Downtown Feature: New Bedford, MA
3 New(ish) Places To Check Out In Downtown NB
New Bedford has been a city on the rise for many years now. Located on the south coast of Massachusetts, it is perfectly situated about halfway between Boston and Cape Cod and is home to a bustling working waterfront and a historic downtown district.
Also, I have to admit a personal bias: It’s my hometown, so I’m very excited to talk about it today!
New Bedford was a bustling industrial city in the 19th and early 20th century. However, in the 1960s and ‘70s, most of the city’s textile mills closed, and family-owned businesses downtown were replaced by large chains and malls. After several decades of decline, the downtown area was revitalized by a wave of boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants that sprouted up between the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Many of those startups have since become household names for residents of the city.
Now, a new wave of businesses are opening in downtown New Bedford. If you are a tourist in the area or a local who hasn’t been downtown in a while, here are three new(ish) places that you need to check out:
P.S. We’re focusing on restaurants today, but stay tuned for another New Bedford feature in the future.
1. Play Arcade
Play Arcade is your 80’s GenX adolescent dream. From the moment you walk in the doors, you are transported into a synthy, neon world filled with the sights and sounds of a classic arcade. But there’s a twist. Actually, there are a few.
First of all, there’s a bar.
If you thought arcade games were fun before, I would encourage you to introduce alcohol into the equation. Play has a huge selection of beer and cider on tap, as well as loads of fun cocktails. Check out their 80’s-themed mixed drinks, such as The Donkey Kong or The Knarly. Or, choose from their seasonal menu. Right now it’s October-themed, so sample The Silent Hill, The Rosemary’s Baby, or The Dead and Berried Sangria.
The other twist that Play has in store is a gorgeous rooftop bar and dining area.
If you are looking for a perfect date night, do what my boyfriend and I did: Grab some drinks and apps (we opted for the Tetris-shaped tater tots, but they have a great menu that includes apps, sliders, pizza, salad, and a TON of vegan options), relax and enjoy the rooftop view, then go downstairs and tag-team a battle-to-the-death in Terminator Salvation.
Best. Date. Ever.
Whether you want to relive your florescent adolescence on date night, bring the kids and show them your Galaga skills, or just bask in the retro, Instagram-friendly aesthetic, Play Arcade is definitely a new must-visit in downtown New Bedford.
Check out their website: https://www.playarcadenb.com/
And their expertly-curated Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playarcadenb/
2. Scuttlebutt Coffee Co.
Okay, I promise I didn’t do this on purpose, but this place is right across the street.
Scuttlebutt Coffee Co. was once a pop-up coffee stand that set up at farmer’s markets and other locations in the area. They are now the part-time inhabitant of 35 Union Street. This is the new-ish place I was referring to — Scuttlebutt moved into the space that they share with Cultivator Shoals Bar last winter, but they are still a hot new thing in the downtown community.
If you love coffee (and I certainly do), you will appreciate the quality and expertise that the founders of Scuttlebutt provide. This team is serious about good coffee. And they are purists — at their first pop-up at the Westport Farmer's Market last summer, they forgot to bring sugar because none of them take sugar in their coffee! This is the hardcore crew that you need to provide you with a serious pick me up.
Scuttlebutt exclusively serves Tandem Coffee Roasters, a company based out of Portland, Maine, citing its high quality and shared values.
If you need something to wake you up, warm you up, and brighten your day, look no further than Scuttlebutt Coffee Company. I would also highly recommend grabbing a bite to eat — their breakfast sandwiches are unique and delicious, and they have a variety of yummy baked goods (like a Cookies n’ Cream scone)as well!
Check out their website: https://scuttlebuttcoffeeco.com/
Follow their journey from pop-up to permanent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scuttlebuttcoffee/
3. Besteas
Here’s the tea.
(I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist!)
Besteas is the new best (and only) place to get bubble tea in downtown New Bedford.
If you’ve never heard of bubble tea…where have you been?! It’s the trendiest beverage phenomenon since the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Also known as boba tea or pearl milk tea, this tasty tea-based drink originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and has been making a big splash in the States for the past several years. The teas are cold and sweet, and they feature a wide variety of flavors. And of course, their signature ingredient is the tapioca balls, or boba, at the bottom.
Sounds weird, tastes amazing.
Besteas, located at 498 Pleasant Street, is bringing that trend to New Bedford in a big way. Founded by real-life best friends Allison and Barbara, this adorable tea room is a good-vibes only zone. The pair actually traveled to Hayward, CA to study the art of making good bubble tea. Now they are bringing their expertise to New Bedford.
The menu features a huge selection of flavors, including milky tea, fruity tea, coffee, espresso, and build your own drinks. My personal favorite is the ‘Golden Slumbers,” a toffee black tea infused with golden cane sugar.
Besteas opened in February of 2020 and was almost immediately forced to closed due to the COVID lockdown. But they are making up for lost time now with a bustling business, and are already making a name for themselves in the community!
Check out their website: https://besteasbubbletea.com/
And their adorable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besteasbubbletea/
If you are new to downtown New Bedford or just haven’t been in a while, I would highly recommend checking out these new places! Creativity and dedication to craft are at the heart of the community of business owners that have revitalized this area, and these new businesses are no exception!
Keep an eye out for more Downtown Features coming soon!
