We Can’t Wait for These Greater Boston Restaurant Openings in 2025
Plus, forthcoming bars, breweries, cafés, and wasabi martinis.
Gourmet Kreyòl. / Photo by Reginald Anis
An ode to Mary Chung’s suan la chow show. Wasabi martinis. Indian and Korean gastropubs. Thai-Japanese fusion and French-Japanese fusion. Cocktail-inspired coffee drinks, a Vietnamese coffee roastery, and a café in a distillery. We’re a few months into the year, and there are already so many new restaurants to check out and so much excitement still to come in the Boston-area food and drink world. Below, we’re tracking some of the forthcoming restaurants, bars, bakeries, breweries, cafés, and more that we’re eagerly anticipating this year; find notes on what’s already opened at the bottom of the page.
This guide was last updated in mid-March 2025; watch for periodic updates throughout the year as new restaurants are announced. Got info we should know? Email us.
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- Restaurants: From locavore fare in Cambridge to Thai-Japanese fusion in Malden to omakase in the Back Bay, these restaurants are on our radar.
- Bars, Breweries, and Beverages: The food’ll be good, too, but these spots emphasize the booze.
- Cafés and Bakeries: Caffeine and sweet treats galore.
- Local Expansions: You already know these Boston-area spots; find out where they’re opening next.
- Out-of-Towner Expansions: Maybe you’ve come to love these restaurants and bars in your travels. Now they’re coming here.
- Now Open: We were anticipating them, and now they’re here. Go eat! (Jump to New Restaurants, the total newbies we haven’t seen before, and Expansions, new locations of familiar places.)
Restaurants
An example of a Fallow Kin seasonal crudo, shown here with Nantucket bay scallops, blood orange, pomegranate, cranberry, and Maine dulse (a red seaweed). / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Fallow Kin
What: Vegetable-forward farm-to-table fare from an experienced crew, including the husband-and-wife duo behind Cambridge restaurant Talulla (Conor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer) and their longtime industry friend Marcos Sanchez (an alum of Tasting Counter, Gray’s Hall, and more). Located in Central Square’s old Craigie on Main space, Fallow Kin has zero-waste aspirations and will offer tasting menus, à la carte dining, and creative late-night bar fare. Read more >>
Where: 853 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge, fallowkin.com
When: March/April 2025
FiDO Pizza
What: A “casual neighborhood spot” focused on New York-style pizza, both round pies and grandma squares, from Traveler Street Hospitality (Bar Mezzana, No Relation, Shore Leave, and Black Lamb). In a recent newsletter, the team cited inspiration from Sally’s Apizza, John’s of Bleecker, Mama’s Too, Lucali, and more. “The result? A style that’s all our own,” with classic toppings and seasonal twists. The sit-down restaurant—with a full liquor license—will serve lunch and dinner, and there’ll also be takeout and slices. Read more >>
Where: 250 Western Ave. (Allston Labworks), Allston, Boston, fidopizza.com
When: Summer 2025
Fighting Fish
What: We’re excited to see some dishes on this Thai restaurant’s menu that aren’t as common in the Greater Boston Thai food scene—yum pla duk foo, in particular, which features a cloud-like puff of fried fish typically served with green mango salad. Plenty of classics, too, if you’re looking for your usual pad thai or panang curry.
Where: 241 Beacham St., Everett, 617-294-0095, fightingfishthaicuisine.com
When: Imminently—but take note that it has been mistakenly listed as open on DoorDash several times in recent weeks, so be sure to check its website or social media for confirmation that it’s actually open before ordering.
Gary’s Pizza
What: Roman-style pizza, plus sandwiches and desserts, from the Columbus Hospitality Group, which is known for more upscale destinations Mistral, Sorellina, Ostra, and Mooo. “All really fun and easy items to pick up,” says Lisa Flores, director of sales and marketing for the group, noting that Gary is the shared middle name of co-owners Jamie Mammano and Paul Roiff.
Where: 1744 Washington St., South End, Boston, garyspizzaboston.com
When: March 2025
Gourmet Kreyòl
What: The Haitian food truck and catering company has two restaurants in the works: a fast-casual Mattapan location and a full-service spot in Dorchester’s Codman Square. The former will serve a menu similar to the truck, while the latter will feature daily favorites from the truck (such as fried chicken, halal stew chicken, and vegan legume), plus always-available jerk and curry chicken and rotating specials such as red snapper and stew conch. The owners are also working to secure a full liquor license for the sit-down restaurant. A bonus for anyone with dietary restrictions: Most of Gourmet Kreyòl’s food is gluten-free; all side dishes are vegetarian or vegan; and the company uses four fryers to prevent cross-contamination among seafood, poultry, pork, and sides. “Our goal is for everyone to enjoy authentic Haitian and Caribbean food,” a rep for the business tells Boston.
