Somerville's Best Places

Grilled calamari is a dish most cities butcher with reckless abandon. Somerville, however, treats it with the respect it deserves, from the lively, worth-the-wait dining room at Dali to the unpretentious consistency of Avenue Kitchen + Bar.

We ate our way through trattorias and tapas dens to find the squid that actually snaps. The bar was set high by a tender duck with mulberry sauce, but we judged every plate on its own merits.

Here is the definitive ranking of where to get your fix.

Dali

Highlights
Best grilled calamari in Somerville
Tender duck with mulberry sauce
Rich, flavorful shrimp cream sauce
Reasonable prices for quality portions
Lively atmosphere worth the wait

Dali delivers the best grilled calamari in Somerville, hands down. The tender duck with mulberry sauce is a quiet masterpiece. Shrimp cream sauce? Rich, with real depth. Portions justify the prices, which feel honest for the quality. Yes, there's a wait. Let them seat you anyway; the lively hum of the room makes the minutes vanish. I left already planning my return. This is the benchmark.

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Highland Kitchen

Highlights
Exceptional buffalo brussel sprouts
Incredible food and service
Memorable coconut curry lamb
Great neighborhood atmosphere
Fair pricing, quick service

Highland Kitchen nails the neighborhood vibe without trying too hard. Those buffalo brussels sprouts? Exceptional, crispy, tangy. The coconut curry lamb is a bold, memorable move. Service matches the food, quick and genuinely warm. Prices are fair for what lands on the plate. The room buzzes with regulars, which tells you everything. I'd call it a reliable favorite, no caveats.

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Premiere on Broadway

Highlights
Calamari was a favorite
Service and staff impressed
Generous portions throughout
Entrees like haddock delighted
Dessert fell short slightly

Premiere surprised me with its calamari, though not the best in town. The service and staff, however, genuinely impressed me. Portions are generous, and the haddock entree delighted. The dessert fell short, slightly underwhelming after such a strong main. Still, a decent stop if you're nearby. I'd return, but I'd skip the sweet finale next time.

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Tall Order

Highlights
Attentive, personal table service
Chefs engage with diners
Skilled bartenders craft custom drinks
Rare whiskey pours at fair prices
Generous service recovery efforts

Tall Order lives up to its name for service. Attentive, personal, and genuinely warm, the staff make you feel like a regular. Chefs engage the room, adding a theatrical touch. Bartenders craft rare drinks with skill, and the whiskey pours are priced right. Even when something goes wrong, they fix it generously. A place that earns loyalty, one visit at a time.

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Salt + Stone

Highlights
Grilled calamari worth seeking
Patio dining, puddle optional
Free parking nearby garage
Open kitchen shows quality
Staff attentive, water carafe

Salt + Stone offers grilled calamari worth seeking, though the patio might leave you damp after rain. Free parking nearby is a rare win. The open kitchen showcases skill, and the staff keep water filled without fuss. The food is consistent, the vibe is fine. Not a destination, but a solid local stop. I'd go back for the squid alone.

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Celeste

Highlights
Fresh ceviche blue cod
Tender, perfectly cooked steak
Pleasant service, attentive staff
Generous food portions
Quick, efficient kitchen pace

Celeste excels with fresh ceviche, bright and clean. The steak is tender and cooked exactly as ordered. Service is pleasant, with staff who notice details. Portions are generous, and the kitchen moves quick. The room feels calm, almost refined. A quiet gem that doesn't shout. I appreciated the restraint in both food and atmosphere.

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Machu Picchu Boston

Highlights
Authentic Peruvian flavors
Delicious marinated meats
Attentive, quick service
Great Peruvian music
Worth the drive

Machu Picchu Boston brings real Peruvian flair. The marinated meats are delicious, packed with character. Service is attentive without delay, and the music adds a festive edge. Worth the drive, genuinely, even from across town. Portions satisfy, prices stay reasonable. I left full and happy, already thinking about the next order.

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Avenue kitchen + bar

Highlights
Calamari done right, consistently
Neighborhood spot that hits
Favorites list keeps growing
Cocktails worth the trip
Brunch never misses either

Avenue kitchen + bar gets calamari right, consistently. The neighborhood spot that keeps showing up on my list. Cocktails are worth the trip, balanced and creative. Brunch never disappoints, either. It's a comfortable, reliable pick. I keep returning because it works, every time, without drama.

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Olivia's Kitchen

Highlights
Fresh, Italy-inspired flavors
Attentive, well-explained service
Welcoming to families
Excellent value for cost
Fine dining atmosphere

Olivia's Kitchen offers fresh, Italy-inspired flavors that feel personal. Staff explain each dish well, which I appreciate. The place welcomes families without fuss. Value is strong for the cost, and the dining feels more refined than the price suggests. A dependable choice for a pleasant evening. I'd bring guests here without hesitation.

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FUKI-Japanese-Cuisine

Highlights
Four-course meal for fifty
Romantic and fantastic ambience
Kind, friendly, attentive staff
Complimentary dessert after shuffle
Top-notch sushi portions

FUKI-Japanese-Cuisine delivers a four-course meal for fifty, which is a steal. The ambience is romantic, and the staff are kind and friendly. Complimentary dessert after the meal was a pleasant surprise. Sushi portions are top-notch, generous and fresh. The whole experience feels polished. I was impressed from start to finish.

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Sarma Restaurant

Highlights
Black Sea cornbread
BBQ duck standout
Attentive service
Cozy interior
Unique menu items

Sarma Restaurant is a different beast entirely. The Black Sea cornbread alone justifies the trip, dense and subtly sweet. BBQ duck? A standout, smoky and rich. Attentive service reads the table well, never hovering. Cozy interior feels like a well-kept secret, though the word is out. Unique menu items keep me coming back to explore. A serious spot for serious eaters.

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EAT GREEK

Highlights
Delicious, filling gyros and kebabs
Kind, attentive, and patient staff
Generous portions at fair prices
Handled large groups with ease
Warm, welcoming, casual atmosphere

EAT GREEK keeps it simple and executes with flair. The gyros are filling, and the kebabs are properly charred. Staff are kind, patient, and genuinely attentive, even with a large group. Portions are generous, and the prices stay fair. The atmosphere is warm and casual, ideal for a relaxed meal. I walked in skeptical and left impressed. A solid, dependable choice.

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