Great Restaurants Make a Home in the Close Knit Neighborhood of Somerville

A colorful and cooky interior welcomes diners to Somerville's tapas joint, Dali. Here you'll find yourself faced with a large selection of hot, and cold tapas that will leave you ordering more each time your waitress returns because they are so good your stomach may be full but your taste buds will crave more. The ideal meal for sharing, Dali's tapas bring diners together to try the expansive list of tapas on their menu. Their drinks complementing the array of Spanish plates offered here are a must for a laid back lunch or drawn out dinner. Romantic without being stuffy, Dali is a favorite date spot among locals.

Bergamot serves "Progressive American Cuisine" with a focus on the best local produce served alongside excellent ingredients from around the world. This neighborhood centered restaurant aims to be warm and welcoming to create the feel of community. A daily $39 Prix-Fixe Menu, is a great way to sample some of their best offerings at a great price. With a menu that changes several times a week to include the deliveries from the farm, Bergamot mixes it up to make every meal you experience there memorable. Open nightly and offering a full bar that includes creative cocktails, an extensive wine list and amazing food, you'll be planning your return to Bergamot before you leave.

Posto takes the classic Italian pizzeria, enoteca and trattoria and modernizes it. Creating a a "farm chic" open air area, Posto puts its focus on wood fired Neapolitan style pizza. Posto also offers a delectable selection of grilled meats and fish, as well as freshly made pastas. Their drink menu includes a stellar selection of craft cocktails and a lengthy list of wine by the glass. Changing their menu seasonally, Posto draws inspiration from what's fresh and in season. The open kitchen provides diners with a show alongside their meal and the family friendly atmosphere makes Posto accessible with the kids in tow.

Drawing inspiration from the pre-prohibition era spots in New York City, Saloon in Somerville is a funky bar/restaurant that has a small food menu, and a much larger drink list. The food served at Saloon is nothing short of sensational. The small bites like Devils on Horseback (dates stuffed with feta and wrapped in bacon and main dishes like the Duet of Duck will knock your socks off. But don't skip the drinks because these are the draw. A core belief of Saloon is that drinks should be simple. Focusing on brown alcohol and local beer Saloon does offer a selection of red and white wine, but you'll find your food pairs better with a craft cocktail than the house red. The stunning space features warm wood tones and rich leather that makes feel more like someone's home than a bustling restaurant.

When you're torn between a refined meal or pub fare Somerville's Foundry on Elm is the place to try. Serving a large selection of proper ale alongside fare you'd find at a French brasserie and pub favorites, you'll have a hard time leaving without feeling satisfied. Serving lunch, dinner, brunch and even a late night menu, you'll have plenty of chances to stop into Foundry on Elm where the elegant space has a comfortable vibe and invites diners to linger with an after dinner drink at the bar. The deep wood floors and red leather banquettes will catch your eye after you enter through their iron and steel vestibule. Menu favorites include the chef's burger, pipettes, and steak frites. Drinks should not be skipped as Foundry's list of beers, and cocktails leave many options to explore.

Highland Kitchen has quite a following among Somerville residents who come back often to indulge in their gourmet, American comfort food. Serving homemade specialties in the form of dinner, dessert and brunch, Highland Kitchen has a reputation for providing guests with good food at good prices. The menu consists of tasty bites you won't find everywhere like buffalo fried brussel sprouts, seafood gumbo and spicy coconut goat stew. A hard table to score, you'll find hoards of people waiting as reservations are not accepted, but no worries as the vibrant bar scene helps the wait fly by. The low key vibe negates the need to don your best duds, and welcomes you to come in jeans and t-shirts. Fun weekly specialties liven up the already active scene.

Redbones serves Southern food that Southerners would eat. A menu filled with bbq favorites, like pulled pork and baby back ribs are rave worthy, and served in large portions to satisfy even the largest of appetites. The casual setting is the perfect place to toss back a couple craft beers. With more than 20 to choose from, Redbones makes it easy to enjoy a cold one while you wait for your table (reservations are not accepted). If dinner were not enough of a bargain (most meals fall in the low to mid teens) go for lunch, at 8.99 the combo plate can't be beat.

The Painted Burro brings something different to the Boston brunch scene- a Mexican inspired menu! In addition to their over the top appetizers and creative tacos (like the spicy favorite- white gulf "diablo"), you'll also find an endearing list of Mexican inspired breakfast items. Including the over the top vaquero hash: a combination of 2 fried eggs, achiote-braised pork, potatoes, kale, roasted poblano, onion rajas, & chipotle mayo that will dazzle your taste buds. The modern Mexican decor of this happening Davis Square restaurant creates a cozy feel that welcomes diners to linger with one of their interesting tequila based cocktails.