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    Highland Kitchen

    4.2 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    Highland Kitchen Photos

    HIGHLAND KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Steak tips, french fries and ceasar salad!
    Ed M.

    Had a chance to visit on a busy Saturday night with my family. We were lucky from the beginning as we got a parking spot right across the street on Highland Ave, which is a very busy street. Upon entry, it was very busy. We put our names on the list and we were told that our wait would be 25-35 minutes. Our luck continued as we only waited 15 minutes before being escorted to a booth. As I said earlier, it was busy and you could tell the wait staff was working to keep everyone happy! We were given menus and quickly asked what we would like to drink. The drinks were on our table in no time! We ordered one appetizer (buffalo fried brussel sprouts) and it came pretty quickly! I am not a big fan but my son and wife loved it! They raved about the seasoning and taste of the sprouts! (see picture) We put our orders in for dinner after finishing the sprouts. I ordered steak tips with frieds and ceasar salad, we had pan roasted flattened half chicken and a shaved kale and brussels salad to top things off. The food was delivered to our table in managable time. I would say 15 minutes from the time we ordered. The food was delicious and serving size was perfect. All three of were happy with our choices. The steak tips were perfect for me.....cooked medium well and juicy! We finished our dinner off with a dessert that my wife had heard of and wanted to order. I did not have any, but they raved about it! The Banana Break pudding was out of this world! I wish I saved some room as the smell was delicious and the size was perfect! WOW! Price- average Parking- seems to be enough spots on Highland Ave Vibe- a local bar with great food...lots of families Would I come back? For sure...I am looking forward to a visit before the Holiday season! I really like the way the entire place is set up....inviting and welcoming! 5 stars from me!

    Highland Cheese Burger spicy jambalaya monsoon
    Tiffany C.

    Amazing atmosphere - everyone here is incredible. Speedy service even when it's bustling - can be hard to get a seat at the bar unless you come right when they open but they have a great system that doesn't keep you waiting. The Monsoon is one of my favorite cocktails in the whole Boston area, the mango is so fresh and it mixes perfectly with the rum. Their spicy jambalaya has very generous portions and every bite is mouth-watering. Fritters are also spectacular - can't go wrong with anything on the menu but beware if you try the nashville spicy hot chicken that you're ready to burn

    Fish Po' boy
    Yangsoo S.

    Great atmosphere and service at this local pub! We like that they have southern food options which are rare here in Somerville area. Their drinks are also pretty strong and delicious, I recommend getting them! Jambalayas are good (we tried both regular spicy one and veggie one), and poboys are ok. Real star was ricotta fritters with honey sauce; these were crunchy outside and melts in your mouth! Avocado salad was surprisingly good. When it comes to dessert, we recommend sundae! Things that were not as great: Mac and cheese (not much flavor), key lime pie (barely tastes like lime, very custard-y) Can't wait to come back for drinks and fried foods!

    Brenda D.

    My friend and I arrived to Boston on a Friday night to spend the night in Somerville and we randomly pulled over to this restaurant bar nearby our airbnb. We had pasta, burgers, and beer, but the kale salad was my absolute favorite. Big portions and great flavor! we actually ordered takeout 2 more times from here! It was a busy night and it took about 20 minutes to get a table. So be mindful of that because the staff is doing their best! Shoutout to our server who was also named Brenda and was an absolute sweetheart!!

    Spicy jumbalaya
    Lydia C.

    Food centers around the south (maybe New Orleans cuisine?) with standard bar options as well. I was pretty happy with the veggie jumbalaya, though I wasn't a huge fan of the large sticks of carrot and would've loved a piece of cornbread. The blackened catfish po' boy was also quite good. Another note - the spicy Nashville hot chicken sandwich is indeed spicy, with a warning that must be heeded!

    vegan jambalaya
    Parita A.

    Came in for dinner and ordered the vegan jambalaya--it arrived piping hot and packed with flavor! Great portion size, super comforting, and well-seasoned without being overly spicy. We were seated fairly quickly even though the place was buzzing, and service was friendly and efficient throughout. Overall, a solid spot with great vibes and delicious food. Looking forward to coming back to try more of the menu!

