Across the Charles River from Boston lie the vibrant and historic cities of Cambridge and Somerville, where some of the world’s most acclaimed academic institutions ground the area's diverse cultures and rich architecture.
Home to Harvard, MIT, and Tufts University, the neighborhoods that make up Cambridge and Somerville have all the benefits of a college town—a population of bright young minds, and colorful food scenes—with plenty for those who are long past their school days. In short, Camberville (the local portmanteau for these adjacent neighbors) offers a playful alternative to Boston’s brusque beauty.
Whether you're in town visiting schools, venturing out of Boston to eat at an acclaimed restaurant, or choosing to stay a while in the area, experiencing Cambridge or Somerville is an essential part to any Boston visit these days. Both cities are an easy bike, bus, or train ride across the Charles River—and a Red Line train's view from the Longfellow Bride offers arguably the most iconic view back at Boston—but offer their own totally distinct cultures.
Here's how to experience bookish Cambridge and cozy-cool Somerville on your next trip to the Boston area.
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Where to eat and drink
It’s impossible to have a conversation about restaurants in Cambridge without mentioning Oleana: Helmed by James Beard winner Ana Sortun (also of Sofra), Oleana's kitchen has been a mainstay of the Cambridge dining scene since 2001 and has garnered countless accolades for its bold, Middle Eastern fusion small plates. But just as impactful as the food is the role Oleana has played as a launching pad for many of the Boston-area's most acclaimed chefs: Oleana-trained local Cassie Piuma, for example, co-opened Sarma in Somerville alongside Sortun in 2013, and has received six nods from the James Beard Foundation for the casual spot's Turkish-inspired tapas. Reserve a table well ahead of time, and don’t miss the skewers, Black Sea Cornbread, or extensive cocktail list.
In Cambridge's Central Square, Pammy’s also offers outstanding food in an unstuffy setting. The brainchild of partner team Pam and Chris Willis, Pammy’s menu highlights simple ingredients in powerful flavor combinations: think baby beets served with goat yogurt and spring onions, fava bean pasta in a buffalo cream with chili oil, and simple crudos and tartares. The $69 three-course pre-fixe is a choose-your-own-adventure, with the whole menu up for grabs in every course.
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In Somerville’s Union Square, Bow Market is a new urban courtyard surrounded by small outposts from local favorite chefs and creatives, from pizza and street food windows to a patio-flanked brewery and indoor natural wine bar.
If you're looking to feast on Filipino-American fare, the story of Bow Market's Tanám and its chef Ellie Tiglao’s story is an essential Camberville one: Tiglao came to the area as a Harvard neuroscientist before deciding to pursue her love of food, and the resulting queer-led co-op is a space for creativity, community, and education. Tanám's over-the-top, Kamayan-style feast features crispy lechon, mussels in a gingery coconut cream, and much more, often served communally atop a banana leaf. Sit outside or reserve their private room for up to 10 people, and don't miss drinks mixed with flavors like ube and calamansi juice.
If wine is more your speed, follow the pink neon glow to Rebel Rebel wine bar, where pop music plays, wall posters read “SEX, MONEY, POWER,” and warm bartenders pour generous glasses at a tight, L-shaped bar. Sommelier Lauren Friel (also an Oleana alum) has created a space that defies all expectations of New England with an atmosphere that is spunky and unpretentious, relaxed and eclectic, yet still nuanced and producer-focused. “It’s just wine, and that’s OK,” Friel preaches. This approach has landed Rebel Rebel countless accolades, including the short list in Best Wine Program for the 2022 James Beard Awards.
Closer to MIT campus and the Charles River, Cambridgeport's opportunities for delicious bites and sips are countless, too: Wind through the residential streets to find Alive and Kicking Lobster for the area's best lobster sandwiches. Head to Central Square newcomer Cicada for coffee by day, wine by night, and fresh Vietnamese flavors throughout. Umami Omakase offers an extravagant sushi experience—or head next door to Shegar Ethiopian Cafe to enjoy buttery kitfo on injera and house-made honey wine. For a local, veggie-forward tasting menu and expansive wine list try Forage. And don't miss local-beloved Trina’s Starlite Lounge to turn your perceptions of a dive bar upside down, with exciting cocktails and unforgettable comfort food. Dali offers traditional Spanish tapas in an eccentric setting of surrealist art that will have you feeling like you slipped into a Catalan speakeasy.
What to do in Cambridge and Somerville
While it's no secret that many of the best things to do in this area are eating and drinking, Cambridge and Somerville have plenty of great options for time between meals, too.
The nearby universities provide a wonderful backdrop for activities: Walk around the hallowed ground of Harvard Yard to recreate your favorite scenes from Social Network and Good Will Hunting. On a tour you can check out Mower Hall, where Al Gore and Tommy Lee Jones were once roommates, head to Sever Hall to experience the magic acoustics of the whispering arch, or just enjoy a coffee on the scenic green lawn and brick buildings beyond the wrought-iron gates.
On a day that’s cold or rainy, the esteemed Harvard Museums include the Harvard Museum of Natural History and Peabody Museum for archaeology, zoology, and geology. Or hit the MIT Museum of Science, which is reopening in a new Kendall Square location this fall, promising rotating exhibitions of STEM-based projects propelled by the school’s research.
When the weather is in your favor, head to Mount Auburn Cemetery for a forest escape at the edge of Cambridge. It's the country’s oldest garden cemetery (dedicated in 1831) and today features more than 10 miles of paths popular with locals. After a long walk, hit Sofra Bakery next door for Turkish baked goods.
In Somerville's Davis Square, the namesake Somerville Theater has been entertaining audiences since its Vaudeville days in 1914, in interiors that will impress you as much as the independent movies they play. For something more active, head down the street to Sacco’s Bowl Haven for New England-style candlepin bowling, local beers, and crispy flatbreads. To dance the night away, Havana Club offers salsa and bachata almost every night of the week.
Where to stay
If you’re hoping to stay in the historic Harvard Square, look no further than The Charles, a stomping ground for politicians, academics, and artists passing through the area, and home to a library loaded with the biographies of past notable guests, from David Mamet to Caroline Kennedy. The decor matches this stately past, and top-tier amenities keep its VIP guests comfortable.
The Kimpton Marlowe's Kendall Square location offers one-of-a-kind views of the Charles River, and, of course, Boston to the other side. While The Charles may offer run-ins with visiting academics, at The Kimpton Marlowe you may meet a queen performing at drag brunches at Bambara Kitchen. To keep active, the hotel offers a fleet of complimentary paddle boards and kayaks to take out on the Charles River; in summer months, sit at the expansive courtyard to play Bocce and listen to local musicians.
Sonder’s 907 Main gives visitors the chance to stay in the bustling Central Square, the aptly named centerpiece of Cambridge. The 1867 facade conceals a sleek and modern interior: The room’s pastel color palette and king sized beds provide for a comfortable and calming retreat after a full day of enjoying Cambridge, but if you want to keep the energy going, don’t miss drinks at Blue Owl, a new rooftop bar that offers views of Camberville and a cozy change of pace from the usual (and crowded) perches of Boston.
