Boston Restaurant Talk: June 2025

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Mike & Patty's to Open in Lexington

The people behind a local group of breakfast places and sandwich shops will be opening a new location in the northwest suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mike & Patty's is planning to open in Lexington, with a job posting within the indeed.com website indicating that it will be moving into a space at the intersection of Woburn Street and Lowell Street, a bit west of the Woburn border. Once it opens, the new location will join the original in Boston's Bay Village as well as others at High Street Market in downtown Boston, Jamaica Plain, and Bow Market in Somerville, along with a collaboration with Flourhouse Bakery in the Nonantum section of Newton and HotBox at Bow Market, the last of which is a pizza and roast beef spot that is under the same ownership as Mike & Patty's.

The address for the upcoming location of Mike & Patty's is 317 Woburn Street, Lexington, MA, 02420. The website for all locations is at https://www.mikeandpattys.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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Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Nana's Green Tea to Open in Boston's Back Bay

A chain of cafes with roots in Japan will be expanding to Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Nana's Green Tea is planning to open in the Back Bay, moving into a space on Newbury Street between Dartmouth Street and Exeter Street. Based on its other locations, expect to see a variety of dessert and drink options at the shop once it opens in the fall, including the possibility of such items as Matcha green tea, parfaits, pastries, soft serve, and salads.

Nana's Green Tea was established in Tokyo in 2001, with its first location coming to the United States in 2018.

The address for the upcoming Nana's Green Tea in the Back Bay is 175 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain is at https://global.nanasgreentea.com/ while the Instagram page for the Boston shop is at https://www.instagram.com/nanasgreentea_boston/

(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.)

Monday, June 23, 2025

Park City Opens in South Boston

Last fall, it was reported that a new outdoor dining and drinking spot with a connection to a local restaurant group was being planned, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, Park City is now open in South Boston, with Mike Shaw of the Broadway Restaurant Group being the owner of the Dorchester Avenue spot. The new venue is a family-friendly outdoor space that includes lawn games and live music, and in addition to being kid-friendly, it also allows patrons to bring their dogs as well. Some of the food items offered at Park City include fish tacos, smash burgers, hot dogs, wings, chicken sandwiches, and lobster rolls, while beer, wine, and cocktails are available as well.

The address for Park City is 383 Dorchester Avenue, South Boston, MA, 02127. Its website will be at https://www.parkcitysouthie.com/

[Earlier Article]
Park City Plans to Open in South Boston

(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.)

Restaurant News for the Week Ending June 22, 2025

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between June 16, 2025, and June 22, 2025.

Chilacates Plans to Open in Dorchester
A growing local group of Mexican restaurants is expanding further into the area, with a new one being planned for a Boston neighborhood.
Full Story

Abbott's Frozen Custard in Arlington Heights Has Closed
A Boston-area location of a small chain of frozen custard shops whose roots are in upstate New York has shut down.
Full Story

Post 1917 Steakhouse in Reading Is Expanding, Opening a New Location in Lexington
A steakhouse in the northern suburbs of Boston will soon be joined by a second location, and this one will be located northwest of the city.
Full Story

Brooksy's to Open in the Former Stone Hearth Pizza Space in Belmont
A pizzeria north of Boston will be expanding to the space where the sole remaining location of a small group of pizza spots had been.
Full Story

Xi'an Famous Foods Opens Ghost Kitchen in Roxbury
An award-winning group of Chinese restaurants based in New York City has expanded to Boston.
Full Story

[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, June 19, 2025

Playa Bowls Opens in Chelmsford; Another New Location Coming to Framingham

A New Jersey-based chain of dining spots continues its expansion through the region, with one new outlet opening north of Boston and another one soon coming to a space west of the city.

According to an article from What Now Boston, Playa Bowls is now open in Chelmsford, moving into a space at the shopping plaza at 18 Boston Road, while another new location is in the works for Shoppers World in Framingham. Both the new location and the upcoming outlet will offer smoothies and bowls, and they are joining a number of others locally including in Brighton by Boston College, near Northeastern University in Boston, Cambridge's Harvard Square, South Boston, Winchester, East Milton Square, Canton, Westwood, Brockton, Wellesley, Hanover, and Hudson.

