Three words....cream of wheat! i go there just to get it!
(3)
shilpi g.
Love the healthy options ! It's such a double treat to eat yummy breakfast that's healthy too.
(5)
Alex Z.
This place is excellent. 100%. It's the best place to get brunch in town. Their family-run business is time-tested. Famous, anyone who's anyone in Somerville knows about this quaint little spot on Bow Street. Go with a friend or a group, but keep it under 5, they simply don't have the room to operate large groups. Unless, of course, you eat outside in their courtyard, which is only open during warmer weather. They are known for their cream of wheat, lightly topped with cinnamon. They're famous for their eggs, always cooked to your taste, as well as the corned beef hash and home fries, possibly best in the city. Drink some coffee and gnosh on some cake outside while you wait, because 9 times out of 10, you will wait about 15 minutes.Ask for water when you get seated, and when you do, be sure to ask for the whole table, or they'll just bring you one. If you frequent this spot, I recommend everything on the menu, because it's all good.
(5)
Michael L.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh That is what you and your tummy says when you leave The Neighborhood. I really can't say enough good things about this place. Some people may be turned off by the fact that it is a bit cramped and very busy, but I had one of the most pleasant dining experiences of my life here. Brought to a table quickly, we were immediately given water, OJ, our choice of cream of wheat or fruit salad, and offered coffee. We talked and sipped coffee as we waited for our meals to come, and the friendly buzz around us was no detraction whatsoever from the experience. Who wants to eat in a morgue anyway?! (ps CANNIBALS!) Highlights included the linguica (but the 'c' has a tail!) which was so happy in my belly and on my tongue, and the fried banana. I thought the very idea of frying a banana a concept from a fried brain, but it caramelized the outside to crunchy niceness, and the inside was warm and gooey. Treat! All this for a super cheap price ~$10 (ha I used a tilde!) is amazing. You will guaranteed get a good home breakfast at the Neighborhood. It was like Free Hugs except without having to touch a weirdo!
(5)
J M.
I go for the Cream of Wheat. End of story. ok, everything else is good too.
(5)
Malissa V.
I've been coming here with my family since I was a little kid, so I could be biased, but holy waffles Batman, this is by far the best breakfast I've eaten ANYWHERE. For one, their gratis cream of wheat before your meal must be some kind of magical breakfast ambrosia; I don't know what the hell they do to it to make it taste so yummy, I've tried to recreate the flavor and texture at home, to no avail. Also, the coffee just keeps comin', incluee. I usually get the spinach and cheese omelette like a good girl, but sometimes I get the Belgian waffles or Portuguese breakfast, both are phenom. Their homefries are spicy and well-cooked, the bread assortment always has at least a couple slices of portuguese corn bread and a corn muffin, as well as the standard fair of white and wheat toast. The only downside is the wait. Oh God, the wait. If their food wasn't earth-shakingly awesome, I couldn't do it. In the winter, I forgo the wait sometimes because of the cold. But only sometimes. In the summer, the wait is pleasant because I just chat with friends while we wait, and then we get rewarded for our wait by eating delicious food in disgusting quantities in their shady patio roofed with grape vines, Portuguese style. :o)
(5)
David K.
Outstanding place! Monster breakfasts for $10, with great quality. Beautiful outdoor seating under a huge grape arbor. If I lived here, this would be my spot. Highly recommended to all!
(5)
Kate H.
Definitely lives up to its expectations - all of my friends hailed it as the spot for the never-ending breakfast...indeed it is! We didn't have to wait too long (30 min at 10am on a Sunday...but you know exactly where you are on the list since you sign yourself up!). Plus, was pleasantly surprised by all the outdoor seating! It was all out on their patio under trellises of grape vines - quite a cool atmosphere! Didn't feel "diner-y" at all... Massive amounts of food, but great range of options and most of which are homemade (i.e. not hash from a can). I enjoyed my eggs with Portuguese sausage, plantains & toast - the home fries were mediocre but that is made up for by their delicious home made bread! Will definitely be back again!
(4)
Patrick H.
With 200+ reviews of The Neighborhood Restaurant, there's not much more I will be able to say that hasn't already been said. If you haven't been here yet, you really should. We arrived early on a Sunday morning, which is smart because this place is small in the winter (no outside dining) and very popular. Portions are HUGE and everything is like the best you've ever tasted. The Cream of Wheat is a must! Q. How do you make something good for you TASTE really good? A. Make it bad for you. I suspect the secret to the cream of wheat here is CREAM. Heavy and lots of it. The perfectly baked butter and brown sugar pear our waitress gave us to go with it didn't hurt, either. Also, the place is a BARGAIN. Every order comes with coffee, juice, toast, potatoes, meat, cornbread and more. Go.
(5)
Kenny J.
OMG SO GOOD. Yes, the cream of wheat is legendary and delicious. Try it, you'll like it! Everything else is good. I had the corned beef hash. Mmmm...The portions are generous, so come hungry. Service was great. On a nice day, the setting is beautiful outside under the grapevines. Come early or late for brunch. Anywhere in between, you better be prepared to wait for awhile.
(5)
Molly F.
Order the cream of wheat. Do it. Don't think twice. "Oh, I don't like cream of wheat," "But I want the fruit"--no. You want this cream of wheat. It is a glorious steaming bowl of cream, sugar, and heaven. I love The Neighborhood. For my friends, it's become a tradition to head here after finals or to drag visiting parents over for brunch. It has a small, fun interior, and the specials (which you should get) change every day. You will get so much to eat, and it will all be delicious. Be sure to schedule in a food coma nap for the rest of the afternoon, because you won't be doing anything but digesting.
(5)
Kat O.
The outdoor patio is DEFINITELY the reason to go. Oh, and the awesome food and free shit that comes with your meal. My boyfriend and I just ate there for the first time and were really impressed. There was a 25 minute wait at about 11:15 on a Saturday - not bad. We got a free little sample sized glass of freshly squeezed OJ and a choice of a baked apple or cream of wheat to start. We both had the baked apple, which was prepared with honey and cinnamon. We both had omelettes which were great, and we had no complaints about service. I docked a star just because some of the staff seemed juuust a tad unorganized, but they were busy so I do understand. Also, my date didn't get the omelette he ordered but it was still good. Overall an excellent place for a sunny weekend brunch!
(4)
Ki G.
Holy Heaping Breakfast Batman! I went to Boston this past weekend and stayed with a friend. Said friend admonished me not to eat on Sat. morning as we were going to The Neighborhood in Somerville to have an $11 brunch. My stomach began growling around 11:00 as we headed over but then shut up when confronted with the mountains of Portuguese inspired breakfast in front of us. We got to sit under the fake bird cage by the window and our tiny table was heaped with pancakes, waffles, home fries, eggs, toast, muffins and salad. All I can say is that my stomach was very happy after stuffing itself (I love potatoes and the home fries were some of the best I've ever had). Go here if you have a limited budget and are hungry. Or just if you want to eat good food.
(5)
Kim K.
Finally we were up early enough to go to the Neighborhood without a crazy wait. Not sure what the hubbub is all about though. The patio is adorable and cozy, and the free OJ and breads are very nice. The food on the whole was pretty average breakfast food though, nothing too special. Prices are good. Staff is nice, too busy to really get to know you or give that extra little bit of customer service though.
(3)
Heidi N.
Food was awesome. Price was reasonable. Service was great. People very very nice.
(4)
Arthur Z.
I came here, on a visit to Boston, and boy do I have to say that it rocked my world. It flipped my image of a good diner/ breakfast or whatever, upside down, and knocked it to the side. That cream of wheat was AMAZINGLY good Along with the prices, wow you cant beat the prices. With UNLIMITED refills of coffee? Along with a orange juice on entrance? Sign me up to be a daily customer... too bad I live in New York...
(5)
Linda T.
I miss the cream of wheat. Nothing better then in the winter to start out the day with their cream of wheat. The service is great and the baked goods can be fun since they bake different things everyday. Some times they even have a pouched pear for an app. Yum......you really get plenty of food here for your money. Although the line can be a pain they always say that its worth the wait!!! Wish they would open up a place in Houston.
(5)
Ciao H.
This is officially my new fave greasy spoon breakfast/brunch place. Its big healthy portions, really yummy Brazilian seasoning, with excellent vegetarian options and homemade everything. This blasts places like Paramount, Sound Bites, and Toast way out the water. The flavors of the food are just what the doctor ordered. Summer brings outdoor patio seating under the grapevines. SO dreamy. Fall snuggles you into a small cozy diner inside with Warhol colored walls. Good food=long lines, but they move things along fast and believe me, its worth it.
(5)
Adrienne T.
Hmm. I can't believe that I haven't reviewed this place yet. Wow. Okay, say it with me, yelpers: CREAM OF WHEAT! WOO-HAAA! I don't know what they do to the Cream of Wheat at this odd little "neighborhood" eatery, but it is HEAVENLY! In fact, I love it so much that I drive out of my way just to get "two orders of Cream of Wheat to go, please, and toss some extra butters in, will ya?". In case you're wondering, yes, BOTH orders are for me. When I eat there, I order nothing but a big bowl of Cream of Wheat and a large orange juice. You get yummy breads with any order. The portions are humongous. You've been warned. They put enough food on the plate for 3 people, so order lightly. The breakfast meals are good. Good food, good people, good place to spend your money.Speaking of which, the prices are right, too. There will almost always be a line/wait, and it's worth it. The place is family owned, and family run. It's almost like visiting distant kin folk, and having a meal in their kitchen (if you eat inside). I don't care much for the patio, although others seem to love it. It's got too much hanging stuff above (grapes or something I'm told), and I'm always scared something is going to fall into my bowl of Cream of Wheat. Anyway, go, enjoy, and support a family owned and operated business with GOOD food, and don't forget, TRY THE CREAM OF WHEAT, then come back and send me a message of thanks!
(5)
Ladyjane S.
I haven't exactly tried everything on the menu, but I feel jusified in saying that everything is, in fact, delish. The pancakes (pumpkin is a recent fave), the eggs, the meat (linguica - wow!), cream of wheat...everything is cooked to delicious perfection. I think though, some of the "specials" are kinda ripoffs. You pretty much get all the same food/juice/cream of wheat, etc. if you order off the regular menu anway and it's way cheaper. Just some food for thought. The outside dining area is really cool, but sometimes too cool on those brisk mornings. And as much as the coffee will warm you up at first, you won't want to keep drinking it cuz its gross. The wait on a weekend morning isn't so cool either, but you shouldn't be waiting more than 45 minutes. Is it worth a 45 minute wait? Perhaps, depending on the weather. Personally, I'll wait because the food is killer and the atmosphere kicks ass.
(4)
Lauryn Z.
Great place with the coolest outdoor seating in the area.
(5)
Andrea M.
Yes, I know, a 3-star in an ocean of high-ratings. Hear me out. Here's my thing with the Neighborhood. I normally *love* this place. Tons of food, excellent bread, pork chops and cream of wheat to die for, really friendly, attentive service, lovely seafood omelets. The space is a smidge awkward, granted (unless you get to eat outside), but still, I think it starts at 4 stars. And then, with each visit, I find at least one or two things lacking that knock it down about half a star. Often they run out of cream of wheat, which makes me the saddest girl in the world. I have had more than one experience where the food had a slightly soapy taste, like the dishes hadn't been rinsed well enough. I hardly ever go here during the weekends, because it's a monster mess of people, which kinda limits how often I go. In the winter you run the risk of constant waves of chill as the door opens and closes. Sometimes the home fries are less than stellar. And, even at the food-from-a-firehose quantities, some of their specials are not worth $11. Still, I can normally round up to 4 stars, although the occasional temptation is to round down... but only occasionally. However, my visit on Sunday made me sad enough to downgrade this beloved local joint to 3 stars until it redeems itself. I was excited to see two crazy healthy specials on the menu, so I ordered one: wheat waffle, drizzled with vanilla yogurt, topped w/fresh strawberries and blackberries, served with an egg white-broccoli scramble (I asked them to 86 the cheese). The cream of wheat was great, if slightly over-cinnamoned, but... egg shells in my scramble? Soggy, tasteless wheat waffle with no toasty outer shell (I've had wheat waffles that kick ass, so that's not the reason)? Barely-flavored yogurt? Blackberries that tasted weirdly bloated, like they had been frozen, then defrosted in a hurry with warm water, and served lukewarm? Uncored roasted apples that were impossibly awkward to cut into? Really? Our waiter was great, but the guy who brought out our food could use some pointers. I will admit, I didn't make a fuss because we had gone with a house guest, and I just wasn't in the mood to deal with it. My order didn't come with home fries, but I did taste Corey F.'s, and they were pretty good, definitely different from other visits (in a good way). Otherwise, my food was not $10.99 good. I'll go back, but I may stick to the more standard breakfast menu, where the prices are more reasonable.
(3)
Lily V.
We love, love this place for brunch. We live pretty far away, 30+ minutes, and will trek out here just to have some of their cream of wheat and all the other great breakfast items. When we have friends or family visiting from out of town, we always try to take them there for brunch. Everyone loves it. We haven't had a bad meal there yet. One note - BRING CASH! This place gives great portions, lots of homemade items, good service, and in warmer months, you can sit outside under a canopy of grapevines. FANTASTIC!
(5)
Jason W.
I am never going back. My wife and I were just turned away because we had our dog with us , even though we came up with our dog and had been sitting in the line for 30 minutes with our dog. We've been here before and have seen dogs (non service dogs)in the outside eating area. The hostess excuse was "this is a restaurant" ....ummmm, there are plenty of restaurants with outdoor seating with dogs allowed....
(1)
Olivia C.
Weekend brunch is the way to go! Tons and tons of food. Everything comes with toast, OJ, coffee, a Portuguese cheesy pastry thing, and cream of wheat or fresh fruit. I had never had cream of wheat prior to trying it at The Neighborhood, and that's now one of the reasons I go back there. (Went once late in the day when they were out of cream of wheat, so my friends and I all got fresh fruit instead. We must have looked pretty disappointed because later in the meal, they decided to make more cream of wheat, and they gave us some!) Recommend going on Saturday instead of Sunday if you don't want to have to wait. (But it's worth the wait!)
(5)
Valerie B.
The almond joy French toast was one of the best things I've ever eaten. They give you a whole lot of food for a small price. Everything was excellent.
(5)
Tracey N.
The plate of pastries and fruit you get --in addition to-- your breakfast is just all around fresh-baked yumminess. Oh, and hello delicious chorizo. Would you like to party in my tummy along with your blueberry pancake friends? I thought so. Now, I haven't eaten here in a couple of years, but I still have food memories of the breads and pastries, sitting under the grapevines waving away the bees. It was the first place we went to when we moved to Somerville, and I continue to recommend it to anyone who is going to be anywhere near Union Sq.
(4)
Danielle H.
Can't believe we didn't discover this place until today! What a fantastic brunch place! Despite it nearly being October, it felt like a warm sunny day today. This was good because the outside patio was open. It is a really cute place- with bright umbrellas providing shade at each table along with a grapevine "ceiling" shading the entire space. They had a small table with free coffee and codcakes for those waiting in line, which was a great touch. Those codcakes were DELICIOUS. My husband had to stop me from taking a third one. We got seated at a nice table in the back and ordered one of the specials - the Portuguese breakfast (sausage, rice and beans, 3 different types of fishcakes, 2 eggs) as well as French toast off the regular menu. Each order also came with homefried, freshbaked pastries, and fruit or cream of wheat, As you can tell, there was a lot of food! And it was all delicious. Do expect a huge crowd waiting on the weekend, but the line moves pretty quickly. Only negatives: They are super busy so you often have to wait to catch the waiter's attention and then flag him/her down if you need anything. Also, I asked for the white bread French toast and got wheat bread instead. Not a big deal since it ended up being good. Also, pretty hard to find parking around the area. We are sure we'll be making the Neighborhood a regular brunch spot!
(4)
Kate L.
I had my first brunch at The Neighborhood this weekend, and I'll definitely be going back. Soon. It's crowded, noisy, and delicious. Maybe not the best choice for a very hungover weekend morning, but if you'[re hungry, it's the place to go. I got potato pancakes with a mascarpone topping and oh...so good. Not to mention they come with sausages, eggs, toast, hash browns and cream of wheat or fruit. I'm not sure if it's even possible for one person to eat that much in one sitting? The service was great. They seem to have a ton of people working, so even though the place is a little hectic-feeling, we never felt neglected. Our server was super friendly and happy to go fetch waters etc (ie, extra mascarpone topping...yum). The only downside is the wait. You sign yourself up on a list and then wait your turn. There were a good 6/7 parties ahead of us, so we went to explore the cool comic book store next door (and to pet the owner's friendly dog). I think we were probably seated about 25 minutes, which is definitely worth it to me. Also, there were remnants of coffee and some kind of snack for people waiting, but sadly all gone by the time we got there. If they remember to refill, it's a nice touch.
(4)
Kerri O.
You will be given more food than you could ever possibly eat. That's a given. A breakfast at the Neighborhood is the equivalent of a Carb Bomb. The food keeps coming, too. You will also meet some great folks waiting in line. While waiting inline, be neighborly, and talk to the other folks, there. Chances are, you will meet some cool folks. Last time I was at the Neighborhood, I was with Maynard from Tool. He loved it. Just saying; you never know who you'll meet at the Neighborhood.
(5)
Joanie C.
I really debated about 4 or 5 stars.... There are a few cons with this place, but really... Does it matter? So, there is a wait but really we put our name in, went next door to get change for the meter, fed the meter, read the specials menu, saw the cash only sign and our wait was practically over by the time I got back from the ATM (not knowing there was an ATM inside I went down the street, but, ATM fees, who needs them?) Get the cream of wheat. Get it. I don't care what kind of sick imaginings or sad childhood memories you have about this dish. Get it and you'll be happy, promise! Also, the fruit salad was admittedly a bit sad, if I got two chunks of fruit that weren't melon that'd be a lot. But really.... the best ever fruit salad wouldn't compare to the cream of wheat. The food did take a little bit longer than I expected to come out, but it was worth the wait. I had the coconut French toast my bf had steak tips and eggs. The portions are HUGE. The food was delicious. We might consider sharing next time. The atmosphere was amazing, it felt like being at a family cookout or something. The staff were friendly and helpful and forever refilling our coffee cups. The canopy of grape vines and picnic tables are just right. Long story short bring cash, get in line, help yourself to a coffee while you wait and get the cream of wheat. You'll leave very happy, I know we did.
(5)
Julia W.
Weekend brunch here is phenomenal. You get a lot of food for what you pay. Everything seems to come with eggs and toast and potatoes and meat and really tasty cream of wheat. I was unaware of this before I first went, had some yogurt at home to hold me over, and then could barely finish half my breakfast. And I'm a breakfast-eating-machine. My crepes were a little cold and blah, but that's what i get for getting crepes not at a crepery. Didn't even care cos the rest of it was so good and filling. There were a bunch of other tasty looking things on the menu that I'll have to try eventually. On the down-side, it was pacckkkkedd on the Saturday I went and my chair was crammed right up to the table. There was a long (30 minute) wait. It seems like they were offering free coffee to the line of people waiting outside, but there were no mugs for the coffee. Also, there are pictures of creepy looking babies wearing earrings everywhere. God I hate babies. Especially babies who wear jewelery.
(4)
Kay W.
CREAM OF WHEAT-must have well it complimentary so just take it and devour it like I did! Service is great, food is great, prices are cheap, quantity of food-plenty, family owned!!!!! All the great reason to go back! Thanks for great food guys!
(5)
Ali Randall W.
This place is so out of this world, even the bathroom has some serious flair-- tall people beware. During my visit to Boston, my bee eff eff took me here twice for breakfast. VERY generous portions, fresh fruit, bottomless coffee/tea, assortment of breads come standard. Friendly service, and they even scrambled my friend's order of eggs with tomatoes. Both times, I went for the wheat pancake/egg white combo and was not disappointed. Can't really say much else other than this is a must. I'd fly here to Boston on a weekly basis if I could to indulge in The Neighborhood. Maybe when I hit the Lottery and have a jet at my whim.
(5)
Tony W.
One of my favorite places to eat in Boston. Get there early in the morning, especially during the colder months, because space is very limited, and waits could reach upwards of an hour or more. During the summer there is a greater turnover of seats outside in the patio, so it's not that big a deal. For food, do yourself a favor and get the cream of wheat. I never liked the stuff before I tried it here - it's sweet buttery goodness will just melt on your tongue! Basically, anything you order will probably be awesome and too much to eat in one sitting, so enjoy! This place only gets 4 stars because their coffee is atrocious, and what's breakfast/brunch without a good cup of coffee, really? Do yourself a favor and stop at the Sherman Cafe or Bloc 11 before you get there. Better yet, if there is a wait, put your name on the list and THEN go get coffee!
(4)
Bridget B.
This place is great and is one of the bigger reasons I miss living in Union Square. During the spring and summer you can sit outside in the huge patio area, sipping fruit juice mixed with spring water under a grape arbot. In the winter, things are more crowded and the wait is longer, but it is -so- worth it. You should absolutely get there early if you want to get in...but honestly, it's worth it even if you happen to be nursing the worst hangover ever. You get these adorable little coffee cups with faces on them, and they start brunch off with a basket of assorted (delicious) pastries which on their own could be a meal. The omelets are great, they have chorizo sausage, awesome waffles, delicious creme of wheat (and I don't generally like creme of wheat). Entrees come with a complimentary glass of juice, the coffee flows non stop, even though the place is always packed the service is fast and friendly...When I go to places like this I'm baffled as to why people still worship Soundbytes, where the food isn't as good and the service is vaguely offensive. I just love the Neighborhood and after writing this review have every intention of hitting them up at some point this week.
(5)
Erik S.
So I'd rate this as a 3.5 if I could because this is a really nice place and the pricepoint is outstanding. You get a lot of food for what you pay for. For $6.99 I got a (very) small cup of OJ, coffee, a bowl of cream of wheat, 3 eggs, potatoes, 3 pancakes and a muffin. On top of that, everyone was really nice and the outdoor seating area is great. On the downside, the food isn't that great. They add tons of butter to the cream of wheat (which is why I think everyone likes it so much), the eggs were fine, the OJ was not fresh, the potatoes weren't anything special and the pancakes really didn't have much to them. What it came down to for me is would I come back. For what it was, I doubt it, hence the round down and not the round up.
(3)
Alex B.
This place has gotten a little big for it's britches. The food has always been ok (cream of wheat is great, but they go for quantity and not quality) and the laid back environment has kept me coming back once or twice a year. My last experience showed that the people who run this place aren't interested in winning any new customers. It was about 50 degrees out, and my group of 4 were seated right by the door. Every time someone came in, we got a blast of frosty air to the face. After a few minutes we asked to be reseated to the tables further in. The waitress (who was nice) said "uhmm let me see". She came back and gestured to a table near the kitchen. We picked up all our stuff to make it easier swapping over. As we got to our table, we could over hear the owner (lady) being a huge bitch about our request. I didn't hear everything she said, but a couple sitting near them had a look of horror on their face. This place has always been very average. The charm has kept people coming back, but now that they are rude for no reason, save your cash - and go to actually decent places like Ball Square Cafe, etc.
(1)
Wendy K.
I drove down Bow St. today with a friend who just moved to the area. I've tried a few restaurants in Union Square, but we drove by this lovely little place, and I barely even noticed it was there. My friend showed interest, so we went in, and had the most noteworthy experience either of us had had in a restaurant in quite a while. My favorite parts were: The atmosphere in the outside dining area. Grape vines (complete with bunches of concord grapes hanging from the "ceiling") were a fantastically smelling, shady asset. Fun colors adorning patio tables gave the place a little spice. The incredibly cheap everything. The generous portions of everything including water! I'm a huge water gulper, so the foot-tall cup I was given was heaven on earth. I didn't have to ask for a refill during the entire meal!! The lagniappe ("a little extra") throughout the meal - freshly baked bread, large-ish garden salad or soup pre-meal, and the lovely dessert post-meal. Homemade potato chips. MMMMmmmmmmmm... I bought a loaf of bread for $2. TWO DOLLARS! And it is the most delicious bread ever. The service was great. We were there for lunch, and there weren't more than ten people sitting down outside at that time, so for those of you who don't like a line (apparently this place is waaaay more popular than I initially thought) go for a late lunch (2-3). My only qualm was that the vegetables (broccoli today) were COVERED in melted cheese product. I tasted great, but if you're looking for a healthy side-dish, you may want to ask how the veggies are prepared when you order. I definitely would have skipped the cheese if I had known. I guess I don't need to say it, but this is a GEM of a place to eat. Go there for lunch.
(5)
Aboud Y.
Awesome breakfast place with beautiful patio dining in the summer. I kid you not, their cream of wheat (comes free with every meal) is outstanding! Two things stand out at this place: 1) value (prices are fair and portions are large); and 2) their patio is gorgeous (this is my #1 breakfast spot on a nice day).
(4)
Norah B.
Cream of wheat is awesome and the food is good and large meals
(4)
Jim D.
I came to the Neighborhood Restaurant early Thursday morning and the place was pretty dead. Yay, no lines! However, I so wanted to sit outside, but alas, the dreadful and typical Boston weather decided to spoil my plans. We had to settle and sit in the cramped interior. No biggie. The food was ok but nothing that blew me away. It's your standard breakfast eats with a splash of Portuguese flavor. I'm not a melon fan and the fruit salad was just melons and grapes. It's not my thing, but that's just me. The orange juice was quite bland. Other reviews mention that it's freshly squeezed. I beg to differ. My eggs, homefries and such were all good though. No complaints there. Prices were very reasonable. Service was very quick and efficient. I don't think I'd come back here for breakfast. It just didn't do it for me. Their lunch menu, however, looks promising,
(3)
Caitlin D.
The best thing about this place is its ceiling made of grapes. The worst thing about this place is everything else. Hey, ever wondered what the inside of a restaurant's kitchen looks like? Just wait in line for the restroom at this place, and you'll find yourself in the middle of their kitchen! After you've given yourself a concussion in the funhouse bathroom (which hopefully made you forget about all the health codes this place is violating by having patrons stand in the kitchen waiting for the adjacent bathroom), come back upstairs to enjoy mediocre food and the worst customer service I've experience in a restaurant in several years. Not to mention all the birds and bugs that will be pestering you while you eat. But hey, at least this place has a really creative name.
(1)
Delilah W.
The cream of wheat (grits) at this joint is pure mana from breakfast heaven. That said, the rest of their food is only mediocre in my opinion, which was wicked disappointing the last couple times I've stopped in.
(3)
Kara S.
This is one of best kept secrets of Somerville. Tucked away from the T and the crowds (for now) in Union Square, this place comes alive in late spring and summer, when they open up the outdoor patio for dining. When I'm there I feel like I'm displaced, spending a lazy sunday in Southern California. The arbor above the tables provides perfect shade, and the dappled sunlight through the leaves is gorgeous. And while the atmosphere is what really wows me, the food is also great. I have only ever had breakfast here, but it's always spot on. And I took my mother here for brunch on Mother's day and even though she isn't a big breakfast person, she too was thoroughly impressed. The wait is a little long, but it's completely worth it.
(5)
Kaajal M.
The Neighborhood is worth going to if only for their cream of wheat. It's absolutely crave-worthy. I've been here a bunch of times and never have left hungry. Most dishes are better than others but overall the food is good and the prices are great. I usually spend about $10-15 for brunch but that includes coffee, cream of wheat, bread (the corn muffin is delish), and a big plate of whatever I order.
(4)
Lauren E.
Welcome to the neighborhood! I'd been hearing about this place for a while, and just finally got around to trying it. It lived up to everything I had heard. Walking in, you see brightly colored walls, and a varied crowd. The people really impressed me about this place. It looks like a very trendy hip place from the patio outside with the grapevines, and the bright contemporary colors inside. But the people eating breakfast were varied, probably 3 generations of people, all going out for a delicious brunch! The food was delicious. They give you free coffee and OJ with every order, and then you get to choose from fresh fruit or cream of wheat as a starter. My friend and I split an order, and they (probably charged us?) gave us each some. As all the other reviewers say, the cream of wheat is nothing like anything I have ever had before. So rich! Our breakfast was pear and pumpkin belgian waffles, and it was delicious! But the most striking part was the fact that they give you three HUGE plates of food, so the serving sizes are humongous! We got eggs, awesome homefries/hashbrowns, and toast, and a muffin. All as part of that same breakfast, nothing extra. Another thing I loved was that the waitress came rushing in from outside, saying "Everybody got money in their meters?" just as the ticketing guy was coming by. Only problem was, I asked for water twice, and never got it. The waitstaff did look busy, though.
(4)
Amanda S.
Somerville's best brunch! Don't plan on eating anything else that day. I like to get one of the healthy options because they are flavorful and delicious.
(5)
Ken N.
Not from the area and I heard this place was the talk of the town. Long waits. 4 stars on Yelp. I was super excited until I was greeted at the front. Wow.... I honestly don't see how this place can sit at 4 stars. Everything sucked from the service to the food. SERVICE: We got there around 11:30AM on a Tuesday. It was pretty slow there.. probably about 10 tables? The server had zero personality. Didn't smile. Just took our order and left. She just gave off a snobby vibe. Tell me why it took 30 minutes for us to get our food too? The guy that came in after us already finished his food, paid and left! She could've at least acknowledged the longer than usual wait, especially since she was the only server. Checked in on us once. Then when we were trying to get the bill, she disappeared. More waiting... In all, we spent an hour there and only 15 minutes of which was consisted of eating. FOOD: Oh, where do I even begin.... - Corn Beef Hash - NASTY! And too salty. - Homemade Potatoes - Needs to be seasoned. Just plain... - "Exotic" Mango Juice - Watered down like no other - Unlimited Coffee - It's free and unlimited for a reason. - Cream of Wheat - Good but not great. - All the other standard breakfast items were well.. standard. Don't see how you can mess up on that. I could've rolled out of bed and made all this without my glasses on and it would've tasted 10x better. Oh, the one star is for the nice outdoor patio dining.
(1)
Stephanie G.
This place seems like a breakfast place, but I went for lunch. I was instantly awed by the outdoor trellis, complete with bunches of grapes - got my mind imagining I was some indistinct place in Europe - nay, Portugal! I was delighted when they brought salad as part of the meal - how neighborhoodly! - because courses make me feel classy. However, apprehension settled in after my friends' wine arrived. We get Portuguese boxed wine a lot, and were expecting this to be of Alandra quality, but the "white wine" they got was rust colored and tasted like sweet water. They drank it like champions, but there was no joy. For the meal we agreed it was a lot of food - but not very well cooked. My scallops were virtually inedible they were so salty, and my friend's salmon was overcooked. There were veggies on the side but they weren't delicious, just...there. It was sweet that they brought us carrot cake for dessert as part of the meal (again, I do love courses) but all in all, it would have been nice to have been able to eat the food I ordered instead of throwing it away because of the saltiness. In conclusion, I would be wary of possible bad meals at this place (esp. the sea food) and whatever you do, do not get the white wine.
(2)
Dessa R.
As you rally your troops to go on a breakfast crusade to the lauded Neighborhood, there are some things you should know: 1) There is a list on a table outside the door (easily miss-able if you don't know to look). Go ahead, write your own name on it. No one's going to come to offer to do it for you. 2) Don't come when you are hungry; come 20-40 minutes before you are hungry. Worth the wait, but due to limited seating quarters, it is likely there will be one. 3) Do not, I repeat, do NOT venture off for coffee while you are waiting. The line can move a lot quicker than you think. Nine parties ahead of us, quoted for a 30 minute wait, and we were called in about 5 minutes. Close call. 4) Once seated, you will be faced with the difficult choice of fruit or cream of wheat. All three of us ordered the cream of wheat, having read your reviews. All the hype about the cream of wheat is true. Ed P. called it "sex in his mouth." As we devoured our sweet creamy goodness, our waitress sailed by with a plate full of oven-baked honey-glazed cored apples. We gaped in amazement, as if a unicorn had just galloped by. Was THAT the "fruit?" Some lucky girls next to us dug into their pommes with undisguised delight, as we lusted jealously just a few feet away. Next time, I may go for the fruit. 5) Pick anything you want from the menu. Everything was delicious. I enjoyed the "Almond Joy" French Toast-- toast dipped in coconut milk and then fried, covered in chocolate chips, slivered almonds, and coconut flakes (which I omitted). I started to second-guess my choice as we waited for our breakfast, but those fears melted away as soon as the plate was in front of me. It was... fantastic. 6) Dress in layers. It's kind of drafty and cold in some areas, warm in others. You don't know what you're going to get. 7) Don't make plans for the next 2-3 hours. Allot some time in your schedule for the inevitable food coma that is sure to follow.
(4)
Audrey Z.
THE ATMOSPHERE The outdoor seating has a roof completely made out of leaves. It makes you feel like you're in a jungle. Each table (bench or chairs) has an umbrella attached to it like patio furniture. They have a buffet for about $11 with a fake lobster in a bow tie holding the tray of brownies. I went for the first time yesterday, and it wasn't very busy at all despite rave reviews on livingsocial.com . Perhaps it had something to do with a lack of sun that day. WHAT A DEAL! I was surprised that so much came with all breakfast/brunch meals! Unlimited Coffee/tea, small cup of orange juice, choice of fruit or hot cereal, and sourdough bread, I believe. The fruit was a bit soggy, but I excused it since my meal was only $6.99 and all of the above came with it despite whatever I ordered. Most of the stuff on the breakfast portion was $6.99-$11.99 or something. Mostly $7 or $8 though. MY FOOD EXPERIENCE I ordered the scrambled eggs with tomatoes and cheese. On the downside, it was really more like an omelet, which I wonder if it was because the cheese glued it together. On the PLUS side, it was SO good!! I wasn't about to complain about technicalities. Also, I'm not sure what kind of white cheese it was, but it wasn't American cheese, which is a plus for me (yah, I'm a snob). The toast that came with it was also very yummy. The butter was clumped on, but the bread was very good. So I just had to spread it. Oh! And the home fries! Delicious! Pan fried. So good. My friend got pancakes and home fries for the same price. He got full before eating the 3rd one, but I wouldn't say the pancakes were too special. I was busy with my "scrambled eggs." Since it was a breakfast place, I wasn't about to venture into their lunch, but a family near us got mashed potatoes and chicken and vegetables. It looked really good. NEGATIVE Since we parked at Alewife for the day, it was about a 20 minute walk from the train station. Google told us to get off at Porter Sq for the fastest route. The walk was uneventful.
(4)
David V.
Despite having lived in the Somerville area for many years, I recently only visited the Neighborhood for the very first time. There's a lot of things to like about this place - menu choices, portions, price. Maybe I'm just not as into greasy breakfast fare as I used to be? I have to say it wasn't as good as I had hoped for. For one, there seemed to be only two beverages available (orange juice and hot coffee), neither one of which is my favorite. I tried unsuccessfully to get a glass of water before sucking it up and drinking the OJ. The tables are very cramped - maybe it's a testament to how much food they give you, but there wasn't room on the table for everything they brought out. I went with the French toast, which was soggy in the middle. It came with more bacon than I could hope to eat in a week, and some "nothing to write home about" fries. By the time I was feeling full, I realized that I hadn't even eaten half of what as on my plate. I'll give this joint another shot when the outdoor seating area opens up, but next time I want greasy breakfast food I'll probably head for the Friendly Toast or Ball Square Cafe.
(3)
Chuck K.
Most places that claim to have "neighborhood" credibility are just engaged in empty boasting. Not this place. There's nothing pretentious about the food, service, atmosphere, or fellow patrons. Dining outside in the spring and summer at Neighborhood Restaurant is a special treat. The Portuguese-style awning covered with grape vines, which offer both shade and the most beautiful translucent barrier to the sunlight, is a serene and unusual experience. Indoor dining can't compete. The Neighborhood Restaurant gives you a lot of food for a fair price. It's not gourmet but it's generous. Brunch _will_ leave you full. Many, many variations on eggs, waffles, and pancakes are available. Plus, there are Portuguese treats, such as the pineapple pop-over and the linguica sausage. (Both are delicious in an unexpected, not-exactly-health-food way.) One thing that makes this place really down-home is that there's going to be the occasional mess-up but, if you tell them about it, they'll fix it as quickly as they can. One day, the orange juice had gone bad. When I alerted the waitress, she didn't fuss, she just went to the back, got new OJ, and offered a sincere apology. Perfectly handled, mademoiselle. They'll do the same with flubbed orders. Basically, they know they're human but they'll work hard to give you a great meal. This place is a real treasure. Bring your friends for brunch; it's totally worth the wait in line. I adore The Neighborhood Restaurant.
(5)
Erin W.
The Neighborhood is by far my favorite brunch spot in Somerville/Cambridge. Is this place going to be the best food you have ever had? No, I certainly cannot say that. But I'm giving it 5 stars because I love coming here on a sunny Sunday afternoon with friends, sitting outside, having friendly service and conversation, accompanied by tasty food. I would compare the food to when your spatula wielding mother, who is a fierce force to be reckoned with in the kitchen, decides to get a little daring with her usual routine. Expect a home cooked brunch (omelette's, pancakes, the usual fare) with a slew of interesting specials if you so choose (tropical pancakes with mango's? Yes please!) You get tons of food too- a cup of coffee, home fries, fruit or cream of wheat, and OJ (someone said it was Tang in a review below- but I've always gotten fresh squeezed) comes with every meal. There is usually a line, so expect to wait a while, maybe 20 or 30 minutes (and you sign in yourself- find the clipboard!) and come hungry!
(5)
Joey M.
I think I am in love. The neighborhood is wonderful. It starts with free coffee and breads while you wait ... outside... and sign yourself up on the list. I like this, not so good when its cold but still. I appreciate the great outdoors. Moving inside, yes it is cramped and small... but again I like the feel. It feels cosy, kinda right next to people... very, neighborhoody. The food is great and plentiful. The specials are amazing and you get so much food you will feel sick. The bread is FANTASTIC. Just really good. Thats all i got. I could go on and on but everyone has mentioned why this place rocks. What sets this place apart from others is not even the food for me, but the atmosphere. The bathroom is tiny and underneath the stairs. The staff is friendly, but rushed and on top of it. I dont know what it is but when i leave here i leave extremely happy and full. Go to the neighborhood, its great.
(5)
Liz M.
(1) A 2200 calorie breakfast/brunch worth waiting in the street for. (2) Get the authentic Brazilian sausage. (3) Get the cream of wheat. Rumor has it that the secret lies in the condensed milk. (4) Be prepared to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom. Just don't look at the floor. (5) Be prepared to work on your acrobat skills if you're taller than 5'7' and need t use the toilet. (6) Be careful: parking may be a problem because there's a militant meter maid lurking around Somerville's Union Square on the weekends.
(5)
Francesca R.
There's free coffee and pastry thingies while you wait in the long, long line for brunch at The Neighborhood restaurant, which is a good sign. These people want their customers to be happy, to feel welcome, and to eat--and eat a lot. The portions are redonkulous and the food is so good you'll find yourself licking the plate clean even though there's no room left in your stomach for anything else. Something about the Easter Egg colors of the patio works and it comes off feeling breezy and fun as opposed to cheesy and cheap. This is the place to go hungry and have a nice, loooong meal.
(4)
Team O.
We were jolly customers. I think our bit of advice would be that you can afford to skip the eggs (pretty much very average) and go straight to the French Toast made with Portuguese bread. It was so good I nearly yelled aloud with excitement. Her pancakes weren't no joke neither, well done neighbors. But don't forget the cream of wheat, it rivals the best goopy breakfast sides to the end. But if you're like the lady, the side of free fruit hits just the right buttons. Our total came to 16 bucks. 16 bucks for one plate of 3 eggs, hashbrowns, and french toast with a side of cream of wheat, a small orange juice and two cups of coffee and the other was 3 eggs, hasbrowns, pancakes, fresh fruit orange juice and coffee. All good, all in all a killer bang for your buck.
(4)
Stacey H.
Love this place! Cream of wheat - Best I've had OJ - Super fresh Whole Wheat French Toast with berries - Amazing, light, fluffy Hash/Potatoes - lovely, delicious Portions - Huge! (breakfast leftovers anyone?) Price - Cheap! $10 (can easily split dishes with someone) Crowded - YES! Get here early (by 10am) or there is a wait. Waiter with Huge Biceps - Yes he is there...and Yes he will serve you food with his huge arm. Go there!
(4)
Elizabeth D.
I have dreams mid-week about brunch here. The Neighborhood is a breakfast staple. When I feel like I want to eat everything delicious and just can't make a decision, I venture over to the Neighborhood, wait in line for about an hour, and then feast on a breakfast made for a king. I love the fried bananas with the eggs and linguica, almost as much as I love the steak tips and eggs. The chocolate cake, fresh baked breads, oatmeal, and fruit that all come for free with the meal are just the icing on the cake.
(5)
JeNnIfEr S.
What's better then eating yummy breakfast outdoors under a roof of grape vines? You almost forget for a moment that you are in Somerville! I recommend getting there no later then 9am or you may have a bit of a wait.
(4)
Jennifer H.
I would have so many amazing things to say about The Neighborhood Restaurant except over 140 people have already said it... the place is GREAT. I love the brunch, the people, the location, the little patio to outside in the warmer months. But, more than any of this... I am head over heels for the Cream of Wheat. My god, what are they putting in it??? It is the best damn thing on the menu. Go there. Eat it.
(5)
ELLIS D.
I love this place! They get 4 stars because the service was so great. They offer fruit or cream of wheat with your meal. I chose the cream of wheat. It was delicious. Better than my corned beef and hash with poached eggs. In fact the cream of wheat was so good I am going to give it the run down. It had Cinnamon, sugar, cream and a touch of lemon. I highly recommend it. The rest of the food was adequate. There are pictures of the Borges family all over the restaurant .I was looking at the older pictures and then of our server and resemblance was uncanny . Turns out the Grand daughter and the grand son both work there. It is still family run..... Don't forget your cream of wheat
(4)
Hannah L.
there are a couple of factors in giving the neighborhood 3 stars instead of 5. 1, the bathroom is awkwardly in the kitchen. and there's ONE for the whole place. 2, we put our name down and the hostess said it would be 1/2 hour. well, after 2 more rounds of only 1/2 hour, we waited for 1.5 hours for a table!!! ridic. at least be honest and say it will be an hour and a half. after finally sitting down, the waitress rolled her eyes when we asked her to get us assorted beverages and stuff. not the kind of treatment you want when waiting in the hot sun for 1.5 hours. the actual ambiance is cute, they play chill backyard music and the bright umbrella tables were fun. when the food came out, the portions were BIG and the food tasted great. i just need to come back and if i get better service, ill up the stars. maybe it was a freak thing...since everyone else seems to have given 5 stars. we'll see!!!
(3)
Eric C.
Thanks to comments left here @ Yelp - I decided to give this place a go for brunch. When I arrived there - there was already a line so that's typically a good sign. Took about 20 minutes before I got a table. I wanted to get something outside the norm of the breakfast menu (away from the standard bacon, eggs, etc) so decided to order two of the portugese specials - one was a variety of fish cakes and the other was the grilled pork. Like the rest of the comments you see here, you get an choice of cream of wheat or fruits. No regrets choosing the cream of wheat as it was declicious! Both of the dishes I ordered were unique and I really enjoyed it. I'll definitely be coming back here. I can't wait to visit the place for lunch/dinner to see what other unique dishes they might have. TIPs: - When you get there, if no one is there to take your name for a table, just pick up the roster there and fill it in yourself. - They're nice enough to put out some drinks and sample cakes/treats outside. Don't feel bad about helping yourself to some yourself - Service there can be a little slow so be patient. If you run out of coffee or water, Just help yourself by refilling your drinks yourself as it would be much faster that way.
(4)
Laurita M.
3.5 stars. I finally got to the Neighborhood Restaurant for brunch the other day and left pleased with the experience but slightly underwhelmed by the food itself. They have a delightful, large outdoor seating area filled with couples, friends, and families. There's definitely a long wait on the weekends so don't come expecting a quick in-and-out meal. They have a large menu with all the essentials (egg combos, pancakes, etc.). We decided to split one of the specials ($3 splitting charge applied so it was a total of $15), which meant we ended up getting two coffees, two tiny ojs, two bowls of cream of wheat (i hate cream of wheat usually but was actually BLOWN AWAY by this stuff--don't get the fruit unless you're feeling particularly lame), 3 huge pumpkin spiced pancakes which were good but not incredible, 2 eggs, 2 sausage links, hashbrowns, and toast for all of $15 total. The service was awesome and the meal put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. Solid place, but to be honest, the highlight food wise was the cream of wheat.
(3)
Chrissie M.
Went to the Neighborhood this past weekend w/my husband and friend, UTTERLY DISAPPOINTED! We expected to wait, however, we did not expect to be so unsatisfied. I had been once before and it was ok. This time, not so much. After waiting literally 65 minutes just to be seated we concluded this place is not worth giving up almost three hours of your precious Saturday for. Not to mention that several people were seated well before us and we knew they arrived well after we did. The food was ok, yes the cream of wheat was yummy, but certainly not worth the aggravation of the experience. My husband ordered the Portuguese breakfast, hmmm, 2 tiny bite size pieces of linguisa was what he received. My bacon tasted old. Oh and i guess we didn't need water or even a whole cup of coffee! The whole vibe was skeevy, particularly if you used the bathroom! Overall, not worth the time or money. Did i mention this place is not cheap for the quality of the food? Obviously reading the reviews here, we are in the minority but just felt like our opinion needed to be heard as well. My free time and money will be better spent elsewhere... :-(
(2)
P. C.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots - I love both the ambiance and the food. The multi-grain french toast is deelicious, and sitting outside under the grape vines with friends on a beautiful spring or summer day is lovely. You should definitely plan to wait anywhere from 30-60 minutes, which is the only negative. Grab a coffee at Bloc 11 down the road and plan on the wait being part of the Neighborhood brunching experience.
(4)
Nicole J.
Food is average for the amount of time you have to wait, but the service and ambiance more than outweigh the food in this case. I've had the french toast on sweetbread, which was soft (almost soggy) and eggy. My friend raved about the cream of wheat, but I thought it was just ehhh. Ambiance: LOVE!! There is no better place to have brunch on a warm summer weekend, if you can take the wait! Even though I should take off a star for food and star for wait, I'm going to give this place 4 stars based on ambiance and great, friendly fast service.
(4)
M G.
Portions were great but food was sub par. Home fries were soggy, eggs were runny and the meat was tough. On the positive side you get a free shot of OJ (they call it a small).
(2)
Darius K.
This is the kind of local brunch spot I like to hit again and again. I've had the berry french toast and the eggs benedict here, and they were both well-executed although not stellar home runs by any means. However, I give Neighborhood points for excellent service, a free small OJ with breakfast, and a rotating menu of intriguing specials. My biggest gripe is that this place is fairly expensive -- expect to pay $10-$12 for an entree, particularly the specials. But I'll be coming back here repeatedly, so four stars it is.
(4)
Joseph B.
How much brunch can you eat for $12? Go here to find out and you wont be disappointed.
(4)
Allison J.
The food is all about gigantic proportions here and frankly, the food is good, not great. But... for the portions, the fun atmosphere, and the feeling that you've found a neighborhood gem, I give this place 4 stars. Everyone gets a plate of muffins/ pastries and a glass of "orange juice" with your order. The juice is more like "Sunny Delight" than real OJ. But.... I still love the sweet beverage enough to ask for more some days. ALWAYS get the CREAM OF WHEAT when given a choice of this or fruit. It totally rocks. This is what I love the most about this restaurant. I asked a cook what he puts in it and he wouldn't say. The pancakes, waffles, sausages and omelettes are all incredibly filling and you're going to want to take a nap after this. It's nothing fancy as far as preparation goes. It's standard diner fare with a more home-y, family dining room. I've never eaten out on the patio but it's pretty big and I'd imagine it'd be fun in the summer.
(4)
Jonathan S.
Homemade and fabulous. One of the best breakfasts in New England or anywhere. Excellent options for vegetarians but their meats are also great. The secret-recipe cream of wheat is like a dessert, rich and creamy. They get it all right. Just get there early or be ready for a wait.
(5)
Lauren S.
Good stuff: Outdoor seating in the summer! There are very few breakfast places where you can eat out in the fresh air. It's also very casual, no frills dining. You eat outside on picnic tables...Love it! Their cream of wheat is a little piece of Heaven. Need I say more? Locals even get it 'to go' before work in the morning. It's THAT good. The portions are enormous. I challenge anyone to finish all the food they are served. The coffee is decent. I love the french toast! They are also a Portugese bakery, so the baked goods are delish. Bad stuff: Long wait time in the summer. Be prepared to wait upwards of an hour if you get there past 10am. Very cold in the winter...at least it was this past winter. So, bring a sweater. While the portions are enormous, I'm not always happy with the quality. Overall: OK for breakfast. Go there for the fresh air in the summer and cream of wheat on a cold morning in the winter.
(3)
Tushar S.
One of the best places for a breakfast/brunch. Good food, good portions and quite lively. If you go on a nice day, you WILL have to wait, but its worth it. Only bad thing was that the place is a little cramped and difficult to move around, but the food compensates for it.
(4)
Chi N.
Two eggs the way you like them, cream of wheat, orange juice, coffee, fish cake, meat cake, salmon salad, portugese sausage, rice, beans, and a stick of butter with a small layer of toast -- if you need the perfect morning after breakfast, look no further. The Borges family welcomes you with open arms and clogged arteries.
(4)
James M.
After reading the positive reviews about this place my daughters and I decided to make the drive from Winchester and give it a try. While we often drive to Kelly's diner in Ball Square, we needed a change of pace. Firstly, the food and service was very good. Diverse clientele was also a plus. Decor was pleasant. Prices were in my opinion very reasonable. Thanks to the others reviews we found a new place to go on Sun. morning's. Give them a try.
(4)
X X.
A bedrock of Union Square, The Neighborhood offers delicious food, a relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere, and tasty Portuguese pastries for a reasonable price. I've only been over the summer, so I can't actually speak to what it's like indoors, but Neighborhood has a really lovely trellised patio with hanging ivy and lots of quirky, colorful decorations. The Neighborhood is always hopping on a nice weekend morning/afternoon, so expect some wait time. If you come solo or with only one other person, you're liable to get seated on a picnic bench with another two-some, which is often totally adorable. This quirk speaks to the general tendency of Neighborhood to uphold its tradition of a more leisurely pace of life, multiple courses (don't eat before you go.. like, for a few days), and, well, neighborhood-y atmosphere. One drawback is that, for most people, Neighborhood offers you altogether too much food: a large main course, a starter (fruit or cream of wheat-- despite natural inclinations otherwise, I implore you to get the cream of wheat, it is heaven on earth), juice, coffee, and pastries. Occasionally the thought of how full I always feel afterward has dissuaded me from going. But, generally, this place is simply lovely; a family-owned business to treasure.
(5)
Sandra L.
Awesome place! Not much more to say about how great this place is. Good prices and tons of food! The pumpkin pan cakes are delicious! Big and fluffy with the right amount of pumpkin and seasonings. The eggs and potatoes are great as well. I want to eat everything on the menu when I go. The cream of wheat is awesome (the fruit salad was a little let down). At like everyone else said, the baked goods are great. The toast is just perfect. Just be sure to arrive early to bet the crowd. I am sure i will be visiting this place time and time again. (don't forget cash only!)
(5)
Dan Z.
good brunch. waiting can be long for weekend mornings.
(5)
Melissa A.
It's tiny, tiny inside and the lines are long on the weekends, but there's a quick turnover and free coffee while you wait. The breakfast menu is nice and varied so you won't have a problem trying to find something you like. I also like how there's always a piece of sausage with your meal--kind of like how they give bread at some restaurants. I tend to have to take half of my meal home with me and end up feeling like a dork carrying out my breakfast in a styrofoam container. Special note: there's one table on the left when you walk in underneath a sloped ceiling. I've confidently stood up only to whack my head and sit right back down. This happened four times that day. And to make matters worse, our food slipped off their queue and our waitress didn't seem to notice. I had to go to the back and find her and then I offered to cook it myself. I would have spit in my food too. But, I'm sure this was an isolated incident.
(4)
Amanda S.
After consulting my trusty pal Yelp, I headed off to The Neighborhood knowing that I would enjoy a great meal! When it comes to breakfast, this place delivers. It's impossible to leave The Neighborhood and still feel hungry. The food is great and the portions are absolutely enormous (my breakfast special came with a plate of fruit, eggs, toast, hashbrowns, juice & coffee...all in ADDITION to the giant crepe I ordered). They also have a great (and casual) outdoor patio covered in grapes vines. What I like best about this place is the atmosphere- it's family run, and it shows- whether you're a local or not, you'll feel like this is YOUR neighborhood!
(4)
Gretchen M.
AMAZING!!!!!!!! GO HERE!!!!! The outside patio rocks. Coffee is so so. Where they shine is the cream of wheat and I also love the home fries.
(5)
Maura D.
Cream of wheat I never knew I could love you so! Why oh why can I never make you at home the way I had you at the neighborhood! I've had issues with eating for the past year or so but I have to say the pumpkin pancakes were the best thing I've had in a long time. There was some shoveling action involved. I wasn't even hungry but it tasted good. This is a great place for brunch but very crowded...people were definitely in my bubble!
(5)
Wham S.
Thanks to being #1 on Yelp for breakfast in Somerville, my wife and I decided to give this place a shot. There was a line to get in, but it was a gorgeous day, so not bad at all waiting, and well worth it. Really cute little place, and the food was wonderful. I was a fan as soon as they came around and gave everyone orange juice, which comes with every breakfast. Their eggs benny with avocado and bacon was terrific. I've never had salad with an omelet before, but they actually went really well together. Prices were a little high, but not insurmountable. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Deb C.
Holy crap, this is the best place to go for brunch! Gigantic portions, good food, cheap prices. Of course there's always a line, but it usually moves pretty quickly. Staff isn't always the friendliest, but they're busy and focus on getting the job done. I love the outdoor patio under the grapevines in the summer.
(5)
Tyler B.
I just came back from The Neighborhood and I can't move I'm so stuffed. The food is good, but what makes this restaurant fantastic is the portion size, the atmosphere and the bathroom. Yes, you heard me, the bathroom. Portion Size - this is HUGE. It is seriously more food than anyone could possibly eat... ever. Hung-over from a late night of binge drinking? Breaking a long fast or just looking to eat only one meal this Sunday? Come here and get Midwest truck stop size portions of great food. Atmosphere - Think rural-nowhere-small-town-diner located in a Brazilian neighborhood with a hippie flare. Service may not come with bells and whistles, your silverware won't match, but the service is friendly and prompt. You will have interaction with people at tables next to you. Bathroom - Think Brazilian-Hobbit bathroom. It's under the stairs, painted very bright colors and the ceiling might be 5' 6". I could not stand up in it. It was AWESOME. Additionally, there is a HUGE outdoor patio covered by a trellis of grape vines which they actually make into wine. Not very good wine, but Somerville, MA isn't exactly an important wine region. Make your way to Union Sq anyway you can to visit this great restaurant.
(4)
Jordan L.
Whenever they have an eggs Benedict special, get it! Beyond that, the coffee is great, the staff is nice, the outdoor seating is a great touch, and the portions are sizable. Just get there early, or be prepared to wait.
(5)
Yasmin E.
Ambiance: very lovely outdoors space. Hairs/tables a bit dated but the beautiful grapevine covering the outdoor area makes it all better. Service, while friendly, can be a bit slow. They have a decent amount of seating but it goes fast. You have to put your own name down on the list; there was no host. Food: best Cream of Wheat I've ever had! Their pancakes and eggs are just ok. Portions are crazy generous. Will come back for Cream of Wheat! Bon apetit!
(4)
Jess C.
Hearty Breakfast/Brunch place under Grape Vines Food 4/5 Value 5/5 - (So much food!) Service 5/5 Decor 4/5 - (Outdoor seats under grape vines) Wait Time 3/5 - (30 mins wait will go by fast - just munch on the free pastry and coffee and talk to your buddies) FREE coffee and pastries right outside while you wait to be called for the table *First thing first: Put your name down with the party # on the clipboard *If you are not a big eater then it might be better to pay the extra $3 for the sharing option The Complimentary Stuff (WoW): 1. Fresh Orange Juice 2. Coffee / tea / chocolate 3. Fresh Fruits from season / Cream of Wheat (smooth and sweet creamy grit-like dessert?) 4. Toasts and blueberry muffin with fruit jam on the side We all ordered The Portuguese Breakfast on the daily special menu (all the items on the special menu were $13 each) The set was amazing and definitely can feed 2 hungry people. The portion was huge and full of healthy varieties: 1 crab cake, 1 cod cake, + another seafood cake (3 in total sooo delicious!) 2 pieces of black pudding, 2 pieces of crispy savory sausages, rice, baked beans, 2 eggs (sunny/medium/rare/cooked/scrambled), and homefries. I was utterly satisfied and relaxed and could not eat anymore despite having to forgo the yummy lookin' uneaten corn + blueberry muffins. At this point I was too full to say or feel anything. The meal was finished in belly-rubbing style and the kind that we sneakily loosen the button on the pants but keeping the zipper on. I was stuffed happily and still have enough left to pack some home because to be honest I already had too much complimentary goodies before the entree was served haha ! I will most likely come back for another amazing meal and maybe try their lunch menu the next time I am in town in Boston!
(5)
Stella W.
A great perfect neighborhood joint for breakfast. We came here and order the omelets two days in a row during a weekday and this place was always pretty packed. The prices are reasonable and the ingredients fresh. I heard that the owners are Brazilian and they use Brazilian coffee. Anyways, this is a must stop if you are in the area. Come hungry because the portions are generous.
(4)
Teddy B.
Breakfast at The Neighborhood is generally good to great. My favorite part is how they give you some OJ right off the bat, and your choice of cream of wheat or fruit. It's just a nice way to start a meal. They also give you complimentary toast with your food--a nice varied selection of buttered toast, jelly, and sweet bread. I usually order the pancakes (which are homemade like all their breads AFAIK, it is a bakery), homefries, and bacon. I have to say, the homefries aren't my cup of tea. They're just always a little raw-ish. I like homefries that are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Nevertheless, everything together makes a really satisfying package. The Neighborhood was recently renovated. I haven't seen the inside yet; the outside changes are subtle but nice--the greenery looks spruced up. In the winter it's very cramped inside; in the summer the outside gets very busy, but once you sit down it's nice and relaxing, and cool in the shade. The waitstaff is attentive, and as long as there aren't any screaming children around you'll have a nice experience. Highly recommended!
(4)
Kyra L.
Unfortunately I moved to Quincy and literally crave this place every Sunday morning. The fresh muffins and bread and of course the best cream of wheat I have ever had (don't tell my aunt though). If your contemplating not waiting, you are making a huge mistake. One hour is well worth it and they provide you with complimentary coffee and snacks while you wait. The breakfasts are huge, so come hungry!
(5)
Joey M.
mmmm the Neighborhood. Breakfast place extraordinaire. I've been going to the Neighborhood about as long as long as I have lived in Somerville. Saddle up to the door/patio, write your name on a list, grab yourself a coffee and maybe baked good and just chill. If its after 10, you will wait. You've been warned. Every meal starts with seasonal fruit or cream of wheat (CoW). The CoW is pretty amazing. They don't mess around with the amount of cream and it pays dividends. But that could be a meal in itself. So buyer beware. The specials page is lengthy and almost every meal comes with a 2nd meal built in. Belgian waffles, yup, you get a side of eggs, meat and homefries. Omelette, hell lets throw in some pancakes on the side. What I mean to say is come hungry friends. Come hungry. There is also toast/baked goods for the table and typically you get a small glass of OJ with the special (didn't get one this last time, damn shame). I had a nutella/strawberry crepe last time (with side of eggs and homefries) and it was ON POINT. Perfect amount of food. Normally I have to take leftovers. For the adventurous types, try the traditional peruvian special with gems like codcakes, shrimpcakes, linguica, etc...
