Guides

Where to Eat in Greater Boston for June 2026

New and exciting restaurants to check out, plus good reasons to visit older spots.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal· 6/1/2026, 2:06 p.m.

Grilled steak sliced and arranged on a white plate with a side of creamy polenta topped with roasted cherry tomatoes, herbs, and microgreens. The steak has visible grill marks and is seasoned with coarse salt.

Ribeye alla Palermo with polenta at Alice. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

The sun is shining; we didn’t get flattened by a meteor; let’s eat! We’re back with our monthly where-to-dine guide, sharing some of Greater Boston’s newest restaurants, as well as a few good reasons to revisit older spots (expansions, seasonal reopenings, etc.). On this month’s list: a hidden dessert lounge, DIY hard seltzers, and creative vegan fare in Kendall; slices and s’mores martinis in the Seaport; beer gardens galore; a North End pasta window; a Newbury Street froyo window; and so much more. (Check out last month’s guide here.)

Jump to:

New restaurants to try this month: Recent (or imminent) openings you’ve got to check out.
Outdoor openings and reopenings: Seasonal beer gardens and such.
Older restaurants doing new things: Expansions and other changes—time for a (re)visit.
Looking ahead: Intriguing spots coming soon (or not-so-soon).

Also check out our recently published or updated dining guides: Iconic South Coast foods | Rooftop restaurants and bars | Waterfront restaurant patios

New Restaurants to Try This Month

Recent (or imminent) openings to check out.

Modern lounge area with polished concrete floors, wooden picnic-style tables with benches, and a row of high chairs at a counter. The walls feature wood paneling and dark paint, with multiple flat-screen TVs mounted. Ceiling has black panels with string lights and a section decorated with greenery.

The Alley. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

The Alley (Downtown)

The Craft Food Halls team has opened a new all-day venue in Post Office Square, the Alley—not to be confused with the Alley Bar. Offering everything from coffee and breakfast to dinner and drinks (including a snazzy pour-your-own-beer-and-wine system), not to mention ping pong and shuffleboard, the space feels tailored toward casual group outings. Think: after-work gatherings over charcuterie boards, sandwiches, and chicken vodka parm mac ‘n’ cheese (sure, why not?)

1 Post Office Sq., Downtown Boston, alleyboston.com.

A slice of layered chocolate mousse cake with a red jelly top, garnished with two dollops of whipped cream, served on a gray plate with a dark rim. Next to the plate is a glass of amber-colored drink garnished with thinly sliced apple fanned out and secured with a small metal pick. The setting is on a marble countertop with a neutral background.

Dessert and a Gilded Orchard cocktail at Monarch, made with Elijah Craig bourbon, Pierre Ferrand 1840 cognac, calvados miso butter, and Amaro Nardini. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Alice & Monarch (Kendall Square)

Hospitable Italian on the ground floor, a dessert-and-cocktail bar hidden below—there’s something for everyone at this new restaurant from the team behind Harvard Square’s pizza-and-more gem Source. (Yep, there’s pizza here, too; it’s similar to Source’s pie, but not wood-fired.)

238 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge, 857-856-5055, aliceandmonarch.com.

Bey (South End)

Tabbouleh Negronis, olive coladas, and Beirut pilsners set the stage for upscale Lebanese dining at this Shawmut Avenue newcomer. Bring a group to dine through a wide selection of cold and hot mezze (labneh with za’atar chips, makanek—beef and lamb sausages, pan-fried halloumi with orange blossom honey, etc.), kebabs, and a few larger plates, such as grilled whole branzino.

280 Shawmut Ave., South End, beyboston.com.

A pale yellow cocktail in a clear, fluted glass with a stem. The rim is coated with crushed red and brown spices and garnished with small dried rosebuds. The background features a blurred floral pattern with red, orange, and blue hues.

Beyond Proof. / Courtesy photo

Beyond Proof (Jamaica Plain)

This new zero-proof bar provides the date-night ambiance—in gorgeous pinks and florals—sans alcohol, but with just as much care poured into spirit-free concoctions. Mediterranean bites make them sing.

597 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston, beyondproofboston.com.

Six oysters served on a bed of seaweed and garnished with small green leaves, presented on a dark marble surface. Each oyster contains small dollops of a creamy topping and a black garnish, possibly caviar.

Oysters at Foxglove Terrace. / Photo by Biplaw Rai

Foxglove Terrace (Allston)

What’s better than a creative cocktail? A creative cocktail on a rooftop with expansive skyline views, of course. This Comfort Kitchen and Ama at the Atlas sibling sits high atop Allston’s Atlas Hotel, pairing mind-blowing drinks with genre-hopping dishes. (Most of the space is fully enclosed, but there’s an open-air portion as well.)

