Guides

Where to Eat in Greater Boston for February 2026

New and exciting restaurants to check out, plus good reasons to visit older spots.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal· 2/2/2026, 9:16 a.m.

Slices of various raw fish are arranged in a bowl, topped with a raw quail egg and a dollop of caviar-topped sea urchin. The bowl sits on a black plate with a stack of seaweed sheets alongside.

Umami Crudo’s chirashi. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

February is here: We have James Beard semifinalists to celebrate and loads of exciting restaurant openings on the horizon—and plenty of great just-opened spots to explore, too. We’re back with our monthly where-to-eat guide, sharing some of Greater Boston’s newest restaurants (and some good reasons to revisit older ones). On the list this month: Japanese-Peruvian handrolls, Indian-ish burgers, Thai-inspired cocktails, big slices of cake, and more. (Check out last month’s guide here.)

Jump to:

New restaurants to try this month: Recent openings you’ve got to check out.
Older restaurants doing new things: Expansions and other changes—time for a (re)visit.

Also check out our recently published or updated dining guides: Bagels | Cozy restaurants with fireplaces | Fenway restaurants, bars, and cafés | Restaurants near TD Garden

New Restaurants to Try This Month

Recent openings you’ve got to check out.

A bowl of noodles topped with chopped green onions, minced garlic, chili flakes, and shredded cucumber, served in a decorative blue and white floral bowl. In the background, there is a white and green patterned teapot with a bamboo handle and a matching teacup on a white marble table.

212 Kitchen’s hot oil noodles. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

212 Kitchen (Riverside, Cambridge)

Handmade dumplings and leek-stuffed fried pies co-star with stone-pot soups at this new Chinese restaurant, which debuted outside of Central in mid-January. It’s been a long process, with some zoning paperwork filed all the way back in 2018: Celebrate the long-awaited Western Avenue spot with a spicy bowl of hot oil noodles and bottle of Tsingtao.

212 Western Ave., Cambridge, order.toasttab.com.

Grilled octopus tentacle seasoned with spices, served on a bamboo mat with a lime wedge and fresh greens. Accompanied by toasted bread slices, a roasted bone marrow, and three small bowls of sauces including a red sauce, a creamy white sauce with seasoning, and a yellow sauce with herbs. A spoon is placed next to the bread on a wooden serving board.

Grilled octopus with bone marrow and various sauces at Acapella by X. / Courtesy photo

Acapella by X (Dorchester, Boston)

They had us at swanky digs and global tapas (fried cheese with guava dip; ponzu-butter scallops). The live music at this Fields Corner newbie is the cherry on top, not to mention an on-trend Dubai chocolate tres leches cake.

1505 Dorchester Ave., Fields Corner, Dorchester, Boston, 617-286-4620, acapellabyx.com.

A beige oval plate with several pan-fried green dumplings garnished with sliced green onions and served on a red sauce. Next to the plate is a small rustic bowl filled with cooked beans garnished with chopped herbs. A glass with an orange-red drink is partially visible on the right side. The setting is on a light-colored marble surface.

Momo at Ama at the Atlas. / Photo by Chris McIntosh

Ama at the Atlas (Allston, Boston)

Take globally inspired, nourishing cuisine from an acclaimed team, add an expansive hotel venue and all-day hours, and you get this highly anticipated sequel to Dorchester fave Comfort Kitchen. Now open at Allston’s new Atlas hotel—and stay tuned for the group to open a rooftop cocktail bar there later in 2026, too.

40 Western Ave. (the Atlas Hotel), Allston, Boston, ama-boston.com.

K-Bok (Union Square, Somerville)

Leave it to the family behind beloved neighborhood Asian shop Reliable Market to give Union Square another gift: a hot spot for ultra-crispy, spicy Korean fried chicken. (Extra points for the fried oyster mushrooms, which deliciously stand in as a vegetarian option.)

249 Washington St., Union Square, Somerville, kbokchicken.com.

Nakhon (Brighton, Boston)

Farewell to Rice Away Thai Express, hello to Nakhon: The team behind an all-you-can-eat Thai buffet has converted its space into a restaurant focused on southern Thai halal cuisine. Find dishes like sator goong (a fiery stir-fry with stink beans), roti mataba (flatbread stuffed with minced chicken), and gaeng pu (crab curry).

