fb-pixelBest patio dining in Boston Skip to main content
FOOD

It’s patio weather! Here are some of the best ones around.

Save this running list of al fresco dining options.

The patio at High Street Place.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Patio season has arrived. As always, call ahead to confirm that your favorite patio is greeting guests, since moving the party outside is often a last-minute, weather-dependent decision. This list is updated routinely.

Abe & Louie’s

This classic Back Bay power steakhouse opens their patio on Wednesday, May 1, for lunch and dinner, complete with heat lamps. Swill a martini in the sun. 793 Boylston St., Boston, 617-536-6300, www.abeandlouies.com

Sip an icy al fresco drink at Alcove.Handout

Alcove

Visit Alcove’s waterfront patio starting now for monkfish milanese and deviled crab dip, plus tequila punch bowls. At lunch, keep healthy with a quinoa bowl. Chef Mark Cina also recently opened Hook + Line in the Seaport, with owner Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli. 50 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, 617-248-0050, www.alcoveboston.com

Advertisement



Anoush’ella

As the Globe once declared, Anoush’ella is what would happen if “Sofra and Sweetgreen had a baby.” Not bad. Enjoy Armenian and Lebanese fast casual, plus balmy temps. 35 West Newton St., Boston, 857-265-3195, www.anoushella.com

Aquitaine

South End restaurants come and go, but not Aquitaine, thanks in large part to their cozy outdoor set-up: Enjoy rosé, steak frites, and street scenes on their patio. 569 Tremont St., Boston, 617-424-8577, www.aquitaineboston.com

Atlantic Fish Co.

A seafood standby after strolling Newbury Street: Dine outdoors beginning Wednesday, May 1, at brunch, lunch, and dinner. Added bonus: a kids’ menu. 761 Boylston St., Boston, 617-267-4000, www.atlanticfish.com

The patio at Atlantic Fish in the Back Bay.Handout

Atlantico

Feast on seafood-focused tapas — salt cod croquettes, Galician octopus — at this group- and party-friendly South End spot from Michael Serpa (Little Whale). Take brunch and nightly dinner on the patio, which has its own bar. 600 Harrison Ave., Boston, 857-233-2898, www.atlanticoboston.com

Banyan Bar + Refuge

One of the most soothing, shady patios in the South End, this essential spot for bao buns and poke bowls opens their patio on May 1 with 100 seats. 553 Tremont St., Boston, 617-556-4211, www.banyanboston.com

Advertisement



Bar Enza

This year-round heated escape at the Charles Hotel serves Italian standards — agnolotti, tagliatelle, fried artichoke hearts from chef Tony Susi (Sage) — with easy access to The Sinclair, American Repertory Theater, and Harvard. 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, 617-661-5050, www.bar-enza.com

Bar Enza patio snacks.Handout

Bartaco Fenway

Brand-new to the neighborhood, settle onto the 20-seat patio with creative tacos (pistachio cauliflower, falafel), plus sangria and refreshing fruit juices. 100 Van Ness St., Boston, 617-915-8226, www.bartaco.com

Bar Vlaha

Enjoy feta pie, snails in red wine, and other northern Greek specialties on a verdant, herbaceous patio, starting on Wednesday, May 1. 1653 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-906-8556, www.barvlaha.com

Bistro du Midi

Sip patio rosé after strolling the Common, starting on Monday, April 1, along with chef Robert Sisca’s moules frites, beet gnocchi, and shellfish towers. It’s the perfect spot to charm a date (or visitors). 272 Boylston St., Boston, 617-279-8000, www.bistrodumidi.com


City Tap House

This Fort Point hangout can host more than 60 partiers on their patio, complete with four fire pits and portable heaters in case it gets chilly. Visit for weekday lunch, weekend brunch, and nightly dinner. 10 Boston Wharf Road, Boston, 617-904-2748, www.citytap.com

