Those paying close attention know that Somerville has quietly become one of New Jersey’s most compelling culinary destinations. With a walkable downtown and ever-evolving restaurant scene, the town packs a range of diverse flavors into just a few square blocks. With so much to try, we’ve narrowed down a list of the 5 Best Restaurants in Somerville.
From quiet weekday lunch to full-on date night, this list covers it all. Somerville’s best spots offer modern plant-based bowls, upscale Italian classics, creative Cuban brunches, and even street-style Thai noodles. Most of them are chef-owned and deeply personal to their management team, emphasizing passion and authenticity. Continue reading below to find our list of the 5 Best Restaurants in Somerville.
Quick Click Guide: Want to Jump Straight to Number One? Click any Number Below and see which restaurants made our list of The 5 Best Restaurants in Somerville.
| Number #5 | Number #4 | Number #3 | Number #2 | Number #1 |
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#1 in Somerville:
Turf Surf and Earth
Where: 46 E Main St
Details: Turf Surf and Earth is a fast-casual eatery serving plant-based dishes for lunch, dinner, and Saturday brunch. Following the namesake, their menu offers patrons a choice between turf (meat), surf (fish), and earth (plant) items. Popular options includes the grilled salmon Baja style (with guacamole, red cabbage, and pico de gallo) served over Spanish rice; as well as The Mediterranean Bowl with falafel. If none of the predetermined dishes on the menu are of interest, customers can also build their own dish.
#2 in Somerville:
Brunch by De Martino
Where: 9 Davenport St
Details: Brunch and Lunch are the signature specialties of this Cuban restaurant from the mind of Martino Linares. From shareables like Short Rib Empanadas and Salsa Verde Chicken Taquitos to their Signature Tres Leches French Toast, everything on the menu is an absolute knockout. Heartier options like the Hot Honey Fried Chicken & Waffle or Carne Asada omelette can fuel patrons all day long. As for drinks, Brunch by De Martino is BYOB. However, they serve a selection of signature lattes, bottomless coffee, and mocktails.
#3 in Somerville:
Da Filippo Autentica Cucina Italiana
Where: 132 E Main St
Details: Somerville’s go-to spot for fine Italian dining is undoubtedly Da Fillippo. Chef Filippo Russo has been delighting guests with authentic, traditional Sicilian dishes since 1988. (Back when the restaurant first opened as a more casual pizzeria.) The lunch and dinner menus vary daily based on available fresh vegetables, but always focus on meats, pasta, and antipasto. We recommend the Filetti di Pollo Capricciosi (chicken tenderloins, capers, mushrooms, light tomato sauce, and hot pepper flakes).
#4 in Somerville:
Kyma Greek Cuisine
Where: 24 E Main St
Details: Chef and Founder Xristos Stamataros pours his love of cooking into every authentic Greek dish at Kyma. Using family recipes that reflect Xristos’s experiences as a child, Kyma creates plates that are simple and rustic. (Reminiscent of the villages in Greece where such meals can be found.) Open for lunch, dinner, and dessert, popular menu items include the Chicken Souvlaki, lamb chops, and Lemon Sole Milanese. We also recommend the unique Swordfish & Shrimp Souvlaki, featuring char-grilled Atlantic swordfish.
#5 in Somerville:
Kuay Tiew
Where: 42 W Main St
Details: This casual Thai noodle shop is a fan favorite for curing cold weather blues and satisfying summertime cravings. Noodles can be sauteed or served as a soup, with five levels of heat to choose from. (The hottest level, Thai Spicy, is no joke.) We recommend their popular Pad Thai, which comes with a choice of beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, or squid. As for their soup, the Kuay Tiew Moo is a filling option with marinated pork, pork ball, and scallion. Authentic dessert options include Sticky Rice & Mango, as well as Kuay Tiew Roti.
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