The website for the Playa Bowls chain is at https://www.playabowls.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.)

Kaapi & Co. to Open in Woburn

A new Indian coffee shop is on its way to the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Kaapi & Co. is planning to open in Woburn, taking over a space at West Cummings Park just off Route 128. The social media pages for the business mention that it will be "Boston's home for local Indian coffee" and "the first Indian cafe in Boston," though few other details have been given as of yet.

The address for the upcoming Kaapi & Co. is 204 W Cummings Park, Woburn, MA, 01801. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/kaapicowoburn/ while its Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572908152920

(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.)

Chilacates Plans to Open in Dorchester

A growing local group of Mexican restaurants is expanding further into the area, with a new one being planned for a Boston neighborhood.

According to a licensing board hearing page, Chilacates is looking to open in Dorchester, moving into a space on Dorchester Avenue on the southern edge of Savin Hill. If approved, the dining spot would join a number of others locally, including in Boston's West End, the South End, Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain (two), Roslindale, South Boston, Brighton, Brookline's Coolidge Corner, Cambridge's Central Square, East Cambridge, and Chestnut Hill--and another is being planned for Quincy as well.

The address for the upcoming Chilacates in Dorchester is 1211 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02125. The website for all locations is at https://chilacatesmx.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.)

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Su Casa in Plymouth Has Closed

A South Shore restaurant known for its Mexican-influenced dishes and its cocktails has shut down.

According to a Bluesky post from @bpmoy.bsky.social, Su Casa in Plymouth is no longer in business, with an Instagram post from the Main Street dining spot saying the following:

We know, it's been a minute . . . Full transparency . . . it's been really hard to find the words . . . We have had an incredible run - so many tacos, so much tequila, and every single ounce of our heart and soul . . . Unfortunately, Su Casa has officially closed its doors. It's hard to put into words what this place has meant to us. But know this: we're SO thankful for every guest, every laugh, and every memory. You made it more than a restaurant - you made it feel like home - it was exactly what we wanted it to be - thank you for that. We're endlessly grateful for the love, support, and community you brought through those doors - but even more, we hope you felt that same love walking out as you did walking in. From our Casa to yours, CHEERS XO See you on the flip side

Su Casa first opened in the fall of 2018, featuring "modern Baja cuisine" while also including influences from all over Mexico.

The address for the now-closed Su Casa was 30 Main Street, Plymouth, MA, 02360.

(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.)

Abbott's Frozen Custard in Arlington Heights Has Closed

A Boston-area location of a small chain of frozen custard shops whose roots are in upstate New York has shut down.

According to a poster within The Arlington List Facebook group page, Abbott's Frozen Custard in Arlington Heights is no longer in business, mentioning that movers were taking freezers out of the Park Avenue shop (and a picture shows the moving van out front). A check on the website for the chain seems to confirm this, as the location has been removed from the site, and while locations in Arlington Center and Lexington remain on the site, posters say that the future of those shops appear to be in question as well. (The Needham location of Abbott's remains in operation.)

Abbott's dates back to 1902 when founder Arthur Abbott started selling frozen custard at carnivals along the Eastern Seaboard, with the shop opening in Rochester in 1926.

The address for the now-closed Abbott's Frozen Custard in Arlington Heights was 71 Park Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02476. The website for the chain can be found at: http://www.abbottscustard.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.)

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Post 1917 Steakhouse in Reading Is Expanding, Opening a New Location in Lexington

A steakhouse in the northern suburbs of Boston will soon be joined by a second location, and this one will be located northwest of the city.

According to a press release, Post 1917 Steakhouse in Reading is planning to open a new outlet in Lexington later this month, moving into a space on Waltham Street in the center of town. The new location will have two levels of space (including a private dining area and a bar on the main level and a function room on the lower level), with the menu items being almost entirely gluten-free and focusing on farm-to-table dining with locally-sourced ingredients (cocktails will also be available along with an extensive wine list).

