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Four pan-seared scallops sit on a bed of black squid ink risotto in a white bowl
A scallop dish at La Cucina
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Where to Eat at Assembly Row in Somerville

After a long day of shopping, go to these places to eat and drink

by Terrence Doyle
View as Map
A scallop dish at La Cucina
| Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater
by Terrence Doyle

Somerville’s Assembly Row development is a capitalism fever dream, filled with visions of LEGO sculptures, pricey candles, cut-rate Air Jordans, and Le Creuset Dutch ovens in soon-to-be-discontinued colors. As such, you might find yourself spending a bit of time there around the holidays, knocking some gifts off of your to-buy list.

When it’s time to refuel, there are some good eating and drinking options in the area. Here are a dozen to get you through the nightmare that is December at an outdoor shopping mall.

(Note: There’s also a brand new Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Assembly Row; it’s a bit too new to be added to a “best of” collection like this, but those who already know they’re Ruth’s Chris fans will probably want to check it out.)

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Legal on the Mystic

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Legal Sea Foods prides itself on serving fresh-caught fish — but don’t worry, none of it is coming from the murky waters of the Mystic. At Legal’s Assembly Row location, Legal on the Mystic, order a cup of Legal’s iconic New England clam chowder, and order some fried seafood, too. Legal is a massive chain at this point, but it’s a chain that pretty successfully turns out quality food at all of its locations.

301 Great River Rd, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 337-4088
(617) 337-4088
A pile of yellow noodles is topped with grilled scallops and a large portion of burrata, served on a white plate on a wooden picnic table.
A scallop and burrata special at Legal on the Mystic
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Also featured in:

River Bar

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River Bar’s beer list is made up of mostly local beers (with a few outliers such as Tecate and Bud Light), and its bar is open until 1 a.m. daily. The short menu is mostly comprised of creative bar eats; try short rib empanadas or a crispy chicken sandwich, and wash it down with something brewed in New England. Grab a spot on the enviable patio if weather permits (the fire pit helps.)

661 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 616-5561
(617) 616-5561
Orange outdoor lounge seating is set up around a fire pit. There’s a river visible in the background.
Part of the patio at River Bar
River Bar [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Ernesto's Pizza

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This pizzeria is the sibling of a North End staple. Though it doesn’t have the gritty, old Boston charm of its older brother, Ernesto’s in Assembly Square still serves up a tasty — and massive — slice of pizza. As far as slice joints go, it’s hard to beat Ernesto’s.

641 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-4194
(617) 764-4194
A pizza box is open to reveal a pepperoni pizza. Several more boxes are visible in the background that read “Ernesto’s.”
Pizza from Ernesto’s Assembly Row location (but if you order a slice onsite, it’s a quarter of a pizza)
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Also featured in:

Fuji at Assembly

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One of eight restaurants from the reliable Quincy-based JP Fuji Group, Fuji at Assembly mostly focuses on Japanese food, including a wide range of sushi, but also offers some Sichuan and Chinese-American classics. Diners with some extra cash can make a reservation for the Japanese omakase — leave the decision-making to the chef — where an eight-course meal is $200. (A couple smaller options are also available.)

320 Canal St, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 628-8883
(617) 628-8883
A bowl of white rice topped with slices of raw salmon, orange balls of salmon roe, wasabi, pickled ginger, and a decorative orchid
Salmon oyakodon at Fuji at Assembly
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Southern Kin Cookhouse

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Southern Kin Cookhouse is true to its name — there’s a whole lot of Southern food on its menu. The approach isn’t particularly focused on a specific Southern region (the menu isn’t made up of only food from the Lowcountry or only food from New Orleans, for example), and while that’s typically a gamble, it works at Southern Kin. Order the chicken and waffles, the shrimp and grits, the gumbo, the pimento toast, or the Mississippi-style catfish. This is a solid brunch spot, too.

500 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-5966
(617) 764-5966
Overhead view of a white bowl full of sausage, pieces of corn on the cob, mussels, and shrimp
Frogmore stew at Southern Kin Cookhouse
Southern Kin [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Midici

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Midici doesn’t make the city’s best Neapolitan pizza, but it’s very satisfying, especially considering it’s a chain restaurant situated at a mall. Order simply — a margherita and an Italian cream soda.

463 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-1541
(617) 764-1541
overhead shot of a margherita pizza on a marble counter
A margherita pizza from Midici
Midici [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

American Fresh Brewhouse

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This is the gastropub arm of Somerville Brewing Company, which is perhaps best known for its Slumbrew line of beers. Order a pint of the Porter Square Porter, which is one of the best beers brewed in Greater Boston. Once that’s been thusly slurped, order another.

