Our Wildly Comprehensive Guide to Eating and Drinking in Fenway

Where there’s a will to eat, there’s a Fenway. Whether you’re hanging around before the Sox hit the field or just looking to run the bases around some of the city’s hottest restaurants, this neighborhood has it all. Here are 40-plus excellent restaurants and bars to explore—and one food hall!—spanning from Fenway Park-adjacent to Peterborough Street’s “restaurant row” to Audubon Circle to Kenmore Square.

Last updated in March 2024; stay tuned for periodic updates.

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Jump to:

• Where to Eat a Meal: From very casual to a little bit fancy, here’s where to sit down for an excellent brunch, lunch, or dinner.
• Where to Grab a Drink: You’ll find the spots that are more bar than restaurant here—although most also offer great food.
• Where to Get Caffeinated: You’ll find outposts of large chains like Caffè Nero, Starbucks, and Boston’s own Tatte in the vicinity, but we prefer visiting the smaller indies when possible.
• Where to Get Dessert: From late-night doughnuts to all things matcha, here’s where you can grab a quick dessert in the neighborhood.

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Where to Eat a Meal

From very casual to a little bit fancy, here’s where to sit down for an excellent brunch, lunch, or dinner. (Looking for late-night options? Find those here.)

Audubon

Around for a decade, this Trina’s Starlite Lounge sibling is a neighborhood staple during Sox season (and the rest of the year!) thanks to its tasty comfort food, easy-drinking cocktails, and delightful hidden (and heated) patio out back. Did someone say birria ramen?

838 Beacon St., Audubon Circle, Boston, 617-421-1910, audubonboston.com.

Bab Al-Yemen

One of 2022’s most exciting restaurant openings, Bab Al-Yemen is one of the region’s only restaurants specializing in Yemeni cuisine. We particularly love it on a chilly night for its hearty stews, roasted meats, and clove- and cardamom-spiced adani tea, but you’ll be delighted in any weather. Don’t miss the lamb haneeth.

468 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square, Boston, 857-250-2943, babalyemenboston.com.

Basho Japanese Brasserie

This neighborhood favorite—which opened way back in 2010—has always been a reliable place for sushi that won’t break the bank. (And it offers a brown rice substitution, fairly rare for local sushi spots.) Feast your way through rolls such as the Fenway roll (of course) with seared tuna, asparagus, avocado, cucumber, tobiko, and wasabi mayo. There are plenty of rice and noodle dishes and other entrees, too, if you’re not in the mood for sushi.

1338 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, 617-262-1338, bashosushi.com.

Blue Ribbon Brasserie

This well-loved New York brasserie took over the former Eastern Standard space (not to worry; it reopened elsewhere—see below), serving everything from seafood towers to fried chicken to an enormous matzoh ball soup loaded with shellfish and pork (don’t tell Bubbe.) A something-for-everyone menu like this could easily feel chaotic, but it works, inspired by owners and brothers Bruce and Eric Bromberg’s culinary training and experiences in New York, France, and beyond. Blue Ribbon currently serves dinner and a late-night menu daily, but stay tuned for expanded hours in the future, including lunch.

528 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square, Boston, 617-634-0404, blueribbonbrasserieboston.com.

Blue Ribbon Sushi

More sushi! This comes from the same glitzy New York-based restaurant group behind Blue Ribbon Brasserie above and has a bit of an upscale vibe. We’re partial to the yaki sea scallop skewer with decadent miso butter and the crispy rice with spicy tuna, serrano pepper, and eel sauce. And you can never go wrong with an order of Blue Ribbon fried chicken wings.

500a Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square, Boston, 617-264-0410, blueribbonsushikenmore.com.

