A guide to Somerville, Massachusetts.
Somerville is the Tetris - shaft of the Greater Boston orbit — somehow cramming an abyssal numeral of colored mystifier pieces ( over 15 territory “ squares ” and 50 speech spoken)—into just four solid sea mile .
you could eat up the globe , shop class for vinyl radical , or try your handwriting at welding ( and kite - making ! ) all in one daytime here . At this glorious mishmash of OG neighborhood haunts and tonic riffs , Somerville ’s where it ’s at . Here ’s everything you require to know about the city ’s eclectic food , prowess , and fun .
Spend the day at Bow Market and want for nothing
nestle in a quiet corner of Union Square , Bow Marketis a two - level enclave ideal for outdoor hang . Located at the intersection of niche and necessity , the small - but - mighty destination has almost two XII eateries and retail spot to search .
Wile away the good afternoon in the breezy court , and visitRebel Rebelfor natural wines and viticulture know - how in adequate measure . Or for hoppy hydration , the folks atRemnant Brewingare happy to oblige . While there , face forBrewer ’s Foods , a local brand that upcycles spent brewer ' grains into tasty AF snacks .
AtAdorn Me Africa , shop class Ghanaian - inspired fashion and require about the travel adventures and Supper Clubs that are part of the brand ’s Afrovybe Travel Tribe . Head toSausfor legendary vegetarian vittles ( hello , poutine with crispy shallots ! ) andBuenasfor a South American - inspired menu . Once you ’ve nosh , sipped , and vibed , treat yourself to some smart prime atRococo Floral Co. ; culinary zines and must - have cookery book atWild minor ; and records atVinyl Index .
Bow Market|Photo courtesy of Bow Market
Lean into the local brickmaking legacy and dabble in the arts
Experiencing Somerville is more than just a trip to the hallowed grounds ofUnion Square Donuts . To see what it ’s all about , you ’ll in spades desire to supply art to your travel guidebook .
Second only to New York City , Somerville hasmore artists per capitathan anywhere else in the country , and with that comes oodles of artisans and handcraft product like those fromMonadnock Glass ArtsorMyrth Ceramics , where deeply - hued earth note reign supreme . For a more hand - on exit , Artisan ’s Asylumhas workshops along with classes on design drawing off , welding , or even kite - devising .
The city ’s originative and industrial roots immingle atAssembly Row — a shopping , dining , and entertainment hub . Somerville has shift over the decades — from assembling automobile to meatpacking and brickmaking , and in a quirky full - lap moment , Assembly Row is also home to another handsome name in brickmaking — LEGO ® Discovery Center Boston .
Wild Child at Bow Market|Photo by Tae Yoon
Relish its heritage of innovative food-craft
When you hear locals muttering , " What the Fluff , " they ’re not avoiding a swear jar deposit but chatting about one of their one-year events . Marshmallow Fluff was invented here — a feat so sweet , it ’s celebrated each dusk at theWhat the Fluff ? Festival .
In keeping with its story of comestible founding , the city still celebrates culinary craft . Discover entrepreneurial delights , such as the spiced sunflower butter stuffed date ( drenched in cocoa , no less ) fromHot Date Kitchen , which you may get atForge Bakery & Ice Cream Bar . While there , be sure to grab a Cardamom Bun , which is a croissant bursting with cardamom filling and , quite possibly , the most delicious eatable black magic since flaky dough lamination come along .
Sometimes , the beauty of simplicity makes the vivacious food - craft scenery shine . Stop intoQ ’s Nutsfor Chocolate Lavender Almonds . Fans of culinary mushrooms can catch fistful of Chanterelles , or take a class , atThe Mushroom Shop — where Tyler Akabane and his merry band of fungi friend unearth the Morels of advanced - sidereal day life . For a union , there’sMichette Bakery , where chef Thomas make sourdough with fanatical Gallic cacoethes .
LEGO® Discovery Center Boston|Photo courtesy of LEGO® Discovery Center Boston
Dine within a shiny rail car, Hollywood set, or farm-to-table restaurant
Over the years , Somerville has pilot many industry shift — along with aver association with organise crime — but , ultimately , shed the byname " slummerville " to become a democratic area . This maturation course yields discussions of gentrification , but there ’s one area , in particular , where old and new blend harmoniously : The eating place scene .
Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar — a dining motorcar diner around since 1941 — has weathered the urban center ’s changes and is still slinging Eggs Benny ( but also Prosciutto Fig Flatbread ) . Then there’sThe Thirsty Scholar , which remained humble even with its consequence of fame from the movieThe Social web .
The metropolis ’s Powderhouse Circle gives a quick glimpse of the depth of the food scene , boastingTu Y Yo Mexican Restaurant , Mint Indian Eatery , Noor Mediterranean Grill , andYoshi’sfor a hybrid of Korean and Nipponese dish — all within tone of one another .
The Mushroom Shop|Courtesy of The Mushroom Shop
Those calculate for near - endless beer on water faucet can saddle up to the bar atOlde Magoun ’s Saloonto catch the biz and devour Street Corn Dip . Fans of Miller High Life , retro vibes , and gourmet red-hot dog are quite at home atTrina ’s Starlight Lounge . Ah , but then there ’s date night , and Union Square’sField & Vineis a go - to serve a capricious wellspring of garden - fresh plates and wood - blacken goodies . For those inhabit a vegetable - forward life , the mother - daughter duo atKoshari Mamaoffer vegan Egyptian - style street food for thought , include their namesake Koshari , which — after the first chomp — might live rent - free in your pass for a while .
Olde Magoun’s Saloon|Photo courtesy of Olde Magoun’s Saloon
