The Boston Globe just announced its Best of the Best List! Here are the winners from Dorchester! Congratulations!
Best Breweries
An indoor-outdoor greenhouse/roof deck with a view of the Boston skyline is the main attraction here, but don’t be fooled into thinking the Dorchester Brewing Co. doesn’t also make some seriously delicious beer. New Moon is the wheat beer you’ll want to drink under the sun, but the must-try brew here is Cobblestone, a Boston dry stout that’s relatively low in alcohol and meant for a relaxed afternoon of kicking back.
Things to Do
More than six decades have elapsed since Massachusetts sent one of its own to the White House, but those glory years of energy, hope, and limitless possibility still burn brightly at the Kennedy Library and Museum. Relive the launch of the Peace Corps and space program, chat about glamorous state events, see the stark challenges of Cold War diplomacy, and watch Kennedy’s mesmerizing command of the television medium.
Best Burgers
Don’t let the name fool you. The stars of the show at this gourmet burger shop are not the buns (though they are excellent) but the thick, juicy, smoked patties in the middle. And yes, they were brought up right: they’re prime, grass-fed beef. Consider the Maui, topped with pineapple, a fat slice of ham, fried onions, spicy pepper jack, plantains, and barbecue sauce. Or perhaps you prefer two patties and smoked pork belly, onion jam, cheddar and gouda and housemade aioli. Why wouldn’t you? There’s no such thing as too much of a good thing here.
Cheap Eats
Ask any bánh mì aficionado which place makes their favorite sandwich and you are likely to hear about this shop, which also sells Vietnamese prepared foods and smoothies. Bánh Mì Ba Lẹ has been making stellar bánh mì for decades in Dorchester. The key is the bread: crusty, baguette-like rolls baked daily. The team behind the counter slathers them with house-made mayo and layers on grilled meats, pâté, and pickled vegetables at warp speed; the inevitable lunch line moves swiftly.
Maurice and Marion Hill (they’re the M&Ms) started the family barbecue business in 1982, but their grandson Geo Lambert took over and took it to new heights with his food truck, catering business, and, since 2020, his restaurant inside Dorchester Brewing Co. The ribs, brisket, and pulled pork are justifiably famous – and make their way into towering sandwiches like the Geneva Ave (brisket, pickled onions, smoked cheese sauce) and Columbia Rd (pulled pork, crushed red peppers, pickled red cabbage). But don’t ignore the mac and cheese, barbecue baked beans, and other sides. Salads and a plant-based chicken sandwich are on the menu, too.
Fun Things to Do with Kids
While other rinks have closed their doors, Chez-Vous has remained a constant in Dorchester for roller skaters of all ages. Skate to music spun by DJs, take a lesson if you need it, and refuel with a casual menu that includes pizza, burgers, and wings. With a history going back to the 1930s, Chez-Vous is a beloved local institution that’s worth a visit.
From the tranquil Butterfly Hollow to the popular Gorilla Grove, the Franklin Park Zoo’s 72 acres are filled with amazing animals — and memorable experiences. A playground, carousel, and other attractions keep the fun going. Feed the family at the Farmhouse Cafe, or better yet, feed a parakeet at the Aussie Aviary.
Best Ice Cream
Summer nights in Dorchester’s Lower Mills neighborhood wouldn’t be complete without the smell of The Ice Creamsmith’s sweet treats wafting in the air. Featuring store-baked cookies, ice cream cakes and pies, and of course delicious scoops and sundaes, it’s no wonder the lines can get long at this nearly 50-year-old neighborhood spot. Locals return for flavors such as banana, which includes banana chunks, and the classic maple walnut.
Best Seafood
The vibes and cocktails alone make The Pearl a fun evening out, but the oysters? Yes, they have the traditional briny darlings – from Duxbury to Pink Moon to Wellfleet – but Malik’s Chargrilled Oysters are what keeps us coming back. NOLA does it best, but The Pearl’s grilled oysters blanketed in spinach, garlic butter, and Parmesan cheese make us sing.
The great Louisiana crawfish boil is one of America’s best and most fun dining customs. But the tiny crustacean is a rare find up north. Shaking Seafood fills the void. For best results, invite some friends over. Set up a folding table. Cover it with newspapers. Order a spicy boil bag of your choice – any combination of crawfish, crab legs, lobster, mussels – with corn and other extras (always get the garlic noodles). Beeline it home. Dump the bag on the table. Descend on it like wolves. And revel in the communal dining experience. Don’t bother with a napkin. And whatever you do, don’t touch your eyes. (There are also Shaking Seafood restaurants in Dorchester and Newton.)
Best Bowling and Games
There aren’t many places in Boston that stay open until 2 a.m. And there are even fewer that do so while providing 14 candlepin bowling lanes and 30 for tenpin, 14 pool tables, a 46-game arcade, and two outdoor batting cages. Add in a private adults-only lounge with its own lanes, and a brewpub serving chicken and waffles and loaded tater tots and you have a truly one-of-a-kind spot in our city that usually sleeps. (Open until midnight during the week and on Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m; Boston Bowl has a second location in Hanover.)
Best Movie Theater
As close as you can get to the mall theater experience in Boston, as it’s smack dab in the middle of a busy shopping center in Dorchester. Easily accessible by bus, this theater seems especially favored by a younger, boisterous crowd — exactly what you’d expect from the multiplex experience, and perfect for a rollicking summer blockbuster. Do all your shopping and then reward yourself with an IMAX movie or a Dolby theater screening (complete with reclining chairs).
Best Comedy
Jonathon Gates has been building a community for Black comedians in Boston since the ’90s, and officially with The Black Comedy Explosion since 2000. A Wednesday night stand-up showcase, it has had a few homes over the years, and moved in 2024 to the 165-seat Carver Den in Dorchester Center. What hasn’t changed is Gates, who books national headliners for the shows, and gives local up-and-comers a chance to see how it’s done. And he is a consummate host, making sure everyone in the venue is having a good time.
To see the full list of winners, visit here!
Let us know what the Globe missed in the comment section 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.