Citizen Public House

Sure, this beloved gastropub by Fenway Park serves a bevy of upgraded-tavern-style fare, like the hot seafood platter and the bacon cheeseburger topped with truffle oil, blue cheese butter, and red wine demi. But the biggest draw? That would be the decadent whole pig roasts that feed up to 10 people (and require a 48-hour preorder). The porky pig-out features a whole suckling pig that’s been slow-roasted for over 14 hours, plus a spread from the raw bar and a boatload of seasonal sides. While the family-style feast is available to go, it’s best enjoyed in the laid-back environ of the pub, washed down with sips from the extensive whiskey list. (More than 400 options!)

1310 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, 617-450-9000, citizenpub.com.

D.W. French

Steak frites, French onion soup, escargot: You’ll find plenty of familiar French classics at this 2023 debut, done extremely well and complemented by warm hospitality and swanky digs. (If you’re a local, you probably know of chef-owner Douglass Williams from his well-received trio of Italian restaurants, Mida, in the South End, East Boston, and Newton.) You can certainly dress up and make this a date-night destination, but you’ll be just as comfortable in your Sox gear if you stop by before a game.

1391 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, dwfrench.com.

Eastern Standard

It’s back! A pandemic-era closure that left Bostonians heartbroken, Eastern Standard opened anew at the end of 2023, down the street from the original location, now in a shiny new apartment complex. The one-time destination for so many things—late-night dinner for restaurant industry workers, brunch for college students when their parents visited, pre- and post-Sox snacks for baseball fans—is reasserting itself with plenty of old favorites (we missed you, lamb rigatoni!) and new surprises.

775 Beacon St. (the Bower), Fenway, Boston, easternstandardboston.com.

El Pelón Taqueria

Many moons before the more recent boom of new restaurants in Fenway, people were already calling Peterborough Street the neighborhood’s “restaurant row.” Most of the signs have changed over the years; one thing that hasn’t changed, though, is El Pelón, which has been offering its bold take on Mexican flavors since 1998. We’re forever fans of the burrito called “el guapo,” filled with grilled steak, black beans, jack cheese, rice, and fried plantains, which temper the kick of the scratch-made, fire-roasted salsa. Also great? The pescado taco, which pairs crispy cornmeal-crusted cod with árbol chili mayo and pickled veggies.

92 Peterborough St., Fenway, Boston, 617-262-9090, elpelon.com.

Eventide Fenway

There’s lots to love at the Boston offshoot of Portland’s seafood-showcasing Maine event, Eventide Oyster Co. Come for a quick lunch of a fried oyster bun with mixed pickles and tartar, or linger over the raw bar for a while and crush a dozen just-shucked oysters. (Washed down with some bubbly, naturally.) Between the Thai-inflected lobster stew with coconut milk and the delectable nori-dusted potato chips, you might have a few daydreams of pan-Asian travels while people-watching at the wide windows. The real star of the show—the gorgeous brown butter lobster roll—anchors much closer to home.

1321 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, 617-545-1060, eventideoysterco.com.

Futago Udon

This sunny little nook features big bowls of bouncy noodles—a variety of udon dishes, both hot and cold. Try the cold “mad tiger udon” on a hot summer day, a surprisingly light combo of spicy miso pork, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and poached egg. (Note: Most of Futago’s dishes can be made vegan upon request.) A few snacks, such as purple sweet potato tempura and takoyaki, round out the menu.

508-512 Park Dr., Audubon Circle, Boston 617-505-6157, instagram.com/futago_udon.

Hojoko

What happens when you set a rock ‘n’ roll-inspired Japanese izakaya inside a former Howard Johnson’s hotel? You get the beautifully bonkers Hojoko, restaurateurs Tim and Nancy Cushman’s more casual sequel to downtown’s super-fancy O Ya. Here, it’s all about the playful playlist of flavor mash-ups, from the ginger-soy-marinated karaage fried chicken to the Best-of-Boston-winning wagyu cheeseburger with zingy dashi pickles and special sauce. Sushi offerings similarly hit with a remix of funky ingredients, from the truffle salsa in the shiitake mushroom tempura roll to the smoked Oaxacan pasilla chili pepper that lights up the spicy salmon.