490 Foley St, Somerville, MA 02145
(800) 428-1150
(800) 428-1150
A meat and cheese board with apple slices and toast
Meat and cheese board at American Fresh Brewhouse
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

La Cucina

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La Cucina is pumping solid Italian food out of its cucina. The linguine con vongole comes with fresh New England little necks in a basil and white wine sauce, and one could find worse meals to eat after hours of panicky deal-hunting.

400 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(857) 997-8211
(857) 997-8211
An Italian Bolognese dish, topped with cheese and fried basil, is on a white plate
Bolognese at La Cucina
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

The Smoke Shop BBQ

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This outpost of the Smoke Shop is not unlike the original location in Kendall Square. Eat copious amounts of smoked meat while drinking copious amounts of whiskey.

325 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 623-7427
(617) 623-7427
An array of barbecue items are on a piece of brown paper on a metal tray — brisket, a rib, collard greens, a slice of watermelon, and more
Brisket and more at the Smoke Shop at Assembly Row
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Sabroso Taqueria

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This fast-casual Mexican spot is the sibling to the original in Boston’s Post Office Square, and there’s also a Sabroso food truck that makes its rounds across the area. Eaters can gorge on burritos, tacos, quesadillas, bowls, and salads. The Assembly Row location offers beer and wine, too.

475 Revolution Dr, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 901-6017
(617) 901-6017
The exterior of a restaurant features a wide-open front window. Signage reads “Sabroso Taqueria,” and there are orange balloons near the door.
Sabroso Taqueria at Assembly Row
Sabroso Taqueria/Facebook

Also featured in:

Mike's Pastry

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It will never have the vibes that its much more famous North End sibling has, but the cannoli are just as good. And that’s really all that matters.

445 Revolution Dr, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 718-2020
(617) 718-2020
A single cannolo, stuffed with a yellow-colored cream, sits on tissue paper
A cannolo from Mike’s Pastry
Katie Chudy/Eater

Zo Greek

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Zo Greek is part of a mini-chain of gyro spots based in Boston; along with Sabroso Taqueria (see above), it forms the Zo Restaurant Group. Eaters can grab a gyro on the go, but it’s best to dine in and wash everything down with a cocktail or a cold beer.

355 Revolution Dr, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-2792
(617) 764-2792
Two pieces of spanakopita sit on a white plate with a blue edge
Spanakopita at Zo
Zo/Official Site

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Legal on the Mystic

301 Great River Rd, Somerville, MA 02145

Legal Sea Foods prides itself on serving fresh-caught fish — but don’t worry, none of it is coming from the murky waters of the Mystic. At Legal’s Assembly Row location, Legal on the Mystic, order a cup of Legal’s iconic New England clam chowder, and order some fried seafood, too. Legal is a massive chain at this point, but it’s a chain that pretty successfully turns out quality food at all of its locations.

301 Great River Rd, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 337-4088
(617) 337-4088
A pile of yellow noodles is topped with grilled scallops and a large portion of burrata, served on a white plate on a wooden picnic table.
A scallop and burrata special at Legal on the Mystic
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

River Bar

661 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145

River Bar’s beer list is made up of mostly local beers (with a few outliers such as Tecate and Bud Light), and its bar is open until 1 a.m. daily. The short menu is mostly comprised of creative bar eats; try short rib empanadas or a crispy chicken sandwich, and wash it down with something brewed in New England. Grab a spot on the enviable patio if weather permits (the fire pit helps.)

661 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 616-5561
(617) 616-5561
Orange outdoor lounge seating is set up around a fire pit. There’s a river visible in the background.
Part of the patio at River Bar
River Bar [Official Photo]

Ernesto's Pizza

641 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145

This pizzeria is the sibling of a North End staple. Though it doesn’t have the gritty, old Boston charm of its older brother, Ernesto’s in Assembly Square still serves up a tasty — and massive — slice of pizza. As far as slice joints go, it’s hard to beat Ernesto’s.

641 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-4194
(617) 764-4194
A pizza box is open to reveal a pepperoni pizza. Several more boxes are visible in the background that read “Ernesto’s.”
Pizza from Ernesto’s Assembly Row location (but if you order a slice onsite, it’s a quarter of a pizza)
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Fuji at Assembly

320 Canal St, Somerville, MA 02145

One of eight restaurants from the reliable Quincy-based JP Fuji Group, Fuji at Assembly mostly focuses on Japanese food, including a wide range of sushi, but also offers some Sichuan and Chinese-American classics. Diners with some extra cash can make a reservation for the Japanese omakase — leave the decision-making to the chef — where an eight-course meal is $200. (A couple smaller options are also available.)

