Boston Magazine recently announced its Best of Boston Winners! Here are the winners from Dorchester! Congratulations!
McGonagle’s – Best Irish Bar
Modern Irish cuisine is having a moment in Boston, and McGonagle’s is sitting on a pot of pure gold. The late 2024 arrival ditches the typical tired pub fare for dishes like Irish-Chinese spice bags, elevated pigs in a blanket with local sausage, and wood-fired pizzas that are way better than they need to be at a bustling bar. Sure, they’re Guinness purists (as they should be), but these updates to traditional Irish food make this place feel essential rather than just another pub. The live music seals the deal. 267 Neponset Ave., Boston, MA 02122, mcgonagles.com.
Comfort Kitchen – Best African Restaurant
African diaspora cuisine spans half the world—lucky for us, this Dorchester spot nailed the assignment. Its plantain dishes accented with fiery hot sauce hail from Ghana, jerk-roasted duck leg with pikliz points to Haiti, and that pepper stew at brunch is a love letter to West African cuisine. National acclaim means this is a tough table to book, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. 611 Columbia Rd., Boston, MA 02125, comfortkitchenbos.com.
Singh’s Roti Shop – Best Neighborhood Restaurant, Dorchester
Peruse the bottles of house hot sauces—some ghost-pepper-infused, some reaper, all extremely spicy—while waiting for your taste of the West Indies. Heaping portions of the namesake roti are the star at this counter-service neighborhood favorite, transporting you to Trinidad via flatbread-wrapped curry goat, saltfish, oxtail, or other meats. 554 Columbia Rd., Boston, MA 02125, singhsrotishop.net.
Pure Oasis – Best Dispensary
You say you want to recreate? What’s your vibe, man? Couch potato? Weekend warrior? The first (of now many) recreational cannabis stores in Boston, Pure Oasis excels at matchmaking your mood with the right edibles, vaporizers, and concentrates, among other options. With an endless variety of brands, you can choose from Your Highness’s “Glitter Bomb” prerolls (chillin’), Baked Beans’ “Bruce Banner” flower (euphoria), or Happy Valley’s “Berries and Cream” gummies (stress buster). Brownie points for a third location in Brighton coming soon. Multiple locations, mypureoasis.com.
Just Book-ish – Best New Community Space
Former Boston poet laureate Porsha Olayiwola and business partner Bing Broderick have cracked the code on what Fields Corner desperately needed: a community spot open after 7 p.m. on weekdays. JustBook-ish isn’t just another bookstore—it’s a cultural sanctuary where lo-fi hip-hop mingles with open mikes, banned books are prized possessions, and cushioned nooks invite no-stress lingering. From the ribbon cutting attended by Representative Ayanna Pressley to Octavia E. Butler–themed discussion circles, this inclusive gathering place demonstrates that sometimes the most important civic act is simply creating space to be together. 1463 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02122, justbook-ish.com.
Zoo New England – Best Annual Pass for Families
The best deal around for Boston parents? For less than the cost of two visits to the Franklin Park Zoo, a family with up to four kids can enjoy a year’s worth of amazing lion roars, towering giraffe sightings, playful gorilla antics, and endless playground fun. Membership unlocks the doors to the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, too, so you have options outside the city. We also love that visitors can apply their receipt from a single trip toward a membership up to seven days afterward, turning a one-day excursion into a year of adventures. One Franklin Park Rd., Boston, MA 02121, zoonewengland.org.
Yale Appliances – Best Appliances
Let’s face it: Shopping for appliances can feel overwhelming—but Yale makes the whole process surprisingly easy (dare we say, even fun?). Knowledgeable, patient staffers are there to guide you through the lineup of gleaming ranges, fridges, dishwashers (and more) displayed throughout the 19,000-square-foot Dorchester showroom, with zero sales pressure. Also inspiring confidence? The price-matching policy and online learning center is packed with videos and pro tips so you can keep your new investment running like a dream for years to come. Multiple locations, yaleappliance.com.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum – Best Wedding Venue for Camelot Fans
This 12-acre waterfront venue channels serious JFK and Jackie energy—think romance, legacy, and effortless style. Designed by I.M. Pei, the glass Pavilion offers panoramic harbor views and striking architecture: Tie the knot beneath the Pavilion’s soaring glass ceiling before moving to Smith Hall for dinner, dancing, and schmoozing on the private terrace. Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125, jfklibrary.org.
What do you think of this list? Let us know in the comments below.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
