Boston’s Best Outdoor Dining – Top Patios, Decks & More

From lush hidden gardens to raucous roof decks, here are the sexiest, liveliest, prettiest, chillest places to dine al fresco around Boston.

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Bostonians have just a few blissful months each year for patio dining season—and warmer weather is even more highly anticipated during this summer of social distancing. Massachusetts restaurants received the governor’s go-ahead to reopen for outdoor dining beginning on Monday, June 8, though not every city nor establishment has the tables set quite yet.

Below, we’ve updated our comprehensive guide to the 52 best outdoor dining spots around Boston, indicating whether their patios have now reopened for the 2020 season (good news; many have!), are offering takeout-only menus, or remain closed altogether. We’ll continue to refresh with new information, as available. Before heading out to dinner, check to see if your destination requires a reservation. Don’t forget to wear your masks, and respect social distancing guidelines posted at the restaurant. Stay safe, be kind, and have a nice summer, Boston. [Updated Friday, July 17.]

Alcove

Status: Open daily for takeout and patio dining, from 5-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 5-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturdays and noon-8 p.m. Sundays.

A comfortable setting just off Causeway Street boasts sweeping views of the Zakim Bridge and Boston Harbor. Pair the city scenery with cool cocktails from owner and veteran drinksmith Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli’s team, and “farm coast” cuisine by chef Brian Paszko—think: summery salads, seafood, and snacks from the fertile coast of southern New England.

50 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, 617-248-0050, alcoveboston.com.

Ashmont Grill

Status: Open for takeout and expanded patio dining, Thursday through Monday from 5-10 p.m.

Just off the Ashmont MBTA stop is an al fresco oasis with modern comfort food—wood-grilled lamb chops, Faroe Island salmon with kimchi fried rice, a Pearl hot dog on a grilled bun—plus weekly dollar oysters and whole-animal roasts from chef-owner Chris Douglass. You can also settle on the front patio.

555 Talbot Ave., Ashmont, Dorchester, 617-825-4300, ashmontgrill.com.

Atwood’s Tavern

Status: Currently closed.

The lushly landscaped deck behind Atwood’s Tavern proves a low-key refuge for classic comforts like burgers, Formaggio-curated cheese and charcuterie boards, and macaroni and cheese—not to mention heavy hitters on draft from Lamplighter Brewing, Grimm, and Bantam Cider.

877 Cambridge St., East Cambridge, 617-864-2792, atwoodstavern.com.

Audubon

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining Monday through Saturday from 5-10 p.m. (Saturdays from 2:30 p.m. until close), and for Sunday brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations required.

Traditional dining high-tops and family-style seating make this back patio a prime spot for pre- or post-Fenway noshing. The Boston venture from Trina’s Starlite Lounge offers ever-changing small plates, like grilled sambal buffalo wings, and loaded potatoes; entrées like chicken tikka masala, sandwiches, salads, and more—and of course, great cocktails.

838 Beacon St., Fenway/Kenmore, Boston, 617-421-1910, audubonboston.com.

B&G Oysters

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining Wednesday through Sunday during lunch and dinner. Reservations available, and priority seating given to pre-orders made online.

Descend a few steps to the patio behind the Barbara Lynch Collective’s oyster bar and you’ll find summertime bliss. Under a string of globe lights and a little shade from South End flora (in due time), B&G Oysters is a prime spot to have a selection of fresh bivalves on the half shell, a simple lobster roll, and a glass of Chablis.

550 Tremont St., South End, Boston, 617-423-0550, bandgoysters.com.

Banyan Bar + Refuge

Status: Open for patio dining Wednesday through Sunday from 4-10 p.m. (4-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays).

