Guidebook for your visit to Camberville (Cambridge + Somerville)
City/town information
Somerville is sort of the Brooklyn of Boston bordering the city of Cambridge. It is a very walkable, hip, and fun town that is packed to the gills with history, breweries and a wonderful range of restaurants from the extremely high end to the extremely low end. The city has a number of wonderful grocery stores, markets and places to get coffee or otherwise sit and watch the world walk (or bike, or skate, or train, or unicycle) by.
8 paikallista suosittelee
Somerville
Somerville is sort of the Brooklyn of Boston bordering the city of Cambridge. It is a very walkable, hip, and fun town that is packed to the gills with history, breweries and a wonderful range of restaurants from the extremely high end to the extremely low end. The city has a number of wonderful grocery stores, markets and places to get coffee or otherwise sit and watch the world walk (or bike, or skate, or train, or unicycle) by.
Cambridge is home to Harvard, MIT, Emerson, Leslie University... I don't know like 100 others as well. Its a beautiful town filled with rich history, lots of shops, river-front, restaurants, arts and wonderful public transit.
32 paikallista suosittelee
Cambridge
Cambridge is home to Harvard, MIT, Emerson, Leslie University... I don't know like 100 others as well. Its a beautiful town filled with rich history, lots of shops, river-front, restaurants, arts and wonderful public transit.
Food scene
If you like the best pastries around, wonderful coffee and friendly staff, Forge is a must-do. Its a bit of a hidden gem, so the walk through the underground pedestrian underpass is worth it. Located in a junky strip mall, this bakery is absolutely world-class. Though all of their pastries and breads are wonderful, the baguette can go toe-to-toe with anything a local French bakery could produce.
35 paikallista suosittelee
Forge Baking Company
626 Somerville AveIf you like the best pastries around, wonderful coffee and friendly staff, Forge is a must-do. Its a bit of a hidden gem, so the walk through the underground pedestrian underpass is worth it. Located in a junky strip mall, this bakery is absolutely world-class. Though all of their pastries and breads are wonderful, the baguette can go toe-to-toe with anything a local French bakery could produce.
Celeste has been consistently one of the highest-rated restaurants in all of New England. Its a peruvian style place without many tables so definitely book before you arrive if possible. Their ceviche is of course out of this world as are essentially all the cocktails they offer (naturally the pisco sours are phenomenal). This is a world-class restaurant and worth checking out - its about a 10 minute walk from the apartment.
16 paikallista suosittelee
Celeste
21 Bow StCeleste has been consistently one of the highest-rated restaurants in all of New England. Its a peruvian style place without many tables so definitely book before you arrive if possible. Their ceviche is of course out of this world as are essentially all the cocktails they offer (naturally the pisco sours are phenomenal). This is a world-class restaurant and worth checking out - its about a 10 minute walk from the apartment.
The Neighborhood is an all-time favorite local establishment. Its been here forever, is still run by the same Portuguese family and basically everything they serve is made in house (including the grapes if you arrive during the right time of summer, they'll be on your plate and dangling over your head). Its cash only so be prepared for that, great for breakfasts (but it can have a line on weekends) or any meal
78 paikallista suosittelee
Flora Restaurant
190 Massachusetts AveThe Neighborhood is an all-time favorite local establishment. Its been here forever, is still run by the same Portuguese family and basically everything they serve is made in house (including the grapes if you arrive during the right time of summer, they'll be on your plate and dangling over your head). Its cash only so be prepared for that, great for breakfasts (but it can have a line on weekends) or any meal
Petsi Pies (pronounced pete-see) is a classic tiny bakery with a huge punch. If you want a morning coffee that is only a few blocks away, and a delicious pastry (or one of their specialty quiches) this is a super handy stop. They do have indoor seating but its mostly carry-out.
64 paikallista suosittelee
Petsi Pies
31 Putnam AvePetsi Pies (pronounced pete-see) is a classic tiny bakery with a huge punch. If you want a morning coffee that is only a few blocks away, and a delicious pastry (or one of their specialty quiches) this is a super handy stop. They do have indoor seating but its mostly carry-out.
