DK Travel : Boston : Boston South

South of Fort Point Channel, Boston’s neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Dorchester, and South Boston are a mixture of densely residential streets and leafy parklands that form part of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace (see Boston Common & Public Garden). The lively street scenes of Boston’s African-American, Latin American, and Irish-American communities make the city’s southerly neighborhoods a dynamic ethnic contrast to the more homogenized city core. Virtually ignored by tourists, Boston South is full of quirky shops, local bars, hot nightclubs, and great off-beat places to enjoy ethnic food. This area is a little harder to reach but it is worth the effort to experience a more edgy, diverse Boston that many call home.

Note: For the parks and cemetery take the “T” down to Green Street or Forest Hills (orange line) Note: Parks and cemeteries are generally open from dawn to dusk Note: Take the “T” to Dudley Square for Roxbury (silver line), or to Jackson Square for Jamaica Plain (orange line) Note: For the John F. Kennedy Library and the east of the area catch the “T” to JFK/U Mass (red line)

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224 Boston Street

This chef-driven northern Italian trattoria is the longest lasting and most successful restaurant in the ’hood. Feast on grilled Tuscan meats and pasta dishes at half the price of North End’s restaurants.
Abubacar Seafood

This ultra-casual Jamaican Halel deli-restaurant serves seafood, but is best known for its outstanding curried chicken and curried goat.
Amrhein’s

The vintage bar at Amrhein’s – a South Boston fixture since 1890 – is reason enough to visit the ’hood. Locals debate the issue of the day over a drink or two.
Arnold Arboretum

One of the US’s foremost collections of temperate-zone trees and shrubs covers the peaceful 265-acre (107 ha) arboretum. Grouped in scientific fashion, they are a favorite subject for landscape painters, and a popular resource for botanists and gardeners. The world’s most extensive lilac collection blooms from early May through late June, and thousands of Bostonians turn out for Lilac Sunday, the third Sunday in May, to enjoy the peak of the Syringa blooms. The main flowering period of mountain laurel, azaleas, and other rhododendrons begins around Memorial Day (end of May).
Barking Crab

Place your order and grab a table outside at Boston’s only fish shack. In winter, sit inside their cozy dining room (see Barking Crab).
Bella Luna

Upstairs from the Milky Way Lounge and Lanes (see Milky Way Lounge & Lanes), Bella Luna shoots the moon with bright salads, rib-sticking Italian fare such as chicken marsala, and their signature gourmet pizzas.
Biarritz Lounge

The outstanding jukebox plays steadily during the week, a DJ spins R&B, reggae, and hip-hop on the weekend, and live jazz and blues start every Sunday at 7pm. Biarritz vies for a place as Roxbury’s hippest night spot.
Boston Beer Garden

On weekends this watering hole is packed both inside and outside in the garden – it’s a typical beer-drinking, South Boston singles scene. Modern pub food hits a fairly high mark.
Brendan Behan Pub

This classic “new” Irish pub, frequented by cheerful neighborhood types with vaguely poetic pretensions, is properly outfitted with Guinness and Murphy’s on tap and live music most nights.
Bukhara Indian Bistro

Northern Indian dishes predominate at Bukhara. There is a particularly wide selection of lamb dishes and rich biryanis , and Tandoor-roasted meats are a specialty. Gets extremely busy at lunch time.

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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