Last Updated on May 23, 2023 by admin
If you just spent a fun afternoon at the Boston Common and are looking for a place to eat, this post is for you! Boston Common is one of Boston’s most popular attractions, and there are tons of great restaurants within walking distance. In this post, we’ll share our picks for the 10 best restaurants near Boston Common.
Be sure to see all our posts about destinations in Massachusetts!
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Travel Tip: If you’re planning a trip to Boston, consider buying a Boston CityPASS. You’ll be able to save money if you plan on visiting multiple attractions. For instance, if you plan on visiting the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, Boston Harbor City Cruises, Franklin Park Zoo, or the Harvard Museum of Nature, we highly recommend that you look into purchasing the CityPASS.
| See our full guide for the best places to stay near Boston Harbor! |
Map of Restaurants Near Boston Common
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 within walking distance from Boston Common and the Public Garden.
| See our list of the best hotels near Boston’s airport! |
Best Restaurants Near Boston Common
1. Parker’s Restaurant | $$$
60 School St, Boston, MA 02108
This restaurant at the Omni Parker House hotel is the place where the Boston Cream Pie was first created! So, we think you should definitely consider going there for a meal just so you can have their dessert.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. At the time of this writing, the restaurant closes at 2pm for lunch, so make sure that you get there early if you want to try their pie!
The restaurant is located just .1 miles east of Boston Common.
| 41 Things to Do in Boston |
2. Earl of Sandwich | $
1B Charles Street, Boston Common, Boston, MA 02114
This sandwich shop is located within Boston Common. At the time of this writing, their hours are 11am to 5pm, but check out their website for current hours of operation.
This shop serves sandwiches, wraps, salads, soup, pizza bread, cookies, and more. If you want to have an impromptu picnic at Boston Common, it’s very convenient to stop at the Earl of Sandwich.
3. Shaking Crab | $$
140 Boylston St 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02116
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.
4. El Jefe’s Taqueria | $$
80 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
El Jefe’s Taqueria is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. They sell tacos, burritos, bowls, and more. For breakfast, they sell Mexican breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, etc.
The location is located on the southern side of Boston Common.
5. Artisan Bistro | $$$
The Ritz-Carlton, 10 Avery Street, Boston Common, Boston, MA 02111
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 | $$$$
9 Park St Pl, Boston, MA 02108
For fine dining, be sure to check out No. 9 Park. The restaurant is located in a townhouse in Beacon Hill with views of Boston Common. You’ll find upscale Italian and French dishes with local ingredients. If you like to drink wine, they have an award-winning wine list. This restaurant is open for dinner.
7. Cheers | $$
84 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108
This 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 | $$$$
3 Newbury St Rooftop, Boston, MA 02116
Contessa is a new rooftop restaurant on top of The Newbury Boston. The restaurant is beautifully styled and features northern Italian dishes. The menu is inspired by the trattorias of Italy and the menu highlights the regional flavors of Boston. The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Check their website for specific hours of operation. Contessa is located on the western side of the Public Garden.
9. Bistro du Midi | $$$
272 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
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 | $$
21 Temple Pl, Boston, MA 02111
This 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.
About Boston Common
The oldest public park in the United States is Boston Common. It’s also the first stop along the city’s famous Freedom Trail.
| Read our full guide to walking the Freedom Trail in Boston. |
Boston Common was officially established in 1634, making it nearly 400 years old! Puritans originally purchased the land for their sheep to graze. It was called “The Common Land”, and as you can see, the name stuck!
In 1775, the land was used by the British army as a training ground during the Revolutionary War.
There’s tons to see at this vibrant park. Be sure to check out the Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial. The memorial honors the first all-Black volunteer regiment in the Civil War.
Adjacent to the Boston Common is The Public Garden. Between the two parks, there are over 70 acres of urban green space.
Some things to check out in this area include:
- Boston Frog Pond: During the summer, this is a free splash park. During the winter, there is ice skating.
- Boston Common Carousel: Take your kiddos for a ride on the carousel for a small fee.
- Make Way for Ducklings: A bronze statue of a mama duck with her ducklings.
- Soldiers and Sailors Monument: This memorial honors those who died in the Civil War. It was dedicated in 1877.
- Swan Boat Lagoon: This lagoon is located in The Public Garden. At the lagoon, you can ride in giant swan boats (open seasonally). The last day of the season for 2022 is September 5th.
- George Washington Statue: This large statue features President George Washington riding a horse.
- Central Burying Ground: Some of the oldest gravestones here are from 1756.
- Statue of Edgar Allen Poe: Technically right across the street from Boston Common, you can see this bronze statue of the famous poet and a raven.
You could easily spend several hours at the Boston Common and the Public Garden. After a full day at the park, I’m sure you’re ready for a good meal!
How to Get to Boston Common
Boston Common is in the heart of Boston’s downtown.
If you’re flying into Massachusetts, you’ll probably book flights to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
If you’re taking the train to Boston, there are three Amtrak stations in the city: North Station, South Station, and Back Bay.
If you’re driving to Boston, you’ll want to research rental cars and parking garages in advance. The Boston Common Garage is the most convenient place to park. It’s actually located underground beneath the park!
Best Hotels Near Boston Common
As you plan your trip to Boston, you’ll want to make sure you have good accommodations. Here’s a few places to consider:
Luxury | Omni Parker House
The Omni Parker House is a 4-star hotel located directly adjacent to Boston Common. The rooms feature historical decor alongside modern amenities. If you’re a foodie, you’ll be pleased to know that the Boston Cream Pie was invented at Parker’s Restaurant within the hotel. Be sure to stop by their restaurant for a slice!
Moderate | Royal Sonesta Boston
The Royal Sonesta Boston is located in Cambridge. The hotel is located right next to the Charles River and has excellent views of the city.
Budget | HI Boston Hostel
The HI Boston Hostel is located just a few minutes’ walk away from Boston Common. The hostel has dorm bedrooms as well as private rooms.
For a full list of accommodations in Boston, click here.
What to Pack for a Trip to Boston
Here’s a few things we recommend that you bring with you:
- Comfortable Walking Shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking around town, so make sure you pack comfortable walking shoes. I’ve been wearing Brooks brand shoes for years and have loved them. I’ve linked them here for women, and here for men.
- Power Bank: We always keep a fully-charged power bank with us while we’re out exploring. That way, if our phone battery is running low, we can easily plug it in and re-charge on the go. We rely on our phones heavily for navigation and photography, so this product is a must for us.
- Water Bottle: We prefer to bring an insulated re-usable water bottle when we are out exploring.
- Travel Guides: When I moved to Connecticut, I brought a travel guide and it gave me so many ideas for weekend adventures. It also provided good historical background to the places I visited. I’ve linked a couple below.
(Click on any of the above images for current pricing and shipping information!)
Summary: Best Restaurants Near Boston Common and the Public Garden
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!
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If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in the following posts:
- Full Guide to Walking the Freedom Trail in Boston
- 41 Things to Do in Boston
- 25 Things to Do at Boston Common and the Public Garden
- Best Boston Hotels Near the Airport
- Boston Hotels that are on the Harbor
- Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts
- Fall Foliage in New England
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.