40 Western Ave., 16th floor (Atlas Hotel), Allston, Boston, foxgloveterrace.com.

A Korean meal set featuring multiple small white bowls on a wooden tray and table. The tray holds kimchi, pickled radish, lotus root slices, a yellow mashed dish, braised meat with an egg, and spicy dried fish. On the table outside the tray are a bowl of seaweed soup, a bowl of steamed white rice, a mixed vegetable salad with dressing, and a bowl of japchae (stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables).

An assortment of banchan at Sanbada. The eggplant, a fan-favorite, is the bottom-right dish on the brown tray. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Sanbada (Allston)

Banchan are more than supporting players at this new Korean spot: Excuse us if we devour plate after plate of the sweet-spicy eggplant. But the restaurant serves delectable main courses, too, particularly grilled fish. Win, win.

165 Brighton Ave., Allston, Boston, instagram/sanbada.allston.

Scull & Keel Fish House and Spirits (Cambridge)

So long to ArtBar, the Royal Sonesta’s long-running restaurant, and hello to its replacement, the seafood-focused Scull & Keel. The opening menu includes dishes such as Atlantic crab cake sandwiches with spicy remoulade; shrimp po’ boys; hot and cold seafood towers; lobster dinners for two; and lots more. Bonus: It’s in a hotel, so it has convenient all-day hours, from 7 a.m. breakfast to an 11 p.m. closing time.

Royal Sonesta, 40 Edwin H. Land Blvd., East Cambridge, scullandkeel.com.

Two sandwiches with deli meats, cheese, tomato, and onions on a white plate, a slice of pizza with jalapeños and onions on another white plate, two glass bottles of Diet Coke, a container of grated cheese, a container of crushed red pepper flakes, and a red and white napkin holder on a red and white checkered tablecloth.

Sugar’s Hot Pizza. / Photo by Robin Winchell

Sugar’s Hot Pizza (Seaport)

Slice alert: Sugar’s Hot Pizza is now open steps from its comfort-food sibling, Stubbys. With a slogan of “nothin’ fancy,” the casual spot is offering a streamlined menu of pizza (by the slice or pie), sandwiches, soft serve, and a handful of other items. Pizza toppings include vodka chicken, because every Italian-ish spot is required to serve vodka sauce these days; a hot honey, capicola, jalapeño, and red onion combo; chicken, bacon, and ranch; and more. Ok, maybe a little fancy.

29 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, sugarshotpizza.com.

A warmly lit, cozy restaurant interior with red patterned walls and carpet. The seating includes red upholstered chairs and banquettes around marble-topped tables set with glassware and napkins. The walls are decorated with framed abstract and figurative paintings, wall sconces with lampshades, and a zebra head sculpture. The ceiling features a geometric wooden design with hanging spherical paper lanterns.

The Zebra Room. / Photo by Josh Jamison

The Zebra Room (Downtown Crossing)

You haven’t seen a steakhouse like this one: Hidden beneath sibling Yvonne’s, the Zebra Room eschews the leather-chair, white-tablecloth norms of the genre in favor of an intimate, exclusive space with comfy lounge seating—perfect for sipping very cold martinis.

4 Winter Pl. (enter through Yvonne’s), Downtown Crossing, Boston, zebraroom.com.

Outdoor Openings and Reopenings

Seasonal beer gardens and more. (Find additional options in last month’s roundup.)

Signage reading Island Creek Raw Bar features a mermaid holding up an oyster. The sign is situated in front of a turf-lined outdoor dining area.

Island Creek Raw Bar Seaport. / Photo by Emily Hagen

Island Creek Raw Bar (Seaport)

Summer must be here now that this Seaport offshoot of a Duxbury fave is back for the season. Lobster tacos, caviar-topped hot dogs, and frozen hibiscus margaritas, here we come.

99 Autumn Ln., Seaport District, Boston, islandcreekoysters.com.

The Grove at the Lawn on D (Seaport)

Seaport’s expansive Lawn on D, reopening June 6, got a bit of a rebrand (enter “the Grove”) and refresh this year. The all-ages outdoor spot features cabanas, swings, live music, big screens for sports and movie nights, and plenty of food and drink, not to mention photo-friendly greenery throughout (designed in collaboration with Floratorium). On the menu: poke bowls, Tajín mango cups, fried fish, grilled cheese, watermelon frosé, and s’mores martinis.

