Where to Find the Best Patios and Outdoor Dining in Boston

Here comes the sun. Drawing from our carefully curated list of Boston’s top restaurants, here are the best patios, roof decks, gardens, and sidewalks now offering outdoor dining.

Alcove

With a sprawling waterfront patio on Lovejoy Wharf overlooking the Zakim Bridge, Alcove serves up an array of tempting plates inspired by the New England farm coast. Dishes like New England Lobster Dip with everything bagel chips; Blackened Fish Tacos with avocado crema; and Grilled Half Chicken with a green salad from Eva’s Garden in South Dartmouth pair perfectly with well-crafted cocktails. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Area Four

The wonderfully charred, wood-fired pizzas from Area Four are available al fresco in Cambridge, which has patio seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Tell your furry friends. Take me there.

Audubon

Though it’s off the main drag of the Fenway/Kenmore neighborhood, this classic spot isn’t exactly a secret—but its awesome backyard patio feels like one. The heated patio at Audubon boasts an outdoor TV, and is fenced-in and shrouded in huge bushes of bamboo. As we’d expect from the same owners as Trina’s Starlite Lounge and Parlor Sports, it serves up plenty of great cocktails. Take me there.

Baldwin Bar

Located in Woburn, Baldwin Bar a historic mansion serving up authentic Szechuan cuisine along with some of the coolest cocktails available in Greater Boston. Its unique property boasts a driveway (suburban luxury!) which becomes a tropical oasis during patio season. Big picnic tables have umbrellas for shade—and enough room for you and all your friends to share a large-format cocktail or two. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Bar ’Cino

This Italian-Mediterranean-neighborhood restaurant in Brookline boasts an open floor plan that extends onto a large patio along Beacon Street. Offset from the sidewalk with lush greenery and shaded with umbrellas and string lights, the patio is vibrant—and when the Green Line goes by, there’s no mistaking you’re in the midst of the action. At Bar ’Cino, we love to share a grilled flatbread or two and small plates like Baked Clams with white wine and pomodoro sauce. Take me there.

Bar Mezzana

The South End’s self-described Coastal Italian restaurant Bar Mezzana has reopened its street-side patio just in time for spritz season. Sip the titular Mezzana Spritz or the Truth You Can’t Hide (a fizzer with hibiscus-infused mezcal, pamplemousse and Italicus liqueurs, Ruby Red Grapefruit Polar Seltzer) alongside a plate of fresh crudo. Take me there.

B&G Oysters

The sunken backyard patio at B&G Oysters has long been a South End gem. It’s back with bubbles and bivalves, and all manner of classic New England seafood hits—think: Fried Ipswich Clams and a chive-dusted Maine Lobster Roll, to whole-roasted branzino and seared sea scallops. Outdoor reservations are available. Take me there.

Black Lamb

In the heart of the South End, this casual bistro from the Bar Mezzana team serves up $2 oysters every weekday until 5 p.m., among other raw bar selections, great salads and sandwiches, Duck Leg Frites, and more. Black Lamb‘s Tremont Street patio has tower heaters and is a lovely place for a Highball, Martini, and other classic cocktails done right. Take me there.

Bow Market

The courtyard tables and fire pits at Somerville food hall Bow Market are back open for walk-ins. Order a spread from an exciting mix of small restaurants, such as all-vegetarian (and awesome) version of Saus, shucked-to-order oysters from Bluefin seafood shop, bar pizza and roast beef sandwiches at Hot Box, and more. To drink, it’s your choice of righteous natural wines of Rebel Rebel Wine Bar, Remnant Brewing beer and coffee, and cool cocktails from the Bow Market bar. Take me there.

