Getting to Know Your Neighborhood: Kenmore Square and Fenway
Explore one of Boston’s most iconic areas, from sports to fine arts to scenic locales
One Kenmore Square, at 545 Commonwealth Ave., is the new global headquarters for WHOOP, the wearable health and fitness technology firm. The building is part of a major redevelopment of the north side of Kenmore Square, and will include about 7,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. Photo by Cydney Scott
Getting to Know Your Neighborhood: Fenway-Kenmore
Explore one of Boston’s most iconic areas, from sports to fine arts to scenic locales
Not so much a square as a confusing convergence of Commonwealth Avenue, Brookline Avenue, and Beacon Street, Kenmore Square has several claims to fame.
First may be the iconic Citgo sign. A beacon to visitors and residents on both sides of the Charles River since 1965, the sign’s original five miles of winding neon tubing was replaced in 2005 by 240,000 red, white, and blue LEDs. In July 2010, the double-sided, 60-by-60-foot sign went dark for two months so that the 9,000 feet of lights could be updated with the latest LEDs lighting and new computers to manage the sign’s famous animation. Close behind the sign is Fenway Park, the jewel box of a baseball field that has served as home to the Boston Red Sox since its opening in 1912.
For years, Kenmore Square was little more than a busy doorstep to Fenway Park. Prior to the 1960s, it was part of Boston’s Auto Row, famous for more than 100 automobile dealerships. The 1970s ushered in a new era, when partiers from all over the region thronged to the infamous Rathskeller, a punk rock venue that helped launch the careers of the Ramones, R.E.M., and the Police, among others, before it closed in 1997. During the 1980s, Kenmore Square fell into disrepair. By the 1990s, even the Red Sox were threatening to leave. But the 2002 opening of the Hotel Commonwealth, backed by Boston University, sparked a renaissance, helping transform the square into a dining and nightlife destination.
Since 2018, Kenmore Square has been undergoing yet another facelift following BU’s sale of several buildings on the north side of the square to the developer Related Beal. When construction is fully completed, it will dramatically change the area, with more than 500,000 square feet of office and retail space. WHOOP, the personalized fitness and health technology company, is opening their new global headquarters at One Kenmore Square later this year. Happily, the iconic Citgo sign will remain where it is for at least the next three decades.
Below, our guide for some of the best places to visit while strolling through the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood.
Comicopia
464 Commonwealth Ave.
A mainstay of Kenmore Square since 1989, Comicopia stocks several thousand comic book trade paperbacks, from classics like Batman and Captain Marvel series to new releases like Astro City Metrobook. New comics arrive every Wednesday, but you can check out the incoming stock online beforehand. The store carries a huge selection of indie and self-published titles, as well as extensive manga, YA, and graphic novel collections.
The Kenmore
476 Commonwealth Ave.
This affordable pub, located where the Lower Depths Tap Room once stood, is all about craft beer, burgers, and hot dogs. With their 16 draft lines and extensive collection of cans and bottles, they serve up a rotating list of some of the best beer from New England and around the world. Their signature Pat LaFrieda blend hamburgers are locally sourced, and their 100 percent all-beef Kayem hot dogs are made from scratch right in the back. A bonus for night owls: the Kenmore serves hot dogs for $1.50 and their classic K Burgers for $2.50 nightly after 10 pm. Whether stopping in before a Red Sox game, brunching with friends, or enjoying a night out on the town, the Kenmore has got you covered.
India Quality
484 Commonwealth Ave.
Regularly rated Boston’s top Indian restaurant by numerous publications, including Boston magazine, India Quality is the place to go if you’re craving a warm, spicy curry. With more than 60 entrées, including beef, chicken, lamb, goat, and vegetarian options, the selection can be overwhelming. If you’re having trouble deciding and are dining with a group, the “Dinner for Four” option includes a good cross section of the menu. The restaurant, which specializes in North Indian cuisine, is renowned for its coconut korma dishes and spinach poori bread. India Quality offers a 10 percent discount on dine-in and pickup orders with a valid college ID.
