Davis Square
Davis Square
4.5
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Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
How to get there
- Davis • 1 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,030 within 3 miles
Attractions
580 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
219 reviews
Excellent
118
Very good
78
Average
19
Poor
4
Terrible
0
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT1,762 contributions
Jun 2022
This central square is a fun place for people to socialize, shop, eat, or just be outside for a bit. There are plenty of good dining options here, and also some green space (hugely important in such a densely populated urban area). There's a station here if you want to go to Boston.
Written June 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TA_Zoe
Boston, MA117 contributions
Oct 2018
What a great place to walk around on a clear autumn day. There are all kinds of interesting shops - from music to comic books to clothing, and even a Goodwill store for bargain hunters. Plenty of restaurants, too, with cuisines as varied as the shops. As the sun went down I sat in the square listening to a terrific musician - people were dancing and singing along. Definitely a relaxing and fun place to spend a few hours.
Written October 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael V
Somerville, MA2 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
I moved to the Boston region from New York for work back in 2012. I first moved to Waltham, MA, but then discovered Somerville, just 4 miles away from downtown Boston. Since becoming better acclimated to the Somerville area, Davis Square is by far one of my favorite places in the Boston area. This place is full of restaurants, bars, and cafes. It has a "Brooklyn, NY" type feel and friends/family visiting love it. The nightlife is not bad with the Burren's live music, the "speak-easy" establishment better known as the "Saloon", as well as other local spots such as the Foundry and Five-Horses Tavern (which serves local Trillium beer on tap).
There is also a nice spot for folks to hang out, eat some icecream via JP Licks, and listen to street performs in the center of the square. A must see spot, right off the red-line T station (Davis Square).
There is also a nice spot for folks to hang out, eat some icecream via JP Licks, and listen to street performs in the center of the square. A must see spot, right off the red-line T station (Davis Square).
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peter Graysinp
Cos Cob, CT171 contributions
Nov 2019
This place is okay if you're desensitized to the massholes and college twits and you like to eat bug food. If you are a patrician, you will feel out of place here.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dsaroff
Wellesley, MA23 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Davis Square is a fun area to visit. Lost of good people watching. Many good dining experiences (from the cheap to the expensive). Not choked with chain stores or restaurants. Has the funky feel of a student area.
Written July 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
himeros
Venice, Italy13 contributions
May 2013
Davis Square is surrounded by bars, cafeterias, shops and supermarkets. Davis Square is very close to the Tufts University. The red line connects Davis Square to Harvard Sq., Kendall (MIT), the Hospital Charles MGH and Boston downtown.
Written May 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
suzanne
7 contributions
Nov 2019
Fixed up, artsy Somerville's best square. Very international folks. Lots of restaurants, theatres, bars. Not too expensive. Mid-rise architecture not special or historic. Younger crowd. Sometimes you can find a free parking spot but most people use the MBTA.
Written November 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James B
Somerville, MA18 contributions
Aug 2019
For food and drinks you have a big selection and most of it’s good. It ranges from pizza at Flatbread or Mike’s to oysters at the Saloon. $1.00 at certain times. Or try Posto for a good, mostly Italian meal.
Davis Sq. does have problems starting with all the bricks missing in the sidewalk. For various reasons a lot of retail stores only stay for a year or two and close. Trash barrels aren’t always empty when full and there’s always homeless druggies hanging around.
If you’re under 40 and can take some bad with the good go for it.
Davis Sq. does have problems starting with all the bricks missing in the sidewalk. For various reasons a lot of retail stores only stay for a year or two and close. Trash barrels aren’t always empty when full and there’s always homeless druggies hanging around.
If you’re under 40 and can take some bad with the good go for it.
Written November 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael
10 contributions
Oct 2019
Davis square has it all, great restaurants and bars. Has a great atmosphere and feel for family and friends.
