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Sail boats on the Charles River in front of the dramatic Boston skyline at sunset, Massachusetts. Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

A Breezy Guide to Waterfront Dining in Boston

Where to eat while enjoying the view

by Celina Colby and Eater Staff Updated
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by Celina Colby and Eater Staff Updated
Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

As a city built on the sea (and on a landfill), Boston has no shortage of waterfront dining options. And no, they’re not all serving lobster rolls and oysters — though one can certainly find a decent lobster roll or a dozen oysters if one wishes. There’s lots of good weather ahead, so take advantage of it and eat a waterfront meal with a view.

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Kelly's Roast Beef

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The original, or get out. Since it opened in 1951, Kelly’s has been a staple on Revere Beach. Get a “super beef four ways” (barbecue sauce, lettuce, mayo, and cheese) and look out upon the vast expanse of the Atlantic.

410 Revere Beach Blvd, Revere, MA 02151
(781) 284-9129
(781) 284-9129

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Pier 6

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If you’ve ever wanted to eat a bowl of crab claws while staring at the masts of the world’s oldest commissioned naval ship, Pier 6 in Charlestown is your spot. The menu is seafood heavy, but there’s a burger and a hanger steak for all you land lovers.

1 8th St, Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 337-0054
(617) 337-0054

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Alcove

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Alcove’s menu reflects a love of New England cuisine and a commitment to local sourcing, all overlooking the Zakim Bridge and the Charles River. Feast on local seafood with monkfish Milanese, blue crab cakes, and regional oysters for daily lunch and dinner, and weekend brunch.

50 Lovejoy Wharf (Causeway), Boston, MA 02114
(617) 248-0050
(617) 248-0050

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The Smoke Shop

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Waterfront dining doesn’t have to mean seafood. Chow down on hot wings, burnt ends, and BBQ ribs at the East Boston location of the Smoke Shop which boasts a large waterfront patio overlooking Boston’s skyline.

45 Lewis Street, East Boston, Massachusetts 02128
(781) 627-7427
(781) 627-7427

MonteVerdi

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Dine on flatbread pizzas, cicchetti, or small plates, and hearty Italian entrees at this newcomer located inside the Royal Sonesta hotel. Grab a drink and settle in on the patio overlooking the Charles River and Back Bay’s most notable buildings. Soon, they plan to add an alfresco raw bar to their summer lineup for oysters and rosé with Boston as a backdrop.

40 Land Boulevard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
(617) 806-4100
(617) 806-4100

Boston Sail Loft

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The Sail Loft provides dive bar vibes with excellent fried seafood and that famous dill-spiked New England clam chowder. Sit at the bar — or on the deck — and look at adjacent docked boats.

80 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110
(617) 227-7280
(617) 227-7280

James Hook & Company

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James Hook & Co., which has been around since 1925, is definitely known for its lobster rolls, and it winds up on just about every “best lobster roll in Boston” list for good reason. It’s simple — lobster meat, mayo, buttered roll — but simple is best when it comes to lobster rolls. Let that claw meat sing. James Hook is in the heart of the city, but it feels as though it’s in some small town in mid-coastal Maine. Grab a bit of outdoor seating or stroll along the Harborwalk or Seaport Boulevard for water views.

15-17 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02110
(617) 423-5501
(617) 423-5501
Lobster meat is piled into a hot dog bun, which sits on aluminum foil in a red and white paper holder. It sits on an aged picnic table outdoors, with more tables and chairs, as well as some greenery, visible in the background.
A lobster roll at James Hook.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

The Barking Crab

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Turns out you don’t have to go to Ipswich for great fried clams (but still, try to go to Ipswich for fried clams sometime.) The Barking Crab is the perfect confluence of tourist trap and actually good restaurant. It’s situated on Fort Point Channel directly across from James Hook & Co. and right down the Harborwalk from Fan Pier Park. And as its name suggests, it’s got a pretty good selection of crab.

88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 426-2722
(617) 426-2722
A waterfront restaurant with a giant yellow and red tent covering over top. Erika Adams/Eater Boston

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Woods Hill Pier 4

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Dine on fresh-from-the-farm dishes at this waterfront restaurant featuring grass-fed proteins, organic produce, and raw milk cheeses direct from the Farm at Woods Hill in Bath, New Hampshire. Lunch, dinner, and brunch menus highlight seasonal New England fare and the outdoor patio offers a wide view of the Boston Harbor.