420 D St., Seaport District, Boston, signatureboston.com/lawn-on-d.

The Night Shift Owl's Nest on the Esplanade.

The Night Shift beer garden on the Esplanade. / Photo by Tim Oxton/Night Shift

Night Shift Brewing (Allston, Esplanade, and Downtown)

Night Shift’s seasonal beer gardens are back up and running for the warmer months: on the Esplanade along the Charles River, in Herter Park in Allston, and in Dewey Square downtown. All dog-friendly, the gathering spots are featuring some fun seasonal releases, including Rickey Sour, a raspberry lime rickey-inspired sour ale; Double Parked, a citrusy double IPA; and Levity, flavored sparkling water with hops and electrolytes. Outside food is welcome, and watch for rotating food trucks at the Esplanade and Allston locations.

Multiple locations, nightshiftbrewing.com.

Saguaro Garden Bar by the Fat Cactus (Kendall Square)

The make-your-own-hard-seltzer bar is the main attraction at this festive, dog-friendly seasonal patio, which also offers lawn and card games; entertainment like trivia nights and live music; and snacks like chips and dip and grilled cheese. Tuck’s Twists is onsite, too, with soft serve, milkshakes, and other treats.

300 Athenaeum St., Kendall Square, Cambridge, instagram.com/saguaroboston.

Tree House Brewing Company (Downtown)

Beers from this ultra-popular, huge-line-drawing, Central Massachusetts-based brewery aren’t as hard to get these days, now that there are a half-dozen locations around the state, but who’s complaining? This new beer garden at Faneuil Hall Marketplace is open daily this summer for your after-work juicy IPA needs (plus cold brew, seltzer, and other options), as well as merch and retail beer sales.

200 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Downtown Boston, treehousebrew.com.

Older Restaurants Doing New Things

Expansions and other changes—time for a (re)visit.

A restaurant interior with a patterned tile floor and ceiling, featuring two ornate chandeliers. The counter area has a tiled front and a menu displayed above. A brick wall on the right side has a neon sign reading "BURRITOS & TACOS TO GO" and a framed colorful sign with the text "Anna's Taqueria." There is a high table with six wooden bar stools in front of the brick wall. The overall decor combines rustic and decorative elements.

Anna’s Taqueria in South Boston. / Courtesy photo

Anna’s Taqueria (South Boston)

This recent Southie opening brings the 31-year-old burrito chain to 14 current locations—convenient for when you’re craving, say, a super super (two 12-inch burritos) with chimichurri steak, or birria tacos, or a loaded Mexican bowl with all the fixings. Don’t forget the horchata.

457 W. Broadway, South Boston, 617-830-8228, annas.com.

Dos Manos Kitchen (Brighton)

After several years of pop-ups around town, Dos Manos Kitchen—known for its pupusas—has its own location at the Charles River Speedway. Chef Edwin Orellana, an alum of Posto and Yvonne’s, is cooking up Salvadoran comfort food in a petite, colorful space.

Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton, Boston, dosmanos.online.com.

A hand is placing a black takeout container with gold lettering into a black paper bag with white handles, also featuring gold lettering. Next to the bag is an open black takeout container holding a sandwich topped with ketchup and mustard, and a blue and pink can with text. The items are set on a rough brick ledge against a brick wall. A small black label with green text reads "YOU FOUND IT.

Hecate x El Yaqui. / Photo by Mia Andreoli and Stay Gold

Hecate x El Yaqui (Back Bay)

Sidling into hidden Back Bay bar Hecate for a complex cocktail or two? Now there’s more to enjoy: Bartender Orlando Parra has launched a side project, El Yaqui, featuring Sonoran-style hot dogs, an ode to his hometown. The bacon-wrapped, condiment-topped dogs are available Tuesday through Saturday night at Hecate, dine-in or takeout. If you’re staying, try the El Yaqui canned margarita, too—a Bacanora-based drink with yellow bell pepper soda and chiltipín, a smoky pepper.

Public Alley 443, Back Bay, Boston, hecatebar.com/el-yaqui.

Janz Kitchen at Town Line Luxury Lanes (Malden)

Hallelujah! You can finally try the viral Filipino-style Ilocos empanadas—which previously required a nearly impossible preorder—now that Janz Van and her bright orange delicacies have landed at Town Line. Eat onsite and go bowling on Tuesdays, or preorder for Friday or Saturday pickup.

665 Broadway, Malden, townlineluxurylanes.com.

Two pepperoni slices and two basil-topped slices with fresh tomato sit on a counter under a photograph of a pizzeria owner.

