Guidebook for Somerville
Food Scene
A James Beard Award nominated restaurant at the end of our street, and a regular on every "Best Restaurants" list. People travel from around New England to eat here now. Incredible Turkish-inspired food and the best cocktails around. Make a reservation ahead of time. It is full every night. http://www.sarmarestaurant.com/
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Sarma
249 Pearl StA James Beard Award nominated restaurant at the end of our street, and a regular on every "Best Restaurants" list. People travel from around New England to eat here now. Incredible Turkish-inspired food and the best cocktails around. Make a reservation ahead of time. It is full every night. http://www.sarmarestaurant.com/
Another Best of Boston winner. This place is all about the fire—a sort of Mexico-meets-France cuisine. Even though most folks come for the meat, it has some of the best veggie dishes around.
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La Brasa
124 BroadwayAnother Best of Boston winner. This place is all about the fire—a sort of Mexico-meets-France cuisine. Even though most folks come for the meat, it has some of the best veggie dishes around.
A very cool coffee shop in a revamped bank that serves hearty sandwiches and soups. Intelligentsia coffee. Sip your latte in the old vault. Games in the back make this a fun spot in the morning for kids.
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Bloc Cafe
11 Bow St A very cool coffee shop in a revamped bank that serves hearty sandwiches and soups. Intelligentsia coffee. Sip your latte in the old vault. Games in the back make this a fun spot in the morning for kids.
Even after all these years, there’s still a 45-minute weeknight wait for a table at this buzzy oasis. The bluefish cakes, spicy goat stew, and buffalo-fried Brussels sprouts are some favorites.
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Highland Kitchen
150 Highland AveEven after all these years, there’s still a 45-minute weeknight wait for a table at this buzzy oasis. The bluefish cakes, spicy goat stew, and buffalo-fried Brussels sprouts are some favorites.
Tim Wiechmann was named Boston's Best Chef in 2015. Come find out why at this German cuisine-inspired haven.
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Bronwyn
255 Washington StTim Wiechmann was named Boston's Best Chef in 2015. Come find out why at this German cuisine-inspired haven.
If the term “molecular gastronomy” doesn’t phase you, track down this prix fixe. The Globe critic said, “At its pinnacle, their food amazes, delicious and different, whimsical and beautiful."
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Journeyman
9 Sanborn CourtIf the term “molecular gastronomy” doesn’t phase you, track down this prix fixe. The Globe critic said, “At its pinnacle, their food amazes, delicious and different, whimsical and beautiful."
Union Square Donuts
20 Bow StBest donuts you will ever have. At a price.
Siam Ginger Thai Cuisine
22 Bow StBest Thai in Cambridge/Somerville.
QingDao Garden
2382 Massachusetts AveBest Chinese in Cambridge/Somerville.
Best Indian in Cambridge/Somerville. Warning! Take out only and they close early. Also, it's the real deal so... all the spicy.
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Guru the Caterer
1295 BroadwayBest Indian in Cambridge/Somerville. Warning! Take out only and they close early. Also, it's the real deal so... all the spicy.
Best Mexican in Cambridge/Somerville. Warning, it's the real deal so... no chips and salsa and no margaritas.
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Tu Y Yo
858 BroadwayBest Mexican in Cambridge/Somerville. Warning, it's the real deal so... no chips and salsa and no margaritas.
If you want delicious, fancy "Mexican" (with chips and salsa!) go here. That's a weak recommendation, but we actually like it.
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The Spirit Bar
219 Elm StIf you want delicious, fancy "Mexican" (with chips and salsa!) go here. That's a weak recommendation, but we actually like it.
Jae’s Café
243 Elm StBest Korean in Boston.
Best Italian in Boston. Warning, you probably won't be able to get a reservation. But if you can...
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Giulia
1682 Massachusetts AveBest Italian in Boston. Warning, you probably won't be able to get a reservation. But if you can...
Best burger in Boston. They cook 'em slow so don't be surprised if it takes 20 minutes to get your food.
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R.F. O'Sullivan & Son
282 Beacon StBest burger in Boston. They cook 'em slow so don't be surprised if it takes 20 minutes to get your food.
Best seafood in Boston. Obviously not near our house but this is where the crowd goes if you want fried clams or a steamed lobster.
