You don't have to go to the coast to dine with a spectacular water view

An outdoor dining experience with spectacular views doesn’t have to be limited to coastal communities. In fact, it's become far more standard during the pandemic — even during the winter.

There are a few gems in MetroWest that are a far cry from tables and chairs set on sidewalks. They give diners an eating experience with a nice breeze blowing off the water, as spectacular sunsets light up the sky.

Take in the views of Dudley Pond or Fort Meadow Reservoir with family and friends while enjoying seasonal cocktails and seafood platters for dinner — or head out early for chicken and waffles at a restaurant overlooking Hager Pond.

Whether you're looking for Mediterranean or classic pub comfort food, here are some dining options with a view in MetroWest.

Dudley Chateau, Wayland

Address: 20 Crest Road

The view: The Dudley Chateau is a nautical-themed restaurant overlooking Dudley Pond, which is near Lake Cochituate.

Website: http://www.thedudleychateau.com/

Dog-friendly dining: Only service dogs are allowed on the patio.

If you go: There are plenty of options at this eatery, which was originally a fishing lodge, then a speakeasy. Now the Dudley Chateau, or "The Chat" (pronounced "shat"), there are plenty of specialties like the Chat Taco Burger, served with melted cheddar, pico de gallo and chipotle mayo, and Chat Wraps like the blackened wrap with cajun grilled chicken, shrimp, scallops or steak served with lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle mayo and cheese. For smaller hands, there are the Chat Sliders, served on grilled buns, or the Steak & Cheese Spring Rolls stuffed with steak, peppers, onion and cheese served with a horseradish dipping sauce.

Alicante Restaurant & Lounge, Mendon

Address: 84 Uxbridge Road (Route 16)

The view: This dining spot overlooks Nipmuc Pond, which is a little more than a half-mile walk from the Mendon town beach.

Website: https://www.alicantema.com/

Dog-friendly dining:

If you go: This Mediterranean eatery has plenty of options for fish and meat lovers, including bourbon-marinated beef skewers and chimpinhones, mushroom caps stuffed with shrimp, scallop and crab. For entrees, it offers cheese sachetti with shrimp, scallops and a lobster sherry tomato cream or Lombo de Cerdo — a pork tenderloin stuffed with apples, caramelized onions, spinach, feta cheese and dried cherries, which is then wrapped in bacon.

Casta Diva Restaurant, Northborough

Address: 35 Solomon Pond Road

The view: Casta Diva overlooks Solomon Pond

Website: http://www.castadivarestaurant.com/

Dog-friendly dining: Only service dogs are allowed.

If you go: This Northborough eatery offers authentic northern Italian cuisine, with basics like escargot al limone, snails with onions, garlic and lemon in a white wine butter sauce and mussels and clams steamed with onions and garlic. A staff favorite is the Marsala butter sauce served with chicken or veal. It also offers a variety of risottos and freshly made pastas like pappardelle, broad, wide noodles and cavatelli, which is small with a shell like shape. Casta Diva also has a rotating menu for drinks created by its bartenders, so check back for new spins on class favorites.

Stephen Anthony’s, Marlborough

Address: 999 Boston Post Road East (Route 20)

The view: Stephen Anthony's overlooks Hager Pond. Within the same shopping complex is the Wayside Inn Country store, which sells candy and collectibles.

Website: https://www.stephenanthonys.com/home

Dog-friendly dining: Dogs allowed on the outdoor patio.

If you go: Stephen Anthony's has been serving breakfast, lunch and dinner for more than 30 years, and recently added two new outdoor dining patios. It has a wide selection of toppings for Belgian waffles for breakfast, or top it with some fried chicken wings for a classic chicken and waffles. It also has gluten-free waffles, toast and rolls. For dinner, it offers fried goat cheese with a clover honey drizzle or Clams Casino, littleneck clams stuffed with bacon and bread crumbs. The house specialty is a dry-rubbed porterhouse pork chop with rosemary butter and garlic roasted potatoes, served with corn on the cob.

Bolton Street Tavern, Marlborough

Address: 587 Bolton St. (Route 85)

The view: Bolton Street Tavern offers waterside views of Fort Meadows Reservoir.

Website: http://boltonstreettavern.com/

Dog-friendly dining: Service dogs only are allowed on the patio.

If you go: Bolton Street Tavern offers starters like fried pickles and chicken quesadillas. For its Health Kick Greens, it offers poached pear salad with poached pears, grilled chicken and honey glazed walnuts, or the Tex Mex Salad, with grilled chicken, sweet corn, black beans, tomatoes and avocados, and drizzled with a spicy lime vinaigrette. And there's Monday Madness Burger Day, when you can get a half-pound Angus cheeseburger for just $5.99, served with french fries.

Civic Kitchen & Drink, Westborough

Address: 121 West Main St. (Route 30)

The view: Civic Kitchen & Drink offers an outdoor patio overlooking the 9th fairway at Westborough Country Club. Owner Thomas Oliveri calls it "the best view in all of central Massachusetts," although he swears he's not biased.

Website: https://www.civickitchenanddrink.com/

Dog-friendly: Dogs allowed on the outdoor patio.

If you go: This restaurant with outdoor dining isn't just for the town's country club anymore. Start out your meal with "Woosta" Chicken Nachos with homemade potato chips, topped with shredded chili lime chicken and Monterey Jack cheese, or enjoy sandwiches like the Nashville Fried Chicken, with fried chicken and spicy honey on a brioche bun.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: West of Boston restaurants that offer spectacular views of the water