Spring is officially here, and while true patio weather hasn’t quite arrived yet, some Boston-area restaurants have already opened their patios, with lots more hoping to do so in the early days of April. Bookmark this page: It will serve as home base for all outdoor dining and drinking updates for 2019, updated frequently between now and the end of patio season. Got patio intel to share? Hit up boston@eater.com.
Tip: On a laptop or desktop computer? Use control+F or command+F, depending on your operating system, to search for “officially open” to jump to each section of new opening announcements. You may also want to try “roof,” “dog-friendly,” or the name of your favorite restaurant. Even if you don’t spot it in the most recent update, it may have been covered earlier in this guide.
This piece was originally published on March 21, 2019; it is being updated periodically, and the date of the most recent update appears above. Updates are dated and listed from newest to oldest below.
April 12, 2019
73 degrees tomorrow, with a passing morning shower? Time to make those patio lunch and dinner plans. Here are more patios that are officially open for the season — or will be this weekend:
- Alcove (50 Lovejoy Wharf, West End, Boston): Open as of April 6, this sizable dog-friendly patio is steps from TD Garden and offers unbeatable Zakim Bridge views. There are 40 seats as well as standing high-top space for 30 or more people. No guarantees, but Alcove will try to accommodate patio reservation requests. The patio’s hours follow the restaurant’s general hours.
- The Barking Crab (88 Sleeper St., Seaport District, Boston): Open for 25 years, the Barking Crab serves a seafood-filled menu right on the water. Its tent-covered patio is a popular spot for group dining and private events. The patio is open this weekend, weather-permitting, and it will then be open Thursday through Sunday until Memorial Day. Post-Memorial Day, it’ll be open daily.
- Benedetto (Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Opening for the season this weekend, the Benedetto patio is covered, heated, and tucked away in the Charles Hotel courtyard. The Italian restaurant is the younger sibling to Giulia on Mass. Ave.
- Bistro du Midi (272 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston): French food with Public Garden views.
- Boston Chops (1375 Washington St., South End, Boston): The steakhouse’s original South End location features a 40-seat sidewalk patio right out front. Open for dinner daily and brunch on Sunday.
- Deep Ellum (477 Cambridge St., Allston, Boston): One of the best hidden patios around, Deep Ellum’s back deck is open for the season, whenever it’s nice enough.
- Fuji at WOC (1420 Hancock St., Quincy Center): Eat sushi and more on this 28-seat sidewalk patio.
- The Hawthorne (500A Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square, Boston): Eastern Standard’s neighbor and sibling, a classy cocktail bar, has opened its patio for the season; it’s in operation when weather permits. And stay tuned: Its “Swizzle Sunday” event series is set to return this summer.
- Henrietta’s Table (Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): Located in the Charles Hotel’s courtyard with Benedetto, Henrietta’s Table’s patio is open for lunch and dinner, serving New England cuisine. The restaurant has been open for over two decades.
- Hojoko (The Verb Hotel, 1271 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston): This Fenway izakaya from the O Ya team has poolside outdoor seating in the hotel’s courtyard. It’s open for the season now, whenever weather actually permits.
- Lion’s Tail (354 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston): The patio opens this weekend and will be open daily, weather-permitting.
- Naco Taco (297 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge): If it’s over 60 degrees and sunny, the patio is open.
- Pier 6 (1 8th St., Charlestown): Water views from this boat-like restaurant. Plus, Pier 6 will be hosting a Kentucky Derby party on the patio with the option to take a water taxi over to a party at sister restaurant Reel House in East Boston.
- Porto (Ring Rd., Back Bay, Boston): While Porto hasn’t announced an official opening date for the patio yet, it’ll at least be open on Marathon Monday, April 15, for an all-day $1 oyster roast with plenty of bubbly and a variety of specials.
- Publico Street Bistro & Garden (11 Dorchester St., South Boston): Publico’s attractive courtyard, which is fully surrounded by the building, is open year-round (although covered with a retractable roof in colder months, when it is given more of a ski lodge vibe) and features heated floors, fire pits, a bar, covered lounge areas, and more. Its garden theme returns this weekend, and the retractable roof will be open Friday through Sunday until Memorial Day, when weather permits. In May, Publico will add a patio in front of the restaurant with high-tops and will debut a new theme in the courtyard.
- Restaurant Dante (Royal Sonesta, 40 Edwin H. Land Blvd., East Cambridge): A large patio with river views.
- Rozafa Mediterranaean Bistro (1089 Hancock St., Quincy Center): 35 seats and shaded by trees and umbrellas. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- The Salty Pig (130 Dartmouth St., Back Bay, Boston): The spacious patio is conveniently located right across from Back Bay Station. The Salty Pig’s patio tends to get especially busy during weekday lunchtime. It’s set to open April 15.