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Yankee Lobster
300 Northern AveBest seafood in Boston. Obviously not near our house but this is where the crowd goes if you want fried clams or a steamed lobster.
Commonwealth
11 Broad Canal WayIf you want to enjoy an outdoor meal, it's hard to beat this place.
Sound Bites
704 Broadway Ball SquareBest brunch (low brow) in Cambridge/Somerville
Puritan & Company
1166 Cambridge StBest brunch (high brow) in Cambridge/Somerville
Pennypacker's
514 Medford StMaybe the best sandwich I've ever had was their porchetta (which changes daily).
Combine high concept culinary craft with historic New England recipes (with 18th century ingredients!) and you have the most noteworthy new restaurant in town.
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Loyal Nine
660 Cambridge StCombine high concept culinary craft with historic New England recipes (with 18th century ingredients!) and you have the most noteworthy new restaurant in town.
Excellent, stylish latin cuisine. People drive in from out of town for this one.
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Casa B Tapas and Cocktail & Rum Bar
253 Washington StExcellent, stylish latin cuisine. People drive in from out of town for this one.
This is Captain America's (or at least Chris Evans') favorite pizza place and it is easy to see why. Be forewarned, this is Sicilian style (i.e., a sheet of pizza, not a pie).
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Leone's Sub And Pizza
2935 292 BroadwayThis is Captain America's (or at least Chris Evans') favorite pizza place and it is easy to see why. Be forewarned, this is Sicilian style (i.e., a sheet of pizza, not a pie).
Care for a cuppa coffee and a slice of pie? Well then, Diane, you've come to the right place. They also have fabulous southernish cuisine and drinks.
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Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar
381 Summer StCare for a cuppa coffee and a slice of pie? Well then, Diane, you've come to the right place. They also have fabulous southernish cuisine and drinks.
Do you like fire-roasted pizzas? How about candlepin bowling? And perhaps drinking a local brew on a bar whose previous life was a bowling lane? This is one of the best kid places in the square.
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Flatbread Company
45 Day StDo you like fire-roasted pizzas? How about candlepin bowling? And perhaps drinking a local brew on a bar whose previous life was a bowling lane? This is one of the best kid places in the square.
The only coffee shop in the area worth all the walking. Tandem roasts that are so good you'll never want to drink anything else. Try their fig scones!
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3 Little Figs
278 Highland AveThe only coffee shop in the area worth all the walking. Tandem roasts that are so good you'll never want to drink anything else. Try their fig scones!
A real find on Somerville Ave. This is the coffee shop that makes all the baked goods for Bloc 11 and Diesel. THE place to go if you have some work to do while caffeinating.
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Forge Baking Company
626 Somerville AveA real find on Somerville Ave. This is the coffee shop that makes all the baked goods for Bloc 11 and Diesel. THE place to go if you have some work to do while caffeinating.
The best place in the square to bring a paperback and sip something warm.
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Diesel Cafe
257 Elm StThe best place in the square to bring a paperback and sip something warm.
Real old New England feel and the best oyster deal in town $0.50 all afternoon! And you can't beat the fireplace indoors or the patio outside.
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The Red House Restaurant
98 Winthrop StReal old New England feel and the best oyster deal in town $0.50 all afternoon! And you can't beat the fireplace indoors or the patio outside.
Many people are disappointed by the food in Harvard Square. This place doesn't disappoint. Try the pork three ways.
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Russell House Tavern
14 John F. Kennedy StMany people are disappointed by the food in Harvard Square. This place doesn't disappoint. Try the pork three ways.
Alden & Harlow
40 Brattle StThe hot new place in the square. Ask for the secret burger...
A classic tapas place. Perhaps the most romantic restaurant around. How many dates and birthdays have we enjoyed here?
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Dali
415 Washington StA classic tapas place. Perhaps the most romantic restaurant around. How many dates and birthdays have we enjoyed here?
If you're stressed, fine dining we suggest! There are not many white linen restaurants in Somerville. This is the best by far. Get the prix fixe!
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Bergamot
118 Beacon StIf you're stressed, fine dining we suggest! There are not many white linen restaurants in Somerville. This is the best by far. Get the prix fixe!
