Nana's Green Tea Opens in the Back Bay of Boston

A bit more than a year ago, it was reported that a chain of cafes with roots in Japan would be expanding to a space in Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to an article from boston.com, Nana's Green Tea is now open in the Back Bay, moving into a subterranean space on Newbury Street between Dartmouth Street and Exeter Street. The new spot focuses in part on Matcha green tea options while also offering such items as Japanese curry, rice bowls, parfaits, and more.

Nana's Green Tea started out in Tokyo in 2001, with its first location arriving in the United States in 2018.

The address for 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/

[Earlier Article]
Nana's Green Tea Plans to Open in Boston's Back Bay

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Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Boston's Back Bay Has Closed

It looks like a group of steakhouses has shuttered one of its Boston locations.

According to multiple sources, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay has closed. This information was temporarily shown on the Instagram page of Mayor Wu (wutrain), and an Instagram post from Bret Clancy also mentions it while MassLive states that Del Frisco's has indeed shut down. Clancy's page (which was also shown on Mayor Wu's page) says that Din Tai Fung, a Taiwanese chain known in part for its soup dumplings, could be coming to the space, though this has not been confirmed as of yet; as soon as we get more information, we will post an update here.

The Seaport District location of Del Frisco's remains open for business.

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Smashburger in Boston's Back Bay Has Closed

Another location of a Colorado-based chain of quick-casual burger restaurants has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Smashburger in Boston's Back Bay is no longer in business, with a check on the website for the chain seeming to confirm this, as the Boylston Street outlet is no longer listed. This comes on the heels of a location of the chain in Medford shutting down toward the end of 2025, leaving the local area with locations in Attleboro, Natick, and Westwood. (Another location in Plainville is gone as well).

The address for the now-closed location of Smashburger in the Back Bay was 545 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain is at https://smashburger.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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Daily Provisions to Open in Boston's Back Bay

It looks like the person behind a NYC-based restaurant group could soon have three Boston-area locations of one of his dining spots.

According to a Bluesky Post from @heyheydra.bsky.social along with a job post within the Indeed site, Daily Provisions is planning to open in the Back Bay, moving into the Boylston Street space on the eastern edge of Copley Square that had once been home to a location of Pret A Manger. Once it opens, the new location will join another in Cambridge's Harvard Square along with location that is on the verge of debuting in Boston's Seaport District, and expect it to be an all-day cafe that offers such options as crullers, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, roast chicken, and coffee.

Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group includes such restaurants as Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, and Ci Siamo (the last of which will also be expanding to Boston soon), while Meyer is also behind the Shake Shack chain.

The address for the upcoming Daily Provisions in the Back Bay is 501 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for all locations is at https://www.dailyprovisions.co/

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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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Avra Estiatorio Opens at Lyrik Back Bay in Boston

An upscale Greek and Mediterranean restaurant that got its start in New York City and now has a handful of locations around the country has come to a new development in Boston.

According to multiple sources, Avra Estiatorio is now open at Lyrik Back Bay, a mixed-use space above the Mass. Pike where Newbury Street and Massachusetts Avenue meet. The new dining spot focuses in part on Greek seafood dishes, with a few options including fish soup, littleneck clams, calamari, salmon tartare, grilled octopus, sardines, sea bass souvlaki, lobster pasta, and pan-seared scallops, while also offering a variety of cocktails.

The first location of Avra Estiatorio debuted in Midtown East back in 2000.

The address for Avra Estiatorio in the Back Bay is 400 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02115. Its web page is at https://theavragroup.com/avra-boston

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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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Rosa Y Marigold Opens at Lyrik Back Bay in Boston

Early last year, it was reported that a restaurant with a connection to a couple of other local dining spots would be coming to a new mixed-use project in Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a source (and confirmed by the restaurant's website), Rosa Y Marigold officially opens today at Lyrik Back Bay, a development that is located above the Mass Pike by Newbury Street and Massachusetts Avenue. As mentioned in an earlier article here, the team that operates Celeste in Somerville and La Royal in Cambridge is behind the new place which features Peruvian cuisine and is open for lunch, dinner, and a weekend brunch while also featuring live music. 