(4)
Tracy B.
GF at work has been ordering Cream of Wheat from this place for MONTHS and I never had Cream of Wheat & always thought I didnt like it... Then one day she made me taste it & OMG, I have been back about 10 times since... I NOW LOVE CREAM OF WHEAT!!! Its creamy, Sweet, Buttery with a sprinkle of Cinnamon... We usually get like 5 or 6 orders and bring them to work... Everyone loves them & they all go right away as soon as we bring them in... Parking stinks, but otherwise A great little spot...
(4)
Jessica F.
Long wait for bad/average food. The omelet I ordered was really bad. The cheese that they used tasted very cheap and really should of never been put in an omelet. It was actually gross. I don't really understand how this place has such great reviews. Upon arrival there was a wait which was made much better by the coffee they supplied free of charge. However since I tried the food I don't understand why there was a wait... Why this place deserves 2 stars? They have really good French toast and the cream of wheat was good. Other than that a homemade meal is cheaper and significantly better. The home fries were both sad and meager looking. I don't know how you mess those up and I was very sad to see how ugly they were and unsatisfying they tasted:/ Again, I really don't understand how this place has such great reviews with such awful food. I hate cooking and hardly ever do it and my breakfast food deserves 5 stars compared to this place. Also they don't accept credit which was really frustrating. My bf and I had cash luckily but we waited 30 minutes to be seated and would have been furious if we didn't have the cash to pay for our meals. No one mentioned a word regarding the place being cash only until we spoke to the couple sharing the table with us. They had an ATM, but still, a sign outside would have been nice. I'm not willing to pay an ATM fee when we could of avoided it if we had known prior to being seated.
(2)
Christina M.
The best part about this place is the homey feel and wonderful service. Shayna is a doll! The food was fantastic, too- I highly recommend the crab cake Benedict. Huge chunks of crab alongside their yummy home potatoes. And the Cream of Wheat?? PHENOMENAL!!! Unlike anything I have ever had! This place is definitely worth a stop, and we went on a weekday at 11, so we didn't have to wait for a table, either :-)
(5)
M T.
It was a hot summer morning, so I paid more or less than $10 for a brunch under the grape vines. The brunch menu comes in a huge portion + extra toasts and muffins + a tiny cute cup of orange juice + a small bowl of fruits. The food was really good, but I could only finish half and asked for a to-go. The crepe was one of the best. I wish I could have that crepe every morning. It was perfectly made.
(5)
Scott V.
Wow is this place good for breakfast. Can't say that I went there but a Co worker brought me back the best corned beef hash I ever had. It was made with a Portuguese spice, came with fruit a muffin ,toast , home fries, certainly was not cheap but I'll be back for more
(5)
Erena S.
I came here 2 days in a row! I had a delicious salmon salad and brunch menu with eggs, French toast, turkey ham and grape fruit the next day! People are friendly there. I would love to go back there again :)
(5)
Glenn B.
This was my second or third visit in about eight years ... it was also the most disappointing. I remember previous visits thusly: long wait but well worth it. Free Cream o Wheat. Good food. This had the long wait and the Cream o Wheat, but: the breakfast was average: undistinguished hash browns, scrambled eggs that had been rushed through (runny), and the coffee was what I have heard Brazilians call "dirty potato water." Not at all memorable. And the service was ... well, I think "brusque" is a polite term. "Rude" would be less polite. I hate to give a meh review to a place I understand is a tradition and a family-owned business, but from my limited experience The Neighborhood has slipped. Badly.
(2)
Al R.
This is one of my favorite breakfast places in boston for many reasons. But im going to keep this focused on the cream of wheat. That's right. I said CREAM of wheat. That porridge wheat soup that has been considered for millennia to be the breakfast of simple people with unrefined tastes. Well listen up. This cream of wheat is literally the best cream of wheat I've ever had in my entire life. If I had a choice between this cream of wheat and any other breakfast item available on the menu of ANY OTHER breakfast place in boston, I would pick this. If you poured this cream of wheat into the cells of a prison in the midst of a prison riot, all would calm. Gandhi would have broken his fast for this cream of wheat. The queen of England would give up the throne for a second bite of this cream of wheat. And If there is one thing Palestine and Israel could agree on, it's that THIS CREAM OF WHEAT is the best damn cream of wheat that ever graced a bowl and spoon. They should rename this cream of WHAT. Because whatever they put in this has made it so addicting that I want more if it and I JUST HAD IT. Or maybe they should call it SCREAM OF WHEAT because you can hear me blabbering about how good it is from two tables away with every spoonful. I don't really know what else to say about this other than you need to cancel all plans immediately and storm over to the neighborhood restaurant and get that sweet sweet thick savory nectar stat. Your happiness depends on it.
(5)
Kayo P.
My favorite breakfast place in all of Somerville. The staff is polite and quick. The food is amazing, and the ambience is remarkable. They serve outdoors in the summer which makes the whole experience even better. The portions are generous, and most orders come with orange juice and unlimited coffee.
(5)
Kim A.
Today we had the eggs Benedict and their coconut french toast. All of the meals come with cream of wheat or fruit, orange juice, coffee, toast, and your meal. The portions are HUGE. They have a $3 sharing fee. My coconut french toast came with all of the above and bacon, home fries, and 2 eggs. There was more than enough for two people to share!! On the weekends this place is packed!!! Expect a line!! They do offer coffee and snacks when you wait. During the warm weather they have outside seating. Parking can be tough, it is union sq!!! We have been coming for YEARS!!!! The wait staff is always friendly and sweet!!!
(5)
Jeremy B.
This place is 100% Amazing for anybody looking for a great place to eat breakfast and lunch. I was going to rate the place 4/5 because they only accepted cash, but they have an ATM and delicious food which makes up for the missing one star. Suggestions are definitely the cream of wheat for a starter. Me being a egg Benedict guy, i usually get those, and they are very good. Although, i have gotten other entries and they are 10/10 as well. I like home fries overcooked and when i asked, they said, "No problem!" Which usually means that they cant do it. When my food came, i was surprised as to they had actually done it. Overall, great breakfast/brunch/lunch restaurant.
(5)
Brittney B.
Really unique and the food was great! Now I can see what people are saying about the (FREE) Cream of Wheat! So creamy and delicious, great start to the meal! Free coffee outside is a little rough, but what do you expect for free?!? Over 100 menu options for breakfast = something for everyone! I went with the healthy choice special of the day and the buckwheat banana walnut pancakes were AWESOME! Tons of turkey bacon came with my meal and the egg scramble was light and yummy. Totally filling and would def order again. Atmosphere is unusual and different in the city and a great place to bring visitors.
(5)
Andrew L.
They give you oatmeal when you sit down for breakfast. That's how I immediately knew we were off to a good start. Although you're likely to wait to get in, there's good reason. They know what they are doing here. Trying to work my way through their extensive menu, I have yet to choose wrong. Awesome food, great outdoor seating, superb "neighborhood"!
(5)
Benoit T.
We have been thinking about trying this restaurant for a very long time. Once we were in the area on a Saturday morning, and ready to eat early, so we thought it was the right opportunity since we know the line can be looong. Our wait was (only) 35 minutes, which I guess is ok, expect if we have starving kids waiting with you.... But they give you drinks and cakes to wait, so I guess you cannot complain. The outdoor patio is awesome. Unfortunately we were a little bit disappointed by the food. I was expecting several Brasilian options, but those were very limited as they reduce their menu options for the brunch. I had the Brasilian breakfast. Three sausages: one was good, one was too spicy, all were over cooked, the last was mild / no taste. My wife's plate were very mild too, no flavor. Conclusion: if you come for the brunch expect limited Brasilian options, and average food. If you want more options, try the dinner.
(3)
Jess S.
Come for breakfast and leave with enough leftovers for lunch.... you get BIG portions. Sitting down, you get a complimentary glass of orange juice. It's small but, hey, it's free. And a bottomless cup of coffee. Yes. The waitstaff was so incredibly friendly I want them all to be my real life friends. Efficient, too, in my experience. We were lucky and there was not a wait for us, but I know it can get long. Get there early I guess! The place is pretty small and tightly packed. Food is yummy and vegetarian friendly. I enjoyed my fruit cup and pancakes very much. Overall, a nice brunch experience. Only thing missing was a spicy bloody mary, as they don't serve alcohol.
(4)
Gasper C.
don't remember what I got but it had linguica, crab cake, blood sausage(?), and 2 other things that were all really good service is super nice, our waitress gave one of my friends a cream of wheat even though she didn't order anything and yea the cream of wheat is really good free oj, buttered toast, and blueberry pound cake thing !! tried my friends pancakes and those are really good too
(5)
Trisha R.
In the summer, the ambiance is very nice. Their cream of wheat is to die for. Home made breads, jellies and muffins are fantastic. They definitely put love into everything they make.
(5)
Heather L.
I've heard so much about this place from so many different people. Every time, the general reaction was the same, "omg this place is amazing!" "the cream of wheat is to die for!". However, I don't know....it just didn't meet my expectations. I mean, don't get me wrong, the place is great for what it is. Bottomless coffee (plus free coffee while you wait), small glass of OJ, buttered toast, corn muffin, on top what of you ordered, that amount of food was amazingly surreal. Everyone at my table all took away a to-go box because of the large amount of food. But was the food life changing? Did the cream of wheat transform my life? Eh. not so much. Thankfully the weather was beautiful outside, so the 50 minute wait during prime time weekend brunch hours passed by very quickly. Not sure I would wait in line that long again for the same experience. If you come during the weekend, expect a long wait. No one will be there to take your name. Just write your name and number of people on a piece of paper outside the front door. Also, cash only!
(3)
Steve X.
I honestly don't understand why this place is rated so high. Yes the food is good. Yes you can eat under a grapevine setting and feel like you are in an exotic place while in the middle somerville. But in the end, the quality of service is not that great. First of all you have to be on a waiting list for a long long time. They usually run out of food and they don't make up for giving you the same portions as people who come earlier. That is just messed up. Secondly the food isn't that great. I mean some of the stuff I can make to be honest. And you don't get that much food. Their specials are good, but it takes a long time to decipher what you are getting and the servers are not good in explaining. That's what happens when you come to a place that is reviewed by many bandwagoners. Id say definitely try it out for yourself, but this is just my opinion of the place.
(3)
Diane W.
You will love the cream of wheat. So much really great food comes before you get your breakfast that you have to save room. And I can't say too much for the coffee and lemonade that sits out in big pitchers for those who are waiting in line. Yes, there is a line on popular days and its well worth the wait. Plus, parking is easy in this part of Somerville. So, all in all, The Neighborhood is a great place to take a large group for breakfast.
(5)
Jasmine T.
Came in for some much needed me time. Decided to check this place out for some breakfast. Everything on the menu and their specials of the day sounded delicious. There was a lot to choose from and I couldn't decide so I asked the waitress for some recommendations. From the list of choices I couldn't decide from she recommended that I get the Coconut French Toast Breakfast and the choosing their Cream of Wheat over the Baked Apple. I did just that! I wish I got the waitresses name because I'm so glad I took her up on the recommendations. Everything she recommended for me to order was delicious. I hate when I'm being given bad recommendations, and I have had my share! They give a hefty serving here. My Coconut French Toast breakfast came with coffee, OJ, choice of cream of wheat or baked apple, buttered toasts, corn muffin, 2 eggs, bacon or eggs, and hash. The cream of wheat was warm and comforting to have during this brisk summer morning. It had a touch of buttery sweetness and cinnamon, reminding me of cooler seasons The Coconut French Toast had a good coconut flavor that wasn't too artificial taste or too sweet. The shredded coconut on too was a nice touch and It didn't need any maple syrup, it was good as it was. I sat at the outside patio which has umbrella tables and benches under a shading of grape vines. It had a quaint feel to it. The workers were very friendly and welcoming. Definitely a nice spot to have breakfast/brunch by yourself or with others.
(4)
Julia J.
I went to Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery today for the third (I was very happy with my first two experience here), but first time with my parents. We were excited at the beginning, but got very disappointed at last. The Service: From the moment we sat down to the moment we left, our cups were ALWAYS EMPTY. No server came to ask if we would like any water or coffee! I saw other tables with the red water cups on their tables, we had nothing! The food we had (omelet, toast, bacon, or fries) were decent in general but dry if we don't get water! And we didnt get any water! I had to bring my cup to LOOK FOR and to ASK FOR water and coffee, because I could no longer ignore my thirst or DREAM someone would came to offer some water! ALSO, THE SERVERS WERE TALKING AND LAUGHING TOGETHER INSTEAD OF GIVING US SOME WATER! The Food: Cream of Wheat: I always liked the cream of wheat (though my parents thought it's little too sweet). BUT I was sure that there was some ORANGE taste in it. Home Fries: I began to eat my home fries after I had my omelet. My home fries tasted PLAIN. I had to sprinkle the salt on the fries or I can't eat it. Everything else we had was ok but not very impressive. But we were supposed to enjoy it and I could totally forgot about the orange taste in my cream of wheat or the plain home fries I had since we sat under the grape plants and surrounded buy some cucumbers (we LOVED and was IMPRESSED by the ENVIRONMENT at the beginning!). However, the BAD SERVICE just ruined everything. Neighborhood Restaurant should really be careful about whom they are hiring. Bad servers who don't seem to want to work there could just ruin everything for customers. My parents and I never cared very much about the waitress/waiter, because we would focus much more on being with each other and having some kinda activities together. But we DO EXPECT SOMETHING BASIC LIKE WATER (we didnt get any water). We spent 37 dollars on the meal in total. We were going to give 6 dollars as tip as we were supposed to. But my mom and I took 1 dollar back at last because we were just too unhappy with how we were never asked if we would some water!!!! We would never come here again!
(2)
Nina S.
Maybe it was just too hyped up that it would be impossible to live up to but not worth the hour wait. There were some nice things about this place that I appreciated like the warm cornbread they had sitting out for people waiting for a seat, and the servers are all terribly nice for such a busy joint, but the food was not as spectacular as I was lead to believe. Tried the cream of wheat which I cannot deny was like cream of crack cause it was darn good but if you add that much butter and sugar to anything it'll be good. The Portuguese breakfast was just average, nothing that really set it apart in my opinion from other places I've been to. And the pop overs were just disappointing. Not as light and fluffy like I had imagined, they were really dense and heavy and overly sweet. Can't say I'd wait in line for this again :/
(2)
Harri S.
Alright, so this place is not, you know five-star breakfast or brunch it's just it's a place for breakfast. It's very cheap breakfast with excellent service and value-priced fresh orange juice, in addition to a few other varieties of juices as well. OH annnnd free everlasting coffee. They know how to do their stuff, in fact speaking of stuff, I was stuffed at the end of my meal. I enjoyed it and it was a very clean place that is kind of hard to get to unless you live in the hood, or have a car, but otherwise solid. Get there early because I hear on weekends it is really hard to get into, however on a weekday your probably going to get in easily and you will be rewarded. Just make sure you bring quarters to feed the meters...you will probably hang around a while.
(4)
Katelyn P.
Came here for brunch because of all the great things I've heard. Overall, I don't think it lives up to the hype (and not worth the almost inevitable weekend wait), but there are a few things this place does really well. First, the things I was underwhelmed by. Although you do get a lot of food for the price (it's a good deal for a Union Sq brunch), what you get it just average. Home fries were gummy and bland, eggs are nothing special, coffee and orange juice are the typical diner variety. If you can't make breakfast at home and you're starving then this is a good place for you. The 2 things I was impressed by: the cream of wheat and the side of wheat toast. The cream of wheat did live up to the hype, I would probably come back here just for a delicious bowl of this comfort food. And the bread for the toast was flavorful and fresh (I'm guessing house made). Give them a try, you might be like many others who love their breakfast. But I personally think there are better brunch options in the area.
(3)
Jeremy C.
Meh...a lot of hype. Some of the service staff is AWESOME, some have no idea what they're doing which is frustrating. Decent food but very poor attention to detail.
(3)
Jenny G.
Been here a few times now. While their main entrees are amazing, I have to honestly say that I come here when I'm craving their cream of wheat. Like so many others have pointed out, this place is such a great deal. With your meal, you get free cream of wheat or their fruit option (this was a delicious baked apple the last 2x I was there), small glass of orange juice, and bottomless coffee. Most of their entrees are about $12-13 and come with toast and/or home fries etc. The only con is that their tables are not big enough to house all the food that they give you. It's so much good food for a really good price. Yes, be prepared to wait a while if you go during prime time. But I think that they do a really good job of being attentive and getting parties in and out quickly without ever rushing us while we're seated. They're simply too popular. My boyfriend and I typically don't like waiting, so we just go during off hours when we can get seated immediately or it's just a minimal wait.
(5)
Simon L.
Fun but not worth waiting for even though they give you free coffee while you wait. A Hollandaise sauce is delicious but the avocados are overwhelming. The homefires are cooked on too high a heat for too short a time - crisp on outside, and mushy on the inside. The Portugese breakfast is unique but all the sausages are overcooked. Polite and competent service.
(3)
Annie S.
I moved to Union Square a year ago, and this is my favorite spot. HANDS DOWN. You get so much food! Everything you get comes with orange juice, coffee, fruit, and an extra dish that you choose from a couple different options (either cream of wheat or apple cake or something else seasonal). Honestly, I would come here just for the cream of wheat- it's soooo good. And I'd never even had cream of wheat before. If you're on a tight budget, this is a great place to go because you can get something simple for just 5 bucks like a breakfast sandwich or eggs and bacon, and then it comes with the fruit and cream of wheat! They also have some more expensive $9-13 breakfasts, their menu is really long and delicious. Make sure you check out the specials menu because it always has some great stuff. On weekends, there is always a wait! Get there early and put your name down on the written list. They put our coffee and cake and cornbread for everyone while they wait- it's so yummy. The only bad thing is that it can ruin your appetite!
(5)
H J.
5 star for the service and cream of wheat! Baked apple was nice and tasty too! 4 stars for the value but maybe it's 5 stars for local Boston area? You do get a lot of bread with the order but hey I can get a load of bread from Ralph's for $3... Then again, maybe I'm just cheap? :0 I would say it's a comfort food place. Cash only!
(4)
Vanessa C.
Best brunch spot in Somerville, hands down! Large portions for very reasonable prices and everything is delicious. Don't be scared off by the huge crowds. There's a reason why there are so many people waiting, it's absolutely worth it! Plus free coffee/lemonade and bread while you wait.
(5)
Roland L.
So, you're in Boston, clueless as to where to find that amazing little breakfast spot that is low-key, delicious, substantially filling, and affordable. You may want to take a short drive into Somerville for a meal that will meet all those criteria in The Neighborhood Restaurant. The Neighborhood Restaurant is a cozy little breakfast and lunch eatery serving locals Portuguese-American cuisine for over 30 years, offering indoor and al fresco dining options. Their renown keeps them busy during the week but intensifies on the weekend (which requires understanding and patience in waiting to be seated and likewise being served). That being said, for an optimal experience at The Neighborhood Restaurant, consider dining early and indoors. Breakfast patrons of The Neighborhood Restaurant are treated to several complimentary accompaniments: Your choice of bottomless coffee, tea, or hot chocolate followed by your choice of fresh fruit or cream of wheat, then a complimentary toast plate and orange juice. That's just for starters. Remember, you have yet to be served your meal! Allow me to elaborate on a few of these complimentary items: Coffee - I enjoy coffee, nay...I LOVE COFFEE! Having been a long time coffee and espresso aficionado, I can unequivocally claim that The Neighborhood Restaurant offers up a very solid cup that lacked bitterness and acidity. All in all, a very delightful complimentary coffee suitable consumption without cream or sugar. Cream of Wheat - Ultimately, THIS is what brought me back the morning of my flight's departure! The Neighborhood Restaurant has their recipe down to a science and quite honestly, I have never been served such a tasty bowl of cream of wheat in my life! Complimentary Toast Plate - Features a selection of fresh baked goods, namely different sliced breads and mini muffins in tandem with homemade jelly. Sirloin Steak, Three Eggs, & Homefries ($10.99): 4.75/5 Sirloin Steak Medium Rare - Check Three Eggs Over Easy - Check What more could you ask for when your order arrives to your table perfectly prepared, just the way you requested? Aside from a small chunk of fat sitting at the end of my steak ordered, I had no complaints of this well seasoned steak. Even their homefries were not too salty and tender. Strawberry, Banana, & Nutella Crepe ($9.49): 4.5/5 Another flawless execution for a dish easily gone awry. My compliments to The Neighborhood Restaurant's chefs for creating an ideal crepe batter that contained a perfect chew with a slight crispy perimeter and filled with sweet strawberries and bananas. Spinach & Cheese Omelette, Homefries, & Toast ($9.49): 5/5 If you love spinach omelettes, this is one you surely do not want to miss! Packed generously with lightly wilted spinach and oozing with Monterey Jack cheese, this French fold omelette will satisfy your hunger and then some! I'm an understanding individual that is sensitive to taxed food service wait staff and feel that in spite of the fact that The Neighborhood Restaurant is as bustling as it is, wait staff remains upbeat, friendly, and sensibly attentive. The Neighborhood Restaurant is a CASH ONLY dining establishment equipped with an onsite ATM.
(5)
David A.
I have cracked the code on their delicious cream of wheat. But nothing beats having it served to me in their bustling little restaurant. Love their food, their people.. Parking sucks but that's Boston for you.
(5)
B N.
So i had to knock down the rating because of the surrounding "noise" this being the actual conversations of the servers and i think a manager? Or someone associated with the place. Maybe people are naturally loud and yell at each other across the room... Not one or two exchanges but a full blown convo... Ummm can you guys get closer and have a real convo? I forgot to finish this: THE GOOD PART! grapes are real and are good! ask to try them! This made this place so unique. Food was good - when we went however it was a bit chilly and we wanted to sit inside but the inside was closed? hmmm odd... maybe construction or we just came at a bad time. All in all, food was good, i would come back for sure when it is warm and sit in the patio again.
(3)
Nomin B.
This place was simply amazing. Nothing over the board, but every item we ordered were perfect. Steak tips are juicy and tender. And cream of wheat is so good that I wanted to order one to-go. Must go, if you want great food!
(5)
Lorraine C.
My friends and I are regulars are the Neighborhood! This place is great to go during the summer because they have outdoor seating and the wait time is less compared to the winter. When there is a wait we have to sign our names on a sheet of paper and a waitress will call out the name when the table is ready. We get coffee and a small glass of orange juice plus a choice of cream of wheat or fruit. This place is great, but unfortunately they don't take credit/ debit card, but they do have an ATM inside.
(5)
Marissa A.
The 5 stars could solely be for the complimentary cream of wheat (or choice of fresh fruit) they serve. I mean how do you make cream of wheat addictive? You also get orange juice AND coffee. Everything they cook is amazing - eggs, omelets, pancakes. I plan on trying everything. But don't expect private dining - you could be sharing a table with others. And on weekends, expect a bit of a wait. But it's worth it.
(4)
Ashley T.
The Neighborhood is amazing. It's a cute little spot in the heart of Union Square with inexpensive home made dishes, friendly staff and a great outdoor patio. It almost feels like eating breakfast in your grandma's kitchen. The portions are huge and the food, more than satisfying. The cream of wheat is to die for. I'm not kidding...you may think you want fruit instead (they give you the option), you might even convince yourself you're going to order fruit, but when the server asks you which option you'd prefer, I bet you a million bucks you'll opt for the cream of wheat. It's THAT GOOD!!! The patio is adorable and perfect for eating outside. Set back from the street, it offers privacy from traffic, big picnic tables, and a lovely grape-vine covered top (they use the grapes to make sangria)... All in all, not to be missed...check it out. You'll definitely be back.
(5)
Frances N.
CASH ONLY. The name doesn't lie: this little neighborhood restaurant is a perfect place to become a regular. FOOD - 5 stars ===== - Free OJ (1 glass)/coffee/tea (bottomless). I shouldn't need to say more but... - CREAM OF WHEAT is a must try. Stir in some brown sugar and you'll wish this was bottomless, too. - I forget what I ordered on the menu but it was extremely flavorful: it comes out looking like something I could make myself... until you sink your teeth in and realize its deliciousness! ATMOSPHERE/SERVICE - 5 stars =================== Quiet on a Tuesday morning... and a perfect place to read a book while slowly eating breakfast and listening to oldies on the radio and the waitstaffs' Boston accents. As a west-coaster, I was worried the waitstaff would be New England brusque, but they were extremely attentive: my orange juice and hot tea were never empty and they checked on me just enough to make me feel valued but not suffocated. I wish I could find a place like this in every city I visited.
(5)
Bethany K.
This is a good breakfast spot. It's about $12-15 bucks per person but it includes a small orange juice, coffee, toast, and cream of wheat. It's a lot of food. Home fried potatoes are salty (which I like). Cream of wheat is sweet with a ton of cinnamon. Comfort food salt/sugar/butter! Service is robotic and unfriendly. For example: someone asked me I wanted coffee. I didn't but 5 more people asked me the same question. Some people might think that is good service. But I thought it was annoying. Why didn't the first person simply take the mugs off the table so that everyone would know I didn't want coffee. 2nd example I was offered complimentary cream of wheat but it was dripping down the sides of the bowls. It wasn't just my bowl but everyone around me too. It's good plenty of food for the $ but cramped and not worth a long wait.
(4)
Susan B.
Delicious home food. Reminded me of having breakfast with my grandma. Cold day, warm kitchen, good company, and the scent of cinnamon in the air. Wait staff was attentive without hovering. Thing that made me sad was the coffee... That was like grandma's as well.
(5)
Eduardo N.
Really 3 and 1/2 stars...decided to round up my rating, lol. Didn't quite live up to all the breathless hype. Service was ok-ish for this area (of which I have low expectations). I kind of wish they would automatically bring everyone a glass of ice water once seated and keep refilling, as is commonplace down south...guess I'm spoiled by southern customer service! "Bottomless coffee" = pretty tasteless drip filter coffee with creamer cups, which our server had to be asked to refill rather than seeing that our mugs were empty and needed refilling. Perhaps they were understaffed that day? I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Food took its time to get there and aside from the carby dishes were hit and miss...my steak tips were excellent and cooked medium rare as requested, one of my friend's grilled salmon wasn't, scrambled eggs tasted like the carton type not fresh eggs (many IHOPs give you the option of picking the latter), grilled chicken fillet was dry and thin desperately in need of sauce or gravy, crepes and waffles were pretty good. Generally speaking, if you love carbs, you will probably love this place...rolls, buttered toast, cream of wheat, homemade bread, waffles, etc all were quite good. The "free OJ" = tiny 6-8oz of watery concentrate...nice gesture because it's free, I suppose. Some of us had the grapefruit halves instead of cream of wheat, which were wonderful...of course, cream of wheat doesn't exactly require a culinary arts degree to make yourself at home and sprinkle a bunch of cinnamon and sugar on top. In case you haven't figured it out yet, if you are a paleo eater you'll be less thrilled. Unfortunately, Somerville simply doesn't many good solid, reasonably priced breakfast options unless you consider donuts breakfast, so you could do much worse. About $15 a person is a so-so price for this area, and I suppose if you're coming here on a weekend morning bleary eyed and hung over and too lazy to make your own breakfast at home it's understandable. Personally, I don't think the 15-25 minute wait for a crowded table here is really worth it unless you really enjoy the community vibe and people-watching opportunities. General impression: this is the sort of place that hipsters like to rave about in order to feel like hipsters...unique and sort of homey, yes; objectively all that great, no. PS. Having a LEGIBLE (preferably typed) menu of breakfast specials would be very helpful, instead of having it done in some ridiculously loopy hieroglyphics.
(4)
Juliet N.
Really good value for breakfast, food was delicious. Each special comes with coffee, orange juice, cream of wheat or fruit (the day I went it was a baked apple), and a basket of toast for the table. Specials run about $13. Most of the specials include a waffle/pancake option and eggs, sausages and homefries. You can change to bacon for an extra $1. The place is pretty small, we went with a group of 5 and they only have 2 tables that fit a party that big. The wait was only about 30 minutes anyway, and that was on a Saturday around noon. Our table had the eggs benedict, pumpkin pancakes, coconut/ strawberry pancakes, and a waffle with fruit among other things. Everyone was very happy with their food and the experience. Service was friendly and efficient. Whipped cream was homemade, portion size was huge, no complaints. Would not hesitate to go again.
(4)
Yadira R.
Cream of Wheat! Who would have ever thought it could be addicting? If you had a bowl at the Neighborhood Restaurant in Somerville, MA you would understand why. Cooked in the kitchen of a Portuguese-American mom and pop shop in Union Square, the top secret recipe leaves people practically licking their bowls. It is so good that I'm convinced if the Neighborhood ever opted to open a food truck just serving the cream of wheat, they would be millionaires within the week! Containing traces of lemon peel, cinnamon, butter, and sugar, amongst other less noticeable ingredients, the cream of wheat is something you either love or hate. While some don't quite understand the platform created for this bowl of goodness, others would easily jump for joy. For me personally, it brings me back to my former years when my mother would serve me a bowl as a kid. It's sort of like that scene in Ratatouille, when the famed food critic takes his first bite of the meal and gets transported back to his childhood home eating his mothers home cooking. Now how many foods have you eaten that can do all that? The cream of wheat is just not a bowl of mush, but is an experience that opens the mind, provokes an emotion, and has the potential to tap into your memory bank. If you have tried it and don't like it, fine. Everyone has an opinion. But, if you haven't tried it, you are doing yourself a disservice. The cream of wheat has easily become a Somerville classic!
(4)
Joni T.
OMG! This place is amazing. Family owned. Everything made home made. It's cash only so be prepared. But if you're not they have an ATM inside. The cream of wheat was Rick, buttery, creamy, salty. Melt in your mouth. You get huge portions so be prepared to take a box home with you.
(5)
Kelly C.
So many extra bonuses here! OJ, Cream of wheat or fruit, and some type of baked good come with every special! Oh, and coffee, tea or hot coco! CASH ONLY Tight squeeze inside. HUGE portions of food and the options go over 100 on the menu~ Everything we had was delicious!
(4)
Wendy H.
In the summer this is a great place for families to come for early morning breakfast. They open at 7 am, outdoor seating is beautiful and all meals come with the choice of cream of wheat or fruit, both of which tend to be popular with kids. Show up later and you'll wait in line, and service is a little hit or miss. But overall a wonderful spot.
(4)
Court S.
Go for the cream of wheat. I only get breakfast food here- eggs, toast, pancakes. All so good. However, the star of the show is the cream of wheat. I love coming here on a summer weekday, because there is no line, no wait and all but 2-3 other tables of people. Good for service, prob bad for tips. But goodness that cream of wheat. I can't even replicate it at home- and I've tried. P.S- the grapes hanging from the ceiling are real.
(5)
Olivia W.
Yes, just yes to everything. Eat here, leave full, be happy. Cash only!
(5)
Jessica L.
You know a place is pretty good if there's a long line outside in the cold. They made a great first impression when they offered coffee and some snacks while you wait outside in the cold. I really loved the cream of wheat; it was easily the best part of the meal. It's the first time I had it, and I think I would have been full on just the cream of wheat itself. However, I also got the homemade corned beef hash. It came with 3 eggs, home fries, and the corned beef hash. The home fries were pretty good, a little mushy in the middle, but otherwise fine. The eggs were just fine. I was a little disappointed with the corned beef hash. It was kind of bland and even throwing some salt on it didn't seem to help. The menu said that it was homemade, and it seemed like something they were supposed to be good at. However, I was not impressed with the corned beef hash. The service was pretty good. People came by to offer us more coffee. However, they never came by with the orange juice, and they only gave us a small cup of it. It would have been nice if they had come by with not just coffee but orange juice. Overall, it was a pretty good place, and definitely worth the value. For $12.95, I got enough food to feed me for probably 2 or 3 meals. I would probably go again when it's warmer. They have a little patio section next to the restaurant that opens up in the summer.
(3)
Christina H.
First time trying portuguese style breakfast. Personally, I was not a fan of my dish. I was told ahead of time that the linguica would taste different from chrorizo, but I was curious and gave it a try. Nope, not the same. The linguica doesn't have a kick to it. Pancakes and homefries were not anything extraordinary. A couple of my friends raved about the cream of wheat, but I just found it meh. Cute outdoor patio seating area. Servers were all extremely friendly and helpful. I would still recommend folks to come try it out. It's not my go-to brunch spot, but it might be yours.
(3)
Mimi L.
This place has AMAZING breakfast. Everything I ordered tasted so on point from their toast to the Portuguese sausages, eggs, and cream of wheat. If you are ever presented with the option of fruit or cream of wheat, get the cream of wheat!! I came here when I was on vaca but I can't wait to come here again next time I visit so I can try all the other delicious options on the menu!
(5)
Sarah R.
My husband adores this place, based mainly on the sheer quantity of food. I've been here a few times but I'm not a huge fan. The food is ok and the coffee is pretty bad. Plus it's cash only.
(3)
Gaven C.
This is a very affordable and delicious little dive restaurant. Your meal comes with the best tasting cream of wheat you'll ever have, orange juice and coffee. Make sure to bring cash because they don't take CC's!
(5)
Jonathan H.
This review is long overdue seeing as how this is my family's go-to breakfast/brunch place, especially when we have visitors. Do you hate the fact that with most brunch places, you have to choose sweet OR savory? Not with Neighborhood! Their weekend brunch specials include both, and are huge portions to boot! I can vouch for their waffles and pancakes, particularly the pumpkin pancakes when they are serving them. And as everyone has already mentioned, make sure someone in your party chooses the cream of wheat! Cons are long lines on weekends due to their awesomeness, and parking is a bit tricky for non-Somerville residents, although there is metered parking nearby. In the winter, when the outdoor seating isn't available, seating is pretty tight as well. Lastly, fellow parents: if you are like us and are already awake early because of the little ones, seating is that much easier if you swing by before 9:30am.
(5)
Kamille W.
I'm not sure I'll ever be able to forgive myself for waiting as long as I did to try the Neighborhood Restaurant. I have missed out on Saturday mornings full of wonderful cornbread and hollandaise for the past eight years. Please excuse me while I dab away this single, dramatic tear. ...Ok back. ANYWAY. Here's what you do, kiddos. On Saturday morning, stride over to the restaurant to put your name on the list. Grab a cup of the free coffee and stroll over to the farmer's market for a few minutes. Buy the obligatory kale -- maybe some rainbow chard if you're feeling fancy. Wander back to the restaurant when you feel the breakfast nymphs calling your name, and spend the last 5 or 10 minutes of your wait near the entrance. Real talk? Once you place your order, it will be a while before it comes out.This is ok for a couple of reasons. One, the wait will be 4000% worth it. And two, you will be kept well-fed and watered (coffee-ed?) while you wait. Fruit. Cream of wheat. Coffee. OJ. All for the price of "on the house." And then it will happen: THE BREAD DROP. Your order will come out with a few slices of toast for the table, and a chunk of sweet, moist, delicious cornbread. Y'all, I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. On top of all this magicalness, you'll get whatever lovingly prepared dish you actually ordered. I got the grilled salmon with poached eggs and hollandaise. The salmon was cooked to medium rare perfection: flaky on the outside, moist on the inside. The poached eggs were the platonic ideal: soft but cooked white, runny and not-even-a-little-bit-firm yolk. All this and a side of shockingly flavorful beans and rice. You guys, I paid like $12 for that plate of food. ARE YOU SERIOUS WENDY ( goo.gl/Mr4HJH ) So yeah. You should go to the Neighborhood Restaurant. ...Like, now.
(5)
Marcy H.
Fantastic!!!!! Free cream of wheat, free oj, free coffee and yummy breakfast including an amazing free blueberry muffin to top things off! Two big breakfasts for $11. Cant beat it!!!
(5)
Colleen C.
I love their cream of wheat!!! The place is small and intimate. The food is lip smacking awesome!
(5)
Erica D.
You had me at Cream of Wheat... This was a moment of reckoning!! We are food fanatics and tend to be disappointed in hole in the wall breakfast places. I had read many great reviews as well as a bunch of bad ones and we needed to try the Neighborhood Restaurant for ourselves. Today was the day! We got there around 11:15 am and when I was able to move thru the huge crowd on the sidewalk in front I went in and met one of the "family" who explained the self sign in system and told me about the free coffee and corn bread outside while we wait. ( these offerings were good and always refilled for us crazy vultures) She was happy and sweet while working incredibly fast and hard to get the next groups seated. We waited about 30 minutes for a two top and being a cool beautiful day made that an easy wait. We were seated inside at a very tiny table but this time of year the out door dining area is closed. That's ok! It's a small but nicely done dining room. It felt clean and contemporary. The people who work there and run a finely oiled machine are upbeat, friendly, welcoming and attentive folks. They greeted us with free coffee and small oj's and our menus. Nice array of choices and a whole sheet of specials. Every breakfast listed sounded great!! And the prices were more than fair! First things first... Cream of wheat or fruit he asked. Being fall and having heard such rave reviews about the offering we both picked cereal. I was not sure how good this was gonna be. I was actually expecting slightly watery bland CoW. No way!!! This was a big bowl with cinnamon on top! I couldn't believe how good it was!!! Grandma Edee move over! Then the bread plate came with banana muffin and wheat toast with jam. Nice but I just couldn't. Then my spinach and cheese omelette oh so fresh and packed full!! I'm very picky about over done eggs and this was perfection! I was a glutton and also ordered a "side" of French toast! I was lead to the Portuguese sweet bread as my bread choice and it was a good one! A "side" was as big as most regular greasy spoons' full order. Two huge pieces with butter and syrup on the side! Yes it's a lot but we had to try everything we could on visit #1 My hubby had a family omelette and loved it! He doesn't eat home fries but that's ok. If I have one critical thought it's that the home fries could have been a bit more done but, that's a personal preference! So! After the equivalent of three breakfasts each, we left full and so happy we finally got over here! We saw so many other great meals being served we will be back soon for homemade hash and the sirloin and eggs!! Maybe we won't eat all week so we can come again next Sunday. Thanx gang at the Neighborhood!!!! We thoroughly enjoyed our time today from waiting with other fans to the service and delicious food you made for us! See you soon and I fear often! Erica and Dave
(5)
Krycee K.
A quaint place with delicious food! Before hitting the road to run errands my friend sugegsted we grab breakfast first and of course I trusted his judgment because he always finds these great places with the yummiest food. So The Neighborhood it is. Mind you I've never heard nor been to this place, then again I don't frequent the Somerville area so there you go. Please note I am a vegan (the menu doesn't cater to vegans) however I was abl eto partake of a very satisfying breakfast. The prices are very affordable too. It's a small place and can get crowded pretty quick, but isn't the the case with all the best places to eat. I hope you give it a try, it's definitely worth it :)
(4)
Eric D.
I've been here a dozen times in the past year easily. I can't stay away from it! The outdoor seating is amazing! The indoor seating is homely! The staff is friendly and quick! Most of all the food is perfect every time, whether I get lunch or breakfast. Their coffee is decent enough to drink black and their cream of wheat is my go to every time. I simply cannot recommend this place enough and whenever someone stays over, we walk to this place. Take note though, they take cash only, but it's super affordable.
(5)
Michael C.
One of the best breakfasts in all of Greater Boston. This family run diner style restaurant serves extremely generous portions of food for short money. Every breakfast comes with juice, an option of cream of wheat or a baked apple, some bread and muffins, and finally the breakfast entree you actually ordered. The menu items are pretty traditional breakfast items, no real surprises. However everything made here is of very high quality. Lastly, the outdoor patio here is awesome and draped in grape leaves. No reservations so expect to wait for a table. My suggestion is to go after 1PM.
(5)
Hannah R.
Mmmmmm, what can I say that hasn't been said by hundreds of other brunchers? Maybe not much... Seems like no matter what time you get here, there's going to be a line. There is a list outside to write your own name down on--don't be one of the goons who stands around waiting for a hostess to pay attention to them for twenty minutes. There's coffee and pastry to keep you munching while you wait, and trust, it is so worth the wait. Virtually all of the meals come with complimentary o.j., coffee, plate of pastry, your choice of cream of wheat OR baked apple in winter/fruit plate in summer. Go with the baked apple in the winter, cream of wheat in the summer. Better yet, go with a group so you can have it all! Most of the plates come with either rice and beans or homefries; the homefries are good, but how often do you get rice and beans with breakfast? The answer, of course, is not often enough. I always sub for rice and beans, and the wait staff don't seem to mind. In the warm seasons, all seating is outside in their homegrown grape arbor at colorful picnic tables, complete with umbrellas. It's a lovely and unique way to dine out in Somerville, and it's pretty good for people-watching. Unfortunately, it's also harder to get a server's attention during this time of year, because they all seem to cluster by the kitchen entrance together. During the winter months, all seating is indoors. The restaurant is decorated primarily with family photos and collages; this is a family-owned restaurant, and it's not hard to miss that when you're looking at prom pictures of your servers and chefs. CASH ONLY, yo. There's an ATM inside. There's going to be a wait and there's no way around that, so don't go if you're going to get cranky about it.
(4)
Tuyet V.
I come for the cream of wheat, orange juice and the sweet bread French toast. :)
(5)
Derek D.
A real favorite, love this place... Always a tiny bit of a wait, but well worth it. All menu items I have tried are great (corned beef hash is my favorite). Prices are really low, servers are nice and everyone around always seems to be having a lot of fun!
(5)
Aashish J.
Did not live up to the hype, yet a decent place for the first bite of the day. The food (steak) was okay and so was the service. We had to wait for everything, including water and hot sauce, for a while. The portion size was good though. Overall, a nice breakfast place but not as great as the reviews here.
(3)
Buster F.
Breakfast begins with... a wait. It may look a little dive-y on the outside, but the food is cooked to perfection and the locals are lined up at 8:30 in the morning. Expect to wait 30 minutes and enjoy the free coffee while you do so. Diners get complimentary orange juice and a choice of fresh fruit or a big bowl of cinnamon-buttery-cream-of-wheat-goodness while they peruse the menu. I had eggs and bacon cooked to perfection. The homefries had tiny bits of onion and tomato. My date had the strawberry crepes drizzled with Nutella; these were rich and delicious, yet somehow managed to seem very light. We liked eating outside under a giant canopy of grape leaves. The waitstaff was sweet. The price was right (bring cash). The kitchen was spotless. The portions are remarkable.
(5)
Natalie D.
Really great food and not a bad wait to get seated. Friendly feeling from both servers and regulars. Good healthy options and just a lot of options in general. Love the fact that they give you yummy cream of wheat! Only bad thing is that they are cash only and they didn't bring us water with out asking for it.
(4)
Jessica A.
Loved it! Great food, huge portions, staff decked out in Patriots paraphernalia on behalf of super bowl Sunday. Had an iced tea, baked apple, cream of wheat, eggs Benedict with crab cakes an tomato. Friendly service :)
(4)
Xenia A.
This is a little bit out of the way - but so so worth it!! The food is excellent, and a LOT of it for the price you pay, as is the service. Everyone was super friendly, without being over the top or annoying like can be at other places. Also, your pick of unlimited coffee, tea, and hot chocolate?! That is so awesome! The cream of wheat is super yummy (growing up, I had it all the time, but I knew it at home as "manaya kasha") - and had the Portuguese breakfast. Delicious, was too unfortunate that I was so full I couldn't finish it all!
(5)
Christie L.
Cash only! 3 Eggs, toast and home fries for only $5! Okay, I chose the cheapest thing because I didn't know this place was cash only. They did have an ATM though. Anyways, It was good deal of food for only $5! Idon't know what they put on the toast, but it is very delicious. Homefries were good too. It also came with complimentary fresh fruit. The other foods looked great too. I will have to try them next time when I bring cash!
(4)
D M.
Get the cream of wheat. When they say "would you like blah blah blah or cream of wheat with that?" Your response MUST be "cream of wheat please!" Come hungry and expecting to wait if it is a weekend morning. Also, order something which you can eat as leftovers. The portions are very large. They use seasonal ingredients for their specials and they are usually spot on. This place is a must try for anyone who likes breakfast. I guarantee that they make it better than your mom ever dreamt.
(5)
Genevieve B.
This place is the bomb.com ! It's cheap AND good. You really can't go wrong here but whatever you do, make sure to try the cream of wheat! You'll thank me later ;) the place is on the small side so if you come during rush time expect a short wait. Nonetheless, you'll be glad you came! Who would've thought that Somerville had all the best breakfast spots?!
(5)
Dee B.
Unsurprisingly, it seems the prices have gone up, but still a great place for breakfast. I'd never eaten inside - it's tiny, but even at 11am on a Saturday morning our wait was surprisingly short. A Somerville staple, for sure.
(4)
Jen R.
Love this place! Be prepared to wait on a busy weekend, but it is worth it. Everything comes with a small oj, bottomless coffee or tea (me, the tea drinker appreciated the ready made simple black tea and no tea bags to fumble with), and cream of wheat or fruit. Now I'm not a cram of wheat fan (I know, I know), but my husband loves it and he comes just for it. As for price, after living in Boston for 10+ years and eating a lot of breakfast, I'd say you cannot beat the amount of food you get for the price.
(5)
AJ H.
Nicest people, prettiest outdoor seating in summer, very good food, excellent value, tasty coffee, best cream of wheat ever! Just love coming here, well taken care of even when waiting in line. Best for big groups in summer though somehow they accommodate! Just can't tell you how much I like the people...
(4)
Melissa H.
There is simply no need to go anywhere else for breakfast. Awesome staff, such good food, TONS of food, really reasonable prices. Get the yummy jam on the fantastic bread. I want some now!
(5)
tammy l.
Winter inside and summer out seating under grape wine. You get free coffee, OJ and cream of wheat or fruit to start with. Their crepe is good, a a bit too sweet for me tho.
(5)
Kayleigh S.
Amazing. Want to give this place 6 stars. The combination plates are HUGE and include everything you want (don't you hate places where you have to choose between sweet and savory?) I recommend the pumpkin pancakes and especially recommend the corned beef hash. Go in the summer so you can sit outside under the grape arbor. Perfect lazy sunday brunch for catching up with friends.
(5)
Yelena Y.
I came here today with a ground of friends and had a great experience. They give you free coffee while you wait in line outside. The staff was friendly and the feel of the restaurant was authentic. It was clean and cozy. I ordered the #15. Fried banana, portugese sausage, 3 eggs and potatoes. It was different because I have not had a fried banana or portugese sausage for breakfast before. I really enjoyed the meal and did not leave feeling like I had eaten way too much, yet felt full. Overall, I thought this was a great place!
(5)
Karla M.
Best breakfast place to go to in Somerville area I have to say. Although if you try and go on weekends you'll catch yourself standing outside waiting for a table because it's a small mom n pop type of place. French toast is amazing as well as everything else. They give you free Oj in the worlds smallest cups but you can't really complain for free. Overall great place
(4)
Scott T.
For those who know me, know how much i love my breakfasts and new places i haven't been too. Boy do i have a gem for you!!!! So, I awoke this morning looking to have my " flying solo" breakfast I occasionally have. Wanting to try someplace new, I decided to Google some personal experiences and try to find the " all you can eat" buffet. I found a place in Somerville that a lot of people ranted and raved about in Union Square called, "The Neighborhood Restaurant". When i first got there and found the parking to be a little tough but not impossible. Walked over to the door and noticed that there was also outside dining as well. A very quaint area with big rod iron design gates decor in brass colored lions. You may approach these gates to find a small line waiting to get in. For those waiting, a complimentary pastry and coffee at the entrance. As you make it through the gates you enter the eating area. Patio or picnic tables with umbrellas with an overhead of beautiful full coated grape vines holding an assortment of purple grapes. I sat down to a very pleasant staff and a menu full of variety of breakfast foods but no buffet. I ordered three eggs with hash browns home fries and toast. Reasonably priced for $8.99. They started my meal with coffee and brought me over a large piece of cantaloupe. Perfectly ripe and juicy. When my meal arrived, it was more food than expected but nothing I couldn't handle. I always order my eggs sunny side up and they were perfectly cooked with not a broken yolk to be found. The bread was thick pieces of oven toasted bread not the usual sliced white bread you get in most breakfast establishments. The corn beef hash shredded and tasty not dry and crumbly and the home fries were cooked with chunks of freshly cut peppers and onions. A great meal topped with a glass of OJ. The food and service were quick and courteous. What great experience I've had and looking forward returning to this gem. Three thumbs up!! -- at Neighborhood Restaurant & Bakery.
(5)
Juan R.
I really enjoy having breakfast at neighborhood restaurant. I had breakfast at neighborhoods several times and it's always delicious, prepared nicely, and with lots of flavor. The only con I have is that it's a small establishment and when the line is to long I have to go somewhere else :(....For all the meat lovers out there I would recommend #27 (steak tips and eggs).
(5)
Greg F.
Best breakfast in metro Boston. Amazing food friendly staff. Good times all around. Never had a bad experience.
(5)
Jack j.
Gross subpar diner food. Cramped seating. Cash only. Surly hostess. Long wait. Yes, it's yet another 4 star rated breakfast spot in Boston. Seriously, is it some Yelp gag I'm not in on? How could food this bad be so highly rated? Who ARE you people?
(2)
Sam S.
I don't know if i've ever been as satisfied after eating SO much breakfast. The first time I went here, I had already eaten breakfast, was slightly hungover and had to wait outside in 30 degree weather with my friends. The wait was so worth it - side note they had a plate of corn bread out for those waiting and a pot of coffee. Our waitress was so nice and attentive, and the food was delicious. You have your choice of baked apple or cream of wheat to start. I don't even like cream of wheat and I ate all of mine. I ordered coconut french toast with hashbrowns and home fries. I had a feeling the french toast would be really good (I also usually don't like french toast...) and it was. Everything was great! If you even remotely like breakfast, you need to go here!
(5)
Elle P.
Holy sweet . . . cream of wheat???? How can anyone get excited about cream of wheat? Then you taste the sweet, creamy cream of wheat heavily laced with cinnamon, and you wonder how anyone CANNOT get excited about this cream of wheat. A couple hours after leaving The Neighborhood Restaurant, I was dreaming about the cream of wheat. It's dinner time now and all I want is a big bowl of that cream of wheat. The rest of the brunch menu was no slouch either. I went with my mom and little sister. We ordered a Portuguese breakfast (2 eggs, codcake, shrimpcake, Portuguese sausage, different kind of sausage, rice and red beans, and home fries) and Coconut & strawberry French toast, which also came with 3 eggs, home fries, and 2 sausages. Each platter was $13.95. There's a $3 charge to share, which is totally reasonable because every person gets a bowl of cream of wheat (get it) or fruit salad, all you can drink coffee, a small glass of orange juice, and a basket of bread. There are big portions and there are GIGANTIC portions. These are GIGANTIC portions. Each platter can serve 2 people with normal appetites. Come here STARVING. The food is simple, good, hearty, stick to your ribs fare. Honestly made, with no fancy frills. Great service. The wait staff was always over to check up on us. 4 stars for the food and an extra star for the service, huge portions, great value, and the most incredible cream of wheat in the world. If they served nothing but cream of wheat, I would come here for that alone.
(5)
Lindsay M.
What a quaint, friendly place! My boyfriend and I stopped in this past weekend for breakfast. We got the cream of wheat to start, which was SO GOOD and I got an omelet with homefries and he got the steak tips with homefries. Very, very good! The owners were very nice and understandable. The place itself was small but made you feel like you were at home. We also had the homemade sangria which was awesome! Not too fruity and not too powerful for a morning beverage ;) I'd definitely go here again!
(4)
Autumn B.
The absolute best. I had the Nutella crepe and was stuffed with all the food it came with! Great value. I also loved the cream of wheat and I don't even like cream of wheat. The patio was shady and perfect for brunch with a friend. The grapes growing overhead are the perfect touch!
(5)
Ziyan C.
I was in Boston for a mere 2 days and made sure to make usual pilgrimage for the awesome cream of wheat! It did not disappoint, as expected. It was nice to come on a weekday lunch and not have to deal with the weekend brunch rush. However, there were a few issues with the service. - The wrong entree came out - but the good news is we got to keep it. Three for the price of two, woot! - The entrees came out first, before the cream of wheat. - I realized after the meal ended that I never got my OJ. Despite all that, you can't beat the vine-covered outdoor patio, large portions, and fantastic food. $30 total (incl tax/tip) for a huge lunch for two - not bad! Specials menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… * Special #98: French Toast topped w/ fresh blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, & drizzled w/ white chocolate syrup, 2 eggs, ham, homefries, coffee & OJ - 3.5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… toast close-up: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… 5 star cream of wheat: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… As usual, the cream of wheat is the shit! The eggs + homefries were fine, but there was no crips to the homefries. The ham was pretty good, a thick salty crisped piece of meat. The french toast ended up being two rather small pieces of bread. It was mostly soft with no crisp to it. I thought the white chocolate syrup would be more viscous (i.e. like an actual syrup), but it was more thin and glaze-like and really didn't taste like white chocolate. * Portuguese breakfast (off-menu) - 4 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Ordered this when I saw some delicious pictures off Yelp. This came with many pieces of delicious meats: cod cake, another cake with a great crisped & breaded skin, a really tasty thick and meaty sausage. Really enjoyed this - wish I'd known on earlier trips here to get their portuguese dishes! (makes sense since the restaurant is portuguese.. not just a brunch spot) * Portuguese lunch - 3 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… The meat had good seasoning, but it was kind of dry and hard. The veggies were soggy and plain. The fries were decent, cut thick, with a thin layer of crisp.
(4)
Melissa Y.
The food and service here were excellent! We came here during the week around 2-3pm and it wasn't busy at all, but I've heard that on the weekends, it can get really busy. The restaurant isn't big, so if you can, I would recommend coming during the week to avoid crowds. Upon seating us, they gave us complimentary orange juice and a basket of bread. The menu has a lot of breakfast type food, but we decided to opt for one of their seafood dishes - the Portuguese filet - and we glad we did! The filet was lightly breaded and seemed more dense than halibut. The dish came with three filets, broccoli, and rice. The broccoli was cooked well, but on the salty side. However, with the rice and fish being not as salty, they balanced each other out. The entree also came with a side of kale soup and salad. The soup was delicious, perfectly seasoned, and had just the right texture and body. If only I could reproduce it! We just ordered one entree and shared it, and we were both stuffed at the end. Overall, I was pleasantly satisfied with the food and look forward to coming here again.
(5)
Taylor M.
I've been going here since the early 80s and even after leaving for NY in the early 90s always come back with my friend Jerry when I visit. Now my twins are starting at Harvard (proud papa has to plug his kids), and can't wait to introduce this to them and the next generation. I don't know if it was the official name, but we called it "The Friendly Neighborhood Restaurant." I had a wicked crush on the waitress...last time I went (a couple of years ago, so like 25 years later) she was still there and as awesome as ever. I don't remember her name, but she exemplified the essence of The Friendly...caring, warm, friendly (duh). Back in the day they would serve free whiskey shots during the holidays. Lovely people, huge portions, great food. Makes me feel like, well, family. Thank you Borges!
(5)
Kate A.
The Neighborhood is the PREMIUM spot to have breakfast in Somerville! Whether you're looking for a simple breakfast (eggs + toast + breakfast potatoes) or something more involved (butterscotch french toast drizzled with caramel; buttermilk pancakes with berries & fresh whipped cream; fresh crepe with nutella and strawberries... just to name a few!) -- The Neighborhood always delivers. Breakfast is always served with a small orange juice, unlimited coffee/tea/hot cocoa, and either fruit or cream of wheat. The breakfast menu has your standard egg/omelet combinations, as well as Portuguese-inspired options like linguica and fried bananas on the side. There is an ever-rotating menu of waffles, pancakes, special omelets and french toast, as well as whole wheat versions, which are usually also served with sides of eggs + toast + potatoes. So if you're going to The Neighborhood for breakfast, you'd better show up hungry, because the portions are huge! I recommend going on a weekday, because the wait on weekends can get crazy. The restaurant sets out baked goods and coffee for people waiting. The service is always great and the staff are incredibly friendly. I LOVE this place and highly recommend it to anyone! If you come in the summer, you can sit outside in their gorgeous patio underneath the grape leaves. It doesn't get much better than an outdoor Neighborhood feast on a warm summer morning under the grape leaves!!
(5)
Abby R.
Linguica, eggs, homefries, toast, but the greatest of these is linguica. It was spicy, cooked just right and there was a hearty portion of it. If you go to a place that specializes in Portuguese food, get something Portuguese. Get the linguica. The rest of the breakfast was good. The homefries were probably my second favorite, they were fresh and hot and flavored well. I wanted more of them. The eggs and toast were eggs and toast. Also had some sangria which had a ton of fruit floating in it. I found that it made the sangria a little too sweet, and it didn't taste strong to me but I didn't finish the whole glass (which was sizable) so I don't know for sure. Waitstaff were busy but friendly, the atmosphere sitting outside was nice. Super shady under a living canopy of grape vines, brightly colored tables, festive feeling but very relaxed. Prices weren't as cheap as you can find for some breakfasts, but they weren't outrageous. My sangria and breakfast came out to be $20 with tip. Which is actually on the pricey side but I'm not sure how much the sangria factored into that. We got there around 10:30 on Saturday, party of 2, and we ended up waiting for about 1.5 hours to be seated. They had help yourself coffee, iced tea and portuguese sweet bread though, which helped tide us over, and we were in no hurry. This doesn't seem the place to go to if you're in a hurry.
(4)
Miryam S.
Amazing. It was simply amazing. Mind-blowing cream of wheat too.
(5)
Jon S.
I drove by this place when I first moved to Cambridge, saw a huge crowd of people outside and thought "MUST EAT THERE." Flash forward a year later, and it still hadn't happened... (whoops, guess I procrastinate in all areas of life). But today was the day. Today, I finally sat on a picnic bench, amidst some tacky (sorry...) statues of lions, shaded by the leaves of grape plants growing overhead. And we only had to wait 45 minutes! I was fully prepared to wait over an hour, so that was a pleasant surprise. Normally I go to breakfast/brunch and I'm torn. The decision between sweet and savory is just awfully difficult for my indecisive brain. Pancakes or an omelet? I want both. Yet, I always end up making a decision, not wanting to pay for two breakfasts, and sadly one half (probably should look this up, I doubt this is factual) of my tongue is always a little disappointed. BUT at Neighborhood, you can have both (and more!) for one (relatively) low price! For 13 bucks, I got a heaping bowl of cinnamon-sugar cream of wheat (too much to finish, but delicious), a small cup of orange juice (which hit the spot), unlimited coffee, a delicious crepe filled with nutella, strawberries, and blueberries, 2 eggs, potatoes, a thick slice of ham, along with toast and a muffin (to split with my dining companion). Uhm, could you ask for anything more? The answer is no. Really. By the end of the meal you won't want (or need) to eat for hours. Definitely worth the wait. Definitely worth the money. Just remember to bring the Benjamins (actually Andrew Jackson will probably suffice), it's cash only. Still kicking myself for taking so long to haul my ass over here.
(4)
Ben G.
