About Thyme to Open in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A brand new Middle Eastern bakery is coming to Cambridge.

According to multiple sources, About Thyme is getting ready to open in Harvard Square, with a Harvard Crimson article mentioning that it will be moving to a space at the corner of Brattle Street and Mt. Auburn Street. The article states that the shop will be a Lebanese fast-casual bakery with seating for 13 people and that owner Taha A. Mikati plans to offer such items such as saj-baked wraps, labneh, coffee, and matcha.

If all goes as planned, About Thyme will open in early August.

The address for About Thyme is 1 Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

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Naya Is Opening in Burlington

A growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City will continue to expand into the Greater Boston area, with a new outlet getting ready to debut in the northern suburbs.

According to a press release, Naya is opening in Burlington on June 3, moving into a space within The Shops at Mall Road near where Middlesex Turnpike and Burlington Mall Road meet. Once it opens, the new location will join others in downtown Boston, the Back Bay, Cambridge's Kendall Square, and at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, and dishes with Lebanese influences will be offered, including customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more.

The address for the upcoming location of Naya in Burlington is 112 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, MA, 01803. The website for the business is at https://www.eatnaya.com/

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Bey Opens in the South End of Boston

Last summer, it was reported that a new restaurant was planning to come to Boston's South End, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

Based on its website and Instagram page along with a post within the South End Community Board Facebook page, Bey is now open on Shawmut Avenue, moving into a space a few storefronts away from Formaggio Kitchen where a yoga studio had previously been. The new dining spot features Lebanese fare, with its menu including such items as hummus, baba ghanouj, tabouli, falafel, grilled octopus, kibbeh, halloumi, kebabs, lamb chops, and grilled branzino, along with beer, wine, and cocktails.

The address for Bey is 280 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118. Its website can be found at https://beyboston.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/beyboston/

[Earlier Article]
Bey Plans to Open in Boston's South End

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Naya Is Opening in Boston's Back Bay This Spring

A growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City is slated to open its third Boston-area location later this month, and this one will be its second within the city itself.

According to a press release, Naya is planning to open in the Back Bay possibly at the end of the month, moving into a space on Boylston Street on the eastern edge of Copley Square. Once it opens, expect to see dishes with Lebanese influences including customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more, and it will be joining others in downtown Boston and at Arsenal Yards in Watertown while a fourth location will be opening in Cambridge's Kendall Square this summer.

The address for Naya in the Back Bay is 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for all locations is at https://www.eatnaya.com/

[June 12 update: According to a new press release, Naya is now open in the Back Bay.]

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Gina's Lebanese Cuisine Opens in Quincy

A new dining spot that features Middle Eastern food has opened on the South Shore.

According to a poster within the Quincy Is Everything Facebook group page, Gina's Lebanese Cuisine is now open in Quincy Point, moving into a space on Route 3A a few blocks east of where it meets Route 53. The menu for the new spot--which focuses on takeout but has some limited seating--including such options as stuffed grape leaves, falafel, beef kabab, hummus, spinach pie, baba ganouj, chicken shwarma, baked kibbeh, and more.

The address for Gina's Lebanese Cuisine is 529 Washington Street (Route 3A), Quincy, MA, 02169. (The restaurant does not have a website as of yet.)

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Naya Is Opening in Downtown Boston on December 11

A few months ago, it was reported that a growing group of Middle Eastern restaurants with roots in New York City would be expanding to the Greater Boston area, and now we have learned that its first location in the region will be debuting in the heart of the city this month.

According to a press release, Naya is slated to open in downtown Boston on December 11, moving into a space on Summer Street. An earlier article here had mentioned that locations at Arsenal Yards in Watertown and in Boston's Back Bay would also be coming, though the press release now says that a total of three additional locations are being planned for the local area. 

Naya is a fast-casual chain with Lebanese influences that offers customizable bowls, wraps, salads, desserts, and more.

