New outdoor dining options, new menus and new views abound in Boston this season.
Photograph: Courtesy Althea/Chris Ventura @lot14creative
Written by Cheryl Fenton & Jacqueline Cain
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When Mother Nature only allows a few months of true outdoor enjoyment, it’s important to maximize that time. Such is life in New England—and our restaurants rise to the occasion with plenty of al fresco dining options. While the tried and true best patios in Boston, rooftop spots and outdoor bars are always a good bet on sunny days and pleasant nights, these new-ish spots should be on your radar. Including newly opened restaurants and placeswhich have made major patio or menu upgrades since last summer,we investigate the outdoor dining options thatcertainly warrant a visit this summer.
Recommended:Check out thebest outdoor brunches in Boston
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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New outdoor dining
- American creative
- Central Sq
Ten years after debuting Vialé in Central Square, chef Greg Reeves and Shauna Reyburn have something new in the neighborhood. Althea opened in May on the ground floor of Sonder 907 Main, a boutique hotel in Cambridge. With an outdoor bar(pictured at the top of this post) plus exposed brick inside the restaurant,the comfortable restaurant offers eclectic American fare and a raw bar,along withnatural wines and creative co*cktails. Snag a seat on the expansive patio and you may see chef Reeves manning the outdoor grill. Even if it’s not in action, smoky flavors imbue menu items like lamb ribs, corn chowder and even special smoky co*cktails.
- American creative
- Jamaica Plain
Coming back from an April refresh, Vee Vee in Jamaica Plain has reopened as Black Cat@ Vee Vee with a totally differentmenu from the past 16 years. While still maintaining its cozy neighborhood vibe, the popular local haunt has begun a recent collab with chef Valentine Howell, a 2023 James Beard award-nominee from his time at Krasiand 2024 Top Chef contestant. Howell is serving a totally new menu at Vee Vee, with Afro/Latin Caribbean flair—think: rotating tacos, shrimp tostada, elotes, pineapple buñuelo and more. On nice nights in JP, discover Vee Vee’s hidden back patio,which debuted a couple summers agowith an outdoor bar and partial cover.
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- Italian
- East Cambridge
New Italian from the team behind SRV and the Salty Pig, Gufo and its vast outdoor patio debuted in Cambridge late last summer and if you haven't been yet—it is time. A quick step through the restaurant's three-season covered patio, guests find themselves fully al fresco surrounded by twinkle lights, manicured greenery, and an eight-foot wooden fence that creates a sense of intimacy despite itssize.The backyard is speckled with sunlight throughout the day alongside plenty of shady spots courtesy of sailsand umbrellas. Did we mention the full-on bocce lane?
- Seafood
- Seaport District
With a waterfront patio overlooking the ICA and the Seaport commuter ferry, Hook + Line serves modern New England seafood from one of Boston’s biggest names in hospitality. Alcove owner Tom Schlesigner-Guidelli brings us this new seafood destination, which also has an onsite fish, prepared food and wine market to-go.(Located just across the harbor in the Seaport from its sister spot,you can eventake the Seaport commuter ferrybetween the two.)TSGgot his start in restaurants on the bar at bygone Boston fish houses like East Coast Grill and Island Creek Oyster Bar, so you can bet there’s a deep, seafood-friendly wine list and refreshing co*cktails to pair with the waterfront views.
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- Breweries
- Allston/Brighton
A second taproom and production facility for Braintree’s Widowmaker Brewing Co., this Brighton spot debuted on Halloweenwith"neo-goth" interior design. This summer, Widowmaker’s private patio has been given a serious upgrade, from level flooring to the string lights, greenery and psychedelic mural by artist Johnny Garlin. Order a Blue Comet IPA or one of the more-lager-focused brewery’s fresh offerings and seat yourself outside. Total bonus: You can order hangover-helping food fromthe in-house kitchen operators,Bone and Bread, such as lobster rolls, burgers and more, directly from your patio perch.
- East Boston
The roof deck at East Boston’s Cunard Tavern looks a little different these days, now that it’s been transformed into a vacation-ready tropical rooftop patio. Known as the Layover, this seasonal pop-up boasts harbor views, a living wall and a walk-up window offering craft beer, wine by the glass and rum-soaked specialty co*cktails. The food menufeaturespan-Asian bites such as crab rangoon, duck spring rolls, Korean bulgogi, succulent hoisin ribs and crispy tempura vegetables.
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Welcoming visitors for the first time this summer to a second-floor patio, Moxies is a stunning spot to soak up the sun with beautiful waterfront views. The summer menu at the new-to-Boston restaurant, which opened in the Seaport in October 2023, features a seafood and raw bar, shareable apps, plant-based bowls, hearty handhelds and pastas, along with standout beverages, including the rich and decadent Ketel One espresso martini and the classic, refreshing Moscow mule.
- Italian
- East Cambridge
The latest from the restaurateur behind Mistral, Mooo and Serafina, Seth Greenberg'snew restaurant is located in the Royal Sonesta hotel in Cambridge withan enviable Charles River-side patio(it was formerly Restaurant Dante). Monteverdi offers both traditional and contemporary Italian dishes with elegant co*cktails and a robust wine list. The menu is overseen by executive chef Christian Ellis with plates pretty to look at and satisfying to savor, including huge antipasto platters, insalata, grilled pizzas and fresh pastas.
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- American
- Allston/Brighton
Snag a high-top seat at the outdoor bar or grab a table under the twinkle lights on the patio at this Allston hotspot. Opened at the end of last summer by Stillwater chef-owner and Chopped champion Sarah Wade, it’s named after her daughter and serves up nostalgic comfort food and brunch every day. Creative co*cktails feature spirits from local distillers, and 12 draft beers hail mainly from New England, too. Weekly specials add a bit of surprise, and the first Monday of the month is entirely gluten-free.
- Latin American
- Seaport District
What started as a post-covid pop-up by two-time Food Network Chopped champion Tatiana Rosana is now a full-on, indoor-outdoor restaurant where you can enjoy the chef’s Latin-inspired dishes. Think peekytoe crab tostada, croquetas de jamon and ora king salmon with decadent coconut rice. Retractable walls at Para Maria open up the huge dining space and lead seamlessly into a large outdoor patio. Find this one at the Envoy Hotel in the Seaport District, just steps from another iconic patio serving up decades of big deck energy, the Barking Crab.
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- Global
- South Boston
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The natural light-filled interior courtyard at Publico Street Bistro has made the spot a patio staple in Southie. This summer, Publico's new and expansive street-facing patio is the perfect outdoor dining destination for your dog. The Puplico Patio,as its endearingly called, is outfitted with dining tables, high tops and communal seating, where dogs (and their owners) can enjoy the occasional pup party. The Puplicomenu offers their own special treats, like the Pup-lico Cup, filled with whipped cream; Very Good Dog, which brings one slice of crispy bacon to their bowl; and the Wanna Cookie dog biscuit.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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