Places to eat in Boston

Not surprisingly for a town that's close to the sea, fish and chips are a big deal in Boston. The two most famous chippies are Tate's Fish Restaurant, which is in the heart of the pedestrianised shopping zone, and Eagles Fish Restaurant, favoured by football fans on their way to or from games at Boston United's nearby York Street ground. Both have extensive seating areas as well as the usual takeaway service - and why not try "scraps", the Lincolnshire slang for extra bits of broken-off batter.

Two of the most popular curry houses in Boston are both in West Street, not far from the railway station. Described by many of its regulars at the best Indian in town, the Bombay Brasserie is known for its banquet nights. Recommended dishes include jalfrezi, king prawn shashlik and lamb rogan josh. Alternatively, the cosy atmosphere is one of the plus points of the nearby Rose of Bengal where the emphasis is on traditional Bangladeshi cuisine, with dishes such as chicken tikka bhuna among the menu highlights.

Boston has attracted a vibrant Eastern European community in recent years - and the best-known restaurant reflecting this is Swojskie Jadlo, specialising in Polish family food. For an authentic taste, try the Silesian dumplings, gipsy-style pork, stuffed cabbage and savoury pancakes.

Fans of Italian food will find plenty to enjoy at the Ropers Arms Italian Bistro. Located in what used to be a traditional pub, it prides itself on its homely atmosphere and offers a menu which has seafood specialities such as fish stew, calamari and king prawns. And Boston's branch of the Italian chain Prezzo has a reputation for friendly service in a lively town centre location.

Rounding off our selection is the cosy Mexican restaurant Los Burritos where frijoles, patatas bravas, cajun chicken and sweet potato fries reign supreme - and it's only a stone's throw from Boston Stump.

No day out in Boston would be complete without a visit to its iconic family-run department store Oldrids. On the second floor, you'll find its popular Café Culture and restaurant, a great place to catch up for a gossip away from the hustle and bustle of this busy market town. There's also a Café Culture at the out-of-town Oldrids Downtown store.

A couple of other town centre cafés are also well worth a mention - Churches Coffee Shop, taking its name from Boston Stump which looms overhead nearby, offers everything from snacks like toast and teacakes to filling meals such as lasagne crab and parsley fishcakes.

The traditional bakery Shephard's has been in existence for over 130 years and has become a popular stopping-off point for shoppers with its tempting array of sweet treats, including cupcakes and fruit crumble. On the savoury side, you can also try one of the famous Boston Sausage baps.

If you fancy heading out of town centre, there are even more café options. Boston Sausage, famous for its unique herb seasoning, is also on the menu at Abbey Parks farm shop, which is in the nearby village of East Heckington but very easy to find on the main A17 road between Newark and Kings Lynn. Before or after having a bite to eat or a hot drink at the Abbey Parks bistro, you can also sample more delicacies, from freshly-cut asparagus and speciality cheeses to olives, jams and chutneys.

On the opposite side of town, heading out towards the seaside resort of Skegness, is Johnsons Garden Centre, a popular destination which is a 15-minute walk away from our Boston hotel. But as well as browsing around the garden centre for plants and flowers, you can also make the most of its café offerings, including coffee, cakes and panini.

A final recommendation for you is the Sack Store Emporium, originally built to make sacks for the many potatoes grown locally. It sells a wide range of furniture, lighting, stoves and other home furnishing and houses a delightful café where you can enjoy a coffee on a comfy sofa sitting underneath exposed wooden beams.