Doing Dine Out Boston on a budget
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Rosa y Marigold. Photo: David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Dine Out Boston returns Saturday with nearly 200 restaurants participating.
Why it matters: The semi-annual dining event comes as restaurants are hungry for customers — and as some of those would-be customers are tightening their budgets.
State of plate: Dine Out Boston runs through Aug. 15.
- Several new restaurants joined this year, including Peruvian eatery Rosa Y Marigold and luxury steakhouse Maple & Ash.
- Scottish pub The Haven and F1 Arcade in the Seaport will also make their Dine Out Debuts.
Yes, but: Long gone are the days where customers could try an upscale dinner for under $30.
- This year, you'll be lucky to find lunch under $30, and most dinner deals range from $46 to $55.
Here are the Boston-area spots we recommend:
🥘 Estragon, $38 dinner
- The South End tapas restaurant offers three tapas and dessert, with options ranging from gazpacho to steamed mussels to braised lamb.
🇵🇪 Rosa y Marygold, $27 lunch | $46 dinner
- Now's your chance to try the restaurant's ceviche, which is a first-course option on the lunch and dinner menus.
🛳️ Boston Harbor City Cruises, $55 dinner
- The cruise dinner is on the pricier side, but where else can you get a salad, entree and dessert while cruising on the water for that price?
If you go: Check in at 200 Seaport Boulevard.
🐌 Batifol, $26 lunch | $38 dinner
- This Cambridge French eatery offers limited menus at lower price points than other participants.
- If you've ever wanted to try escargot, this is as good a chance as any.
🏴 The Haven, $27 lunch | $46 dinner
- If you missed out on the Tartan Army's visit, you can still get a piece of Scottish cuisine at a lower lunch rate than most Dine Out Boston participants.
Here's the full list of participating restaurants.