Summer outdoor dining

Boston's Best Outdoor Dining 2022

Read on for a curated list of some of the best decks, patios, rooftops and sidewalk spots where you can enjoy a good meal while maintaining your distance from fellow diners.

You can sort by neighborhood if you're looking for something nearby or just scroll to see if your regular hang is on the list — we'll be adding restaurants as they open for the season so stay tuned and definitely check back for updates.

Word to the wise: we'll be adjusting the info below as needed so it's still probably your best bet to give the restaurant a ring to make sure they can accommodate you.

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80 Thoreau

80 Thoreau Street
Concord, MA 01742
978-318-0008

80 Thoreau

The 80 Thoreau team has opened up a 22-seat al fresco dining area outside their popular Concord restaurant. They're accepting reservations for their five tables at specific seating times throughout the evening so you can enjoy their straightforward-yet-refined New American cuisine out under the open sky.

Alba Restaurant

1486 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA 02186
617-376-2522

Alba

With high walls and lush greenery, Alba’s rooftop dining area makes it easy to forget that you’re dining in the middle of Quincy Center. It’s a perfect location for eating a steak under the stars or enjoying the game with a cold drink and some fresh air.

Alcove

50 Lovejoy Wharf
Boston, MA 02114
617-248-0050

Alcove

Located on Lovejoy Wharf, Alcove has a delightful patio right on the harbor walk and boasts a stunning view of the Zakim Bridge AND it's dog friendly! The flowery but sleek patio is perfect for enjoying Alcove's Mediterranean cuisine with friends (two- or four-legged).

Alden & Harlow

40 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-864-2100

Alden & Harlow

The subterranean spot on Brattle Street is bringing their cult favorite Secret Burger outdoors with their large patio. The seasonal hang sports blue umbrellas so you can lounge in the shade while you sip a cocktail and people watch in Harvard Square.

Alta Strada

92 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
781-237-6100

Alta Strada

Alta Strada's brick-lined outdoor space, outfitted with red umbrellas and twinkling string lights, brings a bit old-world Italian charm to Wellesley. Grab a carb-loving friend and make for the 'burbs to enjoy an evening of fresh pasta and generous pours al fresco.

Area Four

500 Technology Square
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-758-4444

Area Four

Looking out over the green at Technology Square, Area Four’s patio is a perfect perch for an outdoor meal. Snag one of the wrought iron tables for lunch or dinner and enjoy chef-owner Jeff Pond's menu of small plates, sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas (don't miss the garlic knots or the Brussels sprouts salad, which have been mainstays since way back).

ArtBar

40 Edwin Land Boulevard
Cambridge, MA 02142
617-806-4122

ArtBar

ArtBar, the Royal Sonesta’s signature restaurant, may be one of the city’s best kept al fresco secrets. The riverside patio, practically on the banks of the Charles, offers shaded tables where diners can escape the summer sun, and spectacular views of the twinkling Boston skyline after the sun goes down.

Bambara Restaurant

25 Edwin H Land Boulevard
Cambridge, MA 02141
617-868-4444

Bambara

Bambara has expanded their outdoor seating area, taking over the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel's courtyard to allow for social distanced seating, in a lovely outdoor setting. Just a stone’s throw from the banks of the Charles, it’s an awfully nice spot for a bite to eat and some fresh air.

B&G Oysters

550 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02116
617-423-0550

B&G Oysters

In the summer months, oyster lovers and seafood fans spill out onto the picturesque little patio at B&G Oysters. Fresh seafood tastes best outside, so seats on the shaded, just-below-grade terrace fill up quickly.

Bar Enza

One Bennett Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-661-5050

Bar Enza

Chef Mark Ladner's neo-trattoria, Bar Enza, brings sophisticated and inventive Italian fare outdoors with their year-round roofed outdoor dining patio. Nestled just inside the courtyard at the famed Charles Hotel, the plant-lined patio is cool in the summer and toasty in the winter thanks to powerful overhead heated lamps so you can enjoy plates of housemade pasta, imported cheeses and lots of Italian wine throughout the year.

Bar Volpe

170 W Broadway
Boston, MA 02127
617-865-7100

Bar Volpe

Treat yourself to a mini trip to Southern Italy by way of South Boston - just grab a spot on the sidewalk patio at Bar Volpe, right there on West Broadway, and you can soak up some rays, sip on some spritzes and tuck into plates of handmade pasta from chef Karen Akunowicz and her team.

Bianca

55 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
857-576-8300

Bianca

Bianca's bright and cheery Chestnut Hill patio is the perfect backdrop for their fun (and delicious!) fare. Find a perch under one of the umbrellas to catch some shade or bask in the sun and fresh air.