Committee

This Seaport heavy hitter has a lively all-season covered patio. The meze plates are ideal for groups, and their unusual cocktails, with ingredients ranging from cookie butter to cabbage, keep the conversation going. 50 Northern Ave., Boston, 617-737-5051, www.committeeboston.com

Advertisement



Dillon’s

This reliable Back Bay spot is an ideal place to enjoy a post-game frosé or sangria carafes al fresco, with a crowd. 955 Boylston St., Boston, 617-421-1818, www.dillonsboston.com

D.W. French

Douglass Williams’s new Fenway brasserie serves rigatoni bolognese and steak frites al fresco at dinner — and, for the first time, lunch, which begins on Monday, April 8. 1391 Boylston St., Boston, 617-865-9900, www.dwfrench.com

The Dubliner

Feast on sophisticated Irish food (really: chef Aidan McGee previously worked at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Dinner by Heston Blumenthal) on an outdoor terrace or beer garden, steps from City Hall. Irish crab claws, anyone? 2 Center Plaza, Boston, 857-317-2695, www.thedublinerboston.com

Eva

This Newbury Street Mediterranean hot spot (formerly Cafeteria) has a sprawling patio set back from the street, with heat lamps and fire pits, open even during cold weather. 279A Newbury St., Boston, 617-546-5155, www.evaboston.com

Outdoor dining at Eva in the Back Bay.Handout

The Fed Terrace

Sample British-inspired dishes with a New England twist at the Langham, steps from Post Office Square. Leave work early: It opens at 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Friday and weekends at 2 p.m. 250 Franklin St., Boston, 617-957-8765. www.the-fed.com

Forcella

This North End hideaway has a year-round, 44-seat outdoor patio. Bring your pup: The al fresco space is dog friendly, too. 33 North Square, Boston, 617-936-4274, www.forcellaboston.com

Frenchie

An intimate South End wine bar opened by Sandrine Rossi and Loic Le Garrec (Petit Robert), and a naughty place to steal away for mid-week brunch (plus dinner Tuesday through Saturday). 560 Tremont St., Boston, 857-233-5941, www.frenchieboston.com

Advertisement



Harvest's patio.Handout

Granary Tavern

A reliable Greenway pit stop, especially before or after visiting the New England Aquarium. The menu aims to please: burgers, Nashville hot fried chicken, flatbreads, and a lobster roll. 170 Milk St., Boston, 617-449-7110, www.granarytavern.com

Harvest

It’s been a scene-y staple in the Square since the 1970s. Get a lobster roll or shrimp cocktail on the partially covered patio, which also offers a fireplace when the weather turns breezy. 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, 617-868-2255, www.harvestcambridge.com

Hook + Line

This brand-new seafood palace from Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli (Alcove) has 80 seats overlooking Boston Harbor, opening on Wednesday, April 17. Munch on fried clams, caviar-topped hot dogs, and stuffies at brunch, lunch, and dinner, washed down with spiked lime Rickeys. 10 Fan Pier, Boston, 617-860-6003, www.hookandlinebos.com

The patio at Little Whale Oyster Bar.Handout

Little Whale Oyster Bar

This nautical hideaway opens their sunken patio in April, with succulent seafood from Michael Serpa (Atlantico). 314 Newbury St., Boston, 857-277-0800, www.littlewhaleboston.com

LoLa 42

This Seaport hot spot has a 1,000-square-foot patio on the water, open for lunch and dinner. The menu is global: poke bowls, bento boxes, burgers, lo mein, fried rice. 22 Liberty Dr., Boston, 617-951-4002, www.lola42.com

Lolita

Glam and gothic, these modern Mexican party spots in the Back Bay and Fort Point are ideal for big nights out, especially on Cinco de Mayo weekend, when they’ll host DJs. Their patios open at the end of April. 271 Dartmouth St. and 253 Summer St., Boston; www.lolitamexican.com

Advertisement



Lucia

Parms, calamari, a mammoth lasagne: The North End stalwart launches patio-and-umbrella season on Friday, April 12, with all of your favorites. 415 Hanover St., Boston, 617-367-2353, www.luciab.st

