20 Greater Boston Food and Drink Events for April 2023
A pozole and mezcal fest, fried chicken galore, super-special sake, and lots more.
It’s time for the 2nd Annual Cherry Blossom Namazake Disco, hosted by the Koji Club at the Charles River Speedway. / Photo courtesy of the Koji Club
No matter the season, Greater Boston is full of delicious food and beverage events, from massive festivals to intimate supper clubs to snack-y brewery pop-ups. Updated on a rolling basis, this page includes the events we’re most excited about this month—and a sneak peek at some fun stuff in future months.
(See also: Our weekly guide to exciting things to do around Greater Boston—art, music, theatre, and more.)
Last updated April 5, 2023; check back soon for more. Know of an exciting food event that should be on our radar? Send an email.
Jump to: Week of April 3 | Week of April 10 | Week of April 17 | Week of April 24 | Beyond April
APRIL 2023
WEEK OF APRIL 3
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Haley.Henry’s Wiener Wednesdays
One thing’s for certain when Wednesday rolls around: It’s time for downtown wine bar Haley.Henry’s weekly hot dog special. For April, the bar is promising “’80s vibz and bar food shenanigans” (teased hair welcome) with a junk food-inspired roster of specials. Wieners include “O-Town” on April 5 (onion rings, crispy shallots, chive and onion dip), “Chester Cheetah” on April 12 (Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, lime aioli), and more. (Note: Hours are limited on April 12, from 3 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. only.)
45 Province St., 3 p.m., Downtown Crossing, Boston
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Curated Cuisine: Radio Boston’s “Brewed in Mass.” Beer Fest
Curated Cuisine, WBUR’s monthly series that “examin[es] all things edible,” continues with a look at the state of brewing and beer culture in Massachusetts. Radio Boston host Tiziana Dearing will moderate a discussion featuring panelists Ray Berry (White Lion Brewing Co.), Vilija Bizinkauskas (Break Rock Brewing), and Sam Hendler (Jack’s Abby Craft Brewers). After the discussion, in-person attendees can try several beers and paired bites. (You can also attend the discussion virtually, but you’ll have to provide your own drinks and snacks.)
$5-$25, 6:30 p.m., WBUR CitySpace, 890 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Friday, April 7, 2023
Opening Day for Row 34 in Kendall Square
Seafood restaurant and oyster bar Row 34 debuts its new Cambridge location, joining the nearly decade-old Fort Point original and offshoots in Burlington, Massachusetts, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The new location features two levels (with plenty of space for private events) and a 40-seat seasonal patio. On the opening menu: Row 34’s classic lobster rolls (one for mayo lovers, one for butter lovers), chowder, and entrees such as lobster roe pasta with mushrooms, peas, and tarragon butter; sauteed skate with turmeric rice, grilled asparagus, and caper brown butter; and pan-seared tilefish with potatoes, mushrooms, pickled red onions, and pesto.
Opens at 5 p.m. on April 7 and will then operate daily for lunch and dinner, 314 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Asta’s Fried Chicken and Biscuit
Perhaps you know Back Bay gem Asta for its high-end tasting menus. On rare occasions, though, Asta offers daytime “distractions,” most notably its long-running (but very infrequent) fried chicken and biscuit lunch. Good news, chicken lovers: It’s back, available every Saturday in April 2023. No reservations; just swing by.
12 p.m. to 2 p.m., 47 Massachusetts Ave., Back Bay, Boston
The Koji Club’s 2nd Annual Cherry Blossom Namazake Disco
Brighton sake bar the Koji Club is celebrating the end of sake brewing season (and the blooming of cherry blossoms) by highlighting namazake, an unpasteurized sake produced in very limited amounts this time of year. Your ticket includes tastes of eight sakes from four breweries—namazakes and their pasteurized twins. Food will be available for purchase a la carte, including sushi hand rolls from Portland, Maine’s Mr. Tuna and an oyster bar by Brookline’s Ivory Pearl. DJ Brian Smith will entertain. Dress code: pink.
$149, 7 p.m., the Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton, Boston
We can’t get enough of this Cambridge udon shop (and did you know it’s expanding to the Seaport soon, too?) and it happens to have some really snazzy merch now and then. A new limited-edition t-shirt by local artist Hayato J. Kawai will be up for grabs on the 8th, featuring a skeleton cowboy swinging an udon lasso. Just head to the online merch shop at the appointed time and grab yours.
