Getting to Know Your Neighborhood: Dorchester
A guide to shopping, eating, and more in Boston’s largest neighborhood
The 12-foot sculpture of a Clapp pear in Edward Everett Square recalls the time when the area was a fruit orchard.
Getting to Know Your Neighborhood: Dorchester
A guide to shopping, eating, and more in Boston’s largest neighborhood
Encompassing just over six square miles, Dorchester is Boston’s largest neighborhood. It is also arguably the city’s most diverse, home to nearly a fifth of the city’s population, including Irish, Polish, Vietnamese, and African American residents, as well as a large Caribbean and Cape Verdean community. Founded in 1630, months before the establishment of Boston, it is also steeped in history.
Dorchester was founded by Puritans who emigrated from Dorchester, England. Their ship, the Mary and John, landed at Columbia Point (also known as Harbor Point) in June 1630. Originally a small rural community, the town (it wasn’t annexed to Boston until 1870) was the site of many national firsts: America’s first town meeting was held there in 1633 and the Mather Elementary School (still in operation today), the nation’s first free public elementary school, was erected in 1639. And the first chocolate factory, the Walter Baker Chocolate Factory, was established in Dorchester’s Lower Mills section in 1765. First Parish Dorchester (Unitarian Universalist) sits at the pinnacle of Meetinghouse Hill, where the first church structure was built in 1630; it is the oldest religious organization in present-day Boston. And the James Blake House, built in 1661, is the oldest home in Boston, and is now owned and maintained by the Dorchester Historical Society. More recently, the country’s first community health center, the Geiger Gibson Community Health Center (originally called the Columbia Point Health Center), opened in 1965. The neighborhood’s Vietnamese Community Center was also the first of its kind.
By the late 19th century, the neighborhood had become a popular place for Boston’s wealthy families to live, the arrival of the streetcar making it possible to easily travel into downtown Boston. Dorchester officially became part of Boston in 1870, and by the early 20th century, immigrants from Ireland, Poland, Canada, and Italy began arriving, followed by a large influx of African Americans migrating from the Jim Crow South around the mid-century.
Dorchester today is a vibrant community that retains its melting pot reputation. Comprising a number of squares and smaller sections, it’s easily accessible by the MBTA Red Line and the Ashmont-Mattapan High-Speed Line, also called the Mattapan Trolley, or by driving via Interstate 93 (the Southeast Expressway).
In addition to being the city’s most densely populated area, Dorchester is also home to a diverse collection of museums, historical sites, restaurants and boutiques, outdoor trails, and beaches and parks. The 485-acre Franklin Park, is considered to be the crown jewel of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace, a series of interconnected parks. Franklin Park has a world-renowned zoo.
A list of Dorchester’s former residents reads like a “who’s who” of Boston history and includes President John F. Kennedy’s parents, Joe and Rose; actor Ray Bolger (the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz); Star Trek’s original Spock, Leonard Nimoy (Hon.’12); and brothers Donnie and Mark Wahlberg. Martin Luther King, Jr. (GRS’55, Hon.’59) called the neighborhood home during much of the time he was a student at BU.
BU Today has compiled a list of some of the best places to explore. And because Dorchester is so much larger than many of Boston’s other neighborhoods, we’ve organized this story a bit differently than others in our series, grouping places of interest by MBTA stops.
JFK/UMass
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Columbia Point
The JFK Presidential Library and Museum opened in 1979 on Columbia Point. The 10-acre site offers sweeping views of Dorchester Bay and is dedicated to the nation’s 35th president, assassinated in 1963. The museum has several permanent exhibitions: Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign, his time in the Oval Office, and the NASA space program he nurtured. Another portrays the Kennedy family, featuring home movies, photographs, and correspondence. One of the most popular permanent exhibitions is about former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. The museum also hosts special exhibitions. The current one, Service and Sacrifice: World War II—A Shared Experience, tells the personal stories of some of the many Americans who fought in the war, including members of the Kennedy family. The museum is also home to Ernest Hemingway’s archive. Seniors, college students with ID, youth ages 13 to 17, and US armed forces veterans receive discounted admission.
