Sarah Bentivegna

This quirky South End sandwich and breakfast joint is by no means your average corner bakery. Here you’ll find comforting pastries, robust sandwiches, bagelwiches and fresh salads. Make sure to check out the decor–adorning Blunch’s walls is a scrapbook-like display of culinary achievements, which includes a feature on the Food Network’s own Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. 

A seafood lover’s paradise, Boston Sail Loft is perched directly above the harbor on a weathered, but evidently sturdy pier. The Sail Loft is famous for their overflowing cups of clam chowder and lobster rolls that burst at the seams. They even offer brunch as well as a lengthy wine and beer list, perfect for kicking back and enjoying the killer water view. 

Breakfast lovers, make a bee-line to Cafe Luna to get your brunch fix all day, every day. This Kendall Square hotspot has Bostonians lining up and around the block for decadent dishes and craft coffee. There’s something for every type of breakfast lover, whether it’s their lobster eggs benedict, belgian waffles or crab and avocado omelet, to name a few. 

Sister to the smaller, more low-key Avana Sushi, Avana Sushi 2 is a sit-down style restaurant with an open kitchen, perfect for viewing the maki-making action. Avana Sushi 2 offers an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet in the evening and is a hot spot for take-out. There’s even the option to order online through their website. 

With a petite interior and only a handful of tables, you’ll most likely need to wait in a hefty, yet well worth it line. After noticing the severe lack of bagel options in the Boston area, owner Mary Ting Hyatt opened the popular Cambridge breakfast spot. Each sourdough bagel is made in house and ferments for at least 24 hours in order to achieve the perfect crunchy exterior and chewy interior. Try a signature sandwich on your choice of bread, or opt for a smear of one of their house-made cream cheeses. 

Described by some as the best sushi in Allston, this Harvard Avenue hole-in-the-wall dishes up nearly any kind of sushi, sushimi and maki you could think of. Oppa Sushi proudly serves the freshest seafood available, and additionally offers a wide variety of choices for those sushi-sceptics. Various bibimbaps, bulgogis, ramen bowls and bento boxes are just a few of their other options. Being a neighborhood hit, weekend reservations are recommended. 

Located in a tight, yet bustling Chinatown food court, this no-frills sushi joint hides in plain sight amongst various other colorful eateries and eclectic furnishings. When searching for Avana Sushi, follow the walls decked out in doodle-covered Styrofoam plates. Once you’ve narrowed down your choice from their lengthy menu of fresh maki rolls, sushi, sashimi, poke bowls and more, the next big decision will be about what to draw on your styrofoam plate. 

Starbucks who? Change up your morning routine and get your caffeine fix at this petite specialty cafe in the heart of Davis Square. Nine Bar Espresso serves locally roasted Gracenote coffee and specialty loose-leaf teas, as well as fresh pastries and small bites. Say goodbye to burnt-tasting coffee and hello to carefully crafted, high quality drinks.

Your search for hip, high-quality artisan coffee is over. Say hello to Gracenote Coffee Roasters, an independent roastery and cafe that brews and serves their own locally roasted beans. Sip a perfectly creamy cappuccino or knock back a shot of espresso and admire the petrified wood counters, old-school manual espresso machine and various plants hanging from the ceiling.

Enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of the ocean at ReelHouse’s second location in Quincy’s Marina Bay. Whether dining for lunch, dinner, or brunch, you’ll find myriad options of traditional New England seafood dishes. If grabbing a drink is more your style, choose from their colorful cocktail list and take in the expansive views of the ocean.  

Montreal smoked meat and New York pastrami have nothing on Sam LaGrassa’s signature deli sandwiches. The self-proclaimed World’s No. 1 Sandwich joint has been dishing out robust reubens and hearty hoagies since 1968. Test your spice tolerance with the Pastrami Diablo or keep it classic with their version of a roast beef sandwich, the Roast Beef Blues. The real kicker? Sam LaGrassa’s ships their sandwiches anywhere in the USA, so you won’t even have to leave your house to chow down. 

No need to trek to New York for quality pastrami and corned beef. Michael’s Deli, otherwise known as "the Corned Beef King," has been dishing up New York style deli meats for nearly 40 years. Signature sandwiches like the Thanksgiving Feast (turkey breast with homemade stuffing) and the Big Lebowski (turkey and pastrami with sauerkraut) have locals squeezing into the narrow, no-frills delicatessen. Even the late and great Anthony Bourdain paid a visit to Michael’s and chowed down on the Howie Carr (corned beef and beef brisket) while filming an episode of No Reservations–as if there wasn’t already enough reason to pay this Coolidge Corner deli a visit.