Jason Carron (Del Frisco's, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar) opened the original Reading location of Post 1917 Steakhouse in the spring of 2024.

The address for the upcoming location of Post 1917 Steakhouse in Lexington is 27 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA, 02421. The website for Post 1917 is at https://www.post1917.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.)

Namu Distilling Company to Open in the Mission Hill/Jamaica Plain Section of Boston

A new distillery is on its way to Boston, and it will be focusing on two types of spirits.

According to a Bluesky post from @jeremyk.bsky.social, Namu Distilling Company is planning to open on the border of Mission Hill and Jamaica Plain, with the Heath Street address indicating that it will technically be in Mission Hill. The upcoming business will be a Korean-American small-batch distillery and it will focus on soju and gin; no opening date has been given as of yet, though its LinkedIn page says that "We are now very busy getting our federal, state, and city licenses and permits so we can open our doors to everyone as quickly as possible."

The address for the upcoming Namu Distilling Company is 89 Heath Street, Boston, MA, 02130. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/namu_distilling/

(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.)

Brooksy's to Open in the Former Stone Hearth Pizza Space in Belmont

Last month, it was reported that the sole remaining location of a small group of pizza spots had closed down, and now we have learned that another pizzeria will be taking over the space.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Brooksy's is planning to open in Belmont, moving into the former Stone Hearth Pizza space on Leonard Street in the center of town. A Belmont Voice article mentions that this will be a second location of the Andover restaurant with the same name and that it hopes to open sometime in the fall.

The Belmont location of Stone Hearth Pizza first opened in 2005 and was the first of what would become several restaurants including locations in Allston, Cambridge, Hingham, Needham, and Winchester, all of which closed their doors over the years.

The address for the upcoming Brooksy's in Belmont Center is 57 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA, 02478. The website for the original location in Andover can be found at https://www.brooksyspizza.com/

[Earlier Article]
Stone Hearth Pizza in Belmont Is Closing

(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.)

Monday, June 16, 2025

Just Salad to Open at The Street Chestnut Hill

A New York-based salad chain continues to expand into the Greater Boston area, with a new one on the way to a mixed-use development a few miles west of the city.

According to a press release, Just Salad is planning to open at The Street Chestnut Hill, joining others locally in Boston's Financial District and Fort Point along with Cambridge Crossing in East Cambridge, Burlington, and Needham. Based on those locations, expect to see such options as salads, salad wraps, warm bowls, soups, and smoothies, including a rotating list of seasonal items.

If all goes as planned, the new location of Just Salad at The Street Chestnut Hill will open sometime this fall.

The website for Just Salad (which was founded in NYC in 2006) is at https://www.justsalad.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.)

Xi'an Famous Foods Opens Ghost Kitchen in Roxbury

A number of year ago, it was reported that an award-winning group of Chinese restaurants based in New York City known in part for their hand-pulled noodles might be looking to expand to Boston, and now we have learned that it has finally happened, though only as a takeout/delivery spot.

According to a source (Gary Goldblatt), Xi'an Famous Foods is now open in Roxbury as a ghost kitchen, with the business operating out of a shared facility on Shirley Street a few blocks west of Massachusetts Avenue and South Bay, and around the corner from Bully Boy Distillers. We have been told that this is a company-owned location (not a franchise) and that according to the business, "the taste will be just like the stores in NYC."

In addition to hand-pulled noodles, Xi'an Famous Foods--which has received accolades from such publications as Bon Appetit, Forbes, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Time Out--also offers dumplings and burgers on flatbread buns.

The address for the Xi'an Famous Foods ghost kitchen is 94 Shirley Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119. The website for the business is at https://www.xianfoods.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.)

Restaurant News for the Week Ending June 15, 2025

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between June 9, 2025, and June 15, 2025.