Nuggets
486 Commonwealth Ave.
Nuggets has been supplying BU students with music since 1978. With over 10,000 records, including rare and out-of-print titles, this repository of pop culture sells several decades’ worth of tunes, posters, and old copies of rock magazines, as well as videos, cassettes, and DVDs. Check out the store’s extensive collection of local music, and browse its online collection here. Short on cash? No worries. Customers can buy, sell, and trade. Note: Nuggets is usually closed on Mondays, unless there’s a Red Sox game.
Hotel Commonwealth
500 Commonwealth Ave.
Prior to the COVID pandemic, Hotel Commonwealth was a popular destination with diners from across the city who flocked to its restaurants, Island Creek Oyster Bar and Eastern Standard, and its intimate cocktail bar, the Hawthorne. Those restaurants closed during the pandemic and have been replaced with new establishments, all operated by New York City’s Blue Ribbon Group.
The first is Blue Ribbon Sushi, which recently opened in the former Hawthorne space. The popular 120-seat restaurant offers a wide range of fresh sushi and seafood dishes, including sashimi, maki, and zensai, as well as traditional Japanese cuisine and wagyu steaks. The completely renovated interior includes a mezzanine-level dining section, cocktail bar, and, of course, a sushi bar. Starters include staples like miso soup, tempura, and fried chicken wings. Find a complete menu here. The curated cocktail menu includes a range of Japanese whiskies, beers, and sake, as well as signature cocktails. The food can be on the pricey side, though, with most sushi orders starting at around $25.
Another new addition is Pescador, a seafood restaurant that opened in November 2022 in the space formerly occupied by Island Creek Oyster Bar. The 195-seat space features a cocktail bar and ceviche bar, and a menu of fresh, local seafood.
TsuruTonTan, an udon brasserie, is located at 512 Commonwealth Ave. The restaurant specializes in refined, handmade udon and delicious sushi. They offer some great lunchtime deals, as well, including a combo of two sushi rolls and a bowl of udon for $12 or three rolls and udon for $15. Dining as a group? Check out the all-you-can-eat option (available by reservation only). Choose your protein and broth, then order all the veggies, rice, appetizers, and everything else you want within the 90-minute time limit. With its relatively low prices, TsuruTonTan is an ideal choice for anyone on a budget.
Cornwall’s
644 Beacon St.
Boston bleeds green, especially on Saint Patrick’s Day, but the city was actually colonized by the English. Even so, British pubs are a rarity around here, which makes Cornwall’s a cherished square fixture. In 2019, it moved a few doors down from its previous location at 654 Beacon St., because of the construction on the north side of the square. With its steaming plates of bangers and mash, and its pints of hard-to-find English ales, Cornwall’s would make any Brit feel at home. It’s an excellent place to grab a glass of London Pride, or play a game of darts or a round of Scrabble, which you can grab from the bar’s large shelf of board games.
All That Fish + Oyster
771 Beacon St.
All That Fish + Oyster opened in September 2023 and is the first of four new Fenway restaurant concepts from acclaimed Boston-based restaurateur Garrett Harker (who previously owned Eastern Standard and Island Creek Oyster Bar). All That Fish + Oyster boasts an extensive menu, offering delicious choices, ranging from smoky chicken wings (with Szechuan peppercorn and dried chilis), pineapple fried rice (with tamarind, tamari, ginger and sunny-side up egg), and citrus marinated grilled shrimp (with rice noodle salad, nuoc cham, and chili crisp). The raw bar features oysters and clams alongside ceviche and a half lobster. This upscale seafood eatery is on the pricey side, but Harker’s reputation for innovative food and cocktail menus is sure to make it a new Boston favorite.
Rockwood Music Hall
88 Van Ness St.
The intimate Rockwood Music Hall (it seats just 120), promises “a big show in a small space.” The Boston location, which opened May 2023, is the younger sibling of the first Rockwood Music Hall, founded in New York City in 2005. The venues are designed to kick-start new artists’ careers and give concertgoers an unparalleled sonic experience through a partnership with Sam Berkow, who won the 2022 Parnelli Audio Innovator Award. You’ll find all kinds of music by a stellar lineup of up-and-coming artists here. Note: the venue is 21-plus only and government-issued IDs are required. Tickets are typically around $15; check out their calenda for a list of upcoming performances. Due to Rockwood’s size, buying tickets in advance is highly recommended.
