As Massachusetts continues to reemerge from the shutdown, restaurants are getting their al fresco areas up and running for dine-in patrons. 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 social 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 on-site dining so stay tuned and definitely check back for updates.
Word to the wise: we’ll be adjusting the info below as the situation continues to evolve and restaurants figure out what works for them (and you!) so it’s still probably your best bet to give the restaurant a ring to make sure they can accommodate you.
Right in Sudbury, Twenty-Nine Rustic Mediterranean has a spacious patio that serves as the perfect spot to grab a bite with friends and relax under the shade of Twenty-Nine's big orange umbrellas. Twenty-Nine Rustic not only offers outdoor dining options, but also an outdoor lounging option for those looking to spend their summer nights socializing and comfortably sipping on cocktails.
Uni
370 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215 617-536-7200
Enjoy the best of Chef Tony Messina's creative sashimi, sushi, and Japanese fare on UNI's patio facing Mass Ave while you sip down boozy treats like beer slushies and nitrogen cocktails.
Urban Hearth
2263 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02140 617-682-7295
Annexing the parking spaces in front of the restaurant and some sidewalk real estate from their lovely neighbors, the folks at Urban Hearth have opened an expanded seasonal patio with room for as many as 24 diners (weather permitting, of course). Reservations are recommended, masks are required and sunglasses are totally optional.
Viale
502 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 617-576-1900
In addition to the al fresco dining area right out on the sidewalk in front of their Central Square spot, Greg Reeves and his team have added a new secret patio where you can have a socially-distant dinner down a hidden alley surrounded by graffiti and street art.
Ward 8
90 N Washington Street Boston, MA 02114 617-823-4478
The folks at Ward 8 invite diners to join them on their recently-opened outdoor dining area, located in the formerly-vacant lot to the left of the restaurant. Snag a table under the sparkling lights to enjoy menu of New American fare, craft cocktails and local micro-brews.
Belmont diners have another idyllic destination for al fresco eats - The Wellington has set up their patio for the season, inviting folks to join them for contemporary (yet classic) American fare whenever the mood strikes (and the weather permits).
Woods Hill Pier 4
300 Pier Four Boulevard Boston, MA 02210 617-981-4577
Woods Hill Pier 4 debuts their spacious waterfront patio which boasts some of the most beautiful views of Boston Harbor. The harborside oasis is serving a new all-day summer menu with chef Charlie Foster's signature sustainable and nutrient-rich dishes including East coast oysters, Little Leaf mixed green salad with seasonal veggies, lobster popovers, and more.
Woods Hill Table
24 Commonwealth Avenue Concord, MA 01742 978-254-1435
Make like a modern day Thoreau and enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of the expansive patio at Woods Hill Table. You can commune with nature with a cocktail in hand and a plate of oysters in front of you at the farm-to-table Concord restaurant – no cottage in the woods required.
With a little rearranging, Worden Hall's sidewalk patio is now ready to host all your socially-distant summer get togethers. The team at the West Broadway spot have moved things around and spaced everything out so you can safely enjoy their menu of casual comfort fare whenever the mood strikes.
Yellow Door Taqueria – Lower Mills
2297 Dorchester Avenue Boston, MA 02124 857-267-4201
The fiesta spills out on the sidewalk at the Lower Mills location of Yellow Door Taqueria. The stylish little Mexican spot on Dot Ave has set up al fresco seating so you can spend the warm summer months noshing on tacos and sucking down margaritas.
The Yellow Door Taqueria folks have created an urban oasis right in the heart of the South End. Snag a table in the sun and get some much-needed vitamin D while you enjoy inventive tacos and creative house-made margaritas - just be sure to bring your shades and your sunscreen and also your mask.
Zephyr on the Charles
575 Memorial Drive Cambridge, MA 02139 617-492-1234
Zephyr on the Charles already boasts killer year-round views through its picture windows but the arrival of patio season just sweetens the deal. The shaded terrace looks directly out onto the Charles River and offers amazing vantage points of many downtown Boston landmarks.
