15 Coolest New Outdoor Patios around Boston

Photo courtesy of A&B Burgers

A&B Burgers

Pregame events at the TD Garden this season with the best seats (near) the house: those on the patio outside the newest location of A&B Burgers. The elevated platform set on lesser-traveled Beverly Street overlooks the arena and the Zakim Bridge. Have lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch at a table, or grab one of five al fresco stools at the counter looking inside the restaurant. Later this summer, there will be a couple lounge-style couches out there, too. Along with an award-winning burger menu, there are seasonal small plates, pitcher cocktails, like a maple whiskey sour, and summer-ready boozy milkshakes.

101 Beverly St. (corner of Causeway), Boston, 857-449-2251, anbburgers.com.

Photo by Tara Orkofsky

Alcove

Across Causeway Street, more new construction brings sweeping views of the Zakim and Boston Harbor from the comfortable setting outside Alcove. There are 65 seats, plus high-top cocktail-style tables to gather ’round for drinks, like the Garden Gnome, a cucumber-strawberry gin sipper; and snacks, such as the signature charred avocado, New Bedford scallop crudo, and sesame-ginger zucchini fritters. This scenic spot is also one of Boston’s newest dog-friendly patios.

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

Photo courtesy of Avenue Kitchen and Bar

Avenue Kitchen & Bar

This brand-new spot—it opened June 5 in Somerville—boasts a secluded back patio in the middle of Ball Square, enclosed with vine-covered fencing. Unwind back there with a pineapple daiquiri or an Italian Snoop—an original cocktail with Malfy Gin, grapefruit juice, and Campari. Dig in to a sheet of Detroit-style pizza, or perhaps opt for one of chef-owner Kenny Schweizer’s composed salad bowls, like the crunchy veg and quinoa with almond-ginger dressing.

158 Boston Ave., Ball Square, Somerville, 617-764-0879, avenuesomerville.com.

Photo courtesy of Café Beatrice

Café Beatrice

Before chef Will Gilson debuts a rooftop cocktail bar in East Cambridge next year, he’s taking his talents outside this summer with a pop-up project in Lower Allston. Into the fall, garage doors of Café Beatrice will open up onto a blossom-bound patio with 40 seats. Enjoy it with a nitro cold brew or draft iced tea, and daytime-friendly fare like breakfast sandwiches and bagels, ricotta toast, brick oven sandwiches, and grain bowls.

182 Western Ave., Lower Allston, Boston, 617-903-3471, puritancambridge.com.

Photo courtesy of Casa Caña

Casa Caña

The Latin kitchen and rum bar at the Studio Allston hotel clearly takes pride in its patio—as it should. The 100-plus-seat outdoor space is fully equipped for any fiesta, with its own bar, comfy lounge furniture like technicolor avocado-shaped chairs, courtyard fire pits, and evocative string lights. The backyard is the place to be, with seats for regular service, plus weekly events like Fiesta Fridays with $1 oysters, and Reggae Sundays complete with live music, punch bowls and more specialty cocktails, and giveaways.

1234 Soldiers Field Rd., Lower Allston, Boston, 617-415-5402, casacanaboston.com.

Photo courtesy of Chickadee

Chickadee

Enjoy the Seaport breeze, but don’t suffer from too much sunshine or—God forbid—any rain on this 30-seat patio. It’s covered by an awning on the Innovation and Design Building promenade. The sleek black tables and chairs are open for walk-ins during lunch, dinner, and the new weekend brunch service. Post up with friends to enjoy Mediterranean-inspired New England fare, like smoked sea trout dip with salt and vinegar rye chips; asparagus carbonara; grilled lamb with baby artichokes; and house-made doughnuts from pastry chef Kate Holowchik.

21 Drydock Ave., Seaport District, Boston, 617-531-5591, chickadeerestaurant.com.

Photo courtesy of Colette

Colette Wine Bistro

Take in the busy scene of Porter Square from this outdoor dining spot on the corner of Mass. Ave. and Porter Road. It’s the perfect spot to people-watch over a couple glasses of rosé—owner and beverage director Sandrine Rossi has several new selections in store for summertime—and shareable raw bar options, cheese plates, and dishes like green vegetable risotto. As it’s located at the boutique Porter Square Hotel, Colette is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—patio included.

1924 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge, 617-576 2222colette1924.com.

