The Best Outdoor Dining In Boston
When the weather is good in Boston, the only thing anyone wants to do is sit outside and enjoy it over some delicious food and drink. The following restaurants all recognize the outdoor urge, making them the best ten outdoor dining areas in the city.
1. Oleana
From the famed Ana Sortun, Oleana has always been one of our favorite spots to enjoy a pleasant Mediterranean meal outdoors. Their patio is sectioned off and quaint, so spots are tricky to secure, but once you have one, with the colorful and fresh food arriving as it's ready, your imagination can take you somewhere truly exotic and far away.
Elegant outdoor seating at Oleana (credit: Facebook/Oleana Restaurant)
2. Rialto
If Italy is your favorite summer destination, head to Rialto to enjoy their veranda patio. Engorged in delightful greenery, Rialto is located inside the Charles Hotel courtyard, well-removed from the bustling Harvard Square. Their Italian wine list and fresh summer menus will put you right where you need to be to escape from everyday life and enjoy the small things.
Rooftops are few and far between in Boston, so when you have one, it becomes the areas hottest commodity in nice weather. Revere Hotel's newly opened roof deck makes outdoor dining possible for everyone. Order a pitcher of Pimm's, secure a cabana and keep the guac and chips coming. You will have the best tan this summer!
Just on the brink of the Public Gardens, people watching does not get much better than on the patio at Bistro du Midi. Enjoy light bites with any of their impressive wines by the glass or a full prix fixe tasting menu and simply watch the world go by.
5. Coppa
In the heart of the South End, Ken Oringer watches over a corner of prime real estate. The outdoor space comes alive at the first glimpse of nice weather and is now in full throttle. It makes for the perfect way to enjoy their house made charcuterie, pastas, and other Italian small plates.
6. West Bridge
Now with their added mid-square patio, West Bridge offers their diners two different outdoor options. They have wonderfully creative menus to enjoy alongside their stellar cocktail program. If you go, you must order their seafood potage.
Just recently opened, Merrill and Co has now opened its outdoor dining space on the corner of Appleton and Tremont. On Sundays, chef Jason Cheek gets his BBQ on, and there just may be karaoke to add to the fun. We recommend you put in an order of their waffle fries.
Chef Jason Cheek at Merrill and Company (credit: Merrill and Company)
Over in the Seaport, Sam's boasts wonderful views of the water and the city's skyline. Enjoy these views over fresh and diverse modern American cuisine during the day, plan a long lunch or watch the day come to a close.
In Kendall Square, the Belly team keeps it interesting on their lower level patio almost all year long. Although the time for open fire smore's is now long gone you can enjoy spring and summertime specials over lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Better yet, stop by between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. for their outdoor grill sessions. And did we mention that they will be hosting a series of summer parties?
Over at Beacon Hill Bistro, there is no outdoor dining available on the always bustling Charles Street, but this does not mean you can't enjoy your meal outdoors: the team at BHB has you covered with their summertime picnic option. A whole collection of treats are available for take away, and yes, they come in a picnic basket.