The Ultimate Guide to Boston Restaurant Openings, Summer 2023

Prima’s 32-ounce, 45-day dry-aged porterhouse is served with crispy potatoes, creamed braising greens, and black garlic parmesan butter. / Photo by Mike Diskin

Summer is underway, and as we alternate between recurring thunderstorms and sweaty 90-degree days, exciting restaurants are opening in and around Boston. Below, find a roundup of notable restaurant openings (and a few reopenings—welcome back!) in Boston and beyond. We’ll be updating this regularly throughout the season, so check back for new additions (in more neighborhoods and towns) and give us a shout if you know of something else that should be on our radar.

Last updated on August 16, 2023, adding Sloane’s in Allston, Mida in East Boston, Layla’s American Tavern in South Boston, Sip of Joy in the South End, and Coffee Shop by Moldova Restaurant in Newton.

Jump to:

• Boston

  • Allston: cacio e pepe tots with a side of local art; daily brunch with giant pancakes and boozy cold brew
  • Back Bay: fresh juice at the train station; cocktails in conch shells
  • Charlestown: matcha-filled pretzel sticks; swanky steaks in a red velvet lounge; bowling and a beer garden
  • Chinatown: soup dumplings with New York roots
  • Dorchester: ice cream under the watchful eye of an adorable sloth mascot; hot chicken while you shop
  • Downtown Boston: vegan ice cream; rooftop burgers; Thai small plates accompanied by live piano; ice cream tacos; kosher burgers delivered; Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles
  • East Boston: clam pizza and pretty plates of pasta; barbecue on the waterfront
  • Jamaica Plain: West Coast-inspired smashburgers
  • North End: rooftop steaks
  • Seaport District: vegan ice cream; pickleball with pickle popsicles; wood-grilled everything
  • South Boston: “bada boom”-sized sandwiches; dumplings galore; khao man gai; steak tips; Ghanaian cuisine
  • South End: fresh French breads; Turkish coffee
  • West End: Mexican street foods

• Beyond

  • Arlington: shakshuka; Thai noodle soups
  • Beverly: arepas and café fare
  • Brookline: tacos; an Asian supermarket; French-Japanese pastries
  • Burlington: over-the-top doughnuts
  • Cambridge: “naanwiches”; all-day brunch; pasta and bocce; al fresco frozen cocktails with a side of live music; Dominican build-a-bowls; vegan ramen
  • Framingham: hot chicken; conveyor-belt sushi; casual Indian
  • Lynn: Viet-Cajun seafood boil in a neighborhood market
  • Medford: yakitori and sushi
  • Newton: Eastern European sour cherry pastries and iced honey lattes; the return of South End Bolognese with a side of matzo ball soup
  • North Andover: NY-style slices
  • Quincy: cloud cakes
  • Salem: beer infused with Asian-inspired flavors
  • Somerville: the return of an ice cream parlor; bubble tea; piri piri chicken
  • Watertown: grilled pizza

BOSTON

Allston

A spread of food at Fields West. / Courtesy photo

Fields West

Cacio e pepe tots, short rib poutine, and steak frites—not to mention lots of local art—are livening up a tucked-away space in Allston that was previously home to Glenville Stops, which closed two years ago. The new spot, Fields West, is meant to be date-night-friendly, highlighting small plates made for sharing and a lengthy, locally focused beer list. The restaurant has brought on Edward Boches, Boston-based documentarian and street photographer, to curate a rotating collection of local art, and Fields West will get even more artsy with gallery nights and other events. Fred Starikov and Steve Whalen, who reopened the Silhouette Lounge in Allston last year, are behind the new venue, which is serving dinner Thursday through Sunday to start, with the kitchen open until midnight.

87 Glenville Ave., Allston, Boston, fieldswestallston.com.

Oklahoma onion burgers at Sloane’s. / Photo by Earl Studios

Sloane’s

There’s comfort food galore at this sequel to downtown’s Stillwater from chef and owner Sarah Wade: Oklahoma-style burgers, a pulled beef pot roast sandwich inspired by The Bear, pretzel-crusted chicken with honey mustard butter, frozen cocktails, and Hoodsie-style ice cream scoops to go. Plus, there’s brunch every day of the week—hello, spiked cold brew coffee and “big as your face” blueberry pancakes. Read our full story here.

197 North Harvard St., Allston, Boston, sloanesboston.com.

Back Bay

A batido bowl outside of Jugos’ original location on the edge of Back Bay station. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Jugos

Over a decade ago, a bright little “Latin American inspired juice bar with beach vibes and snacks” opened in a former storage nook attached to Back Bay station, livening up the noisy, concrete-filled area. Since then, commuters have been grabbing fruity batidos, mojo pork sandwiches, and avocado toast on the go or settling into one of a few seats outdoors, nestled among colorful flower arrangements from sibling spot Fresco Flowers next door.

Unfortunately, redevelopment of the station has swallowed up the longtime Jugos space as of early July to make way for—surprise, surprise—a bank. The good news is that the team is back up and running at a temporary kiosk inside Back Bay station—but there’s no guarantee of a permanent space there. For now, look for Jugos before you leave the station for your Ipanema batido bowl and arepa con queso. (And don’t forget to pay sibling spot Jugos Supremo a visit at 502 Mass. Ave. on the South End/Roxbury border, too.)

