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Neighborhood Guide: Davis Square Neighborhood Guide: Davis Square RSS

By Eric Grossman, Boston Editor

One of the area's most eclectic neighborhoods, Davis Square is truly the heart of Somerville. A mix of young residents and culturally-minded families keep the square's many coffeeshops and eateries packed, and a do-it-yourself ethos permeates the streets. Whether you're dropping in for a bite and a movie, or planning on spending a day taking in all there is to see, this indie enclave won't let you down.
On This Page: Where to Eat, Where to Shop, Where to Hang

Where to Eat

Where to Eat
Befitting its proximity to Tufts and Harvard, Davis Square is chock full of student-friendly cheap eats. That's not to say that tenured professors and other big spenders have a lack of quality eateries to choose from. Here's our favorite Davis Square restaurants.

  1. Redbones Barbecue

    55 Chester St, Somerville, MA
    Local families love its colorful dining rooms and affordable prices; foodies love the seriously messy, authentic southern barbecue; Sox fans, stat geeks and beer snobs love the cozy bar.

  2. Gargoyles on the Square

    | Website

    219 Elm St, Somerville, MA
    Beloved bistro delivers reasonably priced, original interpretations of classic American fare to an eclectic assortment of diners.

  3. Spike's Junkyard Dogs

    217 Elm St, Somerville, MA
    Davis Square's outpost of the popular local hot dog chain provides a quick, affordable spot for lunch or a late-night snack for wallet-weary students.

  4. Diva Indian Bistro

    | Website

    246 Elm St, Somerville, MA
    Gourmet Indian fare served in style; savory aromas from the kitchen and tandoori oven can be smelled down the street.

Where to Shop

Where to Shop
Harvard Square's high rents have forced most of its unique, family-owned shops to head elsewhere. Fortunately, Davis Square still has far more one-of-a-kind shops than national chains.

  1. Cibeline

    85 Holland St, Somerville, MA
    NYC fashion designer Cibeline Sariano maintains a stylish boutique, selling trendy clothing, jewelry, accessories and more just outside of the square.

  2. Kickass Cupcakes

    378 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA
    If you're going to spend $3 on a cupcake, you may as well have a gourmet one. Kickass's flavors include cherry cheesecake, mojito and banana cream, and if cupcakes aren't your thing, there are several other festive treats available.

  3. McIntyre and Moore Booksellers

    255 Elm St, Somerville, MA
    Still have your college textbooks or old literary volumes laying around? This atmospheric bookstore carries over 80,000 titles on its shelves and buys and sells scholarly books.

  4. Dave's Fresh Pasta

    81 Holland St, Somerville, MA
    Inviting gourmet shop makes its own fresh pastas and soups, and there's a wealth of specialty spreads, sauces and treats for sale as well.

Where to Hang

Where to Hang
While not offering the number of nightlife options as nearby Harvard or Central Squares, Davis Square does cram a decent variety of hangouts into its narrow streets.

  1. The Burren

    247 Elm St, Somerville, MA
    The go-to meeting spot for a colorful assortment of locals, this Irish pub gets its street cred thanks to its live Irish music, large import pints and distinct lack of TVs.

  2. Somerville Theatre

    55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA
    Equal parts performing arts venue and discount movie house, Somerville's beloved theater dominates the Davis Square cultural scene.

  3. Joshua Tree Bar & Grill

    256 Elm St, Somerville, MA
    An all-purpose hangout, this come-as-you-are bar satisfies sports fans with a wealth of TVs and large, affordable plates of upscale bar food.

  4. Sligo Pub

    237 Elm St, Somerville, MA
    Blink and you'll miss it. This grungy, intimate dive keeps its loyal regulars happy with cheap drinks and cramped, unchanged quarters.

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