Best Restaurants for People Watching in Boston/New England

32 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant restaurant

1. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(1463)

Price: Moderate

• American • South Boston

Booked 22 times today

Located in the heart of South Boston, Lincoln is a classic American tavern that offers guests a welcoming combination of home-spun, American fare alongside a wide variety of rustic, wood-fire-grilled specialties.Built with the intention of being a comfortable meeting spot for locals looking to share stories at the end of their long day, Lincoln draws inspiration from it’s surrounding, hard-working, and uniquely American neighborhood.Revitalizing a nearly forgotten West Broadway space that at one time housed the area’s only department store, Lincoln feels nostalgic. It’s open-air, tiled-floor cafe, grande bar, and soaring, original tin ceilings remind us of a time when dining halls and supper clubs were a way of life.

2. Contessa - Boston

4.8

Exceptional(66)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 47 times today

Perched atop The Newbury Hotel like a crown jewel, Contessa is a grand destination. Guests are welcomed from morning till night to a sunlit, rooftop restaurant with Art Deco references and mid-century modern detailing, offering sweeping views of Back Bay and the Boston Public Garden. The menu offers a wide variety of delicious options, from feasts of antipasti, carpaccios and pizzas, to pastas and large steaks. A vast wine list, classic cocktails and a selection of dolci punctuate a beautiful meal.

A photo of Abe & Louie’s - Boston restaurant

3. Abe & Louie’s - Boston

4.8

Exceptional(9156)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Back Bay

Booked 64 times today

Abe & Louie’s, located in Boston’s Back Bay, is the epitome of a classic steakhouse. The iconic establishment sets the standard for elegant dining with superior service, charm, and appeal in a timeless sophisticated atmosphere. Abe & Louie’s, known for premium steaks, serves classic dishes, fresh seafood, shareable sides, and an award-winning wine list. Abe & Louie’s offers brunch, lunch, and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating. Delivery and take-out available.

4. Beehive

4.6

Exceptional(7110)

Price: Expensive

• American • South End

Booked 43 times today

The Beehive is an underground Bohemian eatery and bar featuring fabulous cuisine, libations, artwork and world class live music. Nestled below the Boston Center for the Art’s historic Cyclorama in Boston’s South End, we are conveniently located to local theaters, the Calderwood Pavilion as well as Boston's Theater district. The Beehive serves the eclectic fare of Chef Ryan Skeen - rustic comfort food infused with American and Mediterranean influences. Join us for dinner, weekend brunch, patio dining, great cocktails at our bars and next level live music. If you like the Beehive you'll love our sister restaurant Cosmica Mexican Food & Bar for elevated Mexican cuisine and cocktails located two blocks away.

5. La Voile

4.7

Exceptional(5466)

Price: Expensive

• French • Back Bay

Booked 42 times today

La Voile is an authentic French brasserie, opened in Cannes in 1947. After a few years under a new ownership, it relocated to Boston in 2007.

6. Quattro

4.6

Exceptional(1355)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North End

Booked 35 times today

Quattro Ristorante, Grille & Pizzeria, is restaurateur Frank DePasquale’s forth restaurant in the North End, hence the name which means 4 in Italian. Quattro is also located on the 4 major corners of the North End, Boston’s Famous Italian Neighborhood. Inspired by Italy’s passion for high quality foods prepared with fresh ingredients, Quattro brings delicious foods from simple locally grown ingredients. Frank DePasquale does something few restaurateurs have every tried, melding a full service restaurant that serves wine, beer and cordials with a kitchen equipped with a rotisserie, a char broiler and an authentic Neapolitan brick style pizza oven. Quality has been the only focus and the essential ingredient at Quattro, from the ingredients to the preparation of the food to the service. Quattro’s unique menu appeals to a wide variety of people by touching on all categories, fresh meats, seafood, pork and poultry prepared right in front of your eyes on our custom built rotisserie.

