Boston Restaurant Talk: Reading restaurants

Showing posts with label Reading restaurants. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 07, 2026

Bean & Barrel Cafe to Open in Reading in November

A new cafe is getting ready to open in the northern suburbs of Boston, and it will also double as a cocktail bar as well.

According to its Instagram page, Bean & Barrel Cafe is planning to open in Reading in November, with a post within the jobs section of the bostonchefs.com site indicating that the High Street spot will be offering coffee and espresso drinks along with "North End pastries" beginning at 6:00 AM, with cocktails being served starting at 11:00 AM until closing time at 10:00 PM. No menu has been posted for the cafe as of yet, so stay tuned for updates on exact food/drink offerings as they come in.

The address for Bean & Barrel Cafe is 45 High Street, Reading, MA, 01867. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/beanandbarrel_cafe/

(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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Monday, May 04, 2026

Oasis Breakfast and Coffee Opens in Reading

A new breakfast spot has come to the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a Facebook post from Reading Recap, Oasis Breakfast and Coffee is now open in Reading, moving into a space on Main Street on the southern edge of the downtown area. The new eatery focuses on items with Brazilian influences, with offerings including pastries, baked goods, breakfast plates, benedicts, coffee, and more.

The address for Oasis Breakfast and Coffee is 459 Main Street, Reading, MA, 01867. Its Instagram page can be found at https://www.instagram.com/oasisreading/

(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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Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Toscana Forno Is Opening in Reading

The people behind three dining spots in the northern suburbs of Boston will be opening a fourth restaurant north of the city, and this will be a second location of one of their businesses.

According to an article from the Reading Recap, Toscana Forno is planning to open in Reading, moving into the space on Walkers Brook Drive that had been home to a location of Bertucci's. Once it opens, the new spot will join another Toscana Forno in Peabody along with Toscana's Ristorante (also in Peabody) and Toscana Bar Italiano in Beverly, all of which are run by the Perrina family.

If all goes as planned, Toscana Forno could be opening in Reading at the beginning of February.

The address for Toscana Forno in Reading is 45 Walkers Brook Drive, Reading, MA, 01867. The website for the Peabody location is at https://toscanaforno.com/

[April 2, 2026 update: The Reading Recap mentions that Toscana Forno is now open in Reading.]

(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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Tuesday, December 09, 2025

Virginia's Cafe & Market Is Opening in Reading

A new spot for Portuguese treats is on its way to the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Virginia's Cafe & Market is getting ready to open in Reading, moving into the former Pamplemousse space on Haven Street near the commuter rail station. The social media for the upcoming place says that it will be a "Portuguese inspired coffee house and specialty food market" and a "warm, welcoming space where the community can enjoy Portuguese coffee, pastries, and curated goods." (Reading Recap mentions that the person behind it is Jake Chaves.)

The address for Virginia's Cafe & Market is 26 Haven Street, Reading, MA, 01867. Its Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583261082652 while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/virginiascafeandmarket/

[March 10, 2026 update: A source tells us (via a Reading Recap article) that Virginia's Cafe & Market is now open.]

(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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Thursday, December 04, 2025

DiBlasi's in Everett to Expand to Reading

A sub shop just north of Boston that has been around for a long time will soon be joined by a new spot in the northern suburbs.

According to an article from the Reading Recap, DiBlasi's Subs in Everett is planning to open DiBlasi's in Reading in the spring of 2026, moving into the space on High Street that had been home to Green Tomato. The post says that the new location will be a restaurant that has sit-down dining, and while the original location offers such items as subs and pizza, a specific menu for the Reading location has not been seen as of yet.

DiBlasi's Subs in Everett dates back to 1952, being initially run by Philip DiBlasi, then his son Chuck, who sold the business to current owner Greg Maganzini in 2005.

The address for the upcoming DiBlasi's in Reading is 42 High Street, Reading, MA, 01867. Its website is at https://www.diblasisreading.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/diblasisreading/

(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, September 05, 2025

Bertucci's in Reading Has Closed

Yet another location of a local chain of Italian restaurants continues to shrink, this time closing a location in the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, Bertucci's in Reading is no longer in business, with a Reading Recap article saying that the Walkers Brook Drive shuttered a couple of days ago. With the closing of this location, that means there the only four left inside/along Route 128, in West Roxbury, Newton, Medford, and Waltham, along with a Bertucci's Pronto in downtown Boston. (Other Bertucci's outlets inside/along Route 495 can still be found in Hingham, Framingham, and Chelmsford.)

