A Local Foodie's Guide to Boston

Stroll down the Charles River Esplanade: the green space that runs alongside the Charles River. I love taking my dog on walks here and watching the sailboats from the docks in the summer.

Visit Fenway Park: America's most Beloved Ballpark. There isn't much better in the summer than a Fenway Frank during sunset as the Red Sox take the mound.

Boston Common & Public Garden: the main and central attraction of Boston. This city park has beautiful foliage and boat rides, but my favorite thing is to bring some takeout and people-watch.

Walk (bar-hop) the Freedom Trail: the 2.5 mile historic brick trail through Downtown. For my fiancée's birthday this year, a crew of 20 of us are dressing in colonial clothing and drinking our way through history. Obviously, you don't need to go as far as we are, but there are great bars along the trail that are worth stopping by (make sure you hit The Warren Tavern)!

Take advantage of the water taxis: You won't find it on Google Maps, but the Navy Yard Hospitality Group (owner of restaurants Pier 6 and ReelHouse, and outdoor waterfront venue Tall Ship) operates a semi-private water taxi service between their properties. For only $4, you can take a small boat across the Boston Harbor and experience the Boston skyline from a unique vantage point.

Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: the site of the world's most famous art heist. The museum has a beautiful central courtyard, and is a place I always bring guests when they are visiting for the weekend.

Take a Duck Boat Tour: Explore Boston's sights by land and by sea, just like the British in 1775. Touristy? Yes, absolutely. But the Patriots and Red Sox hold their championship parades on them, so it doesn't get more Boston than that.

Explore the Back Bay on Blue Bike: Similar to New York's Citi Bikes, bike rental options are plentiful in Boston. The Back Bay neighborhood has great biking infrastructure, most notably on the scenic Commonwealth Avenue. I bike so much during the summer, I may as well delete my Uber app.

"Pahk the Cah in Hah-vahd yahd": There is so much to see and do in Harvard Square, but my favorite is stopping by Felipe's Taqueria for the best burrito you'll ever have.

Take a day trip to the North Shore: The MBTA's Commuter Rail makes it very easy to visit beautiful seaside towns such as Newburyport, Salem, and Gloucester. My fiancée and I have taken advantage of this many times over the years, and have had some of our best days lounging on the pristine beaches.

O Ya: a 20-course omakase in Boston's Chinatown district. The craftsmanship the chefs show towards each plate is mesmerizing, and the flavors will stick with you even years later (like they're doing with me right now, writing this).

Saltie Girl: an iconic seafood restaurant in the Back Bay. I had my first oyster here, so it holds a special place in my heart, but I keep coming back for their lobster roll and cocktails.

Moooo....: is a steakhouse with multiple locations in the city, although their original one in Beacon Hill is my favorite. I have eaten my body weight 10 times over in steak during the course of my life, and have yet to have a cut of meat so flavorful or tender as the ones I've had here.

Prima: Italian steakhouse in my neighborhood of Charlestown. Come for the beautiful interior, but stay for the Spicy Pici and Tiramisu Martini. Maybe, you'll even find a Boston Bruin dining in the corner (I know I certainly have).

Kaia: a brand new Greek restaurant in the South End getting a lot of buzz right now. This meze spot gives you Michelin-star-quality dishes in a cozy environment. Check out their sister restaurant **Krasi** for a wine symposium, where you can sample Greek wines while having great conversation with the sommeliers and guests seated nearby.

Mooncusser: offers a prix-fixe menu that highlights New England's seafood and produce. With their seasonal menu, it's a place my fiancée and I try to go often.

Parla: one of the first places we became regulars in the city. Located in the North End, they offer a "Roll the Dice" drink option, where you get the drink associated with the number you roll on a 20-sided dice. We're getting very close to completing our second time around the dice.

Celeste: the only place on this list not located in Boston proper. This Peruvian spot is found in Union Square in nearby Somerville and offers authentic home cooking in an intimate dining area. Be sure to try the Ceviche, Lomo Saltado, and Pisco Sour.

Carmelina's: the authentic Italian food representative here. Found in the North End, they hand-make every noodle, and you will never leave hungry. They pride themselves on making Carbonara "the real way”, and it's absolutely worth planning your vacation around when you can get in and try it.

Amar: in their own words—the pinnacle of culinary elegance, and it's hard to find anything to prove that wrong. Located on the 17th floor of the opulent Raffles hotel, this Portuguese restaurant blends classic New England seafood with punchy spices and ornate cocktails. It is definitely at the top of my list to try.