El Centro
Boston isn't known yet for great Mexican fare—perhaps we're a little too far north of the border for the spicy stuff. But things are looking up now that El Centro has rolled into town. Our go-to order? The deeply flavored ;carne asada and fish tacos, followed by ;al pastor sopes (doughy corn tartlets). Top that off with a couple glasses of jalapeño-spiked sangria, and you'll easily silence any naysayers. 472 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 2118, elcentroboston.com.
Exhale, Battery Wharf
We love the daily bustle of living in Boston, of course, but sometimes we need an escape. At this expansive waterfront spa, the hammam—a stunning, stone-tiled Turkish bath—lets you while away time between treatments with a magazine, or just your wandering thoughts. The amenity-packed locker room, shampoo-commercial-worthy showers, and attentive aestheticians, meanwhile, all make the city feel far, far away. 2 Battery Wharf, Boston, MA exhalespa.com.
Michael Albor, The Loft
When you're clearly a brunette—by coloring, heritage, and attitude—why do so many Boston stylists pressure you to go blond? The one man who gets brown in this town is Michael Albor. Wielding all the luscious shades (burnt umber, auburn, bronze), he creates a vibrant palette without a hint of brass. Unfortunately, the secret is out, so if you're fighting the clock to cover grays, book way (way) in advance. 253 Newbury St., Boston, MA theloftsalonanddayspa.com.
Stel's
Stel's deserves this honor if for no other reason than it introduced Boston to New York's Seize sur Vingt. The designer's crisp, colorful dress shirts work as well with jeans as with a suit, and have inspired a rabid following among guys tired of the giant fabric boxes that masquerade as button-downs at Brooks Brothers. Sweaters, pants, denim, and more from A.P.C., United Bamboo, Robert Geller, and Nom de Guerre round out a shop that balances fashion-forward with Bostonian conservative, without the cold snobbery of either. 334 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2115, .
Barneys New York
You have nothing to wear to the Best of Boston party, which is tomorrow. Hustle your Manolos over to Copley's new superstore, where clothing designers both ultrafamous (Marc Jacobs) and ascendant (Jovovich-Hawk) merge with bags, jewelry, and 3,700 square feet of shoes. What's more, an in-house concierge will offer opinions, fetch you lunch, and even arrange your ride home. (The hot date you'll have to get on your own.) 100 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2116, barneys.com.
Harvard Book Store
The Boston area is blessed with several world-class independent bookstores, all of them vibrant proof that the megachains are soulless vampires, slaves to the mass-market title and the Starbucks outlet. And while other local booksellers can match Harvard Book Store for passionate staff, thoughtful featured titles, and entrapping literature sections, it's the Harvard Square institution that wins the nod again this year, buoyed by its extraordinary nonfiction selection and its excellent deals on remainders. 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA harvard.com.
Lester Harry's
The European skin-care products are almost too posh for the too-young-to-toddle set, but Lester Harry's boutique stocks plenty of functional elegance, too. If cozy robes won't keep the cold out of a Boston January, the fleece car-seat liner surely will. Any number of high-end European lines (from Petit Bateau to Lili Gaufrette) are represented, but the Orla Kiely diaper bag is a favorite with employees and customers alike. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA lesterharrys.com.
Sheila Golden, Itzkan & Marchiel
Oh what fresh hell is renting an apartment in this overcharged Boston real estate scene. Hark: Sheila Golden is just the woman you want working for you. Her office specializes in big money building sales, so Golden is in the know when it comes to finding apartments before they hit the market. Her speciality: Back Bay and Beacon Hill. Her best quality: She'll tirelessly show you apartments, taking you around until you've found a keeper. 160 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA .
Tony Coviello
Maybe it's because his "Good morning" is warm as toast on your way into the hotel for a 7 a.m. breakfast meeting. Or maybe it's because he (and the players on his team) will keep your car up front if you tell them you're only going to be an hour. But Tony Coviello has become a beloved Boston institution most likely because he makes every guest who swishes through the portals of the Four Seasons feel that he or she belongs there. Four Seasons Hotel, Boston, MA .
Vira
Radhika Rana and Vivek Patel's year-and-a-half-old Beacon Hill shop is a breath of fresh air on a sometimes-stagnant retail scene. The Fashion Institute of Technology-trained duo eschew safe, seen-it-everywhere brands in favor of global and emerging designers like Elliatt, Kami, By Zoe, and Bodice, adding spice and surprise to Boston wardrobes. 107 Charles St., Boston, MA shopvira.com.
Emily Muller
Architect-in-training Emily Muller traded buildings for buttons after she made her sister's wedding dress—and she hasn't looked back since. The chic and adventurous South End designer's flowy, parachute-inspired silk dresses and leather-strap jump suits were among the boldest visions on last year's Boston Fashion Week run-way, and we can't wait to see her newest collection at the Tent next month. MA emilymuller.com.
Vizio Optic
This petite Brookline Village shop is a four-time Best of Boston winner, and for good reason: Vizio Optic's top-notch service starts with the on-site optometrist and ends with the 360-degree photo booth, which allows buyers to see how those glasses look from the side, too. More than 1,000 frame choices include high-fashion, time-honored favorites from Chanel, Alain Mikli, and Robert Marc, as well as funky, lesser-known lines like Kata and Lafont. 11 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2445, viziooptic.com.
Benny Ho
This tailor honed his craft at Louis Boston, and it shows, especially when it comes to pants. Benny Ho is the master of finding that extra inch, making sure the break falls in the right place, and giving a suit an almost made-to-measure look. And for that jacket that's a little tight across the chest, Ho can open up some breathing room. 1405 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA .
Skip Cuddy, Ermenegildo Zegna
Skip brought his expertise from Louis Boston and Saks to Zegna, where he will outfit the harried male, offering wearable advice on everything from casual Fridays to afternoon weddings. This personal concierge will make sure your clothes are altered on time an delivered; he'll even give you first dibs on new designs before they hit the floor. 39 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Filene's Basement
The thrill is definitely back. Don't even bother with the suburban locations (you'll do just as well at Marshall's or TJ Maxx), but the Boston store has gotten its groove back. Other than for the big sales (bridal gowns, men's and ladies' suits, Ferragamo shoes, and whatever upscale New York City emporium is dumping its past-season stuff), the most successful bargain shoppers drizzle in frequently, armed with no specific purchasing agenda, an absence of modesty, and a big-city sense of style. Downtown Crossing, 426 Washington St., Boston, MA .