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A Rwandan Coffee Shop Draws Lines in Somerville — And More Openings

Nine recent restaurant openings to know about around Boston

A man and women stand smiling at the camera from behind a coffee bar, with their arms around each other.
Owners Francois and Fatuma Tuyishime of Yego Coffee.
Yego Coffee

This monthly roundup highlights notable restaurant openings and reopenings in Boston and nearby. 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.


BACK BAY — Hue, a swanky new spot for smoky cocktails, live music, and a showstopping whole fried fish, is now open in Back Bay. 90 Exeter Street

BROOKLINE — A lesser-seen side of Greece gets the spotlight at Bar Vlaha, a new Vlach restaurant debuting on Beacon Street in Brookline. The menu highlights northern and central Greek fare, including spit-roasted lamb, savory pies, and saucy snails. 1653 Beacon Street

BROOKLINE — The croissant connoisseurs at Lakon Paris Patisserie have expanded into a second location in Brookline, according to Boston Magazine. Expect the same inventive, decadent pastries at the new spot, including those social media darling cube croissants. 1410 Beacon Street

DOWNTOWN BOSTON — A new spot for bubble tea, Moon Love Cafe, has opened steps from Faneuil Hall, according to Boston Restaurant Talk. 107 State Street

DOWNTOWN CROSSING — A New York City-based Chinese fusion restaurant called Jiang Nan has debuted its first Massachusetts location in Boston, near the corner of Tremont Street and Boylston Street, Boston Restaurant Talk reports. Multiple regions of China are represented on the menu here, including Shanghainese and Szechuan fare. 177 Tremont Street

NEWTON — Mochi doughnut shop Pon De Joy in Allston has expanded with a new bakery in Newton Centre, the Heights reports. 212 Summer Street

SOMERVILLE — A Rwandan coffee shop from owners and married couple Francois and Fatuma Tuyishime has opened its doors in Somerville’s Teele Square, according to the Somerville Times. Francois moved to Boston from southwestern Rwanda, where his family owns a coffee farm, for a graduate program at Brandeis University. But the coffee world soon pulled him back in: He attended stateside coffee conventions, got certified as a professional roaster, and began roasting beans at a roastery in Framingham. He first sold his own coffee at farmer’s markets in the area, and the business has since blossomed into Yego Coffee, which roughly translates to “yes” but more broadly is a Kinyarwanda expression of hope and positivity. “After the genocide against Tutsi, we use that word as a sign of hope and optimism after a tragedy,” Francois tells Eater. In the weeks since the store opened, nearby customers have flocked to Yego, creating lines outside the fledgling shop. “I never, never expected to be this big,” Francois says. 1212 Broadway

WALPOLE — Greater Boston’s Greek scene keeps gaining steam. Brothers Angelos and Stavros Petropulos are behind Kosmos, a new Greek spot on Walpole’s Main Street complete with a lush garden patio. Classic Greek dishes like spanakopita (spinach pie) and keftedes (lamb meatballs) are lined up alongside an expansive list of Greek wines, beers, and liquors, according to a rep for the restaurant. Head chef Angelos is an alum of former South End legend Hamersley’s Bistro and hip Greek spot Committee in the Seaport. 944 Main Street

WALTHAM — Beloved Boston bar and restaurant Deep Ellum has relocated to Moody Street in Waltham, according to Boston Magazine. Stop by to get reacquainted with former stars (like the truffle gorgonzola fries) and new, soon-to-be hits (like the porcini mushroom poutine). 467 Moody Street

Bar Vlaha

1653 Beacon Street, , MA 02445 (617) 906-8556 Visit Website

Hue

47 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 Visit Website

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