$30, 8 p.m., the internet
WEEK OF APRIL 10
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Lily P’s—a Best of Boston winner thanks to its crunchy, juicy fried chicken—hosts bluegrass bands every Tuesday night. Bonus: There’s free parking available. Show up early to settle in for a “Cluckin’ Big Feast” of fried chicken, biscuits, and lots more, or keep it simple with a fried chicken sandwich and a side of ranch fries. As for the music, the April calendar features Laura Orshaw & Friends (April 11), Noah G. Fowler & Folk (April 18), and Wide Open Spaces (April 25), plus opening acts for each.
No cover (food and drink available a la carte), 7 p.m., 50 Binney St., Kendall Square, Cambridge
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Haley.Henry’s Wiener Wednesdays
See April 5 listing above.
A multi-city pozole and mezcal festival comes back to Boston this month. Founded in 2020 with the goal of spotlighting the comforting Mexican stew, the event features an extensive lineup of mezcal producers and local chefs. Tickets include samples of 10 takes on pozole, plus plenty of opportunities to taste mezcal, tequila, sotol, beer, and wine. VIP tickets include early access to the main event and preferred access to various talks and tastings.
$55-$85, 5 p.m., Lithuanian Citizens Association, 368 West Broadway, South Boston
Friday, April 14
Koselig Posto Pop-up at Idle Hands Craft Ales
Malden’s Idle Hands boasts a busy events calendar, and one of many fun April happenings is the return of the Koselig Posto pop-up, an Italian-inspired street food business with a touch of Norwegian vibes. (Unexpected combo? Sure. But it works!) Koselig Posto primarily focuses on arancini with a range of interesting fillings.
4 p.m., 89 Commercial St., Malden
Nine Winters x Remnant Brewing: Black Day
In collaboration with several other Bow Market vendors and friends, Nine Winters and Remnant Brewing are hosting an event for Black Day, a Korean holiday celebrating being single. Swing by to find dishes like jjajangbab from Bow Market alum Perillas, black sesame ice cream with black cocoa hot fudge from Cambridge’s Honeycomb Creamery, kimchi from Allston’s Kaju Korean Cuisine, treats from Nine Winters (which makes some killer cookies), and more—plus some non-food activities, too, like lantern-making with ATASK.
Free to attend (but reserving a ticket in advance is encouraged), with some items available to purchase, 5 p.m., Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Union Square, Somerville
Ravioli and Wine Pairing Event
Head to Boston Winery to explore how five of its wines taste with five different raviolis, prepared by chef Fermine Torres of Venezia Restaurant. You’ll try short rib ravioli with mushroom sauce, walnut and pear ravioli with gorgonzola sauce, and more.
$46, 6:30 p.m., 26 Ericsson St., Dorchester, Boston
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Asta’s Fried Chicken & Biscuit
See April 8 listing above.
Sunday, April 16, 2023
Ăn Thôi Boston Vietnamese Pop-up at Lamplighter Broadway
Ăn Thôi Boston, a new pop-up from Little Donkey alum Peter Nguyen, is debuting at Lamplighter’s Broadway location. The pop-up is meant to showcase “what comfort food means to me, what I eat when I drink, and what I ate growing up with a twist of mine,” writes Nguyen. Ăn Thôi—Vietnamese for “let’s eat”—will feature a few dishes at its Lamplighter event, including mì khô, egg noodles with greens, crispy pork fat, charred flank, an egg yolk, and more.
4 p.m., 284 Broadway, Cambridge
Harpoon x Knitly Beginner Knitting Class
Drink beer and knit at Harpoon’s beer hall—newbies welcome. You’ll learn the basics of knitting and how to create a cowl. Your ticket includes knitting supplies, a two-hour class, and a beer.
$65, 306 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston
WEEK OF APRIL 17
Monday, April 17, 2023
Orders Open for Super Cluckin’ Sunday at Cutty’s
Ok, this one’s a little tricky, so read carefully: Today, online ordering goes live for the extraordinarily popular monthly fried chicken sandwich day at Cutty’s. You won’t actually pick up your sandwich until Sunday, April 23. But, pre-ordering—which is required—will only be open from April 17 through 19, or until sellout, so we’re listing it here on the 17th. Got all that? (This occurrence of Super Cluckin’ Sunday will feature the barbecue ranch version of the sandwich; if you want “OG Honey Mustard,” you’ll have to wait until May.)
10 a.m., the internet (and then pick up between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on April 23, Brookline)
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Lily P’s Bluegrass Tuesdays
See April 11 listing above.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Haley.Henry’s Wiener Wednesdays
See April 5 listing above.