Where: Fast-casual: 1210 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan, Boston; sit-down: 657 Washington St., Dorchester, Boston; gourmetkreyol.com
When: Fast-casual: March 2025; sit-down: late summer 2025
The Hollows
What: A “neighborhood haunt” from Charlie Redd (behind Dragon Pizza in Somerville and, previously, Redd’s in Rozzie), with partners Doug Sherman and Bridget Zerner, in the just-shuttered Rudy’s space.
Where: 248 Holland St., Teele Square, Somerville, thehollowssomerville.com
When: Late spring 2025
Little Steve’s Pizza
What: A decades-old pizzeria that closed a few years back is getting a bit of a revival under new ownership. Flying Lion Hospitality Group (Don’t Tell Aunty, Nowon, and more) is opening up a new restaurant in that space—and keeping the old name as an homage—and will serve Sicilian- and Detroit-style pizza. Also on the menu, a Whole Foods-style self-serve area for grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches, says owner Koushik “Babu” Koganti. He expects that section to vary each day, offering a rotating selection of cuisines that might be Indian one day, Caribbean the next, and more.
Where: 1114 Boylston St., Back Bay/Fenway, Boston
When: Mid-April 2025
A Mai handroll. / F33D Marketing
Mai
What: From the folks behind Matsunori Handroll Bar, Mai will offer a rotating seasonal menu of French-Japanese fusion. Think: miso bouillabaisse with plenty of fresh seafood; daily catch shabu-shabu with shiso ponzu jelly; “egg on egg on egg” toast—Kaluga hybrid caviar, Hokkaido uni, and Japanese scrambled egg on toasted Japanese milk bread; and eel sandwich with strawberry-yuzu jam and foie gras. In a nod to its Fenway sibling, there’ll also be some handrolls, such as a “luxe spicy tuna” with diced toro and akami, caviar spicy mayo, fried wagyu fat crisps, and fried sweet potato. The restaurant will have a cordials license and plans to serve “super cool, very flashy, yet still affordable” drinks inspired by Japan’s Bar Centifolia, says cofounder and CEO Kevin Liu.
Where: 31 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, instagram.com/mai.izayaka
When: Summer/early fall 2025
A spread of vegan and vegetarian dishes that will be on the menu at McCarthy’s, photographed at the Burren prior to McCarthy’s opening: eggplant “pizza,” lentil stew, stuffed sweet potatoes, and a grain bowl. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
McCarthy’s (and Toad)
What: The musically inclined owners of the Burren and the Bebop have taken over the shuttered Christopher’s and Toad spaces in Porter Square—the former a restaurant, the latter a music venue. Christopher’s will become Irish pub McCarthy’s, featuring classic dishes like shepherd’s pie and Guinness beef stew, plus a ton of vegetarian and vegan options. Toad will reopen much the same as it was before: cozy, and with live music nightly. Read more >>
Where: 1920 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge, mccarthystoad.com
When: March 2025
Rendering of Mila’s. / Courtesy image
Mila’s
What: All-day dining and waterfront views in Revere. Restaurateur Michael Aldi (Dryft, Fine Line) will open Mila’s at the new Gibson Point apartment building, offering daytime grab-and-go fare, coffee, and more, plus a convenient workspace geared toward the building’s residents. At night, it’ll be a sit-down restaurant with pizzas, small plates, and more.
Where: 1 Gibson Way, Revere, livegibsonpoint.com
When: Spring 2025
Mr. Tamole at Boston Public Market
What: A Mexican restaurant run by a mother-and-son team who also sell mole paste, salsa, and tamales based on family recipes from Puebla. Their Boston Public Market stall will feature items like tacos, tortas, and the aforementioned tamales.
Where: 100 Hanover St., Downtown Boston, mrtamole.com, bostonpublicmarket.org
When: March 2025
Nori Nori Test Kitchen. / Courtesy photo
Norinori Test Kitchen
What: Sibling to Mai (see above) and Matsunori Handroll Bar, this Japanese restaurant will offer handrolls, bento boxes (“but not your normal bentos,” says cofounder and CEO Kevin Liu—think a selection of wagyu cuts over rice brushed with wagyu bone marrow), limited-batch ramen (“I want to serve the best chicken ramen in the city, nothing held back,” says Liu), and more. It’ll have a full liquor license; expect “cheap but fancy drinks.”
Where: 399 Chestnut Hill Ave., Brookline, instagram.com/norinori.japanese
When: Second half of 2025
Phat Thaiger
What: A Thai and Japanese izakaya from the team behind last year’s upscale Thai debut Thaiger Den and its more casual big sibling Crying Thaiger, all in Malden. The owners describe the newest addition to the group as “an immersive journey through the bold, vibrant flavors of northeastern Thailand [Isan cuisine] and the refined elegance of Japanese cuisine.” Think: reimagined Thai dishes like pad thai and pad kee mow made with Japanese noodles—udon and yakisoba, respectively. Plus, Japanese dishes infused with Thai flavors, like yellowtail crudo with a Thai twist on ponzu sauce (lemongrass, makrut lime leaves, and Thai chili) and Hokkaido scallops baked into a Thai hor mok-inspired curry custard. And that’s not all: a blend of Japanese and Thai styles of hot pot (nabe and jeaw horn), yakitori-style skewers with Thai marinades and spices, and drinks like tom yum-infused sake and wasabi martinis.
