Boston Restaurants With Outdoor Dining for Summer

Alfresco dining in Boston is a lovely warm weather treat, akin to a nice walk to the neighborhood ice cream parlor or sipping a cold cocktail poolside on a hot day.  Once the sun is shining and the hungry masses have taken to the streets, an entirely new dining experience awaits.  We've put together a list of some of our favorite spots to eat, while savoring the sun and the street scene!

Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square offers up some of the best people-watching you'll find anywhere, with shaded tables for the sunniest days, and overhead heat lamps for chillier summer nights.  Situated on Commonwealth Avenue just a block from Fenway Park, this Back Bay favorite has a sizeable patio that fills up quickly. Their menu offers modern cuisine using classic French technique, paired with classic cocktails. Try the refreshing Nicoise salad with a Singapore Sling.  C'est magnifique!

Shopping on Newbury Street is at it's best when the weather gets warm. One of the most lively places to catch a snack and a drink on the infamous shopper's paradise is Sonsie, at the upper end near Massachusetts Avenue. See and be seen during happy hour on a weekday, or take a break from shopping in their open-air dining room - they open the floor-to-ceiling facade windows for a fresh breeze through the restaurant. A lighter Italian-inspired menu  refuels your shopping engines while observing the hustle and bustle of passersby.

If it's the simple endulgence of pizza and ice cream you crave, look no further than Picco, on the corner of Tremont and East Berkeley Streets in the South End. With plentiful patio seating under bright orange umbrellas, the "Pizza and Ice Cream Company" known as Picco is inviting for larger groups and sure to please with a treat for two.

Just a few blocks from these popular eateries is our downtown Boston boutique hotel.  Clarendon Square Inn has a beautiful outdoor patio for our guests to enjoy their morning coffee and greet the day, or perhaps wind down with a snack during a warm afternoon.  Our roofdeck hot tub is a lovely spot to relax in the evenings, grab a bottle of wine and head upstairs for a bit of privacy and panoramic city views. Some of our favorite outdoor dining options are right in our backyard - literally! - and some are right around the corner.

Things to do in Boston: Visit the Arnold Arboretum

The Emerald Necklace was a lifelong vision and twenty-year project for Frederick Law Olmstead, America's first landscape architect.  The lush greenery, unique wildlife, blooming flora, and 6 footbridged waterways are only a few of the riches this urban jewel brings to the city of Boston parks and outdoor gardens.

Known as the "second link" in the Emerald Necklace, The Arnold Arboretum is a park for both scientific exploration and outdoor enjoyment.  Open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset, the Arboretum is North America's first public arboretum.  With a visitor's center and bookstore in the Hunnewell building providing plentiful information, everyone from photographers to horticulturists, families to historians can find beauty to appreciate.

Owned by the city of Boston and leased to Harvard University for educational purposes for 1000 years, The Arboretum is host to Peter's Hill, the highest point in the 6 parks that make up the Emerald Necklace.  Gorgeous skyline views from the Hill are a lovely way to end a hike, bike, or leisurely dog walk through the park. 

Plant and agricultural life from other parts of the world have always been found in the Arboretum, and now during the month of June, the knowledgeable staff will be providing free guided tours in ten different languages starting at 2 PM on Saturdays and Sundays!  Great for our international visitors, each tour will last about one hour and is geared toward adults. Stories of the Arboretum's history, design, mission, and current projects will be shared while enjoying the highlights of the spring season.  For more information, check out the Arnold Arboretum online.

Many visitors have discovered the Arboretum while staying at our Boston bed and breakfast.  Our luxury accomodations in Boston provide an equally peaceful urban oasis to enjoy while exploring the city. Our staff would be happy to help you plan your visit to the Arboretum, and find other exciting things to do in Boston. If you're looking to bring some of the outdoors to where you stay, Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast has a beautiful roofdeck with a jacuzzi hot tub with panoramic city views, and a private deck for guests to enjoy a warm sunny afternoon or their morning cup of coffee.  Fresh flowers, vibrant decor, and lavish guest rooms make a trip to the Arboretum feel like a natural extention of your stay at Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast!

Boston Bed and Breakfast Excited for South End Restaurant Opening

Boston's South End is eager to welcome to the neighborhood a traditional, historically-insipred menu at Kitchen, which will take over the former Pops space this spring or early summer.   Chef/owner Scott Herritt, who also runs the Marliave in Downtown Crossing and Grotto in Government Center, is the proud collector of practically archaic cookbooks including works by Escoffier, plus first-edition copies of The Joy of Cooking and The Savoy Cocktail Book.  These fundamental examples of cooking literature have served as the inspiration of his thoughtful cuisine.

“There’s a lesson to be learned at almost every meal we eat, and there’s a story behind it. ” Herritt says of his traditional fare.  Menu items are said to include a savory nightly roast, showcased in an open kitchen, and a fish, clam, pork chowder with a taste of 19th century hardtack.  As an homage to the legendary Julia Child, the most “recent” dish you will find is a “Sole, dated November 2, 1948", the date Child ordered her first lunch in France, which she openly credited this dish for kick-starting her culinary endeavors.  Bartenders will serve up a similar history lesson, with the original barkeepers manual Jerry Thomas’ Bartender’s Guide as an inspiration for Kitchen's cocktail offerings.. Expect fun classic drinks like the Queen’s Park Swizzle, with rum, simple syrup, angostura bitters, and mint.

