Best Restaurants for People Watching in Boston/New England

31 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant restaurant

1. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(1478)

Price: Moderate

• American • South Boston

Booked 111 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

4.7

Exceptional(92)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 31 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.

3. Beehive

4.5

Awesome(7149)

Price: Expensive

• American • South End

Booked 78 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.

A photo of La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston restaurant

4. La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston

4.3

Awesome(2150)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 83 times today

Enjoy La Pizza & La Pasta's signature dishes for takeout or delivery through UberEats, Caviar, DoorDash, and Grubhub. While pizza and pasta are just the tip of the Italian iceberg, there is a reason these two culinary staples are the most beloved exports from Italy. Enjoy Eataly Boston's seasonal selection just steps away from where their expert pasta chefs and dough-slinging pizzaioli (pizza makers) create dishes before your eyes.

5. Quattro

4.6

Exceptional(1380)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North End

Booked 33 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.

6. Joe’s On Newbury

4.7

Exceptional(3035)

Price: Expensive

• American • Back Bay

Booked 69 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.

A photo of Ristorante Saraceno restaurant

7. Ristorante Saraceno

4.5

Awesome(1566)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North End

Booked 19 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.

A photo of The Florentine Cafe restaurant

8. The Florentine Cafe

4.7

Exceptional(624)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • North End

Booked 39 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.

9. Eva

4.3

Awesome(439)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Back Bay

Booked 37 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.

10. Alden and Harlow

4.6

Exceptional(4865)

Price: Moderate

• American • West Cambridge

Booked 94 times today

Located at 40 Brattle Street in Harvard Square, Alden & Harlow serves thoughtfully sourced, honest American food in a subterranean, modern and comfortable space. Replicating the style of cooking he does for family and friends in his home kitchen, Chef Michael Scelfo prepares humble, unpretentious food that honors tradition of place in its quality. It's how he connects with anyone who joins them at their table.While reservations are strongly suggested, we also save a portion of the dining room and bar for walk-ins in the event that your request cannot be accommodated. So please, come on in!Parties of more than 8, please call to make a reservation.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Michael
Greater Boston •9 reviews
4.0
Dined today
Great experience. Service was excellent and was very inexpensive.
More info
La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly BostonPrice: Moderate• Italian• Back Bay
•
4.3
M
Michelle
Greater Boston •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The food, drinks, and service were all excellent, we were celebrating a birthday and they surprised us with some great ice cream topped with hot fudge, sprinkles, and a candle, which was so sweet and really went above and beyond.
More info
Lincoln Tavern and RestaurantPrice: Moderate• American• South Boston
•
4.7
M
MargaretVIP
Greater Boston •24 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Went to Beehive for Saturday brunch with live jazz. Service was very friendly and attentive, menu had good and varied choices, food was delicious, music was great. I'll definitely be back.
More info
BeehivePrice: Expensive• American• South End
•
4.5
M
MaureenVIP
Greater Boston •46 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We had an amazing meal to bring in the New Year at Contessa’s! The view was delightful with Christmas lights, the State House, Church steeple and the high rises along with The Public Garden. Pedro, our server, and Sarai were so attentive! The focaccia bread and smoked olives were a pleasant start. The entrées were scrumptious! Pasta was perfect. Dessert was delicious! Thank you, Pedro and Sarai!
More info
Contessa - BostonPrice: Expensive• Italian• Back Bay
•
4.7
D
Donna
Philadelphia County •34 reviews
5.0
Dined on 24 Dec 2024
Food was magnificent! Service was outstanding! But like mist restaurants in the North End, they squeeze way too many “seats” into small space. It’s quite loud. Difficult to hear conversations at a table of 4 people. We were there for Christmas Eve so if was busy but I bet on a random Tuesday the experience would be much different and more enjoyable. I will say it was the best of the 3 North End restaurants I went to this week. I had pizza which was amazing! Better than regina. The pistachio martini was delightful!!!
More info
QuattroPrice: Moderate• Italian• North End
•
4.6

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Boston/New England

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Boston/New England

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31 restaurants available nearby

1. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

2. Contessa - Boston

3. Beehive

4. La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston

5. Quattro

6. Joe’s On Newbury

7. Ristorante Saraceno

8. The Florentine Cafe

9. Eva

10. Alden and Harlow

See what locals rave about

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