The address for the new location of Naya in downtown Boston is 95 Summer Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The website for the company, which first started out in Manhattan approximately 15 years ago, can be found at https://www.eatnaya.com/

[Earlier Article]
Naya to Open at Arsenal Yards in Watertown; Locations Also Planned for Boston

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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.]

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Bread Thyme Is Replacing River Grille in West Roxbury

A Lebanese restaurant is on its way to a Boston neighborhood, taking over the space where a dining spot featuring Brazilian and Italian food had been.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Bread Thyme is planning to open in West Roxbury, moving into the former River Grille on Centre Street. The post mentions that the upcoming eatery has a banner up that says it will feature "authentic Lebanese cuisine, with its website showing such options as baked man'oushe, tabouli, falafel wraps, and chicken shawarma. 

River Grille had originally been located in the Cleary Square section of Hyde Park before moving a couple of years ago.

The address for Bread Thyme (and now-closed River Grille) is 1866 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132. Its website can be found at https://breadthyme.com/

[September 6 update: A message sent from Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub indicates that Bread Thyme is now open in West Roxbury.]

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Cafe Beirut in Jamaica Plain Has Closed

A Lebanese dining spot has shut down after being in business for 12 years.

Universal Hub is reporting (via the Jamaica Plain and Roslindale Facebook groups) that Cafe Beirut is no longer in business, as the Centre Street eatery closed its doors permanently over the weekend. The restaurant first opened in 2012, taking over the former Sami's Wrap 'n' Roll space and offering such items as lentil soup, lamb kebobs, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, hummous, baba ghannooj, moussaka, baked lamb, and baklava.

The address for the now-closed Cafe Beirut was 654 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

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Shawarma King in Brookline Has Closed

A popular Middle Eastern dining spot in Brookline that has been serving Lebanese fare to customers for a long time has shut down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Shawarma King on Beacon Street is no longer in business, with a note out front indicating that it closed its doors after business hours on October 28. The restaurant, which first started out on Huntington Avenue in Boston in 1989, offered such items as shawarma, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj, tabouli, and more.

The address for the now-closed Shawarma King in Brookline was 1383 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

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!

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Fattoush Is Opening in East Arlington

A brand new to-go restaurant that features Mediterranean food is on its way to the northwest suburbs of Boston.

According to an article from the Arlington Advocate/Wicked Local, Fattoush is planning to open in East Arlington, taking over a space on Mass. Ave. that had been home to an electronic screen fixing shop. The post mentions that Karam Touma--who had been an assistant chef at Bô Café in Norwell--will be running the place, with its menu featuring Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes including shawarma, falafel, hummus, rice pilaf, and kibbeh balls. It looks like Fattoush could be opening this spring, and it will focus on takeout and catering, according to the Advocate.

The address for Fattoush is 142 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA, 02474.

[January 4, 2022 update: According to multiple sources, Fattoush is now open in Arlington.]

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

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Aceituna Grill Opening New Location in Boston's Financial District

by Marc Hurwitz

A pair of restaurants featuring Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine may be joined by a new location in the heart of downtown Boston.

According to a licensing commission hearing page within the city's website, Aceituna Grill is looking to open in the Financial District, with the description indicating that the Federal Street eatery may be looking to focus at least in part on takeout, as it will have a kitchen in the back and a "serving line" in the front. If the city approves of its plans, the new location of Aceituna would join others in  Cambridge's Kendall Square and Boston's Seaport District, possibly offering such items as Greek salads, hummus, baba ganoush, shawarma, falafel, moussaka, and baklava, based on the menus at the other locations.

The address for the new location of Aceituna Grill in downtown Boston would be 100 Federal Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The website for the two existing locations can be found at http://aceitunagrill.com/

[September 27 update: Eater Boston states that Aceituna Grill will include both indoor and outdoor dining with a capacity of 200.]

[December 7 update: A new post from Aceituna Grill indicates that Aceituna Grill is now open in the Financial District.]

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Boston Shawarma in Downtown Crossing Has Closed

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like a Middle Eastern dining spot in the heart of Boston has shut down.

