Gustazo
Break free from your pizza rut with help from this teensy Cuban jewel in Waltham, which combines the warm service of an old-world café with decidedly modern touches—namely, an efficient takeout oper- ation offering dishes that pack a flavorful punch: husky Cubanos, savory empanadas (hot or frozen for later), and plantain chips with an herbaceous cilantro sauce that tastes like summer in a thimble. Beer and wine are available to take home, too, so you can wash it all down with a crisp bottle of Muscat. 240 Moody St., Waltham, MA 02453, gustazo-cubancafe.com/waltham.
Micro Plant Studio
Invite a little life into your workspace with help from this South Boston shop, which carries and delivers all things leafy and green (bamboo palm, burro’s tail, Venus flytraps), plus fun pots to display them in. Even better: You can brighten two households with Micro’s “buy to give” initiative, which lets you sponsor a succulent to send to a local essential worker. 365 W. Broadway, Boston, MA 02127, microplantstudio.com.
Linens on the Hill
When’s the last time you upgraded your linen closet? If you can’t remember, it might be time to pay a visit to this high-end textile haven. Owner Lynne Wolverton’s stacks of locally made Matouk bedding, elegant Sferra tablecloths, and soft Yves Delorme bath towels (a godsend for rough, over-washed hands) make staying cozy at home as easy as wash, dry, and repeat. 52 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, linensonthehill.com.
Maricruz Hairstyles
Entrusting someone with the most photographed hairstyle of your life is no small decision—unless, of course, that someone is Maricruz Polito. With years of experience behind every tendril she curls, pins, or spritzes into place, the savvy stylist doesn’t just create memorable ’dos for clients preparing to walk down the aisle. Polito—who recently debuted a shiny new studio in Waltham—brings peace of mind to brides looking for a stress-free (and decidedly elegant) wedding day. 681 Main St., Waltham, MA 02451, maricruzhairstyles.com.
Glamour Cosmetics
No caked-on foundation, overly rouged cheeks, or clumpy mascara here: Makeup artist Garineh Ashjian’s bridal portfolio abounds with natural looks, showcasing the technical abilities and careful restraint that put the Glamour Cosmetics founder in a league of her own. Of course, if your tastes run bolder, the L.A.-trained pro can certainly oblige; her editorial experience, to say nothing of her work with celebs such as Bethenny Frankel and Nikki Bella, means she can skillfully doll you up any way you please. glamourcosmeticsofficial.com.
Harvard Book Store
Miss seeing your favorite writers in living color? The good news is the beloved author talks at this bibliophile’s paradise are still happening as many as five times a week online, now with an added perk—celebrity moderators. Recent pairings include longtime Globe book critic Gail Caldwell discussing her deeply personal memoir with Gloria Steinem, and former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy chatting about his latest book on health with former First Daughter Barbara Bush. 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, harvard.com/index.php?.
Southwest Corridor Park
Brandon Bartoszek Okay, so the Southwest Corridor (pictured, top) isn’t exactly a secret. But considering that the rectilinear park stretching from the Back Bay to Forest Hills is basically an open-air urban butterfly garden, it’s the closest thing to magic you’ll find within walking distance of your T stop. Come summertime, the corridor’s community plots burst into bloom with sunflowers, lilies, hollyhocks, black-eyed Susans, zinnias, and more, attracting Bostonians and butterflies alike. Boston, MA 02130, mass.gov/locations/southwest-corridor-park.
Central Square Florist
Central Square Florist What does a flower shop do with 3,000 extra tulips in the midst of the COVID shutdown? If you’re Central Square Florist, you donate them to essential stores and senior living facilities to add a splash of color to otherwise dark days—then turn around and repurpose your unused vans to deliver meals to healthcare workers. Now that this perennial favorite is back to delighting locals with lush, fragrant bouquets and arrangements (available for same-day delivery or curbside pickup), the future is already looking brighter. 653 Massachuetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, centralsquareflorist.com.
Jessi Haggerty
Keto, paleo, mono—who can keep track of the latest fad diets? When you’re finally ready to get serious about what’s on your plate, give Jessi Haggerty a call. The Somerville-based health guru bills herself as an “anti-diet” dietitian, which means she focuses her practice less on weight loss and more on intuitive eating and body positivity. The result? A healthier—and, more important, happier—you. 259 Elm St. , Somerville, MA 02145, jessihaggerty.com.
William Browne & Sons
Emmanuel Boakye-Appiah We approached Paul Browne with a too-long pair of wide-legged pants and a vision for cropped, narrow new trousers. After deftly pinning the fabric and chatting affably, he charged us just $20 for the reconstruction, and we left feeling like a million bucks. Run by multiple generations of skilled tailors, this gem of a shop on Morton Street provides warm, often same-day service for any kind of nip or tuck—just keep your eyes peeled for the window full of garments and the awning marked “862” to find it. 862 Morton St., Mattapan, MA 02126, william-browne-sons.business.site.
Nathalia JMag
Found fabrics, spice and vegetable dyes, upcycled materials, and a zero-waste approach—this Project Runway alumna and proud Framingham native isn’t just envisioning a more sustainable future for fashion, she’s making it a reality. Each piece sold through her website is made to order, so while it might take a few weeks to reach your doorstep, the pretty dresses, statement coats, and patchwork denim jeans are absolutely worth waiting for. nathaliajmag.com.
Hilton's Tent City
Whether you’re searching for the perfect pair of hiking boots to trek through the White Mountains or a new water bottle to bring to your barre class, you’ll find the gear you need for adventures of any size at this Central Square storefront. In fact, with tents, tools, and headlamps stretching as far as the eye can see, navigating the massive selection here can feel like an expedition of its own—good thing patient staffers are there to guide you. 565 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, hiltonstentcity.com.
Frugal Bookstore
Looking to bolster your collection of anti-racist literature and books about the Black experience? This Nubian Square mainstay has you covered. But what makes owners Leonard and Clarrissa Egerton’s shop an irreplaceable part of Boston’s literary scene is its role as a hub for book groups and social gatherings where both authors and readers of color can feel welcome and be celebrated. Bostonians across the city are vowing to finally listen to Black voices—Frugal has been amplifying them for 12 years and counting. 57 Warren St., Roxbury, MA 02119, frugalbookstore.net.
Sinesia Karol
Marco Amaral Sinesia Karol’s playful yet sophisticated bikinis, one-pieces (pictured), and cover-ups were born out of her desire to help buttoned-up New Englanders feel as comfortable and confident in swimwear as the women she knew growing up in her native Brazil. Her eponymous brand’s signature style? Artful prints and unexpected cutouts guaranteed to have you strutting in the sand like it’s your personal runway. sinesiakarol.com.
Nouveau Fashion Gallery
Wallflowers need not apply: Made from materials such as Lucite and even recycled paper, the bold, chunky necklaces at this Copley Place boutique owned by the ultra-stylish Ophelia Bakon and her sisters are conversation pieces that can turn even the simplest outfit into a showstopper. Throw one on with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt or your favorite LBD, and you’ll be hearing “Where did you get that?” all day long. Copley Place, Boston, MA 02116, stylenu.com.