It's been a while since I've been here. But after this most recent visit, I can assure you it will not be as long until the next time. While it was a little in the spring for the Patio to be open, it was still a killer experience. We rolled up and put our name on the list, helped ourselves to free baked goods and coffee/ hot chocolate. After about 20 minutes a table opened up and we strolled into the tightly packed restaurant. Upon sitting down we were all brought a small OJ and a choice of a baked apple or cream of wheat. The baked apple was good. It would have been great if it was warmed through. I had the crab cake eggs benny and it was awesome. I normally don't like home fries but these were amazing. Way more food than anyone could eat. The service here is top notch. Always friendly, Always affordable.
(4)
Liz G.
Fast for at least a week before coming to this Somerville breakfast institution. Your meal is literally served on at least 3 different dishes. Also, no matter what time of day, expect at least a 30-40 minute wait. But don't worry; the wait is worth it. Sit down and get a cup of joe; pick from either fresh fruit or Cream Wheat as a starter; and make your breakfast choice. The Crab Eggs Benedict or Coconut French Toast are always safe bets. And like I said earlier, your main course comes with 2 plates of sides.
This place is one of my favorite in all of Boston. Overall the food is good, by the thing that stands out is the cream of wheat. It was one of the most surprising and delicious things I've ever eaten. If you go around September you can get free concord grapes from their vines as well!
(5)
Steven N.
Don't bother. This place used to be great. Last time the food was bland, took forever to arrive, and the "orange" juice tasted like it was cut with Tang. Today I gave them another chance. Never again. It took 50 min to get seated, after being told 20. So we just took some cream of wheat to go.
(1)
James H.
Great breakfast for everybody. Even better if you're hungover.
(5)
Jane D.
This is my first two-star review. I'm giving it this for the following: 1. when we arrived, we were unaware of any "sign-in" process, so two people that showed up after us were seated before us, because we simply had never been there before and didn't know we needed to sign in before we could be seated. 2. the food was cold. I ordered waffles, bacon, and eggs, and the waffles and bacon were literally cold. Butter did not melt on the waffles, and the bacon was just inedible cold. 3. the creme of wheat was really yummy. definitely get it if you choose to go here. 4. the outdoor seating is pretty groovy as well, although indoor seating is not an option if the patio is open. bummer if its super hot out. 5. service was fair.
(2)
JoBeth U.
This place is so cute! They make their own jam from grapes that are grown above the patio. Their home made breads are fresh as ever and they even let you eat it while you're waiting for a table. I had the corned beef hash with poached eggs and hashed browns. It was SOOO good.
(5)
Sarah C.
This place is awesome. HUGE menu, cheap prices, good food. Their cream of wheat must have some kind of magic dust in it. My friend was raving about it and I was like what the hell can be so amazing about cream of wheat?? I dunno but mmmmmm. It's crazy packed at normal hours on the weekends, not sure about the week. I went one time and had breakfast at 3pm and it worked out just fine for me. In the summer they have a nice outdoor patio. Only downsides are cash only and the bathroom is in the kitchen :p
(5)
Alexander L.
Wait to get in for brunch was about 30 minutes. Food was a little slow coming out, but that (baked?) apple they serve at first was pretty awesome. Love the fact that hot chocolate is free and unlimited like water; awesome for cold mornings. They also serve a small OJ for free, but it is not refillable and if you want more, you need to order a full juice. Good-sized food servings. Service was attentive. Had a pretty standard spanish omelette with homefries and some of the toast also came with this lemon-y cake which was pretty good. haven't tried any of their more exotic omelettes, but there is a good-sized brunch menu. Will look to return at some point.
(4)
Ty G.
Awesome! We got the BBQ steak tips/Shrimp and Portuguese Pork. Incredible flavor and portion size. Rain kept us from the patio - next time
(5)
Jacob B.
Bring your appetite because the portions are huge. I would say this is the best brunch in Boston. And if you go during the spring summer you get to eat outside which makes it easier to get a table considering the actual restaurant is really small.
(5)
Brendan T.
Its impossible not to be charmed by this ramshackle little local favorite Portuguese spot in the slightly off the beaten path Bow Square area of Somerville. The service is likewise slapdash and can certainly be slow and a bit scatterbrained. The breakfast though is a thing of beauty, most notably the seemingly perennial "Portuguese Breakfast special" . For 10 bucks you get eggs, once served scrambled with delicious Portuguese linguiça sausage another time alongside it, blood sausage delicious fried codfish, shrimp and meat cakes (one of each), solid house home-fries and toast, the last of which I was unable to touch every time. Oh yeah and you get a starter of either amazing house made cream of wear or fresh fruit beforehand in the deal and unlimited coffee. I hear tell that all the other breakfast offerings are delicious as well and am inclined to believe it but I was never able to bring myself to order anything else. Of course this is the type of breakfast that will have you feeling ready for a nice nap afterwards but it is a decadently delicious gut-buster.
(4)
Corey L.
LOVE Neighborhood restaurant. Always expect a line on a weekend afternoon. The same crew has worked there for like 30 years and I'm a fan. The service is rarely the best, but they run around, get you what you want, and most importantly they deliver the cream of wheat. Which you must try. It's the best! I never had cream of wheat before coming here and Yelp helped me to try it and my life was changed. I've had it other places and it's basically always awful. But this is like eating a bowl full of cinnamon-enhanced heaven. And the menu in general is great. You can get about 100 different desserts masquerading as breakfast, from all sorts of pancakes, french toasts, and waffles to anything you want. And you get a HUGE amount of food. They just keep bringing stuff to the table. I'm not sure why you get extra breads at the end, but I'm definitely gonna eat it! But be careful, b/c the special menu is cash only. And incredible!
(5)
Rachel Leah B.
My boyfriend has threatened to break up with me if I blog about this place because the line is long enough already. I don't think he's kidding. ...but he's not on Yelp, so let's keep this little review between us, shall we? Get there early, get the cream of wheat, and if you don't have a huge appetite, don't feel bad about sharing a plate. (The $3 sharing charge gets you your own cream of wheat, unlimited coffee, and one tiny OJ.) Winter is an adventure, especially if you're near the front door. Summer is beautiful outside underneath the grape vines and pastel umbrellas. The servers may seem a bit gruff at times, but I've been given free stuff before - it's these little touches that really make a place special. Once in the winter, we all ordered the cream of wheat, only to find that the seasonal fruit was an amazing-looking baked apple. We asked our waitress about it (at first we had no idea what it was from far away) and she brought over a free one. Another time, my friend and I looked visibly dead from a late night out. "I like to party on Friday nights, too," said the waitress. "Here, drink this," she told us, giving us a free bottle of some sort of soda that was supposed to be a magical hangover cure. I love this place, and I rarely have to wait very long because I drag myself there by 10. If you run into my boyfriend waiting in line at Neighborhood, please don't tell him I sent you.
(5)
Hyunu K.
Ok so i dont give out Five stars out very often but this place deserves one because im a sucker for amazing breakfast places and this is an AMAZING breakfast place. Small and cozy and the staff is amazing. Such great service and great food. my girlfriend is one of those people who have a hard time deciding what to get all the time on the menu. So this time she was deciding whether or not to get the french toast (which was amazing) or just the egg and potatoes. She asked the waitress what she should get and she told us that they are totally flexible with anything on the menu. Anyways long story short she went with the eggs and potato but was torn obviously with the decision. The waitress was so cool that she ordered her a single serving for her to try just for free. Lets just say that have customers for life! Check it out and and stuff your face. O yeah if your a fan of Cream of Wheat then definently check it out because its free and amazing as well.
(5)
Maureen K.
Best breakfast I ever had. Everything from the grits to the omelets to the waffles was fresh and cooked perfectly. This is a hidden gem.
(5)
Judy P.
They have the best pancakes! We usually go there on weekends for brunch and the waiting line is pretty long but it's worth it. They serve o.j, coffee, and cream of wheat with every order. Cream of wheat is really tasty but I'd skip the coffee even if it's free. I tried Begian waffle, French toasts, Tri-berry pancakes, and Spanish omelet. I wasn't too crazy about the omelet but everything else was great. I dont remember what my hubby got though. I was too busy eating. The portions are huge so go hungry and wear a pair of spandex waist pants so you can eat the whole thing and still be able to breathe! ;) Service is always great. Staff seem like genuinely friendly people. The bathroom was tucked in right in front of the kitchen/dungeon and it was literally a SMALL closet.
(4)
Ryan M.
Yay! I'm a fan -- with one caveat. I went on a week day around 11 and the service was STILL bad. I really liked the free coffee and orange juice, but the waitress brought just one water glass for a table for two... a little awkward. She came by halfway through and did the "how is the meal?" routine, my friend said "great" I tried to say "I would like water..." but she was gone. I suppose I could have gone and chased her down, but decided it was more worth it to stay sitting with my coffee. Anyway, I ordered the first thing on the specials menu, the Belgian waffle with blackberries and whipped cream. Comes to the table, no blackberries. After some initial confusion about why I would want blackberries (language barrier?), the server brought me some in a special bowl. Okay... awesome. Why the four stars then? Because the food was GREAT! Quite seriously the best whipped cream I've ever had, spreadable butter, delicious Belgian waffles, plus little extras like the coffee, orange juice, fruit beforehand, surprise extra food with the meal -- great for if you don't plan on eating for the rest of the day... or week! The atmosphere is also perfect for a warm morning this summer. They grow grape vines on this trellis roof which provides both shade and "summery" ambiance. Highly recommended for the food and the prices, but be prepared for inconsistent service.
(4)
Samuel F.
How have I not reviewed this already? This place has the most amazing brunch I've ever had in Boston. I don't know if the food is quite the best in town, though everything is very good (the cream of wheat and the bread are particularly amazing). But it is an incredible feast, and for a very reasonable price. Go with friends for weekend brunch during the summer, brave the line, and enjoy a leisurely meal on the patio. You will not be disappointed. (Alternately, beat the crowd and show up for weekday breakfast or lunch. Presumably, the food is just as good.)
(5)
Kathleen R.
Any place that has a wait out front on the sidewalk usually indicates you want to eat there. That is certainly the case with The Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery. Like the name, the establishment (or at least the back patio) is unassuming and homesque. We came around 10a and promptly milled around with the few other guests waiting on the sidewalk. As a few more people came up and wrote their name on a list we realized the hostess was just a seater and not a name taker. We squeezed our name onto the list (we were not losing our space in the queue) and whew...crisis averted! While we milled I took it upon myself to explore the cart for coffee cups and enjoyed a cup o' joe while waiting for our turn. The coffee was great, the weather phenomenal and no one was in a hurry while we waited for the packed patio to open up. Once it was our turn to be seated we were lead to the back of the patio. As you look up you can see grapes growing across the top of the entire patio casting the perfect shadow over the patio, allowing light to stream through the vines. The service was impeccable. As we milled and sat we joked that everyone who works there must be on PEDs. Everyone is ripped, including the women. Despite the muscles and seemingly ripe picking grounds for MMA fighters, everyone was extremely nice and helpful. Being a vegetarian who does not touch eggs, at all, there were very accommodating. I ordered the Belgian Waffle with granola, strawberries and cream. It came with egg whites scrambled w/ goat cheese and tomatoes. All meals also come with Cream of Wheat or fruit. My brunch mates ordered a variety of meat friendly dishes. The huge portions came out promptly and almost everything came at the same time. My tomatoes and cheese came a bit late and was not very good (you could tell the tomatoes were of the poor, factory produced variety) but that is my only complaint. We each paid around $12 for our meals and could easily have turned each one into two separate fares. All in all, I would go back in a heartbeat. There are no separate checks and it is a cash only joint but don't let that deter you. With good food, attentive service, and phenomenal people watching you can't ask for much more in a breakfast joint. I hear the bathrooms look sweet too.
(5)
J K.
There is a really great video online that someone made where Judy Garland sings about Cream of Wheat. When I go to The Neighborhood and get the cream of wheat, I want to sing about it. I never knew I could love it so much. Everything is delicious. The potatoes rule. The juice is great. The pancakes! I could go on about everything. Cash only, so be ready, and bring an extra few bucks because the menu is extensively delicious.
(4)
k k.
We were excited to try the Neighborhood Restaurant (a previous weekend we'd gone elsewhere because of the long lines but this weekend we were up early). Upon arrival (8.30am) we were immediately seated amid the many families with babies/toddlers. We were greeted and asked if we wanted coffee. My mug was STUCK to the table lip side down. ugh. We were seated at a table that was two 2-tops pushed together. Someone walked over and put OJ on the opposite side of the table. Not knowing they were ours, we never drank them. Most folks have raved about the amount of food. They are right ... the portions are HUGE. Too huge. No one needs to eat 3 meals in one sitting. If your breakfast occupies 3 plates that's 2 plates too many!! A LOT of really average food doesn't make it a good dining experience. (Seriously, there is so much food served in the $12.99 specials that they have imposed a $3 sharing fee -- because it's definitely enough food for two, maybe three, people.) The best thing there was the jam. It was delicious. We put it on both pancakes and toast. Sadly we won't be back since this place did not live up to it's raves.
(2)
Katherine H.
I've only been there for brunch, but it is great! Portions are big so beware. Each meal comes with homemade pastries and cream of wheat or seasonal fruit. I recommend the cream of wheat if you like rich hot cereals. Cute (small) atmosphere and nice people. CASH ONLY
(5)
Raymond W.
Lunch fare review: This is a review for lunch fare. The reviews are glowing, but I would say that for lunch, this place is just average. While you wont' see a lot of Portuguese restaurants around Boston, this one certainly thrives on yelp with strong reviews. I simply didn't see as much reflected in the food I got to go. The seafood was rather mediocre and tasted pretty much like a smaller family restaurant would. Perhaps it was inflated expectations or the fact that it's somewhat out of the way for most people including myself to get to. One thing that did stand out was the white bread that came with my food. I can easily see myself coming back to buy a loaf. Stick with breakfast and brunch here, but also expect to see long waits especially if it's raining or it's prime brunch hours.
(3)
Dan A.
So, a quick caveat. I talk about my girlfriend in these reviews a lot because 95 percent of the time, I'm going out to these places I review with her. The Neighborhood represents the first time in as long as I can remember that we disagree. She would give this four stars, I would give five. Be warned! Put simply, The Neighborhood gives you the best combination of quality and quantity of any brunch place I've ever been to. Skip the main menu and head straight for the specials, all of which are $12.99 and come with OJ, coffee, cream of wheat or fruit, and a plate of toast and muffins. I've had three of the specials over time: the coconut french toast, the eggs benedict with crab cakes, and the southwestern omelette. All were phenomenal. I have also stolen and enjoyed my girlfriend's berry pancakes. Also, I normally hate cream of wheat, but for some reason, The Neighborhood's is unbelievable. Two last things. Some people seem to complain about the service. My servers have always been really nice, and very attentive. Second, go to the neighborhood in the spring / summer, and eat outside! They have a great outdoor seating area under grape vines. The Neighborhood isn't perfect. The OJ isn't very good, and the fruit isn't either. But overall, this is an amazing brunch / breakfast place, and the best value for your money you'll find.
(5)
Rob M.
I'm glad I went. Its a nice thing in practice: sitting outside, enjoying breakfast. But most of my time was spent listening to my neighbors on my picknick table's conversation and swatting flies. The food was good, just not spectacular enough to make me forget the unfun part.
(4)
Daniel B.
All you people with regular job type jobs really get screwed. Play hooky one beautiful cool summer morning, and come for breakfast under the grapevines without the hustle and bustle. Let me tell you, it's lovely. Super lovely. Sure, I've had better food. Better bacon, better eggs, better muffins, better juice, better coffee, better fruit. But I have NEVER, NEVER EVER, NEVER EVER EVER had better cream of wheat. And I do not think that I have ever been to a restaurant that was as generous as The Neighborhood. Sure, you pay for it in the end. There is no free lunch (despite the sign on the window). But dammit, they still give you free orange juice when you sit down. And it feels generous. Plus everyone gets that cream of wheat. I am still thinking about it. Mmm. I was visiting, so I had no idea of any hype or anti-hype. I got to be surprised about how great a place this is. Simple. Homey. Generous. And really, when I was there, the service was excellent too. Next time I go back, I may try to see if I can skip everything else, and just have the cream of wheat, with a side of cream of wheat. And some coffee. And the free orange juice, of course.
(5)
Mike P.
We went as a group of 6 and although the wait was long, the food was great. We signed in and waited about 30 min for a table on Sunday morning, which was fine with us. At first the waiter was very attentive, but after we placed our order, we needed to chase him down for coffee and follow up a couple of times for the food thinking they forgot about us. But the food was great and different from your normal breakfast places. My daughter got a crepe with nutella and banana, my mom ordered salmon and poached eggs, and I had the Portuguese special, the others opted for the regular breakfast fare and we all had fresh fruit. The food was great, except for the meat cake on mine. It may just be something I don't like, but it was terrible. If you go, you will get a huge plate of great food, but go with someone you like because you will be spending a lot of time together.
(4)
Delaina F.
Great food and great service, family owned and the prices are really good!
(5)
Faezeh M.
Great place for brunch in Somerville! Apart from all the delicious food they served, I really enjoyed their baked apple. I will definitely go back to try their lunch and dinner menu.
(4)
Vez K.
My friend told me that this place is known for great cream of wheat. I had never had cream of wheat before and found it to be good, though very creamy and too heavy for me. Breakfast there was great, especially their specialty pancakes. My friend loved her pumpkin pancakes. And if you like meat, the Portuguese breakfast was good, though a bit too heavy for me also (maybe because of the fried items). Overall, this place was good and gave lots of food.
(4)
Jennifer N.
So after twelve years in Cambridge, I finally made it to the Neighborhood. This place is all about quantity- for example, I ordered an omelette which came with : bread, fruit, hash browns, tea, and coffee. My friend ordered waffles which came with bacon, eggs, fruit, bread, hash browns, and coffee. You get the idea. The name of the game is huge portions. So, if you like all-you-can-eat type places (or if you like to eat all you can), this is your place. The food was good- not mind blowingly brilliant- but solid (and affordable). This isn't like brunch at Highland Kitchen or something - it's a little bit less exceptional - but the staff is super-friendly, and you'll certainly be full for the rest of the day. Notes: --I thought the toast was the best part of the meal. Definitely eat the bread. --Expect to wait. We went during a blizzard so we didn't have to. --Cash only.
(4)
William P.
I'm a breakfast lover so this place was always right in my wheel house. Living only a short walk away I frequented regularly during the week as it can get quite busy on the weekends. I loved how even if the outside wasn't open they would always seat singles at one of the big tables together so I never had to worry about taking a table up if I was just by myself. When you don't have time to sit down it was always easy to grab a quick Cream of Wheat on the go. Great service and wonderful food. Try the spinach / feta omelet!
(5)
Sarah G.
The Borges Family can cook for me all day long!! Especially if that server with the biggest arm muscles I have ever seen delivers my food to my table all day long too! Wow! Can I get tickets to that gun show?? Just seemed so random to have a guy that buff serving us our brunch heh Loved it! We were sad that the outside patio was not open when we went because that doubles the space to seat everyone which meant our part of 6 had to wait about 45 minutes on a Sunday to get seated.....And then we were seated in the back corner by the kitchen which the AC didn't hit, which definitely heated up as we were eating our deliciously tasty food! So try and get a table not in that corner so you don't have to worry about sweating into your fruit salad! But you can see I am still giving it 4 stars. Heat aside, the food here is just fantastic. And you get SO MUCH food after waiting that long for a table we still couldn't finish everything that was brought to our table. They have a massive selection of food and then two more pages added in with all of their specials!! It is like the neverending story of breakfast! So awesome! What will I dream of forever??? Their pumpkin spice pancakes. My god. They are big and fluffy and they melt in your mouth. The cinnamon sprinkled on it paired with that fresh fresh whipped cream on the side, is just heaven!!! And it comes with eggs and hashbrowns and coffee and juice and fruit too!! All for $11!! And all of their breakfast meals come with that! It really is mother-lode of all breakfast lands!! And their healthy breakfast special with egg white omelet with asparagus and cheese and broccoli and red peppers was divine!! And the homefries were tasty too! Oh and did I mention you get muffins and bread and toast with your meal too?? Not gonna lie, our table couldn't finish everything on the table, so the extra muffins we didn't eat, took a little trip into my purse so we could eat them later as a snack heh. And they were even good after the fact!! I mean, we couldn't let good food go to waste!! You know they would have just thrown them away heh I wish The Neighborhood was even closer to my own neighborhood, because I could eat here all day every day of my life, as long as they put me in a spot where the AC reaches!!!
(4)
Amanda B.
Going out for breakfast or dim sum on a Sunday is one of my favorite ways to start the day. My cousin had told me about this place so we made plans to head out there with her boyfriend. As soon as word got out that we were going a few others excitedly jumped on our band wagon. We got to the restaurant before 9 and we found parking right out front and only one person in line ahead of us. They have complimentary home made cake, coffee, and lemonade for patrons while waiting in line. They also had a sign posted that if you are in a hurry this is NOT the place to be. The outdoor patio is completely covered by grapevines. Amazing. They sat us and right away poured us little shot glasses of orange juice and asked if we would like coffee. They also give you the option if you would like fruit or the cream of wheat. Dear god, get the cream of wheat! This amazing porridge is buttery, slightly lemony and sprinkled with cinnamon. They also put out home made breads, cake, cupcakes, as well as home made jam. That day's jam happened to be strawberry banana. Delicious. They have an extensive listing of breakfast options as well as about 15 daily specials. I opted for the home made corned beef hash with 3 poached eggs and potatoes. I'm kind of a corned beef has snob and this was the best I have ever had. The potatoes were also totally awesome. Other dishes at my table consisted of french toast topped with caramel and bananas, lobster omelette, oreo pancakes, and the portuguese breakfast. I could eat here every week and still not try the whole menu for months.
(5)
Miriam L.
Apparently, my parents used to take me here for brunch when I was a little kid. My mom lived in the area when they met, and I know that they have a lot of nostalgia attached to my current (and mom's former) neighborhood. Sadly, I had no memories of coming here with them. So, on to the review: First, be prepared to wait. We stood outside for at least an hour waiting for a table for two people. But they do put out coffee and cornbread for those waiting. Dear God that bread is delicious. We ended up sharing a table with another group of two. Not a big deal (though it might have been hard to get out had we finished & wanted to leave before them), but just something to keep in mind. Service was very quick and we got our orange juice and tea (complimentary!) almost as soon as we sat down. All breakfasts also come with fruit or oatmeal* and toast. My eggs were cooked perfectly - not runny except for the yolk. The hash browns were cooked just right as well. My only complaint? The bacon was a bit over cooked. Slightly burned actually. But at least there was plenty of it. They are cash only, so keep that in mind, but the food is also pretty cheap. We're planning on coming back...and maybe even bringing our roommates next time. *Side note to the reviewer who complained that they salt their oatmeal: That's not some weird freakish thing. My dad has always eaten his oatmeal with butter and salt. Sorry you don't like it that way, but oatmeal isn't always eaten with sweetener.
(4)
Kat C.
I hate crowds, waiting in line, small spaces, cream of wheat and breakfast. Only their cream of wheat didn't turn me.
(5)
Eric L.
On account of positive Yelp reviews, I went today with my 2 kids. Big mistake. We arrived on Sunday 11AM, waited outside for 45 minutes. While waiting, a middle aged woman signed up on the board, and then approached the waitress (young lady 5'3" heavish, with long light brown hair) calling the tables to ask if there is anything that she could do to get her in. There were about 30 other people waiting outside on the street. Finally when we got called and took a seat, this woman also got seated next to us, even though she was clearly further down the line, at least 40 minutes away from seating (had she not cut the line). I was shocked. This woman was clearly friends with the people that work at the place, but to cut the line so flagrantly, it's really unfair to all of the people that waited patiently. This clear violation of the system upset me enough to ruin the meal. Needless to say, I will never be back and will tell all my offline friends to avoid this place, so I am also warning anyone that reads this review. BTW, this woman that cut the line, she has a loud and filthy mouth, and unfortunately my 6 and 3 year old children couldn't help but be subjected to her conversation filled with expletives. Well, so if you do wait and get a seat, what about the food? Very average at best. Nothing stands out as good. The children's egg and bacon plates actually looked quite sad. I can't blame my kids for not wanting to try the baked apples, they looked disgusting. Side of waffle was ok, but how can you screw that up? I am convinced that I got food poisoning from the eggs Benedict, cold and the sauce was runny, bad combination. I have a cast iron stomach, but 1 hour after this meal I threw up the entire thing. I wish I could have my day back ..... will never visit again.
(1)
Jace F.
Finally, after hearing so much about this place, I decided to try it. ***FIRST THING*** if you show up and there's a line outside [which there tends to be], put your name and party-size on the list so you don't stand aimlessly like an idiot. Yes. I fell victim to this during my first visit. The eager diners in front of us did not feel compelled to share the same advice I just gave you. You're welcome. Anywhoo, this is simply put the BEST breakfast spot I've found in the area. And I've lived here for 3 years and have tried most of them. SoundBites, Ball Square, Kelly's, Rosebud, Lighthouse, etc, etc. Nothing holds a candle to the value and quality you get at Neighborhood. The coffee gets slammed on Yelp but it's actually really good. Especially if you're craving it. Every breakfast comes with bottomless coffee, a small OJ [which is a small step up from water], cream of wheat or fruit, homefries, toast, and a little pastry [usually a corn muffin or corn bread]. If they have baked apples as the fruit, GET IT. It's like warm applesuace sweetened with glaze and a thick apple-skin shell. So good. For plates, the cinnamon texas toast french toast is my favorite. The pancakes are fluffy and delish, and the omelets are huge and stuffed to the brim. Overall, be prepared to wait, but it is worth it. I can't wait for the summer when they double their capacity with the outdoor seating!
(5)
D B.
Went here to use an "eversave" deal and waited for close to an hour to be called. Checked on the list with the server and saw my name was the most recent to be crossed off the list. I inquired with the server who replied that she'd called my party 3 times already and I'd have to put my name at the bottom of the list (which had tripled since we got there) and wait again. Since we'd been seated right next to the door where she was calling names I told her there was no way she'd called us 3 times. She got super snotty and basically said something along the lines of "too bad". So we left. I got my money back from the website and we'll never go back, but I'm happy to tell everyone I meet to avoid that place and their b**chy wait staff.
(1)
Dave B.
This place has gone downhill. Quite sad, really. The upside: it's still the best Cream of Wheat in the universe, and all the breakfast specials still all come with eggs/potatoes/meat so you don't have to choose between eggs and pancakes/waffles. But yeah...it's just not as good as it used to be. The sausages are almost universally undercooked (gross) and the eggs have become greasy and runny. I used to be a big fan of the Portuguese breakfast, but the last time I got it the fish cake and shrimp cake were OBVIOUSLY frozen (come on guys...people can tell) and the "linguica" tasted like Hillshire Farms kielbasa. Trying to get some toast is like pulling teeth and the portions have shrunk significantly, but maybe that doesn't matter since the quality has gone down. You'll walk out more or less full, but it's an awfully long wait for a meal of average quality.
(3)
Nicky L.
Loved it. Im not going to repeat anything everyone elses already said but just wanted to stop by here and mention that i went for the first time this weekend and it really did live up to the hype. I was ready to find something wrong. NOPE! Everything they have is good and they are willing to make changes to accomodate you if for instance you want coconut on the french toast even though its not on the specials for the day. Loved it. Cant wait to visit again so i can make that my sunday morning ritual. Oh, i recommend sending someone to put your name on the list then coming back later because its a pretty long wait on the weekends after noon.
(5)
Elbee M.
I'm not a huge breakfast fan, and thus not a huge huge-breakfast fan, but I still like coming to this place on occasion for a huge breakfast. If you like going out for breakfast, you will like this place more than me.
(3)
Josh K.
We come here often for Sunday brunch. All the specials are generally quite good, and the atmosphere is warm even when the weather isn't. As somewhat of an old-timer here, I thought I'd share a few tips. 1.) Order one cream of wheat and one fruit for every two people at the table. The cream of wheat is so delicious you'll eat too much if you have your own bowl, and you'll be too full to enjoy the rest of the meal. 2.) If you live nearby, put your name down and come back twenty minutes later. The wait is usually at least twenty minutes or so in warm weather around peak brunch-time hours. 3.) The hungrier you are, the better. 4.) It's just about impossible to order too little food, even when splitting. I can't remember the last time we've finished all the food, and we always split. 5.) The silver lining to freezing weather is no lines at the Neighborhood. Thanks to the overworked yet friendly staff here for maintaining a great place to enjoy a meal.
(5)
Min Y.
We got seated on a 6 person table for our party of 2. We had to sit with other people we don't know. The seats were very tight (about 15 inches wide; that's a little over the length of 8x11 paper). Luckily, I was able to fit. However, the food was very good food. Creative specials! Hard to read handwritings. They have service bread while you wait, which is nice. But, they aren't warm, nor that flavorful.
(3)
Elizabeth H.
This place has a nice outdoor patio, and copious amounts of food. However, for me the food and coffee are barely a step up from Denny's. It's very greasy-diner-like. Coffee is served in plastic mugs, and everything smells like meat. However, the service is friendly.
(3)
Steven R.
I just had to chime in on this one, even though I haven't been here in about 5 years. There is a reason for that, but take it with a grain of salt - maybe they've gotten better. Although I doubt it - I still go by all the time and the same long post-10AM lines of trust fund hipsters and people who apparently don't drink coffee were evident back then as they are today. The cream of wheat is good - but that's the only thing. I've had better coffee at a gas station at 3 o'clock in the afternoon than the crap these people were trying to serve me at 8 on a Saturday morning. The rest of my breakfast was not quite as bad, but still was closer to the coffee than the cream of wheat. This happened to me 3 times (the coffee was consistently awful, cream of wheat consistently good, and the rest of my meal consistently fair to poor) and then I quit going back. 3 strikes and they're out. What prompted me to post was not that the Neighbrohood is the worst breakfast I've ever had (although the coffee might be), but the fact that I'm baffled by the long lines and rave reviews on yelp. IMO there are MUCH, MUCH better places for breakfast right in the same "neighborhood." Is there something wrong with me that I can't grasp the wonderfulness of this "neighborhood" gem? Give it a try, if you want....maybe I'm nuts As "neighborhood" alternatives I recommend: S&S in Inman or Buddy's on Washington Street (both really close and pretty good); or Sound Bites in Ball Sq or (on weekends) Johnny D's in Davis (both pretty close and really good).
(1)
Michelle F.
Get the cream of wheat. Best anywhere.
(5)
David C.
Ok. I don't really NEED to review this place cuz you've got 200 plus to read already! So, at this point I'm just co-signing with the others. GREAT FOOD..and LOTS of it for the money! They serve this amazing custardy muffin like bread on the bread platter. Since I've been away from Boston 3 years now , I can't remember the name of that bread! But DAAAAAANG!! It sure was good! a couple of hassles...there is often a wait to get in there and 2) The outside dining isn't my favorite because of the flies that like to come around. I actually prefer eating there during the cold season because they serve inside which is crowded. But you get no flying insects trying to get at your grub! Great place! try it for sure!
(4)
Ben F.
So, I have yet to write a review on here despite being using the site for years now, but this place comes up so often when I discuss breakfast that I had to write a review. Firstly, the cream of wheat, from the family's recipe. Put it this way, I don't even like cream of wheat, but they make an out of this world variation, just excellent. The atmosphere is great, and cozy as people have mentioned, and the outdoor patio with grapes all over is really pleasant when it's nice out. Family-run, and for me, that's a huge selling point. Everything I have ever eaten here has been quite good, particularly the "specials", like the Portuguese breakfast, interesting pancakes like pumpkin walnut w/ cinnamon, etc. Great food, family-run, reasonable, cozy. There is often a line, deal with it, worth your time, trust me. :)
(4)
Brian S.
I've been searching for new brunch spots recently. Of course, I've been using Yelp to do some background research first. The large amount of great reviews peaked my interest, and I'm really glad I went to check it out. If you're going to go with a group like we did, send someone ahead to get on the list. The wait can be anywhere from 30-60 minutes for a group. We didn't mind, as it was as we expected. They do a great job of getting you to wait though. Free coffee and cake/pastry are put out for everyone in line. After being seated we were promptly served with menus and coffee - complete with a friendly introduction and smile. The outdoor patio is under a giant grape vine that covers the entire patio like a living roof with sun shining through the gaps. They give you the choice of fresh fruit or cream of wheat with every breakfast entree. We all ordered the fruit because the cream of wheat sounded gross, but truthfully none of us have ever had it before. Out comes the fruit as well as some cream of wheat to try just in case. The cream of wheat turned out to be amazing, I had no idea what I've been missing! Oh, you also get free OJ too! The waitress was nice, humorous, and explained everything well. She knew exactly what each numbered special was and what it included. (there were over 100!) We had been seated for an extremely long time before the meals actually came out. When they did... some were wrong, cooked incorrectly, and missing items. Lost major brownie points here. Once everything was figured out, the food tasted fantastic. The portions were also pretty good size. I almost licked my plate clean. You need to check this place out at least once if you've never been. I will absolutely be coming back, but I'll have to time it right to avoid the wait!
(4)
G. D.
Oh cream of wheat I didn't realize I would ever love you! I love The Neighborhood, and the location is great if you live in the area. I try not to go on Sunday's because of the long lines. But if you get a chance during a weekday or go on a Saturday there's usually little to no line. Also wanted to point out that last time I was there people where coming in just to get the Cream of Wheat to go. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like you can now. Also the Sweet bread french toast is amazing, and I really like there potato's. I have yet to get anything that I didn't like, but because of it's popularity the service can be touch and go, but for the good food I can wait.
(5)
Calli C.
The crowds of people standing around outside it on the weekends should have been my first clue. Now having been there several times for brunch, I understand why. This place has heaping portions of tasty food at an affordable price, and when it's nice out, it's served outdoors under an arbor of grapevines. It's unpretentious and delicious. Yes, the service could use a little help, as the last time we were there, we waited over half an hour for our food to come out, but it was worth it. My fave dish is the housemade corn beef hash with three eggs (over easy) and home fries, but I've sampled omelets, waffles, steak tips, and the Portuguese breakfast (some cakes are better than others) and it's all good. I would say to try to get there before 10 AM on a weekend if you don't want to wait forever.
(5)
Paul M.
Portuguese breakfast! Ohhh yah. It was sooo good and filling my cousin was out of breath from the food high.
(5)
Hubert H.
They serve something called "Portuguese Breakfast;" though some of it seemed like scrambled egg with potatoes, the main morsels were these fried meat and seafood cakes - though they all look like the same type of deep-fried foods they actually tasted good and were fairly differentiated from each other. I believe their omelets are also very well made. Their cream of wheat is a speciality, and today they served these sweet baked apples. Beware of the cold seat next to the door - it's really too cold and they should just cover it up with some bread or something.
(5)
Kelley S.
After the Cambridge version of my Portsmouth favorite, The Friendly Toastproclaimed a 1.5 hour wait for breakfast, I proclaimed "let's bounce." We ended up in Somerville at the Neighborhood, enjoyed complimentary coffee while we waited in the spring sun, for 20 minutes. This place is home-brewed hospitality at it's finest. Baked apples, followed by eggs Benedict with bacon and avocado and shared wheat pancakes for dessert. Everything fresh, cooked perflectly and zero hipster attitude you'd likely encounter at TFT. 11.99 included coffee, juice, baked apple, eggs Benny, and side of homefries. When it's warmer the wait is longer, but the outdoor seating under the arbor is well worth it.
(4)
Shaleen T.
I'm confused by the other reviews. This place was a total pain in the ass. The service was HORRENDOUS. I don't think I'm a diva or anything, but I'd like to be checked on once or twice; our server completely abandoned us after taking our orders. I didn't even have utensils when my fruit came so I had to go beg for it. The menu had lunch listed, and it was 1:30pm, but they had no lunch. My food finally came when everyone else in my group was practically done eating -- literally 20 minutes after the first person's food came. Yeah the food was good, but brunch food is pretty much always good. Nothing mindblowing. I got french toast, it was okay, needed butter but I didn't know how to get it since we had no service. I ate it while everyone else waited and a couple flies buzzed around. Then I waited for some interminable amount that seemed like hours before I finally went and got a to-go box myself. It's cash only by the way. I also think it's kind of annoying that tea or coffee is include in the price, because I only wanted water and felt slightly ripped off by that. Overall, barely satisfactory. I did choose the fruit, so maybe I missed out on whatever drug they must put in the cream of wheat to make everyone else so ecstatic.
(3)
Michelle F.
I can see why this place is so popular, but maybe not four stars. We've gone a couple of times now. The specials they have always look amazing on paper, but are kind of disappointing when you receive them. Last time we went I ordered the pumpkin cinnamon pancakes, which were supposed to come with a "marscapone drizzle." I was in the mood for a good, subtle cheese, but lo and behold, my pancakes arrive sans cheesy drizzle! It also came with a side of homefries and eggs, which were supposed to come over-easy and instead came barely-cooked. I had to send it back. The server was cool about me sending it back, and brought out my new eggs perfectly done, but still... The service is decent...it's a neighborhood joint, and always packed, so don't expect the most prompt service. Still, your coffee is refreshed pretty quickly and they are GREAT about getting you sat as quick as they can, which has been wonderful during the winter. It's definitely worth checking out, and great for a cheap, filling brunch. They over-reach a little with their specials, but it's worth the $20 (for two).
(3)
Dave M.
The best breakfast joint in Somerville - hands down. This quaint little Portuguese-American restaurant/bakery has been my absolute favorite breakfast stop since I first discovered it about 2 years ago. Every breakfast comes with your choice of cream of wheat or fruit (as well as homemade toast/popovers, a small juice, and coffee). Honestly, if you're not hungry as all get out, don't eat here - ... While the fruit changes frequently (occasionally a poached apple, fruit salad, etc), the home made cream of wheat is reminiscent of the "old country" - topped with cinnamon, it has that slow-cooked grandma feel with the essence of lemon - to die for. Do be careful tough, as Josh K points out, it's easy to fill up on it. Before I go any further, let me address one of the staples of breakfast joints: the coffee. The coffee at "The Neighborhood" is nothing more than absolute and total crap. Every once in a while, you get lucky and it's tolerable - but the coffee really is that bad (and probably the only thing that's keeping it from a 5-star review). Do yourself a favor, and hit up Bloc 11 four doors down either before or after for a good cup of coffee (they make a hell of a sammich too, look for another review soon) - I've never been ballsy enough to bring in my own coffee, but I see folks do it all the time and no one seems to complain. I will say that the rancid coffee actually gives this place a little bit of charm (am I insane?) The menu is numbered - your classic breakfasts being on the lower end (numbers under 30) - while the handwritten menu insert(s) with the "specials" have higher numbers, higher prices, higher quality, and bigger portions. My only question is what happened to numbers 40-90???? If you're going to order a special, lay off the cream of wheat (unless you've never had it)... guaranteed, the largest $11 breakfast plate you'll ever see (provided you count all that comes with it) ... If you haven't been stranded on an island for 11 days, or you weigh less than 200 lbs, I would suggest bringing a friend - agreeing on one special, then getting a smaller breakfast ... even then, you're leaving no less than a full meal uneaten. Great ham, chorizo, pancakes and or waffles (with fruit, don't eff around), legendary toast, and they really know how to poach an egg. If you're going on a weekend, try to get there before 9AM - otherwise you WILL be waiting in line for a table - however, it is easier in the warmer months when the outdoor patio seating is open. Get your coffee elsewhere, but for $25 for 2 (including tax and tip) - expect to be able to feed 6 Europeans or no fewer than 3 hungry lumberjacks. Food coma guaranteed.
(4)
Ben S.
The Neighborhood will always be one of my favorite restaurants. Of course, every time I've gone the weather was beautiful so I had the pleasure of sitting under a grapevine canopy outdoors. Not that the food doesn't stand on its own! My most memorable experience was with a stack of mango whole-wheat pancakes. The portion wasn't enormous, but it was supplemented with juice, coffee, a bowl of fruit, cream of wheat, and toast (?) - all for ten dollars. I might even be leaving something out, in fact. Well worth the wait, especially on a warm and sunny weekend morning if you don't have to rush anywhere afterwords.
(5)
Drew V.
Never had a bad meal or experience here !! cream of wheat is boss
(5)
Emily D.
I'm sorry, but I just don't get what all the fuss is about. I live in Cambridge and I have made it my mission to seek out the best brunch places around. Naturally, I heard high praises about The Neighborhood Restaurant and went to check it out. The wait was long, which was to be expected, and the outdoor patio was as nice as everyone said. They serve you coffee while you wait, but it's weak, diner-esque coffee. They had some sort of muffin out too, but I didn't try it. I ordered an omelet and it was small and forgettable. The serving of homefries was small, too. Yes, everything comes with coffee, OJ, and cream of wheat or fruit, but the quality is severely lacking. The OJ tasted mostly like highly-pasteurized sugar water and the glass was just a bit bigger than a shot glass. I opted for the "fresh fruit" which was a few sad grapes and pieces of melon. My boyfriend got a waffle, which was decent and I think the whipped cream may have been homemade, but that was the only thing that was even slightly impressive. The pastries that were served tasted like something you could have picked up at a convenience store. Honestly, this wasn't the worst dining experience of my life, but what's the big deal? I don't consider something a bargain if the portions are small and the quality is low (and it's not that great of a bargain). Save yourself the wait; there are many great breakfast places in the area that make everything from scratch and use high-quality ingredients (check out my other reviews if you're looking for some).
(2)
Elizabeth K.
This is such as awesome breakfast place! It has everything I could possibly want! Sweet bread for breakfast sandwiches! Add on home fries for like a buck! UNLIMITED tea (I feel like us tea drinkers always get shafted - not here!) Dozens of other options, including whole wheat pancakes. It's incredibly cheap (but cash only, they do have an ATM inside). Everything comes with cream of wheat or fruit as an appetizer - also a nice touch when you arrive starving. Why not 5 stars? The service overall is OK but sometimes it's not totally consistent. Some people have major attitudes, some are super fake, and some talk about all their problems really loud while waiting on customers (it's not a big place - it's really easy to hear everything - I don't need to know if my server is hung over). They're also not so great at refilling the aforementioned unlimited tea. Also, if you're a two-top be prepared to make friends, this place is tiny!
(4)
Laura G.
SO. MUCH. FOOD. Kind of a confusing wait system when we got there (you need to sign in on a sheet of paper outside the door) but definitely worth the wait. The food was pretty good and they gave you so much of it! A standard brunch comes with fruit, cream of wheat, orange juice, and a little muffin basket before you even order anything. The berry pancakes were delicious and my boyfriend got an omlette which he said was good too. The decor was a little lacking, and we were trapped in a corner behind other tables who had to get up to let us out/in but who really cares about that. I will definitely return on a nice day to eat in their outside area
(4)
Shelly R.
This place is great. Their cream of wheat is delicious, their portions extremely generous, and the experience very enjoyable. The staff can be pretty gruff and definitely unforgiving. They make you wait ages, then bark at you and don't even think about sharing (there's a fee) or asking to change anything about a dish. Just enjoy the delicious food and keep quiet!
(5)
Tim K.
I love this place!!! It's so good I really don't want you to try it out, for that will mean the line will get longer... But hey, it's worth the wait!!!
(4)
Alex P.
I know how you can have their famous cream of wheat at home. Here is the procedure: Step 1: grab a stick of butter Step 2: let butter sit at room temperature for 1 hour Step 3: dig in! The wait is simply not worth it. Really. No, I mean it.
(2)
Melissa P.
At this tiny storefront you see a sign that reads "Welcome to the Neighborhood", the Portuguese breakfast shop's tiny interior has a sassy backyard extension where brunchers can eat under a canopy of grape vines. At this neighborhood haunt late morning risers are the mainstay especially since they serve breakfast until four. The menu hues closely to your typical breakfast menu with few exceptions- pumpkin pancakes, french toast on Portuguese bread and a linguica filled omelet. Most of the items are under ten dollars. Whatever you order you get your choice of tea or coffee with free refills and that delicious bowl of cream of wheat. Dishes for the dieters do exist from whole wheat pancakes to egg white omelets. Upon request you can get any style eggies in just egg whites. But don't bother. With their wonderfully tasty cream of wheat smothered with more sugar and butter than you'll care to admit. The stuff tastes more like a pudding than wheat!
(4)
Tiff D.
Loved it. Eggs benedict with bacon and avocado. The bacon wasnt as crisp as I would have liked, and there was way too much hollandaise but the combination of flavors was amazing. Served with tasty potatoes and a small salad. Salad with my breakfast I said? But, the citrus dressing and hollandaise danced on my tongue. I couldnt get enough. -1 star for slow and not so friendly service
(4)
CJ N.
My boyfriend and I had many a breakfast/brunch date here, and I associate this place with love and happiness. That's number one. For the long lines in summer time, my tip is word games/people-watching/Hub Comics next door. The food is overwhelming in its portions. Ask for sugar-free syrup if you wish - they do have it. And in the summer, unsweetened iced tea is served in a GIANT tumbler for you. They do have healthy options on the menu, so enjoy in good health! Bring your family and friends - this place is all about love! Ps - the live grape vines are wonderful to sit under when the patio is open.
(5)
Selena J.
The outdoor seating is very pleasant. It always seems to be full of children, but they are somehow never loud and irritating the way children tend to be at restaurants (magically well-behaved Somerville children? works for me). Nothing fancy, but huge portions and excellent prices. Though truthfully all I ever want is a giant bowl of cream of wheat. Or possibly three.
(4)
Gabriel U.
Quite simply some of the best breakfast you can get around Boston. I had the steak tips, and they were delicious. Juicy, well-seasoned, and a hell of a lot of them. Cream of wheat is also fantastic. Just remember that if you're planning on coming here on the weekend to plan on waiting for a table for a bit. But it's worth it for sure.
(4)
rose n.
I am going to agree with everyone and their mom (and their cousin) and say this is the best place to get brunch in Boston. I've eaten some great brunch and I've eaten some crappy brunch everyone else said was great. My bf and I walked out of here filled up for $14.07. $14.07. For coffee, tea, orange juice, water (sure that's free but I actually got it here unlike some places), fresh fruit, banana muffin, toast, home fries, eggs, linguica omelette. I was a little more than impressed. I got the eggs (three of them!) and homefries which was around $5 and the BF got the linguica omelette. He was in heaven, I was satisfied (because scrambled eggs are pretty standard). I was more impressed that we got free OJ. Though served in dixie cup sized glasses, it was a nice touch and no one really needs 12+ oz of sugar juice. They had a huge menu and some excellent looking specials. The normal breakfast menu was under $10 with some things at a steal for $5. The specials were all $11.99 which seemed reasonable from how good they looked. The fresh fruit and toast were my only complaints. But hey, they were free and still good. The toast was four assorted pieces (with the pastry of the day an amazing banana muffin) so I had a nice piece of soft white and a harder roll-esque piece of white. I like a few pieces of white toast to splurge on at breakfast. I'll overlook that because the muffin was divine. DIVINE! The fruit was just boring hotel buffet fruit but it was a nice starter. I will def try the cream of wheat next time. The atmosphere was kitschy and everyone looked like family. My BF alerted me to "The Situation" who was bringing out food from the kitchen and I almost died laughing. All the servers were polite and yeah, they didn't fill up the coffee immediately but it was still fine. I wasn't rushed out of there and there was no line when we went in. It seemed like if there was a line, it would be managed well because of the list and the front server. Also, there was a low level of hispters which is good for Somerville/Cambridge. This place is basically what I like. They have low prices and amazing food, as well as extras that make you happy. And "the Situation" may serve you breakfast...
(5)
Amanda L.
I'm so happy I've finally had the chance to check out the Neighborhood. The portions are HUGE and an amazing deal for the price. The specials are great and they include a fruit plate or cream of wheat, orange juice and coffee. I got the Portuguese plate which came with cod cake, meat cake, shrimp cake, linguica, 2 eggs, rice and beans, homefries and toast. Oh my lordy was that a lot of food and it was all delicious! And for only $12.99. WHAT?!? They don't take reservations, but I like that they leave out coffee and snacks for the people that are waiting. The patio is where it's at and a great way to have a delicious meal on a great day! Now to go back for dinner!
(4)
De N.
BEST BREAKFAST PLACE IN TOWN! Food is absolutely delicious, ive been there at least 60 times and i can never wait to go back. I have taken several different friends each time and everyone has loved it. great place.
(5)
Abbey G.
After two years of living in Boston I finally made it to The Neighborhood and it was the best breakfast I have ever had in this area. I was very excited to find a Portuguese breakfast restaurant as I am from the South Coast. I have since turned vegetarian and can no longer enjoy linguica but my roommate order the linguica and cheese omelette and loved it. If you have never had linguica you will need to order it - you will not be disappointed. I opted for just scrambled eggs, toast and home fries. The home fries were seasoned and cooked perfectly. I have to say the best part was the cream of wheat. It was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. I would go back just to get the cream of wheat! Highly recommend this place it is awesome!
(5)
Mark M.
You will wait on the weekend... BUT they give out free coffee and cake while you wait. This hands down was the best Corned Beef Hash I have ever had. The employees are wonderful. The clientele is fairly hipster. I will be back again and again.
(5)
Wen-fai F.
I'm so upset I've lived here for 5 years and haven't discovered this place until now! Went way back on Valentine's Day so they had kind of a "special" menu, I think. There was also about a 40 minute wait even at around 1:30p. You just write your name down on a sheet when you get there, so you never know exactly how long it'll be. Normally they serve up coffee and baked goods to people waiting outside but they forgot to refill this when we got there so we just waited hungry! But it was worth it. This place really gives you quality AND quantity of food for what you pay. I ordered the coconut French toast (may be a rotating menu item), which came with cream of wheat (or a choice of something else but I can't even remember because the cream of wheat was so delicious) and a bunch of gratuitous baked goods for ~$12. I had lots of leftovers. There are also lots of fun omelettes and Portuguese dishes that seemed worth trying. If you're in the area and it's a weekday, I would definitely go. If you're in the area and a weekend, just be prepared for the wait. I would not come with a group larger than 4. The service itself was also a bit slow and the way they seated us was kind of awkward. This place is also CASH-ONLY! We couldn't find a BOFA ATM around so come prepared!
(4)
DJ N.
The breakfast here is great, and it starts with amazing cream of wheat! Yup, that's right. The cream of wheat is off the hook! I usually get the corn beef hash and it is deeelicious!! The portions are huge and the price is right. Be prepared to wait a little if you arrive during normal breakfast/brunch time on the weekend. Parking is metered//street so come prepared with quarters. Also, it's a cash only joint, but they have an ATM inside. You won't be disappointed :-)
(4)
Kyle R.
I don't understand how anyone could give this place a bad review, unless you hate things like delicious food and casual atmosphere. Complaining about the vegetarian options at a portuguese restaurant is like complaining about the noise at a rock show. And for the record, the pastries/breads are 100% made from scratch, which may be hard to believe when you bite into them. The ambience is nothing to write home about, but again, if you go here expecting the cheesecake factory with vegetarian options, you should probably just go there instead. Bottom line, this place is amazing for breakfast if you actually have an appetite and don't complain about minor details, like ambience and location of the bathroom. It's always busy for a reason. Also, ordering a portuguese breakfast without the meat is one of the most hilarious things I've ever heard. Next time I order a salad I'm going to ask for no lettuce.
(5)
Suzy L.
My friend just moved into a new place right around the corner, so we tried Neighborhood for the first time this AM. I didn't read any reviews in advance, so didn't know what to expect. I was a bit taken aback by the "cream of wheat or fruit?" when we first sat down, along with the coffee and juice that appeared out of nowhere. After consulting the menu, I was pleasantly surprised it was included, even though I had passed on the fruit. Next time! I had the breakfast sandwich with linguica on sweet bread. Holy yum, it was DELICIOUS. I LOVE linguica and sweet bread, so stumbling on a Portuguese breakfast spot by accident was a great start to my Sunday morning. The home fries were also super yummy. The portions were HUGE and the price on my breakfast was unbeatable, $5.50 for my enormous sandwich and side of home fries plus bottomless coffee and the fruit or cream of wheat I passed on. The combo plates are pricier, but again, the portions are ridiculous and they include a ton. Service was friendly and efficient, I think every person in the restaurant helped us at some point. The whole "sign in outside" thing is a little weird if you haven't been there before, but there's really NO room inside to wait, and they have coffee for you out there while you wait. They lose one star for being cash only, I NEVER carry cash, so it's definitely a drawback (luckily my friend had enough to cover us). Don't get me wrong, this place is good enough that I'll plan ahead next time!
(4)
Julia E.
This place is amazing, and I wish I had found out about it sooner! The portions are very generous, so come hungry. The ambience is really nice and charming--a friendly, family-owned local business. The fresh fruit was wonderful, and the waitress kept our coffee cups full. On my belgian pancake came fresh berries (in February!) topped with homemade whipped cream (yummm) and maple syrup. In addition, my meal came with orange juice, eggs, sausages, and potatoes. Holy crap. My date had the Portuguese breakfast. In reference to the comments below--yes, that breakfast IS a Portuguese breakfast. There is meat, cod, and more. Don't order it if you don't want a Portuguese breakfast. The omnivore in us both, however, thought this breakfast was pretty awesome. I definitely plan to bring family & friends for the affordable, generous brunch. I'm really excited to come back during spring and summer so we can sit on the patio beneath the grapevines!
(5)
Chris L.
I frequently find myself daydreaming of Neighborhood's ethereal Cream of Wheat whenever I am out for brunch or simply eating oatmeal in my living room. Since moving to NY nine months ago, this magical bowl of joy is one of the Boston foodstuffs that I find myself longing for on a regular basis. "Life changing" does not do this dish justice. Therefore, I've decided the only way to express my infatuation with this dish is through a romantic poem*. "Cream of Wheat" cream of wheat you can't be beat you are so neat like my best friend Pete sweet like bear meat served on the street you make me want to Tweet even in the summer heat it's a real treat eating you on outdoor seats you make me want to skeet on the cold concrete. I love you Cream of Wheat. *Please note: I nearly failed my undergrad poetry class.
(5)
Anthony R.
Looks like most of the reviews here are for breakfast/brunch -- this one is for lunch. I came here in the middle of a 16-hour bout of moving, which meant I was very hungry and a bit grumpy when my housemates and I sat down for lunch on the patio outside. Very cool space -- sitting at a picnic table underneath the trellis almost overflowing with grapes, you do feel like a bit like you're at a cafe in Portugal rather than in the outskirts of Union Square. Lunch specials are cheap! $10 for a huge portion of salmon or sole is surprisingly great value, especially considering that also includes sides consisting of a generous amount of mashed potatoes, veggies, and rice. Sadly, when you're serving up that much food for that little money, sacrifices have to be made - the fish was decent but hardly excellent and the veggies were well-spiced but seemed like they'd come frozen out of a bag. Great preparation but the ingredient quality just didn't seem to be there. One of my friends got a sandwich which looked pretty blah - I'd stick to the fish/meat lunch specials. Also, the house white wine - which I was seriously in need of at the time to take the edge off our brutally epic move - may have been the worst wine ever. Not sure what I expected for $3.50 a glass, but it was bland, watery, faintly rotten smelling, and a bit sweet -- pretty terrible stuff. So: cool spot to eat, good value, okay ingredients, great prep, bad wine -- 3 stars.
(3)
Charlotte A.
I ordered the mascarpone french toast with maple syrup topped with banana. I thought it's a stuffed french toast but it wasn't. The dish itself was delicious and looks quite extravagant when it arrived because of the generous portion. I was looking forward to a hearty bowl of cream of wheat again; it tasted so good on my first visit a year ago; however, this time I got a bowl of overly sweet baby food mostly consisted of butter, cream/milk and sugar (ton of it). My biggest regret was not getting coffee but orange juice; no, orange concentrate to be precise. This is a great place and l love having a comforting meal under the grapevine on a sunny day, but the taste of food has to be consistent.
(3)
Jennifer L.
Good food! Unique options. Abundance. Such awesome service! Can't believe I didn't try this place after living in the area for so many years... Definitely a new go-to breakfast, especially during the warmer months. They have plenty of outdoor seating under a cool trellis with grapevines and flowers. The first thing that struck me was that they offered serve-yourself coffee and bread while you wait. You sign yourself in on a clipboard, maybe to free up the host to help out in the restaurant. Once we were in (we only had to wait a few minutes), we were served by about four people in two minutes! It was overwhelming (in a good way). Someone brought over coffee, someone else brought fruit, and someone else asked us if we wanted any cream of wheat. Then our waitress took our order. The fruit, coffee, and cream of wheat comes with breakfast. They had some different types of food that you don't see everywhere - Portuguese influenced I think? Plus all the standards. Portions were huge, the food was delicious, the service was amazing, and the prices were fair. Definitely recommend it, but expect to wait on a weekend - it's no secret this place is amazing.
(5)
Deborah M.
There isn't much I can add here that hasn't already been said about this place. It is absolutely fantastic and probably one of THE BEST BREAKFAST places I have ever been to. I came here with someone whose taste I do not always trust...so I was definitely a bit skeptical when we walked into what looks like a somewhat dodgy restaurant from the outside. It was a weekday, so there were no hordes of waiting diners to affirm the restaurant's greatness. The inside of the place was tiny, but I'm told there is an outdoor seating area with a grape-covered (and scented) pergola that makes for a decadent dining experience. After a quick scan of the menu, I could tell I would not be able to harass my friend for his restaurant choice. Each meal sounded better than the next. Fresh and inventive without being overly complicated -- The Neighborhood Restaurant has taken breakfast standards like waffles, french toast, and pancakes and turned them into edible works of art. I actually contemplated ordering two things, but was admonished not to. I'm glad I listened because the portions are HUGE...I was stuffed when I finally rolled out of there. And how cute that you get a little appetizer with breakfast. Both choices were awesome and I had NO IDEA cream of wheat could be that good. Because we were here on a trip and had a plane to catch, our waitress was kind enough to call us a cab (this place is not on the T but is definitely worth a cab or bus ride over). In my mad dash to get to the cab, I left my jacket at the restaurant and did not discover it until I was at the airport. Wouldn't you know they were nice enough to mail it to me in Washington, D.C. for no charge? The people who work here are the nicest people ever. Go to this place...you will NOT regret it!
(5)
Ivy G.
Er~it is really delicious. I tried their brunch with friend before. You can choose to have Buffet on Friday morning so I ordered buffet you know I cannot say no to buffet. Then my friend went on with omelet. Then before her food was served I was already full with beacon and meat. So the entire brunch was totally like a one person style. But I would still recommend this if you want tasty brunch but do not want pay more .
(4)
Deanna D.
Cute, cozy little restaurant with an adorable patio. Fantastic home cooking served by friendly & attentive staff. Amazing value for a super filling and delicious breakfast. Freshly baked breads & muffins= Lovely way to start the day Freshly squeezed OJ- Yummy The Cream of Wheat- Creamy, sweet, topped w/ cinnamon--Amazing! --makes me wish I was a kid again! Portuguese breakfast special: 3 eggs+ cod cake, shrimp cake, meat cake+ Linguica + morcela+ home fries+ toast+ muffin= Super stuffed & happy me! Special Corned Beef hash Benedict= Best in Boston! And we can't forget the server with amazingly large arms delivering food to your table. Place gets really busy very quickly so try to get there early or be prepared to wait. One of the best breakfast places in Somerville!
(4)
Kathleen F.