According to a Twitter post from @biblioteq_tress, Boston Shawarma on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing is no longer in operation, with a message from @CappyinBoston confirming that it has indeed closed. The eatery, which first opened in 2014, was known in part for its Lebanese fare, including such items as shawarma, chicken kabobs, falafel, hummus, taboule, and stuffed grape leaves.

The address for the now-closed Boston Shawarma in Downtown Crossing was 226 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02109.

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Fundraiser Set Up for Cafe Beirut in Jamaica Plain After Funds Were Stolen from Restaurant

by Marc Hurwitz

A Lebanese restaurant in Jamaica Plain has had some of its money stolen, and now a fundraiser has been set up to help the place make its rent payment.

Universal Hub mentions that an employee at Cafe Beirut on Centre Street reportedly took several thousand dollars from the eatery and that while the person who allegedly stole it has been identified and "proper action" is being taken, a GoFundMe page has been set up by a fan to help the place make its rent payment. At the time of this writing, approximately $500 has been raised, with the goal being $6,000.

Cafe Beirut features such classic Lebanese dishes as shawarma, lamb kebobs, kibby, grapeleaves, falafel, baba ghanoosh, halloumi, and spinach pie.

The address for Cafe Beirut is 654 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130. Its website can be found at http://cafebeirutjp.com/

[January 14, 2018 update: A check on the GoFundMe page indicates that approximately $5,000 has been raised for Cafe Beirut, which means it is about $1,000 way from its goal.]

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Karoun in Newtonville Is Closing, Property to Be Torn Down

A couple of years ago, we reported that a restaurant in Newton that has been in business for several decades could lose its home to a new mixed-use development. Now we have learned that the dining spot will soon be shutting down.

The Tables section of The Boston Globe states that Karoun in the Newtonville section of the city will be closing its doors for good sometime in June, with the Washington Street restaurant indeed being demolished to make way for a new development. The dining spot, which first opened on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay in 1977 before moving to its present home a couple of years later, is known in part for its Armenian and Lebanese fare along with its live music and belly dancing.

The address for Karoun is 839 Washington Street, Newton, MA, 02460. Its website is at http://www.karounrestaurant.com/

[June 7 update: According to a Facebook post from the place, Karoun plans to close for good on Saturday, June 24.]

[June 27 update: A new Facebook post from the restaurant confirms that Karoun has indeed closed.]

[Earlier Article]
Building Housing Karoun in Newtonville May Be Demolished to Make Way for New Development

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Bishop's Legacy Restaurant in Lowell Is Closing

It looks like an iconic restaurant name north of Boston is going away.

According to a source, Bishop's Legacy Restaurant in Lowell has announced that it is shutting down for good effective December 24. A Facebook post from the Merrimack Street dining spot confirms this, saying that "Unfortunately family dynamics have changed and we are announcing that we will close....we would like to thank all of our guests for supporting us over this time." Bishop's got its start in Lawrence in 1949, eventually saying goodbye to the city in 2001 and opening in its present location in Lowell in March of 2015, according to an article in the Lowell Sun. The restaurant focused on Eastern Mediterranean fare, with an emphasis on Lebanese dishes.

The address for this soon-to-close dining spot in Lowell is: Bishop's Legacy Restaurant, 143 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA, 01852. Its website can be found at http://www.bishopslegacyrestaurant.com/

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Campus Trolley by Boston University Has Closed

A beloved food stall that was a popular spot for college students over the past few decades has called it a day.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Campus Trolley by the Boston University campus has closed, as owners of the Commonwealth Avenue food cart have decided to shut it down because of new city regulations that would force them to either install in-ground plumbing or add wheels to make the cart mobile, with the latter apparently not being feasible because of its age.

Campus Trolley, which first opened in 1988, was known for its Lebanese fare, including such items as hummus, grape leaves, falafel, chicken kabobs, and kafta. The place was located near the Boston University East T stop.

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Update: The Madrona Tree Losing Its Home, Closing July 31

[Ed note: This article was updated on July 30 to reflect confirmation that the restaurant is closing this weekend.]

