Hands hold two banh mi over pavement — Eat banh mi from Ba Le at a playground a couple blocks from the shop

How to Have a Great Takeout Picnic in Boston

Try one of these top takeout picks and eat in a nice park nearby

by Terrence Doyle and Rachel Leah Blumenthal Aug 13, 2020, 10:48am EDT

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Eat banh mi from Ba Le at a playground a couple blocks from the shop

| Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

by Terrence Doyle and Rachel Leah Blumenthal Aug 13, 2020, 10:48am EDT

While restaurants are beginning to reopen indoors and outdoors in Boston, it’s still the summer of social distancing. Perhaps the best way to simultaneously support local restaurants, bask in the nice weather, and avoid people as much as possible is to get takeout and enjoy it in your own little corner of one of Boston’s many parks.

Each point on this map highlights one great local restaurant currently offering takeout, some of the best dishes to order there, and a nearby outdoor seating option. Some are small, no-frills playgrounds with a couple benches; some include acres of greenery and to-die-for views; one has old bear cages. In any case, it’s a chance for fresh air, sunshine, and good food.

Wear a mask, clean up your trash, and enjoy what remains of the very strange summer of 2020.

Brewer's Fork

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What to Eat: Brewer’s Fork serves exceptionally good wood-fired pizza; try the Killer B, which features salami and hot honey.

Where to Eat: Take your historical pick — the Charlestown Navy Yard (water views) and Bunker Hill Monument (tons of grassy space, perfect for picnicking) are both close by.

How to Order: Official Website [takeout]

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7 Moulton St, Charlestown, MA 02129

(617) 337-5703

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Overhead view of a pizza in a takeout pizza box topped with fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and a meaty jam. — A takeout pizza from Brewer’s Fork (the Bacon Jammy: bacon jam, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil)

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KO Catering & Pies

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What to Eat: Hidden deep within the artsy Boston Harbor Shipyard in East Boston, KO Pies is known for its Australian meat pies; get one. The classic beef is a good starting point, but pay attention to the monthly special. Maybe get a sausage roll, too.

Where to Eat: At the gorgeous Piers Park (95 Marginal St., Boston) right down the street. The expansive space has numerous benches, picnic tables, grassy areas, and probably the best downtown Boston skyline views anywhere in the area.

How to Order: Show up and call when you get there (menus and instructions onsite) [takeout] / Uber Eats [delivery]

16, 256 Marginal St, East Boston, MA 02128

(617) 418-5234

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An Australian meat pie sits in a paper container on a red tray on a red and white picnic table — A meat pie at KO Pies in East Boston

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Florina Pizzeria & Paninoteca

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What to Eat: Beacon Hill-area workers already know the secret: Florina is the spot to go in the neighborhood for excellent jumbo pizza slices. Get one. The panini hit the spot, too, and may be easier to handle for picnic purposes.

Where to Eat: In front of the State House, Boston Common (or a bit farther west into the Public Garden) is the obvious choice. The Common and the Garden, among Boston’s best-known and largest green spaces, have definitely seen their share of crowds during the pandemic, but there’s more than enough room to spread out and find a quiet bench or patch of grass.

How to Order: Official Website [takeout] / Caviar [delivery]

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16 Derne St, Boston, MA 02114

(617) 936-4494

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Overhead view of a giant slice of cheese pizza on a paper plate on a wooden counter — A single Florina’s slice is the size of two at most other pizzerias

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James Hook & Co

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What to Eat: A lobster roll — it’s one of the best around, and it’s available both ways, with butter or with mayo. Get whoopie pies for dessert. James Hook & Co is a classic spot, around for nearly a century.

Where to Eat: Pop across the street onto the Rose Kennedy Greenway and find a segment that suits you. If you head just a bit north on the Greenway, the Rowes Wharf section is especially nice and spacious.

How to Order: Just show up [takeout]

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440 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02210

(617) 423-5501

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Lobster meat is piled into a hot dog bun, which sits on aluminum foil in a red and white paper holder. It sits on an aged picnic table outdoors, with more tables and chairs, as well as some greenery, visible in the background. — A lobster roll at James Hook

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Coreanos

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What to Eat: Spicy garlic soy Korean fried chicken. It’s some of the best fried chicken in Boston. And if chicken on the bone isn’t your thing, try the fried chicken poppers, which come drizzled with a variety of sauces and are served on a bed of french fries.

Where to Eat: Ringer Playground (85 Allston St., Boston), which is less than half a mile from Coreanos.

How to Order: Text the word “menu” to (857) 285-2679 [takeout] / DoorDash [takeout/delivery] / Grubhub [delivery] / Uber Eats [delivery]

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172 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134

(617) 208-8822

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Saucy fried chicken sits in a disposable container with sides of radish and slaw next to it on a wooden table — Korean fried chicken at Coreanos

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Dumpling Cafe

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What to Eat: Taiwan-style pan-fried dumplings. They are as good as it gets in Boston. Also worth ordering at Dumpling Cafe: the Taiwan-style eggplant and the string beans.

