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Neighborhood Guide: Coolidge Corner Neighborhood Guide: Coolidge Corner RSS

By Eric Grossman, Boston Editor

Known for its eclectic dining scene and casual vibe, Brookline's Coolidge Corner is also home to an impressive assortment of shops. Here, we share our favorite places to shop and dine in this colorful neighborhood.
On This Page: Where to Shop, Where to Eat, Where to Hang

Where to Shop

Where to Shop
With rents throughout the area on the rise, it's becoming harder and harder for the neighborhood's many mom-and-pop shops to survive. Still, much like Harvard Square, Coolidge Corner stands out for containing more unique, one-of-a-kind shops than national chains.

  1. Brookline Booksmith

    279 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
    Complete with a gift shop and kids' section, this cozy Coolidge Corner literary haven caters to all intellectual pursuits.

  2. Best Cellars

    1327 Beacon St, Brookline, MA
    Let's face it, unless you're an avid wine connoisseur, it's hard to pick out a good bottle. The employees at Best Cellars not only describe each selection's taste, but the selections also happen to be cheap.

  3. Float

    280 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
    Not all women want their wardrobe to consist of form-fitting black. This shop caters to those who prefer to mix style with comfort.

  4. Party Favors

    1356 Beacon St, Brookline, MA
    Cakes, candy, chocolates and every piece of party equipment imaginable, like pinatas, balloons, wrapping paper, cards and wedding invitations.

  5. Trader Joe's

    1309 Beacon St, Brookline, MA
    The largest TJ's in the area serves as the neighborhood's primary grocery store. It also stocks a huge selection of wines, including some impressive bargains and $3 bottles of Charles Shaw.

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Where to Eat

Where to Eat
Once a primarily Jewish neighborhood, Coolidge Corner now contains one of the area's most diverse assortment of ethnic eateries. Whether you're looking for a cheap, quick bite or a more formal dining experience, you'll have plenty of options within a short walk of one another.

  1. Lineage

    242 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
    From its crackling wood-burning oven to its friendly staff, this welcoming Coolidge Corner restaurant provides a most inviting space in which to enjoy gourmet seafood.

  2. Pho Lemongrass

    239 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
    If it's good enough for Al Gore (a big picture of him hangs by the entrance), then it's good enough for you. This straightforward eatery provides a perfect introduction to Vietnamese cuisine.

  3. Zaftigs Delicatessen

    | Website

    335 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
    The out-the-door brunch lines are a clear indicator of this mega-deli's popularity. Few places serve a better matzoh ball soup or Reuben sandwich.

  4. Finale

    1306 Beacon St, Brookline, MA
    Popular with area couples celebrating anniversaries and birthdays, this dessert emporium is one of the neighborhood's few night owls, staying open past midnight on the weekends.

  5. Rani

    1353 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA
    Top-notch Southern Indian cuisine lures professional couples and in-the-know expats to this handsome Beacon Street restaurant.

  6. Michael's Deli

    256 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
    Bountiful sandwiches, many of which are made with straight-from-NYC deli meats, are this award-winning deli's calling card.

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Where to Hang

Where to Hang
The one area Coolidge Corner fails to deliver is its nightlife options. While there are few businesses that stay open past 10pm, there are several welcoming hangouts, as well as all the chain coffeehouses (Starbucks, Peet's).

  1. Coolidge Corner Theatre

    290 Harvard Ave, Brookline, MA
    Authentic, old-school movie theater charms moviegoers with its original art deco light fixtures and intimate lobby area. Because it's a non-profit, it's able to show one of the most diverse selections of indie and foreign films around town.

  2. Coolidge Corner Clubhouse

    307 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
    The neighborhood's only proper bar caters strictly to sports fans, with loads of TVs hanging overhead and shareable sandwiches and apps on every table.

  3. J.P. Licks

    | Website

    311 Harvard St, Brookline, MA
    Some say it's the heart and soul of Coolidge Corner. No matter how one looks at it, it's pretty much the only place open after 10pm for a cup of coffee.

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