Philatelist is a stamp collector’s book featuring 24 restaurants from four culturally diverse neighborhoods in Boston. Food is one of the primary ways we share our cultures, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, Boston’s locally owned restaurants have struggled to stay in business due to rising rent rates. As chain restaurants increasingly dominate the industry, Philatelist exclusively highlights locally run establishments to encourage readers to support them and fight against gentrification.

This book serves as a guide to Boston’s restaurant scene for new residents, offering a curated selection to simplify the overwhelming task of choosing from thousands of dining options. Each featured restaurant has a unique stamp that readers can collect upon visiting, placing it on the restaurant’s designated page. The book also includes reflection prompts where readers can log their dining experiences, such as what they ordered and who they dined with. This interactive approach encourages city exploration through food, making the experience both personal and memorable.