Boston’s culinary scene spans American history in a way few other cities can compete with. From historic Irish pubs to generational Italian eateries to new wave Japanese coffee shops each have left their mark creating a preserved strata of cultures arriving and overlapping.

This is exactly the sort of dining scene I’m looking for and I couldn’t wait to dive in!

As our evening flight arrived Boston welcomed us with long shadows and dappled golden light. Making our first stop an Irish pub may sound like a cliché but sometimes clichés exist for a reason. In this case, a delicious reason.

We started classic with their bread service consisting of house made soda and brown breads. For my husband’s main dish, he opted for the grass-fed sirloin paired with confit carrots. The soft and buttery carrots turned out to be a sleeper hit!

I selected the fish and chips, a perennial favorite of mine, served with curry dipping sauce which I had been wanting to try for ages. The fish was delicious and expertly battered although we both agreed the portion size was more sharable than singular. The curry chips did not disappoint and I’ve been craving them ever since.

If we did a rerun, I would skip the bread which fell somewhat flat and their mushy peas (despite loving peas). Everything else was delicious and satisfyingly filling.

The next morning we had booked Grana, a restaurant nestled in the former Federal Reserve lobby. The space has undergone an incredible transformation mixing original elements such as the reserve seal emblazoned in the floor with rows of upholstered velvet booths and marble tabletops.

This jewel box of a space lends the perfect ambience to start one’s day. The coffees we ordered were just okay but the food was much better.

The blueberry waffle was both light and crispy and the blueberries were plump and juicy. It’s worth mentioning that the portion sizes aren’t particularly large, especially when considering the price point. If you love design as much as you love ordering then this deserves a spot on your itinerary but don’t visit for the food alone.

After some sightseeing, our original lunch plans were foiled when our chosen sandwich shop was closed. We pivoted to a nearby Shake Shack. While this isn’t a Boston exclusive, I’m never mad about a great burger (and yes, their burger is great).

For dinner that night we visited TsuruTonTan. This udon shop has a handful of locations and we were originally slated to visit their Honolulu locale earlier this summer but our plans shifted.

Typical of my excitement levels, we over ordered beginning with the prix fixe 3-roll combo where we chose tuna avocado, spicy tuna, and the crab rangoon roll. We then added on a small katsu curry udon. Note that the small is only available as an add-on and cannot be ordered à la carte; also the small is still sizable!

We rounded out our order with sweet potato tempura and spicy tuna on crispy rice. I was convinced the crab rangoon roll would be a tryhard disaster, but it actually ended up being one of our favorites. However, nothing we ordered felt like a true standout. I wouldn’t make a point to return but if I did, I’d order lighter – this isn’t the place to run up a tab without risking disappointment.

The following morning started off strong at Tatte (the pronunciation rhymes with latte). This wildly popular bakery and coffee shop has numerous locations around Boston and was founded by Israeli pastry chef Tzurit.

I would have loved to squeeze in a few more visits as the menu and pastry selection were so extensive. I really enjoyed my matcha latte and pistachio croissant and would happily return again and again – trying a new item each time!

For lunch, I dipped below Boston Common to visit fan favorite Saltie Girl. If you’re unfamiliar, this seafood gem has launched outposts in Los Angeles and London. While they’re a purveyor of all kinds of seafood they are most well known for pushing tinned seafood into the American market.

Extending well beyond canned tuna that can be mindlessly turned into a salad or melt these tins are packed with high quality olive oils and seasonings. Popular in many parts of Europe, they are meant to be the focal points (not drowned in mayonnaise).

Any tin is accompanied by incredible bread, a trio of salts, lemon, lime, a wedge of butter, pickled piparra peppers, and piquillo pepper jam. I dream about this pepper jam! I selected the curry and piri piri mackerel fillet; 10/10 would recommend.

As always, seafood pairs well with fries and their fries were hands down some of the best I’ve ever tasted. The portion size was overwhelming as this lunch was solo (my husband was attending a conference) but I put in a commendable effort.

