Fenway
Isenberg Projects Neighborhood GuideYou might think you know Fenway from the baseball stadium, the CITGO sign, or even House of Blues, but in the past ten years, Fenway has become much more than just a stadium neighborhood! Home to an evolving arts, music, and food scene, Fenway is a key player in the city’s creative culture—and there’s always something happening.
Eat
Whether you’re headed to a baseball game or grabbing a drink after a concert, Fenway has you covered when it comes to satisfying any craving—bites, beverages, and everything in between. In recent years, Boston-based favorites like Shy Bird and bartaco have joined the neighborhood’s growing food scene, bringing even more flavor and variety. Keep reading for some standout restaurant picks you’ve got to try.
Time Out Market
Time Out unites sixteen local food and beverage concepts under one roof, combining beloved local favorites with new concepts. Our favorites? Karaage chicken and waffle fries with miso-maple syrup from Ms. Clucks Deluxe.
401 Park Dr.
nathálie
Haley Fortier is an icon in the Boston wine world, and her outpost nathálie builds on the success of her beloved sister spot: haley.henry. Expect a lineup of wines from small producers, mostly female. Also expect it to be delicious. Bonus! On your way home pop down the block to grab a bottle from Wine Press.
186 Brookline Ave.
Eastern Standard
After an abrupt closing during Covid (following a widely celebrated 15-year residency in Kenmore Square) Eastern Standard returned in 2023, close to its original home in Fenway. Owner Garrett Harker and his team are back and better than ever, dishing up familiar and reinvented classics in a brand new space.
775 Beacon St.
Sweet Cheeks Q
From celebrity chef Tiffani Faison, Sweet Cheeks Q is delivering a platter of southern hospitality to Fenway, serving up buttermilk biscuits, barbecue classics, and fried chicken sandwiches. Definitely order the sides, they are the real stars of the show.
1381 Boylston St.
Eventide
A Boston outpost of the beloved Portland, ME original, Eventide Fenway offers fresh oysters, lobster rolls, and a chef’s counter experience. Whether you’re grabbing lunch on the go or settling in for a leisurely meal, they’ve got you covered seven days a week.
1321 Boylston Street.
Mida
MIDA brings a warm, Italian neighborhood dining experience to Fenway. Chef Douglass Williams, named one of Food & Wine’s Top 10 Best New Chefs in America 2020, infuses global flavors into classic Italian dishes. It’s a place where every meal feels like a gift.
391 Boylston St.
Visit
This neighborhood may be best known for its iconic ballpark, but there’s so much more than just the Red Sox. Catch a show at the House of Blues, wander through the greenery of the Fens, explore the world-class art at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and much more!
The Station
Isenberg Projects helped introduce this outdoor gathering space to the Fenway neighborhood in 2022, transforming the abandoned gas station into a community hub complete with a wine garden, live music, rotating art programs and offerings from local vendors. Nowadays, The Fenway has transformed The Station into a dog-friendly pop-up, Park-9. Want to see how it all began? Check out our work in the Fenway neighborhood.
400 Boylston St.
House of Blues
House of Blues has become a national presence in the venue industry, but got its start across the river in Cambridge! After outgrowing its original space and relocating to the Fenway neighborhood, House of Blues now hosts a dense lineup of concerts – expect killer shows that are slightly off the main beat.
15 Lansdowne St.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
You may have heard a certain heist-related story about this one… (If you haven’t, it’s worth a Wikipedia deep-dive). But regardless of why you’re visiting, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a unique experience, and just across the Fens!
25 Evans Wy.
Back Bay Fens
Part of the Emerald Necklace, the Back Bay Fens is an eclectic mix of formal and community gardens, ball fields, memorials and historic structures. With places for passive recreation and active pursuits, the park offers a range of experiences such as gardening and sports and is a popular spot for birders.
Along Fenway Pkwy.
Isenberg Projects’ Hidden Gem
Located within the Back Bay Fens section of the Emerald Necklace, the Fenway Victory Gardens are made up of 500 beautiful, community tended vegetable plots that have consistently produced food for its volunteers since 1942.
1200 Boylston St.
Do
There’s always something happening in Fenway, from a weeknight after-work hangout to a full-fledged weekend festival. Here’s some of our favorites!
Fenway Porchfest
Fenway Porchfest is a remix of the classic Porchfest format, spreading over 80 local performances across the neighborhood in small outdoor spaces. This festival is all about exploration and discovery – so mark it on your calendar and make a day of it!
Across the neighborhood
Line Dancing at Loretta’s Last Call
In addition to its killer lineup of southern comfort food classics, Loretta’s offers community line dancing every Tuesday and Sunday night. And don’t worry if you’re new, all experience levels are welcome.
1 Lansdowne St.
Taste of the Fenway
This late September street festival highlights the best bites in Fenway, and a $50 ticket enables all-you-can eat munching as you taste your way through Fenway’s hottest restaurants.
Across the neighborhood
Fenway Art Walk
This self guided walking tour features works from both Boston-based and international artists. Our insider tip? Fountain by Nicole Eisenmann is best experienced over a beer at Trillium’s beer garden.
Across the neighborhood
Cisco Brewers
The beloved Nantucket-based brewery is the newest edition to arrive in the Fenway Neighborhood (April 2025). In place of the old Tasty Burger, the brewery includes an outdoor beer garden, indoor and outdoor patio dining, and live entertainment.
1301 Boylston St.
Karaoke at Hojoko
Located inside The Verb Hotel, this funky izakaya bursts with personality—think graffiti-covered walls, Tiki-inspired decor, and a playful glow from string lights and paper lanterns. Enjoy shareable plates, fresh sushi, and sake, then belt it out at karaoke every Sunday night.
1271 Boylston St.
Organizations
Here are a few organizations in Fenway whose work Isenberg Projects appreciates!
Fenway Community Development Corporation
The Fenway CDC works to improve the quality of life of all Fenway residents, focusing primarily on workforce development, education, food access, and community building. Fenway CDC also organizes hit programs like Fenway Porchfest and Taste of The Fenway.
70 Burbank St.
Fenway Studios
After a 1904 fire which demolished the homes of several artists in Fenway, a new building was constructed to provide a haven for artists to work. Fenway Studios is a National Historic Landmark building. It is the oldest purpose-built structure in the country constructed for and dedicated solely to artists’ space. The Studios are also the first in the country to pioneer a not-for-profit limited-equity form of ownership.
30 Ipswich St. # 1
Emerald Necklace Conservancy
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy funds and maintains Boston’s Emerald Necklace, acting as a steward of the networked oasis of green spaces throughout the city which were designed by prolific architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
125 Fenway Pkwy.
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.
South Boston
Released March 2025
Chinatown
Released January 2025
Dorchester
Released December 2024