Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. Opens Taproom and Kitchen at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

Last fall, it was reported that a Waltham-based brewery with two locations was planning to open a third, and now we have learned that the new location is up and running.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. opens today at Arsenal Yards in Watertown at 5:30 PM, with the post saying the following:

After more than five years of site exploration, design, development, and construction, we couldn't be more excited to welcome you all here. This space is going to be about community, connection, family, and the outdoors. Most importantly, we want this space to be about building bridges. This will be a "Taproom & Tapas" location like our Fenway taproom, including our full line up of beers, seltzers, and hard smoothies, and our tapas dishes from around the world such as aloo tikki, tuna aguachile, tinga tostadas, lamb lollipops, roasted beets and burrata salad, tuna poke bowl, lobster roll, ribeye steak taco, baja fish taco, Thai beef skewers with pineapple salsa, patatas bravas, bacon brussel sprouts, birria poutine, and much more. We look forward to seeing you [today] if you can make it over!

The new location joins its original in Waltham as well as the aforementioned Fenway location.

The address for the new location of Mighty Squirrel in Watertown is 102 Arsenal Yards Boulevard, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for Mighty Squirrel is at https://www.mightysquirrel.com/

[Earlier Article]
Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. Plans to Open a Taproom and Kitchen in Watertown

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

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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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Medium Rare Is Opening at Arsenal Yards in Watertown on December 16

Last fall, it was reported that a small group of restaurants with roots in Washington, D.C.--and with a very simple concept--would be bringing a location to the Greater Boston area, and now we have learned that it is just about ready to open.

According to a press release, Medium Rare is slated to open for dinner service at Arsenal Yards (107 Bond Square) in Watertown on Monday, December 16, and as mentioned in an earlier article here, it will offer a three-course prix fixe meal which includes steak frites along with desserts, beer, and wine, and weekend brunch options.

Eight locations of Medium Rare can currently be found in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, New York, Louisiana, and Texas; the website for the business can be found at https://www.mediumrarerestaurant.com/

[Earlier Article]
Medium Rare Plans to Open in Watertown

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

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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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Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. Plans to Open a Taproom and Kitchen in Watertown

A local brewery in Waltham with two locations will be opening a third, and this one will open where the business has had a seasonal biergarten over the past few years.

According to a press release, Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. is planning to open a taproom and kitchen at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, with the 4,000-foot space including a full food menu and a large outdoor patio. Once it opens, the new location will join its original in Waltham (which debuted in 2018) along with another in the Fenway section of Boston that opened earlier this year.

The address for the upcoming location of Mighty Squirrel in Watertown is 102 Arsenal Yards Boulevard, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for Mighty Squirrel can be found at https://www.mightysquirrel.com/

[May 9, 2025 update: According to a Facebook post from the business, Mighty Squirrel plans to open its new taproom and kitchen at Arsenal Yards in a few weeks.]

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

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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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Naya Is Opening at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

A growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City will be expanding to the Boston area.

According to a press release, Naya is going to be opening at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, bringing to the mixed-use development a fast-casual spot with Lebanese influences that offers customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more. We have been told that in addition to the Watertown location, outlets are also being planned for downtown Boston [ed note--now open on Summer Street] and the Back Bay as well.

The website for Naya, which first started out in Manhattan approximately 15 years ago, can be found at https://www.eatnaya.com/

[February 4, 2025 update: According to a source, Naya is now open at Arsenal Yards.]

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

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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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ButterBird Opens at Arsenal Yards in Watertown June 28

About a year and a half ago, it was reported that a well-known local chef and restaurateur was planning to open a fast-casual dining spot just west of Boston, and now we have learned that it is just about ready to debut.

According to an Instagram post from the business, ButterBird is planning to open its doors at Arsenal Yards in Watertown on Friday, June 28, with the post saying the following:

You've been very patient cluckers, and we can't WAIT to show you all that’s gone in to making this Bird the best of its flock. Doors open at 8am for breakfast sammies… line on up and don't sleep on @chef.jasonsantos' breakfast burrito. You'll be hooked after one bite! BREAKFAST — Monday-Friday | 8am-12pm — Saturday-Sunday | 8am-1pm  LUNCH — Monday-Thursday | 12pm-8pm — Friday-Saturday | 1pm-9pm — Sunday | 1pm-8pm

As mentioned earlier, Jason Santos (Buttermilk & Bourbon, Citrus & Salt, Nash Bar & Stage) is behind the new eatery, which will also offer chicken and waffles, tater tot bowls, chicken sandwiches, French toast sticks, biscuits, corned beef hash and cheddar pie pockets, and more in addition to breakfast sandwiches and breakfast burritos.