A photo of Ristorante Saraceno restaurant

7. Ristorante Saraceno

4.5

Awesome(1543)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North End

Booked 12 times today

Born out of our love of fine wines and traditional food, Ristorante Saraceno Italian/Napoletana style cuisine has become the premiere location for fine dining in Boston’s Historic North End. After traveling the Italian regions and sampling different cuisines, we decided to make our way back home and bring Napoli’s best to Boston. Our biggest challenge was finding the right, high-quality ingredients for the dishes we wanted to serve. We are dedicated to offering only the finest and freshest foods. We have also taken great care in assembling a team of only the best chefs and experienced kitchen and dining staff. Come and taste the experience yourself.

8. Eva

4.4

Awesome(435)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Back Bay

Booked 13 times today

Please note that our patio is seated on a first come first serve basis; all tables are set for a 90 minute reservation limit.Eva means full of life. It is also the initials to my children, Elias & Vivian Aboujaoude, who are my life. Eva is a space designed to be welcoming and bright, a place for great food, refreshing cocktails and lively conversation. All while sitting back to enjoy and observe the hustle & bustle of beautiful, historic Newbury Street from one of the largest outdoor patios.

A photo of The Florentine Cafe restaurant

9. The Florentine Cafe

4.7

Exceptional(609)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • North End

Booked 16 times today

The Florentine Café is an Italian lunch and dinner café, with a full bar, draft beers, and a great wine selection. Stop by with a friend for drinks and a meal or come to lunch with business colleagues. We now offer outdoor seating, as well as, indoor seating with a great view. When the floor-to-ceiling windows open, they let in a nice breeze, allowing the fresh air to circulate, adding to a beautiful dining experience, in, or out. We also have a separate dining area downstairs that seats up to 50 guests It's perfect for any private event, rehearsal dinner, or business function. The casual atmosphere makes it easy to relax, and enjoy a meal with fine company. Join us, start with complimentary, home-made Focaccia bread and seasoned olive oil, and you must try our signature dish, Ravioli di Aragosta. Other best dishes include, the Fusilli Alla Vodka, Pollo al Limone, and a new favourite, the Salmone D'estate.

10. Joe’s On Newbury

4.6

Exceptional(3005)

Price: Expensive

• American • Back Bay

Booked 87 times today

Joe’s on Newbury, located on Boston’s historic Newbury Street, offers the comfort food you crave. A staple in the Back Bay for over 35 years, the popular spot serves a New England inspired menu featuring classic dishes and an extensive beverage list. Joe’s on Newbury offers brunch, lunch, and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating as well as an enclosed patio, giving diners the feel of being outside all year long. Delivery and take-out options available.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Angelo
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined today
The experience in Lá Voile was definitely tremendous! The starting at desert we got a travel in France. The service was great and the staff very friendly. We've been there in Thanksgiving dinner and ordered a traditional French menu, no regrets!
More info
La VoilePrice: Expensive• French• Back Bay
•
4.7
J
JEFFREY
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Just a great vibe at the Beehive. We went for the first time on Thanksgiving. Great food (and generous portions) friendly and efficient service and fantastic live music. We will be back for sure!
More info
BeehivePrice: Expensive• American• South End
•
4.6
J
Jessica
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We had the most amazing first experience of being in the USA and celebrating Thanksgiving, aswell as celebrating my 40th Birthday. The food and service provided was exceptional and I truly hope to return one day. This is a food experience and trip that I will remember forever. Thank you Abe's and Louis!
More info
Abe & Louie’s - BostonPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Back Bay
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Dinervip
Dallas - Fort Worth •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The entire experience was beyond expectations! Every aspect of our dinner was excellent. The view, the food, the service! One of the appetizers, the meatballs, is one of the most rich and flavorful dishes that we have ever had the pleasure of eating!!
More info
Contessa - BostonPrice: Expensive• Italian• Back Bay
•
4.8
R
Ryan
Baltimore / Maryland •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Always an excellent experience. High quality of food and service.
More info
Lincoln Tavern and RestaurantPrice: Moderate• American• South Boston
•
4.7

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Boston/New England

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Boston/New England

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32 restaurants available nearby

1. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

2. Contessa - Boston

3. Abe & Louie’s - Boston

4. Beehive

5. La Voile

6. Quattro

7. Ristorante Saraceno

8. Eva

9. The Florentine Cafe

10. Joe’s On Newbury

See what locals rave about

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