Union Square Eats: The Spots I Keep Going Back To (and Insider Tips!)
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
From casual sushi lunches to special occasion dinners, these are the Union Square restaurants I keep coming back to. Plus, insider tips on reservations and more!
Union Square has a lot of good food, but these are the places I keep going back to. Not just once, not just when people visit, but the spots that have become part of my routine, my celebrations, and honestly how I experienced living in Somerville.
Fuki is an elite neighborhood spot. The sushi is amazing, but the real secret is the lunch special. It’s one of those rare combinations of actually delicious and surprisingly affordable. We used to go all the time for a weekend lunch, and it hits every time. Plus, they have the most delicious lychee martini!
It’s low-key, no fuss, just really solid sushi and a great deal.
For Fuki, I’d say no reservation needed. They have plenty of tables, and we’ve never had an issue walking in. If you’re an anxious girly like me, they do offer online booking too.
We love Field & Vine! It’s one of our go-to places for celebrations, birthdays, holidays, or honestly just when we want a really good meal.
The rotating menu is what makes it. It always feels exciting and different, like you’re never having the same experience twice, but somehow it’s also consistently so good.
And I’m not being dramatic when I say this, my favorite dish I have ever had, anywhere, was from here. Their tomato tart. I think about it constantly. I have been actively begging them to bring it back. If you’re reading this, Field & Vine… please.
I recommend making a reservation ahead of time, especially if you’re going with a group. We’ve walked in plenty of times, but in warmer weather you might not be as lucky.
From the same team as Field & Vine, June Bug is their more casual, cozy, pizza-focused sibling.
It’s sweet, charming, and just a really good vibe. The pizza is delicious, but what I love most is that they lean into fun, slightly funky flavors. It feels creative without trying too hard.
Perfect for a more low-key night that still feels special.
June Bug is right in Union Square, so I’d plan ahead and make a reservation. It’s a smaller, more intimate space, which makes it great but not ideal for walk-ins. We sat at the bar and it was such a cozy experience.
I can’t talk about Field & Vine and June Bug without talking about backbar.
Not a restaurant, but owned by the same team and absolutely worth including. Their cocktail menu rotates weekly based on different themes. They create unique cocktails with diverse ingredients, which means I almost never know what I’m ordering, but I somehow always like it.
Plus, it’s conveniently located between its sister restaurants, so it’s the perfect place to stop for a drink before your reservation.
The staff is so kind and friendly. We came in for a birthday and didn’t even say a word, but they spotted the ID and put it together. Next thing we knew, they brought out their special magic dragon for a birthday wish. It was the cutest surprise!
backbar doesn’t take reservations, but the real secret is finding the place! They don’t have big signage ushering you in, so you have to find the door next to Field & Vine to get in.
BARRA is our go-to when we want margaritas and small bites.
Everything is great, but the tuna tostadas are out of this world. Like order-them-every-time good. It’s the perfect spot to sit on the patio and enjoy the buzz of the neighborhood on a Saturday night.
BARRA is another small spot, but when the weather is nice, they open up a sidewalk patio. We’ve always lucked out and been seated right away.
Celeste is a tiny Peruvian spot that feels like a hidden gem.
It’s small, not a ton of seating, a little tucked away, but the food is incredible. I ordered a pisco cocktail not really knowing what it was, and it ended up being one of the best drinks I’ve had.
We got a seafood risotto and seared scallops with fresh squid ink pasta, and both were amazing. The ingredients were super fresh, and we watched them prepare everything for us. It’s one of those meals you keep talking about after.
You’ll want to make a reservation at Celeste. It’s a small, intimate spot, so planning ahead is key. With limited tables and such great food, it’s not a place you want to risk waiting for.
Okay, not technically Union Square, but it was a three-minute walk from where I lived, so I’m counting it.
Sarma is known as one of the best restaurants in Boston, and for good reason. The Mediterranean small plates are unreal, and the whole experience is just fun.
We love bringing friends here because it’s one of those spots that really shows off the neighborhood. It’s the kind of dinner where you end up ordering a million things, sharing everything, and somehow each dish is better than the last.
You have to order the Black Sea cornbread; it’s one of our favorites on the menu. And if you see a waiter walking by with chicken, stop them. It’s an off-menu dish you don’t want to miss: their homemade chicken tenders, which are completely out of this world.
If you want to eat at Sarma, you’ll need a reservation. Spots open about a month in advance, and they go fast. Reservations are released at 10:00 AM and will book up within minutes. When I try to book, I don’t even have a specific date in mind. I just grab whatever I can and figure out who’s coming later. No harm if you need to cancel.
The other option is grabbing a seat at the bar, which is a whole ordeal in itself. People line up before the restaurant even opens to snag a spot. Or, if you get lucky like we did once, a snowstorm can lead to last-minute cancellations, and you might just walk right in.
Final thoughts
Union Square has it all. From sushi to small plates to cocktails on the sidewalk, these restaurants are the ones I always return to.
They’re why I loved living so close to Union Square, and why I’m always hungry for the next visit.
Comments