1271 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, 617-670-0507, hojokoboston.com.

India Quality

Open for a commendable 40+ years, this north Indian restaurant brings the heat with savory, fiery curries and lots more. (The menu is huge; there are even two dozen different breads available.) It’s been a Best of Boston winner multiple times over the years, including a best neighborhood restaurant nod in 2021 and best Indian restaurant in 2022. The lamb vindaloo and beef bhuna are among our favorite dishes.

484 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square, Boston, 617-267-4499, indiaquality.com.

Kenzoku Mazesoba

Steps from Futago Udon (see above) is another noodle shop with a singular focus: mazesoba, or brothless ramen. Thick, chewy noodles, made fresh daily, are the stars at this 2024 newcomer, served with toppings like spicy minced pork, scallions, and poached eggs. Finish your noodles? Ask for a free serving of rice to eat with whatever remains in your bowl.

506 Park Dr., Audubon Circle, Boston, 617-608-3572, instagram.com/kenzoku.mazesoba.

Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar

The new-ish location of Loco is a big hit, just like its boisterous older sibling in Southie, which has become a neighborhood fave since its 2015 opening. The Fenway Loco took over the massive space that was briefly home to Plantpub but better known for its decades as Boston BeerWorks. It has two bars and over 200 seats, serving up, well, plenty of tacos and plenty of oysters, not to mention a big selection of margaritas. (Note: On Fenway Park event days—Sox games but also concerts, etc.—Loco has a special menu that takes effect three hours before the start of the event.)

61 Brookline Ave., Fenway, Boston, locotacoshops.com.

Luke’s Lobster (coming April 2024)

The Maine-based casual lobster roll chain with locations in Boston’s Back Bay and Downtown Crossing is opening two new outposts this spring—one inside Fenway Park and one just outside the park on Jersey Street—featuring lobster rolls and chowder. The rolls are served chilled with a little bit of mayo, plus lemon butter and “Luke’s secret seasoning.” (Alongside the new openings comes the announcement that Luke’s is the official lobster roll of the Red Sox.)

Inside Fenway Park and on Jersey Street, Fenway, Boston, lukeslobster.com.

Matsunori Handroll Bar

Even more sushi in the neighborhood? Yep. This 2023 newcomer focuses on handrolls, in particular—and plenty of A5 wagyu, because co-owner Kevin Liu is also a partner in a cattle ranch in Miyazaki, Japan. Standouts include the miso cod roll and the Hokkaido scallop roll. Note: Matsunori doesn’t currently serve alcohol, take reservations, or offer takeout/delivery.

900a Beacon St., Audubon Circle, Boston, 857-305-3993, matsu-nori.com.

Rod Thai Family Taste

Offering what it describes as a mix of classics and “surprising” family recipes, this bustling counter-service spot on “restaurant row” focuses on Thai street food, with plenty of noodle and rice dishes to satisfy any appetite. (The drunken noodles are a popular choice, as is the boat noodle soup.)

94 Peterborough St., Fenway, Boston, 617-859-0969, rodthaifenway.com.

Saloniki

Maybe right now you can’t just get up and jet off to Greece for a vacation spent strolling narrow streets, munching a warm pita from a vendor. You can, however, more easily make it over to fast-casual restaurant Saloniki, which offers the next best thing. The Fenway spot is this local chain’s original location—a bright, chic setting that offers even brighter flavors: There’s the charred lemon gracing the whole chicken plates; the tzatziki that abounds; and the spicy whipped feta you might choose to accompany the lamb meatballs or herby-salty pitas wrapped hug-like around, say, grilled chicken thighs or zucchini fritters.

