DK Travel : Boston : Back Bay

The easily navigated grid of streets in Back Bay bear little resemblance to the labyrinthine lanes around Downtown and the North End. In the mid- 1800s Back Bay was filled in to accommodate Boston’s mushrooming population and by the late-1800s, the area had become a vibrant, upscale neighborhood. Home to many of Boston’s wealthiest families, the area was characterized by lavish houses, grand churches, and bustling commercial zones. Many of the original buildings stand intact, providing an exquisite 19th-century backdrop for today’s pulsing nightlife, world-class shopping, and sumptuous dining.

For information on the origins of Back Bay (see Around Newbury Street) For information on Boston Common (see Boston Common & Public Garden) Note: Cross streets in Back Bay run alphabetically, beginning with Arlington in the east and ending at Hereford Street in the west Note: For those tight on time, the Prudential Center’s glorified food hall, Marché Movenpick, makes perfect sense

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L’Espalier

Ranked among America’s best restaurants, L’Espalier impresses as much for its brownstone-mansion location as its exquisite French cuisine (see L’Espalier).
Neilsen Gallery

Favoring lush, contemporary paintings, and the occasional mixed-media sculpture, Nielsen is popular among Boston’s art cognoscenti for the distinction of her artists.
New England Life Murals

In the lobby of the New England Financial building, a series of eight murals depicts scenes from Boston’s most formative moments. Mounted in 1942 by a Beaux Arts star pupil, Charles Hoffbauer, the series commemorates events such as the pilgrims’ welcome by the Samoset Indians in 1621 and the 1797 launching of the USS Constitution (see USS Constitution).
Newbury Comics

Generally undercutting the chain stores on compact discs, Newbury Comics delivers value along with a stellar selection of rare import CDs, concert videos, and the latest comics.
Newbury Street

Over the years, Back Bay’s most famous street has proven to be amazingly adaptable. How else could fashion boutiques as au courant as Diesel and DKNY blend so seamlessly into their 140-year-old brownstone environs? This uncanny adaptability provides for the liveliest, most eclectic street scene in Boston: a babble of languages, skater punks walking alongside catwalk models, and delivery trucks and Ferraris jockeying for the same parking space – it’s all here (see Around Newbury Street).
Oak Room

The grand, lavishly appointed Oak Room is known for its unfalteringly tender steaks.
Other Side Café

The Other Side enjoys a loyal following of health-conscious hipsters who melt at the sight of its brie, apple, and pear sandwich. Its intimate outdoor patio is highly coveted real estate.
Parish Café

This split-level café with a patio has a lovely view onto the Public Garden (see Boston Common & Public Garden) and an inspired menu of delicious and wildly creative sandwiches (see Parish Café).
Pepper Gallery

In welcome contrast to her peers, Audrey Pepper looks for a sense of playfulness in the pieces she exhibits – plenty of bold colors and amusing juxtapositions.
Pho Pasteur

This efficient kitchen churns out amazingly subtle French Vietnamese cuisine.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes, and extra charges.
- under $30
- $30–$45
- $45–$60
- $60–$75
- over $75