Around Town

Watertown Library & Mighty Squirrel Brewing Start Book Club

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Mighty Squirrel Brewing’s Taproom at Arsenal Yards. A new Watertown Free Public Library and Mighty Squirrel Brewing Book Club meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. See more details from the Watertown Library, below. Discuss fiction of all genres in a casual brewery setting with the WFPL Mighty Squirrel book group! Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) hosts this monthly book group for adults at Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co., located at Arsenal Yards in Watertown. Registration is not required.

Food

Watertown Has a New Beer Garden, Restaurant Moving to Bigger Digs, Another Makes Globe

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Mighty Squirrel Brewing opened its new biergarten at Gore Place. (Photo from Mighty Squirrel)

There’s plenty going on in Watertown’s food and drink scene, with a new beer garden, a restaurant headed to a bigger space, and a newish restaurant getting the attention of regional media. Beer Garden

Attendees of the Sheepshearing Festival had the chance to enjoy a beverage from Mighty Squirrel Brewing. Now the brewery has teamed up with Gore Place for an ongoing partnership. The biergarten officially opened on Friday, May 8, and will be open Thursdays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays-Sundays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. though October.

Around Town

THE DISH: Ritcey East’s Max Ritcey Talks About Fish Taco, Lending a Helping Hand & More

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Ritcey East owner Max Ritcey presents a fan favorite: fish tacos. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Dish is a new collaboration between Watertown News and the Little Local Conversations podcast which takes a deep dive into a favorite dish from a local restaurant and beyond. Watertown’s Ritcey East has become a favorite place for people looking for comfort food, a cocktail, and enjoy it in a laid back, fun atmosphere. One of the most popular menu items, the fish tacos, also harkens back to owner Max Ritcey’s culinary roots, and has strong family ties. Ritcey’s fish tacos are simple, but burst with complex flavors.

Food

Restaurants Won’t be Allowed to Automatically Include Plastic Utensils Under New Ordinance

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Restaurants in Watertown will not longer be able to automatically include packets of plastic utensils with takeout or deliver orders. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A new ordinance approved by the City Council prohibits restaurants from automatically including plastic utensils with takeout orders, however customers can request these items when they order or pick up their food. The Council considered the Skip the Stuff ordinance at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. “Watertown Skip the Stuff ordinance is designed to reduce unnecessary plastic waste in our community,” said City Councilor Nicole Gardner. “Under this simple, common sense policy, restaurants and food businesses will no longer automatically include items like plastic utensils, straws and condiment packets with takeout or delivery orders.”

Around Town

Cook With Greens Grown in the Watertown School’s Farm at the Next Eat Well Watertown Program

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Produce growing in the Watertown Public Schools’ Freight Farm. (Contributed Photo)

Watertown High School has a farm in a freight container, and the next Eat Well Watertown event features cooking demonstrations using the greens grown by WHS students. See details in the announcement from Live Well Watertown, below. There are still spaces open for our spring Eat Well Watertown program, happening next Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.! Register today and bring a friend (all ages welcome).

Business

Watertown Restaurants Will be Spotlighted at Chamber’s Spring Seasonings Event on April 13

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Watertown’s Nzuko restaurant will be appearing at the Charles River Chamber’s Spring Seasonings Event. The Charles River Chamber announced the lineup for the 2026 Spring Seasonings event, which spotlights restaurants from Watertown, Newton, Wellesley, and Needham. See which Watertown eateries will be featured at the event in the announcement from the Chamber, below. Watertown’s vibrant restaurant scene will be on full display at Spring Seasonings: A Taste of Our Towns, happening on Monday, April 13, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Newton Marriott. Hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber and presented by The Village Bank, the event brings together top culinary talents from across the region.

Business

New Dining Option with a 20+ Menus Hosting Grand Opening Celebration in Watertown

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Wonder will celebrate the grand opening of its Watertown location on March 19. (Courtesy of Wonder)

Wonder, which has been called a virtual food hall, will mark the opening of its new Watertown location with a grand opening celebration on March 19 with samples, giveaways, and activities. See the announcement from Wonder, below. Marking the official opening of its new location in Watertown, Wonder will host a grand opening celebration featuring live music, giveaways, and surprises from local partners, along with free samples of popular chef-inspired menu items. 

A ribbon cutting will be held at 4:30 p.m. on March 19, followed by the Grand Opening Celebration from 5 t0 7 p.m. Wonder is located at 541 Arsenal St., Watertown (in Arsenal Yards near Poke Works, Chip City, and ButterBird). Please note: Wonder will operate during usual business hours on grand opening day (open from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.)

The first 100 guests will receive special swag bags, including a tote bag featuring custom artwork by Julia Emiliani, as well as a Wonder branded hat and a limited edition Julia Emiliani sticker sheet.

Business

Mainstay Eatery in Watertown Square Closing After 27 Years

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Longtime dining destination, Not Your Average Joe’s, will be closing after more than a quarter century in Watertown Square. The last day for the Watertown location is Feb. 11, 2026, according to Sara Murtagh, Regional Director of Operations for Not Your Average Joe’s. “This is very sad for us as this is our oldest NYAJoe’s,” Murtagh said. “We have loved being a part of this community and have a lot of amazing memories.”