- SRV (569 Columbus Ave., South End, Boston): Hidden behind the restaurant, the 40-seat patio is decorated with string lights and surrounded by ivy-covered bricks. Once it opens for the season (slated for April 15) it tends to stay open unless it’s raining or freezing.
- Temazcal Tequila Cantina (250 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston): Harbor views and loads of tequila. For those who don’t want to be completely outside, the floor-to-ceiling windows opening out to the patio make the inside dining room a solid almost-al-fresco option.
- Tony C’s Sports Bar & Grill (1265 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston; 250 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston; 699 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville): Each of the three Boston and Boston-adjacent locations of this small sports bar chain features outdoor dining. The Fenway location has a roof deck with Fenway Park views, and the Seaport District location is on the water.
- Trillium Brewing Company (50 Thomson Pl., Fort Point, Boston): Trillium plans to debut its third-floor roof deck on Marathon Monday, April 15. The roof has its own bar, drink rail, and lounge areas.
- Victory Point (332 Victory Rd., Marina Bay, Quincy): The deck patio of this seafood restaurant offers Harbor Islands views — and yacht views, too.
And these patios are coming soon (or eventually):
- Alba Prime Steak & Seafood (1486 Hancock St., Quincy): Alba’s already-popular roof deck is getting a big expansion, from 1,200 square feet to 5,000 square feet (on top of Alba and its sibling and neighbor, Zef). The new roof deck should be open by mid-to-late May and will feature an outdoor kitchen, live entertainment, sushi bar, apple and pear trees, an herb and produce garden, special dishes only available on the roof deck, and a roof that can shut in case of rain.
- Brewer’s Alley at Boston Harbor Hotel (70 Rowes Wharf, Downtown Boston): This beer garden will feature a rotating selection of local breweries, starting with a month of Cape Cod’s Devil’s Purse that begins on May 23. Open daily.
- Café Beatrice (182 Western Ave., Allston, Boston): On May 1, Puritan & Co.’s Will Gilson will open a six-month pop-up at Harvard’s Zone 3 space that previously housed Rabottini’s Pizza. The all-day cafe features large garage doors that open onto a patio.
- City Winery on the Greenway (Dewey Square on the Greenway [near South Station], Downtown Boston): This wine garden will feature reds, whites, and rosés on tap from City Winery, plus beers and ciders from Harpoon, and charcuterie, olives, nuts, and cheeses to eat. It’s opening sometime in May and will operate Wednesday through Sunday.
- Mastro’s Ocean Club (25 Fan Pier Blvd., Seaport District, Boston): The 60-seat patio has harbor views. It’ll open sometime in May.
- Ocean Prime (140 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston): The 12-table patio will open on May 20.
- Owl’s Nest (Night Shift beer gardens) (Esplanade; Herter Park Amphitheater/Public Gardens, Allston): Night Shift’s duo of Owl’s Nest beer gardens will be returning this year, starting on May 4. The Esplanade space will be larger this year, and the Herter Park space will be in a different spot. Stay tuned for more details.
- Reel House (6 New St., East Boston): Reel House will host a Kentucky Derby party on May 4, with attendees having the option of taking the water taxi to a party at sister spot Pier 6 in Charlestown.
- Smith & Wollensky (294 Congress St., Atlantic Wharf, Boston): Steak and seafood with views of Fort Point Channel. The patio is shaded by an awning and umbrellas, and it’s slated for an April 15 opening.
- Stephanie’s on Newbury (190 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston): This longtime Newbury Street patio staple begins its season with a Kentucky Derby party on May 4.
April 5, 2019
With a nice-ish weekend in store, here are some more patios that are now officially open:
- Elm Street Taproom (256 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville): From the team behind Five Horses Tavern and Worden Hall, this fairly new addition to Davis Square features a bit of sidewalk seating out front.
- Five Horses Tavern (400 Highland Ave., Davis Square, Somerville; 535 Columbus Ave., South End, Boston): Both Five Horses locations have opened their sidewalk patios for the season.
- Parish Cafe (361 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston): This 50-seat umbrella-bedecked patio gets especially busy during weekday lunches. The restaurant’s full food and drink menus are available outside.
- River Bar (661 Assembly Row, Assembly Row, Somerville): River Bar’s spacious patio — which features fire pits and lounge furniture — is open and accepting walk-ins as well as large party bookings.
- Worden Hall (22 W. Broadway, South Boston): Eat deep-dish pizza and more on the sidewalk in front of this South Boston restaurant.
Coming soon:
- Audubon Boston (838 Beacon St., Fenway, Boston): The Audubon patio, hidden behind the restaurant and enclosed by high fencing and bamboo, is ready and waiting for a warm day. There’s a 65-inch television out there, and the restaurant will be posting surprise dollar oyster specials and wine days on Instagram.
