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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

Where to Find Boston’s Heated Patios, Igloos, and Yurts

A guide to dining outdoors at Boston-area restaurants even on a chilly day

by Rachel Leah Blumenthal and Adam H. Callaghan Updated
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Igloos at Lookout Rooftop and Bar at the Envoy Hotel.
| Envoy Hotel
by Rachel Leah Blumenthal and Adam H. Callaghan Updated

Planning to dine outside throughout the cold days of New England’s fall and winter? Many Boston-area restaurants welcome diners to heated patios year-round, and some even offer private igloos and yurts that small groups can reserve.

Below, find some of the best all-weather outdoor dining in and around Boston. Note that while these options are heated, most restaurants still encourage diners to dress warmly — being inside a heated yurt on a very cold night isn’t quite the same as being inside a heated building — and some of these still close in case of extreme weather (or staff shortages and other COVID-related challenges). It’s best to check with a restaurant directly before heading over, and most of these require or at least encourage reservations.

This map was originally published on January 19, 2022; it is updated periodically, and the date of the most recent update appears above.

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Short Path Distillery

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Enjoy a cocktail featuring Short Path Distillery’s own spirits on the year-round patio, which is covered, enclosed, and heated — and dog-friendly, too. (Kids are also welcome.) Short Path has a couple packaged snacks available, as well as salads and pizzas from the Village Bar & Grille next door, but customers are also welcome to bring their own food.

71 Kelvin St, Everett, MA 02149
(617) 830-7954
(617) 830-7954

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Semolina Kitchen + Bar

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Semolina Kitchen & Bar, a Medford favorite from the Dave’s Fresh Pasta team, has a fully enclosed and heated tent open through the cold months. Tent seating is first come, first served.

572 Boston Ave, Medford, MA 02155
(781) 219-3871
(781) 219-3871

Also featured in:

River Bar

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The restaurant and cocktail bar at Assembly Row keeps its patio open year-round. It’s uncovered but has heaters and fire pits. There are several fun hot cocktails on the menu in colder months. Reserve online.

661 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 616-5561
(617) 616-5561

Also featured in:

Dear Annie

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Cambridge sensation Dear Annie, a pescatarian wine bar, has an uncovered sidewalk patio with heaters and blankets. Seating is first come, first served and pub-style, so you can move tables and chairs as needed.

1741 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

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Cambridge Common

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Whatever the weather, Cambridge Common offers heated outdoor seating on its first-come, first-served patio; part is covered, and part is not. Eat some tater tots and drink some exciting beers.

1667 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-1228
(617) 547-1228

Barra

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Mexico City-inspired Barra keeps its hidden back patio open whatever the season. It’s uncovered, but there are several shared heaters for the space, and blankets are available. The bar tells Eater that some diners even wore ski gear and were really excited about hanging out during snowstorms. Customers can make reservations specifically for outdoor seating.

23a Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

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Bow Market

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With numerous food and beverage vendors on-site, Somerville’s Bow Market is a good place for groups to gather when everyone’s in the mood for something different. The central courtyard is open year-round, and the majority of tables have fire pits; make reservations online. (Several unheated tables are generally available for walk-ins, as are second-floor balcony seats as part of a seasonal ski bar pop-up.) Rebel Rebel offers several covered but unheated outdoor seats; electric heated blankets are available. Walk-ins specifically patronizing Remnant Brewing can try to score one of three large fire pits in the Remnant courtyard, and blankets are available.

1 Bow Mkt Wy, Somerville, MA 02143

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Bronwyn

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Union Square’s German restaurant Bronwyn has a cozy little biergarten off to the side. It’s mostly covered with umbrellas and also has heaters. Reserve online.

255 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 776-9900
(617) 776-9900

Forage

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Cambridge restaurant Forage, a farm-to-table neighborhood bistro, seats outdoors on its uncovered patio year-round; each table has its own heater, and the restaurant has wool blankets available. Reserve online. The restaurant can also accommodate large parties.

5 Craigie Cir, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 576-5444
(617) 576-5444

Also featured in:

Harvest

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Harvard Square mainstay Harvest keeps its partially covered patio open through most of the cooler months; it features a fireplace and heat lamps. There’s standard seating for smaller groups and lounge-style seating for groups of six.