Where: 166 Eastern Ave., Malden, instagram.com/phat.thaiger.izankaya
When: March 2025
Rosa y Marigold
What: A Peruvian restaurant, sibling to local hot spots Celeste and La Royal (and their Vermont sibling Esmeralda), located in the Lyrik development in Back Bay. There’ll be live music, weekday lunch/weekend brunch, and—like at its siblings—an open kitchen. Read more >>
Where: 400 Newbury St. (Lyrik Back Bay), Back Bay, Boston
When: Fall 2025
The Salt Marsh Winery
What: A New England bistro from the team behind Pembroke’s Osteria Vivo, including chef-owner Douglas Rodrigues, an alum of Boston’s Clio, North Square Oyster, and more. Expect hyper-seasonal dishes that nod to what you’d see in a harborside or seaside town, says Rodrigues. “A bit of old meets new. The idea was basically if the restaurants that Scituate had come to know and love in the past—like Jamie’s Pub, the Barker Tavern, PJ’s Country House, Pier 44—had a baby and opened in 2025, what would that look like?” That means classics like fish and chips and lobster rolls alongside “more outside-of-the-box items for the modern palate,” he says. “We’ve been able to explore so much creativity at Osteria Vivo, outside the basic expectations of an Italian restaurant, that we want to approach the Salt Marsh Winery the same way, just really kick the door down of the old expectations of a coastal restaurant. I want to be able to cook anything I want.” Fun fact: The name is a reference to a book by Rodrigues’ grandfather, Mystery at the Salt Marsh Winery, which is set around the salt marshes of Scituate Harbor and surrounding areas. The restaurant is, well, a restaurant, not a winery—but it’ll have an array of great wines (and cocktails), notes Rodrigues.
Where: 17 New Driftway, Scituate, instagram.com/thesaltmarshwinery
When: Mid-spring 2025
Draft rendering of the bar area at SJ’s. / Baker Design Group
SJ’s
What: The third restaurant from chef, restaurateur, and Chopped champion Sarah Wade. She’s also behind Stillwater downtown and Sloane’s in Allston, both known for creative comfort food. SJ’s will serve more “elevated” fare in the Leather District, “good food done well.” Last year, she teased what’ll be on the menu, including lots of house-made pasta (although the restaurant is “not Italian by any stretch of the imagination”) and a chicken liver mousse macaron with onion jam. Also: big martinis, big pours of wine.
Where: 745 Atlantic Ave., Downtown Boston (Leather District), instagram.com/bostonsjs
When: 2025
Unnamed restaurant from COJE
What: COJE—the hospitality group behind Mr. H, Coquette, Caveau, and other gorgeously designed restaurants and clubs around Boston—has a Sicilian restaurant in the works next. The group isn’t sharing much yet, but cofounder Chris Jamison told Restaurant Hospitality that the team would be looking at the “foundational cuisines” of Sicily, with “deep dives” into the Middle Eastern, North African, and Mediterranean cultures that have influenced the “many layers to the cuisine that has developed there.” Located in the same building as COJE’s Cuban-inspired restaurant Mariel and its subterranean nightclub Underground, the new spot will include a members-only club downstairs.
Where: 10 Post Office Sq., Downtown Boston
When: Unknown
Willow & Ivy’s “smoking oysters,” roasted with spring leeks, shallots, garlic, spinach, Irish rashers, and Parmesan, plus a spicy cilantro margarita. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Willow & Ivy
What: The last of three reinventions of the restaurants in Back Bay’s Lenox Hotel that bring culinary operations under the hotel’s own management. Late last year, Sólás Irish Pub became Sweeney’s on Boylston, while City Bar became Irving at the Lenox. Last, the City Table space will become Willow & Ivy, serving globally inspired dishes highlighting New England ingredients. That means: Maine lobster “pie” with sweet corn and parmesan potatoes; orange blossom honey-glazed duck breast with grilled stone fruit, ginger carrots, peanut, and Chinese five-spice crumble; and harissa-rubbed lamb chop and loin. A live tree will be the dining room centerpiece. Open for breakfast through late-night daily. Read more >>
Where: 61 Exeter St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-933-4800, willowivyboston.com
When: Spring 2025
Yoshida
What: Iverson Guo, chef-owner of the flashy local sushi-and-more chain Karma Asian Fusion, is reportedly opening a fusion omakase restaurant soon. Details still forthcoming, but the Karma restaurants are known for their swanky design and artful, creative dishes.