Oh that we could eat here every night. It is the most exciting dinner Courtney and I have ever had. Hard to find parking, hard to get tables... If you get a res, take a cab or uber.
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Bondir
279A BroadwayOh that we could eat here every night. It is the most exciting dinner Courtney and I have ever had. Hard to find parking, hard to get tables... If you get a res, take a cab or uber.
Obama eats the pizzas here when in town. If it's good enough for POTUS it's good enough for me. Wine on tap, FYI.
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Area Four
500 Technology SquareObama eats the pizzas here when in town. If it's good enough for POTUS it's good enough for me. Wine on tap, FYI.
This place is a trip back in time to an older style of Boston blue collar fine dining. The staff all wear tuxedos, the drinks are cheap, and every meal comes with delicious popovers. Come here for the twin lobster special. It is the best deal in the region if you're hankering for lobster.
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Mount Vernon Restaurant & Pub
14 BroadwayThis place is a trip back in time to an older style of Boston blue collar fine dining. The staff all wear tuxedos, the drinks are cheap, and every meal comes with delicious popovers. Come here for the twin lobster special. It is the best deal in the region if you're hankering for lobster.
The best place in Somerville to bring an actual newspaper, sit down, and enjoy your breakfast like a proper human being. Not a coffee shop, not a "restaurant," this is a very unique cafe that stresses the European origins of that word. Laptops are discouraged (this is not your office), good conversation and people-watching a must. Check out the breakfast prix fixe if you have time. It's actually a fair deal for what you get.
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Juliet
263 Union SquareThe best place in Somerville to bring an actual newspaper, sit down, and enjoy your breakfast like a proper human being. Not a coffee shop, not a "restaurant," this is a very unique cafe that stresses the European origins of that word. Laptops are discouraged (this is not your office), good conversation and people-watching a must. Check out the breakfast prix fixe if you have time. It's actually a fair deal for what you get.
This is ultra high end at $180 prix fixe per person. But consider that the price includes drinks, tax, and tipping. Just reserve your seat and leave your wallet at home. And there's only one seating a night. And you get treated like Peter Ungar and his team are your personal chefs. If you're celebrating a special occasion and want to be within a mile of our house, this is the place to go. Alternatively, you can show up at Aeronaut Brewery for Tasting Counter's late night snacks—$5 starting at 10:30. Come to the brewery and get a bite with your drink. https://tastingcounter.com/
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Tasting Counter
14 Tyler StThis is ultra high end at $180 prix fixe per person. But consider that the price includes drinks, tax, and tipping. Just reserve your seat and leave your wallet at home. And there's only one seating a night. And you get treated like Peter Ungar and his team are your personal chefs. If you're celebrating a special occasion and want to be within a mile of our house, this is the place to go. Alternatively, you can show up at Aeronaut Brewery for Tasting Counter's late night snacks—$5 starting at 10:30. Come to the brewery and get a bite with your drink. https://tastingcounter.com/
Drinks & Nightlife
Squid-ink-and-scotch cocktails. Seasonal milk punches. Bar manager Sam Treadway mixes up uncannily creative—and delicious—libations. Just good luck trying to find it!
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Backbar
7 Sanborn CtSquid-ink-and-scotch cocktails. Seasonal milk punches. Bar manager Sam Treadway mixes up uncannily creative—and delicious—libations. Just good luck trying to find it!
Best BBQ in Cambridge/Somerville. If you want the best in Boston, go to Sweet Cheeks.
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Redbones Barbecue
55 Chester StBest BBQ in Cambridge/Somerville. If you want the best in Boston, go to Sweet Cheeks.
River Bar
661 Assembly RowMaybe the best place to get a cocktail outside these days.
Best beer selection at a bar in Boston. Not the most taps, just the best taps.
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Lord Hobo
92 Hampshire StBest beer selection at a bar in Boston. Not the most taps, just the best taps.
Best hipster bar with greek food and a focus on 80s television shows. Wait, is that a thing?
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Daddy Jones Bar
525 Medford StBest hipster bar with greek food and a focus on 80s television shows. Wait, is that a thing?
American Fresh Beer Garden
Beer garden!
Our homebase—and the most beloved bar of many long time Villens. This is often the place local brewers introduce their wares.
