Last night, after a busy day that didn’t leave time for an early dinner, I attended a Members Reception at the MFA that started at 6:30pm. and, afterwards, returned to Newton to get something to eat. To my dismay, Cabots was closing (it was 9:50pm), Brewers Coalition only had the bar open, and my fellow culture vultures and I had to venture to IHOP in Brighton to find victuals. So now I would like help from my fellow V14-ers to compile a current list of places in Newton that are open until midnight or later, where people who have attended late night meetings or events can find something to eat! What’s open late in your village? Pizza? Bar food? Gastropubs? Fine Dining? Please specify what time the kitchen closes. I suspect a lot of people might be hungering for this information!
Which Village kitchens stay open late?
by Sallee Lipshutz | Apr 8, 2019 | Newton | 18 comments
Sycamore’s kitchen is open until 10 during the week, 10:30 on weekends. They serve small bites until 11:30 every night of the week.
I would love to know. It seems Newton pretty much rolls up the carpets early. My husband and I recently went to a concert at the Cabot Theater in Beverly, and decided to get drinks and dessert back in Newton. In addition, we had 6 family members with us from NY. Union St was open until 1:00 am but the kitchen closed at 11:00 pm. Same with Terry O’Reilly’s. Cheesecake Factory was open, but that’s a chain and they had been there before.
@Sally – I’m sure the situation was much worse because it was a Sunday night. Many restaurants in Newton are either closed Sundays or close earlier than Friday/Saturday.
We need more people in our village centers to support restaurants. It is a tough business.
Just wait until Austin Street and then Washington Place go on-line. More people and interesting businesses. A new day in Newton…it is a good thing.
I should have added to my post that this was last Saturday night.
The best late night spot is LBD Little Big Diner. They serve anyone who is seated before 11 pm. Food is super quick too. Limited menu but who doesn’t love ramen or a rice bowl. My kids swear by the fried chicken.
@Alicia: I don’t mean to be picky, but…it’s hard to go low-carb at Big Little Diner. I am stuck in the 50’s of the last century, when one could eat tuna salad (or ice cream) after a late night movie or event, any day of the week. And, no, I grew up in the “metropolis” of Trenton, New Jersey…not NYC, but there were diners that were open!
My Michigan kids and grand kids say Ann Arbor never sleeps and my Vegas kids and grand kids would be shocked and awed by Newton’s sleepiness! Here’s a fantastic opportunity in a City where many are aging and can’t sleep through the night…create a warm and fuzzy place for coffee, a sandwich, ice cream, or pie…and keep it open all night. The old people who can’t sleep and the young ones who don’t want to, could meet after midnight for food and/or games (Bridge, Chess, Dictionary, etc.) Is that too much to ask?
Comedor in Newton Center is open to midnight Thurs, Fri and Sat.
10 PM on other days.
I wish there were some places to get a late-ish dessert or coffee/tea. Cabot’s is open until 11 on Fridays and Saturdays, but that’s about it as far as I know.
Sallee:
I believe part of the problem is the city itself. A late night diner would be terrific, but would it get zoning/permitting approval?
IHOP is always open, and just a few minutes away.
Buff’s Pub will take food orders as late as 11 pm and closes at 11:30.
McDonalds on California Street up in Nonantum is open til midnight. Other than that, I’ve had to cross the river into Watertown and go to the New Yorker Diner which is open nice and late.
I’m still trying to find choices in Newton, but thanks for letting me know about Watertown’s nearby New Yorker Diner.
I think that our City Councilors would indeed approve a real diner, like the authentic ones in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, if it stayed open 24/7 and served salads, sandwiches, entrees, and mouth-watering desserts (think pies, cakes and sundaes). I suspect that the old New England Mobile Fair property would have been a perfect site. In fact, if I had had a spare $5 million (plus cash for construction), I would have bought it and built a diner there. Dreaming? Maybe. But wouldn’t it be great to have a soda fountain (as of old) and jobs for Newton High School students on the south side of Newton?
@Sallee: Don’t you think abutters would be worried about traffic and noise from a 24 hour diner? Maybe they’ll form a group called Right Hours Newton.
Dessert and coffee: Go to JP Licks. Open til midnight I think.
JP Licks is open Monday – Thursday: 11AM to 11PM
Friday & Saturday: 11AM to midnight
Sunday: 11AM to 11PM
I remember when Baskin-Robbins 31 flavors first opened up at that location (of course they have many more flavors today)
Not much seating, though. But amazing ice cream.
Good info for dessert…but what about food?