    Blackened Catfish Po'Boy, Spicy Jambalaya
    Vincent C.

    It still confuses me that such high quality, authentic Creole food can be found right here in Somerville, but I will continue to patron them when I get a craving for New Orleans. Food: The food we ordered for take out was very well spiced and really packed a punch. The spice of the cat fish poboy and the jambalaya was addicted and I'm looking forward to eat it again! Service: Only interacted with the front desk when I picked up the food but the exchange was pleasant with nothing to note. Atmosphere: The restaurant feels so random because the street is usually so quiet at night, but when you walk in you hear the lively sounds of an activate bar and lively customers enjoying conversation and good eats! But will solidify that opinion when I come back and dine in.

    Tiki shot
    Janie R.

    The food exceeded my expectations. I was wowed by the flavors. We decided to split some appetizers such as the plantains, fried ricotta balls, and short rib gnocchi. It was all very filling. Even the side mac n cheese we ordered for my boyfriend's daughter was good. A lot of places side Mac n cheese is just generic/average , but this place did it well! She ate it all!!

    Spicy jambalaya
    Meg C.

    The spicy jambalaya was everything I wanted it to be and more - flavorful, warm, and comforting - and with that cornbread, wow. I will crave this dish and easily come back for it, and maybe try the goat curry at some point. I haven't had duck confit in jambalaya before and it was really good. I had a couple cocktails and they were all mixed well and balanced. My partner had the 3 piece fried chicken (Nashville hot) and it was juicy and legitimately spicy. The collard greens, mashed potatoes and cornbread were all delicious. Ambiance feels like a dark, homey, neighborhood joint with a mix of lights and touch of kitsch. My only comment is that it is extremely loud, you do have to raise your voice quite a bit to have a convo and you will undoubtedly hear your neighbors. Service was stellar - attentive, friendly, personable. Food came out hot and quick, and our water was regularly filled, which was helpful for eating spicy things. Will definitely return.

    Jonathan K.

    Overall the atmosphere was great. Went on a Saturday night with a group of 9 and got seated pretty easily. The server was very friendly, very respectful and on top of his service. We had a couple of appetizers since it was late at night and we were just looking for a quick bite but tipped him well for his service. The Dan Dan noodles wasn't amazing but it had a good soy flavor which I wasn't expecting. The deviled eggs were pretty basic and had some onion and pepper garnish that I thought it could do without. The asparagus soup texture inconsistent and didn't really hit well. But the other dishes like the carmelized dip, ricotta and Mozzarella fritters, buffalo fried brussel sprouts and blackened catfish po 'boy tasted pretty good. The catfish was definitely a lot spicier than I expected. There is tons of street parking but even though it was at night, it did feel a bit hard to find.

    Veggie Jambalaya
    Susan P.

    This was everything we were looking for and more! It's been on my son's list to try, so glad we finally made it. We started with the Ricotta Mozzarella Fritters, warm gooey deliciousness. Our entrees were the Veggie Jambalaya and the Blackened Catfish Po'Boy. Both were absolutely scrumptious. Great cocktail and beer selection. Everything about our evening was wonderful from start to finish. Excellent food, service and a very welcoming neighborhood vibe. Highland kitchen will definitely be added into our rotation of favorites.

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    8 months ago

    Great food! Great service! Great ambiance! I love to have my foods there, they never let me be desapointed.

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    8 months ago

    The food, service and ambience all amazing. Loved it! Just happened to be walking by, and thought we'd give it a try. We'll be returning.

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    Page 1 of 34

    Highland Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Highland Kitchen

    Does HK have kids menu items?

    I do not see a kids menu however I did see a bunch of kids in the restaurant when I visited. My guess is that they would adjust accordingly for your customers.

    Do they take reservations?

    No, they do not take reservations but manage the crowd very well. You can also get a drink (standing - there is a separate list for seats at the bar) while you wait.

    Do they do brunch, or not anymore? Can't find info on their website.

    What time does the kitchen close?

    11pm

    What are the gluten free options?

    I've been a few times with a friend who has celiac and they definitely have options-- their menu changes fairly regularly so I can't name specifics, but they were able to adapt a bunch of things for her needs, so you'd probably be fine.