The address for ButterBird is 112 Bond Square, Watertown, MA, 02472. Its website is at https://www.butterbirdboston.com/

[Earlier Article]
Jason Santos Plans to Open Butterbird at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

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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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Taffer's Tavern at Arsenal Yards in Watertown Has Closed

A franchise-owned restaurant just west of Boston that was created by the host of a reality show has shut down.

According to a post from @adam_lozo, Taffer's Tavern at Arsenal Yards in Watertown is no longer in business, with a phone call placed to the dining spot confirming that it has permanently closed. We have also received a message this morning which says the following:

"We would like to thank our amazing team of employees, the Watertown community, our patrons, and all the support we received from the people behind the Taffer's Tavern franchise organization. We have decided to pursue other business endeavors outside the hospitality industry, so must say good-bye. While we leave with heavy hearts, we are proud of what we delivered to our community, the good times, and are grateful to all the fine people we met along the way." – Peter Weber & Marc Magerman, Taffer's Tavern Watertown Franchisees

Taffer's Tavern, which first opened at Arsenal Yards in the summer of 2022, was initially considered to be the "first of many locations" of Jon Taffer's dining concept that would be coming the Greater Boston area, though this was the only outlet to open as of this writing; locations in Washington, D.C., and Alpharetta, GA remain in operation.

Jon Taffer is known in part for his role as host of the reality series Bar Rescue on Paramount Network.

The website for Taffer's Tavern can be found at https://www.tafferstavern.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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Blackbird Doughnuts Opens in Watertown

This summer, it was reported that a local group of gourmet doughnut shops would be opening a new outlet in a growing development just west of Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to its website, Blackbird Doughnuts is now open in Watertown, moving into a space at Arsenal Yards. The new shop joins others in Boston's South End, Beacon Hill, Fenway, Brighton, Cambridge's Harvard Square, and Newton Centre, and the team behind the stores is also behind Banyan Bar + Refuge in the South End along with Sally's Sandwiches in the South End and Harvard Square.

The address for the new location of Blackbird Doughnuts at Arsenal Yards is 116 Bond Square, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.blackbirddoughnuts.com/

[Earlier Article]
Blackbird Doughnuts Plans to Open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown This Fall

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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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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.)

Medium Rare Plans to Open in Watertown

A small group of restaurants with roots in Washington, D.C.--and with a very simple concept--is expanding to the local area.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Medium Rare is planning to open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, with a Watertown News article mentioning that the dining spot could be opening in the late spring of 2024. Medium Rare offers a three-course prix fixe meal which includes steak frites, and an earlier What Now Boston post also mentions such brunch options as steak and eggs and eggs benedict, desserts such as carrot cake and apple pie, and beer and wine.

There are currently four locations of Medium Rare in Washington, D.C., Bethesda, MD, Arlington, VA, and New Orleans, LA. The website for the business can be found at https://www.mediumrarerestaurant.com/

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

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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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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.)

 

Blackbird Doughnuts Plans to Open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown This Fall

A local group of gourmet doughnut shops will soon have another location, with this one being just west of Boston.

According to a message sent to us, Blackbird Doughnuts is planning to open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown later this fall, with the shop joining others in the South End, Beacon Hill, Fenway, Brighton, Cambridge's Harvard Square, and Newton Centre. Based on those locations, expect to see a variety of gourmet doughnuts whose flavors change by the month at the new outlet.

The team behind Blackbird Doughnuts also runs Banyan Bar + Refuge in the South End along with Sally's Sandwiches in the South End and Harvard Square.

The address for the upcoming location of Blackbird Doughnuts at Arsenal Yards is 116 Bond Square, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for all locations is at https://www.blackbirddoughnuts.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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Ten One Tea House Opens at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

A small group of tea shops with three locations in the Boston area has opened a fourth, with this one coming to a growing development just outside the city line.