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The Independent
75 Union SquareOur homebase—and the most beloved bar of many long time Villens. This is often the place local brewers introduce their wares.
A game bar. Play Pac Man, Jenga, or shuffleboard with your favorite neighbor.
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Brass Union
70 Union SquareA game bar. Play Pac Man, Jenga, or shuffleboard with your favorite neighbor.
The best place within a reasonable walk to get a Guinness. Also may be the best little music bar around.
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Bull McCabe's
366 Somerville AveThe best place within a reasonable walk to get a Guinness. Also may be the best little music bar around.
Best place to get a scotch or bourbon in Boston. If you can find it. Yes, this is another speakeasy.
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Saloon
255 Elm StBest place to get a scotch or bourbon in Boston. If you can find it. Yes, this is another speakeasy.
Come for the tap list. Stay for the exotic selection of burgers. Antelope, boar, elk, and yak!
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Bukowski Tavern
1281 Cambridge StCome for the tap list. Stay for the exotic selection of burgers. Antelope, boar, elk, and yak!
The new cool place in the neighborhood. Counter Culture coffee in the morning and only-at-the-brewery beers in the evening.
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Winter Hill Brewing Company
328 BroadwayThe new cool place in the neighborhood. Counter Culture coffee in the morning and only-at-the-brewery beers in the evening.
One of the best loved local watering holes, popular with Somerville's famous running groups—and well stocked with an excellent selection of taps.
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Olde Magoun's Saloon
518 Medford StOne of the best loved local watering holes, popular with Somerville's famous running groups—and well stocked with an excellent selection of taps.
Don't like the wait at Highland next door? We don't blame you. This place is a great alternative to grab a drink while you wait for your table at its frothily popular neighbor. It is VERY Somerville, so be warned. Maybe some bluegrass is playing, maybe some death metal. Maybe it's closed because the owners are at a bluegrass/death metal mashup show. You never know until you show up. But the food is great and the drinks impeccable.
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Cuisine en Locale
156 Highland AveDon't like the wait at Highland next door? We don't blame you. This place is a great alternative to grab a drink while you wait for your table at its frothily popular neighbor. It is VERY Somerville, so be warned. Maybe some bluegrass is playing, maybe some death metal. Maybe it's closed because the owners are at a bluegrass/death metal mashup show. You never know until you show up. But the food is great and the drinks impeccable.
Entertainment & Activities
Free movies Saturday night, and otherwise you have shopping, restaurants, a huge movie theater, and lots of kid-friendly things like Legoland!
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Assembly Row
Assembly RowFree movies Saturday night, and otherwise you have shopping, restaurants, a huge movie theater, and lots of kid-friendly things like Legoland!
It's the most kid-friendly brewery you'll ever see, with video games, board games, and more. Also, they share space with a chocolate maker, coffee roaster, and pretty much every other hipster thing.
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Aeronaut Brewing Company
14 Tyler StIt's the most kid-friendly brewery you'll ever see, with video games, board games, and more. Also, they share space with a chocolate maker, coffee roaster, and pretty much every other hipster thing.
Climbing gym that doubles as a hip workbar — and with some of the best coffee in the country (Blue Bottle!). Great spot for kids to swing.
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Brooklyn Boulders Somerville
12A Tyler StClimbing gym that doubles as a hip workbar — and with some of the best coffee in the country (Blue Bottle!). Great spot for kids to swing.
Gracie's Ice Cream
22 Union SquareIce cream!!!
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston
598 Assembly RowLegos, rides, playgrounds!
Sightseeing
George Washington raised the Grand Union Flag here in 1776. Now marked by a castle monument, it is one of the best places to view the Boston skyline.
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Prospect Hill Park
68 Munroe StGeorge Washington raised the Grand Union Flag here in 1776. Now marked by a castle monument, it is one of the best places to view the Boston skyline.
A working chocolate factory that distributes around the country. Make a reservation to take a tour (tazachocolate.com) or otherwise stop in to sample the wares.
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Taza Chocolate
561 Windsor StA working chocolate factory that distributes around the country. Make a reservation to take a tour (tazachocolate.com) or otherwise stop in to sample the wares.
Best cider makers in the region, if you ask us. Open Saturdays and worth hunting down for a growler. You'll be amazed how many people are hanging out in this back alley!
