Somerville’s Davis Square. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/4300streetcar

In the City

Getting to Know Your Neighborhood: Davis Square

Eating, shopping, and hanging out in one of the Boston area’s hippest spots

Somerville has undergone a major transformation in the past 50 years. It was once a strictly blue-collar community of triple-deckers, but housing prices have soared, especially with the recent extension of the MBTA Green Line into the city. Nowhere are its changing fortunes more apparent than in Davis Square, in the northwest section. The square abuts the Powder House Square, Porter Square, and Spring Hill neighborhoods, and is a stone’s throw from Magoun Square and Tufts University. Easily accessible on the Red Line—and a reasonable walk from the Green Line—Davis Square is one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, filled with sleek bars, restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisine options, and a thriving cultural scene.

Some residents trace (or lament) the transformation to a 1997 Utne Reader article anointing Davis Square as one of the 10 hippest places in America. Others go back further, to the 1984 opening of the Red Line T station in the square. Historians might flip all the way back to 1850, when wealthy grain dealer Preston Davis first strode into town and built an estate near the intersection of Elm and Grove Streets.

No matter where on the timeline your finger stops, Davis Square is now a crackling ball of artistic, entrepreneurial, and culinary energy, with a blend of mom-and-pop stores, hip eateries, quirky shops, public art, one of the area’s oldest movie theaters, and a pulsing nightlife. Consider taking the T, especially on a weekend. Parking is scarce.

Davis Square Donuts & Bagels
377 Summer St.

Opened in 2017, the local favorite Davis Square Donuts & Bagels has a loyal clientele devoted to its hand-crafted bagels and donuts. While traditional bagels like plain, sesame, and poppy seed are available, unique varieties, such as jalapeño cheddar, are also sold. 

Don’t leave out the donuts: the shop also sells a mix of yeast and cake donuts with both traditional and adventurous choices, including old-fashioned, glazed, and jelly, as well as the Somerville Cream (Marshmallow Fluff whipped with strawberry cream cheese, topped with graham crackers), Oreo Cookie, and Nutella-filled.

To top it all off, the shop also offers a wide range of specialty egg sandwiches and deli sandwiches—with seven choices of cheese—including a delicious DSDB Cubano (ham, chorizo, mustard, pickles, and Swiss cheese on a plain bagel) and a smoked salmon sandwich (lox, capers, onions, tomatoes, and your choice of cream cheese). 

Coffee lovers on the go will want to check out the coffee combos, pairing Peet’s Coffee with egg sandwiches, bagels, or donuts.

Rosebud American Bar & Kitchen
381 Summer St.

Formerly a diner, this neighborhood landmark, now operated by Bindaas Restaurant Group, features a menu serving up delicious comfort food with a decidedly Indian inflection. You’ll find items like butter chicken pot pie, Kerala fried chicken with green chili waffles, and Masala Chai French toast. Rosebud’s menu also emphasizes fun light bites, like tikka tots and green chutney avocado toast. Save room for dessert because there are signature milkshakes and their famous pies—with flavors ranging from strawberry rhubarb to banana bourbon cream. It’s also well known for its inventive cocktails, like the Spicy ‘Lil Rita and the Bombay to Boston (which includes curry bitters). They also offer two nonalcoholic cocktails, Designated Driver and Thai Basil Cooler. Be sure to stop by for Rosebud’s popular weekend brunch, too. 

The Painted Burro
219 Elm St.

This gem celebrates the diverse cuisines of Latin America. Its seasonal menu has a modern twist on traditional Mexican street food. Chow down on the roasted chipotle chicken enchiladas, the El Montanero “Superbeasto” (sunny side egg, chorizo con papas, pork charro beans, chicharron, fried plantains, burro rice, chipotle mayo, baja crema, and crispy tortilla) or a choice of steak, chicken, shrimp, or veggie fajitas. If you’re looking for something else to satiate your tastebuds, choose from one of the nine innovative taco choices, like the short rib “double stack” (crunchy and soft tortillas, tres quesos, beef carnitas, poblano and onions, mexican crema, and cotija) or the gulf shrimp “diablo” tacos (guacamole, mango and habanero salsa, and pickled red onions). The restaurant is also known for its popular weekend bottomless brunch ($29 all-you-can-eat for an hour and a half).

Dragon Pizza 
233 Elm St.

If you are looking for a cool pizzeria, this is the place for you. Its simple counter-order setup and cozy dining room make it a chill place for friends and family to chat while enjoying some slices. Among the unique pizza combinations: Ben’s ’Shrooms (a mix of mushrooms, corn sauce, grilled onions, and pepperjack cheese), maple bacon cheddar (bacon lardons, chili maple sauce, scallions, and cheddar), and the Spring and Fall pie (potato sauce, confit blue and yellow potatoes, artichoke, and sundried tomatoes). Complete your meal with some homemade gelato, like Gucci vanilla, fresh mint chip, dark chocolate, and an assortment of daily specials. You can book private pizza parties next door at the Dragon Lair, which has a bar and games room, and a shuffleboard table. 