145 Dartmouth St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-418-9879, visitjugos.com.

Pinky’s “Gone Shelling” cocktail for two: Appleton Signature rum, coconut, passionfruit, lemon, and pineapple, curacao. / Photo by Riany Haffey

Pinky’s

Conch shells full of fruity cocktails, caviar-topped potato skins, three different espresso martinis, Art Deco vibes, late-night hours: Pinky’s just wants you to have fun. From the group behind Rock & Rye and the Flamingo, this new Newbury spot is operating under the tagline “cocktails and dreams.” Read our full story here.

269 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston, 857-239-9684, pinkysbos.com.

Charlestown

Fuful Bakery

The newest business to launch at shared kitchen space Foundation Kitchen is a bakery serving a range of filled soft breads and pretzel sticks, plus other treats. There’s no storefront; customers can make a pickup or delivery preorder for the next available date. (Shipping is also available.) Fuful Bakery’s breads are stuffed with fillings like taro and salted egg yolk; mashed potato, cheese, and smoked turkey; durian and cream cheese; and lots more—take a peek on Instagram.

32 Cambridge St., Charlestown, Boston, fufulbakery.com.

Prima’s jumbo cannoli. / Photo by Mike Diskin

Prima

Sure, Boston’s got plenty of Italian food, but we will never say no to another option, particularly when it involves fancy steaks, tons of house-made cheese, and a swanky backroom filled with pink marble and red velvet. Prima—whose team overlaps with Capo, Hunter’s Kitchen & Bar, and several other venues in Charlestown and Southie—is bringing new life to the old Olives space, and we’re here for it (and its jumbo cannoli). Read our full story here.

10 City Sq., Charlestown, Boston, 617-804-7400, primaboston.com.

Urban Wild’s Afternoon Delight cocktail is one of a couple large-format options, served in a cooler and meant for four to six people. / Photo by Elisabeth Hadjis

Urban Wild

Boston’s newest entertainment venue quietly debuted in mid-July—stay tuned for a website (aside from Instagram), reservations, etc.—but for now, you can walk in and explore the enormous space, which includes bowling, live music, a beer garden, and other fun. Sneak peeks posted by opening-night visitors reveal a snack-y selection of giant pretzels, pizza, chips and dip, and the like, as well as colorful cocktails (with some big made-to-share selections). Read our full story here.

Hood Park, 100 Hood Park Dr., Charlestown, Boston.

Chinatown

Nan Xiang Express

Last year’s closure of Gourmet Dumpling House after a 15-year run broke a lot of dumpling-loving hearts, but now the space is home to a new dumpling spot with roots in New York. Nan Xiang Express is one of a growing group of fast-casual offshoots to Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, which has gained a lot of acclaim over the years, including a number of Michelin recommendations. At Nan Xiang Express, those xiao long bao—soup dumplings—anchor the menu, with a variety of fillings available. Fried rice cake and fried noodle dishes are also available, as well as quite a few other dumpling styles and more. Keep an eye out: The company might bring more express locations to the area—and possibly even the full-service Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao.

52 Beach St., Chinatown, Boston, nanxiangexpress.com.

Dorchester

Dave’s Hot Chicken

This California-founded fast-casual chain has opened over 100 locations in the United States and beyond since its 2017 founding, and the new Dorchester location marks its fourth in Massachusetts, joining Woburn, Chelmsford, and Newton. The menu is ultra-simple—essentially you only have to choose if you want tenders, sliders, or both; your heat level, from no spice to “reaper”; and what sides you want, such as cheese fries or kale slaw. There are milkshakes, too.

South Bay, 10 District Ave., Unit C-10, Dorchester, Boston, 857-271-4810, daveshotchicken.com.

Lazy Bear Creamery

The family behind this new spot grew up in the Neponset section of Dorchester wishing for an ice cream shop within walking distance—and now they’ve created one. Decorated with a jungle-themed mural and a very cute sloth mascot, Lazy Bear serves over 40 flavors of ice cream, scratch-made cookies and brownies, ice cream cakes and sandwiches, and more.

383 Neponset Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-992-2597, lazybearcreamery.com.

Downtown Boston

Fomu

Deena Jalal’s fully vegan ice cream (and more) company has been going strong for over a decade now, with a handful of dessert cafés and pop-ups around town, plus wholesale distribution. As of late July, Fomu has a stall inside Quincy Market (find it in the main colonnade), open daily. Fomu’s dairy-free ice creams—made with a coconut milk base—come in year-round flavors like grasshopper pie, birthday cake, and chocolate chip cookie dough, plus seasonal specialties like, for summer, blueberry shortbread and strawberry rhubarb pie. There’s a new Seaport location as well; see below.

Quincy Market at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4 S Market St., Downtown Boston, fomuicecream.com.