Branch Line

The patio at this Watertown favorite is covered and heated, ensuring that Branch Line diners at can stay comfortable on blazingly sunny days and unseasonably chilly evenings alike. Once seated, we advocate ordering the Sugar Snap Pea Salad with almond vinaigrette, mint, and ricotta, before splitting a whole Branch Line Rotisserie Chicken. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Brassica Kitchen + Cafe

Located behind this eclectic Jamaica Plain restaurant is a tented parking lot-patio lush with plants (note: it’s not heated). Start things off at Brassica Kitchen with a funky wine or cocktail like Meguro #1, a rye whiskey drink tinted green with the superfood spirulina. The oft-changing dinner options range from Koji Risotto to Pork Belly with sambal and buttered marshmallow. You shouldn’t miss the BK Fried Chicken: a crunchy companion for Brassica’s house-fermented pickles and hot sauces. Reservations are available for weekend brunch and Wednesday through Saturday dinner. Take me there.

Brewer’s Fork

Garage-style doors open up onto this Charlestown patio, from which you can see the Bunker Hill Monument. Known for wood-fired pizza and other fare plus an awesome selection of craft beer and wine, Brewer’s Fork never takes reservations and it’s a popular spot, but there’s plenty of umbrella-shaded room on the patio. The team is also behind a provisions shop, bar, and restaurant called Dovetail nearby in the Navy Yard. Take me there.

Bully Boy Distillers

This one’s not a traditional restaurant, but a cocktail garden outside of Boston’s first distillery. Bully Boy Distillers moves all service outside for the warmer months (weather-permitting) to a dog-friendly, walkup-only patio with colorful florals and shade sails. Seasonal libations include Roxbury Yacht Club, made with Rum Cooperative Vol. 3, lime, passion fruit, house Falernum, and Amaro; and Near East Cooler, with gin, watermelon, sumac, lemon, and pink peppercorn. Stay tuned on social media for food truck appearances, or bring your own food to enjoy. Take me there.

Chickadee

The heated, covered patio at this Seaport spot is available by reservation or for walk-in diners. It provides the perfect venue to enjoy Chickadee’s standout cocktails, assorted meze, and house-made pastas like Lobster Campanelle fra diavolo. The team is also behind the pop-up tropical cocktail bar, Mayday!, out of a shipping container on the promenade where Chickadee is located. Think: flavored margaritas and blender drinks in plastic cups, plus canned wine, beer, and cocktails. In other words, perfect patio drinks. Take me there.

Celeste

A sturdy deck takes you off Bow Street in Union Square while dining outdoors at Celeste. Settle in for a Pisco Sour or two and an array of vibrant Peruvian food, such as fresh fish Ceviche; Causas, or mashed potato terrines; and Locro, a vegan-friendly stew featuring squash, lima beans, black mint (huacatay), and Peruvian peppers. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Cicada Coffee Bar

Cambridge’s Cicada Coffee Bar takes Vietnamese coffee culture seriously, so the relaxing vibe is as thoughtful as the drinks. Stay awhile on the garden patio behind the cafe and try a banh mi sandwich, noodle salad, or pastry by chef Brian Mercury paired with a cup of toasted-nutty coffee sourced from Vietnam, brewed strong and served hot. We also love a sweetened Vietnamese iced coffee, like Cicada’s frothy Sea Salt Shaker. By night, reservations are available for creative Viet cuisine and natural wine. Take me there.

Comfort Kitchen

Comfort Kitchen is a cozy spot for global comfort food with two outdoor dining areas. Housed in a renovated Spanish-style building and abutting a circa-1634 cemetery, the restaurant has two quiet, off-street patios. The main entrance serves the full dinner and drinks menu, with limited reservations available. There’s an additional 25 seats on the back patio for wine and beer only plus a special menu of snacks, which is also available to rent for private events. Take me there.

Coppa

This cute Shawmut Avenue patio is a South End icon, providing people-watching plus a coveted place to partake in Coppa classics like Spaghetti Carbonara with sea urchin; the Italian Grinder stacked with house charcuterie; and white Soppressata pizza with honey and chili. Don’t forget the Aperol Spritz! Reservations are available. Take me there.

Dear Annie

This sweet Cambridge wine bar from the folks behind Field & Vine and Rebel Rebel has a Mass. Ave. street patio bedecked in greenery and twinkle lights. No reservations; walk in to Dear Annie to snag a seat outside and enjoy a dish like house-preserved Smoked Spanish Mackerel or a seasonal Grilled Cheese and an effervescent glass of natural wine. Total bonus: This Porter Square patio is licensed through December, so it will stay open all fall. Take me there.

