Best Restaurants for People Watching in Financial District

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodFrenchIndianChinese

Regions

Boston

Areas

Back BayCambridgeChestnut HillFaneuil HallFenway–KenmoreFinancial District

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

29 restaurants available nearby

1. Fin Point

4.5

Awesome(1117)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Financial District

Booked 36 times today

Fin Point Oyster Bar and Grille features a full Raw Bar and renditions of New England classics that are both sophisticated and approachable. The elegant dining room and dynamic bar scene compliment the inviting atmosphere. An instant classic nestled into historic downtown Boston, perfect for power lunches, afterwork drinks, celebrations and private events.Weekend $1 Oyster Special Thursday - Saturday from 2PM-5PM!

A photo of Waterline – Boston Marriott Long Wharf restaurant

2. Waterline – Boston Marriott Long Wharf

3.8

Excellent(287)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Faneuil Hall

Booked 1 time today

Set inside the hotel, Waterline tempts patrons with New England favorites that feature locally sourced ingredients, featuring our award winning New England Clam Chowder alongside a superb drink menu. This waterfront restaurant also showcases breathtaking Long Wharf views from its perch overlooking Boston.

A photo of North 26 Bar & Restaurant restaurant

3. North 26 Bar & Restaurant

3.7

Very Good(48)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Faneuil Hall

Booked 1 time today

Enjoy a modern dining experience at our North 26 Restaurant and Bar. We specialize in taking your favorite classic dishes and adding our own modern twists to create dishes you are sure to enjoy. From our chicken parmesan egg rolls to our lobster roll or spicy shrimp pasta, we have something for everyone and invite you sit back, enjoy the view of Faneuil Hall and downtown Boston, and eat to your heart's delight at North 26! You can choose to enjoy it outdoor dining on the patio during the summer, or indoors with a view of Faneuil Hall. For breakfast, lunch, dinner, or evening cocktails and bar bites, look no further than North 26 Restaurant and Bar.

A photo of Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant restaurant

4. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(1501)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • South Boston

Booked 48 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.

5. Contessa - Boston

4.7

Exceptional(118)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 60 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 OAK Long Bar + Kitchen restaurant

6. OAK Long Bar + Kitchen

4.6

Exceptional(1878)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Unspecified • Back Bay

Booked 52 times today

OAK Long Bar + Kitchen is an exciting American brasserie restaurant in the heart of Boston's Back Bay. Enjoy specialty, hand crafted cocktails at the exquisite coppertop bar and a farm to table menu featuring local ingredients and purveyors.

A photo of The Florentine Cafe restaurant

7. The Florentine Cafe

4.8

Exceptional(647)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • North End

Booked 40 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.

8. Quattro

4.6

Exceptional(1402)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • North End

Booked 37 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 La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston restaurant

9. La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston

4.4

Awesome(2204)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 68 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.

A photo of Aquitaine - Boston restaurant

10. Aquitaine - Boston

4.6

Exceptional(3963)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• French • South End

Booked 40 times today

Aquitaine, an award-winning French bistro in Boston’s South End, has been a neighborhood gem for over 20 years. Whether you’re seeking a romantic dinner, a charming date night, or a sophisticated business lunch, Aquitaine delivers an authentic Parisian experience. Savor French favorites like Steak Frites, Nicoise Salad, Moules (Mussels), Duck Confit, Croque Madame, and Truffle Fries in the recently renovated dining room or on the expanded patio. Known as a wine bar destination, Aquitaine also offers an iconic brunch for those who want to indulge in classic French dishes while overlooking the vibrant Tremont Street.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
Dory
Atlanta •4 reviews
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
the waitress gave us a lincoln tavern onesie for my baby and it was so sweet!!!
More info
Lincoln Tavern and RestaurantPrice: Moderate• American• South Boston
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 2 Mar 2025
True experience of Fine Dining! Everything was well cooked, from the appetizer all the way until the dessert!! The service itself was phenomenal. The only thing that was a little unexpected were there was a lot of kids at the time that I went. Other than too many kids in the environment, I would highly recommend to friends and family to dine at this restaurant if you’re looking for a special night out with your partner or your girlfriends!!
More info
Waterline – Boston Marriott Long WharfPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Faneuil Hall
•
3.8
K
KenVIP
Greater Boston •24 reviews
5.0
Dined on 1 Mar 2025
We love this place. The food is great. The $1.00 oysters are the best deal in Boston and the staff is very friendly, professional and hard working. We will be back to Boston in a month and definitely plan to stop by again.
More info
Fin PointPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• Financial District
•
4.5
R
Ryan
Greater Boston •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on 23 Feb 2025
Came here for our anniversary dinner and had a wonderful time. Always love to come here for special occasions.
More info
Contessa - BostonPrice: Expensive• Italian• Back Bay
•
4.7
L
LisaVIP
New York City •53 reviews
5.0
Dined on 16 Oct 2024
Accommodated our large party and provided excellent food and recommendations, and outstanding service.
More info
North 26 Bar & RestaurantPrice: Moderate• American• Faneuil Hall
•
3.7

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