Guidebook for Somerville

Kevin
Guidebook for Somerville

Food Scene

A James Beard Award nominated restaurant at the end of our street, and a regular on every "Best Restaurants" list. People travel from around New England to eat here now. Incredible Turkish-inspired food and the best cocktails around. Make a reservation ahead of time. It is full every night. http://www.sarmarestaurant.com/
109 habitants recommandent
Sarma
249 Pearl St
109 habitants recommandent
A James Beard Award nominated restaurant at the end of our street, and a regular on every "Best Restaurants" list. People travel from around New England to eat here now. Incredible Turkish-inspired food and the best cocktails around. Make a reservation ahead of time. It is full every night. http://www.sarmarestaurant.com/
Another Best of Boston winner. This place is all about the fire—a sort of Mexico-meets-France cuisine. Even though most folks come for the meat, it has some of the best veggie dishes around.
51 habitants recommandent
La Brasa
124 Broadway
51 habitants recommandent
Another Best of Boston winner. This place is all about the fire—a sort of Mexico-meets-France cuisine. Even though most folks come for the meat, it has some of the best veggie dishes around.
A very cool coffee shop in a revamped bank that serves hearty sandwiches and soups. Intelligentsia coffee. Sip your latte in the old vault. Games in the back make this a fun spot in the morning for kids.
91 habitants recommandent
Bloc Cafe
11 Bow St
91 habitants recommandent
A very cool coffee shop in a revamped bank that serves hearty sandwiches and soups. Intelligentsia coffee. Sip your latte in the old vault. Games in the back make this a fun spot in the morning for kids.
Even after all these years, there’s still a 45-minute weeknight wait for a table at this buzzy oasis. The bluefish cakes, spicy goat stew, and buffalo-fried Brussels sprouts are some favorites.
96 habitants recommandent
Highland Kitchen
150 Highland Ave
96 habitants recommandent
Even after all these years, there’s still a 45-minute weeknight wait for a table at this buzzy oasis. The bluefish cakes, spicy goat stew, and buffalo-fried Brussels sprouts are some favorites.
Tim Wiechmann was named Boston's Best Chef in 2015. Come find out why at this German cuisine-inspired haven.
44 habitants recommandent
Bronwyn
255 Washington St
44 habitants recommandent
Tim Wiechmann was named Boston's Best Chef in 2015. Come find out why at this German cuisine-inspired haven.
If the term “molecular gastronomy” doesn’t phase you, track down this prix fixe. The Globe critic said, “At its pinnacle, their food amazes, delicious and different, whimsical and beautiful."
14 habitants recommandent
Journeyman
9 Sanborn Court
14 habitants recommandent
If the term “molecular gastronomy” doesn’t phase you, track down this prix fixe. The Globe critic said, “At its pinnacle, their food amazes, delicious and different, whimsical and beautiful."
Best donuts you will ever have. At a price.
124 habitants recommandent
Union Square Donuts
20 Bow St
124 habitants recommandent
Best donuts you will ever have. At a price.
Best Thai in Cambridge/Somerville.
19 habitants recommandent
Siam Ginger Thai Cuisine
22 Bow St
19 habitants recommandent
Best Thai in Cambridge/Somerville.
Best Chinese in Cambridge/Somerville.
7 habitants recommandent
QingDao Garden
2382 Massachusetts Ave
7 habitants recommandent
Best Chinese in Cambridge/Somerville.
Best Indian in Cambridge/Somerville. Warning! Take out only and they close early. Also, it's the real deal so... all the spicy.
6 habitants recommandent
Guru the Caterer
1295 Broadway
6 habitants recommandent
Best Indian in Cambridge/Somerville. Warning! Take out only and they close early. Also, it's the real deal so... all the spicy.
Best Mexican in Cambridge/Somerville. Warning, it's the real deal so... no chips and salsa and no margaritas.
13 habitants recommandent
Tu Y Yo
858 Broadway
13 habitants recommandent
Best Mexican in Cambridge/Somerville. Warning, it's the real deal so... no chips and salsa and no margaritas.
If you want delicious, fancy "Mexican" (with chips and salsa!) go here. That's a weak recommendation, but we actually like it.
71 habitants recommandent
The Spirit Bar
219 Elm St
71 habitants recommandent
If you want delicious, fancy "Mexican" (with chips and salsa!) go here. That's a weak recommendation, but we actually like it.
Best Korean in Boston.
7 habitants recommandent
Jae’s Café
243 Elm St
7 habitants recommandent
Best Korean in Boston.
Best Italian in Boston. Warning, you probably won't be able to get a reservation. But if you can...
61 habitants recommandent
Giulia
1682 Massachusetts Ave
61 habitants recommandent
Best Italian in Boston. Warning, you probably won't be able to get a reservation. But if you can...