The team behind the Gallows is paying due respect to the outdoor space at the former Hamersley’s Bistro. Banyan’s brick patio is ensconced in strings of warm bulbs and lanterns and lush greenery, and features colorful, comfortable lounge seating in addition to dining tables and a cushioned banquette. No matter where you sit, drinks like a five-spice-infused Painkiller with coconut foam taste great al fresco. The patio opens annually around May 1, and also brings back weekday lunch and weekend brunch for the season, too.

553 Tremont St., South End, Boston, 617-556-4211, banyanboston.com.

Barcelona Wine Bar (Brookline)

Status: Open daily noon-8 p.m. for takeout and patio dining.

Premium people-watching in Washington Square is part of the allure of this 70-seat outdoor dining area. The space offers partial shade, and the fine folks in charge have blankets available for chilly nights. The menu features shareable tapas like seared foie gras and jamón croquetas. Just here for the wine? There’s also a cocktail patio.

1700 Beacon St., Washington Square, Brookline, 617-264-8900, barcelonawinebar.com.

Bistro du Midi

Status: Currently closed.

Overlooking the Public Garden, this 20-seat patio pairs prime views of the park with proper Provençal lunch or dinner. Chef Robert Sisca’s French fare is inspired by the farms of coastal New England—think: black pepper tagliatelle with Scituate lobster, chicken with ramp risotto and morels, crusted halibut with Manila clams, and more.

272 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-426-7878, bistrodumidi.com.

Bow Market

Status: Open for patio dining Thursday through Sunday at varying times. Shopping and takeout from vendors is available every day.

Somerville’s small-scale food hall and maker market has a cool courtyard where you can enjoy takeout from Saus, Hooked Fish Shop, Hot Box, and more resident dining options. Booze purveyors Remnant Brewing and Rebel Rebel Wine Bar have their own designated spaces for outdoor sipping—but on special occasions, drinks can come into the courtyard, too.

1 Bow Market Way, Union Square, Somerville, bowmarketsomerville.com.

Photos provided by the Bowery Bar Photos provided by the Bowery Bar Photos provided by the Bowery Bar Photos provided by the Bowery Bar Photos provided by the Bowery Bar Photos provided by the Bowery Bar

The Bowery Bar

Status: Open daily for patio dining starting at 11:30 a.m. (10 a.m. on weekends). Reservations strongly encouraged.

This Lower Mills restaurant debuted in summer 2018 and from the get-go, it’s had an impressive patio with various seating options, including an outdoor bar and private lounge spaces that can be reserved for groups. Stay cool thanks to a misting system (!), or stay dry on misty days thanks for retractable awnings being installed in 2019. Besides an expansive menu with everything from crab Rangoon to spicy sausage rigatoni to a chicken sandwich with Brie, there is occasionally live music, and yard games like cornhole.

2261 Dorchester Ave., Lower Mills, Dorchester, 617-698-2261, bowery-bar.com.

Branch Line

Status: Open for takeout, delivery, and patio dining Tuesday through Sunday, from 4-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; 4-8:30 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-8:30 p.m. on Saturdays; and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. on Sundays. Bocce coming soon. Reservations strongly encouraged.

The 45-seat dining area is covered and heated, so year-round, it’s a fine place to carve into a rotisserie chicken and a big plate of snap pea salad, and sip tulips of Stillwater Artisanal, Shacksbury, and other rare beers and ciders on the funky draft list. But in the warmer months, there’s bocce, too.

321 Arsenal St., Watertown, 617-420-1900, branchlinearsenal.com.

Brewer’s Fork

Status: Open daily for takeout and patio dining, starting at 11:30 a.m.

This beer garden offers a sense of place: You can see the Bunker Hill Monument peeking above the landscaped flora and string lights. Chef John Paine’s wood-fired pizzas and small plates (like wood-roasted, Plum Island steamers, and daily crudo options) pair perfectly with co-owner Michael Cooney’s selection of top-tier local and Belgian brews.

7 Moulton St., Charlestown, 617-337-5703, brewersfork.com.

Bronwyn

Status: Open nightly for takeout, delivery, and patio dining from 5-8 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. for brunch.

