Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.


Best Boston Outdoor Dining


Enjoy dining al fresco?  Let yourself be romanced by the sidewalk sounds of a big city or pampered by the peacefulness of a patio garden. Flock to the terrace, deck or boulevard table and share a bite, under the sun, an oversized patio umbrella or the stars. Be it a brunch in the breeze, sunset supper or long lunch, all of it tastes best outside. Visit a few of these top airy hot spots for the best outdoor dining in Boston.


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Aragosta Bar + Bistro Italian
13/20
Fairmont Battery Wharf
3 Battery Wharf
Boston, MA 02109
617-994-9001
Fairmont Battery Wharf restaurant offers upscale Italian cuisine. More...

B&G Oysters Seafood
13/20
550 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
617-423-0550 | Menu
While somewhat overpriced, B&G Oysters is the subterranean South End raw bar gem of Barbara Lynch. More...

The Barking Crab Seafood
Quick Bite
Dining Room at The Barking Crab, Boston, MA 88 Sleeper St.
Boston, MA 02210
617-426-2722 | Menu
You can’t beat the skyscraper-lined harbor view at this seafood spot located in the up-and-coming Fort Point Channel district. More...

The Beehive Contemporary
13/20
Dining Room at The Beehive, Boston, MA Boston Center for the Arts
541 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
617-423-0069 | Menu
Live music lovers come to this Bohemian supperclub for nightly jazz, blues, R&B, reggae, Latin and country. More...

dante Mediterranean
13/20
Dining Room at dante, Cambridge, MA Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston
40 Edwin H. Land Blvd.
Cambridge, MA 02142
617-497-4200 | Menu
Chef/owner Dante de Magistris' flair for the Mediterranean shines at this waterfront restaurant that overlooks the Charles River. More...

Eastern Standard Brasserie
14/20
Hotel Commonwealth
528 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
617-532-9100 | Menu
This classy neighborhood brasserie in Kenmore Square is a happy mix of old Paris and modern Manhattan. More...

Gaslight, Brasserie du Coin Brasserie
13/20
Dining Room at Gaslight, Brasserie du Coin, Boston, MA 560 Harrison Ave.
Boston, MA 02118
617-422-0224 | Menu
True to its name, Aquitaine’s sibling is indeed lighting up Harrison Avenue with its classic brasserie bustle. More...

Hamersley's Bistro French
15/20
Dining Room at Hamersley 533 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
617-423-2700 | Menu
Local treasure Gordon Hamersley's famed bistro is a case study in the transformation from small wonder to major player. More...

Haru Japanese
13/20
Dining Room at Haru, Boston, MA Prudential Center
55 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02199
617-536-0770 | Menu
Japanese restaurant with upscale sushi offerings located below the Shops at the Prudential Center. More...

Harvest Contemporary
14/20
Dining Room at Harvest, Cambridge, MA 44 Brattle St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-868-2255 | Menu
At once stalwart and stylish, Harvest continues to mesmerize by chanting the local and seasonal mantra. More...

Legal Harborside Seafood
13/20
270 Northern Ave.
Boston, MA 02210
617-477-2900
Tri-level Liberty Wharf seafood restaurant with a range of dining milieus. More...

Oleana Mediterranean
15/20
Dining Room at Oleana, Cambridge, MA 134 Hampshire St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-661-0505 | Menu
Handsomely showcased at her Cambridge eatery, the exotic flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean prove Ana Sortun's forte. More...

Parish Cafe American
13/20
361 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116
617-247-4777 | Menu
Thanks to a menu that boasts the creations of chefs and bartenders citywide, this Back Bay café is enduringly popular. More...

Rattlesnake Bar & Grill Tex-Mex
10/20
Dining Room at Rattlesnake Bar & Grill, Boston, MA 384 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116
617-859-8555 | Menu
A rooftop deck (a/k/a “The Urban Canyon”) is an attraction at this Back Bay spot. More...

Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse
12/20
Dining Room at Smith & Wollensky, Boston, MA 294 Congress St.
Boston, MA 02210
617-778-2200
Atlantic Wharf chophouse with a “wine library” and attentive service. More...

Stella Italian
13/20
Dining Room at Stella, Boston, MA 1525 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02118
617-247-7747 | Menu
Don't be fooled by the white-on-white showroom look: South Enders are here for snappy modern Italian fare and the brunches. More...

Stephanie's on Newbury Contemporary
12/20
Dining Room at Stephanie 190 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
617-236-0990 | Menu
Stephanie's tried-and-true formula---beautiful people eating comfort food---has yet to go wrong. More...

Taberna de Haro Spanish
14/20
999 Beacon St.
Brookline, MA 02446
617-277-8272 | Menu
This intimate tapas bar would fit just as well in Madrid as it does in its current home: leafy, suburban Brookline. More...

Tremont 647 Contemporary
13/20
647 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02118
617-266-4600 | Menu
Contemporary cooking from chef Andy Husbands in the South End. More...

Via Matta Italian
14/20
79 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
617-422-0008 | Menu
Via Matta does “cucina italiana” in its own crazy way. More...

Woodward American
12/20
Dining Room at Woodward, Boston, MA Ames
1 Court St.
Boston, MA 02108
617-979-8200 | Menu
A "Benjamin Franklin meets Supermodel" vibe is the stated goal at this sleek urban tavern. More...

Yard House American
13/20
126 Brookline Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
617-236-4083
Beer lovers unite at this microbrewery mecca located right outside Fenway Park. More...

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