likes getting the plate with carnitas.
The coffee is not bad. The pastries are decent. Bill likes the muffins here because they don't come with paper wrappers on the bottom (less work). It's super close to our place too.
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1369 Coffee House
1369 Cambridge StThe coffee is not bad. The pastries are decent. Bill likes the muffins here because they don't come with paper wrappers on the bottom (less work). It's super close to our place too.
It's an indoor market, with eats from the local area. Union Square donuts, Sweet Lydia's (I love their marshmallows), Q's Nuts, Jasper Hill Farm cheese, etc, etc.
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Pasar Awam Boston
100 Hanover StIt's an indoor market, with eats from the local area. Union Square donuts, Sweet Lydia's (I love their marshmallows), Q's Nuts, Jasper Hill Farm cheese, etc, etc.
Extensive draft beer, amazing sandwiches by all the Boston chefs, pub feel... very American without being overly so.
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Parish Cafe
361 Boylston StExtensive draft beer, amazing sandwiches by all the Boston chefs, pub feel... very American without being overly so.
It gets crowded and loud, but it's definitely worth the trip. Sit at the bar (less of a wait), get yourself a drink (the bartenders are amazing), get sassy and eat some awesome food! They call it small plates, but some of the plates are larger. Keep an open mind and just go with your gut.
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Little Donkey
505 Massachusetts AveIt gets crowded and loud, but it's definitely worth the trip. Sit at the bar (less of a wait), get yourself a drink (the bartenders are amazing), get sassy and eat some awesome food! They call it small plates, but some of the plates are larger. Keep an open mind and just go with your gut.
(Location is in Harvard Sq) Now that it's freezing outside, get yourself a cup of hot chocolate! The cups are small, but the chocolate is so dense, trust me, stick to the small cup. :-) They also have delicious small little treats and cakes. Again, the cakes might be small, but those are super dense too! I recommend the namesake, Burdick's.
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L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates
52 Brattle St(Location is in Harvard Sq) Now that it's freezing outside, get yourself a cup of hot chocolate! The cups are small, but the chocolate is so dense, trust me, stick to the small cup. :-) They also have delicious small little treats and cakes. Again, the cakes might be small, but those are super dense too! I recommend the namesake, Burdick's.
A coffee shop that also serves amazing sandwiches. This is a local Cambridge chain. There's one on Mass Ave towards MIT, and also another on Mount Auburn.
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Darwin's Ltd - Cambridge St.
1629 Cambridge StA coffee shop that also serves amazing sandwiches. This is a local Cambridge chain. There's one on Mass Ave towards MIT, and also another on Mount Auburn.
The bread is great, the sandwiches are delicious. This is where we go if the line at Bagelsaurus is too asinine.
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Hi-Rise Bread Company
208 Concord AveThe bread is great, the sandwiches are delicious. This is where we go if the line at Bagelsaurus is too asinine.
This is my favorite go to place for Taiwanese-Chinese food in Chinatown.
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Taiwan Cafe
34 Oxford StThis is my favorite go to place for Taiwanese-Chinese food in Chinatown.
Shabu Zen
16 Tyler StGreat on a cold night!
Tupelo
Comfort Southern food... need I say more?
If you are a glutton for punishment, you should really try the Hell Fries! They're really spicy though, no kidding. I'm Thai and I think it's unbearable. Decent sandwiches. A good lunch spot. Try their sister restaurant across the street for pizza.
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All Star Sandwich Bar
1245 Cambridge StIf you are a glutton for punishment, you should really try the Hell Fries! They're really spicy though, no kidding. I'm Thai and I think it's unbearable. Decent sandwiches. A good lunch spot. Try their sister restaurant across the street for pizza.
Solid place to grab a slice when you're in a rush. The slices are HUGE.
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All Star Pizza Bar
1238 Cambridge StSolid place to grab a slice when you're in a rush. The slices are HUGE.
Casual, "Road side" style Indian place. Place your order at the counter and receive your food on a metal tray. Grad students love this place. It can get very loud and crowded. Also, I'm not the biggest fan of how I smell after I go here.