4 Kilmarnock St., Fenway, Boston, 617-266-0001, salonikigreek.com.

Sufra Mediterranean 

Known for its late-night hours—open until 1:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and midnight Sunday through Wednesday—Sufra serves up fresh halal meals and is sure to be packed on the weekend. (This spot has limited seating but occasionally makes appearances at Boston-area events in its food truck.) Sufra’s meals work well for takeout, especially options like the tender supreme chicken shawarma wrap topped with a creamy sauce or the cheese-pull worthy eggs and akkawi cheese manousheh, a Lebanese flatbread reminiscent of pizza.

52 Queensberry St., Fenway, Boston, 781-645-8080, suframediterraneanfood.com.

Sushi Kappo

One more sushi option: This is the most casual of the bunch, a small counter-service space offering sushi burritos, poke bowls, and other tasty ways to eat raw seafood, plus tonkatsu broth-based ramen if you’re looking for something warmer. (Sushi Kappo comes from the team behind Somerville gem Ebi Sushi.)

86 Peterborough St., Fenway, Boston, 857-277-8904, sushikappo.com.

Sweet Cheeks Q

Okay, unlike Tiffani Faison, none of us walked away with $100,000 as a winner of the Food Network’s Tournament of Champions. But at least we can head to her longtime Fenway barbecue restaurant for our consolation prize: a bucket of delectable buttermilk biscuits best enjoyed with a slathering of honey butter. The homey spot, around since 2011, boasts a bounty of meats, from the smoked short rib to tender and juicy pulled chicken. Savor all these beauties as a tray, doused in house-made sauce (especially the zippy, Carolina-style vinegar one) alongside scoops of classic mac ‘n’ cheese or barbecue ranch beans.

1381 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, 617-266-1300, sweetcheeksq.com.

Tasty Burger

Though this much-loved local chain has expanded around the city and into Cambridge, the O.G. Fenway location still knocks it out of the park with no-frills feasts of juicy stacked burgers, perfectly crispy fries, and milkshakes that will have you licking the inside of your cup (no judgment). A special shout-out to the classic Buffalo chicken sandwich and the side of 50/50 fries and onion rings combo, best enjoyed with chili and cheese for dipping. And as meal deals go, it’s tough to beat the Starvin’ Student combo, a $12 happy-making meal of a burger, fries, and tall boy beer.  

86 Van Ness St., Fenway, Boston, 617-425-4444, tastyburger.com.

Tenderoni’s

Big disco energy awaits at this latest addition to chef and restaurateur Tiffani Faison’s empire. With 1970s and 1980s roller-rink throwback vibes and thick squares of crispy-edge pizza, Tenderoni’s is some kind of Pizza Hut fever dream, and you’ll have a blast. And there’s more than pizza: Don’t be afraid to order dishes like chicken parm “nuggsss” or hot crab rangoon dip.

1363 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, 617-425-6262, tenderonis.com.

Time Out Market Boston

Over a dozen restaurants in one—this food hall is the place to go when you can’t decide. There’s something for everyone, from an excellent rendition of classic North Shore-style roast beef from Cusser’s to irresistible birria tacos from Taqueria el Barrio to barbecue from local mini-chain Blue Ribbon BBQ (no relation to Blue Ribbon Brasserie and Sushi above). The most recent addition is fruity New Zealand-inspired soft serve from Far Out Ice Cream, which is based in Brookline.

401 Park Dr., Fenway, Boston, 978-393-8088, timeoutmarket.com/boston.

Tsurutontan Udon Noodle Brasserie

If you’re looking for absolutely enormous bowls of udon—or, reservation-only all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu—here’s your spot. (Oh yeah, there’s sushi too.) This Japan-based chain has four United States locations, including the Kenmore Square outpost (which opened, rather unluckily, in January 2020). The bestseller is the wagyu beef truffle dashi udon.

512 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square, Boston, 857-233-2839, tsurutontan.com/boston.

Wow Tikka

Another “restaurant row” spot, this fast-casual Indian restaurant, which opened in late 2022, offers an assembly-line-style build-a-bowl version of Indian cuisine that doesn’t shy away from big flavors. The highly customizable menu offers plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Don’t want to go the bowl route? Tandoori chicken, samosas, and more are also available.

