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City in Massachusetts, United States
Photo: Eric Kilby from Somerville, MA, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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 opportunities for many of Somerville's creative class residents.
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Not really a museum, but sort of. Picture a gorgeous old building (once a Unitarian church) lived in by a Yoga-practicing artist couple, who often look inward for inspiration. Much of the work is influenced by Russian mythological and religious icons. No one's really sure exactly when it's open, so go poke your head in if you happen to be walking by. Truly one of a kind, and only in Somerville.
This is the oldest stone building in Massachusetts, dating from around 1704. Once used to store colonial powder that would propel the muskets fired during the Revolutionary War.
Climb this tower for great views of Boston. Check out the slightly unfamiliar flag flying atop the structure. This was a Betsy Ross original; and on January 1, 1776 the tower was the location of the first American flag flown.
Volunteer run, visits are by appointment only.
Plays host to various dances and acts, ranging from swing to electronica to circus and vaudeville.
Plays, concerts, stand up, wrestling shows, the works really. Shares its entrance with Saloon.
Flatbread Company
Once one of 18 independent candlepin bowling alleys, you can still roll the quirky little balls here today. Times have changed, and as the new century dawned the original owners sold this building (the last one standing!) to a small New England-based pizza chain. They preserved most of the original features, but took out a few lanes to add a little modern equipment. Most visitors prefer bowling with a fresh pizza and microbrew in hand, instead of the luxury condos this location would have surely become.
This movie theater shows fairly cheap 2nd-run movies as well as live musical acts. It was built as a vaudeville theater and had several smaller theaters added over time. When it's time to relieve yourself after the film, don't miss the Museum of Bad Art. It's advertised as the world's only museum dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and celebration of bad art in all its forms. Admission to the MOBA gallery is free with your ticket. Oh, and in addition to the usual movie theatre concessions, they also serve beer.
Take a 45-minute tour of one of the few bean-to-bar chocolate factories in the USA. Get a close-up view of Taza's vintage chocolate making machines and learn how cacao is transformed into authentic stone ground organic chocolate. Visit the Factory Store to shop for limited edition chocolate treats and see the factory through special viewing windows. Lots of chocolate samples available in the store and throughout the tours. Online reservations required for tours, maximum 6 people.
Traditional 1950s dining car in Ball Square, usually has a line out the door on Sundays. Well known for their pancakes, portions are generous.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tibetan specialties, including momos and a variety of vegetarian dishes as well as entrees with meat. Lunch buffet.
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.
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.
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.
A Somerville institution, the Rosebud has expanded well beyond the footprint of the quaint original dining car.
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.
You get to this place by walking through Vinny's Superette, a convenience store. Honest. Fantastic family-style Italian fare.
Hip comfort food and cocktails. Public transit accessible via the 88 and 90 bus routes from Davis Square.
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.
One of Bon Appetit's "America's Best New Restaurants 2016".
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!
Peruvian restaurant with a seasonal outdoor patio.
Hit up this spot in shiny new Assembly Row if you want to try some Slumbrew, but don't want to go all the way to the brewery.
An Irish pub once said to pour more Guinness than any other in North America. Live Irish music. Music nightly in the back room, including the amazing Swinging Johnsons on Thursday nights.
Head upstairs in this tapas restaurant to find a rum-focused cocktail bar.
A very cool unpretentious place for a drink.
Davis Square. Large beer selection and huge selection of exotic mixed drinks including a variety of Sangrias and martinis.
An extensive whisky list, plus beer, wine, and other cocktails, and elevated pub grub. Shares its entrance with The Rockwell.
A microbrewery in a large warehouse with an expansive taproom and many flavorful beers on tap. It also has board games and a Super Nintendo with such classics as Mike Tyson's Punch Out.
Slumbrew
WHBC
Not only do they brew their own beer, they roast their own beans as well. Stop in early for an eye-opener or stop in late for a nightcap.
Coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and breakfasts, all with a Greek twist. Expect a line at popular times. Free wifi, but no laptops allowed on weekends.
Sister cafe to the Diesel Cafe, Bloc Cafe features a few breakfast selections, pastries, soups, and made-to-order sandwiches, along with a selection of espresso, coffee, tea, and soda beverages. The cafe features artwork by local artists, and hosts open mic music nights as well. Located in a former bank branch, the cafe also features seasonally-available outdoor courtyard seating.
Coffee and light dining (including breakfast, sandwiches and salads), winner of several local awards. An area favorite providing an alternative to the Starbucks across the street, locally owned with art for sale on the walls and a couple of pool tables in back.
Independent cafe serving specialty coffee and espresso, breakfast and lunch fare. Rotating roster of local artists. All sandwiches named after nearby streets and squares.
Some of the best—if priciest—doughnuts in the city. Get here early when they're fresh (and in stock)!
Sistered with the Morrison House Bed and Breakfast. Minimum stays may be required for certain holidays and peak periods.
Sistered with the Davis Square Inn. Minimum stays may be required for certain holidays and peak periods.
Behold the mighty force of nature that is modern American capitalism. Once a Ford Motor Company "assembly" plant (get it?) during the 1950s; it was largely left abandoned and run-down until 2006. The proximity to Boston and water access made it an easy sell for real estate companies looking to invest. Today it's an enormous outdoor mall, featuring scores of well known big box retailers, and infilled with pricey luxury condos. Many of the stores here are factory outlets, and you'll also find a wide variety of restaurants, fitness, and lifestyle companies doing business here as well.
Fun and functional handcrafted gifts created by local artisans.
Well-stocked comic book shop, featuring a very friendly staff.
Handmade and custom fine jewelry.
Two floors filled with all manner of stuff.
One of the nation's best stores devoted to handmade hipster crafts, unique gifts, independent designers, and local artists. A second branch of this store is closer to Porter and focuses more on children's items.
Inspired by the street markets of Marrakech, Bow Market hosts a semi-rotating cast of independent shops, art studios, restaurants, and bars, all circling a central courtyard and event space.
By public transit
Somerville was long starved for rapid transit, but with the completion of the Green Line extension to Union and Medford/Tufts in 2022, this has started to change.
By car
Driving to Somerville isn't totally insane, but traffic will be intense and parking will be limited. Davis Square in particular is notorious for its congestion.
By bike
From Arlington or Cambridge, the Minuteman Bikeway, Alewife Linear Park, and Somerville Community Path; provide easy access into Somerville from Alewife and Lechmere stations.
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