Boston Restaurant Talk: Central Square restaurants

Showing posts with label Central Square restaurants. Show all posts

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Wu Li Xiang - Shanghai Kitchen to Open in Cambridge's Central Square

It looks like a new restaurant featuring Chinese fare is on its way to Cambridge.

According to a Bluesky post from troysch1.bsky.social, Wu Li Xiang - Shanghai Kitchen is planning to open soon on Massachusetts Avenue in Central Square, with a sign out front indicating that it may be featuring soup dumplings. A Cambridge License Commission page mentions that the upcoming dining spot plans to have an inside capacity of 36 and an outside capacity of 24 and with the proposed manager being Yumei Yu, and it looks to be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. No specific opening date has been given as of yet, nor has a menu been seen, so keep checking back for updates.

The address for the upcoming Wu Li Xiang - Shanghai Kitchen is 411 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

(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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Friday, April 24, 2026

Càphê Collective Opens in Cambridge's Central Square

A brand new cafe has come to Cambridge, and it is attached to a cultural community space.

According to a Bluesky post from @troysch1.bsky.social, Càphê Collective is now open in Central Square, residing at the Street Theory Collective on Massachusetts Avenue. It looks like the new spot offers coffee, tea, pastries, and baked goods, though it only has a limited presence online at this point in time so exact details have not been given as of yet.

Street Theory Collective features art and music while also having space for events.

The address for Càphê Collective is 541 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/caphecollective/

(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, July 10, 2025

Darling Is Opening in Cambridge's Central Square This Month

Last spring, it was reported that a new cocktail bar was looking to open in Cambridge, and now we have learned that it is just about ready to debut.

According to an article from boston.com, Darling is on the verge of opening in Central Square, with a planned opening date of the middle of this month as of this writing. The Mass. Ave. spot is taking over the space where Mary Chung had been until closing at the end of 2022, and it plans to offer "Chinese inspired" cocktails along with dim sum fare--and as mentioned in an earlier article, Brian Callahan (Row 34, Orfano, Tiger Mama, Coquette, Grafton Street) is one of the people behind it, along with Zimu Chen (Coquette, Eastern Standard, Sumiao Hunan Kitchen, Mariel).

The address for Darling in Central Square is 464 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website will be at https://www.darlingcambridge.com/

[July 17 update: According to a press release, Darling opens on July 18.]

[Earlier Article]
Darling Plans to Open in the Former Mary Chung Space in Cambridge's Central Square

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

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

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

Monday, December 09, 2024

Brick & Mortar in Cambridge's Central Square to Become Acqua & Bocca

The people behind a cocktail lounge in Cambridge are going to be replacing it with an Italian bar.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, Brick & Mortar in Central Square will become Acqua & Bocca in the early part of 2025, with owners Avery Appleton and Gary Strack planning to offer a simple food menu that will include such items as pizza and pasta dishes while the beverage program will "be more of an evolution" of Brick & Mortar with Italian influences.

Brick & Mortar first opened 13 years ago in its upstairs space, while a farm-to-table restaurant under the same ownership called Central Kitchen had been downstairs from 2000 to 2020.

The address for the upcoming Acqua & Bocca (and Brick & Mortar) is 567 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

(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.)

Friday, May 24, 2024

New York Pizza Opens in Cambridge's Central Square

A local pair of pizzerias known in part for their late-night slices has been joined by a third location.

According to a source, New York Pizza is now open in Cambridge, moving into the space on Mass. Ave. in Central Square that had been home to ABC Pizza House. The new outlet joins others in Boston's Theatre District and South End, and it offers slices as well as whole pizzas in small, large, and extra large sizes.

The address for the new location of New York Pizza in Central Square is 744 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for all locations can be found at https://newyorkpizzaboston.com/

[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, April 22, 2024

Darling Plans to Open in the Former Mary Chung Space in Cambridge's Central Square

A new cocktail bar is on its way to Cambridge, and a well-known local bartender and beverage director is involved.

According to a job post within the bostonchefs.com website, Darling is planning to open in Central Square, with the address indicating that it is moving into the space on Mass. Ave. that had been home to Mary Chung until closing at the end of 2022. The email address within the job post belongs to Brian Callahan, who has worked at such spots as Row 34, Orfano, Tiger Mama, Coquette, and Grafton Street while the listing says that the place will offer "Dim Sum influenced small plates" along with cocktails. If all goes as planned, Darling will open later this year.