According to a source (Sarah Wu), Ten One Tea House is now open in Watertown, moving into a space at Arsenal Yards. The new shop--which offers such options as bubble tea, milk tea, and slushes--joins other locations in the Back Bay, Fenway, and Assembly Row in Somerville, along with one in Providence.

The address for the new location of Ten One Tea House at Arsenal Yards is 105 Bond Square, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for all locations is at https://www.tenoneteahouse.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/tenoneteahouse_us/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

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[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Jason Santos Plans to Open Butterbird at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

A well-known local chef and restaurateur is going to be opening another dining spot, and this one will be in the same development as one of his other restaurants.

An article from Boston 25 News confirms what we heard last month, that Jason Santos is planning to open Butterbird at Arsenal Yards in East Watertown, which also jibes with an earlier Facebook post from Santos. The article mentions that the upcoming spot will be a fast-casual place that is slated to open sometime in the spring; no other details have been given as of yet, including what might be on the menu.

Santos operates four other restaurants in the Greater Boston area, including locations of Buttermilk & Bourbon locations at Arsenal Yards and in Boston's Back Bay, Citrus & Salt in the Back Bay, and Nash Bar & Stage the Theater District. His website can be found at https://www.chefjasonsantos.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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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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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Vitality Bowls to Open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown; Cambridge Location in the Works as Well

[Ed note: This article was updated on June 10 to reflect the fact that another location is also opening.]

A chain of "superfood" cafes is getting ready to open within a growing development by the Charles River--and another outlet appears to be coming to the local area as well.

According to a press release, Vitality Bowls opens at Arsenal Yards in Watertown on June 10, with the outlet being the first in Massachusetts for the California-based business, and a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page also says that another location is coming to Central Square in Cambridge. Once the two locations open, expect to see açaí bowls that are topped with a variety of superfoods along with salads, toasts, wraps, smoothies, and more.

The press release mentions that there are currently more than 140 locations of Vitality Bowls either open or in development across the country.

The address for the upcoming Vitality Bowls at Arsenal Yards is 113 Bond Square, Watertown, MA, 02472, while the website for the chain says that the address for the Central Square outlet is 425 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139. The website for the chain can be found at https://vitalitybowls.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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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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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Condesa Restaurante Mexicano Opens at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

A few years ago, it was reported that a Mexican restaurant with roots in Rhode Island would be coming to a new development by the Charles River. Now we have learned that it has debuted.

According to a source (Sarah Wu), Condesa Restaurante Mexicano is now open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, joining two other locations in Smithfield and West Warwick. Based on its other restaurants, expect the new outlet to offer such items as ceviche, tacos, burritos, enchiliadas, chile relleno, quesadillas, carne asada, and more, along with margaritas and a wide variety of tequilas.

In addition to the three locations of Condesa Restaurante Mexicano, a fourth is also being planned for Maynard, according to its website.

The address for the new location of Condesa Restaurante Mexicano in Watertown is 80 Arsenal Yards Boulevard, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for all locations can be found at http://www.condesarestaurant.com/

[Earlier Article]
Condesa Restaurante Mexicano Plans to Open New Location at Arsenal Yards

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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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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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.)

Pepe's Pizza Opens at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

A long-awaited location of one of the best-known pizzerias in the country has finally debuted, though in a limited manner for now.

As mentioned in an article here earlier, Pepe's Pizza opens at Arsenal Yards in Watertown for takeout and delivery today, with a Facebook post from the place confirming this, saying "We can't wait to serve Watertown and the surrounding communities. Visit our website or download our app to order your pie!" It is not yet known when the new location of the pizzeria will fully open; as soon as we find out, we will post an update here.

Pepe's, which started out in 1925, currently has three Boston-area locations including the new outlet in Watertown along with others in Burlington and Chestnut Hill.

The address for the new location of Pepe's Pizza at Arsenal Yards is 24 Eldridge Avenue, Watertown, MA, 02472. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.pepespizzeria.com/

[Earlier Article]
Pepe's Pizza Plans to Open New Location at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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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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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.)

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