Fresh baked goods from Iggy's bakery every morning (excellent bagels and chocolate croissants), drip coffee is good enough but their espresso-based drinks (capuccinos, lattes, etc...) are phenomenal. The folks working here are also amazing and the nicest people on the planet. Dine-in or carry away.
14 paikallista suosittelee
cafe rustica
356 Beacon StFresh baked goods from Iggy's bakery every morning (excellent bagels and chocolate croissants), drip coffee is good enough but their espresso-based drinks (capuccinos, lattes, etc...) are phenomenal. The folks working here are also amazing and the nicest people on the planet. Dine-in or carry away.
Located by Bisq - great tavern with wonderful food and drinks along with some outdoor dining. It is a little bit of a hike from the apartment (maybe 20-30 minute walk) but worth it if you want a local favorite!
56 paikallista suosittelee
Atwood's Tavern
877 Cambridge StLocated by Bisq - great tavern with wonderful food and drinks along with some outdoor dining. It is a little bit of a hike from the apartment (maybe 20-30 minute walk) but worth it if you want a local favorite!
Another phenomenal local stop. Its a co-op restaurant that is owned by the staff, really well done french-home-cooking type meals that are best shared, breakfast and dinner are all exceptional.
29 paikallista suosittelee
Juliet
263 Union SquareAnother phenomenal local stop. Its a co-op restaurant that is owned by the staff, really well done french-home-cooking type meals that are best shared, breakfast and dinner are all exceptional.
Very fine-italian dining. Make a reservation ahead of time. If you are alone or just a couple you can usually get a seat at the bar but you may need to put in your name in person and come back (pro tip: the bar across the street is a great place to kill 20 minutes while you wait for your table to become available - or go walk around campus of course).
61 paikallista suosittelee
Giulia
1682 Massachusetts AveVery fine-italian dining. Make a reservation ahead of time. If you are alone or just a couple you can usually get a seat at the bar but you may need to put in your name in person and come back (pro tip: the bar across the street is a great place to kill 20 minutes while you wait for your table to become available - or go walk around campus of course).
The worlds greatest donuts. Period. Good coffee too, but the Donuts... holy Toledo. If its Saturday or Sunday morning, order ahead of time online - the line can get long.
124 paikallista suosittelee
Union Square Donuts
20 Bow StThe worlds greatest donuts. Period. Good coffee too, but the Donuts... holy Toledo. If its Saturday or Sunday morning, order ahead of time online - the line can get long.
This is a very hip place to go and hang out, browse the micro-shops upstairs, grab a beer at Remnant downstairs, a glass of wine from Rebel-Rebel or food from one of the many (and often rotating) vendors on the first floor. Its an outdoor "market" that does get busy in really good weather, but is definitely worth a pass through. Pro tip: Remnant beer is delicious (if you are into that sort of thing) and the Perogi stand if phenomenal... also, the veggie burger as Saus is really really good, Hotbox pizza is good too, seafood at Hooked also solid.. come to think of it everything there is good.
31 paikallista suosittelee
Bow Market
1 Bow Mkt WyThis is a very hip place to go and hang out, browse the micro-shops upstairs, grab a beer at Remnant downstairs, a glass of wine from Rebel-Rebel or food from one of the many (and often rotating) vendors on the first floor. Its an outdoor "market" that does get busy in really good weather, but is definitely worth a pass through. Pro tip: Remnant beer is delicious (if you are into that sort of thing) and the Perogi stand if phenomenal... also, the veggie burger as Saus is really really good, Hotbox pizza is good too, seafood at Hooked also solid.. come to think of it everything there is good.
World's greatest Chinese food which is mega fast. Ordering and walking to pick up is a solid move, dining in is also a wonderful experience. If you take the cut-through into the Star Market parking lot its less than a 5 minute walk.
26 paikallista suosittelee
Zoe's
1105 Massachusetts AveWorld's greatest Chinese food which is mega fast. Ordering and walking to pick up is a solid move, dining in is also a wonderful experience. If you take the cut-through into the Star Market parking lot its less than a 5 minute walk.