If this review was based on food alone the neighborhood would definitely get 5 stars. The food here is hands down the most amazing brunch spread! You start out with fresh fruit or cream of wheat and then get your meal. I usually always get omlettes when I come here but yesterday decided to switch it up and try one of their healthy option dishes: egg whites with cheese, spinach and tomato, a side of turkey bacon and a giant oatmeal waffle topped with bananas=omg amazing breakfast! I also had a mango spritzer which was pretty f'in delicious! It was a great meal to start off the long weekend with! Ok so now for the service part, the main problem is there aren't always enough waitresses to handle so many people so we got our food before our drinks. We asked the girl serving coffee if we could have our spritzers and she didn't know what a spritzer was. Obviously she did ask someone and we wound up getting them, just took a while. So worth repeat visits for the food but don't expect amazing and attentive service.
(4)
keila d.
i love the food. The staff was okay .
(5)
Crista B.
Yum! Headed to this restaurant for Sunday lunch/brunch. I had heard that you always turn down the fruit for the cream of wheat. This was a hard decision because 1. the fruit was a baked apple and 2. I had never had cream of wheat before. Oh my goodness ... have the cream of wheat!!!! I have no idea what is in it, but I am sure that I am spoiled for any other cream of wheat. So then the decision was what to have to eat after already enjoying my cream of wheat, fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee ... which are included with your order. #97 (coconut french toast) was the winner and it was so yummy. This is a cash only restaurant, but there is an ATM inside. You can split dishes with a friend for a $3 charge which is totally acceptable and doable ... but I recommend skipping breakfast and dinner and going midday. When you arrive you have to sign yourself in to the wait list ... so don't forget! Enjoy!
(5)
Raj S.
Dry pancakes (pumpkin), tight quarters, unclean table (got syrup on my shirt), not friendly service. Blah overall...Cash only. I would recommend Paramount in Beacon Hill or Ball Square Cafe.
(2)
Daniel M.
My first visit was sort of a pain in the ass and had the food not been so amazing I would have not come back. After waiting over an hour to get in (expected) we were treated to more waiting. Basically someone forgot about us and we sat for well over an hour waiting for our food while people came and left after us. When the food arrived though all was forgiven which is saying a lot since breakfast took over three hours. Second visit was considerably better, went on a weekday with my mother. We were seated right away and waited a reasonable amount of time before the uh-mazing food came out and we gorged ourselves on deliciousness that can't be matched around here. During our meal my mom noticed a sign on the wall claiming that they had the best breakfast in the country. A bold statement that they back up with their huge delicious portions, affordable prices, and seemingly endless menu. I like that Every meal comes with bottomless coffee, a wee orange juice and your choice of cream of wheat (uh-mazing) or fruit. The fruit is clearly prepped ahead of time and is juicy and amazing but the cream of wheat is where it's at. The patio is a fun place to eat during the warm months as it's completely covered in vegetation with grapes, zucchini, and tomatoes just hanging there overhead. Makes for an awesome breakfast spot but pack your patience when you visit.
(4)
Peter C.
I actually found this place on Yelp from my friends, and I want other people to find it this way too. I cannot express how AMAZING this place is. I don't know if it's the funky colors or the aluminum chairs that I had in my high school, but I always love eating here. It's the perfect place to go after a nice night on the town, especially if you have a hangover. First off, you get bottomless coffee and a nice cup of OJ. Almost every meal is served with Cream of wheat or fruit (I've had both, and they're both DE-LIC-OUS, so it's your choice. Note however, that I have never had such amazing Cream of Wheat anywhere else), and I always substitute Linguiça in on my meals. My friends usually get the coconut french toast, but honestly, anything you get here is going to be good. Also, if you have the option, you should definitely sit outside under the grapevines. It's beautiful in the summer, and reminds me of my grandfather's own grapevine he had when I was a kid. Definitely brings out the Portuguese in me. Oh, and you get some nice eye-candy too while eating. Look for the guy with muscles that are WAY too big for his shirt. You'll know when you see him. Ow ow!
(5)
Susan A.
OH my darling... I miss you so, so much! Every time I venture back to E. Massachusetts, I try to make it for Sat/Sun brunch. Such delights that abound! The whipped cream of wheat, swirled to perfection, creme de la creme, apple of my eye. The fruit, depending on which season, goes from 'meh' to 'bleh' to 'right on!' Fresh squeeshed OJ, Tea, Coffee depending on your preference that morning. The cornbread that they feed you to stave off your hunger BEFORE you even get seated. OHHHHH soooo GOOOOD. The pancakes, waffles, eggs, homefries, omelettes, mmmm.... I have to stop writing before I cry. I miss this place!!!
(5)
Nicole W.
Best little find in Somerville- have been going for a few years. One thing no one has mentioned is lunch- if you ever get a chance to have lunch there- Mon thru Fri- go! Fish & Chips! Yum! Comes with their fresh baked bread, soup or salad, fresh veggies... And dessert. All included for I think $8. All fresh, all extremely tasty. Lots of great portuguese fare as well which i have yet to try. Not available in weekends though, so it's a treat. Breakfast is if course great, so I won't bother to repeat what everyone else has said. Yes- get the cream of wheat, nothing like it, but in the summer, the fresh fruit is refreshing. The staff is super friendly. Cozy in the winter & in the summer it's so nice to sit outside under the grape vines. Be prepared to wait in line for a table on weekends, but they always have coffee & baked goods to nibble on while you wait.
(5)
Jess L.
I wish I could give this place more than three stars, but after hearing about it for so long, I was not blown away when I finally got there. The ambiance is supposed to be charming, but the bright-colored walls didn't do it for me, and there are some awkward seating arrangements. Plus, the chairs are heavy and cumbersome. The food was fine. I think the best thing on our table was the mascarpone french toast, which was a special that weekend. My cheese omelet was so-so and greasy. The linguiça (Portuguese sausage) is good, but mine was a little dry, I thought. The service was decently fast, but one had to try hard to get their attention. Oh, and when you're offered fruit or cream of wheat, go with the cream of wheat!
(3)
T M.
Always a great experience here. I've been coming here for years and the food is always amazing. IMO it's the best breakfast place in Boston. The prices can't be beat either for the quantity and quality of food you get. Service is always friendly too. Also the cream of wheat here is over the top good. Whatever they do to it makes it a real treat.
(5)
Emily O.
This place is fabulous secret of West Somerville. The home fries are wonderfully spicy. Comprised of a sweet potato-Yukon blend and cayenne'd up, these might possible be the best home fries in Greater Boston. French toast is great (FYI: Sweet bread means Challah/Egg.) I also adore that they serve brunch until 4:00 p.m. for those lazy, mildly hungover weekend afternoons. Thanks, Neighborhood, for being the most delicious remedy in town.
(4)
Abishek C.
Another crowded brunch place! Their food is very good, but with huge portions. The Boston Creme French toast is amazing, and so it their Portuguese Breakfast. I really like their concept of unlimited coffee, and the inclusion of OJ and fruit bowl/cream of wheat with all their brunch options.
(4)
Emiko T.
This is a true gem, a diamond in the rough. Although, it definitely isn't a diamond in the rough, it actually IS a sparkling, tried and tested jewel that holds up to the hype. Some of the best food you're going to have and the best service ever provided. You might have to wait but with free coffee outside, it's more of a pleasure than a pain in the side. It's a Portuguese-run restaurant and family owned. It runs like a well-oiled machine that has been doing it for years. You sit outside in the patio area under tacky umbrellas and amongst garden gnomes and plastic cheetahs but all that lends so much character that you wish people would write this place off as "bad" so that you could get in that much faster. I think that the most incredible part about the restaurant is all the extra sides they hook you up with (at least for breakfast). You get a choice of cream of wheat (which is excellent) or fresh fruit (which I think was cantaloupe and melon) and they give free orange juice and coffee. Since breakfast food can usually be done anywhere and everywhere and usually taste about the same, I decided to go with their special Portuguese breakfasts that came with a whole lot of fried things and meat that I unfortunately do not know the names to. And also unfortunately these specials aren't listed on their main website menu so if you're lucky to enough to find them on your menu next time you go, you should give one of these plates a try. And why not? It's obviously the dish that they would do the best. The meat that I had was tender and juicy and the potatoes were perfect. I had something else that seemed like a dark plantain as well as another deep-fried fish cake-ish ball. I sound completely ignorant and like a uninformed tourist here, but if I could humbly add my opinion to this already well-established restaurant, it would be to give them a try if you haven't already and that you'll have a wonderful time having breakfast in the cutest, quaint neighborhood you've ever seen. Tip well, because the restaurant deserves 5 stars on EVERY level. Yelp challenge #19/365
(5)
Andrew J.
I am giving Neighborhood Restaurant three stars. Maybe this is an unfair rating because i am not a brunch person and I went here after church on a Sunday. I live up the hill, and always walk by this place on my way into Union Square. I suppose I should have expected a brunch/breakfast menu but it was about 1pm when we showed up. I was hoping to check out some Portuguese food but only breakfast food was available. So rather than order from the lunch menu, I instead had to sort through a bunch of crap I'd never eat: Oreo pancakes, french toast (yuck!) and a bunch of breakfast items I can make at home for a dollar. I got the portuguese breakfast, which was good: linguica sausage, fish cakes, eggs and home fries. I want to come back when the rest of the menu is available. The atmosphere is really what brought my rating score up. On a hot day, outdoor seating was nice and shady with a faux grape vine ceiling and picnic tables. Really chill eating environment. I would come back here for Portuguese food but not breakfast.
(3)
Jesse B.
Best breakfast I have ever had?? certainly the best in recent memory. For 10$ you get more food than 2 people can consume and everything is delicious.
(5)
B P.
This place is good considering the prices. The food is ok with generous portions. There is a long wait, but they put out free coffee and cake for the folks in line - which is nice. The cream of wheat was good - I'm not sure what all the rave reviews are about. The Portuguese breakfast and Eggs Benedict were good. Service was crazy - but they were pretty busy. They seated us with another couple at table for four. Then when the couple left they pounced on that table to clean it - thereby dropping a whole cup of coffee on me! They apologized but considering we were almost done, they could have waited another 5-10 minutes before descending on us! Bottom line -its nice - nothing to write home about.
(3)
Jennifer S.
Craving breakfast? Go to the Neighborhood. Yes there's a wait on the weekends (and we even experienced a wait on a non-holiday Monday morning), but I'd prefer to wait in line for breakfast here than the nearby Ball Square long-line restaurants. Each breakfast comes with coffee, juice, fruit or cream of wheat (Get the cream of wheat!) and a plate of muffins/breads...all before you even order your main dish, which are fairly big portion sizes. The outdoor seating in the shaded patio is beautiful and will keep you cool on a hot day.
(4)
Logan V.
If anyone can suggest a better breakfast place in Boston, let me know. There's a good reason this place always has at least a 30 minute wait. The patio is fun with almost complete shade from grape vines, and the free coffee and cornbread while you wait on the street is always greatly appreciated. The eggs benedict with hash is great, and their homemade jam is excellent.
(5)
S W.
The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars was because it was a pretty long wait to get a table (almost an hour). But they definitely made up for it in how quick the service was once we went inside. The amount of food they give you for what you're paying is amazing. They give you a plate of bread and a random baked good. Unlimited coffee, hot coco or tea. Fresh squeezed OJ. an appetizer of fruit or cream of wheat. I just wanted to pause for a moment and talk about the cream of wheat. I'm always weary of ordering c.w at restaurants but my friend told me I should. It was amazing, great thickness, sweetened perfectly, the only thing was it was a little too much cinnamon but not overpowering. I order the pancakes, eggs, homefries and a side of linguica. The linguica was not my thing but everything else was really good. The eggs and pancakes were so fluffy and great. I just wish it was the kind of place I could just go and sit down and not having to deal with waiting. But I will say they try to make people comfortable as they wait by giving out bread and coffee.
(4)
Joe L.
Not the best but not the worst, seasonal outdoor seating saves this place. The indoor seating used in wet/cold weather reminds me of a big disorganized closet. It is the only diner in union square, so kind of stuck when your looking for a local in/out bacon n egg befast
(3)
Leo G.
One of the best breakfast places ever --- happy upbeat atmosphere. Brought my family --- college age kids, girlfriend and ex-wife --- and had a great time! Outdoors under live grapevines at picnic table on a sunny July day, attentive service. Had to wait 20 minutes, but okay for group of 6. Lucky to get good street parking. Young owner carrying on the family tradition in a very good way. Cream of wheat was outstanding --- the sweet condensed milk is the secret. Omelettes, french toast, eggs, all good, though a step below the COW. Good value for the money.
(5)
Kathy Z.
Waffle is delicious!!! Good brunch but long long wait.
(4)
Sara G.
When you go in the morning for brunch you end up waiting in line, and it seems to suck, but you actually get free coffee and pastry bites while you wait. It shows they care! Though doubtful, the cream of wheat was truly amazing - it is a nice warm bite to have after waiting outside in the cold on a New England morning. I've had the waffle with fruit (comes with hash, eggs, and sausage too) with orange juice and coffee. It's really an incredible amount of food that tastes amazing. I've also had just the eggs and hash. Be prepared to eat a lot, be surrounded in a small divey place, and enjoy every moment of it. Cash only here, so be ready (they have an ATM though). You really can't go wrong with brunch here on Sundays. It's one of those restaurants that will become a stand by that you recommend to your friends, that you bring your parents to, and that you will remember for years to come!
(5)
Emma R.
I was very excited to go to this place, especially after reading all the highly rated reviews. It was a beautiful day and I was very excited to sit in the outside seating pavilion. The outside seating is perfect for a nice, sunny day because they have this nice covering so the area is pleasantly shaded. Unfortunately, the service was the worst I have ever had, anywhere. I was sat right away, however, it took forever for the waitress to finally come over and take our drink/ food order. The waitress was also not very friendly and didn't seem to be the slightest bit excited about her job. I would understand this kind of service a little more if the place had been packed but there were plenty of empty tables and other servers. Once the waitress took our order, that was the last time I saw her until she brought the bill. I had to ask one of the bussers for another beverage and a refill on coffee. The food was alright, but nothing I haven't had before, the food was definitely not worth the horrible service. I am truly hoping that this kind of service is not typical of this place and the server was just having an off day, because the decor and outdoor seating is something I would go back for, but that is it.
(1)
Caitlin C.
One time I saw a lady walk in with a HUGE tupperware container and get it filled with cream of wheat. She drove all the way to Union Square just for their cream of wheat! They do not mess around here. I always opt for the complimentary fruit though (CoW is just not my thing) and I love the little shot of OJ you get. Omelets are huge and stuffed generously with whatever you asked them to be stuffed with (I like broccoli & cheddar + bacon when I'm feeling sinful). Sometimes they sneak surprise muffins in with your toast (last time it was a coconut muffin and it was so good! I thought about pretending like it wasn't anything special, but then I felt guilty and offered a taste to my dining companion). Cozy dining room, super pleasant staff, reasonable prices and generous portions. And now I'm looking forward to spring when it will be warm enough to dine on the patio. Yes!
(4)
Doris H.
The only reason i am giving this place three stars is because service takes FOREVER. However, if you don't mind waiting an hour outside (on the weekend) and another hour to get your food, the food is really worth it. The healthy options are pretty good and the cream of wheat is so good!!
(3)
Erika A.
One of the best breakfasts I've ever had! We were in town for a game, and stopped here after reading all the great reviews. They certainly lived up to their promise! I had the coconut French toast (made with homemade bread) and my husband had the crab cake eggs Benedict. Both were amazing. I loved that they had starters of either cream of wheat or baked apple, both of which were brimming with cinnamonny goodness. I was partial to the cream of wheat. :-) Definitely worth checking out! Oh, get there early because there will be a line.
(5)
Mark W.
Best creme of wheat anywhere ever, I could drink it out the pot. I love the outdoor seating in the summer and its super cheap but you always leave full and completely content. Go here if you enjoy eating breakfast. Do yourself a favor and get the creme of wheat.
(5)
Lara C.
I take back my 3 star review. In the years since I wrote it I have moved to Somerville and frequented The Neighborhood many times. I have grown to appreciate its, shall we say, relaxed approach to food service. Yes, the wait is long. So long that they actually now have a sign up that says "This is not the place to be if you're in a rush." But it's worth it. What I didn't realize the first time was that the specials menu is really where it's at. Most of the items are seasonal so it's constantly rotating, and you get a ton of food for only $13. The most recent time I was there with a friend, they had oreo cookie pancakes on the menu. My friend (another loyal Neighborhooder) and I seriously went back and forth trying to decide whether or not to order this gluttonous feast for about 15 minutes, and finally opted not to for the sake of not feeling disgusting after brunch. My belgian waffle with fresh berries (4 different kinds) and banana was delicious, but I haven't stopped thinking about those pancakes since. Tips that I know now which would have made my first experience better: 1) Do not get there after noon. You will be waiting for over an hour, and all of the coffee/lemonade/cake samples will be gone. 2) Don't put anything in your stomach before you get there. You need to be starving to eat this food. 3) Agree with the rest of your party to have one (or 2 depending on size) of you get the cream of wheat, and the rest get fruit. The cream of wheat is delicious but very heavy and it's really too much for one person. But that combined with the fruit is a nice little appetizer (and the fruit's freshness has improved since my first visit). I can't believe I ever thought any less of this place.
(5)
Spencer T.
Amazing place, worth the wait. Portions are huge, if you are not super hungry share a plate. The cream of wheat that is included in your meal is like edible comfort.
(4)
Erin C.
Love! One minus star for crappy toast and tiny expensive orange juice. But, the cream of wheat is SO delicious! I don't like it anywhere else...I don't know how they make that grey gooey stuff into something I can't get enough of! They also have good Portuguese-inspired breakfasts (different types of sausages) that are pretty good and great pancakes! I also enjoy the fact that the servings are really large and that you can sit outside under grape vines. Very cute in a kitschy sort of way. Great for large groups.
(4)
Joanna F.
4 stars for the value of this place alone. I've been for brunch and most recently, I tried their dinner. Dinner here is a VERY limited menu. I had the paella. It wasn't the best paella I've ever had, but I can't complain considering I paid 15 bucks for a glass of sangria, a salad, bread, paella, two sides, and flan. We didn't end up taking the free flan at the end since we were so ridiculously full after all of the other unexpected food that came with our meal. We were one of the only two parties in the entire place. I don't think their dinner is very well known... I believe they only have it on Thursday and Friday nights. The service was good, and the 2 dollar huge glass of sangria was even better. There was only one vegetarian option for my friend (cheese ravioli) which isn't really a specialty at a Portuguese restaurant, but it was still fairly good.
(4)
Catherine R.
Earth-shatteringly good food served in Imaginationland. First, opt for the cream of wheat over the fruit. The NR&B's version (an adventure in sweetness, creaminess, and heat) will make you forget any previous sentiments you have about it, whether it was made too lumpy, too bland, or too watery. One piping hot bite, and those memories of BLAH will be replaced with memories of GIMME MORE. Throw in the bottlomless coffee, cute cup of juice, and a breakfast fit for a king, and THAT is what five starts tastes like. In the winter, you sit in a room painted neon colors: pink, green, blue, yellow. In the summer, you sit under a lattice roof overgrown with the most fragrant grapevines you'll ever encounter. Do they make (and sell) their own homemade grape jelly? Yeah, they do. And yeah, you need to try it. Now. Careful of the lines, though, because the food is good enough to wait for, in the rain, snow, sleet, and hundred-degree heat of a midsummer morning. Don't forget to check out the bathroom: Inside, down the stairs, first door on the left.
(5)
Stacy-Michelle R.
I want to write this place a great review, I *really* do. It is ADORABLE. Seriously - you walk up and think "I want to eat THERE." But, it did not live up to what I had hoped for. Be prepared to wait. Granted, we went at prime sunday brunching time - and expected to wait for a table - and we did, for over an hour. we sat down to our waitress being visibly (and a little verbally) upset that we were only a two top instead of a four top. We were going to tell her that we tip like a four top, but since it took her almost 15 minutes to come back to us(and we were right in front of the water/cream of wheat/oj/coffee station) we figured she didn't deserve it. Once she came she was cool enough, and brought us the cream of wheat really quick. The cream of wheat. We laughed that everyone said it was the best cream of wheat they'd ever had. Then we had it...and oh my goodness. It is. It's creamy, it's sweet, it's perfect consistency. I would go there for that alone if I wasn't so allergic to it. We were excited as to what was in store for us next! Sadly, it took an hour for the next round of food, and by then we were more than full from the giant bowl of cream of wheat. The food is expensive. Yes, the cost per piece is cheap, but the food is expensive. I don't go to brunch for pancakes and expect to pay $14. That $14 bought us pancakes, eggs, meat, potatoes, toast (cause we needed more bread), oj, coffee, and cream of wheat. only 30% of which as consumed and 20% of that I could label as "really tasty." Honestly - if it wasn't for the Cream of Wheat, it would be a 1 Star, it's that good. Thats about it. Pros: Cute, Lots of food and amazing cream of wheat Cons: Extensive waits, high price, too much food, blah food, OJ from concentrate (I hate this)
(2)
Mike Z.
Breakfast/brunch food done right at very reasonable prices. Cream of wheat (free) is delish. Fruits (free) were fresh. Small shot of orange juice (free) was refreshing Bacon and Cheese ($9.49) omelet was good, but too cheesy. Portugese Breakfast ($12.99) was a bit too adventurous for me. The Portugese sausage and shrimp cake was OK, codcake was meh, and I don't know what to make of the morcella. The two eggs and potatoes were pretty standard. Lesson learned, I'll try something more standard next time! The cute outdoor patio with the grapevine ceiling bumps this one up from a 3.5 to a 4.0 rating.
(4)
Ahmad M.
they are soo generous. u get orange juice, coffee and an amazing cream of wheat. not to mention the nice waiters and unlimited menu, meaning that they can do anything you want. def worth the 50 min wait when I came on Saturday.
(5)
Sara M.
When you get here, put your name in on the clipboard and help yourself to some coffee and pastry - it's gonna be a wait...but worth it. The specials come with orange juice, pastries for the table and your choice of fruit or cream of wheat - and that's before whatever you ordered. Brunch will run you about 15 bucks, but you'll be full all day! The service was a little slow, but servers were happy to get us whatever we needed, and we were well taken care of. Overall a great brunch and I bet it would be a good fix for a hangover. Looking forward to going back and trying something new.
(4)
T T.
My third trip to Neighborhood Restaurant was not nearly as memorable as the first. The coconut French toast was sadly absent from the menu, so I ordered the blackberry and blueberry pancakes. The pancakes were quite dense and were pretty mediocre. The accompanying scrambled eggs were good, though. The sausage and potatoes were so-so. The freshly squeezed orange juice was on the sweet side, and the hot chocolate I ordered tasted of bad hot cocoa mix. Overall, I felt that I could make a better breakfast at home. The service is still friendly, though!
(2)
Sonia D.
Cutest place ever!! It feels like you are eating in someone's backyard. I went for brunch on Saturday with a friend and thought it was great. Super cheap food and you get unlimited coffee and a mini cup of oj. We ordered 2 dishes and split both. -Linguica w/3 eggs, toast, fried bananas and homefries. anything fried is yummy but I LOVE bananas so they were pretty tasty. The linguica was cooked a little too much but still edible. We skipped the toast and ordered the sweet bread! HELLO...I wish I was Portugese but then again glad I can just stick to being Italian and od'ing over pasta. -Omelette with mushrooms, broccoli and feta with rice & beans, homefries and more sweet bread. I wasn't a huge fan of the omelette but was a fan of the rice and beans. Should've just ordered a side plate of those. There was just enough flavor and salt to the rice with pinto beans. It was soooo yummy! I can do without that omelette next time though. It was a bit too much and the feta was very salty. Overall, the place was so cute and fun! The waitstaff was very chill and didn't bother you or try to get you to leave shortly after you eat even though there was a huge line of people waiting to get seated. They also only take cash which is a pain but they have an atm machine inside the restaurant that only charges $1.25 fee but then your bank also charges an additional fee depending on the bank. Bring CASH. Hope you all enjoy it!
(4)
Elisa C.
This wasn't my first time here, but unfortunately I have been away TOO LONG !!! I had to do a fasting blood test and going to "The Neighborhood" after my doctor's visit was perfect !!! (you get A LOT to eat for breakfast !) As soon as my friend and I selected a table on the patio, we were handed a small glass of orange juice (it is like they are psychic!) Much needed coffee was served right away (and free refills - keep it coming!) and then came the arduous task of WHAT to have (everything looked sooo good!) The "appetizer" choice for breakfast was fresh fruit or cream of wheat. I was trying to be healthy and thought I can have cream of wheat anytime at home so I chose fruit - my friend whispered "get the cream of wheat" - I shrugged and kept with the fruit. The waitress walked away and my friend argued "its not like at home, its cream of crack !" I didn't want to be a pain and change my order so I obliged to try my friend's serving when it came. OH MY GOD! My friend wasn't exaggerating! The only way I can describe it is, its like rice pudding flavorwise, but extremely smooth and no raisins, just lovely cinnamon on top! This would be the end of some people's breakfast, but no ! This is only the beginning ! I happen to be an extremely boring breakfast person, I love waffles, but I always give in to the protein - bacon and eggs, so I end up getting the same thing every time I go out. Today I was able to do both when I got the waffle special !! 2 eggs, toast, homefries, I replaced the sausage with bacon (no problem) and a waffle with fresh berries and a small scoop of whipped cream ! AND if that wasn't enough, the plate the toast came on had a slice of frosted marble cake ! (That went home to the friend's hubby !) And yes, you may take home what you can't finish !! This kept me going all day until dinner and I am wondering when am I going to get back to Somerville! Yes, I WILL get the cream of wheat for myself next time !
(5)
Tangi T.
I love this place! I wish we lived closer to it! We drive from the cape to just get the Magical Cream of Wheat!!! OMG!!! I wish they would sell it online and I could have it shipped to me in Marion!!! The service is always great but you have to get there early to avoid long lines. The bread they put out is wonderful!!! Love the team that serves. A great family owns this place and they take pride into the restaurant. I put my hubby onto this place!!! He loves it..
(5)
Anna F.
Wow. So much food. 1st tip: go on a warm sunny day. There will be a wait. Be prepared to peruse the comic book next door. 2nd: There will be a choice between fruit and cream of wheat. For the love of god, take the cream of wheat! 3rd: don't be afraid to sit by the door when it's chilly (not that you'll have a choice), they have a heater over the door that keeps the temp from dropping every time folks exit. 4th: be prepared to take food home. Choose your breakfast wisely by finding foods that reheat well 5th: enjoy the bounty that is Neighborhood!
(4)
John S.
Do you like breakfast? Do you want to eat a four course meal for breakfast? If so, you might be at home at The Neighborhood. The thing about a four course breakfast is that it has four courses and takes forever to serve. Prepare for along wait while the staff brings you ever-increasing amounts of food that you didn't order. Not by mistake, that's just what they do here. They show up to your table with fruit and fine breads to placate you while they try to make sense of your actual order in the kitchen. Maybe they are playing catch with your order? Hard to say. The atmosphere here is cool if you're into bad, old lawn furniture. It seriously reminds me of eating at an amusement park. Please look at picture of this place before you decide if it's for you. Now to the food...the food wasn't too bad. I got some benedict and this place suffered from that wait-this-is-just-butter-not-hollandaise-sauce disorder, but other than that, I liked what they brought me. The coffee was meh, and they served it to me in the littlest container that could...which would have been fine if they could've brought me more of it more frequently...which they apparently couldn't. Are we getting the picture that the service here was weird? They were friendly, but we wound up resorting to flagging down random other waitstaff to try to get our requests lodged...but then, those people would just mysteriously forget that we had asked for anything? And I sat at a multicolored picnic table the whole time, yeah? Price was alright, but I had to go to their ATM to pay in cash, and I was charged a one million dollar withdrawal fee. But that's probably just as well, because if I had given them my card, it might have taken them 20min to figure out how to charge anything to it?
(2)
Deb R.
I've been going here for years so the fact that there's always a long line and cramped seating doesn't bother me, I'm used to that. if it's nice out sitting outside is a bonus to the good food and friendly service. ya the line is long and sometimes it's cold waiting there 20 minutes but they have a coffee pot right outside for their customers to drink while they wait and that's very nice of them I think.
(5)
Michelle C.
I was expecting more from this place. I had book marked it a while back and finally ventured over for a Sunday breakfast with my eating buddy. The wait was minimal, thankfully it wasn't that cold outside. The dining room is squished! we were sitting at a 4-top that was split into 2 and we had to share all the condiments. No biggie, the people next to us...and I mean RIGHT next to us, were nice. Friendly, efficient service and you really get your bang for a buck! $8.49 for the Neighborhood omelette....comes with small OJ, coffee, cream of wheat or fruit, toast and homefries. Wasn't a fan of the cream of wheat, but that's a personal thing, I don't like that consistency, but apparently it a hot item there. My omelette was ok, a bit on the salty side, could've used more cheese. I liked the thick wheat toast. P.S. they only do cash, so bring it or be forced to use the sketchy ATM P.P.S. don't sit at the table right behind the door, you'll be forced to get up and down when people leave the little table by the window. plus, when they deliver food/coffee to the window table, you have to say a little prayer they don't spill it on your head.
(3)
Dwight B.
I can't recommend this place enough! The beautiful outdoor patio and friendly staff alone make this place a must-visit for brunchgoers in Cambridge. On top of that, the food is amazing, even the less Portuguese options like Eggs Benedict and Corned Beef Hash. Other people know this as well though, so expect to wait for a while, especially with larger parties. Even the waiting experience is enjoyable though, because they put out coffee and pastries for everyone waiting, and it is up to you to sign your party up on the list, so you can always check how many parties are in front of you. The best part of our last experience, though, was when we remembered that they only accept cash, and asked the hostess what we could do. After a lot of back and forth with ATM's and missing debit cards, we decided we had to leave, but when we notified her that someone else could take our table, she insisted that we should just eat and we would "figure it out". Obviously, when we came back to pay later that day, we gave them a huge tip. As other people have said, the wait is long, but it pays off. This is the kind of business I do everything I can to support!
(5)
Mjp H.
This place is great. It's tiny so the thought of waitressing and carrying heavy plates of hot cream of wheat in such an enclosed space gave me second-hand panic. I tried the cream of wheat after reading the yelp reviews, and I can say it gave me flashbacks of eating it as a 3 year old at grandma's house in the Dominican Rep. After eating the whole plate I couldn't imagine eating a linguica omelet on top of that, but I did, I ate most of it, along with all of the delicious pulled hash. This place is good :)
(5)
Julie C.
I think the rude service here just spoiled any chance of me truly enjoying their food. I went on a weekday so it was pretty slow and our waitress was just really sour. I was pretty bummed because these little places are usually my favorite kind of spots but I'm not sure that I'll ever go back.
(2)
Maile S.
The Neighborhood is, in a word, overrated. The food is decent, and the kitschy patio is lovely. But I cannot for the life of me understand why people WAIT IN LINE FOR AN HOUR to eat here. Go on a weekday morning when you happen to have the day off. It will be wonderful! But on the weekend? Use that hour to do something more interesting, like sleep.
(3)
Jessica B.
The cream of wheat is unbelievable! The menu doesn't have much of a variety but they serve large portions! A bit on the pricey side compared to other local breakfast spots. Love the outdoor seating area. Tip: cash only.
(4)
CW W.
I drive by this place all the time and the line is usually around the corner. Finally convinced my bf to come with and try it. It was somewhat worth it. We prepared ourselves that we'd have to wait and figured any place that always has a line must be good. We arrived on a Sunday just before noon and wrote on our name down. We were seated in less than 30 mins but seemed reasonable considering how many people were there waiting. The service/waitstaff were all friendly, attentive and prompt. Let's talk about the food. So basically all the meals comes with coffee and OJ and also the choice of a baked apple or bowl of cream of wheat. I got the cream of wheat and my bf the baked apple. Cream of wheat was tasty, little too sweet but good. I didn't try the baked apple but my bf said it was good as well. For our main dish I got a crepe with nutella and strawberries that came with home fries, ham and eggs. My bf got the french toast with home fries. Also with your breakfast comes sides of toast and a muffin. Lots of food all around. So the reason this place got 4 stars instead of 5 is the crepe. The crepe was just boring, literally a crepe, that was kinda hard that had nutella spread on it then chopped strawberries. The strawberries were cold and when I got the crepe the whole thing was cold, not appealing. The eggs were delicious, so was the ham, home fries were pretty good but some a little undercooked. My bf's french toast was average in his opinion. Portion size was good as well. Overall we enjoyed our meal, the atmosphere was really nice but we probably wont go again just because we hate waiting. The food was great but not great enough to wait up to 30mins for it. As always never take my word and go try yourself, just be prepared to wait.
(4)
John K.
Absolutely Amazing! The Neighborhood is by far the best place to go for brunch in the city. The cream of wheat is most delicious thing I've ever had, even better than my grandma's! I have never been disappointed with any meal I've had there, and on the weekdays they offer a nice little buffet which is great as well. The place is small in the colder months because they can't use their terrace ( which is great when it's nice out) but the food and service is well worth the wait! A definite favorite!
(5)
Kevin A.
Love this place. Missed the lines that so many reviews speak of. Walked in, sat down and placed an order. Everything was great. I decided to leave a triple tip after the table next to me walked out without paying. So sad. I'll reserve further comment on that. Waitress kept a great attitude and I very much hope she doesn't get charged for that as is a policy in some places. Cash only.
(4)
Tanya V.
If you're looking to a healthy breakfast, this is not for you. They have healthy menu options, but they are nothing exceptional. However, their standard menu is huge, great value, portions are huge. I had to take half of my breakfast home and had it for breakfast the next day. It was still pretty good. The cream of wheat is amazing. The wait line at 11:30 runs for like 40-50 mins, so be prepared to kill time.
(4)
Annie W.
this place is extremely popular. i live close by and lines on weekends are two blocks long any time hovering around brunch, which is most hours, because they're only open 'til ~4 pm. i had a day off of work today, so i went. it's got a nondescript interior with about 10 tables -- surprisingly small for the long lines. service might take a while. there was only one waitress. it's only cash. the quantity of food you get for the price is huge. i really loved the cream of wheat (okay, so you sold me a whole container of condensed milk with cinnamon with a side of creamed wheat, and i ate it all up). the coffee is mehdiner coffee, the orange juice is in a tiny kiddy cup and not quite sure if it were fresh-squeezed... the waffles are fresh pressed but not the most amazing i have ever had. the omelette looked more like a bit of scrambled eggs (i didn't mind) with occasional egg shells. the turkey bacon was salty. but i loved the cream of wheat. and might i mention that i got all that for under 12 bucks? they also have a breakfast buffet with eggs, home fries, rice and beans, portuguese meats, fruit, unlimited cream of wheat, oj, coffee, fruit, etc for around 12 bucks. so if you're hung over and hungry, it's a fine deal. if you're hungry, it's a fine deal. if you want tip top gourmet food, maybe not where to go, but it's a well-meaning mom and pop and a solid neighborhood establishment. i like the touch of the blue mugs with the local neighborhood business advertisements on it, like newspaper ads. give it a try. i just ate enough calories for breakfast, lunch, and a little of dinner.
(4)
Alex O.
You will not be able to finish your breakfast, no matter how hard you try. It is just that much food! Start with the cream of wheat (or fruit cup if that suits you), and then move on to the main course, which is usually enormous and can feed two people. I had the Portuguese Breakfast and my friends had the #99. None of us finished! The wait is long but well worth it!
(5)
Maureen K.
Great breakfast. Also, the restaurant definitely fulfills it's name as a neighborhood place - small but a spot to meet friends and relax!
(4)
Erica P.
Awesome, delicious, cheap breakfast food. You get a free bowl of Cream of Wheat. Quick service, and I always roll out of there full beyond belief. You will have to wait outside if it's full (which it always is), but the owners are nice enough to have some coffee and rolls out there to munch on as you wait. Beware - it's cash only, but they have an ATM. Besides, $10 can buy you a king's breakfast.
(5)
Shana N.
Fantastic food, great atmosphere, awesome staff. A bit of a wait for Sunday brunch, but totally worth it and they have quick turnover. Live music playing at a corner table was a perfect touch, not too loud. Grab some pals and a bloody.
(5)
Vivian C.
We stopped by for a late brunch one dreary Saturday afternoon. Their patio was damp and closed, so we headed up a few steps and through the door into the small narrow dining room. At 2:30pm, there was no wait for either us or the party behind us. The french toast on the Specials menu immediately caught my eye. I mean, French Toast Dipped in a Toffee Almond Milk & topped with milk chocolate toffee bits, bananas & drizzled with caramel, two eggs, ham, homefries, coffee & OJ... doesn't that sound goooooood? All that food for $12.99, and preceded by a bowl full of childhood reminding tummy warming cream of wheat sprinkled with cinnamon (instead of the fresh fruit option - which today was melons) made for a full stomach for many hours. When my meal arrived on two plates, I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was - so much food! The french toast was a bit custardy in the middle and was nicely sweetened by the fresh banana and caramel. The eggs were prepared overhard as requested, and had even somehow grown to be 3 in number on my plate. The homefries were moister rather than the expected crispy specimen, but was still good. The table was provided with a plate of toasted white bread fully buttered and a square of sweet cornbread. The strawberry jelly was great with the toast. The small glass of OJ was really good and cleansed my tongue between the cream of wheat and the bottomless mug of cocoa I selected instead of the coffee or tea options. While my friends cleaned off their plates, I ended up taking half of mine home (minus the homefries which I decided to finish off). Yes, it is a lot of food, but if you want to split the bounty with a friend, there is a $3 sharing fee... however, you might want your own bowl of cream of wheat... If you need the bathroom, they have a single private bathroom available downstairs, just inside the kitchen and to the left. Yup, the blue door. But be careful - the ceiling is short and has angles that even I bumped my forehead on. Speaking of being careful, take care when stepping out the door with full tummy before you... the first short step followed by two more regular sized steps down to the sidewalk sort of caught me unawares.
(4)
Sarah H.
A great brunch place. Ordered the coconut French toast and it was delicious. Huge portions with free coffee and a side with all meals. Can't ever finish my entire meal there. Wait staff is great too except one grumpy guy. Would still recommend this place!
(4)
S. S.
Summer is not complete without a few trips here. Aaah the joy of sitting under the grape vines with a breeze cooling you off. I come here for the cream of crack. I always hated that stuff till I had some here. My god, blown away by the taste. The rest of the food is as delicious, including the pancakes, eggs and french toast. There are a lot of extra goodies which come along with your order like home fries, some homemade toast with jelly and butter, muffins. The staff is super friendly. When I am working nights I come here on weekdays to avoid the weekend rush and sit in peace and enjoy the summer breeze. Hands down my favorite breakfast spot!
(5)
Michelle A.
FYI- Try the Cream of Wheat. Beyond that order whatever blows your hair back. Me and my friend Jessica went for breakfast. Usual 30+ minute wait. I like that they have coffee outside for those soon to be patrons. Unfortunately their coffee is pretty horrible. I found out from a friend who is "in the business" that because they pretty much give their coffee for free with every meal that they don't really care what the coffee tastes like. I say charge for coffee and get better coffee. But that's just me... We ordered two different things so we could share. 1. She got the spinach and feta cheese omelet for her. I'm not a huge omelet fan but it was tasty. Came with home fries, ham and toast. Also good. 2. I got what I thought said pecan pie or candied pecan pancakes with caramel drizzle. What I got was pancakes with small bits of pecans and no caramel. They quickly brought it out when they realized it was missing. Also got home fries and 3 eggs over easy and scali toast. Prior to all the food, we both got the cream of wheat which I love and they brought out a plate of small muffins and pastry stuff. All and all a good breakfast but not GREAT. I usually rave about The Neighborhood. I wish the patio was open because of the unseasonably warm weather but oh well not their fault. Ordering off the Specials Menu usually something a little better or more unique than the usual menu. Not so much this time. We actually got sat with two other people which was kind of awkward. It was a 4 seat table that they split up. Once they left though they didn't seat anyone there thankfully. And their coffee was especially bitter this time. But I will always keep The Neighborhood on my list of Breakfast Go To's.
(4)
Qais D.
omg .... what a place .I love love love it ...nice fast professional service .nice outside lovely sitting .nice homemade food .many extras .good coffee .and u know what else ??? me and my wife get two full lunch meal plus coffee drinks o.j and house salad and sodas ..guess how much 22 $ I really willing to pay 45 I was shocked .will be there many many time to try the breakfast too .perfect job guys
(5)
K F.
Couldn't actually taste the food here because I was sick of waiting in a non-moving line. You sign yourself in on a piece of paper and that's the list. We stood here for 30 minutes waiting while 2 tables were open next to us. Not exaggerating. No one bothers to say how long the wait is or ask if you want a drink while hanging out. Not sure if what from the menu looks like standard breakfast with some Portuguese flare is worth the wait but I won't be coming back to find out. Save yourself the hassle and go to one of the many awesome breakfast places nearby to get some decent customer service.
(1)
Carolyn M.
The brunch is delicious, the staff is very friendly and it's like a cultural experience trying the cream of wheat and eating at a restaurant with such a family vibe. It's packed on the weekends for brunch so you have to wait outside but they even provide pastry samples and coffee while you wait. Beware, they don't accept cards but there is an ATM inside. Not a ton of atmosphere in terms of decor but it's not really that kind of place anyways.
(4)
Rick E.
I gave up on the place a long time ago. I really don't understand what people see in this place. Yea, the outdoor seating is cool, but everything else is trashy. This is Somerville, not Lynn. Just some quick stuff - The owner, or the guy that drunk guy that stumbles around union sq Square claiming he's the owner, is an arrogant prick. -The Portuguese sampler or whatever (dish with different types of sausage ) is repulsive. The meat was dry and tasted old. - The waitstaff is hit or miss, most of the time they're miss, but yelpers for some reason enjoy this. - Obviously the Cream of Wheat is incredible, we all have a sickening butter addiction... Don't go here. Everyone knows it's sucks, the owner knows it sucks, but the lines keep forming.
(1)
Lillybeth B.
Went here for breakfast and it was not as good as expected. I've been here a few times before and the food has been okay. The coffee is nothing special and my food came with chef DNA. The hair was as long as my plate. I didn't feel like mentioning it to the waitress. I feel like they would have just taken the plate away removed the hair and served it to me again. I hope my husband enjoyed it because that was our last visit to the neighborhood.
(1)
Hyanna C.
The BEST brunch EVER. I have since left the Boston area and moved to New York, but I always try to make a trip to Somerville when I find myself at home. Neighborhood is a place of hopes, dreams, and unicorns... oh and the magic that is cream of wheat. For $15 (including tip ladies and gentlemen) you can easily get a main course, a few sides, cream of wheat or fruit (GET THE CREAM OF WHEAT), fresh squeezed OJ, and fresh bread on homemade seasonal jelly. This place is a true gem, the best of the best, an A+, heaven on Earth, etc. Best of all, you do not have to choose between sweet and savory with the specials! They give you sausage and homefries with your pancakes or waffles. They just get me here. Be prepared to wait and come with cash. Come hungry, you'll need all the stomach real estate you can get.
(5)
David N.
My wife and I are in town on business and a friend told us about this place. It is amazing, one of the best Places I have eaten. It's cheap, it has a great atmoshere, and there's a real comunity feel. Be warned, the coffee isn't that good. Get it at bloc 11 next door. Also they only take cash.
(5)
Paul A.
Very Very slow service. Took forever to get your meal. The server is not very attentive to your needs.
(1)
Jennifer H.
Oh, how I so want to give the Neighborhood Restaurant five stars because it really is a neighborhood gem. I just have one major qualm: the seating. I barely squeezed into my chair, and I was nervous to move too much for fear of knocking my neighbor's eggs on the floor. I hate starting out with a negative, but I had to get that out of the way. Now I have so many amazing things to say about Neighborhood. First, they serve breakfast ALL DAY! This is my kind of place. Nothing else matters to me. Ok, kidding, everything else matters, but this is definitely a huge step in winning my favor. Not only do they provide breakfast for us late risers, but they serve scrumptious, jumbo sized breakfast, at bargain prices for everything you get. I ordered one of the specials -- the pumpkin cinnamon pancakes (three plate-sized, sweet, crumbly pancakes), which came with three eggs any way I like, sausage or bacon (a half dozen or so perfectly crisp slices), hash browns, bottomless coffee (oh and it was so good) or tea or hot chocolate, a small OJ and an appetizer. What??? A free breakfast appetizer? Yes, either cream of wheat or the fruit of the day, which happened to be a sweetly seasoned baked apple. All for the bargain price of $13. That's just the beginning. We all know it's the little extras that make you fall in love with a place. The people here welcome you like family. It is small (albeit, a bit cramped), cozy, welcoming and casual. I felt like I was a guest in someone's kitchen, and the staff treats you like family -- very bed and breakfast. Our waitress heard it was our first time visiting, and she brought us out a bowl of the cream of wheat -- even though we both ordered the apple to start -- just because it was "so good we had to try it." There are no reservations. There are many regulars. When you arrive, add your name to the clipboard outside the door to get on the (long) list. Then help yourself to some complimentary hot coffee and baked goods while you wait. The sidewalk out front was jam packed when we arrived, but I honestly didn't mind the 30-or-so-minute wait. Now, had the weather been bad, it might have been a different story since there is no indoor waiting area. I can't wait to come back in the warmer weather and eat on the outdoor patio. I'll wrap this up by saying you must go here if you are in the neighborhood -- or even if you're not. It's worth the trip. Oh, and bring cash... because that's all they take.
(4)
Amanda O.
This place was great. It was a cold, slushy morning and we had to wait outside for about 20 minutes with a party of 5, but it was well worth the wait. They provide complimentary coffee and baked goods for everyone waiting outside - so nice! All the breakfast specials ($13) are delicious and come with lots of complimentaries. They brought us more coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice immediately. Shortly after, the waitress came by with a plate of fresh fruit and the cream of wheat each. This alone could have been my breakfast! All of this was at no extra charge. It took me by surprise as most other places charge by the item. Great homey service. Excellent value. In our group, we got the french toast, blueberry pancakes, a crepe, and eggs benedict. Everything was wonderful. I loved my eggs benedict, but the bites I had of the blueberry pancake were probably the best pancakes I've ever had. Parking was easy. We parked about a block away on a side street that had 2-hour parking. This place is cash only, but they have an ATM inside. I'm in Newton, so this place isn't in my neighborhood, but I will totally go back.
(5)
Daniel Z.
This was the most delicious breakfast I've ever had. The end. Did you know that Cream of Wheat is delicious? I had absolutely no idea. I assumed the 300 people on Yelp that talked about Cream of Wheat here were a part of some crazy Cream of Wheat cult that had overtaken the reviews here and were trying to trick me into getting some. Well, I drank the kool-aid, and it tastes amazing. This Cream of Wheat is like a liquid cinnamon roll as it warms you to your very core. It is so delicious. I want some now, but now I'm home, and I'm pretty sure this isn't reproducible without some sort of black magic. The belgian waffle that came after I came out of my Cream of Wheat frenzy was engulfed in fruit - blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and bananas. It refused to be overshadowed by the Cream of Wheat and brought it's a-game. So I ate it. I ate it all. And I loved every second of it. Do you know what wasn't amazing? The homefries. Do you know what you don't give a $h*+ about after eating that amazing Cream of Wheat plus a delicious fruit-a-licious waffle? The homefries. If you're thinking of going, quit. Just do it.
(5)
T. P.
if you want decent food in a cute outdoor setting, but no service, then come here. My boyfriend and I came here on a hot day at about 11am. It was already 88 degrees out. We waited about 10 mins before being called which I was happy about, but then when we went up to the host to claim our table she asked us if we would mind sharing a table. I looked at the table to see what she meant, and it was literally a 4 person small picnic table. No thanks. I told her no we do not want to share a table and that we would wait for a table and she said that was fine and we waited about another 10 minutes so not so bad. When we were finally called, we were handed our menus and told to "go to the yellow table." umm okay what ever happened to walking the customers to the table?! we had to seat ourselves! Anyways we sat ourselves down and immediately someone came over and gave us orange juice and asked us if we wanted coffee. We didn't, we actually wanted tea, but when we said no to the coffee the waiter took our mugs so quick before we could realize what was happening. And then that was it. We didn't see a waiter for about 20 minutes. We wanted water, after all, it was quickly approaching the low 90s and I can't believe no one even offered us water! FINALLY after about 7 minutes or so, (it seemed longer in the heat) a waiter came over and i asked for tea and water and she said that the tea was unlimited and I should have asked the bus boy for some. Umm sorry I have never been here before so I didnt know! don't tell me this like it is obvious because it is not. I have never asked bus boys for anything in a restaurant so obv I didn't think that it was appropriate for me to ask him for my drinks. Buy anyways the drinks came VERY quick. Then we waited another 20 minutes before our waitress came over to take our order. We ordered and i asked for toast on the side of my meal, and the waitress said that it already comes on the side. Sweet! There are a lot of little freebies here, the OJ, fruit, and toast among other things I am sure. The service is just a bit laid back for my liking, young kids just running around yelling at each other from across the patio "Jose get me a water!" (No lie) I was not aware this is cash only, but they have an ATM inside. It was ridiculously hot outside when we went, but all the shade on the patio allowed us to stay a bit cool. The food was all very good. I loved the pancakes. All in all, a decent place, But I think they need to focus more on customer service and how to interact w the customers.
(3)
Guillermo M.
We came back and this place is amazing!! Now we tried the cream of wheat, the apple and they were so good. We had the steak and eggs and was so good. And what continues to amaze me is the prices in this place. One of the best value restaurants in the Boston Metro area.
(4)
Johnny Q.
Great place for breakfast or brunch in summer. Usually very busy, and cash only which is inconveinient since i never carry cash. I ordered more food than i could eat but i left feeling full and satisfied.
(4)
Monique S.
Wow. This place always has a line, so I knew it would be a great place to go with my friend visiting from the South Shore. We waited or turn all for a nightmare. I had brunch here, and it was one of my most awkward/awful experiences. I don't eat meat besides fish, so I asked the waitress if I could get it without the meat items. So I ordered the Portuguese Breakfast without meatcakes and blood sausage. My friend ordered the same thing with blood sausage. The runner brought one order out and gave it to my friend He did not announce it was the order without the meat (a few small sausage like items were on it). He brought Pancakes instead my breakfast, so he had to go get it. When it came, it had meat on the eggs, apparently the blood sausage. My friend was already eating her food, and the waitress callously told us just to switch plates. She then rudely exclaimed, "What do you want me to do?!" I was polite the whole time and told her I did not order blood sausage and it was already on the eggs. She finally took it back and brought back a dish and said no blood sausage was on the new food. This time the rice and beans were missing. I asked for the manager. The waitress came back and said Mario was too busy but comped my food. The stars are for the food (actually tastes good) and for the fact they did apologize, even though decent service from the beginning would have been preferred. The nicest person there was the bus lady. Don't believe the hype.
(1)
Jess Y.
Oh, how the Neighborhood has changed. I used to think this place was the best deal in town - great portions for a great price - but I have finally seen the light and this place don't look so great anymore. You think you're getting so much bang for your buck because you get coffee, oj and cream of wheat or fruit with your breakfast. But take a closer look at the price of your meal and you'll see it's just tacked on that. $10 for a sub-par ham and cheese omelette, smushy home fries and half a piece of toast? And why do they give you three half pieces of toast for two people? I don't even get a whole piece of bread for myself? No thanks. I could do better getting a breakfast sandwich at Dunkin Donuts. As for service, it was friendly, but hardly attentive. Our server poured coffee for the table right next to us, like literally inches away, then looked over at our table, apparently missed the empty coffee cups and walked away. She was all ready with the check when it came time...although she gave me the wrong change. C'mon, people...simple math... Fortunately for those other suckers waiting in line for this mediocre fare every day, I'll volunteer to be one less person waiting. Overpriced and underwhelmed!
(2)
Brian R.
This is one of my favorite breakfast places in Boston. The cream of wheat is magical and the service is fantastic and all at a price you can't beat! I go here once a week and I am always satisfied with more declicious food then I can eat.
(5)
Sankeerth A.
Excellent Brunch for a sunday, you would get a bunch of sides for free We got O.J and Toast for free :)
(5)
Naveid S.
Great for breakfast. Immediately served coffee and juice, followed by a nice warm bowl of cream of wheat. I got the eggs benedict with crab cakes and my brother got the corn beef hash, both extremely satisfying. All that for under thirty bucks, I'll take it.
(4)
Sushmita M.
One of the best brunches in Somerville, no question. Value for money doesn't begin to explain it. Actually we're not sure how they manage to make a profit and afford the hummers in the car lot next door after all they dish out for customers. You can order one dish to split (at $3 extra) and still struggle to get through all that they offer. And I can eat. Coffee, orange juice, a bowl of cream of wheat or fresh fruit (go with the cream of wheat/crack no matter how anyone tries to dissuade you), a plate full of pastries and muffins, and then, oh yeah, your actual order. If you ordered a special (which you very well should from the handwritten inserts), you'll likely get two plates full of eggs, french toast / pancakes, potatoes, sausages, maybe beans and rice. So much. There will be a wait. Prepare thyself. Luckily, they extend their generosity to the sidewalk outside - grab a cup of coffee and muffin (or skip it, you'll soon repent wasting precious stomach space) while you strategize over the menu. Specials are always good and plentiful. My only regret is never having ordered the Portugese offerings. Take cash with you (although they have an ATM), a friend or two in tow, and absolutely nothing in your belly prior.
(5)
Christina M.
Yay...after years of eye-ing this place, I finally got to go on a beautiful, clear, and sunny day to enjoy the outdoor seating. The Patio is colorful, cool, and delightful for eating, while the servers were quick and helpful. If you get there too late in the morning expect a line, but they offer a nice touch of free coffee and pastries as you wait. Here are some tips to make your visit the best possible: - get there before 9am to sit right away, and put your name on the clipboard by the free coffee/pastry table if you get there late. - eat the cream of wheat... it is yummy. However, seems like the reviewers are obviously not used to latin style farina, because this is just how our cream of wheat taste...yeah, we're the best! -If you like ethnic food or a more exciting and unique breakfast, try the Portuguese breakfast. The hubby loved the combination of eggs with rice, beans, and blood sausages, and fish cakes. - If you want something a little safer, try something not-of-the-egg variety. I liked my coconut french toast a lot, and it comes with basically an egg breakfast on the side too. - The Portions are huge! In my breakfast special I got french toast, eggs, sausage, homefries, a small cup of oj,, bowl of cream of wheat, toast, and a small muffin and unlimited coffee for 13 bucks. Definitely share too...it's only a $3 extra charge and you can always get a second bowl of cream of wheat if you really like it and don't want to share with a friend. - Cash only, so come prepared. They do have an ATM inside if you need it.
(4)
Alex P.
I am going to say it right out the gate, I hate breakfast food and do my best to avoid it at all costs like it's the plague. I've seen the line for brunch/lunch hours on the weekend and have just laughed out loud wondering why anyone would wait that long for a dreaded cafe meal. Then some friends literally dragged me here because they loved it and were ranting and raving. After coming here, I can see why! It is hard for me to admit but they may have converted me - at least for their place. Thankfully we were early morning folks, so we didn't have to contend with the line. When I was looking over the menu, I wasn't surprised to see the $8 price tag on every meal - as I think all breakfast food is over priced - but when I reached the section where it stated what came with the meal I was shocked. Endless OJ or Coffee, choice of fruit or cream of wheat (I will return to this later) and toast...before even getting to what came in the meal HOLY SMOKES! I ordered the regular french toast, which I was given the option of white/wheat/sweet bread, I panicked because this was completely unexpected and ordered wheat - delicious. Then I had to tell them how I wanted my eggs, normal occurrence, and hear that I got home fries too. I haven't had cream of wheat since I was a little boy, and I am still convinced that it is the best I've ever had! I am seriously considering going back and just trying to get bowl after bowl of the stuff, simply amazing. They must make their own bread here, as the pieces were extremely thick and definitely not store bought. The flavoring of the french toast was nice, the home fries weren't burnt to a crisp, and the eggs - the food I most dislike in breakfast - were actually quite good. I will be going back here again!
(5)
Adriana T.
I finally got to try the FAMOUS 'The Neighborhood Restaurant' for the first time this past weekend. I have been wanting to try it for a few months now for brunch, but parking is almost impossible there on top of the usual long line. Somehow we got lucky on Sunday and we didn't have to wait for longer than 3-5 minutes. The place wasn't pact as expected but while waiting for our brunch more people came in and it was at full capacity. I got the usual ham, green paper and cheese omlette with sausage on the side and a coffee. The give you orange juice and some dessert on the house!!! I liked the dessert even though I am not a dessert person. By the time the omlette came I was almost full. The food was very tastey!!! I liked the restaurant and I am definitely going to go back. The food was very fresh - I can't think of any other better place for lunch (maybe a better looking place but not better brunch). Keep up the good work!!! I give them a 4 stars because I dropped off my fork and the server forgot to bring me another fork so I had to use a spoon :))) Also, they don't bring water at the table unless you ask for it. We were sat by the door and the wind was blowing every time they opened the door (especially since we went there during the Nemo blizzard weekend!!!) - it wasn't too cold though!!
(4)
Cassie K.
The line is always ridiculous, and remember to bring cash because it is cash-only. Definitely worth the wait though! Great mimosas, breakfast appetizers for all, and huge menu. Probably the best breakfast in Somerville.
(4)
Cristina V.
Holy mother this place is amazing. We went here for brunch on a day off from work. It was a beautiful day so we opted to sit outside. I'm sure it gets stupid packed on the weekends, but there was no wait and we were greeted/seated promptly. The atmosphere is very pleasant but quirky (in a good way). Weird little plastic figurines, different colored picnic tables, striped umbrellas, etc. It was hard to decide what to get. The menu has some standard items and some more interesting fare. I decided on an omelette, he got scrambled eggs/bacon/homefries, and we split a banana walnut waffle. In three words: Best. Omelette. Ever. And honestly, eggs are one of my favorite foods. I've easily eaten my weight in omelettes in my 24 years of existence. This one was a special - I think they called it the Garden Omelette? - and it was absolutely unreal. It had spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms and feta in it. It wasn't one of those thin omelettes where the egg merely "drapes" over the ingredients (yeah, you know what I mean). It was a huge and fluffy, and the vegetables inside were definitely not canned. The best part? The vegetables were seasoned. I don't know what they were seasoned with - maybe fairy dust - but frankly, I didn't care. I inhaled that thing and left feeling like I had a small child in my stomach. Everything else was really great, too. He's a bacon snob and approved of the thick, crispy slices. The waffle was also insane. The only reason I'm taking off a star is because our server brought all the food at once when we wanted to start with the waffle, then have our egg-based meals. The food was so good, I'd give this place 4.5 stars if I could. Looking forward to trying some lunch items!
(4)
Nitya D.
This just really isn't my cup of tea. I get it though, I guess - it's got that neighborhood feel to it where most of the diners are probably regulars. But you have to write your name down on the list with the number of people in your party (thanks for letting my friends and I stand around for 10 min without telling us) and seat yourselves (literally the waiter handed me the menus and pointed at a table and said "go ahead"). Haha thanks bro, what does your job actually entail? I almost wish they didn't have the complimentary coffee and 'lemonade,' as both were disgusting and watery. There was a human hair in my coffee mug. There were strange prior food remnants/grease on my plates. Some woman started feeding birds her leftovers and they started swarming all around us (al fresco dining only sucks when you are in the company of complete morons). Pluses: OJ on the house when you are seated, decent portions for the price and ok enough tasting food (home fries and cream of wheat were actually both quite tasty). However, the only way I'd go back is if it were literally the only restaurant in my neighborhood.
