She knows the best places in the Back Bay and helps people reach their goals

Voice of Boston is our series where we interview local tastemakers on their favorite neighborhoods, restaurants and hangouts around the city. If you missed our last one, read our chat with Karen Mauney-Brodek who is the President of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.

This week we are speaking with someone who helps others realize their greatest potential.  Meghan Houle is globally recognized executive recruiter, an ACC accredited Professional Career & Business Master Coach and the host of the Pivot with Purpose Podcast.

What are your favorite neighborhoods in Boston? 

I love the South End and Back Bay; both are rich in history and are represent the heritage of this beautiful city. 

Where do you go for a late-night bite?

Define late…Empire in the Seaport is always consistent and has savory options to order no matter what you’re hungry for so that would be my perhaps-not-so-late-night indulgence.

In general, what are some of your favorite restaurants and bars right now? 

Zuma in the Four Seasons One Dalton has an amazing vibe and incredible food. Abe and Louie’s is also a go-to for me as well. Their bartenders are the best!

Name a “hidden gem” where you always take friends or family when they are visiting from out of town.

Select Oyster Bar in the Back Bay is a gem and a must visit when family is in town, I also really love Ilona in the South End because you can get a million small plates to share!

Where is your favorite place to go for a walk in the city?

First, if I am really ambitious, I will walk from Back Bay (where I live) to the Seaport and I just love walking by the waterfront.  I grew up on the beaches of Cape Cod so being by water is something that is very calming for me. Second, in the winter especially when it is around the holidays, the Commonwealth Avenue Mall with all the lights on the trees at night is pretty magical, especially if Mother Nature decides to give us a little snow.

What do you think is the best thing about Boston right now?  

The community! It is a smaller city and I feel like I always know someone who knows someone who knows someone, so as a master networker I love meeting new friends through friends and sharing our passions for fitness, wellness, food and all the above. Bostonians also have a beautiful pride for our city and all the neighborhoods have something different to offer so you can take mini escapes in our own city by simply going to the North End or to the Seaport. 

What do you think is the worst thing about Boston right now? 

The drivers. Have y’all ever driven down Mass Ave from Newbury Street to the 93 on-ramp between 3-6pm on a weekday? God bless.

What is your go-to Dunkin Donuts coffee order?

For a while it was the “2002 Basic Betch”: Large Iced Hazelnut with Skim Milk and 2 Splendas (in 2023 we have converted the Basic Betch to non-dairy…I now order with Almond Milk and no Splenda… I don’t do fake sugar anymore!)