Guidebook for Somerville
Arts & Culture
Harvard University
3 Oxford StreetLiterally, down the street.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
77 Massachusetts AveWalk or bus away.
Food Scene
Gourmet Donuts. Fantastically delicious and very sweet. On weekends they have a line out the door and sell out of donuts by 2p. People travel from across the river to find this place. (In Boston, crossing the Charles River is a big. No one who lives here bothers if they don't have to.)
124 locals recommend
Union Square Donuts
20 Bow StGourmet Donuts. Fantastically delicious and very sweet. On weekends they have a line out the door and sell out of donuts by 2p. People travel from across the river to find this place. (In Boston, crossing the Charles River is a big. No one who lives here bothers if they don't have to.)
Coffeehouse in what used to be a bank. Really interesting renovation that incorporated the vaults and safety deposit boxes.
91 locals recommend
Bloc Cafe
11 Bow StCoffeehouse in what used to be a bank. Really interesting renovation that incorporated the vaults and safety deposit boxes.
Big, delicious, American breakfast. Patio chairs and a line on weekends. Nothing fancy about it. Just solid fare.
78 locals recommend
Flora Restaurant
190 Massachusetts AveBig, delicious, American breakfast. Patio chairs and a line on weekends. Nothing fancy about it. Just solid fare.
Bar and restaurant separated. One of the most popular establishments in the square.
60 locals recommend
The Independent
75 Union SquareBar and restaurant separated. One of the most popular establishments in the square.
A 10 minute walk, but, if you're going in the Harvard Square direction, I personally prefer this coffeehouse to either of the ones in Union Square. The have free wifi and the best baked goods.
48 locals recommend
The Biscuit
256 Marginal StreetA 10 minute walk, but, if you're going in the Harvard Square direction, I personally prefer this coffeehouse to either of the ones in Union Square. The have free wifi and the best baked goods.
Excellent Tapas and cocktails. Worth every penny. The basement dining room is super cozy on a cold day. This is a favorite place of ours.
32 locals recommend
Casa B Tapas and Cocktail & Rum Bar
253 Washington StExcellent Tapas and cocktails. Worth every penny. The basement dining room is super cozy on a cold day. This is a favorite place of ours.
Another favorite date night spot of ours. Delicious food and drink. They do a roast pig once a week. If you're there on a roast pig night I recommend ordering the pig head. (Literally, it's the pig's head.)
15 locals recommend
Bisq
1071 Cambridge StAnother favorite date night spot of ours. Delicious food and drink. They do a roast pig once a week. If you're there on a roast pig night I recommend ordering the pig head. (Literally, it's the pig's head.)
Ebi sushi
290 Somerville AveSolid sushi.
Fortissimo Coffeehouse
75 Bow StBrazilian Coffeehouse, free wifi
Authentic Korean specifically serving the local Korean community.
8 locals recommend
Buk Kyung Korean Restaurant
9a Union SquareAuthentic Korean specifically serving the local Korean community.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is the best bar in the square for cocktails and "bar food." This tiny bar is a hidden gem. Separated from the restaurant, this is the bar side of Journeyman. It's a great place to sample some of the flavors of Journeyman on a budget. The bar, itself, is literally hidden. It's down an alley, through a nondescript back door, at the end of a poorly lit utilitarian hallway. Enough people have discovered it for the small place to hit capacity on Friday and Saturday nights, but if you can catch it on a quieter night it is perfect for a couple sophisticated cocktails and bacon caramel popcorn. My favorite drink, the Laphroaig Project.
89 locals recommend
Backbar
7 Sanborn CtThis is the best bar in the square for cocktails and "bar food." This tiny bar is a hidden gem. Separated from the restaurant, this is the bar side of Journeyman. It's a great place to sample some of the flavors of Journeyman on a budget. The bar, itself, is literally hidden. It's down an alley, through a nondescript back door, at the end of a poorly lit utilitarian hallway. Enough people have discovered it for the small place to hit capacity on Friday and Saturday nights, but if you can catch it on a quieter night it is perfect for a couple sophisticated cocktails and bacon caramel popcorn. My favorite drink, the Laphroaig Project.
Cozy Irish tavern with solid food and drink, and live music most nights.