Where: 51 Massachusetts Ave., Back Bay, Boston
When: 2025
Bars, Breweries, and Beverages
Acqua & Bocca. / Photo by Humar Miranda
Acqua & Bocca
What: Love Italy’s aperitivo culture of having a little pre-dinner drink and snack? Take that and add more food—but not quite full dinner—and you’ve got apericena. Brick & Mortar owners Avery Appleton and Gary Strack are revamping their acclaimed cocktail bar into an ode to apericena with low-ABV spirits, natural wine, “honest Italian cooking,” and some intriguing familial ties to Italian cocktail history. Read more >>
Where: 567 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge
When: May/June 2025
Arlington Brewing Company
What: After over a year of pop-ups, Arlington Brewing Company is putting down roots in, well, Arlington with a brewery, taproom, kitchen, and beer garden. (Here’s a peek inside the under-construction space, which will include a mezzanine level with its own bar and bathrooms.) The company’s beer lineup includes a variety of styles, from a Bohemian pilsner to a Mexican lager to a rosé sour. While waiting for the brewery to open, get familiar with the brews—they’re distributed to quite a few local stores.
Where: 15 Ryder St., Arlington, drinkarlingtonbeer.com
When: 2025
Bar Lunette
What: A French cocktail bar, sibling and Coolidge Corner neighbor to Paris Creperie. Sneak a peek at the under-construction space here.
Where: 278A Harvard St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline, barlunette.com
When: Early 2025
Darling
What: A neighborhood cocktail bar serving dim sum-inspired small plates, including—this is big news, folks—suan la chow show, an ode to the fan-favorite Sichuan wonton dish at this address’s previous occupant, longtime Chinese restaurant Mary Chung. “It will be spicy,” promises co-owner Brian Callahan. It will also be delicious, because there’s a talented executive chef onboard: Mark O’Leary, whom local food enthusiasts will remember from Shojo, JM Curley, and beyond. Callahan and co-owner Zimu Chen are no strangers to the industry, either; Callahan was beverage director for Big Heart Hospitality (Tiger Mama, Orfano, and more) and also spent time at Coquette and Row 34, and Chen is an alum of Sumiao Hunan Kitchen, Eastern Standard, Mariel, and Coquette (where they met).
Where: 464 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge, darlingcambridge.com
When: Spring 2025
Lou’s
What: A whopping 10,000 square feet of live music, drinks, and food in Harvard Square’s former Beat Brew Hall space. It’s a collaboration between John DiGiovanni (president of Trinity Property Management) and Thomas Keane and his team at investment management firm Churchill James, the group behind American Flatbread.
Where: 13 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge
When: 2025
Cafés and Bakeries
Brick Street Bagels. / Courtesy photo
Brick Street Bagels
What: The popular bagel pop-up, launched in late 2022, is getting a space of its own in South Boston, which’ll allow for an expanded menu—open-faced sandwiches, coffee, and more. Founder Jordan Renouf is currently crowdfunding to help with the buildout using the NuMarket platform, in which donors get back more than what they put in (in the form of store credits).
Where: 371 West Broadway, South Boston, instagram.com/brick.street.bagels
When: May 2025
Short Path Distillery COO Alycia Rovner and cofounder Zack Robinson. / Photo by Matt Darcy
The Café at Short Path Distillery
What: This is a good year for café-by-day, something-boozy-by-night spots (see also: Tilde, Jadu). Short Path is adding a café inside the Everett distillery (with no impact on the existing cocktail bar operation), offering a “classic coffee program and interesting rotating specials that incorporate our house syrups, plus light bites,” says COO Alycia Rovner. A local roaster (to be determined) will be featured. And perhaps most importantly, “there’s a good chance folks will get to meet Mash, our distillery/cafe café cat!”
Where: 71 Kelvin St., Everett, shortpathdistillery.com
When: Spring 2025
Will Isaza. / Photo by Ran Duan
Café Gloria
What: “A neighborhood coffee and espresso bar” with Colombian rice bowls and other snacks. Longtime Boston bartender and East Boston native Will Isaza (Blossom Bar, Birds of Paradise) is behind it. While he works to open the café, catch him behind the bar at Cunard Tavern, also in Eastie. Read more >>
Where: 287 Maverick St., East Boston, cafegloriaeastie.com
When: 2025
Chateau Blanc Cafe
What: Mohammed Seffo is replacing his restaurant Aleppo Palace—located in Central Square’s distinctive white castle-like building—with Chateau Blanc Cafe, which will feature coffee, ice cream, and late-night hours. Watch for a membership deal that’ll allow for unlimited coffee from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Where: 25 Central Sq., Central Square, Cambridge
When: March/April 2025
District 7 Café
What: Sibling and neighbor to District 7 Tavern, a Roxbury bar. It’ll serve coffee, breakfast pastries, and sandwiches to start, with a full kitchen and larger menu coming later in 2025. The space—which seats around 25—will also be available for private events.