It looks like an eclectic restaurant northwest of Boston is closing and may be looking at moving to a new location.

According to a Twitter post from over the weekend, The Madrona Tree in Arlington is closing at some point, with Town Manager @AdamWChap replying "This is a shame. @TheMadronaTree is a great part of #ArlingtonMA Center. Meeting w/several landlords this week." A few sources confirm that the Broadway eatery may have to leave its space because its lease might not be renewed and that the owner of the restaurant is searching for a new location in which to move. It is not known exactly when the dining spot's lease ends, though it appears that the closure might not happen immediately. (We will post updates as they come in.) If it does close, it will add yet another empty storefront to Arlington Center, including the former Yummys Frozen Yogurt Lounge space on Mass. Ave., and Punjab, which is across from the former Yummys site and which has been temporary closed since February, when it was hit by flooding.

The Madrona Tree first opened in the fall of 2011, offering a mix of comfort food, American classics, and Lebanese fare using organic, locally-sourced ingredients. A few items offered include burgers, grilled cheese, hummus, falafel wraps, macaroni and cheese, kibbeh, and gyros.

The address for The Madrona Tree is 315 Broadway, Arlington, MA, 02474. Its website is at http://www.themadronatree.com/

[July 30 update: According to a Facebook post from the place, The Madrona Tree is apparently closing tomorrow (July 31), saying that this is its "last weekend." (This confirms what someone said on The Arlington List yesterday.)]

[August 1 update: It appears that the now-closed Madrona Tree may be gone for good, as a new Facebook post from the restaurant states that "We are sorry to report we have no plans of relocation at this point I know many of you have been asking and just want to be honest."]

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Aceituna Grill in Cambridge's Kendall Square to Open Second Location in Boston's Seaport District

A restaurant in Cambridge's Kendall Square that features Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine is opening a new location in one of Boston's hottest areas for development.

Eater Boston is reporting that Aceituna Grill on West Kendall Street is planning to expand to the new PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) building in Boston's Seaport District, with the eatery joining such upcoming dining spots as By Chole and Yoki Sushi within the Seaport Boulevard space. No specific opening date has been given for the upcoming shop as of yet, but if all goes as planned, the new location of Aceituna could open in the fall.

Aceituna Grill, which opened approximately 13 years ago in Kendall Square, offers such items as Greek salads, hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, moussaka, and baklava.

It appears that the address for this upcoming restaurant in the Seaport District will be: Aceituna Grill, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the original location can be found at http://aceitunagrill.com/

[February 7, 2017 update: According to a press release, the new location of Aceituna in the Seaport District will open on Thursday, February 9.]

[February 9, 2017 update: A Facebook post from the place says that the new Aceituna will open tomorrow instead because "Mother Nature had other plans" for today.]

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Blazing Salads Is Returning As a Food Truck

It looks like a long-lost name is returning to the Boston-area restaurant scene, albeit in a different form.

Hub Food Trucks is reporting that the old Blazing Salads restaurant in Quincy is going to be reborn as a food truck called Blazing Salads on Wheels, with the truck apparently being the same one that had been the Green Bean Mobile Cafe before it reportedly shut down and was sold. An article from Eater Boston confirms that it is indeed the same family behind the brick-and-mortar version of Blazing Salads, which first opened on Hancock Street in Quincy Center in 1974, eventually moving to Liberty Square in downtown Boston before closing its doors.

It is not yet known when the Blazing Salads truck might open, though EB says that it did clear inspections and permits this week. Based on the menu at the original restaurant as well as a note on its Facebook page, it appears that the truck will be featuring Middle Eastern/Lebanese fare.

[October 9 update: According to a Twitter post, the Blazing Salads truck debuts on October 16; it will be at the Hurley Building in Government Center on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and in Chinatown on Tuesdays and Thursdays (all from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM).]

The website for Blazing Salads on Wheels will be at http://www.blazinsaladsonwheels.com/

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