Among the squares in Cambridge and Somerville, we believe that sleepy Inman might be our favorite for food. The neighborhood is brimming with flavors from all over the world.
Inman Square may not be T-accessible, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying its culinary treasures. Take a walk, soak up the culture and scenery, and be sure to eat at these amazing restaurants. They've become some of our favorites around town, and we're confident they'll be yours too.
Oleana
Break through the flaky pita layer of the Fatteh at Oleana and you’ll immediately fall in love. The mix of romanesco, caramelized onion, crispy mushrooms and pine nuts, topped with a savory yogurt sauce, is proof of their commitment to creating vivid flavors with aromatic spices and fresh ingredients.
Since 2001, Oleana's menu has been bursting at the seams with Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine. They offer delectable dishes like moussaka, lemon chicken with za'atar, and lamb sarma wrapped in grape leaves with sunchoke, tomato and baharat. But the real game changer is their Labne cheesecake cannoli. Oleana elevates the Italian dessert with a flaky honey-topped phyllo sprinkled with pistachios and pomegranates, and serves it with a refreshing ouzo milk sorbet to compliment the sweetness. It's no wonder Conde Nast voted them one of the greatest restaurants in the world.
- Good for dinner
- Reservations recommended
- $$$
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 617-661-0505, oleanarestaurant.com
Also featured in These Restaurant Leaders Want To Talk About The Future Of Tipping In Boston.
Dali
Dali has been leading Boston’s tapas trend since 1989, and its whimsical atmosphere and small plate dining experience are just as lively as they were on day one. The menu is stacked with vibrant Spanish staples, like patatas bravas, alcachofas rellenas (mushroom-filled artichokes), and the mouthwatering serrano ham, goat cheese, melon and grilled pear skewers.
In the spirit of the romantic evening, we recommend sharing one of their delectable paellas. There are a couple to choose from, including the Valencia with chicken, chorizo, seafood and artichokes, and the vegetarian las Verduras with eggplant and chickpeas. But our hearts belong to the del Océano overflowing with fresh seafood, including scallops, shrimp, octopus, mussels and clams. It's perfectly seasoned and presented, its flavors presenting a quintessential dining experience in Barcelona.
- Good for dinner
- Reservations recommended
- $$
415 Washington St., Somerville, 617-661-3254, dalirestaurant.com
Puritan & Company
Let's not bury the lead, the linchpin at Puritan & Company is their farm-to-table approach, an unparalleled effort thanks to chef Will Gilson's dedication to sourcing locally, including from his own 4-acre family farm in Groton. It's that commitment, combined with their creative take on traditional New England fare, that keeps them at the top of the food chain.
But the menu is not without its excursions into other ethnic styles. During the colder months, we love the pumpkin Arancini, the grilled Scottish salmon, and the phyllo-wrapped cod served with clam chowder and winter vegetables. You can opt for the 6-course tasting option, allowing you to sample the best seasonal flavors on the menu at any given time. And don't skip the Sunday brunch, Puritan has a stellar menu and pastry selection, including a sticky bun that's out of this world.
- Good for Sunday brunch and dinner
- Reservations recommended
- $$$
166 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-615-6195, puritancambridge.com
Also featured in These Restaurant Leaders Want To Talk About The Future Of Tipping In Boston.
Moona
Moonahas perfected the art of Eastern Mediterranean meze with their incredible multi-course dining experience. Dishes are small, but they're bursting with diverse flavor. We recommend the octopus, the feta and currant fritters, the dips, pickles and olives plate, and the chicken msakhan rolls served with a pomegranate tahini. The larger meal offerings include a slow cooked Colorado lamb, Shish Tawook (a Lebanese-style chicken kebob), fish tagine, and roasted beets with quinoa, crunchy peas and delicata squash.
But the real showstopper is their whole grilled fish served with harissa, herbs and hummus. It's a fresh and inviting plate, perfect for sharing. Be sure to make a reservation before you go, space is limited and this place is always humming with activity.
- Good for dinner
- Reservations recommended
- $$
243 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 617-945-7448, moonarestaurant.com
Olé
15 years in the same neighborhood is no small feat for a restaurant in Boston. Olé in Inman has certainly earned its stripes. Their menu boasts some of the most authentic—and interesting—Mexican fare around town, including the Pescado Tikin-Xic Yucateco, a whole fish cooked on a banana leaf, and the Pastel Azteca, a three-layered Mexican lasagna with squash blossom and huitlacoche, a decadent corn truffle that's incredibly delicious.
Olé's attention to detail has not gone unnoticed when it comes to their award-winning guacamole, made right at your table. It's also the perfect companion to their stellar margarita menu, and selection of tequilas and mezcals. Opt for a flight, if you're feeling playful. You have several to choose from.
- Good for lunch and dinner
- Reservations recommended
- $$
11 Springfield St., Cambridge, 617-492-4495, olerestaurantgroup.com
Loyal Nine
Loyal Nine is churning out colonial-inspired dishes with ingredients sourced strictly from the Northeast. There's seafood of course, plus an assortment of humanely-raised meat. You'll also find several preserved complements—a unique trait of the Loyal Nine fare—gifting a glimpse into how a pilgrim would eat in modern-day Boston.
We recommend you take advantage of their dedication and try some of their more exclusive menu options, like the soused mackerel on brown bread, the fried soldier beans with South Shore salt, and the lightly cured black bass with Roxbury Russet slaw, red cabbage and caramelized yogurt. Or opt for the Philadelphia Pepper Pot, a stew—made with oxtail, tripe and black pepper broth—that was good enough to win the American Revolution.
- Good for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Reservations recommended
- $$
660 Cambridge St., East Cambridge, 617-945-2576, loyalninecambridge.com
Also featured in These Restaurant Leaders Want To Talk About The Future Of Tipping In Boston, Keep The Party Going With Low-Alcohol Cocktails, Learn To Eat Like A Puritan Settler and Under Review: Taking A Closer Look At Yelp.