Where: 376 Warren St., Roxbury, Boston
When: March 2025
Lêgacy Cà Phê
What: A Vietnamese coffee shop, roastery, and “cultural hub” in the former Dorchester Tire space, from restaurateur Tam Le (Lê Madeline and more) and partners Pop and Ash Chan. Supported in part by a SPACE grant, this’ll be an evolution of sorts of Le’s café Reign Drink Lab in South Boston (formerly in Dorchester), with more seating and more food.
Where: 1160 Dorchester Ave., Savin Hill, Dorchester, Boston, instagram.com/legacy_caphe
When: 2025
Korean garlic bread (milk buns with cream cheese, garlic, and scallion-shiso herb wash) from Nine Winters. / Photo by Mim on Roseway Photography
Nine Winters Bakery
What: Maybe you caught Marissa Ferola’s Korean-American bakery when it was a Bow Market pop-up (serving some of our favorite cookies, among other goodies); now it’s getting a permanent space in Cambridge. The beloved pastries are sticking around, plus an expanded menu with lunch and dinner options “for intimate and casual meals,” says Ferola. “We’re prioritizing operating as a third space to gather and explore identity and culture.” To drink: “Our coffee program will look more like mocktails, with coffee as the main vehicle. I’m excited to make riffs on classic cocktails that showcase the coffee we carry and Korean elements, whether it be flavor or method.” (Nine Winters won’t have an alcohol license; this is all spirit-free.) Know a professional chef who might be interested in “bring[ing] their culture to the table” for short-term weekend dinner series pop-ups? Have them connect with Ferola.
Where: 292 Concord Ave., Huron Village, Cambridge, ninewinters.com
When: Spring 2025
Sweet Teez Bakery
What: Dorchester native Teresa Thompson Maynard is bringing her nearly decade-old peanut- and nut-free baking business to the Dot Block apartment community, supported in part by a SPACE grant. It’ll be her first brick-and-mortar location after baking out of the CommonWealth Kitchen nonprofit food business incubator, and she’ll bring that small-business ethos to the new bakery by selling food from other local entrepreneurs in addition to her own cakes, brownies, pies, cupcakes, and more. The all-day bakery will seat around 25 inside, plus seasonal outdoor seating, and will offer free wifi. On the menu: long-time Sweet Teez favorites like sweet potato pie and tipsy cake, plus savory mini quiches, soups, coffee, and more.
Where: 1211 Dorchester Ave. (Dot Block), Dorchester, Boston, sweetteezbakery.com
When: Fall 2025
Third Time Ice Cream
What: After a short but sweet residency at Somerville’s Bow Market serving highly creative ice cream flavors, Third Time is putting down roots in East Somerville: The ice cream will continue, and there’ll also be coffee, breakfast, and lunch. While that’s in the works, Third Time is popping up at Tilde, a cafe and wine bar in Cambridge, throughout March with some sneak-peek items. Third Time founder Nick Ladin-Sienne is an alum of Oleana and Sofra, so don’t be surprised to find some Middle Eastern inspirations on the menu, such as “breakfast in the Levant”—a custardy egg with herby salad, labne, house jam, feta, pickles, and olives.
Where: East Somerville, thirdtimeicecream.co
When: 2025
Valientes Bakery
What: Adrienne and Nahuel Palomeque plan to open a “speakeasy-style bakery” inside Cambridge market Thistle & Shamrock, which has a commercial kitchen space in the back. Nahuel—a pastry chef who has worked at La Saison, Verveine, and other local spots—will highlight items from his home country, Argentina, such as alfajores (dulce de leche sandwich cookies); ham and cheese sandwiches on medialunas (brioche meets croissant); and more. There’ll be coffee, too. The opening is taking a little longer than originally planned, but in the meantime, you can take Argentine cooking classes with Nahuel—check Instagram for updates on upcoming classes.
Where: 62 Walden St., Cambridge, instagram.com/valientes_bakery
When: 2025
Local Expansions
The Daily Catch’s squid ink linguine aglio olio with scallops. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
- The Daily Catch: About 100 feet from its existing North End location, the Daily Catch—known for its giant pans of squid ink pasta—is opening a takeout and delivery outpost this spring. 331 Hanover St., North End, Boston, thedailycatch.com.
- Democracy Brewing: The downtown brewpub expands to Eastie early this year, adding winemaking to its repertoire and serving Latin American-inspired food (including the original location’s popular birria quesitacos). Read more. 154 Maverick St., East Boston, democracybrewing.com.
- Eva’s Little Kitchen: The Bedford bakery, café, and caterer expands to West Concord in spring 2025 with plenty of delightful pastries, sandwiches, prepared foods, and beverages (highlighting local businesses Broadsheet Coffee Roasters and MEM Tea). 110 Commonwealth Ave., Concord, evaslittlekitchen.com.