Rustic, family-style tables clothed in blue-and-white gingham give this biergarten a decidedly Bavarian feel. It’s the perfect location to take in chef Tim Wiechmann’s bretzel with horseradish mustard, wursts, schnitzel, and liters of lagers, hefeweizens, and radlers.

255 Washington St., Union Square, Somerville, 617-776-9900, bronwynrestaurant.com.

Buttermilk & Bourbon

Status: Open daily for takeout and patio dining, from noon.-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays for brunch, then from 4:30-10 p.m. for dinner. Reservations required.

Comfortable lounge seating, a six-seat bar, ample heat towers and shade umbrellas—plus dining tables, of course—make this Comm. Ave. patio an ideal spot for after-work drinks and dinner. Did we mention there are rotating flavors of house-made soft serve?

160 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-266-1122, buttermilkbourbon.com.

Cambridge Brewing Company

Status: Open Monday through Saturday for takeout and patio dining from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. (4-10 p.m. on Mondays).

Tucked into One Kendall Square is a patio perfect for a mini beer festival any time chef David Drew breaks out the outdoor grill, which he does a few times a season. Beer garden parties aside, it’s a fine place for spent grain-dough pizzas, dollar oysters, and a few rounds of house-made brews like Working Class Hero, a hoppy saison from brewmaster Will Meyers. There’s also a standing room, beers-only “swig pen.”

One Kendall Square, Bldg. 100, Cambridge, 617-494-1994, cambridgebrewingcompany.com.

Charlie’s Kitchen

Status: Open for patio dining Thursday through Sunday, from 4 p.m.-midnight on Thursdays; 3 p.m.-midnight on Fridays; noon-midnight on Saturdays; and noon-8 p.m. on Sundays.

A classic double cheeseburger, waffle fries, and a brew straight from the 22-draft outdoor bar are storied Harvard Square traditions. The rock-lined, subterranean beer garden is dog-friendly, and it’s open year-round, complete with tableside fireplaces.

10 Eliot St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-492-9646, charlieskitchen.com.

City Tap House

Status: Open daily for takeout and patio dining, from 3-10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. until close on weekends.

Craft beers and fire pits are found in spades at this Fort Point spot. Come for weekend brunch, and stay for a couple rounds of cornhole. Cheers!

10 Boston Wharf Rd., Fort Point, Boston, 617-904-2748, citytap.com.

Committee

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining Tuesday through Sunday from 5-10 p.m., as well as for weekend brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Maybe it’s the sea breeze, but this hotspot’s outdoor cocktail lounge feels a little more laid back than its lively dining room and huge indoor bar. It’s the only place you can sip certain patio-exclusive drinks like frozen slushies, and it’s also a fine place to explore the extensive list of lesser-known Mediterranean varietals, Greek spirits, and fun meze.

50 Northern Ave., Seaport, Boston, 617-737-5051, committeeboston.com.

Commonwealth

Status: Open daily for takeout lunch 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and dinner 4-8 p.m. Patio open for dinner service Monday through Saturday from 4-8 p.m.

With Broad Canal views, this 120-plus-seat deck is a perfect place to enjoy menu items like seared monkfish, carrot-farro salad with apricots, and house-made ice cream flavors. Plus, the 1960 D100 Dodge pickup truck converted to a refrigerator is probably the coolest outdoor bar around.

11 Broad Canal Way, Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-945-7030, commonwealthcambridge.com.

The Coppersmith roof deck will have another season in South Boston.Photo Provided Photo Provided Photo Provided Photo Provided Photo Provided Photo Provided

Coppersmith

Status: Open daily from 2-10 p.m. for patio dining, with additional outdoor seating in the ground-level parking lot, too. Hours extend from 1-11 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturdays.