Gordon Ramsay Burger’s farmhouse burger (sharp cheddar, bacon, fried egg). / Courtesy photo

Gordon Ramsay Burger

The loudest television chef in the biz’s second Boston restaurant opened in early July, and it’s called Gordon Ramsay Burger. (His first, Ramsay’s Kitchen, is in Back Bay.) The new spot is located inside Canopy by Hilton Hotel and serves burgers, of course, including one named for Hell’s Kitchen, probably the best known of his seemingly infinite TV series. (That burger comes topped with mozzarella, roasted jalapeno, avocado, and roasted tomato. We can only hope the staff calls you a donkey when they bring it to the table.) Also on the menu: fries, milkshakes, and other burger-adjacent options. Open for lunch and dinner daily, the restaurant features somewhat of a Boston rarity—a roof deck.

99 Blackstone St., Downtown Boston, 617-263-8610, gordonramsayrestaurants.com.

Hobgoblin. / Photo by Jamme Chantler

Hobgoblin

Bringing new life to the old Stoddard’s space in Downtown Crossing (and with Stoddard’s alum Tony Iamunno behind the bar), Hobgoblin is a piano bar and a gastropub featuring Asian-inspired small plates, particularly drawing influence from Thai cuisine. The team overlaps with the people behind Mad Monkfish in Central Square, known for its live jazz and Japanese-Thai menu. The opening Hobgoblin menu includes dishes such as braised lamb shank massaman, Hat Yai-style chicken wings, duck satay, crab curry, and more, and the music will focus on jazz and cabaret acts. Read our full story here.

48 Temple Pl., 857-991-1528, hobgoblinbar.com.

Koshburger

Downtown catering mainstay Milk Street Cafe launched a delivery-only brand called Koshburger in July, specializing in—maybe you guessed it—kosher burgers (supervised by ORC). Half-pound beef burgers are joined on the menu by an Impossible burger, crispy chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, fries, and vegan milkshakes. Currently operating Tuesday through Thursday evening, Koshburger delivery is available in and around Boston via various third-party apps.

By delivery only (but based out of Milk Street Cafe at 50 Milk St.), Downtown Boston, koshburger.com.

Sugar Skulls ice cream tacos. / Courtesy photo

Sugar Skulls at High Street Place

The downtown food hall High Street Place has a new vendor: Sugar Skulls, selling frozen drinks (boozy and not), ice cream, and other treats with a Mexican twist, courtesy of existing vendor North East of the Border. On the menu: ice cream tacos, churro ice cream sandwiches, boozy ice cream floats, and more.

High Street Place, 100 High St., Downtown Boston.

Lanzhou beef noodle soup at Zhi Wei Cafe. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Zhi Wei Cafe

The sliver of downtown known as the Leather District is home to a new Chinese restaurant that showcases the cuisine of Lanzhou in the northwest, particularly clear-broth soups with thinly sliced beef or lamb chops and fresh noodles. (This style of noodle is distinct from, say, the hand-pulled Xi’an-style noodles you’d get at Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe, a short walk away. The Lanzhou style is much thinner—but still with a satisfying chew.) Open for lunch and dinner daily. Read our full story here.

104 South St., Leather District, Downtown Boston, 257-277-0937, zhiweicafeboston.com.

East Boston

A brisket plate at the Smoke Shop BBQ. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

The Smoke Shop BBQ

Chef and restaurateur Andy Husbands has opened the sixth location of his award-winning local barbecue chain, this one on the East Boston waterfront (look at those views!) While the food menu follows the formula of its big siblings—hearty plates of brisket, pulled pork, fried chicken, and more, not to mention the irresistible agave wings—there’s no booze at the moment thanks to the nightmare of obtaining a liquor license in Boston. (Here’s some background from 2016—and not much has changed since then, although a plan is in the works to introduce some more licenses to certain zip codes over the next five years.)

Husbands is waiting for one of East Boston’s few restricted liquor licenses to become available; these licenses go for a few thousand dollars, unlike unrestricted licenses, which go for a few hundred thousand on the open market. In the meantime, the Eastie Smoke Shop is serving up a snazzy selection of mocktails. This location is open for lunch and dinner daily, with outdoor seating and private event space.

45 Lewis St., East Boston, 781-627-7427, thesmokeshopbbq.com.

Pepperoni pizza at Mida in East Boston. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Mida

Mida’s now a trio. Chef Douglass Williams’ acclaimed Italian spot in the South End and Newton expanded to East Boston this summer in an airy space with a sizable patio and gorgeous waterfront views. With partners Brian Lesser and Seth Gerber, Williams is serving up plenty of Mida’s popular pastas (and might we recommend the arancini?)—plus, something previously exclusive to the Newton location and a casual food hall offshoot downtown: pizza. The thin-crust pies with pleasantly charred crust draw inspiration from New Haven, so of course there’s a clam pie, served here with marinated clams, white sauce, peppers, parsley, and Grana Padano. The new Mida is serving lunch on weekdays, brunch on weekends, and dinner daily. Oh, and you can get there via a free ferry.

