Guidebook for Somerville
Essentials
"Groceries" hardly captures it. Fresh pasta it does have. Excellent sandwiches. Curated everything. And don't forget to talk with the wine guy.
58 locals recommend
Dave's Fresh Pasta
81 Holland St"Groceries" hardly captures it. Fresh pasta it does have. Excellent sandwiches. Curated everything. And don't forget to talk with the wine guy.
Fantastic, nearby one-stop shop for groceries of all sorts (though a little pricier than Shaw's, farther down the road), fun prepared food, an excellent beer/wine/liquor selection, and fresh flowers.
43 locals recommend
Pemberton Farms Marketplace
2225 Massachusetts AveFantastic, nearby one-stop shop for groceries of all sorts (though a little pricier than Shaw's, farther down the road), fun prepared food, an excellent beer/wine/liquor selection, and fresh flowers.
Everything Else
...because sometimes you just need cold medication. Easiest spot to get some in a pinch.
429 locals recommend
CVS
624 Massachusetts Ave...because sometimes you just need cold medication. Easiest spot to get some in a pinch.
A liquor store with far more beer than you might imagine, a good wine selection, and, of course, a wee bit of liquor too. Staffers are experts on different categories.
Downtown Wine & Spirits
225 Elm StA liquor store with far more beer than you might imagine, a good wine selection, and, of course, a wee bit of liquor too. Staffers are experts on different categories.
The Boston Shaker
69 Holland StSupplement your Downtown run with some bitters or fun barware.
Food Scene
Famous local BBQ. One of our favorites. Surprisingly great beer list, to boot.
88 locals recommend
Redbones Barbecue
55 Chester StFamous local BBQ. One of our favorites. Surprisingly great beer list, to boot.
Delicious, interesting Mexican food... for those moments when I miss California, and am up for trying New England-specialty ingredients (like root veggies) thrown in.
71 locals recommend
The Spirit Bar
219 Elm StDelicious, interesting Mexican food... for those moments when I miss California, and am up for trying New England-specialty ingredients (like root veggies) thrown in.
Posto
187 Elm StGood pizza - sit-down or takeout.
Flatbread Company
45 Day St... also good pizza, with candlepin bowling, to boot!
People come from near and far for their coffee (and even just the atmosphere of lounging with it in their cafe). You should too.
90 locals recommend
Diesel Cafe
257 Elm StPeople come from near and far for their coffee (and even just the atmosphere of lounging with it in their cafe). You should too.
Not nearly the atmosphere as other places, but such delicious wraps that we routinely head here for takeout.
11 locals recommend
Blue Shirt Cafe
424 Highland AvenueNot nearly the atmosphere as other places, but such delicious wraps that we routinely head here for takeout.
So. Delicious. You. Must. Go. (aka another great takeout, or just generally quick, option)
24 locals recommend
Amsterdam Falafelshop
So. Delicious. You. Must. Go. (aka another great takeout, or just generally quick, option)
There's a good reason there's routinely a line out the door to get their ice cream. Even in winter.
298 locals recommend
J.P. Licks
659 Centre StThere's a good reason there's routinely a line out the door to get their ice cream. Even in winter.
Old school diner that just reopened with a slick new interior and menu, so we hear. Folks are flocking from all over town to try it.
49 locals recommend
Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar
381 Summer StOld school diner that just reopened with a slick new interior and menu, so we hear. Folks are flocking from all over town to try it.
Drinks & Nightlife
Best beer list in Davis, and one of the best on this side of the river. The food is much better than you'd expect at a pub, as well!
44 locals recommend
Five Horses Tavern
400 Highland AveBest beer list in Davis, and one of the best on this side of the river. The food is much better than you'd expect at a pub, as well!
Because sometimes, especially when in Boston, you simply have to head to an Irish bar.
57 locals recommend
The Burren
247 Elm StBecause sometimes, especially when in Boston, you simply have to head to an Irish bar.
Yes, please. Pages of whiskeys. Inventive cocktails. And good food, if you can tear yourself away from the cocktail menu long enough.
68 locals recommend
Saloon
255 Elm StYes, please. Pages of whiskeys. Inventive cocktails. And good food, if you can tear yourself away from the cocktail menu long enough.
Spoke Wine Bar
89 Holland StGreat new wine bar by the Dave's Fresh Pasta folks.
Arts & Culture
My favorite movie theater anywhere. New movies, somehow cheaper than elsewhere. But the real kicker is the charm of the old theater, beer/wine and ice cream sold, concerts, and Museum of Bad Art.
147 locals recommend
Somerville Theatre
55 Davis SquareMy favorite movie theater anywhere. New movies, somehow cheaper than elsewhere. But the real kicker is the charm of the old theater, beer/wine and ice cream sold, concerts, and Museum of Bad Art.
Johnny D's Uptown
17 Holland StLive music. Every single night.
Shopping
Magpie
416 Highland AveFor filling up your bag with eclectic local wares.
Similar to Magpie, but different vibe. Clearly worth visiting both. :)
180 locals recommend
Davis Square
Similar to Magpie, but different vibe. Clearly worth visiting both. :)