Kanaka Cafe to Open in the Former Pinoy Kabayan Filipino Asian Cuisine Space in Downtown Boston
A new restaurant that offers Filipino dishes and more will be opening in the heart of Boston, and it will be taking over the space where another Filipino dining spot had been.
Full Story

Lily P's in Kendall Square Has Closed
A Cambridge restaurant that is known in part for its chicken and oysters along with its live entertainment has shut down.
Full Story

Not Your Average Joe's to Open in Bedford
A location of a local chain of family restaurants is opening one town over from where another outlet had closed down last year.
Full Story

Bubble Bath to Open at CitizenM Hotel in Boston's Back Bay
A champagne and wine bar that resides in a food hall in downtown Boston will soon have a new location within a hotel in the Back Bay.
Full Story

Noodle & Doodles Ramen Is Opening Soon in Needham
A new Asian restaurant is going to be opening in the western suburbs of Boston.
Full Story

[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.)

Friday, June 13, 2025

Formosa Bun & Dumpling Factory to Open in Newton Centre

A Taiwanese restaurant is on its way to the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Formosa Bun & Dumpling Factory is planning to open in Newton Centre, taking over the space on Beacon Street where Jake's Falafel Corner had been. A What Now article mentions that the upcoming eatery will focus on Taiwanese street food items, including steamed buns, fried bao, and grilled sausage, and that it hopes to open before the end of this month if all goes well.

The address for the upcoming Formosa Bun & Dumpling Factory is 740 A Beacon Street, Newton, MA, 02459.

(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, June 12, 2025

Kanaka Cafe to Open in the Former Pinoy Kabayan Filipino Asian Cuisine Space in Downtown Boston

A new restaurant that offers Filipino dishes and more will be opening in the heart of Boston, and it will be taking over the space where another Filipino dining spot had been.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Kanaka Cafe is opening on Broad Street in downtown Boston, moving into the former Pinoy Kabayan Filipino Asian Cuisine space. The Instagram page for Kanaka Cafe mentions that it will be featuring "Authentic Hawaiian, Filipino dishes and Poke Bowls" including items such as garlic shrimp, fried chicken, Kalua pork, poke nachos, crab salad, pork and peas, and more.

Pinoy Kabayan Filipino Asian Cuisine debuted in September of 2023,

The address for the upcoming Kanaka Cafe is 71 Broad Street, Boston, MA, 02109.

(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, June 11, 2025

Lily P's in Cambridge's Kendall Square Is Closing

A Cambridge restaurant that is known in part for its chicken and oysters along with its live entertainment is shutting down.

According to @jhayden.bsky.social, who posted on Bluesky, Lily P's in Kendall Square is getting ready to close its doors, with a phone call placed to the Binney Street spot confirming this, saying that Thursday, June 12 will be its last day in operation. Chris Parsons first opened the restaurant in the latter part of 2019, focusing on comfort food while also being popular for its ongoing Bluegrass Tuesdays events.

We have been told that there may be a slight chance Lily P's could return at some point, though for now, it will be shuttering at least for the foreseeable future after tomorrow. (Another location of Lily P's can be found at Hub Hall in Boston's North Station area, though no news has come out about that outlet as of yet.)

The address for Lily P's is 50 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142. Its website can be found at https://lilypschicken.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.)

Not Your Average Joe's to Open in Bedford

Late last year, it was reported that a location of a local chain of family restaurants had closed, and now we have learned that a new outlet is opening up not too far away.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Not Your Average Joe's is planning to open in Bedford, moving into a space within Bedford Marketplace on Great Road. The new location will be one town away from where another outlet closed during the holidays at the end of 2024, with that Not Your Average Joe's being at Wayside Commons in Burlington.

Other locations of Not Your Average Joe's can be found locally in Acton, Norwell, Peabody, Waltham, Watertown, and Westwood.

The address for the upcoming location of Not Your Average Joe's in Bedford is 158 Great Road, Bedford, MA, 01730. The address for the chain can be found at https://www.notyouraveragejoes.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.)

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Bubble Bath to Open at CitizenM Hotel in Boston's Back Bay

A champagne and wine bar that resides in a food hall in downtown Boston will soon have a new location within a hotel in the Back Bay.

