First Watch Plans to Open in Dedham and Swampscott

A Florida-based chain of breakfast and lunch spots is further expanding into the local area, with two new ones planned for the suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, First Watch is looking to open in Dedham, with an earlier Patch article confirming this while also saying that another location is on its way to Swampscott as well. Our source tells us that the Dedham location will be coming to Dedham Plaza on Providence Highway while the Patch article indicates that the Swampscott outlet will be coming to Vinnin Square. The news of these two locations planning to open in the region come on the heels of news published here last month of a Woburn location also being in the works, with all three joining existing locations in the Back Bay of Boston and Hanover (another in Attleboro is also on its way).

First Watch was established in Pacific Grove, CA, in 1983, moving its headquarters to Bradenton, FL, three years later. Its website can be found at https://firstwatch.com/

[Earlier Article]
First Watch May Be Opening in the Former On the Border Space in Woburn

(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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Gori & Co. Plans to Open in Jamaica Plain

It looks like a Japanese shaved ice spot could be coming to a Boston neighborhood.

According to a message sent from Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub, Gori & Co. is planning to open in Jamaica Plain, with a Jamaica Plain News article stating that it will be going into the space on Centre Street that had been home to Bluefin, and before that, Cacao. A NuMarket page mentions the following about the place:

As a cafe dedicated to everything we love about kakigori, we'll highlight traditional and global flavors while experimenting with our own. Kakigori-style shaved ice, along with small bites such as onigiri and spam musubi.

The address for the upcoming Gori & Co. is 660B Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

(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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Tipsy Scoop to Open in Boston's South End

A group of boozy ice cream shops with roots in New York City will soon be on its way to Boston.

According to a poster within the South End Community Board Facebook group page, Tipsy Scoop is planning to open on Dartmouth Street, with the website for the business saying, "Boston, get ready to chill responsibly! Tipsy Scoop — the original liquor-infused ice cream brand — is bringing its signature blend of booze and dessert to Beantown!" Once it opens, the new South End location will join others in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, along with outlets in other parts of the country along with the Bahamas.

The Tipsy Scoop website mentions that it infuses traditional ice cream flavors with different liquors, with a few options including vanilla bean bourbon, spiked hazelnut coffee, cake batter vodka martini, and tequila chocolate, while also offering alcohol-free ice creams as well.

The address for the upcoming Tipsy Scoop in the South End is 59 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the business is at https://tipsyscoop.com/

(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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Lulu Green Opens in Cambridge's Kendall Square

A South Boston dining spot known for its vegan fare has expanded to Cambridge.

According to a press release, Lulu Green is now open in Kendall Square, moving into a space on W Kendall Street just off Third Street on the northern edge of the square. The new location, which includes a large covered patio, joins another on W Broadway in Southie, being an all-day cafe that offers such options as pastries, coffee, and smoothies, along with lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails also served.

The address for the new location of Lulu Green in Kendall Square is 675 W Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142. The website for the business is at https://ift.tt/kcqPybn

(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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Kostas Pizza & Seafood in Needham Has Closed

A longtime eatery in the western suburbs of Boston that featured pizza along with Greek and Italian fare has shut down.

According to a Bluesky post from @jeremyk.bsky.social, Kostas Pizza & Seafood in Needham is no longer in business, apparently closing its doors at the end of last week. The Chestnut Street dining spot had been in operation for approximately 30 years, offering such items as Greek salads, pizza, calzones, calamari, scallops, shrimp, gyros, Italian subs, chicken parmigiana, baked haddock, ziti and meatballs, eggplant Greek wraps, steak bombs, and more.

The address for the now-closed Kostas Pizza & Seafood was 315 Chestnut Street, Needham, MA, 02492.

(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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Restaurant News for the Week Ending May 31, 2026

Below are some of the biggest restaurant and food-related news stories that have been posted between May 25, 2026, and May 31, 2026.

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Bey Opens in the South End of Boston
A new restaurant that features Middle Eastern/Mediterranean fare has come to the city.
Full Story

POE-Lenta Opens at Hub Hall by North Station/TD Garden in Boston
A well-known local chef and restaurateur has opened a second location of one of his dining spots.
Full Story

Woody's Grill & Tap in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood Has Closed
A beloved neighborhood restaurant and bar known for its wood-fired pizza has shut down.
Full Story

Clover Has Ceased Operations
A local restaurant chain that features vegetarian fare has said farewell.
Full Story

Tree House Brewing Opens Outdoor Beer Garden at Faneuil Hall; Indoor Space Apparently to Come at Some Point
One of the best-known breweries in New England has partially opened its new location in downtown Boston.
Full Story

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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.)

Read more »

First Watch May Be Opening in the Former On the Border Space in Woburn

It looks like a Florida-based chain of breakfast and lunch spots could be expanding further into the local area, with one possibly on its way to a space in the northern suburbs of Boston that had been home to a Tex-Mex restaurant.

According to a source, work is currently being done to the former On the Border space in Woburn, with a check online indicating that First Watch may be opening in the Commerce Way space. If it does open there, it would join others in the Back Bay of Boston and in Hanover, with another in Attleboro coming as well this summer (another outlet can be found in Nashua, NH).

On The Border was founded in Dallas back in 1982 and had its sole Boston-area outlet in Woburn, while First Watch was established in Pacific Grove, CA, in 1983, moving its headquarters to Bradenton, FL, three years later.

The address for the proposed First Watch in Woburn is 19 Commerce Way, Woburn, MA, 01801. The website for the chain is at https://firstwatch.com/

(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.)

Read more »