Food Scene
closest, best coffee shop. nice outdoor seating area. building is an old bank, which is cool if you're into that sort of thing. like I am.
91 locals recommend
Bloc Cafe
11 Bow Stclosest, best coffee shop. nice outdoor seating area. building is an old bank, which is cool if you're into that sort of thing. like I am.
Amazing homemade ice cream in great flavors like SALTY WHISKY. This goes best in a toasted marshmallow fluff cone.
23 locals recommend
Gracie's Ice Cream
22 Union SquareAmazing homemade ice cream in great flavors like SALTY WHISKY. This goes best in a toasted marshmallow fluff cone.
Excellent coffee and healthy tasty food (kale and grain bowls). Pick up some fresh bread too.
35 locals recommend
Forge Baking Company
626 Somerville AveExcellent coffee and healthy tasty food (kale and grain bowls). Pick up some fresh bread too.
Breakfast and lunch. Enormous portions, creative menu. Best outdoor seating in town. Long waits on weekend - come early before 9:30. But you can eat like a local on weekdays free from crowds.
77 locals recommend
Flora Restaurant
190 Massachusetts AveBreakfast and lunch. Enormous portions, creative menu. Best outdoor seating in town. Long waits on weekend - come early before 9:30. But you can eat like a local on weekdays free from crowds.
On the pricier side, but always a good meal. A creative take on German and eastern european food that everyone should try. Amazing beer and wine selection. Treat yourself.
44 locals recommend
Bronwyn
255 Washington StOn the pricier side, but always a good meal. A creative take on German and eastern european food that everyone should try. Amazing beer and wine selection. Treat yourself.
Caribbean tapas. Very creative and tasty menu. Very strong drink program. Amazing space. Try to snag a seat downstairs by the living plant wall. Usually have 1/2 price tapas in early evening but check
32 locals recommend
Casa B Tapas and Cocktail & Rum Bar
253 Washington StCaribbean tapas. Very creative and tasty menu. Very strong drink program. Amazing space. Try to snag a seat downstairs by the living plant wall. Usually have 1/2 price tapas in early evening but check
A standby in the square for some time. Solid standard menu, served on restaurant and bar side. If you want to eat and watch a game, this is your place. Serves until 2 on Friday and Saturday usually.
60 locals recommend
The Independent
75 Union SquareA standby in the square for some time. Solid standard menu, served on restaurant and bar side. If you want to eat and watch a game, this is your place. Serves until 2 on Friday and Saturday usually.
authentic Mexican food with roving mariachis in the evenings. Lively in the evenings. hands down better than the place down the street (which can be ok for takeout).
24 locals recommend
El Potro Mexican Bar & Grill
61 Union Squareauthentic Mexican food with roving mariachis in the evenings. Lively in the evenings. hands down better than the place down the street (which can be ok for takeout).
Another great restaurant and bar. Goat stew and jambalaya are excellent. Lots of weekly events (spelling bee!) so check the calendar. About a half mile walk. http://highlandkitchen.com/
96 locals recommend
Highland Kitchen
150 Highland AveAnother great restaurant and bar. Goat stew and jambalaya are excellent. Lots of weekly events (spelling bee!) so check the calendar. About a half mile walk. http://highlandkitchen.com/
The best sushi place around. Sushi is excellent, and ramen is the other favorite. Full liquor license but order takeout if you want to eat at home and save some cash.
37 locals recommend
Ebi sushi
290 Somerville AveThe best sushi place around. Sushi is excellent, and ramen is the other favorite. Full liquor license but order takeout if you want to eat at home and save some cash.
Obscenely large and decadent doughnuts. And good coffee too. Long lines on weekends.
124 locals recommend
Union Square Donuts
20 Bow StObscenely large and decadent doughnuts. And good coffee too. Long lines on weekends.
This shiny place just opened in the old Sherman Cafe spot. Serves three meals a day. Sit at the counter for a special meal.
29 locals recommend
Juliet
263 Union SquareThis shiny place just opened in the old Sherman Cafe spot. Serves three meals a day. Sit at the counter for a special meal.
Shopping
Best specialty food store - stock up on fresh pasta, Iggy's bread (if you get there early enough), cheese, charcuterie, Italian specialty foods. Fresh cannoli. Specialty sandwiches on weekdays.
17 locals recommend
Capone Foods
14 Bow StBest specialty food store - stock up on fresh pasta, Iggy's bread (if you get there early enough), cheese, charcuterie, Italian specialty foods. Fresh cannoli. Specialty sandwiches on weekdays.
an upscale design-y store with very cute things. The best- and only place - in the square to get clever cards for birthdays, etc.