300 Pier 4 Blvd, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 981-4577
(617) 981-4577

Nautilus Pier 4

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This Boston iteration of a Nantucket island staple combines New England coastal cuisine and globally influenced street food for an eclectic menu of small plates, like blue crab fried rice, and table feasts, like a Peking-inspired whole roast duck. Complement the meal with a choice from the robust cocktail and sake menus.

300 Pier 4 Boulevard, Boston, MA 02210
(857) 957-0998
(857) 957-0998

Legal Harborside

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Legal Harborside is giant — 20,000 square feet — and the views of Boston Harbor from its third floor combination deck/bar are unmatched. You can’t go wrong with Legal’s classic New England clam chowder.

270 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 477-2900
(617) 477-2900

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Sullivan's

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Like Kelly’s, this is another classic that’s been open since 1951. Sullivan’s, on Castle Island, is a seasonal joint serving up everything from hot dogs to fish and chips. The view of the Boston Harbor Islands is nearly unmatched, and the food is seriously cheap. It’s a bit out of the way — drive all the way to the tip of Southie to get there — but it’s a worthy hike. And don’t worry; the long line moves quickly.

2080 William J Day Blvd, South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 268-5685
(617) 268-5685

Also featured in:

Venezia Restaurant

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Venezia’s expansive Italian menu and views of the Boston skyline make it Dorchester’s marquee waterfront dining experience. Go for the Sicilian seafood salad and stay for the lobster cacio e pepe. It’s readily bookable for events, too, including weddings. Follow dinner with a trip to Boston Harbor Distillery or Boston Winery, each mere steps away from the restaurant.

20 Ericsson St, Boston, MA 02122
(617) 436-3120
(617) 436-3120

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Bay Pointe Waterfront Restaurant

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The North Shore got a shoutout with Kelly’s, so it’s only fair the South Shore gets one too. Quincy’s Bay Pointe Waterfront Restaurant has extensive brunch, lunch, tapas, and dinner menus, and like at any seaside New England restaurant worth its weight in gold, diners can slurp back as many oysters as they like. The views of the city aren’t so bad, either.

64 Washington Ct, Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 472-3200
(617) 472-3200

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Kelly's Roast Beef

410 Revere Beach Blvd, Revere, MA 02151

The original, or get out. Since it opened in 1951, Kelly’s has been a staple on Revere Beach. Get a “super beef four ways” (barbecue sauce, lettuce, mayo, and cheese) and look out upon the vast expanse of the Atlantic.

410 Revere Beach Blvd, Revere, MA 02151
(781) 284-9129
(781) 284-9129

Pier 6

1 8th St, Charlestown, MA 02129

If you’ve ever wanted to eat a bowl of crab claws while staring at the masts of the world’s oldest commissioned naval ship, Pier 6 in Charlestown is your spot. The menu is seafood heavy, but there’s a burger and a hanger steak for all you land lovers.

1 8th St, Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 337-0054
(617) 337-0054

Alcove

50 Lovejoy Wharf (Causeway), Boston, MA 02114

Alcove’s menu reflects a love of New England cuisine and a commitment to local sourcing, all overlooking the Zakim Bridge and the Charles River. Feast on local seafood with monkfish Milanese, blue crab cakes, and regional oysters for daily lunch and dinner, and weekend brunch.

50 Lovejoy Wharf (Causeway), Boston, MA 02114
(617) 248-0050
(617) 248-0050

The Smoke Shop

45 Lewis Street, East Boston, Massachusetts 02128

Waterfront dining doesn’t have to mean seafood. Chow down on hot wings, burnt ends, and BBQ ribs at the East Boston location of the Smoke Shop which boasts a large waterfront patio overlooking Boston’s skyline.

45 Lewis Street, East Boston, Massachusetts 02128
(781) 627-7427
(781) 627-7427

MonteVerdi

40 Land Boulevard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142

Dine on flatbread pizzas, cicchetti, or small plates, and hearty Italian entrees at this newcomer located inside the Royal Sonesta hotel. Grab a drink and settle in on the patio overlooking the Charles River and Back Bay’s most notable buildings. Soon, they plan to add an alfresco raw bar to their summer lineup for oysters and rosé with Boston as a backdrop.