65 Lewis St., East Boston, midarestaurant.com.

Jamaica Plain

Up & Down

This isn’t exactly an opening—more of a new brand launch from an existing group. The sandwich lovers behind Mike & Patty’s and more have added smashburgers inspired by a certain West Coast chain to their Mike & Patty’s storefront in J.P. Up & Down, as the new brand is called, sandwiches two smashed beef patties between Flourhouse Bakery milk buns (that’s another of their brands) and offers toppings like a fried cheese patty, salsa, and Takis dust (that’s the Taki melt) or American cheese and grilled onions (Oklahoma thunder). There are fried chicken sandwiches, too, as well as a chopped salad and, ahem, “phuct” fries doused with a house-made cheese whiz, special sauce, and caramelized onions.

Up & Down is currently operating Thursday through Sunday in the evening; online ordering is available.

388 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston, 617-299-2990, upanddownbos.com.

North End

Umbria’s seven-spice Murray’s brick chicken. / Courtesy photo

Umbria

The latest DePasquale Ventures restaurant is a revamp of the now-closed downtown restaurant and nightclub Umbria (later Umbria Prime). Now in the North End—closer to its siblings, including Bricco, Aqua Pazza, and more—the new Umbria features three floors of dining and a rooftop lounge. Billed as an Italian steakhouse, it has a meaty menu of steaks and chops, not to mention lots of seafood and some pastas. Read our full story here.

Open for dinner as of July 20, with the rooftop lounge opening in late August. 250 Hanover St., North End, Boston, 617-865-1265, umbrianorthend.com.

Seaport District

Fomu

See Downtown Boston section above for more info about Fomu. (The summer 2023 Seaport location is a pop-up, open daily from noon to 10 p.m. with scoops as well as cakes and other baked treats.)

155 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, fomuicecream.com.

Pickleball Social Club at Harpoon. / Courtesy photo

Pickleball Social Club at Harpoon Brewery

Pickleball has become a cultural phenomenon over the last couple years—remember the big-deal opening of the Southie spot PKL last year? Now, Harpoon Brewery’s getting in on trend. In partnership with Hub Sports Boston, the brewery has just opened a new space with pickleball courts, shuffleboard, and cornhole. Pickleball Social Club features some concessions from Harpoon’s kitchen, as well as special treats like a pickle pop from local popsicle brand Wild Pops. To drink? Plenty of beer from Harpoon and friends, both on draft and in cans. The roomy space fits 400 people and has four pickleball courts. It’s open from noon to 9 p.m. daily; check out the website for information about leagues, court reservations, and private events.

306 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, 617-863-8300, hubsportsboston.com/pickleball-social-club.

Steak, pasta, and more at Savr. / Photo by Paige Harding

Savr

Located at the base of the luxurious new St. Regis Residences, Savr is operating under the tagline “spirited American bistro,” aiming to offer a welcoming space and a classic menu—with some “eclectic” touches, as executive chef Danny Levesque said previously. Wood-grilled entrees, including steaks, lamb chops, and more, play a starring role, with some house-made pastas prominently featured as well. The drink list includes a substantial whiskey selection. Read our full story here.

150 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, 617-553-7287, savrtm.com.

South Boston

Sandwiches at the Dirty Italian. / Courtesy photo

The Dirty Italian

Drawing inspiration from her high school job at Frigo’s, a long-running gourmet food shop and deli in Springfield, Talya Pessolano now has her own store in South Boston under the tagline “Italian traditions with modern convenience.” Think charcuterie boards, pastas, prepared foods, and plenty of hot and cold sandwiches (choose from sizes “bada bing” and “bada boom.”) The Dirty Italian also caters, with a focus on “grazing tables,” essentially massive helpings of cheeses, meats, marinated vegetables, crackers, and other accoutrements.

144 Old Colony Ave., South Boston, thedirtyitalian.com.

Dumpling Daughter

In 2014, Nadia Liu Spellman opened a casual dumpling-focused restaurant in her hometown, Weston, featuring her mother’s home-style Chinese recipes. (Restaurant business is in the family’s blood as Spellman’s parents operated Sally Ling’s on the Boston waterfront in the 1980s, the first of its kind in the city, serving high-end Chinese cuisine—white tablecloths, serving carts, the works.)

Dumpling Daughter later expanded to Cambridge (now closed) and Brookline, and now there’s another new outpost South Boston. Designed as a takeout location, Dumpling Daughter in Southie has a few easy meal-for-four platters that range from $45 to $55, plus rice bowls, a wide variety of dumplings and buns, scallion pancake roll-ups, and more.

475 W. Broadway, South Boston, 617-819-3588, dumplingdaughter.com.

Hen Chicken Rice 

This casual Thai street food spot debuted in Somerville’s Union Square almost three years ago, showcasing khao man gai, the Thai version of a popular dish available in various forms throughout Southeast Asia, Hainanese chicken rice. Now it’s in South Boston, too, inside the new takeout- and delivery-focused food hub South Boston Bites. The menu is simple, with various combinations of chicken, rice, and sauce. (Our go-to is “The Isan,” crispy boneless chicken thigh with sticky rice and tamarind sauce.) Round out the meal with the surprisingly flavor-packed daikon soup and a Thai iced tea or coffee. Open for lunch and dinner daily; order online.