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Punjabi Dhaba
225 Hampshire StCasual, "Road side" style Indian place. Place your order at the counter and receive your food on a metal tray. Grad students love this place. It can get very loud and crowded. Also, I'm not the biggest fan of how I smell after I go here.
This is the other location! Coffee shop serving Nitro Coffee, Kombucha on tap, and Sandwiches. I love the sandwiches.
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Darwin's Ltd. - Mass Ave.
313 Massachusetts AveThis is the other location! Coffee shop serving Nitro Coffee, Kombucha on tap, and Sandwiches. I love the sandwiches.
I feel obliged to put this on the list because it's such an institution and people from all over love it (Joanne Chang has a cookbook), but honestly, the other places are just as good. I often think the baked goods here are too hyped up. The cookbook is great though.
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Flour Bakery
190 Massachusetts AveI feel obliged to put this on the list because it's such an institution and people from all over love it (Joanne Chang has a cookbook), but honestly, the other places are just as good. I often think the baked goods here are too hyped up. The cookbook is great though.
Amazing icecream. Monta loves the honey lavender in one of their in-house waffle cones.
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Honeycomb Creamery
1702 Massachusetts AveAmazing icecream. Monta loves the honey lavender in one of their in-house waffle cones.
Essentials
Oh yes... There's a Whole Foods here. It's not very far from the house. Cambridge charges 10 cents per shopping bag, so bring the reusable one in the closet with you.
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Whole Foods Market
413 Centre StOh yes... There's a Whole Foods here. It's not very far from the house. Cambridge charges 10 cents per shopping bag, so bring the reusable one in the closet with you.
This is a pharmacy/convenience store. I wouldn't buy food here, but a good place to go if you need a special type of shampoo or extra toothpaste.
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CVS
624 Massachusetts AveThis is a pharmacy/convenience store. I wouldn't buy food here, but a good place to go if you need a special type of shampoo or extra toothpaste.
I don't usually go here unless I'm passing by and need something. Things are expensive and the fresh produce is better at Wholefoods.
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Broadway Marketplace
468 BroadwayI don't usually go here unless I'm passing by and need something. Things are expensive and the fresh produce is better at Wholefoods.
Monta's favorite wine store. Unpretentious, knowledgeable staff, interesting wines.
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Wine & Cheese Cask
407 Washington StMonta's favorite wine store. Unpretentious, knowledgeable staff, interesting wines.
Whole Foods has fresher produce, but I occasionally stop by Harvest to support local business. You can find gluten free things here, granola bars, drinks, etc. Check the dates on items you buy, they don't have as high of a volume as Whole Foods does.
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Harvest Co-Op Market
580 Massachusetts AveWhole Foods has fresher produce, but I occasionally stop by Harvest to support local business. You can find gluten free things here, granola bars, drinks, etc. Check the dates on items you buy, they don't have as high of a volume as Whole Foods does.
Aroush's Tailor Shop
864 Massachusetts AveThey do an ok job. I've never had anything altered here though.
This is one of the oldest YMCAs in the country! It's not going to be swanky and new, but the facilities are solid for a workout. FYI- the cardio room just received a bunch of new machines. $10 for a day pass to use the gym, $15 for classes.
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Cambridge YMCA
820 Massachusetts AveThis is one of the oldest YMCAs in the country! It's not going to be swanky and new, but the facilities are solid for a workout. FYI- the cardio room just received a bunch of new machines. $10 for a day pass to use the gym, $15 for classes.
I dash here to grab a bottle of Guinness to pop into my turkey chili. I feel iffy buying their wines as most of their storefront is glass... Good spot for a quick 6 pack!
Dana Hill Liquor Mart
910 Massachusetts AveI dash here to grab a bottle of Guinness to pop into my turkey chili. I feel iffy buying their wines as most of their storefront is glass... Good spot for a quick 6 pack!
This is the larger liquor store in Central Sq. And by large, I mean, MUCH larger. My favorite will always be Wine & Cheese Cask though!
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Supreme Liquors
600 Massachusetts AveThis is the larger liquor store in Central Sq. And by large, I mean, MUCH larger. My favorite will always be Wine & Cheese Cask though!
Speedway
709 McGrath HwyThis is the most convenient and closest place to get some gas for the car.
Shake the chills and go hot tubin'! Bathing suits are required in the community tub.