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
Columbia Point
Adjacent to the JFK Presidential Library and Museum is the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Ted Kennedy (Hon.’70) was a distinguished member of the US Senate for almost half a century, from 1962 until his death in 2009. The 68,000-square-foot institute is dedicated to educating the public about the role of the Senate in the US government and seeks to inspire civic engagement. Visitors will find exhibitions about the Senate and educational programs designed to immerse the public in the legislative process. The centerpiece is a full-scale replica of the Senate Chamber, where guests can become a senator-in-training, casting ballots on some of the current issues before the Senate. A replica of Senator Kennedy’s office and reception area are also on view.
Commonwealth Museum
220 Morrissey Blvd.
Across the parking lot from the JFK Presidential Library and Museum is the Commonwealth Museum, which traces the unique history of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts has historically been a leader in the quest for equal rights and opportunities, and the museum highlights some of those achievements: the first public schools, the first battles for American independence, and the first abolitionist newspaper. Check out the museum’s Treasures Gallery, which is filled with rare manuscripts chronicling the commonwealth’s history. Among the highlights are the 1629 Charter of Massachusetts Bay, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the commonwealth’s original copies of the Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. Both the museum and the archives are free and open to the public.
The Pearl
20B District Ave.
“Southern hospitality with city sophistication” is the slogan for this locally owned seafood grill and raw bar. With specialty cocktails and a wide selection of seafood fare, The Pearl is a great stop for amazing oysters, lobster, and more. Try the Pearl Potion, a cocktail featuring an edible flower, alongside shareable platters like chargrilled oysters (with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese) or sweet chili salmon bites. The Pearl is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, with a weekend brunch on Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm and all-day brunch on Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. The brunch fare includes classic entrees like caramel crunch French toast, along with their own seafood dishes like crab cake Benedict.
Strand Theatre
543 Columbia Rd.
The Strand Theatre in Upham’s Corner opened in November 1918, billed as Dorchester’s million-dollar vaudeville and movie palace. Seating 1,403 people, the theater closed in 1969 because of declining ticket sales. Saved by neighborhood residents and federal and state grants, it is now owned by the city of Boston, which took ownership in 1979. The city renovated and maintains the theater, which serves as a cultural and educational resource for artists and audiences. Numerous big-name musical and theatrical acts have performed over the past three decades, including Tracy Chapman, B.B. King, Phish, LL Cool J, and the Broadway musical Ain’t Misbehavin’. The Strand hosts performances from local arts groups, including OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center, Company One, and Commonwealth Shakespeare Co.
Dorchester Brewing Company
1250 Massachusetts Ave.
Also known as DBco, Dorchester Brewing Company opened in 2016 and proclaimed itself as Boston’s only contract and partner brewing facility. It was named one of Boston’s best breweries by the Boston Globe this year. The state-of-the-art, 30,000-square-foot facility provides local craft brewers who don’t have their own large-scale brewery the opportunity and space to produce, package, store, and sell their beer to the public. The adjoining public taproom offers beers made on the premises, as well as games, Wi-Fi, appetizers, fresh beer to go, and a restaurant, M&M BBQ, which serves up ribs, salads, bar bites, and more. The company was started by several local professionals who love craft beer and wanted to invigorate Dorchester’s development. There’s outdoor seating in front of the brewery and plenty of seating indoors, as well as a game room and four-season rooftop greenhouse, called the “Hopservatory.” Click here to see what’s currently on tap.
Sugar Bowl Café
857 Dorchester Ave.
With its bright purple exterior, it’s impossible to miss the Sugar Bowl, the popular ice cream, coffee, and cocktail venue that has become a huge hit with locals and visitors. The interior is a hodgepodge of furniture, accented by marble columns and a tin ceiling. The affordable menu includes breakfast sandwiches and hot and cold subs and sandwiches, many for around $5. But it’s best known for its ice cream desserts featuring local favorite Brigham’s ice cream. Crowds line up for the famous banana splits, sundaes, root beer floats, raspberry lime rickeys, and frappes. Note: Sugar Bowl is closed on Mondays.