MGM Music Hall at Fenway
2 Lansdowne St.
Another recent addition to Boston’s live music scene, MGM Music Hall opened in August 2022. Located just behind Fenway Park’s right field bleachers, the 5,000-seater venue has already hosted a starry list of headliners, including pop artist Bruno Mars, Grammy winner James Taylor, and country singer Chris Stapleton. Despite its size, it’s architecturally designed so that no seat is farther than 115 feet from center stage, guaranteeing an intimate experience. Check out the events calendar here.
Cheeky Monkey Brewing Company
3 Lansdowne St.
This brewery and tap room has become popular for its house-brewed craft beers (they also have a full bar) and as an entertainment venue. You’ll find digital dartboards, pool tables, shuffleboard, and parlor games, as well as an outdoor patio. The menu includes salads and flatbreads, tacos, burgers, and an array of appetizers. Only guests 21 and older are allowed in after 8 pm, and there’s a dress code (no athletic wear, ripped or baggy clothing, or sleeveless or white T-shirts).
House of Blues
15 Lansdowne St.
House of Blues officially opened in February 2009, returning to the area after vacating an early incarnation in Cambridge. This 53,000-square-foot concert venue, restaurant, and bar headlines a musical act nearly every night of the week. Founded in 1992 by Hard Rock Café founder Isaac Tigrett and actor Dan Aykroyd, the chain features music by rock, jazz, blues, rap, hip-hop, soul, country, and folk artists, and Southern-inspired cuisine. Check out its concert calendar here.
The Bleacher Bar
82A Lansdowne St.
Located under Fenway Park’s center field bleachers, a few feet from the Ted Williams red seat—which commemorates the Splendid Splinter’s 1946 502-foot home run, the longest ever hit into the Fenway bleachers—the Bleacher Bar offers a wide variety of local brews on tap. With deli classics like roast beef, corned beef, and BBQ pulled pork, you’ll find something to satisfy your hunger and thirst while getting an amazing view of the field—all at a reasonable price. It is open off-season as well as when the boys of summer play. The bar doesn’t take reservations on game days, so be prepared to wait. For nongame days, you can make a reservation on their website.
Lucky Strike
145 Ipswich St.
This 70,000-square-foot, three-story entertainment complex offers billiards in a 34-table pool parlor, a massive 800-square-foot LED video wall, an upscale bowling alley, plasma TVs, six full bars, and two restaurants serving up pizzas, burgers, and more.
Fenway Park
4 Jersey St.
Home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park is the oldest, the most famous, and arguably the most interesting baseball stadium in the United States. The park opened on April 20, 1912. With a capacity of just 37,305 spectators, Fenway is one of Major League Baseball’s smallest stadiums. Because of its age and constrained urban location, renovations and additions have resulted in some unique and quirky features, most notably left field’s famous Green Monster—a 37-foot wall that prevents home runs on many line drives that would clear the walls of other ballparks, but turns some fly balls into game-winners. Fenway Park tours consist of a 60-minute walk around the ballpark, with stops at the Sam Adams right field roof deck, the State Street Pavilion, the Green Monster seats, and the press box, though stops are subject to availability. Tour schedules and rates vary. For more information, call 617-226-6666 or visit their website.
Official Red Sox Team Store
19 Jersey St.
Red Sox Nation fans will find plenty of must-haves at the Official Red Sox Team Store, right across the street from Fenway Park. What began as a single street cart in 1947, operated by twin brothers Arthur and Henry D’Angelo, today is a sprawling 25,000-square-foot store that’s open year-round. You’ll find all manner of Red Sox apparel, as well as commemorative memorabilia, pennants, key chains, glassware, game-used merchandise, and autographed baseballs. The Fenway Park tours begin and end here, although the store doesn’t run them.
Wahlburgers
132 Brookline Ave.
Owned by the famous Wahlberg brothers—actors Mark and Donnie and brother and restaurant chef Paul—this popular eatery serves up innovative burgers, fresh salads, and crowd-pleasers like Mom’s Housemade Chili and smoked bacon mac ’n’ cheese. The restaurant features counter service or sit-down dining. Grab a seat at the outdoor patio, weather permitting.
