Boston Restaurant Talk

Friday, November 28, 2025

Cava Opens in Burlington

A Washington, D.C.-based chain of fast-casual Mediterranean spots has opened another new location in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Cava is now open in Burlington, moving into a space on Middlesex Turnpike in a strip mall just north of the Burlington Mall. The new location offers such options as bowls, pitas, salads, and more, and it joins a number of others in the Greater Boston area, including five outlets north of the city in Beverly, Chelmsford, Lynnfield, North Andover, and Woburn.

Cava had been looking to open in the old Sears Auto Center at the Burlington Mall back in 2018, but those plans apparently never came to fruition.

The address for the new location of Cava at in Burlington is 101 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA, 01803. The website for all locations is at https://cava.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Mona Opens in South Braintree Square

Earlier this year, it was reported that a new dining spot was on its way to a southern suburb of Boston, and it now we have learned that it is open.

According to several sources, Mona is now open in Braintree, and as mentioned in an earlier article, it has moved into the storefront on Washington Street in South Braintree Square where Loco's had once been. The new eatery focuses on Mediterranean fare, including such items as bowls, pitas, Greek fries and falafel bites

The address for Mona is 913 Washington Street, Braintree, MA, 02184. Its website is at https://monakitchen.com/

[Earlier Article]
Mona Plans to Open in the Former Loco's Space in South Braintree Square

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Tulum Tacos and Tequila Opens in Brockton

A brand new Mexican restaurant has come to a space south of Boston.

According to a source, Tulum Tacos and Tequila is now open in Brockton, moving into a space on Crescent Street where it meets Quincy Street. The menu shows such options as tableside guacamole, street corn, taquitos, enchiladas, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas, fajitas, carne asada, and arroz con pollo, and it also offers a variety of margaritas and other cocktails/mixed drinks.

The address for Tulum Tacos and Tequila is 793 Crescent Street, Brockton, MA, 02302. Its website can be found at https://tulumtacosandtequila.net/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Hamersley's Pantry to Open in South Boston

A food market that has a very familiar name is on its way to South Boston.

According to a post from Caught in Southie along with an article from The Boston Globe, Hamersley's Pantry is planning to open on W Broadway, with the address indicating that it will move into a space between D Street and E Street. The upcoming market will offer a variety of items, including sweet treats, sauces, snacks, "pantry picks" such as pasta and olive oil, grab-and-go meals, breads, houseware and gifts, and more, and the owner of the shop is Sophie Dunn, daughter of Gordon Hamersley of the renowned South End restaurant Hamersley's Bistro which closed down in 2014.

The address for the upcoming Hamersley's Pantry is 341 W Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127. Its website is at https://hamersleyspantry.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/hamersleyspantry/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Kaori Cafe Opens in East Boston

A new cafe has debuted in a Boston neighborhood.

Based on information from a source, along with a check on the spot over the weekend (and an article from Caught in Eastie), Kaori Cafe is now open in East Boston, moving into a space on Meridian Street. Caught in Eastie mentions that the new spot offers bowls, panini, pastries, coffee, tea, matcha, tea, and smoothies, while its Instagram page indicates that it is open seven days a week.

The address for Kaori Cafe is 303 Meridian Street, East Boston, MA, 02128. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/kaori.cafe_eastie/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Gangnam Spice Opens in Jamaica Plain

A brand new Korean street food spot has debuted in a Boston neighborhood.

According to a message sent by Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub along with an article from Jamaica Plain News, Gangnam Spice is now open in JP, moving into a space on Centre Street in Jackson Square. The article mentions that the new place offers Korean fried chicken and street snacks, while a check on its social media indicates that the business started out as a food truck that was first launched in April of 2024.

The address for Gangnam Spice is 225 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02119. Its website can be found at https://www.gangnamspice.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)