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An empty garden patio with tables and chairs set up for dining amidst lush greenery. — Oleana’s patio.

Greater Boston’s Most Delightful Hidden Patios

Dine outside in charmingly secluded spots

by Korsha Wilson, Rachel Leah Blumenthal, and Terrence Doyle Updated Jun 30, 2022, 9:42am EDT

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Oleana’s patio.

| Kristin Teig

by Korsha Wilson, Rachel Leah Blumenthal, and Terrence Doyle Updated Jun 30, 2022, 9:42am EDT

Patio season in Boston is a too-brief but glorious time, and now it’s in full swing for summer 2022. Many restaurants offer charming sidewalk dining or patios out front, right in the thick of all the action in the neighborhood, but sometimes when the patio mood strikes, you're looking for a bit of seclusion in a quiet garden hidden from the busy street, or in a pleasant alleyway, or in an enclosed courtyard.

Here are some lovely Boston-area patios that are off the beaten path, worth seeking out when you want to peacefully dine alfresco. (Looking for rooftop patios? Find those here.)

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This map was originally published on May 11, 2016; it is updated periodically, and the date of the most recent update appears above.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

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Daddy Jones

Eat spanakopita, lamb burgers, gyros, and other Greek favorites on Daddy Jones’s colorful and sunny Magoun Square patio. Walk-ins only.

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525 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145

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Overhead view of a restaurant patio with an assortment of colorful metal chairs, round white tables, trees, and umbrellas. — The patio at Daddy Jones.

Gran Gusto

Located in a quiet, mostly residential section of Cambridge, Gran Gusto makes some of the best Neapolitan pizza in the area, and it also has a nice patio out front — one small section is a bit enclosed by trellises while a larger section is uncovered aside from some umbrellas.

90 Sherman St, Cambridge, MA 02140

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A small restaurant patio has a white wooden trellis overhead and a brick floor, with some greenery surrounding it. — The Gran Gusto patio.

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Brewer's Fork

Located in an area without too many dining options, Brewer’s Fork has made itself quite a destination, serving up irresistible pizzas, one of the best beer lists around, and more. The family-friendly patio, too, is a standout. It’s uncovered, so bring sunglasses. (A little less hidden, check out the patio at Brewer’s Fork sibling Dovetail nearby in the Navy Yard for steak frites, pasta, and more.)

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7 Moulton St, Charlestown, MA 02129

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A small restaurant patio, set up against a red brick building, features wooden tables, string lights, and trees lining the edge. — The Brewer’s Fork patio.

Atwood’s Tavern

East Cambridge restaurant, bar, and music venue Atwood’s Tavern is known for having excellent beer options and a satisfying menu of comfort food, made with lots of locally sourced ingredients. The patio, which is located away from the street and is heated, is an intimate backyard space. Dog-friendly (for “friendly dogs”); no reservations.

877 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141

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A restaurant patio features weathered picnic tables, string lights, and lots of potted plants and small trees. — The Atwood’s Tavern patio.

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Oleana

One of the most beautiful patios in the area can be found at Oleana in Cambridge, where diners can enjoy chef Ana Sortun’s award-winning Mediterranean cuisine in a garden-like setting behind the restaurant. Save room for dessert: the baked Alaska with coconut ice cream — an iconic local dish — is not to be missed. Patio seating is in high demand and is first come, first served; good luck.

134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139

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An outdoor restaurant patio features small wooden tables on a brick surface, heat lamps, and lush greenery. — The Oleana patio.

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Seabiscuit

Located in an artsy shipyard with stunning views of downtown Boston, East Boston’s Seabiscuit serves excellent Australian meat pies — carrying on the tradition and recipes of the space’s former occupant, KO Catering & Pies — and an enviable year-round patio worth the trek it takes to find it.

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256 Marginal St Building 16, Boston, MA 02128

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A post shared by Sea Biscuit (@seabiscuitebo)

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Mare Oyster Bar

Away from the street and the crowds of tourists that pack the North End on a warm day, Mare, a seafood-focused restaurant from local restaurateur Frank DePasquale, is a great option for a lounge-like feel. This outdoor space is complete with fire pits, couches, tables, and a great view of the Financial District skyline.

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

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A restaurant’s outdoor patio with fire pits, white umbrellas, and lounge seating with red cushions — The patio at Mare Oyster Bar.