According to a post within the jobs section of bostonchefs.com, Bubble Bath is planning to open at CitizenM Hotel on Newbury Street, with the listing saying the following:

Chef and restaurateur Tiffani Faison and her Boston based restaurant group, Big Heart Hospitality is seeking personable and experienced servers to join her newest venture Bubble Bath Back Bay. Opening mid-July on the top floor of the CitizenM Hotel in Back Bay. It will be a wine forward, craft cocktail bar, serving shareable light bites and caviar with an outdoor rooftop patio overlooking The Charles.

Bubble Bath, which first opened at High Street Place in March of 2022, is one of several dining and drinking spots from Tiffani Faison, including Sweet Cheeks, Fool's Errand, Tenderoni's, and Dive Bar.

The address for the upcoming location of Bubble Bath in the Back Bay is 408 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02115. The website for the High Street Place location is at https://www.bubblebathboston.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.)

Luna's Cakes & Coffee to Open in Newton Centre

A new bakery is on its way to the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page (via an All Over Newton post as well as a thread from Marini Real Estate), Luna's Cakes & Coffee is planning to open in Newton Centre, taking over the space on Centre Street that had been home to a location of Starbucks. The Facebook posts indicate that sisters Valeria and Valentina Restrepo, who established a home bakery business during the days of the pandemic, are behind the shop, which will feature baked goods with Colombian influences along with Colombian coffee.

The address for the upcoming Luna's Cakes & Coffee is 1269 Centre Street, Newton Centre, MA, 02459.

(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.)

Monday, June 09, 2025

Noodle & Doodles Ramen Is Opening Soon in Needham

A new Asian restaurant will soon be opening in the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a Bluesky post from @jeremyk.bsky.social‬, Noodle & Doodles Ramen is coming soon to Needham, opening on Great Plain Avenue in the center of town. An article from the Needham Observer mentioned the plans approximately a year ago, saying at the time that Ray Zheng of Wen's Yunnan Noodles & Ramen in Boston was behind the spot and would "bring a more American ramen fusion with the traditional Japanese style."

The address for the soon-to-open Noodle & Doodles Ramen is 998 Great Plain Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492.

(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.)

Restaurant News for the Week Ending June 8, 2025

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between June 2, 2025, and June 8, 2025.

Charlestown Brewing Co. to Open This Month at The Yard at Hood Park
A brewery will be popping up this summer at a space just north of downtown Boston.
Full Story

Brookline Lunch to Open in the Former Busy Bee Space in Brookline
A Cambridge diner is expanding across the river, taking over the space that had been home to another diner for a very long time.
Full Story

Ideal Pizza in Jamaica Plain to Be Reborn as Pete's A Pizza
A now-closed pizzeria in JP is going to be replaced by a pizza spot with a different name, though it will have a family connection.
Full Story

The Sports Bra (a Portland, OR-Based Sports Bar) Is Expanding to Boston
A bar with roots in the Pacific Northwest that focuses on women's sports is on its way to the local area.
Full Story

Milkweed Opens in Dorchester
A Mission Hill restaurant has been joined by a second location in another part of Boston.
Full Story

[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.)

Friday, June 06, 2025

Mr. Drinky Plans to Open in Jamaica Plain

It looks like a new spot for drinks may be on the way to Jamaica Plain.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Mr. Drinky is planning to open on Centre Street, with the address indicating that it would reside in a space across from When Pigs Fly and the Pond Street intersection. The article mentions that Alan Wong is behind the proposal, which is being called a "small craft cocktail bar" with small-plate options for food, and eight to ten seats at a bar along with some booths.

The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council supported the plans for Mr. Drinky, though it has more steps to get through including the Boston Licensing Board deciding which businesses get the neighborhood-specific licenses that are for 13 Boston Zip codes and which can't be be resold.

The address for the proposed Mr. Drinky would be 606 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

(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.)

Flavor Boom Plans to Open in Cambridge's Kendall Square

It looks like a trio of dining spots that offer Asian and Mediterranean dishes will be joined by a fourth location.

