Congratulations to Harvard Square’s Best of the Best!
Best Burger, Casual
Tasty Burger
Forget the Golden Arches: When we want a fast-food burger with flair, we turn to our own hometown hero. With thin patties, squishy buns, and not too many frills, these are the burgers for a quick lunch on the go, a late-night studying sesh, and everything in between. Multiple locations, tastyburger.com.
Best Hot Chocolate
L.A. Burdick
Most hot chocolate is either watery or cloying. This nearly 40-year-old chocolatier somehow nails the impossible: cult-favorite mugs that are both incredibly rich and surprisingly light. We’ve taste-tested every variety—from white chocolate to spicy dark (the winner)—trying to figure out their secret. Still stumped, still obsessed. Back Bay, Cambridge, and Brookline, burdickchocolate.com.
Best Bookstore
Lovestruck Books
With shelves full of western romance, witchy romance, contemporary romance, plus regular ol’ fiction and book-themed gifts, Lovestruck isn’t just a place to shop for amorous tomes, but a gathering space as well: The Harvard Square bookstore hosts all manner of events, from author talks to release parties. But why wait to stop by? When we hosted our own Jane Austen book club with friends this spring, the in-house café and wine bar (not to mention the floral-laden patio) set the perfect vibe. 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138, lovestruckbooks.com.
Best Eyewear
Lunette Optic
With seven locations across Greater Boston, Lunette makes a strong case for turning your eyewear into your signature accessory. The stores feel more fashion boutique than doctor’s office, and the frame selection reads like a who’s who of high design—think Jacques Marie Mage, Blake Kuwahara, and Chanel. Add in the impeccably trained opticians and a sleek in-house line handcrafted in Italy and Japan, and suddenly, 20/20 vision looks even sharper. Multiple locations, lunetteoptic.com.
Best Wedding Venue for Art Aficionados
Harvard Art Museums
For couples who want their big day to feel like a curated masterpiece, the Harvard Art Museums offer a setting as timeless as the works on display. After exchanging vows, opt for the Renaissance-inspired Adolphus Busch Hall for cocktails and conversation, followed by dinner from the Catered Affair in the glass-canopied Calderwood Courtyard. It’s a celebration where every detail feels intentionally composed—like a canvas brought to life. 32 Quincy St., Cambridge, MA 02138, harvardartmuseums.org.