South End Buttery Bakery & Cafe

An attractive little cafe near handsome Union Square and with several outdoor seats along lovely Shawmut Avenue, the South End Buttery (314 Shawmut Ave., 617-482-1015) specializes in tasty breakfast fare (try the toasted croissant with Nutella and homemade peanut butter), fresh soups and salads (there's a great endive salad with Great Hill blue cheese), and other assorted treats, plus excellent espressos and lattes. It's just down the block from the trendy Franklin Cafe.