44 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 868-2255
(617) 868-2255

Also featured in:

Atwood's Tavern

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Lively Cambridge music venue Atwood’s Tavern has a cozy outdoor patio, hidden and heated. Stop by for mac and cheese or a burger and an interesting beer.

877 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 864-2792
(617) 864-2792

Bar Enza

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Bar Enza, Harvard Square’s Italian restaurant at the Charles Hotel, offers outdoor dining year-round on its patio in the hotel’s courtyard. It’s covered, and there are overhead heat lamps.

1 Bennett St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 661-5050
(617) 661-5050
A small restaurant patio is covered with an orange roof and decorated with lush green vines.
Bar Enza’s patio.
Bar Enza

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Trattoria Il Panino

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The year-round patio at Trattoria Il Panino in the North End features a full roof and heat lamps and serves lunch and dinner daily. Don’t miss the chicken parm.

280 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 720-1336
(617) 720-1336

Also featured in:

Mare Oyster Bar

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Another North End pick, seafood-focused Mare Oyster Bar has a patio with a retractable roof, heat lamps, and fire pits, allowing for year-round outdoor dining with Greenway views. It’s the type of place where one could pair a lobster roll with an espresso martini.

223 Hanover St, 3 Mechanic St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 723-6273
(617) 723-6273
A restaurant’s outdoor patio with fire pits, white umbrellas, and lounge seating with red cushions
Mare Oyster Bar’s patio.
Mare Oyster Bar

Also featured in:

Branch Line

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Watertown’s Branch Line — the spot for excellent rotisserie chicken, beer, and more — features a year-round covered and heated patio, as well as additional uncovered patio space with heaters. Reserve online.

321 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 420-1900
(617) 420-1900

Also featured in:

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Buttermilk & Bourbon

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The Watertown location of chef Jason Santos’s New Orleans-inspired Buttermilk & Bourbon offers a sizable covered patio with heat lamps and a fire pit. Watch for seasonal hot cocktail specials, such as a hot chocolate espresso martini. Reserve online.

100 Arsenal Yards Blvd, Watertown, MA 02472
(857) 760-7128
(857) 760-7128

Lookout Rooftop and Bar

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Atop the Seaport District’s Envoy Hotel, Lookout Rooftop and Bar offers igloos and “ice boxes” (heated plexiglass-enclosed couches) with skyline views and a menu of small plates and cocktails; they fit groups up to 10 (igloos) or eight (ice boxes). Reservations are required; there’s a non-refundable reservation fee as well as a minimum beverage spend that varies depending on the time of the reservation.

70 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 530-1538
(617) 530-1538
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

Also featured in:

Porto

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Porto, the upscale Mediterranean restaurant from chef Jody Adams and company, features a fully covered and heated patio up above the Back Bay hustle and bustle. Warm cocktails are on the menu. Reserve online.

Ring Rd, Boston, MA 02199
(617) 536-1234
(617) 536-1234

Also featured in:

Publico Street Bistro & Garden

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Publico’s European-style courtyard is always open in South Boston, and takes on ski-lodge vibes in the winter months, featuring flannel blankets, fire pits, heated lounge areas, and a retractable roof. Hot cocktails and solid burgers are available, too.

11 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127
(617) 622-5700
(617) 622-5700

Also featured in:

Toro

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Eat tapas on the heated patio of the South End’s ever-popular Toro, which features a variety of seating options. Reserve online, with specific reservations available for tables with fire pits.

1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 536-4300
(617) 536-4300

Also featured in:

dbar

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This artsy Dorchester patio features murals, covered areas, and heaters. Even though Dbar is best known for its nightlife scene, it’s from the team behind Boston Chops and Deuxave, so the food’s solid, too. Reserve online.

1236 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 265-4490
(617) 265-4490

Also featured in:

Sophia's Grotto

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The heated patio at Sophia’s Grotto, Roslindale’s popular Italian restaurant, is always open. While diners can request patio seating when making a reservation online, the patio’s heaters and specific areas are first come, first served.

