Sure, you can steam some shrimp or pan-sear a salmon fillet at home in twenty minutes, but savoring seafood that’s been sourced from icy Atlantic waters and prepared with generations of coastal technique is a revelation. New spots are reeling in diners with everything from whole-roasted branzino and uni pasta to lobster rolls and miso-glazed black cod. Save your home-cooked fish for a quiet Tuesday, and cast your line at one of these Somerville gems instead.
Happy Crab
$$ | (617) 718-1666 | WEBSITE
Happy Crab is a cozy restaurant in Somerville with a friendly, quiet atmosphere and plenty of plants and artwork to enjoy. If you like your seafood incredibly fresh and flavorful, you’ll love the food here, which comes in generous portions. The seafood boil, made with potatoes, corn and optional additions like okra and sausage, is our go-to order, but the crab legs, shrimp and onion rings with flavorful sauces are great, too.
The menu also covers all the classic seafood dishes, like lobster tails with Cajun sauce and fried softshell crab. It’s pretty close to the heart of Somerville, but far enough away from the bustle that you can use this as a comfortable spot for families or friends sharing happy family combos.
Rincon Mexicano Somerville
$ | (617) 776-1200 | WEBSITE
The rich, porky birria taco at Rincon Mexicano is still one of the best tacos one can eat in Somerville. There are many Mexican restaurants around the city, but we prefer this authentic spot, which has absurdly long waits much of the time. Consider making a solo pilgrimage, or just tell your boss you have to leave work at 4pm for a doctor’s appointment. Their molcajete and guacamole are must-orders as well.
Celeste
$$$ | (617) 616-5319 | WEBSITE
Celeste’s intimate dining room is centered around an open kitchen, with the lively energy of the staff constantly flowing through the space. It’s perfect for a cozy solo meal or casual date night in Union when you don’t want it to seem like you’re trying too hard. We love that you can get ceviche made with blue cod and prawn, and the lomo saltado here is particularly great.
The Causa Limeña, a layered potato dish closely resembling the original, is one of our favorite ways to enjoy that particular preparation.
Legal Sea Foods- Somerville
$$ | (617) 337-4088 | WEBSITE
From the same people behind Legal Sea Foods’ other locations, this Somerville spot has a similar menu, with seafood ranging from classic clam chowder and lobster rolls to more accommodating options like gluten-free fish and chips made in a dedicated fryer. And while you might raise an eyebrow at a seafood chain that sounds like it could be predictable, you don’t have to worry about that here. Everything at this Massachusetts restaurant is great. Just go with what your heart wants.
Manoa Poke Shop
$ | (617) 945-1042 | WEBSITE
The poke at this Somerville Hawaiian spot tastes like an island breeze that’s been infused with pure ocean freshness. The fish is on the softer side, and a few slices of straightforward ahi shoyu, green onions, and pickled ginger complete the bowl. Unlike some poke places with more options than a tropical buffet, Manoa Poke Shop serves just a few classics (though they do have surprise dishes like the salmon belly gohan, and staff offering fruity cakes to first-timers).
Their Hawaiian-style poke isn’t bogged down by sauces that are overly sweet, or too heavy just for the sake of it.
Lemon Thai Cuisine
$ | (617) 623-5642 | WEBSITE
Will Lemon Thai Cuisine’s Drunken Noodles set your taste buds on fire? Don’t worry about that now. For the time being, just eat your way through this perfectly cooked dish until you’re scraping the plate clean. They do have milder options too, and the clean, intimate space is a nice spot for a cozy dinner for two. They also do delivery from their Somerville kitchen, if you need to eat your Crispy Chicken Pad Thai alone at home.
Martsa On Elm
$$ | (617) 666-0660 | WEBSITE
A good rule of thumb at any Tibetan-Nepalese spot is that if they claim to have a must-try dish, order it. At Martsa on Elm, their must-try is called Chicken Momo. Served with a flavorful dipping sauce, these dumplings are perfectly steamed with tender chicken inside. All of their other options, like a spicy tofu thang soup with a mind-blowing broth or the crispy, addictive Aloo Paratha, are also quite good, but the Chicken Momo is the real standout.
Juliet Social Club
$$$ | (617) 718-0958 | WEBSITE
This Somerville spot offers a whole bunch of excellent seafood, but we can’t help but order their classic brunch. The service is welcoming, with tons of knowledge coming through, with recommendations and check-ins. Just on the edge of being too attentive, it’s the kind of place that’s hard to stop visiting, helped by both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. We also like their takeout options.
Go alone and watch your meal being prepared at their wide bar while you sip a glass of wine, or grab a table with a large or small group.
Mount Vernon Restaurant & Pub
$$ | (617) 666-3830 | WEBSITE
Mount Vernon Restaurant & Pub is a cozy spot in Somerville where you can enjoy your seafood in a welcoming, homey atmosphere. Think of it as your neighborhood pub, but for hearty New England classics. To order, just ask the friendly waitstaff for recommendations. If you’re craving something special, try the prime rib or the cheap and delicious lobsters.
The solid, large-portion dishes make this place worth visiting, especially for first-timers looking for that feel-at-home experience with convenient parking nearby.
Buk Kyung Korean Cuisine
$ | (617) 623-7220 | WEBSITE
Most Korean-Chinese restaurants specialize in a certain type of dish, and Buk Kyung Korean Cuisine, which is one of the few places in Boston to find Korean styled Chinese food, is no different. If it’s your first time at this spacious Somerville restaurant, get the half/half option for jjajangmyeon and jjambbong. It’s rich, it’s flavorful, and it’s got that satisfying savory depth you’d expect in Korean-Chinese cuisine—perfect for a hearty meal.
But it still offers those generous portions and balanced flavors, with crispy ttangsuyuk, a sweet and sour dipping sauce, and attentive service from the friendly staff in the cozy, private-feeling dining room.
J J Restaurant & Takeout
$$ | (617) 625-3978 | WEBSITE
J J Restaurant & Takeout is a cozy spot. It is so cozy, in fact, that if you try to find it from the street, you might miss it tucked in the back of a convenience store. But that’s why you should go to J J for a simple, hearty meal. There is a TV on for that classic Portuguese feel, in case you realize that grilled chicken with peri peri sauce is the best idea you’ve ever had, and the friendly service makes it perfect for a quick solo lunch.
Get the $18 lunch plate with the charcoal grilled chicken and flavorful peri peri garlic sauce, and end with a huge portion of seafood stew.