(1)
Ash C.
I like their cream of wheat. But mimosa came out flat and the sausages came out completely burnt.. The waitress was not friendly when we asked to change our drinks.. It was a very disappointing experience compared to what I heard about this place before coming.
(2)
Hadrien D.
Great value, yummy food. Everybody gets free coffee, a glass of orange juice, and your choice of cream of wheat or cup of fruit. I haven't tried the fruit yet, but I recommend the cream of wheat.
(4)
Champika F.
Best breakfast in somerville/ cambridge hands down. The service is incredibly friendly and fast. The breakfast options are endless. The portions are beyond generous. And the cream of wheat they start you off with is addictive. Get there early so you don't have to wait in line!
(4)
Kate H.
Went for Sunday brunch and was very impressed. The cream of wheat was to die for! My meal was about $13 but it was enough food to make three meals out of. I will definitely return the next time I'm in town! It is cash only but there is an ATM inside. Well worth the wait!
(5)
J.J. J.
Love this place. Bring quarters for the meters and its cash only. LOVE THE CREAM OF WHEAT!!!!!!!!!!
(4)
Neeharika B.
1. GET THE cream of "crack", i mean "wheat", recommend it over fruit any day / any dish (the fruit is just cantaloupes and honeydew which is meh (maybe it's not strawberry season.) 2. we got the whole wheat french toast off the healthy menu with vanilla yogurt and granola and it was delicious!! it came with a side of egg white scramble that was really great, the broccoli had a delicious crisp and flavor 3. feta and veggie omelet was cool, but i liked the egg white scramble that came on the side of our french toast even more, go for that! 4. DELICIOUS rice and beans! :) we devoured it.
(5)
valerie d.
I've never walked out of a restaurant in my life before. At 11:40 we tried to order lunch and she said they're not serving lunch yet. The menu says 11:30 but she said we had to wait until "I don't know 12?" Not the end of the world but I find that super annoying since I don't do breakfast food. She said we could wait til 12, and we were going to, but... They way they store their coffee cups is upside down on the table wth nothing under them. A dirty table where there were just birds eating the previous person's food and flies all over the place (we were outside). I am not delusional. I'm sure I've eaten in many a dirty kitchen. I eat off my own floor regularly. But I want at least the illusion of clean. She filled the coffee cups and we just looked at all the crap it was just touching and left. I'm sure I put grosser things in my mouth regularly but ignorance is bliss. It's really hard to put something in your mouth when you can actually see the crumbs of whatever grossness was just on the table floating in it. At least put a napkin under it.
(1)
Katie R.
So I want to give it 4 stars but the logistics of it brings it down to a 3 and here's why: -Have to have cash -Have to wait and I am on the fence about it being worth it. - Cramped dining room I am willing to give it another try maybe in the summer when I can wait in warm weather and sit on the patio. The food is good for the price, nothing to write home about. I even tried the cream of wheat due to yelpers and found it tasty but I don't dream about it. The texture is just weird for me and I didn't want to fill up on it before my three course breakfast arrived (Eggs, potatoes, and pancakes). Pretty decent service considering how busy they were. We were stuck in the corner and had to share our condiments with the next table as they split a 4 top to a 2 top, wasn't ideal but it beat waiting longer outside.
(3)
Julia F.
You best believe THIS hype. I have never been here on a weekday, when I stop for brunch on the weekends? I've never waited longer than 30 mins for a table. Why? Maybe cause I am on the later end of "brunch time" or we only come with parties of 2-3? Either way, once we get in there, it's time to fill up on some of the tastiest foods Somerville has to offer, in Union Square! First decision: fruit or cream of wheat? Both are really good, so I usually switch off each time we go, or I force somebody at my table to share their fruit as I devour my cream of wheat. You get coffee and juice delivered quickly to the table, and then you have to find something off the three pages of tasty foods to order. No pressure! I love getting pancakes, or eggs, or anything really. I've never had a bad meal here. They have mimosas too, which don't happen to be all that expensive, and go down easily with anything I've had off the menu. The bathroom is right down through the hole in the floor that you see food coming up through. Don't get creeped out, or do, that's your business. You can't really use the bathroom if you are over 5'9" though, cause the ceiling grazes my head, and I'm only 5'6"! The prices are solid, the food is delightfully good, the lines CAN be long, but it's worth a try. In the summer months, you can eat outdoors, and the size of the place is practically doubled. Even though I don't live two blocks away anymore, I love me this neighborhood!
(5)
Sidney L.
This place truly lives up to the hype. After an hour wait on a Sunday morning (I put my name down, went to Target, and came back, and ate some brownies that they brought out before finally getting seated), we were finally seated in their beautiful outdoor seating area. Grapes were hanging above us, and if it were a little bit less chilly, I would've felt like I was back in California gain. The meal began with free coffee, orange juice, and a choice of cream of wheat or fruit salad. The cream of wheat was delicious and not too sweet, and came with a hearty spoonful of cinnamon on top. I sampled a bunch of different dishes that we shared as a group, and they were all good. The steak and egg came with very tender meat, though it was more medium than the medium-rare than I ordered. The Belgian waffle was had a light batter and a delicious pile of fruits and whipped cream on top. The French toast (on sweet bread) was great as well, even without a lot of maple syrup poured on top. Finally, the prices are great. It's cheaper than what you would pay at IHOP or other brunch places, with huge portions that we took home. My only complaint is the wait and the somewhat slow service, but this is a wonderful way to spend a weekend morning.
(5)
Rachael R.
The cream of wheat was tasty, a little too sweet though. I had the broccoli cheese omelette which was good, but had a bit of a strange sweet taste to it. Home fries were pretty good, but again had a strange taste to them. Coffee was meh, bread was soggy.
(3)
lynn p.
Driving through Union Sq. at lunchtime, and I'm starving! I pulled over at the neighborhood. I'm veggie so not many choices for me, but I got the house salad, and it was enormous. They served it with some tasty homemade bread. Great meal for very short money. Very homey atmosphere. The family that owns the place has all the kids around. Really enjoyed it!
(4)
Mollie W.
Everything is great here, but get something with a Portuguese twist like the portuguese sweet bread french toast, or the linguica eggs and fried plantain or, for the adventurous the Portuguese breakfast! But... I cannot stress enough...The best part of the meal.... Get the Cream of Wheat... Really Cream of Wheat? YES, Cream of Wheat, CREAM OF WHEAT! It's free with your meal, f-the fruit! Be a fatty, get the CREAM OF WHEAT!! Oh, and um, the outdoor patio is amazing...
(5)
Lori A.
Come with a good appetite if you are having breakfast. A bowl of surprisingly delicious cream of wheat comes with the breakfast combinations, which also include potatoes and toast. The corned beef hash was great and tasted homemade. The coffee was good. We ate inside because of the weather. It is quite small and a little cramped so I look forward to eating on the patio sometime. Friendly and attentive service, reasonable prices, great food and a homey atmosphere make it a winner.
(5)
Jon L.
Let's get one thing clear - this is one of the best places in Union Square. But, it's pretty over-rated in these past Yelp reviews. Ambiance is superb - nothing beats the outdoor patio with its perfect picnic tables and grape-vine cover. Portions are huge, both because they are and because each meal comes with so many extras (from the pastries you munch on while waiting in line, the complimentary cup of OJ, the bottomless coffee/tea, and the plate of sweetbreads). Yes, it's a long waiting time - at least 30 minutes for even small groups on weekend brunches. Why this place gets no more than 4 stars: -The food is just average - it's standard brunch fare with a couple of interesting Portuguese-inspired seafood items. Many dishes go heavy with sides of beans and rice - they fill you up, but it's not particularly flavorful or exciting.
(4)
Catie F.
I will cut to the chase and say: it's as good as everyone claims! There's usually a wait, but it's worth it. You can take your time to browse the menu (especially on a nice day) AND the staff puts out iced tea, water, muffins and other pastries for you to enjoy while you wait. The cream of wheat appetizer is SO GOOD. I would consider it as my meal alone (but I'd need more!). I love that the menu offers healthy options as well as plenty of unhealthy ones, of course. I also really love that most dishes pair a savory and sweet item so you never have to make the tough choice between sweet pancakes or french toast and eggs and homefries. Patio is beautiful, staff is efficient - I've never been to a breakfast place that's so great about refills on your beverages! Really good value, too (bevs like coffee, oj, iced tea, cocoa are unlimited and all breakfasts come with toast/muffins as well as the app). NOM. One tip: beware the bathroom! It's clean enough, but it's down in the "grotto" aka kitchen. You might have to wait and watch the cooks while you're there. And be sure to duck to enter.
(4)
David M.
whoa, how have I not reviewed this yet. I've been coming here for about 5 years! It wasn't until my brother in law told me he was craving a bowl of there creme of wheat while traveling all around the world that I decided to stop ordering the fruit and give it a try. I think I wept over all those bowls I forsook in the past for the crap shoot that is there "fruit bowl." The other discovery is the health menu. Its so much fun to ask for eggs over easy instead of egg whites, and real bacon instead of the turkey stuff. Can I get butter with the waffles? You will walk away from brunch here stuffed and probably good for the rest of the day. Anticipate a half hour wait on the weekend, but service is quick (unless you end up in there very relaxing patio... then all bets are off)
(5)
Ed M.
Brunch, outside under some grape leaves along with free coffee and pastries while you wait for your table. This place is a great time and worth the wait. We met some friends here for brunch on a Sunday morning and left with plenty of food for another breakfast (ah, second breakfast). Everything on the menu comes with a choice of Cream of Wheat (tasty) or some fruit (it was a baked apple for us) as well as coffee and juice. I can report that the Portuguese Breakfast is glorious and the staff were all very nice. My wife tells me the pancakes were great as well. Two thumbs up, etc. Loved it.
(5)
Michelle J.
Came here with a friend for breakfast one cold winter morning. The place was nearly packed at 9AM on a Sunday. I never really noticed it on my trips through Union Square but I love me some breakfast and it had been a while since I had some eggs. We got seated really quick which was a plus. They also had a good menu of eggs, pancakes and other breakfast fair. So far so good! Even more surprising breakfast comes with complementary cup of OJ and fruits. But finding a small piece of plastic in my fruit made me a bit hesitant to finish it. No worries though because the main course which is my western omelette is fluffy and delicious. And it didn't take long for them to make it. My friend had the pancakes which were large. As with most places it came with toast and home fries. We ate every bite. Even though the place was packed we didn't feel rushed by the staff. Our server brought us the check a little early, probably so that he wouldn't have forgotten us while he took care of a couple other tables but he told us to take our time and pay when we were ready. The food was good, it wasn't expensive and overall the place had a pleasant atmosphere. When we left there was a line of people outside. Wow. At least the restaurant puts out coffee for those who are waiting. I'm not sure I would wait to eat breakfast at a diner but be warned this place sure gets popular during the weekends
(3)
Jess H.
This is my neighborhood breakfast spot! Overall, I love it! The service and food has always been consistently good, and the price is right. I would call this place reliable, and a good place to bring overnight guests. Also, the menu is HUGE! Pretty much anything you can imagine in any combination is on it. Plus, they always have very yummy-sounding specials. The main downside is that the inside is so small. There's been a few times that the person I was with and I had to sit very closely (basically sharing a table more or less) with the people next to us. This can be pretty awkward. Some people complained of a wait in their reviews, however I must have always lucked out and came at exactly the right time, because I can't recall ever having to wait very long.
(4)
Catharine D.
I love the Neighborhood Restaurant- ESPECIALLY the patio. The food is delicious, portions are huge, it's reasonably priced. The best thing about Neighborhood- it's delicious, affordable, and adorable, AND it's been doing quality brunch since before brunch was trendy. Every breakfast comes with coffee, juice, cream of wheat or fruit, and a selection of fresh baked Portuguese breads/pastries. It really is too much food, but it just makes the experience so fun when the servers keep bringing out more goodies. I recommend sharing a breakfast with someone or at least planning to take home leftovers. When I was there recently they were advertising that the patio will be open in the evenings now for ice cream. Since Cambridge and Somerville already have such good ice cream, I'm not sure I would go to the Neighborhood for ice cream BUT I do love the idea of eating ice cream on their pato.
(5)
Jeff K.
Love this place. It can feel a little bit cramped when they're busy and waiting to sit is never fun, but the food is delicious, the portions are solid and the hot crack / cream of wheat is lick-your-bowl-clean good. The corned beef hash is especially good - it's more like pulled beef than the chopped up beef I've come to expect. Just go.
(4)
George G.
This place has a few negatives, but the positives make up for it! The place is tight and compact. They ask parties to share tables during the rush hours. The waiting area is outdoors. It was never made clear which server was actually our waitress, so we had about 6 different girls helping us. And of course, cash only. Now for the positives. Free coffee and Portuguese sweet bread while you wait outside. Free coffee, orange juice, and your choice of fresh fruit/cream of wheat for all patrons. As for the food, I ordered from the specials menu. Pumpkin pancakes with apple cinnamon slices. The consistency of the pancakes was perfect; neither flat nor heavy. Rich pumpkin flavor that went very well with maple syrup. The meal came with 2 eggs, home fries, grilled ham, toast, and lettuce and tomato. All of this for $11.99. My friend ordered coconut almond french toast which was battered in coconut milk. I tried a few bites and it is a delicious take on french toast. The Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery has high prices and great food. If you can tolerate the cramp quarters and confusing wait staff then you'll be able to enjoy one of the best brunches available. Oh yeah, If you've read any of my other reviews, you'll know that I am cheap. This place is not cheap, but for once, I'm not complaining. The quality of the food is that good!
(3)
Nate R.
After hearing about how great this place was and seeing all of the great reviews we came here for brunch last Sunday. I feel like I have found a string of 1 stars lately because I left agitated and unimpressed. I seriously could not figure out why the wait was so long. It took well over two hours by the time we put our names in to the time our food was served. At that point I was expecting the food to be amazing and it was pretty average. That and we had to share a table with another couple. ughhhhh. The mimosas were pretty weak as well. I liked the outdoor seating but will not be trekking out to Union Sq. to come to Neighborhood's again.
(1)
G H.
Such a great place for breakfast and brunch. This place got me to try creamed wheat! Now I can't get enough of it. Very good price for the amount and quality of the food. And they always surprise me with their baked goods, sometimes bread, sometimes some Portuguese pastry. Cash only is a downer and service is a bit here and there. There's always a line, but they do offer coffee and pastry while you wait.
(4)
Cate K.
Quick summary if you don't want to read this whole review: -Go early -Go hungry -Do try the toast... it's real fresh Portuguese bread... MMmmmm! -They're CASH ONLY so hit the ATM -If you're over 5'7", expect to duck in the bathroom. Ceilings are LOW! And now, it's time for the REST of the story.... We went at 8 am on Saturday - not our usual time to get up, I assure you, but the duct guy was coming to clean our heating ducts. Yep - my management company scheduled it for early on a Saturday. Groan... How to make lemonade out of lemons? Get a kick-ass brunch of course! And it is what it is... and more. Not fancy in the traditional sense, Neighborhood restaurant is cozy and painted brightly, like the inside of a crazy watermelon. The service was really prompt (coffee refills before I could put down the cup!!) and the food was simple but JUST RIGHT. For example, my eggs over-easy were PERFECT. For me, this is the best of all worlds. I don't care if I can order some fancy-shmantzy breakfast; I just want to order eggs and have them be hot and perfect. I've gone to brunch on Newbury Street and paid lots for the atmosphere, but had to suffer through cold and clammy eggs. Blegh! Never again. Thank you Neighborhood Restaurant! Their corned beef hash is home made and very good; they make toast and French toast out of Portuguese bread that is very fresh (and reminds me of P-town!); and I loved the idea of an "appetizer" that comes with every meal (fruit or cream of wheat).
(4)
Ruby G.
a normal person would not assume that cream of wheat be a religious experience. that person would be wrong. The Neighborhood does things with cream, lemon, cinnamon and supposedly wheat that makes everything else in your life OK. During the winter, you huddle inside the tiny brightly painted walls, and in the summer you sit beneath a grape arbor and watch corn grow in the garden along the fence while listening to 80s music. Their brunch is copious and magnanimous. also, awesome. the tables are too small for the pastries, orange juice, coffee, cream of wheat, eggs, potatoes AND coconut french toast. marscapone stuffed french toast. pumpkin pancakes. tropical fruit waffles. linguica. love.
(5)
Michelle S.
I live up the street from this place, so frequent it a lot. Pros: Outside dining under the grape arbor! Love it! Cheap Delicious Cons: Inside dining is CRAMPED! Only CASH No reservations Overworked waitstaff
(4)
Micah W.
Super good. The old standby. I actually am glad I have a job. Or otherwise I could justify going here every morning and would get really fat. For not much money.
(4)
Mike O.
I'd go out on a limb and say this is THE best place to get brunch in the Boston area. No place is perfect, but this place is close. Price, quality, wait (it can be long, but they give you coffee and pastries on the house), and uniqueness. Yes it's a little out of the way, but I actually see that as a plus. Keeps the line down (unlike some grossly over-rated hipster breakfast places).
(5)
adam s.
I decided to try this place out after reading the stellar reviews on Yelp. I really didn't know what to expect, but this place is the truth. We were able to get onto the patio after just a short wait. They had coffee and muffins while we waited for tables to open up. We knew we'd made a good choice when the first three groups groups of people walked out talking about how amazing the place was. Once seated, we were immediately given orange juice, coffee, fruit and cream of wheat, before even ordering anything. The menu was possibly the largest breakfast menu I had ever seen and the food was cheap, especially considering the sheer volume. For about $8, I got two large pieces of french toast, two eggs and hash browns. To the detriment of my health, I finished it all. So..I recommend this place to anyone that enjoys eating large amounts of breakfast on a gorgeous patio.
(5)
Linda S.
Why I love The Neighborhood... *Going in for breakfast & coming out so full that you don't have to eat again until dinner. *The creamiest pappas (cream of wheat). *"Patio seating" under their grape vine in the spring and summer. *Breakfast includes coffee, o.j., cream of wheat, pastries, home fries... it goes on and on. *French toast made with Portuguese sweet bread. *Linguica is offered as a side order. *Disco tunes on the satellite radio. *All of the waitstaff call you 'Honey'.
(5)
Jenny L.
I've been here for brunch indoors and outdoors and feel like now I can write a proper review. Obviously the food was great the first time and I was willing to return for the outdoor experience. The indoor restaurant is small and cramped to the point that you end up having a conversation with the tables next to you. The outdoor dining area was more roomy with its cute and colorful picnic tables and umbrellas. The outdoor tables were a little bit dirty tho which was not the best surface to have brunch on. But really, at the end of the day, it's not about the decor or a little bit of spilled orange juice on the table, it's about how the food tastes! And the food here is fantastic. During my first visit, I ordered the banana and chocolate stuffed french toast and the bf had the spinach Benedict. The french toast was too heavy and too sweet and the spinach Benedict was nothing special. The second time around, I ordered the Belgium waffle with fruit and he had the chicken with mushrooms and Swiss plus a cheese omelet on the side. The food was better the second time around. The fruit was fresh, the waffle was buttery, and the chicken was flavorful. But besides the entrees, the $12 meal came with the most heavenly cream of wheat I have ever tasted. And if you're reading this and have figured out the recipe, please please please let me know because I want to eat it every morning for the rest of my life. Oh, and that's not all! We had orange juice, and potatoes, and fresh bread! Too bad the bread was soaking in butter, but other than that, it was the best bread I've had with a casual brunch. So really, you can't go wrong with The Neighborhood. It's decently prices, friendly, comfortable, and delicious! The only bad thing about this place is the long wait...tho the free coffee and baked goods you can snack on while you wait make it a little more bearable. So, if you have a couple hours to spare and are not too hungry, definitely head here for brunch. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Sara D.
So I finally made it to Neighborhood. Like many others before me, I went for the Cream of Wheat. It was amazing - sweet, buttery and delicious. I also ordered the corn beef hash and it was some of the best I've ever had. Seriously. I went around 2pm on a Saturday and there was no wait. But the place is small so I could see how the crowds would line up. But this place would be worth the wait.
(4)
lizzie b.
Waited forever. Am a huge fan of cream of wheat. Finally got there and everything tasted like dishwater. Seriously. I almost puked. I don't know what's going on in there, but someone should notify the BOH. Blech. What a shame!!!
(1)
Michelle S.
BEST Breakfast in Boston! I'm visiting from Los Angeles. #102 Whole Wheat French Toast with Vanilla Yogurt and Homemade Granola Drizzle! Egg White Scramble with Broccoli and Mushrooms. Yummy! 5-Stars!!
(5)
dean L.
The food was impeccably good. In a filled dining room, it took no more than 12 minutues to get our plates. Loved the hash browns, sausage and especially the french toast. The service leaves some to be desired in that the staff is not always around to re-fill a coffee cup or to see if there's anything you need. However, i cannot wait to go back.
(4)
Gloria S.
I had a good feeling the second I saw the old school sign out front. Then I saw the fun patio umbrellas and the grapevine-covered patio and I was downright giddy. Luckily, it didn't disappoint. It's a rare occasion these days that you get sides included in your meal--in this case, unlimited coffee, plus orange juice, cream of wheat, and homefries! I went with one of the specials, the Hawaiian French Toast--soaked in coconut milk, topped with pineapple and shaved coconut. Oh, did I mention it also came with the aforementioned sides, plus an entire plate of eggs, ham, and toast? It was definitely more than I could've eaten, but hey, I was on vacation. Overall, I just loved the old school vibe, not to mention their handwritten sign out front, thanking people for their Yelp reviews, apologizing for the wait, and offering free coffee and pastries while you wait.
(5)
Ray K.
Came here for breakfast with my GF, truly amazing. So good we made a return trip a few days later. Ditto with regards to all the other reviews: amazing cream of wheat, generous portions, great value, and great service. Mmmm.
(5)
Dika K.
Go go gadget: cream of wheat. After being in a relationship with a breakfast man for months and months, I had the opportunity to try many of Somerville's, Cambridge's and Allston's breakfast locals. No omelet, muffin or pancake stacks up to the sweet cinnamon divinity of the cream of wheat appetizer which comes along with many of the breakfast meals. Sitting outside under the grape leaves of the terrace is very relaxing. Families are very welcome, and I always notice how the kiddies get better treatment here than most other restaurants. The diversity of the patrons not only in just age, makes coming the The Neighborhood Restaurant feel like catching a glimpse of an entire neighborhood. Just don't expect it to be the type of community where you have a lot of personal space. I love the familiarity of the wait staff and of my fellow diners. Go to The Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery and be prepared to eat. Njummm
(5)
Tina L.
One more amazing review for the Neighborhood. My boyfriend and I went the other weekday morning, so we didn't have to wait long. I have heard that on weekends it can be a very long wait and especially in the summer. The service was friendly and fast. The best part of the Neighborhood is the prices! I got a cup of orange juice, unlimited coffee (or tea/decaf if you'd like), cream of wheat or toast (GET THE CREAM OF WHEAT), 3 eggs, homefries and a big basket of homemade toast for 6 bucks! They have a bunch of specials including healthy meals, which all looked great, but I was worried I couldn't eat it all. The entire meal was 17 bucks in total and was amazing. I can't wait to go back and try the french toast!
(5)
Amy S.
"A lot for a little!" "Quantity over quality!" If these are you mantras, you will be happy at this little joint. But dare I say it, their brunch is not very tasty. With your main dish, they throw in a plate full of sweet bread, a bowl of farina, and a glass of Tang (yes I mean Tang). But these "extras" do not make up for the overall mediocrity of the food. The best this joint has to offer is the grape arbor. It's quite pleasant to dine at those colorful picnic tables under the vines and little round fruit. But again... atmosphere doesn't make up for taste. However, one thing is certain. You won't go hungry if you brunch at the Neighborhood Restaurant . Your belly will be bloated and you'll be ready for your afternoon coma.
(3)
Donna D.
OMG! So much food it didn't fit on the table! The cream of wheat was one of the best I've ever had! Mmm.... I had the whole wheat Belgian Waffle with fuit, egg whites and tomatoes. My friend had the regular Waffle with fruit, eggs, hash browns, and sausage. So delicious, and so much food. Then we got the bill and it was so cheap! I am definitely going back!!!
(5)
Joe A.
Since moving to Boston from LA, I've been in a hunt of a neighborhood restaurant with good food and a good vibe. This sweet spot is a definite destination for Sunday brunchers with its charming ambience and never-ending menu options. This is a very cozy, comfortable place to get your most important meal of the day. There are so many breakfast staples to choose from- the omelletes, waffles, the tropical french toast and the Portuguese breakfast. I recommended getting the side of cereal (Cream of wheat). It's exceptional for a Sunday morning wake-up dish. It's usually pretty crowded here on weekends but the food is well worth the wait. I love this place and the patio seating adds to the charm. The staff are always attentive even when they're extremely busy. The question of whether the cup is half full or half empty never occurs because the diligent servers keep the coffee cups more than half full, which helps provide a warm sense of optimism; furthermore, that darn cream of wheat has utterly changed my life. hehe Who wants breakfast in bed when it's just as good down "The Neighborhood." Go out and meet your neighbors!
(4)
Alena D.
Order one side dish of linguica and one order of cream of wheat. Combine. Breakfast Heaven. Oh and everything else on the menu is good too, but skip on the side of fruit. Oh and if you order an actual meal, prepare for it to come to you on four different large plates because one order sounds like: 2 Wheat waffles w/ egg white vegetable scramble w/ fruit or cream of wheat w/ a coffee or orange juice, homfries, and bread or any other baked good. $7.75 5 emphatic stars.
(5)
Jacey B.
This may be the best place to have brunch in the summer or spring. I love the outdoor patio. Love the grape vines. Love the triple berry whole wheat pancakes and the veggie omelet that I had. And it was sooo inexpensive. A great way to start off a lazy, sunny Sunday morning.
(5)
Jungmin L.
The only bad is cash-only, and the long lines. If you are looking for something casual/comfortable/good quantity AND quality, this is the perfect place. I love the casual, easy going neighborhood feel of this diner. The food is correctly cooked/baked (the done-ness and the seasonings, the sweetness is not overdone and the ingredients are up to par) and everyone is very friendly. You get a LOT of food, so either split 2 full brunch/bfast plates amongst 3 or even 3 plates amongst 4!
(4)
Brian K.
A friend that I was visiting brought me here on a very snowy day in December. The cream of wheat stuff is great! It's a small place, but cute. The menu is kinda a fusion version of American breakfast (from what I recall) - quite fun to order from. Definitely worth a visit, and I think the place may indeed live up to its name!
(4)
Zhiling T.
Great food. Large selection of breakfast foods. Mmm... Pumpkin pancakes and apples cinnamon crepes. Had a nice selection of healthy selections. Most meal choices already include juice, coffee, and toast!
(5)
Susie C.
Brunch, brunch, and more brunch. There is definitely a reason this has a line on Saturday and Sunday mornings, starting with the complimentary muffins and coffee they give to people waiting outside for a table. The food is divine and the portions are huge. The menu is varied, and truly- it's all good. I almost always order from the large list of specials. They start you off with a complimentary fruit or cream of wheat. My favorite is the baked apple they sometimes serve - it's literally an apple that has been baked until it's so soft that it's almost the consistency of apple sauce. Yes, please. I may opt for the coconut french toast (how can this be so achingly delicious?) with eggs, or maybe a giant omelette. My husband likes the traditional portugese breakfast platter, and we both love the pancakes. Coffee/tea refill service can be hit or miss when they are slammed.
(4)
Kim L.
Oh dear god. This place is amazing. Please note: I didn't say fancy or ridiculously cool or even gimmicky. I said AMAZING. I could praise the sheer abundance of food one gets with every order (if you like cream of wheat, pick that instead of the fruit--you'll thank me later). Or the fact that every meal comes with a variety of freshly baked goods. Or perhaps the Portuguese dishes that make me feel like someone's grandmother might have created. I could praise the friendly service, and the fact that I never feel forgotten in the melee that is brunch. I could also praise the coffee and bread available as one waits in line (and sometimes, there's a wait). Or maybe I'd praise the option of eating outdoors when the weather is just right. Yes, I could praise these things. But I think the throngs of people that flock to this place in all kinds of weather can attest to its greatness. It's cash only and no reservations, but the wait is pleasant and totally worth it. Bottom line: I come here again and again. Oh dear god it's amazing.
(5)
Brian K.
This place serves a spectacular breakfast. Expect to bring home breakfast for the next few days, their portions are huge. Best freaking cream of wheat I've ever had. They used to serve a killer fruit plate but recently they've only been serving small portions of the usual, cantaloupe, grapes, bananas, etc. Get there early on the weekend. The service is usually great.
(5)
Zach B.
Eat breakfast in a patio covered by grapes vines Fill your mouth with waffles and sweet cream of wheat Step into a Portuguese breakfast bite by bite
(4)
David D.
I'm still full. I went here for breakfast yesterday, and I was totally overwhelmed by the choices and the prices. I ordered some breakfast plate that consisted of your traditional fixtures: eggs, home fries, a breakfast meat, a giant belgian waffle covered in various fruits, orange juice, a side of fruit and coffee (I fucking H8 coffee, but thankz for the effort.) $10.95?! FUCK! That's cheaper than making it myself! I also had a huge mimosa that was was slightly under $5, and it was like someone poured a bottle of Andre in a bowl, threw an orange in it, and put it on my table. I'll admit it, I was slightly aroused when I left ... Best breakfast in 4evzZz! !
(4)
Sarah D.
Not impressed. Needed to redeem a groupon-type certificate and knew we would be eating outside so we chose a gorgeous Saturday. Of course we expected long lines at 11 a.m. on a Saturday and signed our name on the self-serve hostess stand. Since we had about 20 people ahead of us on the list we walked to the farm stand nearby, twenty minutes later we returned and we had been crossed off and if we wanted a table had to go back on the list. NO EXCEPTIONS. Ok, fine, I get it. But if the hostess were to actually take your name and give you a ball park time of wait, it would be helpful. I saw this happen to many people in the hour we waited. We were forced to share a table with two other to maximize space. Mind you these are picnic tables. Service was "ok", we had to ask for refills on everything multiple times. All beverages are served in kiddie cups I think i used to play with in a Fisher Price play house. Coffee is terrible. Food was allright. Yes, portions are huge, but i'd rather pay a few extra bucks for more professional service and everything served on a matching, legit plate. By the time we at at 1p.m. we were so over the experience we wanted to hightail it out of there. We'll never be back. Not worth the wait.
(2)
Allie G.
This place has such rave reviews, but it's really hit or miss. If you go on a nice day and can snag a seat in the courtyard under the grape arbor, then it's, like, transcendent. But if you're crammed inside--not so much. The outdoor area is especially nice if you can go on a weekday afternoon, when everyone's at work. From my experiences there, it seems like they're best with their funky and original baked goods/carb dishes...like pumpkin waffles and stuff. The eggs and toast are sort of disappointing, and although others like it, my husband found the cream of wheat tasteless and mono-texture. Sit outside on a nice day, and you'll enjoy the experience so much you won't care what you order, but just be careful to be more prudent inside!
(3)
Claire M.
So. Much. Food. Crazy crowded but that's a reassuring sign of its popularity. As everyone else has said, get the Cream of Wheat.
(4)
Kim V.
i'm in love with their cream of wheat...i can eat this all day everyday :D..that's how good it is..and when i'm there i must get another bowl of cream of wheat to go.
(4)
Jon B.
The very thought of sitting underneath the grape vines in their outdoor cafe enjoying a 3lb Omlette filled with everything from linguica to a whole salmon filet makes the drool start to flow from my lips. If I had one last breakfast on this Earth I would spend it at the Neighborhood. If you have yet to discover this hidden gem on the outskirts of Union Sq. in Somerville, get there soon becuase once the green line extension shows up next millenium you won't be able to find a seat.
(5)
Sam F.
It was very popular, so there was a 20 minute wait. 4 stars - For knowing how to appreciate breakfast. Breakfast should be a feast, and as such, the amount of food should be abundant. -1 - The amount of food should not be obscene. -1 - Shitty service and ambiance(music was too loud).
(3)
Jennie W.
I have been wanting to go to The Neighborhood for years. I had heard about the legendary cream of wheat. I had gazed longingly at the weekend lines of salivating yuppies as my 87 bus sped by. I had walked by on summer nights and breathed the fragrance of their marvelous grape arbor. Finally, I went. The cream of wheat is truly luscious. It tastes like they add butterscotch candy while it's cooking. I don't know what they do to it, but I wanted to take a bath in it. And then order 3 more bowls. I should have. That was definitely the best part of the meal. The next best thing was the toast. They bake their own bread, so the toast is chewy and delicious, and they serve homemade jam. Who serves homemade jam anymore? Aside from those standouts, the linguica was seriously overcooked, and the whole wheat pancakes tasted box-y. I thought long and hard about my star rating. The linguica and pancake fail almost brought it down to a 3, but I'm gonna go with 4 because I'm crazy about the ambiance, the cream of wheat, and the jam.
(4)
Liliya M.
The cream of wheat is perfect. The baked breads are endless. The prices are beyond reasonable. If the bathroom was bigger, I'd give them 5 stars. Grade: B+
This little place rocks!!! Yes, long wait, but well worth it. I see most gave this "gem" 4 or 5 stars, but a few crazies that gave it 1 or 2. Huh? This is run by a Portuguese family & being Portuguese myself, I can say this is awesome comfort food. It's small, crowded, and busy. But who cares! It's all about the unbelievable food, amazing! The outdoor area is very cool in the Summer. 5 stars without a doubt!
(5)
Jamie L.
It's true, sometimes I cheat on Johnny D's! Shhh... The first reason being, it's in my neighborhood. I suppose they do not call it The Neighborhood Restaurant for nothing. I think my favorite thing is the sign, "If you're in a hurry, this is not the place for you!" If only Johnny D's had the balls to be so outrightly, "Yeah, I said it!" (with a little neck and lop-sided smirk action). It's true they take their time, but I find they're worth it. This can be an hour to a whole morning affair. You wait to seat, you wait to order, you wait and wait to eat, you wait to pay. Luckily, as a Taurus, I not only love to eat, I am quite patient and will therefore wait forever for the right breakfast. It's true what they say about the portions. If I eat here, I'm generally good for the day, and have leftovers for the next! Every breakfast seems to come with a plate of toast and pastries, coffee (or tea), OJ, and fruit or cream of wheat. They will ask you, "Fruit or hot cereal?" You say, "Hot cereal!" Before you know it they're bringing out clouds from heaven in a bowl sprinkled with cinnamon! OMG!!! (It also ties you over for the relatively long wait for the meal.) This works well, I am quite grumpy when I'm hungry. It ties me over perfectly while I do that whole necessary "chatting" thing with whomever I tricked into joining me for pure gluttony! Though I have pigged out here alone, for some reason it is more socially acceptable to do it in front of someone, go figure! I have thoroughly enjoyed both the outside, and the inside. Outside, the shaded area is perfect for nice weather. It is more spread out, and you can help yourself to water. Yes I worry about the bug factor too but for Cream of Heavenly Wheat's sake people!?! Every upside has its down, right? Inside is tight, packed, crowded, small, clauterphobic even; most especially when they have the most awful morning music you could ever try to wake up to, much less digest during. I swear it is to get you out of there before you begin that latter process. This is also fine with me, a place has got to make money right? How they do so for those prices, that much food, and that small amount of space is beyond me!?! The breakfast gods smile broadly on these folks! I generally always meet the people sitting next to me in the midst of sharing condiments. I realize this can be awkward for some, but I'm just weird enough to like that part of the experience. I never have enough toast, but they happily bring me more! Their corned beeh hash is homemade!!! Their homefries are cooked with onions (and sometimes I catch a pepper or two in there)!!! AND holy-freakin'-cow, I am IN LOVE with their Coconut French Toast, dipped in coconut milk before being grilled and then topped with shredded coconut!!! I've heard they make thier own syrup. I know they make thier own whip cream. Hold on, my mouth is watering, I have to go change the above from 4 to 5 stars... Okay, I'm back. I originally had four stars for a few, now seemingly minor, reasons. The wait has been mentioned. They're busy people, I can see they're working hard, and there are definitely more than a few in their staff who have thier groove on more than Stella ever did - either before or after meeting a hot young stud! (There's a less than pleasing server in every crowd, this is restaurant destiny.) The music kills me and I always hate waiting to pay in particular. Many of these things you accept being a professional eater-outer (keep it clean, like the plate club kids)... The wait is hard to find out about. Basically, there's a clip board you write your own name and party number on. You are on your own guessing, Hmm... 3 parties of 4 before me, a party of 6, and several 2's... look inside, there's a few people who look like they're gonna leave, oh wait no, they just got their food... Who's this party of two that wasn't before me last time I looked!?! Darn, somehow they didn't see my name on the list, or is Tina*, party of two, a liar and cutter!?! I guess that's not their fault... *Name has been changed to protect their lack of integrity.
(5)
Thena H.
I love this place!! Their breakfast is the BEST!! Absolutely love the Cream of Wheat and their sweet bread french toast. The place is pretty small, so sometimes the wait can be pretty long but is sooo worth it!
(4)
Stephanie L.
The first time I ate here was in 2005 or 2006, when I was in college and a friend's boyfriend drove us to Union Square. I didn't return until this year and am so glad I re-discovered it. My mouth-watering memories of the cream of wheat were not shattered -- it is indeed delicious, cinnamony-sweet. Maybe they add tons of butter to it, but it is akin to ambrosia because of it. I brought my dad here for a weekend brunch and insisted we return a week later for one last amazing breakfast before he left town. Last week, I ordered french toast with the homemade sweet bread and, of course, cream of wheat. All breakfasts come with unlimited coffee or tea, a small glass of orange juice, and either a small fruit plate or hot cereal. The cream of wheat they serve is in a fairly large bowl, and considering the meals themselves are already enormous, I ordered the cream of what and asked my dad to get the fruit, so that we could share each. The french toast was perfection (soft on the inside but not raw, sweet but not disgustingly so, lovely crusts). I was incredibly hungry and still only managed to eat 1 or 1.5 of the 2 slices because there was so much food. The bacon was crispy, just the way I like it. My dad ordered three fried eggs overeasy, and they were so good he ordered the same dish when we returned today. Today, while my dad ordered the same thing as last week (#2 on the menu), I went with #98, a daily special. The french toast made with coconut milk and topped with coconut flakes and sliced almonds was divine. It was not overly sweet and the coconut flavor was not overpowering. The dish came with homefries, 2 sausages, and 2 eggs. I ordered fried eggs overeasy since they make them so well. However, I asked them to hold on the homefries because they were just not worth it -- and I'd rather save room for everything else! The sausages were alright, but I ended up leaving one on the plate because I finished my french toast and could not fit another bite. Next time, I'll ask them to hold the homefries again and might see if they will substitute bacon for the sausages. The service is very friendly and quick. The location is out-of-the-way if you do not have a car, but it is well worth begging a friend for a ride or taking the bus to Union Square. In warm weather, sitting outside under the brightly colored umbrellas and the grapevines (with many bunches of real grapes!) is idyllic. The only reason I give this place 4 stars instead of 5 is that the coffee is not as good as I would like it to be. Of course, you get an unlimited amount of it, so I can't complain. And the meal is so inexpensive when you think of what you get (a bountiful main dish, fruit or hot cereal, unlimited coffee/tea, homemade bread on the side, and a small OJ) that I would not want to fill up my stomach with coffee no matter how good it was anyway. In fact, I'd give it 4.5 stars but I cannot figure out how to do so on Yelp. This place is so good I signed up for Yelp just so that I could review it. One note: The waiters/waitresses do not automatically serve glasses of water. Just ask for some if you get thirsty.
(4)
Tim F.
I've been going here for years. Yes, the line is outrageous, and truthfully, I've never waited. I save my visits for a weekday I have off, or Saturdays at 9:45 AM. Food is delicious, sitting under the growing grapes is charming. Service can be a little chaotic, and yes, I have had better coffee. Overall, this is a spot I enjoy frequenting.
(4)
Doris K.
Open daily from 7am till 4pm! During the nice days you are able to sit outside in the patio area (huge), but during the not so nice days you have to sit inside. There is no choice. Be aware that there are long lines if you do not get here early. The food is amazing. Everything is fresh, and the portions are huge. I loved their corned beef and hash with home fries, and cream of wheat. The cream of wheat is nothing like I have ever tasted, certainly not your mom's cream of wheat. They not only have all types of breakfast foods, but they also have a large lunch menu. There's something for everyone at the Neighborhood. Somerville has plenty of parking so there really is not a problem. Although portions are huge you do pay for what you get. Sometimes I wish there was a kid portion so that I wouldn't over eat and it would be easier on the wallet.
(4)
Layla P.
Roberto C. recommended that I try this place due to my love of the caribbean french toast at the creamery in Palo Alto. This place is awesome. The food was 4.5 stars and I say 4 stars overall because of the wait, which I know lots of people have commented on. We waited for an hour at about 1 PM on a Sunday, but by 3 PM there was no wait and I believe they are open till 4, so next time I'll be going around 3. They do bring sweet bread to you while you are waiting...you have to wait outside which was fine for us because it was a beautiful day, but if it's crappy outside you won't want to be waiting in it. You get to choose between cream of wheat and fruit, I wanted fruit but chose cream of wheat because of previous reviews. I was really glad I did, it was creamy and delicious and I saw someone else's fruit plate and it was pretty puny anyway. So I got the coconut french toast which has coconut and pineapple on top of the french toast (unlike my favorite french toast of all time which has coconut cooked into the bread, with the batter). It came with eggs, ham, hashbrowns, and a basket of bread. It was a lot of food! I ate it all (except the ham) though because I had just run 16 miles, but on a normal day I maybe could have only eaten half...or ok 75% of it. And it's true, you get a free mini glass of OJ and free coffee. Although I think someone else said you are not able to get a big glass of OJ, but I saw someone served a huge glass of it, so that may be something they have changed. The waitresses are good but busy. If you go with 2 people, you will probably be seated about 1 inch away from another group of 2, but it's cozy. NOTE: They only accept cash, there's a Bank of America and Citizens ATM down the street though, so hit it before you get there.
(4)
joe f.
Well, seeing I live down the street I went over there after reading all these reviews. It was damn good! Since I went at 7 AM it wasn't crowded but it got busy by the time I left, around 7:45. Service is slow I think by design, it's not your typical diner that rushes you in and out. The cream of wheat was amazing, and I had scrambled eggs w/ cheese and tomatoes with sweet bread, coffee and OJ. The only negative was the coffee (Maxwell house I think) but the rest was amazing. I had to make sure the guy billed me right, because $7.38 didn't seem right WAY too cheap for the amount I ate! Anyway, I left a $10 and was extremely happy. Try it!
(5)
Shelter T.
This place was amazing. My girlfriend took me there as a surprise, and i was in love with it. The service was very good, although when i ordered an orange juice the glass was the size of the cups found at a water cooler. For whatever faults The Neighborhood has, it is made up for by the food. My goodness was the food good. The atmosphere was the next best thing. Listening to oldies music under a grape vine at 10am in Somerville...it doesnt get any better than that. Definitely one of my top 5 picks for the Somerville area for the breakfast club.
(5)
Beth M.
Neighborhood is a great choice for breakfast! It's packed and bustling, and you are definitely smushed up against other diners at tables that are about 6 inches apart. But the food is completely worth it. And you get so much for so cheap! For about $8 you get coffee, a small OJ, your breakfast entree, homefries, and your choice of cream of wheat or fruit. And the fruit isn't just a pile of drab looking honeydew and cantaloupe. Last time I went it was a baked apple. Yum! I highly recommend the french toast made on Portuguese sweet bread...it's heavenly. You get three, giant, thick slices, so there is plenty to take home. The basket of bread that comes with egg dishes is delicious too, including the standard toast, but also other Portuguese bready treats. Service is super nice and very efficient. There's great patio seating during the summer in this arbor-like area with cute umbrellas. Overall this place rocks, and successfully fulfills my delicious breakfast needs.
(4)
D M.
Jesse and I finally went here this morning since we were both lounging around the house and I didn't feel like cooking. It was a nice treat. The place is small, and really the only thing I would change is the lighting (it's bad fluorescent) and the walls are bright green. I did like the taxidermied birds in the cage hanging over the table in the front window.....kinda creepy, but 100% awesome. Here's what's good: First off, you're served orange juice automatically if you're there for breakfast. Always awesome. Our food was really quick. Our coffee was refilled when it got low. Service was good. Portuguese pastries come with every meal, as does either fruit or cream of wheat. Only complaint: My broccoli and cheese omelet was mainly broccoli, which I would be okay with if the broccoli was fresh vs. frozen. It was still a good breakfast.
(4)
Katie H.
I went here on a Saturday morning with a friend that lives around the corner from the restaurant and had been raving about it. When we saw how long the line was going to be I immediately suggested that we just go food shopping and make our own brunch, but she wouldn't give in. So despite my whining about starving we found a spot against the building next door and plopped ourselves down. To my absolute delight, not 5 minutes later did one of the servers come out with a tray of muffins and cereal! For free! They also have free coffee while you're waiting out on the sidewalk, but not being a coffee drinker thats not a huge plus for me. The wait actually wasn't too long and thank GOD. There was a couple standing 2 feet away from us in which the girl was popping zits on her boyfriends shoulder like it ain't no thang. Oh hi, I just puked in my mouth. Thanks so much! We were seated at a picnic table, and doubled up with another couple people, but the tables are long enough that you still really do have your privacy to talk about whatever you want and not worry about it. We were waited on almost immediately by a server who seemed to be working almost all of the tables, but he moved so quickly there was no complaint there. Unfortunately, when he came to serve us our food he did not have what I ordered as my stomach grumbled in protest. But amazingly, he was back out I'd say in less than 5 minutes with the right order. The food was great and the weather was beautiful for late September and I was thrilled to be able to eat outside. I only had a couple problems with this place. One, yes it is nice that you get OJ with your meal but its in a impossibly small glass. I understand it is because its fresh squeezed, but I wasn't even allowed to order a larger glass. Boo. Though, it was really cool that you could go over and help yourself to some water! Two, I was charged the same price for eggs, hash browns and corned beef hash as my friend was for a plate of eggs, bacon, a huge plate of pancakes, toast and a bowl of fruit. I felt a little jipped.
(4)
Dan P.
Local Portuguese restaurant which makes me homesick from when I lived in New Bedford. Although due to my dietary choices, my options are limited here, breakfast is a must for a first time diner. The service is great, the food feels homemade. Their homemade jam is stellar, and there's free breads and juice with your meal. Summertime is the best time to visit so you can sit outside in the patio under the canopy of grapes. All my friends rave about their grits and omelets, and the Borges family does a great job making you feel as family or neighbors having Sunday breakfast at their home.
(3)
geri s.
Best breakfast in Somerville, my kid is addicted to their cream of wheat. Get there early, the line is usually 20 people deep by 9 am.
(5)
Allisoto P.
Good breakfast, lots of options, and very charming outdoor seating. I got the eggs benedict AND florentine (1 dish). Delish! I approve. Also, I tried the cream of wheat, and it was yummy, but a too rich for me to actually eat more than a few bites. Pretty solid place as far as food, but the coffee is terrible. Really just awful. I advise one to drink tea here. I will return.
(4)
Ian H.
I've only been here for brunch, and not since I moved out of the neighborhood in 2003. But man, the brunch (and particularly the portions) in this place are legendary. I wish I could get a lobster omelette in San Francisco with 3 sides, juice, and coffee period ... much less for under $14. When I think of your green awning, Neighborhood, I sigh.
(5)
Kathy L.
I love eating breakfast out and finally wandered over to The Neighborhood Restaurant after reading the great reviews. There I found a wonderful patio setting, one of the best omelets I've ever had, and a family atmosphere where waitresses called me honey as they refilled my coffee. If this isn't breakfast nirvana, I don't know what is.
(5)
Emma D.
A seriously solid place to get brunch. Yes the wait may be 30 min (or longer if it's really nice out and you don't go either early or late), yes the staff may be running around like crazy and forget to give you water, but the huge comforting portions of a variety of classic breakfast foods are all done better than most places in the area. Also the food/money ratio is great (2 people order 2 breakfasts = $23 + 1 whole extra meal). and heck, the place just has character.
(4)
Cara P.
Yup...I like this place. A lot. It is one of those places that "make you never want to spend a pretentious hour or two of your life eating over priced brunch on Newbury street." If you walked by, you could easily miss it. Than you see all this cool outdoor colorful seating under a tent like structure. Almost looks like someone is having a sweet sixteen party in their side yard and their family is seated at plastic tables strewn about. Than you see the wait staff. Chill people. Yummy food. Coffee strong and flowing. Try the crepes and tomato and cheese omelet.....yes it's my old stand by, but I will never give up on it. Anywhoo, It is a bit crowded and somewhat of a wait, but that is what makes your score of a meal SO worth it. For some insane reason there is always a table full of hot looking intellectual guys that just rolled out of bed and look like they should be on the cover of a GQ magazine. Not my type and rare for the 'ville............but that fact along with a crepe and a taste of pancakes, makes Cara a good girl ......... Oh, bring your own juice. It is seriously a glass made for smurfette herself.
(4)
Wendy W.
Great breakfast and brunch but make sure you arrive early. This is no frills good food. You get a little cup of orange juice but that is the only little thing that will hit your table. Everything is huge...like two plates huge. Come hungry
(5)
John D.
Good food great neighborhood gem but really bad service. Our waitress brought out wrong items, gave people the wrong food at the table and really was not all that attentive. I would go back as the food was fresh and fantastic. It is definately worth another visit.
(3)
Scott M.
This is place creates delicious breakfasts. So why am I giving it one star? Same reason I am giving the Friendly Toast one star: Because I can never go there. Every time we've tried to get a table before 1pm on a weekend there has been a 45 minute wait. I have better things to do with my time. Can you please please please start taking reservations for just a few tables...? You'll still have a line and fill every missed reservation. I don't care if there are strict rules re: being late for your table.
(1)
Trey W.
Simply put.... The food is okay, nothing fancy but the price is good. With the specials you get a lot of average food for the money. The service is horrific. Very long wait and once you are finally seated expect to ask for coffee two or three times before it is served to you. But, the servers are are friendly. Every time my partner and I eat her I complain to him about the service but we keep coming back so they must be doing something right. Give this place a try on a lazy day when you have time to kill.
(3)
Bailey B.
I really don't get the appeal of this place. The cream of wheat is disgusting. I usually love cream of wheat, but theirs is pure butter. There is no other taste to it besides butter. I've only been there once, and doubt I'll ever be back.
(1)
Jamie A.
Mmmmmm! What a wonderful way to have breakfast in the summer! The outdoor seating is wonderful and during the week it's not too busy! Definitely come hungry--- I certainly did not finish anything I got! My mushroom, cheese and tomato omelet was so so good. The mushrooms were just amazing. The hash browns were wonderfully seasoned with a bit of a kick. My friend ordered the cream of wheat as a starter and I got the fruit so we could have the best of both worlds. These come with the meal, so get prepared to eat! We hardly touched the toast & muffin that also came with the meal. Refills on coffee & the tiniest glass of OJ you've ever seen also accompany the meal! I'll certainly be back :)
(4)
Karis T.
This place is awesome. First, since they are so awesome there is a link outside, but they provide free coffee and pastries while you wait. Then, you get inside this cozy little breakfast place and are immediately given free OJ. Their speedy waitress is quickly ready to take your order and the menu is large and has something for everyone. I got a #22, which is an omelet with cheese, tomatos, onions, peppers and mushrooms and devoured it. I was so happy that it was a REAL omelet since the last breakfast place I went just gave me scrambled eggs. I highly recommend eating here and hope to again soon
(5)
Heather M.
One of my favorite local places for brunch. here is why: 1) Great friendly staff, and you sign yourself onto the seating wait list 2) coffee and cake munchies while you wait 3) the best outdoor seating in the summer 4) great local atmosphere at a family run restaurant 5) Portuguese breakfast on menu 6) low fat options on menu This is now a swanky brunch spot. this is a neighborhood brunch spot. You know you are local when you have brunch here. The portions are huge, and everything comes with a lot of sides: cream of wheat or fresh fruit, toast, OJ coffee, hash browns - hard to fit it all on the table. You can split one entree for a small fee. One down side - I have to say the coffee is merely passable. The wait on weekends after 10.15am can be 25+ minutes.
(4)
Joy H.
This is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in the Cambridge/Somerville area. It's kind of like that hole-in-the-wall place except it seems like way too many people know about it judging form the lines that form on weekends for brunch. My first time there I went in the winter, and we were shuffled through the dining area and then down the stairs into their basement where we waited with several other groups for a table to clear. I kind of felt like Anne Frank. But boy was it worth it. Now I like to go in the summers to sit out on their patio. It's fun to go throughout the summer and watch the grapes get bigger and bigger until their fragrance fills the air in late August. I usually get one of the specials which may seem a little expensive compared to the rest of the menu, but when you consider that it comes with coffee, juice, breads, and fruit or cream of wheat, it's so worth it. I used to try to be "good" and get the fruit, but I finally tried the cream of wheat once and now I'm totally addicted. Also, I try to ask for extra popovers in the bread basket since they're so good!
(5)
Andy T.
Neighborhood restaurant, how doth thou love me? Let me count the ways: You love me with hot coffee and muffins before I even open the door, hanging on the sidewalk and people-watching is almost fun here on a sunny day. You love me with your awesome patio with dappled sunlight and birds singing while I eat. You love me with the cream of wheat, fresh fruit, coffee, orange juice, toast and muffins that you bring to everyone who sits down, no matter what they order. You love me with your diverse crowds all squeezed in for breakfast and being friendly. You love me with linguica and yummy eggs. and you by being good food cheap, you love me best of all. This place is great. Not for the service, which is uneven and sloppy, or even for the food, which is always good but rarely anything mind blowing, but just for heaping on the (food and) love. I can see where some of the less than great reviews come from, this is maybe 3 star service and 4 star food, but the Neighborhood will always rate 5 stars with me for bringing so much good food cheap, for laying on the love, and for being the kind of place I want to be when I am still waking up.
(5)
Josh O.
This place is awesome. The food is fantastic, the prices are good, and you get to sit outside under a canopy of grape vines. Plus, linguica omelettes! How can you go wrong? I only have two complaints, the first is that their orange juice isn't very good. But they also have guarana, so I'll probably just go with that from now on. The second is that I didn't get nearly enough toast with my food. I like to order my eggs runny so I can dip my toast in the yolks, but I didn't get nearly enough toast to do that with the three eggs they gave me.
(5)
jenn p.
This is mine and my entire family's favorite breakfast place in the city (with the takeout omelets from the S&S a close second) I love how they give u Juice, Coffee, Fruit/creamOfWheat, and Portuguese baked goods with every breakfast choice. Some grips: they do get busy, and they don't allow pets in their outdoor seating area :(
(4)
Amanda B.
On a summer morning, there's nothing more relaxing than sitting under the shade of grape leaves of this little restaurant. Come with a ravenous appetite, because portions are large. Every breakfast is served with OJ, a choice between fruit or cream of wheat, and home fries. On the weekend, go with the cream of wheat, because the fruit is just...meh. I actually recommend going during the week, because there's less people to cater to, thus better service and food. Lunch is also a good option here. Service is not fabulous, but what do you expect? At least the people that work there are honest. I went to breakfast with my family last weekend, and my mom accidentally left an envelope with money (stupid move) on the table. The waitress took it and put it in the restaurant's safe until we came back to get it later in the day. Anyhow, sit down, relax, don't worry about it. You're not here for the service. Listen to the rapid-fire Portuguese flying between the bus boys and the waitresses, people watch, and enjoy your linguica omelet.
(4)
Cport J.
I think The Neighborhood is the perfect brunch place. Their brunch is simply amazing. It's definitely not fancy, but the food hits the spot, and the prices are great. The name is also perfect. It's a great neighborhood place for brunch, run by a Portugese family from the area. I love the cream of wheat (even though it makes it nearly impossible to eat all of your meal), the great selection of fruit juices, the bottomless cup of coffee, and pretty much all of the egg dishes, the pancake dishes, the waffle dishes, and the french toast dishes, as well as the meat sides, especially the linguica, a Portugese sausage. The pancakes/waffles/french toast served with fruit filling or fruit on top are always good. The steak and eggs and lobster omelette are awesome, although seriously filling. Don't order a combo special if you aren't hungry; there's no way you'll be able to eat it all. I usually only go when the outside patio under the grapevine arbor is open during the summer. The food is the same inside, but it's a bit cramped and really just not the same. I also only go for brunch, so I don't know about other meals. I would say the service has personality, which is a bit of an old Boston/Cambridge/Somerville specialty, and I've actually come to appreciate it. It's down-to-earth and fun and less antiseptic. It's sort of a window on a different time and place, before the gentrification of the area. After all, it is still Somerville, not the South End. The only other notes are that they do usually have a line in the summer, so make yourself a cup of coffee from the pot by the sign-in sheet for the waiting list and catch up with your friends (or bring the paper). Also, at some point in the summer they get a few bees visiting the grapes, so if you are seriously allergic, you might be a little nervous sitting there.
(5)
Chris B.
The only reason Neighborhood doesn't get 5 stars is that the waits on weekends can get ridiculous. The food is excellent. I especially love the Linguica (omelette, sandwich, anything its in). For me, Neighborhood is the perfect mix of quality, serving size, and price. Its definitely one of my favorite places in Somerville.
(4)
Nicole P.
A MUST for breakfast! Go hungry - this place is not stingy with the portions! Any basic order, eggs, omlettes, pancakes also comes with a choice of hot cereal (which is the most amazing, delicious thing ever) or fresh fruit, plus every table gets a bread basket filled with bread, mufffins and pop overs. The only downside is that if you get there after 10 am the lines can be crazy long. However, while you wait they offer free coffee and muffins! Also in the warmer months the outdoor patio is open which helps with the wait. I wouldn't reccomend the Neighborhood for fine dining but for a big, cheap and fairly good breakfast you can't beat this Somerville gem!
(5)
Janice T.
My new favorite place to brunch! Quite the extensive menu, which includes the usual: pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, etc. and the not so usual: linguica (portuguese sausage). You get OJ, coffee, and fresh fruit (or cream of wheat) with every order which is a very huge plus. Their home fries were exceptionally delicious; seasoned well with that sometimes hard to achieve sector of flavor some call umami. One of the specials included a belgian waffle with a huge dollop of marscapone cheese and fresh berries: nothing short of amazing. Nothing better than sitting outside enjoying lotsa, lotsa yummy breakfast foods on a warm summer morning (or afternoon). Service was also fast, yet still very friendly.
(5)
Anita S.
Don't question it. Just try this place. Friendly, down to earth service truly makes you feel like you're apart of the "neighborhood". It's so hard to decide what to eat with a menu like theirs! I opted for the whole wheat french toast made on their home made bread, eggs, bacon, cream of wheat, home made toast, oj, and coffee. All this for a super reasonable price. It was actually so much food I had to take french toast, bacon, and toast home! The cream of wheat will not disappoint and you MUST try! Have to say, this is the first place I've eaten in a while that I felt like I was really getting my $'s worth.
(5)
Adam E.
