A long-shuttered corner of the Charles River Esplanade is finally getting a second life—and it will include a new waterfront café.
This fall, the $24 million Charlesbank and Smith Family Pavilion is expected to open near the Museum of Science, transforming the former Lee Pool site into a year-round gathering place, according to The Boston Globe. Funded entirely through private donations, the roughly 9,000-square-foot pavilion will feature the Esplanade’s first year-round public restrooms, flexible community space, and a café overlooking the Charles River.
Following a competitive bidding process, the Esplanade Association selected Dorchester-based catering company MAX Ultimate Food to operate the café. Bobby Perino-Thompson, MAX’s vice president, told What Now Boston that the all-day concept is designed to become a welcoming neighborhood destination for visitors looking to grab a coffee, enjoy a quick bite, or simply relax by the river.
While the menu is still being finalized, guests can expect an affordable lineup of breakfast and lunch fare, such as coffee, espresso drinks, teas, smoothies, pastries, avocado toast, and other café staples made with seasonal ingredients sourced from local partners.
“Whether grabbing a quick bite in the morning, meeting friends over a leisurely al fresco lunch or unwinding with afternoon tea and a treat, the thoughtfully curated menu celebrates modern takes on New England specialties, highlighting seasonal ingredients and partnerships with local purveyors,” explained Perino-Thompson.
Beyond daily café service, MAX plans to activate the pavilion with a rotating lineup of food-and-beverage experiences throughout the year. Proposed programming includes oyster-shucking happy hours, ticketed harvest dinners, coffee cuppings, live cooking demonstrations featuring local chefs, and seasonal markets showcasing local artisans, women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses, and organizations such as Commonwealth Kitchen.
The pavilion is also expected to expand how visitors use the Esplanade. For decades, the park has primarily served runners, cyclists, and eventgoers, but the new amenities are intended to make the waterfront a year-round destination.
Located at 5 Charlesbank Road, the café is currently targeting a November 1, 2026 grand opening, pending final approvals and completion of the build-out.
“Whether savoring a craft beer on the patio, enjoying a grab-and-go picnic or discovering a limited-time dessert from MAX Ultimate Food’s talented pastry team, the cafe is more than a cafe – it’s a gathering place where food, community and culture come to life,” said Perino-Thompson.