The Banshee Pub
934 Dorchester Ave.
This Irish pub claims to be the number one sports bar and restaurant in Boston for watching domestic and European games. “If your game is being broadcast in North America, then you can rest assured that the Banshee will be showing it,” the pub’s website promises. And with 14 flat-screen televisions and two floors, chances are you’ll find your team, whether they’re playing in the Stanley Cup final or the Rugby World Cup. The pub serves lunch and dinner, in addition to bar bites, beer, and a full Irish breakfast on the weekends. Menu highlights: buffalo chicken tenders, jalapeño crispy shrimp, sandwiches, burgers, flatbread pizzas, and beer-battered fish and chips.
224 Boston Street Restaurant
224 Boston St.
Priding itself on its comfort food and down-to-earth, friendly staff, this restaurant is open daily, but only for dinner on weekdays—on weekends it opens early for brunch. In addition to salads and sides, 224 Boston serves mouthwatering entrees like pan-seared salmon (with saffron risotto, sugar snap peas and bearnaise sauce) and bone-in pork chops or chicken piccata (with capers, garlic, lemon, spinach, and potato puree). And the burgers are outstanding: the restaurant’s 224 Burger was ranked as one of the 17 best burgers in Boston by Thrillist in 2022.
Savin Hill
Savin Hill Beach
Bounded by Denny Street and Morrissey Boulevard
Savin Hill Beach offers much-needed respite for city dwellers on a hot summer day. It is one of three public beaches comprising the Dorchester Shores Reservation. In addition to its protected swimming area, there are baseball fields and a tot lot. Designed by the famous Olmsted Brothers landscape firm, it was one of the most popular beaches in Boston, along with nearby Malibu Beach, until the 1960s, when a lack of upkeep drove patrons away. But the beach has been resanded, and upgraded landscaping has been added to the surrounding beachfront area.
McKenna’s Café
109 Savin Hill Ave.
A true Dorchester original, opened in 1998 by two longtime Dorchester residents, McKenna’s prides itself on its neighborhood spirit, tradition, friendly service, and large portions of excellent food. Breakfast begins at 5:30 am (6:30 am on Sundays), but the breakfast menu is available all day and includes classic fare like omelets, pancakes, French toast, and waffles. It also serves lunch (no dinner), with dishes like chicken parmesan and pasta, juicy steak tips, crab cakes, and veggie burgers. You’ll also find traditional Irish breakfast items like Irish sausage and black and white pudding on the menu—a nod to the many Irish immigrants who make Dorchester their home.
Savin Bar & Kitchen
112 Savin Hill Ave.
Open daily for lunch and dinner, and for brunch on weekends, this restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows, plush seating, reclaimed oak, and an open kitchen design. The expansive drink menu has wines, beers, and ciders, and creative cocktails. There are daily specials, like $1 oysters from 4 to 6 pm on weekdays. The restaurant features a popular free trivia event on Tuesday nights, where patrons can play using their phones.
Banh Mi Ba Le
1052 Dorchester Ave.
Dorchester is home to many of Boston’s finest Vietnamese restaurants, and Savin Hill’s Banh Mi Ba Le is one of the best. All of the food—including lo mein, spring rolls, dumplings, and sticky rice with banana—is prepared fresh in-house, and customers can customize their orders. The prices are another big draw—many items cost only a few dollars. Try the fresh-squeezed sugarcane juice and the delectable desserts, like caramel flan and sticky rice with taro and coconut milk.
Dbar
1236 Dorchester Ave.
Dbar is a full-service restaurant that transforms into a nightclub and lounge as the sun sets. It’s open daily for dinner and drinks (closed Mondays). The seasonal menu draws on local ingredients where possible and is overseen by noted chef Christopher Coombs. Popular dishes include shrimp bucatini; penne Bolognese with veal, beef, and pancetta in a creamy tomato sauce with Parmigiano-Reggiano and fresh herbs; and Giannone chicken under a brick—a crispy-skinned organic chicken with mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and a mushroom Madeira jus.The cocktail menu includes unusual drinks like blood orange marg and cranberry cider mule, as well as espresso martinis, and more. It’s not unusual to see patrons dancing to 1980s hits. Dbar’s Show Tunes Tuesday, a sing-along of Broadway show tunes, has become especially popular. The restaurant also hosts Karaoke Fridays and Magnum Saturdays.
blend
1310 Dorchester Ave.
Looking for fun nighttime plans? blend has you covered. Calling itself “Dorchester’s Disco,” this local eatery/nightclub is a hub for drag brunches, DJ performances, disco-themed Sundays, and other events each weekend. Party (almost) all night on Fridays and Saturdays when blend is open until 2 am, or stop by Sundays for its popular brunch, featuring a rotating selection of local drag performances. The spot is open for dinner Thursday through Saturday. Check out their events page for a schedule of performers and DJs.