Solid bakery with really really solid breakfast and lunch sandwiches. You can order ahead online or in person. Basically everything is really good and super fresh ingredients with all bread baked in-house. Good coffee as well. Usually very fast for take-out but you can also dine-in.
53 paikallista suosittelee
Darwin's Ltd - Cambridge St.
1629 Cambridge StSolid bakery with really really solid breakfast and lunch sandwiches. You can order ahead online or in person. Basically everything is really good and super fresh ingredients with all bread baked in-house. Good coffee as well. Usually very fast for take-out but you can also dine-in.
Really solid little coffee shop. Great breakfast options as well, most of all - if you are a coffee snob and want the best coffee to make at home, buy it here. You can order ahead of time online or in person.
8 paikallista suosittelee
Broadsheet Coffee Roasters
100 Kirkland StReally solid little coffee shop. Great breakfast options as well, most of all - if you are a coffee snob and want the best coffee to make at home, buy it here. You can order ahead of time online or in person.
Very solid little cafe with great options for breakfast and lunch - outdoor seating also available.
91 paikallista suosittelee
Bloc Cafe
11 Bow StVery solid little cafe with great options for breakfast and lunch - outdoor seating also available.
Aeronaut is the closest brewery to the house at just a couple blocks away, the entrance is off of Somerville Ave. This is a great place with seasonal outdoor seating, foot trucks and they do have a "tasting table" restaurant inside that is exquisite. The main taproom is great and the beers are fresh and tasty! Great place to hang out after climbing at Brooklyn Boulders, that's for sure!
84 paikallista suosittelee
Aeronaut Brewing Company
14 Tyler StAeronaut is the closest brewery to the house at just a couple blocks away, the entrance is off of Somerville Ave. This is a great place with seasonal outdoor seating, foot trucks and they do have a "tasting table" restaurant inside that is exquisite. The main taproom is great and the beers are fresh and tasty! Great place to hang out after climbing at Brooklyn Boulders, that's for sure!
Neighborhoods
Harvard square sort of explains itself, its the middle of campus and is a lively place with lots of restaurants, bars, shops and what-nots. Its about a 12 minute walk and if you put it into google maps and following the walking path you'll spend 80% of the walk on campus past many beautiful buildings and through courtyards which is a lovely experience.
342 paikallista suosittelee
Harvard Square
Brattle StreetHarvard square sort of explains itself, its the middle of campus and is a lively place with lots of restaurants, bars, shops and what-nots. Its about a 12 minute walk and if you put it into google maps and following the walking path you'll spend 80% of the walk on campus past many beautiful buildings and through courtyards which is a lovely experience.
Davis is a lively intersection of public transit, bike and car traffic with dozens of restaurants spanning the range of culinary delights. Davis is a pleasant 20-minute walk from the apartment (longer if you want to head up to the bike path first and walk that way) and can provide you with all you would ever want on an evening stroll (even the Davis Square theater if you are in the mood for a movie).
180 paikallista suosittelee
Davis Square
Davis is a lively intersection of public transit, bike and car traffic with dozens of restaurants spanning the range of culinary delights. Davis is a pleasant 20-minute walk from the apartment (longer if you want to head up to the bike path first and walk that way) and can provide you with all you would ever want on an evening stroll (even the Davis Square theater if you are in the mood for a movie).
Union is the cooler version of all the other squares in Somerville. Lots of great restaurants and bars, only about a 15 minute walk from the apartment and a phenomenal area to get dinner, ice cream, a drink or whatever you are looking for.
13 paikallista suosittelee
Union Square
Union SquareUnion is the cooler version of all the other squares in Somerville. Lots of great restaurants and bars, only about a 15 minute walk from the apartment and a phenomenal area to get dinner, ice cream, a drink or whatever you are looking for.