Best burger in Boston. They cook 'em slow so don't be surprised if it takes 20 minutes to get your food.
23 habitants recommandent
R.F. O'Sullivan & Son
282 Beacon St
23 habitants recommandent
Best burger in Boston. They cook 'em slow so don't be surprised if it takes 20 minutes to get your food.
Best seafood in Boston. Obviously not near our house but this is where the crowd goes if you want fried clams or a steamed lobster.
27 habitants recommandent
Yankee Lobster
300 Northern Ave
27 habitants recommandent
Best seafood in Boston. Obviously not near our house but this is where the crowd goes if you want fried clams or a steamed lobster.
If you want to enjoy an outdoor meal, it's hard to beat this place.
16 habitants recommandent
Commonwealth
11 Broad Canal Way
16 habitants recommandent
If you want to enjoy an outdoor meal, it's hard to beat this place.
Best brunch (low brow) in Cambridge/Somerville
61 habitants recommandent
Sound Bites
704 Broadway Ball Square
61 habitants recommandent
Best brunch (low brow) in Cambridge/Somerville
Best brunch (high brow) in Cambridge/Somerville
56 habitants recommandent
Puritan & Company
1166 Cambridge St
56 habitants recommandent
Best brunch (high brow) in Cambridge/Somerville
Maybe the best sandwich I've ever had was their porchetta (which changes daily).
Pennypacker's
514 Medford St
Maybe the best sandwich I've ever had was their porchetta (which changes daily).
Combine high concept culinary craft with historic New England recipes (with 18th century ingredients!) and you have the most noteworthy new restaurant in town.
21 habitants recommandent
Loyal Nine
660 Cambridge St
21 habitants recommandent
Combine high concept culinary craft with historic New England recipes (with 18th century ingredients!) and you have the most noteworthy new restaurant in town.
Excellent, stylish latin cuisine. People drive in from out of town for this one.
32 habitants recommandent
Casa B Tapas and Cocktail & Rum Bar
253 Washington St
32 habitants recommandent
Excellent, stylish latin cuisine. People drive in from out of town for this one.
This is Captain America's (or at least Chris Evans') favorite pizza place and it is easy to see why. Be forewarned, this is Sicilian style (i.e., a sheet of pizza, not a pie).
8 habitants recommandent
Leone's Sub And Pizza
2935 292 Broadway
8 habitants recommandent
This is Captain America's (or at least Chris Evans') favorite pizza place and it is easy to see why. Be forewarned, this is Sicilian style (i.e., a sheet of pizza, not a pie).
Care for a cuppa coffee and a slice of pie? Well then, Diane, you've come to the right place. They also have fabulous southernish cuisine and drinks.
49 habitants recommandent
Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar
381 Summer St
49 habitants recommandent
Care for a cuppa coffee and a slice of pie? Well then, Diane, you've come to the right place. They also have fabulous southernish cuisine and drinks.
Do you like fire-roasted pizzas? How about candlepin bowling? And perhaps drinking a local brew on a bar whose previous life was a bowling lane? This is one of the best kid places in the square.
74 habitants recommandent
Flatbread Company
45 Day St
74 habitants recommandent
Do you like fire-roasted pizzas? How about candlepin bowling? And perhaps drinking a local brew on a bar whose previous life was a bowling lane? This is one of the best kid places in the square.
The only coffee shop in the area worth all the walking. Tandem roasts that are so good you'll never want to drink anything else. Try their fig scones!
74 habitants recommandent
3 Little Figs
278 Highland Ave
74 habitants recommandent
The only coffee shop in the area worth all the walking. Tandem roasts that are so good you'll never want to drink anything else. Try their fig scones!
A real find on Somerville Ave. This is the coffee shop that makes all the baked goods for Bloc 11 and Diesel. THE place to go if you have some work to do while caffeinating.
35 habitants recommandent
Forge Baking Company
626 Somerville Ave
35 habitants recommandent
A real find on Somerville Ave. This is the coffee shop that makes all the baked goods for Bloc 11 and Diesel. THE place to go if you have some work to do while caffeinating.
The best place in the square to bring a paperback and sip something warm.
90 habitants recommandent
Diesel Cafe
257 Elm St
90 habitants recommandent
The best place in the square to bring a paperback and sip something warm.
Real old New England feel and the best oyster deal in town $0.50 all afternoon! And you can't beat the fireplace indoors or the patio outside.
31 habitants recommandent
The Red House Restaurant
98 Winthrop St
31 habitants recommandent
Real old New England feel and the best oyster deal in town $0.50 all afternoon! And you can't beat the fireplace indoors or the patio outside.