- Flour Bakery & Café: You know it, you love it, and around April 2025, you’ll be able to find it smack dab in the middle of Boston Common in that building that used to house Earl of Sandwich—hello, sticky buns. Keep an eye out for this chai cinnamon morning bun inspired by the Embrace monument, with proceeds benefiting the Embrace Boston organization and The Boston Foundation. Downtown Boston, flourbakery.com.
Coconut shrimp, beef ribs, and various sides at Jamaica Mi Hungry. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
- Jamaica Mi Hungry: The Best of Boston Jamaican restaurant (and Caribbean restaurant, and food truck) expands to downtown around March 2025, serving jerk chicken, curry goat, coconut shrimp, and more. 289 Devonshire St., Downtown Boston, jamaicamihungry.com.
- Kush by Saba: The modern Mediterranean restaurant has been running as a takeout and delivery operation for a few months now, but we’re looking forward to the debut of a sit-down dining room this spring. In the meantime, don’t miss the spicy mac ‘n’ cheese with lamb merguez crumble. 5 Sanborn Ct., Union Square, Somerville, kushbysaba.com.
- Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co.: This Waltham brewery expanded to the Fenway last year, and it’ll expand again this year—to Watertown’s Arsenal Yards development, with a taproom, full kitchen, and expansive patio. 130 Arsenal Yards Blvd., Watertown, mightysquirrel.com.
- Moona: This romantic Inman Square destination for Eastern Mediterranean cuisine will open a larger all-day location in Central Square around June. Keep an eye out for breakfast, in particular: It’s going to be unique, promises a rep for the restaurant, with a serious coffee and tea program highlighting Arabic styles. 750 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge, moonarestaurant.com.
- Oasis Vegan Veggie Parlor: The original Dorchester location is closed, but this Best of Boston vegan restaurant and juice bar will reopen in 2025 in a big new space. A fundraising campaign is currently underway to help with the buildout, and the Oasis team is still offering catering services during the process. Dorchester, Boston, instagram.com/oasisvvp.
Bonbons from Petrova. / Courtesy photo
- Petrova Chocolates: This award-winning chocolatier expands from East Boston to the North End this spring, and the new chocolate shop will also carry Eastern European natural wines. Salem St., North End, Boston, petrovachocolates.com.
- Row 34: This decade-old seafood icon—known for its fantastic raw bar items and lobster rolls, a great beer list, and more—adds a fifth location in 2025. In a full-circle moment, its forthcoming address used to be home to one-time Row 34 sibling Island Creek Oyster Bar and, before that, Great Bay; Row 34 chef and co-owner Jeremy Sewall was involved in both. 498 Commonwealth Ave. (Hotel Commonwealth), Kenmore Square, Boston, row34.com.
- Stoked Pizza: Born out of a Best of Boston food truck, the popular pizzeria in Brookline, Cambridge, and (newly) Cohasset is expanding to Jamaica Plain, too, taking over the old Doyle’s space. The project was announced way back in late 2023 and just got approved for a liquor license in February, so stay tuned for more updates soon. 3484 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, Boston, stokedpizzaco.com.
- Thai Place: Not an expansion, but a reopening—this excellent Thai restaurant in Allston has been closed since a 2022 fire. It’s almost ready to reopen, complete with cheery renovations, and we’ve been dreaming of the kau-moo yarng (grilled, marinated pork with spicy lime sauce) for the past few years. 184 Brighton Ave., Allston, Boston, thaiplaceboston.com.
- Tree House Brewing Company: While the brewery and Prudential Center representatives aren’t yet confirming these plans, it sure looks like Tree House’s Prudential Center retail operation is just the precursor for something bigger. According to paperwork filed with the city in late 2024, Tree House might have a multi-story brewery, distillery, and tasting room in the works for the Back Bay mall. 800 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston, treehousebrew.com.
Out-of-Towner Expansions
Nowon’s “legendary cheeseburger” with roasted kimchi, kimchi special sauce, American cheese, pickles, and onion. / Photo by Young Skeletons
- Avra Estiatorio: This seafood-focused, upscale Greek spot (with locations in NYC, Miami, and LA) will open at the Lyrik Back Bay development around spring 2025 and will have private balcony seating. Newbury Street at Massachusetts Ave., Back Bay, Boston, theavragroup.com.
- Ci Siamo and Daily Provisions: The Danny Meyer-founded, New York-based, mega-acclaimed Union Square Hospitality Group is opening two restaurants in Boston late this year: Ci Siamo (Italian) and Daily Provisions (a casual all-day café). Read more. 200 Seaport Blvd. (Commonwealth Pier), Seaport District, Boston, ushg.com.
- The Dead Rabbit: The acclaimed New York Irish pub (with a knack for excellent cocktails) is coming here this year, although the team isn’t ready to share an address or opening timeline, so stay tuned. Boston, thedeadrabbit.com.
