Best Restaurants for People Watching in Allston

32 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant restaurant

1. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(1463)

Price: Moderate

• American • South Boston

Booked 22 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. 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.

A photo of Abe & Louie’s - Boston restaurant

3. Abe & Louie’s - Boston

4.8

Exceptional(9155)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Back Bay

Booked 63 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.

4. Beehive

4.6

Exceptional(7110)

Price: Expensive

• American • South End

Booked 44 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.

5. 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.

6. Branch Line

4.7

Exceptional(2576)

Price: Moderate

• American • Watertown

Booked 5 times today

Hi Friends!Branch Line is a neighborhood rotisserie and wood fired grill in the Watertown Arsenal built on a foundation of personalized hospitality. Featuring a year-round patio. Branch Line offers something for everyone. Twenty taps continuously change and offer a great craft beer selection, while a curated wine list features bottles that are value-driven and also ready for any special occasion.The Crystal Valley Rotisserie Chicken spins and roasts in sight of nearly every table in the dining room while the fire roars under vegetables, fish, and meat. The "Little Chicken" menu is great for kids, too!

7. La Voile

4.7

Exceptional(5465)

Price: Expensive

• French • Back Bay

Booked 41 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.

A photo of Blue Ribbon Brasserie restaurant

8. 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.

9. 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.

A photo of Russell House Tavern restaurant

10. Russell House Tavern

4.6

Exceptional(2797)

Price: Moderate

• American • Cambridge

Booked 28 times today

A New American Tavern, Russell House Tavern is a comfortable gathering spot for every occasion-from casual lunch breaks on the patio to after-work cocktails in the upstairs tavern to functions in the private dining room and everything in between. Russell House Tavern delivers a seasonally-inspired menu of modern interpretations of American classics, including signatures like the R. House Burger, a selection of Tavern Pizzas and Steak Frites among other dishes. To complement the menu, Russell House Tavern serves an interesting collection of all-American wines, including two regional wines on tap, and a locally-driven craft beer selection. The cocktail menu strikes a balance between familiar classics and modern hand-crafted recipes using only fresh juices, homemade syrups and infusions.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
JEFFREY
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Just a great vibe at the Beehive. We went for the first time on Thanksgiving. Great food (and generous portions) friendly and efficient service and fantastic live music. We will be back for sure!
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BeehivePrice: Expensive• American• South End
•
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!
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Abe & Louie’s - BostonPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Back Bay
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Dinervip
Dallas - Fort Worth •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The entire experience was beyond expectations! Every aspect of our dinner was excellent. The view, the food, the service! One of the appetizers, the meatballs, is one of the most rich and flavorful dishes that we have ever had the pleasure of eating!!
More info
Contessa - BostonPrice: Expensive• Italian• Back Bay
•
4.8
L
Lawrence
Greater Boston •26 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
What a wonderful way to start a Sunday. The food that was ordered was excellent, well cooked, looking good on the plate, and delicious. A lovely combination of items on the main course that we ordered, that was not big but had wonderful component parts. The service was excellent. There were many other intriguing items the menu as well. Who could ask for anything more.
More info
Alden and HarlowPrice: Moderate• American• West Cambridge
•
4.6
R
Ryan
Baltimore / Maryland •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Always an excellent experience. High quality of food and service.
More info
Lincoln Tavern and RestaurantPrice: Moderate• American• South Boston
•
4.7

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Allston

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Allston

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32 restaurants available nearby

1. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

2. Alden and Harlow

3. Abe & Louie’s - Boston

4. Beehive

5. Contessa - Boston

6. Branch Line

7. La Voile

8. Blue Ribbon Brasserie

9. Eva

10. Russell House Tavern

See what locals rave about

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