Dorchester
Isenberg Projects Neighborhood GuideDorchester is Boston’s largest and most populous neighborhood, made up of several smaller neighborhoods and squares that each take on a unique character. Whether you’re “OFD” or visiting the neighborhood for the first time, there’s a lot to see, eat, and do.
Dorchester’s waterfront is also home to some unique places, including UMass Boston’s campus and the JFK Presidential Library + Museum on Columbia Point, Malibu Beach on Savin Hill, and lots of greenspaces and trails.
Eat
Dorchester’s food scene is eclectic and hyperlocal, representing the many communities who call the neighborhood home. A destination for Cape Verdean, Polish, Vietnamese, and Caribbean food, Dorchester hosts a mix of long time neighborhood haunts and new start-up ventures.
Comfort Kitchen
Comfort Kitchen has become one of the buzziest spots in Dorchester, offering up a celebration of the ingredients and flavors of the African diaspora connected from Asia to the Americas — global comfort food.
Did you spot Comfort Kitchen on last year’s James Beard Foundation Best New Restaurant Semifinalists list?
611 Columbia Rd.
Ba Le
A standout, French-influenced Vietnamese bakery celebrated for its fresh, homemade rice flour baguettes and exceptional bánh mì. Their menu features all the traditional Vietnamese dishes with recipes passed down through generations.
300 Congress St.
DBar
DBar contains multitudes. Neighborhood tavern by day, queer nightlife hotspot by night, DBar has hosted an eclectic neighborhood crowd since 2005.
1236 Dorchester Ave.
Pho Hoa
Serving Dorchester since 1992, Pho Hoa is an iconic Vietnamese food destination in Dorchester. Prepare for a culinary journey, like their Seven Courses of Beef tasting experience or the Ca Nuong (Whole Fried Catfish).
198 Adams St.
Dorchester Brewing Co.
Dorchester Brewing Co. has quite possibly the best rooftop beer garden in Boston. Grab a bite at M&M BBQ and hang out on the dog friendly patio.
1250 Massachusetts Ave.
Dorchester Homestead
Dorchester Homestead is a bakery, cafe, and community gathering place in Dorchester. Aside from pastries, baked goods, and sandwiches, Dorchester Homestead organizes beloved community storytelling and art events.
1448 Dorchester Ave.
Visit
These are some of our favorite spots to spend time in Dorchester, whether grabbing a snack, catching a show, hitting the rink, or soaking up sun at Malibu Beach.
Dorchester Food Co-op
Dorchester Food Co-op is the only community and worker owned food coop in Boston! The produce offerings are stunning and sourced from local and regional farmers.
Why support a co-op? It keeps your grocery dollars in your community – and supports a regional network of small independent farms and producers!
195 Bowdoin St.
Chez-Vous Roller Rink
Chez-Vous has a legacy in Dorchester. A roller rink and community gathering place, Chezvous has welcomed Dorchester neighbors for skating for almost 100 years. A Black-owned family business since the 90’s – the roller rink has been open since 1933!
11 Rhoades St.
Strand Theatre
The 600 seat Strand Theatre is an iconic piece of Boston history managed by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture. Expect vibrant theater, cultural performance, and community events.
543 Columbia Rd.
Malibu Beach
Every New Englander has a favorite summertime beach, but here at Isenberg Projects we love a beach that is accessible by public transportation. Just hop on the Red Line to Savin Hill and Malibu Beach is just a 5 minute walk.
Make a day of it: Bring a racket and walk up Savin Hill to the tucked-away tennis courts at Savin Hill Park!
68 Denny St.
Do
Dorchester’s public programming is all about music and food (our favorite things here at IP). Mark these events on your calendar – your stomach will thank you.
DorchFest
Dorchester’s public programming is all about music and food (our favorite things here at IP). Mark these events on your calendar – your stomach will thank you.
Across the neighborhood
Little Saigon Night Market
This Fields Corner festival has exploded in popularity in its first two seasons. Come hungry – there will be no shortage of Vietnamese-inspired street food (think chicken wings, skewers, and crawfish).
Dorchester Ave.
Boston Polish Fest
Boston Polish Fest is the perfect way to experience the culture and food of Dorchester’s Polish community. Located at the Polish American Citizens Club, all proceeds go to the Polish American Heritage and Community Foundation.
82 Boston St.
Dorchester Open Streets
Returning this year with longer hours from 10:30am-5:00pm, Boston’s Open Streets program comes to Dorchester on Sunday May 5th. Take over Dot Ave for the day and join the festivities! Dorchester’s Open Streets day has been a smashing success in previous years so add it to your calendar and make a day of it!
Dorchester Ave.
Blast from the Past
Want to deep dive into the history of the neighborhood? Check out the Dorchester Atheneum, a digital archive of all things historical in Dorchester. It’s a meticulously researched project by the Dorchester Historical Society, and a cool way to get the full story behind Dorchester’s businesses, buildings, and people. We spent way too much time learning about Dorchester’s many architecturally interesting firehouses.
Organizations
Here’s some of our favorite organizations doing community driven work in the food, creative, and music scene in Dorchester.
Commonwealth Kitchen
Commonwealth Kitchen is a mission-driven incubator offering kitchen space, mentorship, and community to food and beverage startups with a focus on innovation and equity.
196 Quincy St.
Speak for the Trees
Speak for the Trees has a simple mission: to celebrate, preserve, and plant trees in Boston. To make it happen, they work at the intersection of environmental justice, racial and social equity, public health, and climate change, advocating for a healthy and equitable urban forest that all Bostonians have access to.
960 Clayton St.
Dorchester Art Project
Dorchester Art Project is a community arts incubator offering gallery space, studios, and performance space to local creatives and artists. In 2023, they were one of 11 organizations to receive funding from the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture through the Cultural Investment Grant program! Keep an eye out for artist calls, DAP dinners, and Dorchester Open Studios visits.
1486 Dorchester Ave.
The Food Project
The Food Project assembles a coalition of community members and advocates, all working to build a more sustainable and regenerative food ecosystem in Boston.
555 Dudley St.
The Guild
As a collective of “creators, conveners, catalysts, and community,” The Guild builds partnerships with public institutions, community leaders and activists, and thought-leading private and nonprofit entities to build a community-driven development ecosystem – owned and led by people of color.
260 Washington St.
Explore Other Neighborhood Guides
After years of producing experiences, living, and digging deep in the city of Boston, we like to think that we know our way around. The Isenberg Projects Neighborhood Guides series is here to help you discover your next favorite place to eat, play and everything in between.
Jamaica Plain
Released October 2024
Roxbury
Released May 2024
Seaport
Released February 2024