31 locals recommend
Bull McCabe's
366 Somerville AveCozy Irish tavern with solid food and drink, and live music most nights.
Bar with good bar food. Good for late night drinks, or evening dinner.
44 locals recommend
Brass Union
70 Union SquareBar with good bar food. Good for late night drinks, or evening dinner.
Sightseeing
The Red Line subway stop that services the Davis Square commercial area in which is located Restaurants, bars, shops, and Tufts University.
180 locals recommend
Davis Square
The Red Line subway stop that services the Davis Square commercial area in which is located Restaurants, bars, shops, and Tufts University.
Getting Around
The Red Line subway stop that services the Central Square commercial area in which is located The Middle East concert venue, restaurants, bars. Serviced by the 91 bus.
150 locals recommend
Central Square
The Red Line subway stop that services the Central Square commercial area in which is located The Middle East concert venue, restaurants, bars. Serviced by the 91 bus.
Union Square
Union SquareThe bus hub.
The Orange Line subway station. Reached by the 91, 86, or CT2 buses. If you are coming back to the apartment from downtown Boston I recommend returning by this station, because of the multitude of buses that will take you to Union Square. In addition, it's a straight walk of 25 minutes down Washington street is you don't want to wait for the bus.
87 locals recommend
Sullivan Square station
Haverhill StreetThe Orange Line subway station. Reached by the 91, 86, or CT2 buses. If you are coming back to the apartment from downtown Boston I recommend returning by this station, because of the multitude of buses that will take you to Union Square. In addition, it's a straight walk of 25 minutes down Washington street is you don't want to wait for the bus.
Red Line subway station servicing the MIT neighborhood. Reached by either the CT2 or 85 buses.
52 locals recommend
Kendall Square
Red Line subway station servicing the MIT neighborhood. Reached by either the CT2 or 85 buses.
The Red Line subway stop that services the Harvard University neighborhood. If you are taking the bus back to the apartment and the weather outside is unpleasant, take the 87 bus home from this location. The bus stop is underground and away from the elements.
114 locals recommend
Harvard station
1 Brattle StThe Red Line subway stop that services the Harvard University neighborhood. If you are taking the bus back to the apartment and the weather outside is unpleasant, take the 87 bus home from this location. The bus stop is underground and away from the elements.
Red Line subway stop that services the Porter Square commercial center and Lesley University. Reached by the 87 bus.
144 locals recommend
Porter Square
Red Line subway stop that services the Porter Square commercial center and Lesley University. Reached by the 87 bus.
Lechmere station
Green Line Subway stop. Reached by the 87 bus.
Shopping
If you want to go to the mall just hop on the 87 bus. Or, if it's a nice day and you're adventurous, it's only a walk away.
178 locals recommend
CambridgeSide
100 Cambridgeside PlIf you want to go to the mall just hop on the 87 bus. Or, if it's a nice day and you're adventurous, it's only a walk away.
Local Supply
86 Joy StLocal gift store. Bring home a present.
Essentials
This is a large grocery store that will meet most of your grocery or healthcare product needs. It gets crowded on weekends and during rush hour. The 12 items or less lane is the fastest way to get out.
237 locals recommend
Market Basket
400 Somerville AveThis is a large grocery store that will meet most of your grocery or healthcare product needs. It gets crowded on weekends and during rush hour. The 12 items or less lane is the fastest way to get out.
Inman Oasis
243 Hampshire StThe community hot tub, $15 for 30 minutes, is lovely.
This is your local Japanese and Korean grocery store. They also sell sake.
24 locals recommend
Reliable Market
45 Union SquareThis is your local Japanese and Korean grocery store. They also sell sake.
Jerry's Liquor Mart
329 Somerville AveThis is the local liquor store.
Your local Crossfit gym doesn't get any closer. Drop into a class if you want to catch a workout while in town. They are the only actively trans-friendly gyms in the Greater Boston Area. While you're there check out their urban agriculture project. In addition to vegetable gardens, they have chickens, and bees.
CrossFit Somerville
35 Prospect StYour local Crossfit gym doesn't get any closer. Drop into a class if you want to catch a workout while in town. They are the only actively trans-friendly gyms in the Greater Boston Area. While you're there check out their urban agriculture project. In addition to vegetable gardens, they have chickens, and bees.
Somerville Cleaners
21 Union SquareLocal dry cleaning.