NEW BEDFORD — The SouthCoast has quietly established itself as an unlikely magnet for Hollywood stars, with an impressive record of celebrity appearances from Oscar-winning actors and chart-topping musicians to world-class chefs spotted at local restaurants and cafés.
In August 2025, actress Claire Holt, best known for her roles in “H2O: Just Add Water” and “47 Meters Down,” was spotted shopping at Farm & Coast Market. Among those who have also stopped by are Jenny Slate (“Parks and Recreation”) and Phil Lewis (“The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”).
In July 2024, Téa Leoni made a memorable experience at The Baker on Pleasant Street. She not only posed for photos but partnered up with staff to make chocolate croissants and cinnamon buns.
In summer 2022, during the production of the feature film “Finestkind,” Oscar-winner Tommy Lee Jones was spotted dining at The Black Whale. Restaurant general manager William Silverstein remembered Jones as a gracious guest who kept to himself.
The filming of “Finestkind” also brought actors Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Tim Daly and Jenna Ortega to the area, with cast members spotted filming in locations ranging from Custom House Square and the Fairhaven bridge to local bars and neighborhoods in the North End.
Top comedians to ‘Food Network’ stars also spotted
In June 2022, Bill Murray made himself at home at Turk’s Seafood in Mattapoisett after enjoying a round of golf at the Kittansett Club in Marion. He also made a surprise appearance at Fall River’s Patti’s Pierogis in August 2019.
Celebrity chef Jet Tila was spotted in Dartmouth in October 2022, when he dropped by Mirasol’s Café for a taste of their Chippi while on his way to UMass Dartmouth for a teaching event. Tila said the café’s signature coffee drink to be “dessert in a cup,” predicting a surge of energy after drinking it.
In April 2024, Fall River-born celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse embarked on a culinary tour of the SouthCoast during a research trip for his new Portuguese-inspired 34 Restaurant & Bar in New Orleans. His visit featured stops at Portas da Cidade in Westport, Fall River’s Sagres Restaurant, T.A. Restaurant, Caldeiras Restaurant, Europa Pastries and Coffee Shop, Portugalia Marketplace, Mello’s Chouriço and Linguiça and Sarmento’s Imports, as well as Saraiva Enterprises in New Bedford.
In September 2021, actor and comedian Kevin James, star of “The King of Queens,” visited the former Whaling City Diner on Purchase Street in New Bedford. During his stop, James chatted with the staff and inquired about the correct pronunciation of “linguiça.” James also popped into Bootleg BBQ in Westport in February 2023.
Martha Stewart made her mark in July 2009, when she arrived unannounced with a group of six at Antonio’s following a glowing recommendation only confirming that she had a great experience and loved her main course.
In September 2008, Justin Timberlake and then-girlfriend Jessica Biel, had breakfast at Margaret’s in Fairhaven. The couple was visiting the region for the wedding of one of Biel’s college friends from Tufts University in Boston.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Find out more about him at sethchitwood.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.