Roundtable Dinner Series Launch
Starting with this event, Cambridge restaurant Pagu is launching a dinner series focused on actionable sustainability. (Pagu owner Tracy Chang is aiming to make this series scalable to other restaurants, too.) This first occurrence welcomes guest chefs David Vargas (Vida Cantina, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Ore Nell’s BBQ, Kittery, Maine), Christine Lau (formerly of Kimika, NYC; currently consulting on various projects around the world), Jordan Rubin (Mr. Tuna, Bar Futo, and Crispy Gai in Portland, Maine), and Kenshi Imura (Cafe Sushi, Cambridge) for an evening exploring sustainable ingredients and sourcing practices. The event will include a standing reception with appetizers, a seated five-course dinner, and a panel discussion.
$120-$165, 6 p.m., 310 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Beginning of Restaurant Week: Portsmouth & the Seacoast
Head north for a taste of 30 exciting Portsmouth-area restaurants, each offering special prix fixe menus through April 29. Favorites like Black Trumpet Bistro, Moxy, Ore Nell’s BBQ, and the Wilder are on the list. Reservations encouraged.
$25 (lunch) or $48 (dinner), Portsmouth, New Hampshire (and nearby)
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Asta’s Fried Chicken & Biscuit
See April 8 listing above.
Spring Wine & Seltzer Party at Time Out Market Boston
Local events company Boston Event Guide is throwing a spring mixer for young professionals featuring samples of numerous wines and seltzers—plus plenty of Time Out Market Boston food available for purchase. The event includes a DJ and live music, as well as a silent auction benefiting the Ellie Fund or Project Smile.
3 p.m., $29-$49 (prices will go up closer to the event), 401 Park Dr., Fenway
WEEK OF APRIL 24
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Lily P’s Bluegrass Tuesdays
See April 11 listing above.
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Haley.Henry’s Wiener Wednesdays
See April 5 listing above.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Asta’s Fried Chicken & Biscuit
See April 8 listing above.
2nd Annual Boston Hot Sauce Festival
Can you handle the heat? Sample hot sauces from two dozen vendors and enjoy a cash bar, contests (like the “Marshmallows From Hell” challenge), and more. Four sessions available over two days, April 29-30.
$10, 12 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. (Sunday) or 4:15 p.m. (Saturday), 525 Western Ave., Brighton, Boston
Massachusetts Craft Brewers Festival
Beer lovers, take note: Here’s your opportunity to sample beers (and some seltzers and ciders) from 40-plus Massachusetts craft breweries. (There’ll be food vendors onsite, too, but those will be announced at a later date.) Two sessions available.
$55 ($10 for designated drivers/non-drinkers), 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., Cyclorama, 539 Tremont St., South End, Boston
Dope Dinners x Eat Sacrilicious Collaborative Dinner
Keep the 4/20 vibes going later in the month with this dinner party, a collaboration between two local cannabis-friendly catering and event companies. The seven-course tasting menu will feature flavors from Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Limited tickets remain. (Check out some background on Dope Dinners here and Eat Sacrilicious here.)
$150, 7 p.m., Dorchester, Boston
Sunday, April 30, 2023
2nd Annual Boston Hot Sauce Festival
See April 29 listing above.
Harpoon x Knitly Beginner Knitting Class
See April 16 listing above.
BEYOND APRIL 2023
- May 6, 2023: The Greenway Food Truck Festival (High Street and Atlantic Avenue, Downtown Boston), featuring at least 10 local food trucks
- May 7, 2023: Sunday Service Drag Brunch (Tenderoni’s, Fenway), hosted by Pamela Manderson and Bruiser
- May 11, 2023: Out of Many One People Supper Club (Nzuko, Watertown), chef Kendall DaCosta’s pop-up series highlighting Caribbean and Afro-American cuisine
- May 13, 2023: Boston Night Market (City Hall Plaza, Downtown Boston), a food, art, and entertainment festival inspired by night markets in Asia
- May 13, 2023: Eat Sacrilicious x the Mushroom Shop Collaboration (Framingham), a seven-course infused dinner featuring local (non-psychadelic) mushrooms
- May 17 to October 1, 2023: Island Creek Oysters Summer Farm Tour Season (Duxbury), a behind-the-scenes look at where oysters come from (tickets on sale now)
- May 19-20, 2023: HarpoonFest (Harpoon Brewery, Seaport District, Boston), an annual music and beer festival
- June 24-25, 2023: Boston Pizza Festival (City Hall Plaza, Downtown Boston), showcasing pizzerias from around the world
- July 9-27, 2023: Grill 23 Pop-up at the White Elephant (Nantucket), featuring classics from the Boston steakhouse and some exclusive dishes (reservations open May 23)
- October 14-15, 2023: Boston Veg Food Fest (Reggie Lewis Athletic Center, Roxbury, Boston), a family-friendly annual festival celebrating vegan food and products