10 locals recommend
Local Supply
86 Joy Stan upscale design-y store with very cute things. The best- and only place - in the square to get clever cards for birthdays, etc.
Best place to fill a prescription.Open 24/7. And most robust selection of health and beauty products. And furthest away. Pharmacy #: (617) 876-5519
63 locals recommend
CVS
516-522 Main StBest place to fill a prescription.Open 24/7. And most robust selection of health and beauty products. And furthest away. Pharmacy #: (617) 876-5519
This new development along the Mystic River is a great spot for an afternoon. Shop at outlet or factory stores for J Crew, Off 5th, Banana Republic, etc. Also has a Lego Store with a giant Lego giraffe, ice cream shops and bakeries, and some great local bars (River Bar and the beer garden in shipping containers).
269 locals recommend
Assembly Row
Assembly RowThis new development along the Mystic River is a great spot for an afternoon. Shop at outlet or factory stores for J Crew, Off 5th, Banana Republic, etc. Also has a Lego Store with a giant Lego giraffe, ice cream shops and bakeries, and some great local bars (River Bar and the beer garden in shipping containers).
Everything Else
VERY convenient post office. Get stamps. Mail letters and packages. Renew your passport.
97 locals recommend
United States Postal Service
655 Centre StVERY convenient post office. Get stamps. Mail letters and packages. Renew your passport.
Closest place for Hubway bikes. Hubway is convenient, and cost-effective if you join (rides under 30 minutes are free). Getting the app is must. this kiosk fills up at night http://www.thehubway.com/
Union Square Bluebikes Station
Closest place for Hubway bikes. Hubway is convenient, and cost-effective if you join (rides under 30 minutes are free). Getting the app is must. this kiosk fills up at night http://www.thehubway.com/
Essentials
The only grocery store you really need. Freshest produce around. Good sushi. Pro tip - do not get a shopping cart. Carry a basket and move through the crowds like a ninja. Open 7-9 M-Sa, 7-7 Su.
236 locals recommend
Market Basket
400 Somerville AveThe only grocery store you really need. Freshest produce around. Good sushi. Pro tip - do not get a shopping cart. Carry a basket and move through the crowds like a ninja. Open 7-9 M-Sa, 7-7 Su.
If you MUST go to another market, this is the closest Whole Foods. A small footprint but has everything. Including prepared foods.
1155 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
413 Centre StIf you MUST go to another market, this is the closest Whole Foods. A small footprint but has everything. Including prepared foods.
Best liquor store around. Great selection of beer, hard liquors, and wine. Open til 10 M-TH, 11 Fr - Sa, 6 Su. Marco, the young guy who runs it makes great recommendations too.
8 locals recommend
Jerry's Liquor Mart
329 Somerville AveBest liquor store around. Great selection of beer, hard liquors, and wine. Open til 10 M-TH, 11 Fr - Sa, 6 Su. Marco, the young guy who runs it makes great recommendations too.
Closest place to go for Indian spices. Their much larger sister store, Little India, next to Market Basket down the block has an average selection of wine and beer.
Shree Bombay Market
359 Somerville AveClosest place to go for Indian spices. Their much larger sister store, Little India, next to Market Basket down the block has an average selection of wine and beer.
Your grocery store for asian food, specializes in Korean and Japanese. Good selection of specialty vegetables, soy sauces, noodles, and sushi-grade fish.
24 locals recommend
Reliable Market
45 Union SquareYour grocery store for asian food, specializes in Korean and Japanese. Good selection of specialty vegetables, soy sauces, noodles, and sushi-grade fish.
This tiny Target (a fraction of the usual size) is a few blocks east and an easy walk. Open until 11 on weeknights.
180 locals recommend
Target
180 Somerville AveThis tiny Target (a fraction of the usual size) is a few blocks east and an easy walk. Open until 11 on weeknights.
Drinks & Nightlife
Best craft cocktail place around, arguably in the Boston area. Wise to call ahead on busy nights. 617-718-0249. Open 4-midnightish. entry is low profile metal door, open and follow to end of hallway.
89 locals recommend
Backbar
7 Sanborn CtBest craft cocktail place around, arguably in the Boston area. Wise to call ahead on busy nights. 617-718-0249. Open 4-midnightish. entry is low profile metal door, open and follow to end of hallway.
Replaced the very popular Tir Na Nog a few years ago but still attracts the same diverse crowd. Good menu. Live music most nights. Very small and cozy. Nice outdoor seating. Cannot get much closer.
31 locals recommend
Bull McCabe's
366 Somerville AveReplaced the very popular Tir Na Nog a few years ago but still attracts the same diverse crowd. Good menu. Live music most nights. Very small and cozy. Nice outdoor seating. Cannot get much closer.
