Alfresco dining options in Boston
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Ah, patio dining — a quintessential warm weather treat akin to baseball in the park, outdoor concerts, and lazy days at the beach. When restaurantgoers take to the streets, opting to enjoy the sunshine along with their meals, a whole new dining experience emerges. We’ve rounded up a list of Boston-area spots that are offering outdoor eating this season as the weather permits.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Patio space might be weather dependent, so it’s best to call establishments ahead of time to check availability.
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Back Bay
55 Huntington Ave.
617-536-0770
Tucked between the Prudential Center and Copley Place, this chic sushi joint is a great pitstop after a long day of shopping. Haru offers a variety of Japenese cuisine, including Japanese sushi, sashimi, salads, and signature dishes like carpaccios, ceviches, tartares and specialty rolls.
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Back Bay
130 Dartmouth St.
617-536-6200
This beer garden in Back Bay has all kinds of house-cured pork delicacies, small-batch cheeses, and wood-grilled pizzas to pair with their extensive cocktail and craft beer menu. Enjoy a customizable charcuterie board packed with items like smoked chorizo, bacon-wrapped pate, and creamy Vermont butter and cheese.
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Faneuil Hall
One Faneuil Hall Market Place
617-742-9242
Let the breeze blow through your hair as you slurp noodles at UK transplant Wagamama. The Faneuil Hall location is the nation’s first of the worldwide chain.
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Kenmore Square
528 Commonwealth Ave.
617-532-9100
Stake out a place in the shade at Eastern Standard while sipping on one of their uber-creative cocktails. Chill in the air? The patio also offers overhead heating lamps for those not-so-sunny days.
More in the area: Lower Depths.
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Fenway Park
62 Brookline Ave.
617-536-4840
Dining at Cask ’n Flagon’s outdoor patio may be the next best thing after being at the game. Stay alert, though — you never know when a fly ball will make it over the Green Monster and into your “Batter Up Onion Rings.’’
More in the area: Church, Lansdowne Pub, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Hawthorne, and Game On.
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Newbury Street – Lower
190 Newbury St.
617-236-0990
Stephanie’s sidewalk cafe is located in the heart of Newbury Street, Boston’s most well-known shopping area. Stop here to refuel (and maybe do some people watching).
More in the area: Bar Lola, Tapeo, Cafeteria Boston, Kashmir, and Snappy Sushi.
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Newbury Street – Upper
30 Gloucester St.
617-536-4341
You may forget you’re still in Boston when you walk through the restaurant decorated with bright Talavera tiles straight from Mexico and step onto the enclosed outdoor patio at Casa Romero.
More outdoor dining in the area: Sonsie, La Voile, and Piattini.
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Boylston Street
900 Boylston St.
617-247-0400
Dine underneath the illuminated solarium on Towne’s newly renovated patio.
More in the area: Abe & Louie’s, Atlantic Fish Co., Max Brenner Restaurant, Back Bay Social Club, Bangkok Blue, Bistro du Midi, Cactus Club, Dillon’s, Globe Bar and Cafe, Parish Cafe, The Rattlesnake, Solas, Typhoon Asian Bistro, and Vlora.
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Boston Common
1 B Charles St. – Boston Common
617-426-1395
This outdoor cafe tucked alongside the Boston Commons offers hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, salads, breakfast foods, and desserts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
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Park Plaza
79 Park Plaza
617-422-0008
If you’re craving Italian served outside, but want to avoid the North End crowds, why not try Via Matta at the Park Plaza. Choose from items such as grilled octopus, crispy pork belly, and chicken Milanese while dining alfresco.
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North Station
112 Canal St.
617-896-2337
With nearly 15 house made brews on tap to choose from at Boston Beer Works, the patio at the Canal Street location offers the perfect excuse to sit outside and try them all.
More in the area: The Fours.
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North End
101 Atlantic Ave.
617-723-5101
The Living Room is located across the street from Christopher Columbus Park, Boston’s first waterfront park. Enjoy the views while relaxing on the 45-seat patio.