The address for the now-closed Reading location of Bertucci's was 45 Walkers Brook Drive, Reading, MA, 01867. The website for all locations is at https://www.bertuccis.com/

(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 11, 2023

Post 1917 Steakhouse Is Opening in Reading

A new restaurant is on its way to the northern suburbs of Boston, moving into an historic space that has been recently renovated.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Post 1917 Steakhouse is planning to open in Reading, with an article from The Reading Post indicating that it will be moving into the Postmark Building on Haven Street which had been home to the post office and which now includes condominiums and office space. The person behind the upcoming dining spot is Jason Carron, who is a veteran restaurant consultant and has been involved with such places as Del Frisco's and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.

If all goes as planned, Post 1917 Steakhouse will open next spring.

The address for Post 1917 Steakhouse is 136 Haven Street, Reading, MA, 01867. Its website is at https://www.post1917.com/

[April 23 update: According to a press release, Post 1917 Steakhouse is now open, while its patio is slated to debut Memorial Day Weekend]

[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, September 14, 2022

The Green Tomato in Reading Is Closing Until Further Notice

A dining spot in the northern suburbs that is known for its to-go Italian and American dishes is shutting down for the foreseeable future.

According to a message sent by local hospitality writer Cheryl Fenton, The Green Tomato in Reading is closing until further notice on Friday, with a Patch article citing "current economic issues" as the reason for the closure of the High Street eatery. In the article, owner John Ryan says that "Right now, we could close for the whole winter and then next year, things could finally turn around....Do I think so? No. But you never know."

The Green Tomato first opened in 2003, offering such items as chicken marsala, eggplant parmigiana, shrimp scampi, meatball subs, chicken pot pie, and American chop suey.

The address for The Green Tomato is 42 High Street, Reading, MA, 01867. Its website can be found at https://www.thegreentomatokitchen.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!

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Public Kitchen Is Opening in the Biltmore and Main Space in Reading

A restaurant and bar in the northern suburbs of Boston that is known in part for its beer and cocktail options is expanding a few miles to the north, and it will be replacing another dining and drinking spot.

According to a message from local hospitality writer Cheryl Fenton, Public Kitchen in Wakefield is expanding to a second location in Reading, with the address indicating that it will be taking over the Biltmore and Main Space in the center of town. A Facebook post from the place confirms this, saying that "PK is Getting a Sister! Coming soon to READING MA!" while also mentioning that updates will be coming to the Instagram page for the upcoming location.

Public Kitchen first opened in Wakefield in early 2018, while Biltmore and Main debuted in Reading in the fall of 2015.

The address for the new location of Public Kitchen in Reading is 530 Main Street, Reading, MA, 01867. The website for the Wakefield location is at https://publickitchen.net/ while the Instagram page for the Reading outlet will be at https://www.instagram.com/pk_reading/

[December 20 update: A tweet from @dbelson indicates that Public Kitchen is now open in Reading, with the restaurant confirming this in a post.]

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, March 23, 2022

Fusion Cafe and Restaurant in Reading Has Closed

A dining spot in the northern suburbs of Boston that was known in part for its all-day breakfast has shut down.

According to a message from local hospitality writer Cheryl Fenton, Fusion Cafe and Restaurant in Reading has closed its doors permanently, and it appears that the people behind another local restaurant may be taking over the Main Street space, though we are still trying to confirm details on this. Fusion offered such items as omelets, Mexican-style breakfasts, crepes, waffles, pancakes, French toast, and breakfast sandwiches.

The address for the now-closed Fusion Cafe and Restaurant was 607 Main Street, Reading, MA, 01867.

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.)

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Cal's Brick Oven Pizza Co. Opens in Reading

The people behind a suburban ice cream shop that debuted last year have opened a brand new pizzeria.

According to a message sent by Richard Auffrey of The Passionate Foodie, Cal's Brick Oven Pizza Co. is now open in Reading, taking over the space next door to Cal's Creamery within the same building on Route 28. In addition to pizza, the new spot also serves calzones, subs, wraps, pasta dishes, grill items, and more, according to its website.

Cal's Creamery first opened its doors in May of 2021; both the ice cream shop and the new pizzeria are located where Camp To Castle Consignment had been (which is also where Calareso's farm stand and garden center was before they moved a short distance down the road).