The address for the upcoming Darling is 464 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

(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, February 05, 2024

Althea Is Opening in the Former Dial Space in Cambridge's Central Square

Last month it was reported that a restaurant on the ground floor of a boutique hotel in Cambridge had shut down, and now we have learned that a new dining spot from the husband-and-wife team behind a nearby Italian restaurant will be moving into the space.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, Althea is going to be opening in Central Square, taking over the ground-floor space space within 907 Main that had been home to The Dial. The article mentions that Greg Reeves and Shauna Reyburn of Vialé on Mass. Ave. will be running the place, which will focus on creative American fare using locally sourced and "thoughtfully sourced" ingredients. If all goes as planned, Althea will open in April, and it will include a raw bar, patio, and live music.

[May 17 update: According to its website Althea is now open.]

[Earlier Article]
The Dial and the Blue Owl at 907 Main in Cambridge's Central Square Have Closed; Future of Places Unknown

[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, January 24, 2024

Lanner Noodles and Bar Opens in Cambridge's Central Square

A brand new Chinese restaurant that features noodle dishes has opened in Cambridge.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Lanner Noodles and Bar is now open in Central Square, moving into the space on Pearl Street that had once been home to Rangzen Tibetan Place. The post says that the new dining spot features Lanzhou beef noodle soup, which is a dish commonly found in the northwest part of China and which has hand-pulled noodles, while the menu also includes stir-fried noodles, noodle bowls, and various hot and cold small plates.

The address for Lanner Noodles and Bar in Central Square is 24 Pearl St, Cambridge, MA 02139. Its website can be found at https://www.lannernoodles.com/

[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, October 06, 2023

Locations of Bertucci's in Cambridge's Central Square and Lexington Have Closed

A local chain of Italian restaurants continues to shrink, as at least two more outlets have shut down.

According to a couple of sources, Bertucci's in the Central Square section of Cambridge has closed its doors, and the Bertucci's in Lexington has shuttered as well. These two closures join a number of other locations locally that have closed over the past several years, including Alewife in Cambridge, Kenmore Square in Boston, Faneuil Hall, Andover, Beverly, Brockton, Canton, Marlborough, Needham, North Attleboro, Peabody, and Woburn.

As mentioned in an earlier article, Bertucci's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy toward the end of 2022.

The website for Bertucci's can be found at https://www.bertuccis.com/

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

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

Tuesday, September 05, 2023

Rangzen Tibetan Place in Cambridge's Central Square Has Closed

A Cambridge restaurant that focused on a cuisine not often found in the Greater Boston area has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Rangzen Tibetan Place in the city's Central Square area is shuttered, with a Facebook post from the Pearl Street eatery saying the following:

It was a beautiful 25 years of experience to serve our cuisine and let you see a glimpse of Tibet. Thank you all for your support especially on pandemic period. Now it time for us to say, so long and exit with dignity and humility. Please, accept our gratitude and prayers. We hope "Rangzen Tibetan Place" will be in your sweet memories. Thank you and Tashi Delek

Rangzen, which first opened in 1999, was one of only a few local dining spots that focused on Tibetan fare, with Martsa on Elm in Somerville's Davis Square featuring Tibetan cuisine while some Nepalese and Indian restaurants also offer some Tibetan dishes as well.

The address for Rangzen Tibetan Place was 24 Pearl Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

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

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Jaho Appears to Be in the Process of Opening in Cambridge's Central Square

More than three years after its plans were first announced, a location of a small group of coffee shops is finally getting ready to open in Cambridge.

Based on a message from a source along with an Instagram post from the business, Jaho is apparently on the verge of opening in Central Square, moving into a location where Mass. Ave. and Main Street meet. The new location of Jaho joins other locations in Boston and Salem along with another one in Tokyo, and it will offer coffee and tea, and presumably, small bites and pastries.

In March of 2020, it was reported here that the Cambridge location of Jaho may also include a wine bar, though it is not known if that will still be the case.