Restaurante Cesaria
266 Bowdoin St.
Specializing in Cape Verdean cuisine—a fusion of Portuguese and West African cooking—this spot is reasonably priced and includes traditional favorites like fish, quail, canja (a local chicken soup), katchupada (a spicy stew of pork, beans, kale, and hominy), and cabriada (stewed goat). Cesaria’s spacious interior has ample seating and the staff create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Live music—such as morna, a type of folk music sung in Cape Verdean Creole and accompanied by clarinet, violin, guitar, and cavaquinho—is performed most nights and during Sunday brunch. The cocktail menu is extensive and includes classic favorites like mojitos and new flavors like Sangue de Beirona, a mix of Bacardi Limón rum, triple sec, lime juice, and wild berry purée.
Fields Corner
Boston Winery
26 Ericsson St.
Boston Winery was founded in 2006 by Italian vintner Raffaele Bruno, who grew up in a family of vintners in Abruzzi, Italy. Here, he puts his own twist on domestic and international grapes, creating one-of-a-kind blends. The Boston Winery sells its own brand, with a selection of crisp whites and flavorful reds, all made naturally without added sulfites or preservatives. The Italian-inspired winery also offers ravioli and wine pairings as well as tastings Wednesday through Saturday, with special events on Sundays—21-plus only. Reservations are required. Check out their events page.
Franklin Park Zoo
1 Franklin Park Rd.
The 72-acre Franklin Park Zoo, nestled inside Boston’s largest city park, is home to more than 100 species of animals in a variety of habitats, including an outback trail featuring kangaroos, kookaburras, and emus; a savannah, home to Masai giraffes; and Serengeti Crossing, four acres of grassland and wooded hills where ostriches, wildebeests, and Hartmann’s mountain zebras live. Opened in 1912, the zoo is operated by Zoo New England, a private nonprofit committed to conservation. Open year-round and attracting about 600,000 visitors annually, Franklin Park Zoo features one of the world’s best indoor gorilla exhibitions, as well as a tropical rainforest.
home.stead bakery & café
1448 Dorchester Ave.
home.stead is an oasis of quiet in the heart of bustling Fields Corner. The quaint café in the corner storefront of the historic Lenane Building is both a meeting place for friends to gather and a laid-back setting for those looking to get work done. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, the café offers fresh bagel sandwiches, burritos, homemade sesame granola, soups, salads, sandwiches, and pressed paninis. It’s all delicious, and the servers are friendly and helpful. The menu’s sandwiches include the Little Chickpea (smashed chickpea salad with avocado, cilantro, and sea salt on toasted seven-grain bread) and the Hot Norwegian (smoked salmon, cream cheese, avocado, and sriracha mayo). There’s ample seating, but home.stead is also a great option for anyone looking to grab a fresh pastry and hot drink to go. A constantly changing array of photographs by local artists decorates the walls, and all are available for purchase.
Dot Café
1459 Dorchester Ave.
This reasonably priced, unpretentious café just steps away from the Fields Corner MBTA stop is popular for breakfast and lunch. The menu is small but portions are generous; breakfast begins daily at 7 am and it’s open until 5 pm. You’ll find staples like French toast, omelets, pancakes, bagels, and breakfast sandwiches in the morning. For lunch there are burgers, subs, rice dishes with chicken or beef, and bot chien, a traditional Vietnamese dish of a fried rice flour cake served over eggs. The Vietnamese iced coffee and tea complement the more savory dishes. Warning: the lines can be long, so be prepared to wait. You can also order food to go.
