If bread is hugely important to you, first of all, we see you. Second of all, make Clear Flour Bread part of your weekly grocery routine. In the midst of a residential section of Brookline, the bakery makes a roster of 26 breads according to traditional European methods, from soft and crackly Batards and fragrant Rosemary Focaccia, to daily specials like Porter Pumpernickel and Soft German Pretzels. Aside from bread, sweets like Baked Currant Donuts and Morning Buns make waiting in the usual line spilling onto the sidewalk worth it. Hey, it’s a whole lot quicker than flying abroad.

Bess’s Cafe brings the bold flavors of China’s Jiangnan region to a takeout spot in a quiet corner of Brookline. Chicken Dumplings with Sichuan Sauce borders on a soup, as the delicate, comfort-food pillows of gingery chicken are doused in plenty of the oily, spicy liquid. The tender Pork Belly Buns, Crispy Chicken buns with fiery mustard, and fried Crispy Scallion Pancake Wraps are each worth a visit on their own, and we love Bess’s actual noodle soups, too. Bess’s Cafe remains takeout-only, and note that it’s closed on Mondays.

The handhelds at indie sandwich shop Cutty’s are hefty: High-quality breads spread with thick layers of condiments and thinly sliced meats or greens. The Beef 1000, with Thousand Island dressing, sharp cheddar, and savory crispy shallots, is one of our favorite roast beef sandwiches anywhere. This attention to detail shouldn’t surprise: The husband and wife behind the operation are Culinary Institute of America graduates who picked the location after working for America’s Test Kitchen, which was formerly based in Brookline Village. Once a month, Super Cluckin’ Sunday brings out Cutty’s genius interpretation of the humble fried chicken sandwich.

In 2018, longtime neighborhood favorite Sichuan Garden was reinvented as Blossom Bar by Ran Duan, cocktail whiz kid of Woburn’s The Baldwin Bar and son of the Chinese restaurants’ founders. The Brookline Village spot got a modern makeover, complete with a bar and a cocktail program replete with South American spirits and tiki drink influences. And the Sichuan flavors didn’t go anywhere: Today you can enjoy family-style dishes like double-cooked House Special Eggplant, Dan Dan Noodles, and Steamed Pork Dumplings with chili vinaigrette along with innovative drinks like the creamy, acidic Bocadillo Sour.

Don’t let this ramen shop’s random location within the Arcade Building of Coolidge Corner throw you off: Ganko Ittetsu is the real deal. The menu features nine styles of ramen, all prepared in woks to build caramelized flavor, and filled with custom-made noodles that hit the right balance between silky lightness and chewy heft. We can’t resist the Tan Tan, a bowl with ground pork and a rich, creamy broth flavored with sesame and cut by spicy garlic oil. Be warned: The spot only has 20 seats and serves at a leisurely pace, so wait times are virtually guaranteed. You can sign up for the waitlist online before heading over.

Boston’s first gastropub remains an absolute classic 20 years after opening in Brookline’s Washington Square. Inspired by Belgian beer traditions, The Publick House has over 30 draft lines updated daily and an extensive beer cellar. This is the place to find elusive imports from Germany and Belgium, including entire portfolios of Schlenkerla and Trappistes Rochefort; as well as offerings from local heroes like Trillium, Allagash, and The Veil Brewing Co. The PHouse kitchen does pub classics like a luscious Mac and Cheese, Monk’s Frites with an array of house-made sauces, and daily specials. Takeout is available nightly and outdoor dining is available on the street as well as in a back alleyway-turned-beer garden.