This Southie spot boasts not only the 75-seat “Porch” out front, but also a vintage Airstream-turned-rooftop bar, the Airdeck. The multi-level space has summer-ready cocktails and craft beer, plus party-friendly barbecue plates, buffalo shrimp, sweet potato tots, and more.

40 W. 3rd St., South Boston, 617-658-3452, coppersmithboston.com.

Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen

Status: Open Thursday through Sunday from 3-10 p.m. for takeout and patio dining.

Alongside quiet Northampton Street, Darryl’s boasts a lush, secluded slice of outdoor space in the heart of the South End. It’s a prime spot to sip a frozen cocktail before catching a summertime show of live, local music.

604 Columbus Ave., South End, Boston, 617-536-1100, dcbkboston.com.

Devlin’s

Status: Open daily for takeout and patio dining, from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and until 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

This Brighton neighborhood favorite has a large, outdoor dining area hidden in the back. It’s an ideal place for meeting friends to share snacks like tuna poke wonton tostadas, blackened swordfish tacos with mango salsa, and charcuterie pizza. The outdoor bar has a robust draft list, and TVs to appease al fresco sports fans.

322 Washington St., Brighton, 617-779-8822, edevlins.com.

Earls Kitchen + Bar (Back Bay)

Status: Patio open daily from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

This twinkling roof deck seats more than 200 people across various dining and lounge-style settings. It has a gigantic tree and an ivy-lined wall, and the retractable roof allows for three-season enjoyment.

The Shops at the Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston, 857-957-0949, earlsrestaurants.com.

Eastern Standard

Status: Currently closed.

In the heart of Kenmore Square, Eastern Standard remains the crown jewel of al fresco dining in Boston. You can’t go wrong with a plate of oysters and a Whiskey Smash, but don’t overlook Eastern Standard’s reserve beer list. Next door at the sister cocktail bar the Hawthorne, there’s also a cozy lounge, with lush sofas, low coffee tables, and of course, beverage director Jackson Cannon’s array of expertly shaken and stirred cocktails.

500 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square, Boston, 617-532-9100, easternstandardboston.com.

Photo Provided Photo Provided Photo Provided Photo Provided Photo Provided Photo Provided

Harvest

Status: Currently closed.

Located off a cobblestone path in the heart of Harvard Square, Harvest’s enclosed outdoor dining area is one Cambridge’s best date spots, particularly on chilly nights when they light up the stone fireplace.

44 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-868-2255, harvestcambridge.com.

Hojoko

Status: Currently closed.

One major benefit of setting up shop in Fenway’s former Howard Johnson Inn is the proximity to the hotel pool. Tim and Nancy Cushman’s rollicking Japanese pub extends to 50 seats around the Verb Hotel’s retro-chic pool, at high-top tables and lounge chairs underneath retractable awnings. Out front, there are 50 additional seats on the front porch.

1271 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, 617-670-0507, hojokoboston.com.

KO Pies at the Shipyard

Status: Open Wednesday through Sunday from noon-9 p.m. for takeout. Patio currently closed.

This is a truly unique spot overlooking the industrial (and artsy) Boston Harbor Shipyard—for one more summer, at least. Owner Sam Jackson plans to move along from Boston in 2019, and the pie shop might close. But that’s a future concern. Now, it’s time for Australian meat pies, wedges, and a Coopers (or local craft beer or cider) on the deck. There is cornhole to play, and once the season really gets swingin’, they’ll throw open the beer service window so you don’t have to go back to the bar to keep the party going.

256 Marginal St., East Boston, 617-418-5234, kocateringandpies.com.

Legal Harborside

Status: Open daily from noon-8 p.m. for takeout and first-floor patio dining. The rooftop is open Thursday through Sunday from 2-9 p.m.

This three-story behemoth is a stunner in all seasons, but summertime is when it really excels. Grab a pint at nearby Harpoon before hitting up Legal’s picturesque patio for some steamers, New England fried clams, and freshly shucked shellfish.

