Best Restaurants for People Watching in Back Bay

31 restaurants available nearby

A photo of La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston restaurant

1. La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston

4.3

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 133 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.

2. Joe’s On Newbury

4.7

Exceptional(3028)

Price: Expensive

• American • Back Bay

Booked 119 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.

3. Eva

4.4

Awesome(439)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Back Bay

Booked 38 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.

4. Little Whale

4.8

Exceptional(759)

Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Back Bay

Booked 11 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 Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant restaurant

5. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(1476)

Price: Moderate

• American • South Boston

Booked 92 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.

6. Beehive

4.6

Exceptional(7138)

Price: Expensive

• American • South End

Booked 85 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.

7. Contessa - Boston

4.7

Exceptional(80)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 64 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 Blue Ribbon Brasserie restaurant

8. Blue Ribbon Brasserie

4.4

Awesome(272)

Price: Expensive

• American • Fenway–Kenmore

Booked 17 times today

Blue Ribbon Brasserie is built on the vision that originated over 30 years ago in New York City's SoHo at the legendary original Blue Ribbon, well known as the restaurant "where chefs go to eat." Blue Ribbon is also famously ready to serve here in Boston!The space is highlighted by a 70-foot white Carrera marble bar, an oyster bar, and a 16-seat private dining room. The soaring interior has been designed as a collection of intimate dining spaces featuring cozy leather banquettes, shaded table lamps and bistro tables, and a light-filled solarium with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out into the neighborhood and beckon inside the Boston community and visitors alike.

A photo of STREGA Italiano – Back Bay restaurant

9. STREGA Italiano – Back Bay

4.4

Awesome(624)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 28 times today

Strega Italiano Back Bay, located in the beautiful Park Plaza Hotel, is a neighborhood destination that caters to guests seeking a premier location for a business meeting and those winding down after the workday, while simultaneously serving as Boston's epicenter for exceptional, inspiring dishes, creative cocktails and upscale nightlife. Now featuring Strega After Dark, a new late-night experience where dim lights meet sweet and savory bites! The After Dark menu features our house-made selection of late-night dessert treats to satisfy that something-sweet craving! Or enjoy something savory and cravable with a group of friends (or strangers!) to keep the evening going strong. Enjoy curated, craft cocktails like our S'mores After Dark, our classic Espresso Martini, or other concoctions (with or without alcohol!) from our full bar.now open until Midnight Wednesday thru Saturday at both restaurants!

10. Alden and Harlow

4.6

Exceptional(4859)

Price: Moderate

• American • West Cambridge

Booked 83 times today

Located at 40 Brattle Street in Harvard Square, Alden & Harlow serves thoughtfully sourced, honest American food in a subterranean, modern and comfortable space. Replicating the style of cooking he does for family and friends in his home kitchen, Chef Michael Scelfo prepares humble, unpretentious food that honors tradition of place in its quality. It's how he connects with anyone who joins them at their table.While reservations are strongly suggested, we also save a portion of the dining room and bar for walk-ins in the event that your request cannot be accommodated. So please, come on in!Parties of more than 8, please call to make a reservation.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
Joe
New York City •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Went for Christmas dinner and it did not disappoint. With our oldest (12) being gluten free (allergy) and the rest of the family being GF in solidarity, it was important we had a place that understood the needs. Separate fryer, accommodations on almost the whole menu and a knowledgeable waitress made it the trifecta. Add in the fact that the food was delicious and I really have nothing bad to say. 10/10, would recommend.
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Joe’s On NewburyPrice: Expensive• American• Back Bay
•
4.7
S
SusanVIP
Greater Boston •13 reviews
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
Great service! Good wine pours too. The pizza’s came out ten minutes before the pasta dishes and everything was tepid in temperature, not hot at all. However, the flavors were quite delicious. A bit loud, but that’s to be expected in the environment for which it is, -it adds to the positive energy. We would go back again with specific requests to ensure timely and hot food.
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La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly BostonPrice: Moderate• Italian• Back Bay
•
4.3
L
Lisa
Greater Boston •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
This is the second time I've been and it was as good as the first time! This is such a great place, excellent food, great service, cool vibe, no one rushing you, can't recommend this enough, you have to experience yourself, highest recommendations!
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Lincoln Tavern and RestaurantPrice: Moderate• American• South Boston
•
4.7
D
DentVIP
Greater Boston •6 reviews
4.0
Dined 7 days ago
Consistently pleased with seafood dishes i order at this restaurant on Newbury St. and with freshness and quality of raw bar. Great ceviche. Varied menu. Well prepared, tasty dishes. Good bread. No dessert no coffee though. Just seafood.
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Little WhalePrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• Back Bay
•
4.8
M
Mareesa
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined on Dec 14, 2024
The best French toast!! Lovely wait staff. Great food. Loved everything, thank you!
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EvaPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Back Bay
•
4.4

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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Back Bay

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31 restaurants available nearby

1. La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston

2. Joe’s On Newbury

3. Eva

4. Little Whale

5. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

6. Beehive

7. Contessa - Boston

8. Blue Ribbon Brasserie

9. STREGA Italiano – Back Bay

10. Alden and Harlow

See what locals rave about

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