Somerville

Older Bostonians might still derisively call it "Slummerville", but today that tired old moniker couldn't be further from the truth. Packed with upwardly mobile professionals and longtime residents, Somerville is often voted an "All-America City" and the best-run city in Massachusetts. It would seem civically engaged folks can achieve uncommon results; and Somerville fosters an environment of cooperation like no other. Its 81,000 residents (2020) are quick to enjoy the fruits of their artistry, and you'll find top notch options for dinner, drinks, and dancing all in abundance within Somerville's borders. Lurking just to the south, big brothers Boston and Cambridge provide options and opportu

See: 5
Do: 7
Eat: 19
Drink: 17
Buy: 9

19 places match

Eat

Fasika Ethiopian

Ethiopians looking for a new place after they lost their lease took over a local bar and put a partition down the middle, keeping the bar on one side and having seating on the other. The result? Probably the only Ethiopian restaurant in the world with video keno! Townies having a beer watch yuppies chow down on very good yemasir wat.

Mon-Thu 5:30-10PM, Fri 5:30-11PM, Sat Sun 2-11PM$10-14

Eat

Highland Kitchen

Hip comfort food and cocktails. Public transit accessible via the 88 and 90 bus routes from Davis Square.

Sat-Fri 5PM-1AM; Sun 11AM-2:30PM, 5PM-1AMStarters $7-12, mains $10-22

Eat

Kelly's Diner

Traditional 1950s dining car in Ball Square, usually has a line out the door on Sundays. Well known for their pancakes, portions are generous.

Mon-Sat 6AM-3PM, Sun 6AM-2PM$6-10

Eat

Man-O-Salwa Kabob & Grill

S&S Market

Incredible Pakistani food served out the back of a small grocery store. Mostly a catering place but you can eat what they're making on premises. Definitely the most authentic South Asian food in the area, and probably, in most of New England. The portions are substantial.

Sun Mon Wed Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM$8-12

Eat

Martsa on Elm

Tibetan specialties, including momos and a variety of vegetarian dishes as well as entrees with meat. Lunch buffet.

Tue-Thu 5-9:30PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-10:30PM, Sun noon-9:30PMStarters $3-6, mains $9-12

Eat

Mike's Food and Spirits

The menu is enormous and contains just about everything including pasta, pizza, and calzones — none are fantastic but all are decent, cheap, and in large portions. There are many TVs playing Boston sports. A classic "Old Somerville" experience is sitting in Mike's in front of an open window looking out on the Square with a pitcher of beer and a pizza watching a Red Sox game.

11AM-midnight dailyStarters $5-12, mains $9-18

Eat

Posto

Delicious pizza and various other Italian dishes. Their pizzas are cooked in a traditional wood-fired ovens and two of their pizzas have been officially approved by the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana. Reservations are taken and may be helpful during the businessiest times of the week but are generally not necessary.

Sun-Thu 5:30-10PM, Fri Sat 5-11PM, Sun 4:30-10PMStarters $12-16, mains $20-24

Eat

Redbones

Excellent BBQ and great selection of microbrewed beers. While certainly not what you'd find in Texas or Mississippi, they clearly know what they're doing; you don't find hush puppies and okra on too many menus in New England. The art in the basement room is great, the bar has a "wheel of beer" in case you're feeling lucky or indecisive. They serve a late night menu until midnight, another area rarity.

11:30AM-12:30AM dailyStarters $5-10, mains $14-24

Eat

Sound Bites

Voted "Best Breakfast in Boston" many times. Lines out the door on weekends. Next door is Ball Square Cafe which is an (at least) equally highly rated restaurant started by original Sound Bites employees that is almost identical in its menu and experience.

Mon-Sat 6:30AM-9:45PM, Sun 6:30AM-3:45PM$9-16

Eat

Tasting Counter

Eat whatever is freshly prepared, curated by skilled and experienced chefs. Buy tickets for a specific "seating" in advance and leave your wallet at home. The Counter seats about 20, and drinks are included with your ticket. Enjoy!

Tue-Sat 1PM-midnight, usually. Your ticket will have the specificsLunch $60, dinner $180

Eat

The Neighborhood Restaurant

It is worth visiting Union Square for, especially in the summer months. There's an overhead grape arbor with real fruit growing on it. There's a large breakfast/brunch menu, and very colorful outdoor decor. The menu also includes some Brazilian fare, as well as alcoholic drinks.

7AM-4PM daily$8-14

Eat

The Rosebud

A Somerville institution, the Rosebud has expanded well beyond the footprint of the quaint original dining car.

Mon-Thu 5-11PM, Fri 11:30AM-midnight, Sat 10AM-midnight, Sun 10AM-11PM$14-24

Eat

Tu Y Yo

Excellent authentic Mexican food that is a member of the Slow Food association and focuses on pre-Hispanic cuisine. This is not the typical Mexican restaurant; the food is authentic and you won't find burritos here. Many dishes have nopales (cactus) and huitlacoche (a corn fungus) which are both expertly prepared.

Mon-Fri 11:30AM-3PM; 4-10PM, Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-9PMStarters $6-$12, mains $15-$20

Eat

Vinny's at Night

You get to this place by walking through Vinny's Superette, a convenience store. Honest. Fantastic family-style Italian fare.

Mon-Thu 6AM-10PM, Fri Sat 6AM-10:30PM, Sun 6AM-9PMLunch $8-16, dinner $16-24

Eat

Yafa Bakery & Café

Middle Eastern bakery: sweet and savory pastries; flavors of pistachio, date, and rose; stuffed dates; and spiced chai drinks. Friendly service and very popular with locals.

Eat