- Iru: Restaurateur Hajime Yamazaki—who runs several Korean restaurants in Japan, including a couple recognized as Michelin Bib Gourmand establishments—opens a new spot in Brookline in March 2025. The specialty: samgyetang, ginseng chicken soup. 238 Washington St., Brookline, instagram.com/iru_boston.
- LPM Restaurant & Bar: The French Riviera-inspired international chain has announced a forthcoming Boston location (but no opening timeline or address yet). Boston, lpmrestaurants.com.
- Marky’s Caviar: The retail and restaurant chain has a Brookline location planned that’ll reportedly include a shop as well as a caviar- and Champagne-filled café. 420 Harvard St., Brookline, markys.com.
- Nowon: This New York City-based Korean-American pocha (gastropub) arrives in April, with a “legendary” cheeseburger, fried chicken buns, cast-iron kimchi rice, and more; try a tasting menu if you can’t decide. 117 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, nowonusa.com.
- PopUp Bagels: The growing New York-based chain that has its customers “grip, rip, and dip” its unsliced bagels into various schmears already touched down in Boston’s Seaport early this year. Next up: expansions to Assembly Row and Harvard Square, both slated for later in 2025. Assembly Row, Somerville; 1430 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge; popupbagels.com.
- Rocco’s Spots & Recreation: “A daily celebration of sporting culture,” or a kinda glam sports bar from New York, arrives here around late summer with rotating hot dog specials (never with ketchup); a made-to-share tower of tenders, dips, snacks, and sliders; Cubano bao buns; and more. Seaport District, Boston, gotoroccos.com.
Now Open
New Restaurants
Cafe Reynard founder, roaster, and worker-owner Eddy Martinez at Idle Hands. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Cafe Reynard
Idle Hands Craft Ales, a Malden brewery that opens its taproom to countless food pop-ups and other fun stuff, is now home to a “trans-run, worker-owned queer cafe and coffee roaster,” Cafe Reynard. Eddy Martinez—founder, roaster, and co-owner of the cafe—was just looking for a small commercial space to roast coffee but found that and more when Idle Hands let them set up shop in a storage room. Now Martinez and Reynard co-owner Athena Jacobowitz Teatum serve ethically sourced coffee and light snacks five days a week at the taproom. Watch for collaborations with local food purveyors such as doughnut-maker Lionheart Confections. Read more >>
89 Commercial St., Malden, cafe-reynard.com, idlehandscraftales.com.
Don’t Tell Aunty’s butter chicken croquettes. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Don’t Tell Aunty
Billing itself as Boston’s first “Indian gastropub,” Don’t Tell Aunty debuted near Berklee in March. (Berklee is the landlord, in fact, so it’s no surprise there’ll be live music.) The cuisine is fun and fusion-y, from butter chicken croquettes to kothu Bolognese, not to mention cocktails like the “Chai Felicia” with vodka, espresso, chai syrup, and Frangelico. Featuring a tropical ambiance—complete with a big tree in the center and jungle-themed wallpaper on several walls—this is meant to be a high-energy spot that appeals to students, locals, and tourists alike. It’s open from lunch through late-night. Read more >>
1080 Boylston St., Back Bay/Fenway, Boston, 617-982-6152, donttellaunty.com.
Drifters
Open since mid-February in the former Idle Hour space, this Quincy restaurant and bar serves “elevated American classics” (steak frites, chicken Milanese, etc.) and a bar pizza several steps removed from classic South Shore-style, with a bigger size, thinner crust, and square slices.
1464 Hancock St., Quincy, 617-404-8921, driftersquincy.com.
Extra Dirty Cocktail Club. / Photo by Assembly Design Studio
Extra Dirty Cocktail Club
First, you’ve got to find the Red Fox, hidden inside an unassuming office building on the edge of the North End. In the back of the dimly lit bar, through a heavy curtain, is another bar: Extra Dirty Cocktail Club, a newcomer that specializes in multi-course, themed cocktail experiences (like its sibling elsewhere in the North End, Farmacia). You’ll book and prepay for your ticket ahead of time and just focus on the drinks and light bites once you’re there. Right now, the opening menu has an Italian theme, so you may sip, for example, a drink called Pomodoro e Funghi that combines mezcal with mushroom-infused sherry, roasted tomato syrup, red pepper, and lemon.
326B Commercial St., North End/Waterfront, Boston, extradirtynorthend.com.
Little Sage. / Photo by Lane Caroline Photography
Little Sage
Blast from the past: Sage, a North End favorite from the 1990s and 2000s (with a brief move to the South End in 2008 before closing in 2009), has been revived in a new space by the original owner and the original executive-chef-turned-next-owner, Jen Matarazzo and Tony Susi. Little Sage, as the new spot is called, has taken over Matarazzo’s Locale space in the North End (although Little Sage is offering Locale’s popular Neapolitan-style pizzas for takeout). Read more >>
352 Hanover St., North End, Boston, littlesageboston.com.
Mrs. Murphy’s
Located in the heart of Medford Square, this Irish pub from the team behind Medford’s Ford Tavern debuted in February, featuring dishes such as steak and ale pie, fish and chips, all-day Irish breakfast, and “Irish-ish” nachos with corned beef and sauerkraut.
