A Boston based ice cream and coffee shop that is known for it's artsy vibe, open mic nights, great ice cream, and community spirit. There are several Emack and Bolio's in the Boston area, and are now found in 6 states as well. This little ice-cream shop, part of a larger chain, has been perfecting its recipes since the 70s. Homemade concoctions ranging from peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookie-dough to Grasshopper Pie and Chocolate Addiction are the unique and fabulously delicious result (1 scoop $3.10, 2 scoops $4.05, 3 scoops $4.50). Low-fat options are just as decadent, with hard yogurt flavors like Milky Way or Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Find Boston Globe's Best Smoothies here as well, including the Rejuvenator, Passion, and Liquid Yoga (soy milk, banana, chai and nonfat vanilla yogurt; $5.75). An extensive juice bar promises healthy add-ins, while cones coated with marshmallows and rice krispies and hot fudge maximize your ratio of sweetness to surface area. Rated the Best Smoothie in town, certainly worth a try if you like smoothies! This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

The Real Deal, a popular deli in West Roxbury, recently opened up shop in the old Emack and Bolio's spot (and more formerly Brigham's) on Centre Street. The restaurant serves gourmet sandwiches and thin-crust pizza, among other things, and will continue to carry Emack and Bolio's ice cream. The extensive menu boasts 43 sandwiches, 19 wraps, 7 paninis including 'The Cuban', 16 salads, 9 burgers and 9 pizzas. The hotspot boasts mafioso-esque signature sandwiches and "gangster wraps" ranging from the Michael Corleone (genoa salami, capiccola and provolone) to the Tony Soprano (zesty cajun roast beef with horseradish and swiss). Also, the walls are covered with sandwich-inspired caricatures including playful depictions of the Lucy Goosey (roast turkey) and the Donnie Brasco (maple turkey). Plenty of seating. The only bad thing is there's no wifi. Which isn't always a bad thing!

JP Licks is a Jamaica Plain institution. It has been in several locations, since it's founding in 1981, each time outgrowing where they were. Now it is located in the old firehouse and besides serving fantastic ice-cream, JP Licks roasts their own coffee and serves pastries throughout the day. Open from 6:00 am to midnight daily - this is a hub for the neighborhood. In the morning, folks are having coffee and reading the paper. On summer nights there is a line out the door as everyone comes over to get a cone.
You cannot go wrong if you choose a JP Licks ice cream cake for someone's birthday. No longer just in JP, there are locations throughout the city. But if you want to try the original this is the place to come.