The address for is Rosa Y Marigold is 400 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02115. Its website can be found at https://www.rosaymarigold.com/

[Earlier Article]
Rosa Y Marigold Plans to Open in Boston's Back Bay

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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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Amar in Boston's Back Bay Is Closing

A high-end restaurant in Boston that was first opened by an acclaimed chef a few years ago is going to be closing.

According to an article from The Boston Globe, Amar in the Back Bay is shutting down on April 26, with the space (which is on the 17th floor of the Raffles Boston hotel on Trinity Place) being turned into a private event space. As mentioned in an earlier article here, George Mendes, who was opening chef at the now-closed Aldea (a Michelin-starred Manhattan restaurant), is now based in Boston and he will be opening a couple of new spots this year in the South End--Agosto (a restaurant on Washington Street in the South End with a chef's counter and a tasting menu) and Baby Sister (a bakery-cafe that will be next door).

Amar, which first opened its doors back in 2023, has been known for its Portuguese and Mediterranean fare; its web page can be found at https://www.raffles.com/boston/dining/amar/

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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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CeCarré Pizza & Provisions Opens at the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay

A new pizza spot has come to Boston, and it takes over the space where another pizzeria had been until shuttering as it gets ready to make a move.

According to a source (Gary Goldblatt), CeCarré Pizza & Provisions is now open at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay, with an Instagram post from the business saying that it has moved into the former Descendant Detroit Style Pizza space. The new eatery offers Roman-style pizza with a variety of toppings including ones with global influences (some toppings include chicken tikka masala, caviar, edible gold, sumac, mint, and harissa chicken). In addition to pizza, CeCarré Pizza & Provisions also offers such options as meatballs, arancini, salads, sandwiches, cannoli, and cookies.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Descendant Detroit Style Pizza would be moving from the Pru to Revere Beach.

The website for CeCarré Pizza & Provisions can be found at https://cecarre.com/

[Earlier Article]
Descendant Detroit Style Pizza Is Moving from the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay to Revere Beach

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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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New Restaurant from A Street Hospitality to Open in the Former Bristol Lounge Space Within the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston

A new dining spot is on its way to an iconic Boston space, and a local restaurant group is behind it.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, A Street Hospitality (Porto, La Padrona, Trade, Saloniki, the Venetian) is planning to open a restaurant in the old Bristol Lounge space in the Four Seasons Hotel on Boylston Street in the Back Bay, with Jody Adams, Eric Papachristos, and Jon Mendez planning to bring such classic options as Dover sole, prime rib, lobster bisque, local oysters, caviar and blini, and beef tartare to the as-of-yet unnamed spot. It is not yet known when the place might open (plans are in their early stages), but when it does, it will have dinner service daily along with a weekend brunch.

The Bristol Lounge, which closed during the pandemic, was known in part for its Bristol burger, which was considered one of Boston's best.

The website for A Street Hospitality can be found at https://www.astreethospitality.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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7th Street Burger Is Opening Locations in Boston's Back Bay and South Boston

A growing group of burger spots with roots in New York City will be opening a couple of locations in Boston.

According to a Facebook post from Saturday from the business along with a page within the culinaryagents.com website, 7th Street Burger is planning to open outlets in the Back Bay and South Boston, with the locations section of their website indicating that the restaurants will be opening at 267 Newbury Street and 477 W Broadway. 7th Street Burger first started out in the East Village of Manhattan in 2021 and now has locations in New York, New Jersey, and Washington, DC, with all locations featuring smash burgers.

The website for 7th Street Burger can be found at https://www.7thstreetburger.com/

[March 24 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, the Newbury Street location of 7th Street Burger is now open.]

[April 15 update: According to an Instagram reel from the business, 7th Street Burger is now open in South Boston.]

