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    Josephine

    3.8 (150 reviews)
    Open 10:30 am - 11:00 pm

    Order Josephine Takeout or Delivery

    Josephine Photos

    JOSEPHINE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Upscale
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Josephine

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    Caesar Salad, Pizza Caprese
    Johnson L.

    Ambiance was nice - well decorated interior and lovely open space. Service was great but at times a little slow. Food was sub par. Chicken in the Caesar salad was quite dry, and the burger was cooked medium instead of medium rare. Very average American/Italian food. The portion sizes were large though that was to be expected for their lofty prices. Great place to hang out and grab bites but not somewhere I would go to for stellar food.

    Hector S.

    This place has decent food but it becomes an afterthought once the customer experiences the poor service. It quickly becomes apparent of the deficient service as the restaurant lacks logistics. The server doesn't really come to your table nor do they have communication with their peers. Plates are forgotten and meals come out staggered after a significant amount of time waiting. The food is good but it's not "I'll wait for 40 minutes for pasta or pizza good". Hopefully my experience is an outlier on a busy day.

    Rice pudding
    Casey A.

    I've been to Josephine a few times now. Most times I'm able to grab a seat at the bar for a light meal / just drinks pretty easily. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space is really nice and open, and especially open in the summer.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food is decently good. I've never had anything I didn't like here. It definitely doesn't blow you away but it's good! They also have martinis on tap, but I don't really know the benefit of having them on draft or if it's just gimmicky. Most recently, we tried their torched rice pudding which was really nice (good contrast of the warm torched sugar top with the cool rice pudding underneath). The pastas are also pretty good, my fave so far has been the carbonara. Would definitely go back and recommend.

    Spritz
    Lizzie Y.

    We were in the mood for some pizza & decided to try Josephine in Somerville! I always seem to struggle w/ finding parking in Somerville, in general, but we did end up finding a street parking spot eventually LOL. We came on a quieter night, which was chill & were seated immediately. They had so many dishes we wanted to try on their menu but we ended up just getting 5 dishes, for two people: -fried artichoke hearts ($12) -whipped ricotta w/ black truffle honey ($14) -i think we're alone now pepperoni pizza ($23) -thatcher street's finest deep dish (salami, sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, onions) $36 My favorite was the fried artichoke hearts! OMG, they were TOO good. The other appetizer we ordered, the whipped feta, was also amazing but I wasn't too big of a fan of the pink peppercorn. The lemon aioli sauce for the fried artichokes was to die for though! Now, onto the pizzas. The "i think we're alone now" is a hot honey pepperoni pizza, which was tasty but we couldn't really taste the hot honey, at all? The thatcher street's finest was a deep dish pizza w/ salami, sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, + onions & was HUGE. Since it came last, as it took the longest to cook, we each only ended up eating one slice each. This was definitely a very hearty and overall, enjoyable meal. I'd definitely come back again & probably not get the deep dish unless it was the only thing I'd be ordering, since it was a lot to finish.

    Chicken Cutlet Ceasar
    Devin G.

    I ate dinner and lunch as this restaurant because it was attached to the hotel I was staying at. The drinks were fantastic and fresh, the food was delicious, and the bartenders/servers were welcoming and informative when I was indecisive about my choices. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant had interesting artwork on the walls and was decorated beautifully.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It all felt very intentional and thoughtful. I wish I lived closer!

    Ethan R.

    Ok Cheeeesy I see you...!!! Can you say DEEP DISH!! Crispy, airy crust with just the right amount of chew, balanced sauces, and high-quality toppings that taste super fresh. And of course a whole lot of cheese! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lovely ambience with a modern interior & open outdoor space overlooking the busy street.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Attentive staff, all smiles and very efficient. If you're in Somerville and craving pizza that goes way beyond the ordinary, Josephine's is a must.

    Porto Napoli 4.0
    Dil S.

    Beautiful restaurant and bar in Cambria Hotel with great cocktail program and delicious pizza and pasta. Very quiet and empty for weekday lunch. Attentive service and extremely clean.

    Richard M.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]First things first, the aesthetic of the restaurant was impressive and a vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was okay with the exception of their pizza. The service was inconsistent. We ordered 4 different dishes and they all came out at very very late. Our server, rushed us to order because she had told us "she had all whole section to cover by herself." In hindsight, the pressure to order quickly dulled the experience.

    Chicken parm
    Masmin P.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice space, food was good but the items we got were a bit one- toned: super cheesy deep dish pizza, cheesy (and giant!) chicken parm, cheesy fried arancini,, and cheesy fried mozzarella sticks.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Chicken parm was the best dish we had - it's massive so be forewarned. Service was a bit lacking- we had to ask for pepper flakes twice, and we had to ask for the tomato sauce for the mozzarella sticks and a pizza cutter for the pizza (not sure why it came to us uncut in the first place?)

    Caesar Salad
    Kevin G.