320 Canal St, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 628-8883
(617) 628-8883
A bowl of white rice topped with slices of raw salmon, orange balls of salmon roe, wasabi, pickled ginger, and a decorative orchid
Salmon oyakodon at Fuji at Assembly
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Southern Kin Cookhouse

500 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145

Southern Kin Cookhouse is true to its name — there’s a whole lot of Southern food on its menu. The approach isn’t particularly focused on a specific Southern region (the menu isn’t made up of only food from the Lowcountry or only food from New Orleans, for example), and while that’s typically a gamble, it works at Southern Kin. Order the chicken and waffles, the shrimp and grits, the gumbo, the pimento toast, or the Mississippi-style catfish. This is a solid brunch spot, too.

500 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-5966
(617) 764-5966
Overhead view of a white bowl full of sausage, pieces of corn on the cob, mussels, and shrimp
Frogmore stew at Southern Kin Cookhouse
Southern Kin [Official Photo]

Midici

463 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145

Midici doesn’t make the city’s best Neapolitan pizza, but it’s very satisfying, especially considering it’s a chain restaurant situated at a mall. Order simply — a margherita and an Italian cream soda.

463 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-1541
(617) 764-1541
overhead shot of a margherita pizza on a marble counter
A margherita pizza from Midici
Midici [Official Photo]

American Fresh Brewhouse

490 Foley St, Somerville, MA 02145

This is the gastropub arm of Somerville Brewing Company, which is perhaps best known for its Slumbrew line of beers. Order a pint of the Porter Square Porter, which is one of the best beers brewed in Greater Boston. Once that’s been thusly slurped, order another.

490 Foley St, Somerville, MA 02145
(800) 428-1150
(800) 428-1150
A meat and cheese board with apple slices and toast
Meat and cheese board at American Fresh Brewhouse
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

La Cucina

400 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145

La Cucina is pumping solid Italian food out of its cucina. The linguine con vongole comes with fresh New England little necks in a basil and white wine sauce, and one could find worse meals to eat after hours of panicky deal-hunting.

400 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(857) 997-8211
(857) 997-8211
An Italian Bolognese dish, topped with cheese and fried basil, is on a white plate
Bolognese at La Cucina
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

The Smoke Shop BBQ

325 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145

This outpost of the Smoke Shop is not unlike the original location in Kendall Square. Eat copious amounts of smoked meat while drinking copious amounts of whiskey.

325 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 623-7427
(617) 623-7427
An array of barbecue items are on a piece of brown paper on a metal tray — brisket, a rib, collard greens, a slice of watermelon, and more
Brisket and more at the Smoke Shop at Assembly Row
Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Sabroso Taqueria

475 Revolution Dr, Somerville, MA 02145

This fast-casual Mexican spot is the sibling to the original in Boston’s Post Office Square, and there’s also a Sabroso food truck that makes its rounds across the area. Eaters can gorge on burritos, tacos, quesadillas, bowls, and salads. The Assembly Row location offers beer and wine, too.

475 Revolution Dr, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 901-6017
(617) 901-6017
The exterior of a restaurant features a wide-open front window. Signage reads “Sabroso Taqueria,” and there are orange balloons near the door.
Sabroso Taqueria at Assembly Row
Sabroso Taqueria/Facebook

Mike's Pastry

445 Revolution Dr, Somerville, MA 02145

It will never have the vibes that its much more famous North End sibling has, but the cannoli are just as good. And that’s really all that matters.

445 Revolution Dr, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 718-2020
(617) 718-2020
A single cannolo, stuffed with a yellow-colored cream, sits on tissue paper
A cannolo from Mike’s Pastry
Katie Chudy/Eater

Zo Greek

355 Revolution Dr, Somerville, MA 02145

Zo Greek is part of a mini-chain of gyro spots based in Boston; along with Sabroso Taqueria (see above), it forms the Zo Restaurant Group. Eaters can grab a gyro on the go, but it’s best to dine in and wash everything down with a cocktail or a cold beer.

355 Revolution Dr, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 764-2792
(617) 764-2792
Two pieces of spanakopita sit on a white plate with a blue edge
Spanakopita at Zo
Zo/Official Site

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