Deuxave

Located on the corner of Commonwealth and Massachusetts avenues, the upscale French-ish Deuxave has one of the more enviable patios in Boston with its unimpeded views of Back Bay brownstones. But more important than the scenery is the menu, which includes a set of Native Lobster Gnocchi Fricassée, Spiced Long Island Duck Breast, and gorgeously plated desserts. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Dorchester Brewing Company

A roof deck with a vantage point on the Boston skyline debuted in 2019 as part of a huge expansion for Dorchester Brewing Co. It’s also home to M&M BBQ, the former food truck now operating the gleaming new counter-service kitchen with its legendary ribs, brisket, mac and cheese, and more. DBCo.—which produces its own fresh brews, wines, cider, and seltzer—also has a street-level patio. Reservations are not necessary, except to secure a spot for a big group. Take me there.

Dovetail

The picturesque Charlestown Navy Yard has a restaurant patio in Dovetail. The quiet, cobblestone walkway between historic buildings is outfitted with a few outdoor tables and string lights above. Sit out there for lunch and dinner daily with a wide-ranging menu of well-executed  classics from the team behind Brewer’s Fork, including Bluefin Tuna Nicoise with mustard vinaigrette; a Maine Lobster Roll; house-made Rigatoni Bolognese; and Prime Grade Steak Frites. Take me there.

Faccia a Faccia 

We love a Newbury Street patio where we can sit and watch the busyness go by, preferably with a spritz in hand. The garden terrace at Faccia a Faccia, located in a two-level townhouse on the thoroughfare between Fairfield and Gloucester streets, is among the prettiest of all, with a main-entryway arch bedecked in begonias and Boston ivy. Reservations are available to enjoy certified gluten-free house-made pastas, seafood such as dressed oysters and grilled Scituate lobster, and snacks like potato chips with caviar. Take me there.

Forage

The heated, paved back patio at Forage is here to stay. At this Cambridge restaurant, you can enjoy locally sourced, vegetable-focused dining (and wine), including omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, and even vegan tasting menus any night of the week. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Fox & the Knife

Located just outside the aperitivo bar’s wide-opening windows, Fox & the Knife’s Broadway patio is an al fresco venue in Southie for spritzes, salads, homemade pastas and entrees. We’re particularly partial to pasta dishes like the Spaghetti con Vongole with saffron, clams, and tomato butter; as well as the crispy pork Milanese—and we always end a meal here with gelato. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Giulia

You’ll be transported to Milan with an outdoor table at Giulia and the bar’s Negroni Sbagliato in hand. A seat here, shaded by an umbrella, is one of the most coveted in Porter Square. It’s sought for not only exquisite classic Italian cocktails, but also homemade pastas and rustic rustic cuisine as well as a substantial selection of desserts and gelati by pastry chef Renae Connolly. Outdoor reservations can be made over the phone up to two weeks in advance. Take me there.

haley.henry

A wine bar in Downtown Crossing, Haley.Henry has a natural wine list, impressive tinned fish selection, and snacky, charcuterie-focused menu—and outdoor seating to enjoy it on. The tiny spot takes limited reservations, as well as accepts walk-ins. You can also catch patio seating at its Fenway sister establishment, Nathálie. Take me there.

The Haven

Boston’s only Scottish pub has moved to a larger location at the historic Brewery Complex in Jamaica Plain, where it boasts a 50-seat private patio. With high wooden walls, string lights, and orange umbrellas, The Haven patio feels worlds away from the parking lot—even before you order up authentic fare like the Haven Burger with Huntsman cheese, or the Fish Supper with minted mushy peas. The Haven hosts regular happenings like live music and dram nights (whisky tastings), and the patio abuts the private-events room. Take me there.

