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Publico, Boston, MA

Publico

4.7
4.7
637 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Imagine yourself wandering through a local public market, enjoying culturally unique street foods, socializing and immersing yourself in new or familiar surroundings. We believe, for the public good, everyone should have the chance to experience this magic.
We proudly invite you to join us at Publico, where our goal is to channel the senses of exploring a new locale through globally inspired fare, libations, and mid-century meets rustic décor.
Our simple plates meld elements and flavors from Europe, South and North America. Prepared with traditional techniques and time tested recipes, our approachable offerings highlight the season’s freshest, sensibly sourced ingredients from local farms and purveyors. Paired with wine selections from around the world, a selection of local craft beers, or indulgent cocktails, your experience is designed to leave you with a modestly priced passport stamp for your palette.

Make a reservation

2 people

9:30 PM


Booked 66 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American, American, International

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Wed 4:00 pm–12:00 am Thu, Sun 11:00 am–12:00 am Fri, Sat 11:00 am–1:00 am Lunch Thu, Fri 11:00 am–2:45 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:45 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (617) 622-5700

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Executive chef

    Joel Howard

  • Private party facilities

    We are open for small and large events, private and semi-private space is available. For more details please visit www.publicoboston.com or email events@publicoboston.com

  • Private party contact

    our Private Event Coordinator : (833) 550-2748

  • Neighborhood

    South Boston

  • Cross street

    West First Street

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

  • 3 For $38 Menu! (Tuesdays and Wednesdays Only)

    Multiple dates available
    Sun - Thu - 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for a 3 course chef inspired menu! Each course provides 3 or 4 choices to make this mid week meal a hit.
  • $1 Oysters

    Multiple dates available
    Sun - Thu - 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    Join us for $1 Oysters every Thursday night.

Popular dishes

What 637 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Boston

    Contemporary American

Sort by

Filters

  1. GB

    GardnerB

    New England

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic brunch. We had a party of 9 and service was great.
  2. IL

    ILikeTacosAndMargs

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a 12 person table for my birthday and the staff were really nice and attentive even for such a big and rowdy group! They even stored the cake and served it after dinner which was also super nice of them. The food and drinks were amazing and reasonably priced. Overall, had an awesome night.
  3. S

    Southiebs

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I brought my family in for, their first time and everything was wonderful
  4. PC

    PatrickC

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    I think our server was Isabelle. She was so professional and helpful and patient. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience because of her!!

    PublicoResponded 4 days agoThank you Patrick. We will pass that along for sure!!

  5. LE

    LiaE

    New England

    57 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    57 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2022

    overall4food3service3ambience3
    Food was tasty! Service was very ok and Noise was extremely loud. Do not go for a quiet meal to catch up with your friend.

    PublicoResponded 4 days agoApologies for the service. Weekends are certainly a more lively scene but don't give up on us. Sunday - Thursday is a great time for catching up with friends in a more subdued atmosphere.

  6. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2022

    overall5food5service3ambience3
    fun and good food

    PublicoResponded 4 days agoAppreciate it!!

  7. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great meal and fun atmosphere! Lots of options for cocktails!

    PublicoResponded on November 16, 2022Thank You! Please visit again soon.

  8. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    overall1food5service1ambience2
    Waited 45 minutes after my reservation for my table to be ready and the server was extremely slow
  9. AT

    AngieT

    New England

    11 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2022

    overall4food4service2ambience4
    The food was good, service was slow! Parking situation is horrible.
  10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and service is always the best

    PublicoResponded 4 days agoThank You!

  11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 4, 2022

    overall2food5service2ambience4
    The hostess was very unfriendly
  12. S

    Spindoctor

    New England

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food - great service - music was loud when we arrived but staff responded to our request to turn it down s bit.

    PublicoResponded on November 8, 2022Glad we were able to accommodate and thanks for the kind words! Big fan of the Spin Doctors in the 90's.

  13. DC

    DeniseC

    New England

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    1st time eating at Publico. Very nice experience and love that it is a neighborhood restaurant.

    PublicoResponded on November 8, 2022Great to hear Denise. We hope to see you again soon.

  14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    So fun! Everything was amazing!!

