Somerville, MA's Davis Square
The Area's Best Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment
This charming area-which neighbors Tufts University, Cambridge, and Boston-pulses with vibrant energy and a bohemian flair. Criss-crossed by tree-lined streets, bustling bike paths, and rows of shabby-chic brick boutiques and restaurants, Davis is easy on the eyes and replete with fun, inexpensive things to do. Read on to find out more about the square's must-see sites.
Coffee and Snacks
Caffeine fanatics should check out Davis' most popular coffee shop, Diesel. Behind the café's glass, garage-door storefront (which cranks open in the summer), you will find an array of delicious beverages and baked goods, along with a hip, intellectual atmosphere. If you're in the mood for a colder treat, hit J.P. Licks, a metro-Boston-based ice cream chain with several flavors to choose from. Cake lovers will go weak in the knees for Kickass Cupcakes, a shop that includes on its menu Cinnamon Chai Pecan Sticky and Ginger Peach Bellini cupcakes.
The Somerville Theatre
Located smack dab in the middle of Davis Square, the Somerville Theatre has been a local hub of entertainment for nearly one hundred years. A movie house and concert hall wrapped into one, this quaint venue features both current films and live musical performances on a daily basis. The basement of the theatre is home to one branch of MOBA, or the Museum of Bad Art. This hodgepodge of awful portraits and ludicrous landscapes will simultaneously trigger your gag and laugh reflexes.
Shopping
Davis Square's clothing boutiques are perfect for fashionistas with limited funds. Visitors to the area should stop by Poor Little Rich Girl, a funky consignment store boasting everything from vintage pillbox hats to contemporary designer jeans, all for reasonable prices. Several blocks down from Poor Little Rich Girl is Black and Blues, a trendy apparel shop with a great selection of styles. Don't miss the sales rack at back of this sleek boutique, where clothes range from $15 to $50.
Fitness
If you would like to give a work out to your body rather than your wallet, walk or bike down the Linear Park Path. This paved, leafy lane will take you from Davis Square to the Alewife subway station in Cambridge. From there, you can connect with the Minuteman Bikeway, an eleven-mile-long path that takes you through Cambridge and up into the historic towns of Arlington, Lexington, and Bedford.
Dining
Davis' restaurants are reason enough to travel to the square. Offering all kinds of cuisine from Southern barbeque to traditional Tibetan, the eateries in this area will satisfy any food craving you may have. Italian lovers will delight in the delicious and deliciously affordable food of Sagra. Those desiring Indian should head over to Diva, while fans of sushi need look no further than Taipei Tokyo. For tasty down-home cooking that includes corn pudding, chili, ribs, and pulled pork, try the lively, southern-style Redbones restaurant.
Nightlife
After-dark entertainment abounds in Davis Square. Students, young professionals, and longtime locals flock to such establishments as the Burren, a popular Davis pub with a laidback, friendly vibe. If you're looking to grab a drink with a side of live music, check out Johnny D's, a homey, yet energetic bar with musical performances throughout the week. The basement of Redbones has a small, dark, and often crowded bar that serves a range of low-priced cocktails. Orleans and Joshua Tree are two other bars worth checking out.
