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Students returning to Harvard Square this week will encounter an altered dining scene as new restaurants have replaced several establishments shuttered in the past month.

Three Harvard Square institutions—Leo’s Place Diner, Tommy Doyle’s Irish Pub, and UpStairs on the Square—have closed their doors, a couple after over 30 years in service.

At the same time, the Square welcomed New York City-based burger and milkshake chain Shake Shack earlier this month, chocolate and candy shop Evelyn & Angel’s began constructing a cafe space at its Massachusetts Ave. location, and restaurant Alden and Harlow plans to open shop this week at 40 Brattle St. Evelyn & Angel’s should finish renovations by the end of January, according to owner Yalonda Howze.

Adding to the dining buzz are reports that Mike’s Pastry has begun the process to open a branch on 11 Dunster St. and plans for Felipe’s Taqueria to relocate and expand in a new location at 21 Brattle St. sometime this semester.

Though this wave of changes may be surprising to Cambridge diners, Harvard Square Business Association executive director Denise A. Jillson said that changes like these in the business landscape can be expected.

“The end of the year can be a logical time to end a business,” she said. “It’s always sad to see institutions like Leo’s close, but it’s always nice to have something new open in its place.”