The arrival of Kitchen's concept to the South End is a refreshing way to introduce historical New England fare to locals and visitors alike.  Our bed and breakfast is very excited to welcome Chef Herritt to the neighborhood.  This new restaurant opens its doors in the South End, known for Boston dining options, just a few short blocks from our Boston boutique hotel.  Guests of the Clarendon Square bed and breakfast will be delighted by a taste of tradition just a couple of steps from our front door!

Things To Do in Boston - Top Desserts Event

This May, Boston is hosting the first ever Top Desserts event in Boston, spotlighting the best of the best in our city's sweets scene. On Thursday May 24th at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, guests will be treated to a taste of a new dessert, or a dessert soon to be featured on the participating pastry chef's late spring/summer menus at the restaurants they call home. Tempt your tastebuds with southern-inspired treats from Chef Tiffani Faison's repertoire. Or maybe a French-inspired finale sounds like the perfect ending to your meal - Chef Jiho Kim from L'Espalier has recipes that are sure to please.

Other participating pastry chefs from Boston's food scene include Oliver Mailard of Deuxave; Katie Kimble from Cambridge's Area Four; David Nevin from his new Broad Street location at Nix's Mate; Charlene Smith from the always popular Sorellina; Shane Gray from the well-known South End favorite, Mistral; Maura Kilpatrick of the Sofra Bakery and Oleana Restaurant; Lauren Kroesser from the Kenmore Square hotspots Eastern Standard and Island Creek Oysters; and Jessica Pelletier of Harvard Square's Temple Bar.

This night of Top Desserts is guaranteed to insipre and amaze even the most discerning dessert palates. This adults-only event is sponsored by Stella Artois, so the evening is sure to entertain with lots of libations, live music from local bands, and a product sampling from Taza Chocolates. Charity minded folks will also be pleased to learn that Boston Magazine is giving back to the community, as a portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Greater Boston Food Bank organization.


The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is located on the perimeter of the Boston Common, our city's beautiful and centrally-located park. Just a few blocks from this indulgently inspired party is our Bed and Breakfast. Start your day with a delicious breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee with guests in Clarendon Square's dining room. Spend the afternoon seeing the sights of our city, or relaxing on our roof deck patio during the warm spring sunshine. And allow the staff at Clarendon Square to find you the perfect dinner spot to kick off your evening, before you sample all the amazing treats that the Top Desserts event has to offer. Tickets are in limited supply, so get yours today - or reserve a room at the Clarendon Square Inn, and leave the arrangements to us!

SoWa Art Walk & Open Market Returns to Boston Bed & Breakfast



See Stephen Baumbach's last journey into the realm of flowers

In Boston, our bed and breakfast guests along with us, wait for for Spring & Summer each year. Sure, we have plenty of fun winter time activities to keep us entertained, but there is a special quality about a sun drenched day that will have neighbors & visitors of South End out in droves. We have a particular affinity to this time of year. At our downtown Boston hotel, we have our outdoor spaces coming together, including a colorful terrace seating area complete with lime greens & opulent purples. This is the perfect spot for a morning breakfast. 

Another reason we love this time of year is the return of the SoWa Art Walk on May 6th. For those not familiar with SoWa it is an area of Boston, South End that is South of Washington Street. The neighborhood subsection has a reputation for art galleries, one off boutiques & loft style residences. The Art Walk marks the approaching summer season and gives locals access to a majority of the galleries and studios. Attend the Art Walk and have a chance to mingle with some of the South End's most beloved Artists. One of our favorite Boston Artists is fine arts photographer Stephen Baumbach.

Stop by Stephen Baumbach Fine Arts Photography at 46 Waltham Street #214. Here you may have a chance to meet the artist and learn about his travels & passion for photographer. This innovative photographer has a diverse body of work feature breath taking landscapes from the desert southwest, cityscapes, light & most recently flowers. If you are a fan of his gorgeous images, be sure to like him on facebook too!

May 6th will also mark the return of SoWa Sundays and the Open Market. Nestled in the parking lot adjacent to Thayer Street, you will find an outdoor bazaar of sorts, featuring arts, crafts, gifts and one of a kind finds. Each Sunday throughout the summer, you can happen through this Open Market. One of the perfect things to do in Boston before or after brunch, and oh so close to our downtown Boston hotel. While you are out and about consider browsing some of the local shops of the South End. You may discover one of a kind home decor and accents for the home or decide to accesorize yourself.

If you decided to skip brunch, then opt for a Boston Food Truck lunch. The SoWa area and its events have became the perfect host for our city's food trucks, so consider having a snack there. If you still have room for a full meal, brunch will be in high gear. Some of our favorite spots for brunch include Masa, Aquitaine & Beehive.