296 Washington St., Brighton, Boston, instagram.com/nakhonboston.

Nōhri (Chinatown, Boston)

This new Chinatown spot showcases nikkei cuisine—Japanese and Peruvian fusion—primarily through handrolls. The spicy salmon handroll, for example, includes yuzu amarillo, ikura, and quinoa; a spicy tuna one is topped with red curry, pepper relish, and corn nuts. No reservations, no online orders—just go. Open Thursday through Sunday night to start.

5 Tyler St., Chinatown, Boston, 857-305-3129, nohriboston.com.

Norinori Test Kitchen (Cleveland Circle, Brookline)

Matsunori Handroll Bar and Mai have a new sibling: Norinori Test Kitchen is (softly) open, with wagyu-laden bento boxes and handrolls galore. The miso cod handroll—a carryover from Norinori’s big siblings—is very much worth a try. Keep an eye out for an expanded menu as the restaurant ramps up: Cofounder and CEO Kevin Liu previously told Boston that he wants to serve “the best chicken ramen in the city, nothing held back.”

399 Chestnut Hill Ave., Brookline, 617-191-3482, norinori.kitchen.

Three steamed dumplings in a bamboo steamer basket with gold tongs resting on top, accompanied by a bowl of dumplings in sauce garnished with microgreens and a small square dish of soy sauce with a gold spoon.

Novo Lantern’s pork soup dumplings (foreground) and kale wontons and chili oil (background). / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Novo Lantern (South End, Boston)

Watch a cook make dumplings at the end of the dining room—until your sizzling platter of cumin lamb arrives and demands your attention as it’s lit on fire at the table. Novo Lantern makes a show of Chinese classics and puts a spin on a few, too: Take the dan dan gnocchi, for instance.

1750 Washington St., South End, Boston, 917-682-0038, novolantern.com.

A big slice of carrot cake sits in a pool of caramel with candied nuts and is garnished with a spiral of carrot.

SJ’s brown butter carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and salted caramel. / Photo by Jessica Reyes

SJ’s (Leather District, Boston)

Eclectic bistro fare steps from South Station makes the wait for the train so much better, whether you’re craving luxurious uni cacio e pepe or hefty slices of carrot cake. Bonus: generous martini pours and bar pizza specials.

745 Atlantic Ave., Downtown Boston, sjsboston.com.

Four pieces of sushi rolls topped with thin slices of seared tuna, small dollops of black caviar, and green garnish. The rolls contain cucumber and avocado, wrapped in white rice with sesame seeds. In the background, there is a blurred view of additional sushi rolls with an orange topping. The sushi is presented on a black and white striped plate.

Two of Umami Crudo’s maki (sushi rolls). In the foreground, seared toro (fatty tuna) with avocado, cucumber, and caviar; in the background, salmon with tenkasu, chili aioli, and black truffle. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Umami Crudo (North End, Boston)

Don’t want to spring for the pricey sushi feasts at Cambridge’s acclaimed Umami Omakase? Visit its new sibling tucked into a two-story North End nook for Uni alum Gary Lei’s expert take on Japanese cuisine, mercifully à la carte.

78 Salem St., North End, Boston, 617-367-6500, umamicrudo.com.

Older Restaurants Doing New Things

Expansions and other changes—time for a (re)visit.

Two hands hold a saucy, crispy fried chicken sandwich, topped with pickles, over a pile of tater tots.

The Chicken69 sandwich at Aatma at Widowmaker: fried chicken, chili sauce, spicy pickles, fried curry leaves, and special sauce, served with “chaat-er tots” (tater tots tossed in chaat masala). / Photo by Gene Buonaccorsi

Aatma at Widowmaker (Brighton, Boston)

A rockin’ brewery is now even cooler with the addition of Aatma’s Indian and “Indian-ish” food with “attitude” (read: in-your-face flavor). The saucy, masala-spiced smashburger is a fan favorite for a reason.

190 North Beacon St., Brighton, Boston, 617-390-0660, aatmacurryhouse.com.

Sliced grilled steak served on a dark green oval plate, topped with pickled red onions, halved yellow cherry tomatoes, fresh cilantro leaves, and microgreens, with a light sauce underneath. The plate is on a wooden table with a glass of water and a pink drink nearby.

