College is hard. Regardless of your major, it can seem that the work never ends, whether it is studying, doing assignments, or simply sitting in class. That’s why, at the end of a long, excruciating day, it can help to have something to look forward to. This can come in different forms, including a sugar rush. For me, that usually comes in the form of Bartol ice cream, but every once in a while, I want something more. Here is a guide to places to indulge in that sweet tooth, including my personal favorites.
Baked Goods: Babka at Bakey, Cookies at Levain
Bakeries are a dime a dozen in Boston, but two stand out from the crowd thanks to their quality. First, we have Bakey, which specializes in babka: a sweet, brioche-like cake with swirls of sweet filling, popular in Eastern European Jewish communities. At Bakey, this delicious treat comes in four flavors: chocolate, cinnamon, almond, and raspberry. They also offer other treats, such as cookies and a “broissant,” which is a cross between babka and a croissant. Bakey has five locations, the closest being in Coolidge Corner, only a short Green Line ride away!
The second is Levain Bakery, which offers several variations of a classic dessert: chocolate chip cookies. Who doesn’t enjoy a good cookie? Originally from New York City, Levain now has locations on Newbury Street and in the Seaport. Their cookies are big, chunky, and utterly soft—so if you’re more of a crispy cookie fan, you’ll have to go somewhere else. Their original flavor comes with chocolate chips and walnuts, but my personal favorite is the dark chocolate peanut butter chip. They also have drinks, additional pastries, and vegan plus gluten-free options.
Donuts: Union Square, Blackbird, and Back Door
As far as sweet treats go, donuts are a tried and true classic. There are three stellar options right in Fenway: Union Square Donuts, Blackbird Donuts, and Back Door Donuts. Back Door Donuts is a more old-fashioned, no-frills type of place, and unlike other donut establishments, it’s open only for dessert, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Blackbird Donuts offers a mix of the classics and unique flavors, while Union Square Donuts focuses on the latest trends.
Cannolis Central: Mike’s, Modern, and Bova’s
When you think of cannolis in Boston, you think of the North End. While there are plenty of places to indulge your sweet tooth, three bakeries stand out from the rest: Mike’s Pastry, Modern Pastry, and Bova’s Bakery. Mike’s is the most well-known outside the city, focusing on jumbo-sized cannolis in all sorts of flavors. Modern has a greater variety of both traditional Italian and American pastries. They also have a small selection of gluten and dairy-free options. Lastly, Bova’s is smaller in size and a more traditional place—it’s also open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you get a craving at 4 a.m., Bova’s has you covered.
Ice Cream: Far Out Ice Cream, The Scoop n’ Scootery, and FoMu
You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream! Boston boasts a crowded scene, so here are three standouts with different appeals to suit your taste.
First is Far Out Ice Cream. They specialize in New Zealand-style ice cream, which is blended with frozen fruit. You choose your base, your fruit, and then any mix-ins or toppings. The bases come in chocolate or vanilla, including vegan options. They have three locations: the first is a stall in Time Out Market and the other locations are in Coolidge Corner and East Cambridge.
Next is the Scoop n’ Scootery. Located in Allston and Cambridge, the star of the show here isn’t necessarily the ice cream itself, but the sundaes. There are dozens to choose from, with cheeky names like “Fudge Judy” or “Smokey da Bear.” They come in three different sizes, and you can also get a combo of two “minis.” I put “mini” in quotes here because the portions are huge. You’d be perfectly fine splitting with a friend or saving it for the next day. If you’re looking to go over-the-top with your ice cream, the Scoop n’ Scootery is exactly what you’re looking for, even if you opt for delivery.
Lastly, we have FoMu. Vegans, the lactose intolerant community, and anyone else who is avoiding dairy, listen up. If you want dessert without having to worry about what’s safe on the menu, go to FoMu. Everything here is dairy-free and made with coconut milk. The result? I’ve had their ice cream before, and it was certainly up to par and even surpassed some dairy-filled ice cream I’ve had before. Make no mistake: even if you aren’t avoiding dairy, it’s still well worth going here. They have three locations: in Fenway, the South End, and Quincy Market.
There are many more places to get a sweet treat in Boston, and it’s fun to try something new. Whichever place on this list you end up going to, it’ll be sure to lift your spirits and help you get back to your studies. Enjoy!