    View All 6 Questions

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    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen - Tikka tater tots

    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

    3.9(800 reviews)
    1.0 miDavis Square
    $$

    I was impressed with this place once I overcame my surprise this is not a stand alone diner car…read more I ordered the bacon cheeseburger since it is a signature dish. It was tasty, greasy (in a good way), and the spiced fries were a nice change up. My wife and I ordered a bottle of wine which was priced quite reasonably. This place has a stealthy good selection of craft beers on tap. Look forward to returning here again.

    Walked in on day after thanksgiving for brunch, and this place was relatively quiet. We got an…read moreamazing booth seating, but really wanted their fancy bus seating which gives a classic diner feel to the restaurant. TL;DR - if you are from Bombay, are craving that specific Bombay Chinese food taste, and Vada Pav - look no further - this is the place. Most of their staff are fellow Mumbaikars - shout out to Shiv, Dhvani, and Ronak! Shiv, our server was friendly and our hungry table got straight to ordering which included a flavor packed and well priced Lychee Martini ($10), Masala Chai Hot Toddy ($12), and Spicy 'Lil Rita ($12) - being the best one! Food included some well name dishes like Kashmiri Deviled Eggs ($12), Vada Pav ($12), Rasam Risotto ($15), Butter Chicken Pot Pie ($20), Chicken Steak with Makhani Sauce ($18), Street Fried Noodles ($16), and Penne Pasta with Chicken for the kiddos. Food just hits the right spots and is very flavorful, extremely well seasoned, and perfectly spiced. Interiors and their bar is very inviting. Noise levels during our stay were on the lower end. Service was excellent. What was refreshing was they didn't charge us any automatic gratuity even for our large group - but absolutely deserved a generous one! Highly highly recommend if flavorful food is your thing!

    Photos
    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen - Diner booth seating

    Diner booth seating

    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen - Onion Pakora

    Onion Pakora

    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen - Kashmiri Devilled Eggs ($12)

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    Kashmiri Devilled Eggs ($12)

    Five Horses Tavern - Shakshuka

    Five Horses Tavern

    3.8(918 reviews)
    1.0 miDavis Square
    $$

    We were part of a large group (12 diners) for a pre-wedding dinner/party…read more Except for the couple getting married, I believe the rest of our party were the only out-of-towners dining that evening. This is a pub-type atmosphere with a full-service, large bar serving cocktail specials and a gazillion draft beer options. There is a street-side patio if you wish to watch the people and cars at Davis Square. Five Horses serves American comfort food, and they do a pretty good job serving up their offerings. I ordered the steak tips, and they were OK. They were served Med/rare, as ordered, but they did need a bit more seasoning. Plus one ordered a steak salad, and it was OK. They were pretty frugal with the protein, and it came with an abundance of tomatoes. Another guest split a cobb salad it arrived without some ingredients, like bacon. Other diners stated that their dinners were excellent, so 4 stars seems about right. Even though they were very busy, our table was well taken care of throughout the evening. If I lived here, this would be in my rotation for a brew or two, catch a game, and enjoy a burger.

    I try not to post negative reviews but I do not recommend the flank steak. I saw it (flank steak,…read morechimmichurri sauce, mashed potatoes, and broccoli) at $29 and said I haven't ordered a steak in while, let's treat myself. Boy was I disappointed, it was literally four tiny slices of beef, about a ladle and a half of mashed potatoes (flavor was great but the texture was dry and it was hard to swallow), and the broccoli was broccoli. The steak was cooked to my liking (rare) but it was room temp and I would describe that serving size as maybe the equivalent of a medallion. Everything else our table ordered (pizza, shepherd's pie, and a burger) looked great but the flank steak is not it y'all. However the service was top notch and will definitely go back, just won't order the flank steak next time!

    Photos
    Five Horses Tavern - Eye catching tap handle display

    Eye catching tap handle display

    Five Horses Tavern - Biscuits and gravy with mimosa flight.

    Biscuits and gravy with mimosa flight.

    Five Horses Tavern - Menu with my dirty martini and husband's Negroni

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    Menu with my dirty martini and husband's Negroni

    Highland Kitchen - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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