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Lone Star Taco Bar

When beloved Allston bar Deep Ellum closed in 2020 after a 13-year run, its sibling and neighbor, Lone Star Taco Bar, expanded into the space — including the popular patio hidden out back — so all was not lost. Frozen margaritas and beef barbacoa tacos in the great outdoors, tucked away from the busy Allston Street? Yes, please.

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479 Cambridge St #477, Allston, MA 02134

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A post shared by Lone Star Taco Bar (@lonestarallston)

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Devlin's

This one’s quite sizable for a hidden patio, but it’s away from the street, set back down an alleyway next to the restaurant. The Devlin’s patio features a mix of covered and uncovered sections, and there’s a shipping container bar. Patio seating is first come, first served.

332 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135

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A post shared by Devlin's Restaurant (@devlins02135)

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Select Oyster Bar

Tucked behind the restaurant, the Select Oyster Bar patio has a dark and moody feel with a covering and sparse lighting. Bright artwork adorns the nearby brick wall. Bring a date and share a big raw bar platter. (There’s also a less hidden, sunny patio out front.)

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50 Gloucester St, Boston, MA 02115

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Select Oyster Bar (@selectoysterbar)

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Porto

Porto — the Mediterranean seafood restaurant from the Trade team — features an oasis of a patio in Back Bay, up above street level and full of cozy lounge furniture and bar. A retractable awning provides sun protection when needed, and a television comes out for special events. Patio-specific reservations are available.

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Ring Rd, Boston, MA 02199

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Porto Boston • Mediterranean (@portoboston)

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Audubon

Right near Fenway, Trina’s Starlite sibling Audubon is an energy-packed spot on game days or any time. The uncovered, bamboo-filled patio behind the restaurant is enclosed by a tall fence, giving it a secluded feel. Heaters are available in cooler weather.

838 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02215

Visit Website

Bamboo stalks and a high wooden fence surround a casual restaurant patio, with string lights hanging above. — The Audubon patio.

Also featured in:

B&G Oysters

The pretty, sunken patio at B&G Oysters has lots of greenery, a mix of sunny and shady spots, and heat lamps when needed. Why not indulge in one of the best lobster rolls in town on it? Reservations are available for the patio, if weather allows.

Open in Google Maps

550 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

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Light-colored tables and chairs sit on a nice wooden restaurant patio with trees coming over one wall and string lights above. — The B&G Oysters patio.

Also featured in:

SRV

The pleasant string light-bedecked, 40-seat patio behind the restaurant is surrounded by brick walls and ivy — the perfect place to enjoy SRV’s outstanding Venice-inspired small plates, pasta, and other Italian cuisine. Weather-dependent patio reservations are available via Resy and phone.

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569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

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A wooden restaurant patio is surrounded on two sides by brick buildings, one covered in ivy. There are string lights above. — SRV patio.

Also featured in:

Publico Street Bistro & Garden

Publico Street Bistro & Garden is one of the only places in town to find a European-style courtyard fully surrounded by a building. It features covered lounge areas, its own bar, and televisions. In colder months, it’s decorated with a ski lodge theme. Courtyard seating is first come, first served, but you can note your preference with your reservation, and the restaurant will try to accommodate.

11 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127

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A courtyard within a tall building features nice patio furniture, including a table under a vine-covered trellis. — The Publico Street Bistro & Garden courtyard.

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Vee Vee

Vee Vee, a longstanding neighborhood favorite in Jamaica Plain, finally debuted its brick-lined “secret patio” in spring 2022 after extensive renovations to an under-utilized courtyard. Now there’s a six-seat outdoor bar and a mix of covered and uncovered tables under string lights where folks can enjoy the seasonal American cuisine and tasty desserts, like s’mores cake. Limited outdoor dining reservations are accepted, but the bar and a few tables are set aside for walk-ins.

763 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

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A post shared by Vee Vee (@veeveejp)

Also featured in:

Dbar

From the outside, you’d never know that Dbar — sibling to Boston Chops and Deuxave, and an essential piece of Boston’s gay nightlife scene — houses a gorgeous patio. The artsy oasis is fairly isolated from the bustle of Dorchester Avenue and contains a mix of covered and uncovered areas, eclectic light fixtures, murals, and greenery. Patio-specific reservations are available.

