The Dish

Where to go for the best summer treats in Greater Boston

Chefs share their picks for the best ice cream and hot dogs around the city.

Madeline Healey of Marshfield shares a creamsicle shake with her boyfriend, Owen Beaver of Newton, in their booth at Cabot’s Ice Cream & Restaurant. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

By Katelyn Umholtz

4 minutes to read

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Dear reader, 

Despite my previous protestations that summer in Boston isn’t that bad, I find myself drenched in sweat after a five-minute walk to High Street Place for takeout sushi. This July feels hotter than last July, and the high humidity isn’t helping. I checked the weather app Tuesday, wiping beads of sweat from my forehead as I did so, and found that it feels hotter in Boston than it does in my former home of Savannah, Georgia.

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Did I cause this to happen with my Southern arrogance, bragging to anyone who would listen to me that “this isn’t real summer”? 

Please accept my apology with very handy ways to cool down through food. 

Ice cream

Here’s a pretty obvious way to beat the heat: Get an ice cream cone. I’ve enjoyed one too many walks lately from the Union Square MBTA station to my Somerville apartment with a stop at Gracie’s (big-time fan of the black raspberry chip). 

But Gracie’s isn’t the only great, local ice cream parlor around here. We should be so lucky to have so many ice cream options, thanks to Massachusetts’ long history of ice cream production and dairy farming. 

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I asked some chefs, bartenders, and business owners where they go when they need a cool sweet treat. 

Hot dogs

OK, hot dogs aren’t really a cooling food, yet the only time I eat hot dogs is during the summer. Explain that!

And as I’ve previously reported, I’ve really loved how fun Boston’s hot dog scene has gotten. I had a hot dog that was reimagined as a jalapeno popper at Trina’s Starlite Lounge (part of their whimsical “dog of the day” program), and it was indulgent, dreamy, and paired well with a pony bottle of Miller High Life.

Once again, I went to some hot dog experts/chefs who know their way around a good hot dog for the very best versions of this classic summer food. 

Places to go

Maybe the last thing you want to do right now is to be outside, but what if outside felt like summer camp?

That’s what Park City — Southie’s new restaurant, bar, and venue — wants to feel like. For one, it’s completely outdoors, and its wooden interiors and deer mount decor give it the look of being in rural New Hampshire while still being in Boston proper.

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It’s a huge space (30,000 square feet, to be exact), so in case you’re overwhelmed about where to start, I put together a handy guide about what to eat, drink, and do while at Park City.

New restaurants

How do I escape the heat? Restaurants are usually a great choice, especially when they’re blasting the AC, pouring crisp, refreshing wine, and showcasing a menu of bright and light eats (I’ve eaten so many crudo and ceviche appetizers lately). 

I recently changed up the way Boston.com does opening coverage with my weekly guides to all the restaurant opening news you need. These restaurants could be opening soon, opening in a few months, or open now. 

Then, just for fun, I add in a bonus item. I’m looking for pop-ups, collaborations, and special events to showcase here. 

This weekly roundup is published every Thursday, and as always, if you have news I need to know, email me at [email protected]. 

One last thing: Before you make some fun dinner plans, could you help this newsletter out with a (very brief!) survey? It’s only one question, and it helps us know what kind of newsletters you want in your inbox. 

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My favorite meal recently:

China Pearl, a Chinatown staple for dim sum, is back after a COVID-19 closure and renovation. While I’ve never had China Pearl before its hip revamp, I can confirm that the dim sum at China Pearl 2.0 is flavorful, filling, and affordable (but always with the “for Boston” caveat), especially for my work lunch group of three. We shared shrimp shu mai (pictured here), steamed BBQ pork buns, salted egg custard bun, pan-seared turnip cake, and shrimp rice noodle rolls. I’ll be back very soon, maybe next for their lively dim sum brunch. 

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— Katelyn Umholtz

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Katelyn Umholtz

Food and Restaurant Reporter

Katelyn Umholtz covers food and restaurants for Boston.com. Katelyn is also the author of The Dish, a weekly food newsletter.

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