10 Best Restaurants Near Boston Common
Last Updated on April 12, 2024 by Kelly
One of my favorite places to spend an afternoon in the city is at the Boston Common. Because of its prime location downtown, there’s tons of great restaurants within walking distance. In this post, I’m sharing my picks for the 10 best restaurants near Boston Common.
Map
We created this map so you can easily find each of the locations we mention. Each restaurant is marked with a blue pin. As you can see, all the restaurants are all within walking distance from Boston Common and the Public Garden.
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Best Restaurants Near Boston Common
1. Parker’s Restaurant | $$$
Parker’s Restaurant at the Omni Parker House hotel is the place where the Boston Cream Pie was first created! So, we think you should definitely consider going there for a meal just so you can have their dessert.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. At the time of this writing, the restaurant closes at 2pm for lunch, so make sure that you get there early if you want to try their pie!
The restaurant is located just .1 miles east of Boston Common.
| We wrote a full post about the best things to see in Boston. Be sure to check it out! |
2. Earl of Sandwich | $
Earl of Sandwich is actually located within Boston Common. At the time of this writing, their hours are 11am to 5pm, but check out their website for current hours of operation.
This shop serves sandwiches, wraps, salads, soup, pizza bread, cookies, and more. If you want to have an impromptu picnic at Boston Common, it’s very convenient to stop at the Earl of Sandwich.
3. Shaking Crab | $$
Looking for seafood? Check out the Shaking Crab located on the southern side of Boston Common. They specialize in cajun seafood boils.
In addition to their larger boils, they sell mini boils. This allows you to have all the flavor of a crab boil without needing a big group to order it.
| See our full guide for the best places to stay near Boston Harbor! |
4. El Jefe’s Taqueria | $$
El Jefe’s Taqueria is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. They sell tacos, burritos, bowls, and more. For breakfast, they sell Mexican breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, etc.
The location is located on the southern side of Boston Common.
5. Artisan Bistro | $$$
The Artisan Bistro is located inside the Ritz-Carlton on the south-eastern side of Boston Common. The upscale bistro utilizes seasonal produce and local seafood, meats, and cheeses. As of this writing, the bistro is open for breakfast and dinner.
6. No. 9 Park | $$$$
For fine dining near Boston Common, be sure to check out No. 9 Park. The restaurant is located in a townhouse in Beacon Hill with views of Boston Common. You’ll find upscale Italian and French dishes with local ingredients. If you like to drink wine, they have an award-winning wine list. This restaurant is open for dinner.
7. Cheers | $$
The Cheers pub was founded in 1969 and was the inspiration for the famous sitcom Cheers. It originally opened as the Bull & Finch Pub, but is now known as the Cheers bar. Children are allowed up until 10pm, so it’s a family-friendly establishment during the day. In addition to a full menu, you’ll also find lots of Cheers memorabilia and gifts. The restaurant is located on the northern side of the Public Garden.
8. Contessa | $$$$
Contessa is a new rooftop restaurant on top of The Newbury Boston. The restaurant is beautifully styled and features northern Italian dishes. The menu is inspired by the trattorias of Italy and the menu highlights the regional flavors of Boston. The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Check their website for specific hours of operation. Contessa is located on the western side of the Public Garden.
9. Bistro du Midi | $$$
The Bistro du Midi is located on the southern side of the Public Garden. This beautiful French bistro has two-floors with views of the Back Bay neighborhood and the Public Garden. The bistro is open for brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert. See their website for specific menu hours. Their lunch menu contains items such as a croques madame, bistro burger, and steak frites.
10. JM Curley | $$
JM Curley is a bar and grill is located on the south-eastern side of Boston Common. Their menu contains shareable snacks (like chicken wings or fried pickles), as well as some solid sandwiches.
Summary
Boston Common is the perfect place to spend an afternoon in Boston. You can easily spend several hours hanging out in the park and viewing its many sculptures, monuments, and historical sites. If you’re going to be spending some time at Boston Common, it’s a good idea to make a plan for meals too. With numerous restaurants near Boston Common, you’re sure to find an excellent meal. We hope this restaurant guide helps you to find the perfect place to eat. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
