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5 best new restaurant openings and dining updates in Boston (Jan. 15, 2026)
Stay up to date on the best new restaurants, recent openings, and the biggest dining updates across Greater Boston's food scene.
The new year is already off to a great start when it comes to restaurant openings and fresh updates in Greater Boston’s dining scene. In the months ahead, we have major restaurant openings from Michelin chefs and famous New York restaurateurs, as well as a swell of diverse and delicious smaller restaurants joining our neighborhoods.
Each week, Boston.com will highlight the restaurant openings worth knowing about across the region. Some spots will already be open, while others are set to debut in 2026. At least one featured restaurant will always be a bonus item — either a pop-up, a collaboration, or event at area restaurants.
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What’s new in Greater Boston restaurant openings this week
Boxfish
Manita Bunnagitkarn, the chef and restaurateur behind Cha Yen Thai Cookery and Kala Thai Cookery, is opening a seafood joint in Watertown. The menu features New England staples, like a lobster roll poached in butter, and some fun twists on seafood, like uni and nori in a fettuccine pasta dish.
Open now (Soft opening is Jan. 14, 2026)
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613 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown
Mizu Matcha
The matcha craze continues into 2026, with a new Back Bay spot dedicated to the green tea powder in many forms. Matcha comes as gelato, lattes, and even tiramisu.
Open now (December 2025)
217 Newbury St., Back Bay
Ramen Spot at The Lineup
The food hall from Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser has a new concept for the downtown lunch crowd, especially perfect for a cold, windy day. Pick between four ramen bowls that come with a broth, some kind of protein, and the same five toppings (including corn, marinated egg, and chili crunch). There’s also a “not ramen” menu that includes a miso caesar and steamed pork buns.
Open now (January 2026)
250 Devonshire St., Downtown Boston
Swingers Boston
“Crazy golf” — the British version of mini golf, but a little more whimsical — is coming to Boston in a 21,000-square-foot space in Back Bay. While the golfing and carnival games will be the main attraction, Swingers will house Emmy Squared, a Detroit-style pizzeria, and a full bar for patrons who work up an appetite on the course.
Opening date: February 27, 2026
777 Boylston St., Back Bay
Bonus: Little Donkey’s late night Waffle House menu
It’s a crying shame the nearest Waffle House is a 5-hour drive away in Pennsylvania. For now, we have one-day-only pop-ups like Little Donkey’s late night Waffle House-inspired menu, including hash browns (famously smothered in grilled onions and covered with a slice of cheese), country ham, and of course waffles. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
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Event details: Thursday, Jan. 29, from 8 to 10 p.m.
505 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
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