Localito Cafe Opens in Medford Square

A brand new cafe has debuted a few miles north of Boston, and it has a connection to a local group of Mexican restaurants. 

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Localito Cafe has opened in Medford, moving into a space on Riverside Avenue in Medford Square. The poster mentions that they are starting out with coffee and some pastries as they work out final details, and they will soon start adding additional menu items. An earlier post in the Facebook group page mentioned that the coffeehouse will be under the same ownership as that of Tenoch, which has seven locations in the Greater Boston area including in Medford Square (El Tacuba, which is also in Medford Square, is run by the same people as well).

The address for Localito Cafe is 30 Riverside Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155. Its website is at https://ift.tt/Gp7S8ux while its Instagram page is at https://ift.tt/nhvJbEm

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[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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Atlantic Poke Opens in Framingham

A pair of dining spots west of Boston that feature poke bowls have been joined by a third location, and this one is the first one inside Route 495.

According to a source along with the website for the business, Atlantic Poke is now open in Framingham, moving into a space at Shoppers World. The new location of the eatery joins others in Marlborough and Shrewsbury, and it offers poke bowls, bubble tea, seaweed chips, brownies, marshmallow treats, and more.

The address for the new location of Atlantic Poke at Shoppers World is 1 Worcester Road (Route 9) Unit 521B, Framingham, MA, 01701. The address for all three locations is at https://ift.tt/jRgoJQN

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[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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Tama Sushi & Hibachi Opens in Natick

A bit more than a year ago, it was reported that a new Japanese restaurant was planning to replace another Japanese spot in the western suburbs of Boston, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a source along with an article from the Natick Report, Tama Sushi & Hibachi is now open in Natick, and as mentioned in an earlier article here, it has taken over the former Oga's Japanese Cuisine space on Route 9. In addition to sushi and hibachi, the new restaurant also offer such options as ramen, nori tacos, bento boxes, dumplings, tempura, and more, though it doesn't appear to offer ramen, as had been previously mentioned when the plans were first announced in September of 2024.

The address for Tama Sushi & Hibachi is 915 Worcester Street (Route 9), Natick, MA, 01760. Its website is at https://ift.tt/m51yRD0

[Earlier Article]
Tama Plans to Open in the Former Oga's Space in Natick

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[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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Lunch on the Charles Opens in South Natick

A new eatery featuring takeout food at lunchtime has come to the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a source along with an article from The Natick Report, Lunch on the Charles is now open in South Natick, moving into a space on Eliot Street across from the dam/waterfall. The new spot it takeout only (the 140-square-foot space has no seating) and offers, soups, salads, and sandwiches including a number of gluten-free options.

The address for Lunch on the Charles is 57 Eliot Street (Route 16), South Natick, MA, 01760. Its website can be found at https://ift.tt/j1VXeBC

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[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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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.)

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North End Lobster Co. Opens in Boston's North End

A new seafood spot has come to the North End of Boston after being in the works for a year and a half, and it has an ownership connection to several well-known Italian restaurants.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, North End Lobster Co. is now open on Hanover Street, with an Instagram post indicating that it debuted on November 13. The menu for the place shows such options as lobster bisque, clam chowder, crab cakes, grilled octopus, fried scallops, oysters, lobster tacos, clam rolls, fish and chips, lobster pie, lobster macaroni and cheese, lobster ravioli, seafood risotto, and more.

The owners of Giacomo's (which is also on Hanover Street) are behind North End Lobster Co.

The address for North End Lobster Co. is 204 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113. Its website can be found at https://ift.tt/PsZx1ED

[Earlier Article]
Owners of Giacomo's in Boston's North End Plan to Open New Restaurant in the Neighborhood

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[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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Shine's Fresh Asian in Belmont Center Has Closed; Exact Status Unknown

An Asian restaurant in the western suburbs of Boston appears to have shuttered, and it isn't know exactly why it closed or if it could return in the future.

According to a source, Shine's Fresh Asian in Belmont Center is no longer in business, with a sign out front at the Leonard Street storefront seeming to confirm that it has closed (phone calls to the dining spot indicate that the number is out of service). The restaurant first opened in 2016 in the former Asai space and focused on Asian fusion fare.

The address for Shine’s Fresh Asian was 30 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA, 02478.

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[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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26 Boston-Area Restaurants Selected for The Michelin Guide, Including 311 Omakase Receiving a Star

The Michelin Guide has chosen a number of restaurants in the Greater Boston area for the first time, and one South End dining spot has received a Michelin star.

According to a press release, 311 Omakase on Tremont Street is one of 26 restaurants to be selected, with the place being the only one locally to receive one star (none received two or three stars). Other spots that received recognition include:

Bib Gourmand:

Bar Volpe, South Boston
Fox & the Knife, South Boston
Jahunger, Cambridge
Mahaniyom, Brookline
Pagu, Cambridge
Sumiao Hunan Kitchen, Cambridge

Michelin Recommended:

Asta, Boston
Carmelina's, Boston
Giulia, Cambridge
La Padrona, Boston
Lenox Sophia, South Boston
Moeca, Cambridge
Mooncusser, Boston
Neptune Oyster, Boston
Nightshade Noodle Bar, Lynn
Oleana, Cambridge
Pammy's, Cambridge
Select Oyster Bar, Boston
Somaek, Boston
Thistle & Leek, Newton
Toro, Boston
Urban Hearth, Cambridge
Wa Shin, Boston
Woods Hill Pier 4, Boston
Zhi Wei Cafe, Boston

Cocktail award:

Mahaniyom, Brookline

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[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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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.)

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