94 Shirley St., South Boston, henchickenrice.com.

Layla’s American Tavern 

Did someone say steak tips? You’ll find them here, along with other American-tavern-y classics: burgers, fried chicken, fish and chips, mac and cheese (the proper way, with a Ritz cracker topping—and the option to add burnt ends, pulled pork, or Buffalo fried chicken), wings, nachos, and more. Located in the former Shenannigans space, Layla’s is part of the restaurant group that includes Lucy’s American Tavern and the Bowery Bar, both in Dorchester, and more. (This group is particularly good at boozy brunches, and Layla’s looks like it’s no exception, featuring items like Cinnabon-inspired pancakes, breakfast egg rolls, and boozy Twix iced coffee.)

332 W. Broadway, South Boston, 617-752-4756, laylasamericantavern.com.

RedRed Kitchen

Like Hen Chicken Rice above, this is one of the first restaurants to open at takeout-and-delivery hub South Boston Bites. RedRed specializes in West African food, particularly Ghanaian, and the opening menu includes dishes such as egusi (pumpkin seed) stew; fried turkey tails with fried yams; and the namesake dish red red, stewed black-eyed peas, served here with fried sweet plantains. Order online.

94 Shirley St., South Boston, redredkitchen.com.

South End

PRB Boulangerie

The team behind classic French joint Petit Robert Bistro has been busy in recent years. Owner Loic Le Garrec and the crew opened two new full-service restaurants—Batifol in Kendall Square in late 2022 and Marseille in the South End in spring 2023—plus a bakery and market for specialty French items, PRB Boulangerie, in Somerville a few weeks back. But that’s not all. PRB Boulangerie just expanded to the South End, in a space connected to Marseille, in July. (A Kendall Square location near Batifol is also expected to open this summer.)

As Le Garrec told Boston when we chatted prior to the Batifol opening, PRB Boulangerie is meant to be “a true French bakery” with bread, croissants, pain au chocolat, and more, all made from scratch. At the South End location, find coffee and pastries, salads and sandwiches, breads, to-go dinners, and more. (Note that this location is only open on weekdays for now—Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

560 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston, prbboulangerie.com.

Turkish coffee and blueberry cake at Sip of Joy. / Photo by Elisabeth Hadjis

Sip of Joy

This friendly spot draws inspiration from the owners’ hometown of Istanbul, so you’ll want to try the Turkish coffee. Also on the caffeinated side, plenty of locally roasted George Howell coffee is available. To eat, there’s a selection of Turkish and American sweet and savory treats—we’re partial to the cold milk baklava. Read our full story here.

661 Tremont St., South End, Boston, sipofjoycafe.com.

West End

Chilacates

Local Mexican street food chain Chilacates has come to Boston’s West End—the 10^th location for the Jamaica Plain-founded spot. (A Cambridge outpost is also in the works.) On the menu: burritos, tacos, tortas, enchiladas, and more, with fillings such as lengua (beef tongue), potatoes with chorizo, pork with a green salsa, and grilled shrimp. Lunch and dinner are available daily at the new location.

66 Staniford St., West End, Boston, 857-957-0198, chilacatesmx.com.

BEYOND

Arlington

Tatte Bakery & Café

Now with nearly three dozen locations in Greater Boston and D.C., Tatte is growing again with an Arlington outpost. You’ll find the usual menu of pretty pastries, all-day breakfast (lamb hash, scrambled egg plates, halloumi breakfast sandwiches, and such), tartines, shakshuka, salads, and more.

645 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, 781-583-6046, tattebakery.com.

Thai Moon

Closed since April 2021 due to a fire, Thai Moon is finally back up and running—now at a new location, the former Twyrl space. (In its previous incarnation, Thai Moon had been open for over 16 years.) The lengthy menu covers plenty of classic Thai territory, from noodle soups to curries. Online ordering is available for takeout and delivery, but the interior and spacious patio are also cozy for dine-in service (and there’s a bit of wine and beer available, too).

315 Broadway, Arlington, 781-646-3334, thaimoonarlington.com.

Beverly

La Qchara

A popular Central and South American restaurant and café has expanded from Melrose to Beverly. Lorenzo and Emily Tenreiro—who also run a food truck and catering under the La Qchara brand, plus another Melrose restaurant, T’ahpas 529—serve an extensive menu that covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from arepas to quinoa bowls to chia pudding. There’s plenty of coffee and tea, too—no surprise since the duo used to run a place called Coffee, Tea and Me in Melrose.

275 Cabot St., Beverly, laqchara.com.

Brookline

Bartaco

Washington Square taco options have doubled: Bartaco, a national chain under the same umbrella as Barcelona Wine Bar (which also has a Washington Square location), moved to the neighborhood in July—within sight of Mexican restaurant and tequila bar Burro Bar. Well, we’re not ones to complain about the availability of more tacos and margaritas. Bartaco brings some fun tacos to the table—served on corn tortillas or Bibb lettuce—like glazed pork belly with a spicy arbol chili sauce; fried oysters with remoulade (very New England); and roasted duck with tamarind glaze and caramelized onions. Most of the taco toppings are also available on brown rice bowls, and other dishes like lobster chopped salad and chicken tortilla soup round out the menu. (Plus, there’s a pretty extensive kids’ menu!)