Anna’s Taqueria 
236 Elm St.

If you are looking for authentic Mexican cuisine, Anna’s Taqueria is the spot for you. They have been serving fresh, homemade Mexican food in Somerville since 1995. Favorites include their build-your-own tacos, bowls, quesadillas, and super-large burritos. The restaurant offers numerous fillings: grilled chicken, chicken ranchero, steak, birria, steak roja, carnitas, chili verde, al pastor, grilled vegetables, and beans and rice. If you’re also looking for some simple meal planning, opt for the taco or nacho kits, which include everything you need to prep the same delicious dishes at home.

Kung Fu Tea
237 Elm St.

Specializing in made-to-order milk tea beverages, Kung Fu Tea offers a variety of hard-to-resist drinks. Try their signature best-selling freshly brewed milk tea, the Kung Fu—a blend of Earl Grey tea, cane sugar, and milk powder. 

Not a fan of milk tea? The shop also sells grapefruit green tea, rosehip lemonade tea, and even strawberry slush tea. Check out their signature Milk Strike beverages, tea flavors paired with freshly cooked Wow bubbles—tapioca balls cooked in brown sugar—and lactose-free milk. The Oreo Wow is a fan favorite.

Buffalo Exchange
238 Elm St.

“Cash for fashion!” advertises this store, where clothing and accessories can be bought, sold, and traded. It’s like a Goodwill store, but more selective; be prepared for your offerings to be scrutinized—less-desirable items wind up in the reject pile. You can choose cash or trade for items in the store, which has men’s and women’s clothing for all seasons and an array of shoes, boots, jewelry, sunglasses, and other accessories. Be sure to bring a valid ID if you’re selling goods. 

The Burren
247 Elm St.

Named for a bleak, scarred limestone plateau in County Clare, Ireland, this authentic Irish bar offers live Irish music—folk, jazz, and traditional songs—seven nights a week, along with Stump Trivia on Mondays. You’ll find beers on tap as well as an assortment of bottled beers, wine, and cider, along with a small list of non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails. Try one of the signature house cocktails, including the Galway Girl, the Pirate Queen, or the spiked cranberry Arnold Palmer. The menu features typical bar food, as well as authentic Irish dishes, like bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, and Guinness beef stew. And at brunch, you can enjoy a full Irish breakfast with rashers, Irish sausage, two eggs, black and white pudding, grilled tomato, and Irish baked beans, served with Irish soda bread.

The Rockwell
255 Elm St.

Formerly Jimmy Tingle’s Off Broadway Theater, and later the Davis Square Theatre, the renamed Rockwell hosts music, theater, burlesque, and comedy performances, mostly catering to the 18- or 21-plus crowd—although it has family-friendly shows, as well. Programs range from a satirical take on public transit, T: An MBTA Musical, to family favorite Adventure Improv to the decidedly adult Drunk Black History. The 182-seat basement theater has a full bar; if you’re hungry after the show, you can grab a bite to eat upstairs at the Foundry on Elm. Find tickets and show information here.

Diesel Cafe
257 Elm St.

Since 1999, Diesel Cafe has prided itself on serving as “Somerville’s fueling station,” dedicated to dishing out high-end coffee and light bites in a hip, industrial space. While serving specialty drinks, breakfast items, and sandwiches, this cafe may now be best known for its social-media-famous vintage “dip and dunk” film photobooth in the back. It’s outfitted with two pool tables and an outdoor seating area, so plan to spend a bit of time exploring all it has to offer. Pair the Tuck’s Turtle hot chocolate (made with house-made chocolate, caramel, and vanilla) with the Monkey Wrench sandwich (turkey, cheddar, avocado, sprouts, tomato, and Dijonnaise). Diesel’s sister stores are Bloc, Forge Ice Cream, and Forge Baking Co., which bakes the sandwich bread fresh daily.

Pokéworks
261 Elm St.

If you’re looking for something different, Pokéworks is a must. As its name suggests, the chain specializes in poké, the popular Hawaiian raw fish salad. Choose your base (bowl, burrito, or salad), pick your protein (ahi tuna, spicy tuna, salmon, spicy salmon, shrimp, tofu, chicken, or chili crisp shrimp, tofu, or chicken), then add mix-ins (from diced mango to edamame to Hijiki seaweed). Next, select from one of nine sauces, then add toppings (like Masago or pickled ginger) and crunch (onion, garlic, and wonton crisps or even shredded nori), and voilà—you have a delicious fresh meal. Order one of the restaurant’s classics—like the Hawaiian Ahi, Sweet Sesame Chicken, or Spicy Ahi.

