Best Restaurants for People Watching in Downtown Crossing

30 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant restaurant

1. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(1476)

Price: Moderate

• American • South Boston

Booked 93 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.

2. Contessa - Boston

4.7

Exceptional(81)

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.

3. Beehive

4.6

Exceptional(7138)

Price: Expensive

• American • South End

Booked 86 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 La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston restaurant

4. La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston

4.3

Awesome(2127)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 132 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.

5. Quattro

4.5

Awesome(1375)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North End

Booked 52 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.

6. Joe’s On Newbury

4.7

Exceptional(3028)

Price: Expensive

• American • Back Bay

Booked 118 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

7. Ristorante Saraceno

4.5

Awesome(1559)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North End

Booked 54 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.

A photo of The Florentine Cafe restaurant

8. The Florentine Cafe

4.7

Exceptional(617)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • North End

Booked 42 times today

The Florentine Café is an Italian lunch and dinner café, with a full bar, draft beers, and a great wine selection. Stop by with a friend for drinks and a meal or come to lunch with business colleagues. We now offer outdoor seating, as well as, indoor seating with a great view. When the floor-to-ceiling windows open, they let in a nice breeze, allowing the fresh air to circulate, adding to a beautiful dining experience, in, or out. We also have a separate dining area downstairs that seats up to 50 guests It's perfect for any private event, rehearsal dinner, or business function. The casual atmosphere makes it easy to relax, and enjoy a meal with fine company. Join us, start with complimentary, home-made Focaccia bread and seasoned olive oil, and you must try our signature dish, Ravioli di Aragosta. Other best dishes include, the Fusilli Alla Vodka, Pollo al Limone, and a new favourite, the Salmone D'estate.

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. 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
MarcVIP
Greater Boston •35 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Always a good meal and experience here. Awesome meatballs, chicken parm is almost impossible not to get. Pizza is great. Always great service. Excellent choice before any event at the Garden. Can be in and out of here in 1 hr if needed.
More info
QuattroPrice: Moderate• Italian• North End
•
4.5
A
Aubrey
Seattle / Eastern Washington •3 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
We were early for our reservation and offered to sit at the bar until our table was ready. They forgot about us and ended up seating us at the same empty table that was empty when we arrived. Food was good, music and ambiance were lovely.
More info
BeehivePrice: Expensive• American• South End
•
4.6
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.
More info
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!
More info
Lincoln Tavern and RestaurantPrice: Moderate• American• South Boston
•
4.7
D
DanteVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •10 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 19, 2024
incredible experience! attentive service & excellent food!
More info
Contessa - BostonPrice: Expensive• Italian• Back Bay
•
4.7

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Downtown Crossing

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Downtown Crossing

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30 restaurants available nearby

1. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

2. Contessa - Boston

3. Beehive

4. La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston

5. Quattro

6. Joe’s On Newbury

7. Ristorante Saraceno

8. The Florentine Cafe

9. STREGA Italiano – Back Bay

10. Eva

See what locals rave about

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