Somerville

Redbones

55 chester st. davis sq, phone: +1 617-628-2200, (http://www.redbones.com). excellent bbq and great selection of microbrewed beers. while certainly not what you'd find in texas or mississippi, they clearly know what they're doing; you don't find hush puppies and okra on too many menus in new england. the art in the basement room is great, the bar has a "wheel of beer" in case you're feeling lucky or indecisive. they serve a late night menu until midnight, another area rarity.

Diesel Cafe

Diesel Cafe, 257 Elm St, Phone: +1 617-629-8717, (http://www.diesel-cafe.com/). Coffee and light dining, winner of several local awards. A local favorite providing an alternative to the Starbucks across the street, locally owned with art for sale on the walls and a couple of pool tables.

Fast Mexican food, much better than Taco Bell. People seem divided on Annas, some love it, some hate it.

The Burren

Davis square, (http://www.burren.com). an irish pub once said to pour more guinness than any other in north america. live irish music. music nightly in the back room, including the amazing swinging johnsons on thursday nights.

Blue Shirt Cafe

424 highland ave., phone: +1 617-629-7641. sandwiches, wraps, fruit smoothies, salads, and soup.

Martsa on Elm

233a elm st., phone: +1 617-666-0600. tibetan specialties, including momos and a variety of vegetarian dishes as well as entrees with meat. lunch buffet.

Rosebud Diner

381 summer st. rosebud is a historic landmark, being one of the last barrel-vault style diners in the u.s. still at its original location. narrow with a bar with stools and a single row of about 8 booths, it feels very homey. the food is typical american; burgers, fries, mozzarella sticks. if you want spicy, go elsewhere; this is new england food.

Bloc 11 Cafe

11 bow st., phone: +1 617-623-0000, (http://www.bloc11.com). m-f 7am-8pm; sa 8am-7pm; su 7am-7pm. sister cafe to the diesel cafe in union square, bloc 11 features a few breakfast selections, pastries, soups, and made-to-order sandwiches, along with a selection of espresso/coffee/tea/soda beverages. the cafe features artwork by local artists, and hosts open mic music nights as well. located in a former bank branch, the cafe also features seasonally-available outdoor courtyard seating.

Red House

24 union square, phone: +1 617-666-4300, su-th 11am-1:30am; f-sa 11am-2am delivery 11am-1:30am a new england-style chinese restaurant take-out only. good food, clean kitchen you can watch them prepare your food through a window in the waiting area, and open late. recommended by ben affleck.

Cantina La Mexicana

247 washington st., union sq, phone: +1 617-776-5232, (http://www.lataqueria.com). friendly neighborhood taqueria, west coast style. burritos, tacos, tamales, everything cheap. expanded in 2009 to include restaurant-style seating and a full bar.

Ronnarong Thai Tapas

255 washington st., phone: 1 617-625-9296, (http://www.ronnarongthai.com). note that washington street skips across union square; ronnarong is located on the east side of union square, facing into the small municipal parking lot, near the u. s. post office. ronnarong features smaller plates of thai cuisine, independent craft beers, and a full wine and sake list. many ingredients are locally-sourced, and chef ronnarong "ronnie" is always found in the kitchen. closed sundays.

Sherman Cafe

257 washington st., phone: 1 617-776-4944. note that washington street skips across union square; the sherman is located on the west side of union square, headed towards harvard square. another independent, locally-owned cafe, the sherman features made-to-order gourmet sandwiches with fresh, local ingredients and a selection of soups. all pastries and breads are also made right at the cafe. espresso, teas, brewed coffee, and italian-style sodas round out the menu. one hour of free wi-fi is available for customers in this friendly neighborhood cafe.

Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery

25 bow st., phone: +1 617-628-2151, (http://neighborhoodrestau...). daily 7am-4pm. it is worth visiting union square for, especially in the summer months. there's an overhead grape arbor with real fruit growing on it. there's a large breakfast/brunch menu, and very colorful outdoor decor. the menu also includes some brazilian fare, as well as alcoholic drinks.

R.F. O'Sullivan and Son

282 beacon st near porter sq.. phone: +1 617-492-7773, (http://www.rfosullivan.com/). mainly a bar, with one food specialty: outstanding burgers. the fries and onion rings are excellent, and that's pretty much the whole menu.

Mama Lisa's Pizza

312 broadway winter hill, phone: +1 617-623-9463. good pizza, fantastic ham & cheese calzones, but calzones are only made some days of the week so call to verify.

Vinny's at Night

76 broadway east somerville. phone: 617-628-1921. you get to this place by walking through vinny's superette, a convenience store. honest. fantastic family-style italian fare.

Sound Bites

704 broadway magoun square. phone:617-623-8338 (http://www.soundbitesrest...) voted "best breakfast in boston" many times. lines out the door on weekends.

Fasika

Broadway east somerville. ethiopians looking for a new place after they lost their lease took over a local bar and put a partition down the middle, keeping the bar on one side and having seating on the other. the result? probably the only ethiopian restaurant in the world with video keno! townies having a beer watch yuppies chow down on very good yemasir wat.

Amelia's Kitchen

Broadway. authentic italian food by the susi family from abruzzi. once essentially a glorified sub and pizza shop, they've moved upscale over the years and opened a second restaurant in kendall square. the pizza is still good, but now there's wine, and gnocchi on par with any in the northeast, new york included.