Akoko-Coco Leaf Cafe
1480 Dorchester Ave.
Vietnamese dessert and drink shop Coco Leaf is a must for anyone looking to indulge their sweet tooth. The self-described dessert café is famous for its traditional sweet Vietnamese beverage ché, packed with sweetened beans, tapioca, and fruit. The eponymous ché, the Coco Leaf, is made from pandan jelly, red and white beans, hot luu, mung beans, coconut milk, coconut meat, and chia seeds. Those preferring something less adventurous can select from Thai iced tea, bubble teas, passion fruit and mixed berry smoothies, or traditional iced coffee. The cafe also serves a small selection of sandwiches, wraps, and paninis.
The Blarney Stone
1505 Dorchester Ave.
A Dorchester institution for nearly 50 years (it opened in 1965), the Blarney Stone has the distinction of being the first bar in the country to sell draught Guinness. Today, the historic bar/restaurant specializes in modern American comfort and bar food: beer-battered fish and chips, salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads. The bar has a variety of wine, beer, and cocktails, including a passion fruit jalapeño margarita with blanco tequila and fresh lime. It’s open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm, serving favorites like avocado toast, breakfast burritos, and steak scramble (tender beef sirloin, caramelized onions, cheddar jack cheese, and parsley, served with sourdough toast). Its trivia Wednesdays have become popular with locals, as well.
Chill on Park
142 Park St.
The self-proclaimed “local favorite for ice cream in Dorchester,” Chill on Park has an inviting ambiance. There is a rotating list of daily ice cream flavors, including chocolate chip and cookie dough and more unusual selections like orange pineapple, cherry vanilla, and peanut butter oreo. Get any of the flavors to go in a hand-packed pint, or take a seat in the comfortable, casual seating area. The shop also serves specialty teas, smoothies, bakery items, and more.
Ashmont
Tavolo Ristorante
1918 Dorchester Ave.
Tavolo has become a neighborhood favorite and a go-to hot spot for casual but sophisticated dinners. Conveniently located next to the Ashmont T station, the restaurant offers ample seating, including a large, family-style tavolo (table) and spacious bar. It serves what it calls “Dorchester Italian” fare, including appetizers like marinated olives, steamed mussels, house meatballs, and meat and cheese boards. Try one of the famed pizzas, such as the mushroom pizza, made with whipped ricotta, Taleggio cheese, scallion truffle oil, and rosemary. The drinks menu includes an array of craft beers, specialty cocktails, and wines. Tavolo also hosts a monthly Pasta Tour, featuring a three-course meal of regional specialties on the first Wednesday of each month. And be sure to check out their Sunday brunch, which includes such tasty options as Nutella brioche French toast and a brunch board (caper and chive deviled eggs, smoked salmon, lime-chive mascarpone, balsamic onion, tomato and caper salad, and grilled focaccia), along with a selection of special brunch drinks. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
The Bowery Bar
2261 Dorchester Ave.
The interior of Bowery Bar has been carefully curated to create a vintage feel. Pull up a stool at the 26-seat bar featuring 19 rotating draft beers, most of which are from New England, or head outside to the large patio area, where you can lounge in a full dining section, complete with a misting system to keep you cool on hot summer days. Specializing in classic bar fare with a high-end twist, the bar/restaurant serves fish and chips, blackened fish tacos, truffle fries, and more. Stop by for their weekend brunch and order a boozy iced coffee paired with one of their amazing breakfast sandwiches.
Molinari’s
789 Adams St.
Molinari’s is named after Boston native and chef-owner Jeff Cincotta’s grandmother, who grew up just outside of Rome. The specialty pizzas are worth the trip—try the Meat Lover (made with tomato sauce, house-made Italian sausage, pepperoni, hamburger, and caramelized onions) or the Lucca (made with Parmesan garlic cream, mozzarella, ricotta, meatballs, truffle oil, and garlic confit). The house-made pastas—like pappardelle Bolognese made with hand-cut fresh noodles with meat sauce, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and seasonings—are also delicious. As are the sandwiches, like the Grinder (with shaved prosciutto, mortadella, salami, imported provolone, house-made pickled Italian peppers, baby lettuce, olive oil, and vinegar).
