Boston Restaurant Talk

Monday, April 13, 2026

Restaurant News for the Week Ending April 12, 2026

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between April 6, 2026, and April 12, 2026.

Mondo to Open in the South End
A new wine bar is on its way to Boston.
Full Story

Bar 23 and Le Boulevard to Open in the Seaport District
A local restaurant group will be opening a couple of new dining spots on the Boston waterfront.
Full Story

Conrad's to Open in Canton
A local group of restaurants known in part for their steak tips will be opening another new location.
Full Story

The Peach Cobbler Factory to Expand to New England, Opening a Location in Downtown Boston
A chain of dessert shops with roots down south will be expanding to the region, opening a location in the heart of Boston.
Full Story

Villa Mexico in Downtown Boston Is Going to Remain Open
A Mexican restaurant that was facing a possible closure will continue in operation.
Full Story

[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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Friday, April 10, 2026

Crossroads Cafe in Acton Is Closing

A longtime restaurant and bar northwest of Boston is getting ready to shut down.

According to a source, Crossroads Cafe in Acton is closing after being in business for more than 30 years, with a Facebook post from the Nagog Park spot saying, "The rumors are true, Crossroads official last day of business will be April 18....It was a good run." The dining and drinking spot has been known in part for it classic American fare, pub food, and Italian and Mexican dishes, with its menu including such options as calamari, burgers, wings, steaks, baked scallops, linguine in clam sauce, ribs, liver and onions, fish tacos, and chicken parmigiana.

The address for Crossroads Cafe is 405 Nagog Park, Acton, MA, 01720. Its website can be found at https://crossroadscafeacton.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.)

Mondo to Open in Boston's South End

A new wine bar is on its way to Boston.

According to a poster within the South End Community Board Facebook group page, Mondo is planning to open in the South End, with an article from Swurl indicating that Spenser Payne of Neighborhood Wines, and Travis Robitaille of Petula's are behind the place. The article mentions that dining and drinking spot will offer a New England-inspired food menu with French, Italian, and Spanish influences and that the space will include a patio, while Payne says when it comes to wine options, "The point is to appeal to everybody....From wild and unconventional to really classic."

No opening date for Mondo has been given as of yet, nor has an address been given, so stay tuned for updates as they come in. [Ed note: Drew Starr mentions on Bluesky that the address will be 563 Columbus Avenue in the former Render Coffee space.]

The Instagram page for Mondo can be found at https://www.instagram.com/mondoboston/

(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.)

Ralph's Coffee to Open in Boston's Seaport District

A new coffee shop is on its way to the Boston waterfront, and it has a connection to a well-known luxury designer.

According to an article from Caught in Southie, Ralph's Coffee is planning to open in the city's Seaport District, with the shop moving into a space by Seaport Boulevard and Pier 4 Boulevard. Ralph Lauren is behind the concept which will likely offer such options as cold brew, espresso, tea, pastries, and baked goods.

Ralph's Coffee dates back to 2014 with the opening of a shop in Manhattan; its web page can be found at https://www.ralphlauren.com/ralphs-coffee-locations-feat

(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.)

Thursday, April 09, 2026

Yakiniku Plans to Open in Waltham

It looks like a new Asian restaurant will be opening in the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Yakiniku is looking to open in Waltham, moving into a space on Main Street just east of Prospect Street. A Waltham Times article says that the dining spot will focus on Korean BBQ, with burners in the tables for diners to cook all-you-can-eat meat, and the restaurant will offer ramen and sushi as well. If all goes well, Yakiniku could be opening sometime in May.

The address for the proposed Yakiniku is 863-867 Main Street, Waltham, MA, 02451.

(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.)

Baby Cafe Kitchen in Allston Has Closed

The sole Boston-area location of a California-based group of Hong Kong-style restaurants has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Baby Cafe Kitchen in Allston is no longer in operation, with a check on the website for the business seeming to confirm this, as the Brighton Avenue outlet has been removed from the locations section. The eatery offered such options as Hainan chicken rice, beef stew, wings, salt and pepper squid, pork and egg stone porridge, and seafood udon.

Baby Cafe, which also had a location in Brookline that closed last year and which started out in Oakland, now appears to have only one location left (in Union City, CA).

The address for the now-closed Baby Cafe in Allston was 128 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for the business is at https://www.babycaferestaurants.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.)