- Cunard Tavern (24 Orleans St., East Boston): Cunard Tavern will open its 50-person roof deck for the season on May 4 with a Kentucky Derby party from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be awards for best dressed and best hat; Knob Creek whiskey specials; giveaways; and plenty of mint juleps.
- Dorchester Brewing Company (1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester, Boston): This Dorchester brewery has expansion plans in the works that will include a roof deck (as well as a restaurant and more taproom space). Renovations could be done by October.
- The Patios at City Hall Plaza (1 City Hall Plz., Downtown Boston): Boston’s spring and summer City Hall Plaza installation returns on May 2, featuring a Wachusett Brewing Company beer yard (with specific dog-friendly days), evening food truck appearances, and other food and drink options and entertainment.
- Trillium Brewing Company’s Garden on the Greenway (High Street at Atlantic Avenue, Downtown Boston): Trillium’s beer garden on Boston’s Greenway is returning for a third season; the company hasn’t announced an opening date yet, but it may be around late spring. There will be a variety of Trillium beers available, including Trillium’s Fresh Press collection, which combines Trillium Wild Ale with juices (such as strawberry and watermelon), plus wines from Westport Rivers, and attendees can bring food in. The beer garden will be open Wednesday through Sunday.
April 1, 2019
Officially open (but remember that not every patio that has opened for the season will be open every day; everything’s very weather-dependent this time of the season):
- Casa Caña (Studio Allston Hotel, 1234 Soldiers Field Rd., Allston, Boston): This Latin American restaurant, which won the 2018 readers’ choice award for restaurant design, features a two-level patio with its own bar and fireplace. Patio season began the weekend of March 30 and continues when weather permits.
- Lolita Fort Point (253 Summer St., Fort Point, Boston): Lots of tequila options — and views of Fort Point Channel.
- Tia’s (200 Atlantic Ave., Waterfront, Boston): Decades of waterfront dining.
Coming soon:
- Chickadee (Innovation and Design Building, 21 Dry Dock Ave., Seaport District, Boston): Located on the Innovation and Design Building promenade, the Chickadee patio is sheltered from direct sunlight and rain. It seats 30, serves the same menu as inside the restaurant (from Eater Boston’s 2018 chef of the year, John daSilva), and is reserved for walk-ins. While patio furniture is arriving on April 1, the team will probably wait for slightly nicer weather before opening up the patio; stay tuned.
- Lawn on D (420 D St., Seaport District, Boston): This Seaport District outdoor space, which is open to the public and is also usable for events, will reopen for the season in May.
- Sowa Beer Garden and Food Trucks (540 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston): The Sowa Open Market returns for its 16th season on May 5, operating every Sunday through late October. The dog-friendly and family-friendly market spans several blocks and includes a beer garden and food truck area.
March 29, 2019
Officially open as of today:
- Atwood’s Tavern (877 Cambridge St., East Cambridge): One of Cambridge’s favorite hidden patios is back for the season, promising tons of beers, meatball subs, and more.
- The Hourly (15 Dunster St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): The Hourly’s patio has a similar vibe as one of its Harvard siblings, Russell House — it’s set back from the sidewalk and full of brick and string lights.
- Park (59 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This small garden-level patio (three tables and a bar rail, plus heaters) enjoys shade thanks to the overhang of its building.
- State Street Provisions (255 State St., Waterfront, Boston): The Grafton Group’s Boston proper property has a patio wrapped around its corner, with one side facing the Greenway.
- Temple Bar (1688 Massachusetts Ave., between Porter and Harvard squares, Cambridge): A sidewalk patio with plenty of people-watching — it’s on the busy stretch of Massachusetts Avenue that connects Porter and Harvard.
Also already officially open:
- Eastern Standard (528 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square, Boston): A pre- or post-Sox game must-try for over a decade, Eastern Standard boasts a popular covered patio on the sidewalk right in front of the restaurant. It officially opened for the season on March 23.
- Komyuniti (Yotel Boston, 65 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston): Located on the ground floor of Yotel Boston, Komyuniti serves breakfast and an all-day menu of lobster rolls, cheeseburgers, salads, and more. Its patio is already open for the season.
Coming later:
- Trillium Brewing Company (401 Park Dr., Fenway, Boston): Fort Point’s Trillium Brewing will continue its massive growth with a greenhouse-like Fenway taproom with indoor and outdoor space, located on the lawn of the 401 Park development — right by the forthcoming Time Out Market food hall. It could open by the end of summer 2019.
March 28, 2019
Officially open as of today:
- Bronwyn (255 Washington St., Union Square, Somerville): Union Square’s headquarters for German and Central European food opens its intimate biergarten on Thursday, March 28. Following its seasonal debut, it will remain open — weather-permitting — throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Coming soon:
- B&G Oysters (550 Tremont St., South End, Boston): Sunken below street level and decorated with greenery and string lights, this romantic patio is slated to open during the first week of April, if weather permits.