270 Northern Ave., Seaport, Boston, 617-477-2900, legalseafoods.com.

Lolita (Fort Point)

Status: Patio open daily from 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

The second location of this cocina y tequila bar has an outdoor bar and seating area along the Harborwalk. The modern Mexican cuisine and renowned margaritas taste right at home inside the gothic-style interior, but they also pair nicely with views of the Fort Point Channel.

253 Summer St., Fort Point, Boston, 617-369-0931, lolitamexican.com.

Lone Star Taco Bar (Allston)

Status: Open daily for takeout from noon-9 p.m., and for patio dining from noon-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

During the pandemic shutdown, cofounders Max Toste and Aaron Sanders announced the bittersweet closure of their first bar and restaurant, Deep Ellum. But the silver lining is that their beloved taqueria is taking over the space, including the oasis out back. A secluded spot of dark-stained woods and greenery, the back deck provides just enough shade to enjoy tacos and margaritas from brunch through sunset. A similarly inspired outdoor setup, albeit out front, can also be found outside Cambridge sister spot Lone Star Taco Bar.

479 Cambridge St., Allston, 617-782-TACO, 635 Cambridge St., East Cambridge, 857-285-6179, lonestar-boston.com.

Lookout Rooftop and Bar

Status: Open for patio dining Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-midnight and Sundays from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Impress out-of-town guests this summer at this trendy spot. Along with craft cocktails, the seventh-story lounge on top of the Envoy Hotel serves up breathtaking views of the Harbor and the Skyline.

70 Sleeper St., Seaport, Boston, 617-530-1559, theenvoyhotel.com.

Loyal Nine

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and for Sunday brunch from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

The patio outside Loyal Nine’s café is a quiet spot to sip espresso in the morning. At night, dine on chef Marc Sheehan’s oft-changing, rustic New England fare, with its emphasis on native seafood, vegetables, and herbs, like anise hyssop grown right on the deck. Don’t miss the refreshing, house-made shrubs and creative cocktails.

660 Cambridge St., East Cambridge, 617-945-2576, loyalninecambridge.com.

Lulu’s Allston

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining daily, Monday through Thursday from 4-10 p.m.; Fridays from noon-11 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 .m.-11 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

There’s plenty of room behind this Allston beer bar—about 50 dining seats, plus colorful lounge furniture, cornhole, and a bocce court. Some of the perches are made from repurposed kegs, and the beer theme extends to a screen divider hanging above a standing bar area: It’s decorated with tap handles representing some of the 50 craft beverages Lulu’s has on draft inside.

421 Cambridge St., Allston, 617-787-1117, lulusallston.com.

Mare Oyster Bar

Status: Patio open daily from 4 p.m.-midnight. Reservations are required.

Prolific North End restauranteur Frank DePasquale’s seafood concept has a 70-seat outdoor lounge with fire pits, a retractable awning, and plush seating. It’s an ideal setting for the Mediterranean-inflected likes of grigliata di pesce (grilled seafood), daily crudo, and hot and cold lobster rolls, and a glass or two of wine.

3 Mechanic St., North End, Boston, 617-723-6273, mareoysterbar.com.

Naco Taco

Status: Open daily for takeout and patio dining from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

This bright and lively patio has a permanently parked food truck dishing out spit-roasted al pastor and smoked chicken thigh tacos, plantains con queso, and more. The Mass. Ave. spot is prime for people-watching while enjoying rounds of margaritas, sangria, and micheladas in the sunshine. Looking for takeout tacos? Naco Taco has a truck parked on Newbury Street Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., as well as meals on wheels at Trillium Canton on Thursdays and Fridays from noon-7 p.m.

297 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge, 617-945-1548, nacocentral.com.

The Neighborhood

Status: Open daily for takeout and patio dining from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Come springtime, this happening diner moves all service outside onto a gargoyle-guarded patio. Come high summer, it’s shaded with fragrant grapes, which owner Sheila Borges and family harvest to make the jelly for your house-baked, complimentary toast.

