Kenmore Square is the Gateway to Fenway Park and Boston University. It is where many Lansdowne Street revelers begin and finish their night of partying. It is where workers, pupils, students, and tourists change buses and street cars to get from point A to point B. It is one of the most overlooked slices of Boston.
Restaurants in Kenmore Square
There are several enjoyable restaurants in Kenmore Square, ranging from various Asian cuisines (Indian, Japanese, Thai) to classic American ones, including burger and pizza joints.
Among them are:- Eastern Standard — American-style food in terrific ambiance. Sit-down service, outdoor seating available, generous bar area, great service. A bit on the pricey side, but not outrageously so. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Best for dinner and after work drinking. My favorite special at Eastern Standard is probably rabbit rolled in bacon. Yum, yum, yum.
- UBurger - Excellent burgers and shakes in the heart of Kenmore Square. My favorite? The yuppie burger and a strawberry shake. Burgers can be had naked or with wheat buns. UBurger also serves, veggie patties, chicken and several different salads. UBurger is a very popular restaurant and its owners recently opened a second location in Allston, a mile or so down Commonwealth Avenue.
- Petit Robert Bistro — a truly authentic French bistro. You'll find it next to the miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower on the south side of Commonwealth Avenue. For those who aren't too adventurous when they encounter a French menu PRB offers the burgerdog, but at minimum you should try a bisque.
- Maluken — sushi, everyone? Maluken is the square's primary provider of the Japanese delicacy.
Two popular casual dining chain restaurants can also be found in Kenmore Square: Pizzeria Uno at the corner of Beacon Street and Brookline Avenue and Bertucci's on Beacon Street/Commonwealth Avenue.
If you're looking for faster-served food you can choose between McDonald's, PopEye's and the most recent addition, Qdoba.
There's a Starbucks-licensed cafe in the Boston University Barnes & Noble bookstore and a Dunkin' Donuts outlet on the other side of Commonwealth Avenue.
Bars
Bars are a quite natural part of a square that's frequented by baseball fans, concert goers, club hoppers and college students. In addition to the bars at some the aforementioned restaurants, you will find Cornwall's and The Lower Depths, two bars with very extensive beer and cider selections.
The Citgo Sign
One of Boston's most recognizable skyline features is the Citgo Sign on top of the Barnes & Noble/BU Bookstore building.
Near Kenmore Square
Kenmore Square has a handful neighboring areas that are worth mentioning.
Most prominent of them is undoubtedly Back Bay, a largely upscale, mostly brownstone section of the city that stretches, roughly speaking, along Charles River from Beacon Hill to Kenmore Square. Among the landmarks in Back Bay are the John Hancock Tower, the Prudential Building, Copley Square and Newbury Street.