Nine Bar Espresso
11 Holland St.

This sleek, hip coffee bar is the perfect place to grab a morning latte or cappuccino. And you’ll find traditional café items—coffee and espresso drinks featuring locally roasted coffee by Gracenote Coffee Roasters, teas, and pastries (courtesy of A&J King Artisan Bakers in Salem, Mass.)—and premium loose-leaf teas curated by Camellia Sinensis. It offers a small but tasty lineup of breakfast sandwiches and bagels. Nine Bar Espresso offers window service only.

Orleans
65 Holland St.

Music, trivia, sports, and good food are on tap here. The place hosts Trivia Wednesdays, karaoke, and live music, and broadcasts sports games on 15 HD screens. The bar offers a rotating selection of seasonal craft beers, hard ciders from local orchards, more than a dozen wines, and seasonal cocktails—like the Holland Street Breeze martini (Empress gin, elder flower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, sparkling rosé) or the Wicked Hurricane tiki (light and dark rum, passion fruit purée, lemon juice, orange juice, grenadine). On the dinner menu are salads, nachos, tacos, burgers, sandwiches, artisan pizzas, and entrées like steak tips. Try the signature Orleans Burger (cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, jalapeno, jumbo onion ring, bourbon bbq, sesame brioche bun, served with fries) or the Mexican street corn pizza. Orleans also serves a popular weekend brunch.

Dave’s Fresh Pasta
81 Holland St.

David Jick’s pasta, cheese, sandwich, and wine shop carries fresh local produce, beef, fish, and wine and beer. Known for its handmade pasta, ravioli, and sauces, the market/takeout restaurant also sells breads, baked goods, and more than 200 cheeses: from Cotswold to goat Brie to reblochon. The sandwiches alone are worth a trip. Build your own, or try the prosciutto and fig (prosciutto, handmade fresh mozzarella, dried fig jam, and arugula) or the Brazilian Hangover Helper (mortadella, provolone piccante, red onion, dill pickle, hot peppers, and mayo)—a concoction the staff says “works better than anything else” if you overindulged the night before. A few indoor and outdoor seats are available, but they fill up quickly. Dave’s also offers private cooking classes.

Spoke Wine Bar
89 Holland St.

Spoke focuses on wine, food, and hospitality, and serves “New-American small plates with the help of farmers and friends,” according to the website. You’ll find unique dishes, such as Enoki mushroom cakes served with sausage spice and pineapple sauce, or rehydrated zucchini with fermented daylily salad served with bottarga and cucumber. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, try the grilled venison served with a beef and mushroom jus, or the roasted white sweet potato, with chamomile, macadamia, and pomegranate. In addition to its extensive list of sparkling, red, and white wines, there’s an eclectic cocktail list—give the Love Me or Hate Me (supergay vodka, empirical cilantro, shochu, coconut, thai tea, lime) a try. Reservations are recommended.

Tenoch Mexican
382 Highland Ave.

This wonderful Mexican restaurant, with seven different locations in and around Boston, offers a full slate of enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, tacos, and tortas, a type of Mexican pressed sandwich made with telera bread. One of the most popular is the torta de chicharron with surtido, cuerito, maciza, and pork. Try the Huevos Tenoch for breakfast: eggs, fried corn tortillas, Chihuahua cheese, chipotle salsa, potatoes, beans, and chipotle mayo. Note: the restaurant does not serve wine or liquor, but does serve beer.

Five Horses Tavern
400 Highland Ave.

The only downside here: too many delicious options. You’ll be hard-pressed to get past the appetizers, which include seasoned buttermilk-fried chicken tenders with a red dragon chili sauce, cast-iron cornbread with honey butter, and street corn nachos. On the main menu are several unique options, among them the Foghorn Leghorn pizza (fried chicken, banana peppers, mozzarella, pickled cukes, and buttermilk scallions), the steak sandwich (shaved flank steak, garlic butter, mushrooms, onions, dirty cheese, and sriracha on a ciabatta roll), and the Faroe Island Salmon (curry pineapple fried rice with a honey garlic glaze). And we haven’t gotten to the beer yet, which includes a plethora of rotating drafts and various bottled beers. The weekend brunch is also very popular.

Comicazi
407 Highland Ave.

Offering vintage toys, graphic novels, and a gaming area in the back room, this store provides an escape for the comic book lover and the child at heart. The store hosts a remote manga book club, an in-person comic book club, board game nights, and a Pokémon league. It also manages a YouTube channel, a gallery of artists’ work, and an independent publishing division, Bad Kids Press.