1236 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125

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A post shared by dbar (@dbarboston)

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Ashmont Grill

Dorchester mainstay Ashmont Grill features a lively, fenced-in patio with plenty of greenery, colorful decorations, and a great beer list. Reservations, taken by phone, are encouraged but not required.

555 Talbot Ave, Boston, MA 02124

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Blue metal chairs and tables line a pleasant restaurant patio surrounded by wooden fences, lots of greenery, and a sign that says “eat.” — The Ashmont Grill patio.

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Daddy Jones

525 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145

Overhead view of a restaurant patio with an assortment of colorful metal chairs, round white tables, trees, and umbrellas. — The patio at Daddy Jones.

Eat spanakopita, lamb burgers, gyros, and other Greek favorites on Daddy Jones’s colorful and sunny Magoun Square patio. Walk-ins only.

Open in Google Maps

525 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145

Visit Website

Overhead view of a restaurant patio with an assortment of colorful metal chairs, round white tables, trees, and umbrellas. — The patio at Daddy Jones.

Gran Gusto

90 Sherman St, Cambridge, MA 02140

A small restaurant patio has a white wooden trellis overhead and a brick floor, with some greenery surrounding it. — The Gran Gusto patio.

Located in a quiet, mostly residential section of Cambridge, Gran Gusto makes some of the best Neapolitan pizza in the area, and it also has a nice patio out front — one small section is a bit enclosed by trellises while a larger section is uncovered aside from some umbrellas.

90 Sherman St, Cambridge, MA 02140

Visit Website

A small restaurant patio has a white wooden trellis overhead and a brick floor, with some greenery surrounding it. — The Gran Gusto patio.

Brewer's Fork

7 Moulton St, Charlestown, MA 02129

A small restaurant patio, set up against a red brick building, features wooden tables, string lights, and trees lining the edge. — The Brewer’s Fork patio.

Located in an area without too many dining options, Brewer’s Fork has made itself quite a destination, serving up irresistible pizzas, one of the best beer lists around, and more. The family-friendly patio, too, is a standout. It’s uncovered, so bring sunglasses. (A little less hidden, check out the patio at Brewer’s Fork sibling Dovetail nearby in the Navy Yard for steak frites, pasta, and more.)

Open in Google Maps

7 Moulton St, Charlestown, MA 02129

Visit Website

A small restaurant patio, set up against a red brick building, features wooden tables, string lights, and trees lining the edge. — The Brewer’s Fork patio.

Atwood’s Tavern

877 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141

A restaurant patio features weathered picnic tables, string lights, and lots of potted plants and small trees. — The Atwood’s Tavern patio.

East Cambridge restaurant, bar, and music venue Atwood’s Tavern is known for having excellent beer options and a satisfying menu of comfort food, made with lots of locally sourced ingredients. The patio, which is located away from the street and is heated, is an intimate backyard space. Dog-friendly (for “friendly dogs”); no reservations.

877 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141

Visit Website

A restaurant patio features weathered picnic tables, string lights, and lots of potted plants and small trees. — The Atwood’s Tavern patio.

Oleana

134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139

An outdoor restaurant patio features small wooden tables on a brick surface, heat lamps, and lush greenery. — The Oleana patio.

One of the most beautiful patios in the area can be found at Oleana in Cambridge, where diners can enjoy chef Ana Sortun’s award-winning Mediterranean cuisine in a garden-like setting behind the restaurant. Save room for dessert: the baked Alaska with coconut ice cream — an iconic local dish — is not to be missed. Patio seating is in high demand and is first come, first served; good luck.

134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Visit Website

An outdoor restaurant patio features small wooden tables on a brick surface, heat lamps, and lush greenery. — The Oleana patio.

Seabiscuit

256 Marginal St Building 16, Boston, MA 02128

Located in an artsy shipyard with stunning views of downtown Boston, East Boston’s Seabiscuit serves excellent Australian meat pies — carrying on the tradition and recipes of the space’s former occupant, KO Catering & Pies — and an enviable year-round patio worth the trek it takes to find it.

Open in Google Maps

256 Marginal St Building 16, Boston, MA 02128

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sea Biscuit (@seabiscuitebo)

Mare Oyster Bar

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

A restaurant’s outdoor patio with fire pits, white umbrellas, and lounge seating with red cushions — The patio at Mare Oyster Bar.

