Best Restaurants for People Watching in Back Bay

32 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Abe & Louie’s - Boston restaurant

1. Abe & Louie’s - Boston

4.8

Exceptional(9155)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Back Bay

Booked 64 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.

2. La Voile

4.7

Exceptional(5465)

Price: Expensive

• French • Back Bay

Booked 39 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.

3. Eva

4.4

Awesome(435)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Back Bay

Booked 13 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

4.7

Exceptional(753)

Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Back Bay

Booked 5 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.

5. Joe’s On Newbury

4.6

Exceptional(3004)

Price: Expensive

• American • Back Bay

Booked 86 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 Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant restaurant

6. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(1463)

Price: Moderate

• American • South Boston

Booked 21 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.

7. Beehive

4.6

Exceptional(7110)

Price: Expensive

• American • South End

Booked 45 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.

8. Contessa - Boston

4.8

Exceptional(66)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 47 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

9. Blue Ribbon Brasserie

4.4

Awesome(258)

Price: Expensive

• American • Fenway–Kenmore

Booked 22 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.

10. Alden and Harlow

4.6

Exceptional(4850)

Price: Moderate

• American • West Cambridge

Booked 19 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

A
Angelo
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined today
The experience in Lá Voile was definitely tremendous! The starting at desert we got a travel in France. The service was great and the staff very friendly. We've been there in Thanksgiving dinner and ordered a traditional French menu, no regrets!
More info
La VoilePrice: Expensive• French• Back Bay
•
4.7
C
Claudiavip
Greater Boston •64 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Our server, Ty, was amazing! So attentive, but not intrusive. He spaced our meal perfectly so we never felt rushed and had time to enjoy each course. The meal itself was incredibly plentiful (we both took half our Thanksgiving plate home) and delicious! We were so glad we chose Joe’s for our holiday celebration!
More info
Joe’s On NewburyPrice: Expensive• American• Back Bay
•
4.6
J
Jessica
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We had the most amazing first experience of being in the USA and celebrating Thanksgiving, aswell as celebrating my 40th Birthday. The food and service provided was exceptional and I truly hope to return one day. This is a food experience and trip that I will remember forever. Thank you Abe's and Louis!
More info
Abe & Louie’s - BostonPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Back Bay
•
4.8
M
Mayasa
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The food they have is amazing, I do wish they would have more non-alcohol drinks!
More info
EvaPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Back Bay
•
4.4
B
Brianvip
New York City •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 20, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed our first visit. Food and Service were excellent. Will definitely return for round 2. Plenty of items on the menu I wanted to try but could only eat so much.
More info
Little WhalePrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• Back Bay
•
4.7

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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Back Bay

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32 restaurants available nearby

1. Abe & Louie’s - Boston

2. La Voile

3. Eva

4. Little Whale

5. Joe’s On Newbury

6. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

7. Beehive

8. Contessa - Boston

9. Blue Ribbon Brasserie

10. Alden and Harlow

See what locals rave about

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