Many new restaurants were added to the SouthCoast food scene in 2023

Seth Chitwood, The Standard-Times

NEW BEDFORD -- The city welcomed a delicious wave of new culinary hotspots with the arrival of Mey Breakfast, Sixes & Sevens, Cast Seaside Bar and Bites, and several others in 2023. With a diverse range of flavors and dining experiences, these new restaurants are already making a delectable mark on the city's food scene.

These owners have taken on the challenge of revamping previous locations and creating their own restaurants in various areas of New Bedford. With a goal not only to make a difference in the local food scene, but also to contribute to the city's economy.

From utilizing secret family recipes for delectable donuts to innovative twists on traditional restaurants, these new ventures have captivated the attention of visitors and tantalized their taste buds.

Mey Tex, the owner, helps two customers with their order at the newly opened Mey Breakfast located at former Margarets location on Main Street in Fairhaven.
Mey Tex, the owner, helps two customers with their order at the newly opened Mey Breakfast located at former Margarets location on Main Street in Fairhaven.

Mey Breakfast

Opened in August 2023, Mey Breakfast has become a great place for breakfast and lunch in Fairhaven, located at the corner of Ferry and Main streets. The owner Mey Tex, recently moved to the United States from Cambodia and also owns with her husband The Rise Cafe in Somerset.

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The menu offers a variety of sandwiches, sides, and drinks, including special items like home fries and boba tea. Their house-made donuts, including glazed, blueberry cake and apple fritters, are the standout menu item. Tex recommends the bear claws and apple fritters as her personal favorites.

Sixes & Sevens

When Cobblestones, a popular restaurant in the Whaling City, unexpectedly closed during the pandemic, it left the community shocked and saddened. However, in April 2023, the owners of Speedwell Tavern in Plymouth opened Sixes & Sevens, a new restaurant that combines the nostalgia of Cobblestones with fresh and exciting elements.

A patron walks into the newly opened Sixes and Sevens on S Sixth Street in New Bedford.
A patron walks into the newly opened Sixes and Sevens on S Sixth Street in New Bedford.

The menu features pub-style dishes such as burgers, quesadillas, and chicken tenders, as well as unique hot dog options. Specials like pulled pork and buffalo chicken egg rolls have been added to the menu, adding a unique twist to traditional recipes.

The restaurant welcomes people from all backgrounds, symbolized by the pineapple, featuring other nostalgic decorations including a sign for its previous name, Phoebe's and Cobblestones.

Cast Seaside Bar and Bites

In May 2023, the owners of Ella's Wood Burning Oven Restaurant, Bree and Marc Swierkowski, opened a second restaurant in Marion called Cast Seaside Bar & Bites.

The restaurant, located in a former whiskey library, has a seafood-based raw bar and Latin American influenced menu. Marc Swierkowski, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, likes to create menus that are meant for sharing with small plates such as octopus, chicken wings, and Peruvian rotisserie chicken.

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The goal is for guests to have a fun and laid-back dining experience and to bring more people in and share their experience with friends.

Milan’s Restaurant

Opened in February 2023, Milan's is serving up classic soul food dishes like fried chicken, mac & cheese and collard greens. They also have a selection of Spanish-inspired dishes like rice and beans and pork shoulder.

Yozakura Japanese Kitchen

William Foley, the former owner of Cafe Bon, opened his small 15-seat restaurant in 2021 with a sushi and tea bar, as well as a full Japanese pantry for made-to-order dishes. His aim was to create the top Japanese dining experience in the SouthCoast.

In September 2023, he relocated to a larger space at 164 South Main St. The new location, previously intended for an Asian restaurant that never opened, can accommodate at least 36 people and has a larger kitchen for expanding the menu.

Yozakura Japanese Kitchen and Boutique Sushi Bar shows off some of its signatures dishes from appetizers to dessert on its menu.
Yozakura Japanese Kitchen and Boutique Sushi Bar shows off some of its signatures dishes from appetizers to dessert on its menu.

Popular dishes such as miso soup, spicy tuna tacos, and sushi rolls like the IDLYA (shrimp tempura with short rib and sweet soy truffle sauce) will remain on the menu, along with new additions like a ramen section. Other menu highlights include gyoza (cream cheese and spicy crab tempura), house-made ramen, beef teriyaki, and matcha custard eclairs.

Two Sisters Catering

The new Two Sisters Catering storefront, located at 743 Dartmouth Street in Dartmouth, now offers takeout and delivery of popular Portuguese dishes. These include Chicken or Shrimp Mozambique, Portuguese Steak, and a Portuguese Burger.

Sandwich combos are also available with options such as cacoila, bifana, chourico, or linguica and cheese, which come with a drink and fries. Owned by sisters Courtney and Caitlyn Fontes, who started the Two Sisters food truck in New Bedford in 2016 and later opened a restaurant in Taunton, were also featured on the TV show "Family Restaurant Rivals" in Oct. 2019.

Saffron by the Sea

In August 2023, Saffron by the Sea opened in Fairhaven, a result of the Patel family first buying the Seaport Inn and seeking a tenant for the old Seaport Inn Grille. After a few potential opportunities fell through, Uday Patel met Roshain Patil in Chicago, a chef with a knowledge of classic Indian cuisine. They became partners and brought Roshain's concept of fine dining Indian food to the South Coast.

With a 15-page extensive menu, popular items include Chicken Tikka Masala or the Tandoor Chicken.

Chipotle in Fairhaven

In June 2023, Chipotle Mexican Grill opened its first location in Fairhaven at 14 Plaza Way, which features their signature Chipotlane drive-thru pickup lane for digital orders.

The restaurant aims to serve responsibly sourced, high-quality food and establish local partnerships. Chipotle is known for its Mexican-style fast food options, using naturally raised and humanely treated meats.

Customers have the ability to customize their orders and choose from sides and extras. Overall, the new location in Fairhaven is part of the brand's expansion and commitment to providing convenient and delicious food options.

Crumbl Cookie

In September 2023, a new Crumbl store opened between Sally's Beauty Supply and JoAnn Fabrics on State Road in Dartmouth. Store owners Leopaul and Mimose Montes were inspired to open the store after trying the warm chocolate chip cookie themselves.

The store offers six of the 200+ weekly rotating flavors, including the award-winning Milk Chocolate Chip. There are also specialty flavors like Cookies & Cream, S'mores, Key Lime Pie, and many more.

Customers can order through the Crumbl App or online for delivery, curbside pickup, catering, and nationwide shipping. A new feature on the app called the Cookie Journal allows customers to rate and track cookies, share their opinions with others, and earn Badges.

Did we miss one this year? Let us know and we will add it to the list!

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter: @ChitwoodReports.Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Mey Breakfast, Sixes & Sevens, Crumbl; restaurants opened in 2023

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