5 best new restaurant openings and dining updates in Boston (Feb. 12, 2026)

Restaurants

Stay up to date on the best new restaurants, recent openings, and the biggest dining updates across Greater Boston’s food scene.

In Greater Boston’s dining scene, there’s always a new restaurant opening to celebrate or a fresh update coming to one of the city’s delicious eateries. In the months ahead, we have major restaurant openings from Michelin chefs and famous New York restaurateurs, as well as a swell of diverse and delicious smaller restaurants joining our neighborhoods.

Each week, Boston.com will highlight the restaurant openings worth knowing about across the region. Some spots will already be open, while others are set to debut in 2026. At least one featured restaurant will always be a bonus item — either a pop-up, a collaboration, or event at area restaurants.

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What’s new in Greater Boston restaurant openings this week

Citrus & Salt

Jason Santos’ coastal Mexican spot is getting a second location in the ‘burbs, with its party atmosphere taking over the space that recently housed Osteria Nino. Much of the same can be expected at the new location, like colorful decor, tacos, and frozen margs, but its Burlington restaurant will also have an expansive patio and room for private dining. 

Opening date: Summer 2026

19 Third Ave., Burlington

Moro Mou

The Xenia Hospitality Group isn’t slowing down after just a year ago opening one of the city’s hottest restaurants, Kaia, and running some of the hardest-to-reserve eateries in Greater Boston. This concept will be slightly different than the rest of its mostly Greek line-up, blending the cuisines from Greece and Japan at this 15-seat omakase spot, per Boston magazine.

Opening date: Summer 2026

Seaport; exact address TBD

The Down Low

Another gain for Boston’s suburbs is The Down Low, which promises a Boston-level cocktail experience without ever having to navigate the commuter rail to get to one. This subterranean spot is made to feel like a supper club, with live entertainment five nights a week and a menu of Detroit-style pizza and elevated bar snacks and sandwiches. As for cocktails, expect a mix of classics (like an Old Fashioned that comes with a smoked dome) and other signature beverages that use house-made syrups and mixers. 

Open now (January 2026)

371 Main St., Woburn

Willie’s

A neighborhood pizza spot is coming to Beacon Hill from a newer restaurant group that continues to grow, BCB3, which brought restaurants like Zurito and Michelin-recommended Somaek to Boston in recent years. In a Boston magazine interview with the group, their team hesitated to put cuisine labels on their upcoming restaurant, adding that they want to play around with pizza and other menu items that may use ingredients like Spanish ham, bone marrow, or whatever the team is feeling at the moment.  

Opening date: Early Spring 2026

20 Charles St., Beacon Hill

Bonus: Rebel Rebel at Shy Bird

Valentine’s Day plans are overrated. Make rotisserie chicken and natural wine plans instead, the day after Valentine’s Day. Wine bar Rebel Rebel joins forces with Shy Bird in South Boston to feed and hydrate those in need of a little party time on Feb. 15 — as they put it, “lovers, lonely hearts, platonic romantics, [plus] everyone who worked through Valentine’s Day weekend and needs to catch their breath” is invited. 

Event details: Sunday, Feb. 15, from 5 to 9 p.m.

12 Old Colony Ave., South Boston

Katelyn Umholtz

Food and Restaurant Reporter

Katelyn Umholtz covers food and restaurants for Boston.com. Katelyn is also the author of The Dish, a weekly food newsletter.

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