84 Peterborough St., Fenway, Boston, 857-250-2062, wowtikka.com.

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Where to Grab a Drink

You’ll find the spots that are more bar than restaurant here—although most also offer great food.

Bleacher Bar

Can’t get much closer to the field than this without a ticket! This 16-year-old spot is nestled into a part of Fenway Park that was once the away team’s batting cage. Now, it’s an independently operated bar with a no-frills beer list and some comfort food, mostly burgers and sandwiches. You can see the field through the glass garage door (and from the men’s room).

82a Lansdowne St., Fenway, Boston, 617-262-2424, bleacherbarboston.com.

Equal Measure

When the original Eastern Standard location closed a few years back, its sibling-and-neighbor cocktail bar, the acclaimed Hawthorne, also bid Boston farewell. While Eastern Standard has been reborn under the same name in a new location (see above), the Hawthorne has not—but instead, Eastern Standard has a new sibling cocktail bar next door, Equal Measure. Even though the name is different, the space feels similar—think upscale living room—and cocktail veteran Jackson Cannon and his team are serving creative, beautifully made drinks just like in the old days. Those still mourning the Hawthorne will find just what they’re craving here.

775 Beacon St. (the Bower), Fenway, Boston, 857-449-5579, equalmeasurebos.com.

Fool’s Errand

This “adult snack bar”—another Tiffani Faison venue—is a tiny nook of a cocktail bar that complements its creative drink list with snacks like caviar-topped wagyu hot dogs or French onion dip with pretzels and crudités.

1377 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, foolserrandboston.com.

The Lansdowne

Every Boston neighborhood needs a solid Irish pub or two, and this one is Fenway’s. With live entertainment and late-night hours seven days a week, this is a reliable pre- or post-game stop for a Guinness, or something interesting from the sizable whiskey list. Snack on items like cheeseburger egg rolls, pulled pork sliders, and nachos.

9 Lansdowne St., Fenway, Boston, 617-247-1222, lansdownepubboston.com.

Loretta’s Last Call

This country-themed bar features frequent live music, two nights of line dancing a week, and whiskey flights. There’s a pretty hefty food menu, too, so you could come here for a full meal: Think barbecue pulled pork-topped mac and cheese, Nashville hot chicken, brisket sandwiches, and more. Also, late-night doughnuts. (See Back Door Donuts below.)

1 Lansdowne St., Fenway, Boston, 617-421-9595, lorettaslastcall.com.

Nathálie

This Best of Boston wine bar—sibling to downtown favorite Haley.Henry—is the kind of darkly lush and inviting space you’ll want to bring a date to in order to compare tasting notes. We’re listing it in the drinking section because it is, first and foremost, a wine bar—one that focuses its quirky and wonderful list on small-production, natural wines. But the food is certainly no afterthought: Make your way through small plates like potatoes mille feuille with bearnaise, salmon roe, and chives, and leave room for dessert. Keep an eye out for live music on the second and fourth Saturday afternoon each month and the new-for-2024 “L Club” on the third Saturday night of the month, a “lesbian love fest for our community of queer queens who need a place to slay.”

186 Brookline Ave., Fenway, Boston, 857-317-3884, nathaliebar.com.

Trillium

The popular local brewing company has a small, freestanding taproom on the lawn in front of Time Out Market Boston, featuring over a dozen of its beers (and hard seltzers) on tap, covering a variety of styles, from hoppy to sour. Retail four-packs and bottles are also available for purchase, and customers are welcome to bring in their own food.

401 Park Dr., Fenway, Boston, 857-449-0078, trilliumbrewing.com.

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Where to Get Caffeinated

You’ll find outposts of large chains like Caffè Nero, Starbucks, and Boston’s own Tatte in the vicinity, but we prefer visiting the smaller indies when possible.

