Are you looking for outdoor dining in Boston? Look no further because I’ve rounded up a list of the best places to eat in the city.

You can order hearty steak and cheese sandwiches, inventive tacos, and quail kebabs at Boston’s outdoor venues.
Dine outdoors with Mediterranean, Italian, and American cuisines. And of course, you have to try the seafood, so order everything from octopus to crab to oysters.
I love traveling to Boston, and dining outdoors is one of the best things to do in the city. Check out my list of the best outdoor dining in Boston below!
B&G Oysters
550 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-423-0550
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B&G Oysters is a modern restaurant with seafood cuisine. It is in the Shawmut area on Tremont St and Waltham St, near Union Park, and it is the best place in Boston for fresh oysters.
Award-winning Barbara Lynch commands the kitchen, and she is a world-renowned chef with a talent for Boston cuisine.
Reserve a table on the patio and order fried oysters with tartar sauce and steamed mussels. I like the New England clam chowder with cream and smoky bacon. B&G Oysters has a seasonal rotation, so check the current menu on their website before you go.
Personally, if it’s in season, I start with the baby beet and goat cheese salad before rounding out the meal with fried clams or a lobster BLT.
The lobster is always juicy and tender, perfect when the weather is warm.
Alcove
50 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-248-0050
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Go to Lovejoy Wharf and Causeway St to visit Alcove, a trendy spot with Mediterranean cuisine. The outdoor seating area overlooks the waterfront.
You can even see the North Washington Street Bridge. Alcove is in the West End neighborhood, and the restaurant focuses on freshly caught and locally grown foods.
I recommend the blackened fish tacos with pickled cabbage. Order a side of crispy smashed potatoes or fried shishito peppers, and sample seafood from the raw bar.
Before you go, check out the award-winning wine list curated by Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli, and order a lemon panna cotta with mango for dessert.
If you stop by for the weekend brunch, I highly recommend the blackened fish tacos with a dandelion green salad to start.
The two are light enough to not weigh me down, but filling enough to allow a nice glass or two of wine.
Harvest
44 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-868-2255
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Head down to Cambridge and visit this upscale restaurant on Brattle St and Story St. Harvest focuses on seasonal Massachusetts cuisine, and you can order burgers, sandwiches, seafood, and brunch.
It is a few streets over from Harvard University, and the restaurant has been a local landmark since 1975. The best part of Harvest is its emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and fireside dining.
Order local cheese from Vermont and New Hampshire, and try unique recipes like the coffee-glazed carrots and acorn squash ravioli.
I love the coconut cheesecake with passionfruit for dessert. This outdoor dining location also has a great selection of wines and cocktails.
Try a German dessert wine, or order a pineapple lime almond mocktail instead.
Mare Oyster Bar
223 Hanover St, 3 Mechanic St, Boston, MA 02113
Phone: 617-723-6273
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Taste fresh oysters with Italian cuisine at Mare Oyster Bar in the North End. The restaurant is across the street from the Freedom Trail Foundation, and it is on the historic Hanover St.
It has an upscale vibe and receives frequent awards for its wine selection. I like to sit outside and order the Bufala Mozzarella, an Italian salad with heirloom tomatoes, basil, and pesto.
You can also explore the seafood selection, including calamari, lobster, swordfish, and salmon. Order a side of creamy polenta and wild mushrooms and top it off with the house signature bread pudding. Try an Italian cream coffee with dessert.
If you’re not a sweets person, I still recommend dessert: try the three cheeses paired with fig preserves and crunchy crostini. It’s the perfect end to a delightful meal.
Oleana
134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-661-0505
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Want to sit outdoors but need a change from fresh seafood? Experience Eastern Mediterranean cuisine at this outdoor dining spot in Cambridge.
On my trip to Boston, I visited this restaurant and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere on the garden patio.
The dishes are creative and unique, and it’s a great place to try something new. Go to the crossroads of Hampshire St and Elm St, near the Elm and Hampshire Plaza.
You can order from the Hot Meze, Cold Meze, or dessert menus. I like the Vermont Quail Kebab, a Hot Meze item with Baharat spice, pistachios, and barberries.
They also have a menu with larger plates, including lemon chicken and halibut with asparagus, both of which are delicious.
Pier 6
1 8th St, Charlestown, MA 02129
Phone: 617-337-0054
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Pier 6 is a casual seafood spot in Charlestown, and it is off of 1st Ave. It is right on the harbor by Charlestown Naval Shipyard Park, and it has an excellent view of the waterfront.
