The Best Boston Restaurants, Things to Do, People and Politics

A stylized illustration of a German Shepherd dog standing outdoors. The dog has a black and brown coat with a collar and is depicted with its mouth open and tongue out. The background features a mix of urban and suburban elements, including buildings, houses, a tree, and a car. The color palette includes shades of green, blue, brown, and beige.

Retired Police Dogs Could Get a Pension, If This State House Bill Passes

Dakota, a K-9 who helped track Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, came home broken and was almost euthanized. Dakota’s Law, a State House bill, aims to make sure dogs like him aren’t left behind.

By Jaci Conry

A dining table set with a variety of dishes including sandwiches, seafood, and plated meals, accompanied by drinks such as beer, red wine, and cocktails. The table is in front of a brown leather bench with a tall green leaf in a glass vase as a centerpiece. Behind the bench is a large, colorful abstract artwork featuring vertical lines and a mix of blue, purple, and red hues. There are also green plants visible on the left side of the image.

Restaurants

Dreamy Peruvian Restaurant Rosa y Marigold Opens in Back Bay

The Boston sibling to Celeste and La Royal has Peruvian sandwiches, live music, and a lot of heart.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal

An elderly man with white hair wearing a teal button-up shirt and black pants is sitting on a dark purple couch. Behind him is a large bookshelf filled with numerous books, and a tall wooden ladder leans against the shelves. To the right, there is a metallic door with two round knobs.

Education

Man of Reason

Celebrity professor Steven Pinker wants to save Harvard. But his own record raises a question: Is he the right guy for the job?

By Robert Huber

A woman with dark hair wearing a beige embroidered top and light-colored pants is sitting on a cream-colored sofa. The sofa is decorated with patterned cushions and a red throw. Behind her, there is a colorful abstract painting on the wall. To the left, a tall floor lamp stands next to a small round wooden table with a glass vase holding purple flowers and a small bowl. On the right, a glass-top wooden coffee table holds books and a decorative bowl, and a gold metal bookshelf filled with books and decorative items is visible in the background.

Home & Property

This Newton Interior Designer’s Home Is a Masterclass in Slow Decorating

For designer Vani Sayeed, home is a living gallery—layered with history, heritage, and an artist’s eye.

By Regina Cole

A cartoon character with curly hair and a headband is eating spaghetti with meatballs. The character is wearing a blue and yellow athletic outfit with a race bib labeled "2026." Spaghetti noodles and sauce are hanging from the character's mouth and fork, and some sauce is splattered on the outfit.

City Life

Do I Have to Run the Boston Marathon to Be a Real Bostonian?

God, I hope not, because nothing, not the chance to eat a lot of pasta or run by my own house, ever made me want to do it.

By Steve Calechman

A man and a woman sit inside a wooden sauna. The man, wearing black shorts, is seated on the left side with his hands clasped and looking toward the woman. The woman, wearing a black bikini, is seated on the right side with one knee bent and her arms wrapped around it, looking toward the man. The sauna has wooden slatted walls and bench seating.

Life & Style

Wellness Hangouts Are the New Happy Hours

So long, cocktails; hello, electrolyte drinks. Are group wellness events becoming the city’s preferred way to gather after dark?

By Jaci Conry

A dining area with a long wooden table surrounded by pink upholstered chairs featuring black zebra patterns. The walls have large botanical murals in muted tones, and three ornate crystal chandeliers hang from the dark ceiling. The floor has a geometric patterned tile, and there are two small wall sconces with warm lighting on the mural wall. A large mirror with floral details is visible on the right side.

Restaurants

Bambola and the Girl Next Door Bring Date-Night Glam to the Seaport

The Boston neighborhood’s newest “sister act” is an Italian restaurant and a flirty cocktail bar under one roof.

By Nathan Tavares

A bright living room with large windows and floral curtains. Two dark green velvet sofas face each other with light-colored pillows. A round wooden table with a large glass vase filled with white flowers is centered on a light rug. To the right, a wooden bench with a cushioned seat and a folded blanket sits against the wall, which features white wainscoting, two wall sconces, and an abstract painting. The floor is wooden, and a staircase with white spindles and wooden handrails is visible on the left.

Home & Property

A Wellesley Home Finds Its Quiet Confidence

Three connected spaces exude harmony in color, comfort, and quietly bold design.

By Stefanie Schwalb

Outdoor seating area with cushioned wooden chairs and a sofa around a wooden coffee table set with plates of food and drinks, overlooking a waterfront with boats and city buildings in the background.

Restaurants

La Tavernetta, the New East Boston Restaurant Doing Southern Italian Coastal

Opening April 13, Mida sibling La Tavernetta features spritzes, Italian snacks, and a patio where you’ll want to spend your summer.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Bronze statue of a man in historical clothing holding a flag, positioned as if running or lunging forward, mounted on a stone pedestal surrounded by a circular flower bed with red flowers, set in a green park with trees and houses in the background.

Home & Property

So, You Want to Live in Bedford?

A sprinkling of indie businesses, a dash of great schools, and a heaping helping of Revolutionary history is the recipe for a lively small town.

By Simone Migliori

A silver ring with a large round diamond, attached to a red price tag displaying "$70,000" in white text, set against a dark blue background.

City Life

The Engagement Ring Is Having an Identity Crisis

These days, a $7,000 lab-grown diamond is indistinguishable from a $70,000 mined one. And buyers aren’t just choosing the cheaper option—they’ve stopped caring about the difference altogether.

By Kara Baskin