The suns out, the weather’s warm, which means it’s time for some delicious outdoor dining, and nobody has better outdoor seating than Newburyport. From waterfront views to tacos on the run to classic New England seafood, our coastal town has it all. There are places great for kids and many that will even accommodate your four legged friends. If you are bringing your pup along for the day, pick a restaurant with a sidewalk/patio. Many will allow your buddy to hang just on the edge and some will even give them a refreshing bowl of water. So where will you be pulling up a seat for your next meal?

Hanging Downtown

Located on the pedestrian only Inn Street, lined with quaint local shops, Oregano Pizzeria & Ristorante is a great choice for Italian and Lebanese food. While the patio is technically on a sidewalk, the restaurant does a great job using greenery and plants to make you feel like you’re having a private outdoor dining experience.

Heading over to State Street, the main drag in town, there are tons of restaurants offering sidewalk outdoor seating, so you can relax and still experiencing the bustle of Newburyport on a beautiful day.  If you’re looking to experiment, pop into The Paddle Inn for their eclectic menu ranging from Korean rice balls to fish tacos and everything in between, and of course equally creative cocktails. Brine, which describes itself as New England’s first Oyster, Crudo and Chop Bar, is your restaurant if your group fancies some caviar, a solid steak and oysters. 

Exploring downtown but hoping for dinner with a view? Sea Level Oyster Bar, offers substantial outdoor seating with a front patio overlooking downtown as well as a back patio overlooking Waterfront Park and the Merrimack River. Grab a seat out back and watch the boats come and go as you enjoy their extensive menu, ranging from a raw bar to sandwiches, pizza and lobster dinners. Come on a cool summer night and hang out by their fire pit for an after dinner drink.

Exploring ALL of Newburyport

While Downtown has its draws, Newburyport has amazing restaurants worth a quick walk or drive from the main area. 

Just a block off the center of downtown is Mission Oak, a delicious steak house situated in a renovated church. While the steaks are delicious, if you’re looking for a lighter fare, they also offers a more casual bar menu. Grab a seat on their sidewalk patio or the back patio, and enjoy a quieter outdoor seating option to the busy State Street restaurants.  

Head east of town to the Tannery for delicious Thai Cuisine, and enjoy the side patio at Brown Sugar by the Sea. 

Just a half block down and you can drop into Starboard Galley for your seafood fix and enjoy outdoor dining with river views, or continue driving toward Plum Island to dine on award winning lobster rolls at picnic tables overlooking the marshes at Bob Lobster. 

If Mexican is what you’re craving, head towards the train station for this local gem. Metzy’s Cantina, a Newburyport staple, serves up a mean taco and margarita and has an awesome outdoor seating area where your kids can stretch their legs and play in the grass.

Quick Bites and Takeout

There’s so much going on in town, you may not want to stop and sit for too long. Newburyport has great options for privately owned quick service casual dining without the wait. If you want to grab a slice, Anchor Stone Pizza is your stop. While their cheese pizza is amazing, if you’re feeling more adventurous, try out their delicious specialty pies, all named after local spots. Order online or at the counter and enjoy great people watching from Anchor’s outdoor seating. However, if you’d like to grab a quick beer or coffee with that sandwich or salad, swing by Coffee Factory and snag a seat at their State Street sidewalk seating. 

Sweet Treats

And no meal is complete without dessert. Grab a cone at Dolce Freddo Gelato and sit back and relax at a nearby bench or take your refreshing dessert down to the waterfront for a stroll. Feeling guilty about all the delicious food you’ve already indulged in? Opt for a healthier, yet equally satisfying snack, at The Juicery and kick back at their outdoor dining area. 

So if you’re looking for great outdoor seating options, Newburyport is the place to be. Just keep in mind that you can enjoy discounts at local restaurants and shops by presenting a valid Best of Newburyport VIP Card. The VIP Card Program rewards card holders with discounts every time they visit any of the 180 Greater Newburyport participating businesses. Purchase one VIP Card for $25 or two for $40 and $10 or 40% of your purchase is a donated to a local nonprofit partner of your choice. View discounts on Newburyport.com or by downloading the Newburyport App. Purchase  your VIP Card today and have fun saving to save on your outdoor dining expenses!