25 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville, 617-623-9710, theneighborhoodrestaurant.com.

Photo by Kristin Teig Provided Photo by Kristin Teig Provided Photo by Kristin Teig Provided Photo by Kristin Teig Provided Photo by Kristin Teig Provided Photo by Kristin Teig Provided Photo by Kristin Teig Provided Photo by Kristin Teig Provided Oleana-outdoor-dining-patio-deck-al-fresco-Photo-by-Kristin-Teig-5 The garden patio at Oleana.Photo by Kristin Teig Photo by Kristin Teig

Oleana

Status: Open for takeout Wednesdays through Sundays from 4-8 p.m. Stay tuned for patio news.

One of the most coveted seats in town, Oleana’s patio, adorned with a gurgling fountain, is a transportive setting in which to enjoy Ana Sortun’s inventive, Eastern Mediterranean fare. The restaurant doesn’t take outdoor reservations, but there is an area—under the foliage of a fig tree—where you can wait for a table, ensconced in the perfume of Sortun’s nearby herb garden.

134 Hampshire St., Inman Square, Cambridge, 617-661-0505, oleanarestaurant.com.

Our Fathers

Status: Currently closed.

With its modern Jewish cuisine, Our Fathers is pioneering in taste—and in setting. Diners can feast on a delicious pastrami sandwich on the patio, or make a beeline to a gin-filled, al fresco happy hour at the indoor/outdoor bar. Bring a friend or your dog—or, if they’re both busy, your laptop: There are outdoor outlets for the workaholics.

197 North Harvard St., Lower Allston, 617-303-0101, ourfathersboston.com.

Pier 6

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Dine in full view of the historic Charlestown Navy Yard and the USS Constitution on the roof deck, or on the huge, first-floor patio. Downstairs, there’s an outdoor bar, with rosé magnums and cocktails like the Captain’s Mistress, a refreshing sparkler with tequila, Aperol, grapefruit juice, rhubarb bitters, and cava. Plus: There’s a complimentary (weather-dependent) seasonal water taxi directly to the equally scenic East Boston sister spot, ReelHouse.

1 8th St., Charlestown, 617-337-0054, pier6boston.com.

Porto

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining Tuesday through Thursday from 5-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5-10 p.m.

The patio at Jody Adams’ Mediterranean venture offers lounge seating, views of the Copley block, and an outdoor bar to boot. Take in the scenery over plates of raw fluke, squid ink bucatini, and barrel-aged Greek feta and olives.

Ring Rd., Back Bay, 617-536-1234, porto-boston.com.



Publico Street Bistro & Garden

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining Tuesday through Sunday, at 4 p.m. on weekdays and at 11 a.m. on weekends.

The chic, year-round atrium is one of the reasons this Southie spot is a neighborhood favorite. In the center of the condo building home to the “street bistro,” the Garden, as it’s called, has a 13-seat bar, and additional tables and lounge seating around fire pits (and there are outdoor TVs, too). In summertime it’s lush with greenery, and in winter, it’s the cozy après ski-inspired Lodge at Publico.

11 Dorchester St., South Boston, 617-622-5700, publicoboston.com.

ReelHouse

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

On this sprawling, 130-seat deck, take in panoramic views of the harbor and skyline from the unique vantage point of Eastie. There’s a granite-topped outdoor bar, yacht-themed décor, tropical cocktails, and a seafood-focused menu. Plus, it’s accessible from Charlestown by public water taxi.

6 New St., East Boston, 617-895-4075, reelhouseboston.com.

River Bar

Status: Open for patio dining nightly from 4 p.m.-11 p.m. (midnight on Friday and Saturday). Stay tuned for takeout, lunch, and brunch to be added.

