Sure, Fenway is most recognizable for Fenway Park, and if you’re looking for a burger and a beer on game day, there are loads of places to find that in the neighborhood. But the area is also home to some of the city’s best Thai and Indian restaurants, as well as what may be the region’s only Yemeni restaurant. Below, find 15 excellent Fenway restaurants for lunch, dinner, or somewhere in between.
Looking for a guide to dining at the stadium, or some of the best sports bars in the neighborhood? See also: What to Eat in and Around Fenway Park and Boston’s Best Sports Bars
Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
This bi-level Yemeni restaurant is the place to go for rare-in-Boston dishes like slow-roasted, tender lamb haneeth over rice and the mathbi chicken, a flavorful grilled chicken plate. Stock up on the puffy, blistered flatbread that is cooked in a cylindrical tanoor oven (similar to the tandoor oven often used in Indian cooking).
India Quality is a decades-old Kenmore Square institution that is known for its excellent North Indian food. The biryanis are a great place to start — from goat to lamb, beef, and vegetable, they’ve got plenty of options — and don’t miss the naan stuffed with green chilis, onions, or cherries, coconut, and honey.
A pleasant spot for hot and cold udon options, including some more unique spins, such as the cold Mad Tiger udon with spicy miso pork and cherry tomatoes.
Audubon is a classic neighborhood spot with a seasonally rotating menu by chef Sergio Salas and nightly specials ranging from Taco Tuesday to comfort food mac-and-cheese and burger nights. In nice weather, their greenery-lined back patio is the perfect spot to sip a craft cocktail.
This Southern restaurant has developed a cult following for its fried pickles, chicken and waffles, and Nashville hot chicken. Diners also come for the live country music concerts, drag brunch, and weekly line dancing. Around the side of the restaurant, you’ll find the Back Door Donuts Fenway pop-up.
One of the most famous restaurants in Fenway, Eastern Standard is still slinging cocktails and serving French-ish brasserie dishes from their new locations further down Beacon Street. Their speakeasy-style cocktail bar Equal Measure, tucked behind the restaurant, is also worth a visit for a nightcap.
This lively taco joint (sister to the South Boston location), serves sandwiches, burritos, a full raw bar, and, of course, tacos for lunch and dinner. You’ll also find entree dishes like carne asada with rice, cheesy pinto beans, and charred salsa. Tacos are half-price on Tuesdays and almost everything (including the churros) is up for grabs for gluten-free diners.
Located at the Verb Hotel, this izakaya-inspired restaurant from the O Ya team is full of fun sushi and small plates, loud music, great bartenders, and Japanese knick-knacks.
This is the Boston sibling to Portland, Maine’s popular Eventide Oyster Co., and you’ve probably already heard that you should try the brown butter lobster roll. You should, and follow it up with brown butter soft serve.
Head here for lots of oysters, whole suckling pig roasted for 14 hours (order in advance), and daily chalkboard specials. Fueling up on that food will be helpful as you sample sips from a list of 350 different whiskies.
Situated on the lawn at the scenic 401 Park, where you can often hear live music in the warmer months, Trillium has all their local, seasonal beers on tap, plus boozy and regular seltzer. Next door, Time Out Market Boston offers over a dozen counter-service food and drink options from some of Boston’s best local brands, from doughnuts to tacos to fried chicken sandwiches.
From the team behind acclaimed downtown wine bar Haley.Henry, this Fenway wine bar was Eater Boston’s 2018 bar of the year thanks to its unique wines, intimate space, and small but enjoyable food menu.
Chef Tiffani Faison’s ode to barbecue, featuring biscuits that have garnered some serious fandom. Seriously, get the biscuits. And follow that with the prime brisket or the juicy pulled pork, available by the tray or in sandwich form.
For an upscale date night or special occasion. D.W. French is all about unstuffy French fare in a glamorous space lined with red banquets and minimalistic chandeliers. Sample escargot and moules frites, or put your meal in chef Douglass Williams’ hands with a prix fixe $55 dinner serving three courses of the crowd favorites.