Where to Eat: Mary Soo Hoo Park (Hudson Street, Boston), which is located down the street and around the corner from the restaurant, adjacent to the Chinatown Gate. (It’s at the Chinatown end of the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Can’t find a good space? Keep following the Greenway for more options.)

How to Order: Official Website [takeout] / DoorDash [takeout/delivery] / Grubhub [takeout/delivery] / Uber Eats [delivery]

695 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111

(617) 338-8859

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A wooden steamer holds half a dozen plump soup dumplings. The steamer sits on a round white plate on a wooden table. — Dumpling Cafe’s soup dumplings, pictured here, are best eaten fresh at the restaurant, but the Taiwan-style pan-fried dumplings will hold up well for takeout

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MDM Noodles

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What to Eat: Boston’s reputation as a city with good hand-pulled noodles is growing, and MDM’s are an exemplar of the genre. Order the hand-pulled noodles with beef and scallions, the hand-pulled noodles with scrambled eggs and tomatoes, or the spicy hand-pulled noodles with boiled lamb. Hurry to your destination: Hand-pulled noodles are best eaten very fresh.

Where to Eat: Brighton Common (30 Chestnut Hill Ave.), which is two blocks south of the restaurant.

How to Order: Official Website [takeout] / DoorDash [delivery] / Grubhub [takeout/delivery]

351 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135

(617) 208-8663

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Where to Eat Hand-Pulled Noodles in and Around Boston

El Pelón Taqueria

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What to Eat: The El Guapo burrito, which comes with grilled steak and fried plantains. Burritos don’t get much better than this.

Where to Eat: Gorge on El Guapo while watching overachievers play recreational sports at Roberto Clemente Field (Park Drive, Boston), which is located in the Fens, just several blocks south of El Pelón.

How to Order: Official Website [takeout] / DoorDash [delivery] / Grubhub [delivery] / Uber Eats [delivery]

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92 Peterborough St, Boston, MA 02215

(617) 262-9090

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A burrito, sliced in half, sits in a white and red paper container on a wooden table — El Guapo at El Pelón

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Sullivan's Castle Island

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What to Eat: This South Boston classic is known for its affordable hot dogs, burgers, and such; there’s some fried seafood, too. Take your pick.

Where to Eat: Anywhere around Castle Island (which is a peninsula, not an island). Grass, benches, water views.

How to Order: Official Website [takeout] / Limited walk-in orders also accepted

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2080 William J Day Blvd, South Boston, MA 02127

(617) 268-5685

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A double cheeseburger, hot dog topped with relish, container of fries, and cup of soda sit outside in the sun — A spread of food from Sullivan’s

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Bangkok Pinto

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What to Eat: Mama drunken noodles, which are made with instant noodles instead of flat rice noodles. Order them with crispy chicken on top.

Where to Eat: Frederick Douglass Peace Garden (Cabot Street), which is a couple blocks northeast of Bangkok Pinto, or the nearby Bessie Barnes Park (Sussex Street).

How to Order: Official Website [takeout] / Grubhub [takeout/delivery]

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1041 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

(617) 442-5555

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The Eater Boston Team’s 2020 Top Delivery and Takeout Standbys

Milkweed

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What to Eat: It depends on the meal at Milkweed, which is open all day. For breakfast: Nutella and strawberry French toast. For lunch: turkey BLTA (the “a” is for avocado.) Dinner: buttermilk fried chicken, period, end of story.

Where to Eat: Kevin W. Fitzgerald Park (145-157 St. Alphonsus St., Boston), which is located just behind Tremont Street and a block up “the Hill.” It has a breathtaking view of the Boston skyline.

How to Order: Caviar [takeout/delivery]

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1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

(617) 516-8913

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A plate of French toast sits on a restaurant counter by a sunny window — Nutella and strawberry French toast at Milkweed

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Bess’s Cafe

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What to Eat: (Ok, this one’s not technically in Boston, but it’s close enough to the JP border.) So, what to eat. The whole menu? And if not, then at least the pork and chive dumplings and the chicken dumplings with Sichuan sauce. These are some more of the best dumplings in Greater Boston — or anywhere. Throw in Bess’s Cafe’s scallion pancake wrap, too. Why not?

Where to Eat: Just across the street at Clark Playground (195 Cyprus St., Brookline).

How to Order: (617) 879-0993 [takeout] / DoorDash [delivery]

224 Cypress St, Brookline, MA 02445

(617) 879-0993

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Beef is wrapped in a flaky scallion pancake, sitting on a white plate on a black tabletop — Scallion pancake wrap at Bess’s Cafe

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Alex's Chimis

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What to Eat: Social distancing guidelines dictate that the line is often out the door at this Jamaica Plain Dominican spot. The line was often out the door before social distancing guidelines were instituted, however. Get the the orejita (pig ears) and the rotisserie chicken. Alex’s Chimis has been a mainstay on Centre Street for two decades and is one of the city’s best Dominican restaurants.