High Street Place

The Financial District food hall boasts cool new tastes like Tenderoni’s Pizza, Dive Bar, and Bubble Bath—three new concepts from the Sweet Cheeks celeb chef Tiffani Faison—a cocktail bar called Daiquiris and Daisies, a craft-beer taproom called Alewives, Mediterranean fare by Hum’oveh, porchetta sandwiches by Pennypacker’s, Gracenote Coffee, and so much more. High Street Place offers shaded, sleek and welcoming outdoor dining for all your power lunching needs. Take me there.

Hojoko

Chef Tim and Nancy Cushman’s offbeat izakaya Hojoko is a Fenway-side spot for sushi, ramen, sake, and cocktails fit for sharing. It boasts a poolside patio thanks to its location at The Verb Hotel, as well as outdoor seating out front. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Jinny’s Pizzeria

Newton Centre neighborhood favorite Jinny’s Pizzeria comes from chef Lydia Reichert and her partners at nearby Sycamore. The pies start with flavorful, slow-fermented dough and high-quality toppings and are blistered to perfection. No matter how you feel personally about Hawaiian pizza, we think Jinny’s ham-and-roasted pineapple Luau was absolutely meant for the patio. Outdoor seating is dog-friendly, and (like all dining-in at Jinny’s) is first-come, first-served. Take me there.

Kava Neo-Taverna

Craving Greek cuisine and fresh air? Consider Kava Neo-Taverna, where you can share Mezedakia (an array of small plates) and Kyrios (entrees) like Mousaka, grilled Mediterranean sea bass, and braised-beef short rib over orzo on a quaint patio in the South End. Limited reservations are available, but if you have to wait for a table, no one will mind taking a stroll around the neighborhood. Take me there.

Krasi

It’s not exactly the cobbled streets of Mykonos, but this Back Bay wine bar certainly evokes Greek hospitality. The outdoor patio at Krasi is a lively spot on Gloucester Street to order up a selection of unique house-baked breads and charcuterie, dips, and other meze—and whatever is grilling that day on the souvla. Reservations are (in theory) available. Take me there.

The Lexington

Puritan & Company chef-owner Will Gilson opened three new restaurant concepts in recent years at a new East Cambridge development. The anchor is The Lexington, which boasts a roof deck overlooking Cambridge Crossing that’s open for walk-ins, weather-permitting. This spacious place is serving up the satisfying kind of food Gilson is known for, like Crispy Pork Belly with bourbon, smoked carrots and pecans; and French Onion Soup Grilled Cheese with gruyére and mushroom jus. Take me there.

Little Donkey

The eclectic Cambridge sister restaurant to Toro, Coppa, and newcomer Faccia a Faccia, Little Donkey has a heated patio. Get ready to indulge in favorites like the Caviar Sandwich with whipped butter on a Martin’s Potato Roll, the sublime Burger with foie gras and onion soup mayo, and of course, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for dessert. Take me there.

Lolita (Fort Point)

The outdoor scene at the Fort Point location of Lolita Mexican and Tequila Bar has its own bar overlooking the Fort Point Channel. Covered but open-air and with lush flowers and greenery in season, it’s one of our favorite places to day-drink margaritas in Boston. Take me there.

Lone Star Taco Bar

The Allston location of Lone Star Taco Bar has a hidden, back-deck patio, which is just the perfect place to enjoy a Mugarita. Meanwhile, the Cambridge location has a street-side patio and also serves a menu featuring brunch every day and some of the best tacos in Boston. Visit either location for plenty of Lone Star Margaritas, Queso, Sonoran Hot Dogs, and and Beef Birria tacos. Take me there.

The Longfellow Bar

Located on the two levels above basement sister spot Alden & Harlow, the Longfellow Bar has a rooftop patio for enjoying the latest “Track List” of cocktails and finger foods. Take me there.

Mamma Maria

You’ll feel like you’re in an Italian piazza at this North End spot, thanks to the charming scene and dishes like foraged Mushroom Carpaccio; house-made lumache pasta with seafood; and Lamb Three Ways. But Mamma Maria is actually the most Boston of outdoor dining spots: In the heart of North Square, the cobblestoned streets were once home to Paul Revere. Take me there.

