The South End Shopping
THE SOUTH END: Hip, diverse, delightful. My new favorite Boston neighborhood!
Just a few blocks south of the Back Bay, is the South End, artsy, lovely neighborhood of leafy quiet blocks lined with Victorian brownstones. Home to a large gay and lesbian population as well as many families, artists, and young professionals. Look for fashion-forward boutiques, home furnishings, gifts, jewelry, and more. Plus tons of terrific restaurants.
The prime shopping street is Tremont (”Treh-mont”), roughly between East Berkeley and West Newton; you can also find some shops on Washington and Shawmut, and on several little side streets.
Stop in at one of the shops and ask for a South End map and guide. The area is still somewhat up-and-coming, and many new shops are not yet listed.
For More Info
South End Business Alliance
Boston Globe article on the South End
Lucky Magazine South End Shopping Guide
A few Lipstick Getaways’ South End favorites
- Leokadia Well-edited selection of shoes and accessories, and friendly staff; as of this writing, their website is under construction.
- Posh On Tremont Unique home furnishings, gifts, accessories.
- Turtle Artisan, designer, and handmade womens clothing, jewelry, accessories.
- Vessel Contemporary tabletop, lighting, furniture, kids stuff, books, and more.
- Sooki (very cool boutique featuring unique modern women’s clothing, jewelry, and accessories from international designers).
- Laura Preshong Gallery Jewelry.
- Parlor (1246-48 Washington St.) Stylish urban women’s clothing.
Take a break
- Be sure to stop in for transportingly yummy handmade chocolates at ChocoLee Chocolates, on Pembroke near Tremont. Following a successful career as a pastry chef in many of Boston’s top restaurants, Proprietor Lee Napoli has opened up this lovely little chocolate shop. And on Saturdays and Sundays, she makes fresh to-die-for beignets … ahhh …
- South End Buttery Bakery & Cafe at 312 Shawmut near Union Park for coffee, tea, breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, and pastries; uses fresh, local, and/or organic ingredients as much as possible.
- Francesca’s Espresso Bar at 564 Tremont, a local favorite.
- If you are more interested in a full-service restaurant, you’re in luck — the South End offers plenty of terrific options.
I’ll get to work soon on some Boston Dining content, but for now:- I loved the tiny neighborhood favorite Metropolis Cafe at 584 Tremont near Union Park. Excellent top-quality Mediterranean bistro fare at very reasonable prices. (I actually went there twice, once for dinner and once for a terrific brunch. Brunch is very popular in the South End).
- B & G Oysters, a small seafood-focused menu with lovely wine pairings.