If you need something, Porter has your back. A huge grocery store? Check. A great dive bar with good food? Check. A target? Check. A ramen shop that makes you stand up during your meal and tell all other diners about your dreams? Check. Its a 15-minute walk away and probably has what you need. Not as personable or quaint as Davis, not as posh as Harvard and not as cool as Union Squares, but if you need it, Porter has got your back - including access to a major commuter line as well.
144 paikallista suosittelee
Porter Square
If you need something, Porter has your back. A huge grocery store? Check. A great dive bar with good food? Check. A target? Check. A ramen shop that makes you stand up during your meal and tell all other diners about your dreams? Check. Its a 15-minute walk away and probably has what you need. Not as personable or quaint as Davis, not as posh as Harvard and not as cool as Union Squares, but if you need it, Porter has got your back - including access to a major commuter line as well.
Entertainment
If you want to see a movie and do not want to drive or take the T out to Assembly Square, this is about a 15 minute walk from the apartment and is a wonderful indie theater that carries both major block busters as well as indie and throw-backs. Definitely a must-do if you are bored and want something to do that doesn't require much beyond a nice walk. Lots of dinner and after-movie drinks locations between here and there.
147 paikallista suosittelee
Somerville Theatre
55 Davis SquareIf you want to see a movie and do not want to drive or take the T out to Assembly Square, this is about a 15 minute walk from the apartment and is a wonderful indie theater that carries both major block busters as well as indie and throw-backs. Definitely a must-do if you are bored and want something to do that doesn't require much beyond a nice walk. Lots of dinner and after-movie drinks locations between here and there.
My favorites
What can be said about Backbar other than its incredibly hard to find and get into but is incredibly worth it if you can! Its located in a random parking lot in Union Square - you have to walk through a random door, then a sketchy hallway, around 15 corners and then you are there! Its a speak-easy without being a speak-easy. Craft cocktails that are exquisite. They also have delicious small snacks - if you are looking for a couple of exquisite cocktails, this is a must-see. I think they are requiring reservations now, so check out their website before going.
https://www.backbarunion.com/
89 paikallista suosittelee
Backbar
7 Sanborn CtWhat can be said about Backbar other than its incredibly hard to find and get into but is incredibly worth it if you can! Its located in a random parking lot in Union Square - you have to walk through a random door, then a sketchy hallway, around 15 corners and then you are there! Its a speak-easy without being a speak-easy. Craft cocktails that are exquisite. They also have delicious small snacks - if you are looking for a couple of exquisite cocktails, this is a must-see. I think they are requiring reservations now, so check out their website before going.
https://www.backbarunion.com/
You will walk up to this place and be like... "this place looks like Dresden after the war" but I promise that if you are looking for a no-frills solid basic sandwich that is incredibly affordable. This is the spot for you. Go in, be friendly, talk to Mark (the deli owner, his grandfather opened the deli in like 1930 or something absurd like that) and tell him what you are looking for. Complain about the fact that he doesn't sell any healthy snacks (then he'll know I sent you) but definitely try one of his sandwiches. No vegetarian options, unfortunately.
P & K Delicatessen
244 Beacon StYou will walk up to this place and be like... "this place looks like Dresden after the war" but I promise that if you are looking for a no-frills solid basic sandwich that is incredibly affordable. This is the spot for you. Go in, be friendly, talk to Mark (the deli owner, his grandfather opened the deli in like 1930 or something absurd like that) and tell him what you are looking for. Complain about the fact that he doesn't sell any healthy snacks (then he'll know I sent you) but definitely try one of his sandwiches. No vegetarian options, unfortunately.
World-class climbing gym located about a 2-minute walk from the apartment. If you like climbing or need a gym, they have every exercise machine / free weight setup, yoga, exercise class you could ever ask for. Check out the website for details, daily pass rates vary but its a wonderful spot for all kinds of work outs.
65 paikallista suosittelee
Brooklyn Boulders Somerville
12A Tyler StWorld-class climbing gym located about a 2-minute walk from the apartment. If you like climbing or need a gym, they have every exercise machine / free weight setup, yoga, exercise class you could ever ask for. Check out the website for details, daily pass rates vary but its a wonderful spot for all kinds of work outs.
