First Indian Gastropub Coming to Boston’s Back Bay in Early March

Boston's first Indian gastropub, Don't Tell Aunty, will open in Boston's Back Bay in early March. The restaurant will be located near Berklee and the Hynes Convention Center, in the space formerly occupied by Boloco on Boylston Street.

Restaurateur Koushik "Babu" Koganti and his company, Flying Lion Hospitality Group, believe they're filling a need in the city for a mid-range Indian gastropub experience. With Don't Tell Aunty, Koganti hopes to offer the student- and tourist-focused neighborhood a fun, casual, and full-service dining experience.

Don't Tell Aunty's vibrant decor features a centerpiece tree adorned with faux flowers and light fixtures. Jungle-inspired wallpaper and plush red banquettes add to the allure of the dining environment. The restaurant's name, Don't Tell Aunty, is a playful Indian cultural reference to keeping something secret from a gossipy auntie.  

"We want to make this place, like, whatever happens in this place — you don't have to tell her! … You want to come in, have a beer, chill out? This is the place, and you don't have to spend a lot,” Koganti told Boston magazine.

The menu at Don't Tell Aunty is designed to change people's perceptions of Indian cuisine beyond the spicy food and curry. Guests can sample specialties such as Kerala fried chicken sandwiches, rasam rame, and Indian fusion dishes such as kothu Bolognese, in addition to classic Indian curries. 

Affordable drinks include Indian beers and distinctive cocktails, such as espresso martinis made with South Indian coffee. Desserts at Don't Tell Aunty include clever interpretations of classic creations, including a mango lassi cheesecake and a jamun sundae topped with gulab jamun and ghee-roasted almond flakes.

Koganti told Boston Magazine he plans to operate the restaurant daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., offering food until closing. He also hopes to create a weekend brunch experience when warmer temperatures arrive so guests can enjoy brunch on the front patio.