Many people are disappointed by the food in Harvard Square. This place doesn't disappoint. Try the pork three ways.
58 habitants recommandent
Russell House Tavern
14 John F. Kennedy St
58 habitants recommandent
Many people are disappointed by the food in Harvard Square. This place doesn't disappoint. Try the pork three ways.
The hot new place in the square. Ask for the secret burger...
101 habitants recommandent
Alden & Harlow
40 Brattle St
101 habitants recommandent
The hot new place in the square. Ask for the secret burger...
A classic tapas place. Perhaps the most romantic restaurant around. How many dates and birthdays have we enjoyed here?
55 habitants recommandent
Dali
415 Washington St
55 habitants recommandent
A classic tapas place. Perhaps the most romantic restaurant around. How many dates and birthdays have we enjoyed here?
If you're stressed, fine dining we suggest! There are not many white linen restaurants in Somerville. This is the best by far. Get the prix fixe!
29 habitants recommandent
Bergamot
118 Beacon St
29 habitants recommandent
If you're stressed, fine dining we suggest! There are not many white linen restaurants in Somerville. This is the best by far. Get the prix fixe!
Oh that we could eat here every night. It is the most exciting dinner Courtney and I have ever had. Hard to find parking, hard to get tables... If you get a res, take a cab or uber.
31 habitants recommandent
Bondir
279A Broadway
31 habitants recommandent
Oh that we could eat here every night. It is the most exciting dinner Courtney and I have ever had. Hard to find parking, hard to get tables... If you get a res, take a cab or uber.
Obama eats the pizzas here when in town. If it's good enough for POTUS it's good enough for me. Wine on tap, FYI.
48 habitants recommandent
Area Four
500 Technology Square
48 habitants recommandent
Obama eats the pizzas here when in town. If it's good enough for POTUS it's good enough for me. Wine on tap, FYI.
This place is a trip back in time to an older style of Boston blue collar fine dining. The staff all wear tuxedos, the drinks are cheap, and every meal comes with delicious popovers. Come here for the twin lobster special. It is the best deal in the region if you're hankering for lobster.
8 habitants recommandent
Mount Vernon Restaurant & Pub
14 Broadway
8 habitants recommandent
This place is a trip back in time to an older style of Boston blue collar fine dining. The staff all wear tuxedos, the drinks are cheap, and every meal comes with delicious popovers. Come here for the twin lobster special. It is the best deal in the region if you're hankering for lobster.
The best place in Somerville to bring an actual newspaper, sit down, and enjoy your breakfast like a proper human being. Not a coffee shop, not a "restaurant," this is a very unique cafe that stresses the European origins of that word. Laptops are discouraged (this is not your office), good conversation and people-watching a must. Check out the breakfast prix fixe if you have time. It's actually a fair deal for what you get.
29 habitants recommandent
Juliet
263 Union Square
29 habitants recommandent
The best place in Somerville to bring an actual newspaper, sit down, and enjoy your breakfast like a proper human being. Not a coffee shop, not a "restaurant," this is a very unique cafe that stresses the European origins of that word. Laptops are discouraged (this is not your office), good conversation and people-watching a must. Check out the breakfast prix fixe if you have time. It's actually a fair deal for what you get.
This is ultra high end at $180 prix fixe per person. But consider that the price includes drinks, tax, and tipping. Just reserve your seat and leave your wallet at home. And there's only one seating a night. And you get treated like Peter Ungar and his team are your personal chefs. If you're celebrating a special occasion and want to be within a mile of our house, this is the place to go. Alternatively, you can show up at Aeronaut Brewery for Tasting Counter's late night snacks—$5 starting at 10:30. Come to the brewery and get a bite with your drink. https://tastingcounter.com/
7 habitants recommandent
Tasting Counter
14 Tyler St
7 habitants recommandent
This is ultra high end at $180 prix fixe per person. But consider that the price includes drinks, tax, and tipping. Just reserve your seat and leave your wallet at home. And there's only one seating a night. And you get treated like Peter Ungar and his team are your personal chefs. If you're celebrating a special occasion and want to be within a mile of our house, this is the place to go. Alternatively, you can show up at Aeronaut Brewery for Tasting Counter's late night snacks—$5 starting at 10:30. Come to the brewery and get a bite with your drink. https://tastingcounter.com/