Bartaco also serves cocktails (margaritas, caipirinhas, etc.); a short list of beers (all local except for a couple selections from Mexico); a handful of wines (and sangria!); and plenty of non-boozy options, including agua fresca and iced tea in various flavors. This is Bartaco’s second Massachusetts location; the first opened in Boston’s Seaport District nearly five years ago.

1634 Beacon St., Washington Square, Brookline, 617-546-8226, bartaco.com/location/brookline.

H Mart

With roots in Queens, the popular Asian supermarket chain H Mart has grown to around 100 stores in the United States since debuting over 40 years ago. Its latest Massachusetts location—joining Cambridge, Burlington, and Quincy—is in Brookline. (A Medford location is in the works, too.) Korean and Japanese products get the most shelf space at H Mart, but shoppers will also find products from China, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and beyond.

1028 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-991-2949, hmart.com.

Japonaise Bakery & Cafe

This Brookline staple—known for its delicious French-Japanese pastries—debuted way back in 1985. In May 2021, owner Takeo Sakan closed up shop temporarily for some long overdue kitchen updates and renovations. The expected two months turned into two years, as these things go, but Japonaise finally reopened its doors at the end of July. All is now right in the world again, thanks to adorable baked goods like this, curry doughnuts, anpan, and lots more. August hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, with a limited menu and no coffee for now.

1020 Beacon St., Brookline, instagram.com/japonaisebakery.

Burlington

Rocco’s Doughnut Company

Blueberry buttercrunch, mudslide, cotton candy milkshake, creamsicle, maple bacon—these are all doughnut flavors you might find on the summer menu at Rocco’s Doughnut Company, which just opened its fourth location. The Burlington outpost joins shops in Westborough, Millbury, and Worcester, offering over-the-top doughnuts (try an office platter, with doughnuts conveniently cut into quarters) as well as bagels, coffee, and tea.

19 3^rd Ave., Burlington, 508-917-6600, roccosdonuts.square.site.

Cambridge

Dudley Cafe

A long-running Roxbury café known for its hearty sandwiches and community vibes has expanded to Cambridge, taking over the former Hi-Rise space on that stretch of Mass. Ave. between Harvard and Porter squares. The menu includes a few nods to sibling spot Shanti, an Indian restaurant with locations in Dorchester and Roslindale, such as the Shanti pulled chicken “naanwich,” veggie-stuffed puff pastries, and mango lassi. A full range of coffee and tea drinks accompany the café fare.

1663 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 857-242-3050, dudleycafe.com.

The Friendly Toast

The brightly colored, all-day-brunchapalooza local chain has returned to Cambridge. A decade-old Kendall Square location closed at the start of the pandemic, but a shiny new spot is now open in Harvard, serving everything from churro bites to French toast doughnut breakfast sandwiches to chicken cordon bleu eggs Benedict. While very family-friendly, the Friendly Toast also has plenty of fun for the adults, with boozy iced coffee and other spiked options.

1230 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-714-5709, thefriendlytoast.com.

Gufo’s head-on shrimp with roasted Fresno and garlic butter. / Photo by Brian Samuels Photography

Gufo

The Coda Group—the team behind SRV and the Salty Pig—is at it again: They’ve opened Gufo in the former Loyal Nine space in East Cambridge. Named for the Italian word for owl, Gufo serves pizzas, pastas, and more—a nod to its sibling restaurants but with its own spin. Coming very soon: daytime café fare, brunch, and an extensive outdoor dining area, complete with a fire pit and bocce. Read our full story here.

660 Cambridge St., East Cambridge, gufocambridge.com.

One Reason Garden Bar at the Charles Hotel. / Courtesy photo

One Reason Garden Bar

There’s a new place to drink outdoors and listen to live music in Harvard Square: The Charles Hotel has added an al fresco bar to its courtyard; the name is a reference to the song “Give Me One Reason” by the acclaimed singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, who began her career busking in the neighborhood. Drink frozen cocktails, local beer, and natural wines at picnic tables, and watch Instagram for the live music schedule.

1 Bennett St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, instagram.com/gardenbar_1reason.

Las Palmas

A Dominican restaurant with locations in Roslindale and inside the Harvard student center has added another spot in Harvard Square, opening in a former El Jefe’s Taqueria space. The bright, colorful restaurant is counter-service, with some seating available—but a very takeout and delivery-friendly menu that centers around Chipotle-style build-a-bowls. Diners can choose a base of rice, greens, or both; proteins such as pernil (roasted pork) or stew chicken; toppings such as plantain chips, corn, and pinto beans; and sauces such as mayo-ketchup or guava barbecue. Crispy empanadas, juices, and a couple desserts round out the menu.

83 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, laspalmaskitchen.com.