MIDA

Bucatini all’Amatriciana with guanciale and pecorino; Eggplant Parmesan; Roasted Chicken with mushroom risotto: You can now try any of these dishes on the street-side patio operated by the innovative South End Italian restaurant Mida. The newer Newton location has outdoor seating, too. Call day-of for reservations. Take me there.

Moona

Spice things up with outdoor seating at Moona. The Cambridge meze restaurant (whose name is Arabic slang for “pantry”) serves up Smoked Baba Ghanoush bejeweled with fresh pomegranate seeds, merguez and coconut-milk Moona Mussels, and more fresh Mediterranean fare on a serene patio draped in pink trumpet flower vines. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Myers + Chang

This miniature, 12-seat patio overlooking Peters Park is a serene refuge during dim sum brunch. Or, take a date away from the lively diner on a weeknight to share a mixed-and-matched menu for two under the stars. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Nautilus Pier 4

With a spacious patio overlooking Boston Harbor, a favorite Nantucket restaurant is docked in Boston. Nautilus Pier 4 is a larger, swankier version of the island original, with a local chef’s fresh take on the globe-yachting menu (think: Tempura East Coast Oyster Tacos, signature Blue Crab Fried Rice, and Charcoal Prawns). Glass doors lead out from the bar to the 1,000-square foot deck, awash in a sea monster mural that goes swimmingly with the new spot’s retro-chic submarine theme inside. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Oleana

The backyard garden at Cambridge jewel Oleana is a serious contender for Greater Boston’s prettiest patio. Of course, it’s not all about looks: Just as important is the menu, featuring meze like Spinach Falafel with beet tzatziki, Za’atar Bread with parsnip tershi, and the classic Sultan’s Delight (tamarind beef with smoky eggplant purée and basil). Pro tip: Arrive early. Patio seats are first-come, first-served. Take me there.

PAGU

An eclectic Japanese-Spanish tapas spot, Pagu features one of the more generous patios in Central Square. All the more room for enjoying Squid Ink Oyster Bao and Pagu Sangria. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Pammy’s

Pammy’s debuted a patio for the first time in 2020 and never looked back: The dreamy deck along Mass. Ave. is back for another sunny season. Reservations are available outside for a three-course meal—choose from options like Hiramasa Crudo with citrus and green garlic tofu; Baby Beets with goat yogurt, dried Turkish figs, and spring onion relish; and the signature Lumache pasta with gochujang Bolognese. Take me there.

The Publick House

This Brookline beer bar has a stellar outdoor situation including a covered, open-walled structure for the street-side patio in Washington Square. Reservations are available at The Publick House, and there’s plenty of fresh beer on draft to accompany your Monk’s Frites with dipping sauces; orecchiette Mac and Cheese; and Ahi Tuna Nachos. Take me there.

Puritan & Company

Puritan & Co. has a charming, well-constructed patio on Cambridge Street, complete with a string light-lined clear roof, which lets in the sunshine but not other weather. Reservations are available for the outdoor area, and it offers chef Will Gilson and team’s full menu of Parker House Rolls, Seafood Risotto, Barbecue Beets, and more. Take me there.

The Quiet Few

The Quiet Few is East Boston’s neighborhood bar with dim lighting, impressive lists of whiskey and wines, and hangover-preventing food like burgers, ’dogs, and house-fried Luda Crisps with French onion dip and an optional add-on of Caviar from East Boston Oysters. The “top shelf, low brow” vibes take over Sumner Street in-season with TQF’s plant-lined patio out front. Seats are first-come, first-served. Take me there.

Row 34

The Fort Point location of Row 34 has a spacious covered patio where you can enjoy the impeccable draft beer list, Island Creek oysters by the dozen, and Ethel’s Creamy Lobster Rolls (there are pickles in the lobster salad!). Reservations are available. Row 34 outposts in Burlington and Kendall Square also offer outdoor dining. Take me there.

Saltie Girl

There’s a lot more Saltie Girl these days, as the once-pint-sized seafood restaurant expanded to an adjacent dining room and patio on Dartmouth at Newbury Street. Reservations are available, and once you secure a seat you’ll get to enjoy the Back Bay scenery alongside decadently fun seafood. We usually start with a dressed-up crudo or two before choosing plates like Fried Lobster & Waffles with spicy maple syrup, trays of imported tinned fish, and more. Take me there.