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BEAUTIFUL SUMMER OUTDOOR DINING IDEAS

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Summer outdoor dining can be as simple as a hot dog on a paper plate or as fancy as filet mignon on your best china. But most of us dine al fresco somewhere in between. To make every outdoor dining experience a memorable one here’s what you need to know…

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This is a huge post! Think of it as the definitive source for outdoor dining!

OUTDOOR DINING BASICS

Summer can be perfect for getting outside and dining al fresco. Formal or casual, summer is the time for no-rules dining. But it does help to know lots of savvy tips and tricks to make every outdoor dining experience a great one!

Set a pretty table. It can be very simple or quite elegant. But make that extra effort to sit down to a table worthy of outdoor dining!

Pick a shady spot! You may have a huge patio or a shady spot under a tree. Any outdoor spot will work for a meal outside! Find that perfect shady outdoor spot in your home and set up an outdoor table.

10 PRACTICAL TIPS FOR OUTDOOR DINING

Bugs and insects can be a problem so make sure you use a natural citronella candle around your table. Also, bunches of mint, marigolds, and rosemary will help to keep those pesky critters at bay.
An outdoor fan is a great accessory to every outdoor summer occasion! A gentle breeze is just the thing to keep family and guests cool. And bugs can’t fly in a breezy area. Win/win!
Use trays to tote tableware and dinner items to your table. And use them for clean-up too!
Set up “stations” for drinks and appetizers. I roll the bar cart from out dining room outside for an extra serving space. I’ve also used the potting bench on our porch for both drinks and desserts.
If you are grilling, keep the grill away from the eating area. Smoke is not invited to your table! But that wonderful smoky aroma is! It adds to the ambiance!
Insulated ice buckets and/or coolers are a great place to stash extra ice if you are entertaining a crowd. We get an extra bag of ice at our grocers and keep it on hand for the times we dine outdoors.
ALWAYS say YES to anyone who wants to help!
Plan activities for all age groups like lawn games or get out a small splash pool for little ones. We have spectacular firefly displays every summer evening. Natures best entertainment!
Use lots of lanterns, glass hurricanes, and other mood lighting
Put together a summer playlist of fun, upbeat music. Play on a wireless portable Bluetooth speaker. We have the one below and love it!

OUTDOOR TABLESCAPES

SEE THIS RED WHITE AND BLUE TABLE WITH LOTS OF IDEA FOR USING PLATES AND LINENS.

I like to think of dining outdoors and al fresco tablescapes like an extension of my kitchen table. To set a pretty outdoor table use the same rules for setting a table inside…

Make it personal. ALWAYS set a table, indoor or out, that looks like YOU!
Remember to set a table on a porch if you have one. An intimate breakfast or tea party is an event on the porch!
Keep what you need on hand. Don’t keep summer outdoor dining items in hard-to-access places in your home.
Create a table to set the mood. Summer tables are often casual but don’t forget how pretty a fancy outdoor table looks too for special occasions.
Please don’t use anything you would morn over should it break. Accidents happen and they will! Almost any tableware in my home goes outdoors except my Nani’s wedding crystal.

SEE THIS ELEGANT AND EASY SUMMER TEA ON THE PORCH TABLE HERE

AL FRESCO TABLEWARE

Now, let’s talk about the fun stuff of a summer outdoor table!

USING YOUR INDOOR DISHES

SEE THIS SWEET TEA AND WATERMELON EASY TABLE ON THE PORCH

Most often I use any of my dish stash for outdoor dining! Go ahead and create a beautiful table to dine al fresco just like you would set your table indoors.

It is a bit more work toting all the dishes outside and back in so I use big trays, plastic dishpans (my favorite) or even a small laundry basket when I set a table outside.

One thing to keep in mind is the weather. We live in an area where thunderstorms and strong breezes are a common problem. So I’m careful not to use things like delicate stemware. I have chunky hobnail glasses on chunky bases that work fine outdoors!

My rule of thumb… the less food I actually prepare the more detailed the table. In other words, if I’m not doing all the cooking or just having appetizers etc. the more time I spend on the table. And usually use dishes from my dish closet!

MELAMINE AND PLASTICWARE FOR OUTDOOR DINING

Plastic dishes are no longer “PLASTIC” dishes! They are gorgeous and trendy and just perfect for outdoor dining!

They come in almost any color and design you can think of! Now many melamine and plastic table items can go right into dishwasher safe!

SEE THIS RED AND WHITE TABLE SET WITH PLASTICWARE!

I started collecting my plastic dishware collection a few summers ago and keep adding to it a little at a time! I collect red, white and blue melamine. I especially love blue and white for outdoor dining! Just a personal preference!

Aren’t these bamboo bowls cute! Bamboo is a great unbreakable material for outdoor dining too!