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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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Descendant Detroit Style Pizza Is Moving from the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay to Revere Beach

The Boston location of a pizzeria with roots in Canada is moving to a seaside location just north of the city.

According to a message sent from the business, Descendant Detroit Style Pizza is going to be moving from the Prudential Center in the Back Bay to a new location at Revere Beach, and we have been told that the Pru location is now officially closed. If all goes as planned, the new location of Descendant could be opening at Revere Beach in May.

Descendant Detroit Style Pizza, which first started out in Toronto, opened its Boston location in February of 2025, offering a variety of Detroit-style pizzas--a rectangular thick-crust pizza cooked in a pan and is vaguely similar in looks to Sicilian pizza but also has some similarities to Chicago-style deep-dish pizza as well.

The Facebook page for Descendant Detroit Style Pizza can be found at https://www.facebook.com/descendantpizza/

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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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The Beacon Bistro and The Stratus at the Top of the Prudential Center in Boston's Back Bay Are Closing

An upscale restaurant and a rooftop bar on top of one of Boston's highest buildings will both be shutting down this spring.

According to an article from the Boston Business Journal, The Beacon Bistro and The Stratus at the top of the Prudential Center in the Back Bay are slated to close on April 21, as it appears that the spaces may be used instead for events/functions, with a spokesperson for operating partner Legends Global indicating to the BBJ that they are both "being replaced in response to a growing interest in private events." It does look like the observation deck will remain open, according to the article.

The Beacon Bistro and The Stratus first opened in September of 2023 in the renovated space called View Boston (which includes the restaurant, bar, and observation deck), replacing the Top of the Hub restaurant and the Skywalk Observatory which had been there until early 2020.

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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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Little Steve's Pizzeria in Boston's Back Bay/Fenway Area Has Closed

A pizza place in Boston that replaced another pizzeria with the same name has shut down.

According to a poster (Drew Starr) within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Little Steve's Pizzeria in the Back Bay/Fenway area of the city is no longer in business, apparently having very quietly closed its doors several weeks ago. The eatery first opened last spring in the Boylston Street space that had been home to the original Little Steve's Pizzeria which shuttered a few years ago after being in operation since 1968. (There was no ownership connection between the two Little Steve's.)

The address for the now-closed Little Steve's Pizzeria was 1114 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215. 

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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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Casa Tua Cucina, Estiatorio Milos Among the New Businesses Coming to the Neiman Marcus Space at Copley Place in Boston

The Boston location of a chain of upscale department stores is closing, and now we have learned that a couple of options for food will be among the new places coming to the space.

According to an article within the boston.com website, Casa Tua Cucina and Estiatorio Milos are planning to open within the Neiman Marcus space at Copley Place in the Back Bay, with the former being a location of a group of high-end Italian marketplaces that was first established in Miami in 2001, while the latter will be a location of a group of Greek seafood restaurants that got its start in Montreal in 1979. It appears that construction on the space (which will also include multiple luxury boutiques) will start later this year, with phased openings taking place in 2028.

The Copley Place location of Neiman Marcus first opened in 1984; its parent company (Saks Global) filed for bankruptcy last month.

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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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Emmy Squared Pizza Is Opening within Swingers Back Bay in Boston

A growing group of pizzerias with roots in New York City will be expanding to Boston, and it will be located within a golf-themed entertainment spot that is also coming to the city.

According to a press release, Emmy Squared Pizza is opening within Swingers Back Bay, with the complex being slated to debut on Boylston Street on February 27. The dining spot, which can also be found within other Swingers locations along with standalone spaces (the closest is currently in Westport, CT) is known for its pizza that combines New York-style grandma pie with Detroit-style, while also featuring double-stack burgers and more. (Swingers will also offer beer, wine, and cocktails.)

Emmy Squared Pizza first started out in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn in 2016.

