Dwell360 Guide: Welcome to Wellesley

Wellesley, Massachusetts is a picturesque town just 15 miles outside of Boston boasting beautiful homes, great schools, and charming character that make it a great place to live.

Interesting Facts

Wellesley was originally part of Dedham during the 1600s. They then went on to be a part of Needham as West Needham. Eventually, the West Needham residents voted to secede and became Wellesley on April 6, 1881.

Notable personalities were born, live in, or haved lived in Wellesley such as: comedian and actress Mindy Kaling, author Sylvia Plath, and Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, to name a few.

Similar to Newton, Wellesley has nine distinct neighborhoods: Wellesley Farms, Wellesley Fells, Wellesley Hills, Wellesley Lower Falls, Wellesley Square, Poets’ Corner, Babson Park, Overbrook, and Sheridan Hills.

Wellesley is home to the main campuses for three major colleges: liberal arts school Wellesley College, two year public school Massachusetts Bay Community College, and entrepreneurial business school Babson College.

Finding Good Eats

The Linden Store: Since 1933, the Linden Store has been serving up a smattering of fresh sandwiches and homemade soups earning five star reviews across the board. The LeBrun family purchased the already popular establishment in the 1970s and since have helped it grow even more, recently completing a major renovation and addition to the restaurant in 2015. Locals rave about favorites such as the Isabella, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, basil, tomato, and olive oil. Kids and adults alike love the turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sandwich for a dose of Thanksgiving taste year round. The menu encompasses many other specialties, build your own options, and day of the week specials. Stop by in the morning for a Linden breakfast sandwich, pancakes, or eggs. If you’re craving something warm and smooth, grab a cup of the homemade soup of the day. Stop by Monday through Saturday for classic taste with the freshest ingredients the Wellesley area has to offer.

Cafe Mangal: Self described as a Mediterranean-American restaurant, the owners of Cafe Mangal come from Turkey and used their culture as the base for their broad menu. The warm ambiance at this Wellesley cafe only compliments the luscious foods made with fresh ingredients. Open for lunch and dinner, there are a multitude of offerings to satisfy even the most adventurous palate. While more Americanized options such as a low fat ham or tuna sandwich are available, try the Yengen sandwich, grilled with Turkish Soujouk (beef pepperoni), tomatoes, and Kaser cheese on white toast bread, for a taste of the Turkish culture proudly embraced by the restaurant. Come back for dinner and sample the Turkish style shrimp casserole or Mediterranean style duck breast with Turkish apricots and finish your meal with homemade walnut baklava. Cafe Mangal is a BYOB restaurant, so grab a bottle of your favorite wine and head over for an unforgettable meal!

Juniper: Reviewers rave about Juniper’s unique menu and impeccable taste combinations. This cozy locale is the second location for chef Dave Becker who also owns Sweet Basil in Needham. The Middle Eastern-Mediterranean menu is available for both lunch and dinner, offering up local favorites such as pistachio crusted chicken  schnitzel with harissa béarnaise, Lebanese spiced potatoes, and capers or the lamb bolognese with handmade saffron pasta, roasted tomato sauce, chili oil, and yogurt. There is often a wait for a table, so reviewers recommend giving yourself some extra time or spending your evening out with a party of 8 or more to allow for a reservation.

Quebrada Baking Co.: Since beginning her baking career in the 1970s, Quebrada founder Kay Wiggin has dedicated her life to bringing her customers high quality baked goods. Her current endeavor, Quebrada Baking Co., features hand-rolled artisan croissants and breakfast baked goods, barista coffees and teas, and a full line of petite and full size dessert offerings. Quebrada fans adore the custom decorated cakes and cupcakes as well. Open every day at 6am, the bakery in Wellesley is one of three locations. Whether you’re in the mood for a raspberry filled shortbread cookie, chocolate mousse cup, mocha bean cupcake, or blueberry muffin, this Wellesley staple is sure to satisfy any craving.

