Brookline Lunch, a well-known diner from Cambridge’s Central Square, is preparing to open a second location at 1046 Beacon Street in Brookline, the former site of Busy Bee Restaurant & Diner, which closed in September 2024.
The original Brookline Lunch, located on Brookline Street in Cambridge, dates back to 1937 and has been run by the Abu-Rubieh family since 1988. According to Boston Restaurants Talk, the new Brookline location aims to recreate the same welcoming atmosphere and menu of freshly prepared dishes. Mushhoor Abu-Rubieh, who is leading the expansion, is returning to the family business after working in an office job for ten years.
Responding to a common question about the restaurant’s name, Mushhoor told Brookline.News, “We always get the question ‘Why is it called Brookline Lunch if it’s not in Brookline? Well, now it will be.”
The new location will feature familiar dishes from the Cambridge spot, along with new Middle Eastern-inspired items such as Baklava pancakes and shakshuka. The Abu-Rubieh family has also previously donated a portion of the restaurant's proceeds to organizations like the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and the International Rescue Committee.
The Brookline location is expected to open in the coming months, though no official date has been confirmed.
