Burlington is shaping up to be "restaurant row north," with at least 27 new eateries open or under review in the last three years.

The proliferation of restaurants has driven up the cost of liquor licenses in the suburban town to prices nearing what operators charge for the sought-after licenses in Boston.

Right now, Del Frisco’s steakhouse is awaiting approval from the town to build a 352-seat upscale dining location at 90 Middlesex Turnpike, the former site of a Dodge car dealership, where RC Trust wants to build 38,000 square feet of commercial space, according to town officials. A portion will likely be a mix of office, retail and other restaurants, but Del Frisco’s wants to build a 9,282-square-foot stand-alone restaurant on the site as well.  

Since 2010, five new sit-down restaurants have opened in Burlington, which sits about 14 miles northwest of the state’s capital. Eight more eateries are permitted, with another establishment under review. Plus, eight fast food establishments, including a burger joint from celebrity chef Bobby Flay, have opened, with four more permitted and another being reviewed.

While the additional amenities could make the town more attractive to office tenants and shoppers alike, it comes with a price. Since there are no full liquor licenses available in Burlington, restaurant owners are selling them for between $200,000 and $300,000.  

To learn more about Burlington’s booming restaurant scene, be sure to read Monday’s edition of Banker & Tradesman.