Back Bay
Back Bay is built entirely on land reclaimed from the sea using landfill, in the place of a tidal bay which existed before the 19th century. Hence the name “Back Bay”, as it literally refers to the bay which was in the back of the Shwamut peninsula on which early Boston stood.
The neighborhood has been home to the wealthy since its inception in the late 1800s, when the West End started running out of luxury housing and residents looked towards Beacon Hill and the newly filled Back Bay. It is home to Newbury Street, Boston’s most famous luxury shopping street, and its streets are full of restaurants and bars, offering every cuisine imaginable, from hole-in-the-wall taco joints to opulent rooms that have hosted presidents and pop starts alike. Stroll the tree-lined streets after grabbing lunch and doing some shopping. Make sure to check out Copley Square and the adjacent magnificent central Boston Public Library building.
Sightseeing
We offer tours that include this neighborhood! See all tours
Best of Boston
All Day Boston Experience
Boston & Cambridge
Boston & Salem
Moving to Boston
Where to Eat
Breakfast
Pavement Coffeehouse
great coffee, baked goods, and breakfast sandwiches on-the-go
Tatte Bakery & Cafe
good coffee and sandwiches, but order ahead as the lines are quite long (and slow)
The Friendly Toast
delicious and healthy(-ish) all-day breakfasts in quirky surroundings
Lunch & Dinner
Luke’s Lobster
no-frills café serving the some of the best lobster rolls and chowder in Boston
Flour Bakery + Cafe
local chain of bake shops specializing great sandwiches and French bakery treats
Bacco’s Fine Foods
artisanal grocery & wine shop with a great sandwich counter
Parish Café & Bar
delicious sandwiches and drinks, with recipes invented by and named after the chef’s and bartenders from different Boston restaurants
Life Alive Organic Café
casual sit-down or to-go café featuring a variety of vegetarian and gluten free options
Courtyard Tea Room
classic afternoon high tea experience, includes a wide selection of local teas, light sandwiches, and desserts, located inside the Boston Copley Library in the historic McKim building
La Neta
quick, cheap, delicious tacos and Mexican cocktails and beer
Atlantic Fish Company
Well-established seafood restaurant with great oysters and extensive wine selection
Trident Booksellers & Café
Indie bookstore & café with a big all-day breakfast menu, veggie options & a relaxed vibe
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
amazing upscale Brazilian steakhouse with all-you-can-eat meat carved tableside, great salad bar, and strong drinks
Oak Long Bar + Kitchen
Sophisticated spot in the ritzy Fairmont Copley hotel for farm-to-table American eats, craft drinks & hobnobbing
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
modern Japanese chain serving a wide selection of delicious ramen
Eataly Boston
three-story vibrant Italian marketplace that features an array of cafes, shops, restaurants, and a cooking school
Contessa
Rooftop restaurant at the famed Newbury hotel, with sweeping views of Back Bay and Downtown. Also good for brunch!
Drinks
Map Room Tea Lounge
tea, cocktails, and small bites in a cozy intellectual setting with historical maps of Boston on all the walls, located inside the Boston Copley Library in the historic McKim building
Solas Irish Pub
traditional Irish pub with a good beer selection and tasty Irish bar food, attached to the luxury Lenox hotel
Bukowski Tavern
great local dive bar and hangout
The Street Bar
Also in the famed Newbury, but not on the roof. Great for cocktails, and check out the library, where you can enjoy the Street Bar’s drinks as well!
Dessert
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates
Charming artisanal chocolatier with a cafe offering high-end chocolate, pastries & hot cocoa.
Georgetown Cupcake
chic bakery outlet offering gourmet cupcakes in more than 100 flavors
Amorino Boston
fancy decorative gelato with macarons
Lindt Chocolate Shop
shop selling fine Swiss Lindt chocolate, truffles & confectionery
Bathrooms
Back Bay Station
the MBTA / subway station has public restrooms
Boston Copley Library
central public library building located at Copley Square
Prudential Center
the Prudential Center shopping mall has many public bathrooms