Best of Boston

Best Al Fresco Restaurant

Oleana

Cambridge
Oleana could serve its lush menu from the back of a pickup truck in a parking lot and the place would still draw crowds. Fortunately, [...] read more»
2014 Best Al Fresco Restaurant

Commonwealth

Cambridge
Commonwealth already had a lot going for it—Full-service market! Parking!—but this spring, the Kendall Square restaurant upped its game further with a sprawling, Broad Canal—facing [...] read more»
2013 Best Al Fresco Restaurant

Hamersley’s Bistro

Boston
Massive decks and skyline views have their charms, but for a truly romantic meal en plein air, nothing beats the secret-garden feel of the lantern-lit [...] read more»
2012 Best Al Fresco Restaurant

Sam’s at Louis

Boston
We've been known, on those perfect 72-degree days, to work an "emergency" business lunch at Sam's into our schedule. Neither Newbury Street's sidewalk cafés nor [...] read more»
2011 Best Al Fresco Restaurant

Harvest

Cambridge
Like to eat while on display, with the entire passing world gawking at your menu choices? Pull up a sidewalk seat on Newbury. Prefer to [...] read more»
2009 Best Al Fresco Restaurant, Affordable

Sophia’s Grotto

Roslindale
In a mere four years this precocious trattoria has grown up into an authentic Old World beauty, its cloistered brick courtyard now mature with ornamental [...] read more»
2009 Best Al Fresco Restaurant

B&G Oysters

Boston
When summer finally arrives in Boston, every restaurant with a patch of sidewalk scurries to put out a few wrought iron tables and hang its [...] read more»
2007 Best Al Fresco Restaurant, Affordable

Tavern On the Water

Charlestown
The spectacular views and lengthy menu—casual staples like chicken fingers, grownup entrees like ahi tuna—at this dockside cafe easily trump any pretentious, cheek-by-jowl patios elsewhere [...] read more»
2007 Best Al Fresco Restaurant

Oleana

Cambridge
We were worried when we heard they were making over our beloved patio at Oleana. After all, it's the drooping wisteria, fragrant herbs, and sparkling [...] read more»
2006 Best Al Fresco Restaurant, Martha's Vineyard

Sweet Life Cafe

Oak Bluffs
Ten bucks says if you were asked to imagine your ideal evening of outdoor island dining, you'd pick something with a water view. Oh, naive [...] read more»
2006 Best Al Fresco Restaurant

Oleana

Cambridge
If Ana Sortun's celebrated Mediterranean fare isn't enough to transport you, her back patio will: Two dozen tables are surrounded by a fragrant garden that [...] read more»