Boston’s cherry trees aren’t the only things blooming this spring. A batch of exciting new restaurants are cropping up across the city, letting residents rekindle their love for Beantown’s dining scene.
An afternoon tea destination from two hospitality vets is all about dainty finger sandwiches and luxe desserts. Dishes from Marseille—including the city’s claim to fame, bouillabaisse—get the spotlight at a French spot in the South End. The newest outpost of a locally beloved seafood spot serves up some of the region’s freshest bounty.
Read on for four hot new Boston restaurants to book ASAP.
Silver Dove Afternoon Tea (Downtown Crossing)

Status: Now open
As alums of Barbara Lynch’s esteemed cocktail bar Drink, Patrick Brewster and Lee Morgan knew exactly what Boston’s food and beverage scene was missing. “An afternoon tea vibe is so special, but it’s also a nice thing to do where you can be social and you don’t have to drink or be out late [at] night,” Brewster says.
Enter Silver Dove Afternoon Tea, which debuted in early March with a menu spotlighting teas from around the world including blends from Cambridge-based MEM, Kyoto, and London. Silver Dove also has a selection of cordials, including a not-to-be-missed espresso martini with hazelnut cream. Passionfruit layer cake, chocolate mousse bombes, and macarons complement a selection of canapes, including coronation chicken that’s fit for a king. The space, featuring brocade wallpaper, rich emerald fabrics, and gold finishes, is just as much a feast for the eyes as the food.
Row 34 (Cambridge)

Status: now open
Bostononians will undoubtedly be familiar with Row 34’s original Seaport District location, which is a must-visit for its selection of lobster rolls. The seafood favorite has since expanded its empire past Boston (including outposts in Burlington and Portsmouth), and its latest location opened in Cambridge’s Kendall Square in April—meaning workers at the biotech companies there now have another solid industrial chic spot for lunch or casual business dinners.
Row 34’s lobster rolls are among the best in the region. Diners can pull up a spot at the long shellfish and cocktail bar to grab the traditional cold version (named the Ethel for chef Jeremy Sewall’s grandmother), or go for the warm option featuring a griddled roll drizzled with butter. Landlubbers need not worry, since the cheeseburger and mozzarella chicken sandwich alone are worth a visit.
Medium Rare Lounge (Everett)

Status: Now open
There’s a new game in town at Encore casino’s Rare Steakhouse. Medium Rare Lounge opens in April as an offshoot of executive chef Megan Vaughn’s lauded steakhouse. Diners will find favorites such as French fries with parmesan, bearnaise, and black truffle sauces, along with a few additions.
“We have a really great burger on the menu that we don’t have at Rare, and a burger is such a staple at any bar lounge you go to,” Vaughn says. Her version features dry-aged beef with cheddar on a brioche bun.
Those looking to go all in can try the dessert tower featuring refined versions of what Vaughn calls, “the junk food we all loved growing up.” Ho Hos are transformed into chocolate sponge cake with fluffy frosting and rich chocolate ganache. More grown-up indulgences include Wild Wood, Medium Rare’s interpretation of a whiskey sour.
Marseille (South End)
Status: Opening mid-April
South End favorite Gaslight Brasserie du Coin went dark during the pandemic, but an exciting new French restaurant from a popular Boston restaurateur and chef has taken its place. Loic Le Garrec of Petit Robert Bistro and Batifol debuted Marseille in April to highlight the cuisine of the southern part of his home country.
Expect seafood-focused fare including Marseille’s most famous dish, bouillabaisse. Le Garrec is a fan of showy cocktails, and true to form, his new restaurant spotlights drinks made with pastis, a traditional Marseille anise-flavored aperitif. Le Garrec has retained Gaslight’s sexy environs, including cozy nooks, subtle lighting, intimate tables, and Parisian-style subway tiles that are all ready for late-night canoodling or revelry.
Carley Thornell-Wade is a Boston-based food, travel, and technology writer who’s been to more than 70 countries and delighted in tasting the regional delicacies of each.