Crepe Berry: This newcomer to the Wellesley restaurant scene in 2017 has already been generating buzz among local foodies. Nestled right across the street from the Wellesley Hills commuter rail station, Crepe Berry happily serves up a vegetarian menu consisting of crepes, bagel sandwiches, toasts, smoothies, acai bowls, and more. Start off your visit with a pick-me-up from the coffee menu, all sourced from Jim’s Organic Coffee in West Wareham. Patrons can easily sub out the milk in their latte or macchiato (among others) with almond or soy milk. If a smoothie is what you’re after, try ‘The King’; a rich banana and peanut butter smoothie with chocolate syrup and organic soy milk. Health nuts will love the acai bowls such as ‘Strawberry Fields’, filled with acai, banana, strawberry, almond butter, and apple juice topped with banana and strawberry. The crepes, the restaurant’s namesake, are quickly becoming renowned throughout the area. Try the ‘Vermont Berry’ crepe with maple- raspberry cream cheese filling and  topped with fresh raspberries, walnuts, and real maple syrup.

Things to Do

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend: Each May, the town of Wellesley comes together for Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend. For the span of an entire weekend, residents engage in a plethora of activities such as a pancake breakfast, antique car shows, musical performances, a parade, and fireworks, among others. While dates can sometimes alter if the weather doesn’t behave, rest assured knowing the locals won’t let rain or otherwise get them down for long! Residents were even treated to a free concert by The Beach Boys one year, so you never know what will happen at Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend!

Boston Marathon: Wellesley College is located right at the 13 mile, halfway point in the path of the Boston Marathon. During the first marathon, it is reported that Wellesley students were cheering on a particular runner and set a precedence for future attendees to wildly scream for the runners as they pass. Besides the quarter mile of deafening enthusiasm, runners are treated to signs, high-fives, and even some kisses as they pass through the famous Wellesley Scream Tunnel, as it’s been affectionately named. The Boston Marathon is held on Patriot’s Day each year in April; try watching from the Wellesley College campus and join the noise!

Bella Santé Day Spa: Founded on the idea that everyone needs a little more “me time”, Bella Santé is the perfect place to relax your stressors away. This Wellesley oasis is a favorite of Dwell360's team members! Whether you’re looking to try one of the many types of massage, facials, manicures and pedicures, or even hair salon services, the Bella Santé menu offers a wide variety of suggestions to fit any guest’s needs. The soft robes, dimly lit waiting area, and relaxing music only complement the spa’s elegance and atmosphere. Step out of reality and into Bella Santé for an hour or four; no time spent here is regretted.

Joyful Kitchen: After many years of traveling the world learning and teaching the art of cooking, Chef Amy Lipton now welcomes students into her Wellesley boutique cooking school to share her abundance of knowledge. Whether by herself or with an international or local chef, Chef Amy teaches classes such as A Celebration of Vegetables, Herbs, Spices, and How to Use Them, Hosting for the Holidays, and more. Chef Amy shares her secrets so that her students not only become more confident in their own kitchens, but are able to serve up beautifully made meals that will wow any crowd. All you have to do is put down the mac & cheese and head over to the Joyful Kitchen class calendar to sign up for a class!

Lake Waban: This scenic lake is home to a 3 mile looped trail that is frequented by local residents. Great for running, walking, or biking, the whole family can enjoy a stroll around Lake Waban, even your canine companion if they’re on a leash. The lush greenery offers both shade and sun for the stretch of the path as well as an abundance of wildflowers. Reviewers also mention that certain points of the path offer lovely views of Wellesley College!

Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s The Gardens at Elm Bank: The Elm Bank Reservation stretches for 36 acres in Wellesley. Its pristine grounds are home to a variety of open fields and meadows, streams and pools, wooded areas and formal gardens. Each section of the grounds has been carefully cultivated and individually designed to best showcase the flora and fauna chosen for its spot. No dogs, bikes, or sports equipment is allowed on the grounds so visitors are invited to plan accordingly.

Wellesley is a great place to visit, but an even greater place to live. Contact a Dwell360 agent today to find your dream home.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Newton, Massachusetts, servicing the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.

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