Boston Restaurant Talk: Haymarket Square restaurants

Showing posts with label Haymarket Square restaurants. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 03, 2026

Baba Shawarma May Be Opening in the Former Haymarket Pizza Space in Boston

A Middle Eastern dining spot may be coming to downtown Boston, and it would apparently be taking over the space where a decades-old pizzeria had once been.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Baba Shawarma is looking to open on Blackstone Street, with the address indicating that it would be moving into the former Haymarket Pizza space. The notice hints that the proposed place may be focusing on takeout, as no seating capacity has been given, while the description says that it would have 870 square feet of space with one room, a kitchen in the back, and storage in the basement.

Haymarket Pizza closed in 2021 after being in business since the 1960s.

The address for the proposed Baba Shawarma is 106 Blackstone 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.)

Thursday, October 07, 2021

Haymarket Pizza in Boston Has Closed

A decades-old pizzeria in the heart of Boston has shut down.

Universal Hub is reporting (via a Facebook post from the place) that Haymarket Pizza is now closed, with the note on Facebook saying "With such a meaningful history in the heart of Boston, we've been blessed with countless friendships and memories over the years....With deep gratitude, we thank you for your loyalty and support during our long time in business." Haymarket Pizza got its start in the 1960s as Al Capones, eventually changing its ownership along with its name; the cash-only pizzeria offered both slices and whole pizzas and was a popular spot among people visiting the Haymarket outdoor market as well as locals and tourists alike.

The address for Haymarket Pizza was 106 Blackstone Street, Boston, MA 02109.

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.)

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

Update: Hennessy's in Downtown Boston Reopens After Being Closed for the Winter and Part of the Spring

[Ed note: This article was updated to reflect the fact that the place is open once again.]

An old-school Irish pub in the heart of Boston has shut down for the time being.

According to a tweet from @towncrierboston, Hennessy's on Union Street (near Haymarket Square and Faneuil Hall) has closed its doors for the winter, with a Facebook post from the place saying the following:

We refuse to call this hibernation as we are not a seasonal restaurant. Our family and staff will not be taking a quiet slumber. Hibernation is a term that invokes a pleasantness, nothing about this decision is pleasant. Our wings have been clipped by new regulations put forth on our industry. Closing for the winter is our form of a tourniquet, slowing the bleed so that we can open again in the Spring. Until we open again we wish you all a great holiday a safe and healthy new year.

Hennessy's is one of many restaurants and bars in the local area to shut down for the winter due to the pandemic and the restrictions that have been placed on dining and drinking spots, along with a lack of foot traffic in Boston and elsewhere.

The address for Hennessy's is 25 Union Street, Boston, MA, 02108. Its website can be found at http://www.hennessysboston.com/

[June 1 update: According to its Facebook page, Hennessy's is open once again.]

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.)

Friday, August 21, 2020

Rustico in Boston's North Station/Haymarket Area Has Closed

An under-the-radar Italian spot in the heart of Boston has shut down.

According to a tweet from @AlexDiPrato, Rustico has closed its doors, with a message from the Canal Street restaurant confirming this, indicating that the place had shuttered in March around the time of the coronavirus outbreak (and subsequent restaurant restrictions by the state) and it never ended up reopening. We are told that a new owner is taking over the space and plans to open around the end of the month, though we don't have any information as to what it might be, so stay tuned for updates.

Rustico (which has also been known as Osteria Rustico and Cafe Rustico), has been in operation for at least 20 years, though it went through an ownership change approximately 10 years ago. The restaurant was seen as a hidden gem with a variety of sandwich and pasta options.

The address for Rustico is 85 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

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.)

Popover King in Boston's North Station/Haymarket Area Has Closed

A bakery-cafe and restaurant that featured a beloved regional food item has shut down.

According to a tweet from @AlexDiPrato, Popover King is no longer in business, with a message from the Canal Street shop confirming that it has indeed closed its doors. The message does give what appears to be a glimmer of hope, however, saying that "We hope to someday come back," though no other details were given about a possible return, including whether it might return to its space or reopen elsewhere.

Popover King first opened in March of 2019, being a "bakery/cafe by day and an elegant bistro by night" and offering a variety of popover options; the place switched to takeout/curbside pickup and online ordering as the pandemic took hold this spring.

The address for Popover King was 74 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

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.)

