Somerville is legendary as the food hub of the Greater Boston area. We are surrounded by some of the most creative food & beverage concepts in New England, right within walking distance of our doors. Oh and the breweries! There’s an abundance of local brews to sample with breweries in every direction, as well Boston’s top wine bar just a few blocks away. From haute cuisine tasting menus to hole-in the-wall taco joints to nearby Bow Market with its plethora of one-of-a-kind food & drink spots, the range of dining options mirrors the diverse community we are in.
It can be a little overwhelming to tackle all these options, especially if you are coming in from out of town, so we’re here to help. Below you’ll find some of our favorite spots organized by type of experience. As always, if you need any assistance, recommendations, or reservations for a table, we are here to help!
With construction nearly complete, an incredibly exciting local dining partner, Josephine, is on the way, set to take residence just off our lobby. Inspired by Chef Michael Scelfo’s Italian family roots & upbringing, pizza & other Italian classics will be at the heart of Josephine. With towering ceilings and an expansive outdoor dining patio, we can promise you’re going to want to mangia with us soon.
Whether you like to start your day off light with just a black coffee, dig in with a full plate of eggs & bacon, or fall somewhere in between, these spots have you covered.
Local favorite bakery with buttery croissants, homemade sandwiches, and delicious coffee from Intelligentsia just a quick five minute walk from our doors. Grab a bite on the run or relax & enjoy the large café space with views into the open bakery.
With lines consistently out the door, The Neighborhood is one of the most sought after breakfasts in the greater Boston area. Brave the queue because what you get is an owner operated restaurant & bakery serving up delicious Portuguese-American cuisine well worth the wait. In the warm months, the shaded patio is where you want to be.
Quite simply the best breakfast sandwiches you’ve ever had. Ever. Right down the street in Bow Market. Grab a coffee from Remnant Brewing next door and enjoy all that Bow Market has to offer. And oh, take a few extra napkins!
It all started with the English muffins, but it certainly didn’t stop there! With a range of delicious baked goods & great coffee, your sweet tooth is sure to be satisfied at Vinal. Plus, their range of innovative English muffins (there’s a stuffing-inspired version in the fall!) is a true delight.
Craving a taste of the hometown favorites? Here are what the locals would recommend
Highland Kitchen describes themselves best – “Good food! Cocktails! Jukebox!” They serve up award-winning American comfort food, well-crafted cocktails, and a killer jukebox in a casual, fun atmosphere.
The La Brasa menu changes constantly with the seasons, sourcing much of their produce & meat from New England often cooked on their wood-fired grill. La Brasa’s signature dishes feature whole roasts and creative salads, sides, street foods, and desserts.
An institution in Union Square, The Independent is a cozy pub all about comfort. They serve up great eats alongside an excellent beer list and crafted cocktails. This is the kind of pub you never want to leave. With a name that embodies the spirit of Somerville and an address in the shadow of Prospect Hill, The Independent is a must visit when in town.
Juliet combines Mediterranean flavors with careful ingredient sourcing and extremely high-quality service. Despite its casual vibe, they feature incredible technique and have unique options like seasonal prix fixe menus.
With truly regional Spanish cuisine and tapas, stepping into Dali is like taking a trip to Spain complete with stunning painted tiles, moody lighting, and eclectic artwork.
Ebi Sushi goes way beyond just sushi. From teppanyaki to donburi to the Somerville-Japanese pop art fusion on the walls, Ebi Sushi magically blends local feel with global flavors, and we’re here for it.
Giving a self-professed true taste of Mexico, El Potro’s dishes are full of fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and big portions, as if you were sitting down for a family dinner. Plus, they have a mariachi band!
A cozy spot nestled in Union Square, Barra serves up a diverse range of Mexican cuisine. From papitas & tamales to mole enchiladas & tacos, Barra is sure to satisfy your savoriest of cravings.
If you’re in town for just a quick trip and you want to make sure your meal is memorable, you can’t go wrong with any of these incredible restaurants.
The term farm-to-table is often overused, but the folks at Field & Vine take it very seriously. They take great care to source their ingredients from local farms and create menus that reflect the changing seasons in New England. When you dine at Field & Vine, more than any other restaurant in the area, you are truly eating local.
Sarma is a chef-owned restaurant that has become one of greater Boston’s most lauded dining experiences. You will love their menu. which serves small plates (meze) with Turkish and Mediterranean influences. Paired with crafted cocktails and a thoughtful beer and wine list, you will have an unforgettable experience.
Giulia is a chef-owned Italian restaurant between Harvard and Porter Squares. The North End gets most of the publicity for Italian food, but Giulia deserves all of that renown and more. Handmade pastas and rich entrees make this a must try. If you have a larger party, check out the communal table for a family-style meal.
A small & intimate spot serving up home-made Peruvian dishes, Celeste is a project forged between friends who wanted to create an experience combining food, drinks, art, music, & design. Light & bright by day, cool blue & vibey at night, you never know quite what to expect at Celeste, and that’s half the fun.
