Summary (tl;dr)

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse is closing its Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts location on June 28, 2026, due to a lease termination following a property ownership change, while its Braintree location also permanently closed in January 2026.

Essential Background

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse, an upscale dining chain founded in Boston in 1985, is known for its Northern Italian cuisine, prime steaks, and handmade pastas, with multiple locations across the East Coast. The restaurant industry has recently faced increased operating costs, reduced discretionary spending, and evolving real estate conditions, contributing to various restaurant closures.

The Full Story

The keywords are trending as Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse is undergoing significant changes in its Massachusetts operations, with two locations recently closing or about to close. The Chestnut Hill location at 55 Boylston Street is scheduled to permanently cease operations on June 28, 2026, concluding a 13-year presence. This closure is a direct result of a change in ownership involving Showcase SuperLux, a movie theater sharing the property, which led to the termination of Davio's lease. Owner Steve DiFillippo confirmed that the closure is not due to business performance but rather the inability to renew their lease. All employees affected by the Chestnut Hill closure will be transferred to other Davio's restaurants, and the company is actively seeking a new site in the area and plans for expansion on the South Shore of Massachusetts.

This upcoming closure follows the permanent shutdown of Davio's Braintree location, situated at South Shore Plaza, in January 2026 after nine years of operation. While some reports linked the Braintree closure to rising mall occupancy costs and declining customer traffic, the primary focus of current trending searches appears to be the imminent Chestnut Hill closing.

Why It Matters

The closures of Davio's locations, particularly the long-standing Chestnut Hill establishment, are significant to local communities and underscore broader challenges within the restaurant industry, even for well-established brands. These events frequently attract considerable public attention due to the deep ties these restaurants often have with local communities and their role as popular dining destinations. Although the Chestnut Hill closure is specifically due to a lease issue rather than business performance, it highlights how real estate and ownership changes can impact operational businesses. These closures also affect employment, though Davio's plans to transfer staff. The brand's intention to find new locations suggests a commitment to maintaining its presence in Massachusetts, but the pattern of closures reflects a dynamic and sometimes challenging environment for the restaurant sector.

Geographic Location

• 55 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States (Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse closing due to lease termination)
• South Shore Plaza, Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States (Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse permanently closed)