There's always a wait, but waiting builds character. Then you sit down and it's way too crowded. So don't bring your strollers!! But then you order the pumpkin pancakes and cream of wheat. Don't be adventurous. Seriously. Try the other stuff if you want, but you're missing out if you don't get the two aforementioned dishes, they're the best on the menu. The coffee sucks, so bring a flask or something.
(4)
Alex G.
Breakfast till 4 pm? Massive quantities of food? Wide selection and delicious? The amount might put me right back to bed but thats ok. I always leave happy as kid during christmas.
(5)
Shannon F.
I heart the neighborhood restaurant. I bring my tourist friends here all the time. It the most down to earth, honest to goodness, f you if you don't like what we do breakfast place in the city. Huge portions, great specials. Not a "foody" place to go, but if you want your mama's western omlette and a giant stack of pancakes, go here.
(5)
Alyson G.
Delicious breakfast/brunches, especially in the summer on the leafy outdoor patio shaded from summer sun by overhead trellises of grape vines. French toast and eggs were delish. This place is a standby for breakfast in Somerville.
(4)
r. p.
I joined yelp just to write this review, and counterbalance the horrible review given to this fine establishment by Linds L, as we both dined there on the same day. First of all, the wait. if you plan on eating lunch at this place on the weekend, the wait is Very long, and the there are generally more people than the free pastries can accomodate (but there's plenty of coffee). Also, there are a couple surrounding stores to hold your attention while you wait. Hub Comics, for example, is located just a couple doors down and provides a neat place to wait. (They even have a mic running from NBR, so you can hear your name called, even if you are in the store) Second, the service. It's not great, but it's not terrible. The wait staff was accomodating and polite. Yes, the food did take a while to get to the table, but did i mention that they give you a TON of food, and plenty of things to eat while you wait, such as cream of wheat and fruit? I think we probably waited about half an hour for food. It is true that, if you want water, you have to trek the whole 20 feet across the patio to get yourself a glass. Boo-who. Third, the food. Was outstanding for Boston brunch based on taste and price. Although I'm sure there are more highscale places to go, this place has the best balance of price to quality/quantity of food I have seen. 11.99 paid for.. coffee, oj, cream of wheat, and a plate that included steak tips (fresh cooked), pork, a salad, rice, beans, homefries, and a couple of eggs. The staff also brought out a plate of toast, muffins and jam, which there was barely room for.. Contra Steve's review, I found my food to be fresh, warm, and delicious. The seating is picnic tables, so if you are looking for a fancy place that is sparkling clean, look elsewhere. NBR is a great place to eat brunch with a nice down-home feel. Snobs please look elsewhere, you are ruining the tranquility of this pleasant patio. sidenote: I didn't look at accessibility issues, but I'm confident that a person in a wheelchair could sit on the patio without much trouble. I do not think the inside is accessible.
(4)
Dana B.
Wow...fruit, omelette, toast, muffin, homefries and a tiny glass of OJ all for $7.99 and it was DELICIOUS. They have a gorgeous covered outside section and the staff is friendly and attentive. We happened to get there right before the breakfast rush which starts around 9:45am - it gets crowded quick and lines form early! I completely understand why -it's delicious. The have an extensive menu with lots and lots of meat. Linguica appears to almost always be an option as a meat side which is pretty hard to find in many places. While I was waiting for my friend, a woman walked by and just started talking about how lucky I was that I was going to eat there. It was super tasty!!! It's tucked away just outside of Union Square amidst tripple deckers so keep an eye out for it!
(4)
Tyler C.
good sized portions, competent food. Crepes/Blinzes are the outstanding dish here, as well as the side dishes of cream of wheat made with pure butter. the rest is your standard omelets, pancakes, etc etc etc. Some portuguese stuff sprinkled in, i.e. linguica omelets, etc. Down side: popularity has surged the past few years. Mobbed the the college and immediate post college crowd...haven't been able to actually get in for the past year and a half with the hour and a half wait on sunday brunch times..
(3)
Sandy M.
This place is a family owned Restaurant, and a neighborhood gem!! Everyone who knows this place and hasn't just stopped in ONCE knows the atmosphere is very casual..During the week you go in and see that most customers are regulars have been going there for 10 plus years and they all know eachother just from meeting at lunch time, conversations begin to fly across the room and anyone can jump in its really nice! The food is excellent, you can customize anything on the menu to your own liking, and I think that's great!! The service is always friendly I find it hard to believe that servers would be cursing at customers that is a very odd thing to say!! Some people have know idea what they are talking about when they write lies about such a friendly place! The atmosphere is nothing but family like and if you like that kinda of thing you will enjoy the atmosphere here!!! I don't usually write reviews but I do read them and I felt compelled to jump in on this one when I read things that are just NOT TRUE!! Love this place always have!!!
(5)
Casey F.
This is hands down my favorite breakfast place, and I haven't even had the luxury of sitting outside on the patio! The boyfriend and I visited early one Saturday morning (around 8AM). The service was prompt, and they quickly cleaned up a spilt glass of water. The glasses of OJ are not large, beware. I am a SUCKER for beans with breakfast. I think it's from my months spent in Central America, but there's really no better breakfast food than beans! (Along with rice, eggs, and sausage of course.) I ordered the special Brazilian sampler breakfast platter. There were many items of different textures, tastes, and level of goodness. However, your first time at this establishment, I recommend this dish. That way you know what you want. And, the cream of wheat in all of its buttery salty delight is exactly that - delightful. The boyfriend got the normal eggs over easy, bacon, toast, and home fries. The potatoes were nothing to write home about, but the meal was solid. Our company was a variety of older couples and Saturday workers getting an early start on the day. Granted, we were there at 8AM on a Saturday ... no one in my demographic is awake then. In the summertime, not only can you sit outside on the patio, you can stop at the Union Square farmer's market afterwards! Verdict: I'll be returning. It's definitely worth the drive (from Ball Sq.. what can I say? i'm spoiled.)
(5)
Greg D.
Somerville may very well be the brunch capital of the world. There are so many great breakfast places to choose from, all over the city, but the Neighborhood Restaurant comes out on top. Some tips on ordering. Listen to the other reviewers: get the cream of wheat. For the entree, order one of their hand-written specials stuffed into the middle of the menu. If you like pancakes, they often offer some sort of pumpkin pancakes which are to die for. The waffles are my favorite. Portguese breakfast is also really good.
(5)
Sarah G.
Friendly, filling, etc., see below. Hot pink & green & blue interior with Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam on the stereo. Mint! update - went for lunch and wow, a ton of food for very little money. nothing for vegetarians, but if you eat fish you're set. the waitress told me as we were leaving that my entree came with dessert and packed a piece of cake to go - really sweet. the door to the house was open and we could see in from the patio and while we were eating a station wagon pulled up with cases of coke and beer to restock the fridge which made it feel all the more like a family dinner at my aunt's house in queens. if she were portugese of course.
(4)
Sherry W.
While visiting our daughter and her boyfriend this past weekend, they brought us to this gem for brunch yesterday. I love visiting from VT and eating at all the unique little restaurants in the Boston area. This place did not disappoint. We started with a sample of a delicious raspberry pastry they brought outside for patrons waiting for a table (they also have a carafe of coffee outside as well). It's a little crowded inside but worth it. The prices are great for the amount of food you get. Starters include a choice of cream of wheat (may change to other hot cereals) or fruit (baked apple today and it was great). @Tiff T. The coconut french toast was on a list of specials attached to the menu (I noticed it because I don't eat coconut but love french toast). Our meals were great except for the american cheese in my daughter's omelet. She wasn't asked and didn't realize they would put a processed cheese in their omelets. I would definitely return again. One thing to remember is they only take cash but there is an ATM in the restaurant in case you forget.
(4)
J T.
They definitely have really big portions. The food is okay. Nothing special. This place is pretty dirty though. I will not be going back.
(2)
Vanessa C.
I finally headed here with the sometimes-gf on my last weekend in somerville for brunch (she refuses to go in the winter because she thinks its too small inside - claustrophobics take note!) not that it needs another review, but the whole experience - sitting outside beneath a canopy of grapes on a nice sunny day, being stuffed with tons of delicious food, enjoying a nice relaxing brunch - was worth the comment. we were there almost 2 hours! from the size of the place, Im guessing thats not common with the indoor service. all of their meals come with coffee or tea, orange juice, super yummie homemade sweet bread muffins, and a side of fruit or cream of wheat. TRY THE CREAM OF WHEAT! I was amazed by how good it was. how can simple cream of wheat be so delicious? they put magic in it! the portions are huge & the value for the price cannot be beat. for $20 we had several courses for brunch and still had to ask for take-away boxes. I liked the eggs & hashbrowns more than the pancakes or waffles, but overall the food was quality. next time I will have to try the linguica! I will definitely be making another trip here before the end of the summer. cash only, so be sure to hit the ATM first!
(4)
Kaitlin B.
I had heard about The Neighborhood for a long time from friends and finally tried it last weekend. We really wanted to go while it was still warm enough to sit out on the cute outdoor patio--it's covered in grape vines and reminded me a lot of going to my Portuguese grandmother's neighborhood growing up. I think it's a great little brunch place. The portions are absolutely huge! Amusingly, the restaurant participates in the "Shape Up Somerville" program and in order to be "healthier," they recommend requesting 1/2 your meal be packed to go. I had the Portuguese breakfast and the cod and shrimp cakes were excellent. The cod cake was one of the best I've ever tasted. Bread was also delicious. I was less crazy about the meat cake and my eggs and rice were nothing special. Overall, I'd say that half the food was great and the other half wasn't very memorable. However, I don't think going to The Neighborhood is just about the food--it's the whole experience of huge portions, fun atmosphere, etc. We did wait for 20 minutes or so, but I don't see that as a drawback--on the contrary, it vouches for the popularity and increases the anticipation. They occasionally provide cake and coffee on the sidewalk, as well, which is a really nice touch. I would disagree with the price rating, however, and give it "$$": for the brunch specials it's close to $16-17 with tax and tip per person.
(4)
Chrissy H.
Mmmmmm. Any place that serves homemade bread is alright by me. The neighborhood restaurant is located just outside of Union Square in Somerville. It is a tiny little room with a bunch of patio tables and chairs smooshed inside. Makes for truly close quarters with fellow diners and staff. Luckily, the Borges family makes up for the squishiness with a vast array of yummy food selections. The meal starts with your choice of fresh fruit or cream of wheat. I know, sounds like something your grandparents would serve. But the cream of wheat is so delicious, especially on a blustery winter day. They serve it in a little bowl with lots of cinnamon on top and a bit of lemon squeezed through for a bit of extra flavor, and it is so creamy! Not to mention that every breakfast also comes with a plateful of homemade toast, a muffin, and a bottomless cup of coffee. For brunch, I had the bacon and cheese omelet and home fries. The omelet was a bit too cheesy for me but overall good. My boyfriend ordered the eggs benedict with homemade hash which he devoured. They had some other really tasty sounding dishes on the menu that I should have tried, like the pumpkin and baked apple french toast. Or banana pancakes. The service is very friendly though very busy so don't mistake their lack of attention with rudeness... they just have a dining room filled with people to serve. All together, our meals came to $19.95 before tip. Just about what you'd pay at most Boston restaurants for breakfast. Just a few tips. It is really cramped in there, so if you go during peak hours you can bet you're gonna have to wait. That's why you should really bundle up if it's cold outside because you will be waiting outside. Also, parking can be a hassle. We parked in the central parking lot in Union Square which, surprisingly, had a few spots available, otherwise you would have to park on the street somewhere in the vicinity. Also, be sure to go to the ATM beforehand because they only take cash!
(4)
Nicole M.
I thank my lucky stars for whoever gave me a heads-up about this place. But four years ago I was introduced to this tiny, somewhat hidden gem of a brunch place. I don't mind the wait. Wherever you go for brunch in the city, if you don't have a reservation - and c'mon, can you REALLY depend on getting your ass up for a reservation on Sunday morning, no matter how aware you are of the delciousness that's coming your way?? - you've got to bank on waiting for a table. Cream of wheat, delish. Pancakes, delish. Service, outstanding. Ambiance, adorable, as in going to my grandmother's house when she stopped caring if the mugs all matched one another. Likewise, all of their dishes, silverware, etc are a jumbled mix and match of stuff that you'd find at a flea market. I love this place for it's attitude, casual and homey, and of course, the cream of wheat and pancakes.
(4)
Rod B.
I've lived round the corner from Neighborhood for four years, but had always been put off by the huge line outside on weekends. But today I was working from home, and after some severe chastising from friends for not sampling the Neighborhood, I popped-round on a "school day" to avoid the line. Some things are great: The menu is simple -- You pick a main dish, and then you get coffee, OJ, toast, fruit etc automatically. The specials looked truly special (waffles stuffed with chocolate cheesecake and strawberries‽), although I wussed out and plumped for steak and eggs. And the food was delicious and hefty for the price. That said, I was sat right near the front door, above a heating vent, so had to deal with alternate icy and firey blasts. And the coffee was bitter and unpleasant. I'd have been happier with Dunks. So, much like other local "must visit" brunch spots (S&S, Soundbites, etc), go for the food, preferably on an off-peak day, but tolerate the "experience".
(4)
Christian P.
While not the most convenient location, it's definitely worth the hike some Sunday morning, even WITH a hangover. The breakfast here is delicious (especially the pancakes), and in the unlikely event that it doesn't meet your quality standards, at least you'll get a big portions for the astonishingly low prices you'll pay ($10-15 a head for everything!) I can primes that the portions will be enough to stump, and if not delay any serious hangover! Wear your Brazilian soccer jersey to score extra points with the staff. And if you can name at least a few players, you're in even better shape!
(4)
Justin D.
You have no idea how good, how much, and how creative this wonderful family run establishment is. A true hidden gem.
(5)
L D.
I wouldn't exactly call The Neighborhood cheap but you certainly get an insane amount of food for your money. Every meal comes with a choice of meat (linguica, do it!), home fries, OJ (tiny cup), coffee, choice of fruit of cream of wheat, and an assortment of fresh breads. I especially love the sweet bread that comes with the bread plate and always grab it before my dining partner knows what's going on. Today I had the hash and eggs. The hash wasn't the greatest ever but certainly cured my hangover. I took half of my breakfast home and can't wait to eat the rest. After I take a nice long nap and fire up the coffee. In the summertime there is an awesome back patio. Expect to wait for a table. Watch out in the winter. The door closes very slowly so the tables in the front get a freezing breeze every few minutes. Service is rather slow with only two waitresses and one busser. They never make you feel rushed, despite the lines of people waiting to be seated. Parking is generally easy with tons of meters throughout Union Square. The decor is stunning. You have to see it to believe it. And the music is beyond awesome. Every time I'm there I hear at least one Michael Jackson hit from the 80s. Cash only. There's a Citizens ATM a block away.
(4)
Christina K.
I'm not a cream-of-wheat person, but I went ahead and gave it a shot. For what it's worth, if you can get past the consistency, it really is pretty good. I'm a bigger fan of the large quantities of food you get with your meal (do yourself a favor and order off the $6.99 side, the other side is about the same amount of food). The only downside is it closes so early! If you're hungover and looking for breakfast food, better get here before 3:30 otherwise people are a little grumpy that you came late and rush you while you're eating (or ignore you completely). The no-credit card thing is incredibly inconvenient but they have an ATM in-store.
(4)
Ali M.
YUM YUM YUM!!! My friend and I tried this place yesterday due to hearing such great reviews. I enjoyed all of it-very much. First, the food is delicious. We split an omelette and wheat pancakes, which came with our choice of cream of wheat or fruit, so we got one of each. Our friendly server brought out a poached pear (MMM!) and the best cream of wheat I've ever had (sorry Mom!) Next, were our breakfast entrees with thick toast, potatoes, and even a cute little cupcake! That said, the portions are HUGE! The service was very efficient and friendly. We were shocked when we saw our bill--for all of that food, plus OJ and unlimited coffee--only $16 and change! I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Arun C.
I finally had a chance to try The Neighborhood out for brunch recently and I was not disappointed. They had an extensive handwritten specials menu, which I like, and had plenty of free snacks to keep me satisfied until the main course arrived. It is cozy inside, especially the bathroom, but the food is good.
(4)
Meaghan S.
I love this place. If you don't like crowds try going on a weekday morning, much much easier to get seating. If you don't mind waiting on the weekend it's a pretty eclectic crowd and can be kind of fun to chat with others who've been up all night or who've just woken up. The outside seating in the summer is beautiful and great for just kicking back and enjoying some OJ and coffee. The cream of wheat is out of this world. Without a doubt the best I have ever had. It's worth going to Neighborhood for that alone. I've had friends try to replicate it, but no one comes close enough. The rest of the food is delicious, and I definitely recommend the Coconut French Toast (Holy damn is it awesome! )and the variety of Portuguese breakfasts. Waiters and waitresses are friendly at this family owned joint. Best breakfast place in the Cambridge/Somerville area.
(5)
Poliana R.
I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and quantity of what was offered for what I paid. You are offered a cup of coffee as soon as you walk in. The menu isn't huge but the two dishes I've tried were very tasty. I'd definitely recommend their haddock; it comes with homefries and veggies... Delicious! When you then think you're done, the waiter brings you flan! :D It wasn't the most impressive flan I've tasted ever but, hey, just like the coffee, it was on the house, so it's all good!! Their breakfast menu is mouth-watering and I've been planning to go back for it.
(4)
Peggy L.
Great food, hidden gem. Go hungry and prepare for a line. The cream of wheat is like no other. I have seen people wait in the looting rain to eat here......
(5)
stacey l.
Food is tasty, you get a lot of food, but for the price (breakfast for $10-15 is not a good deal last time I checked) I would expect a lot of food. Sometimes service is compromised when they are at peak times, which shouldn't be excused. Try this place on a Friday morning if you can. They have a buffet that is great, and if there is anything missing that you want they are quick to please. It's best during the summer when the outside seating is available. The place is low key with picnic tables and patio furniture. If you have kids, I would keep it to the off times. When only inside seating is available, the tables are tight and the staff runs around like mad. Parking can be an issue and seating for large groups is not an option inside. Any party over 6 people can wait for over an hour easy. When you get there put your name on the list ASAP, but if anyone in your party is missing they'll go on to the next on the list until they are there.
(3)
Erik M.
Neighborhood Restaurant is awesome period. Just don't get there around closing time, they don't have as much selection and they don't mind bleaching the tabletops while you're sitting next to an empty table.
(5)
Kelsey H.
Everyone keeps raving about the cream of wheat from this place.. They obviously didn't try the corned beef hash!!! Homemade and so so delicious, I couldn't keep my fork off my cousins plate (he made the super smart order). I actually thought that the cream of wheat was a bit too sweet for me... My cousin pointed out that it tasted like tapioca. But the other option is the fruit plate, which I got and it was sup par fruit for sure. Definitely not a place to go if you're only a little bit hungry! The service was good but speedy, the wait was RIDICULOUSLY long.. Ridiculous. But so worth the food! Plus they put out some kind of bread and drinks so that you're not starving while waiting for the hour or so. The lady next to me ordered some Nutella stuffed crepe.... If I knew her I wouldn't be able to keep my fork off of her plate either! I ordered a garden egg white omelet. Yummy but nothing out of the ordinary! That's probably what I get for trying to eat healthily...
(4)
Flora C.
CASH ONLY but there is an ATM inside! My friends and I stumbled upon this restaurant on a Sunday afternoon after getting turned away by Union Square Donuts (sold out of donuts). The wait is pretty long but on that Sunday they provided complimentary coffee and iced tea, which made the wait less painful. Once we were seated, we were immediately served free coffee and OJ. I ordered the Eggs Benedict with Hash and homefries. Along with my order, I was also given the choice of either Cream of Wheat or Fruit. I chose to go with fruit but my friends picked cream of wheat which they all recommended. Complimentary toast and a pastry for the table were also served along with our food. -Eggs Benedict with Hash and homefries was pretty spot on. If you are looking for a hefty Sunday brunch plate, I would definitely recommend this one. Service was pretty decent given how busy the restaurant was even at 1:30pm. Although it was Cash Only, it was definitely worth the hassle given the large portions of food we were served. Thumbs up!
(4)
Gonen M.
I love their patio. Great in the summer. But there's always a giant line. You end up waiting under the sun for an hour before you find a table. Food is good and cheap. One of the best breakfast places in Cambridge.
(4)
Brittany H.
4.5 Stars. I mean I don't know why I'm not giving it 5. Probably something to do with the long wait. First off-- free cream of wheat. Don't doubt it. It's amazing. It must be the cinnamon. Free fruit and loads of coffee. Yes, this in itself is a breakfast. Next, I forgot exactly what everyone got, but I do remember the plantains, the sausage and the HUGE portions. You want to share with someone so that you can actually function the rest of the day. Remember to pace yourself. This meal is more like a marathon, not a sprint.
(4)
Ana R.
The Neighborhood has an extensive menu that includes a lot of Portuguese food. I've never had a meal there that wasn't delicious and filling. The prices are a bit higher than you'd expect ($10.99-$13.99) but you do get a LOT of food. That includes OJ, fruit or cream of wheat and a basket of muffins. The cream of wheat they make here is just like my grandma's. Try it!! The weekend Fisherman breakfast special is the best. The wait on the weekends is not. Come early, meet new people in line and make the best of it. The waitresses get people in and out pretty quickly, so the line moves. The system is fair - they won't seat groups until everyone is present. And they have water and muffins outside for people waiting. In the winter months, they offer coffee and hot cocoa.
(4)
Kim R.
We have been trying to eat here since we moved from the Cape in November! !! We signed in and had about 30 minute wait and it was well worth it !!! Cream of wheat off the charts waffle with the freshest of fruit the ham and eggs great steak tips to perfection and toast was AWESOME !!! Got a loaf of bread to go for $1 !!! Also added a muffin to our bill for $1 which will be picked up today for homeless shelter PLEASE IF YOU EAT HERE ADD A MUFFIN FOR THE HOMELESS! !! STAFF SO FRIENDLY AND FOOD IS GREAT !!
(5)
Angel F.
I'm usually disappointed with breakfast spots. A lot of time I think to myself, I could make this or better myself. Not so here. First of all be ready to eat because they give a lot of food. I had to get the cream of wheat (which was delicious) and then got the linguica omelette. I eat A LOT and the portions here were great. My omelette was huge and they crumbled the linguica which means the meat and cheese were more evenly spread, no clumps of just egg. The potatoes were also delicious, and everything seemed seasoned well. I wasn't expecting such a big omelette, so I ordered a side of bacon too, which I still ate of course. Bacon was great also. This place is definitely worth the wait. One of the best breakfast places I've been to.
(5)
Chaloe T.
In terms of waffles, which is the way I usually attack brunch: it tasted like the waffle you get at a dining hall. Not my thing.
(2)
Debbie M.
We drive out of our way when we come up to visit our daughter, just to have breakfast here. The cream of wheat is incredible. My husband loves the Belgian waffle with the mass of fruit and I love the pancakes. The amount of food you get for the price (in Boston) is surprising. We always take a box home. We've never had to wait but it would be worth it. I'm looking forward to eating here during the summer, even if we have to wait.
(5)
Kay H.
Meh. As you can see from my profile I don't normally give 2 stars. I felt strongly enougha about this 2 that I had to write about. My boyfriend and I went to The Neighborhood around 2PM on Sunday afternoon. We're brunchers so this isn't coming from a novice foodie. We sat ouside under their grape vine canopy which was pleasnt on one of the last days of the summer. We shared our sticky picnic table with another couple which we didn't mind. Our bill was rather expensive for one ($40?) that didn't include any mixed drinks or mimosas (which they don't have). I got the pumpkin pancakes which came with scrambled eggs, cream of wheat, and home fries. Included ni our meal was OJ and coffee. There was wayyyy too much food. I'm used to American portion sizes but dang. If it was good, I would have taken my left overs home, but it was meh. You know how there are those places where the food is so good you're willing to be boardline masochistic to finish your meal? Yea, this is not one of those places. I kept eating cuz I felt bad about wasting food. For as many reviews as this place has I had faith in the Yelp community to not lead my wrong. Sorry, not sorry but I won't be going back.
(2)
Jamil B.
Sex on a plate. With over 400 reviews on the books so far I'm really not to go into great detail about The Neighborhood Restaurant. What I will say is that with a very basic menu and a relatively small footprint The Neighborhood has a great feel awesome food in a very loyal following. If you're in Boston you definitely need to stop in.
(5)
Shelly J.
This is definitely the hidden gem of Cambridge. Listen to all the other reviewers and get the cream of wheat!! I would come here and pay the price of a full meal for just the cream of wheat. But instead, I religiously go through and try sometime new on the menu each time I come. Some day soon, I will have tried all their brunch specials (I hope!). The pancakes are fluffy- so delicious you don't need syrup at all. I just eat them straight. The belgian waflle with fruit is yummy too. And you are feeling something savory, the omelets and eggs benedict definitely hit the spot too. Warning: there will be long lines during the weekends.
(5)
Grosian N.
This food at this place was definitely "meh" - something they would serve you at camp. The thing is, the price is not that cheap either and for a similar price, you could get something amazing at Brownwyn like a German apple pancake w/ schnitzel. The portions are ok, but understand that you get "a lot" of things because the quality is not great ie. orange juice is Sunny D or some mixed orange powder drink. I don't like to give negative reviews, but if you are situated in Union Square (haven for amazing food) and you still charge fairly high prices, people are expecting something really good...and like I said before, stuff here will remind you of summer camp.
(2)
Bryan R.
Get the cream of wheat. Stop questioning and just do it (on the off possibility that you just wandered off the street and weren't brought here by an all-knowing local as I was). With cream of wheat as a strong starter it only goes up from there. A full menu--all of which looked delicious--greets you once you've made that first all-important decision. I went with the daily special, which happened to be french toast. Fantastic. And after the cream of wheat, you'll leave with leftovers. Hooray for second breakfast! Good price, cozy place--though watch out anyone over 6' using the bathroom...you'll know what I'm talking about. If you're in the neighborhood it's DEFINITELY a spot to check out.
(5)
Zoe P.
Read this review and I shall reveal to you you The Secret of the Cream of Wheat. This place is certainly a good diner. And since you can get food poisoning at approximately 30% of the diners in Greater Boston, The Neighborhood Restaurant rates relatively high in my book. But come on. It's not delicious. It's just damn good. I had the pumpkin pancakes; they didn't need syrup or butter, that's a plus. And two eggs over easy, done right, with toast. My plate of fruit was forgettable, the cream of wheat was memorable, and my oh-so-sophisticated palate discerned, hmm, what is that, ah yes...cream and sugar.* Try it in your coffee! Or your oatmeal at home! And save yourself the wait! I ate here during the middle of week and they have (seriously) an AYCE buffet. But I just couldn't. *Or, on second thought, possibly sweetened condensed milk.
(4)
Emily C.
The broccoli omelette and steak tips w/eggs are awesome! Gorgeous patio seating. Fine service.
(5)
Jessica P.
Love it. Been coming here since i was a child. Love the cream of wheat.
(5)
Kathee B.
This is the best place in the world. Their cream of wheat is laced with crack. I'm convinced. Go on a weekday. Stay forever. Cash only. Eat outside on the patio. I can't vouch for the indoors.
(5)
Leonardo D.
This place was one of he first I have explored in Somerville, due to its fame. I have always been pleased with their food. Prices are good and I love their patio. Unfortunately I have noticed a decrease in the quality of their servings (not the service!) over the last 6 months. I find their dishes too heavy and also the menu has been left without new entries for you long. I am very concerned about this trend as I consider the neighborhood one of the gems of Union square!
(3)
Randy V.
My first thought, "What is cream of wheat?" I grew up on Cap'n Crunch and Snickers! This place was featured on the Travel Channel so I had to make the trek out to Somerville on a chilly winter day and JACKPOT.. this place was awesome! The RESTAURANT: The place is a little on the small side so come early and beat the rush. There's street parking and we found a spot fairly quick right in front of the restaurant. And luck found us inside as we took the last vacant table!! The FOOD: Before I sat down, I had to take off my thick jacket, scarf, gloves, and hat. The waitstaff had managed to sneak in a cup of coffee and small glass of OJ waiting for me when I attempted to sit! Wow what service. The Cream of Wheat rocked! A big bowl of deliciousness. It was hot, it was creamy and buttery. It came with a dusting of cinnamon. WOW. The texture and flavor was intense. I also ordered a french toast, but I'd rather write about the cream of wheat. What have I been missing all my life?!
(5)
Liz T.
Last Sunday, two friends out of town spent the weekend and after a long night prior, we decided a good hearty brunch was in order. Well after waiting over 45 minutes I assured my friends it was worth the wait. We did get seated outside (THANK GOD! the inside area is so crowded, elbow to elbow) under the grapes. Quiet frankly it was beautiful! Please note I have eaten here over a dozen times so I am very familiar with the staff, the menu etc. We were greated by one of the senior staff waitresses who quickly took our order, but never stopped by again. The busboy on the otherhand was amazing! He was attentive and rushed us over coffee....when we asked for butter from our waitress, it never came,...However the busboy was quick to jump to our every need. I wondered if he was the waiter? and she just the order taker? However when it came for us to pay, the waitress returned finally....asked if we wanted more coffee.~puzzled look~ I wanted to say nice to see you again after 60 minutes but just extended my hand for the check. We paid, left her an appropriate tip for the check. However we caught up with the busboy....who was extremely shy....and handed him a 20.00! Exceptional help is hard to come by these days...and for those behind the scenes...they too need to be noticed and praised! Excellent work young man. Hopefully one day you too an move up to seasoned wait staff and show the rest of them how its DONE! BTW the food is and always has been DELICIOUS! To the Neighborhood restaurant: You havent lost a client.....I will be back. I just want you all to know that sometimes the "LEADER" is not always at her best performance.
(4)
John W.
The perfect summertime pleasure - an al fresco brunch. They serve huge portions of standard breakfast items at affordable prices. The service is prompt and polite. There is usually a long ass line of people waiting to sit under the grapevines on the patio, so put yr name on the list and take a nice stroll through Union Square while you wait - there are several Brazilian stores worth checking out.
(4)
Carolyn S.
Before moving to Cambridge I used to get up early in the morning, catch the C-line to Cleveland Circle where I would then catch the 86 bus to Union Square. Why, one might very legitimately ask, would anyone willingly get up early on a Sunday morning to take a nearly hour-long trip to Somerville? The answer is Neighborhood Restaurant. I now live within walking distance of this wonderful Portuguese breakfast spot so there's no need to spend the bus fare or get up quite so early. What is so special about this restaurant? It's all in the food. Arrive early on the weekends or you'll be spending most of your time waiting on the sidewalk. There are no reservations and there is no hostess waiting at a greeting desk. You simply walk up to the front door and sign in your name on a sheet of paper, grab a cup of complimentary coffee and a pastry and wait your turn. Once inside the tiny restaurant (or the outdoor grapevine covered patio open only in summer) you will be faced with the daunting task of choosing your breakfast. You can't go wrong with any of the standards, although I usually opt for one of the specials (Belgium waffles with strawberries and whipped cream or lox eggs benedict.) Be forewarned, a seemingly harmless order such as pancakes comes with what looks like a second breakfast. All meals are served with fresh unlimited coffee or tea, fresh squeezed orange juice, a choice of fruit or hot cereal, homemade pastries, breads, and some of the best homefries I've had in Boston. Depending on what you order, this is often accompanied by some delicious tasting sausage and two eggs. Then you'll get your pancakes. Don't expect anything less than a no-nonsense welcome from this family run business. Neighborhood is not the place to dawdle and read the paper, someone will be ready to take your order as soon as you sit down. That being said, you will feel as though you are having breakfast at a family home. The food is filling, homecooked and amazingly good. The atmosphere is warm and friendly despite the hustle and bustle of the Sunday morning brunch crowd. Good food, good crowd, good times. You can't get more neighborly than that.
(4)
Jon V.
found this place before a class i taught, I am seldom unable to finish a meal but this was on time.creme of wheat with cinamon, french toast with fresh fruit, 3 eggs, ham home fries and toast. everything was great except the toast, I think the bread was homemade so it was irregular size and cooked unevenly but tasted ok
(4)
eg s.
very busy place, but it's worth to wait a bit.....
(5)
M. Deloris D.
Let's get all the bad stuff out of the way first. Neighborhood is crowded and cramped. Whew. That was easy. Otherwise, this place is sensational. The cream of wheat is great. The fruit cups are great. Their emphasis on serving protein with fervor (plates heaped with meat) is much appreciated. Waffles with fruit? Hello, yum! Neighborhood is seriously so good that sometimes I can't use full sentences to describe it. Neighborhood is SO good that I forgot to ask whether they served mimosas and for me brunch without mimosas is like peanut butter with no jelly, kool-aid with no sugar...hell, brunch without mimosas. Neighborhood is good. 'Nuff said.
(4)
Stefanie G.
Until this year, I had the privilege of living a few blocks from the Neighborhood. The line is long, but it just makes you that much hungrier and all the happier to get inside and eat. On a cold day, it's warm and cozy inside; on a warm day, you sit out under the grape arbor. Possibly the best brunch atmosphere ever. The service is amazing- in a cramped space, you are still sure to get all your food at once, after a short wait, and can always get more water, coffee or OJ with just a wave of your hand. It's a well-oiled machine. Downstairs, the surprisingly clean and pleasant bathroom is just past the kitchen, where tons of fresh, gorgeous food is sizzling and sparkling - the appearance of the kitchen, bustling and putting off appetizing odors, makes the food even more appealing. It's true that there is always too much food, but everything is perfect - from the pudding-like cream of wheat to the fresh, tasty fruit, to the plethora of fantastic, salty meats to the creamy scrambled eggs and perfect breads and muffins. Hash was a special today - it was more like pulled corn beef with a little potato, onion and green peppers - it was easily the best hash I've ever had. The pancakes of many varieties, waffles and french toast are amazing. Love it. Best ever.
(5)
Nick L.
Breakfast with fresh orange juice, coffee, cream of wheat, and entree of choice for $10 with tip? Given the quality, I'm hooked, and will definitely go back again. They've also got fancier breakfasts for a bit more, but everyone at our table was happy with some variety of omelet or eggs. The other Yelpers are right about the cream of wheat, definitely the best I've ever had, and I've never enjoyed the dish before today. And my entree came out just fine, lots of food, and the fried bananas were a nice touch. Thanks, Neighborhood. The atmosphere is relaxed, quieter and much more spacious than Sound Bites. Even with the line, the wait staff let us stay and chat, refilling coffees after delivering the bill. Colorful walls and photos of family members make the place feel welcoming. I'm on the verge of giving another star, and probably will after visiting again. There's a couple street signs to lock bicycles to, maybe the front fence in front of the outdoor seating area, but not much beyond that.
(4)
Cassandra M.
LOVE the waffles. Super slow service on Saturday and Sunday mornings, however. Long ass wait.
(4)
Halley W.
this is my favorite brunch place in Boston. Granted, once I found it, I immediately ceased my quest for brunch, so I might be less familiar with the competition than some. Nevertheless, I'm devoted. You've heard it before: the cream of wheat is to die for. Usually, my boyfriend gets some manly meaty dish and I get something frilly with french toast or eggwhites, and then we take what's left home and snack on it for the rest of the day, and we are fat and happy all day as a result! It's true, you may have to wait awhile, but it's totally worth it!
(5)
A. T.
Tons of food for $8-10, so great value. On the several occasions I've ordered it, the steak (and eggs) is seasoned and cooked nicely. I much prefer my dining experience here on lazy weekday mornings, because the weekends can get a little crowded.
(5)
Bevin C.
Ate here on a lovely morning last weekend, fully expecting to have a rad breakfast because rad breakfasts are what you get at the 'hood. Since I've had so many breakfasts here, and since I was in an "I'll eat anything" mood, I ordered the Portuguese breakfast without reading what it was. The plate was put in front of me and the voices in my head screamed "Ew! Icky! Icky! Icky!" Then another more rational voice said, "But this is the Neighborhood, the lovely restaurant that everybody raves about, that has the best cream of wheat in the whole wide world." So I listened to the latter voice and forked a black gelatinous mass in the middle of my plate and shoved it in my mouth. EW! ICKY! My Portuguese-American boyfriend informs me that what I just ate was Black Linguica. He said his dad eats it sometimes. I have tried researching this Black Linguica since with no luck, and I don't know what it is made of, but I think it tasted like something horrible - gelatinous and pungent with a rubbery casing. I'm an adventurous eater with a strong stomach, so I pushed on. There were several fried things on my plate. I vaguely remember that the meal included "fish cake, shrimp cake, meat cake", so I guess that these were those. It was like a guessing game. A nasty, lukewarm, rather stale guess-the-meat game. Then I moved on to the rice and beans. Imagine that you made rice and beans for dinner, and left some on your plate, and put the plate in the sink with the other dirty dishes, and then the next morning, you grab a fork and reach into the sink and have a bite. That's what the rice and beans tasted like. So I tried the omelette. Turns out it was a shrimp omelette with onions and peppers. It was overflowing with those little tiny canned shrimps. It looked like it was overflowing with maggots. That's exactly what it looked like. I pointed this out to my friends, who took great care to avert their eyes from my plate for the rest of the meal. I am willing to take 50% of the blame for this appalling dining experience. I should have known better than to order the wierdest, nastiest thing on the menu. Nobody else orders it, and that's at least partially why it was stale and disgusting. BUT the 'hood should be a little more discerning about what it puts in front of its customers, even the dopey ones.
(4)
Monica T.
Portugest breakfast!!! Meat, Meat, Meat, and more Meat... I love this place, there are lots of fond memories hanging out all night in Boston and waking up to go get breakfast at the neighborhood. Sitting outside sipping my coffee (back in the day when I still drank it). Nothing better than a crisp fall morning, getting up with your paper and going to the neighborhood for breakfast with your beau. Brings back some great memories. My fav breakfast was the pork chop. No I am not 300 lbs, I am actually pretty think for the amount of food I eat.
(5)
Corey F.
Fantastic breakfast restaurant. The wait usually isn't more than 15 minutes for a table, and even if it's more, it is well worth the wait. I probably haven't eaten cream of wheat since I was about 12, and it is unreal. The pumpkin pancakes, and french toast specials have been my go-to meal and are perfectly prepped and cooked.
(4)
Ger T.
I'm not usually a fan of breakfast places, but I won't turn down a good breakfast if someone persuades me, and the Neighborhood Restaurant is a solid bet for a good breakfast. This is a tiny joint with low prices, simple food, massive portions, and incredible side dishes. Their pancakes and waffles are perfectly cooked, and from what I saw of my friends' breakfast sausages, the meats are great, too. They also serve some Portuguese-inspired breakfast platters if you are wanting something other than the traditional American breakfast. We came for breakfast food in the middle of the day, and I was still full that night (and I'd taken half my food home with me too).
(4)
plz h.
After my first time here, I was so stoked on the cream of wheat and so happy to be eating outside that it took going back another 3 times or so before I realized how medicore the rest of the food is here. It's definitely worth eating here outdoors on a nice day, otherwise, skip it.
(3)
Chrissy G.
How could it get any better? Best weekend hangover cure around. The only time I eat cream of wheat (TRY the cream of wheat because it's absolutely delicious and comes with your breakfast). Breakfast also always comes with bottomless coffee, delicious homemade breads/pastries, and OJ. I am hooked on the coconut french toast breakfast with linguica. I am also hooked on the sexy waiter with the arms too big to fathom (you have to see them to understand them). Leftovers are always enough to fill me up a whole second time. I would eat here every weekend if I didn't want to get fat(ter). Parking on Bow St. isn't bad on the weekends (metered) - but if you're not into crowds try it on a weekday when you're playing hookey or otherwise not working/schooling. I drive all the way from Wakefield to eat here. Oh, one downside is that this breakfast joint is cash only (not really a downside if you're not a debit card addict like myself) so plan on hitting the ATM beforehand. SO MUCH FOOD, so inexpensive! Open 'til 4 so you can still make it if you partied too hard the night before. I LOVE THIS PLACE!
(5)
Huan z.
The Neighborhood Restaurant is excellent for a late morning breakfast in the summer. Colorful umbrellas, tables and benches. Fresh squeezed orange juice plus fresh fruits. Free fresh bread for the waiting line. What a relaxing morning to have your breakfast under the grapevine! You almost feel like having your breakfast in Europe. Tons of food to choose from unlike other typical American restaurants.
(4)
Natalie C.
Great Food + Interesting Ambiance = one of my absolute favorite breakfast places!
(5)
Karen C.
The Neighborhood Restaurant is the Somerville version of Zaftigs in Brookline. This brunch place has cheaper dishes that includes free fruit, coffee, strudel, and dessert from their bakery. The actual place isn't as fancy as Zaftigs or kosher, but it features art from local artists, making it truly a neighborhood cafe. The wait is comparable to Zaftigs, so get there early on the weekend (before 11am) or else face the line out the door. Weekdays are a lot calmer. During the spring, there is an outdoor patio.
(4)
Christina K.
The thing about weekend brunch is that I like it to be super leisurely. It's nice if the service is fast and the food comes out quickly, but I don't want to be rushed or stared at by an impatient waiter. The Neighborhood is definitely very casual service-wise. The meals are huge, delicious and reasonably priced for the amount of food you get. Get the cream of wheat. Sitting underneath the natural shade of the grape vines is a treat for sure too.
(5)
Henry P.
Often times, me and my friends get into debates as to the best brunch/breakfast in Boston. It's decidedly between Neighborhood Rest and Town Diner in Watertown, I often defend NR as teh bestzorz. Get the cream of wheat fool, it's wicked. Oh, and if it's raining outside and you drive by and there's no line...don't be fooled into thinking there is no waiting. Yo arse will be shoved into the basement where you have to wait along with the dozens of others waiting. If dozens of people are willing to wait in a 6 foot 2 inch dungie basement for some breakfast, you dam well know it's good food.
(5)
Jake M.
In order to enjoy a more comfortable afterlife, the Egyptian pharaohs would be buried with their earthly riches, pets, personal servants, and even sometimes their wives and children. This in mind, when I die I want to be buried with the following (consider it a sort of Desert Island list, except this Desert Island is the sweet hereafter): -1 copy of ABBA Gold -Discs 4-7 of the 2004 Red Sox World Series Collector's Box Set (which contains Games 4-7 of the ALCS vs. the Yankees) -1 full volume set of Remembrance of Things Past (because in the afterlife, no one cares how pretentious you are for reading Proust - plus, I'll never get around to it in this life) -1 copy of the 4 disc box set What It Is! - Funky Soul and Rare Grooves 1967-1977 (because if I can't spend eternity at Soul-le-lu-jah at Zuzu, this is the next best thing) -1 full arcade cabinet sized version of Samba de Amigo -1 full-scale replica model of the Museum of Jurassic Technology -1 bottomless vat of cream of wheat from the Neighborhood Restaurant -1 endless plate of linguica from the Neighborhood Restaurant Here's the thing: the above listed items may seem perfectly reasonable until reaching the last two items. Cream of wheat? Really?! And linguica? You really want to take spicy Portuguese sausage with you to heaven (and yes, linguica is sausage, and not pasta, as I stupidly thought the first time I read the menu... linguine, linguica, yeah?)? Oh, but friends, the cream of wheat at the Neighborhood isn't that soupy curdled bowl of mush you so dreaded when you were a kid. No, I'm not sure what the secret ingredient is here - love? brown sugar? the hand of God? - but whatever it is, please fill my casket with it, pump it through my veins, please send me off to that undiscovered country enveloped and drowned in its warm soft embrace. But until that day, may it continue to warm and fill my stomach, and may the linguica continue to spice up my weekend breakfasts. And it'll all be waiting for me when I die....
(5)
Raven J.
Love it! A neighborhood institution.
(4)
An-Chian K.
Absolutely fabulous! We went on a weekday for lunch and it was great! We got an outside table with no wait and sat under the shade of the grape vines. The food was plentiful and delicious! The waitress was very nice and the kids really enjoyed the hand painted high chairs and the fairy painting in the restroom.
(5)
Melissa B.
Eh, the food here really isn't that good. But it's a fun place. Basically this family converted their house into a restaurant. What used to be the big parking area is now patio dining, folks! Covered in grape vines (watch for the hornets in late summer). The basement houses kitchen prep, dishwashing - and the bathroom, so be careful on the stairs. Inside the long narrow dining area is a mish-mash of mismatched Fiestaware, some with smiley faces. Home fries are horrible, eggs are so-so, coffee is tolerable. People like it because you get a lot of food - they deliver a plate of (often stale) pastries to your table after you order. Service is tolerable, that is, they tolerate you most often, which is kinda fun. Do not be in a rush here. They do have some interesting looking Portuguese sweet breads and pastries inside and around the holidays, Easter especially, they have a lot of special orders. But - and there is a BUT - this places has the most ROCKING GOOD Cream of Wheat ever. Dreamy. Heavenly. Sublime. (I mean it, folks!) Sweet and creamy with a whisper of vanilla and lemon zest. They REFUSE to tell you how they make it. Do yourself a favor - get there as fast as you can and get into a big bowl of that delightful concoction. Then take satisfaction with knowing that you saved 10 bucks and your breakfast is way better than everyone else's.
(3)
Maryann S.
I came here and had a pretty terrible breakfast, but as others have mentioned - the patio is pretty and there aren't that many eating establishment with outside seating, so I gave it another shot. NEVER AGAIN First time there (both visits were for breakfast) - the toast was drenched in butter, the omelet was undercooked and contained nearly raw bacon, and I had to beg to get a cup of coffee. There wasn't a wait (because we went at 8 AM on a Saturday) but that was pretty much the only positive. My daughter likes to look up at the vines, so my mom and I just gave it another go. Have I mentioned "NEVER AGAIN"? It took 43 minutes (literally. I swear) to get our breakfast. The patio was crowded (maybe only one empty table) but they weren't swamped - there wasn't a line. And this is BREAKFAST for chrissake. Again, we had to beg for water and coffee and when our food finally came my French toast was raw in the middle, mom's banana pancakes had no trace of bananas, the eggs, sausage and potatoes were luke warm and bland. I could never get a second cup of coffee either time. I could never get anyone's attention. The portions are sizeable, so you should go here if you are dirt poor. If you have any disposable income at all - at ALL, go somewhere else. Anywhere else. I left a note on the receipt that said: "43 minutes for undercooked French toast with NO explanation? No coffee refills? Terrible. I will never be back." If the waitress had even acknowledged the ridiculous wait or offered an apology, the entire experience would be markedly less virulent, although, as I said, the food is consistently subpar.
(1)
Restaurant J.
I really like reading reviews on Yelp before going to a restaurant, and I usually trust the judgment of Yelpers. But I must say that Yelpers let me down this time. This restaurant is very overrated. First of all, if you go there on a weekend, you'll spend an average 45-60 minutes before you can get in. The wait staff is severely overloaded, which puts them a little bit on the edge I think, but that is no excuse for being rude. Charge us an extra buck and hire another guy, please! The place is dirty beyond belief, it took me three tries to find a glass that doesn't have nasty stuff in it to get some water (yes, you go and get your own water). And between guests, they wipe the tables with some nasty-smelling cleaning detergent (smelled like ammonia), which killed the first few minutes of our not-so-enjoyable time there. And for the love of god, it is just cream of wheat, and it really isn't all that good. Never going back there again.
(2)
Najely S.
After reading the rave reviews on Yelp, I decided to head over to the Neighborhood today with my aunt for breakfast. I'm so glad I went - tons of yummy food, free OJ, a baked apple for starters, how quaint! The place was packed inside, service was quick, and eating with all the other humans made me feel whole again :)
(4)
Pancake ..
You must eat more than you are comfortable with because the food is delicious and they give you a huge amount! I can't get enough of the cream of wheat they serve you as an appetizer. Ridiculous.
(4)
Curt W.
hey kids....the outdoor patio opens on mother's day!
(5)
Von S.
I have nothing but adoration for this place. Yes, there is always a forever wait. Yes, it's a bit expensive for breakfast (special plates are around 11.99). Yes, paying in cash can be an inconvenience. But the spread is absolutely delicious and well worth the time and money spent. I enjoy everything here. The portions are huge, the selection mouth-watering. The cream of wheat is the most precious bowl of happiness that I've ever experienced at a breakfast table--- sweet, delicate, heavy and airy at the same time, you just need to try it! If someone filled up a swimming pool with the thing, I would jump in and eat my way out--- and I don't even know how to swim! The pancakes and waffles are perfectly pillowy. The fruit and berries atop are always fresh and ripe. Free coffee and tea and orange juice--sure they come in midget friendly size cups but when was the last time you had free coffee with free refills? It is also the only place I've seen linguica (spicy sausage) on the menu--- that's where the Portuguese come in, I suppose. The atmosphere further makes eating here a wonderful experience. It's patio umbrella seating--overhead, you have grapevines and bunches of grapes hanging--very charming and functional in that they provide added shade. On a hot summer morning, this is the perfect place to enjoy al fresco dining. You will feel pampered for the rest of your day. Come early when the wait's not too bad--- however, if you have to share a table with other parties, chillax--- it's The Neighborhood Restaurant, take a seat and be neighborly.
(5)
Cece K.
One word = amazing! I decided to check out Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery last Saturday morning, and from the moment I got there, I was happy that I made the trip. Even from the outside, it smelt amazing! Yes, there was a wait, but it moved quickly and they provided complimentary coffee and pastry samples to help hold you over. As everyone else already mentioned, every breakfast comes with unlimited coffee, a small glass of OJ, and either cream of wheat (delicious) or fruit.... if that doesn't convince you, there menu was full of unique options that you can't get at you average weekend brunch spot. I had the coconut french toast (which you must try at some point in your life) special and I substituted the sausage for linguica (which is a must because it is a Portuguese place). This place is definitely worth the trek out to Somerville (which to my surprise, ended up not being much of a trek at all). I will definitely be back... I can't wait to try the other menu options; including the traditional Portuguese breakfast and the pumpkin spice pancakes (which sound like they would taste amazing on a Fall morning in Boston)!
(5)
Melissa B.
I can't get enough of this place! Huge menu, always tons of great specials and massive portions. In the summer months there is seating on the patio, otherwise it's inside in their rather small and cozy quarters. Expect to wait, but it's worth it. You can't beat the amount of food you get for the price. Staff is friendly if a bit frazzled due to how busy it always is (but that's always a sign of a great restaurant). Your breakfast meal comes with either cream of wheat (so yummy!) or fresh fruit, and pastries. Their corned beef hash (usually on the specials) is some of the best in the city. Do not miss the Neighborhood!
(5)
Al A.
long lines. friendly service. the food is nothing special (grease spoon stuff). somewhat pricy. I don't get it
(2)
Mary R.
This is the PLACE to go in great weather. The wait can be a bit long on the weekends, but it's well worth it! The portions are huge and the atmosphere is like no other place I've found in the area. In nice weather you sit on a patio under grape vines. The orange juice that comes with every meal is delicious and the specials usually feature something new and different, such as pumpkin pancakes. I love the variety in egg dishes and the service is fairly attentive on most days.
(5)
Roberto C.
We love these guys - we'd go every weekend if we could. Great service, food - outside in the summer - you cannot beat it. Such a nice family owned establishment...
(5)
Kat L.
How did they manage to perfect cream of wheat? I've tried to replicate their hot cereal at home, but fall short every time. I've never tasted cream of wheat as good as this. I never thought I'd run out to a restaurant just for this - but I can see myself doing just that. The rest of breakfast was just as good. I had a delicious egg scramble with seriously fresh veggies. The potatoes were a bit on the blah side, but I was too stuffed from everything else to have any room for those. The two bummers are that it's really squishy inside and the restaurant is so popular that it's often a pretty long wait outside to get seated.
(4)
giorgie g.
as my friends were waiting outside to get in, a short old lady in a bright magenta coat turned to us and said "it's worth the wait!" as she walked by. it was an omen. an omen OF DELICIOUS TIMES TO COME. it's basically eleven bucks for a breakfast special, which includes everything imaginable- huge pancakes (WHOLE WHEAT!) and eggs and sausage and homefries and fruit and beans and toast and pastries and coffee and these adorable little cups of orange juice that are fun to drink like shooters. the service was awesome, and so are the lime green walls. also, there are several "a perfect circle" stickers on the front door, sandwiched in between zagat signs and patriotic bumper stickers. love it.
(5)
Jasmine E.
I have never had portuegese food so i decided to research this restaurant online first. I went to their website and saw that they are family owned and can claim authenticity so i figured what the heck try it for lunch one day. I went before noon to try to beat the lunch time rush. I'm a big corned beef hash freak and every time i see it on the menu i wanna try it. so i ordered that with eggs over easy, side of potatoes and cream of wheat (which btw i NEVER got! agh that's minus one star right there). corned beef hash was a tad toasted but otherwise yummy. Luvd the eggs and the potatoes. Talk about freshly squeezed o.j. yum The coffee was kinda lukewarm which was kinda gross. I guess the owner's daughter was there and herself and the staff were friendly. A lot of locals come here from the vibe i got. Be warned: space is pretty limited so i would not advise it for groups bigger than 4-5 ppl. Next time i'm trying that portuegese breakfast. hmmmmmm
(3)
Jeannie C.
Great place to go for a relaxed, all you can eat, breakfast. The food is good, it'll sustain life, but nothing special. I guess I need to go back for the cream of wheat though. The atmosphere is funky and fun. When it is to cold to eat outside the tents and tables get moved and it turns back in to a parking area, yes it really does. There will be no question if you can eat outside or not. Definetly put it on your list as a weekend breakfast option.
(3)
Simon S.
The Neighborhood - the best sunday breakfast spot around Union, with the longest line ever. Once you get in, the food is amazing. Fruit, Orange Juice, Coffee, Oatmeal free with basically any breakfast meal. And the portions are huge! Friendly waitstaff, a nice environment - especially in the summer, and cheap prices make this a great breakfast spot.
(4)
Jessica E.
Decided to give this place a go after the numerous glowing reviews here. In summary, had a very filling breakfast with very few taste-related complaints, although the experience didn't knock my socks off, and I don't think I'd ever yearn for a return visit. The restaurant is pretty crowded, seat yourself, friendly and prompt service. They only take cash, so hit the ATM before you go. Food is cooked extra fast and brought up from the kitchen in the bowels of the restaurant. The menu is pretty extensive although any substitutions will cost you apparently one dollar each. Says so on the menu. Servings are enormous. Over two full plates of food per person. If your meal comes with eggs, expect three full eggs. Over a cup and a half of hash browns. A generous scoop of sliced fruit on top of the Belgian waffle. I mean just absurd amounts of food. With every meal they also bring a plate of butter bathed bread and a brownie, just cuz. unlimited diner coffee included as well. It would be more reasonable to split plates because of the BUCKETS of food they serve, but sharing a meal will cost you $3.00 extra- boo! CONS: -don't take credit cards, and I'm really post-cash, myself -The fruit salad they served as sort of an appetizer was semi decomposing. you know, that slimy type film. Guh. -My biggest con issue is the orange juice. Wait, "Orange Juice." I seriously think it either comes out of a machine or is made of TANG POWDER. Seriously. I'm a major orange juice fanatic, so this really wounded my experience. Additionally, the menu claims it to be "fresh squeezed" but that is pure bullshit and I would like to sue them for false advertising. -I prefer a cripsyish plate of homefries but they like the soggy rounded lumps of greasy kind. Eh. Whatever floats your boat. -Plate sharing fee of $3/ea But the pancakes and waffles were orgasmic. Get #99 which is pumpkin cinnamon pancakes w/ pecans and mascarpone on top. Purely divine. I'd say if you live close by (the "Neighborhood") go for it, otherwise, don't bother.
(3)
Mike B.
Crazy good food. Huge portions. Silly huge. Had to wait outside during a snowstorm for a weekday breakfast over holidays. But they had muffins out there. The cream of wheat was delicious!! Seating is tight.
(5)
Kathleen D.
I went to the Neighborhood with about 5 friends. We sat outside and the ambiance was amazing - under a grape sky with birds chirping etc etc. But the food was only so-so and it took over and hour to come out of the kitchen. We filled up on the fruit and muffins they provided free of charge, which was great and all but seriously: one hour? I will never go back there again.
(2)
Adster N.
This place is awesome! The cream of wheat is really everything the other Yelpers say it is. Portions are HUGE. We ordered Special #100 which was really enough for 2 or 3 people. Full-sized waffle with fruit, two eggs, ham, toast, muffins, OJ, tea and of course the cream of wheat... all for $10.99. What a steal! I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Beth F.
Breakfast here is amazing...particularly if you get to sit outside. They start you off with a basket of muffins...all kinds. The menu is extensive and the servings are huge. The outside is wonderfully covered with grapevines.
(5)
Vanessa O.
I go out to breakfast/brunch at about twice a week in boston area and the neighborhood is by far my favorite. This is truly a neighborhood restaurant, run by a family and awash with little old ladies that are there everyday and leave with free cupcakes from the staff. The food is ALWAYS excellent and plentiful. Start with the cream of wheat - which is generally a very unspecial hot mush cereal - but here it is like crack with cream and sugar. Specials are fabulous and consist of eggs and potatoes with a "side" (huge serving) of fresh made waffles or fluffy pancakes with fresh fruit. You also get a plate of freshly baked breads, muffins and sweet cakes and free orange juice and coffee is included. The food is made of high quality ingredients like thick cut ham, house made portuguese sausages, and home-made baked goods - no corners are cut here, and it's a huge amount of delicious food for the money. The service is small-family style, don't be pushy, rude or in a rush; it's not McDonalds. It is a casual and friendly atmosphere and consistently an enjoyable experience. Don't try to go there on a weekend day unless you want to wait 2 hours for a table, this is a small restaurant that is VERY busy on weekends.
(5)
Laura A.
i LOVE this place! ride your bike or take the 87 bus over, pronto. it was sixteen bucks for both of us to eat, including two coffees, two orange juices, french toast, 3 eggs, 2 orders of homefries, toast, and mango-banana-papaya pancakes. lots of families and locals which i thought was really cute and nice. no pretention whatsoever which i love. i'm taking off a star for three things: 1. non handicapped accessible bathroom (my dad uses a motorized scooter and there's no way in hell he could navigate those stairs and i'm sad because he would LOVE this joint and it would otherwise be PERFECT because it has a lot of room outside for him to get around) 2. no vegan options (even the "fruit" that you get before your meal is like, one slice of watermelon) - which i didn't expect since it's a portuguese place, but i would like to be able to bring my vegan friends here since sitting outside here is so pleasant and i can't 3. no bloody mary or mimosa options! what's brunch without alcohol?
(4)
Elaine C.
I don't know how people could only give this place four stars. I guess they don't live in my area where there are no breakfast options like this. They get five stars from me just for ambience, free plate of muffins and buttered bread, free orange juice, the great breakfast specials, and of course, the CREAM OF WHEAT!! I initially thought that this cream of wheat would not win me over. What could possibly be special about this bland wintertime breakfast fare? Well, I don't know how they make it, but I want to go back just to get a bigger bowl of this stuff. Five stars for that alone. You who gave this four stars should take a trip to the burbs and find out just how good this is.
(5)
julia r.
two words: SO GOOD. so good, soo good. come here, eat your heart out. happiness.
(5)
Bird B.
we've gone back many times since our first review and we still love it. the meals are huge and so, so good. they serve alcohol too which is exciting. definitely our #1 pick for breakfast.
(5)
Laura S.
