Bay Village Restaurants

Dining in a historic Boston neighborhood

Despite being in Boston’s smallest neighborhood, Bay Village restaurants offer an interesting variety of tantalizing dining options in one of the loveliest areas in the city.

Bay Village restaurant choices range from casual to formal, and from inexpensive to splurge. 

Photo of quiet Bay Village street

If you're not familiar with Bay Village, combine dinner with a walk around this tranquil 18th century setting - perhaps Boston's least-known neighborhood, yet one of the most historic and only a couple of blocks from the Public Garden. 

Located very close to the Boston Theater District, Bay Village restaurants hold special appeal for theater goers who enjoy dinner here before a performance or stop by for a glass of wine and a bite to eat afterward.

Guide to Bay Village Restaurants

Pigalle   French 

75 Charles Street South, next to Radisson Hotel Boston and across from Charles Playhouse and Improv Asylum; Green Line/Boylston; 617-423-4944; www.pigalleboston.com

This award-winning mostly French restaurant across from Boston’s Theatre District gets raves for the quality of its ingredients, the finesse of the preparations, and the ambiance of the restaurant itself.  

You may also want to try the tempting tasting menu as well . . . 5 courses, available in small or large portions, with and without wine pairings.  And if you only have time for something fast, check out the mouth-watering bar and patio menu.

If you need to finish your meal in time to run across Charles Street to one of Boston's nearby theaters, follow the recommended practice for all restaurants and let the staff know when you make reservations.  Also, remind your server about your time constraints when you arrive.

Erbaluce   Italian

69 Church St; Green Line/Arlington; 617-426-6969; www.erbaluce-boston.com

Reflecting the creative vision of chef/owner Charles Draghi, this attractive candle-lit Bay Village restaurant serves fabulous contemporary Italian food with a Piedmontese influence.

The freshest fish, organic meats, and unusual offerings such as wild boar and bottarga share center stage with carefully prepared herb-laced vegetables and pastas.

What is bottarga?  It's pressed cured tuna or mullet roe that's shaved, sort of like a truffle, onto pasta to give an out-of-this-world buttery, almost caviar-like flavor.  If you want to experience it, order Erbaluce's spaghetti with clams and fennel-tomato broth, which raises this always good dish to absolutely sublime levels. 

Save room, if you can, for the delicious desserts, and prepare to enjoy the carefully selected wine list.  A more casual bar menu is also available. 

Erbaluce's location near Boston's Theatre District makes it a popular choice for pre-show dinners - although because of its creative cuisine, it's quickly becoming one of Boston's hot dining spots for any occasion.

Rustic Kitchen Bistro and Bar   Italian

210 Stuart St, across from Park Square; Green Line/Arlington; 617-423-5700; www.rustickitchen.com

This stylish and inviting Bay Village restaurant, located next to the Radisson Hotel Boston and steps away from Boston’s Theatre District, offers tantalizing Italian-Mediterranean cuisine made daily on the premises.

Local favorites like clam chowder, oysters on the half shell, swordfish, and filet mignon are prepared with an Italian flair.  

And if you love macaroni and cheese . . . well, get ready for a real treat involving porcini mushrooms, premium Italian fontina, and truffle oil.  You’ll also enjoy the well-selected and constantly updated wine list.

Smith and Wollensky    Steakhouse and Seafood

101 Arlington St; Green Line/Arlington; 617-423-1112; www.smithandwollensky.com

Smith and Wollensky, a stylish steakhouse and seafood restaurant at the edge of Back Bay emphasizes excellent-qualify fish, shellfish, lamb, chicken, and of course, beef, simply prepared so that flavors shine through.  

You can also select whole boiled lobster - always an excellent choice!  A lengthy list featuring "great American wines" will enhance your experience.

You'll also enjoy the restaurant's striking location - the 1891 stone and brick medieval-style building, former headquarters for the First Corps of Cadets, known locally as “The Castle”. After all, how many times do you get to dine in a former gun room?

Theatre Café   Casual American

200 Stuart St; Green Line/Boylston; 617-574-2752

In addition to breakfast items available all day, this bright café next to the Radisson Hotel, the Charles Street Playhouse movie theater, and near the Theatre District offers a variety of sandwiches, fresh salads, and simple but yummy entrees.  

You’ll enjoy the convenience when you want good food at an affordable price . . . or when you crave bacon, eggs, and melt-in-your-mouth buttermilk pancakes after a night at the theater.

Viga Italian Eatery & Caterer    Italian Carryout

304 Stuart St at Columbus Ave; Green Line/Arlington; 617-482-1113; www.vigaeatery.com

Even though this carryout-only favorite is open from 11 am until 3 pm Monday through Friday, and not at all on weekends, it has earned loyal fans - and you'll often see a line of them stretching down the block at midday.

Trust me, the food here makes the short wait worthwhile.

Get ready to enjoy Viga's selection of hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, pasta, salads, and even pizzas - whole and by the slice!  My personal favorite here: freshly-made Italian calzones, surely among the best in Boston.