Looking for some delicious bites to grab for a picnic or to bring back to your room? We’ve got you covered!
Hotbox does two distinctly Massachusetts things really well. This takeout spot in Bow Market serves South Shore-style bar pizzas and North Shore style Roast Beef. Forget chowder and baked beans, real locals know that this is the best kind of regional cuisine. And if you don’t know what we mean by North Shore and South Shore, just ask a local!
Momo N Curry is a small Nepalese and Indian restaurant that dishes out a ton of flavor. They serve up a wide variety of traditional Indian curry dishes and Nepalese momos. Not sure what a momo is? You’ll never forget once you taste these Nepalese steamed and spiced dumplings.
A self-described “Thai food revolution,” Dakzen has become the go-to spot in the area for authentic Thai street food. Their food is big on flavor and not what you get at any other Thai joint in the city. The Boat noodles are not to be missed!
Fresh & bold flavors abound at Taco Loco, a locally owned quick-service restaurant featuring Salvadoran & Mexican dishes. Open late, breakfast available all day, and pupusas, you can’t go wrong!
With a long dining counter reminiscent of an old soda shop, Vinal General Store serves up delightful sandwiches and unique soft-serve ice cream. Currently, the ice cream flavors are hot cocoa & marshmallow – of course, we recommend going with the swirl! In addition, they sell many local snacks & goods so you can take a piece of Somerville home.
Open fore breakfast & lunch, NU Kitchen focuses on wholesome, carefully sourced ingredients to make their delightful range of juices, smoothies, bowls, sandwiches, soups, salads & more.
Somerville & Cambridge are home to some truly incredible breweries. Whether it’s IPAs, pilsners, or stouts that strike your fancy, there’s a brew for you nearby.
What a great spot to have across the street! New England style IPAs, live music, fun indoor and outdoor spaces, and arcade games! What more can you want from a brewery? Walk over and sample some of the best regional beers around.
Perched in the famous neighborhood for which it’s named, the Winter Hill Brewery has it all. The taproom is trendy & casual, and the beer is tasty & accessible. The food is a partnership with Scott Brothers, which plates up yummy BBQ for eat in and take away options. Oh, and WHB is open in the mornings with crafted coffees and Scott Bros breakfast sandies!
Lamplighter brewing in Cambridge is a must-visit spot on your greater Camberville suds tour. Housed in an old auto repair shop, Lamplighter focuses on aroma-heavy beers including New England IPAs, Sours, and seasonal favorites. Plus, their can art is something to behold!
If sweets are what you’re after, you’re in luck! From eclectic donut combinations to in-house spun ice creams, there’s a sweet treat nearby calling your name.
Voted one of the best donuts shops in America, Union Square Donuts has become an institution in the Square and beyond. Serving a rotating & eclectic selection of handmade donuts from maple bacon to Vietnamese coffee, grab a dozen and don’t forget the full-service coffee options!
A modern take on an old-fashioned ice cream shop, Forge Ice Cream Bar is the culmination of a 20-year journey of two best friends who dreamed of opening an ice cream shop together. All of Forge’s ice creams are made in-house in small batches using nothing but the best ingredients featuring both classic flavors alongside fun twists.
A small shop inside Bow Market making nothing but macarons, maca is a one-woman shop serving up mouthwateringly delicious and light macarons with classic flavors like passionfruit and vanilla alongside truly unique experiences like everything bagel & Fruity Pebbles.
Filled with Mediterranean-inspired delights, you’ll find chocolate covered dates, kanafeh filled with cream, honey, & orange blossom, and more. Be sure to try the fresh Jerusalem bread covered in sesame seeds!
Looking for a perfectly poured pint? The Boston area has a strong pub culture and our backyard has some bar stools you can’t miss. Everything from a perfectly poured Guinness to a German Bier Garden is at your fingertips. Explore below.
A long-standing Davis Square Irish pub, The Burren features live music seven days a week, a large back patio, and traditional, unpretentious pub eats. Paired with an extensive local & Irish draft beer menu, you can’t go wrong spending a night here!
Right in Union Square, BRONWYN features the cuisine of Germany along with Central & Eastern Europe. Hand-crafted sausages, schnitzels, giant pretzels, and extensive list of bier & regional wein are just the delicious beginning! In warm months, their biergarten overlooking Union Square is not to be missed.
Less than a mile from our doors, The Druid is an old Irish Pub in the heart of Inman Square serving homemade Irish fare along with American classics. Like all true Irish Pubs, they know how to pour a perfect Guinness! We suggest trying their signature Druid Burger or Beer Battered Fish Sandwich with homemade tartar sauce.
One of our favorite local watering holes, Olde Magoun’s Saloon has over 28 local craft beers on tap along with local batched Bourbon, Whiskey, and Scotch. While enjoying a local cocktail or craft beer, don’t forget to try Linda’s Nachos with house-made lime crema, topped with pulled pork and smoked chicken. It will certainly have you coming back for more!
