Rotisserie Chicken Champ Shy Bird Makes Its Southie Debut

This roundup, which will be updated periodically, highlights notable 2022 restaurant openings and reopenings in Boston and nearby. Find the most recent updates at the top, and catch up on more news about Boston restaurant openings right here.

Know of a new or soon-to-open restaurant that should be on Eater Boston’s radar? Get in touch here.

December 15, 2022

ALLSTON — Sushi and Thai spot Laughing Monk Cafe has moved into the former home of S&I Thai, according to Boston Magazine. This isn’t a copycat of the restaurant’s other spots in Mission Hill and Wellesley; instead, owner Dome Nakapakorn is focusing only on spicy Isan, or northeastern Thai, fare. 168A Brighton Avenue, near Park Vale Avenue

CAMBRIDGE — Sibling shops Taiyaki and the Dough Club have both opened in Harvard Square, according to the Harvard Crimson. The former is known for soft-serve ice cream twirled into fish-shaped cones; the latter for mochi doughnuts. 6 Church Street, near Massachusetts Avenue

JAMAICA PLAIN — A new coffee shop called Public Coffee Co. has rolled into the Forest Hills section of Jamaica Plain, Boston Restaurant Talk reports. Hometown heroes Broadsheet Coffee and Mem Tea, both located in Cambridge, are stocked here. 182 Hyde Park Avenue, at Patten Street

The Crab Shack

ROSLINDALE — Another restaurant tapping into the Asian and Cajun seafood chain frenzy has opened in Boston, according to a rep for the restaurant. Find crab boils, seafood platters, and more at the Crab Shack, from owner Jason Chen. 950 American Legion Highway, at the American Legion Shopping Center

SOMERVILLE — Not a restaurant, per se, but still notable: Rae Murphy, or Rae the Baker, who fans might remember for her line-inducing pretzel croissants and miso morning buns, is back in action after a pandemic hiatus, Boston Magazine reports. Spot those croissants and more at coffee shop True Grounds in Ball Square, where Murphy is now the head baker. 717 Broadway, near Bristol Road

SOUTH BOSTON — Cherished all-day cafe and restaurant Shy Bird has opened a second location in South Boston. All the hits are here — including the fan-favorite rotisserie chicken — plus an expanded bar and cocktail program, according to co-founder Eli Feldmen. The team is also debuting a “Work From Shy Bird” initiative at the Southie spot with tiered pricing for bottomless coffee, espresso, and tea, plus lunch, afternoon snacks, and aperitifs. 12 Old Colony Avenue, near West Seventh Street

December 8, 2022

FENWAY — Chef Tiffani Faison has replaced her Southeast Asian restaurant Tiger Mama with a second sparkly location of Tenderoni’s, her cheeky throwback pizza shop that got its start at downtown food hall High Street Place. 1363 Boylston Street, at the corner of Kilmarnock Street

Erika Adams/Eater Boston

FENWAY — Fast-casual Indian restaurant Wow Tikka has joined the strip of restaurants on Peterborough Street, taking over the former home of Bennett’s Sandwich Shop. 84 Peterborough Street, near Kilmarnock Street

FENWAY — NYC-based restaurant group Blue Ribbon has opened its second of three restaurants in the neighborhood. This one, Pescador, focuses on coastal seafood preparations from around the globe, including poke, aguachile, ceviche, and more. 498 Commonwealth Avenue, at Kenmore Street

JAMAICA PLAIN — Chic Italian newcomer Tonino, from industry vets Luke Fetbroth and Claire Makley, swung open its doors in mid-November. The pastas on the menu are already turning heads, including a lumache where the thick, squat noodles are tossed with maitake and oyster mushrooms, roasted garlic, and creme fraiche. 669a Centre Street, near Seaverns Avenue

Stephen Canino/Madhouse Cafe

JAMAICA PLAIN — The breakfast sandwich experts at Mike & Patty’s finally opened their anticipated JP outpost. It is larger than the shop’s other outposts around Boston; here, the restaurant is lined with tables and chairs set up for dine-in service. The menu’s got all the hits, including the Fancy with two fried eggs, cheddar cheese, bacon, avocado, red onion, and a smear of tangy house mayo. 388 Centre Street, near Sheridan Street