Select Oyster Bar

The Mediterranean vibe at this Back Bay seafood bar is enhanced on a small back patio and additional outdoor dining out front on Gloucester Street. The chic Select Oyster Bar is open for lunch and dinner with plenty of fresh fruits de mer like Dressed Maine Lobster, Faroe Islands Salmon Crudo, and Gloucester Swordfish—with plenty of Champagne to keep cool. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Shōjō (Boston)

This Chinatown favorite has outdoor dining in the heart of the neighborhood. Shojo has tables on the sidewalk and into Tyler Street, where you can enjoy a Mai Tai or a Cold Tea for Two, and a couple rounds of plates like Karaage Chicken Bao, Shadowless Duck Fat Fries, and Salt and Pepper Calamari. Take me there.

Shy Bird

Both locations of Shy Bird offer outdoor seating: Streetside tables in Kendall Square, and a triangle of space in Southie (next door to the lively Castle Island taproom and around the corner from dumpling house Mei Mei). An all-day kind of place, Shy Bird serves brunch and dinner daily with a focus on chicken. The rotisserie, cafe, and bar also serves a range of beverage options, including food-friendly cocktails and mocktails. Take me there.

Sofra Bakery & Cafe

Sofra in Cambridge has a handful of cafe-style tables outside where you can lunch on its takeout-focused Middle Eastern-inspired pastries and sandwiches. Seats are first-come, first-serve, but you can preorder ahead of time. Take me there.

SRV

This Venetian-style bacaro has a cute street patio, but the courtyard-like back patio—a wooden deck with twinkling lights, abutting ivy-adorned brick walls—is pure South End charm. Head to SRV for snacky cicchetti (small plates) and stellar pastas and risotto. You can never go wrong starting with an SRV Negroni and the Polpette (meatballs). Reservations are available. Take me there.

State Park

When the dim, dive-bar ambiance of State Park isn’t what you need—but pitchers of booze and a Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich is exactly it—head out to the patio. The slim, subterranean space in the heart of Kendall Square’s startup scene is one of our favorite outdoor dining options in Cambridge, and not just because we can bring our dogs. Take me there.

Steel & Rye

This American restaurant in Lower Mills is a bakery by day with walkup outdoor seating at lunch, and reservations available for dinner. The expansive patio at Steel & Rye has umbrella-covered picnic tables for enjoying dishes like Ricotta Gnocchi with ramp pesto or a Griddled Double Cheeseburger with black pepper mayo. Take me there.

Sweet Cheeks Q

Something about eating barbecue outdoors just feels right. Thankfully, Sweet Cheeks Q has a spacious patio so you can enjoy trays of Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Heritage Breed Pulled Pork, and—naturally—the huge, soft and crumbly Buttermilk Biscuits in the open air. Reservations are available for the Fenway-area favorite, and there’s also an outdoor bar. Take me there.

Taberna de Haro

Classic tapas dishes—along with a selection of over 300 Spanish wines and sherries—can be sampled on the European-style sidewalk patio of longtime Brookline favorite Taberna de Haro. The Beacon Street patio opens whenever the weather is above 50 degrees. Reservations are available. Take me there. 

Talulla

The small, Huron Village restaurant Talulla has a garden-style patio terrace, including some coveted covered greenhouse tables. Make a reservation to try White Gazpacho with pink muscat grapes and smoked almonds; Ricotta Gnudi with tomato and mushroom sugo; Striped Bass with charred corn and littlenecks; and other creative, seasonally focused dishes from the husband-and-wife team. Take me there.

