Nashville hot chicken, modern Irish cuisine, a spicy taste of southwest China, Cambodian sandwiches, dramatic cocktails: Spring 2022 is going to be an exciting season in Greater Boston’s restaurant and bar scene.
Here’s the rundown on some of the most exciting new spots set to open in the coming months in and near Boston. Keep in mind that opening timelines are fluid thanks to construction and permitting delays and various other challenges that new restaurants face.
Restaurants
Faccia Brutta and Bar Pallino
276-278 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston
The latest project from popular restaurateurs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette — the award-winning team behind Toro, Coppa, and Little Donkey — is a coastal Italian restaurant, Faccia Brutta, and an adjoining natural wine bar, Bar Pallino. The former will feature pasta made in-house, including gluten-free options from a separate kitchen, and plenty of seafood; the latter will complement its natural wine with mezcal.
Anticipated opening timeline: May 2022
Moëca
1 Shepard St., between Porter and Harvard squares, Cambridge
The team behind acclaimed Italian restaurant Giulia will open a new seafood-focused restaurant steps away on Shepard Street. “We want to bring the best small boat, sustainable seafood to our neighborhood,” co-owner Michael Pagliarini told Eater in January. Think oysters and beer, or simple grilled fish with seasonal vegetables, or spaghetti and razor clams. Keep an eye out for desserts from one of the city’s best pastry chefs, Renae Connolly.
Anticipated opening timeline: Spring 2022
Yunnan Kitchen
1721 Washington St., Unit B, South End, Boston
Boston doesn’t have many restaurants focusing on the cuisine known as Yunnan or Dian from southwest China, and the handful that do serve it emphasize rice noodle soups. The team behind one of those spots, South of the Clouds in Brighton, will open Yunnan Kitchen in Boston’s South End with a much more expansive menu from the region, highlighting spicy dishes in particular.
Anticipated opening timeline: Mid-April 2022
The Dubliner
2 Center Plz., downtown Boston
Boston’s got no shortage of Irish pubs, but the Dubliner aims to provide a different taste of Ireland, a real look at what modern Irish cuisine means. Chef and owner Aidan McGee is a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and an alum of several Michelin-starred restaurants including Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London. Opening the Dubliner in partnership with Boston’s East Coast Tavern Group (Emmet’s, Carrie Nation, and more), McGee will be serving dishes like Maine crabs on Irish soda bread with seaweed butter; classic fish and chips; slow-cooked beef cheeks; and a Sunday roast.
Anticipated opening timeline: Late April/early May 2022
Hot Chix
1220 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge
The popular hot chicken pop-up Hot Chix has been making appearances around Greater Boston since 2019, featuring Nashville-style fried chicken sandwiches and sides like mac and cheese, slaw, and some of the best biscuits in town. The team behind the project has secured an Inman Square space for their forthcoming 16-seat casual restaurant. In addition to the new address, the menu will expand to include bone-in chicken and other additions, as well as beer and wine. For now, keep an eye on Instagram for pop-up announcements.
Anticipated opening timeline: Spring 2022
Suasday
227 Hanover St., North End, Boston
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Read More: The Spring 2022 Guide to Boston Restaurant Openings