The address for the upcoming Emmy Squared Pizza/Swingers is 777 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for Emmy Squared Pizza is at https://www.emmysquaredpizza.com/ while the website for Swingers is at https://www.swingers.club/us

[February 27 update: According to the Swingers website, both Swingers and Emmy Squared Pizza are now open in the Back Bay.]

[Earlier Article]
Swingers to Open in Boston's Back Bay

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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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First Watch Opens in Boston's Back Bay

A bit more than a year ago, it was reported that a Florida-based chain of breakfast and lunch spots would be expanding to Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a press release, First Watch is now open in the Back Bay, moving into a space on Boylston Street near the corner of Fairfield Street. This is the second location to open in the local area, as another outlet opened in Hanover in the early part of 2025, and both locations offer such items as eggs benedict, breakfast tacos, waffles, pancakes, French toast, steak and eggs hash, breakfast bowls, salads, and sandwiches.

The address for First Watch in the Back Bay is 777 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain is at https://firstwatch.com/

[Earlier Article]
First Watch Plans to Open in Boston's Back Bay

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

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Mizu Matcha Opens in Boston's Back Bay

A new gelato shop with Japanese influences has debuted in Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Mizu Matcha is now open in the Back Bay, moving into a space on Newbury Street between Exeter Street and Fairfield Street. The Instagram page for the place mentions that it offers levels of matcha gelato that range from sweet and mellow to rich and bold, and they also serve other dessert items such as parfaits along with beverages such as matcha lattes.

The address for Mizu Matcha is 217 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/mizumatcha_bos/

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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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Cactus Club Cafe Opens in Boston's Back Bay

After being in the works for more than two years, the Boston location of a Canadian chain of casual upscale restaurants has debuted.

According to a press release, Cactus Club Cafe is now open in the Back Bay, with the new dining spot moving into a space on Boylston Street. As mentioned in an earlier article, the restaurant has no connection to the old Cactus Club, a Mexican and Tex-Mex spot that resided on Boylston Street from the 1980s until its closure in 2014, instead being part of a chain that is based on Vancouver and which offers global cuisine and New American fare including sushi, wagyu beef carpaccio, calamari, wings, poke bowls, rigatoni bolognese, chicken tacos, Thai red curry, seabass, creole steak and shrimp, and key lime pie.

The address for Cactus Club Cafe in the Back Bay is 500 Boylston Street (Unit 170), Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the chain is at https://www.cactusclubcafe.com/

[Earlier Article]
Cactus Club Cafe Plans to Open in Boston's Back Bay

(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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Zhu Restaurant Plans to Open in the Former Lir Space in Boston's Back Bay

It looks like an Asian restaurant could be opening in the Back Bay of Boston, moving into the space where an Irish pub had been.

According to an article from The Boston Sun, Zhu restaurant is looking to open on Boylston Street in the former Lir space, with the post saying that the proposed dining spot would have 7,000 square feet of space and include the ground and first floors of the building along with the basement. No other information has been given on the restaurant other than the fact that it is not seeking any kind of liquor license at this point in time; as soon as more information comes out, we will post an update here.

Lir closed in 2020 after being in business for 17 years.

The address for the proposed Zhu restaurant would be 903-905 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02115.

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

(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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All'Antico Vinaio Opens in Boston's Back Bay

Earlier this year, it was reported that an award-winning group of sandwich shops with roots in Italy would be expanding to a location in Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a press release, All'Antico Vinaio is now open in the Back Bay, moving into a space on Boylston Street between Clarendon Street and Dartmouth Street in the Copley Square area. As mentioned in an earlier article here, All'Antico Vinaio first started out in Florence in 1991 and currently has other U.S. locations in New York, California, and Nevada, and they are known for their panini options; in 2017, Saveur included All'Antico Vinaio in an article on "The World's Best Sandwiches."

The address for the Back Bay location of All'Antico Vinaio is 565 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116. The website for all locations is at https://www.allanticovinaiousa.com/

[Earlier Article]
All'Antico Vinaio to Open in Boston's Back Bay

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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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