March 27, 2019
More officially open updates:
- Mare (3 Mechanic St., North End, Boston): Part of Frank DePasquale’s North End empire, seafood restaurant Mare — formerly located on Richmond Street — has a patio full of couches and fire pits. Open for dinner seven days a week. It was originally planning to open on April 1 but debuted a few days early.
- Remnant Brewing (2 Bow Market Wy., Bow Market, Union Square, Somerville): As mentioned in the March 21 update below, Bow Market’s main courtyard is always open. Now Bow’s resident brewery, Remnant, has officially opened its own back beer garden for the season as well — and it’s dog-friendly, as are the rest of Bow’s outdoor spaces.
- Trattoria Il Panino (11 Parmenter St., North End, Boston): Now open for the season, the heated 50-seat patio has a retractable awning for comfort in a variety of weather conditions. It’s open for lunch and dinner.
March 25, 2019
A few more updates are coming in regarding patio opening timelines. These patios are now officially open as of March 24:
- Grafton Street (1230 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This Harvard Square mainstay features a sidewalk patio out front, and it has heaters.
- Russell House Tavern (14 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge): This cozy little patio is set back from the main sidewalk and features loads of brick, string lights, and Harvard Square charm. Like its sibling Grafton Street, it has heaters on the patio.
Note, though, that especially in early spring, even patios that have opened for the season won’t necessarily be open every day, depending on weather conditions. Check social media or call restaurants to verify before heading over if you have your heart set on dining al fresco.
March 22, 2019
Some more patio updates trickling in on this rainy day:
- Moldova Restaurant (344 Watertown St., Newton): Newton’s resident Moldovan restaurant — which recently expanded into an adjacent space — plans to open a new patio this year. Owner Artur Andronic has shared a rendering of what it might look like and says that it will open in May at the latest (April if weather allows).
- Sunset Cantina (916 Commonwealth Ave., Boston): The popular BU-area bar came under new ownership in late 2018 (which included the return of some of the original team) and is slated to open a new patio around May 2019 with “loads of frozen margaritas.”
March 21, 2019
Details are already rolling in for a number of restaurants that plan to open their patios in the early days of April:
- Alibi (Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles St., Beacon Hill, Boston): The Alibi patio can fit 130 (65 seated) and, once the season begins, it is open until 2 a.m. nightly, when weather permits. The full Alibi menu is available on the patio.
- Buttermilk & Bourbon (160 Commonwealth Ave., Back Bay, Boston): Jason Santos’ New Orleans-inspired restaurant has a colorful 85-seat patio that includes umbrella-bedecked picnic tables, lounge seating, and a small bar. Open for dinner daily, plus Sunday brunch.
- Deuxave (371 Commonwealth Ave., Back Bay, Boston): Fine French on a 40-seat patio at the bustling intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue.
- Nebo Cucina & Enoteca (520 Atlantic Ave., Waterfront, Boston): Located next to the Greenway, Nebo has a 75-seat patio with umbrellas and heat lamps. The Italian restaurant’s full menu is available on the patio, and patio hours match the restaurant’s hours (open for weekday lunch and dinner every day except for Sunday).
- Scampo (Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles St., Beacon Hill, Boston): Along with Alibi, the Liberty Hotel’s Scampo has patio space. It can seat 68 and is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, weather permitting, once the season begins. It’s also available for appetizer receptions and full buyouts.
Coming soon, but later than the first week of April:
- Tico (222 Berkeley St., Back Bay, Boston): This Back Bay patio seats 80 and features an outdoor fireplace and bar. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner and serves a menu inspired by South American and Spanish cuisine. The patio will likely open close to May.
Plus, some patios are already (or always) open; bundle up and check these out right now:
- Bow Market (1 Bow Market Wy., Union Square, Somerville): Brave the Union Square construction nightmare to get to Bow Market, which features over 30 food, beverage, and retail vendors in a two-story structure centered around a courtyard that’s always open. Bonus: It’s very dog-friendly and child-friendly. Note: For now, alcohol must be kept in designated areas near its specific vendor, except on certain event days, but customers can move freely around the complex with food from any vendor.
- KO Pies at the Shipyard (Boston Harbor Shipyard, 256 Marginal St., East Boston): This popular Australian meat pie purveyor plans to close at some point this year, so get your fill now. The patio — which has a cover — has made its 2019 debut and is open when weather permits. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday.
- Sullivan’s (2080 Day Blvd., South Boston): The Castle Island standby has been serving inexpensive hot dogs, fried seafood, and more for decades. Its seasonal reopening is always one of the first signs of spring. There’s no inside seating; grab a spot at a picnic table outside or explore Castle Island with hot dog in hand. Note: Many other seasonal seafood joints also have outdoor seating. Keep an eye on the seasonal reopening schedule here.