A local group of seafood restaurants is expanding with a new Boston location.
According to The Boston Globe, Row 34 will open its fifth outpost at 498 Commonwealth Ave in Kenmore Square. The new eatery will take over the former Island Creek Oyster Bar space at Hotel Commonwealth.
Founded in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood in 2013 by owner-chef Jeremy Sewall and partner Shore Gregory, Row 34 has grown to include locations in Burlington, Cambridge, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The Kenmore Square area is familiar territory for the duo, who were part of the founding team at Island Creek Oyster Bar.
“Returning to Kenmore Square is surreal, without a doubt,” shared Sewall in a press release. “In a million years, I don’t think I could have predicted this happening. We’ve been lucky to have seen the neighborhood throughout its many iterations and are honored to be a part of its next chapter.”
Sewall, who served as executive chef at ICOB from its 2010 opening until its closure in 2021, has forged lasting relationships with local fishermen and seafood industry leaders. These connections fuel Row 34’s mission to serve the freshest, most seasonal ingredients.
Row 34 is celebrated for its fresh raw bar, signature seafood dishes, and carefully curated beverage program. Menu highlights include lobster rolls, oyster sliders, and clam chowder, with shellfish sourced from trusted oyster farms, fresh fish delivered daily from the Fish Pier, and lobsters supplied by Sewall’s cousin Mark in Maine.
In addition to the fresh fare, the upcoming restaurant will feature expansive private dining spaces with seating for 170 patrons and a robust events program.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Row 34 to Kenmore Square,” Gregory said. “In addition to our excitement about contributing to the fabric of such a storied and dynamic neighborhood in Boston, it also allows us to continue to grow and create opportunities for our incredible team, many of whom have been with us for over 10 years.”
Row 34’s Kenmore Square debut is scheduled for the summer of 2025. The eatery will eventually offer dinner seven days a week, along with weekend lunch service.