UNBREAKABLE DRINKING GLASSES

Plastic and acrylic drinkware are perfect for outdoor dining! No worrying about broken glass! These glasses are so much better for the environment than disposable cups! And they are uber kid friendly!

From clear to tinted, there are so many styles to choose from!

MY FAVORITE OUTDOOR DINING FLATWARE

To say I love pretty, sturdy forks, knives, and spoons for outdoor dining is a huge understatement!

SEE THIS RED, WHITE AND BLUE PATRIOTIC TABLE WITH LOTS OF SUMMER ENTERTAINING IDEAS HERE

My favorite are ones with colorful plastic handles. I mix and match the handles to work with the colors in my table.

PAPER PRODUCTS

Paper products, like unbreakable dinnerware, has come a long, long way! When thinking about outdoor dining using paper plates, bowls, cups, and napkins is absolutely the easiest way to go!

Paper products are light and portable and easy to clean up. But the downside is they are not reusable and not very eco-friendly!

My favorite way to use paper is cocktail napkins! Like the fun blue and white above, cocktail napkins come in almost every color and design you can think of! Because of this, they are easy to coordinate with your outdoor table.

I keep a stash of pretty paper cocktail napkins contained in plastic sandwich bags and filed upright in a small plastic basket! This is such an easy way to store them so they don’t get wrinkled.

TABLE LINENS

I think using real cloth linens on an outdoor table elevates the occasion from picnic to outdoor dining!

Use what you would on your table inside.

I tend to use runners, placemats and napkins. They are my favorite three! And I gravitate to the same colors as my dinnerware and flatware!

LANTERNS

I think lanterns are the best way to go when dining outdoors. They are pretty and reflect the light within. But the biggest advantage is a lantern protects the candle within from the wind!

Modern glass hurricane candleholders work beautifully too. They work with any al fresco table!

How about using different size ball jars with sand in the bottom and a pretty candle? Inexpensive lantern! And so so pretty! You can run different size jars down the center of a table!

You can make pretty BIRDSEED TABLE LANTERNS in just a few minutes. The are so fun on a table!

Also, think of adding overhead light. Patio party lights are so popular. How about hanging ball jars with votives or fairy lights from the trees above a table. Magical!

SUMMER OUTDOOR DINING CENTERPIECES

SEE MY FAVORITE SUMMER OUTDOOR DINING TABLE… AL FRESCO DINING HERE

This is my sweet spot! I adore summer flowers picked from the garden! If you have flowers in pots this is the most wonderful way to use them.

I like to repeat flowers in small containers down the center of an outdoor table! They look extra pretty!

My rule of thumb about centerpieces is to keep a centerpiece simple! And no matter the outdoor dining occasion do add something pretty to the center of your table!

Here are some simple centerpiece ideas…

tiny pots of succulents
bowls of fruit
herbs in ball jars
shells and beachy items
stacks of small dishes

THE BEST SUMMER NAPKIN FOLDS

SEE FLEUR DE LIS NAPKIN FOLD HERE

I think a napkin folded in a stylish design makes outdoor dining a very special event! And it’s so so easy!

SEE EASY PEASY POCKET NAPKIN FOLD HERE

You can even fold paper napkins into fun designs.

Here are my favorite three summery napkin folds HERE.

MAKE A PLAN “B”

Outdoor dining is always subject to Mother Nature unless you live in an area that is not affected by the weather!

Here at StoneGable, the weather is always a consideration. Wind and thunderstorms reign supreme in the summer evenings!

So I always have one eye on the weather and a plan to move indoors at a moments notice!

WHAT TO DRINK

Hands down my favorite way to serve a crowd when we are eating outside is to use a drink dispenser!

Even if just our family is dining outdoors I often fill up a dispenser with water infused with what fruit and herbs I have on hand!

Make sure to have extra ice! Outdoor dining is thirsty work! Keep bottled beverages on ice to keep them frosty cool!

I use a big hammered metal salad bowl to keep white wine chilled. In the summer even red wine needs a little bit of ice to keep is from getting too warm!

I often pull out the bar cart from the dining room and use it as a drink station on the patio!

Creating a drink station for any outdoor dining experience is a smart idea! It adds a bit of class and sass to the evening or event! And is a popular gathering spot for conversation.

And I love a drink station because it is “self-serve”.

WHAT TO EAT

I think you can’t beat grilling when it comes to eating outside! The smoke, cooking on a grill and that great char flavor all adds to the outdoor dining experience!

Plan out a few amazing no-fail outdoor dining menus and perfect them. Make them simple and easy!

Here’s one of my favorite…

CUCUMBER SALAD
FRUIT GALETTE
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
MY FAVORITE SUMMER SALAD

Prep and make as much as you can ahead of time.

