This much-hyped sub shop is spreading to Porter Square

Plus, a new branch of Kupel’s Bakery in Somerville.

Kupel's Bagels; Brookline; Massachusetts; Editorial; Food photography; May 2026; Bagel sandwich; coffee; hot; Coolidge CornerLinda Rose Campos

It’s a good time to live in Cambridge or Somerville: an of-the-moment sub shop is opening in Porter Square, and a legendary Brookline bagel purveyor is expanding to nearby Elm St. Plus, this week brings news of Hanukkah-themed cocktails and a sprawling Seaport wine bar.

Openings: Pop-up favorite The Sub Shop is on the brink of opening in Cambridge’s Porter Square (1760A Massachusetts Ave.), according to an announcement from the business. It replaces The Half Shell, long known for comforting Greek pizzas.

At The Sub Shop, you’ll find ribeye steak and cheese, pizza subs, and an Italian take on banh mi, with rolls baked fresh daily. The shop initially attracted attention serving husky sandwiches at a pop-up within the now-closed Pastoral in Fort Point.

In equally exciting carbohydrate news, Brookline institution Kupel’s Bakery brings its bagel magic to Somerville (54 Elm St.), serving bagels and homemade cream cheese, plus a larger menu of breakfast sandwiches and coffees. Fear not, Brookline: The original Kupel’s will stay put (421 Harvard St.). The new location debuts on Monday, Nov. 16.

South Boston café American Provisions will open a new location at Seaport East (2 Seaport Lane) in mid-2027 with an adjacent wine bar, Maxine’s. It’s from the same team that runs Dorchester’s Gray’s Hall. By day, American Provisions will serve coffee, breakfast, and lunch; the 65-seat Maxine’s will serve dinner and drinks. They’re adjacent to Commonwealth Pier, home to a slew of new food businesses: Daily Provisions, Live Alive, Salt and Straw, and the soon-to-open, New York-based Italian restaurant Ci Siamo from restaurateur Danny Meyer.

Potato Latkes with apple and white sweet potato sauce and everything bagel-flavored sour cream (below), accompanied by The Zohan, with tequila, harisssa, lime, fresh herbs, and "fizzy bubblech" at Maccabee Bar at Variety Bar inside Bow Market. Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe

Pop-ups: Harvard Square Hanukkah pop-up Maccabee Bar kicks off its annual celebrations early at The Charles Hotel’s Noir Bar (1 Bennett St.), launching on Black Friday, with special events running through New Year’s Eve. They’ll have fun programming from the get-go: Hanukkah pop-culture trivia, ugly sweater competitions, seasonal cocktails and mocktails galore, and bites from Noir, including latkes. Visit Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m., and Sunday from 5 p.m.