Exploring Boston's Waterfront This Spring From Our Hotel

Boston may be major city in New England, but you will not feel overwhelmed when you're walking around. Make no mistake, our city is perfect to explore by foot from our centrally located downtown boutique hotel.  In just 20 minutes, you can stroll from our "central park" the Boston Common  down to the waterfront and pass major historical attractions, shops and food purveyors along the way. Once you get to the water, a new adventure awaits. Here you will find a collection of lively restaurants, exclusive shopping & an appreciation for the arts & architecture. This burgeoning Boston neighborhood already offers so many things to do, imagine what will arrive here in years to come.

There is truly something to see for everyone along the Harborwalk.  In some areas, the Harborwalk may be a series of observation points where the public has the opportunity to view at the exciting operations of a working industrial port.  Whether visiting with penguins at the New England Aquarium, strolling among the wisteria in Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, or taking a dip in the Mirabella Pool, the Downtown & North End portion of the Harborwalk is certain to delight with it's vibrant mix of cultural and recreational resources.  The Boston Children's Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art can be found in the Fort Point Channel section of the Harborwalk, abound with energy and a vibrant mix of uses, including artists' studios and the bustle of South Station. Its eclectic architecture ranges from historic, brick warehouses to the towering Federal Reserve Building.

Dining on Boston's waterfront can also be an incredible experience of true New England leisure. There are so many options to choose from, and undoubtedly something to satisfy every type of cuisine.  A couple of our favorite options are:

Strega Waterfront: The North End's most infamous Italian eatery - known for it's flashy decor, celebrity clientele, and outspoken host - opened a second restaurant in the Seaport District in 2010.  Offering a modern twist on classic Italian dishes, this dazzling hot spot is certainly worth visiting.

Sam's Boston: This upscale bistro on Fan Pier offers a fun environment with live music every Friday night, and their menu has a little bit of everything, focusing on fresh, local ingredients. A fabulous pick for lunch or dinner. If you have a vice for luxury shopping, then go for lunch and shop the collection at Louis Boston, our city's most exclusive department store, which happens to house Sam's in the same building.

Happy-hour visitors might also enjoy catching a beer and a Red Sox game on the "Monster Wall" (Imagine 32 HD 46" plasma screens) at Jerry Remy's Sports Bar. Perhaps sipping an ice cold margarita at Temazcal Tequila Cantina watching the cruise ships set sail by the newly revitalized Harborside docks at the Boston Cruiseport sounds like a relaxing evening treat.  The staff at Clarendon Square is happy to make recommendations and arrangements to ensure that your time spent in Boston exploring the waterfront is enjoyable for all. 

Find Bacon & Beer Festival Tickets - Boston Bed and Breakfast

Most guests at our Boston bed and breakfast could not deny Boston is a Foodie city - a culinary capital with access to great local ingredients and celebrity chefs. Seafood is typically a popular dining request, when helping guests make dinner reservations in the South End. Although Boston is known by food lovers for its Seafood offerings, the quest does not simply end there.

Of the "major food groups" nothing seems to attract more attention than Beer or Bacon-- Combine the two carefully and you will yield a fanatically and almost cult-like experience known as the Boston Bacon and Beer Festival Tickets 2012. On Saturday April 28th from 2:30PM - 5PM get ready for Bacon & Beer utopia. The food promises to be tasty as participating restaurants currently include South End favorites like Aquitaine, Gaslight & Petit Robert. The money raised from this event helps to support local hunger relief organizations like Loving Spoonfuls & Community Servings.

Or join Sunday's festivities for a bacon and beer karaoke cruise in Boston Harbor. Each ticket entitles the guest to a complimentary beer sampling, along with a bite each participating caterer. Beer will be available for purchase for the entire cruise. Boarding begins at 1:30 at Gate C behind the Boston Harbor Hotel. What song are you going to sing?

You may just meet the next Van Gogh - Bacony Night

If music is not your creative outlet than perhaps the visual arts will better suit you. The combination of Bacon & Beer (karaoke too) was not already  prove people like looking at Bacon and Beer almost as much as eating and drinking it, so we're producing a Bacon and Beer inspired art show with Super Precious Boston Art Galleries. On May 2nd, come to Union Square, Somerville for one of two viewings. Enjoy contemporary art inspired by bacon and beer from 20+ artists while munching on bacony offerings from more local restaurants. If you are looking for alternative things to do in Boston, this could be the event for you. How many people do you know who have had the experience of bacon & beer inspired art?

The extremely popular Bacon and Beer Festival & Cruise have already sold out due to overwhelming demand. To press your luck, consider signing up for the waiting list, there will be a handful of additional tickets. Other Bacon and Beer events that weekend still have availability, like the Bacon & Beer Art Show.

Tickets to the Bacon & Beer Festival may be harder to get than Red Sox tickets in Boston. Have some hope. You can always plan a stay at Clarendon Square Bed and Breakfast. Keep proximity on your side, in the event of last minute availability. In the meantime, experience Bacon from the source at some of the festival participants in our neighborhood, as mentioned above. Whether or not you attend the Bacon festivities, use this as an inspiration to create your own tasting tour in our city. May you love chocolate, cheese or unique martinis. Whatever your passion may be, we would love to help guide you to some of our local favorites.