Where to Dine Outside around Boston

Secret Gardens and Courtyards

Althea. / Photo courtesy of Althea

Althea

From the team behind Vialé, this new kid on the block plunks a fantastic hidden courtyard—dubbed the “backyard“—right in the heart of Central Square. It’s always a party here, from the lively container bar to the fragrant smoker (any smoked meat you spot on the menu, order it). A retractable roof provides shelter on wetter days, perfect for cozying up over a hearty entrée—spicy crab spaghetti, perhaps?—followed by a sweet treat like banana upside-down cake. And while we fully endorse the excellent espresso martini rendition, don’t be afraid to get a little more daring with your drink order: Try, for instance, the milk punch of the moment, a recent iteration of which included tequila, amaro, snap-pea juice, melon, and jalapeño.

2 Columbia St., Central Square, Cambridge, 617-349-2967, altheacentralsq.com.

Oleana

A Greater Boston outdoor dining guide wouldn’t be complete without the beloved Oleana patio, a hideaway that exudes romance and magic thanks to its lush greenery, colorful umbrellas, and garden-like ambiance. It doesn’t hurt that the acclaimed restaurant offers top-notch food with nods to Turkey and the broader Middle East: Baharat-spiced Vermont quail kebabs, sweet-tart tamarind beef with smoky eggplant purée, and the fan-favorite baked Alaska are the perfect equation for a summer evening. Note: Patio seating is available for walk-ins only, so this is best suited for spontaneous date nights. If you want to risk it on a birthday or anniversary, be sure to show up right at opening.

Sophia’s Grotto

String lights overhead, brick walkways below, and vines creeping up a trellis: This is Roslindale, but it feels like a secluded nook of Italy. Play up that feeling with plates of pasta at this 20-year mainstay: Keep it classic with linguini and meatballs, or get creative with prosciutto-and-provolone-stuffed sachetti in a brandy cream sauce. Thin-crust pizzas are popular patio fare, too, like the Sardignia, topped with caramelized onions and four cheeses. Order a glass of wine and settle in—this is what patio dining is all about.

Roslindale, sophiasgrotto.com.

Daddy Jones

Just off a busy stretch of Magoun Square, this patio manages to feel like an oasis, with mismatched chairs scattered among herb gardens and potted plants. Not sure what to order on the Greek-inspired menu? We’ll let you in on a secret: The burgers here are among the best in town. Try the Athena burger to stick with the theme, featuring a juicy herb-and-feta lamb patty topped with red-pepper feta, onion, bacon, cheddar, and fig jam, served on an English muffin. Take a bite, breathe in the garden air, and forget you’re steps from the street.

525 Medford St., Magoun Square, Somerville, 617-690-9095, daddyjonesbar.com.

Weatherproof Wonders

Mare Oyster Bar. / Photo courtesy of DePasquale Ventures

Mare Oyster Bar

That the North End is short on dining patios is a story for another day—but Italian-food lovers can still find a few al fresco spots in the neighborhood. Mare Oyster Bar, for one, is a top pick even in less-than-sunny weather thanks to its retractable awning and fire pits. Tucked away mere steps from the happy chaos of Hanover Street, you’ll catch downtown skyline views while dining on epic shellfish towers, elegant seafood entrées, and—if you’re feeling really fancy—caviar service. End the meal by relaxing over a selection from the extensive spirits list, including plenty of grappa options.

3 Mechanic St., North End, Boston, 617-723-6273, mareoysterbar.com.

Branch Line

This one’s for every season—and every occasion. A large portion of the patio at this Eastern Standard cousin is heated and can be enclosed, even in winter, and it’s good for everything from brunch with the kids to romantic date-night dinners. The menu is a reliable crowd-pleaser, serving up dishes that play well in both warm and cool weather: think rotisserie chicken, sugar-snap-pea salad, and mussels fra diavolo. Did we mention there’s easy parking?

Gufo. / Photo courtesy of Gufo

Gufo

This East Cambridge Italian spot from the SRV and Baleia crew offers plenty of patio paradise, including a sunny area with tables (and bocce). But it’s the covered, enclosed, and heated outdoor area that’s a coveted reservation year round. Around the winter holidays, it feels extra special—one year, it was decorated with an après-ski theme; the next, lush evergreen garlands, ornaments, and twinkling lights. And when May’s weather proves fickle, it’s the perfect spot for a platter of snacks (marinated olives, salted almonds, cheese with fig honey) and hearty plates of pasta on a cool, rainy day.

Bowery Bar

The private heated yurts get top billing on this expansive Lower Mills patio—they’re reservable for groups of up to eight in cooler seasons—and are supremely cozy. But the Bowery team has put care into weatherproofing for hotter months, too, with retractable awnings and huge umbrellas providing some cover and a misting system keeping things refreshingly chill. Regardless of the season, you’ll be digging into delicious comfort food, from shrimp po’ boys to crispy fish and chips and other globally inspired fare that tastes even better on the patio.

2261 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-698-2261, bowery-bar.com.