According to a Bluesky post from @troysch1.bsky.social, Flavor Boom is planning to open in the Kendall Square section of Cambridge, taking over the space on Broadway that has been home to Kendall Kitchen. A licensing committee hearing page confirms this, saying that the upcoming restaurant would have seating for 36 and apparently being open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Once it opens, the new spot will join others in downtown Boston, Jamaica Plain, and Watertown, and based on those locations, the new outlet could see such options as black pepper pork, tamarind chicken, eggplant zaalouk, and sofrito stew.

Kendall Kitchen has another location at Riverside Center on Grove Street in Newton.

The address for the upcoming location of Flavor Boom in Kendall Square is 201 Broadway, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for all locations is at https://www.flavorboom.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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Charlestown Brewing Co. to Open This Month at The Yard at Hood Park

A brewery will be popping up this summer at a space just north of downtown Boston.

According to a source, Charlestown Brewing Co. is planning to debut at The Yard at Hood Park this month, with the website for The Yard indicating that it will have its grand opening from Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15 and will remain open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through August 17. We have been told that in addition to offering beer from Wachusett Brewing, Harpoon, and Smuttynose Brewing along with drinks from Island District Cocktails, they will also be offering their own beer as well. (There will also be live music, mini golf, and local food vendors at the site.)

The address for the Charlestown Brewing Co. popup (and The Yard at Hood Park) is 100 Hood Park Drive, Charlestown , MA 02129.

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[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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La Toscana's in Wellesley Has Closed

An Italian restaurant in the western suburbs that started out as a pizzeria has shut down.

According to an article from The Swellesley Report, La Toscana's in Wellesley is no longer in operation, with the Central Street dining spot saying the following on its website:

Sadly, we will be closing our doors. I want to thank everyone who has dined with us over the years for their patronage. In today's economy, a business must remain busy in order to survive, and we unfortunately were unable to produce enough revenue to sustain this business.

La Toscana's first opened in the spring of 2022, initially focusing on pizza but morphing into an Italian restaurant with a full liquor bar last year.

The address for the now-closed La Toscana's was 99 Central Street, Wellesley, MA, 02482.

Thanks to Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub for initially bringing this to our attention.

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[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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Thursday, June 05, 2025

Honeygrow to Open in Allston

A Philadelphia-based group of dining spots continues to expand, with a new one on its way to a Boston neighborhood.

According to a press release, Honeygrow is planning to open in Allston, with this being part of an expansion that includes six new locations, including one in Shrewsbury as well. Once it opens, the new outlet in Allston will join other Boston-area locations in Boston's Fenway and in the Seaport District along with the Northshore Mall in Peabody.

Honeygrow, which started out in Philadelphia in 2012, focuses on stir-fry dishes while also offering salads and honeybars. The website for the business is at https://www.honeygrow.com/

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[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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Brookline Lunch to Open in the Former Busy Bee Space in Brookline

A Cambridge diner is expanding to Brookline, taking over the space that had been home to another diner for a very long time.

According to Patrick Maguire, who posted within the the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Brookline Lunch is planning to open on Beacon Street in the former Busy Bee Restaurant & Diner space, with a note out front saying the following:

Known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious, freshly prepared dishes, Brookline Lunch is bringing its unique charm and classic favorites to a new location. Whether you're craving hearty breakfast fare, satisfying lunch plates, or just a great cup of coffee, we can't wait to welcome you in and share our signature favorites with the community.

Brookline Lunch, which can be found on Brookline Street in Cambridge's Central Square, dates back to 1937, while the Busy Bee had been in operation from 1967 until last September when it shuttered.

The address for the upcoming location of Brookline Lunch in Brookline is 1046 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

[Earlier Article]
Busy Bee Restaurant & Diner in Brookline Has Closed

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[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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Anna's Taqueria Plans to Replace b.good in Downtown Boston

Yet another location of a local group of Mexican eateries is replacing a small local chain of restaurants that features "real" fast food and that is under the same ownership.