ROXBURY — A coffee shop owned by an adjoining, nationally recognized motorcycle repair shop has opened in Roxbury. Madhouse Cafe is equipped with wifi, comfy seats, Cambridge’s Broadsheet coffee, and a Lebanese-rooted food menu with baklava, kibbeh, and sfeeha, bite-sized savory pies stuffed with meat or spinach and feta. 24 Blue Hill Avenue, near Huckins Street

Prik Nam Pla

SOMERVILLE — Prik Nam Pla, named after the ubiquitous Thai condiment, has settled into the former home of Davis Square Thai restaurant Kor Tor Mor. The former owner of Kor Tor Mor has tapped his sister, Rachanee Daranuwat (who founded Wild Ginger Thai Cuisine in Norwell), to bring a new Thai experience to the space — one more focused on un-Americanized versions of Thai dishes, according to Daranuwat. The restaurant is operating with a smaller menu ahead of its wider debut in January, but for now, customers can find Daranuwat’s take on the famous northern Thai soup khao soi, featuring her housemade chile paste, alongside a sampling of other Thai dishes at the restaurant. 24 College Avenue, near Winter Street

STOUGHTON — A new Haitian American restaurant, Alex Good Taste, has opened in Stoughton. Owner Alexandra Armond launched the spot with an all-day menu that includes Haitian favorites like griot (marinated and fried pork), kalalou (a gumbo), and pate kode (a breakfast patty packed with fillings like hot dogs and peppers), alongside eggs, waffles, burgers, salads, and wraps. 455 Central Street, near Lincoln Street

WALTHAM — Beloved Greek restaurant the Aegean has made a comeback in the neighborhood. Chris Ntasios and Christa Bazarian — who are married, and met at the Aegean’s old restaurant in Watertown — are behind the reboot, which now includes a Greek menu with Armenian touches that nod to Bazarian’s heritage. 741 Moody Street, across from Wadsworth Avenue

October 19, 2022

BEACON HILL and BACK BAY — Local fast-casual chain Saloniki has added two more Boston locations, at 1 Beacon St. and 316 Newbury St., bringing its total to five restaurants. Expect more of the same crave-worthy Greek fare, like chicken souvlaki, sour-cherry-topped loukoumades, and moussaka.

CAMBRIDGE — Mimi’s Chūka Diner, a pop-up inspired by chūka ryori, or dishes with Chinese origins made in a Japanese style, is making its temporary residency permanent at the Station, Artifact Cider Project’s taproom at 438 Massachusetts Ave. in Central Square. That means you can continue to eat some of Boston’s best dumplings fresh alongside Massachusetts-made hard ciders, as well as take home frozen gyoza. Lately, Mimi’s has also been making pretzels and putting a delicious spin on cider doughnut season — but selling out of its cider doughnuts drizzled with sea salt miso caramel quickly, a rep says.

Also in Cambridge, chef Marcia Chemim recently opened Bom Dough (1271 Cambridge St.), a Brazilian fast-casual spot in Inman Square that specializes in pão de quejo, a delectable cheesy bun made with cassava flour so it’s gluten-free. Try the pastry savory or sweet, with additions like bacon or guava filling, or go for an acai bowl, black bean soup, or short-rib pot pie, some of which contain gluten. Matcha drinks, many coffee preparations, and juices round out the menu. Bom Dough is currently open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

LOGAN AIRPORT — A 6,000-square-foot outpost of Boston Public Market, that actually good tourist trap in Downtown Boston, has landed across from gate 27 in Terminal C at Logan International Airport, bringing along some familiar vendors like Red’s Best (lobster rolls, clam chowder, and more seafood), Mother Juice (smoothies, juices, and vegetarian snacks), and Beantown Pastrami Co. (meaty sandwiches, baked beans, and pickles), as well as Market Bagels and a Market Bar for drinks. BPM at Logan is currently open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.