    5 out of 5 stars for Josephine! Dined on a Sunday evening around 6pm without a reservation. Both the food and our server were great and I love that they have martinis on draft. We ordered a chicken Caesar salad, sausage rigatoni, and hot honey/pepperoni pizza. The salad was chilled and crisp, perfect for a hot day and the rigatoni and pizza were both delicious and substantial portions. Looking forward to going back!

    Local Corn & Burrata
    Kayla B.

    Very tasty seasonal corn pie- but will say the dough was a bit underdone. Kind of wet in the middle because of all the toppings BUT again, flavor was great and I actually would get it again. Cant speak on the service because we got takeout

    Whiskey sour

    Rigatoni + whiskey sour + friendly service = 5 stars. Everything was really good. I was staying overnight in the neighborhood, and thought I'd give it a try. Right choice.

    campari spritz
    Pat N.

    great upscale option in somerville. came highly recommended. food was excellent, the portions were big, and the prices were fair. the service was slow but the staff was friendly.

    Very large tiramisu

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    Black Ruby

    Black Ruby

    4.5
    (112 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Full Blog: https://tantorski.com/f/black-ruby…read more Friday nights in Cambridge have a great energy, and Black Ruby fully leans into it. The restaurant was buzzing when we arrived, but we were seated right away at the last available table. The space felt both lively and cozy, perfect for a date night. Service started a bit slow, but once it picked up, the pacing was excellent. Our server was more hands off, which worked well, letting us settle in and enjoy the night without feeling rushed. We started with the Larb Pork Dumplings, which were beautifully presented with chili lime mayo, fresh herbs, and crispy greens. They were fried perfectly, packed with bright Thai flavors, and the added crunch from the greens made the dish even better. With five dumplings, it was a great portion to share. For dinner, we ordered the Crispy Basil Burger and the Thai Garlic Burger, both cooked medium and full of flavor, with Thai seasoning adding a unique twist to the beef.

    I have to admit, given all the hype, I was expecting a bit more from Black Ruby. My friends and I…read morecame on a Thursday night with a reservation, and the restaurant was packed. Now, I suspect this might due in part because of the hype + location + thai/american fusion flavor, but even with a reservation we still ended up waiting about 30 minutes to be seated. Unfortunately, the service throughout dinner wasn't much better. Between the three of us, we ordered the scallion fries (which, for anyone wondering, aren't actually fries tossed in scallion oil or dressing), the fried calamari, the red curry Bolognese, the green curry pasta with steak, and, of course, the much-hyped Massaman burger. The fried calamari was probably the weakest dish. It had a fishier taste than I expected, and the breading was fairly greasy and tended to fall off. The scallion fries were good, though not especially memorable. Of the entrées, we preferred the green curry pasta over the red curry Bolognese, though both became a little heavy after a while. The Massaman burger was solid, but not quite the standout I was hoping for. Across the dishes, our biggest takeaway was that the curry sauces all leaned fairly rich and salty without much contrast. A little acidity or citrus would have gone a long way in brightening the flavors. Overall, Black Ruby was good, just not quite as memorable as I expected. Nothing we ordered really wowed us, but it's still a perfectly solid spot if you're in the area. I'd be open to coming back, though I'd probably try some different items if we were ever around Harvard Square.

    Photos
    Unwind
    Unwind
    Thai Spicy Calamari
    Thai Spicy Calamari
    Red Curry Bolognese

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    Red Curry Bolognese
    Avenue Kitchen + Bar

    Avenue Kitchen + Bar

    4.5
    (177 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Great spot for the neighborhood, super cozy vibe with genuinely friendly service. We tried the…read moretequila wings, personal pizza, and chicken sandwich, and loved all three. The wings were huge, juicy, and perfectly crunchy with tons of flavor. The pizza had a crisp crust and really flavorful sauce, and the chicken sandwich was hand-breaded with high-quality ingredients. Highly recommend, we will definitely be coming back!

    Hands-down my all-time favorite brunch spot. If I could give it 7/5, I would--giving it the same…read more5/5 rating I've given a number of other restaurants feels unfair to Avenue Kitchen's brunch. It's only open for brunch on Sundays, which combined with always being seated immediately makes it feel like a hidden gem. The back patio is quiet, shaded, and sheltered from wind. The food shines. Of course the egg scramble and the Benedict's were fantastic, but every piece of every plate feels deliberate and done with intention--nothing is an afterthought. - Their home fries are my all-time favorite--thick, well-seasoned, soft on the inside with some crisp on the outside. - - The English muffin toast has a crunchy golden surface and soft inside. - The whipped cream on the French toast feels luxurious. - Oyster shooters are a fun treat, as a lover of both fried clams and bloody Mary's. - They were kind enough to accommodate us with a half order of their (outstanding) French toast for dessert I'd note there's no espresso drinks on the menu, although I did enjoy the black coffee. I like trying new spots, but if the question is Sunday brunch then Avenue is always my answer.

