Sign up for The Dish
Stay up to date on the latest food and drink news from Boston.com.
5 can’t-miss restaurant openings and dining updates in Boston this week
Stay up to date on the best new restaurants, recent openings, and the biggest dining updates across Greater Boston's food scene.
It’s a good time to be a Greater Boston diner in 2025, with exciting and diverse restaurant openings occurring all over the metro area.
Each week, Boston.com will highlight the restaurant openings worth knowing about across the Greater Boston region. Some spots will already be open, while others are set to debut soon or later this year. At least one featured restaurant will always be a bonus item — either a pop-up, a collaboration, or event at area restaurants.
Want more on the latest food and drink news? Sign up for The Dish, our newsletter featuring the latest food and drink news, chef Q&As, deep dives on industry issues, expert tips on where to eat and drink, and more.
What’s new in Greater Boston restaurant openings this week
Al’s Cafe
A Boston lunchtime staple is expanding with a new location that also promises dinner hours. The Al’s Cafe owner confirmed that its newest Downtown Crossing location will include its usual made-to-order sandwiches, but the menu will also feature new salad and appetizer items. It will also be the Al’s Cafe location with the latest closing time, available until 9 p.m. so that the evening crowd can get one of Al’s giant gourmet subs.
Advertisement:
Opening date: October 2025
27 School Street, Downtown Boston
Ghost Light Tavern
Jason Santos has changed concepts at a bar space in the Theater District, closing down country-themed Nash Bar & Stage to Ghost Light Tavern, described as a “high dive.” In collaboration with The Clock Tavern, the menu features specialty cocktails, tavern food (Nashville-hot mozzarella sticks, smash burger, and loaded tater tots, for example), and for an extra $45, 1-ounce caviar mirror bumps. The tavern also has a “club room,” which will host DJs and private events, and an Instagrammable, cheetah-printed pool table.
Open now (September 2025)
253 Tremont St., Downtown Boston
Third Time Together
Ice cream pop-up Third Time has moved into more permanent digs at the Charles River Speedway, changing its name and concept slightly to include a food menu of mezze, stuffed pita, and hot dogs. Don’t worry — there will still be some award-winning ice cream to choose from.
Advertisement:
Open now (September 2025)
525 Western Ave., Brighton
TooHot
The team behind Noah’s Kitchen (Brookline) bring an elevated Sichuan restaurant to Harvard Square, with the option to eat from an a la carte menu or their Thursday tasting menu for $99 a person. Menu highlights include dishes like a seared duck breast in a ginger jus or chicken giblets with fermented chili relish. The dishes can pack some heat, but the menu indicates which dishes are the hottest.
Open now (June 2025)
16-18 Eliot St., Cambridge
Bonus: Maker’s Market at Sofra Bakery and Cafe
Grab some fresh produce and olive oil from local makers with your pastry and coffee from Sofra Bakery’s Allston location. The one-day-only maker’s market includes tea from Madhrasi Chai, handmade ceramics, Koy Pantry olive oil, Portoula honey, produce from Siena Farms, and Alexia’s Real Greek Food. Entry is free.
Event date: Sunday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; rain date is Sunday, Oct. 5.
210 N. Harvard St., Allston
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com