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Inman Oasis
243 Hampshire StShake the chills and go hot tubin'! Bathing suits are required in the community tub.
Bill and I don't understand this place, but I know some of my friends are into this, so we're sharing it with you. Yes! Pay someone to wash your hair and give you the best blow out (not the kind babies do).
Drybar Harvard Square
1081 Massachusetts AveBill and I don't understand this place, but I know some of my friends are into this, so we're sharing it with you. Yes! Pay someone to wash your hair and give you the best blow out (not the kind babies do).
Everything Else
Asian supermarket with a food court in front, where you can get ramen, katsu curry, and asian baked goods.
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Hmart Cambridge
581 Massachusetts AveAsian supermarket with a food court in front, where you can get ramen, katsu curry, and asian baked goods.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a solid bar with lots of basic bar food choices. It gets loud... and sometimes it can be very bro-y
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730 Tavern, Kitchen & Patio
730 Massachusetts AvenueThis is a solid bar with lots of basic bar food choices. It gets loud... and sometimes it can be very bro-y
Great cocktails. Bill and I always somehow end up really drunk when we go here... Great burger. Good for foodies.
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The Kirkland Tap & Trotter
425 Washington StGreat cocktails. Bill and I always somehow end up really drunk when we go here... Great burger. Good for foodies.
There's a dive-y bar in the basement and a restaurant up top. There's also a liquor store attached to it, which has an ok selection. Bill and I like getting the burger here, with rosemary truffle fries, and sometimes the lamb gnocchi if it's on the menu.
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The Cellar Food & Drink
991 Massachusetts AveThere's a dive-y bar in the basement and a restaurant up top. There's also a liquor store attached to it, which has an ok selection. Bill and I like getting the burger here, with rosemary truffle fries, and sometimes the lamb gnocchi if it's on the menu.
This is a no brainer since it's literally down the street. Bill and I haven't gone here in a while though, simply because we are getting to that age where we find it loud. They have darts! It's on the dive-y side of bars. Tons of graduate students.
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The People's Republik
878 Massachusetts AveThis is a no brainer since it's literally down the street. Bill and I haven't gone here in a while though, simply because we are getting to that age where we find it loud. They have darts! It's on the dive-y side of bars. Tons of graduate students.
Fish and Chips! Live music! I like their fish chowder. It's a very, Irish Pub.
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The Druid
1357 Cambridge StFish and Chips! Live music! I like their fish chowder. It's a very, Irish Pub.
This place is LOUD! The drinks are great. The food is ok...
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Trina's Starlite Lounge
3 Beacon StThis place is LOUD! The drinks are great. The food is ok...
Okay, this place used to be the bomb. But then they renovated and changed up their menu. Now it's a bunch of exotic burgers that come with tater tots on the side. They were known for their extensive beer selection. They still have that, but the floors aren't sticky anymore and it makes us sad.
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Bukowski Tavern
1281 Cambridge StOkay, this place used to be the bomb. But then they renovated and changed up their menu. Now it's a bunch of exotic burgers that come with tater tots on the side. They were known for their extensive beer selection. They still have that, but the floors aren't sticky anymore and it makes us sad.
Entertainment & Activities
Great little movie theater that plays foreign films as well as blockbusters.
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Kendall Square
Great little movie theater that plays foreign films as well as blockbusters.
Getting Around
Subway: If you are going downtown, you want to take the entrance on the South side (next to CVS, Au Bon Pain). If you are going to Harvard Sq, Porter, Davis, Alewife, you want the entrance on the North side (next to Starbucks). This is important because you can't get to the other side of the tracks after you pay.
Bus: You can also easily catch many buses going to various places in Central Sq.
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Central Square
Subway: If you are going downtown, you want to take the entrance on the South side (next to CVS, Au Bon Pain). If you are going to Harvard Sq, Porter, Davis, Alewife, you want the entrance on the North side (next to Starbucks). This is important because you can't get to the other side of the tracks after you pay.
Bus: You can also easily catch many buses going to various places in Central Sq.
You can catch the #1 bus to Harvard Sq right outside of City Hall, or cross the street to catch the #1 bus to downtown.
