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The Eater Boston Winter 2022 Dining Headquarters

Bookmark this page for cold-weather restaurant recommendations and other pertinent information all season long

by Rachel Leah Blumenthal Updated
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Boston’s buckling in for another snowstorm, so it’s time to dig the sleds and snow pants out of storage if you haven’t already, plan some complicated baking projects, and figure out which local restaurants are serving boozy hot chocolate on their fire pit-bedecked patios.

Bookmark this page: Updated frequently throughout the season, this will be your place to find out how to make the most of winter in Boston — and beyond — in terms of what to eat, drink, and cook. Whether you’re looking for the best soups at Boston-area restaurants or a guide to a winter-friendly getaway in Portland, Maine, you’ll find it here.

Have a burning question about local winter dining that’s not yet answered here? Email boston@eater.com and we’ll do our best to help out.

This page was originally published on January 7, 2022; the date of the most recent update appears above.

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More to come. What do you want to eat when it’s cold? Let us know.

Overhead shot of khao soi on a bright yellow surface. The bowl has a traditional Thai pattern on it, including a rooster. The khao soi includes pickled mustard greens, an egg, lime wedges, a nest of crispy noodles, and more.
Khao soi at Dakzen.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

Looking for a winter-friendly road trip from Boston filled with good food and drink? Try one of these.

Overhead view of an aged picnic tabletop covered with plates of food, including schnitzel and sausage
A spread of seasonal plates at the Canteen in Provincetown, a Cape Cod destination worth checking out in the colder months.
The Canteen

From enclosed patios to private igloos, restaurants are trying to keep diners warm outside (or sort of outside) this winter.

Glowing see-through igloos sit on a rooftop with city skyline views in the background.
Igloos at Lookout Rooftop and Bar at the Envoy Hotel.
Envoy Hotel

Visit our winter outdoor dining map for 30 Boston-area restaurants that have heated patios and/or private heated igloos, yurts, or greenhouses and intend to keep them open throughout all or most of winter 2022.

Here’s a running list of Boston-area restaurants that are offering snow day specials throughout the season.

  • Grand Tour (314 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston): Whenever a snow emergency has been declared, get complimentary frites with every bottle of red wine ordered all day.
  • Kings Dining & Entertainment (multiple locations): On snow days, Massachusetts locations of Kings are giving children under 12 free play on arcade games all day with purchase of a bowling game.
  • Publico Street Bistro (11 Dorchester St., South End, Boston): Whenever it snows three or more inches in Boston, there’s a $5 menu available at the bar.
  • Rebel’s Guild (Revere Hotel, 200 Stuart St., downtown Boston): All season long on any days with significant snowfall, Rebel’s Guild is offering free hot chocolate after the meal (with purchase of an entree) and half-off orders of beef and ricotta meatballs with tomato sauce (normally $12). There’ll also be hot toddies and hot rum ciders on the menu.
  • The Salty Pig (130 Dartmouth St., Back Bay, Boston): Whenever it snows three or more inches in Boston, $1 garlic knots will be available at the bar.
  • Select Oyster Bar (50 Gloucester St., Back Bay, Boston): Whenever a snow emergency has been declared in Boston, get complimentary avocado toast with every bottle of Champagne ordered all day.
  • SRV (569 Columbus Ave., South End, Boston): When a snow emergency is declared in Boston, get $1 polpette in the bar area.

Get ski lodge vibes without leaving the city.

A ski lodge-style seating area features rustic benches and Adirondack rocking chairs and a large stuffed bear holding a sign that says “the Lodge at Publico.”
The Lodge at Publico in South Boston.
Publico Street Bistro
  • Après Skate Bar at Time Out Market Boston (401 Park Dr., Fenway, Boston): There’s a skating rink at Time Out Market Boston, and the Skate Bar will be operating through March 6 on Fridays (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and weekends (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.). On the menu: hot drinks with and without alcohol, including hot chocolate, hot apple cider, hot buttered rum, and more, as well as non-hot drinks like local beers. For food, there are soft pretzels and Liege waffles from Eastern Standard Provisions Co.
  • The Lodge at Publico Street Bistro (11 Dorchester St., South Boston): The South Boston restaurant is continuing its annual tradition of turning its interior courtyard into a ski lodge-inspired space; it’ll be operational through the end of March, open Thursday through Sunday. There are flannel blankets, fire pits, heated lounge areas, and artificial snow to set the mood, with a menu of lodge-inspired snacks and drinks (including a Shot-Ski and hot drinks).
  • Snowport (88 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston): WS Development, which is behind Boston Seaport (a giant development project within Boston’s Seaport District), is hosting Snowport through February 28, a lineup of winter activities (like curling), events, markets, and more. Find a full schedule and other details, including information on other Snowport activities, at the Boston Seaport website.

Between snowstorms and COVID surges, it’s a great season to spend some time cozying up at home and enjoying some cooking projects as well as takeout and delivery from your local favorites.

A stack of eight cookbooks, spines facing the camera, with titles including Sweet Basil, Soframiz, Double Awesome Chinese Food, and more.
A selection of Boston restaurant cookbooks.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

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