Photo by JM Leach

Fool’s Errand

Tiffani Faison’s unique, standing-only wine bar extends outside in-season with 20 more spots around a marble high-top. A trough around the communal table is filled nightly with ice so guests can keep bottles of Champagne and rosé chilled. The full menu of whimsical finger foods—and the cool lists of amari and cocktails—is available outside as well.

1377 Boylston St., Fenway/Kenmore, Boston, foolserrandboston.com.

Brian Samuels Photography

Fox & the Knife

We’re highly anticipating the outdoor seating options, slated to roll out this summer, at one of Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Restaurants. Spend aperitivo hour overlooking Broadway from a stool at a high-top drink rail, or opt for one of the three tables. But if you can’t get a seat al fresco, know that on nice days, floor-to-ceiling windows open up from the inside bar to the patio. Stay tuned for patio aperitivo parties later on this summer.

28 W. Broadway, South Boston, 617-766-8630, foxandtheknife.com.

Legal Sea Foods photo by Carly Gillis Photography

Legal Sea Food Chestnut Hill

The stalwart seafood chain moved its Chestnut Hill outpost to a different location last summer, and it’s now ready for its first full patio season. The second-floor restaurant has a large back deck that overlooks Hammond Pond; a wall of windows connects the deck to a lively bar area with a retractable roof, which is put to good use on sunny days. The entire menu is available at the bar and on the deck, and it’s full of all the Legal standards: oysters on the half-shell, chowder, baked Boston cod, fried clams, steamed lobster, sushi, and more.

55 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, 617-277-7300, legalseafoods.com.

Longfellow Bar photo by Michael Scelfo

Longfellow Bar at Alden & Harlow

Chef Michael Scelfo’s cool cocktail bar in Harvard Square has small, drink rail-equipped rooftop patio with standing room for a dozen guests. Ascend with a friend to share finger foods like a tuna crudo tostada, and Emile’s pita plate—plus stellar libations from one of the best bars around. The rooftop perch overlooks the patio at Scelfo’s flagship, Alden & Harlow; and it’s also available to rent for intimate private parties.

40 Brattle St. #3, Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-864-0001, longfellowharvard.com.

Photos courtesy of Nathálie Wine Bar

Nathálie Wine Bar

This nearly-year-old spot in the Fenway unveiled a Brookline Ave.-side patio earlier this spring, complete with a large standing drink rail. Select a funky bottle from Haley Fortier’s unique wine menu—she’ll open anything if you commit to two glasses—and people-watch in the fast-changing neighborhood. Or, grab one of the six dining tables and dig into dishes like blue cheese-stuffed chicken wings, fried clams, and pickled patatas bravas.

186 Brookline Ave., Boston, 857-317-3884, nathaliebar.com.

Photo courtesy of Night Shift Brewing

Night Shift Lovejoy Wharf

Yet another Zakim Bridge view-boasting patio debuts in June: Night Shift has outdoor seating at its new Boston brewery. With more than 60 seats, it has tables for dining and drinking, as well as spots for folks who just want to sip a few beers, or a fresh cup of coffee from Night Shift Roasting. It’s open all day, every day. Like its Harborwalk neighbor, Alcove, Night Shift’s patio is also pet-friendly. Cheers!

1 Lovejoy Wharf, Suite 101, Boston, 617-456-7687, nightshiftfamily.com.

Photo courtesy of Trillium Brewing Co.

Trillium Fort Point

The rooftop terrace at Trillium Brewing Company’s new Fort Point brewery has its own bar with tons of rotating taps, like New Englander’s Vacation (a fruity pale ale), Double Pier wheat IPA, and Double Seesaw fruited gose. There’s lounge seating and a drink rail overlooking the ground-level front patio and a public courtyard. Rooftop accommodations are first-come, first-served, while the 70-seat front patio has tables for full service. Check it out while we eagerly await for the Canton-based brewers to debut a year-round, greenhouse-inspired taproom in the Fenway later this summer, too.

50 Thomson Place, Fort Point, Boston, 857-449-0078, trilliumbrewing.com.

Photo courtesy of Whaling in Oklahoma

Whaling in Oklahoma

Enclosed with greenery, this south-facing patio gets lovely indirect sunlight and is dog-friendly, too. Chef Tim Maslow’s full menu is available to order outside, along with creative cocktails like the Umeshu Spritz (with Aperol, plum wine, and passionfruit) and Yushun Day, featuring bourbon, honey, grapefruit, and a savory smack of miso. Stay tuned for patio-exclusive events as the summer rolls on.

647 Tremont St., South End, Boston, 617-266-4600, whalinginoklahoma.com.