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Symphony Hall

Where to Eat Near Symphony Hall in Boston

Options for dining before or after a performance

by Dana Hatic@DanaHatic Jun 13, 2017, 1:49pm EDT

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Symphony Hall

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by Dana Hatic@DanaHatic Jun 13, 2017, 1:49pm EDT

1 comment / new

Nothing will dampen the mood of a live music performance like a grumbling stomach, so to save concert-goers from unplanned percussion, here are 16 options for dining out before catching a show at Symphony Hall (or for filling up afterwards). They’re all within a 20-minute walk from Symphony Hall (or a quick cab ride).

Centrally located on Massachusetts Avenue between Back Bay and the South End, Symphony Hall is just a stone’s throw from so many different cuisines for every occasion, from casual to fancy, from high-end sushi to wood-fired pizzas. Depending on the time of day of Symphony Hall performances, there are opportunities to grab a bite before or after, and most places offer cocktails, beer, wine, and other beverages — and even live music in some cases.

Note: Map points are ordered north to south, not ranked.

For more stories and maps about road trip destinations and tourist-friendly spots inside and outside of Boston, consult the Road Trip Week storystream.

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Deuxave

A source for upscale French food near Symphony Hall, Deuxave is a fine-dining option, open nightly at 5 p.m. There are dishes such as lobster gnocchi, halibut en croute, and prime steaks, plus elaborate desserts and cocktails.

371 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Deuxave

Also featured in:

Uni

Ken Oringer and Tony Messina’s Back Bay restaurant — which grew up into the former Clio space in early 2016 after living cozily in the Clio lounge since 2002 — serves a mix of inventive sushi and small plates, including noodles, soup, and vegetables. There’s a full selection of sake, plus cocktails, beer, and wine. The restaurant is open nightly at 5:30 and offers a late-night menu from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

370 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

A classy restaurant interior with gray walls and booths, a hardwood floor, and striking round light fixtures — Uni

Also featured in:

Terra

Located on the top level of Eataly Boston, Terra has skylight views and an earthy menu with a surplus of wood-fired dishes. This full-service restaurant accepts reservations and provides refuge from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Eataly, which is perpetually crowded. Terra serves bruschette starters, small plates, and pastas, plus larger secondi, shareable plates, and skewered meats, seafood, and vegetables. It opens at 5 p.m. nightly.

800 Boylston St, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Terra Eataly Boston — Terra at Eataly Boston

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Pho Basil

There’s a combination of Thai and Vietnamese dishes available at Pho Basil, including the signature pho and bun vermicelli, plus curry, seafood, and veggie options. It opens daily at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and dinner.

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177 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Pho Basil

Woody's Grill & Tap

True to its name, Woody’s serves wood-fired pizzas cooked at 500 degrees. It’s a casual spot with shareable appetizers, including wings and spinach dip, along with meat and pasta, plus sandwiches and wraps.

58 Hemenway St, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Giacomo's

With three locations around Greater Boston, including one in the North End, Giacomo’s serves classic Italian fare, including pasta, seafood, and of course, dessert. The South End location is closest to Symphony Hall and opens at 5 p.m. daily. It is cash only, so come prepared.

Open in Google Maps

431 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA

Giacomo’s

Mumbai Spice

This Mass. Ave. restaurant has a wide spread of Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes, including Mumbai street food, tandoor dishes, noodles, vegetables, and plenty of meaty options, plus bread and dessert. Mumbai Spice is open daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Visit Website

Mumbai Spice

Ichiban Yakitori Sushi House

Good for a light bite, Ichiban Yakitori Sushi House serves an array of sushi rolls, plus gyoza, soup, salad, and yakitori skewers. The restaurant opens Monday through Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m.

14A Westland Ave, Boston, MA

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Ichiban Yakitori Sushi House

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Ginger Exchange

This delivery staple is also quite pleasant for full-service dining — and it’s very close to Symphony Hall. Be on the lookout for specials at the bar, such as dollar oysters and 50-cent dumplings; depending on the day and time, there are various deals available. The large menu runs the gamut from sushi to Korean, Chinese, and Thai-inspired rice and noodle dishes and more. Open for lunch and dinner, but consult the website before heading over because the closing time can vary depending on whether it’s during the school year or the summer.

250 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Ginger Exchange (Symphony location)

Also featured in:

Moby Dick

A good source for Persian dishes, Moby Dick is a longtime neighborhood staple that’s very close to Symphony Hall. The casual restaurant serves lunch and dinner. There are items such as chicken curry and biryani, plus skewers, sandwiches, rice platters, and vegetarian options.

Open in Google Maps

269 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA

SRV

Diners will find pasta, risotto, Italian small plates, and sweet desserts at this Venetian-inspired restaurant in the South End. SRV has a lengthy list of Italian wines and cocktails. It opens at 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and offers Sunday brunch starting at 11 a.m.

Open in Google Maps

569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

A restaurant interior with a brick wall and red booths — SRV

Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen

This Southern-style restaurant also features live music, in case concert-goers are looking for a double dose. Dishes include gumbo, catfish strips, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and burgers, and there’s an all-you-can-eat jazz brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Darryl’s opens at 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. all other days except Monday, when it is closed.

604 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Darryl's Corner Bar

Also featured in:

Mida

This lovely new Italian-inspired restaurant is a cozy date-night spot that features fresh pasta dishes (half-sized options available) and more. Dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m. nightly. Heading there after a show? There’s a late-night menu available from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday, featuring a few small bites, Connecticut-style lasagna (with optional fried pork jowl), fried cheesy beef ravioli, and gelato.

782 Tremont St, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Crispy lamb ribs at Mida

Also featured in:

El Centro

This casual spot serves Mexican dishes, including chile relleno, ceviche, carne con chile, tacos, salads, and more. There are also red and white wines, sangrias, and margaritas, plus tequila and beer. El Centro is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, but closed between 3 and 5 p.m.

472 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

El Centro

Also featured in:

Orinoco Kitchen

This is the original location for Orinoco, which also has restaurants in Brookline Village and Harvard Square. The menu features Venezuelan classics like arepas, empanadas, and pepitos, and there is custard and cake for dessert. Orinoco is open for lunch and dinner, plus brunch on Sunday, but closed Mondays.

477 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Orinoco

Toro Restaurant

Another Ken Oringer spot, Toro is a good place to go for tapas — hot and cold. There are sandwiches and salads available during lunch, and two different kinds of paella from which to choose. For drinks, there are Spanish-style cocktails, ciders, wine, and beer, plus a selection of sherry.

Open in Google Maps

1704 Washington St, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Toro's chilaquiles

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Deuxave

371 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA

A source for upscale French food near Symphony Hall, Deuxave is a fine-dining option, open nightly at 5 p.m. There are dishes such as lobster gnocchi, halibut en croute, and prime steaks, plus elaborate desserts and cocktails.

371 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Deuxave

Uni

370 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA

Ken Oringer and Tony Messina’s Back Bay restaurant — which grew up into the former Clio space in early 2016 after living cozily in the Clio lounge since 2002 — serves a mix of inventive sushi and small plates, including noodles, soup, and vegetables. There’s a full selection of sake, plus cocktails, beer, and wine. The restaurant is open nightly at 5:30 and offers a late-night menu from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

370 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

A classy restaurant interior with gray walls and booths, a hardwood floor, and striking round light fixtures — Uni

Terra

800 Boylston St, Boston, MA

Located on the top level of Eataly Boston, Terra has skylight views and an earthy menu with a surplus of wood-fired dishes. This full-service restaurant accepts reservations and provides refuge from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Eataly, which is perpetually crowded. Terra serves bruschette starters, small plates, and pastas, plus larger secondi, shareable plates, and skewered meats, seafood, and vegetables. It opens at 5 p.m. nightly.

800 Boylston St, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Terra Eataly Boston — Terra at Eataly Boston

Pho Basil

177 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA

There’s a combination of Thai and Vietnamese dishes available at Pho Basil, including the signature pho and bun vermicelli, plus curry, seafood, and veggie options. It opens daily at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and dinner.

Open in Google Maps

177 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Pho Basil

Woody's Grill & Tap

58 Hemenway St, Boston, MA

True to its name, Woody’s serves wood-fired pizzas cooked at 500 degrees. It’s a casual spot with shareable appetizers, including wings and spinach dip, along with meat and pasta, plus sandwiches and wraps.

58 Hemenway St, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Giacomo's

431 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA

With three locations around Greater Boston, including one in the North End, Giacomo’s serves classic Italian fare, including pasta, seafood, and of course, dessert. The South End location is closest to Symphony Hall and opens at 5 p.m. daily. It is cash only, so come prepared.

Open in Google Maps

431 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA

Giacomo’s

Mumbai Spice

This Mass. Ave. restaurant has a wide spread of Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes, including Mumbai street food, tandoor dishes, noodles, vegetables, and plenty of meaty options, plus bread and dessert. Mumbai Spice is open daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Visit Website

Mumbai Spice

Ichiban Yakitori Sushi House

14A Westland Ave, Boston, MA

Good for a light bite, Ichiban Yakitori Sushi House serves an array of sushi rolls, plus gyoza, soup, salad, and yakitori skewers. The restaurant opens Monday through Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m.

14A Westland Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Ichiban Yakitori Sushi House

Ginger Exchange

250 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA

This delivery staple is also quite pleasant for full-service dining — and it’s very close to Symphony Hall. Be on the lookout for specials at the bar, such as dollar oysters and 50-cent dumplings; depending on the day and time, there are various deals available. The large menu runs the gamut from sushi to Korean, Chinese, and Thai-inspired rice and noodle dishes and more. Open for lunch and dinner, but consult the website before heading over because the closing time can vary depending on whether it’s during the school year or the summer.

250 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Ginger Exchange (Symphony location)

Moby Dick

269 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA

A good source for Persian dishes, Moby Dick is a longtime neighborhood staple that’s very close to Symphony Hall. The casual restaurant serves lunch and dinner. There are items such as chicken curry and biryani, plus skewers, sandwiches, rice platters, and vegetarian options.

Open in Google Maps

269 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA

SRV

569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA

Diners will find pasta, risotto, Italian small plates, and sweet desserts at this Venetian-inspired restaurant in the South End. SRV has a lengthy list of Italian wines and cocktails. It opens at 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and offers Sunday brunch starting at 11 a.m.

Open in Google Maps

569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

A restaurant interior with a brick wall and red booths — SRV

Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen

604 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA

This Southern-style restaurant also features live music, in case concert-goers are looking for a double dose. Dishes include gumbo, catfish strips, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and burgers, and there’s an all-you-can-eat jazz brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Darryl’s opens at 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. all other days except Monday, when it is closed.

604 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Darryl's Corner Bar

Mida

782 Tremont St, Boston, MA

This lovely new Italian-inspired restaurant is a cozy date-night spot that features fresh pasta dishes (half-sized options available) and more. Dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m. nightly. Heading there after a show? There’s a late-night menu available from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday, featuring a few small bites, Connecticut-style lasagna (with optional fried pork jowl), fried cheesy beef ravioli, and gelato.

782 Tremont St, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Crispy lamb ribs at Mida

El Centro

472 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA

This casual spot serves Mexican dishes, including chile relleno, ceviche, carne con chile, tacos, salads, and more. There are also red and white wines, sangrias, and margaritas, plus tequila and beer. El Centro is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, but closed between 3 and 5 p.m.

472 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

El Centro

Orinoco Kitchen

477 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA

This is the original location for Orinoco, which also has restaurants in Brookline Village and Harvard Square. The menu features Venezuelan classics like arepas, empanadas, and pepitos, and there is custard and cake for dessert. Orinoco is open for lunch and dinner, plus brunch on Sunday, but closed Mondays.

477 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Orinoco

Related Maps

Toro Restaurant

1704 Washington St, Boston, MA

Another Ken Oringer spot, Toro is a good place to go for tapas — hot and cold. There are sandwiches and salads available during lunch, and two different kinds of paella from which to choose. For drinks, there are Spanish-style cocktails, ciders, wine, and beer, plus a selection of sherry.

Open in Google Maps

1704 Washington St, Boston, MA

Visit Website

Toro's chilaquiles

Related Maps