Slices (and a photo of founder Joe Pozzuoli) at Joe’s Pizza. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Joe’s Pizza (Fenway)

The three-year-old Harvard Square outpost of NYC-based slice shop Joe’s Pizza has done a good job of living up to the original location’s decades-long reputation. Can a second Boston location fare well, too? Let’s find out: Joe’s is now open in the former Tenderoni’s space in Fenway, with slices, full pies, and traditional toppings. (Fun local note: Founder Joe Pozzuoli founded Pino’s Pizza in Boston’s Cleveland Circle years ago but was bought out years ago.)

1363 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston, joespizzanyc.com.

Kowloon Tiki on the Beach (Revere Beach)

Pupu platters and over-the-top decor are to be expected when this sibling of the iconic Saugus restaurant Kowloon opens in Revere Beach early June. Some classic dishes will carry over to the new location (sticky wings, General Gau chicken, etc.), but there’ll be new tropical fare, too, from spam musubi to sushi. (Meanwhile in Saugus, Kowloon’s spacious outdoor dining area, dubbed Tiki on Broadway, is officially open for the season.)

21 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere, kowloontiki.com.

Grilled lamb ribs with a charred exterior, topped with finely chopped green herbs and small orange vegetable pieces, served in a white bowl with a speckled pattern.

Date-and-tamarind-glazed lamb ribs at Kush Modern Mediterranean, topped with pickled chili, peanuts, and chives. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Kush Modern Mediterranean (Union Square)

Takeout lamb merguez mac ‘n’ cheese consoled us during the nearly two-year wait for this dine-in debut from Chopped champion and former food-truck operator Saba Wahid Duffy, who thankfully offered delivery and catering during the restaurant buildout. The former alleyway garage (previously home to Wade BBQ) is stunning; the Mediterranean-meets-South-Asian food even more so.

5 Sanborn Ct., Union Square, Somerville, kushbysaba.com.

Closeup on a round loaf of sourdough bread with a circular design in the flour on top and a big golden split down the middle of the crust.

A loaf of sourdough from La Saison Bakery. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

La Saison (Cambridge)

Best of Boston bakery La Saison—seriously, try the chocolate cake, croissants, and, really, everything—finally has a bit of indoor seating at its tiny original location in Cambridge, and the existing outdoor seating is looking pretty spiffy, too. Time for a revisit! (Meanwhile at the Charlestown location, it’s that froyo-in-a-croissant time of the year.)

407 Concord Ave., Cambridge, lasaison-bakery.com.

Breakfast sandwich at Lulu Green. / Courtesy photo

Lulu Green (Kendall Square)

This fully vegan all-day café has long been a hit in Southie; now it’s in Cambridge, too, with sweet potato and broccoli Caesar salads; crispy chick’n Vietnamese noodle bowls; Korean lettuce wraps with gochujang-glazed seitan; spanakopita grilled cheese; and other globally inspired goods free of animal products. (Don’t miss the smoothies and baked goods, too.) Brunch, coffee, cocktails—this little café does it all.

675 W. Kendall St., Kendall Square, Cambridge, lulugreen.com.

POE-Lenta wild game Bolognese. / Photo by Eleven Seven Media / PAH Creative

POE-Lenta at Hub Hall (West End)

The Tip Tap Room and Crane River Cheese Club chef-owner Brian Poe and chef de cuisine Guillermo Guzman are expanding their food hall endeavors: Their casual Italian spot POE-Lenta—which they opened at Time Out Market Boston in 2024 with pasta, sandwiches, and more—is now operating at Hub Hall, too, as the duo eyes more locations around town. Try the wild game Bolognese.

Hub Hall at the Hub on Causeway, 80 Causeway St., West End, Boston, hubhallboston.com.

Presto Pasta at AquaPazza (North End)

Nearly a decade in, North End Italian restaurant and oyster bar AquaPazza debuted a renovation and updated menu a few months back. Now, the dinner spot has added a daytime grab-and-go pasta window, Presto Pasta. Choose your pasta (rigatoni, gnocchi, etc.), sauce (carbonara, vodka, etc.), and add-ons (meatballs, black truffle, etc.); watch it all come together on the spot.

135 Richmond St., North End, Boston, instagram.com/prestopastanorthend.

A plate with a cheeseburger cut in half, French fries, and a pickle spear. Next to the plate is a glass of beer with a foamy head. A green cloth napkin holds a fork and knife on the wooden table. The background features a tufted brown leather bench.