Above It All

Dorchester Brewing Company. / Photo courtesy of Dorchester Brewing Company

Dorchester Brewing Company

When it comes to sky-high beer drinking, you’ve got options at Dorchester Brewing Co.: There’s the greenhouse-style enclosed rooftop space, open year round, with plenty of picnic tables and bar space to hunker down over coffee-infused stouts and New England IPAs. If you’re in the mood to catch some rays on a sunny day, try the spacious uncovered roof deck. Whichever you choose, be sure to grab snacks from on-site restaurant M & M BBQ; we suggest looking out over Mass. Ave. while eating the “Mass. Ave.,” a beer-braised bratwurst with house-made sauerkraut and honey mustard.

1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-514-0900, dorchesterbrewing.com, mandmribs.com.

Saigon Babylon

High above Central Square, this rooftop destination serves modern Vietnamese cuisine (spicy lemongrass wagyu carpaccio, ginger-sauced duck with fresh rice noodles) amid 10,000 pounds of old stone: stately columns, moss-covered ram sculptures, and aged gargoyles. No surprise it comes from the same artistic minds as Cicada Coffee Bar and the Eaves; all three spaces showcase vintage furniture and art finds from New England, Vietnam, and beyond. The cocktails infused with Vietnamese flavors top off the sublime rooftop experience: Try a tamarind Old Fashioned or the gin-based Good Dealer with yuzu jam and pho spices.

907 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge, instagram.com/saigon_babylon.

Long Bar & Terrace

Perched 17 stories above the Back Bay like a stunning scene from a James Bond rendezvous, Long Bar and its classy patio rise to the occasion as one of several glitzy drinking and dining options at the luxurious Raffles Boston hotel. Bathe in the morning sunshine while sinking into the plush lounge furniture and snacking on breakfast pastries (don’t miss the pastel de nata, Portuguese egg custard tarts). Or catch the sunset over a meal of mussels with linguiça, bavette steak with salsa verde, and Long Bar’s secret weapon, a burger irresistibly topped with Harbison cheese, pepper jam, and smoked aioli.

40 Trinity Pl. (Raffles Boston), Back Bay, Boston, 617-351-8888, raffles.com.

Stratus at View Boston. / Photo courtesy of View Boston

Stratus at View Boston

Like sipping cocktails on top of the world? Welcome to Stratus, where 51 floors above the Back Bay, Boston unfolds beneath you in a sprawling urban tapestry. Part of the Prudential Center’s observatory—revamped beautifully in 2023—the cocktail bar features breathtaking open-air space with a bit of seating (and plenty of room for wandering and selfie-taking), plus light snacks such as meatballs and Rhode Island–style calamari. A little scared of heights? Head to the indoor restaurant, the Beacon, instead to enjoy the same views, but through windows.

View Boston, the Shops at the Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston, viewboston.com/stratus.

Beer Gardens

Cisco Brewers Seaport. / Photo courtesy of Cisco Brewers

Cisco Brewers Seaport

Cisco Brewers’ sprawling Seaport beer garden is back, right on cue. The Nantucket export’s urban outpost draws the after-work masses with daily live music and enough tented square footage to handle whatever hits. Food trucks sling seafood tacos and wood-fired pizza while the crowd downs Shark Tracker lagers, pretending they’re anywhere but a concrete jungle. Eight years in, it’s still reliably packed thanks to Boston’s unquenchable thirst for outdoor drinking real estate.

65 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, ciscobrewers.com.

Aeronaut Allston

The hiss of food truck grills mingles with guitar riffs: Welcome to Aeronaut’s Allston beer garden, where summer nights have gotten deliciously rowdy for nearly a decade (sadly, it won’t return after 2025, so get there soon for a last hurrah). The Somerville-based brewery takes over part of Harvard’s Zone 3 property for evenings jam-packed with bands of all genres, not to mention the occasional night market full of local art and plenty of beer on tap. Raise a cup of Robot Crush pilsner or Hop Hop & Away IPA and toast to a summer of fun.

224 Western Ave., Allston, Boston, aeronautbrewing.com.

Trillium Garden on the Greenway. / Photo courtesy of Trillium

Trillium Garden on the Greenway

The Rose Kennedy Greenway—Boston’s favorite median strip turned urban playground—truly wakes up when spring hits and the food trucks roll in, followed by their natural companion: beer. Since 2017, local favorite brewery Trillium has been setting up shop in view of the dramatic Rowes Wharf archway, giving the city a family-friendly, dog-friendly place to unwind. With rotating food trucks nearby, patrons can bring in their own snacks and enjoy Trillium on draft, from hoppy classics to funky sours.

Atlantic Avenue at High Street, Downtown Boston, trilliumbrewing.com.

Castle Island Brewing Co.

Beer and bar pizza—en plein air? In a heartbeat. Jazzed up with potted plants, string lights, Adirondack chairs, and picnic tables, the patio here is a great place to get a crash course in the South Shore’s favorite dish, courtesy of Bardo’s Bar Pizza, while sipping on beers like Candlepin pale ale and Keeper IPA. Try the pizza topped with dill pickles or house-made linguiça for the full experience.

10 Old Colony Ave., South Boston, castleislandbeer.com, bardospizza.com.

This article was first published in the print edition of the May 2025 issue with the headline: “Patio Season.”