According to a source (and confirmed in a Voting Minutes page within the City of Boston website), Anna's Taqueria is planning to open in downtown Boston, taking over the b.good space on Summer Street. This follows a pattern of b.good outlets closing and Anna's outlets replacing them, including locations at Northeastern University and in Natick and Woburn. (Both b.good and Anna's Taqueria are under the same parent company--Streetlight Ventures.)

With the closing of the downtown location, this means that only one standalone location of b.good can now be found in the Greater Boston area--in Cambridge's Kendall Square. (A couple of others reside at Logan Airport, while another is in South Portland, ME.)

The address for the upcoming location of Anna's Taqueria is 84 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02110. Its website can be found at https://annas.com/

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[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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Triton Beverage Group Is Acquiring Cape Cod Beer

A couple of months ago, it was reported that a Cape Cod brewery was purchasing another beermaker on the South Shore, and now we have learned that the parent company behind those two breweries is purchasing a third--and its second on the Cape.

According to an article from Mass. Brew Bros., Triton Beverage Group is acquiring Cape Cod Beer, which brings Hog Island Beer Company in Orleans, Mayflower Brewing Company in Plymouth, and Cape Cod Beer (which is based in Hyannis) all under the umbrella of the same entity. The article mentions that Cape Cod Beer will continue running in Hyannis under its brand name while also seeing new collaborative opportunities between the three beermakers.

In April of this year, the acquisition of Mayflower Brewing Company by Hog Island was announced, with the Triton Beverage Group being a new parent company that was recently formed.

[Earlier Article]
Hog Island Beer Company Is Acquiring Mayflower Brewing Company

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[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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Wednesday, June 04, 2025

Ideal Pizza in Jamaica Plain to Be Reborn as Pete's A Pizza

A now-closed pizzeria in Jamaica Plain is going to be replaced by a pizza spot with a different name, though it will have a family connection.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Panagiotis Papadopoulos has been granted permission by The Zoning Board of Appeal to reopen Ideal Pizza as Pete's A Pizza, with Panagiotis being the son of Gervasios Papadopoulos who had first opened Ideal Pizza back in 1998. Gervasios sold the business in 2022, though UH says that the new owner abandoned the place last summer.

An earlier Reddit thread mentions that Pete's A Pizza will apparently be offering "a lot of the same items" served at Ideal Pizza.

The address for the upcoming Pete's A Pizza in JP is 482-488 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

(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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BMS Paper Company and Market in Jamaica Plain Finally Gets Approval to Open Restaurant and Bakery

Nearly five years ago, a retail store in Jamaica Plain that sells restaurant supplies and more announced plans to expand, with its proposal including a restaurant along with residential space, and now we have learned that the plans are finally moving forward.

According to an article from Universal Hub, BMS Paper Company and Market on Washington Street has gotten approval from The Zoning Board of Appeal to redevelop its space to include a restaurant, bakery, and 82 apartments. The initial plans, which came out in the fall of 2020, included a roof deck above the restaurant, though it is not known if this will still be happening, so keep checking back for updates.

BMS Paper Company and Market was established in 1984.

The address for BMS Paper Company and Market is 3390 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

[Earlier Article]
BMS Paper Company and Market in Jamaica Plain Looking to Add Restaurant, Roofdeck

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[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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Tuesday, June 03, 2025

The Sports Bra (a Portland, OR-Based Sports Bar) Is Expanding to Boston

A bar with roots in the Pacific Northwest that focuses on women's sports is on its way to the local area.

According to a Bluesky post from @hooverdam.bsky.social, The Sports Bra in Portland, OR, is expanding to Boston, while also planning to open locations in Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis as well. Based on the original in Portland along with information from a press release, expect the new location in Boston (which will be a franchised restaurant that is locally owned and operated) to support--and show--women's sports, and it will offer scratch-made food including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options, along with beer, cider, wine, cocktails, and mocktails.