There’s nearly always a crowd hanging out inside Rod Thai’s tiny dining room because insiders know that this is one of the best Thai restaurants in the city. From the tart som tum to the creamy massaman curry in coconut milk, it’s hard to go wrong here.
This bi-level Yemeni restaurant is the place to go for rare-in-Boston dishes like slow-roasted, tender lamb haneeth over rice and the mathbi chicken, a flavorful grilled chicken plate. Stock up on the puffy, blistered flatbread that is cooked in a cylindrical tanoor oven (similar to the tandoor oven often used in Indian cooking).
India Quality is a decades-old Kenmore Square institution that is known for its excellent North Indian food. The biryanis are a great place to start — from goat to lamb, beef, and vegetable, they’ve got plenty of options — and don’t miss the naan stuffed with green chilis, onions, or cherries, coconut, and honey.
A pleasant spot for hot and cold udon options, including some more unique spins, such as the cold Mad Tiger udon with spicy miso pork and cherry tomatoes.
Audubon is a classic neighborhood spot with a seasonally rotating menu by chef Sergio Salas and nightly specials ranging from Taco Tuesday to comfort food mac-and-cheese and burger nights. In nice weather, their greenery-lined back patio is the perfect spot to sip a craft cocktail.
This Southern restaurant has developed a cult following for its fried pickles, chicken and waffles, and Nashville hot chicken. Diners also come for the live country music concerts, drag brunch, and weekly line dancing. Around the side of the restaurant, you’ll find the Back Door Donuts Fenway pop-up.
One of the most famous restaurants in Fenway, Eastern Standard is still slinging cocktails and serving French-ish brasserie dishes from their new locations further down Beacon Street. Their speakeasy-style cocktail bar Equal Measure, tucked behind the restaurant, is also worth a visit for a nightcap.
This lively taco joint (sister to the South Boston location), serves sandwiches, burritos, a full raw bar, and, of course, tacos for lunch and dinner. You’ll also find entree dishes like carne asada with rice, cheesy pinto beans, and charred salsa. Tacos are half-price on Tuesdays and almost everything (including the churros) is up for grabs for gluten-free diners.
Located at the Verb Hotel, this izakaya-inspired restaurant from the O Ya team is full of fun sushi and small plates, loud music, great bartenders, and Japanese knick-knacks.
This is the Boston sibling to Portland, Maine’s popular Eventide Oyster Co., and you’ve probably already heard that you should try the brown butter lobster roll. You should, and follow it up with brown butter soft serve.
Head here for lots of oysters, whole suckling pig roasted for 14 hours (order in advance), and daily chalkboard specials. Fueling up on that food will be helpful as you sample sips from a list of 350 different whiskies.
Situated on the lawn at the scenic 401 Park, where you can often hear live music in the warmer months, Trillium has all their local, seasonal beers on tap, plus boozy and regular seltzer. Next door, Time Out Market Boston offers over a dozen counter-service food and drink options from some of Boston’s best local brands, from doughnuts to tacos to fried chicken sandwiches.
From the team behind acclaimed downtown wine bar Haley.Henry, this Fenway wine bar was Eater Boston’s 2018 bar of the year thanks to its unique wines, intimate space, and small but enjoyable food menu.
Chef Tiffani Faison’s ode to barbecue, featuring biscuits that have garnered some serious fandom. Seriously, get the biscuits. And follow that with the prime brisket or the juicy pulled pork, available by the tray or in sandwich form.
For an upscale date night or special occasion. D.W. French is all about unstuffy French fare in a glamorous space lined with red banquets and minimalistic chandeliers. Sample escargot and moules frites, or put your meal in chef Douglass Williams’ hands with a prix fixe $55 dinner serving three courses of the crowd favorites.
There’s nearly always a crowd hanging out inside Rod Thai’s tiny dining room because insiders know that this is one of the best Thai restaurants in the city. From the tart som tum to the creamy massaman curry in coconut milk, it’s hard to go wrong here.