The address for the new location of Jaho is 425 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for the business is at https://www.jaho.com/

[Earlier Article]
Muku, Jaho Coffee Roaster & Wine Bar to Open within Market Central Development in Cambridge's Central Square

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

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Chilacates to Open in the Former Mainely Burgers Space in Cambridge's Central Square

Early this year, it was reported that a rapidly-growing local group of Mexican restaurants was looking to open a location in Cambridge, and now we have learned that a second Cambridge outlet appears to be coming as well.

According to a couple of posters within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Chilacates is planning to open in Central Square, with a "coming soon" sign for the place being posted in the former Mainely Burgers space on Mass. Ave. (Mainely Burgers closed in March), and this has been confirmed in a license commission hearing page within the city's website. As reported in February, another location of the local chain may also be in the works for the former East Side Bar and Grille on Cambridge Street in East Cambridge, though it isn't known which new location will be opening first.

Currently, Chilacates has locations in Jamaica Plain (two), Boston's South End, the West End, Mission Hill, Roslindale, South Boston, Brighton, Brookline's Coolidge Corner, and Chestnut Hill.

The address for the upcoming location of Chilacates in Central Square is 704 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for all locations can be found at https://chilacatesmx.com/

[Earlier Articles]
Chilacates Is Apparently Opening in the Former East Side Bar and Grille Space in East Cambridge
Mainely Burgers in Cambridge's Central Square Has Closed

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!

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

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Cloud & Spirits in Cambridge Ends Dinner and Bar Service; Will Become an Event Space

A Cambridge dining and drinking spot that opened a couple of years ago is turning into a place for events only.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Cloud & Spirits on Main Street between Kendall and Central squares has shut down its restaurant, with a Facebook post from the spot saying the following:

After an exciting and ambitious two-year adventure, we regret to inform you that the dinner and bar service at Cloud & Spirits will be discontinuing....While we are sad to bid farewell to operations as we have known it over the past 2 years, we are excited to introduce a new chapter in our story. Moving forward we will be shifting our focus to providing our beautiful space as an event venue for special occasions and parties....We hope that you will celebrate your special occasion with us!

Cloud & Spirits first opened in June of 2021, taking over the space where Cuchi Cuchi had been; the restaurant offered mostly New American fare with Korean influences while also being known in part for its cocktails.

The address for Cloud & Spirits is 795 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website is at https://www.cloudandspirits.com/

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

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

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!

Friday, April 21, 2023

Che! Empanada Opens within La Fabrica Central in Cambridge's Central Square

A pair of dining spots featuring Argentinian food have been joined by a third outlet, and this one resides within a Spanish-Caribbean restaurant.

According to a source (Ari Herzog), Che! Empanada is now open in the La Fabrica Central space in Cambridge's Central Square, with a Facebook post from the business saying "WE ARE NOW OPEN at our NEW LOCATION in CAMBRIDGE!!! Come, Visit Us & Share with your Friends or Family our Delicious Empanadas, just in La Fabrica Central‼️ ARGENTILICIOUS!!" The new location of Che! Empanada joins its original in Worcester along with one in Newtonville which debuted last spring; La Fabrica Central has been in operation since 2017, taking over the space that had previously been home to Monroe, and before that, Naga and Moksa.

The address for the new location of Che! Empanada (and La Fabrica Central) is 450 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for Che! Empanada can be found at https://www.cheempanada.com/ while the website for La Fabrica Central is at https://www.lafabricacentral.com/

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

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

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Shojo Is Opening in Cambridge's Central Square in April

A couple of years ago, it was reported that a restaurant in Boston that features inventive takes on Asian food was planning to expand to Cambridge, and now we have learned that the new location is finally about ready to open.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Shojo is hoping to open its new outlet in Central Square in mid-April, with the Mass. Ave. spot joining the original restaurant on Tyler Street in Chinatown. Once it opens, expect to see modern takes on Southeast Asian dishes (including a handful of new dishes at the Cambridge location) as well as a variety of cocktails.

Brian Moy, who is behind Shojo, also runs Ruckus, a pan-Asian noodle bar in Chinatown, and Nomai, an Asian fusion restaurant in Hingham. (Another location of Shojo can be found at Logan Airport.)

The address for the upcoming Shojo in Central Square is 425 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website is at https://www.shojocambridge.com/

[April 6 update: A tweet from @TroySch1 and a note on the restaurant's website indicate that Shojo in Cambridge has soft-opened.]