Food and beverage stores
The worlds greatest butcher and micro-grocery store. Full stop.
54 paikallista suosittelee
Savenor's Market
160 Charles StThe worlds greatest butcher and micro-grocery store. Full stop.
If you need wine or liquor, or cheese, or beer, or a wonderous variety of wonderful snacks - this is the place for you. They also have deli sandwiches that they send. They are slightly over-priced in my opinion (the sandwiches, everything else in the store is phenomenal) but a nice option up if you are looking for a fancier sandwich. The wine staff is incredibly knowledgeable and super nice so if you go in and say "I want a nice bottle that costs X and goes well with Y" you will leave very happy :)
41 paikallista suosittelee
Wine & Cheese Cask
407 Washington StIf you need wine or liquor, or cheese, or beer, or a wonderous variety of wonderful snacks - this is the place for you. They also have deli sandwiches that they send. They are slightly over-priced in my opinion (the sandwiches, everything else in the store is phenomenal) but a nice option up if you are looking for a fancier sandwich. The wine staff is incredibly knowledgeable and super nice so if you go in and say "I want a nice bottle that costs X and goes well with Y" you will leave very happy :)
Standard grocery store - its less than a 5 minute walk away and isn't going to disappoint you, but isn't going to blow your mind either. I prefer to go to Market Basket on account of the bigger selection and generally better products, but Star Market is a solid, reliable super market that is going to carry everything you would expect a grocery store to cover.
595 paikallista suosittelee
Star Market
370 Western AveStandard grocery store - its less than a 5 minute walk away and isn't going to disappoint you, but isn't going to blow your mind either. I prefer to go to Market Basket on account of the bigger selection and generally better products, but Star Market is a solid, reliable super market that is going to carry everything you would expect a grocery store to cover.
The Somerville Market Basket is an absolute institution. If you need a product and they don't have it, I think you get some kind of award or metal. Their produce is extremely fresh, as is their seafood and the variety of products on offer suggests a comparison to the Grand Bazaar is perhaps in order. Its a longer walk than Star Market (about 10 minutes) but its not an unpleasant one and if you take the alleyway behind Greentown Labs off of Dane Street you can make the walk slightly more pleasant. It can be absolutely nuts in this store so steel your nerves, but all lines move fast and all staff operates at the top of their games.
237 paikallista suosittelee
Market Basket
400 Somerville AveThe Somerville Market Basket is an absolute institution. If you need a product and they don't have it, I think you get some kind of award or metal. Their produce is extremely fresh, as is their seafood and the variety of products on offer suggests a comparison to the Grand Bazaar is perhaps in order. Its a longer walk than Star Market (about 10 minutes) but its not an unpleasant one and if you take the alleyway behind Greentown Labs off of Dane Street you can make the walk slightly more pleasant. It can be absolutely nuts in this store so steel your nerves, but all lines move fast and all staff operates at the top of their games.
A wonderful old-school italian grocery store. If you want house-made burrata to impress your paisan, this is your jam. They also have frozen pizzas they make in-house that are delicious, their home-pressed olive oil is incredible as is pretty much everything else they make. Its cash only in store, but if you buy online ahead of time you can use your credit card.
17 paikallista suosittelee
Capone Foods
14 Bow StA wonderful old-school italian grocery store. If you want house-made burrata to impress your paisan, this is your jam. They also have frozen pizzas they make in-house that are delicious, their home-pressed olive oil is incredible as is pretty much everything else they make. Its cash only in store, but if you buy online ahead of time you can use your credit card.
Phenomenal beer selection, the guy who runs it is also super nice. Not the world's greatest wine or liquor selection (go to Wine and Cheese Cask if you are looking for a show-stopper) but definitely good enough.
6 paikallista suosittelee
Seven Hills Wine & Spirits
288 Beacon StPhenomenal beer selection, the guy who runs it is also super nice. Not the world's greatest wine or liquor selection (go to Wine and Cheese Cask if you are looking for a show-stopper) but definitely good enough.