Ramen o’Bowl’s smoked seitan black rice bowl and mala cold ramen (brothless) with soy protein with Thai iced teas, via delivery. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Ramen o’Bowl

The team behind now-closed vegan restaurant Bayberry Cafe in Woburn has arrived in Cambridge with an all-vegan ramen spot. (There are also a few sushi bowls on the menu, featuring seitan or soy protein, plus salads, smoothies, and desserts.) The ramen options—some hot, some cold—feature pleasantly chewy noodles made in-house and come in varieties like miso ramen (hot) and sesame tahini (cold). The cozy space is open for lunch and dinner daily, with online ordering available for takeout and delivery. The mala cold ramen is an early fave for the Boston team, and we also appreciate the unsweetened option for the iced teas and coffees.

1668 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, ramenobowls.com.

Framingham

Dave’s Hot Chicken

See Dorchester section above for more information on Dave’s, which also came to Framingham this season. This location serves lunch and dinner daily, staying open until 11 p.m. or midnight depending on the day.

341 Cochituate Rd., Suite 2, Framingham, 774-456-6520, daveshotchicken.com.

The Kura Sushi conveyor belt. / Photo by Emily J. Davis

Kura Sushi

Japan-based conveyor-belt sushi chain Kura Sushi, which has nearly 50 U.S. locations with more planned, has just opened its second in Massachusetts (with a third coming to Dorchester later this summer). Following the 2022 debut of Kura Sushi in Watertown, it’s now up and running in Framingham, and it’s full of drink-delivering robots, cute little prizes depending on how much food you order, and, oh yeah, sushi.

It’s a pretty high-tech dining experience—and good for introverts, as you’ll barely interact with human staff: Order from the massive menu via a tablet at your table, and the sushi will zip over to your table on the express conveyor belt, but you can also pick whatever looks good from the main conveyor belt as it passes by. (And then there’s that robot, Kur-B, who’ll bring you the drinks, which you can also order from your tablet.) Pay by phone, and you’re on your way. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Stay tuned for an opening date for the Dorchester location.

Shoppers World, 1 Worcester Rd., Unit 700B, 774-223-7331, kurasushi.com.

Rasoi Indian Cuisine

Rasoi Gourmet Indian Kitchen closed in 2017 after three decades in business, but now the team is back: Rasoi Indian Cuisine debuted in July. The small, counter-service space is mostly geared toward takeout, delivery, and catering, serving dishes such as Amritsari fish fry, a classic Punjabi dish; some Indo-Chinese fusion, such as chicken Manchurian; tandoori and biryani dishes; and lots more, including an extensive selection of vegetarian options. Open for lunch and dinner daily; order online here.

855 Worcester Rd., Framingham, 508-618-3400, rasoiindianframingham.com.

Lynn

Sin City Superette sandwiches. / Photo by Alyssa Blumstein

Sin City Superette

Sin City Superette—a pandemic-born neighborhood market that has offered everything from Advil to caviar-topped hot dogs—has been on hiatus for a revamp. But now, it’s back! The sibling and neighbor to the acclaimed destination spot Nightshade Noodle Bar features a new Gulf Coast-inspired menu in collaboration with Todd Bekesha of the pop-up and now-closed Salem restaurant Po’ Boys and Pies.

Miller and Bekesha’s take on a Southern-inspired superette includes: pimiento baguette sandwiches with roasted onion; chili-ranch soft shell crab bánh mì; and Viet-Cajun crawfish tail po’ boys. Made-to-order items like these sandwiches are available during lunch hours (and can be eaten on the patio or inside), but a rotating selection of other grab-and-go items are available from the steam table during all operating hours—dishes like baked mac and cheese, Viet-Cajun seafood boil, barbecue chicken, and more. There are plenty of desserts, too, from chess pie to frozen yogurt cups.

And Sin City Superette is still a market, too, with various household items and local groceries available, including fresh produce.

71 Exchange St., Lynn, 781-584-8691, sincitysuperette.com.

Medford

Matsuba Izakaya

Medford Square’s on fire these days: Deep Cuts—a music venue, restaurant, and brewery—opened not too long ago, and now there’s a new Japanese tavern, too. Matsuba Izakaya has a fun, casual menu that includes sushi, yakitori, street food, ramen, and more. Find it in the old Nagoya space.

38 Riverside Ave., Medford Square, 781-628-2168, matsubamedford.com.

Newton

Moldova Restaurant’s original dining room. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Coffee Shop by Moldova Restaurant

Best of Boston winner Moldova Restaurant is now operating as a café by day. The original dining room—before the expansion into an adjacent space a few years back—already has cozy coffee shop vibes, so now it’s open weekday mornings and afternoons with coffee, treats, and wi-fi. (Take a peek at the menu here.) Sandwiches, weekend hours, and brunch are all coming soon. And don’t forget to stop by at night for an increasingly active events calendar with live music and more, not to mention excellent Moldovan food. (We love the braised lamb.)

