5 Favorites on Charles Street

Beacon Hill often feels like a little village within downtown Boston, with Charles Street serving as the ‘main street’ for our densely populated neighborhood on a hill. While most of the shops are small, many locals get lots of their errands done on this street, while other Bostonians along with tourists find it to be a perfect place for whiling away an afternoon popping into shops. I often find myself at the hardware store and post office, but here are a few of my other favorite shops on Charles Street.

Black Ink. This little store is full of quirky gifts, fun toys, and unusual items. I always stop in here before Christmas to stock up for Yankee Swaps! They sell whiskey rocks, interesting cookbooks, cute toys, and sweet cards. Definitely a fun place to poke about!

J.P. Licks. Ice cream. Need I say more? 😉 J.P. Licks is a perfect place to grab a root beer float or ice cream cone, and its proximity to the Esplanade makes it a great place to stop in on a walk by the river.

Fastichi. This family-run nut shop specializes in roasting nuts in small batches to bring out their flavor. So good! A box of roasted nuts makes a unique gift, and I always get a little bag of the ‘super nutty mix’ to take home too! They also have delicious candied ginger, chocolates, and other treats.

NRO/ NRO Kids. Such cute clothes! The baby selection at NRO Kids is pricey but seriously adorable. I watch for the sale sign to appear on the door! Plus, they sell Corolle dolls (a favorite from my childhood) and other fun toys. Don’t miss the cute book corner!

Tatte. An outpost of this Boston-area bakery opened last year, and the place has been packed ever since! The sandwiches and salads are so good (crispy halloumi is a cult favorite). I am also a big fan of the lattes and brownies. A perfect place to relax after a stroll along Charles Street!

A few other favorites: Beacon Hill Bistro for brunch, Period Hardware for fancy doorknobs and hinges, Panificio for casual gatherings, and the nearby Liberty Hotel for drinks.