Davis Squared
409 Highland Ave.

This small gift shop on the quieter side of the square sells fun and witty gifts for adults, children, and the home. Independently owned, it has unique and handcrafted items like tote bags, jewelry, prints, toys, chocolate, local honey, candles, mugs and glassware, as well as apparel. There’s an especially good selection of cookbooks and gardening books, tool.

Magpie
314 Highland Ave.

This independently owned gift shop offers “shiny things for your nest” or for someone else’s—if you need a housewarming gift, look here. Featuring handmade craft and indie design products by local and regional artists, the store has jewelry, art, cards, stationery, housewares, baby items, and more. Grab a cookbook that features recipes inspired by dishes from your favorite movies, or pick up a cross-stitch or a natural dye kit for a crafty weekend.

Mike’s Food and Spirits
9 Davis Square

Want a quick, inexpensive bite before a show at Somerville Theatre? There’s quite a variety here, from marsala pasta to a chicken parm calzone. You’ll also find a delicious goat cheese and grilled veggies salad and for dessert, snickerdoodle fried dough. There are more than 20 specialty pizzas to choose from, as well as burgers, wraps, and fried seafood dishes. 

Boston Burger Company
37 Davis Square

This burger joint—with four other locations around the Boston area—offers a wide range of creative 8-ounce certified Angus beef burgers, like the Green Monstah Burger (guacamole, pico de gallo, and cheddar jack cheese), the Killer Bee Burger (topped with a stack of beer battered onion rings, bacon, honey BBQ sauce, and American cheese), and the Big Papi (topped with a griddled hot dog, bacon, fried egg, guacamole, pickled red onion, lettuce, tomato, and papi sauce), which was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Not in the mood for beef? There’s also a veggie burger, an assortment of chicken sandwiches, boneless wings, chowder, chili, and 10 different types of fries. Potato chips, fried pickles, sauces, and dressings are all handmade. You’ll want to save room for one of the frappes, as well. Try the Dough My Goodness frappe, a chocolate chip cookie dough base frappe, featuring an ice cream sandwich, chocolate chips, edible cookie dough, chocolate drizzle, and whipped cream. BBC also offers a great list of craft beers.

Mr. Crêpe
51 Davis Square

This crêperie and café offers breakfast and lunch fare, with crêpe fillings that include smoked ham, lamb, chutney, salmon, and pesto. For something different, try the mushroom and thyme crêpe with cheese or an apple, grapes, and Brie crêpe. There are also gourmet sweet crêpes (can’t beat the strawberry and Nutella classic, or the fresh Ricotta and apricot jam option), teas, coffees, soups, salads, pastries, smoothies, and ice cream. The large glass windows look out onto the square’s center and offer prime people-watching. 

Somerville Theatre
55 Davis Square

Beer and wine. Real butter on your popcorn. Cheap tickets. What more could you ask from a movie theater? Built in 1914 (stage and screen legend Tallulah Bankhead was once a member of the Somerville Theatre Players), there are three screens for new films and the occasional second-run movie. The theater also hosts long-running productions, like The Slutcracker, and film festivals, like the Boston Science Fiction Film Festival. Night owls will enjoy the cinema’s midnight movies. Matinee tickets (before 6 pm) are $12 ($10 for members), and regular-price tickets are still a bargain at $16 ($14 for members). Get $7 tickets on Tuesdays (excluding repertory films, holidays, and special events). The venerable venue also pulls in popular music acts. 

Somerville Community Path/Minuteman Bikeway
Access behind the Davis Square T station

The bikeway is great for year-round, traffic-free recreation (strap on cross-country skis in winter). From Davis Square to the Alewife station at the end of the Red Line (0.8 miles), it’s part of the Somerville Community Path. At Alewife, it becomes the 11-mile Minuteman Bikeway, which runs to Bedford, snaking along an old railbed and past Revolutionary War sites. Eventually, the path will be the final link in the Massachusetts Central Rail Trail, which will extend 104 miles along a former rail line from Boston to Northampton.

Getting there: Parking is tight, especially on evenings and weekends, so driving is not recommended. But the T will drop you smack in the heart of the action: From BU, take the Green Line inbound, change at Park Street to the Red Line outbound (Alewife), and get off at Davis Square. You can also take an MBTA Green Line trolley to Medford/Tufts and walk 20 minutes to Davis Square. By bus: Pick up the #47 bus at the BU Bridge, take it to Green St. @ Magazine St., and hop on the Red Line outbound (Alewife) at Central Square.

Click on the points in the map above for more information on the places listed in our guide to the Davis Square area.

This article was updated on May 28, 2025.

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