Drinks & Nightlife

Squid-ink-and-scotch cocktails. Seasonal milk punches. Bar manager Sam Treadway mixes up uncannily creative—and delicious—libations. Just good luck trying to find it!
89 habitants recommandent
Backbar
7 Sanborn Ct
89 habitants recommandent
Squid-ink-and-scotch cocktails. Seasonal milk punches. Bar manager Sam Treadway mixes up uncannily creative—and delicious—libations. Just good luck trying to find it!
Best BBQ in Cambridge/Somerville. If you want the best in Boston, go to Sweet Cheeks.
88 habitants recommandent
Redbones Barbecue
55 Chester St
88 habitants recommandent
Best BBQ in Cambridge/Somerville. If you want the best in Boston, go to Sweet Cheeks.
Maybe the best place to get a cocktail outside these days.
19 habitants recommandent
River Bar
661 Assembly Row
19 habitants recommandent
Maybe the best place to get a cocktail outside these days.
Best beer selection at a bar in Boston. Not the most taps, just the best taps.
69 habitants recommandent
Lord Hobo
92 Hampshire St
69 habitants recommandent
Best beer selection at a bar in Boston. Not the most taps, just the best taps.
Best hipster bar with greek food and a focus on 80s television shows. Wait, is that a thing?
26 habitants recommandent
Daddy Jones Bar
525 Medford St
26 habitants recommandent
Best hipster bar with greek food and a focus on 80s television shows. Wait, is that a thing?
Beer garden!
8 habitants recommandent
American Fresh Beer Garden
8 habitants recommandent
Beer garden!
Our homebase—and the most beloved bar of many long time Villens. This is often the place local brewers introduce their wares.
60 habitants recommandent
The Independent
75 Union Square
60 habitants recommandent
Our homebase—and the most beloved bar of many long time Villens. This is often the place local brewers introduce their wares.
A game bar. Play Pac Man, Jenga, or shuffleboard with your favorite neighbor.
44 habitants recommandent
Brass Union
70 Union Square
44 habitants recommandent
A game bar. Play Pac Man, Jenga, or shuffleboard with your favorite neighbor.
The best place within a reasonable walk to get a Guinness. Also may be the best little music bar around.
31 habitants recommandent
Bull McCabe's
366 Somerville Ave
31 habitants recommandent
The best place within a reasonable walk to get a Guinness. Also may be the best little music bar around.
Best place to get a scotch or bourbon in Boston. If you can find it. Yes, this is another speakeasy.
68 habitants recommandent
Saloon
255 Elm St
68 habitants recommandent
Best place to get a scotch or bourbon in Boston. If you can find it. Yes, this is another speakeasy.
Come for the tap list. Stay for the exotic selection of burgers. Antelope, boar, elk, and yak!
63 habitants recommandent
Bukowski Tavern
1281 Cambridge St
63 habitants recommandent
Come for the tap list. Stay for the exotic selection of burgers. Antelope, boar, elk, and yak!
The new cool place in the neighborhood. Counter Culture coffee in the morning and only-at-the-brewery beers in the evening.
35 habitants recommandent
Winter Hill Brewing Company
328 Broadway
35 habitants recommandent
The new cool place in the neighborhood. Counter Culture coffee in the morning and only-at-the-brewery beers in the evening.
One of the best loved local watering holes, popular with Somerville's famous running groups—and well stocked with an excellent selection of taps.
24 habitants recommandent
Olde Magoun's Saloon
518 Medford St
24 habitants recommandent
One of the best loved local watering holes, popular with Somerville's famous running groups—and well stocked with an excellent selection of taps.
Don't like the wait at Highland next door? We don't blame you. This place is a great alternative to grab a drink while you wait for your table at its frothily popular neighbor. It is VERY Somerville, so be warned. Maybe some bluegrass is playing, maybe some death metal. Maybe it's closed because the owners are at a bluegrass/death metal mashup show. You never know until you show up. But the food is great and the drinks impeccable.
9 habitants recommandent
Cuisine en Locale
156 Highland Ave
9 habitants recommandent
Don't like the wait at Highland next door? We don't blame you. This place is a great alternative to grab a drink while you wait for your table at its frothily popular neighbor. It is VERY Somerville, so be warned. Maybe some bluegrass is playing, maybe some death metal. Maybe it's closed because the owners are at a bluegrass/death metal mashup show. You never know until you show up. But the food is great and the drinks impeccable.

