The 7 Best Restaurants in Boston's Kenmore Square

Eastern Standard

Near Kenmore Station is Eastern Standard, one of the most well-known restaurants in Kenmore Square. Located in the upscale Hotel Commonwealth, this American brasserie attracts all sorts of people, including Boston Red Sox fans on game days and others looking for a romantic spot for dinner.

The menu offers quite a bit of variety. Try the steak frites, raw bar, or one of the rotating “plats du jour” at dinnertime. Even the late-night menu will go beyond your expectations with charcuterie boards, lobster rolls, fried calamari, and a chocolate brownie sundae. Eastern Standard is open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night dining, between 7 a.m. to and 2 a.m.

Time Out Market Boston

First opened in 2014 in Lisbon, Portugal, Time Out Market has since expanded to include four U.S. locations: New York, Miami, Chicago, and Boston. This marketplace-style dining option brings together pop-ups of the city’s best restaurants all under one 25,200-square-foot roof.

Each of the 15 food concepts at Time Out Market Boston have culled down menus featuring the most popular items from the restaurant. Plus, there are bars where you can grab drinks to go along with your order. Featured restaurants include Saltie Girl, Craigie Burger, Union Square Donuts, Mamaleh’s Delicatessen, Ms. Clucks Deluxe, and Greek Street. This may be your best bet if you're only in town for a weekend or the people in your group have different tastes.

Island Creek Oyster Bar

Close to Eastern Standard is Island Creek Oyster Bar; while it is known for its raw bar, the eatery also offers a full menu with fresh seafood dishes. Start with oysters and a blue crab cake, crispy oyster slider, or New England clam chowder, then move onto one of the daily fish selections.

Here, you'll find dishes like the grilled Maine salmon with Brussels sprouts, brown butter leeks, and apple purée, as well as the George’s Bank swordfish, complete with red quinoa, squash, and savoy cabbage. Even if you’re not into seafood, you’ll be covered with options like the grilled prime skirt steak or ICOB rigatoni.

Eventide Fenway

Eventide got its start—and popularity—at its original Portland, Maine location, but lucky for Bostonians, they now have their very own. This is a casual grab-from-the-counter restaurant, and chances are that’s just what you’re looking for if you’re out and about around Fenway Park.

They’re known for their fresh oysters and lobster rolls, which pair perfectly with a carafe of rosé or beer. If you prefer to skip to dessert, try their brown butter soft serve ice cream with bourbon caramel and maple pecans.

Tiger Mama

Filled with palm trees, Tiger Mama’s “tropical oasis” will make you feel like you’re in a much warmer place as you enjoy the fun flavors of Chef Tiffani Faison’s Southeast Asian food. Open daily for dinner and tiki drinks, Tiger Mama’s menu includes dishes like “drunkie noods,” red kuri curry squash rangoons, Thai whiskey chicken, and short rib crudo. They also offer Sunday brunch with an Asian-inspired spin.

Hojoko

Located in The Verb Hotel, this trendy restaurant describes itself as a “rock and roll Japanese tavern." Food options from James Beard award winner Chef Tim Cushman include sushi and sashimi, ramen, and small plates like shrimp toast and tofu tempura. There's even a late-night menu if a craving strikes at midnight.

Cask 'n Flagon

A Fenway-Kenmore staple since 1969, the Cask ‘n Flagon is a go-to for anyone attending a game or event at Fenway Park. You’ll find it on the corner of Lansdowne Street and Brookline Avenue, a short walk over the David Ortiz Bridge from Kenmore Square. The Cask has everything you’d expect out of a good sports bar: crowds on game day, lots of beer, and delicious bar food.

If you’re by the Cask ‘n Flagon, you’ll also be nearby several other popular Fenway sports bars with good food, such as Game On, Boston Beer Works, Yard House, and Lansdowne Pub.