A new European- and Mediterranean-inspired dining destination is preparing to debut in downtown Lowell.
Charm Café & Restaurant is slated to take over the former Koto Asian Fusion Restaurant at 76 Merrimack Street this fall, occupying the same building as Time Out Cafe and the soon-to-open Europa nightclub. A father-son project, the roughly 2,000-square-foot restaurant is designed as a day-to-night dining destination.
“I’ve been in the restaurant industry for over 35 years, and we wanted to create something that brings that experience together with a more modern café and restaurant concept,” one of the owners told What Now Boston. “We’re going for a warm, inviting, and relaxed atmosphere. Somewhere you can come in for coffee in the morning, grab lunch during the day, or sit down and enjoy dinner in the evening.”
That day-to-night approach is at the heart of Charm, which will take on the feel of a European café during the day before transitioning into a European- and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in the evening.
Mornings will place an emphasis on small-batch roasted specialty coffee, ceremonial-grade matcha, fresh pastries, breakfast bowls, and “really good” breakfast sandwiches. Alongside the classics, Charm will offer a selection of specialty drinks featuring flavors such as pistachio, cardamom, brown sugar, and seasonal ingredients.
During lunchtime hours, the menu will expand to include fresh sandwiches, salads, and bowls, along with plenty of grab-and-go options available for customers who are working, studying, or spending time downtown.
Come evening, Charm will shift into more of a sit-down dining experience, with a separate Mediterranean-inspired dinner menu. Guests can expect shareable plates, grilled dishes, and seasonal offerings designed to bring a little more of the restaurant’s Mediterranean influence to the table.
Charm’s design will draw from the same European and Mediterranean influences as its menu. The team is incorporating natural textures, plenty of greenery, and warm lighting throughout the space to create an inviting setting that feels polished without being overly formal. “We want it to be beautiful, but still casual and comfortable enough that people can make Charm part of their regular routine,” an owner said.
The team is currently putting the finishing touches on the space ahead of its planned opening in the coming weeks. For grand opening updates and sneak peeks at the space, be sure to follow Charm Café & Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram.
