The al fresco dining season on the North Shore is precious and fleeting, which means we need to make the most of every sun-drenched day and warm, balmy night. There’s no better place to do that than at one of the region’s pretty patio dining spots, which serve up waterside ambiance along with great food, drinks, and summertime vibes.
Here are four to check out this season.
Sunset Club, Plum Island
Feet in the sand, drink in hand, sunset over the saltmarsh, and a warm breeze in your salty hair. That’s the chill, beach-day vibe at Sunset Club, Plum Island’s indoor-outdoor summertime haven. Housed in a refurbished gas station and situated on nearly an acre of land, Sunset Club is laid back, fun, and easygoing, with outdoor cornhole boards, a firepit surrounded by Adirondack chairs, rows of picnic tables in the sand, a meandering boardwPaalk, beach dune fencing, and pretty string lights.
“It feels like you’re on a vacation when you hang out there,” said Beau Sturm, one of the Sunset Club’s co-owners. “No one should fear to come in with your flip flops on, your bikini top and some shorts, grabbing a margarita and just walking around and enjoying the day.”
Try a lobster roll, tacos, bowls, burgers, and other bites from their scratch kitchen, along with curated, creative cocktails that nod to island life, like the Bait & Tackle, made with Privateer New England rum, allspice, lime, and bitters.
C.K. Pearl, Essex
Picture it: It’s sunset golden hour over the salt marsh at the Essex River, with pretty sherbet-hued shades of pink and orange painted through the evening sky. You’re surrounded by friends and a gentle salt breeze, with a glass of bubbly in your hand and an ice-cold platter of oysters and clams on the half shell on the table.
“It doesn’t get any more quintessential New England oceanfront than that,” says Patrick Shea, chef/owner of C.K. Pearl, which is ideally situated on Main Street in Essex and offers diners their New England faves with a unique, eclectic spin. Tuck into familiar fare like raw bar options, clam chowder, and lobster rolls, along with red curry mussels with coconut cream, lobster carbonara, and standout BBQ dishes like pulled pork with house made cornbread.
There’s plenty of space to enjoy the view, with 90 seats inside and 70 seats outside. Plus, part of the outside deck area can be screened in, protecting diners not only from dreary weather but also the dreaded greenhead. A great cocktail menu and live music add a little extra magic to the ambiance.
And on sunny weekend nights during high tide when all the boats are coming in and out? Perfection, says Shea.
Mission on the Bay, Swampscott
Mission on the Bay is an incredible place to eat all year long, thanks to an eclectic menu featuring a combination of traditional New England dishes like baked haddock and classic fried plates along with Brazilian and Asian-inspired options like sweet and spicy Thai pork ribs and tacos with peri peri wings. There’s also a bottomless brunch on Saturdays and Sundays that diners adore.
But in the summertime, Mission on the Bay’s roof deck and bar is certainly the star of the show. The stunning rooftop is decked out with plenty of seating, pretty string lights, and most spectacularly of all, a jaw-dropping view of the sparkling ocean and Boston skyline.
Take to the deck to enjoy the gorgeous sunset, feel the sea breeze, and sip one of the restaurant’s creative cocktails, from island classics like tropical rum punch and margaritas, to the refreshing and bubbly pomegranate “scarlet spritz.”
Dryft, Revere
The outdoor bar at Dryft in Revere is like the restaurant as a whole: Sleek, sophisticated, and beautiful, with great vibes and even better food and drinks. But it also has the added bonus of a magnificent ocean view.
Helmed by Executive Chef Adriano Silva, Dryft offers a patio menu that is upscale and creative, featuring dishes like grilled octopus with a chorizo vinaigrette, lobster roll, blackened mahi-mahi, and truffle fries, plus, soups, salads, a raw bar, and more.
The patio drinks menu also calls to diners to enjoy the view and stay a while, with a thoughtfully curated wine and beer list; refreshing and sweet red or white sangria; and creative Dryft cocktails including classics like the mai tai and tasty originals like the Love Potion, mixed with tequila, prosecco, passionfruit, and lime. Cheers!