Community cooking space w restaurant, bar, and live music - Very strange former function hall space but they make it work. Monday is Taco Taco Taco night! http://cuisineenlocale.com/events/calendar/
9 locals recommend
Cuisine en Locale
156 Highland AveCommunity cooking space w restaurant, bar, and live music - Very strange former function hall space but they make it work. Monday is Taco Taco Taco night! http://cuisineenlocale.com/events/calendar/
Best dive bar around. Monday is Americana night, Tuesday is open mic, otherwise it's eclectic.
Union Tavern
345 Somerville AveBest dive bar around. Monday is Americana night, Tuesday is open mic, otherwise it's eclectic.
The craft cocktail bar that started it all. Very busy on weekends. Go at 4 pm some day and treat yourself. http://drinkfortpoint.com/
102 locals recommend
Drink
348 Congress StThe craft cocktail bar that started it all. Very busy on weekends. Go at 4 pm some day and treat yourself. http://drinkfortpoint.com/
A new place in town. Hosts art exhibits too - right now it's feminist fiber arts. which is rad. http://www.aeronautbrewing.com/
84 locals recommend
Aeronaut Brewing Company
14 Tyler StA new place in town. Hosts art exhibits too - right now it's feminist fiber arts. which is rad. http://www.aeronautbrewing.com/
Arts & Culture
major-release movie house. new theatre. has reserved seating with big cushy, reclining chairs. buy tickets online. https://www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/boston/amc-assembly-row-12
94 locals recommend
AMC Assembly Row 12
395 Artisan Waymajor-release movie house. new theatre. has reserved seating with big cushy, reclining chairs. buy tickets online. https://www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/boston/amc-assembly-row-12
good theatre with mix of films. serves ice cream, beer, and other snacks. Check the calendar for live shows and performances as well. Museum of Bad Art is on the lower level and worth a peek.
147 locals recommend
Somerville Theatre
55 Davis Squaregood theatre with mix of films. serves ice cream, beer, and other snacks. Check the calendar for live shows and performances as well. Museum of Bad Art is on the lower level and worth a peek.
Your independent film mecca. Has a parking garage, and theatre validates parking for discount. Lots of great restaurants nearby (State Park, Cambridge Brewing Co.) - make a night of it!
100 locals recommend
Kendall Square Cinema
355 Binney StYour independent film mecca. Has a parking garage, and theatre validates parking for discount. Lots of great restaurants nearby (State Park, Cambridge Brewing Co.) - make a night of it!
Great building. excellent exhibits. great museum store for gifts. Open til 9 Th & Fr, 5 pm other days. FREE ON THURS NIGHT! http://www.icaboston.org/
299 locals recommend
Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston
25 Harbor Shore DrGreat building. excellent exhibits. great museum store for gifts. Open til 9 Th & Fr, 5 pm other days. FREE ON THURS NIGHT! http://www.icaboston.org/
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington AveFree after 4 pm on Wednesday
http://www.mfa.org/
Amazing museum, being ISG's house. And where that 1990 art heist occurred. Open until 5, until 9 on Thursday
http://www.gardnermuseum.org/ http://www.gardnermuseum.org/visit/offers_and_discounts
500 locals recommend
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way Amazing museum, being ISG's house. And where that 1990 art heist occurred. Open until 5, until 9 on Thursday
http://www.gardnermuseum.org/ http://www.gardnermuseum.org/visit/offers_and_discounts
Sightseeing
Great place to walk. Parking is only for Cambridge residents, but a nice bike ride or running destination.
112 locals recommend
Fresh Pond Mall
545 Concord AveGreat place to walk. Parking is only for Cambridge residents, but a nice bike ride or running destination.
One of the best landscapes around and worth the trouble to get there. http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu/
379 locals recommend
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
125 ArborwayOne of the best landscapes around and worth the trouble to get there. http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu/
Great view of the city and Boston on a clear night. Commemorative monument to January 1 1775 flag-raising in Somerville.
35 locals recommend
Prospect Hill Park
68 Munroe StGreat view of the city and Boston on a clear night. Commemorative monument to January 1 1775 flag-raising in Somerville.
A ragged natural history museum with amazing taxidermy, whale skeletons, and birds. Glass flowers are like nothing else. Free on Sunday before noon.
151 locals recommend
Harvard Museum of Natural History
26 Oxford StA ragged natural history museum with amazing taxidermy, whale skeletons, and birds. Glass flowers are like nothing else. Free on Sunday before noon.
Called "the Castle" by many of the locals, this spot offers a great panoramic view of Boston.
35 locals recommend
Prospect Hill Park
68 Munroe StCalled "the Castle" by many of the locals, this spot offers a great panoramic view of Boston.