[Earlier Article]
Shojo to Open in Cambridge's Central Square Area

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

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

Monday, March 20, 2023

Mainely Burgers in Cambridge's Central Square Has Closed

A pair of burger spots with roots up north is now down to just one location.

According to a source, Mainely Burgers in the Central Square section of Cambridge is no longer in business, with a Cambridge Day article stating that the last day in operation for the Massachusetts Avenue place was Friday. A Facebook post from the business says the following about the closure:

After six incredible years in Cambridge's Central Square we have made the difficult decision to close our restaurant. Our Boston Landing (Brighton) store will continue to remain open. To Cambridge, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to be a member of the community. Being from Maine and opening our first restaurant ever, we did not know what to expect. We were so blessed that our customers, neighbors, city officials, license commission, economic development division and members of Central Square BID (@centralsqbid ) helped us feel at home over the last six years. Cambridge will always have a piece of our hearts.

Mainely Burgers started out as a food truck company focusing on gourmet burgers; its trucks can still be found in the Portland area.

The address for the now-closed location of Mainely Burgers in Central Square is 704 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139. The website for the business is at https://www.mainelyburgers.com/

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

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

Monday, December 12, 2022

Mary Chung in Cambridge's Central Square Is Closing

A Chinese restaurant in Cambridge that has been popular with locals and college students alike over the years is shutting down.

A message sent to us by Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub (and via a tweet from Drew Starr) says that Mary Chung in the city's Central Square area is closing its doors, with a note on the door of the Mass. Ave. spot (that Drew took a picture of) indicating that its last day is December 31, and that the people behind it are retiring. The restaurant, which has been in business for 40 years, has been a favorite for nearby MIT students, offering mostly Chinese-American dishes and Sichuan fare.

The address for Mary Chung in Central Square is 464 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

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

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

Tuesday, August 02, 2022

Tasty Burger Is Opening in Cambridge's Central Square

The people behind a local group of burger spots are looking once again to open in a part of Cambridge that they had been looking at nearly ten years ago.

According to an article in Cambridge Day, Tasty Burger is eyeing a space near the corner of Prospect Street and Mass. Ave. in Central Square, which near the space that the business had been looking at back in 2013 until license commissioners rejected their request for a late-night beer and wine license in that mostly residential block. If its plans come to fruition this time around, the new location of Tasty Burger would join others in Harvard Square as well as Boston's Fenway, Downtown Crossing, Back Bay, and North Station.

The address for the new location of Tasty Burger in Central Square is 23 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for all locations is at https://www.tastyburger.com/

[November 7 update: A tweet from the business indicates that Tasty Burger opened its new location in Central Square today.]

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

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

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Si Cara Is Opening in Cambridge's Central Square

A brand new pizza and wine bar is on its way to Cambridge.

According to a post within the jobs section of the bostonchefs.com site, Si Cara is planning to open this summer in Central Square, with an earlier Boston Magazine article mentioning that Michael Lombardi (SRV in Boston's South End) is behind the place which will be moving into the Market Central development on Mass. Ave. The article says that the upcoming spot will feature canotto-style pie, which is a Neapolitan pizza with an airy crust, while the space will include seating for 55 indoors along with a patio that has 30 additional seats

The address for Si Cara is 425 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website is at https://www.sicarapizza.com/

[August 22 update: Boston Magazine states that Si Cara is now open.]

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

[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, January 31, 2022

Whole Heart Provisions Space in Cambridge's Central Square/MIT Area Is for Lease

A bit more than a year ago, it was learned that a trio of vegan/vegetarian restaurants had closed permanently, and now we have learned that another location is apparently gone as well.

According to an article from Cambridge Day, Whole Heart Provisions in the Central Square/MIT section of Cambridge appears to be closed for good, as its space is now for lease. The original location of the dining spot in Allston shut down in late 2020 and was subsequently replaced by Turkish Lazuri Cafe, while another outlet within Harvard University's Smith Campus Center is currently closed as well and its exact status is unknown at this point in time.

Whole Heart Provisions debuted in Allston in 2015, with James DiSabatino (Roxy's Grilled Cheese, A4cade) and Rebecca Arnold (Sarma, Alden & Harlow, Pain D'Avignon, 606 Congress) being behind it.

The address for the location of Whole Heart Provisions near Central Square was 298 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

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

[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.)