clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The Fall 2017 Restaurant Opening Guide: MetroWest and Central Massachusetts

New restaurants west of Boston

Evviva Cucina
A dish from Evviva Cucina, which expanded to Marlborough this fall.
Facebook

Although Eater Boston’s typical coverage keeps to a fairly small radius around Boston, news occasionally trickles in from dining scenes farther out. Here’s the rundown on some fall 2017 restaurant openings around the MetroWest and Central Massachusetts regions.

New this season: the expansion of an acclaimed Worcester Neapolitan pizza-focused restaurant to Framingham, a flurry of activity at the Apex Center in Marlborough, an over-the-top Worcester ramen joint from the team behind an over-the-top Worcester bacon joint, and more.

(Looking for fall 2017 openings elsewhere in Massachusetts? Find the full index here. Want to jump directly to openings in Boston proper? Find those here. North Shore openings are listed separately here; Cambridge and Somerville openings are over here; and other Greater Boston areas are here.)

This guide was originally published on October 25, 2017; it was updated periodically throughout fall 2017, and the date of the most recent update appears above. Something missing? Email boston@eater.com.



mooyah jp
A burger at Texas-based Mooyah, which is starting to expand around Massachusetts.
Official Site

Mooyah Burgers, Shakes & Fries

48 Highland Commons East, Berlin

Texas-based chain and hater of Oxford commas Mooyah Burgers, Shakes & Fries opened another Massachusetts location this fall. The Berlin spot follows openings in Boston proper (Jamaica Plain), Northborough, and Billerica, and another is due to open by Boston Common on December 21, 2017. It serves burgers, shakes, and fries.
Opened: December 11, 2017


Volturno Pizza
Pizza at Volturno, which expanded from Worcester to Framingham this fall.
Facebook

J&M Diner

50 Worcester Rd., Framingham

After a fire destroyed J&M Diner in March, it reopened this fall in a new location. Long lines welcomed it back.
Opened: November 27, 2017

Volturno

1 Edgell Rd., Framingham

This acclaimed Neapolitan-style pizzeria expanded from Worcester to Framingham this fall; the new location was first announced way back in fall 2015. In addition to pizza, the full-service restaurants serve a variety of pasta dishes and other entrees.
Opened: Late September 2017


hot table sandwiches
Sandwiches at Hot Table, a small Springfield-based chain that expanded to Marlborough this fall.
Facebook

110 Grill

Apex Center, 180 Boston Post Rd. W., Marlborough

Part of the under-development Apex Center on Route 20, this is 110 Grill’s 10th location, following closely behind the late summer opening in Haverhill; Fall River is up next, slated for winter 2017 (along with Stratham, New Hampshire). Next year, Athol, Worcester, and Wrentham will follow. The Massachusetts and New Hampshire restaurants serve modern American food and offer a gluten-free menu as well as extensive accommodations for other dietary restrictions.
Opened: October 17, 2017

Evviva Cucina

Apex Center, 180 Boston Post Rd. W., Marlborough

With locations in Beverly and Westford, this Italian restaurant joined 110 Grill and more at the Apex Center this fall. The restaurants serve a variety of pizzas, “piada tacos,” classic Italian-American pasta dishes, sandwiches, and more.
Opened: November 20, 2017

Friendly’s

Apex Center, 180 Boston Post Rd. W., Marlborough

The declining chain is attempting to rebound with this new prototype location at the Apex Center, featuring drive-through windows, which several existing locations will also get — and a number of new locations, with drive-throughs, are expected to open over the next several years.
Opened: November 6, 2017

Hot Table

Apex Center, 180 Boston Post Rd. W., Marlborough

This small but growing Springfield-based chain has locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut and specializes in pressed panini. President John DeVoie wants to keep expanding, pressing further into Boston’s western suburbs — but not Boston proper, at least for now.
Opened: November 15, 2017


Altruist Brewing Sturbridge
The exterior of Altruist Brewing, which opened this fall in Sturbridge.
Facebook

Altruist Brewing Company

559 Main St., Sturbridge

The dream of longtime home brewer Bob Bixby, Altruist features a taproom and a beer garden. Soft pretzels are available, but customers can also bring in their own food. Altruist hosts games, live entertainment, and other events. The opening lineup of beers includes a black IPA, a brown ale, and more.
Opened: December 15, 2017


purgatory beer
A growler at Purgatory Beer Company, which opened during fall 2017 in Whitinsville.
Facebook

Purgatory Beer Company

670 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville

This 50-person taproom (located inside of the Linwood Mill Complex) features a patio with waterfall views and offers flights and full pours, as well as growlers to go. Founded by longtime home brewers, Purgatory uses a three-barrel system to brew IPAs, porters, and more. Founders Brian Distefano and Kevin Mulvehill plan on limited distribution to area restaurants.
Opened: November 4, 2017


broth by the hangover ramen
Grilled cheese ramen from Broth by the Hangover, which opened in Worcester this fall.
Facebook

Broth by the Hangover

106 Green St., Worcester

The team behind the bacon-centric Hangover Pub added a ramen shop next door this fall, serving over-the-top noodles bowls, such as chicken parmesan, French onion, and New England clambake-inspired ramens. There are also a few starters, cocktails, and desserts.
Opened: October 16, 2017

Steam Energy Cafe

112 Harding St., Worcester

From the Niche Hospitality Group (Bocado Tapas Wine Bar, Nonna’s Pizza + Pasta, and more), this cafe serves a variety of coffee and tea beverages, smoothies, and acai bowls, as well as a breakfast sandwich dubbed the “steamwich.”
Opened: December 20, 2017

The Vegan Nest Cafe

6 Waldo St., Worcester

A vegan cafe and market focusing on breakfast and lunch, with weekly tapas-style dinners. Sunday brunch will begin soon.
Opened: November 5, 2017


Get weekday updates on all the latest restaurant news:

Purgatory Beer Company

670 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville, MA 01588 Visit Website

Friendly's (Marlborough)

180 Boston Post Rd. W., Marlborough, MA 01752 Visit Website

Hot Table (Marlborough)

180 Boston Post Rd. W, Marlborough, MA 01752 Visit Website

Broth by the Hangover

106 Green St., Worcester, MA 01604 Visit Website

Steam Energy Cafe

112 Harding St., Worcester, MA 01604 (774) 243-9012 Visit Website

Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes (Berlin)

48 Highland Commons East, Berlin, MA 01503 Visit Website

Evviva Cucina (Marlborough)

180 Boston Post Rd. West, Marlborough, MA 01752 Visit Website

Volturno (Framingham)

1 Edgell Rd., Framingham, MA 01701 Visit Website

Altruist Brewing Company

559 Main St., Sturbridge, MA 01518 Visit Website

110 Grill (Marlborough)

180 Boston Post Rd. West, Marlborough, MA 01752 Visit Website

The Vegan Nest Cafe

6 Waldo St., Worcester, MA 01608 Visit Website

J&M Diner

50 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA 01702

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Eater Boston newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter.