There are a wide variety of very good restaurants. Boston has many ethnic communities, and culinary opportunities range from Greek and Portuguese to Chinese and Syrian.

Regional specialities:
• New England clam chowder.
• Orchard fruits and farm produce.
• Maple syrup.
• Seafood, including local lobster, scallops and scrod.

Boston offers a variety of jazz clubs, dance clubs and intimate piano bar lounges, as well as pubs such as the Bull & Finch Pub, the inspiration for the TV show Cheers.

The high-fashion district in Boston is Newbury Street in Back Bay. Two shopping and restaurant complexes near Newbury Street are Copley Place and The Shops at Prudential Center. Department stores and Filene's Basement are in the town centre. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which is similar to London's Covent Garden, contains shops and restaurants. Statewide, there are a number of factory-outlet stores that offer designer and other items at bargain prices.