Mare Oyster Bar.Handout

Mare Oyster Bar

Fire pits, couches, a skyline view, and caviar service removed from the North End fray: What’s not to like? Visit for dinner nightly; the patio is open now. 3 Mechanic St., Boston, 617-723-6273, www.mareoysterbar.com

Nautilus

Visit the Nauti Snack Shack and waterfront walk-up bar for banh mi, poke bowls, and eggplant katsu along with tropical drinks, soft-serve ice cream, and kids’ meals (pork buns, burgers). Visit Fridays through Sundays from noon. 300 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston, 857-957-0998, www.thenautilus.com

Pammy’s

Harvard Square’s most welcoming Italian restaurant brings the party outside beginning Wednesday, May 1; enjoy their signature lumache bolognese with gochujang along the sidewalk, with lights strung above. 928 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-945-1761, www.pammyscambridge.com

Porto

Jody Adams’s coastal Italian spot at the Pru opens their covered, lush garden patio on May 9, a prime post-shopping perch. Ring Road, Boston, 617-536-1234, www.porto-boston.com

Prima

This stylish Charlestown Italian steakhouse — formerly Todd English’s Olives — has red awnings and brick sidewalks: After a couple glasses of red wine, you’d swear you were in Paris. Look for the 34-seat patio in early May. 10 City Square, Charlestown, 617-804-7400, www.primaboston.com

The Smoked & Cured board at Row 34 in Kendall Square.Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Row 34 Cambridge

This unofficial MIT cafeteria — the Kendall Square branch of a popular mini-empire — serves cured fish spreads (shrimp pimento is the best), shellfish, and a buttery bouillabaisse; dine outdoors starting on Monday, April 15. 314 Main St., Cambridge, 617-819-1120, www.row34.com

Saltie Girl

Seafood towers, champagne, tinned fish, and good vibes: Saltie Girl’s got it all, plus a sunken patio ideal for Back Bay people-watching, overlooking Newbury Street, opening on Friday, April 12. Visit for lunch and dinner daily. 279 Dartmouth St., Boston, 617-267-0691, www.saltiegirl.com

Season to Taste

This Cambridge gem enjoys larger digs and a longer menu since moving from North Cambridge to just outside Harvard Square. Visit their patio for fried Island Creek oysters and smoked trout toast, plus rum-and-banana cocktails, starting on Monday, April 22. 1678 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-826-9037, www.seasontotaste.com

Source

Relax on a 32-seat patio, which is also canine-friendly, and feast on Neapolitan pizza. Be sure to order the standout pepperoni version. 27 Church St, Cambridge, 857-856-6800, www.sourcerestaurants.com

Stephanie’s on Newbury

A Back Bay icon, freshly off a 30th birthday: Stephanie’s opens their patio on Friday, April 12, for lunch and dinner. 190 Newbury St., Boston, 617-236-0990, www.stephaniesonnewbury.com

Source

Feast on pizza and gastropub delights at this umbrella’d, dog-friendly Harvard Square patio, with 32 seats. 27 Church St., Cambridge, 857-856-6800, www.sourcerestaurants.com

Trattoria Il Panino

This North End classic has a fully covered patio, so it’s a safe choice even when it rains (like this week). Get the homemade rigatoni. 280 Hanover St., 617-720-1336, www.trattoriailpanino.com

Trattoria il Panino's patio.Handout

Tuscan Kitchen

Sip a Negroni in the shade: This Italian standby in the Seaport unveils their patio by Monday, April 15, with a covered, umbrella-festooned al fresco space. 64 Seaport Blvd., 617-303-7300, www.tuscanbrands.com

Woods Hill Pier 4

The panoramic waterfront view here is as gorgeous as the farm-to-table food: Enjoy brunch, lunch, and dinner overlooking Boston Harbor beginning on Monday, April 15. 300 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston, 617-981-4577, www.woodshillpier4.com


Kara Baskin can be reached at kara.baskin@globe.com. Follow her @kcbaskin.