From a stylish gastropub and Latin-inspired bistro to an inviting Indian cafe and cheerful breakfast joint, we’re dishing out delicious details for seven of the South Shore’s hottest new eateries.

SouthShoreHomeLifeandStyle.com – Sure, cooking at home has its moments—but sometimes, you just need someone else to handle the heat. Luckily, the South Shore’s newest restaurants are bringing the flavor in all the right ways. Think: refined comfort food, globally inspired bites, and breakfast worth getting out of bed for. From Hull to Plymouth, these fresh additions are guaranteed to spice up your dining rotation and warm you from the inside out.

Vitamin Sea Brewing

98 Water St., Plymouth • 774-426-4001
vitaminseabrewing.com

TEAM: Co-owners Dino Funari and Richard DiBona have transformed the first floor of the former Governor Bradford Hotel into a waterfront taproom with kitchen, patio, and 40-seat event space. The second South Shore location (sister to the original Weymouth brewery) opened in May 2024.

VIBE: The lively, 4,000-square-foot taproom also features a 2,000-square-foot outdoor patio that is dog-friendly. There are 25 tap handles that offer a rotating selection of classic pours with fun names like Duckie under a Bridge, Surf Roots, and Pool Water.

FLAVOR: In addition to their popular New England and West Coast-style IPAs on draft, they also feature seltzer-based cocktails, sour beers, and stouts. A full kitchen churns out hearty soups, signature paninis, including a Roman Cubano, Vegan Delight, and Tuna Meltdown, along with a popular Italian “sushi-style” roll with mozzarella cheese, roasted tomatoes, arugula, and sliced prosciutto di Parma. Breakfast paninis, mimosas, and bloody Marys are all available during Sunday brunch.

VIBE: A space that formerly houses a Dunkin’ Donuts was completely reimagined as a rustic restaurant with wood ceilings, exposed brick walls, illuminated greenery, and a striking mural. An open kitchen at the back of the restaurant adds to the lively atmosphere.

FLAVOR: Inspired by flavors from Peru, Argentina, and Mexico, the approachable menu is broken down into categories like tapas, tacos, and pequenos designed for sharing along with larger dishes, including tortas, ensaladas, and platos. Unexpected finds include an empanada plate, fried avocado bites, smoked chicharrónes, a crunch wrap, and Valencia paella.

Hooper’s Judge Public House

9 Depot Ct., Cohasset • 781-923-1033 • hoopersjudge.com

Photography by KJELD MAHONEY

TEAM: One thing restaurateur Brian McLaughlin knows how to do is build a business that brings the community together. The owner of the popular Hingham restaurant Locales Tacos y Tequila as well as Seabird Coffee & Co. in Cohasset and Duxbury, opened up Hooper’s Judge Public House in the heart of Cohasset Village in August.

VIBE: Inspired by design elements from Paris, New York, and Ireland, the restaurant combines classic elegance with neighborhood warmth. Deep olive green walls set the tone for a rich interior accented by a large central bar and plush booths ramed by velvet curtains. Art plays a key role in the atmosphere, with pieces by local talents Karla Hunter Murphy (@khunterart) and Stucky Jiranek (@jiranekmosaics) adorning the walls. The restaurant’s playful logo—a dapper Boston terrier—pays homage to Robert C. Hooper of Boston, who in the late 1800s owned a bull-and-terrier mix named Judge. That dog, known as Hooper’s Judge, is recognized by the American Kennel Club as the ancestor of all modern Boston Terriers.

FLAVOR: Executive Chef Brett Williams (from Orta Trattoria and Nor’ Easter Pizza Co.) rounds out the impressive restaurant team. He crafted a menu of refined comfort food with local flair. Guests can dip into the creamy onion dip (made with Hornstra Farms sour cream), indulge in the house caviar service or try their flavor-packed deviled eggs, which come topped with tomato jam and bacon. Entrées are equally enticing, from meatballs said to “rival your grandmother’s,” and crispy fish and chips worthy of any Irish pub, to the Fazio Farms braised rabbit ragù and the restaurant’s signature Beef Wellington—affectionately known as “The Wellie.” Crafted with Boyden Farms beef, McGuire’s Mushrooms pâté, and prosciutto, all wrapped in golden puff pastry, it’s a dish that defines comfort and craft. For now, Hooper’s Judge serves dinner only, with plans to expand to brunch and lunch in the future.

Story by Kellie Speed

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