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Mulligans Near Haymarket Square in Boston Has Apparently Closed

It looks like a sandwich shop in downtown Boston has very quietly shut its doors.

According to Brian M. from Noodle Lab, Mulligans near Haymarket Square is locked up and dark, with a neighboring business confirming that the Canal Street eatery is indeed closed for good. It is not known what might happen to the space, though we are told that this part of Canal Street will be going through changes and will apparently become pedestrian-only soon.

Mulligans was known in part for its breakfast dishes along with its soups, salads, and sandwiches at lunchtime.

The address for the now-closed Mulligans was 83 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

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, January 08, 2019

Hi-Rise Bread Company Opens at Boston Public Market

by Marc Hurwitz

A pair of Cambridge bakeries and cafes has expanded to a space in downtown Boston.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Hi-Rise Bread Company is now open inside the Boston Public Market near Haymarket Square, taking over the stall that George Howell Coffee used to reside in before it moved across the way to the former Taza Chocolate Bar space. The new location of the bakery-cafe offers a variety of breads, pastries, jams, and granola, and it will also be serving soups, salads, and sandwiches at some point in the future. The person behind all three Hi-Rise locations is Rene Becker, who also ran Shepard in Cambridge until it closed on New Year's Eve.

Other locations of Hi-Rise can be found on Concord Avenue in Huron Village and Mass. Ave. between Porter Square and Harvard Square.

The website for Hi-Rise Bread Company is at http://www.hi-risebread.com/

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Items from Bakeries and Pastry Shops in the Boston Area and Beyond]

Monday, November 19, 2018

Popover King to Open in Boston's North Station/Haymarket Area

by Marc Hurwitz

A bakery-cafe that focuses on a beloved regional food item is on its way to Boston.

According to a poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Popover King is opening on Canal Street between North Station and Haymarket in the city's West End area. The website and Facebook page for the business indicate that a variety of popover options will be offered at the shop, while the "about" section of its Facebook page mentions that it will be a "bakery/cafe by day and an elegant bistro by night," celebrating "the venerable New England popover and the rich classic tastes of the region." (Coffee, espresso, and cappuccino will also be available at the place, according to the menu on its website.)

No specific opening date has been given as of yet for Popover King, so stay tuned for updates.

The address for this upcoming bakery-cafe in Boston is: Popover King, 74 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114. Its website can be found at http://www.popoverking.com/

[March 12, 2019 update: An article from The Improper Bostonian indicates that Popover King appears to be very close to opening, as it plans to debut sometime in the middle of this month.]

[March 14, 2019 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Popover King soft-opens tomorrow, with its grand opening taking place on April 23.]

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, May 09, 2018

Kala Thai Cookery Replacing Casalinga in Boston's Haymarket Area

by Marc Hurwitz

[Ed note: This article was updated to reflect the fact that a new Thai restaurant may be moving into the space.]

An Italian eatery in downtown Boston that replaced a short-lived dining spot has also closed after a very short time in business.

According to a post from the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog, Casalinga on Hanover Street in the Haymarket area of the city is no longer in business, which seems to confirm a recent check on the place showing that it was locked up and dark during business hours. The restaurant, which debuted last October, had taken over the space where Lulu's Kitchen had been until April of 2017, with that place first opening in the fall of 2016.

Casalinga offered such options as pizza, ravioli, chicken parmigiana, risotto, gnocchi, an Italian sub, and more.

The address for this now-closed Italian spot (and new Thai place) in downtown Boston is Casalinga, 151 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02109.

[June 1 update: According to a source, Kala Thai Cookery appears to be moving into the former Casalinga space, with a photo sent showing a sign out front indicating it is coming soon.]

[August 5 update: A message (and photo) sent to us indicates that Kala Thai Cookery is now open.]

[August 20 update: Eater Boston confirms what a few sources have told us, that the person behind Kala Thai Cookery--Manita Bunnagitkarn--is also behind the highly-rated Cha Yen Thai Cookery in Watertown, which has received praise from both The Boston Globe and the Improper Bostonian. (Noodle, curry, and rice dishes are a few options offered at the new spot, according to Eater.)]

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, November 21, 2017

City Winery Opens in Boston

by Marc Hurwitz

A long-awaited restaurant, bar, and music spot has finally opened in Boston.