Pavement Coffeehouse

This local mini-chain, established in 2009, now numbers eight locations in Greater Boston—including a Boylston Street spot convenient to Fenway Park. Bagels, on their own or in sandwich form, are the thing to get; Pavement has its roots in a bagel shop, after all (Allston’s late Bagel Rising). A few other baked goods and snacks round out the menu, along with plenty of hot and cold coffee- and tea-based drinks. Fun Fenway fact: Pavement’s house blend, Rathskeller, is named for the gone-but-not-forgotten iconic Kenmore Square rock club.

1334 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, 857-263-7355, pavementcoffeehouse.com.

Phinista

When you’re in the mood for sweet crêpes and your friend wants a bánh mì, this French-Vietnamese café is here for you both. Phinista came under new ownership in early 2024, so keep an eye on social media for frequent updates about schedule changes, menu additions, and daily specials (like, say, an iced strawberry matcha or a croissant loaded with bacon, egg, and cheese) as the new team makes adjustments.

96 Peterborough St., Fenway, Boston, 617-262-7700, phinista.com.

The Sipping Room by Breeze

This is more of an afternoon/early evening café; it typically doesn’t open until noon. But it’s worth the wait for the compact menu of tasty drinks touching on various Asian countries. There’s a Milo dinosaur, for example, popular in Singapore and Malaysia; Hong Kong-style milk tea; and Thai iced tea. Interesting art is always on display in the cozy spot, but if you prefer to caffeinate while surrounded by nature, the Fens are right across the street.

132 Jersey St., Fenway, Boston, instagram.com/thesippingroombybreeze.

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Where to Get Dessert

From late-night doughnuts to all things matcha, here’s where you can grab a quick dessert in the neighborhood.

Back Door Donuts

Remember those late-night doughnuts mentioned in the Loretta’s Last Call blurb above? Well, here they are. Martha’s Vineyard icon Back Door Donuts pops up out of a side door of Loretta’s, open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. nightly, with apple fritters and lots more. (The team is calling it a pop-up, but there’s no definite end date on the books.) Just look for the “Donuts After Dark” neon sign.

1 Lansdowne St., Fenway, Boston, 508-693-3688, backdoordonuts.com.

Blackbird Doughnuts

Don’t worry, you can get doughnuts earlier in the day, too. Beloved local chain Blackbird Doughnuts has a Fenway location that operates from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, featuring a mix of cake- and brioche-based doughnuts. Most flavors rotate monthly, but there are a few classics always available, like chocolate old fashioned or vanilla glaze.

20 Kilmarnock St., Fenway, Boston, 617-482-9000, blackbirddoughnuts.com.

Fomu

Another local favorite with a few locations, Fomu—tagline “Earth Inspired Desserts”—offers a fully vegan menu of treats, particularly ice cream, which is made with coconut milk. A core list of year-round flavors like the minty chocolate “grasshopper pie” and peanut butter chocolate cookie are joined by seasonal specials like pancake breakfast (maple ice cream with a latte swirl and pancake). Also on the menu: ice cream cakes, cookies, popsicles, and more.

140 Brookline Ave., Fenway, Boston, 857-284-7229, fomuicecream.com.

Matcha Café Maiko

This Hawaii-based dessert chain now has quite a few locations in the United States (and a handful elsewhere in the world), and we’re pleased it has made its way to Boston because we can’t get enough of its matcha-filled menu. There’s edible gold-covered matcha soft serve if you’re feeling a little bit fancy, plus plenty of lattes, floats, and bubble teas. Why not grab a green dessert before heading to the Green Monster?

115 Jersey St., Fenway, Boston, 617-322-5360, matchamaikobos.com.

Time Out Market Boston

The Fenway food hall gets another shout-out here thanks to its handful of sweet options, including the aforementioned Far Out Ice Cream. Plus, more doughnuts! Somerville-based Union Square Donuts has a location here—give the signature maple bacon a try.

401 Park Dr., Fenway, Boston, 978-393-8088, timeoutmarket.com/boston.

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