City of Cambridge
795 Massachusetts AveYou can catch the #1 bus to Harvard Sq right outside of City Hall, or cross the street to catch the #1 bus to downtown.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
37 Mystic AveSuper close... Good for car rentals!
Shopping
I love supporting this bookstore. I always stop by here before going to the big Harvard Coop. If they don't have what I need, I end up getting it online or going to the Coop, only if I really need it right away.
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Harvard Book Store
1256 Massachusetts AveI love supporting this bookstore. I always stop by here before going to the big Harvard Coop. If they don't have what I need, I end up getting it online or going to the Coop, only if I really need it right away.
Cute little store with good gift items. Great place to pick up a funny greeting card.
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Black Ink
5 Brattle StCute little store with good gift items. Great place to pick up a funny greeting card.
Comprehensive hat store... for those of you that love hats. I love this place. Please support this awesome local business before you buy from Goorin Brothers (big corporation run by Private Equity firms).
SALMAGUNDI Hats & Accessories - North End, Boston
61 Salem StComprehensive hat store... for those of you that love hats. I love this place. Please support this awesome local business before you buy from Goorin Brothers (big corporation run by Private Equity firms).
This places sells honey. Yes. Only honey. You can ask for a honey tasting. You'd be surprised at the variety of honeys they carry and how different they taste. They make great presents.
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Follow the Honey
1132 Massachusetts AveThis places sells honey. Yes. Only honey. You can ask for a honey tasting. You'd be surprised at the variety of honeys they carry and how different they taste. They make great presents.
Follain
53 Dartmouth StFancy natural/organic skin care and make up store. Seriously, we need more of these stores.
Local Supply
86 Joy StGreat little store selling hip day to day items.
Only open on Fridays and Saturdays, Haymarket is -the original- market before the fancy Boston Public Market was built. The produce is super cheap, but buy only what you can eat, most produce is on it's way out. Not to say it isn't delicious, but you've got a short shelf life.
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Haymarket station
136 Blackstone StreetOnly open on Fridays and Saturdays, Haymarket is -the original- market before the fancy Boston Public Market was built. The produce is super cheap, but buy only what you can eat, most produce is on it's way out. Not to say it isn't delicious, but you've got a short shelf life.
Neat store selling mid century furniture, items, vintage items designed by fabulous folks... and a few contemporary items as well.
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Abodeon
1731 Massachusetts AveNeat store selling mid century furniture, items, vintage items designed by fabulous folks... and a few contemporary items as well.
Perfect for that transit nerd in your life. Into trains? Love to gripe about urban planning? This is the place for you.
MBTAgifts
1731 Massachusetts AvePerfect for that transit nerd in your life. Into trains? Love to gripe about urban planning? This is the place for you.
This is hands down, my most favorite jewelry store. If you're into modern pieces for the not-so fussy lady, this is it. It's all handmade, local, you might even get to meet Michele if she's in the store.
Michele Mercaldo Jewelry
276 Shawmut AveThis is hands down, my most favorite jewelry store. If you're into modern pieces for the not-so fussy lady, this is it. It's all handmade, local, you might even get to meet Michele if she's in the store.
Seriously, save yourself some time. Take a look, but don't waste your time here. It's such a tourist trap.
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Pasaran Faneuil Hall
1 S Market StSeriously, save yourself some time. Take a look, but don't waste your time here. It's such a tourist trap.
Are you a pen buff? Need to pick up some fancy japanese inks? This is the place to do it. They can be a bit grumpy,... but who wouldn't with Amazon conquering everyone?
Bromfield Pen Shop
49 Bromfield StAre you a pen buff? Need to pick up some fancy japanese inks? This is the place to do it. They can be a bit grumpy,... but who wouldn't with Amazon conquering everyone?
I love stopping by to pick up a snack. They have a small wine selection and a deli. Extensive selection of teas and imported chocolates. Yum.
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Cardullo's Gourmet Shoppe
6 Brattle StI love stopping by to pick up a snack. They have a small wine selection and a deli. Extensive selection of teas and imported chocolates. Yum.
Shine
106 Prospect StreetIt's a cute little store! Selling cute little things!