9 best rooftop brunches in Boston

Worth it for the view alone, this jewel box of a restaurant towers above the Back Bay, right on the corner of Newbury and the Public Garden. At brunch, guests will fill the airy space so that they can sink their teeth into some Panettone French Toast and Carbonara Scramble, while taking in the view, which makes a daytime visit essential. For brunch-goers who favor lunch vibes over breakfast flavors, Contessa lists their famous Spicy Lobster Capellini on the menu, and if you’re ordering lunch, why not add the sparkling Spritz Contessa?

Chef Will Gilson’s sprawling multi-use building in Cambridge Crossing is topped by The Lexington, a contemporary American restaurant with one of very few roof decks in the area. You can only get brunch on Sundays, and you'll need to make a reservation to get a spot. Expect Gilson to show off his farm-to-table skills with recreations of classic breakfast treats and fresh pastries from Cafe Beatrice, the all-day coffee concept on the bottom floor of the complex.

East Boston’s dining scene is growing and evolving on a seemingly constant basis. One of the newer spots, the comfort food focused Cunard Tavern, has a Top Deck with skyline views and sunlight to spare. Tuck into the locally influenced arepa benedict, which features grilled corn arepas topped with avocado, bacon and poached eggs.

An oasis in the Back Bay, Terra’s rooftop, encircled by greenery,  sweeps you away to the lush terrazas of Tuscany, serving popular dishes like Uovo Benedict (with housemade cornetto, poached eggs, hollandaise, chives and prosciutto) and Terra Toast (lemon-whipped ricotta, berries and balsamic). Just head to the upstairs terrace at Eataly Boston for year-round brunch and, come the warmer months, the patio extension opens to suit the growing summer crowds. If you’re not over it yet, Terra also offers three variations of everyone’s favorite brunch cocktail, the espresso martini.

For a less traditional brunch fare that’s instead representative of classic New England fare, Legal Harborside’s rooftop is the spot for you. You won’t find breakfast items, just an all day menu heavy on seafood, natch.  During the warmer months, there’s not much better than sitting above the Boston Harbor, with a breeze in your hair and a lobster roll on the way. In the winter, the floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow sun to flood the rooftop room, all while presenting unparalleled views that deceive you of the chill outside; an order of clam chowder will warm you from the inside out.

This roofdeck of this three story Kendall Square spot, specializing in tacos and tequila, is exactly where you’ll want to be during the warmer months of the year. Post up next to the rooftop firepit and enjoy their brunch-ready takes on Mexican street food classics, like huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos and chilaquiles. Brunch is made better with booze, so don’t skip the Mexican chocolate iced coffee spiked with vanilla vodka.

The beloved brewery in Dorchester has one of the most expansive, spectacular roof decks in Boston and it’s open from 11:30am seven days a week, which means you can enjoy a BBQ rooftop brunch with one of the brewery’s tasty sips every day the sun is shining. Or, on a cloudy day, you can post up on the roof tucked safely inside the giant glass sunroom perched on the roof, complete with a bar and tons of seating.

Tucked within the Prudential Center, the entrance reveals a moody bar—but on a sunny day, keep walking up the stairs and ask for patio seating on their year-round rooftop. The overarching glass panels of this space open during the summer, while still allowing light to spill in during the cooler months. The menu offers your brunch faves like benedicts, hot chicken and waffles, but the real move is to hit up the brunch happy hour from 10am to noon Saturday and Sunday. You’ll find lower prices on the American breakfast, lobster and shrimp benny and cocktails like the limoncello spritz.

Located (unsurprisingly) on the 12th floor of the Hotel Yotel on Seaport Boulevard, this rooftop deck offers stunning views of the booming neighborhood. Diners can expect elevated favorites like a farmer’s omelet, shakshuka and a mezze platter. Deck 12 offers an over-the-top Loaded Bloody made with Old Bay infused vodka, olive juice, bloody mix and topped with “the kitchen sink.”