Best Restaurants for People Watching in East Boston

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodFrenchIndianPizzeria

Regions

Boston

Neighborhoods

Back BayCambridgeChestnut HillFaneuil HallFenway–KenmoreNorth End

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

23 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant restaurant

1. Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(1530)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • South Boston

Booked 46 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. Lucca North End

4.6

Exceptional(3729)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • North End

Booked 43 times today

Lucca has become one of the most talked about restaurants in Boston. Zagat survey named them, Best New Italian Restaurant and they won a coveted Best of Boston award for their elegant and lively bar. They are also the recipient of the Wine Spectator award of excellence with distinction. Whether you join them for a relaxing dining experience or a little later for cocktails and to sample their late night menu, you will be won over by Lucca's elegant charm and warm ambiance.

3. Tresca

4.8

Exceptional(4365)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • North End

Booked 58 times today

In the heart of Boston's famous North End, Tresca is a premier authentic Italian restaurant featuring delicious multi-regional cuisine with an exceptional wine list, offering a large selection of the finest vintages. The warm and cozy atmosphere features a fireplace lit dining room both on the first floor and the beautiful Tuscan style room upstairs. Tresca also showcases balcony table #77, the most romantic table for 2 overlooking famous Hanover St, the best restaurant street in Boston. Disclaimer: Table #77 does have a credit card policy taken upon booking that will require a $75 fee if not cancelled prior to 24 hours of reservation. Regarding reservations of six or more, if not canceled prior to 24 hours of the reservation there will be a $75 per person cancelation fee. Only a short walk from the TD Garden, the dining experience is exceptional, the menu remarkable, the service is attentive, inviting guests to make return visits.

A photo of The Florentine Cafe restaurant

4. The Florentine Cafe

4.7

Exceptional(677)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • North End

Booked 50 times today

The Florentine Café is an Italian lunch and dinner café, with a full bar, draft beers, and a great wine selection. Stop by with a friend for drinks and a meal or come to lunch with business colleagues. We now offer outdoor seating, as well as, indoor seating with a great view. When the floor-to-ceiling windows open, they let in a nice breeze, allowing the fresh air to circulate, adding to a beautiful dining experience, in, or out. We also have a separate dining area downstairs that seats up to 50 guests It's perfect for any private event, rehearsal dinner, or business function. The casual atmosphere makes it easy to relax, and enjoy a meal with fine company. Join us, start with complimentary, home-made Focaccia bread and seasoned olive oil, and you must try our signature dish, Ravioli di Aragosta. Other best dishes include, the Fusilli Alla Vodka, Pollo al Limone, and a new favourite, the Salmone D'estate.

A photo of La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston restaurant

5. La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston

4.3

Awesome(2291)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Back Bay

Booked 81 times today

Enjoy La Pizza & La Pasta's signature dishes for takeout or delivery through UberEats, Caviar, DoorDash, and Grubhub. While pizza and pasta are just the tip of the Italian iceberg, there is a reason these two culinary staples are the most beloved exports from Italy. Enjoy Eataly Boston's seasonal selection just steps away from where their expert pasta chefs and dough-slinging pizzaioli (pizza makers) create dishes before your eyes.

6. Quattro

4.7

Exceptional(1444)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • North End

Booked 37 times today

Quattro Ristorante, Grille & Pizzeria, is restaurateur Frank DePasquale’s forth restaurant in the North End, hence the name which means 4 in Italian. Quattro is also located on the 4 major corners of the North End, Boston’s Famous Italian Neighborhood. Inspired by Italy’s passion for high quality foods prepared with fresh ingredients, Quattro brings delicious foods from simple locally grown ingredients. Frank DePasquale does something few restaurateurs have every tried, melding a full service restaurant that serves wine, beer and cordials with a kitchen equipped with a rotisserie, a char broiler and an authentic Neapolitan brick style pizza oven. Quality has been the only focus and the essential ingredient at Quattro, from the ingredients to the preparation of the food to the service. Quattro’s unique menu appeals to a wide variety of people by touching on all categories, fresh meats, seafood, pork and poultry prepared right in front of your eyes on our custom built rotisserie.

A photo of Waterline – Boston Marriott Long Wharf restaurant

7. Waterline – Boston Marriott Long Wharf

4.3

Awesome(296)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Faneuil Hall

Set within the Boston Marriott Long Wharf, Waterline serves up the flavors of New England with locally sourced ingredients and regional favorites. Enjoy a superb drink menu and breathtaking views of Boston Harbor.

A photo of OAK Long Bar + Kitchen restaurant

8. OAK Long Bar + Kitchen

4.5

Awesome(1907)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Unspecified • Back Bay

Booked 24 times today

OAK Long Bar + Kitchen is an exciting American brasserie restaurant in the heart of Boston's Back Bay. Enjoy specialty, hand crafted cocktails at the exquisite coppertop bar and a farm to table menu featuring local ingredients and purveyors.

9. Eva

4.5

Awesome(477)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Back Bay

Booked 65 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.

10. Little Whale

4.8

Exceptional(836)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Back Bay

Booked 38 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
Dave
Greater Boston •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
A good time as always! A wonderful visit Thank you!
More info
TrescaPrice: Expensive• Italian• North End
•
4.8
M
Mihae
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
First time visiting from Cape Cod. It took us longer than expected but when we called to let them know we would be late, they were very accommodating. Once we got there, everyone was super friendly and appreciated that we came from far. Food and the service was excellent. Already told some friends who live nearby to try out!! Thank you!!
More info
Lincoln Tavern and RestaurantPrice: Moderate• American• South Boston
•
4.8
M
MillieVIP
New York City •43 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Our first time and it was amazing. The food, wine and service was perfect!
More info
La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly BostonPrice: Moderate• Italian• Back Bay
•
4.3
J
JuliaVIP
Cincinnati / Dayton •13 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Great service and fantastic specials! Love this restaurant! Watermelon salad was delicious
More info
Lucca North EndPrice: Expensive• Italian• North End
•
4.6
S
Sylvia
San Antonio •8 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 11, 2025
Such a great experience in Little Italy! The service was amazing and the food even better!!
More info
The Florentine CafePrice: Expensive• Italian• North End
•
4.7

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