One of Greater Boston’s most acclaimed restaurateurs is preparing to launch his next venture in his hometown.
According to a press release, Chef Will Gilson of Cambridge Street Hospitality Group is opening his newest restaurant, Puritan Tavern, in the former fire station space at 20 Station Avenue in the heart of Groton.
Designed as a more casual sibling of Gilson’s award-winning Cambridge restaurant, Puritan and Company, the new tavern will offer modern takes on New England staples. Guests can look forward to dishes such as baked cod, bluefish pate, chowder, and prime rib, alongside tavern staples such as burgers, sandwiches, and roast meats.
The menu will also feature a robust raw bar, while a “thoughtfully creative” kids’ menu aims to appeal to families throughout the region. The beverage program will include classic cocktails, local beers, wines by the glass, and a separate, curated bottle list.
“Puritan Tavern will carry on the tradition of serving our neighbors and offering locals a place to convene and celebrate,” said Gilson, a Groton native. “The restaurant will give the people of Groton and surrounding communities a family-owned, approachable restaurant right in the town center, bringing some favorite dishes from Puritan and Company in Cambridge.”
The restaurant’s design, led by architectural and interiors firm JTA, will embrace the warmth and character of a classic New England tavern. In addition to the main dining room, the building will feature a second-floor private event space with room for up to 60 guests, an 80-seat seasonal patio, and ample on-site parking.
Following its years as a fire station, the Station Avenue building became home to The Groton Station House Restaurant, a beloved local eatery owned by the McElroy Family. The transition to Puritan Tavern marks a passing of the torch between two families with deep ties to Groton, with the Gilson family’s local roots stretching back more than 300 years—predating the American Revolution.
The upcoming restaurant will complement The Herb Lyceum, Gilson’s nearby wedding and event venue, becoming the new home of the acclaimed Herb Lyceum Communal Tasting Dinners, which have been on hiatus since a devastating fire damaged the property in 2024.
Puritan Tavern is expected to open in late summer 2026. For updates leading up to opening day, follow @puritantavern on social media or visit puritantavern.com.
