The best new restaurants in Boston

What is it: Alice & Monarch is a dual-concept venue in Cambridge's Kendall Square, featuring an upstairs Italian-Mediterranean taverna and a subterranean dessert and cocktail speakeasy lounge downstairs.  

Why we love it: Upstairs, the kitchen leans heavily into comforting Italian-Mediterranean flavors with a stellar lineup of housemade pastas and blistered, wood-fired pizzas. We rave about the Creste di Gallo, a standout cruved pasta dish tossed with vodka sauce and hearty sausage. For those looking to share small plates, the menu features classic starters like crispy arancini and a refreshing Watermelon & Sweet Corn Salad topped with ricotta salata. If pizza is on your mind, opt for a traditional Marghertia or go unique with the Fungi, layered with a smoky truffle ricotta and local Rhode iIsland Mushrooms. Once you enter the sexy downstairs speakeasy, all bets are off with a dessert menu that will knock your socks off and cocktails that aren't far behind. We also love that you'll dine with some incredible artwork sitting sidecar to your experience, including the owner Daniel Roughan's mom Alice's portrait when you first walk in. 

Opening Hours: Mon.-Thurs. noon-10pm; Fri. noon-11pm; Sat. 11am-11pm; Sun. 11am-9pm

Address: 238 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02142

What it is: This new place in Southie is inspired by Spanish tapas, wood-fired cooking, and the art of sobremesa—the ritual of letting the night unfold. Which is exactly what you will enjoy doing (especially among the gorgeous lush decor of the main restauarant and the touchable velvets of the downstairs Leopard Lounge). 

Why we love it: The menu is heavy on the sharing - try the crab and caviar churros, calamares “Dan Dan,” and the Hamburguesitas. Dig into a heaping portion of the Valencia paella if you have a hearty appetite or entrees grilled robata-style over open flames.

Address: 429 West Broadway, Boston, MA 02127

Opening hours: Tues.-Fri. 4pm-1am; Sat. and Sun. 10am-1am

What it is: This new outpost for Mexican might be in a mall, but it serves up some of the most authentic food we’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Not to mention the décor will absolutely wow you, as will owner Rocco Mangel’s enthusiasm for his restaurant that started in Florida and is now in its first Massachusetts spot.

Why we love it: The chorizo is out of this world, as are the unique takes on tradition like the Smash burger or hot honey chicken tacos. The molcajetes are served sizzling in a traditional lava rock container (a mortar and pestle type tool) with flour tortillas, pico de gallo, queso fresco, guacamole, sour cream and lime wedges. What is typically just an afterthought, the salsas are also incredible: there’s the house of tomato, onion, cilantro, limel verde of tomatillo and jalapeño, and the picante with roasted chile de árbol.

Address: 75 Middlesex Turnpike, Lower Level, Burlington, MA 01803

Opening hours: Daily 11am-midnight

What it is: Founders Huw Gott and Will Beckett are celebrating their 20^th year of Hawksmoor Steakhouse with the opening of  their newest location in Boston’s Fort Point. The British steakhouse chain comes with kudos, being named (twice) as the 2nd World’s Best Steak Restaurant Group, and recognized by the James Beard Foundation. The sweeping views across the Fort Point Channel and a big outdoor terrace are also noteworthy.

Why we love it: Hawksmoor works with small, family-run farms and ranches that utilize sustainable farming practices. In Boston, that means Châtel Farms in Georgia and Grass Run Farms in the upper Midwest, farms that the Hawksmoor team frequently visits to size up the beef they’ll be serving at the steakhouse. There are huge signature cuts (yes, you can buy a 50-ounce Chateaubriand to share), ice-cold martinis (brought down to two degrees), and a weekly Sunday roast.

Address: 15 Necco St, Boston, MA 02210

Opening hours: Daily noon–2:30pm; 5-10pm

What it is: Sister to Comfort Kitchen in Dorchester, the menu at this Allston spot located in the new Atlas Hotel is giving us anything but hotel restaurant vibes. It serves globally inspired comforting cuisine that blends international flavors from the African diaspora, Latin America, and Asia.

Why we love it: “Ama” means “mother” in Nepali and they're ready to nourish you with shareable plates like lamb kofta, Tacu Tacu (red quinoa and lentil cakes), as well as a She Knows The Way rotating soup selection. Entreés like the Tamarind Trout and Artichoke Sugo Pappardelle are delicious. 

Tip out tip: Also within the hotel, the hot and sexy rooftop bar Foxglove Terrace is a bit newer than Ama (it opened this spring), and gives us a place to unwind with insanely good cocktails and unbeatable views (the decor is also breathtaking). 

Address: 40 Western Ave. Allston, MA 02134

Opening hours: Daily 7am-3pm and 5-10pm

What it is: The story of Avra starts in the coastal Greek village of Nafpaktos where the cofounder Nick Tsoulos was born and brought up. Fast forward and the restaurant chain recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and an arrival in Boston's Back Bay. 

Why we love it: Starting off with a traditional Greek salad is a no-brainer, then continue through the delicious apps including crispy zucchini and eggplant chips, saganaki, and spreads (we love the salted roe tarama). One of the most storied ways to order is the whole fish program. Your server will bring you over a huge glistening ice table packed with gorgeous seafood selections for you to choose your favorite (a quick note: most are for three to four people to dine on). Save room for the coconut cream pie "slice,' which is literally a foot long. 

Address: 400 Newbury St. Boston, MA 02115

Opening hours: Mon.-Thurs. 4-10pm; Fri. and Sat. 4-11pm; Sun. 11:30am-10pm