Nagomi Izakaya
636 Beacon St.
This Japanese restaurant opened in October 2021, featuring poke bowls, sushi, gyoza, kaisen don, ramen, and more, across its extensive menu. There’s an a la carte menu for sushi, as well as a selection of combos. It’s open for dinner—plus lunch on weekends—and is a short walk from the Kenmore Square T station.
Saloniki Greek
4 Kilmarnock St.
This sleek eatery, helmed by famed restaurateur and chef Jody Adams, a two-time James Beard Award winner, pays tribute to the “humble Greek sandwich shop.” The Fenway location—there are four others, in Central Square and Harvard Square in Cambridge, and Boston’s Back Bay and Beacon Hill—offers traditional Greek fare, which can be ordered either as a plate or a pita. Try the braised pork pita sandwich with spicy feta, slaw, and secret sauce or the Mykonos salad (a spicy slaw and zucchini-feta fritters concoction). You can also order a fantastic Greek lamb and grain bowl, traditional soups, and yummy Greek desserts, such as baklava crisps. Greek cocktails are available, as well. Take a seat inside or on the patio, or take it to go.
Blackbird Doughnuts
20 Kilmarnock St.
This Fenway outpost of the popular South End artisanal doughnut shop (there are now six locations in and around Boston with more coming soon) serves up filling doughnuts with an innovative twist. The doughnuts are formed from either brioche dough or cake batter, with house-made glazes, frostings, and toppings. The roster of flavors includes vanilla glaze, salted toffee, chocolate old-fashioned, and the “Everything Bagel Donut,” which tastes just like it sounds. They also have a rotating selection of flavors that change by the month. Check their menu for current choices. Patrons can order full-size doughnuts and seasonal minis, as well as decadent doughnut ice cream sandwiches and doughnut cakes (a day’s notice needed for these). There are even vegan brioche specials, including a pear-ginger jam bismarck (a filled vegan brioche, with house-made pear-ginger jam and vanilla sugar) and a cider-glazed donut (a vegan brioche, with cider glaze, topped with sprinkles). They’re worth every calorie, trust us.
Eventide
1321 Boylston St.
Eventide Fenway brings to Boston a counter service version of the popular Eventide Oyster Co. in Portland, Maine. Noted for its raw oyster bar and succulent lobster rolls, Eventide offers both indoor and outdoor dining, and also serves up crudos, salads, fried seafood, and a delicious New England clam chowder. The menu changes daily, but it features staples like a smoked tofu sandwich and a classic cheeseburger, for those who prefer something other than fish. Be sure to save room for dessert: the brown butter soft serve ice cream is a wonderful post-lunch treat.
Hojoko
1271 Boylston St.
Named one of the city’s great hotel restaurants by Boston.com in 2022, this Japanese-style tavern inside the hip, rock and roll–themed Verb Hotel features a menu by James Beard Award–winning chef Tim Cushman and restaurateur Nancy Cushman, owners of the popular Japanese eatery O Ya in the Leather District. Diners can enjoy robata-grilled koji chicken, pork and shrimp potstickers, sushi, and a selection of small plates. The chic eatery sports a Japan-inspired craft cocktail list, including the popular Tokyo Tea (tequila, long-leaf green tea, Midori, and lemon). And there’s a patio for those who prefer dining al fresco.
Honeygrow
1282 Boylston St.
Honeygrow offers customizable stir-fries and salads designed to appeal to every palate. Diners order on touch screens, navigating between suggested options and substitutions to customize your dish. A chicken stir-fry can be changed to beef, pork, or vegan in just a few taps. The salads are particularly noteworthy, drawing on locally grown produce. And leave room for one of Honeygrow’s “Honeybar” desserts. The brownie crumble, apple pie, cheesecake, and fruit and granola bowls are the perfect sweet ending to your meal. Pickup and delivery are also available.