You can sit outside and watch the ships sailing in the bay while listening to seagulls in the distance.
Order classic seafood dishes like fried calamari, cocktail shrimp, and baked cod, and dig into a cast iron cookie with ice cream for dessert.
I like to sit down on the outdoor patio with a comforting bowl of clam chowder, especially when it is chilly outside.
ReelHouse
6 New St, Boston, MA 02128
Phone: 617-895-4075
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ReelHouse is a waterfront restaurant near LoPresti Park. It is an upscale seafood place with a nautical theme, and it is on Sumner St and New St.
ReelHouse is the perfect place for water views between the Central Square and Jefferies Point neighborhoods.
Chef Marc runs the kitchen, and he is committed to bringing international flavors to his Boston dishes.
I recommend the roasted octopus with chickpeas to start, then the grilled eggplant with mushrooms and wheat berries.
You can’t go wrong with lemon cheesecake for dessert. It has an almond crust, and there is a unique twist of blueberry basil sauce.
SRV
569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617-536-9500
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SRV is on Massachusetts Route 28, and it’s an upscale Italian restaurant with fantastic outdoor dining. It’s the perfect place to order wine and people-watch in the city.
As it’s right on the edge of the bustling South End. Visit Harriet Tubman Square after you dine, and see the famous monument and statue.
Visit SRV for brunch on Sundays and taste brioche French toast and sunny-side-up eggs, or go during the week and try the crab risotto.
The best item at SRV is the pasta, milled and crafted right in the restaurant. Don’t forget to try the tortellini pasta with swiss chard.
The Barking Crab
88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 617-426-2722
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Head over to the Fort Point Channel in Seaport and visit The Barking Crab, a seafood shack with entirely outdoor seating.
It has a relaxed feeling and is a busy and popular location. Make sure to get there early to find a spot in the line.
The Barking Crab is on Seaport Blvd and Sleeper St, near the Harborwalk. I recommend the traditional lobster roll with warm, buttery lobster meat on a toasted bun.
The fried fish tacos are also tasty, and they have a kick of spice with chipotle and pico de gallo. Order a side of coleslaw or corn.
Bar Mezzana
360 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617-530-1770
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Bar Mezzana has a chic vibe, and the cuisine draws inspiration from the Italian coast. It is on Harrison Ave and Traveler St, near the Underground at Ink Blot Park.
Colin Lynch is the head chef, and Ryan Lotz curates an assortment of fine wines. The restaurant is in the Shawmut district, and it’s an outdoor dining location you won’t want to miss.
The rosemary and onion focaccia is fantastic with the potato gnocchi. Order the chicken under a brick with creamy polenta, and try a gelato for dessert.
Dine frequently, and you can earn rewards from Bar Mezzana’s point system.
Audubon
838 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-421-1910
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Audubon on Beacon St and Arundel St is a trendy location in Fenway with creative cuisine. The outdoor patio is heated and surrounded by bamboo, making for a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
Audubon is near Fenway Park and organizes its hours around Red Sox games. Visit Audubon on Taco Tuesdays for special deals like the carne asada and chorizo tacos.
Drink a New England IPA at Audubon during your meal, or try an American IPA from Maine Beer Co. Chef Sergio Salas serves meals and bites like the steak and cheese sandwich, pork potstickers, and grilled buffalo wings from the kitchen.
Boston is a great place to dine outdoors, and you can take a long lunch to watch the waves beat against the harbor.
Or, head into the city and find a bustling restaurant near historical locations. Try my favorite dish, clam chowder, or discover a new favorite at one of the inventive restaurants on this list.
Go classic with an oyster bar, or find an upscale place to sample food from Boston’s top chefs. Enjoy your time here, and make your trip unforgettable with a visit to one of the these places. Of course, if you’re more in the mood for BBQ, we’ve got you covered there as well!
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Timeout.com and Tripadvisor.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.timeout.com/boston/restaurants/best-restaurants-for-outdoor-dining-in-boston
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60745-zfp6-Boston_Massachusetts.html
https://www.bostonchefs.com/bostons-best-outdoor-dining-options/
https://www.thefoodlens.com/boston/sides/guide/where-to-dine-outside-in-boston-while-social-distancing/
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/best-outdoor-dining-boston/
https://www.opentable.com/blog/best-boston-outdoor-dining/