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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Arlington

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33 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Alden and Harlow restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(4871)
Price: Moderate
• American • Cambridge
Booked 101 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 Branch Line restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2615)
Price: Moderate
• American • Watertown
Booked 42 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!
A photo of Russell House Tavern restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(2817)
Price: Moderate
• American • Cambridge
Booked 50 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.
A photo of SOURCE Restaurant restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(584)
Price: Moderate
• Pizza Bar • Cambridge
Booked 34 times today
SOURCE is a fresh, modern approach to the local gastro pub and pizza bar. Source is an innovative dining destination featuring rustic yet refined food, and an unmatched craft and local beverage program. Utilizing local and sustainable products and only the purest ingredients, SOURCE’s mission is to embrace the root of who we are and what we consume. Owned by Restaurant veteran Daniel Roughan, SOURCE offers guests the space to enjoy delicious quality authentic Neapolitan-style pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven. In addition to pizza SOURCE will offer an assortment of small plates, entrees and homemade desserts. SOURCE will be open daily for lunch and dinner as well offering an unforgettable brunch experience both Saturdays and Sundays. Welcome home, Welcome to SOURCE.
A photo of Grafton Street Pub & Grill restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1289)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Cambridge
Booked 24 times today
*New Address: 59 JFK Street, Cambridge MA*Originally opened in October of 1996, Grafton Street Pub & Grill has been a beloved institution of Harvard Square for over 25 years. Located at 59 JFK Street – the Gateway of Harvard Square – this neighborhood hot spot is named after the spirited cobblestone-lined shopping district near Dublin’s famed Temple Bar area. Grafton Street deftly combines a traditional Irish pub’s warmth and coziness with a contemporary and comfortable full-service restaurant. Formerly located at 1230 Massachusetts Avenue, Grafton Street relocated in March of 2022. The new location is on lower JFK Street just steps away from the Red Line MBTA stop and the Charles River. Grafton Street offers free parking for all guests that enter the Harvard Square parking garage after 5pm Monday thru Thursday, and all day Sunday.
A photo of The Maharaja restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(635)
Price: Moderate
• Indian • Cambridge
Booked 30 times today
Located in a heart of Harvard Square, The Maharaja is the Top Indian restaurant in Boston/Cambridge. The Maharaja serves an authentic Indian cuisine in a stunning setting, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking bustling Harvard Square.
A photo of Nirvana: The Taste of India restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(183)
Price: Moderate
• Indian • Cambridge
Booked 10 times today
Nirvana, an epicurean Indian restaurant in Cambridge presents traditional Indian cuisine with a contemporary flair. We boast a lunch buffet, outdoor seating during the warmer months and a full-service bar with craft cocktails that flatter our flavor rich dishes. Our head chef Paramjit Singh hails from Punjab, India where the tandoor method of cooking originated. He brings over 20 years of experience to our kitchen and combines traditional cooking methods with novel ingredients to create innovative meals for our guests. As an 80-seat restaurant on historic Massachusetts Avenue, Nirvana endeavors to promote a transcendent experience through food, drink and great company.
A photo of Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1488)
Price: Moderate
• American • South Boston
Booked 63 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.
A photo of Beehive restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(7169)
Price: Expensive
• American • South End
Booked 73 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.
A photo of Contessa - Boston restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(112)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Back Bay
Booked 29 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Jennifer
    Greater Boston •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Source never disappoints! From the excellent staff, to the delicious go to (but at the same time not run of the mill) cocktails and mocktails, to the always fresh and always delicious food, to the perfectly timed service, we had another great time at this restaurant. Thank you. Always worth the trip into the Square for Source.
    More info
    SOURCE RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Pizza Bar• Cambridge
    4.6
  • Michelle
    Greater Boston •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    We came here for my mom's birthday and had a wonderful time! From the moment we walked in and interacted with the hosts to the end of our meal every person who helped us was warm and went above to ensure we had a great dinner. Our server in particular was so kind and helpful every step of the way. The food itself was absolutely delicious- we especially loved the braised beef a la plancha and duck confit pierogi. I highly recommend this spot for a special occasion, or even for a casual dinner if you are in the mood for an incredible meal.
    More info
    Alden and HarlowPrice: Moderate• American• Cambridge
    4.6
  • Anne
    New York City •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Service was excellent. Tables were too close together and for a party of 3 we were at a table for 2 comfortably. All was good as we got there early but then a family of 4 with loud kids arrived (not their fault, I have kids too and know there is little control) but if the tables were spaced a bit further apart that would help. Would I go back? Maybe…food was on the pricey side and comfort level for talking was a bit on the lacking side. Maybe not worth the money but service was EXCELLENT.
    More info
    Branch LinePrice: Moderate• American• Watertown
    4.7
  • LisaVIP
    Chicago / Illinois •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Jan 31, 2025
    This is a lively restaurant within steps of the Harvard Square stop on the red line. Our waiter (Sean) was amazing - just the right amount of attentive and offered my husband a chance to try 3 different wines despite being super busy! The menu has a lot of variety and the food was delicious. This is a great option for those attending nearby theater and music offerings.
    More info
    Russell House TavernPrice: Moderate• American• Cambridge
    4.6
  • Robert
    Greater Boston •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Jan 25, 2025
    Great pub! noise floor is high but that's what you expect in a pub surrounded by colleges. the service is really excellent, and the food is very good upscale pub food.
    More info
    Grafton Street Pub & GrillPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Cambridge
    4.6
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