Tanám is a Filipino restaurant that’s really just a single table in a small room in Union Square, and it’s outstanding.

Cafe Sushi is an excellent sushi place in Harvard Square.

Saltie Girl is a small, excellent seafood restaurant in Back Bay with a fun bar.

Ilona is an Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in the South End. It’s a beautiful spot filled with beautiful South End people, and the food is great.

Pammy’s is a great Italian-ish restaurant in Cambridge.

Neptune Oyster is a ridiculously popular oyster bar in the North End. It’s worth it if you can get in.

Taranta is an Italian-Peruvian restaurant in the North End that more people should know about.

Create is a tiny art gallery and cocktail bar in Union Square's Bow Market.

The L Street is an Irish pub in South Boston that will make you contemplate whether you like apples.

Orfano is a great Italian steakhouse in the Fenway. It has a three-foot tall pepper mill, so that's something.

BLR is a Chinese small plates place in Chinatown, and it’s a good option if you want to feel like you’re in an illegal gambling den.

Zuma is a high-end izakaya in the Back Bay.

Time Out Market is a giant food hall in Fenway with stalls run by some great Boston restaurants. It’s cool, but be prepared to pay the tourist tax.

The Map Room is a cocktail bar located inside the Copley Square library, and one that deserves to be patronized by people other than tourists.

Saloon is a speakeasy in Davis Square that’s so dark you might fall asleep in there (though probably not if it’s burlesque night).

The Lookout Rooftop is a cocktail bar in the Seaport where you should consider shooting your next music video.