Get hungry, Boston! 2024 is serving up a feast of new restaurants that are about to spice up the city’s food scene. From brand new spots to reopenings of beloved beer halls, there’s something for every palate.
Jacob Wirth | 131 Stuart Street, Boston | February 2024
This beloved German beer hall & restaurant will be reopening after facing a fire in 2018 and then the pandemic in 2020. The bar’s charm came from its minimalist decor and giant sausages. The new owners are rumored to only be doing minor renovations and making only small changes to the menu, so it will truly be reminiscent of the beloved old spot. Whether you’re looking to grab a beer after work or a bratwurst for lunch, Jacob Wirth is your go-to downtown spot!
Merai | Brookline | TBD
Dive bar? Thai restaurant? Elevated dining? Merai will be a mix of all 3! Dubbed “high dive”, this new Thai spot will be “a destination for re-imagined global cuisine with Thai-inspired flavors and Asian cocktails.” Created by the same group that opened Mahaniyom, an esteemed Thai tapas restaurant in Brookline, Merai will deviate slightly and serve dishes from around the world with a Thai twist. With Thanaphon Authaiphan as head chef and Panupong Viriyapongsukij overseeing the cocktail program, this new spot is one not to miss!
La Padrona | 40 Trinity Place, Back Bay | Winter 2024
The Back Bay needs more Italian food and thankfully beloved chef and restaurateur Jody Adams is to the rescue! La Padrona will open inside the newly constructed Raffles, a luxury hotel and residences, and will include a ground floor bar and a second floor restaurant. The menu will feature dishes from all over Italy, highlighting the delicious food that the country is known for and will embody the feel of a grand Italian villa. It doesn’t matter if you’re a guest of the hotel, a resident of the building or a visitor of the city, all are welcome in this impressive new spot.
Yume Ga Arukara | 70 Pier 4 Boulevard, Seaport | TBD
After seeing immense success from their first location in Cambridge, owners Tsuyoshi Nishioka & Juan Carlos Vidal decided to open a second location of their Udon-based Japanese restaurant. Yume Ga Arukara, which translates to “because I have a dream”, maintains authenticity by making all their dishes in-house and from scratch. For example, their udon is made fresh daily in a noodle machine that was imported from Japan. Their instagram provides no answers as to when they are anticipated to open, but their more than 8k followers (including myself) and anxiously waiting!
Folio | 10 ½ Beacon Street, Boston | TBD
Located within the Boston Athenaeum, Folio is designed to be a social hub for both members and visitors alike. While this European-styled new spot is technically described as a bistro, they’ll offer a full menu of made-to-order shareable plates, fine wines, and delicately crafted cocktails. After exploring all that the Athenaeum has to offer, customers can walk right over to this new, elevated dining spot.
Abuela’s Table | 416 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain | TBD
They say that when one door closes, another opens which is exactly what happened with El Oriental de Cuba. After 30 years in business, this beloved Cuban restaurant has shut its doors and Abuela’s Table will be taking its place. Abuela’s Table will be led by Adolfo Alvarado, who is the current owner & executive chef of Tu Y Yo in Somerville. While there’s little information about the restaurant online, we do know that Abuela’s Table will specialize in authentic Mexican food (my personal favorite cuisine).
What A Soup | 125 River Street, Cambridge | Just Opened!
What-A-Soup? What a spot! If you’re as hungry reading this as I was writing this, then you’re in luck. This Thai noodle spot just opened and has been cranking out their famous boat noodle soup. Despite the name, soup isn’t the only thing on the menu. From pork belly to shrimp dumplings, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your craving for Thai food. Their current menu is limited for this soft opening but if opening day was any indication of how this restaurant will do, I’m sure we’ll be seeing the full menu in no time.
Your dream home might just be a doorstep away from your favorite eatery – and as proud Boston experts, we know the city better than almost anyone else. If there is a neighborhood you are looking to explore, then reach out!