Rocco’s Sports & Rec. / Photo courtesy of the Garret Group

Rocco’s Sports & Rec. (Seaport)

Game day now has a vibe. This New York export pairs nostalgic design with big high-def screens for the ideal sports-viewing experience, alongside creative comfort food. Lobster clubhouse, anyone?

250 B St., Seaport District, Boston, gotoroccos.com.

Two white bowls sit on a pale green tray, one featuring thick noodle rolls with fish balls and a swoosh of sriracha, the other with chopped cucumbers.

Rubato’s ji cheung fun (steamed rice rolls) with curry fish balls and a spicy cucumber salad. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Rubato (Quincy)

Chef-owner Laurence Louie is crushing it on the current season of Top Chef, and he’s been featuring some rotating dishes from the show at his Hong Kong-style café on weekends, such as fried catfish sandos and rabbit siu mai. Watch Instagram for details on dishes and scheduling, and prepare to take your food to go; Rubato has just a few seats inside.

412 Hancock St., Quincy, 617-481-2049, rubato-food.com.

A fluffy pita is stuffed with pork, fries, tomato, and greens, presented on a wooden cutting board.

Saloniki’s braised pork pita. / Courtesy photo

Saloniki Greek (Allston, Back Bay, Cleveland Circle, Fenway)

There’s lots going on with A Street Hospitality’s 10-year-old fast-casual Greek chain these days. The original Fenway location, for one, is moving within the neighborhood to 1330 Boylston St. later this month (around June 20, as plans currently stand). Plus, new locations are set to open on Harvard Avenue is Allston (around mid-June) and in Cleveland Circle (around July). More chances for us to stock up on our favorite little glass jars of yogurt with lemon curd and eat lamb meatball-stuffed pitas. But wait, there’s more! The Newbury Street location recently debuted a froyo window.

Multiple locations, salonikigreek.com.

Tampopo (Porter Square)

Pay your respects to this 34-year-old Cambridge mainstay with a last meal or two: The Japanese restaurant closes at the end of June, as owner Yasumasa Ito announced earlier this year. Grab crispy pork cutlets in curry, a shrimp tempura bowl, or oyakodon for lunch or dinner (daily except for Wednesday).

1815 Massachusetts Ave. (inside the Porter Exchange building at Lesley), Porter Square, Cambridge, 617-868-5457, tampopocambridge.com.

Overhead view of sliced, rare duck breast with roasted carrots and broccolini.

Duck at Urban Hearth. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Urban Hearth (Inman Square)

You’ll have to wait until later in the month for this one, but reservations are now live for the June 20 debut of Urban Hearth, when the Michelin-recommended locavore superstar completes its move from a cozy little North Cambridge space to roomier digs in Inman, complete with full-service bar, a salon area, and a six-seat chef’s counter (two more than before). “We’ve been rolling in our tiny space that’s fallen apart,” chef-owner Erin Miller previously told Boston. “We’ve been doing this exceedingly hard thing really well for a long time. Imagine if we had a little bit more space, a little bit more time, more hands and hearts in the kitchen. Imagine what we can do.”

1281 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge, urbanhearth.net.

Looking Ahead

Intriguing spots coming soon (or not-so-soon). Find more to look forward to in our 2026 anticipated openings guide.

A man with dark hair and a beard stands with his arms crossed in front of a building with large windows and a sign that reads "BLUE RIBBON." He is wearing a black jacket and jeans. The building exterior features dark panels with gold trim.

Max Faro, Tuscan Brands’ senior project manager of hospitality and development, in front of the future home of Buitoni Spaghetti Bar in March 2026. / Courtesy photo

Buitoni Spaghetti Bar (Kenmore Square)

Giant meatballs, nostalgia, pasta-makers in the window—this 2027 opening (in the old Eastern Standard space) sounds like a fun shot of energy for Kenmore, courtesy of the Tuscan Brands team (Tuscan Kitchen, Tuscan Market, and other Italian food businesses in Massachusetts and New Hampshire).

528 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore Square, Boston, tuscanbrands.com.

New stuff at Quincy Market (Downtown)

In addition to the now-open Tree House Brewing Company beer garden (see above), Quincy Market’s getting a bunch of new fast-casual vendors in the coming months. On the list: Smashed by BRED, from the burger-and-comfort-food experts at BRED Gourmet in Dorchester and Cambridge; an outpost of Harvard Square Indian stalwart the Maharaja; Azul Mexican Kitchen, from Taco Azul’s Dan Leyva; and more.

206 S. Market St., Downtown Boston, quincy-market.com.

A version of this guide first appeared in the print edition of the June 2026 issue with the headline “The Hot List.”

Catch up on other recent restaurant openings: