5 best new restaurant openings and dining updates in Boston (August 6, 2026)

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As one sushi spot closes, another opens. Yoki Express, the sushi restaurant sandwiched between other fast-casual spots Madras Dosa Co. and Chipotle down a Seaport side street, recently closed. Swimming up in its place is newcomer Happy Rice Sushi, co-founded by Phil Turley, with recipes developed by chef Kelsey Urbanczyk. Turley said that for his lunches and protein-rich post-workout meals, he could hit up a rotating roster of salad bowl, Mediterranean bowl, and burrito bowl spots. But what about sushi that isn’t an expensive sit-down meal or a visit to a less-than-stocked grocery store fridge case? Enter Happy Rice, which will dish out sushi without refined sugars, seed oils, and gluten when it opens in August. Everything will be sourced as sustainably as possible, too. Grab-and-go combos called “Benefit Boxes” will list all the nutrition info for those looking to hit those sweet, sweet macros. 

Opening Date: August 28

53 Boston Wharf Road, Seaport

Flavors from across the pond will feel a lot closer once this new British fine-dining concept dishes out traditional favorites alongside beers and ales in Beacon Hill come early fall. Patrick Lyons and the Lyons Group — behind restaurants like Back Bay Social and Bar Enza — is the force behind this latest British invasion, which will see the shuttered Beacon Hill Pub transformed into a dark, handsome space with booths to tuck into for plates of fish and chips and hearty chicken pot pie. Proving that the cuisine is not just mushy peas, the spot will lean into British-Indian fare like chicken tikka masala with tandoori-grilled naan for dipping into the spicy-creamy sauce. 

Opening Date: Fall 2026

149 Charles St., Beacon Hill

Call this barbecue newcomer the youngest sibling of three new Korean concepts in Allston, with each bringing new life (and bold flavors) as separate concepts within the former Tavern in the Square space. Sanbada brings seafood-leaning fare, then transforms into lounge-chic Bombbada by night. And now Jinjee brings vibes like family meals whipped up by grandma, and focuses on Korean barbecue ranging from $45 to $90 per person. Servers grilling meats right on table-top grills in front of diners, turning dinner into a show. Find everything from pork jowl, to American Wagyu boneless short rib, and luxe Japanese A5 Wagyu Kagoshima beef. Offerings like chayote (an edible gourd) and peppers bring freshness to indulgent meats, with unlimited banchan (side dishes like radish kimchi), and rice. 

Open Now (May)

161 Brighton Ave., Allston 

There’s more to say “cheers!” about at the Boston Public Market with the opening of this new gathering space, restaurant, and natural wine tasting room (the state’s first, per the brand). Pop in for casual daytime drinks at the bar and sip wines as you peruse the curated shop of the brand’s goodies, plus a curated selection of made-in-New-England offerings. By day, the restaurant will stick to counter service, and at night you can reserve the kitchen counter for dining experiences that showcase the bounty of seasonal produce. Find sustainable wines on draft, and you can fill up growlers to take vino home with you. Marzae will also launch its Off Piste Ferments line of non-alcoholic, naturally fermented beverages at the tasting room, showcasing sips for everyone. 

Opening Now (July)

100 Hanover St., Downtown Boston

There’s still time to get your fill of some of the year’s best dining deals when Dine Out Boston’s summer edition runs through August 15. Nearly 200 restaurants are taking part with special curated menus for lunch and dinner, at price points varying from $27 to $55. The offerings are as varied as the city’s restaurants itself, though you can expect three-course prix-fixe meals at most, with a la carte options and beverage pairings for additional cost. The good: acclaimed restaurant Fallow Kin makes its Dine Out debut, plus save on sushi at all five locations of Fuji, which is new this edition, too. The better: You still have over a week to see how much you can possibly eat at as many restaurants as possible.  

See Dine Out Boston for participating restaurants. 

Various locations