22 Birch St, Roslindale, MA 02131
(617) 323-4595
(617) 323-4595

The Bowery Bar

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The Bowery Bar in Dorchester fills its outdoor space with five private heated yurts in colder months, each seating up to eight people. The yurts are open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with various minimum spends per yurt (starting at $100) depending on the day and time. Reservation are required.

2261 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02124
(617) 698-2261
(617) 698-2261

Also featured in:

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Short Path Distillery

71 Kelvin St, Everett, MA 02149

Enjoy a cocktail featuring Short Path Distillery’s own spirits on the year-round patio, which is covered, enclosed, and heated — and dog-friendly, too. (Kids are also welcome.) Short Path has a couple packaged snacks available, as well as salads and pizzas from the Village Bar & Grille next door, but customers are also welcome to bring their own food.

71 Kelvin St, Everett, MA 02149
(617) 830-7954
(617) 830-7954

Semolina Kitchen + Bar

572 Boston Ave, Medford, MA 02155

Semolina Kitchen & Bar, a Medford favorite from the Dave’s Fresh Pasta team, has a fully enclosed and heated tent open through the cold months. Tent seating is first come, first served.

572 Boston Ave, Medford, MA 02155
(781) 219-3871
(781) 219-3871

River Bar

661 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145

The restaurant and cocktail bar at Assembly Row keeps its patio open year-round. It’s uncovered but has heaters and fire pits. There are several fun hot cocktails on the menu in colder months. Reserve online.

661 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 616-5561
(617) 616-5561

Dear Annie

1741 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

Cambridge sensation Dear Annie, a pescatarian wine bar, has an uncovered sidewalk patio with heaters and blankets. Seating is first come, first served and pub-style, so you can move tables and chairs as needed.

1741 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

Cambridge Common

1667 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Whatever the weather, Cambridge Common offers heated outdoor seating on its first-come, first-served patio; part is covered, and part is not. Eat some tater tots and drink some exciting beers.

1667 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-1228
(617) 547-1228

Barra

23a Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

Mexico City-inspired Barra keeps its hidden back patio open whatever the season. It’s uncovered, but there are several shared heaters for the space, and blankets are available. The bar tells Eater that some diners even wore ski gear and were really excited about hanging out during snowstorms. Customers can make reservations specifically for outdoor seating.

23a Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

Bow Market

1 Bow Mkt Wy, Somerville, MA 02143

With numerous food and beverage vendors on-site, Somerville’s Bow Market is a good place for groups to gather when everyone’s in the mood for something different. The central courtyard is open year-round, and the majority of tables have fire pits; make reservations online. (Several unheated tables are generally available for walk-ins, as are second-floor balcony seats as part of a seasonal ski bar pop-up.) Rebel Rebel offers several covered but unheated outdoor seats; electric heated blankets are available. Walk-ins specifically patronizing Remnant Brewing can try to score one of three large fire pits in the Remnant courtyard, and blankets are available.

1 Bow Mkt Wy, Somerville, MA 02143

Bronwyn

255 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143

Union Square’s German restaurant Bronwyn has a cozy little biergarten off to the side. It’s mostly covered with umbrellas and also has heaters. Reserve online.

255 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 776-9900
(617) 776-9900

Forage

5 Craigie Cir, Cambridge, MA 02138

Cambridge restaurant Forage, a farm-to-table neighborhood bistro, seats outdoors on its uncovered patio year-round; each table has its own heater, and the restaurant has wool blankets available. Reserve online. The restaurant can also accommodate large parties.

5 Craigie Cir, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 576-5444
(617) 576-5444

Harvest

44 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Harvard Square mainstay Harvest keeps its partially covered patio open through most of the cooler months; it features a fireplace and heat lamps. There’s standard seating for smaller groups and lounge-style seating for groups of six.

44 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 868-2255
(617) 868-2255

Atwood's Tavern

877 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141

Lively Cambridge music venue Atwood’s Tavern has a cozy outdoor patio, hidden and heated. Stop by for mac and cheese or a burger and an interesting beer.

877 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 864-2792
(617) 864-2792

Bar Enza

1 Bennett St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Bar Enza, Harvard Square’s Italian restaurant at the Charles Hotel, offers outdoor dining year-round on its patio in the hotel’s courtyard. It’s covered, and there are overhead heat lamps.

