A covered outdoor patio attached to the side of a grey building with “Porto” signage on the side. — Rain is no match for these covered patios.

8 Sheltered Patios for Outdoor Dining Around Boston When It Rains

Boston boasts a number of outdoor dining options for inclement weather

by Erika Adams and Nathan Tavares Updated Mar 23, 2023, 5:17pm EDT

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Rain is no match for these covered patios.

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by Erika Adams and Nathan Tavares Updated Mar 23, 2023, 5:17pm EDT

Winter is finally over, spring is finally here, and patio season is finally upon us. As Greater Boston continues to thaw, its hungry residents are eager to partake in some al fresco dining. But as any Bostonian knows, the weather here can be a little, uh, unpredictable. No one wants to hang out on a patio while an unexpected rainstorm rolls in and soaks their fish and chips. This list zeroes in on patios with rain cover to protect that otherwise pleasant open-air dining experience from the elements. Here are 11 Boston-area restaurants with sheltered patios.

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Harvest

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Head to Cambridge landmark Harvest for cozy outdoor dining complete with a warm fireplace and a partial roof covering to keep dry.

44 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 868-2255

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An outdoor wooden structure with tables and chairs and a fireplace visible. — Harvest’s outdoor patio.

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Bar Enza

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Dig into a plate of chef Mark Ladner’s famous lasagna in an outdoor, heated patio well-protected from the elements.

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1 Bennett St, Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 661-5050

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A wooden outdoor patio with shrubbery out front. — Bar Enza’s covered patio.

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Trattoria Il Panino

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Guests can enjoy lunches and dinners of gnocchi and stuffed zucchini blossoms on the covered patio at Trattoria Il Panino in the North End, even on days featuring the most miserable weather. The heat lamps only bolster the cozy — as does the house special: chicken parmesan topped with creamy, melty mozzarella.

280 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

(617) 720-1336

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Diners eat on a tent-covered patio in Boston’s North End. — The covered patio at Trattoria Il Panino.

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Mare Oyster Bar

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At this seafood-centric North End spot, diners can look out at the Rose Kennedy Greenway while they snack on lobster rolls and raw bar delights. The patio has a retractable roof and tables and lounge seating spaced around heat lamps and cozy fire pits. It’s an al fresco diner’s dream.

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

(617) 723-6273

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A patio in Boston’s North End set up with umbrellas and fireplaces, and backdropped by the skyscrapers of the Financial District. — The patio at Mare Oyster Bar in Boston’s North End.

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Branch Line

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This Watertown restaurant boasts a gigantic outdoor patio that is covered and ready for diners rain or shine. Don’t miss the popular rotisserie chicken, and be sure to get the chicken drippings on the side for a small extra fee.

321 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472

(617) 420-1900

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The Barking Crab

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Long before the gleaming towers and steakhouses rolled into the Seaport, the Barking Crab was dishing out buttery lobster rolls and no-frills fried whole-belly Ipswich clams. Hit up the spot’s tented dining space for seafood, ice cold beers, and other snacks from the sea, which is all served up with some of the best views in the city.

88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210

(617) 426-2722

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Gather

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While not entirely protected from the elements, a fair number of the tables that hug the outside wall at Gather are protected by its geometric overhanging roof. The overhang is especially adept at protecting buttermilk pancakes from raindrops.