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Best Restaurants for People Watching in South Boston

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30 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant restaurant
1. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1460)
Price: Moderate
• American • South Boston
Booked 97 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.
A photo of Beehive restaurant
2. Beehive
4.6
Exceptional(7101)
Price: Expensive
• American • South End
Booked 104 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 Abe & Louie’s - Boston restaurant
3. Abe & Louie’s - Boston
4.8
Exceptional(9145)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Back Bay
Booked 135 times today
Abe & Louie’s, located in Boston’s Back Bay, is the epitome of a classic steakhouse. The iconic establishment sets the standard for elegant dining with superior service, charm, and appeal in a timeless sophisticated atmosphere. Abe & Louie’s, known for premium steaks, serves classic dishes, fresh seafood, shareable sides, and an award-winning wine list. Abe & Louie’s offers brunch, lunch, and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating. Delivery and take-out available.
A photo of Contessa - Boston restaurant
4. Contessa - Boston
4.8
Exceptional(62)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Back Bay
Booked 84 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 La Voile restaurant
5. La Voile
4.7
Exceptional(5463)
Price: Expensive
• French • Back Bay
Booked 64 times today
La Voile is an authentic French brasserie, opened in Cannes in 1947. After a few years under a new ownership, it relocated to Boston in 2007.
A photo of Eva restaurant
6. Eva
4.4
Awesome(430)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Back Bay
Booked 55 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.
A photo of Little Whale restaurant
7. Little Whale
4.7
Exceptional(753)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • Back Bay
Booked 21 times today
Little Whale Oyster Bar is a Classic New England Seafood Restaurant and Raw Bar from Chef Michael Serpa on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay. An ode to the seaside clamshacks are raw bars of the New England coast, Little Whale is a casual neighborhood spot focusing on local products and seafood friendly wines.
A photo of Quattro restaurant
8. Quattro
4.6
Exceptional(1353)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • North End
Booked 34 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 Joe’s On Newbury restaurant
9. Joe’s On Newbury
4.6
Exceptional(3000)
Price: Expensive
• American • Back Bay
Booked 100 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
10. Ristorante Saraceno
4.6
Exceptional(1540)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • North End
Booked 36 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Marievip
    Greater Boston •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Great service, great food and atmosphere- highly recommend- the brisket was AMAZING
    More info
    BeehivePrice: Expensive• American• South End
    •
    4.6
  • Maverick
    Greater Boston •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Absolutely incredible. I went for my 1 year anniversary with my girlfriend and it was well worth the steep price. We had the fresh Burrata as our appetizer, she had the Fettuccine Bolognese, I had the Saered Scallops, and we got 2 desserts… the Coffee Gelato and the Crema di Boston. Food was awesome, server was attentive and nice, but the best part was the ambiance and the view. My god. Super awesome experience!
    More info
    Contessa - BostonPrice: Expensive• Italian• Back Bay
    •
    4.8
  • OpenTable Diner
    Upstate New York •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Great vibe. Beautiful place. Great service. Awesome food.
    More info
    Lincoln Tavern and RestaurantPrice: Moderate• American• South Boston
    •
    4.7
  • Elizabeth
    Greater Boston •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Just had a lovely date night here to celebrate my husband’s birthday. The filet mignon we ordered was tender and delicious, but the sides (whipped potatoes & brussels sprouts with truffle aioli), appetizers (raw tuna with kettle chips, clam chowder with bacon) and dessert (chocolate cake with ice cream & fresh whipped cream) were every bit as delicious. I loved the fact that the chocolate cake was both moist and chocolatey (usually only flourless chocolate cakes have enough chocolate flavor). The service was very gracious and friendly. I also appreciated that the restaurant wasn’t too loud, and we could enjoy a conversation without shouting at each other, unlike a lot of other restaurants with fantastic food that try too hard to be hip. A wonderful meal and night out!
    More info
    Abe & Louie’s - BostonPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Back Bay
    •
    4.8
  • Richard
    Greater Boston •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Always a pleasure. Food and wine great. Service very attentive.
    More info
    La VoilePrice: Expensive• French• Back Bay
    •
    4.7

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