    PublicoResponded on November 8, 2022Thanks so much!

  15. C

    Corey

    New England

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Corn beef hash was delicious! Always happy with my meals here!

    PublicoResponded on November 8, 2022Thank You Corey!

  16. D

    Dinner

    New England

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on October 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Publico is always amazing and one of my go to places! Service was great, our server was very attentive and friendly. Food and drinks always good too!

    PublicoResponded on November 8, 2022Thank you so much. I hope we continue to serve you well. Come back again soon!

  17. KJ

    KathJ

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Publico never disappoints. The food and drinks are always delicious and different than other restaurants in the area. Love the atmosphere as well

    PublicoResponded on November 8, 2022Thank You Kath! Hope to see you again soon.

  18. MD

    MariaD

    New England

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2022

    overall2food3service2ambience2
    Had to wait 30 minutes for our reserved table. When we politely told the hostess that the wait was excessive, she said she would speak with the manager. She never got back to us with anything and nothing was done or offered. There was a DJ playing music so loud that our party of 5 couldn't hold a conversation. Food was basic. With all the other options in Southie, we will not be returning.
  19. MJ

    MJ2000

    Tampa

    7 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    My friend and I were in from out of town and looked for a well-rated restaurant near our hotel. We had no idea that the atmosphere was like a club and were surprised when there was a bouncer at the door! Maybe because it was the Sunday night before 10/10? It was difficult to hear each other because of the music but the food and drinks were excellent.

    PublicoResponded on October 12, 2022Apologies for the music level on Sunday evening, but glad to hear the food and drinks were worth the trip. While we do consider ourselves a restaurant first, holiday weekends in our neighborhood do tend to be busier and we enjoy a Sunday Funday as much as anyone. Our staff member at the door is there to greet and welcome our guests as much as he is there to ensure those entering to enjoy the long weekend are of age. Dinner service is still available to all ages 7 days a week.

  20. PB

    PeterB

    New England

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Extremely loud.
  21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 5, 2022

    overall3food4service4ambience4
    It was fine, portions were small but food was good!
  22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved every minute of our dining experience at PubliCo! Service was great and food was incredible. Shared the beet salad and steak tips and both were off the charts good. Ended with a lovely espresso martini. 10/10 would recommend!

    PublicoResponded on October 6, 2022Thank you so much! Hope to see you again soon.

  23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our experience at Publico and service was fantastic! Jared was great and made sure we had everything we needed! Food was perfect and they even made us a fresh strawberry purée ice tea! The owner found us to personally show us the garden area and gave us a tour.

    PublicoResponded on October 4, 2022Thank You so much for the 5 stars! We will be sure to pass along your kind words for Jared (and Theo). Hope to see you again soon.

  24. BW

    BradW

    New England

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great as always. Great food, better service.

    PublicoResponded on October 4, 2022Glad to here it BradW! Hope we can continue to provide great food and excellent service for you.

  25. JD

    JenniferD

    New England

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 21, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    My friends and I made a reservation at 7pm on a Wednesday night and were seated right away. Food was excellent- truffle fries and steak frites were perfectly cooked. Can't wait to go again and try dessert!

    PublicoResponded on October 4, 2022Thanks so much JenniferD! Please let us know how we can get 5 stars next time =)

  26. t

    threecrayons

    New York Area

    102 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    102 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    Excellent food, even better service. Feels like a nightclub, but go for the food. And thebserver was a consummate professional.
  27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, and very attentive. The bloody was amazing! I will be back.

    PublicoResponded on October 4, 2022Thanks for the 5 stars!!

  28. CL

    ChengL

    Pittsburgh

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We love the experience there in general but the music is too loud

    PublicoResponded on October 4, 2022We apologize for the music volume. Please let us know if there are any issues next time and we will do our best to accommodate you.

  29. BW

    BradW

    New England

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Open Table saved the day. My wife and I go here weekly if not twice a week. But we went with no reservations and the Hostess was less than encouraging and just said they had no room. We were about to go somewhere else, and we checked and opentable was able to get us a spot in 15 minutes. So we waited and had a great time. We had our waitress before, and she was excellent and friendly again.

