There are many tasty reasons to flock to Shy Bird in the Fenway

Boston Globe

01-05-2025

The backstory
: Shy Bird is spacious, sunny, friendly, and well-located — no surprise from co-owner Andrew Holden, who runs more Birds in other advantageous spots: Kendall Square and South Boston. He also runs Branch Line in Watertown, and for years was general manager at Eastern Standard, the nexus of Kenmore Square.
Shy Bird is a something-for-everyone, all-day rotisserie that fits many needs: You might see folks pecking at laptops, catching up over snacks, or popping in before a Red Sox game or a show at the House of Blues or MGM Music Hall.
'We wanted something that was accessible, affordable, approachable, and a little bit aspirational — a place where I could run in and have a quick espresso, grab takeout, or if I had friends visiting, sit there at night and the space would feel conducive. On our best day, it's a neighborhood restaurant you'd wish was near you,' he says.
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What to eat
: Chicken, of course, and don't be shy about it. At breakfast, there are fried chicken and egg sandwiches bound with hot honey; honey sriracha chicken and waffles; and non-chicken offerings like crepes and scrambled eggs. Most dishes are under $15. At lunch, a Calabrian fried chicken wrap with Caesar dressing gives a spicy zap to a usually standard sandwich. A spicy maple chipotle bowl, a medley of shaved Brussels sprouts, roasted butternut squash, shaved carrots, and candied pumpkin seeds, looks like a Bob Ross easel. Crowd-pleasers like smash burgers and tuna melts round out the lunch menu.
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Regardless of what you order, request an accompanying sauce flight ($3.95), a pentagonal platter of pecorino ranch (sharp, herbaceous), spicy bird bath (think Tabasco, but better), chipotle barbecue, honey mustard, and sweet and sour.
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The sauce sampler at Shy Bird's Fenway location contains pecorino ranch, spicy bird bath, chipotle barbecue, honey mustard, and sweet and sour sauce.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
Holden emphasizes that while Shy Bird is a busy daytime hangout, they also do dinner, with creative spins by new chef AJ Beaulieu: whipped ricotta and hot honey, anchovies on Iggy's Pullman bread, linguini with clams and chili flakes (Holden's favorite), pork parmigiana, roast cauliflower and cheddar fondue. Again, prices are reasonable, with many dishes in the $25 range.
'The dinner menu used to have a lot of sandwiches and a lot of grain bowls. We really want dinner to feel like a great place to enjoy yourself; a little destination-y,' he says.
The pork parmigiana at Shy Bird's Fenway location contains stracciatella, basil, and tomato sugo.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
What to drink
: In addition to booze, Shy Bird has a truly impressive array of zero-proof cocktails, including a hemp-infused Aplós sipper and non-alcoholic beers. (But be careful of the Ghia Ginger spritz, which tastes more like black licorice than ginger.) People who choose to work from Shy Bird can enjoy bottomless coffee (plus breakfast or lunch) for $17.95.
The Strawberry Thyme Spritz at Shy Birds's Fenway location contains select aperitivo, strawberry, lime, and sparkling wine.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
The takeaway
: A well-rounded hangout in a prime location; don't be shy about pulling up a seat.
201 Brookline Ave., Boston, 857-449-2204, www.shybird.com
Kara Baskin can be reached at