Offering a multitude of one-of-a-kind antique shops, boutiques, and sidewalk cafes, Porter Square also boasts the region's largest concentration of Japanese eateries and shops including a popular bookstore. Of course one of the first things you notice about Porter square is the steep escalator which appears to be almost at a 90 degree angle - the station is approximately 100 feet below the surface. On the top one can transfer to an MBTA commuter train.

 

Click here to see the video Porter Square

As soon as you step out you will come across Mass Ave. on one side and the Porter Exchange - a retail plaza on the other side. The area also houses the Porter Square Shopping Center which has a CVS Drug Store (open 24 hours), a Health works Fitness Center, STAR Market as also Tags - a full-service house wares/ hardware shop. There is a wonderful store River Jhelum , featuring the rugs and crafts of Kashmir.

The part of Mass Ave. that stretches from Porter to Harvard Square is lined with small secondhand/vintage clothing stores, unique restaurants and other little oddities. Here you can find Greater Boston's first Cambodian-French restaurant Elephant Walk, as also many Asian, Japanese, and Sushi Restaurants like Kaya House - a Korean-Japanese delight. There is also Passage to India a tiny place right in front of Porter Square. Their dishes are spicy and full of flavor, and the atmosphere is relaxed, with unself-conscious decor.