344 Watertown St., Newton, 617-916-5245, tastemoldova.com.

Stella

A pandemic-closed mainstay is making a comeback: Chef Evan Deluty has revived Stella, once a popular South End restaurant, in a more intimate, takeout-focused form in Newton. This time around? 15 seats, no bar (and no booze for the moment, but maybe beer and wine in the future), and a short menu of Italian classics—with some nods to the city’s Jewish community in the form of matzo ball soup and latkes. (On the Italian side, yes, Stella’s popular Bolognese is back.)

549 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, 617-467-4656, facebook.com/stellarestaurantandbar.

North Andover

Garlic Breath Pizza. / Courtesy photo

Garlic Breath Pizza

We’re big fans of Curio Coffee, a sweet little café near Lechmere station in Cambridge that makes a killer Liège-style waffle—so we’re thrilled that the team opened a new project, although it’s a bit of a hike from Boston. Garlic Breath Pizza is now open in North Andover—“an old-school, New York-style slice shop like the ones we love in Brooklyn,” as owner Justin Pronovost previously told Boston. Think classic booths, wood paneling, red trays, paper plates—you know the type of place. On the concise menu: pizza by the slice and by the pie (style-wise, an homage to Santarpio’s in Eastie as much as to New York), meatballs, salads, and dessert (cookies and tiramisu). What else could you want?

Jasmine Plaza, 733 Turnpike St., Suite 7, North Andover, 978-258-2084, garlicbreathpizza.com.

Quincy

Tous les Jours

International French-Asian bakery-café chain Tous les Jours expanded to North Quincy in July, its sixth Massachusetts outpost (joining Burlington, Natick, Newton, Malden, and Boston’s Allston neighborhood). The company is known for its massive selection of fresh pastries, desserts, and other café fare, from light and airy “cloud cakes” to sweet and savory croissants to fruit smoothies. This location opens at 9 a.m. daily, operating until 10 p.m. most of the week and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

48 Billings Rd., North Quincy, 617-405-4743, tljus.com.

Salem

Couch Dog Brewing Co.

The North Shore has a new microbrewery and taproom focused on “fun, aromatic, and Asian-inspired ales,” such as a session rice ale with yuzu and a “floral and fragrant” pale ale with mugwort. The Couch Dog taproom is currently open Thursday through Sunday, and it’s dog- and kid-friendly. There are some packaged snacks available, but customers are encouraged to order their own food from neighbors such as Howling Wolf Taqueria.

Yes, Couch Dog is named for a dog who likes couches, and it is also “a state of mind, where dogs lounge in utmost comfort and a craft beer is always close at hand.”

76 Lafayette St., Salem, couchdogbrewing.com.

Somerville

Somerville’s Forge Ice Cream reopened in July. / Photo by Camille Dodero

Forge Ice Cream Bar

At last! It’s been closed since 2020, but Forge Baking Co.’s cozy little ice cream bar, located adjacent to the café, has finally reopened, much to local ice cream fans’ delight. Sure, you can get Forge’s ice cream at the café (and at sibling Somerville cafés Diesel and Bloc), but we love this adorably old-timey space, and we’re excited to be able to eat our scoops inside it again. The small-batch flavors include key lime, malted vanilla, cinnamon, and more—at least right now (the beauty of small-batch).

626 Somerville Ave., Somerville, forgebakingco.com.

Gong Cha

The Taiwan-based international bubble tea chain Gong Cha, which has around 20 Massachusetts locations, has opened its first in Somerville—it’s in Davis Square, in the long-vacant space that was once home to the Italian shop and restaurant Pepe Bocca. Gong Cha is known for its extensive selection of milk teas, fruity slushes, and more, and customers can choose ice and sugar levels. Gong Cha Somerville is open daily—current hours (as of early August) are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

414 Highland Ave., Davis Square, Somerville, 617-863-2023, gongchausa.com.

Tribos Peri Peri’s grilled chicken tenders with hot sauce and a side of peri peri seasoned fries. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Tribos Peri Peri 

This small national chain showcases spicy, grilled chicken with piri piri sauce, drawing inspiration from Portugal, Mozambique, and southern Asia. (If the heat is too much for you, there’s ice cream and milkshakes for dessert.) Located at Assembly Row, this is the second Tribos in Massachusetts, following Westborough. Keep an eye on Instagram for scheduling updates in the restaurant’s early days.

431 Artisan Way, Assembly Row, Somerville, 02145, 617-420-9056, tribosperiperi.com.

Watertown

Bar ‘Cino in Watertown. / Photo by Kristin Teig

Bar ‘Cino

With roots in Newport, Rhode Island, and a location in Brookline, Bar ‘Cino just became a trio with the July opening of a Watertown outpost. (And all are fully employee-owned.) The Italian restaurant’s menu stars grilled pizza—an homage to the style made famous by Al Forno in Providence—with toppings like roasted Rhode Island mushrooms with fontina, charred radicchio, parmesan, saba, and herbs. Also available: pastas, steak, whole roasted branzino, piadini (grilled sandwiches), and more. Cocktails and mocktails also lean in on the Italian theme with options like a Negroni colada, a chinato sour, and some spirit-free spritzes. The space includes a patio and a semi-private dining area for groups of 20-25.

47 Main St., Watertown, 617-458-8550, barcino.com/watertown.

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