The name fits. This is the old neighborhood restaurant that you can count on to have REAL food. They actually make their own baked goods and the linguica is homemade. The fruit or hot cereal and bread plate included with your meal make the price a bit more palatable. I've only eaten here outside in the summer, so I can't speak for their interior ambiance, but the shade of the grapevine covered picnic tables is refreshing on a warm day. Their menu includes some unique specialties as well as the standard choices. I would have given them four stars, but the last few visits, the wait staff has been terribly rude. They have been neither friendly nor attentive. When I asked for a refill on my water, I was told to go get it myself and we waited far too long to give our order, get coffee refills and the check.
(3)
Tina L.
this place is a great for breakfast. you might have to wait - but it's worth it! (make sure to sign in if you are waiting - i didn't realize that and then got seated later than people that came after me). the chorizo is homemade! =) yum. the cream of wheat is good too! it is really rich though - so share w/ someone. i had the pumpkin pancakes and i could only finish one before i was stuffed. but everything is fresh and i haven't eaten anything that i don't like on the menu. :) delish!
(4)
Gray c.
I love this place - yes the inside seating is awkward - yes there are long waits - but the food is good and the portions are fantastic. My biggest complaint about this place is the hostess - she is RUDE RUDE and RUDE - I assume she is a family member since most people who work there are - but I wish someone would talk to her about her behavior
(4)
Chris S.
This really is as good as it gets. When I go to visit my family and friends in somerville / boston, I must go here. Weekends, the wait is long but in the summer , you wait outside and they set up coffee and cake to nosh on while you wait. In the winter the inside is very small and it is painted in strange bright colors that look like they were copied from an 80's wardrobe. The restroom is downstairs through a basement / cellar and very creepy. But the breakfast is awesome. The menu selections are handwritten and order by number type. Service is fast, they get you in and out. They have everything you could imagine from asparagus omelets to pumpkin cranberry orange pancakes. And it all starts off with the AMAZING cream of wheat with just the right amount of lemon , cinnamon, and wheat. I love it. You will always leave satisfied and full. I guess it's a little pricey but worth it and I can't pay attention to price when I'm staring at the most delicious waffle loaded with walnuts, strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream and syrup. YUM.
(5)
Josh H.
One of the first breakfasts I had in the area. Went there on a Monday morning, so it was me & my friend and two other tables. I can imagine this place being like a crowded, sweaty club for Sunday brunch, but it was great when I went. Had the linguica & cheese omelette with the fresh fruit to start. Omelette was great, not greasy at all, and the free glass of juice they give you with breakfast is just so damn good! As others have commented, the bathroom is located in the kitchen, which gave me the creeps going in there, and if you're taller than 5 feet, be prepared to crouch when using the facilities. Despite the shortcomings, no pun intended, of the bathroom, the food and friendly staff earn this place 4 stars.
(4)
Pete S.
The breakfast is good, don't get me wrong. That has all been well covered. What has not been mentioned, though, is that Thursdays and Fridays (and maybe even Saturdays) in the summer they open the patio, serve wine and beer, and have a hearty Potuguese buffet (lots of vegetables, seafood, and sausage). 4-9pm, I believe. The owners will probably be out there with you -- it's like they're just having you over the house. Classic New England hospitality (stop laughing, I'm serious).
(4)
Ayanna B.
Yes, yes, yes! I am seriously picky about my Weekend brunch locations. This is a fantastic choice. Go! It's cheap, it's good, service is fast and courteous. The summers are best because of the grapevine roofed outdoor patio. So good. SO good.
(5)
Beth C.
I was recommended this by my fellow Ravelry.com knitters. I looked up the review on Yelp and off I went went. Well, this morning was our first trip and... let's just say - we'll be back!!! Amazing! I had the tropical pancakes (with coconut, papaya, and bananas) with homemade butter - it was incredible. My boyfriend had the eggs benedict and was absolutely floored by how great it was. He said it was the best hash he's ever had and the eggs were poached perfectly. We also had the famous cream of wheat and the fruit - which was a poached apple. I think the other reviewers covered that one - it is insanely good and homemade. In fact everything is - right down to the jelly.
(5)
Andrea C.
A little hard to get to. But oh sooooooo good. Great breakfast. Bottomless coffee and complimentary oj and pastries with your meal. Find it once and it'll become your Sunday regular.
(5)
Georgia Y.
You've never been to the Neighborhood Restaurant, have you? Well, hop in your car or take the bus or a bike to Union Square, one of the most underrated parts of Somerville. It's summertime, so they'll have plenty of outdoor seating (under umbrellas to keep the sun off). I've only ever come here for lunch, so I can't say if they're open past 2 p.m. or so. Like Soundbites, be prepared to wait in line, but get ready for delicious breakfasts with a Portugese flair. I've had Belgian waffles, omelettes, and more here. It's no frills, but the food is great, and the service is average. You might get a funny looking, round, fried thing on your plate - it's some sort of fried fish bite...Portugese, I guess, and kinda tasty! Highly recommended.
(5)
Chrissy M.
Ok so this place is NOT horrible, but from what people have told me I definitely expected MUCH better. As a small business owner myself I am always aware of great customer service vs. mediocre. We went to the Neighborhood this morning waited about 1/2 hour to be seated, when right before our name was called, a young couple, who obviously was a family, friend or coworker of the restaurant literally walked up and got seated before us. Ok, fine, you have connections but next time don't make it so obvious you are going cut in front of us and the rest of the 10 people waiting patiently in line. When we finally get seated who do we have the pleasure of sitting next to, or should I say almost on top of, this lucky couple with their baby who cut in front of us. YEAH!! The food is OK, yes you get more than your moneys worth in quantity but quality is just OK. The "endless coffee" is only endless when they actually re fill it. we had to ask 3 times to get our coffee filled again. Maybe we should try this place again when the driveway, oh I mean "patio" is o
(2)
Jordan V.
Edited because: looks like they no longer serve dinner here! Hooray, now it's perfect again!
(4)
Denise K.
Great food!! I got takeout on a rainy day, just a 10 minute wait (there were lots of tables available around 1pm). The cream of wheat and pancakes (pumpkin) were very, very good. The other breakfasts I saw people getting looked good too. Very large brunch menu. Seating was not bad - they seemed to have a good number of tables, but the place is small/cozy. Service was pretty good. They took my order and got it to me pretty quickly. I'm going back soon!
(4)
Steve G.
It amazes me what sheep people are. Everyonse says it's good, so it must me. First, they tell you the wait is 10 minutes, but you don't get seated for 1 hour. The place is FILTHY! The food is always cold and precooked, nothing is cooked to order. The waitstaff consists of a brother, sister, and some illegal cousins. The service is terrible. Try getting a coffee refill. You can do much, much better elsewhere.
(2)
Emily H.
There is a lot of joy inherent in eating outside on a gorgeous day under grape arbors and seeing a sign that says "This is not the place to be if you are in a hurry!" I'd give the place 5 stars based on that alone, but the food totally stands up to it. Completely ridiculous portions--I've never had a multi-course breakfast before. The omlet I had was totally packed with veggies, which made me happy, and came with yummy homefries. The boy ordered one of the specials, and it required TWO FULL HUGE PLATES. One with his punkin-apple-cinnamon pancakes with mascarpone (delicious and moist), and another for the eggs, homefries, and ham. Plus the fruit, cream-o-wheat, coffee, juice, and breads. And the two of us got out of there for 20 bucks, completely packed with food and ready to start the day. Wait was about 30 min, but we took advantage of the free coffee (FYI, the cups, sugar and creamer are in the drawers next to the coffee) and brought the newspaper.
(5)
Lindsey G.
best. breakfast. ever. go on a weekday.
(5)
Alyssa S.
The food and staff are awesome, but I was not impressed that they allowed people to smoke in their outdoor seating area. The smokers ruined the entire experience for me.
(3)
Juliette V.
If you are in the area and want a huge breakfast this is the place. In the summer they have a large seating area outside draped with grape vines. The food in general is not great but it does the trick. When they give you the choice between fruit or cream of wheat, do youself a favor and go for the warm, buttery cream of wheat.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Madison B.
Three words....cream of wheat! i go there just to get it!
(3)shilpi g.
Love the healthy options ! It's such a double treat to eat yummy breakfast that's healthy too.
(5)Alex Z.
This place is excellent. 100%. It's the best place to get brunch in town. Their family-run business is time-tested. Famous, anyone who's anyone in Somerville knows about this quaint little spot on Bow Street. Go with a friend or a group, but keep it under 5, they simply don't have the room to operate large groups. Unless, of course, you eat outside in their courtyard, which is only open during warmer weather. They are known for their cream of wheat, lightly topped with cinnamon. They're famous for their eggs, always cooked to your taste, as well as the corned beef hash and home fries, possibly best in the city. Drink some coffee and gnosh on some cake outside while you wait, because 9 times out of 10, you will wait about 15 minutes.Ask for water when you get seated, and when you do, be sure to ask for the whole table, or they'll just bring you one. If you frequent this spot, I recommend everything on the menu, because it's all good.
(5)Michael L.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh That is what you and your tummy says when you leave The Neighborhood. I really can't say enough good things about this place. Some people may be turned off by the fact that it is a bit cramped and very busy, but I had one of the most pleasant dining experiences of my life here. Brought to a table quickly, we were immediately given water, OJ, our choice of cream of wheat or fruit salad, and offered coffee. We talked and sipped coffee as we waited for our meals to come, and the friendly buzz around us was no detraction whatsoever from the experience. Who wants to eat in a morgue anyway?! (ps CANNIBALS!) Highlights included the linguica (but the 'c' has a tail!) which was so happy in my belly and on my tongue, and the fried banana. I thought the very idea of frying a banana a concept from a fried brain, but it caramelized the outside to crunchy niceness, and the inside was warm and gooey. Treat! All this for a super cheap price ~$10 (ha I used a tilde!) is amazing. You will guaranteed get a good home breakfast at the Neighborhood. It was like Free Hugs except without having to touch a weirdo!
(5)J M.
I go for the Cream of Wheat. End of story. ok, everything else is good too.
(5)Malissa V.
I've been coming here with my family since I was a little kid, so I could be biased, but holy waffles Batman, this is by far the best breakfast I've eaten ANYWHERE. For one, their gratis cream of wheat before your meal must be some kind of magical breakfast ambrosia; I don't know what the hell they do to it to make it taste so yummy, I've tried to recreate the flavor and texture at home, to no avail. Also, the coffee just keeps comin', incluee. I usually get the spinach and cheese omelette like a good girl, but sometimes I get the Belgian waffles or Portuguese breakfast, both are phenom. Their homefries are spicy and well-cooked, the bread assortment always has at least a couple slices of portuguese corn bread and a corn muffin, as well as the standard fair of white and wheat toast. The only downside is the wait. Oh God, the wait. If their food wasn't earth-shakingly awesome, I couldn't do it. In the winter, I forgo the wait sometimes because of the cold. But only sometimes. In the summer, the wait is pleasant because I just chat with friends while we wait, and then we get rewarded for our wait by eating delicious food in disgusting quantities in their shady patio roofed with grape vines, Portuguese style. :o)
(5)David K.
Outstanding place! Monster breakfasts for $10, with great quality. Beautiful outdoor seating under a huge grape arbor. If I lived here, this would be my spot. Highly recommended to all!
(5)Kate H.
Definitely lives up to its expectations - all of my friends hailed it as the spot for the never-ending breakfast...indeed it is! We didn't have to wait too long (30 min at 10am on a Sunday...but you know exactly where you are on the list since you sign yourself up!). Plus, was pleasantly surprised by all the outdoor seating! It was all out on their patio under trellises of grape vines - quite a cool atmosphere! Didn't feel "diner-y" at all... Massive amounts of food, but great range of options and most of which are homemade (i.e. not hash from a can). I enjoyed my eggs with Portuguese sausage, plantains & toast - the home fries were mediocre but that is made up for by their delicious home made bread! Will definitely be back again!
(4)Patrick H.
With 200+ reviews of The Neighborhood Restaurant, there's not much more I will be able to say that hasn't already been said. If you haven't been here yet, you really should. We arrived early on a Sunday morning, which is smart because this place is small in the winter (no outside dining) and very popular. Portions are HUGE and everything is like the best you've ever tasted. The Cream of Wheat is a must! Q. How do you make something good for you TASTE really good? A. Make it bad for you. I suspect the secret to the cream of wheat here is CREAM. Heavy and lots of it. The perfectly baked butter and brown sugar pear our waitress gave us to go with it didn't hurt, either. Also, the place is a BARGAIN. Every order comes with coffee, juice, toast, potatoes, meat, cornbread and more. Go.
(5)Kenny J.
OMG SO GOOD. Yes, the cream of wheat is legendary and delicious. Try it, you'll like it! Everything else is good. I had the corned beef hash. Mmmm...The portions are generous, so come hungry. Service was great. On a nice day, the setting is beautiful outside under the grapevines. Come early or late for brunch. Anywhere in between, you better be prepared to wait for awhile.
(5)Molly F.
Order the cream of wheat. Do it. Don't think twice. "Oh, I don't like cream of wheat," "But I want the fruit"--no. You want this cream of wheat. It is a glorious steaming bowl of cream, sugar, and heaven. I love The Neighborhood. For my friends, it's become a tradition to head here after finals or to drag visiting parents over for brunch. It has a small, fun interior, and the specials (which you should get) change every day. You will get so much to eat, and it will all be delicious. Be sure to schedule in a food coma nap for the rest of the afternoon, because you won't be doing anything but digesting.
(5)Kat O.
The outdoor patio is DEFINITELY the reason to go. Oh, and the awesome food and free shit that comes with your meal. My boyfriend and I just ate there for the first time and were really impressed. There was a 25 minute wait at about 11:15 on a Saturday - not bad. We got a free little sample sized glass of freshly squeezed OJ and a choice of a baked apple or cream of wheat to start. We both had the baked apple, which was prepared with honey and cinnamon. We both had omelettes which were great, and we had no complaints about service. I docked a star just because some of the staff seemed juuust a tad unorganized, but they were busy so I do understand. Also, my date didn't get the omelette he ordered but it was still good. Overall an excellent place for a sunny weekend brunch!
(4)Ki G.
Holy Heaping Breakfast Batman! I went to Boston this past weekend and stayed with a friend. Said friend admonished me not to eat on Sat. morning as we were going to The Neighborhood in Somerville to have an $11 brunch. My stomach began growling around 11:00 as we headed over but then shut up when confronted with the mountains of Portuguese inspired breakfast in front of us. We got to sit under the fake bird cage by the window and our tiny table was heaped with pancakes, waffles, home fries, eggs, toast, muffins and salad. All I can say is that my stomach was very happy after stuffing itself (I love potatoes and the home fries were some of the best I've ever had). Go here if you have a limited budget and are hungry. Or just if you want to eat good food.
(5)Kim K.
Finally we were up early enough to go to the Neighborhood without a crazy wait. Not sure what the hubbub is all about though. The patio is adorable and cozy, and the free OJ and breads are very nice. The food on the whole was pretty average breakfast food though, nothing too special. Prices are good. Staff is nice, too busy to really get to know you or give that extra little bit of customer service though.
(3)Heidi N.
Food was awesome. Price was reasonable. Service was great. People very very nice.
(4)Arthur Z.
I came here, on a visit to Boston, and boy do I have to say that it rocked my world. It flipped my image of a good diner/ breakfast or whatever, upside down, and knocked it to the side. That cream of wheat was AMAZINGLY good Along with the prices, wow you cant beat the prices. With UNLIMITED refills of coffee? Along with a orange juice on entrance? Sign me up to be a daily customer... too bad I live in New York...
(5)Linda T.
I miss the cream of wheat. Nothing better then in the winter to start out the day with their cream of wheat. The service is great and the baked goods can be fun since they bake different things everyday. Some times they even have a pouched pear for an app. Yum......you really get plenty of food here for your money. Although the line can be a pain they always say that its worth the wait!!! Wish they would open up a place in Houston.
(5)Ciao H.
This is officially my new fave greasy spoon breakfast/brunch place. Its big healthy portions, really yummy Brazilian seasoning, with excellent vegetarian options and homemade everything. This blasts places like Paramount, Sound Bites, and Toast way out the water. The flavors of the food are just what the doctor ordered. Summer brings outdoor patio seating under the grapevines. SO dreamy. Fall snuggles you into a small cozy diner inside with Warhol colored walls. Good food=long lines, but they move things along fast and believe me, its worth it.
(5)Adrienne T.
Hmm. I can't believe that I haven't reviewed this place yet. Wow. Okay, say it with me, yelpers: CREAM OF WHEAT! WOO-HAAA! I don't know what they do to the Cream of Wheat at this odd little "neighborhood" eatery, but it is HEAVENLY! In fact, I love it so much that I drive out of my way just to get "two orders of Cream of Wheat to go, please, and toss some extra butters in, will ya?". In case you're wondering, yes, BOTH orders are for me. When I eat there, I order nothing but a big bowl of Cream of Wheat and a large orange juice. You get yummy breads with any order. The portions are humongous. You've been warned. They put enough food on the plate for 3 people, so order lightly. The breakfast meals are good. Good food, good people, good place to spend your money.Speaking of which, the prices are right, too. There will almost always be a line/wait, and it's worth it. The place is family owned, and family run. It's almost like visiting distant kin folk, and having a meal in their kitchen (if you eat inside). I don't care much for the patio, although others seem to love it. It's got too much hanging stuff above (grapes or something I'm told), and I'm always scared something is going to fall into my bowl of Cream of Wheat. Anyway, go, enjoy, and support a family owned and operated business with GOOD food, and don't forget, TRY THE CREAM OF WHEAT, then come back and send me a message of thanks!
(5)Ladyjane S.
I haven't exactly tried everything on the menu, but I feel jusified in saying that everything is, in fact, delish. The pancakes (pumpkin is a recent fave), the eggs, the meat (linguica - wow!), cream of wheat...everything is cooked to delicious perfection. I think though, some of the "specials" are kinda ripoffs. You pretty much get all the same food/juice/cream of wheat, etc. if you order off the regular menu anway and it's way cheaper. Just some food for thought. The outside dining area is really cool, but sometimes too cool on those brisk mornings. And as much as the coffee will warm you up at first, you won't want to keep drinking it cuz its gross. The wait on a weekend morning isn't so cool either, but you shouldn't be waiting more than 45 minutes. Is it worth a 45 minute wait? Perhaps, depending on the weather. Personally, I'll wait because the food is killer and the atmosphere kicks ass.
(4)Lauryn Z.
Great place with the coolest outdoor seating in the area.
(5)Andrea M.
Yes, I know, a 3-star in an ocean of high-ratings. Hear me out. Here's my thing with the Neighborhood. I normally *love* this place. Tons of food, excellent bread, pork chops and cream of wheat to die for, really friendly, attentive service, lovely seafood omelets. The space is a smidge awkward, granted (unless you get to eat outside), but still, I think it starts at 4 stars. And then, with each visit, I find at least one or two things lacking that knock it down about half a star. Often they run out of cream of wheat, which makes me the saddest girl in the world. I have had more than one experience where the food had a slightly soapy taste, like the dishes hadn't been rinsed well enough. I hardly ever go here during the weekends, because it's a monster mess of people, which kinda limits how often I go. In the winter you run the risk of constant waves of chill as the door opens and closes. Sometimes the home fries are less than stellar. And, even at the food-from-a-firehose quantities, some of their specials are not worth $11. Still, I can normally round up to 4 stars, although the occasional temptation is to round down... but only occasionally. However, my visit on Sunday made me sad enough to downgrade this beloved local joint to 3 stars until it redeems itself. I was excited to see two crazy healthy specials on the menu, so I ordered one: wheat waffle, drizzled with vanilla yogurt, topped w/fresh strawberries and blackberries, served with an egg white-broccoli scramble (I asked them to 86 the cheese). The cream of wheat was great, if slightly over-cinnamoned, but... egg shells in my scramble? Soggy, tasteless wheat waffle with no toasty outer shell (I've had wheat waffles that kick ass, so that's not the reason)? Barely-flavored yogurt? Blackberries that tasted weirdly bloated, like they had been frozen, then defrosted in a hurry with warm water, and served lukewarm? Uncored roasted apples that were impossibly awkward to cut into? Really? Our waiter was great, but the guy who brought out our food could use some pointers. I will admit, I didn't make a fuss because we had gone with a house guest, and I just wasn't in the mood to deal with it. My order didn't come with home fries, but I did taste Corey F.'s, and they were pretty good, definitely different from other visits (in a good way). Otherwise, my food was not $10.99 good. I'll go back, but I may stick to the more standard breakfast menu, where the prices are more reasonable.
(3)Lily V.
We love, love this place for brunch. We live pretty far away, 30+ minutes, and will trek out here just to have some of their cream of wheat and all the other great breakfast items. When we have friends or family visiting from out of town, we always try to take them there for brunch. Everyone loves it. We haven't had a bad meal there yet. One note - BRING CASH! This place gives great portions, lots of homemade items, good service, and in warmer months, you can sit outside under a canopy of grapevines. FANTASTIC!
(5)Jason W.
I am never going back. My wife and I were just turned away because we had our dog with us , even though we came up with our dog and had been sitting in the line for 30 minutes with our dog. We've been here before and have seen dogs (non service dogs)in the outside eating area. The hostess excuse was "this is a restaurant" ....ummmm, there are plenty of restaurants with outdoor seating with dogs allowed....
(1)Olivia C.
Weekend brunch is the way to go! Tons and tons of food. Everything comes with toast, OJ, coffee, a Portuguese cheesy pastry thing, and cream of wheat or fresh fruit. I had never had cream of wheat prior to trying it at The Neighborhood, and that's now one of the reasons I go back there. (Went once late in the day when they were out of cream of wheat, so my friends and I all got fresh fruit instead. We must have looked pretty disappointed because later in the meal, they decided to make more cream of wheat, and they gave us some!) Recommend going on Saturday instead of Sunday if you don't want to have to wait. (But it's worth the wait!)
(5)Valerie B.
The almond joy French toast was one of the best things I've ever eaten. They give you a whole lot of food for a small price. Everything was excellent.
(5)Tracey N.
The plate of pastries and fruit you get --in addition to-- your breakfast is just all around fresh-baked yumminess. Oh, and hello delicious chorizo. Would you like to party in my tummy along with your blueberry pancake friends? I thought so. Now, I haven't eaten here in a couple of years, but I still have food memories of the breads and pastries, sitting under the grapevines waving away the bees. It was the first place we went to when we moved to Somerville, and I continue to recommend it to anyone who is going to be anywhere near Union Sq.
(4)Danielle H.
Can't believe we didn't discover this place until today! What a fantastic brunch place! Despite it nearly being October, it felt like a warm sunny day today. This was good because the outside patio was open. It is a really cute place- with bright umbrellas providing shade at each table along with a grapevine "ceiling" shading the entire space. They had a small table with free coffee and codcakes for those waiting in line, which was a great touch. Those codcakes were DELICIOUS. My husband had to stop me from taking a third one. We got seated at a nice table in the back and ordered one of the specials - the Portuguese breakfast (sausage, rice and beans, 3 different types of fishcakes, 2 eggs) as well as French toast off the regular menu. Each order also came with homefried, freshbaked pastries, and fruit or cream of wheat, As you can tell, there was a lot of food! And it was all delicious. Do expect a huge crowd waiting on the weekend, but the line moves pretty quickly. Only negatives: They are super busy so you often have to wait to catch the waiter's attention and then flag him/her down if you need anything. Also, I asked for the white bread French toast and got wheat bread instead. Not a big deal since it ended up being good. Also, pretty hard to find parking around the area. We are sure we'll be making the Neighborhood a regular brunch spot!
(4)Kate L.
I had my first brunch at The Neighborhood this weekend, and I'll definitely be going back. Soon. It's crowded, noisy, and delicious. Maybe not the best choice for a very hungover weekend morning, but if you'[re hungry, it's the place to go. I got potato pancakes with a mascarpone topping and oh...so good. Not to mention they come with sausages, eggs, toast, hash browns and cream of wheat or fruit. I'm not sure if it's even possible for one person to eat that much in one sitting? The service was great. They seem to have a ton of people working, so even though the place is a little hectic-feeling, we never felt neglected. Our server was super friendly and happy to go fetch waters etc (ie, extra mascarpone topping...yum). The only downside is the wait. You sign yourself up on a list and then wait your turn. There were a good 6/7 parties ahead of us, so we went to explore the cool comic book store next door (and to pet the owner's friendly dog). I think we were probably seated about 25 minutes, which is definitely worth it to me. Also, there were remnants of coffee and some kind of snack for people waiting, but sadly all gone by the time we got there. If they remember to refill, it's a nice touch.
(4)Kerri O.
You will be given more food than you could ever possibly eat. That's a given. A breakfast at the Neighborhood is the equivalent of a Carb Bomb. The food keeps coming, too. You will also meet some great folks waiting in line. While waiting inline, be neighborly, and talk to the other folks, there. Chances are, you will meet some cool folks. Last time I was at the Neighborhood, I was with Maynard from Tool. He loved it. Just saying; you never know who you'll meet at the Neighborhood.
(5)Joanie C.
I really debated about 4 or 5 stars.... There are a few cons with this place, but really... Does it matter? So, there is a wait but really we put our name in, went next door to get change for the meter, fed the meter, read the specials menu, saw the cash only sign and our wait was practically over by the time I got back from the ATM (not knowing there was an ATM inside I went down the street, but, ATM fees, who needs them?) Get the cream of wheat. Get it. I don't care what kind of sick imaginings or sad childhood memories you have about this dish. Get it and you'll be happy, promise! Also, the fruit salad was admittedly a bit sad, if I got two chunks of fruit that weren't melon that'd be a lot. But really.... the best ever fruit salad wouldn't compare to the cream of wheat. The food did take a little bit longer than I expected to come out, but it was worth the wait. I had the coconut French toast my bf had steak tips and eggs. The portions are HUGE. The food was delicious. We might consider sharing next time. The atmosphere was amazing, it felt like being at a family cookout or something. The staff were friendly and helpful and forever refilling our coffee cups. The canopy of grape vines and picnic tables are just right. Long story short bring cash, get in line, help yourself to a coffee while you wait and get the cream of wheat. You'll leave very happy, I know we did.
(5)Julia W.
Weekend brunch here is phenomenal. You get a lot of food for what you pay. Everything seems to come with eggs and toast and potatoes and meat and really tasty cream of wheat. I was unaware of this before I first went, had some yogurt at home to hold me over, and then could barely finish half my breakfast. And I'm a breakfast-eating-machine. My crepes were a little cold and blah, but that's what i get for getting crepes not at a crepery. Didn't even care cos the rest of it was so good and filling. There were a bunch of other tasty looking things on the menu that I'll have to try eventually. On the down-side, it was pacckkkkedd on the Saturday I went and my chair was crammed right up to the table. There was a long (30 minute) wait. It seems like they were offering free coffee to the line of people waiting outside, but there were no mugs for the coffee. Also, there are pictures of creepy looking babies wearing earrings everywhere. God I hate babies. Especially babies who wear jewelery.
(4)Kay W.
CREAM OF WHEAT-must have well it complimentary so just take it and devour it like I did! Service is great, food is great, prices are cheap, quantity of food-plenty, family owned!!!!! All the great reason to go back! Thanks for great food guys!
(5)Ali Randall W.
This place is so out of this world, even the bathroom has some serious flair-- tall people beware. During my visit to Boston, my bee eff eff took me here twice for breakfast. VERY generous portions, fresh fruit, bottomless coffee/tea, assortment of breads come standard. Friendly service, and they even scrambled my friend's order of eggs with tomatoes. Both times, I went for the wheat pancake/egg white combo and was not disappointed. Can't really say much else other than this is a must. I'd fly here to Boston on a weekly basis if I could to indulge in The Neighborhood. Maybe when I hit the Lottery and have a jet at my whim.
(5)Tony W.
One of my favorite places to eat in Boston. Get there early in the morning, especially during the colder months, because space is very limited, and waits could reach upwards of an hour or more. During the summer there is a greater turnover of seats outside in the patio, so it's not that big a deal. For food, do yourself a favor and get the cream of wheat. I never liked the stuff before I tried it here - it's sweet buttery goodness will just melt on your tongue! Basically, anything you order will probably be awesome and too much to eat in one sitting, so enjoy! This place only gets 4 stars because their coffee is atrocious, and what's breakfast/brunch without a good cup of coffee, really? Do yourself a favor and stop at the Sherman Cafe or Bloc 11 before you get there. Better yet, if there is a wait, put your name on the list and THEN go get coffee!
(4)Bridget B.
This place is great and is one of the bigger reasons I miss living in Union Square. During the spring and summer you can sit outside in the huge patio area, sipping fruit juice mixed with spring water under a grape arbot. In the winter, things are more crowded and the wait is longer, but it is -so- worth it. You should absolutely get there early if you want to get in...but honestly, it's worth it even if you happen to be nursing the worst hangover ever. You get these adorable little coffee cups with faces on them, and they start brunch off with a basket of assorted (delicious) pastries which on their own could be a meal. The omelets are great, they have chorizo sausage, awesome waffles, delicious creme of wheat (and I don't generally like creme of wheat). Entrees come with a complimentary glass of juice, the coffee flows non stop, even though the place is always packed the service is fast and friendly...When I go to places like this I'm baffled as to why people still worship Soundbytes, where the food isn't as good and the service is vaguely offensive. I just love the Neighborhood and after writing this review have every intention of hitting them up at some point this week.
(5)Erik S.
So I'd rate this as a 3.5 if I could because this is a really nice place and the pricepoint is outstanding. You get a lot of food for what you pay for. For $6.99 I got a (very) small cup of OJ, coffee, a bowl of cream of wheat, 3 eggs, potatoes, 3 pancakes and a muffin. On top of that, everyone was really nice and the outdoor seating area is great. On the downside, the food isn't that great. They add tons of butter to the cream of wheat (which is why I think everyone likes it so much), the eggs were fine, the OJ was not fresh, the potatoes weren't anything special and the pancakes really didn't have much to them. What it came down to for me is would I come back. For what it was, I doubt it, hence the round down and not the round up.
(3)Alex B.
This place has gotten a little big for it's britches. The food has always been ok (cream of wheat is great, but they go for quantity and not quality) and the laid back environment has kept me coming back once or twice a year. My last experience showed that the people who run this place aren't interested in winning any new customers. It was about 50 degrees out, and my group of 4 were seated right by the door. Every time someone came in, we got a blast of frosty air to the face. After a few minutes we asked to be reseated to the tables further in. The waitress (who was nice) said "uhmm let me see". She came back and gestured to a table near the kitchen. We picked up all our stuff to make it easier swapping over. As we got to our table, we could over hear the owner (lady) being a huge bitch about our request. I didn't hear everything she said, but a couple sitting near them had a look of horror on their face. This place has always been very average. The charm has kept people coming back, but now that they are rude for no reason, save your cash - and go to actually decent places like Ball Square Cafe, etc.
(1)Wendy K.
I drove down Bow St. today with a friend who just moved to the area. I've tried a few restaurants in Union Square, but we drove by this lovely little place, and I barely even noticed it was there. My friend showed interest, so we went in, and had the most noteworthy experience either of us had had in a restaurant in quite a while. My favorite parts were: The atmosphere in the outside dining area. Grape vines (complete with bunches of concord grapes hanging from the "ceiling") were a fantastically smelling, shady asset. Fun colors adorning patio tables gave the place a little spice. The incredibly cheap everything. The generous portions of everything including water! I'm a huge water gulper, so the foot-tall cup I was given was heaven on earth. I didn't have to ask for a refill during the entire meal!! The lagniappe ("a little extra") throughout the meal - freshly baked bread, large-ish garden salad or soup pre-meal, and the lovely dessert post-meal. Homemade potato chips. MMMMmmmmmmmm... I bought a loaf of bread for $2. TWO DOLLARS! And it is the most delicious bread ever. The service was great. We were there for lunch, and there weren't more than ten people sitting down outside at that time, so for those of you who don't like a line (apparently this place is waaaay more popular than I initially thought) go for a late lunch (2-3). My only qualm was that the vegetables (broccoli today) were COVERED in melted cheese product. I tasted great, but if you're looking for a healthy side-dish, you may want to ask how the veggies are prepared when you order. I definitely would have skipped the cheese if I had known. I guess I don't need to say it, but this is a GEM of a place to eat. Go there for lunch.
(5)Aboud Y.
Awesome breakfast place with beautiful patio dining in the summer. I kid you not, their cream of wheat (comes free with every meal) is outstanding! Two things stand out at this place: 1) value (prices are fair and portions are large); and 2) their patio is gorgeous (this is my #1 breakfast spot on a nice day).
(4)Norah B.
Cream of wheat is awesome and the food is good and large meals
(4)Jim D.
I came to the Neighborhood Restaurant early Thursday morning and the place was pretty dead. Yay, no lines! However, I so wanted to sit outside, but alas, the dreadful and typical Boston weather decided to spoil my plans. We had to settle and sit in the cramped interior. No biggie. The food was ok but nothing that blew me away. It's your standard breakfast eats with a splash of Portuguese flavor. I'm not a melon fan and the fruit salad was just melons and grapes. It's not my thing, but that's just me. The orange juice was quite bland. Other reviews mention that it's freshly squeezed. I beg to differ. My eggs, homefries and such were all good though. No complaints there. Prices were very reasonable. Service was very quick and efficient. I don't think I'd come back here for breakfast. It just didn't do it for me. Their lunch menu, however, looks promising,
(3)Caitlin D.
The best thing about this place is its ceiling made of grapes. The worst thing about this place is everything else. Hey, ever wondered what the inside of a restaurant's kitchen looks like? Just wait in line for the restroom at this place, and you'll find yourself in the middle of their kitchen! After you've given yourself a concussion in the funhouse bathroom (which hopefully made you forget about all the health codes this place is violating by having patrons stand in the kitchen waiting for the adjacent bathroom), come back upstairs to enjoy mediocre food and the worst customer service I've experience in a restaurant in several years. Not to mention all the birds and bugs that will be pestering you while you eat. But hey, at least this place has a really creative name.
(1)Delilah W.
The cream of wheat (grits) at this joint is pure mana from breakfast heaven. That said, the rest of their food is only mediocre in my opinion, which was wicked disappointing the last couple times I've stopped in.
(3)Kara S.
This is one of best kept secrets of Somerville. Tucked away from the T and the crowds (for now) in Union Square, this place comes alive in late spring and summer, when they open up the outdoor patio for dining. When I'm there I feel like I'm displaced, spending a lazy sunday in Southern California. The arbor above the tables provides perfect shade, and the dappled sunlight through the leaves is gorgeous. And while the atmosphere is what really wows me, the food is also great. I have only ever had breakfast here, but it's always spot on. And I took my mother here for brunch on Mother's day and even though she isn't a big breakfast person, she too was thoroughly impressed. The wait is a little long, but it's completely worth it.
(5)Kaajal M.
The Neighborhood is worth going to if only for their cream of wheat. It's absolutely crave-worthy. I've been here a bunch of times and never have left hungry. Most dishes are better than others but overall the food is good and the prices are great. I usually spend about $10-15 for brunch but that includes coffee, cream of wheat, bread (the corn muffin is delish), and a big plate of whatever I order.
(4)Lauren E.
Welcome to the neighborhood! I'd been hearing about this place for a while, and just finally got around to trying it. It lived up to everything I had heard. Walking in, you see brightly colored walls, and a varied crowd. The people really impressed me about this place. It looks like a very trendy hip place from the patio outside with the grapevines, and the bright contemporary colors inside. But the people eating breakfast were varied, probably 3 generations of people, all going out for a delicious brunch! The food was delicious. They give you free coffee and OJ with every order, and then you get to choose from fresh fruit or cream of wheat as a starter. My friend and I split an order, and they (probably charged us?) gave us each some. As all the other reviewers say, the cream of wheat is nothing like anything I have ever had before. So rich! Our breakfast was pear and pumpkin belgian waffles, and it was delicious! But the most striking part was the fact that they give you three HUGE plates of food, so the serving sizes are humongous! We got eggs, awesome homefries/hashbrowns, and toast, and a muffin. All as part of that same breakfast, nothing extra. Another thing I loved was that the waitress came rushing in from outside, saying "Everybody got money in their meters?" just as the ticketing guy was coming by. Only problem was, I asked for water twice, and never got it. The waitstaff did look busy, though.
(4)Amanda S.
Somerville's best brunch! Don't plan on eating anything else that day. I like to get one of the healthy options because they are flavorful and delicious.
(5)Ken N.
Not from the area and I heard this place was the talk of the town. Long waits. 4 stars on Yelp. I was super excited until I was greeted at the front. Wow.... I honestly don't see how this place can sit at 4 stars. Everything sucked from the service to the food. SERVICE: We got there around 11:30AM on a Tuesday. It was pretty slow there.. probably about 10 tables? The server had zero personality. Didn't smile. Just took our order and left. She just gave off a snobby vibe. Tell me why it took 30 minutes for us to get our food too? The guy that came in after us already finished his food, paid and left! She could've at least acknowledged the longer than usual wait, especially since she was the only server. Checked in on us once. Then when we were trying to get the bill, she disappeared. More waiting... In all, we spent an hour there and only 15 minutes of which was consisted of eating. FOOD: Oh, where do I even begin.... - Corn Beef Hash - NASTY! And too salty. - Homemade Potatoes - Needs to be seasoned. Just plain... - "Exotic" Mango Juice - Watered down like no other - Unlimited Coffee - It's free and unlimited for a reason. - Cream of Wheat - Good but not great. - All the other standard breakfast items were well.. standard. Don't see how you can mess up on that. I could've rolled out of bed and made all this without my glasses on and it would've tasted 10x better. Oh, the one star is for the nice outdoor patio dining.
(1)Stephanie G.
This place seems like a breakfast place, but I went for lunch. I was instantly awed by the outdoor trellis, complete with bunches of grapes - got my mind imagining I was some indistinct place in Europe - nay, Portugal! I was delighted when they brought salad as part of the meal - how neighborhoodly! - because courses make me feel classy. However, apprehension settled in after my friends' wine arrived. We get Portuguese boxed wine a lot, and were expecting this to be of Alandra quality, but the "white wine" they got was rust colored and tasted like sweet water. They drank it like champions, but there was no joy. For the meal we agreed it was a lot of food - but not very well cooked. My scallops were virtually inedible they were so salty, and my friend's salmon was overcooked. There were veggies on the side but they weren't delicious, just...there. It was sweet that they brought us carrot cake for dessert as part of the meal (again, I do love courses) but all in all, it would have been nice to have been able to eat the food I ordered instead of throwing it away because of the saltiness. In conclusion, I would be wary of possible bad meals at this place (esp. the sea food) and whatever you do, do not get the white wine.
(2)Dessa R.
As you rally your troops to go on a breakfast crusade to the lauded Neighborhood, there are some things you should know: 1) There is a list on a table outside the door (easily miss-able if you don't know to look). Go ahead, write your own name on it. No one's going to come to offer to do it for you. 2) Don't come when you are hungry; come 20-40 minutes before you are hungry. Worth the wait, but due to limited seating quarters, it is likely there will be one. 3) Do not, I repeat, do NOT venture off for coffee while you are waiting. The line can move a lot quicker than you think. Nine parties ahead of us, quoted for a 30 minute wait, and we were called in about 5 minutes. Close call. 4) Once seated, you will be faced with the difficult choice of fruit or cream of wheat. All three of us ordered the cream of wheat, having read your reviews. All the hype about the cream of wheat is true. Ed P. called it "sex in his mouth." As we devoured our sweet creamy goodness, our waitress sailed by with a plate full of oven-baked honey-glazed cored apples. We gaped in amazement, as if a unicorn had just galloped by. Was THAT the "fruit?" Some lucky girls next to us dug into their pommes with undisguised delight, as we lusted jealously just a few feet away. Next time, I may go for the fruit. 5) Pick anything you want from the menu. Everything was delicious. I enjoyed the "Almond Joy" French Toast-- toast dipped in coconut milk and then fried, covered in chocolate chips, slivered almonds, and coconut flakes (which I omitted). I started to second-guess my choice as we waited for our breakfast, but those fears melted away as soon as the plate was in front of me. It was... fantastic. 6) Dress in layers. It's kind of drafty and cold in some areas, warm in others. You don't know what you're going to get. 7) Don't make plans for the next 2-3 hours. Allot some time in your schedule for the inevitable food coma that is sure to follow.
(4)Audrey Z.
THE ATMOSPHERE The outdoor seating has a roof completely made out of leaves. It makes you feel like you're in a jungle. Each table (bench or chairs) has an umbrella attached to it like patio furniture. They have a buffet for about $11 with a fake lobster in a bow tie holding the tray of brownies. I went for the first time yesterday, and it wasn't very busy at all despite rave reviews on livingsocial.com . Perhaps it had something to do with a lack of sun that day. WHAT A DEAL! I was surprised that so much came with all breakfast/brunch meals! Unlimited Coffee/tea, small cup of orange juice, choice of fruit or hot cereal, and sourdough bread, I believe. The fruit was a bit soggy, but I excused it since my meal was only $6.99 and all of the above came with it despite whatever I ordered. Most of the stuff on the breakfast portion was $6.99-$11.99 or something. Mostly $7 or $8 though. MY FOOD EXPERIENCE I ordered the scrambled eggs with tomatoes and cheese. On the downside, it was really more like an omelet, which I wonder if it was because the cheese glued it together. On the PLUS side, it was SO good!! I wasn't about to complain about technicalities. Also, I'm not sure what kind of white cheese it was, but it wasn't American cheese, which is a plus for me (yah, I'm a snob). The toast that came with it was also very yummy. The butter was clumped on, but the bread was very good. So I just had to spread it. Oh! And the home fries! Delicious! Pan fried. So good. My friend got pancakes and home fries for the same price. He got full before eating the 3rd one, but I wouldn't say the pancakes were too special. I was busy with my "scrambled eggs." Since it was a breakfast place, I wasn't about to venture into their lunch, but a family near us got mashed potatoes and chicken and vegetables. It looked really good. NEGATIVE Since we parked at Alewife for the day, it was about a 20 minute walk from the train station. Google told us to get off at Porter Sq for the fastest route. The walk was uneventful.
(4)David V.
Despite having lived in the Somerville area for many years, I recently only visited the Neighborhood for the very first time. There's a lot of things to like about this place - menu choices, portions, price. Maybe I'm just not as into greasy breakfast fare as I used to be? I have to say it wasn't as good as I had hoped for. For one, there seemed to be only two beverages available (orange juice and hot coffee), neither one of which is my favorite. I tried unsuccessfully to get a glass of water before sucking it up and drinking the OJ. The tables are very cramped - maybe it's a testament to how much food they give you, but there wasn't room on the table for everything they brought out. I went with the French toast, which was soggy in the middle. It came with more bacon than I could hope to eat in a week, and some "nothing to write home about" fries. By the time I was feeling full, I realized that I hadn't even eaten half of what as on my plate. I'll give this joint another shot when the outdoor seating area opens up, but next time I want greasy breakfast food I'll probably head for the Friendly Toast or Ball Square Cafe.
(3)Chuck K.
Most places that claim to have "neighborhood" credibility are just engaged in empty boasting. Not this place. There's nothing pretentious about the food, service, atmosphere, or fellow patrons. Dining outside in the spring and summer at Neighborhood Restaurant is a special treat. The Portuguese-style awning covered with grape vines, which offer both shade and the most beautiful translucent barrier to the sunlight, is a serene and unusual experience. Indoor dining can't compete. The Neighborhood Restaurant gives you a lot of food for a fair price. It's not gourmet but it's generous. Brunch _will_ leave you full. Many, many variations on eggs, waffles, and pancakes are available. Plus, there are Portuguese treats, such as the pineapple pop-over and the linguica sausage. (Both are delicious in an unexpected, not-exactly-health-food way.) One thing that makes this place really down-home is that there's going to be the occasional mess-up but, if you tell them about it, they'll fix it as quickly as they can. One day, the orange juice had gone bad. When I alerted the waitress, she didn't fuss, she just went to the back, got new OJ, and offered a sincere apology. Perfectly handled, mademoiselle. They'll do the same with flubbed orders. Basically, they know they're human but they'll work hard to give you a great meal. This place is a real treasure. Bring your friends for brunch; it's totally worth the wait in line. I adore The Neighborhood Restaurant.
(5)Erin W.
The Neighborhood is by far my favorite brunch spot in Somerville/Cambridge. Is this place going to be the best food you have ever had? No, I certainly cannot say that. But I'm giving it 5 stars because I love coming here on a sunny Sunday afternoon with friends, sitting outside, having friendly service and conversation, accompanied by tasty food. I would compare the food to when your spatula wielding mother, who is a fierce force to be reckoned with in the kitchen, decides to get a little daring with her usual routine. Expect a home cooked brunch (omelette's, pancakes, the usual fare) with a slew of interesting specials if you so choose (tropical pancakes with mango's? Yes please!) You get tons of food too- a cup of coffee, home fries, fruit or cream of wheat, and OJ (someone said it was Tang in a review below- but I've always gotten fresh squeezed) comes with every meal. There is usually a line, so expect to wait a while, maybe 20 or 30 minutes (and you sign in yourself- find the clipboard!) and come hungry!
(5)Joey M.
I think I am in love. The neighborhood is wonderful. It starts with free coffee and breads while you wait ... outside... and sign yourself up on the list. I like this, not so good when its cold but still. I appreciate the great outdoors. Moving inside, yes it is cramped and small... but again I like the feel. It feels cosy, kinda right next to people... very, neighborhoody. The food is great and plentiful. The specials are amazing and you get so much food you will feel sick. The bread is FANTASTIC. Just really good. Thats all i got. I could go on and on but everyone has mentioned why this place rocks. What sets this place apart from others is not even the food for me, but the atmosphere. The bathroom is tiny and underneath the stairs. The staff is friendly, but rushed and on top of it. I dont know what it is but when i leave here i leave extremely happy and full. Go to the neighborhood, its great.
(5)Liz M.
(1) A 2200 calorie breakfast/brunch worth waiting in the street for. (2) Get the authentic Brazilian sausage. (3) Get the cream of wheat. Rumor has it that the secret lies in the condensed milk. (4) Be prepared to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom. Just don't look at the floor. (5) Be prepared to work on your acrobat skills if you're taller than 5'7' and need t use the toilet. (6) Be careful: parking may be a problem because there's a militant meter maid lurking around Somerville's Union Square on the weekends.
(5)Francesca R.
There's free coffee and pastry thingies while you wait in the long, long line for brunch at The Neighborhood restaurant, which is a good sign. These people want their customers to be happy, to feel welcome, and to eat--and eat a lot. The portions are redonkulous and the food is so good you'll find yourself licking the plate clean even though there's no room left in your stomach for anything else. Something about the Easter Egg colors of the patio works and it comes off feeling breezy and fun as opposed to cheesy and cheap. This is the place to go hungry and have a nice, loooong meal.
(4)Team O.
We were jolly customers. I think our bit of advice would be that you can afford to skip the eggs (pretty much very average) and go straight to the French Toast made with Portuguese bread. It was so good I nearly yelled aloud with excitement. Her pancakes weren't no joke neither, well done neighbors. But don't forget the cream of wheat, it rivals the best goopy breakfast sides to the end. But if you're like the lady, the side of free fruit hits just the right buttons. Our total came to 16 bucks. 16 bucks for one plate of 3 eggs, hashbrowns, and french toast with a side of cream of wheat, a small orange juice and two cups of coffee and the other was 3 eggs, hasbrowns, pancakes, fresh fruit orange juice and coffee. All good, all in all a killer bang for your buck.
(4)Stacey H.
Love this place! Cream of wheat - Best I've had OJ - Super fresh Whole Wheat French Toast with berries - Amazing, light, fluffy Hash/Potatoes - lovely, delicious Portions - Huge! (breakfast leftovers anyone?) Price - Cheap! $10 (can easily split dishes with someone) Crowded - YES! Get here early (by 10am) or there is a wait. Waiter with Huge Biceps - Yes he is there...and Yes he will serve you food with his huge arm. Go there!
(4)Elizabeth D.
I have dreams mid-week about brunch here. The Neighborhood is a breakfast staple. When I feel like I want to eat everything delicious and just can't make a decision, I venture over to the Neighborhood, wait in line for about an hour, and then feast on a breakfast made for a king. I love the fried bananas with the eggs and linguica, almost as much as I love the steak tips and eggs. The chocolate cake, fresh baked breads, oatmeal, and fruit that all come for free with the meal are just the icing on the cake.
(5)JeNnIfEr S.
What's better then eating yummy breakfast outdoors under a roof of grape vines? You almost forget for a moment that you are in Somerville! I recommend getting there no later then 9am or you may have a bit of a wait.
(4)Jennifer H.
I would have so many amazing things to say about The Neighborhood Restaurant except over 140 people have already said it... the place is GREAT. I love the brunch, the people, the location, the little patio to outside in the warmer months. But, more than any of this... I am head over heels for the Cream of Wheat. My god, what are they putting in it??? It is the best damn thing on the menu. Go there. Eat it.
(5)ELLIS D.
I love this place! They get 4 stars because the service was so great. They offer fruit or cream of wheat with your meal. I chose the cream of wheat. It was delicious. Better than my corned beef and hash with poached eggs. In fact the cream of wheat was so good I am going to give it the run down. It had Cinnamon, sugar, cream and a touch of lemon. I highly recommend it. The rest of the food was adequate. There are pictures of the Borges family all over the restaurant .I was looking at the older pictures and then of our server and resemblance was uncanny . Turns out the Grand daughter and the grand son both work there. It is still family run..... Don't forget your cream of wheat
(4)Hannah L.
there are a couple of factors in giving the neighborhood 3 stars instead of 5. 1, the bathroom is awkwardly in the kitchen. and there's ONE for the whole place. 2, we put our name down and the hostess said it would be 1/2 hour. well, after 2 more rounds of only 1/2 hour, we waited for 1.5 hours for a table!!! ridic. at least be honest and say it will be an hour and a half. after finally sitting down, the waitress rolled her eyes when we asked her to get us assorted beverages and stuff. not the kind of treatment you want when waiting in the hot sun for 1.5 hours. the actual ambiance is cute, they play chill backyard music and the bright umbrella tables were fun. when the food came out, the portions were BIG and the food tasted great. i just need to come back and if i get better service, ill up the stars. maybe it was a freak thing...since everyone else seems to have given 5 stars. we'll see!!!
(3)Eric C.
Thanks to comments left here @ Yelp - I decided to give this place a go for brunch. When I arrived there - there was already a line so that's typically a good sign. Took about 20 minutes before I got a table. I wanted to get something outside the norm of the breakfast menu (away from the standard bacon, eggs, etc) so decided to order two of the portugese specials - one was a variety of fish cakes and the other was the grilled pork. Like the rest of the comments you see here, you get an choice of cream of wheat or fruits. No regrets choosing the cream of wheat as it was declicious! Both of the dishes I ordered were unique and I really enjoyed it. I'll definitely be coming back here. I can't wait to visit the place for lunch/dinner to see what other unique dishes they might have. TIPs: - When you get there, if no one is there to take your name for a table, just pick up the roster there and fill it in yourself. - They're nice enough to put out some drinks and sample cakes/treats outside. Don't feel bad about helping yourself to some yourself - Service there can be a little slow so be patient. If you run out of coffee or water, Just help yourself by refilling your drinks yourself as it would be much faster that way.
(4)Laurita M.
3.5 stars. I finally got to the Neighborhood Restaurant for brunch the other day and left pleased with the experience but slightly underwhelmed by the food itself. They have a delightful, large outdoor seating area filled with couples, friends, and families. There's definitely a long wait on the weekends so don't come expecting a quick in-and-out meal. They have a large menu with all the essentials (egg combos, pancakes, etc.). We decided to split one of the specials ($3 splitting charge applied so it was a total of $15), which meant we ended up getting two coffees, two tiny ojs, two bowls of cream of wheat (i hate cream of wheat usually but was actually BLOWN AWAY by this stuff--don't get the fruit unless you're feeling particularly lame), 3 huge pumpkin spiced pancakes which were good but not incredible, 2 eggs, 2 sausage links, hashbrowns, and toast for all of $15 total. The service was awesome and the meal put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. Solid place, but to be honest, the highlight food wise was the cream of wheat.
(3)Chrissie M.
Went to the Neighborhood this past weekend w/my husband and friend, UTTERLY DISAPPOINTED! We expected to wait, however, we did not expect to be so unsatisfied. I had been once before and it was ok. This time, not so much. After waiting literally 65 minutes just to be seated we concluded this place is not worth giving up almost three hours of your precious Saturday for. Not to mention that several people were seated well before us and we knew they arrived well after we did. The food was ok, yes the cream of wheat was yummy, but certainly not worth the aggravation of the experience. My husband ordered the Portuguese breakfast, hmmm, 2 tiny bite size pieces of linguisa was what he received. My bacon tasted old. Oh and i guess we didn't need water or even a whole cup of coffee! The whole vibe was skeevy, particularly if you used the bathroom! Overall, not worth the time or money. Did i mention this place is not cheap for the quality of the food? Obviously reading the reviews here, we are in the minority but just felt like our opinion needed to be heard as well. My free time and money will be better spent elsewhere... :-(
(2)P. C.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots - I love both the ambiance and the food. The multi-grain french toast is deelicious, and sitting outside under the grape vines with friends on a beautiful spring or summer day is lovely. You should definitely plan to wait anywhere from 30-60 minutes, which is the only negative. Grab a coffee at Bloc 11 down the road and plan on the wait being part of the Neighborhood brunching experience.
(4)Nicole J.
Food is average for the amount of time you have to wait, but the service and ambiance more than outweigh the food in this case. I've had the french toast on sweetbread, which was soft (almost soggy) and eggy. My friend raved about the cream of wheat, but I thought it was just ehhh. Ambiance: LOVE!! There is no better place to have brunch on a warm summer weekend, if you can take the wait! Even though I should take off a star for food and star for wait, I'm going to give this place 4 stars based on ambiance and great, friendly fast service.
(4)M G.
Portions were great but food was sub par. Home fries were soggy, eggs were runny and the meat was tough. On the positive side you get a free shot of OJ (they call it a small).
(2)Darius K.
This is the kind of local brunch spot I like to hit again and again. I've had the berry french toast and the eggs benedict here, and they were both well-executed although not stellar home runs by any means. However, I give Neighborhood points for excellent service, a free small OJ with breakfast, and a rotating menu of intriguing specials. My biggest gripe is that this place is fairly expensive -- expect to pay $10-$12 for an entree, particularly the specials. But I'll be coming back here repeatedly, so four stars it is.
(4)Joseph B.
How much brunch can you eat for $12? Go here to find out and you wont be disappointed.
(4)Allison J.
The food is all about gigantic proportions here and frankly, the food is good, not great. But... for the portions, the fun atmosphere, and the feeling that you've found a neighborhood gem, I give this place 4 stars. Everyone gets a plate of muffins/ pastries and a glass of "orange juice" with your order. The juice is more like "Sunny Delight" than real OJ. But.... I still love the sweet beverage enough to ask for more some days. ALWAYS get the CREAM OF WHEAT when given a choice of this or fruit. It totally rocks. This is what I love the most about this restaurant. I asked a cook what he puts in it and he wouldn't say. The pancakes, waffles, sausages and omelettes are all incredibly filling and you're going to want to take a nap after this. It's nothing fancy as far as preparation goes. It's standard diner fare with a more home-y, family dining room. I've never eaten out on the patio but it's pretty big and I'd imagine it'd be fun in the summer.
(4)Jonathan S.
Homemade and fabulous. One of the best breakfasts in New England or anywhere. Excellent options for vegetarians but their meats are also great. The secret-recipe cream of wheat is like a dessert, rich and creamy. They get it all right. Just get there early or be ready for a wait.
(5)Lauren S.
Good stuff: Outdoor seating in the summer! There are very few breakfast places where you can eat out in the fresh air. It's also very casual, no frills dining. You eat outside on picnic tables...Love it! Their cream of wheat is a little piece of Heaven. Need I say more? Locals even get it 'to go' before work in the morning. It's THAT good. The portions are enormous. I challenge anyone to finish all the food they are served. The coffee is decent. I love the french toast! They are also a Portugese bakery, so the baked goods are delish. Bad stuff: Long wait time in the summer. Be prepared to wait upwards of an hour if you get there past 10am. Very cold in the winter...at least it was this past winter. So, bring a sweater. While the portions are enormous, I'm not always happy with the quality. Overall: OK for breakfast. Go there for the fresh air in the summer and cream of wheat on a cold morning in the winter.
(3)Tushar S.
One of the best places for a breakfast/brunch. Good food, good portions and quite lively. If you go on a nice day, you WILL have to wait, but its worth it. Only bad thing was that the place is a little cramped and difficult to move around, but the food compensates for it.
(4)Chi N.
Two eggs the way you like them, cream of wheat, orange juice, coffee, fish cake, meat cake, salmon salad, portugese sausage, rice, beans, and a stick of butter with a small layer of toast -- if you need the perfect morning after breakfast, look no further. The Borges family welcomes you with open arms and clogged arteries.
(4)James M.
After reading the positive reviews about this place my daughters and I decided to make the drive from Winchester and give it a try. While we often drive to Kelly's diner in Ball Square, we needed a change of pace. Firstly, the food and service was very good. Diverse clientele was also a plus. Decor was pleasant. Prices were in my opinion very reasonable. Thanks to the others reviews we found a new place to go on Sun. morning's. Give them a try.
(4)X X.
A bedrock of Union Square, The Neighborhood offers delicious food, a relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere, and tasty Portuguese pastries for a reasonable price. I've only been over the summer, so I can't actually speak to what it's like indoors, but Neighborhood has a really lovely trellised patio with hanging ivy and lots of quirky, colorful decorations. The Neighborhood is always hopping on a nice weekend morning/afternoon, so expect some wait time. If you come solo or with only one other person, you're liable to get seated on a picnic bench with another two-some, which is often totally adorable. This quirk speaks to the general tendency of Neighborhood to uphold its tradition of a more leisurely pace of life, multiple courses (don't eat before you go.. like, for a few days), and, well, neighborhood-y atmosphere. One drawback is that, for most people, Neighborhood offers you altogether too much food: a large main course, a starter (fruit or cream of wheat-- despite natural inclinations otherwise, I implore you to get the cream of wheat, it is heaven on earth), juice, coffee, and pastries. Occasionally the thought of how full I always feel afterward has dissuaded me from going. But, generally, this place is simply lovely; a family-owned business to treasure.
(5)Sandra L.
Awesome place! Not much more to say about how great this place is. Good prices and tons of food! The pumpkin pan cakes are delicious! Big and fluffy with the right amount of pumpkin and seasonings. The eggs and potatoes are great as well. I want to eat everything on the menu when I go. The cream of wheat is awesome (the fruit salad was a little let down). At like everyone else said, the baked goods are great. The toast is just perfect. Just be sure to arrive early to bet the crowd. I am sure i will be visiting this place time and time again. (don't forget cash only!)
(5)Dan Z.
good brunch. waiting can be long for weekend mornings.
(5)Melissa A.
It's tiny, tiny inside and the lines are long on the weekends, but there's a quick turnover and free coffee while you wait. The breakfast menu is nice and varied so you won't have a problem trying to find something you like. I also like how there's always a piece of sausage with your meal--kind of like how they give bread at some restaurants. I tend to have to take half of my meal home with me and end up feeling like a dork carrying out my breakfast in a styrofoam container. Special note: there's one table on the left when you walk in underneath a sloped ceiling. I've confidently stood up only to whack my head and sit right back down. This happened four times that day. And to make matters worse, our food slipped off their queue and our waitress didn't seem to notice. I had to go to the back and find her and then I offered to cook it myself. I would have spit in my food too. But, I'm sure this was an isolated incident.