Away from the street and the crowds of tourists that pack the North End on a warm day, Mare, a seafood-focused restaurant from local restaurateur Frank DePasquale, is a great option for a lounge-like feel. This outdoor space is complete with fire pits, couches, tables, and a great view of the Financial District skyline.

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

Visit Website

A restaurant’s outdoor patio with fire pits, white umbrellas, and lounge seating with red cushions — The patio at Mare Oyster Bar.

Lone Star Taco Bar

479 Cambridge St #477, Allston, MA 02134

When beloved Allston bar Deep Ellum closed in 2020 after a 13-year run, its sibling and neighbor, Lone Star Taco Bar, expanded into the space — including the popular patio hidden out back — so all was not lost. Frozen margaritas and beef barbacoa tacos in the great outdoors, tucked away from the busy Allston Street? Yes, please.

Open in Google Maps

479 Cambridge St #477, Allston, MA 02134

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lone Star Taco Bar (@lonestarallston)

Devlin's

332 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135

This one’s quite sizable for a hidden patio, but it’s away from the street, set back down an alleyway next to the restaurant. The Devlin’s patio features a mix of covered and uncovered sections, and there’s a shipping container bar. Patio seating is first come, first served.

332 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Devlin's Restaurant (@devlins02135)

Select Oyster Bar

50 Gloucester St, Boston, MA 02115

Tucked behind the restaurant, the Select Oyster Bar patio has a dark and moody feel with a covering and sparse lighting. Bright artwork adorns the nearby brick wall. Bring a date and share a big raw bar platter. (There’s also a less hidden, sunny patio out front.)

Open in Google Maps

50 Gloucester St, Boston, MA 02115

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Select Oyster Bar (@selectoysterbar)

Porto

Ring Rd, Boston, MA 02199

Porto — the Mediterranean seafood restaurant from the Trade team — features an oasis of a patio in Back Bay, up above street level and full of cozy lounge furniture and bar. A retractable awning provides sun protection when needed, and a television comes out for special events. Patio-specific reservations are available.

Open in Google Maps

Ring Rd, Boston, MA 02199

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Porto Boston • Mediterranean (@portoboston)

Audubon

838 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02215

Bamboo stalks and a high wooden fence surround a casual restaurant patio, with string lights hanging above. — The Audubon patio.

Right near Fenway, Trina’s Starlite sibling Audubon is an energy-packed spot on game days or any time. The uncovered, bamboo-filled patio behind the restaurant is enclosed by a tall fence, giving it a secluded feel. Heaters are available in cooler weather.

838 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02215

Visit Website

Bamboo stalks and a high wooden fence surround a casual restaurant patio, with string lights hanging above. — The Audubon patio.

B&G Oysters

550 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Light-colored tables and chairs sit on a nice wooden restaurant patio with trees coming over one wall and string lights above. — The B&G Oysters patio.

The pretty, sunken patio at B&G Oysters has lots of greenery, a mix of sunny and shady spots, and heat lamps when needed. Why not indulge in one of the best lobster rolls in town on it? Reservations are available for the patio, if weather allows.

Open in Google Maps

550 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

Light-colored tables and chairs sit on a nice wooden restaurant patio with trees coming over one wall and string lights above. — The B&G Oysters patio.

SRV

569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

A wooden restaurant patio is surrounded on two sides by brick buildings, one covered in ivy. There are string lights above. — SRV patio.

The pleasant string light-bedecked, 40-seat patio behind the restaurant is surrounded by brick walls and ivy — the perfect place to enjoy SRV’s outstanding Venice-inspired small plates, pasta, and other Italian cuisine. Weather-dependent patio reservations are available via Resy and phone.

Open in Google Maps

569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

A wooden restaurant patio is surrounded on two sides by brick buildings, one covered in ivy. There are string lights above. — SRV patio.

Publico Street Bistro & Garden

11 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127

A courtyard within a tall building features nice patio furniture, including a table under a vine-covered trellis. — The Publico Street Bistro & Garden courtyard.

Publico Street Bistro & Garden is one of the only places in town to find a European-style courtyard fully surrounded by a building. It features covered lounge areas, its own bar, and televisions. In colder months, it’s decorated with a ski lodge theme. Courtyard seating is first come, first served, but you can note your preference with your reservation, and the restaurant will try to accommodate.

11 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127

Visit Website