    PublicoResponded on September 21, 2022Thanks Brad. Glad it worked out.

  30. E

    Elle

    New England

    53 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    53 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2022

    overall3food2service2ambience5
    Nice ambiance. Fun decor. Food was bland. Service was slow. With all the options out there I’ll skip Publico.

    PublicoResponded on September 21, 2022I'm sorry for your experience Elle. I do hope you give us another chance, but if there is an issue, please do bring it to our attention in the moment when we can attempt to remedy the issues.

  31. ML

    MorganL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Awesome. Love the atmosphere and food is great. The yucca fries are so good and so is the steak with chimichurri. Also they have these delicious huckleberry seltzers called Viva, best seltzer I ever had!

    PublicoResponded on September 21, 2022Thanks Morgan. Appreciate the 5 stars. We love the Viva's too!!

  32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    we had a great time at publico! we went on a thursday to take advantage of their $1 oyster night - yum! the service was fantastic; both of our servers (one was in training) were very responsive & knowledgeable about the menu and were easily able to answer any questions we had/accommodate for our needs. we sat outside, but the inside seemed pretty boisterous. the food was pretty good, although boston definitely has a different idea of “hot/spicy” than atlanta 🙂

    PublicoResponded on September 21, 2022Thank you so much for the 5 stars and kind words for the service. Do we need to get spicier? =)

  33. A

    Angela

    New England

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 5, 2022

    overall4food5service2ambience5
    Love this place

    PublicoResponded on September 7, 2022Thanks Angela!!

  34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best meal out post pandemic. Incredible food, great professional service and everything just timed perfectly.

    PublicoResponded on September 7, 2022Thank you so much! We're happy to be back to normal too. Hope you come back soon.

  35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Super friendly staff and great food. Our daughter decided to join us last minute. When we got to the restaurant we asked if we could change our reservation from 2 to 3...: "a very friendly "no problem". They didn't even mind that she arrived ten minutes late.

    PublicoResponded on September 7, 2022So happy to hear. We always do our best to be as accommodating as possible. Hope to see you again soon.

  36. l

    lasala

    New England

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on August 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    lovely meal - everything came out fresh, delicious, great flavor balance, and high-quality - we had a great time

    PublicoResponded on September 7, 2022Thank you Iasala - hope to see you again soon!

  37. c

    carolinab

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fun environment and yummy food

    PublicoResponded on September 7, 2022Thank You Carolina!

  38. LP

    LeslieP

    New England

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    We dined there today for the first time and I’m glad that we discovered this place. Very clean, well decorated, great vibes, and great food. We ordered the zucchini chips, they were wonderful. We had the lamb chops, and steak tips as our entrees and we had no complaints at all. The drinks weren’t my favorite but the food and the ambience make up for it. We will definitely return.

    PublicoResponded on August 24, 2022Sorry about the drinks, but glad to hear the food was good! If you have a favorite cocktail we'll be sure to make it for you on your next visit!

  39. D

    Dlucap

    New England

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Celebrated our son's birthday at Publico. Got the Purple Haze to share across the table and we got 3-4 drinks each out of it. So definitely worth the price. Food was delicious too. From chorizo Benedict to the hot chicken to the donuts, everything was so good. Highly recommend.

    PublicoResponded on August 24, 2022Thank You so much. Hope to see you again soon!

  40. JS

    JoshuaS

    New England

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, food and environment. Highly recommend!

    PublicoResponded on August 24, 2022Thank you Joshua. We hope to see you again soon.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Publico offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 622-5700.

Publico is rated 4.7 stars by 637 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

9:30 PM


Booked 66 times today
Google Map for Publico

11 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127

Additional information

  • Cross street

    West First Street

  • Neighborhood

    South Boston

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Wed 4:00 pm–12:00 am Thu, Sun 11:00 am–12:00 am Fri, Sat 11:00 am–1:00 am Lunch Thu, Fri 11:00 am–2:45 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:45 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American, American, International

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Joel Howard

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (617) 622-5700

  • Private party facilities

    We are open for small and large events, private and semi-private space is available. For more details please visit www.publicoboston.com or email events@publicoboston.com

  • Private party contact

    our Private Event Coordinator : (833) 550-2748

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