1 Bennett St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 661-5050
(617) 661-5050
A small restaurant patio is covered with an orange roof and decorated with lush green vines.
Bar Enza’s patio.
Bar Enza

Trattoria Il Panino

280 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

The year-round patio at Trattoria Il Panino in the North End features a full roof and heat lamps and serves lunch and dinner daily. Don’t miss the chicken parm.

280 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 720-1336
(617) 720-1336

Mare Oyster Bar

223 Hanover St, 3 Mechanic St, Boston, MA 02113

Another North End pick, seafood-focused Mare Oyster Bar has a patio with a retractable roof, heat lamps, and fire pits, allowing for year-round outdoor dining with Greenway views. It’s the type of place where one could pair a lobster roll with an espresso martini.

223 Hanover St, 3 Mechanic St, Boston, MA 02113
(617) 723-6273
(617) 723-6273
A restaurant’s outdoor patio with fire pits, white umbrellas, and lounge seating with red cushions
Mare Oyster Bar’s patio.
Mare Oyster Bar

Branch Line

321 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472

Watertown’s Branch Line — the spot for excellent rotisserie chicken, beer, and more — features a year-round covered and heated patio, as well as additional uncovered patio space with heaters. Reserve online.

321 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472
(617) 420-1900
(617) 420-1900

Related Maps

Buttermilk & Bourbon

100 Arsenal Yards Blvd, Watertown, MA 02472

The Watertown location of chef Jason Santos’s New Orleans-inspired Buttermilk & Bourbon offers a sizable covered patio with heat lamps and a fire pit. Watch for seasonal hot cocktail specials, such as a hot chocolate espresso martini. Reserve online.

100 Arsenal Yards Blvd, Watertown, MA 02472
(857) 760-7128
(857) 760-7128

Lookout Rooftop and Bar

70 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210

Atop the Seaport District’s Envoy Hotel, Lookout Rooftop and Bar offers igloos and “ice boxes” (heated plexiglass-enclosed couches) with skyline views and a menu of small plates and cocktails; they fit groups up to 10 (igloos) or eight (ice boxes). Reservations are required; there’s a non-refundable reservation fee as well as a minimum beverage spend that varies depending on the time of the reservation.

70 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 530-1538
(617) 530-1538
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

Porto

Ring Rd, Boston, MA 02199

Porto, the upscale Mediterranean restaurant from chef Jody Adams and company, features a fully covered and heated patio up above the Back Bay hustle and bustle. Warm cocktails are on the menu. Reserve online.

Ring Rd, Boston, MA 02199
(617) 536-1234
(617) 536-1234

Publico Street Bistro & Garden

11 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127

Publico’s European-style courtyard is always open in South Boston, and takes on ski-lodge vibes in the winter months, featuring flannel blankets, fire pits, heated lounge areas, and a retractable roof. Hot cocktails and solid burgers are available, too.

11 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127
(617) 622-5700
(617) 622-5700

Toro

1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Eat tapas on the heated patio of the South End’s ever-popular Toro, which features a variety of seating options. Reserve online, with specific reservations available for tables with fire pits.

1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 536-4300
(617) 536-4300

dbar

1236 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125

This artsy Dorchester patio features murals, covered areas, and heaters. Even though Dbar is best known for its nightlife scene, it’s from the team behind Boston Chops and Deuxave, so the food’s solid, too. Reserve online.

1236 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 265-4490
(617) 265-4490

Sophia's Grotto

22 Birch St, Roslindale, MA 02131

The heated patio at Sophia’s Grotto, Roslindale’s popular Italian restaurant, is always open. While diners can request patio seating when making a reservation online, the patio’s heaters and specific areas are first come, first served.

22 Birch St, Roslindale, MA 02131
(617) 323-4595
(617) 323-4595

The Bowery Bar

2261 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02124

The Bowery Bar in Dorchester fills its outdoor space with five private heated yurts in colder months, each seating up to eight people. The yurts are open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with various minimum spends per yurt (starting at $100) depending on the day and time. Reservation are required.

2261 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02124
(617) 698-2261
(617) 698-2261

Related Maps