The Eire Pub
795 Adams St.
The Eire has been a Dorchester fixture since it opened in 1964. A traditional Irish pub, it’s been a popular destination for celebrities and politicians alike, including Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, actor Mark Wahlberg, former Governor Charlie Baker, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (Hon.’95), to name a few. Originally opened as a “men’s bar” (as the signage still says), the pub started letting women join the fun in 1984. There are 11 beers on tap and 11 HD TVs. It serves classic pub favorites like tater tots, chicken wings, hot pastrami and grilled reuben sandwiches, pizza, and burgers.
Lucy’s American Tavern
13 Granite Ave.
A more recent addition to the bustling Adams Village area, Lucy’s American Tavern is the place to go if you’re looking for a local spot to relax and enjoy a great meal. Named for 19th-century Dorchester resident Lucy Stone, a pioneer for women’s rights, the restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner and weekend brunch, has outdoor seating and a cozy interior. Among the many great lunch options is a harvest bowl with quinoa and farro, zucchini, spinach, grilled asparagus, roasted cherry tomato, pickled red onions, and lemon thyme vinaigrette. For dinner, there are savory choices like Cajun chicken rigatoni, steak tips, and fish and chips. The impressive beverage menu is sure to catch your eye, with more than 50 beer draughts and bottles, an excellent wine list, and a whimsical cocktail list.
Cedar Grove (via the Ashmont-Mattapan High Speed Line)
Pope John Paul II Park Reservation
This 66-acre park is accessible via the Mattapan Trolley, which operates on the high-speed line running through Dorchester, Milton, and Mattapan. The park, built on what had once been a landfill and a drive-in movie theater site, is open dawn to dusk year-round. In 2001, the area was restored and renovated into a spacious park that offers beautiful views of the Neponset River Estuary. It has picnic facilities, soccer fields, play areas, walking paths, a restored salt marsh, and lots of greenery. Visitors have reported seeing snowy egrets and great blue herons, among other wildlife.
Dorchester Park
2180 Dorchester Ave.
Created in 1891, Dorchester Park provides a 30-acre oasis amidst the surrounding urban sprawl. Featuring two ball fields, two tennis courts, a tot lot with swings, and a mini forest with scenic pathways, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2008. Although something of a hidden gem, local families and dog owners enjoy the clean, well-maintained space, which hosts seasonal events, including a popular classic car show and a family fun day each September.
Lower Mills and Milton (via the Ashmont-Mattapan High Speed Line)
Sweet Life Bakery & Café
2243 Dorchester Ave.
As its name implies, this is both a restaurant and a bustling bakery. There’s no missing the quaint café, adorned with a vibrant mural on one of its exterior walls, titled Walter Baker’s Mill, circa 1900. The impressive menu includes breakfast, lunch, and a weekend brunch, which draws big crowds. Brunch, served Friday through Sunday, offers a range of classic egg dishes—several variations of eggs Benedict and build-your-own omelets—pancakes, French toast, sophisticated sandwiches, healthy salads and wraps, and juicy burgers. If you just want coffee and a quick confection, head to the bakery, where you’ll find treats like cupcakes, cookies, pastries, French macarons, and over six varieties of bread, baked fresh daily. They even serve beer, cider, wine, and cocktails. Try some “Seasonal-Tails,” like the Boston Harbor Milkshake, with maple cream liqueur, Mount Gay rum, and Crescent Ridge vanilla ice cream. Note: the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
BRED Gourmet
2255 Dorchester Ave.
This intimate, inventive burger and sandwich joint has a small but creative menu and reasonable prices. Carnivores will enjoy the Maui Burger (a grass-fed beef burger topped with sliced pineapple, habanero pepper jack cheese, crispy onions, sweet plantains, smoked ham, and barbecue sauce, served on a potato bun) or the Kobe Sandwich (buttermilk fried chicken tossed in gochujang sauce, topped with pineapple, cilantro, and BRED aioli). Vegetarians also have plenty to choose from, like the BRED Impossible (an Impossible burger topped with pickled onion, greens, tomato, American cheese, and BRED aioli, served on a sesame brioche bun) or one of the eatery’s salads. Sides like Parmesan truffle fries, sweet potato fries, and plantains can be paired with any meal. Order a smoothie like the Blue Magic, a combination of blueberry, granola, wildflower honey, and oat milk, to wash it all down.