That night, my husband had a work dinner to attend and I schlepped back to our hotel room with Chipotle. Even foodies need a break sometimes.

The next morning was off to a slower start after a restless night’s sleep but I rallied with an iced tea from Starbucks and a long walk in the park. Having sufficiently worked up an appetite, it was time for a true highlight of the trip.

Contessa Ristorante (also pictured at the top of this post) is a stunning oasis in the clouds. Designed by the inimitable Ken Fulk for the adjacent Newbury Boston Hotel this rooftop establishment is flooded with light and bathed in jewel tones.

It also happens to serve one of the best margherita pizzas I’ve ever enjoyed. The dough was pillowy and chewy and the mozzarella was incredible. Since I choose to believe carbs don’t count when traveling, I also enjoyed their bread service which included parmesan drizzled in balsamic and an assortment of olives.

I fell in love with this place. It’s the epitome of design without compromising on food. If I could make only a single dining recommendation in Boston, this would be it without a doubt.

As a reminder that being a food and travel blogger is a tough gig, I had to suffer through even more delicious Italian food for dinner. This time, across the water at the lovely Prima.

We were whisked into their back dining room dubbed the “Rose Room” which is a swanky enclave of red velvet and patterned wallpaper. As daylight surrendered and the windows grew dark, a warm glow emanated from fringed lampshades and well positioned sconces.

At the risk of peaking early, the potato focaccia was the best bite we tasted all night. Served with whipped ricotta we both agreed that this alone was worth a return trip.

We ordered family style and shared meatballs (perfect texture), arancini tartufo (bordered on too rich), brown butter mashed potatoes (exceptional flavor but overshadowed by an odd texture), and fusilli alla vodka (classic). This spot would be ideal for a date and, although subject to availability, make a special request for seating in the Rose Room.

In the morning, we found our caffeine fix at Ogawa Coffee, the first international location of a decades old Japanese chain.

My husband is a real coffee connoisseur and highly rated their aeropress preparation. As usual, I ordered a matcha and quite enjoyed it.

We rounded out our morning with a bagel sandwich for him and a quiche for me. The seating here is limited and somewhat odd (a large swath of it is wooden risers) and the spacing is a bit cramped. However, the food and beverages are excellent so my tip is to order takeaway and enjoy back at your hotel.

For lunch, we ventured outside of Boston and visited a sandwich shop in Rhode Island. My appetite was playing hide and seek due to the heatwave so I mostly skipped this meal, but my husband and a colleague who joined us gave their sandwiches raves reviews.

Our final dinner was a very posh affair. We booked Wolfgang’s Steakhouse famously founded by the former headwaiter at Peter Luger. As someone who is lucky enough to have dined at both, the two restaurants share many similarities (the foremost one being outstanding food).

A notable difference is the upscale setting of Wolfgang’s – the tiled ceiling, picture windows, glowing light fixtures, and rows of perfectly set tables. The beloved Brooklyn steakhouse Peter Luger on the other hand was established in the late 1800’s and it shows its age with a sort of rustic charm.

The food might be described as controversially similar but when it tastes this good, I’m not one to complain. We started with bread service as well as a salad course which I skipped in favor of filling up on sides later in our meal.

We also ordered their extra thick bacon, sold by the slice, as an appetizer. Incredibly flavorful I enjoyed it well enough but for the true carnivore this would be a must.

Ignore any listed entrées other than the porterhouse as this is essentially Wolfgang’s raison d’être and it is absolutely what you should order. Perfectly aged steak served according to the size of your party this is one of the most tender and flavorful bites of meat that I’ve ever encountered.

Our table was also overflowing with sides. We opted for the German potatoes (incredible), mashed potatoes (a highlight), and the lobster mac (a relative low point). It’s entirely too much food and yet it’s all comforting and wonderful.

I loved eating my way through Boston and already have a mental list of places I’d like to revisit and new places I couldn’t fit into our schedule. It’s a wonderful foodie town with great variety. Avoid some tourist traps, fall into a few tourist traps, and be open to new experiences. Cheers to another city of dining!