Entertainment & Activities

Free movies Saturday night, and otherwise you have shopping, restaurants, a huge movie theater, and lots of kid-friendly things like Legoland!
269 habitants recommandent
Assembly Row
Assembly Row
269 habitants recommandent
Free movies Saturday night, and otherwise you have shopping, restaurants, a huge movie theater, and lots of kid-friendly things like Legoland!
It's the most kid-friendly brewery you'll ever see, with video games, board games, and more. Also, they share space with a chocolate maker, coffee roaster, and pretty much every other hipster thing.
84 habitants recommandent
Aeronaut Brewing Company
14 Tyler St
84 habitants recommandent
It's the most kid-friendly brewery you'll ever see, with video games, board games, and more. Also, they share space with a chocolate maker, coffee roaster, and pretty much every other hipster thing.
Climbing gym that doubles as a hip workbar — and with some of the best coffee in the country (Blue Bottle!). Great spot for kids to swing.
65 habitants recommandent
Brooklyn Boulders Somerville
12A Tyler St
65 habitants recommandent
Climbing gym that doubles as a hip workbar — and with some of the best coffee in the country (Blue Bottle!). Great spot for kids to swing.
Ice cream!!!
23 habitants recommandent
Gracie's Ice Cream
22 Union Square
23 habitants recommandent
Ice cream!!!
Legos, rides, playgrounds!
37 habitants recommandent
Centre de découverte LEGOLAND Boston
598 Assembly Row
37 habitants recommandent
Legos, rides, playgrounds!

Sightseeing

George Washington raised the Grand Union Flag here in 1776. Now marked by a castle monument, it is one of the best places to view the Boston skyline.
35 habitants recommandent
Prospect Hill Park
68 Munroe St
35 habitants recommandent
George Washington raised the Grand Union Flag here in 1776. Now marked by a castle monument, it is one of the best places to view the Boston skyline.
A working chocolate factory that distributes around the country. Make a reservation to take a tour (tazachocolate.com) or otherwise stop in to sample the wares.
31 habitants recommandent
Taza Chocolate
561 Windsor St
31 habitants recommandent
A working chocolate factory that distributes around the country. Make a reservation to take a tour (tazachocolate.com) or otherwise stop in to sample the wares.
Best cider makers in the region, if you ask us. Open Saturdays and worth hunting down for a growler. You'll be amazed how many people are hanging out in this back alley!
18 habitants recommandent
Bantam Cider Company
40 Merriam St
18 habitants recommandent
Best cider makers in the region, if you ask us. Open Saturdays and worth hunting down for a growler. You'll be amazed how many people are hanging out in this back alley!
One of the best places to just walk around and get a sense for old Boston. Climb to the top of the monument if you're feeling energized.
146 habitants recommandent
Monument de Bunker Hill
Monument Square
146 habitants recommandent
One of the best places to just walk around and get a sense for old Boston. Climb to the top of the monument if you're feeling energized.
Best views of the city—and a great place to stroll. Hit up the Pier 6 restaurant for a cocktail and lobster.
24 habitants recommandent
Navy Yard Bistro & Wine Bar
24 habitants recommandent
Best views of the city—and a great place to stroll. Hit up the Pier 6 restaurant for a cocktail and lobster.
Jonathan Franzen's novel before the Corrections is set here (where we used to live). Not as good as some of his stuff, but check it out in our library.
7 Pleasant Ave
7 Pleasant Avenue
Jonathan Franzen's novel before the Corrections is set here (where we used to live). Not as good as some of his stuff, but check it out in our library.
Barack Obama lived here while he was in town studying for a law degree. It's the basement apartment if you were wondering. He still jokingly refers to himself as "formerly of Somerville" when in town.
365 Broadway
365 Broadway
Barack Obama lived here while he was in town studying for a law degree. It's the basement apartment if you were wondering. He still jokingly refers to himself as "formerly of Somerville" when in town.
The infamous gangster Whitey Bulger worked out of a auto body shop here before moving his criminal operations to Southie. Now it's a church. An improvement!
12 Marshall St
12 Marshall Street
The infamous gangster Whitey Bulger worked out of a auto body shop here before moving his criminal operations to Southie. Now it's a church. An improvement!