Comfy orange couches, fire pits, landscaped trees, and an outdoor bar complement views of the Mystic River from the year-round deck. In warmer months, the retractable roof is gone, for ultimate al fresco enjoyment of street food-inspired plates like polenta poutine, short rib empanadas, and vegetarian-friendly grain bowl.

661 Assembly Row, Somerville, 617-616-5561, river-bar.com.

The Salty Pig

Status: Unexpectedly closed because of a small fire! Stay tuned for a reopening this summer.

Step off the Orange Line at Back Bay station and settle in on this 60-seat patio to create your own charcuterie board with house-cured pig parts, and have few slices of stone-grilled pizza. The fare partners perfectly with the restaurant’s wide selection of Old World wines, craft beers, and cocktails.

130 Dartmouth St., South End, Boston, 617-536-6200, thesaltypig.com.

The Sinclair

Status: Currently closed.

This 40-seat roof deck, with umbrella-shaded high-top tables and iron patio furniture, is a haven above bustling Harvard Square. Your pre-concert, al fresco feast is complete with snacks like Nashville hot wings, barbecue Brussels sprouts topped with Fritos for crunch, and bacon-habanero deviled eggs.

52 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-547-5200, sinclaircambridge.com.

The Smoke Shop BBQ (Kendall Square)

Status: Open daily for takeout and patio dining from noon-10 p.m.

The spacious courtyard at One Kendall Square has a few outdoor dining options, including this patio right outside the glass-walled bar of chef Andy Husbands’s original barbecue restaurant. Even while we can’t sidle up to the bar for now, there’s a lively atmosphere outside with the windows open, and tables full of agave-glazed chicken wings, ribs and brisket burnt ends, and fresh craft beer.

1 Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-577-RIBS (7427), thesmokeshopbbq.com.

Sophia’s Grotto

Status: Open daily for takeout and patio dining. Patio hours are Monday through Thursday 4-9:30 p.m., Fridays 4-10:30 p.m., Saturdays noon-10:30 p.m. and Sundays noon-9 p.m.

This herbaceous patio in Roslindale is one for the books. The rustic outdoor space offers plenty of shade and greenery, perfect for an al fresco meal of spicy mussels and fontina-stuffed veal.

22 Birch St., Roslindale, 617-323-4595, sophiasgrotto.com.

SRV

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining Wednesday through Saturday from 5-11 p.m.

Grab a spot on the small, front patio along Columbus Avenue to see and be seen, but the 46-seat, hidden deck behind the restaurant is where to have a secluded soiree. The outstanding restaurant’s full menu is available on both patios.

569 Columbus Ave., South End, Boston, 617-536-9500, srvboston.com.

Sweet Cheeks

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining Thursday through Saturday.

What’s better than a heaping tray loaded with brisket burnt ends, fried chicken, and Tiffani Faison’s softball-sized biscuits? Devouring said tray at Sweet Cheeks’ outside bar with a cold can of Zero Gravity Green State Lager, or a mason jar filled with whiskey-spiked sweet tea.

1381 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, 617-266-1300, sweetcheeksq.com.

Trade

Status: Currently closed.

Located in the heart of the Financial District, this sidewalk seating area overlooks the vibrant Greenway, making for excellent people-watching to go along with chef Jody Adams’s lamb dumplings, lasagna bolognese, or Wagyu burger; and the bar’s fun cocktails and extensive rosé menu.

540 Atlantic Ave., Financial District, Boston, 617-451-1234, trade-boston.com.

Tres Gatos

Status: Open for takeout and patio dining Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30-8 p.m., and for appointment-based shopping in the book and record shop from noon-6 p.m.

Gambas a la brasa (blackened shrimp), warm Medjool dates, lamb bocadillo, and other tapas and pinchos from chef Stephen Marcaurelle are as tempting as the vinyl soundtrack, and the small but verdant patio out front. As is the sherry collection.

470 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston, 617-477-9209, tresgatosjp.com.

This list was last updated June 24, 2020.