Where to Eat: The Arnold Arboretum isn’t exactly close to Alex’s Chimis, but it’s worth the time it takes to get there. The signs say “no picnics,” but there’s plenty of woody coverage in the park behind which to hide while you eat those fried pig ears. Just make sure to pick up after yourself. The arboretum is pristine, and littering is, simply put, trash. Less inclined to rule-breaking? Try the Mozart Street Playground, just a couple blocks from the restaurant on Centre Street.

How to Order: Official Website [takeout] / DoorDash [takeout/delivery] / Uber Eats [delivery]

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358 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

(617) 522-5201

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A plate of charred rotisserie chicken with rice, fried plantains, and lime wedges — Rotisserie chicken at Alex’s Chimis

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Ba Le

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What to Eat: The grilled beef banh mi, which is served on a homemade baguette with a shatteringly crisp exterior and pillowy soft interior. This might be the best sandwich — and it’s definitely some of the best Vietnamese food — in the city.

Where to Eat: Robert E. Ryan Playground, which is a few blocks north of Ba Le on Dorchester Avenue.

How to Order: (617) 265-7171 [takeout] / DoorDash [delivery]

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1052 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02125

(617) 265-7171

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Murl's Kitchen

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What to Eat: Curry chicken, curry goat, jerk chicken, or oxtail. This Four Corners Jamaican restaurant also serves a variety of seafood options and the compulsory (and delicious) beef patties.

Where to Eat: Franklin Park (1 Franklin Park Rd.) — Boston’s biggest and best park — is just several blocks from the restaurant. Explore the old bear cages (don’t worry, they’re empty now), and hit the zoo after you’ve finished your oxtail.

How to Order: (617) 506-7331 [takeout] / Uber Eats [delivery]

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143 Washington St, Dorchester, MA 02121

(617) 506-7331

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Also featured in:

12 Excellent Dorchester Restaurants for Takeout and Delivery

Effie's Kitchen

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What to Eat: The traditional gyro. It’s served on an impossibly chewy pita that’s made in-house, packed with bits of charred, juicy pork. Effie’s is criminally underrated.

Where to Eat: Across the street in Adams Park, which is located in the heart of Roslindale Village.

How to Order: (617) 942-2247 [takeout] / DoorDash [delivery]

37 Poplar St, Boston, MA 02131

(617) 942-2247

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Flames Restaurant, Inc

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What to Eat: The original location of Flames (there are now three others) serves up some of the finest Caribbean food in the area. Any of the various curries will do, as will the tripe and beans.

Where to Eat: Massachusetts Audubon’s Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, which is just under a mile from Flames and teeming with more than 100 species of birds. It might be difficult eating stew while out in nature, so maybe eat in the car or on a bench before going birdwatching.

How to Order: (617) 296-4972 [takeout]

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663 Morton St, Mattapan, MA 02126

(617) 296-4972

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How to Have a Great Takeout Picnic in Boston

Brewer's Fork

KO Catering & Pies

Florina Pizzeria & Paninoteca

James Hook & Co

Coreanos

Dumpling Cafe

MDM Noodles

El Pelón Taqueria

Sullivan's Castle Island

Bangkok Pinto

Milkweed

Bess’s Cafe

Alex's Chimis

Ba Le

Murl's Kitchen

Effie's Kitchen

Flames Restaurant, Inc

Brewer's Fork

KO Catering & Pies

Florina Pizzeria & Paninoteca

James Hook & Co

Coreanos

Dumpling Cafe

MDM Noodles

El Pelón Taqueria

Sullivan's Castle Island

Bangkok Pinto

Milkweed

Bess’s Cafe

Alex's Chimis

Ba Le

Murl's Kitchen

Related Maps

Effie's Kitchen

Flames Restaurant, Inc

Related Maps

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How to Have a Great Takeout Picnic in Boston

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Brewer's Fork

KO Catering & Pies

Florina Pizzeria & Paninoteca

James Hook & Co

Coreanos

Dumpling Cafe

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MDM Noodles

El Pelón Taqueria

Sullivan's Castle Island

Bangkok Pinto

Milkweed

Bess’s Cafe

Alex's Chimis

Ba Le

Murl's Kitchen

More in Maps

Effie's Kitchen

Flames Restaurant, Inc

More in Maps

Brewer's Fork

KO Catering & Pies

Florina Pizzeria & Paninoteca

James Hook & Co

Coreanos

Dumpling Cafe

MDM Noodles

El Pelón Taqueria

Sullivan's Castle Island

Bangkok Pinto

Milkweed

Bess’s Cafe

Alex's Chimis

Ba Le

Murl's Kitchen

Related Maps

Effie's Kitchen

Flames Restaurant, Inc

Related Maps

All sharing options for: How to Have a Great Takeout Picnic in Boston

All sharing options for: How to Have a Great Takeout Picnic in Boston