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Best Restaurants Near Boston Common

Interior shot of Krasi restaurant in Boston, MA, located in the Back Bay neighborhood

Photo credits to @Krasi in Boston

Living at Luka on the Common means Boston Common is right outside your door — and so is some of Boston’s best dining. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch between meetings, a cozy brunch with friends, or a night out before a show, the neighborhoods around the Common give you endless options. Here’s a guide to the best restaurants within walking distance.

Downtown Crossing – Quick Lunches and Grab-and-Go

Just five minutes from Luka, Downtown Crossing is packed with affordable and fast food options — perfect for busy grad students and professionals.

  • Sweetgreen (13 School St) – fresh salads and warm bowls with customizable proteins.
  • CAVA (134 Washington St) – Mediterranean bowls and pitas, great for healthy but filling meals.
  • Clover Food Lab (27 School St) – vegetarian-focused sandwiches and seasonal plates.
  • Roche Bros. Market Kitchen (8 Summer St) – a one stop shop for hot bar, sushi, soups, and pre-made meals to take home.
  • Sam LaGrassa’s (44 Province St) – a Boston institution for oversized deli sandwiches, only open for lunch.

These spots are ideal for weekday lunches when you need something fast, fresh, and close.

Beacon Hill – Brunch and Neighborhood Charm

Cross the Common to Beacon Hill’s Charles Street, where brunch and cozy cafés define the dining scene.

  • Tatte Bakery & Café (70 Charles St) – famous for its pastries, shakshuka, and espresso drinks.
  • The Paramount (44 Charles St) – casual counter-service diner that’s been serving hearty breakfasts since 1937.
  • 75 Chestnut (75 Chestnut St) – a local favorite for American comfort food in a warm, intimate space.
  • Buttermilk & Bourbon (160 Commonwealth Ave) – Celebrity chef Jason Santos brings New Orleans flavor to Back Bay with Southern-inspired small plates and cocktails.

Perfect for weekends, Beacon Hill is about a 10-minute walk and offers a more relaxed vibe than downtown.

Back Bay & Newbury Street – Stylish Dining

Pair shopping with dining on Newbury Street or nearby Back Bay. About a 15-minute walk from Luka, this area is full of stylish restaurants.

  • Stephanie’s on Newbury (190 Newbury St) – brunch institution with sidewalk seating, known for comfort food classics.
  • Parish Café (361 Boylston St) – creative sandwiches designed by Boston chefs, a local favorite for decades.
  • Krasi (48 Gloucester St) – modern Greek with small plates, an extensive wine list, and a lively bar.
  • Eataly Boston (Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St) – a three-story Italian marketplace with restaurants, pizza counters, and wine bars.
  • Select Oyster Bar (50 Gloucester St) – chic, seafood-focused dining, perfect for a date night.

Back Bay dining feels a little more upscale — a go-to area for special nights out or weekend afternoons.

Theater District & Chinatown – Luka’s Backyard

Right outside Luka, the Theater District and adjacent Chinatown offer some of Boston’s best dining variety.

If you’re looking for variety, this area has it all — noodles, dim sum, sushi, Italian, or cocktails — and it’s just blocks from Luka.

Quick FAQ: Restaurants Near Boston Common

What are the best brunch spots near Boston Common?
Beacon Hill’s Tatte Bakery and The Paramount, plus Stephanie’s on Newbury in Back Bay.

Where can I find affordable food near Boston Common?
Sweetgreen, CAVA, Clover, and Sam LaGrassa’s in Downtown Crossing are great budget-friendly options.

What’s the closest dining to Luka on the Common?
The Theater District and Chinatown are just a few blocks away, with everything from Italian to dim sum.

Where’s the best seafood near Boston Common?
Select Oyster Bar in Back Bay and Legal Harborside in the Seaport are top picks for oysters and New England seafood.

Boston Common is one the city's premier green spaces, but it’s also surrounded by some of the city’s best restaurants. From brunches in Beacon Hill and stylish dining in Back Bay to fast lunches downtown and late-night eats in Chinatown, living at Luka on the Common puts the city’s dining scene right at your doorstep.