Cake Pops Boston
2267 Dorchester Ave.
This tiny confectionary boutique is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth. The whimsical cake pops—balls of fully cooked cake, crumbed and mixed with buttercream icing and dipped in a chocolate or candy coating—start at $3 for everyday flavors (like chocolate, cookies and cream, vanilla, and red velvet), and rise up to $6.50 for rotating flavors (like cherry chip, tiramisu, Meyer lemon, and sugar cookie). Cake pops can also be made to order as a fun gift or unique centerpiece for events and parties and customized to color, theme, or flower, as well as holidays, people, animals, bugs—even vegetables. The shop offers candies and chocolates too.
Lower Mills Tavern
2269 Dorchester Ave.
Serving lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, Lower Mills Tavern was purchased by Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys and veteran restaurateur Brian O’Donnell in 2015 and completely revamped. Today, the hot spot, especially popular for dinner and drinks, offers a range of options, from pizzas to sandwiches and salads. Try the lamb and beef Bolognese or the BBQ chicken and bacon pizza. The impressive drink menu includes nearly 100 whiskeys, more than 50 beers and ciders (10 on tap), a small but distinguished wine list, and several distinctive seasonal craft cocktails. There’s also live traditional Irish music every Thursday night, featuring a rotating roster of local artists.
The Ice Creamsmith
2295 Dorchester Ave.
Founded in 1976, the family-run Ice Creamsmith is a neighborhood staple, famous for homemade ice cream produced in small batches. The quaint shop offers 10 regular flavors, including classics like sweet cream, mocha, chocolate chip, and strawberry, and a number of special monthly flavors, posted on the window. Over a dozen “mixins,” including cookies, coconut, jelly beans, and chocolate-covered raisins, can be added to any order. There’s a selection of treats and beverages like old-fashioned banana splits, cream sodas, and floats, as well as brownie sundaes and banana sundaes. You can also take pints and quarts of their ice creams and sorbets home.
Yellow Door Taqueria
2297 Dorchester Ave.
This trendy taco joint brings a real flair to Dorchester Avenue. Designed by co-owner Taniya Nayak, known for her work on HGTV, it has an inviting vintage vibe and is known for delicious tacos. Try the carnitas tacos with pork confit, Cotija cheese, sweet and spicy bacon, refried beans, tomatillo pico, and red onion. Other standouts include a coconut shrimp taco, with crispy coconut shrimp tossed in sweet and spicy glaze, slaw, avocado mayo, and mango salsa. The extensive drink menu has dozens of tequilas along with beer, wine, and a select cocktail menu. You can even pick up a to-go margarita mix, flavored with the house mix, coconut, or jalapeño (you provide your own alcohol).
Flat Black Coffee Company
1170 Washington St.
This coffee spot says it’s Boston’s “largest independently owned roaster, retailer, and wholesaler of specialty coffees.” The Lower Mills store was opened in 2003 and took its name from the Australian term for an Americano. Flat Black is dedicated to serving high-quality, single-origin coffees in the spirit of Australia’s thriving coffee culture. The cozy interior—yellow walls decorated with coffee sacks, and old-fashioned coffee grinders and a coffee tree—has a distinctly “Down Under” vibe that will transport you to the Outback. It offers a variety of teas and coffees from Africa, Central and South America, and the Pacific Rim.
Steel & Rye
95 Eliot St., Milton
Steel & Rye, an award-winning restaurant and bar steeped in the Americana spirit, is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The spacious dining room serves modern American cuisine with a twist. Entrees include house-made pastas, roasted oysters, wood oven–roasted chicken wings, beef tartare, and more. Be sure to leave room for the seasonal desserts, like chocolate tarts, strawberry sorbet, and ice cream cookie sandwiches. The large bar has a generous selection of beers, wines, and craft cocktails. Recommended: the Fairway to Heaven, made with cucumber vodka, Pimm’s citrus cordial, and lemon and tiki bitters. Reservations are recommended, but not required.
Getting there: Take an MBTA Red Line train to JFK/UMass, Savin Hill, Fields Corner, Shawmut, or Ashmont stations.
Click on the points in the map above for more information on the places listed in our guide to the Dorchester neighborhood.
This article was updated on August 1, 2024.
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