The website for The Sports Bra (which debuted in Portland in the spring of 2022) can be found at https://thesportsbraofficial.com/

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[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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Leal's Grill Opens in Brockton

A brand new Brazilian and Cape Verdean restaurant has debuted south of Boston, and it resides just across the street from another spot run by the same people.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page (via an Enterprise article), Leal's Grill is now open in Brockton, taking over a space just across Packard Way from Leal's Kitchen. The new dining spot is a buffet-style restaurant and focuses on dining in, while Leal's Kitchen is more of a takeout place--and the food offered at the two spots is similar, with the focus at least in part on beef, pork, chicken, and seafood items.

The address for Leal's Grill is 721 Warren Avenue, Brockton, MA, 02301.

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[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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Monday, June 02, 2025

Milkweed Opens in Dorchester

About a year ago, it was reported that a Mission Hill restaurant could be joined by a second location in another part of Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Milkweed is now open in Dorchester, moving into the former Boston Market space on Morrissey Boulevard a bit north of Neponset Circle in Dorchester. The post mentions that the new location is a little larger than the original restaurant on Tremont Street, and it is open for breakfast and lunch for now, with dinner service on the way at some point soon.

Milkweed first opened in Mission Hill in 2017, offering such items as pancakes, French toast, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, power bowls, wings, fish and chips, steak tips, salmon burgers, burritos, Cubanos, falafel gyros, and more.

The address for the new location of Milkweed in Dorchester is 1010 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester, MA, 02122. The website for the Mission Hill location is at https://www.eatatmilkweed.com/

[Earlier Article]
A New Location of Milkweed May Open in Dorchester

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[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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Chilacates Closes Its Cambridge Street Location in East Cambridge

A local group of Mexican restaurants has shut down one of its newer locations in what is being seen as more of a move than an outright closure.

According to a Bluesky post from @troysch1.bsky.social, Chilacates is on Cambridge Street in East Cambridge is no longer in business, with a sign out front saying the following:

Chilacates has officially relocated! Our former location at 561 Cambridge St. is now closed. We're excited to welcome you to our new home inside the Cambridgeside Mall at: 100 Cambridgeside Place, Cambridge, MA 02141.

The Cambridge Street location of Chilacates first opened in March of 2024, with the Cambridgeside location debuting in October. (The website for all locations of Chilacates is at https://chilacatesmx.com/)

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[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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Kaiyo Sushi Replaces Gen Sushi in Belmont

A new sushi spot has opened in the western suburbs of Boston, replacing another sushi place that had been in business for nearly 15 years.

According to a source, Kaiyo Sushi is now open in Belmont, moving into the space on Concord Avenue that had been home to Gen Sushi. Our source mentions that the owners of Gen Sushi apparently retired and sold the business to new owners who turned it into Kaiyo Sushi, which--in addition to sushi--also offers such options as soups, salads, noodle and rice dishes, and poke bowls.

Gen Sushi first opened its doors in the early part of 2012.

The address for Kaiyo Sushi is 61 Concord Avenue, Belmont, MA, 02478. Its website can be found at https://www.kaiyobelmont.com/

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[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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Restaurant News for the Week Ending June 1, 2025

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between May 26, 2025, and June 1, 2025.

Nick's Restaurant in Weymouth Landing Is Reopening
A breakfast and lunch spot on the South Shore that shut down nearly 10 years ago is getting ready to be reborn under new ownership.
Full Story

1928 Rowes Wharf May Be Opening on the Boston Waterfront
A new restaurant could be on its way to the Boston waterfront, and it looks like the owner of a Beacon Hill restaurant would be behind it.
Full Story

Cheese Louise Opens at Hub Hall by Boston's North Station
A group of grilled cheese spots with roots up north has opened its first location in Massachusetts, and it resides in a Boston food hall.
Full Story

The Essex (Restaurant and Rooftop Bar) Opens at the Cambria Hotel in South Boston
A new dining and drinking spot has come to a hotel in Southie, and it includes a roofdeck.
Full Story

Savenor's and Wulf's Fish to Open in the Seaport District
It looks like a butcher shop and a fish market are both on their way to a space near the Boston waterfront.
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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