More in the area: Ristorante Fiore, Trattoria il Panino e Giardino.
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Waterfront
One Marina Drive at Fan Pier
617-345-3992
Strega Waterfront boasts an over-sized patio overlooking Boston Harbor.
More in the area: Atlantic Beer Garden, The Barking Crab, Boston Chart House, LTK, Miel, Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, RumBa, Salvatore’s, Sushi-Teq, Tamo Terrace, and Tia’s Restaurant.
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South End
513 Tremont St.
617-927-0066
If it’s pizza and ice cream you crave, look no further than the Pizza and Ice Cream Co., or Picco for short.
More in the area: B&G Oysters, The Beehive , Brasserie Jo, Gaslight, Hamersley’s Bistro, Haru Sushi, Masa, Orinoco, Petit Robert Bistro, Stella, and Tremont 647.
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Dorchester
1236 Dorchester Ave.
617-265-4490
Take in the stars along with your dinner and drinks during a meal at dbar in Dorchester. Menu items include scallops, pink peppercorn crusted tuna, and braised pork shoulder mini tacos.
More in the area: Ashmont Grill and Steel & Rye.
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Cambridge
40 Edward H. Land Blvd.
617-497-4200
Enjoy a view of the Charles River while dining on items such as cauliflower ravioli, beef carpacio, and chicken scaloppini at Dante in Cambridge.
More outdoor dining in the area: Atasca, The Blue Room, Oleana, Area Four, Belly Wine Bar, and Zuzu.
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Cambridge
One Kendall Sq.
617-945-0221
Their egg in a jar grabs all the attention, but chef and co-owner Matthew Gaudet’s entire menu is filled with exciting cuisine. Plates like his cauliflower with pumpernickel and the crispy pigs head with fried egg puree recently fetched him a nod for one of GQ’s Most Outstanding Restaurants in 2013.
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Harvard Square
Legal Sea Foods – Charles Terrace
20 University Road, Cambridge
617-491-9400
Located in the heart of Harvard Square in the courtyard of the Charles Hotel, the Terrace Bar offers a raw bar, classic fare and a wet bar.
More outdoor dining in the area: Grafton Street, Russell House Tavern, and Temple Bar
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Harvard Square
52 Church St.
617-547-5200
This gatropub located in the heart of Harvard Square doubles as an indie music venue. So enjoy the BBQ sliders or catfish sticks and then head next door to listen to the some of the most up-and-coming bands.
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Harvard Square
89 Winthrop St.
617-491-1160
Emerge from the depths of this subterranean pub and take your meal outside instead. Grendel’s offers dishes like buffalo wings, nachos, spinach pie, and burgers as well as wheat-free, vegan, and vegetarian-friendly options.
More in the area: Harvest, Daedalus, The Red House, and Rialto.
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Brookline
1634 Beacon St.
617-975-1900
Munch amidst the bustling atmosphere of Washington Square at this Brookline eatery and take your meal to the streets in The Fireplace’s outdoor patio dining section.
More in the area:
Sol Azteca and Taberna de Haro. -
Jamaica Plain
435 South Huntington Ave.
617-524-2500
This relaxed neighborhood spot in Jamaica Plain specializes in locally grown, seasonal ingredients that are utilized in classic American dishes like deviled eggs, mac and cheese, and sweet chili wings. The eco-conscious architecture of reclaimed wood and recycled materials lends a leisurely atmosphere perfect for a quick bite and a cool beer.
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Beacon Hill
21 Beacon St.
617-742-4900
Revisit simpler times at this American bistro in historic Beacon Hill. The menu at Scollay Square features new takes on traditional comfort foods.
More in the area: The Hungry I
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Somerville
65 Holland St.
617-591-2100
Take a seat outside and order up some sliders at Davis Square favorite Orleans.
More in the area: The Burren, Mike’s Restaurant, Posto, Sabur, and Sound Bites.
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