Avra Estiatorio, a high-end Greek seafood spot that got its start in New York City, is bringing its white-tablecloth energy to Back Bay in mid-April, setting up shop inside the new Lyrik development. The second-floor restaurant at 400 Newbury Street is expected to seat about 250 guests across a main dining room, bar, and private rooms, and will feature Avra's trademark market-style fish display. The opening will mark Avra's first New England location and its eighth restaurant overall.
According to Time Out, the Back Bay outpost is slated for a mid-April debut, with the 250-seat space designed by Rockwell Group to channel whitewashed Greek island interiors. Expect sculptural olive trees and a crystallized salt-wall installation that leans into the seafood theme. Time Out notes that Avra's signature fish-market counter will showcase whole fish flown in daily and laid out on ice, with guests able to select how they want it cooked, from grilled or baked in sea salt to simply dressed with lemon and olive oil. Co-owner Nick Tsoulos said the team is "thrilled to introduce the same warm Greek hospitality and exceptional Mediterranean seafood" to Boston.
Menu and market: seafood first
Time Out reports that the menu will spotlight Mediterranean seafood like branzino and black sea bass, along with specialty plates such as Chilean seabass souvlaki served over roasted red-pepper sauce. Diners can also expect Avra Chips, the restaurant's signature thin slices of zucchini and eggplant, among the small plates. The Boston Globe notes that Avra will start by serving dinner nightly, with lunch and weekend brunch to be added later. Desserts and shareable dishes are expected to round things out for groups, celebrations, and date nights.
Lyrik and Back Bay’s changing dining map
The restaurant will take over a large second-floor footprint at Lyrik Back Bay, 400 Newbury Street, part of a new air-rights plaza built over the Massachusetts Turnpike that aims to connect Back Bay and Fenway, according to Lyrik Back Bay. previously covered the project's tenant lineup and named Avra as an early anchor. The prominent perch is set to give Avra strong visibility to neighborhood foot traffic as well as commuters moving through nearby transit corridors.
Reservations and specific opening details are expected to roll out on Avra's website and Lyrik's tenant pages as the mid-April target approaches. The Avra Group already operates several high-profile locations, and local media and developers are keeping a close eye on the Boston debut. For now, would-be diners can look forward to a spacious, design-forward seafood destination built around shared plates, market-fresh fish, and interiors inspired by Greek island getaways.