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Bantam Cider Company
40 Merriam StBest cider makers in the region, if you ask us. Open Saturdays and worth hunting down for a growler. You'll be amazed how many people are hanging out in this back alley!
One of the best places to just walk around and get a sense for old Boston. Climb to the top of the monument if you're feeling energized.
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Bunker Hill Monument
Monument SquareOne of the best places to just walk around and get a sense for old Boston. Climb to the top of the monument if you're feeling energized.
Best views of the city—and a great place to stroll. Hit up the Pier 6 restaurant for a cocktail and lobster.
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Navy Yard Bistro & Wine Bar
Best views of the city—and a great place to stroll. Hit up the Pier 6 restaurant for a cocktail and lobster.
Jonathan Franzen's novel before the Corrections is set here (where we used to live). Not as good as some of his stuff, but check it out in our library.
7 Pleasant Ave
7 Pleasant AvenueJonathan Franzen's novel before the Corrections is set here (where we used to live). Not as good as some of his stuff, but check it out in our library.
Barack Obama lived here while he was in town studying for a law degree. It's the basement apartment if you were wondering. He still jokingly refers to himself as "formerly of Somerville" when in town.
365 Broadway
365 BroadwayBarack Obama lived here while he was in town studying for a law degree. It's the basement apartment if you were wondering. He still jokingly refers to himself as "formerly of Somerville" when in town.
The infamous gangster Whitey Bulger worked out of a auto body shop here before moving his criminal operations to Southie. Now it's a church. An improvement!
12 Marshall St
12 Marshall StreetThe infamous gangster Whitey Bulger worked out of a auto body shop here before moving his criminal operations to Southie. Now it's a church. An improvement!
Essentials
Bagelsaurus
1796 Massachusetts AveBest bagels in Boston. Get here early to avoid the lines.
Artisanal bread by the very friendly Nick—a great morning stop on Saturdays to get brioche or baguettes for your day. Check out the bread schedule at www.somervillebreadcompany.com/
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Somerville Brewing
15 Ward StArtisanal bread by the very friendly Nick—a great morning stop on Saturdays to get brioche or baguettes for your day. Check out the bread schedule at www.somervillebreadcompany.com/
Arts & Culture
This is where you go to sign up for the free and official Harvard tour.
Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center
1350 Massachusetts AveThis is where you go to sign up for the free and official Harvard tour.
Maybe the best university art collection in the world. It is free for kids 18 and under.
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Harvard Art Museums
32 Quincy StMaybe the best university art collection in the world. It is free for kids 18 and under.
Most people come with their kids to check out the incredible glass flowers and the famous Hall of Mammals, but there's tons more to see here as well. Check out their website.
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Harvard Museum of Natural History
26 Oxford StMost people come with their kids to check out the incredible glass flowers and the famous Hall of Mammals, but there's tons more to see here as well. Check out their website.
Maybe the best place in town to bring kids. Dinosaurs, electricity, omnimax movies, and more.
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Museum of Science
1 Museum Of Science DrivewayMaybe the best place in town to bring kids. Dinosaurs, electricity, omnimax movies, and more.
The fanciest, brand-spanking new movie theater in the region—with seats three times as big and cozy as you've ever seen in a movie theater. And big gulp beers.
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AMC Assembly Row 12
395 Artisan WayThe fanciest, brand-spanking new movie theater in the region—with seats three times as big and cozy as you've ever seen in a movie theater. And big gulp beers.
U2 has been known to play secret shows here; it is also the heart of the Boston Film Festival. Great local theater. Check out the Museum of Bad Art in the basement. Not just a clever name.
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Somerville Theatre
55 Davis SquareU2 has been known to play secret shows here; it is also the heart of the Boston Film Festival. Great local theater. Check out the Museum of Bad Art in the basement. Not just a clever name.
Shopping
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates
52 Brattle StBest hot chocolate in the world.
Even better ice cream than Gracie's if you are willing to go one block further. Be experimental and try a flavor you've never had before, like their khulfi or honey lavender
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Christina's Homemade Ice Cream
1255 Cambridge StEven better ice cream than Gracie's if you are willing to go one block further. Be experimental and try a flavor you've never had before, like their khulfi or honey lavender