25 Salem St., Medford, 781-874-0527, mrsmurphs.com.
Pappare Ristorante & Bar
Fresh pasta is the star at this North End newcomer, sibling to Casarecce Ristorante a few blocks down the street. (Each restaurant is named for a type of pasta, with “pappare” short for pappardelle. Try it here with Bolognese or alfredo.) Beyond pasta, Pappare serves entrees such as cod risotto, eggplant parm, and chicken cacciatore.
360 Hanover St., North End, Boston, 617-778-9733, pappareboston.com.
Vietnamese pink nem rice paper rolls from Saucy Saigon. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Saucy Saigon
This Vietnamese café with coffee, bubble tea, and night market-inspired snacks, located in Malden’s former Monkey King Tea space, opened in February. Keep an eye on Instagram for updates about, for instance, weekend specials like crispy egg rolls and “knock knock” noodles.
249 Highland Ave., Malden, saucysaigon.com.
Sweet & Comfy
What was previously a franchise of cereal bar Day & Night has gone independent. The rebranded shop still serves ice cream cereal shakes and bowls, but owner Louis “Bizzy Genius” Elveus is working on some additions, including sweet and savory sandwiches and coffee.
6 Tremont St., Brighton, Boston, instagram.com/sweetandcomfy_.
Tall Order’s martini and steak tartare with fresh horseradish and smoked carrot remoulade. / Courtesy photo
Tall Order
This “approachable and unassuming” neighborhood Somerville restaurant and cocktail bar opened in March in the old Thirsty Scholar space, courtesy of veteran bartenders Daren Swisher and Joe Cammarata, who also own Daiquiris & Daisies at the High Street Place food hall downtown.They’re serving up modern cocktails, “prep-intensive things” their other spot doesn’t “have the time or space to do,” they say, although they hope patrons will feel just as comfortable ordering one of those as, say, a light beer or vodka soda. Also, the drink list includes a lot of low- and no-alcohol drinks. There are some New England craft beers and classic, old-world wines available, too. Chef Juan Pedrosa (an alum of the COJE restaurants, such as Yvonne’s) is helping get the kitchen up and running with modern American cuisine—bar snacks, small plates, and full entrees. “There’s been a bar in this room for decades and we want this new iteration to feel familiar and lived in, a space that serves its neighbors what they need,” say Swisher and Cammarata. Read more >>
70 Beacon St., Somerville, instagram.com/tallorderbar.
Expansions
At Bakey, loaves of vanilla babka are glazed with a vanilla syrup. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
- Bakey: It’s Bakey No. 4 with babka galore—a Kendall Square outpost joined Downtown Boston, Brookline, and Newton in February, showcasing Danish-Israeli baker Uri Scheft’s beloved babka (in several irresistible flavors), breads, and more. 238 Main St., Cambridge, bakeybabka.com.
- Deep Cuts / Pop’s Pinball Parlor: Medford Square music venue, restaurant, and brewery Deep Cuts had a handful of pinball machines when it opened in 2023, but now it has teamed up with Pop’s Pinball Parlor (which has a flagship location at Somerville’s Bow Market) and expanded into an adjacent space for a whole room of pinball—over a dozen games. 21 Main St., Medford, deepcuts.rocks, instagram.com/pops_pinball.
- The Pearl: Shellfish towers and sangria pitchers—this Dorchester seafood spot has expanded to Brighton’s Boston Landing. 67 Guest St., Brighton, Boston, 617-208-8461, thepearlsouthbay.com.
- Shy Bird: This all-day rotisserie in Kendall Square and South Boston opened its largest location yet in late February in the Fenway. A couple highlights: a cocktail list curated by Jackson Cannon (of Eastern Standard, etc., fame) and a remote-working deal. 201 Brookline Ave., Fenway, Boston, shybird.com.
- Singh’s Roti Shop: The Dorchester favorite for Trinidadian roti (and some killer house-made hot sauce) has expanded to Revere Beach. Eat doubles; stroll along the sand. 76 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere, 781-629-3049, singhsrotishop.net.
- Turkish Lazuri Cafe and more: At the end of 2024, this Turkish restaurant in Allston moved down a few doors—and since then, it has launched a couple siblings on the same block. Lazuri Chicken ‘n’ Pizza debuted in February, followed by Lazuri Taqueria in March, each serving halal cuisine. 1 North Beacon St., Allston, Boston, 774-678-7940, lazuricafe.com.
- Việt Citron: A casual favorite for Vietnamese in Burlington arrived in Somerville in March, opening a 10-seat spot in the former Tanám space at Bow Market; be sure to try the crispy pork belly. Read more. 1 Bow Market Way, Bow Market Union Square, Somerville, vietcitron.com.
