BACKBAR

> 9 Sanborn Court, Somerville, 617-718-0249, backbarunion.com

Adjacent to its sister restaurant, Journeyman, backbar has the feeling of a speak-easy or a secret clubhouse. To reach it, head down an unglamorous, brightly lighted hallway, and into the hip room. Order from the ever-changing chalkboard menu — perhaps some spicy caramel popcorn, bread and butter, or a charcuterie platter from chef-owners Diana Kudajarova and Tse Wei Lim. Everything on the menu pairs well with drinks crafted by a team of all-star bartenders. This place is one secret worth sharing.

BACK DECK

> 2 West Street, Boston, 617-670-0320, backdeckboston.com

Because of Mother Nature’s wildly varying moods, New Englanders can only enjoy backyard cookouts a few months of the year. Lucky for us, Back Deck in Downtown Crossing channels a carefree summer vibe year-round. You’ll find charcoal-grilled burgers, green apple coleslaw, knockwurst, and other variations on summertime staples. The Back Deck s’mores, concocted with house-made graham crackers and peanut butter marshmallow, puts a sweet twist on childhood memories of campfires and sleepovers.

BELLY WINE BAR

> 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-494-0968, bellywinebar.com

Here, the people behind the Blue Room and Central Bottle try to pass a passion for wine along to patrons. A quirky list of unusual varietals focuses on specific regions and producers and presents selections under headings such as “binders full of women” (the work of female winemakers, of course). To fuel the fun, chef Robert Grant serves a selection of charcuterie and salumi geared toward the hungry carnivore.

BOMA RESTAURANT + BAR

> 1415 Washington Street, Boston, 617-536-2662, bomarestaurant.com

From the exposed bricks to the grilled swordfish to the Smoking Margarita cocktail, inventive textures and colors abound in this South End newcomer. Executive chef Christopher Bussell keeps the menu’s focus on New England seafood and other local ingredients.

BRICK & MORTAR

> 567 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-491-5599, brickandmortarbar.com

This cocktail-geek version of the friendly neighborhood bar is run by a team that includes former B-Side operator Patrick Sullivan and bartender extraordinaire Misty Kalkofen. So it’s bound to have great drinks — from the refreshing Temporary Fix (gin, cassis, and lemon) to shots with names like Crush on a Stripper. Pull a stool up to the copper bar and snack on fries with duck confit and gruyere, wood-grilled crostini, and mini oyster po’ boys.

CAFE BURRITO

> 374 Trapelo Road, Belmont, 617-855-6325, cafe-burrito.com

Owner Jim Bramante’s coffee shop-slash-burrito bar is dedicated to the Mission-style burrito, as well as south-of-the-border delicacies like quesos a la plancha (Mexican grilled cheese) and seasonal salsas. Order the super burrito with coffee-braised beef or the pollo a la brasa with a side of homemade queso and chips. There are only 13 seats, but Bramante’s single-screen theater next door, Studio Cinema, welcomes burrito-toting moviegoers.

CASA B

> 253 Washington Street, Somerville, 617-764-2180, casabrestaurant.com

The Union Square restaurant applies Latin and Caribbean flavors to the concept of tapas, yielding bright-tasting dishes like seviche, shrimp filled with yuca and wrapped in bacon, and meatballs in guava sauce. Pisco sours and caipirinhas are tremendous, too. The work of two architects turned caterers, the restaurant is stylish and sparkling, with a poppy-red and white interior — modern and romantic at once, it could be the year’s best date spot.

CHINA KING

> 60 Beach Street, Boston, 617-542-1763