My very favorite way to serve an appetizer in using a tiered tray. I get deli and grocery store goodies and create a fabulous vertical cheese board masterpiece. It is SO SIMPLE! And space saving! Everyone loves this unusual way to serve nibbles!

I often buy deli food and serve it too! The easier the better! You want to participate in all the fun, right?

ALWAYS… ALWAYS SAY YES if someone wants to bring something to the party or lend a helping hand! Most people love to help!

Dining outdoors should be one of life’s beautiful pleasures! Have fun creating tables and menus and memories! And enjoy the outdoor pleasures of summer!

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Summer terraces: outdoor table setting options

Summer is a holiday that comes in Ukraine much earlier than the official calendar period. That is why Villa Grazia has long prepared the best range of products for al fresco table setting. After all, a meal in nature is an opportunity to get away from the stresses of the hectic life of the city, and in this case, aesthetics is an integral part of a pleasant stay.

The summer terrace is the perfect place for a home picnic. Here you can install stationary furniture, stylishly decorate the space and create maximum comfort for those present. Wind and insects can cause some inconvenience in outdoor areas, but this small problem is easily fixed with the help of special covers. As for the tablecloth, in addition to the design of textiles, it is important to pay attention to its practicality - then your serving will keep its perfect look throughout the feast and will not cause trouble in further care. nine0003

The closeness of home and kitchen, as well as a well-maintained garden are nice bonuses when setting a table on the terrace. The ability to use any dishes from your table arsenal is an occasion to create serving masterpieces in different styles.

Colorful palette

Bright colors are a win-win option for decorating a summer table. You can choose two or three basic shades, or you can use the whole riot of the flower palette. The most daring combinations that are present in nature are appropriate here: green leaves and scarlet petals; blue skies and rosebuds; orange sun and turquoise waves. nine0003

Tip: if you are using a colorful tablecloth, it is advisable to match plain dishes under it, or separate painted plates from textiles with a one-color front dish.

It is interesting to see the variety of colors in one type of tableware: glasses of different colors or plates of various patterns. Of course, fantasy knows no bounds, but a sense of proportion is always the basis of style. Try not to use more than five or six shades in the serving, and it is important to determine the two primary colors around which the rest of the accents line up. nine0003

Country style

Country design is stylish, colorful and always up-to-date. Such a serving can be decorated in the national style of different countries. And each composition will have a special character and mood, but will always convey warmth and preserve the beauty of ancient traditions.

Especially successful is the combination of rustic serving with a menu of traditional national dishes.

Native Ukrainian: with earthenware and bright painted ceramics on a wooden table covered with embroidered or homespun towels. nine0026
Original Provence: with lavender decor, simple textiles and modest crockery worn from time to time.
English shabby chic: lace doilies, pastel palette, floral motifs and many decorative trinkets.
Romantic Mediterranean style: wicker baskets and wooden dishes, transparent glass and plain crockery made of heavy solid ceramics.

Exquisite classic

Aristocratic serving on the summer terrace is freshness and coolness, which is especially pleasant in the hot season. Light tablecloths with delicate lace, elegant porcelain, luxurious silver and the radiance of patterned glass. All this looks very delicate and fragile, but with the right assortment, this design is very practical and easy to care for. Villa Grazia knows how to create an appropriate assortment for customers with any requests. nine0003

Sea romance

What summer is complete without mentioning the sea? Create an atmosphere of coastal relaxation on your terrace with a nautical-inspired table. To do this, we offer two options: a classic red-blue-white palette and ship symbols, or a turquoise-azure palette and decorative accents in the form of underwater inhabitants.

A nautical-style table can be placed near a pool or fountain, where the water theme will be especially relevant.

However, there is a third option - to combine all this together. The composition, in which fish and crabs are present next to the anchor, looks very harmonious. In a marine setting, it is appropriate to use your memories of cruises and resorts that you keep in the form of shells, pebbles and other souvenirs. nine0003

Tropical exotic

Wild jungle exotic is a seasonal theme that gains more and more fans every year. The brightness and showiness of dishes with the image of tropical nature is ideal for a meal on a hot sunny day. And in the rain, such products will not let you forget that it is a warm summer outside, which is beautiful in any weather.

If you choose plates decorated with images of palm trees, parrots and other beauties of tropical nature, be sure to add one-color objects to match the pattern. It can be ceramics, glass or napkins with which it is easy to dilute or enhance the saturation of the overall range of serving. nine0003

No matter how beautiful your wonderful compositions and our stylish products are, Villa Grazia never forgets to remind you that the best creator is nature. Therefore, generously decorate your tables with bouquets and fruit arrangements. Enjoy outdoor recreation and a pleasant meal at beautifully decorated tables on your summer terraces.