Restaurants

From an international food hall in Allston to Danny Meyer’s latest Seaport debut, these are the buzzy restaurant openings in Greater Boston and beyond.

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Memorial Day Weekend is officially in the rearview, which means summer season is heating up in and around Boston. The next few months are packed with restaurant openings as June’s global-forward debuts kick off the line-up. From an international marketplace to the second outpost of a menu celebrating African flavor to an outdoor oasis slinging up New England favorites, here’s where you’ll find us dining in June.

Daily Provisions

When Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group moved into Harvard Square with its first Massachusetts location last summer, we knew a second outpost across the river in Boston wouldn’t be far behind. That’s now true with the all-day neighborhood cafe’s new opening at Commonwealth Pier along the Seaport’s Harborwalk. In fact, Meyer references the ribbon cutting as “particularly unique” as it’s the first restaurant to open at the restored waterfront multi-use space. “We look forward to welcoming our new neighbors, ferry goers, and surrounding businesses, and becoming a part of their daily routine,” shared Meyer. Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. the breakfast, lunch and dinner menu runs the gamut with signature cafe eats, like its morning cinnamon crullers and bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches (B.E.C.s) or the lunchtime chicken Milanese sandwich with melted mozzarella and roasted peppers ($13.50) or the broccoli mushroom melt with a blend of gouda and chicken and a jammy egg ($15.75); the selection of salads and option for sandwiches on gluten free bread makes the menu entirely inclusive. The evening menu boasts healthy but flavorful options including a half or whole roasted Amish chicken ($16 or $26) and seared salmon served with seasonal sides or an arugula salad ($21).

200 Seaport Blvd (lower level), Seaport

Now Open

The Grove at the Lawn on D

This summer, the Lawn on D gets a rebrand thanks to a collaboration between the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), Rebel Restaurants and Floratorium, a botanical design studio known within the hospitality world for their immersive floral installations. Jasmine and ivy-wrapped shipping containers will serve up summer-favorite foods and drinks, from fresh poke bowls and shrimp lettuce wraps to fire-grilled protein skewers and burgers. There will also be seasonal New England staples like fried clams and lobster rolls. Imbibers will enjoy rocking on one of the sculptural swings with a frozen cocktail like watermelon frosé or specialty offering like the s’mores martini. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic options will also be available; in fact, The Grove will celebrate its grand opening on June 6 with Harpoon’s Boston Chilling Low Key Music Fest (free and open to the public from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.). This event kicks off a summer schedule packed with live music, sports and movie nights shown on oversized LED screens—in other words, they’re ready to keep this space as a community hub. “Reconnecting Bostonians in a fresh, beautiful, and innovative way with a space that has become synonymous with community is an honor,” said Kristen Bonish, general manager, Rebel Restaurants at the Lawn on D.

420 D St., Seaport

Opens: June 6

The Backyard by Foley’s

Bostonians will have to travel further afield for this opening, but given it’s from one of Boston’s legacy hospitality families and ‘tis the season for a drive down Route 3, it’s one that’ll likely be worth it. This month, the Foley family—behind the iconic JJ Foley’s in the South End which has been family-owned and operated since 1909—is moving into an open-air space to bring you their vision of a Cape Cod summer. The 33,650-foot square-foot space will offer libations and rotating food trucks alongside live music and backyard games to take full advantage of what the family is calling Cape Cod’s largest outdoor, family-friendly venue. The variety of seating areas were designed to feel like a backyard gathering, according to the Foleys, with picnic tables, Adirondack chairs and outdoor sofas as well as a showstopper 5,000 square-foot main bar under dazzling string lights and a soaring colorblocked sail. “It’s relaxed, it’s fun, and it’s designed so people can make their own experience every time they visit,” shared Mike Foley, co-owner of Backyard by Foley’s. 

645 Main St., Dennis Port

Opens: Mid-June

Novo Marketplace

Spread across 20,000-square-feet, Allston just welcomed a new international food hall with vendors serving everything from handrolls to fried chicken to soufflé pancakes. With 16 permanent stalls and three smaller pop-up spaces available to keep an element of surprise and novelty for local residents, Novo Marketplace describes itself as “more than just a collection of stalls,” and rather more of “a space built for connection” — something that’s evident from their communal tables that encourage conversation and shared culinary experiences between strangers. A few of the opening vendors include Cotti Coffee for premium coffee and craft beer; Mi Nori Handroll where diners can celebrate the art of sushi; Hangover for the ultimate comfort food to curb any symptoms caused by the stall’s nomenclature; and Tabla for traditional Indian cuisine.

122 Brighton Ave., Allston

Now Open

Nubian Markets

Ismail Samad and Yusuf Yassin may have opened Nubian Markets in Nubian Square as a destination grounded in the flavor of African culture, but now they are preparing to spread the Diaspora’s culinary and cultural impact beyond its original hub as they open a second location just off Tremont Street. The flagship established a cult following for Nubian Markets’ signature and flavorful bowls that are packed with spices from north, south, east, west, central and Diasporic Africa. Like the crispy chicken + hoppin’ John, a bowl with black-eyed peas, coconut ginger rice, charred yams and jalapeno-lime collards ($17) and the chickpea peanut stew, also with coconut-ginger rice as well as cabbage, carrots, charred sweet potatoes, pickled plantains and roasted vegetables ($15). Lamb and jerk chicken are also popular proteins across the salad and sandwich options; the latter includes a lamb harissa meatball-packed pocket with shaved lettuce, minted cucumbers, seeded yogurt and tomatoes ($17). 

742 Columbus Ave., Roxbury

Opens: Early June