Thistle & Leek

London-inspired gastropub Thistle & Leek debuted from a married pair of chefs in 2021. Located in Newton Centre, it has outdoor seating and is open for weekday lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. It serves elevated pub plates like a crispy Potato Rosti with clam dip; Smoked Mackerel Rillettes with cauliflower piccalilli and seeded crackers; and Pork Schnitzel with fingerlings, cucumber, and cherry mustard. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Time Out Market

The Park Drive edge of the Fenway neighborhood is home to Time Out Market, a food hall featuring some of Boston’s best eats. What to get is not always an easy choice with options like Taqueria el Barrio tacos, Cusser’s lobster roll, a cult-favorite Fried Chicken Sandwich at Bisq, Union Square Doughnuts, Table Caffe for gelato, and more. It also serves a nice local beer selection, and there’s an outdoor bar this summer blending up frozen cocktails. Outdoor seating overlooks a grassy public space in springtime (and an ice skating rink come winter), plus Trillium’s indoor-outdoor Fenway taproom. Take me there.

Tres Gatos

Getting a table on the garden patio at Tres Gatos makes for a memorable evening in Jamaica Plain, where you can tuck into tapas like Tortilla Española with pimentón aioli; Lamb Bocadillo on a house-baked roll, and ceviche; then browse an eclectic book-and-record store after paying the tab. Outdoor dining is first-come, first-served. Take me there.

Trillium Brewing Company

Popular Boston beer makers Trillium Brewing Company have three local locations, which all have outdoor seating and dining options. (Not to mention, seasonal beer gardens on the Greenway and Boston Common.) At the restaurant in Fort Point, snag a seat on the roof deck or outdoor courtyard and pair your draft-poured Fort Point Pale Ale with farm-to-table fare like Composed Oysters with Oenobier Wild Ale mignonette and chili crisp, Roasted Half Chicken, or a house Burger. In the Fenway neighborhood, the taproom and beer garden is conveniently next door to Time Out Market food hall. Trillium’s flagship brewery is worth the trip to Canton: The expansive locale overlooks the Blue Hills, and has a wood-fired restaurant and outdoor beer bars on busy days. Take me there. 

Trina’s Starlite Lounge

The backyard patio at Trina’s Starlite Lounge (reopening soon for the 2023 season) manages to capture much of the beloved quasi-dive’s retro appeal. There are plenty of cocktails, of course, and comforting favorites like Mac & Cheese with crunchy Ritz cracker topping; Fried Chicken with hot pepper syrup; and the Starlite-Style Burger that tops two beef patties with cheese, fries, coleslaw, and aioli. Patio seats are first-come, first-served. Take me there.

Toro

There is plenty of patio to be had at Toro, since the treasured tapas joint has a backyard patio despite its small South End footprint. Reservations are an option, and so are all-time favorites including the Maíz Asado (Grilled Corn) with aioli, lime, and aged cheese; sweet and salty Dátiles con Jamón; and the ever-satisfying Paella Valenciana with rice, shrimp, chorizo, and chicken. Take me there.

Urban Hearth

The “streetery” outside of Urban Hearth near Porter Square has umbrellas for shade, heaters for cooler weather, and a reinforced floor and walls separating the scene from Mass. Ave. But the pièce de résistance — besides, of course, the of-the-moment menu by chef Erin Miller — is the built-in outdoor bar with colorful stools. Take me there.

Vincent’s

From the same folks as State Park and Mamaleh’s, Vincent’s is a neighborhood restaurant for weekend brunch, takeout lunch, and dinner. A number of sidewalk tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis during lunch and brunch hours, and reservations are possible for dinner. On the weekends you’ll find “Bodega Brunch” hours and a menu of breakfast tacos and egg sandwiches. Dinner brings more elevated fare, such as Montreal Spiced Parsnips with béarnaise aioli and garden pickles, and Masa Gnocchi Parisienne. Any time of day you can expect shaken-to-order cocktails from these pros. Take me there.

Yellow Door Taqueria (South End)

Bright sun-colored umbrellas and picnic tables populate the sidewalk on Harrison Avenue around Yellow Door Taqueria. It’s a lively place to convene with friends for an array of colorful tacos, including a fun take on New England’s fried seafood with Frito Scallop with pickled jalapeño and celery mayonesa and pico slaw; and tequila-soaked drinks like a Spicy Pineapple Margarita from the outdoor bar. Reservations are available. Take me there.

Eric Twardzik contributed reporting