40 Land Boulevard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
(617) 806-4100
(617) 806-4100

Boston Sail Loft

80 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110

The Sail Loft provides dive bar vibes with excellent fried seafood and that famous dill-spiked New England clam chowder. Sit at the bar — or on the deck — and look at adjacent docked boats.

80 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110
(617) 227-7280
(617) 227-7280

James Hook & Company

15-17 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02110

James Hook & Co., which has been around since 1925, is definitely known for its lobster rolls, and it winds up on just about every “best lobster roll in Boston” list for good reason. It’s simple — lobster meat, mayo, buttered roll — but simple is best when it comes to lobster rolls. Let that claw meat sing. James Hook is in the heart of the city, but it feels as though it’s in some small town in mid-coastal Maine. Grab a bit of outdoor seating or stroll along the Harborwalk or Seaport Boulevard for water views.

15-17 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02110
(617) 423-5501
(617) 423-5501
Lobster meat is piled into a hot dog bun, which sits on aluminum foil in a red and white paper holder. It sits on an aged picnic table outdoors, with more tables and chairs, as well as some greenery, visible in the background.
A lobster roll at James Hook.
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater Boston

The Barking Crab

88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210

Turns out you don’t have to go to Ipswich for great fried clams (but still, try to go to Ipswich for fried clams sometime.) The Barking Crab is the perfect confluence of tourist trap and actually good restaurant. It’s situated on Fort Point Channel directly across from James Hook & Co. and right down the Harborwalk from Fan Pier Park. And as its name suggests, it’s got a pretty good selection of crab.

88 Sleeper St, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 426-2722
(617) 426-2722
A waterfront restaurant with a giant yellow and red tent covering over top. Erika Adams/Eater Boston

Woods Hill Pier 4

300 Pier 4 Blvd, Boston, MA 02210

Dine on fresh-from-the-farm dishes at this waterfront restaurant featuring grass-fed proteins, organic produce, and raw milk cheeses direct from the Farm at Woods Hill in Bath, New Hampshire. Lunch, dinner, and brunch menus highlight seasonal New England fare and the outdoor patio offers a wide view of the Boston Harbor.

300 Pier 4 Blvd, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 981-4577
(617) 981-4577

Nautilus Pier 4

300 Pier 4 Boulevard, Boston, MA 02210

This Boston iteration of a Nantucket island staple combines New England coastal cuisine and globally influenced street food for an eclectic menu of small plates, like blue crab fried rice, and table feasts, like a Peking-inspired whole roast duck. Complement the meal with a choice from the robust cocktail and sake menus.

300 Pier 4 Boulevard, Boston, MA 02210
(857) 957-0998
(857) 957-0998

Legal Harborside

270 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Legal Harborside is giant — 20,000 square feet — and the views of Boston Harbor from its third floor combination deck/bar are unmatched. You can’t go wrong with Legal’s classic New England clam chowder.

270 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
(617) 477-2900
(617) 477-2900

Sullivan's

2080 William J Day Blvd, South Boston, MA 02127

Like Kelly’s, this is another classic that’s been open since 1951. Sullivan’s, on Castle Island, is a seasonal joint serving up everything from hot dogs to fish and chips. The view of the Boston Harbor Islands is nearly unmatched, and the food is seriously cheap. It’s a bit out of the way — drive all the way to the tip of Southie to get there — but it’s a worthy hike. And don’t worry; the long line moves quickly.

2080 William J Day Blvd, South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 268-5685
(617) 268-5685

Venezia Restaurant

20 Ericsson St, Boston, MA 02122

Venezia’s expansive Italian menu and views of the Boston skyline make it Dorchester’s marquee waterfront dining experience. Go for the Sicilian seafood salad and stay for the lobster cacio e pepe. It’s readily bookable for events, too, including weddings. Follow dinner with a trip to Boston Harbor Distillery or Boston Winery, each mere steps away from the restaurant.

20 Ericsson St, Boston, MA 02122
(617) 436-3120
(617) 436-3120

Bay Pointe Waterfront Restaurant

64 Washington Ct, Quincy, MA 02169

The North Shore got a shoutout with Kelly’s, so it’s only fair the South Shore gets one too. Quincy’s Bay Pointe Waterfront Restaurant has extensive brunch, lunch, tapas, and dinner menus, and like at any seaside New England restaurant worth its weight in gold, diners can slurp back as many oysters as they like. The views of the city aren’t so bad, either.

64 Washington Ct, Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 472-3200
(617) 472-3200

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