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Written by: Bonnie Li
Faneuil Hall
Quincy Market
Bordered by the North End, Government Center and Haymarket
One day during my lovely Thanksgiving break that I spent on the Bentley campus, I decided to take a cab to Harvard Square and then hop on the T for an adventure to Faneuil Hall. It is conveniently located off the Green Line stop at Government Center and is also close to the North End if you want to get a dessert at Mike’s Pastries or a bite to eat at one of the many Italian restaurants located on the streets. Faneuil Hall itself, however, is always an adventure because of the many restaurants and shops located on the 6.5 acres of fun.
The Colonnade consists of over thirty “food stalls” that include delicacies and cuisines from all over the world, such as India, China, Europe and America. There are coffees, seafood, breads, desserts, salads, curries and gyros, just to name a few of the countless choices at Faneuil Hall.
The food can be enjoyed on block tables around the building and in the Upper and Lower Rotunda. When the weather is warm and sunny, you can also sit on outdoor benches. The décor is also interesting and unique with old market signs and photographs depicting the history of the Marketplace.
The North End Bakery had delicious cornbread and cinnamon rolls. The cornbread was slightly sweet and a little bit salty with a nice texture that was not too soft or too gritty. With just the right amount of cinnamon in the large and warm cinnamon roll, it was also rich and creamy.
The Bombay Club also had delicious Indian cuisine that included many types masala, tikki and samosas for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Boston Chowda also has a decent selection of clam and corn chowders. The corn chowder was delicious, rich and smooth without being too salty, buttery or milky.
In addition to these “food stalls,” there are also fourteen restaurants and pubs at Faneuil Hall. These locations include Cheers, Plaza III Steakhouse, Ned Devine’s Irish Pub, and Zumas Tex Mex Café. Cheers is a typical diner with lots of beer, but slightly overpriced for the quality of food served. Zumas Tex Mex Café is cheap with lots of delicious food.
The 7 layer dip was simply excellent and divine. In general the portions are large with a reasonable price. The restaurant also has TVs for watching football. I recommend the Tequila Chicken and the Cheese Quesadilla at the restaurant.
After eating my fill at Faneuil Hall, I walked around the 49 stores that had a nice selection of jewelry, clothing, accessories and gifts. There are stores ranging from Ann Taylor to Nine West to Harley Davidson to Victoria’s Secret. These shops provide at least four or five hours of entertainment, whether it is window shopping or shopping for gifts and electronics. Several kiosks also litter the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, such as those that sell hats, art and nightshirts.
While walking around Faneuil Hall Marketplace, there are also talented street performers who are circus stuntmen, magicians and comedians. So even if you’re not a fan of shopping or eating massive amounts of rich foods, prepare to be entertained by the acts and musicians who perform all over the streets and sidewalks at the Marketplace.
Faneuil Hall consists of many restaurants, cafes and food stalls that have cuisine from various locations in the world. It is impossible to exhaust the many choices in even five or six visits because of the numerous food stalls and dining locations. After eating, it is also part of the “adventure” for a shopping trip in the surrounding malls with both expensive and cheap stores, as well as adult and gift shops and tattoo parlors.
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