Flann O'Brien's May Be Returning to Boston's Brigham Circle/Mission Hill Area

 It looks like a beloved Irish pub that said farewell to Boston several years ago could be coming back.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Flann O'Brien's is looking to open back up in its former location in the Brigham Circle/Mission Hill neighborhood, moving into its space on Tremont Street that had been home to a location of Yellow Door Taqueria from late 2022 until closing earlier this year. The notice mentions that the new incarnation of the pub would have seating within a dining area and a bar along with additional seating in a rear TV room, with Scott Prince being the manager listed.

Flann O'Brien's, which had been in business since at least the 1990s, closed during the early part of the pandemic, and while there had been hope that it might return, those plans fell through and Yellow Door Taqueria (which currently has locations in Dorchester, the South End, and Providence, RI) took over the space.

The address for the proposed Flann O'Brien's is 1619 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02120.

[Earlier Article]
Yellow Door Taqueria in Boston's Brigham Circle/Mission Hill Neighborhood Has Closed

(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.)

Read more »

Puritan Tavern to Open in Groton

A well-known local chef and restaurateur is going to be opening a spinoff of one of his Boston-area dining spots, with this one being northwest of the city.

According to an article from Boston Magazine, Will Gilson (Puritan & Company, Puritan Oyster Bar, Cafe Beatrice, Geppetto, The Lexington, Amba, First Street Market) is planning to open Puritan Tavern in Groton, moving into the former fire station on Station Road where Groton Station House Restaurant had been until transitioning into an events venue then closing in 2022. The upcoming restaurant will be an offshoot of sorts of Puritan & Company which resides in Cambridge's Inman Square, though perhaps slightly less upscale, as Gilson says that he wants it to be "somewhere where everybody can get together on a weeknight, take the family, come in good or bad times. A place that doesn't feel expensive or special-occasion." (The article mentions that the dining spot will offer "creative takes on New England staples" while also serving local beers, affordable wine, and classic cocktails.)

If all goes as planned, Puritan Tavern could be opening later this summer, with a patio debuting sometime next year.

The address for the upcoming Puritan Tavern is 20 Station Avenue, Groton, MA, 01450. Its website will be at https://ift.tt/usVX5iL

(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.)

Read more »

Oishii in Boston's South End Is Closing

One of Boston's best-known sushi spots is shutting down.

According to a source, Oishii in the city's South End neighborhood is getting ready to close, with a Facebook post from the Washington Street restaurant saying the following:

After many unforgettable years, Oishii Boston will be closing its doors at the end of business on Father’s Day. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served our guests, shared special celebrations, and been a part of so many cherished memories. What began as a vision to bring exceptional Japanese cuisine and hospitality to Boston became something much greater because of the support of our loyal customers, dedicated team members, and community. We are proud of the history we have built together—from countless first dates, family dinners, and milestone celebrations to the friendships and connections formed around our tables. Your support, encouragement, and trust have meant more to us than words can express. To every guest who dined with us, recommended us to a friend, celebrated a special occasion, or simply made Oishii part of their routine: thank you.

Oishii first started out in Chestnut Hill in 1998, expanding to the South End in 2006; another location called Oishii Too (which debuted around that time as well) remains in operation.

The address for Oishii in the South End is 1166 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02118. Its website can be found at https://ift.tt/bJ93yfp

(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.)

Read more »

Moon Flower House in Allston Has Closed

It looks like what was once a pair of Chinese dining spots known for their chicken options now has no remaining locations in Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Retaurants Facebook group page, Moon Flower House in Allston is no longer in business, with a Google search seeming to confirm this as it says the Brighton Avenue eatery is "permanently closed." Another location had also been on Kneeland Street in Chinatown but that one closed at some point in time as well.

Moon Flower House featured such items as fried chicken sandwiches, grilled chicken sandwiches, wings, chicken wraps, popcorn chicken, and more.

The address for the now-closed Moon Flower House in Allston was 110 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

(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.)

Read more »

Nine Restaurant in Boston's Beacon Hill Has Closed

A high-end restaurant in the heart of Boston that replaced a landmark dining spot last summer has shut down.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Nine restaurant in the Beacon Hill section of the city is no longer in business, with an Instagram post from the place saying the following:

Today, we learned that no additional funding will be available for the restaurant, leaving us with no choice but to close our doors. The news is especially difficult given the momentum we recently built. Following an incredible review from The Boston Globe and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our guests, we truly felt we had found our stride. Unfortunately, the financial support needed to sustain and grow the business during this critical period did not materialize....After a challenging start, we poured everything we had into making it succeed. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to achieve the consistent guest traffic necessary to continue operating.

Nine first opened in August of 2025, taking over the space where No. 9 Park had previously been; that restaurant was one of several from chef/restaurateur Barbara Lynch, with all of her dining spots now being closed including The Butcher Shop, Stir, Drink, Menton, Sportello, and B&G Oysters in Boston along with The Rudder in Gloucester.

The address for the now-closed Nine was 9 Park Street Place, Boston, MA, 02108.

(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.)

Read more »

Trillium Opens Outdoor Beer Garden at the Connector in Downtown Boston

Last month it was reported that one of the region's best-known breweries opened a waterfront beer garden after losing its seasonal home nearby, and now we have learned that this isn't its only outdoor beer garden in the downtown area.

According to a press release, Trillium Beer Garden at the Connector is now up and running at Winthrop Center Park on Devonshire Street, which is a move of sorts as Trillium previously had an indoor winter beer garden set up at Winthrop Center. The beer garden is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM through October and it features beer, canned cocktails, hard teas, lemonades, and seltzers, along with Neapolitan-style pizza from Gatto Pazzo which resides at The Lineup, a food hall within The Connector.

Trillium has another beer garden at the lower patio of the Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf, which is close to its old space on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. (Trillium also has locations in Fort Point, the Fenway, and Canton.) The website for the business is at https://ift.tt/LW8FZOX

(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.)

Read more »

Lockheart Is Opening in Newton Centre

A new location of a restaurant in the western suburbs of Boston that has Southwestern influences is on the way, with this one also being west of Boston and residing within an historic space.

According to a post within the Newton Real Estate Forum Facebook page, Lockheart restaurant is planning to open in Newton Centre, moving into the former train station on Union Street that dates back to the 1800s. The post mentions that the new location of the dining spot will have seating for 86 inside and another 9 outside, and based on the Wellesley location of the restaurant, the new location could offer such options as tacos, nachos, quesadillas, enchiladads, empanadas, chili, bowls, and more.

The Wellesley location of  Lockheart opened on Central Street in 2022.

The address for the upcoming location of Lockheart in Newton Centre is 70 Union Street, Newton Centre, MA, 02459. The website for the Wellesley location can be found at https://ift.tt/gkAx4PO

(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.)

Read more »