According to a Twitter post from @BostonTweet (and confirmed by the place), City Winery is now open at the One Canal Street luxury apartment development in the Haymarket Square area of the city. A Vanyaland article mentions that the new spot includes two performance spaces (one big and one small), a restaurant and bar area, and a small art gallery, and each performance space has its own bar as well.

As mentioned earlier here, the person behind City Winery is music promoter Michael Dorf, who also founded a venue called the Knitting Factory in New York back in the 1980s. (The Knitting Factory now has locations in Brooklyn, Boise, and Spokane.)

The address for City Winery is 1 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website for all locations can be found at http://www.citywinery.com/

[Earlier Article]
City Winery Plans to Come to Boston

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, October 16, 2017

Casalinga Is Opening in Former Lulu's Kitchen Space in Boston's Haymarket Area

A new restaurant is on its way to downtown Boston, taking over the space where a short-lived dining spot had been.

According to a common victualler transactions page within the city's website. Casalinga is planning to open by the corner of Blackstone Street and Hanover Street in the Haymarket area, with the address given indicating that it is moving into the former Lulu's Kitchen space. The manager listed for the upcoming eatery is Robert Santini, which may be the same person who has been involved with Casa Razdora on Water Street in the Financial District (based on information from an old article from boston.com), though this has not yet been confirmed. Little other information has been given on Casalinga, so keep checking back for updates.

Lulu's Kitchen closed its doors in April after being in business since late last fall; the person behind the place--Sandy Russo--also runs Lulu's Sweet Shoppe, a bakeshop located on Parmenter Street in the North End.

The address for this new restaurant in downtown Boston is: Casalinga, 120 Blackstone Street, Boston, MA, 02108.

Thanks to Geoff Wong for initially bringing this to our attention.

[October 17 update: According to a couple of sources (including a message sent by Adam from the Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog), Casalinga is now open, with the place appearing to be an Italian cafe that offers such items as pasta, pizza, and chicken, veal, and eggplant dishes. (Note: It looks like the address for this place is actually 151 Hanover Street rather than 120 Blackstone Street, as had previously been stated.)]

[Earlier Article]
Lulu's Kitchen in Boston's Haymarket Area Has Closed

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, April 26, 2017

Lulu's Kitchen in Boston's Haymarket Area Has Closed

A Boston restaurant that was run by the person behind a nearby bakeshop has closed after a very short time in business.

According to a source, Lulu's Kitchen in the Haymarket area of the city is no longer in operation, with a phone call to Lulu's Sweet Shoppe in the North End confirming that the restaurant has indeed shuttered. The call also confirmed that owner Sandy Russo will continue to run Lulu's Sweet Shoppe, which recently moved from Salem Street to Parmenter Street.

Lulu's Kitchen first opened on Blackstone Street late last fall, focusing on comfort food such as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and egg sandwiches.

The address for the now-closed Lulu's Kitchen was 120 Blackstone Street, Boston, MA, 02108.

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]

Thursday, January 19, 2017

The White Bull Tavern Is Opening Near Haymarket/Faneuil Hall in Boston

It looks like a new restaurant and bar is on its way to an historic block in Boston--and the owners of an adjacent dining and drinking spot appear to be behind it.

According to a source, The White Bull Tavern is looking to open in the former Panera space on Union Street near Haymarket Square and Faneuil Hall in an area known as the Blackstone Block. A check on a licensing board hearing page confirms this, with the notice saying that the proposed place is seeking the license of The Briar Rose, a Hyde Park pub that closed a bit more than a year ago. The manager listed for The White Bull Tavern is Jeffrey Baird, who is also one of the owners of the Blackstone Grill next door, and a sign had actually been up for awhile at the site mentioning the Blackstone's name, though no other information was given at the time.

The address for this new restaurant and bar in Boston is: The White Bull Tavern, 1 Union Street, Boston, MA, 02108.

[August 25 update: Zagat mentions that The White Bull Tavern plans to open in September, and that it will be a modern colonial tavern offering small plates, oysters, artisanal pizzas, rotisserie items, craft beer, and cocktails that use locally-made spirits.]

[January 22, 2018 update: Eater Boston states that The White Bull Tavern is now open.]