    Photos
    Avenue Kitchen + Bar
    Pizza and beet salad
    Pizza and beet salad
    Espresso Martini and rum punch

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    Espresso Martini and rum punch
    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

    3.9
    (800 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    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
    Diner booth seating
    Diner booth seating
    Onion Pakora
    Onion Pakora
    Kashmiri Devilled Eggs ($12)

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    Kashmiri Devilled Eggs ($12)
    Oak Bistro

    Oak Bistro

    4.7
    (134 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    What a fun little hidden gem!!! Sat at the bar in between lunch and dinner. Good selection of beer…read more The food was really excellent! We tried the artichoke potato fritter things which were quite good. The Old Bay Fried Oysters were super good as were the duck toasts! Definitely going back to try the potato pave and the burger. Service as great also, bartender was very attentive!

    Wow talk about a hidden gem!…read more I hadn't heard much about this place so I wasn't sure what to expect-- located in Inman square with nearby limited street parking (there's a metered lot on Springfield street nearby!), Oak Bistro is a medium sized restaurant with a simple but chic decor and true focus on hospitality. When we came in we were greeted and our coats were taken and put away. They have rotating specials that our server walked us through. We ordered all three of the mock tails on the menu -- Odin's Oracle was a sparkling elderflower and passion fruit drink, the Northern Rose was fruity with a slight thick cream of coconut base (and the tables favorite!) and the last drink was a warm ginger drink. They all came out looking beautiful. For food, we started with the Halloumi Cheese which was delicious and perfect for sharing (comes with four pieces), then tried the Blueberry Ricotta Cornbread (really well made and yummy but needed a little more butter spread) and the fried burrata (huge serving of burrata with balsamic, fig jam, warm bread, just as good as it sounds). We tried the Braised Short Rib Croquettes which were stuffed with short rib and topped with sooo much yummy cheese. We also had the Pappardelle braised shore rib Ragu which was truly delicious-- would highly recommend. For dessert we tried a special menu bread pudding which was a perfect end to the night. Our leftovers came perfectly packaged in little baggies with dish names and dates written on them which is so cute and thoughtful! Overall I would order everything we got again and was so pleasantly surprised by the caliber of food at Oak Bistro-- get in and try it before it gets too popular!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Citrus Arugula Salad
    Citrus Arugula Salad
    Long Island Duck Confit Leg

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    Long Island Duck Confit Leg
    Mr Bartley's Burger Cottage

    Mr Bartley's Burger Cottage

    3.6
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    65 years in business

    Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage is a Harvard Square institution that opened in 1960 and has not needed…read moreto reinvent itself since, which is its own kind of statement. We walked into a room where the walls are covered in memorabilia and every table is labeled with the name of a famous person who has sat there, giving the space a personality that no amount of designed ambiance can replicate. It feels like a place with genuine history rather than a place performing one. The burgers are the reason to come and they hold up after more than six decades without apology. The patties are thick and cooked to order, with medium being the right call for maximum juiciness. The creative topping combinations across the named burgers give you a range of directions to go depending on your mood. The Masshole is a natural starting point for a first visit, and the build your own option is worth knowing about if you want to go a more specific route. The portions are large enough that leaving satisfied is essentially guaranteed. The onion rings are a great choice of side for good reason, crispy and well seasoned in a way that holds up alongside the burger rather than competing with it, and the sweet potato fries are a strong alternative if you want something slightly less heavy. The frappes and shakes are worth ordering if you want something to wash it all down, and the raspberry lime Rickey is a summer ready drink with a refreshing taste. Service is straightforward and efficient, fitting the no-nonsense energy of a busy burger joint that has been handling crowds for decades. The staff moves quickly and knows the menu inside out, helping first timers navigate the extensive list of named burgers without hesitation. For a classic burger experience in Harvard Square that delivers on history, flavor, and personality, Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage remains a landmark worth every bit of its reputation.

    I'll be honest, I had high hopes for this place. After seeing it online and just how it's an old…read moreschool vibe, been open for a long time. I was impressed upon arrival, seeing the cool menu and interior. Knowing that many celebrities had eaten here! But then the food came out and we were a little disappointed. I ordered the D-Luxe and my boyfriend got the Bill Burr. We also started with soups, clam chowder and chili. The soups were good. Fries were really good! The burgers looked good, but then we took a bite. We both got medium, but usually that means pink...not raw. I'm not even lying my burger felt like I was eating raw meat. The meat was still super soft and shredded like. I get pink, but not raw. I was nervous I'd be sick after to be honest. I hate seeing pictures of people's bitten into food online but I felt the need to post it for reference... It's too bad because the vibes were great and everything, and maybe next time it'll be better, but I'd definitely say medium or medium well...

    Photos
    Mr Bartley's Burger Cottage
    Mr Bartley's Burger Cottage
    Mr Bartley's Burger Cottage

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    Josephine - italian - Updated July 2026

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