8 new restaurants to try in and around Boston right now

Spring has seen the rise of some exciting new restaurant openings across Greater Boston.

You can have a drink in the city at the nine-seat, full-service cocktail bar that opened in the North End last month, enjoy fresh seafood and handmade pasta at a Somerville eatery, or venture to Waltham for a pandan coconut and ube macaron. The launch of some of these new restaurants have been anticipated for some time while others may have opened under the radar. So we put together a guide to eight of the most exciting new restaurants that have opened this spring.

If you’ve been to a new restaurant recently, we want to hear about it. Share your recommendations with us in the survey below or e-mail us at [email protected].

Bosso Ramen Tavern

This Japanese restaurant was inspired by the ocean, and it offers a new take on “izakaya,” a bar serving snacks, appetizers, and drinks. Located in Harvard Square, Bosso Ramen Tavern is known for its delicious noodle bowls, but they also have a few other dishes on the menu, like sushi and black sesame ice cream. The space is modern and slightly upscale, while the staff go out of their way to make the experience an immersive one.

Emma’s Macarons

Located in Waltham, Emma’s Macarons is an Asian-owned bakery that was named after the owner’s daughter. Colorful cookies are on display here, and you’ll find that each dessert is delicate and handcrafted, inspired by French sweets. They offer unique twists, with flavors such as pandan coconut and ube, but they also carry classics like chocolate, lemon, and Earl Grey. The shop also has some other goods, including cupcakes, caneles, and more.

Eva

This modern American restaurant opened on Newbury Street just in time for the Boston Marathon in April. With a large outdoor patio, Eva has a tropical atmosphere and is an inviting place to enjoy one of their signature dishes, from the spicy chicken piccata to the shrimp scampi. You’ll also find other quality options such as the Hawaiian pizza and braised short rib gnocchi. Order a cocktail, like the red sangria or rose negroni to complement your meal.

Farmacia

A cocktail den in the North End, Farmacia is an intimate, 512-foot space, with nine seats at the bar. The concept is unique—they modeled it after a medicinal apothecary, and the menu is centered around a rotating locale, spirit, or ingredient. The bar is essentially a one-man show led by creator and bar director Phillip Rolfe who “[crafts] cocktails from housemade ingredients right in front of his guests for a highly personalized experience.”

Faccia Brutta and Bar Pallino

Two concepts from veteran chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette opened in May on Newbury Street: Faccia Brutta and Bar Pallino. Faccia Brutta serves up dishes inspired by Italy’s coastal regions, including bucatini with shrimp and pansotti filled with Swiss chard and ricotta. While you’re there, visit downstairs neighbor Bar Pallino, a wine bar that also offers a light food menu.

Miznon

The Seaport is now home to a restaurant doling out Israeli street food. Miznon is part of chef Eyal Shani’s growing international culinary empire, with three other branches of the same name in New York City. In Boston, you’ll find pitas filled with ingredients like wild mushrooms, chickpeas, or lamb kebab. On a plate, you can order ratatouille, masabaha lima beans, or a sweet potato dish. The space is modern and is inspired by the idea of a canteen.

PLNT Burger

“Top Chef” alum Spike Mendelsohn opened the first Boston location of PLNT Burger, a fast casual spot, inside the Whole Foods in the South End’s Ink Block Development. At the restaurant, you can pick up a delicious burger that just happens to be vegan and plant based. Order a Baja Burger with guacamole, fried jalapeños, and pepper-jack cheese, or try the Crispy Chik’n Sandwich, served on a potato bun. Top it off with crispy herb fries or sweet potato crinkles.

Salt + Stone

This Assembly Row eatery is the first independent restaurant from Sean and Sue Olson of the MidiCi Chain. Here, you’ll find seafood platters and oysters, as well as flatbread pizzas and handmade pastas. You may choose to dig into a lobster roll, a Cajun chicken sandwich, or fired roasted salmon. The space has floor to ceiling windows and offers full-service outdoor dining on their covered patio.