Black Cat Eatery’s suya beef. / Courtesy photo

Black Cat Eatery at Wink & Nod (South End, Boston)

Talk about star power: The newest chef in Wink & Nod’s rotating “culinary incubator” series is James Beard semifinalist and Top Chef alum Valentine Howell. Expect winners like oxtail cavatelli on the Afro-Caribbean-inspired menu.

3 Appleton St., South End, Boston, winkandnod.com, instagram.com/blackcateateryy.

Three breaded and fried arancini balls topped with grated cheese, served on a white plate with a small white bowl of marinara sauce, placed on a wooden surface with a white brick wall background.

Bolognese arancini from Controne at Lamplighter Brewing Co. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Controne at Lamplighter Brewing Co. (Cambridge)

What goes perfectly with Lamplighter’s Rabbit Rabbit double IPA or Alpenglow amber ale? Try crispy arancini, stuffed with fillings such as Bolognese or roasted mushrooms, or slices of Roman-style pan pizza. Controne is the new resident food purveyor at Lamplighter’s original location on Broadway, lucky for beer fans.

284 Broadway, Cambridge, 617-945-0450, lamplighterbrewing.com.

Henfolks (Allston, Boston)

Missing Sam Treadway’s cocktail magic behind the bar at Backbar? Now that he’s left the Somerville spot in the capable hands of the Field & Vine team, his first cocktail consulting gig is at Henfolks in Allston. (Go for late-night Thai snacks by Everett’s Fighting Fish and frequent live music.) Find Treadway’s new cocktails on the menu now (such as a mojito with Thai rum and Thai basil)—and you might even spot him bartending there occasionally.

1024 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, Boston, instagram.com/henfolks.

Grilled squid tentacles served on a white plate with a textured pattern, garnished with chopped herbs and spices, and drizzled with olive oil, placed on a wooden table.

Moona’s squid with black shatta, parsnip-garlic sauce, and basil. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Moona (Central Square, Cambridge)

Levantine-inspired croissants and soft-serve? Let’s just say Moona is making the most of its huge new Central Square space a mile from the Inman original. The cozy café-by-day, lounge-by-night area within this Middle Eastern destination is an added perk.

750 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge, moonarestaurant.com.

A table filled with a variety of foods and drinks including fried chicken, crinkle-cut fries, a stack of onion rings, a cheeseburger, grilled cheese sandwich, mixed vegetables, and a dessert with a caramel topping. There are also several cocktails and drinks, a vintage-style red lunchbox, a gold rotary phone, a disco ball helmet, sunglasses, playing cards, and a reflective gold-framed mirror. The setting has a colorful, retro vibe with a festive backdrop.

Retro Room. / Courtesy photo

Retro Room at Back Bay Social

Boston’s listening lounge obsession continues into 2026 with the debut of a vinyl lounge in the Back Bay Social basement. Retro Room, as the name suggests, leans into nostalgia, from the records to the classic comfort food. Try one of the daily rotating “TV Dinners,” served on segmented trays. Thursday, for example: Salisbury steak (with a wagyu patty—fancy!), mushroom gravy, mashed potato, veggie, and dessert.

867 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston, retroroomboston.com.

Two white bowls sit on a pale green tray, one featuring thick noodle rolls with fish balls and a swoosh of sriracha, the other with chopped cucumbers.

Rubato’s ji cheung fun (steamed rice rolls) with curry fish balls and a spicy cucumber salad. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Rubato (Quincy)

Head to this petite counter-service Quincy spot for its popular Hong Kong-style café fare before it’s even harder to get in: Chef-owner Laurence Louie is part of the just-announced cast for the next season of Top Chef. The fried chicken bolo, ji cheung fun (shown above with curry fishballs), and sampan congee are must-tries.

412 Hancock St., Quincy, 617-481-2049, rubato-food.com.

Sing Choi Kee (Malden)

Head north of Boston to Malden’s already-excellent Chinese dining scene to check out the newest addition, a cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style diner) franchise from Flushing, New York. Sing Choi Kee features indulgent slippery egg dishes, a handful of dim sum classics, drinks topped with adorable bear-shaped ice cubes, and more.

7 Pleasant St., Malden, singchoikee.net.

A version of this guide first appeared in the print edition of the February 2026 issue with the headline, “The Hot List.”