Beacon Hill and Government Center
Print
Email
Save to Favorites
Trip Ideas
- Where to Go
- The Best of Vermont
- Rumblings of Revolution
- New, New England Dining
- Boston’s Artistic Expression
- Vermont Leaf Peeping
- Into the Wild
- Vermont Skiing at Its Best
- Visit Vermont’s Maple Sugar Shacks
- Connecticut for Kids
- Vermont’s Covered Bridges
- A Shore Thing
- Vermont with Kids
- Portland Maine Art Galleries
- Small-Town Flavor
- Connecticut’s Wine Trails
- New Hampshire’s Farmers Markets
- A Weekend of Vermont Art
- Family Matters
- Maine Wilderness Camps
- Vermont Cheddar Houses
- Connecticut Spas
View This Map
--- Click to Enlarge ---
Classic New England
Daniel Webster used to polish off a glass of brandy with every dozen oysters he scarfed down at the raw bar of the Union Oyster House (41 Union St., 617/227-2750, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Sun.–Thurs.; 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri.–Sat., www.unionoysterhouse.com, $22–34), the oldest operating restaurant in the United States. Entrées including baked scrod and filet mignon are a bit overpriced, but worth it for the Olde New England ambience.
French
In stark contrast to many of Charles Street’s stuffier addresses, Beacon Hill Bistro (25 Charles St., 617/723-7575, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, www.beaconhillhotel.com/bistro, $24–29) is an easygoing (but still upscale, mind you) bistro serving French stalwarts like steak frites alongside creative constructions such as skate with spinach and sunchokes.
Italian
The owner of 
Ristorante Toscano (47 Charles St., 617/723-4090, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Tues.–Fri.; 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m. Sat.–Sun., www.toscanoboston.com, $13–36), Vinicio Paoli, is Tuscan to his core—and so is his eatery. No daredevil renderings here: The kitchen keeps it real with simple dishes of carpaccio and penne arrabbiata.
Middle Eastern
Who knew that one of New England’s most Yankee neighborhoods was a prime place to experience the charms of Persian (that’s Iranian to you) cuisine? Grab a table at refined, pretty Lala Rokh (97 Mt. Vernon St., 617/720-5511, 12 p.m.–3 p.m. daily; 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m. daily, www.lalarokh.com, $14–19) to dig into a menu loaded with rose petal–scented dishes, kabobs, and fruit-laden sauces. And don’t miss the saffron ice cream.
Sandwiches
One of the area’s most affordable lunches is found at Panificio (144 Charles St., 617/227-4340, 8 a.m.–10 p.m. daily., www.panificioboston.com, $7–23), where you can snag an overstuffed sandwich—on, as the name suggests, great bread—and salad for under $10. At night, the bakery turns more posh: Candles are lit, prices go up, and dishes get more elaborate—à la lobster penne and gnocchi marinara.
© Michael Blanding and Alexandra Hall from Moon New England, 2nd Edition
Buy Moon Travel Guides
Search
Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.