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, November 30, 2016

Lulu's Kitchen Opens in Boston's Haymarket Area

Last month we mentioned that the person behind a recently-moved North End bakeshop was also getting ready to open a new dining spot nearby. Now we have learned that the restaurant is open--and we have also found out what kinds of foods it is offering.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Lulu's Kitchen is now open in the Haymarket section of Boston, with the Blackstone Street breakfast and lunch spot apparently focusing on comfort food such as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, po' boys, egg sandwiches, buttermilk biscuits, and grits. The owner of the new restaurant is Sandy Russo, who runs Lulu's Sweet Shoppe, a store that moved from Salem Street to Parmenter Street a short time ago and which is known in part for its cupcakes.

Earlier we had reported that Lulu's Kitchen would be on Hanover Street, but the exact address is actually 120 Blackstone Street, which is at the corner of Hanover and Blackstone.

The Instagram page for Lulu's Kitchen is at https://www.instagram.com/lulus_kitchen_boston/

[Earlier Article]
Lulu's Sweet Shoppe Moves to New Space in Boston's North End; Lulu's Kitchen Coming to Haymarket

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]

Friday, October 21, 2016

Lulu's Sweet Shoppe Moves to New Space in Boston's North End; Lulu's Kitchen Coming to Haymarket.

A North End bakeshop that features cupcakes and more has moved to a new location, and the person behind it is also getting ready to open a cafe nearby.

The NorthEndWaterfront.com site is reporting that Lulu's Sweet Shoppe has taken over the space on Parmenter Street where Cocoanuts had been, leaving its Salem Street space that will soon be home to Polka Dog Bakery. The article also says that owner Sandy Russo will soon be opening Lulu's Kitchen on Hanover Street in the Haymarket area, though no specific details have been given for that place as of yet.

Lulu's Sweet Shoppe is known in part for its scratch-made gourmet cupcakes along with its candy and house-made ice cream.

The address for the new location of Lulu's Sweet Shoppe is 28 Parmenter Street, Boston, MA, 02113. Its website can be found at http://lulussweetshoppeboston.com/ (The exact address for Lulu's Kitchen has not been given as of yet.)

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Items from Bakeries and Pastry Shops in the Boston Area and Beyond]

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

The Grand Canal in Boston Has Closed

It looks like an Irish pub, restaurant, and entertainment spot near Boston's Haymarket Square has shut its doors for good.

According to a Twitter post from @badgerboxes last night, The Grand Canal on Canal Street appears to be closed, with one sign out front saying "Rest In Peace Grand Canal" and another saying "Never Forget RIP Trivia Tuesday." This seems to jibe with what a source told us recently--that the bar may be shuttering--though there was no word it was definitely closing, and based on another tweet from @badgerboxes, it looked like a trivia night may have been in the works for yesterday but it did not happen because the place was locked up.

The Grand Canal, which first opened approximately 20 years ago, was known in part for its live music and DJs along with trivia nights and paint nights; it also offered pub grub and comfort food as well as beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for this now-closed pub in Boston was: The Grand Canal, 57 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114.

Follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston

[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]

Thursday, February 25, 2016

City Winery Plans to Come to Boston

It looks like a new restaurant, winery, and music spot is on its way to Boston.

According to an article in Boston Magazine, City Winery is planning to open on the ground level of the upcoming One Canal luxury apartment development by the corner of Canal Street and New Chardon Street in the Haymarket Square area. Based on the other locations of the New York-based group of venues (Manhattan, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville), the new spot could include a mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-influenced fare, an extensive wine list with some of the wines made in-house, wine classes and the option for patrons to make their own wine, and live music and other entertainment.

The person behind City Winery is music promoter Michael Dorf, who also founded a venue called the Knitting Factory in New York back in the 1980s. (The Knitting Factory now has locations in Brooklyn, Boise, Reno, and Spokane.)

It looks like the address for the upcoming City Winery is 1 Canal Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website for City Winery can be found at http://www.citywinery.com/

[June 30, 2017 update: The Tables section of The Boston Globe mentions that City Winery plans to open in September.]

[September 25, 2017 update: Eater Boston states that City Winery is now hoping to open on October 16.]

[October 16, 2017 update: A message from City Winery indicates that the opening date has now been pushed back into November because of ongoing construction delays and that they have had to reschedule and relocate shows up until that point.]

[November 10, 2017 update: A message from the place indicates that City Winery plans to open its doors around the middle of next week.]

[November 21, 2017 update: City Winery is now open.]

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]