BOSTON RESTAURANT AND BAR OPENINGS TO KNOW, JUNE 2024

This periodic column highlights notable restaurant openings in and around Boston. Catch up on more news about Boston restaurant openings right here.

Know of a new or soon-to-open restaurant that should be on Eater Boston’s radar? Get in touch here.

BROOKLINE — One of the year’s most highly anticipated debuts has arrived. Merai, the second act from the award-winning team behind Brookline Thai restaurant Mahaniyom, is now open with inventive cocktails and Thai-rooted takes on classic dive bar fare, from hot dogs and dumplings to fries and chicken wings. 14 Harvard Street

CAMBRIDGEPORT — Popular Providence restaurant Jahunger has expanded to the Boston area. Run by James Beard semifinalist Subat Dilmurat and co-owner Nadira Parhat, who is also Dilmurat’s wife, the restaurant specializes in Uyghur cuisine, from its namesake Jahunger hand-pulled noodles to samsa (savory, meat-filled pastries) and kavap, or lamb kebabs. 272 Brookline Street

DORCHESTER — The Mix is off to a flying start in Dorchester, bringing the neighborhood together over expertly grilled lobster tail and lots of events and parties on the calendar. There are blowout Sunday brunches, weekly after-work mixers on Fridays, and an adults-only July 4th cookout party where they are firing up the grill, shaking up specialty cocktails at the outdoor bar, and setting up outdoor games starting at 12 p.m. 555 Talbot Avenue

DOWNTOWN BOSTON — John Fraser, an NYC-based chef and restaurateur who has scored a few Michelin stars for projects in other cities, has opened the Vermilion Club, an innovative take on a Boston steakhouse complete with foie gras Boston cream pie and tomato tartare. 115 Federal Street

EAST BOSTON — Florenza is a new daytime Italian cafe that has opened in East Boston. Head here for Roman-style pizzas, paninis, coffee, tea, and, crucially, over a dozen different kinds of gelato. 164 Sumner Street

HARVARD SQUARE — A new Israeli cafe, Asaro Bakery & Cafe, has popped up in Cambridge. There are sandwiches, salads, and a pastry case bursting with croissants, babka, rugelach, and many other sweet treats. 1629 Cambridge Street

JAMAICA PLAIN — The fish specialists at Bluefin inside Somerville’s Bow Market have expanded into Boston proper. Bluefin Raw Bar is now open along Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, serving up lobster rolls, clam chowder, salmon burgers, and plenty of fresh fish and shellfish to buy by the pound. 660B Centre Street

JAMAICA PLAIN — The lights are back on inside a historic building on Centre Street that was previously home to Cuban mainstay El Oriental de Cuba for over 30 years. Now, owner Adolfo Alvarado of Somerville’s Tu y Yo has taken over the space and opened Mexican restaurant Abuela’s Table. Come for a feast of tamales, moles, and those crispy fried tacos de chapulines, or grasshopper tacos that are also a hit at Tu y Yo. 414 Centre Street

KENDALL SQUARE — Rebelle Bagels, a bagelry from James Beard semifinalist Milena Pagán that got its start in Providence, Rhode Island, is now slinging bagels in Cambridge. 249 Third Street

SOUTH END — After closing down their Jamaica Plain chocolate bar and cafe at the end of last year, owners Perla Rosario and Leo Baez have re-opened Cacao in new digs in the South End. (There’s another location in Newton, too.) 570 Columbus Avenue

WATERTOWN — Chef Jason Santos (Buttermilk & Bourbon, Citrus & Salt) has opened a cheeky fast-casual restaurant called ButterBird. As the name suggests, it’s all about fried chicken in many forms here, from breakfast sandwiches to chicken tenders, salads, and sandwiches at lunch. The new spot is located at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards. 112 Bond Square

2024-07-01T21:02:55Z dg43tfdfdgfd