Tenoch
These authentic Veracruz counter-service spots in Boston, Medford, and now Somerville are cheerful and bold, with huge menus: Don’t miss the achiote-and-pineapple tacos and the salted-beef-and-cactus antojitos. Once you’ve doubled your daily caloric intake, take home a few homemade tamales to tide you over until your next visit. And don’t forget to request the house hot sauce on your way out the door. 3 Lewis St., Boston, MA 02109, tenochmexican.com.
Belmont Carwash
Once or twice a year, lavish love on your buggy with the $30.99 full treatment— an exterior wash and interior cleaning and vacuuming, with all the bells and whistles. The whole process takes about 15 minutes, and the car washers don't make you feel like a curmudgeon for pointing out that little smudge just to the left of your rear bumper. Given the gentle touches and attention to detail, we wished they buffed car owners, too. 521 Trapelo Rd., Waverley Square, Belmont, MA .
Luke Aaron
Luke Aaron's sophisticated, ladylike gowns and separates look theatrical for a reason: The budding couturier honed his craft in the costume shop at Tufts, later working for renowned costume designers in New York City. Aaron is especially adept at creating dramatic shapes by ruching and draping fabrics—grace notes that can be seen in his expanding bridal collection. Handmade pieces are available at his North End showroom, inside a restored preindustrial building. 38A Fleet St., Boston, MA lukeaaronboston.com.
Bradley & Diegel
What's your dream hair length? Want more layers? Or maybe a cappuccino? The staff at this salon asks all the right questions, ensuring that each client ends up with a gorgeous style to fit her taste, and gets a respite from the bustle of Newbury below. Plus, the well-spaced stations, ahh-inducing massage chairs, and large front windows bathing the place in natural light make the whole experience second to none. 77 Newbury St, Boston, MA 2116, bradleyanddiegel.com.
Patrice Vinci Salon
Donna Hamilton and Patrice Vinci work with different products and go for different looks, but both are so skilled with the magic wand of blond, each deserves this title. Vinci, a favorite of Hollywood types passing through town, paints brown bases with the kind of all-over glamour-glow that surfers get while catching waves the whole summer. Hamilton, meanwhile, favors sophisticated honeyed tones that look gorgeous even as the roots grow back. 91 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, patricevinci.com.
Gretta Luxe
Even back when preppy-populated Wellesley thought Prada was a museum in Madrid, Gretta Luxe owner Gretchen Monahan was stocking her streamlined downtown boutique with names like Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein. Once her fever spread, it spread fast, and now she's doling out enough pretty, witty designs from Jimmy Choo, Catherine Malandrino, Strenesse, and Barbara Bui to rival any big-city scene. Even Madrid's. 94 Central St., Wellesley, MA grettaluxe.com.
Brian Mercury, Oak + Rowan
Since earning this accolade four years ago, Mercury has somehow managed to up his game even further in his current role at Oak + Rowan. His beguiling confections are at once adventurous and familiar (see: the Twix-inspired sweet with chocolate cremeux, whey caramel, and a bright-green pool of EVOO). And Mercury’s deft touch extends far beyond the dessert menu, from his outstanding sourdough bread to the irresistible pastry cart at brunch. 321 A St., Boston, MA 02210, oakandrowan.com.
Galley Diner
Photo by Jesse Burke Despite a brief brush with fame following a 2011 appearance on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, Southie's tiny Galley Diner remains a charmingly low-key spot for a good meal any time of day. The corned-beef-hash-and-cheese omelet (the "Southie") is a favorite, but the finest breakfast here is the handcarved ham, which is cut off the bone right in front of you, seared on the well-seasoned griddle, and served with a couple of over-easy eggs and a pile of crispy home fries. 11 P St., Boston, MA galleydiner.com.
Rialto
How does the Rialto keep getting better? By growing itself is the only serious restaurant in the Square; by being so comfortable and discreet yet lively, both in the main restaurant and the super welcoming bar; and by paring away the Spanish, southern French, and Italian curios that once seemed essential to hold diners' attention (and still do at other restaurants) so that what's left is food you want to eat. The duo of chef Jody Adams and impresario-inspirer Michela Larson is rock-solid. The Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, MA .
Dani Wagener Beauty
Like some fabulous fairy godmother, Dani Wagener waves her mascara wand and—poof!—you're transformed into a sultry siren or a girl next door. The makeup artist honed her skills (including seamless airbrushing) at Nars, Estée Lauder, and Shu Uemura before opening her own studio this past year. She's got plenty of famous faces to her name, too, with Anna Wintour among those who've sought out her magic touch. 125 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, daniwagener.com.
Errin Babine, Anita Kurl
The impressive trick that this South End clipper pulls off is being both thoughtful about her craft (honed by training stints at Dellaria, Vidal Sassoon, and Wella) and creative with it. From doctors and lawyers to musicians and artists, Babine works with her fellas to find a look that complements their lifestyle, then runs down everything they need to do to keep their manes in shape. And so much for the purported male tendency to stray: Several clients are regulars whose devotion spans her 12-year career. 1661 Washington St., Boston, MA 2118, .
Lê Madeline
Ken Rivard Once a traditional noodle shop, this stunning late-2023 reimagining of the decade-old Pho Linh is now a dinner destination — complete with creative, Vietnamese-inspired cocktails — paying homage to owner Tam Le and chef Peter Nguyen’s second-generation Vietnamese-American backgrounds. Feast with your family on an herby whole-roasted branzino, heaping bowls of garlicky Việt Cajun noodles with crawfish, and a superb fried-lobster roll with tamarind sauce, and leave full and happy. 409 Hancock St., Quincy, MA 02171, lemadeline.com.
Étant
Crick in your neck? Shoulders at your ears? Lower back crying uncle? You need Étant. Now. In fact, if you weren’t in such bad shape, we’d tell you to run there and let the talented massage therapists sink their strong yet sensitive hands into every last trouble spot. Whether you opt for the Swedish, deep-tissue, sports, or CBD-infused massage, by the time you’re done, you’ll feel like you could float home. 527 Tremont St., Boston, MA, 02116, etant.com.
Beauport Hotel Gloucester
This boutique hotel proves once again that Gloucester has more going for it than some guy in a yellow rain slicker hawking fish sticks. Built to resemble a tasteful Gilded Age shingle-style summer home, the Beauport sits on Pavilion Beach with commanding views of the harbor. The excellent waterfront restaurant attracts lobster-roll-loving locals and day-trippers alike, while a rooftop pool and bar (open to hotel guests only) is the closest the North Shore gets to Miami. 55 Commercial St., Gloucester, MA 01930, beauporthotel.com.
Will Thompson, Ruka
Photograph by Toan Trinh, styling by Laura Dillon Will Thompson honed his cocktail craft at Drink, developed a spot-on classics-focused opening beverage program for gilded supper club Yvonne's, and has now come up with something entirely fresh for the Peruvian-Japanese-inspired Ruka. Detailed in a 24-page booklet, his cocktail menu is filled with exotic ingredients and over-the-top whimsy—e.g., the Morning Star, a whiskey drink served in a flower pot. Finally, serious cocktail geekery has loosened its tie a little. 505 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, rukarestobar.com.