The address for Cal's Brick Oven Pizza Co. is 122 Main Street (Route 28), Reading, MA, 01867. Its website can be found at https://www.calsbrickoven.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]

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, September 01, 2021

Fat Larry's Is Opening in Reading

A new ice cream and sandwich shop is on its way to the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a message from local hospitality writer Cheryl Fenton, Fat Larry's is planning to open in Reading, moving into the space on Haven Street in the center of town that had been home to the Olde Redding Butcher Shoppe. An earlier article from the Reading Post mentioned Fat Larry's coming to Reading, saying at the time that the place hoped to open sometime this summer. Based on its Facebook page, construction has been going on within the space over the past few weeks, though no specific opening date has been given as of yet; as soon as we receive more information, including a menu and a possible opening date, we will post an update here.

The address for Fat Larry's is169 Haven Street, Reading, MA, 01867. Its website will be at https://www.fatlarrysreading.com/

[December 2 update: A message sent from Richard Auffrey of The Passionate Foodie indicates that Fat Larry's opened today, with an Instagram post from the place confirming this.]

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.)

Thursday, June 17, 2021

The Green Tomato in Reading Is Moving; Will Have Seating

A takeout spot in the northern suburbs that is known for its Italian and American dishes is moving to a new home this fall, and it will no longer be just a takeout spot.

According to a source, The Green Tomato in Reading has found a new space and will be moving from its current home on High Street a few hundred feet east to Gould Street, where it will have a new storefront with seating. A picture sent to us indicates that the dining spot will also offer Mediterranean fare as well, while vegetarian and vegan options will be available.

The Green Tomato, which first opened in 2003, offers such items as chicken marsala, eggplant parmigiana, veal piccata, shrimp scampi, chicken pot pie, meatball subs, and roast turkey.

The current address for The Green Tomato is 42 High Street in Reading while its new address will be 24 Gould Street. Its website can be found at https://www.thegreentomatokitchen.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]

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, April 16, 2021

House of Bagels Is Opening in Reading

A brand new bagel shop is on its way to the northern suburbs.

A message sent from Richard Auffrey of The Passionate Foodie indicates that House of Bagels is coming to Reading, with the Facebook page for the Main Street shop saying that it will be opening "very soon," though no specific opening date has been given as of yet. Based on the address, it appears that House of Bagels will be taking over the former Gregory's Deli space, which is south of Reading Center and a short distance north of the Route 128/28 intersection.

The address for House of Bagels is 162 Main Street (Route 28), Reading, MA, 01867. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/readinghouseofbagels/

[June 14 update: Richard Auffrey tells us that House of Bagels has its grand opening on Wednesday, June 16, with a Facebook post from the place confirming this.]

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, April 05, 2021

Drew's Stews Is Opening a Retail Store in Reading

A local business that focuses on soups is opening its very own brick-and-mortar shop.

According to a message from local hospitality writer Cheryl Fenton, Drew's Stews is planning to open a retail store in Reading, with a Facebook post from the business saying that "Drew's Stews will have their very own commercial kitchen!" We have been told by Cheryl that the shop will be located on Main Street, though we are still trying to get an exact address for the store.

Drew's Stews currently offers no-contact doorstep delivery to people in Boston and the northwest suburbs, and has been at various farmers market locally as well; some of its offerings include corn chowder, pea soup, lentil soup, tomato veggie rice, beef barley, and chicken stew.

The website for Drew's Stews can be found at https://drewsstews.com/

[July 27 update: Cheryl Fenton tells us that Drew's Stews has opened its retail shop, with its address being 489 Main Street.]

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, December 21, 2020

The Charles Has Opened in Reading; Owner of Bunratty Tavern Is Behind the Place

Several months ago, it was reported that the person behind a suburban Irish pub was planning to expand into a former bakery space next door. Now we have learned more about the new spot, which opened for business over the weekend.

According to Eilish Carlyle-Havey of Bunratty Tavern in Reading, The Charles is now open next door in the old D'Amici's Bakery space, with the new restaurant featuring decor that is "classic American/Hollywood from around the 40s-50s" while also having a private back room with prints that go back more than 100 years showing how the space has changed over time. We have been told that The Charles features steak and seafood dishes along with pasta and some vegetarian items, while drinks include classic cocktails such as Vieux Carre, Old Fashioneds, and espresso martinis.

While The Charles opened its doors yesterday, it will not open back up until Wednesday, then it will close again for the holiday (Thursday and Friday) and reopen on Saturday and Sunday, at which point it will be open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday each week. (Brunch service will soon be added as well.)

