Mei Mei Dumplings is a street-food stop in South End, Boston.
Irene Li's Mei Mei Dumplings runs the South Boston dumpling factory and cafe in Boston since 2012. Open mon-fri 11:00-20:00, sat-sun 10:00-21:00.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: Order at the counter; dumpling-making classes book on the website. The five-spice tofu mushroom is the under-ordered vegan dumpling.
Address: 506 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215
Haymarket on Blackstone Street has run Boston's oldest open-air market since 1830. 50 vendors selling produce, fish and fruit at wholesale prices.
Try: Produce, fish, fruit at penny prices
Tip: Saturday late afternoon brings the wholesale-clearance prices. Cash only at most stalls.
Anna's Taqueria on Harvard Street in Coolidge Corner Brookline has run the city's fast-casual Mexican benchmark in Boston since 1995. Open daily 10:00-23:30.
Try: Super burrito
Tip: Super burrito $11; split between two. Open until 23:30 daily.
Santarpio's on Chelsea Street has grilled charcoal lamb skewers next to its East Boston pizzeria in Boston since 1933. Located in North End.
Try: Charcoal-grilled lamb skewers with bread
Tip: Take the Blue Line to Maverick. Order one of each (lamb and sausage) plus pies for the table; no reservations.
Pauli's on Salem Street has rolled lobster rolls and Italian subs in Boston's North End since 2014. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Try: Lobster roll, hot or cold
Tip: Order ahead online to skip the counter wait. The XL roll splits between two; the classic is the single.
James Hook & Co on Atlantic Avenue has sold lobster rolls from the harbour wharf in Boston since 1925. Open mon-fri 10:00-19:00, sat-sun 10:00-18:00.
Try: Lobster roll on a butter-toasted bun
Tip: $28 mayo-bound roll, $32 hot-butter roll. The seating outside the window overlooks the harbour; bring lunch on a sunny day.
Jennifer Nguyen has rolled banh mi at Ba Le on Dorchester Avenue in Boston since 1996. Boston Legacy Business Award 2025, baguette baked fresh daily.
Try: BBQ pork banh mi
Tip: BBQ pork is the classic combination, $7 sandwich. Cash and card both. The bun bo Hue is the under-ordered noodle order.
