For those who have been curious about Somerville and Medford’s booming food scene, there’s great news. A new Green Line branch has finally been extended through the heart of Somerville and terminates in Medford, adding five stops to the route: East Somerville, Gilman Square, Magoun Square, Ball Square, and Medford/Tufts, which is on the Tufts University campus.
These neighborhoods are an interesting mix of everything from mom-and-pop operations to trendy craft beer joints. We’ve rounded up some of the most worthwhile restaurants, microbreweries, and bars for those who decide to hop on these long-awaited trains and explore.
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Oliveira’s Steak House
120 Washington Street, at the corner of New Washington Street
Two-minute walk from the T stop
This East Somerville restaurant is known for rodizio-style Brazilian barbecue, a concept similar to an all-you-can-eat buffet except for how the meat is served. The servers bring you large cuts of meat (typically beef, lamb, pork, and chicken) and slice them right onto your plate. Its Somerville location is spacious enough for large parties but be sure to call in advance and reserve a table. Pay attention when the server comes to your table with grilled chicken hearts and picanha, a superbly tender and juicy cut of beef sirloin, which are can’t-miss items for a taste of Brazil. Grab a caipirinha from the bar—this three-ingredient Brazilian national drink consists of cachaça, lime, and sugar.
Vinal Bakery
222 Somerville Avenue, at the corner of Merriam Street
Eight-minute walk from the T stop
This small bakery may have the best made-in-house English muffins in Somerville. In addition to a large selection of English muffin-based sandwiches, it has English muffin pizzas — for which cheese or pepperoni (or both) are topping options — and small treats such as banana bread and flaky biscuits. More in the mood for a freshly made sandwich with beer? Hop next door, to the Vinal General Store.
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Sarma
249 Pearl Street, at the corner of Marshall Street
One-minute walk from the T stop
Led by chef Cassie Piuma, who co-owns the restaurant alongside Oleana’s Ana Sortun, Sarma has been serving Mediterranean-inspired fare in the form of meze (small plates meant to be shared) since 2013. Its food menu draws inspiration from both the Mediterranean and other places Piuma had visited, featuring venison-wrapped dates, latke chaat, chicken manti (tiny Turkish dumplings), and more. Make sure to snag a table when reservations open up; they go very fast.
Winter Hill Brewing Company
328 Broadway, between Temple Street and Langmaid Avenue
Eight-minute walk from the T stop
This small craft brewery with a taproom has been around since 2016, offering a selection of beers for every palate from hazy IPA to crisp pilsner. In addition to its popular year-round brews, limited releases drop regularly to appeal to local beer enthusiasts. The mid-sized indoor space can get crowded on busy weekends and during the annual Porchfest, but it has an outdoor patio for additional seating in the spring and summer months. Their food menu, provided by Scott Brothers, rotates every week, so expect Burger Tuesdays, Fried Chicken Wednesdays, and Barbecue Saturdays.
Zaruma Gold Coffee
37 Woodbine Street, at Lowell Street
Three-minute walk from the T stop
Located near Magoun Square right off the Somerville Community Bike Path, this well-decorated coffee shop highlights espresso drinks and cold brew using single-origin beans from Zaruma, Ecuador. It has an Ecuadorian brunch menu, featuring breakfast items such as hearty tigrillo, mashed green plantains with queso fresco and eggs, and bolón de verde, a deep-fried green plantain-based dumpling stuffed with cheese (or chicharron).
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Tasty Mo:Mo
508 Medford Street, at Lowell Street
Five-minute walk from the T stop
Located in the heart of Magoun Square, this tiny restaurant has served Tibetan and Nepalese fare since 2015. It first started out as a takeout spot but now it has a few indoor seats for a quick bite. It offers a selection of momos and thukpa, a Tibetan and Nepalese noodle soup. You may also spot familiar Indian flavors on the menu, including pani puri, hollow dough balls deep-fried and served with dipping sauces.
Olde Magoun’s Saloon
518 Medford Street, near Broadway
Six-minute walk from the T stop
Beer fans, rejoice: Magoun Square’s beer institution is finally a short train ride away. Not only will you find breweries that don’t normally distribute to Massachusetts, such as Vermont’s Hill Farmstead (named the best brewery in the world in 2018 by RateBeer, a beer ranking and reviews site), but you’ll also get a rare opportunity to sample hard-to-find craft European imports on tap. The food menu is a mix of typical pub food like burgers and wings, and some German influence here and there, like bratwurst on a salted pretzel roll.
Daddy Jones
525 Medford Street, near Broadway
Six-minute walk from the T stop
Daddy Jones, a Greek-themed restaurant and cocktail bar, has been in Magoun Square since 2012. Owner Dimitra Murphy is a Somerville native and her Greek roots inspired her to feature an extensive menu of popular Greek dishes like tzatziki and gyros. The drink menu has a little bit of everything but you can still spot the Greek influence as you order a glass of ouzo, masticha, or a glass of Greek orange wine.
Sound Bites Cafe
704 Broadway, between Josephine Avenue and Willow Avenue
One-minute walk from the T stop
Sound Bites first opened in 1992 and has been under the current ownership of Yasser Mirza since 1996. The original location is next door, now home to Ball Square Cafe. Serving similar breakfast menus, the two neighbors didn’t get along well, and their owners were embroiled in “breakfast wars” for years. History aside, both places are great neighborhood-y establishments, serving hungry and hungover Tufts students ultra-fluffy grilled hash browns, Moroccan eggs, and challah French toast.
True Grounds
717 Broadway, near Bristol Road
One-minute walk from the T stop
This Ball Square coffee shop opened its doors in 2014, serving freshly baked goods, sandwiches, and a variety of coffee and tea drinks. It prides itself on community building, as it carries locally made products from small businesses, such as Broadsheet Coffee Roasters, MEM Tea, Tiny Arms Coffee, and more.
Kelly’s Diner
674 Broadway, at Boston Avenue
One-minute walk from the T stop
This retrofitted 1950s train dining car that has been turned into a diner is a stunner in Ball Square. Its steel siding with a pink neon sign on the exterior and the leather cushioned booths lined up against the window, like a narrow and elongated train car interior, make it a quintessential American diner that screams nostalgia. This cash-only restaurant serves a classic diner breakfast menu: pancakes, eggs, and home fries, as well as lunch options such as burgers, sandwiches, and salads.
Oasis Brazilian Steakhouse
373 Main Street, near Harvard Street
Thirteen-minute walk from the T stop
Open since 1989, Oasis Brazilian Restaurant has been feeding residents for more than three decades. For those who aren’t feeling the all-you-can-eat rodizio-style experience, Oasis lets you buy Brazilian barbecue by the pound. The bakery attached to the restaurant puts out freshly baked treats such as their hot-from-the-oven pão de queijo, a round, bite-sized cheese bread which is baked regularly throughout the day but disappears quickly once available.
Semolina Kitchen and Bar
572 Boston Avenue, near St Clements Road
Four-minute walk from the T stop
This Dave’s Fresh Pasta sibling is a full-service establishment offering pasta, pizza, and sandwiches. The vibe is casual and family-friendly, with a menu large enough that everyone can find a dish to their liking. It has some outdoor seating during the warmer months.
Where to Eat and Drink Along the Green Line Extension Into Medford - Eater Boston
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