Tasty Burger
1301 Boylston St.
Now in a new location (they moved around the corner from their previous address in a converted gas station on Boylston Street) Tasty Burger is not your average burger joint. The new venue offers more seating and a decidedly more modern vibe, complete with huge windows to let the breeze in on a nice day. Despite the location upgrade, the restaurant retained its affordable menu. The Big Tasty burger and the Spicy Jalapeño burger, at just $8.50, are both an excellent value. The hot dogs and chicken sandwiches are pretty tasty, as well. And it’s open until 2 am every day, perfect for those with a case of the late-night munchies. Be sure to check out the $12 Starvin’ Student special: a burger or cheeseburger, side order of fries, and a can of beer.
Citizen Public House and Oyster Bar
1310 Boylston St.
For a unique dining experience you can’t beat, try the Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar’s family-style pig roast. Available for groups of 10 or more, the meal begins with assorted oysters, clams, and shrimp, and ends with a slow-roasted (for 14 hours) whole suckling pig. If pork isn’t your favorite, there are plenty of other options, including lobster rolls, a slow-braised lamb shoulder risotto, and Atlantic cod loin. The tavern also carries more than 400 whiskies, including a small number of hand-selected single barrels.
Basho Japanese Brasserie
1338 Boylston St.
Basho serves up some of the best sushi in Boston. There are plenty of inventive signature rolls, and fresh ingredients are flown in daily. Not a fan of sushi? They also have numerous platters and rice or noodle entrees that are also delicious. Patrons will find a variety of seating options, from communal tables to private dining areas, making it an excellent gathering spot for groups both small and large. The restaurant also offers takeout and online ordering.
Fool’s Errand
1377 Boylston St.
Billing itself as an “adult snack bar,” Fool’s Errand, operated by restaurateur Tiffani Faison, underwent a transformation during the pandemic, hosting private events for customers and providing a space for events, pop-ups, and anything in between. But in July 2022 it returned to its original premise: a snack bar serving cocktails, wine, and beer, along with a small, curated list of savory and sweet snacks. It’s open Wednesday through Saturday, offering a wide selection of choices for the mature clientele that frequent the venue.
Sweet Cheeks Q
1381 Boylston St.
For a taste of “the American South,” head over to Sweet Cheeks Q (also run by Tiffani Faison) for some authentic southern barbecue. Entrées like pork belly, fried chicken, pulled pork, and BBQ chopped brisket come served with two sides. Most of the pork, beef, and chicken is all-natural, bought from local farms whenever possible, and all meats (except for the fried chicken) are gluten-free. If the hearty entrées aren’t enough to fill you up, check out the “More Sweet, Less Cheek” options, a small selection of desserts, including a strawberry cheesecake and a giant Nutter Butter.
Time Out Market Boston
401 Park Drive
This 25,000-square-foot food hall is home to 15 restaurant stalls from some of Boston’s top restaurants and chefs, plus two bars on the ground floor of the 401 Park building. Time Out Market came to the Fenway in 2019, becoming the third market of its kind to open in the United States, following the Miami and New York branches. The eatery lineup—which draws from Italian, Mediterranean, Asian, and American influences, among others—includes customizable rice bowls from InChu, authentic Mexican dishes courtesy of Taqueria El Barrio, and craveworthy mezzes like baba ganoush from anoush’ella. Visitors can also stop at Gelato & Chill and Union Square Donuts for something sweet. The market is a great place to grab takeout, but it does feature indoor seating, as well as a 6,000-square-foot patio.
The Green at 401 Park
401 Park Drive
Formerly a parking lot for the historic Landmark Center building, this newly developed one-acre green space was part of the $650 million redevelopment of the former Sears, Roebuck and Co. warehouse and distribution center. The outdoor park hosts year-round activities, ranging from summer concerts to winter ice-skating. The green space is anchored by a public art installation, Grouping of Works from Fountain, by sculptor Nicole Eisenman, and a contemporary glass pod, the year-round home of Trillium Brewing Company, which has over 20 craft beers on tap along with bottled options.
