Scenes from Moody Street, the Area’s Latest Outdoor Cafe

Moody Street in Waltham has long been a key restaurant destination for the Boston area. The storefronts are packed with eateries, most smaller but a few chains as well. In response to the pandemic, the City of Waltham shut down Moody Street to cars and gave it over to the restaurants, turning it into a pedestrian-only boulevard with outdoor seating.

The response has been nothing less than spectacular, with residents descending on the area to take in the alfresco dining. The restaurants themselves did more than just put out a few tables, they brought out lights, trees, decorations, and created a true dining experience. 

Some are using technology, like QR codes, to allow for things like digital menus and they’re all doing some form of takeout. It’ll be interesting to see how this develops through the summer, as other stores are starting to take advantage of the outdoors; even the Indian grocery has opened an outdoor produce market!