The address for The Charles is 614 Main Street while the address for Bunratty Tavern is 622 Main Street. The Facebook page for The Charles can be found at https://www.facebook.com/thecharlesreading

[Earlier Article]
Bunratty Tavern in Reading to Expand into Former D'Amici's Bakery Space Next Door

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, September 08, 2020

Parent Company of Fuddruckers Announces Liquidation Plans

The future of a burger chain that was once headquartered in the Greater Boston location is now in doubt.

According to an article from Restaurant Business, Luby's--which is the parent company of Fuddruckers--has decided to liquidate via the sale of its assets, with the plan being to dissolve both the Fuddruckers and Luby's brands. The post mentions that this still needs the approval of the company's shareholders, though even if it is approved, it isn't known how this could affect locations of Fuddruckers in the Greater Boston area (in Reading and Saugus), as they appear to be independently owned. This is a developing story, so keep checking back for updates as they come in.

Fuddruckers is headquartered in Texas, but it once had its headquarters in Beverly and Danvers.

[September 11 update: It appears that the Reading and Saugus locations of Fuddruckers will not be affected by the planned liquidation of the parent company, as a pair of Facebook posts from the Reading page mention that it is "not going anywhere" and is indeed independently owned and operated, while another post states that the Saugus location reopens today (the Reading location has been open as well). Thanks to one of our sources for bringing this to our attention.]

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, July 13, 2020

Bunratty Tavern in Reading to Expand into Former D'Amici's Bakery Space Next Door

A suburban Irish pub that has a spacious interior and an outdoor patio is going to be getting a bit larger, as it is taking over the space next door.

A message sent to us over the weekend indicates that Bunratty Tavern in Reading is expanding into the old D'Amici's Bakery space to its left, with the plan possibly being to have the new space used as a function room and also for overflow as a dining/cocktail section. (The new space will have a connection door to the original dining/drinking area.)

All three locations of D'Amici's Bakery in Reading, Melrose, and Lynn shut down last fall, while another outlet in Lynn closed earlier last year; Bunratty Tavern first opened its doors in 2015.

The Bunratty Tavern is 622 Main Street while the former D'Amici's Bakery space is 614 Main Street. Its website can be found at https://bunrattytavern.com/

[Earlier Article]
Bunratty Tavern Is Opening in Reading

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 09, 2020

Swissbakers Is Reopening Its Reading Location

A few months ago, a local group of bakery-cafes shut down all of its locations, only to reopen one of its shops a month later. Now we have learned that at least one of its other outlets is getting ready to open back up as well.

According to a source, Swissbakers is reopening its Reading location, with a Facebook comment confirming this, and the comment also says that they hope to open the shop in Boston's North Station again as well, though our source only told us about the Reading location reopening. It appears that the Reading shop could be opening very soon according to our source; once we get confirmation of a reopening date, we will post an update here.

All locations of Swissbakers closed in early December, including shops in Boston's North Station, Cambridge's Harvard Square, and Reading (another branch in the Boston Public Market had closed in October, but the Allston shop reopened in January).

The address for the Reading location of Swissbakers is 32 Lincoln Street, Reading, MA, 01867. The website for the business is at https://swissbakers.com/

[March 11 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Swissbakers in Reading plans to open back up on Saturday, March 14.]

[March 13 update: A new Facebook post indicates that Swissbakers is pushing the opening of the Reading shop back to Saturday, March 21 in order to do a final check with the health department.]

[Earlier Articles]
Swissbakers Reopens Its Allston Location
Swissbakers Closes All Locations

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]

Thursday, December 05, 2019

Swissbakers Closes All Locations

It looks like a beloved local group of bakery-cafes has shut down its retail operations.

According to several sources, Swissbakers has closed all of its outlets, with a Facebook post from the place confirming this, saying that "To the best guests in the world. It's with a heavy heart that we must inform you that we have to close our doors" while a comment from them indicates that this indeed affects all locations, including shops in Boston's North Station, Cambridge's Harvard Square, Allston, and Reading. (Another branch had been at the Boston Public Market as well, but that one closed in October.) It is not known if Swissbakers will continue on in any form including wholesale and/or at farmers markets/events; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

Swissbakers, which started out approximately 13 years ago in Reading, was known for its soups, salads, sandwiches, and baked goods with Swiss influences.

[December 6 update: A Facebook post from the business indicates that the Allston location of Swissbakers will have a "final bake off" on Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.]

[December 16 update: A new Facebook post from the company indicates that Swissbakers may be looking to return in some form and that they asking people to take a poll as they work on a strategy for the business.]

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]