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A Beautiful Cuban Restaurant Opens Downtown Tonight

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Mariel, a sibling of Yvonne’s, debuts with mojitos and more

A high-ceilinged restaurant with grand chandeliers, red plush seating, and wood accents
Mariel in Post Office Square
Richard Cadan

An established family of swanky Boston restaurants adds another member to the mix this week in the downtown neighborhood, and it’s filled with Caribbean flare. Mariel is the newest restaurant from the Coje Management Group (stylized as COJE) — which includes Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar, Ruka Restobar, and Yvonne’sopening Monday, September 30, at 4 p.m., at 10 Post Office Sq., Boston.

Mariel pulls flavors and design elements from Cuba, hitting on a new regional focus for the restaurant group (Lolita leans into Mexican flavors, while Ruka pulls from Peruvian and Japanese traditions.) Coje’s Chris Jamison, Mark Malatesta, and Tom Berry largely kept details on the restaurant under wraps since first announcing the project in July 2017 (and many of the details have changed since then), but now they’re ready to unveil the restaurant in all its glory.

Coje, an Eater Awards design winner for its Lolita Fort Point restaurant, has once again pulled out all the stops on the interior of Mariel, and there’s an equally stirring menu, including dishes such as sweet corn arepas, fufu gnocchi, and vaca frita.

The restaurant takes its name from Mariel Harbor, a port west of Havana from which more than 100,000 Cuban emigrants departed, heading for South Florida. The menu for the restaurant incorporates common ingredients from Cuba, including sour oranges, sweet potatoes, bijol spices, and more. Other highlighted ingredients include hierbabuena, a specific strain of mint used in mojitos; a slow-fermented pizza dough that’s thick and a bit sweet; and house-made tomato sauce blended with peppers and spices.

Fufu gnocchi sits on a white plate with a scalloped edge. The gnocchi is garnished with herbs, a white sauce, and other ingredients.
Fufu gnocchi at Mariel
Josh Jamison
A crispy Cuban street pizza topped with lechon sits on a plate with a blue and white pattern
Lechon pizza at Mariel
Josh Jamison

On the beverage side, Mariel is showcasing rum, with multiple varieties from around the world. There will be cocktails (yes, including a mojito), as well as wines by the glass, bottled exclusively for the restaurant. See below for the full menu.

Mariel will operate seven days a week to start, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., with lunch service coming soon. The restaurant joins a fairly small local Cuban dining scene, most of which is concentrated in Jamaica Plain.

mariel dinner menu
mariel drinks menu

First Look at Mariel, Downtown Boston’s Gorgeous New Cuban Lounge [BM]
Mariel [Official Site]
Mariel Coverage on Eater [EBOS]

Mariel

10 Post Office Square, , MA 02109 (617) 333-8776 Visit Website