Written October 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wildflower01945
Amherst, MA736 contributions
May 2018 • Family
We had planned to go to a movie and we almost passed that up just to walk around, listen to music and people watch. We did go to the movie and then did the above! The main square is a bricked area with plenty of tree cover where Holland, Dover, Day and Elm Streets and Highland and College Avenues converge.There were a couple of musicians playing and plenty of places to sit in the shade and listen. The music could be heard for at least a block in every direction. There is a subway stop nearby; the bike path; and many restaurants, shops and a theater. A block out of the main square is a walking area with some sculptures and a sitting area covered with wisteria vines as well as a shared bike depot. (You can rent a bike for a fee and ride it to another shared bike depot in the city.)
The thing I liked the most was the relaxed, old fashioned feel. There were lots of people hanging and walking about and it had the look and feel of an earlier era, even with all the cars.
If you found this review helpful, please press thank below.
The thing I liked the most was the relaxed, old fashioned feel. There were lots of people hanging and walking about and it had the look and feel of an earlier era, even with all the cars.
If you found this review helpful, please press thank below.
Written June 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mommasue29
Jacksonville, FL46 contributions
What kind of parking is available around Davis Square?
Guest654321
Massachusetts261 contributions
Go to the city's website - Somerville, and find the locations of the parking lots. Keep in mind that many of the streets are one way. If you skip it, you have to circle around. It's not a long distance from lot to lot, you can walk. At times parking may be challenging.
TimCribb
Cambridge, UK7 contributions
Nearby hotels?
james h
Acworth, GA177 contributions
It depends which direction you want to go. If you are visiting Tufts, there is a hotel in Porter Square which also off of the Redline (T). If you have a rental car, I recently stayed at the AC North Boston and it is technically in Somerville. It is easy to get around Metro Boston from this hotel. The North End is 10-15 min by car, yes Davia Square is 10-15 min also. Otherwise, I would look to Cambridge area (Harvard). If you are going to use public transport, i.e. Subway, then look for stops on the Redline, Porter Square, Harvard Square, Central (toward MIT). Hopefully , this will give you the hang of it. Could always try airbnb.
LGJ2015
Delhi7 contributions
Are there restaurants with live music and good food in Davis Square? We like all types of music.
rastaman0747
Melrose, MA15 contributions
There are plenty of good restaurants offering every kind of food you can think of. With the weather warming up most places open up the entire front of the restaurant and expand café style onto the sidewalk. Many offer free live entertainment along with the many live shows at the Somerville theatre. On a weekend night( Thursday thru Sunday) the entire squre is alive with activity. Your only problem is parking. It is strictly enforced and the meters must be paid for until 8:00 pm! Otherwise enjoy,
Looking for hotel in Davis Square
Where can I stay overnight in Davis Square?
GERALDNE c
Yarmouth Port, MA
Best restaurants closest to Somerville theater?
midwyfe
Somerville, MA13 contributions
Lots of choices to suit every mood. I live in Davis Square. Favorite for a nice meal is Posto--fabulous wood fired pizza and Italian entrees. Nice atmosphere. Saloon has a fun speakeasy atmosphere. Great for whiskey lovers. Five horses is more casual with terrific food, tons of beers on tap, and an excellent brunch. Taipei tokyo is casual, quick, decent sushi and fresh ingredient Asian food. Diesel cafe has great coffee and breakfast/lunch sandwiches if you can get a table. Mr. Crepe is casual. Good for kids. Choose your own ingredient-crepes.
Davis Square (Somerville) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Davis Square
- Hotels near Davis Square:
- (0.17 mi) Bowers House Bed and Breakfast
- (0.14 mi) Morrison House Bed & Breakfast
- (0.15 mi) Davis Square Inn
- (0.29 mi) A Cambridge House B & B Inn
- (0.53 mi) Porter Square Hotel
- Restaurants near Davis Square:
- (0.01 mi) Boston Burger Company
- (0.01 mi) Mr. Crepe
- (0.02 mi) 7-Eleven
- (0.02 mi) J.P.Licks - Davis Square
- (0.03 mi) Nine Bar Espresso