Bennett’s Sandwich Shop
1348 Boylston St.
Chances are, if you’ve ever been to Kennebunk, Maine, you’ve stopped by Bennett’s Sandwich Shop, famous for its lobster rolls. Happily, Bennett’s also has an outpost in Fenway and it’s cultivated a devoted clientele. The shop has moved half a block from its old location on Peterborough Street, but still has the same delicious food. The lobster roll is still king, but you’ll find plenty of other delicious options, including a BLT served with cheese and a yummy chicken cheesesteak. The shop also offers a variety of delectable breakfast sandwiches, served all day.
Phinista
96 Peterborough St.
“Influenced by authenticity,” this French-Vietnamese café takes its name from phin (a style of brewed coffee) and barista. They serve a unique array of coffee and tea-based drinks, sweet and savory crepes, and sandwiches and pastries. The sea salt phin iced coffee with condensed milk, and sea salt foam—is a delicious balance of flavors, and the strawberry matcha is a crowd-pleaser. Can’t decide on tea or coffee? Try the “Phin 50/50.” Phinista also serves classic banh mi as well as a variety of Viet rice bowls.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is one of Boston’s most beloved cultural institutions. This Venetian-inspited palace contains artwork collected by prominent Boston art collector and philanthropist Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840–1924), who helped design the museum, personally overseeing how the collection was hung. At the center of the four-story palace is a mesmerizing courtyard filled with flowers year-round.
The museum’s distinguished collection comprises more than 2,500 paintings, sculptures, tapestries, manuscripts, rare books, and decorative arts, all reflecting the taste of Gardner and her husband, Jack. Among them are works by Titian, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Manet, Degas, Whistler, and Sargent. The museum also hosts a highly regarded weekend concert series, along with digital programs exploring music at the Gardner.
The Gardner made international headlines in 1990 when a pair of thieves masquerading as Boston police officers entered the building and stole 13 works of art, among them priceless works by Vermeer and Rembrandt. The thieves have never been caught and no pieces ever recovered, making it one of the world’s most notorious art heists.
In 2012, the museum opened a new $114 million, 70,000-square-foot glass-and-copper addition connected to the Venetian palace. It features a gallery for contemporary art, a visitor center, a state-of-the-art performance hall, a café, a gift shop, and a greenhouse.
Admission is free for BU students, faculty, and staff with a valid ID. Advanced tickets for timed entry are strongly recommended, as they sell out quickly.
Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Ave.
With a collection of nearly half a million objects, the Museum of Fine Arts is one of the nation’s largest art institutions. It is also one of the most popular, with more than a million visitors a year. Famed for its French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection—with works by Manet, Degas, Renoir, van Gogh, Monet, and Gauguin, among others—the MFA also holds an extraordinary collection of Chinese art, Egyptian artifacts, and the largest collection of Japanese art outside of Japan along with more than 1,000 photographs of Japanese life in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Art of the Americas wing opened in 2010, adding 53 galleries and enough exhibition space to display over 5,000 American objects, more than double the previous number. It houses the MFA’s extensive American art collection, with numerous works by John Singleton Copley, Gilbert Stuart, John Singer Sargent, and American Impressionists Childe Hassam and John Twachtman.
MFA admission is free for BU students, faculty, and staff with valid IDs. Reserving tickets in advance is strongly recommended and special ticketed exhibitions require a timed-entry ticket. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Emerald Necklace
An oasis of green, the Emerald Necklace is a series of nine parks covering 1,100 acres, created in the late 19th century by one of the nation’s foremost landscape architects, Frederick Law Olmsted, who was also responsible for New York City’s Central Park. Olmsted designed the parks—which are linked by parkways and waterways—to provide a respite from urban living for people of all classes.
The Necklace begins at the Boston Common, winds through the Back Bay Fens (a former saltwater marsh in the Fenway), and ends at 485-acre Franklin Park, the city’s largest park. The Emerald Necklace has numerous walking trails and bike paths and various events throughout the year. More information and maps are available here.
Getting There
To Kenmore: Take any MBTA Green Line trolley to the Kenmore Square stop or walk down Comm Ave. To the Fenway: Take an MBTA Green Line D trolley to the Fenway stop. To Fenway Park: Walk down Brookline Avenue from Kenmore Square; the park is on your left. To the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Take an MBTA Green Line E trolley to the MFA stop or the MBTA 39 bus from Copley Square to the Museum stop.
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