Essentials

Best bagels in Boston. Get here early to avoid the lines.
42 habitants recommandent
Bagelsaurus
1796 Massachusetts Ave
42 habitants recommandent
Best bagels in Boston. Get here early to avoid the lines.
Artisanal bread by the very friendly Nick—a great morning stop on Saturdays to get brioche or baguettes for your day. Check out the bread schedule at www.somervillebreadcompany.com/
10 habitants recommandent
Somerville Brewing
15 Ward St
10 habitants recommandent
Artisanal bread by the very friendly Nick—a great morning stop on Saturdays to get brioche or baguettes for your day. Check out the bread schedule at www.somervillebreadcompany.com/

Arts & Culture

This is where you go to sign up for the free and official Harvard tour.
Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center
1350 Massachusetts Ave
This is where you go to sign up for the free and official Harvard tour.
Maybe the best university art collection in the world. It is free for kids 18 and under.
205 habitants recommandent
Musées d'art de Harvard
32 Quincy St
205 habitants recommandent
Maybe the best university art collection in the world. It is free for kids 18 and under.
Most people come with their kids to check out the incredible glass flowers and the famous Hall of Mammals, but there's tons more to see here as well. Check out their website.
151 habitants recommandent
Musée d'Histoire Naturelle de Harvard
26 Oxford St
151 habitants recommandent
Most people come with their kids to check out the incredible glass flowers and the famous Hall of Mammals, but there's tons more to see here as well. Check out their website.
Maybe the best place in town to bring kids. Dinosaurs, electricity, omnimax movies, and more.
560 habitants recommandent
Musée des Sciences
1 Museum Of Science Driveway
560 habitants recommandent
Maybe the best place in town to bring kids. Dinosaurs, electricity, omnimax movies, and more.
The fanciest, brand-spanking new movie theater in the region—with seats three times as big and cozy as you've ever seen in a movie theater. And big gulp beers.
94 habitants recommandent
AMC Assembly Row 12
395 Artisan Way
94 habitants recommandent
The fanciest, brand-spanking new movie theater in the region—with seats three times as big and cozy as you've ever seen in a movie theater. And big gulp beers.
U2 has been known to play secret shows here; it is also the heart of the Boston Film Festival. Great local theater. Check out the Museum of Bad Art in the basement. Not just a clever name.
147 habitants recommandent
Somerville Theatre
55 Davis Square
147 habitants recommandent
U2 has been known to play secret shows here; it is also the heart of the Boston Film Festival. Great local theater. Check out the Museum of Bad Art in the basement. Not just a clever name.

Shopping

Best hot chocolate in the world.
64 habitants recommandent
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates
52 Brattle St
64 habitants recommandent
Best hot chocolate in the world.
Even better ice cream than Gracie's if you are willing to go one block further. Be experimental and try a flavor you've never had before, like their khulfi or honey lavender
68 habitants recommandent
Christina's Homemade Ice Cream
1255 Cambridge St
68 habitants recommandent
Even better ice cream than Gracie's if you are willing to go one block further. Be experimental and try a flavor you've never had before, like their khulfi or honey lavender