(4)Amanda S.
After consulting my trusty pal Yelp, I headed off to The Neighborhood knowing that I would enjoy a great meal! When it comes to breakfast, this place delivers. It's impossible to leave The Neighborhood and still feel hungry. The food is great and the portions are absolutely enormous (my breakfast special came with a plate of fruit, eggs, toast, hashbrowns, juice & coffee...all in ADDITION to the giant crepe I ordered). They also have a great (and casual) outdoor patio covered in grapes vines. What I like best about this place is the atmosphere- it's family run, and it shows- whether you're a local or not, you'll feel like this is YOUR neighborhood!
(4)Gretchen M.
AMAZING!!!!!!!! GO HERE!!!!! The outside patio rocks. Coffee is so so. Where they shine is the cream of wheat and I also love the home fries.
(5)Maura D.
Cream of wheat I never knew I could love you so! Why oh why can I never make you at home the way I had you at the neighborhood! I've had issues with eating for the past year or so but I have to say the pumpkin pancakes were the best thing I've had in a long time. There was some shoveling action involved. I wasn't even hungry but it tasted good. This is a great place for brunch but very crowded...people were definitely in my bubble!
(5)Wham S.
Thanks to being #1 on Yelp for breakfast in Somerville, my wife and I decided to give this place a shot. There was a line to get in, but it was a gorgeous day, so not bad at all waiting, and well worth it. Really cute little place, and the food was wonderful. I was a fan as soon as they came around and gave everyone orange juice, which comes with every breakfast. Their eggs benny with avocado and bacon was terrific. I've never had salad with an omelet before, but they actually went really well together. Prices were a little high, but not insurmountable. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Deb C.
Holy crap, this is the best place to go for brunch! Gigantic portions, good food, cheap prices. Of course there's always a line, but it usually moves pretty quickly. Staff isn't always the friendliest, but they're busy and focus on getting the job done. I love the outdoor patio under the grapevines in the summer.
(5)Tyler B.
I just came back from The Neighborhood and I can't move I'm so stuffed. The food is good, but what makes this restaurant fantastic is the portion size, the atmosphere and the bathroom. Yes, you heard me, the bathroom. Portion Size - this is HUGE. It is seriously more food than anyone could possibly eat... ever. Hung-over from a late night of binge drinking? Breaking a long fast or just looking to eat only one meal this Sunday? Come here and get Midwest truck stop size portions of great food. Atmosphere - Think rural-nowhere-small-town-diner located in a Brazilian neighborhood with a hippie flare. Service may not come with bells and whistles, your silverware won't match, but the service is friendly and prompt. You will have interaction with people at tables next to you. Bathroom - Think Brazilian-Hobbit bathroom. It's under the stairs, painted very bright colors and the ceiling might be 5' 6". I could not stand up in it. It was AWESOME. Additionally, there is a HUGE outdoor patio covered by a trellis of grape vines which they actually make into wine. Not very good wine, but Somerville, MA isn't exactly an important wine region. Make your way to Union Sq anyway you can to visit this great restaurant.
(4)Jordan L.
Whenever they have an eggs Benedict special, get it! Beyond that, the coffee is great, the staff is nice, the outdoor seating is a great touch, and the portions are sizable. Just get there early, or be prepared to wait.
(5)Yasmin E.
Ambiance: very lovely outdoors space. Hairs/tables a bit dated but the beautiful grapevine covering the outdoor area makes it all better. Service, while friendly, can be a bit slow. They have a decent amount of seating but it goes fast. You have to put your own name down on the list; there was no host. Food: best Cream of Wheat I've ever had! Their pancakes and eggs are just ok. Portions are crazy generous. Will come back for Cream of Wheat! Bon apetit!
(4)Jess C.
Hearty Breakfast/Brunch place under Grape Vines Food 4/5 Value 5/5 - (So much food!) Service 5/5 Decor 4/5 - (Outdoor seats under grape vines) Wait Time 3/5 - (30 mins wait will go by fast - just munch on the free pastry and coffee and talk to your buddies) FREE coffee and pastries right outside while you wait to be called for the table *First thing first: Put your name down with the party # on the clipboard *If you are not a big eater then it might be better to pay the extra $3 for the sharing option The Complimentary Stuff (WoW): 1. Fresh Orange Juice 2. Coffee / tea / chocolate 3. Fresh Fruits from season / Cream of Wheat (smooth and sweet creamy grit-like dessert?) 4. Toasts and blueberry muffin with fruit jam on the side We all ordered The Portuguese Breakfast on the daily special menu (all the items on the special menu were $13 each) The set was amazing and definitely can feed 2 hungry people. The portion was huge and full of healthy varieties: 1 crab cake, 1 cod cake, + another seafood cake (3 in total sooo delicious!) 2 pieces of black pudding, 2 pieces of crispy savory sausages, rice, baked beans, 2 eggs (sunny/medium/rare/cooked/scrambled), and homefries. I was utterly satisfied and relaxed and could not eat anymore despite having to forgo the yummy lookin' uneaten corn + blueberry muffins. At this point I was too full to say or feel anything. The meal was finished in belly-rubbing style and the kind that we sneakily loosen the button on the pants but keeping the zipper on. I was stuffed happily and still have enough left to pack some home because to be honest I already had too much complimentary goodies before the entree was served haha ! I will most likely come back for another amazing meal and maybe try their lunch menu the next time I am in town in Boston!
(5)Stella W.
A great perfect neighborhood joint for breakfast. We came here and order the omelets two days in a row during a weekday and this place was always pretty packed. The prices are reasonable and the ingredients fresh. I heard that the owners are Brazilian and they use Brazilian coffee. Anyways, this is a must stop if you are in the area. Come hungry because the portions are generous.
(4)Teddy B.
Breakfast at The Neighborhood is generally good to great. My favorite part is how they give you some OJ right off the bat, and your choice of cream of wheat or fruit. It's just a nice way to start a meal. They also give you complimentary toast with your food--a nice varied selection of buttered toast, jelly, and sweet bread. I usually order the pancakes (which are homemade like all their breads AFAIK, it is a bakery), homefries, and bacon. I have to say, the homefries aren't my cup of tea. They're just always a little raw-ish. I like homefries that are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Nevertheless, everything together makes a really satisfying package. The Neighborhood was recently renovated. I haven't seen the inside yet; the outside changes are subtle but nice--the greenery looks spruced up. In the winter it's very cramped inside; in the summer the outside gets very busy, but once you sit down it's nice and relaxing, and cool in the shade. The waitstaff is attentive, and as long as there aren't any screaming children around you'll have a nice experience. Highly recommended!
(4)Kyra L.
Unfortunately I moved to Quincy and literally crave this place every Sunday morning. The fresh muffins and bread and of course the best cream of wheat I have ever had (don't tell my aunt though). If your contemplating not waiting, you are making a huge mistake. One hour is well worth it and they provide you with complimentary coffee and snacks while you wait. The breakfasts are huge, so come hungry!
(5)Joey M.
mmmm the Neighborhood. Breakfast place extraordinaire. I've been going to the Neighborhood about as long as long as I have lived in Somerville. Saddle up to the door/patio, write your name on a list, grab yourself a coffee and maybe baked good and just chill. If its after 10, you will wait. You've been warned. Every meal starts with seasonal fruit or cream of wheat (CoW). The CoW is pretty amazing. They don't mess around with the amount of cream and it pays dividends. But that could be a meal in itself. So buyer beware. The specials page is lengthy and almost every meal comes with a 2nd meal built in. Belgian waffles, yup, you get a side of eggs, meat and homefries. Omelette, hell lets throw in some pancakes on the side. What I mean to say is come hungry friends. Come hungry. There is also toast/baked goods for the table and typically you get a small glass of OJ with the special (didn't get one this last time, damn shame). I had a nutella/strawberry crepe last time (with side of eggs and homefries) and it was ON POINT. Perfect amount of food. Normally I have to take leftovers. For the adventurous types, try the traditional peruvian special with gems like codcakes, shrimpcakes, linguica, etc...
(4)Tracy B.
GF at work has been ordering Cream of Wheat from this place for MONTHS and I never had Cream of Wheat & always thought I didnt like it... Then one day she made me taste it & OMG, I have been back about 10 times since... I NOW LOVE CREAM OF WHEAT!!! Its creamy, Sweet, Buttery with a sprinkle of Cinnamon... We usually get like 5 or 6 orders and bring them to work... Everyone loves them & they all go right away as soon as we bring them in... Parking stinks, but otherwise A great little spot...
(4)Jessica F.
Long wait for bad/average food. The omelet I ordered was really bad. The cheese that they used tasted very cheap and really should of never been put in an omelet. It was actually gross. I don't really understand how this place has such great reviews. Upon arrival there was a wait which was made much better by the coffee they supplied free of charge. However since I tried the food I don't understand why there was a wait... Why this place deserves 2 stars? They have really good French toast and the cream of wheat was good. Other than that a homemade meal is cheaper and significantly better. The home fries were both sad and meager looking. I don't know how you mess those up and I was very sad to see how ugly they were and unsatisfying they tasted:/ Again, I really don't understand how this place has such great reviews with such awful food. I hate cooking and hardly ever do it and my breakfast food deserves 5 stars compared to this place. Also they don't accept credit which was really frustrating. My bf and I had cash luckily but we waited 30 minutes to be seated and would have been furious if we didn't have the cash to pay for our meals. No one mentioned a word regarding the place being cash only until we spoke to the couple sharing the table with us. They had an ATM, but still, a sign outside would have been nice. I'm not willing to pay an ATM fee when we could of avoided it if we had known prior to being seated.
(2)Christina M.
The best part about this place is the homey feel and wonderful service. Shayna is a doll! The food was fantastic, too- I highly recommend the crab cake Benedict. Huge chunks of crab alongside their yummy home potatoes. And the Cream of Wheat?? PHENOMENAL!!! Unlike anything I have ever had! This place is definitely worth a stop, and we went on a weekday at 11, so we didn't have to wait for a table, either :-)
(5)M T.
It was a hot summer morning, so I paid more or less than $10 for a brunch under the grape vines. The brunch menu comes in a huge portion + extra toasts and muffins + a tiny cute cup of orange juice + a small bowl of fruits. The food was really good, but I could only finish half and asked for a to-go. The crepe was one of the best. I wish I could have that crepe every morning. It was perfectly made.
(5)Scott V.
Wow is this place good for breakfast. Can't say that I went there but a Co worker brought me back the best corned beef hash I ever had. It was made with a Portuguese spice, came with fruit a muffin ,toast , home fries, certainly was not cheap but I'll be back for more
(5)Erena S.
I came here 2 days in a row! I had a delicious salmon salad and brunch menu with eggs, French toast, turkey ham and grape fruit the next day! People are friendly there. I would love to go back there again :)
(5)Glenn B.
This was my second or third visit in about eight years ... it was also the most disappointing. I remember previous visits thusly: long wait but well worth it. Free Cream o Wheat. Good food. This had the long wait and the Cream o Wheat, but: the breakfast was average: undistinguished hash browns, scrambled eggs that had been rushed through (runny), and the coffee was what I have heard Brazilians call "dirty potato water." Not at all memorable. And the service was ... well, I think "brusque" is a polite term. "Rude" would be less polite. I hate to give a meh review to a place I understand is a tradition and a family-owned business, but from my limited experience The Neighborhood has slipped. Badly.
(2)Al R.
This is one of my favorite breakfast places in boston for many reasons. But im going to keep this focused on the cream of wheat. That's right. I said CREAM of wheat. That porridge wheat soup that has been considered for millennia to be the breakfast of simple people with unrefined tastes. Well listen up. This cream of wheat is literally the best cream of wheat I've ever had in my entire life. If I had a choice between this cream of wheat and any other breakfast item available on the menu of ANY OTHER breakfast place in boston, I would pick this. If you poured this cream of wheat into the cells of a prison in the midst of a prison riot, all would calm. Gandhi would have broken his fast for this cream of wheat. The queen of England would give up the throne for a second bite of this cream of wheat. And If there is one thing Palestine and Israel could agree on, it's that THIS CREAM OF WHEAT is the best damn cream of wheat that ever graced a bowl and spoon. They should rename this cream of WHAT. Because whatever they put in this has made it so addicting that I want more if it and I JUST HAD IT. Or maybe they should call it SCREAM OF WHEAT because you can hear me blabbering about how good it is from two tables away with every spoonful. I don't really know what else to say about this other than you need to cancel all plans immediately and storm over to the neighborhood restaurant and get that sweet sweet thick savory nectar stat. Your happiness depends on it.
(5)Kayo P.
My favorite breakfast place in all of Somerville. The staff is polite and quick. The food is amazing, and the ambience is remarkable. They serve outdoors in the summer which makes the whole experience even better. The portions are generous, and most orders come with orange juice and unlimited coffee.
(5)Kim A.
Today we had the eggs Benedict and their coconut french toast. All of the meals come with cream of wheat or fruit, orange juice, coffee, toast, and your meal. The portions are HUGE. They have a $3 sharing fee. My coconut french toast came with all of the above and bacon, home fries, and 2 eggs. There was more than enough for two people to share!! On the weekends this place is packed!!! Expect a line!! They do offer coffee and snacks when you wait. During the warm weather they have outside seating. Parking can be tough, it is union sq!!! We have been coming for YEARS!!!! The wait staff is always friendly and sweet!!!
(5)Jeremy B.
This place is 100% Amazing for anybody looking for a great place to eat breakfast and lunch. I was going to rate the place 4/5 because they only accepted cash, but they have an ATM and delicious food which makes up for the missing one star. Suggestions are definitely the cream of wheat for a starter. Me being a egg Benedict guy, i usually get those, and they are very good. Although, i have gotten other entries and they are 10/10 as well. I like home fries overcooked and when i asked, they said, "No problem!" Which usually means that they cant do it. When my food came, i was surprised as to they had actually done it. Overall, great breakfast/brunch/lunch restaurant.
(5)Brittney B.
Really unique and the food was great! Now I can see what people are saying about the (FREE) Cream of Wheat! So creamy and delicious, great start to the meal! Free coffee outside is a little rough, but what do you expect for free?!? Over 100 menu options for breakfast = something for everyone! I went with the healthy choice special of the day and the buckwheat banana walnut pancakes were AWESOME! Tons of turkey bacon came with my meal and the egg scramble was light and yummy. Totally filling and would def order again. Atmosphere is unusual and different in the city and a great place to bring visitors.
(5)Andrew L.
They give you oatmeal when you sit down for breakfast. That's how I immediately knew we were off to a good start. Although you're likely to wait to get in, there's good reason. They know what they are doing here. Trying to work my way through their extensive menu, I have yet to choose wrong. Awesome food, great outdoor seating, superb "neighborhood"!
(5)Benoit T.
We have been thinking about trying this restaurant for a very long time. Once we were in the area on a Saturday morning, and ready to eat early, so we thought it was the right opportunity since we know the line can be looong. Our wait was (only) 35 minutes, which I guess is ok, expect if we have starving kids waiting with you.... But they give you drinks and cakes to wait, so I guess you cannot complain. The outdoor patio is awesome. Unfortunately we were a little bit disappointed by the food. I was expecting several Brasilian options, but those were very limited as they reduce their menu options for the brunch. I had the Brasilian breakfast. Three sausages: one was good, one was too spicy, all were over cooked, the last was mild / no taste. My wife's plate were very mild too, no flavor. Conclusion: if you come for the brunch expect limited Brasilian options, and average food. If you want more options, try the dinner.
(3)Jess S.
Come for breakfast and leave with enough leftovers for lunch.... you get BIG portions. Sitting down, you get a complimentary glass of orange juice. It's small but, hey, it's free. And a bottomless cup of coffee. Yes. The waitstaff was so incredibly friendly I want them all to be my real life friends. Efficient, too, in my experience. We were lucky and there was not a wait for us, but I know it can get long. Get there early I guess! The place is pretty small and tightly packed. Food is yummy and vegetarian friendly. I enjoyed my fruit cup and pancakes very much. Overall, a nice brunch experience. Only thing missing was a spicy bloody mary, as they don't serve alcohol.
(4)Gasper C.
don't remember what I got but it had linguica, crab cake, blood sausage(?), and 2 other things that were all really good service is super nice, our waitress gave one of my friends a cream of wheat even though she didn't order anything and yea the cream of wheat is really good free oj, buttered toast, and blueberry pound cake thing !! tried my friends pancakes and those are really good too
(5)Trisha R.
In the summer, the ambiance is very nice. Their cream of wheat is to die for. Home made breads, jellies and muffins are fantastic. They definitely put love into everything they make.
(5)Heather L.
I've heard so much about this place from so many different people. Every time, the general reaction was the same, "omg this place is amazing!" "the cream of wheat is to die for!". However, I don't know....it just didn't meet my expectations. I mean, don't get me wrong, the place is great for what it is. Bottomless coffee (plus free coffee while you wait), small glass of OJ, buttered toast, corn muffin, on top what of you ordered, that amount of food was amazingly surreal. Everyone at my table all took away a to-go box because of the large amount of food. But was the food life changing? Did the cream of wheat transform my life? Eh. not so much. Thankfully the weather was beautiful outside, so the 50 minute wait during prime time weekend brunch hours passed by very quickly. Not sure I would wait in line that long again for the same experience. If you come during the weekend, expect a long wait. No one will be there to take your name. Just write your name and number of people on a piece of paper outside the front door. Also, cash only!
(3)Steve X.
I honestly don't understand why this place is rated so high. Yes the food is good. Yes you can eat under a grapevine setting and feel like you are in an exotic place while in the middle somerville. But in the end, the quality of service is not that great. First of all you have to be on a waiting list for a long long time. They usually run out of food and they don't make up for giving you the same portions as people who come earlier. That is just messed up. Secondly the food isn't that great. I mean some of the stuff I can make to be honest. And you don't get that much food. Their specials are good, but it takes a long time to decipher what you are getting and the servers are not good in explaining. That's what happens when you come to a place that is reviewed by many bandwagoners. Id say definitely try it out for yourself, but this is just my opinion of the place.
(3)Diane W.
You will love the cream of wheat. So much really great food comes before you get your breakfast that you have to save room. And I can't say too much for the coffee and lemonade that sits out in big pitchers for those who are waiting in line. Yes, there is a line on popular days and its well worth the wait. Plus, parking is easy in this part of Somerville. So, all in all, The Neighborhood is a great place to take a large group for breakfast.
(5)Jasmine T.
Came in for some much needed me time. Decided to check this place out for some breakfast. Everything on the menu and their specials of the day sounded delicious. There was a lot to choose from and I couldn't decide so I asked the waitress for some recommendations. From the list of choices I couldn't decide from she recommended that I get the Coconut French Toast Breakfast and the choosing their Cream of Wheat over the Baked Apple. I did just that! I wish I got the waitresses name because I'm so glad I took her up on the recommendations. Everything she recommended for me to order was delicious. I hate when I'm being given bad recommendations, and I have had my share! They give a hefty serving here. My Coconut French Toast breakfast came with coffee, OJ, choice of cream of wheat or baked apple, buttered toasts, corn muffin, 2 eggs, bacon or eggs, and hash. The cream of wheat was warm and comforting to have during this brisk summer morning. It had a touch of buttery sweetness and cinnamon, reminding me of cooler seasons The Coconut French Toast had a good coconut flavor that wasn't too artificial taste or too sweet. The shredded coconut on too was a nice touch and It didn't need any maple syrup, it was good as it was. I sat at the outside patio which has umbrella tables and benches under a shading of grape vines. It had a quaint feel to it. The workers were very friendly and welcoming. Definitely a nice spot to have breakfast/brunch by yourself or with others.
(4)Julia J.
I went to Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery today for the third (I was very happy with my first two experience here), but first time with my parents. We were excited at the beginning, but got very disappointed at last. The Service: From the moment we sat down to the moment we left, our cups were ALWAYS EMPTY. No server came to ask if we would like any water or coffee! I saw other tables with the red water cups on their tables, we had nothing! The food we had (omelet, toast, bacon, or fries) were decent in general but dry if we don't get water! And we didnt get any water! I had to bring my cup to LOOK FOR and to ASK FOR water and coffee, because I could no longer ignore my thirst or DREAM someone would came to offer some water! ALSO, THE SERVERS WERE TALKING AND LAUGHING TOGETHER INSTEAD OF GIVING US SOME WATER! The Food: Cream of Wheat: I always liked the cream of wheat (though my parents thought it's little too sweet). BUT I was sure that there was some ORANGE taste in it. Home Fries: I began to eat my home fries after I had my omelet. My home fries tasted PLAIN. I had to sprinkle the salt on the fries or I can't eat it. Everything else we had was ok but not very impressive. But we were supposed to enjoy it and I could totally forgot about the orange taste in my cream of wheat or the plain home fries I had since we sat under the grape plants and surrounded buy some cucumbers (we LOVED and was IMPRESSED by the ENVIRONMENT at the beginning!). However, the BAD SERVICE just ruined everything. Neighborhood Restaurant should really be careful about whom they are hiring. Bad servers who don't seem to want to work there could just ruin everything for customers. My parents and I never cared very much about the waitress/waiter, because we would focus much more on being with each other and having some kinda activities together. But we DO EXPECT SOMETHING BASIC LIKE WATER (we didnt get any water). We spent 37 dollars on the meal in total. We were going to give 6 dollars as tip as we were supposed to. But my mom and I took 1 dollar back at last because we were just too unhappy with how we were never asked if we would some water!!!! We would never come here again!
(2)Nina S.
Maybe it was just too hyped up that it would be impossible to live up to but not worth the hour wait. There were some nice things about this place that I appreciated like the warm cornbread they had sitting out for people waiting for a seat, and the servers are all terribly nice for such a busy joint, but the food was not as spectacular as I was lead to believe. Tried the cream of wheat which I cannot deny was like cream of crack cause it was darn good but if you add that much butter and sugar to anything it'll be good. The Portuguese breakfast was just average, nothing that really set it apart in my opinion from other places I've been to. And the pop overs were just disappointing. Not as light and fluffy like I had imagined, they were really dense and heavy and overly sweet. Can't say I'd wait in line for this again :/
(2)Harri S.
Alright, so this place is not, you know five-star breakfast or brunch it's just it's a place for breakfast. It's very cheap breakfast with excellent service and value-priced fresh orange juice, in addition to a few other varieties of juices as well. OH annnnd free everlasting coffee. They know how to do their stuff, in fact speaking of stuff, I was stuffed at the end of my meal. I enjoyed it and it was a very clean place that is kind of hard to get to unless you live in the hood, or have a car, but otherwise solid. Get there early because I hear on weekends it is really hard to get into, however on a weekday your probably going to get in easily and you will be rewarded. Just make sure you bring quarters to feed the meters...you will probably hang around a while.
(4)Katelyn P.
Came here for brunch because of all the great things I've heard. Overall, I don't think it lives up to the hype (and not worth the almost inevitable weekend wait), but there are a few things this place does really well. First, the things I was underwhelmed by. Although you do get a lot of food for the price (it's a good deal for a Union Sq brunch), what you get it just average. Home fries were gummy and bland, eggs are nothing special, coffee and orange juice are the typical diner variety. If you can't make breakfast at home and you're starving then this is a good place for you. The 2 things I was impressed by: the cream of wheat and the side of wheat toast. The cream of wheat did live up to the hype, I would probably come back here just for a delicious bowl of this comfort food. And the bread for the toast was flavorful and fresh (I'm guessing house made). Give them a try, you might be like many others who love their breakfast. But I personally think there are better brunch options in the area.
(3)Jeremy C.
Meh...a lot of hype. Some of the service staff is AWESOME, some have no idea what they're doing which is frustrating. Decent food but very poor attention to detail.
(3)Jenny G.
Been here a few times now. While their main entrees are amazing, I have to honestly say that I come here when I'm craving their cream of wheat. Like so many others have pointed out, this place is such a great deal. With your meal, you get free cream of wheat or their fruit option (this was a delicious baked apple the last 2x I was there), small glass of orange juice, and bottomless coffee. Most of their entrees are about $12-13 and come with toast and/or home fries etc. The only con is that their tables are not big enough to house all the food that they give you. It's so much good food for a really good price. Yes, be prepared to wait a while if you go during prime time. But I think that they do a really good job of being attentive and getting parties in and out quickly without ever rushing us while we're seated. They're simply too popular. My boyfriend and I typically don't like waiting, so we just go during off hours when we can get seated immediately or it's just a minimal wait.
(5)Simon L.
Fun but not worth waiting for even though they give you free coffee while you wait. A Hollandaise sauce is delicious but the avocados are overwhelming. The homefires are cooked on too high a heat for too short a time - crisp on outside, and mushy on the inside. The Portugese breakfast is unique but all the sausages are overcooked. Polite and competent service.
(3)Annie S.
I moved to Union Square a year ago, and this is my favorite spot. HANDS DOWN. You get so much food! Everything you get comes with orange juice, coffee, fruit, and an extra dish that you choose from a couple different options (either cream of wheat or apple cake or something else seasonal). Honestly, I would come here just for the cream of wheat- it's soooo good. And I'd never even had cream of wheat before. If you're on a tight budget, this is a great place to go because you can get something simple for just 5 bucks like a breakfast sandwich or eggs and bacon, and then it comes with the fruit and cream of wheat! They also have some more expensive $9-13 breakfasts, their menu is really long and delicious. Make sure you check out the specials menu because it always has some great stuff. On weekends, there is always a wait! Get there early and put your name down on the written list. They put our coffee and cake and cornbread for everyone while they wait- it's so yummy. The only bad thing is that it can ruin your appetite!
(5)H J.
5 star for the service and cream of wheat! Baked apple was nice and tasty too! 4 stars for the value but maybe it's 5 stars for local Boston area? You do get a lot of bread with the order but hey I can get a load of bread from Ralph's for $3... Then again, maybe I'm just cheap? :0 I would say it's a comfort food place. Cash only!
(4)Vanessa C.
Best brunch spot in Somerville, hands down! Large portions for very reasonable prices and everything is delicious. Don't be scared off by the huge crowds. There's a reason why there are so many people waiting, it's absolutely worth it! Plus free coffee/lemonade and bread while you wait.
(5)Roland L.
So, you're in Boston, clueless as to where to find that amazing little breakfast spot that is low-key, delicious, substantially filling, and affordable. You may want to take a short drive into Somerville for a meal that will meet all those criteria in The Neighborhood Restaurant. The Neighborhood Restaurant is a cozy little breakfast and lunch eatery serving locals Portuguese-American cuisine for over 30 years, offering indoor and al fresco dining options. Their renown keeps them busy during the week but intensifies on the weekend (which requires understanding and patience in waiting to be seated and likewise being served). That being said, for an optimal experience at The Neighborhood Restaurant, consider dining early and indoors. Breakfast patrons of The Neighborhood Restaurant are treated to several complimentary accompaniments: Your choice of bottomless coffee, tea, or hot chocolate followed by your choice of fresh fruit or cream of wheat, then a complimentary toast plate and orange juice. That's just for starters. Remember, you have yet to be served your meal! Allow me to elaborate on a few of these complimentary items: Coffee - I enjoy coffee, nay...I LOVE COFFEE! Having been a long time coffee and espresso aficionado, I can unequivocally claim that The Neighborhood Restaurant offers up a very solid cup that lacked bitterness and acidity. All in all, a very delightful complimentary coffee suitable consumption without cream or sugar. Cream of Wheat - Ultimately, THIS is what brought me back the morning of my flight's departure! The Neighborhood Restaurant has their recipe down to a science and quite honestly, I have never been served such a tasty bowl of cream of wheat in my life! Complimentary Toast Plate - Features a selection of fresh baked goods, namely different sliced breads and mini muffins in tandem with homemade jelly. Sirloin Steak, Three Eggs, & Homefries ($10.99): 4.75/5 Sirloin Steak Medium Rare - Check Three Eggs Over Easy - Check What more could you ask for when your order arrives to your table perfectly prepared, just the way you requested? Aside from a small chunk of fat sitting at the end of my steak ordered, I had no complaints of this well seasoned steak. Even their homefries were not too salty and tender. Strawberry, Banana, & Nutella Crepe ($9.49): 4.5/5 Another flawless execution for a dish easily gone awry. My compliments to The Neighborhood Restaurant's chefs for creating an ideal crepe batter that contained a perfect chew with a slight crispy perimeter and filled with sweet strawberries and bananas. Spinach & Cheese Omelette, Homefries, & Toast ($9.49): 5/5 If you love spinach omelettes, this is one you surely do not want to miss! Packed generously with lightly wilted spinach and oozing with Monterey Jack cheese, this French fold omelette will satisfy your hunger and then some! I'm an understanding individual that is sensitive to taxed food service wait staff and feel that in spite of the fact that The Neighborhood Restaurant is as bustling as it is, wait staff remains upbeat, friendly, and sensibly attentive. The Neighborhood Restaurant is a CASH ONLY dining establishment equipped with an onsite ATM.
(5)David A.
I have cracked the code on their delicious cream of wheat. But nothing beats having it served to me in their bustling little restaurant. Love their food, their people.. Parking sucks but that's Boston for you.
(5)B N.
So i had to knock down the rating because of the surrounding "noise" this being the actual conversations of the servers and i think a manager? Or someone associated with the place. Maybe people are naturally loud and yell at each other across the room... Not one or two exchanges but a full blown convo... Ummm can you guys get closer and have a real convo? I forgot to finish this: THE GOOD PART! grapes are real and are good! ask to try them! This made this place so unique. Food was good - when we went however it was a bit chilly and we wanted to sit inside but the inside was closed? hmmm odd... maybe construction or we just came at a bad time. All in all, food was good, i would come back for sure when it is warm and sit in the patio again.
(3)Nomin B.
This place was simply amazing. Nothing over the board, but every item we ordered were perfect. Steak tips are juicy and tender. And cream of wheat is so good that I wanted to order one to-go. Must go, if you want great food!
(5)Lorraine C.
My friends and I are regulars are the Neighborhood! This place is great to go during the summer because they have outdoor seating and the wait time is less compared to the winter. When there is a wait we have to sign our names on a sheet of paper and a waitress will call out the name when the table is ready. We get coffee and a small glass of orange juice plus a choice of cream of wheat or fruit. This place is great, but unfortunately they don't take credit/ debit card, but they do have an ATM inside.
(5)Marissa A.
The 5 stars could solely be for the complimentary cream of wheat (or choice of fresh fruit) they serve. I mean how do you make cream of wheat addictive? You also get orange juice AND coffee. Everything they cook is amazing - eggs, omelets, pancakes. I plan on trying everything. But don't expect private dining - you could be sharing a table with others. And on weekends, expect a bit of a wait. But it's worth it.
(4)Ashley T.
The Neighborhood is amazing. It's a cute little spot in the heart of Union Square with inexpensive home made dishes, friendly staff and a great outdoor patio. It almost feels like eating breakfast in your grandma's kitchen. The portions are huge and the food, more than satisfying. The cream of wheat is to die for. I'm not kidding...you may think you want fruit instead (they give you the option), you might even convince yourself you're going to order fruit, but when the server asks you which option you'd prefer, I bet you a million bucks you'll opt for the cream of wheat. It's THAT GOOD!!! The patio is adorable and perfect for eating outside. Set back from the street, it offers privacy from traffic, big picnic tables, and a lovely grape-vine covered top (they use the grapes to make sangria)... All in all, not to be missed...check it out. You'll definitely be back.
(5)Frances N.
CASH ONLY. The name doesn't lie: this little neighborhood restaurant is a perfect place to become a regular. FOOD - 5 stars ===== - Free OJ (1 glass)/coffee/tea (bottomless). I shouldn't need to say more but... - CREAM OF WHEAT is a must try. Stir in some brown sugar and you'll wish this was bottomless, too. - I forget what I ordered on the menu but it was extremely flavorful: it comes out looking like something I could make myself... until you sink your teeth in and realize its deliciousness! ATMOSPHERE/SERVICE - 5 stars =================== Quiet on a Tuesday morning... and a perfect place to read a book while slowly eating breakfast and listening to oldies on the radio and the waitstaffs' Boston accents. As a west-coaster, I was worried the waitstaff would be New England brusque, but they were extremely attentive: my orange juice and hot tea were never empty and they checked on me just enough to make me feel valued but not suffocated. I wish I could find a place like this in every city I visited.
(5)Bethany K.
This is a good breakfast spot. It's about $12-15 bucks per person but it includes a small orange juice, coffee, toast, and cream of wheat. It's a lot of food. Home fried potatoes are salty (which I like). Cream of wheat is sweet with a ton of cinnamon. Comfort food salt/sugar/butter! Service is robotic and unfriendly. For example: someone asked me I wanted coffee. I didn't but 5 more people asked me the same question. Some people might think that is good service. But I thought it was annoying. Why didn't the first person simply take the mugs off the table so that everyone would know I didn't want coffee. 2nd example I was offered complimentary cream of wheat but it was dripping down the sides of the bowls. It wasn't just my bowl but everyone around me too. It's good plenty of food for the $ but cramped and not worth a long wait.
(4)Susan B.
Delicious home food. Reminded me of having breakfast with my grandma. Cold day, warm kitchen, good company, and the scent of cinnamon in the air. Wait staff was attentive without hovering. Thing that made me sad was the coffee... That was like grandma's as well.
(5)Eduardo N.
Really 3 and 1/2 stars...decided to round up my rating, lol. Didn't quite live up to all the breathless hype. Service was ok-ish for this area (of which I have low expectations). I kind of wish they would automatically bring everyone a glass of ice water once seated and keep refilling, as is commonplace down south...guess I'm spoiled by southern customer service! "Bottomless coffee" = pretty tasteless drip filter coffee with creamer cups, which our server had to be asked to refill rather than seeing that our mugs were empty and needed refilling. Perhaps they were understaffed that day? I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Food took its time to get there and aside from the carby dishes were hit and miss...my steak tips were excellent and cooked medium rare as requested, one of my friend's grilled salmon wasn't, scrambled eggs tasted like the carton type not fresh eggs (many IHOPs give you the option of picking the latter), grilled chicken fillet was dry and thin desperately in need of sauce or gravy, crepes and waffles were pretty good. Generally speaking, if you love carbs, you will probably love this place...rolls, buttered toast, cream of wheat, homemade bread, waffles, etc all were quite good. The "free OJ" = tiny 6-8oz of watery concentrate...nice gesture because it's free, I suppose. Some of us had the grapefruit halves instead of cream of wheat, which were wonderful...of course, cream of wheat doesn't exactly require a culinary arts degree to make yourself at home and sprinkle a bunch of cinnamon and sugar on top. In case you haven't figured it out yet, if you are a paleo eater you'll be less thrilled. Unfortunately, Somerville simply doesn't many good solid, reasonably priced breakfast options unless you consider donuts breakfast, so you could do much worse. About $15 a person is a so-so price for this area, and I suppose if you're coming here on a weekend morning bleary eyed and hung over and too lazy to make your own breakfast at home it's understandable. Personally, I don't think the 15-25 minute wait for a crowded table here is really worth it unless you really enjoy the community vibe and people-watching opportunities. General impression: this is the sort of place that hipsters like to rave about in order to feel like hipsters...unique and sort of homey, yes; objectively all that great, no. PS. Having a LEGIBLE (preferably typed) menu of breakfast specials would be very helpful, instead of having it done in some ridiculously loopy hieroglyphics.
(4)Juliet N.
Really good value for breakfast, food was delicious. Each special comes with coffee, orange juice, cream of wheat or fruit (the day I went it was a baked apple), and a basket of toast for the table. Specials run about $13. Most of the specials include a waffle/pancake option and eggs, sausages and homefries. You can change to bacon for an extra $1. The place is pretty small, we went with a group of 5 and they only have 2 tables that fit a party that big. The wait was only about 30 minutes anyway, and that was on a Saturday around noon. Our table had the eggs benedict, pumpkin pancakes, coconut/ strawberry pancakes, and a waffle with fruit among other things. Everyone was very happy with their food and the experience. Service was friendly and efficient. Whipped cream was homemade, portion size was huge, no complaints. Would not hesitate to go again.
(4)Yadira R.
Cream of Wheat! Who would have ever thought it could be addicting? If you had a bowl at the Neighborhood Restaurant in Somerville, MA you would understand why. Cooked in the kitchen of a Portuguese-American mom and pop shop in Union Square, the top secret recipe leaves people practically licking their bowls. It is so good that I'm convinced if the Neighborhood ever opted to open a food truck just serving the cream of wheat, they would be millionaires within the week! Containing traces of lemon peel, cinnamon, butter, and sugar, amongst other less noticeable ingredients, the cream of wheat is something you either love or hate. While some don't quite understand the platform created for this bowl of goodness, others would easily jump for joy. For me personally, it brings me back to my former years when my mother would serve me a bowl as a kid. It's sort of like that scene in Ratatouille, when the famed food critic takes his first bite of the meal and gets transported back to his childhood home eating his mothers home cooking. Now how many foods have you eaten that can do all that? The cream of wheat is just not a bowl of mush, but is an experience that opens the mind, provokes an emotion, and has the potential to tap into your memory bank. If you have tried it and don't like it, fine. Everyone has an opinion. But, if you haven't tried it, you are doing yourself a disservice. The cream of wheat has easily become a Somerville classic!
(4)Joni T.
OMG! This place is amazing. Family owned. Everything made home made. It's cash only so be prepared. But if you're not they have an ATM inside. The cream of wheat was Rick, buttery, creamy, salty. Melt in your mouth. You get huge portions so be prepared to take a box home with you.
(5)Kelly C.
So many extra bonuses here! OJ, Cream of wheat or fruit, and some type of baked good come with every special! Oh, and coffee, tea or hot coco! CASH ONLY Tight squeeze inside. HUGE portions of food and the options go over 100 on the menu~ Everything we had was delicious!
(4)Wendy H.
In the summer this is a great place for families to come for early morning breakfast. They open at 7 am, outdoor seating is beautiful and all meals come with the choice of cream of wheat or fruit, both of which tend to be popular with kids. Show up later and you'll wait in line, and service is a little hit or miss. But overall a wonderful spot.
(4)Court S.
Go for the cream of wheat. I only get breakfast food here- eggs, toast, pancakes. All so good. However, the star of the show is the cream of wheat. I love coming here on a summer weekday, because there is no line, no wait and all but 2-3 other tables of people. Good for service, prob bad for tips. But goodness that cream of wheat. I can't even replicate it at home- and I've tried. P.S- the grapes hanging from the ceiling are real.
(5)Olivia W.
Yes, just yes to everything. Eat here, leave full, be happy. Cash only!
(5)Jessica L.
You know a place is pretty good if there's a long line outside in the cold. They made a great first impression when they offered coffee and some snacks while you wait outside in the cold. I really loved the cream of wheat; it was easily the best part of the meal. It's the first time I had it, and I think I would have been full on just the cream of wheat itself. However, I also got the homemade corned beef hash. It came with 3 eggs, home fries, and the corned beef hash. The home fries were pretty good, a little mushy in the middle, but otherwise fine. The eggs were just fine. I was a little disappointed with the corned beef hash. It was kind of bland and even throwing some salt on it didn't seem to help. The menu said that it was homemade, and it seemed like something they were supposed to be good at. However, I was not impressed with the corned beef hash. The service was pretty good. People came by to offer us more coffee. However, they never came by with the orange juice, and they only gave us a small cup of it. It would have been nice if they had come by with not just coffee but orange juice. Overall, it was a pretty good place, and definitely worth the value. For $12.95, I got enough food to feed me for probably 2 or 3 meals. I would probably go again when it's warmer. They have a little patio section next to the restaurant that opens up in the summer.
(3)Christina H.
First time trying portuguese style breakfast. Personally, I was not a fan of my dish. I was told ahead of time that the linguica would taste different from chrorizo, but I was curious and gave it a try. Nope, not the same. The linguica doesn't have a kick to it. Pancakes and homefries were not anything extraordinary. A couple of my friends raved about the cream of wheat, but I just found it meh. Cute outdoor patio seating area. Servers were all extremely friendly and helpful. I would still recommend folks to come try it out. It's not my go-to brunch spot, but it might be yours.
(3)Mimi L.
This place has AMAZING breakfast. Everything I ordered tasted so on point from their toast to the Portuguese sausages, eggs, and cream of wheat. If you are ever presented with the option of fruit or cream of wheat, get the cream of wheat!! I came here when I was on vaca but I can't wait to come here again next time I visit so I can try all the other delicious options on the menu!
(5)Sarah R.
My husband adores this place, based mainly on the sheer quantity of food. I've been here a few times but I'm not a huge fan. The food is ok and the coffee is pretty bad. Plus it's cash only.
(3)Gaven C.
This is a very affordable and delicious little dive restaurant. Your meal comes with the best tasting cream of wheat you'll ever have, orange juice and coffee. Make sure to bring cash because they don't take CC's!
(5)Jonathan H.
This review is long overdue seeing as how this is my family's go-to breakfast/brunch place, especially when we have visitors. Do you hate the fact that with most brunch places, you have to choose sweet OR savory? Not with Neighborhood! Their weekend brunch specials include both, and are huge portions to boot! I can vouch for their waffles and pancakes, particularly the pumpkin pancakes when they are serving them. And as everyone has already mentioned, make sure someone in your party chooses the cream of wheat! Cons are long lines on weekends due to their awesomeness, and parking is a bit tricky for non-Somerville residents, although there is metered parking nearby. In the winter, when the outdoor seating isn't available, seating is pretty tight as well. Lastly, fellow parents: if you are like us and are already awake early because of the little ones, seating is that much easier if you swing by before 9:30am.
(5)Kamille W.
I'm not sure I'll ever be able to forgive myself for waiting as long as I did to try the Neighborhood Restaurant. I have missed out on Saturday mornings full of wonderful cornbread and hollandaise for the past eight years. Please excuse me while I dab away this single, dramatic tear. ...Ok back. ANYWAY. Here's what you do, kiddos. On Saturday morning, stride over to the restaurant to put your name on the list. Grab a cup of the free coffee and stroll over to the farmer's market for a few minutes. Buy the obligatory kale -- maybe some rainbow chard if you're feeling fancy. Wander back to the restaurant when you feel the breakfast nymphs calling your name, and spend the last 5 or 10 minutes of your wait near the entrance. Real talk? Once you place your order, it will be a while before it comes out.This is ok for a couple of reasons. One, the wait will be 4000% worth it. And two, you will be kept well-fed and watered (coffee-ed?) while you wait. Fruit. Cream of wheat. Coffee. OJ. All for the price of "on the house." And then it will happen: THE BREAD DROP. Your order will come out with a few slices of toast for the table, and a chunk of sweet, moist, delicious cornbread. Y'all, I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. On top of all this magicalness, you'll get whatever lovingly prepared dish you actually ordered. I got the grilled salmon with poached eggs and hollandaise. The salmon was cooked to medium rare perfection: flaky on the outside, moist on the inside. The poached eggs were the platonic ideal: soft but cooked white, runny and not-even-a-little-bit-firm yolk. All this and a side of shockingly flavorful beans and rice. You guys, I paid like $12 for that plate of food. ARE YOU SERIOUS WENDY ( goo.gl/Mr4HJH ) So yeah. You should go to the Neighborhood Restaurant. ...Like, now.
(5)Marcy H.
Fantastic!!!!! Free cream of wheat, free oj, free coffee and yummy breakfast including an amazing free blueberry muffin to top things off! Two big breakfasts for $11. Cant beat it!!!
(5)Colleen C.
I love their cream of wheat!!! The place is small and intimate. The food is lip smacking awesome!
(5)Erica D.
You had me at Cream of Wheat... This was a moment of reckoning!! We are food fanatics and tend to be disappointed in hole in the wall breakfast places. I had read many great reviews as well as a bunch of bad ones and we needed to try the Neighborhood Restaurant for ourselves. Today was the day! We got there around 11:15 am and when I was able to move thru the huge crowd on the sidewalk in front I went in and met one of the "family" who explained the self sign in system and told me about the free coffee and corn bread outside while we wait. ( these offerings were good and always refilled for us crazy vultures) She was happy and sweet while working incredibly fast and hard to get the next groups seated. We waited about 30 minutes for a two top and being a cool beautiful day made that an easy wait. We were seated inside at a very tiny table but this time of year the out door dining area is closed. That's ok! It's a small but nicely done dining room. It felt clean and contemporary. The people who work there and run a finely oiled machine are upbeat, friendly, welcoming and attentive folks. They greeted us with free coffee and small oj's and our menus. Nice array of choices and a whole sheet of specials. Every breakfast listed sounded great!! And the prices were more than fair! First things first... Cream of wheat or fruit he asked. Being fall and having heard such rave reviews about the offering we both picked cereal. I was not sure how good this was gonna be. I was actually expecting slightly watery bland CoW. No way!!! This was a big bowl with cinnamon on top! I couldn't believe how good it was!!! Grandma Edee move over! Then the bread plate came with banana muffin and wheat toast with jam. Nice but I just couldn't. Then my spinach and cheese omelette oh so fresh and packed full!! I'm very picky about over done eggs and this was perfection! I was a glutton and also ordered a "side" of French toast! I was lead to the Portuguese sweet bread as my bread choice and it was a good one! A "side" was as big as most regular greasy spoons' full order. Two huge pieces with butter and syrup on the side! Yes it's a lot but we had to try everything we could on visit #1 My hubby had a family omelette and loved it! He doesn't eat home fries but that's ok. If I have one critical thought it's that the home fries could have been a bit more done but, that's a personal preference! So! After the equivalent of three breakfasts each, we left full and so happy we finally got over here! We saw so many other great meals being served we will be back soon for homemade hash and the sirloin and eggs!! Maybe we won't eat all week so we can come again next Sunday. Thanx gang at the Neighborhood!!!! We thoroughly enjoyed our time today from waiting with other fans to the service and delicious food you made for us! See you soon and I fear often! Erica and Dave
(5)Krycee K.
A quaint place with delicious food! Before hitting the road to run errands my friend sugegsted we grab breakfast first and of course I trusted his judgment because he always finds these great places with the yummiest food. So The Neighborhood it is. Mind you I've never heard nor been to this place, then again I don't frequent the Somerville area so there you go. Please note I am a vegan (the menu doesn't cater to vegans) however I was abl eto partake of a very satisfying breakfast. The prices are very affordable too. It's a small place and can get crowded pretty quick, but isn't the the case with all the best places to eat. I hope you give it a try, it's definitely worth it :)
(4)Eric D.
I've been here a dozen times in the past year easily. I can't stay away from it! The outdoor seating is amazing! The indoor seating is homely! The staff is friendly and quick! Most of all the food is perfect every time, whether I get lunch or breakfast. Their coffee is decent enough to drink black and their cream of wheat is my go to every time. I simply cannot recommend this place enough and whenever someone stays over, we walk to this place. Take note though, they take cash only, but it's super affordable.
(5)Michael C.
One of the best breakfasts in all of Greater Boston. This family run diner style restaurant serves extremely generous portions of food for short money. Every breakfast comes with juice, an option of cream of wheat or a baked apple, some bread and muffins, and finally the breakfast entree you actually ordered. The menu items are pretty traditional breakfast items, no real surprises. However everything made here is of very high quality. Lastly, the outdoor patio here is awesome and draped in grape leaves. No reservations so expect to wait for a table. My suggestion is to go after 1PM.
(5)Hannah R.
Mmmmmm, what can I say that hasn't been said by hundreds of other brunchers? Maybe not much... Seems like no matter what time you get here, there's going to be a line. There is a list outside to write your own name down on--don't be one of the goons who stands around waiting for a hostess to pay attention to them for twenty minutes. There's coffee and pastry to keep you munching while you wait, and trust, it is so worth the wait. Virtually all of the meals come with complimentary o.j., coffee, plate of pastry, your choice of cream of wheat OR baked apple in winter/fruit plate in summer. Go with the baked apple in the winter, cream of wheat in the summer. Better yet, go with a group so you can have it all! Most of the plates come with either rice and beans or homefries; the homefries are good, but how often do you get rice and beans with breakfast? The answer, of course, is not often enough. I always sub for rice and beans, and the wait staff don't seem to mind. In the warm seasons, all seating is outside in their homegrown grape arbor at colorful picnic tables, complete with umbrellas. It's a lovely and unique way to dine out in Somerville, and it's pretty good for people-watching. Unfortunately, it's also harder to get a server's attention during this time of year, because they all seem to cluster by the kitchen entrance together. During the winter months, all seating is indoors. The restaurant is decorated primarily with family photos and collages; this is a family-owned restaurant, and it's not hard to miss that when you're looking at prom pictures of your servers and chefs. CASH ONLY, yo. There's an ATM inside. There's going to be a wait and there's no way around that, so don't go if you're going to get cranky about it.
(4)Tuyet V.
I come for the cream of wheat, orange juice and the sweet bread French toast. :)
(5)Derek D.
A real favorite, love this place... Always a tiny bit of a wait, but well worth it. All menu items I have tried are great (corned beef hash is my favorite). Prices are really low, servers are nice and everyone around always seems to be having a lot of fun!
(5)Aashish J.
Did not live up to the hype, yet a decent place for the first bite of the day. The food (steak) was okay and so was the service. We had to wait for everything, including water and hot sauce, for a while. The portion size was good though. Overall, a nice breakfast place but not as great as the reviews here.
(3)Buster F.
Breakfast begins with... a wait. It may look a little dive-y on the outside, but the food is cooked to perfection and the locals are lined up at 8:30 in the morning. Expect to wait 30 minutes and enjoy the free coffee while you do so. Diners get complimentary orange juice and a choice of fresh fruit or a big bowl of cinnamon-buttery-cream-of-wheat-goodness while they peruse the menu. I had eggs and bacon cooked to perfection. The homefries had tiny bits of onion and tomato. My date had the strawberry crepes drizzled with Nutella; these were rich and delicious, yet somehow managed to seem very light. We liked eating outside under a giant canopy of grape leaves. The waitstaff was sweet. The price was right (bring cash). The kitchen was spotless. The portions are remarkable.
(5)Natalie D.
Really great food and not a bad wait to get seated. Friendly feeling from both servers and regulars. Good healthy options and just a lot of options in general. Love the fact that they give you yummy cream of wheat! Only bad thing is that they are cash only and they didn't bring us water with out asking for it.
(4)Jessica A.
Loved it! Great food, huge portions, staff decked out in Patriots paraphernalia on behalf of super bowl Sunday. Had an iced tea, baked apple, cream of wheat, eggs Benedict with crab cakes an tomato. Friendly service :)
(4)Xenia A.
This is a little bit out of the way - but so so worth it!! The food is excellent, and a LOT of it for the price you pay, as is the service. Everyone was super friendly, without being over the top or annoying like can be at other places. Also, your pick of unlimited coffee, tea, and hot chocolate?! That is so awesome! The cream of wheat is super yummy (growing up, I had it all the time, but I knew it at home as "manaya kasha") - and had the Portuguese breakfast. Delicious, was too unfortunate that I was so full I couldn't finish it all!
(5)Christie L.
Cash only! 3 Eggs, toast and home fries for only $5! Okay, I chose the cheapest thing because I didn't know this place was cash only. They did have an ATM though. Anyways, It was good deal of food for only $5! Idon't know what they put on the toast, but it is very delicious. Homefries were good too. It also came with complimentary fresh fruit. The other foods looked great too. I will have to try them next time when I bring cash!
(4)D M.
Get the cream of wheat. When they say "would you like blah blah blah or cream of wheat with that?" Your response MUST be "cream of wheat please!" Come hungry and expecting to wait if it is a weekend morning. Also, order something which you can eat as leftovers. The portions are very large. They use seasonal ingredients for their specials and they are usually spot on. This place is a must try for anyone who likes breakfast. I guarantee that they make it better than your mom ever dreamt.
(5)Genevieve B.
This place is the bomb.com ! It's cheap AND good. You really can't go wrong here but whatever you do, make sure to try the cream of wheat! You'll thank me later ;) the place is on the small side so if you come during rush time expect a short wait. Nonetheless, you'll be glad you came! Who would've thought that Somerville had all the best breakfast spots?!
(5)Dee B.
Unsurprisingly, it seems the prices have gone up, but still a great place for breakfast. I'd never eaten inside - it's tiny, but even at 11am on a Saturday morning our wait was surprisingly short. A Somerville staple, for sure.
(4)Jen R.
Love this place! Be prepared to wait on a busy weekend, but it is worth it. Everything comes with a small oj, bottomless coffee or tea (me, the tea drinker appreciated the ready made simple black tea and no tea bags to fumble with), and cream of wheat or fruit. Now I'm not a cram of wheat fan (I know, I know), but my husband loves it and he comes just for it. As for price, after living in Boston for 10+ years and eating a lot of breakfast, I'd say you cannot beat the amount of food you get for the price.
(5)AJ H.
Nicest people, prettiest outdoor seating in summer, very good food, excellent value, tasty coffee, best cream of wheat ever! Just love coming here, well taken care of even when waiting in line. Best for big groups in summer though somehow they accommodate! Just can't tell you how much I like the people...
(4)Melissa H.
There is simply no need to go anywhere else for breakfast. Awesome staff, such good food, TONS of food, really reasonable prices. Get the yummy jam on the fantastic bread. I want some now!
(5)tammy l.
Winter inside and summer out seating under grape wine. You get free coffee, OJ and cream of wheat or fruit to start with. Their crepe is good, a a bit too sweet for me tho.
(5)Kayleigh S.
Amazing. Want to give this place 6 stars. The combination plates are HUGE and include everything you want (don't you hate places where you have to choose between sweet and savory?) I recommend the pumpkin pancakes and especially recommend the corned beef hash. Go in the summer so you can sit outside under the grape arbor. Perfect lazy sunday brunch for catching up with friends.
(5)Yelena Y.
I came here today with a ground of friends and had a great experience. They give you free coffee while you wait in line outside. The staff was friendly and the feel of the restaurant was authentic. It was clean and cozy. I ordered the #15. Fried banana, portugese sausage, 3 eggs and potatoes. It was different because I have not had a fried banana or portugese sausage for breakfast before. I really enjoyed the meal and did not leave feeling like I had eaten way too much, yet felt full. Overall, I thought this was a great place!
(5)Karla M.
Best breakfast place to go to in Somerville area I have to say. Although if you try and go on weekends you'll catch yourself standing outside waiting for a table because it's a small mom n pop type of place. French toast is amazing as well as everything else. They give you free Oj in the worlds smallest cups but you can't really complain for free. Overall great place
(4)Scott T.
For those who know me, know how much i love my breakfasts and new places i haven't been too. Boy do i have a gem for you!!!! So, I awoke this morning looking to have my " flying solo" breakfast I occasionally have. Wanting to try someplace new, I decided to Google some personal experiences and try to find the " all you can eat" buffet. I found a place in Somerville that a lot of people ranted and raved about in Union Square called, "The Neighborhood Restaurant". When i first got there and found the parking to be a little tough but not impossible. Walked over to the door and noticed that there was also outside dining as well. A very quaint area with big rod iron design gates decor in brass colored lions. You may approach these gates to find a small line waiting to get in. For those waiting, a complimentary pastry and coffee at the entrance. As you make it through the gates you enter the eating area. Patio or picnic tables with umbrellas with an overhead of beautiful full coated grape vines holding an assortment of purple grapes. I sat down to a very pleasant staff and a menu full of variety of breakfast foods but no buffet. I ordered three eggs with hash browns home fries and toast. Reasonably priced for $8.99. They started my meal with coffee and brought me over a large piece of cantaloupe. Perfectly ripe and juicy. When my meal arrived, it was more food than expected but nothing I couldn't handle. I always order my eggs sunny side up and they were perfectly cooked with not a broken yolk to be found. The bread was thick pieces of oven toasted bread not the usual sliced white bread you get in most breakfast establishments. The corn beef hash shredded and tasty not dry and crumbly and the home fries were cooked with chunks of freshly cut peppers and onions. A great meal topped with a glass of OJ. The food and service were quick and courteous. What great experience I've had and looking forward returning to this gem. Three thumbs up!! -- at Neighborhood Restaurant & Bakery.
(5)Juan R.
I really enjoy having breakfast at neighborhood restaurant. I had breakfast at neighborhoods several times and it's always delicious, prepared nicely, and with lots of flavor. The only con I have is that it's a small establishment and when the line is to long I have to go somewhere else :(....For all the meat lovers out there I would recommend #27 (steak tips and eggs).
(5)Greg F.
Best breakfast in metro Boston. Amazing food friendly staff. Good times all around. Never had a bad experience.
(5)Jack j.
Gross subpar diner food. Cramped seating. Cash only. Surly hostess. Long wait. Yes, it's yet another 4 star rated breakfast spot in Boston. Seriously, is it some Yelp gag I'm not in on? How could food this bad be so highly rated? Who ARE you people?
(2)Sam S.
I don't know if i've ever been as satisfied after eating SO much breakfast. The first time I went here, I had already eaten breakfast, was slightly hungover and had to wait outside in 30 degree weather with my friends. The wait was so worth it - side note they had a plate of corn bread out for those waiting and a pot of coffee. Our waitress was so nice and attentive, and the food was delicious. You have your choice of baked apple or cream of wheat to start. I don't even like cream of wheat and I ate all of mine. I ordered coconut french toast with hashbrowns and home fries. I had a feeling the french toast would be really good (I also usually don't like french toast...) and it was. Everything was great! If you even remotely like breakfast, you need to go here!
(5)Elle P.
Holy sweet . . . cream of wheat???? How can anyone get excited about cream of wheat? Then you taste the sweet, creamy cream of wheat heavily laced with cinnamon, and you wonder how anyone CANNOT get excited about this cream of wheat. A couple hours after leaving The Neighborhood Restaurant, I was dreaming about the cream of wheat. It's dinner time now and all I want is a big bowl of that cream of wheat. The rest of the brunch menu was no slouch either. I went with my mom and little sister. We ordered a Portuguese breakfast (2 eggs, codcake, shrimpcake, Portuguese sausage, different kind of sausage, rice and red beans, and home fries) and Coconut & strawberry French toast, which also came with 3 eggs, home fries, and 2 sausages. Each platter was $13.95. There's a $3 charge to share, which is totally reasonable because every person gets a bowl of cream of wheat (get it) or fruit salad, all you can drink coffee, a small glass of orange juice, and a basket of bread. There are big portions and there are GIGANTIC portions. These are GIGANTIC portions. Each platter can serve 2 people with normal appetites. Come here STARVING. The food is simple, good, hearty, stick to your ribs fare. Honestly made, with no fancy frills. Great service. The wait staff was always over to check up on us. 4 stars for the food and an extra star for the service, huge portions, great value, and the most incredible cream of wheat in the world. If they served nothing but cream of wheat, I would come here for that alone.
(5)Lindsay M.
What a quaint, friendly place! My boyfriend and I stopped in this past weekend for breakfast. We got the cream of wheat to start, which was SO GOOD and I got an omelet with homefries and he got the steak tips with homefries. Very, very good! The owners were very nice and understandable. The place itself was small but made you feel like you were at home. We also had the homemade sangria which was awesome! Not too fruity and not too powerful for a morning beverage ;) I'd definitely go here again!
(4)Autumn B.
The absolute best. I had the Nutella crepe and was stuffed with all the food it came with! Great value. I also loved the cream of wheat and I don't even like cream of wheat. The patio was shady and perfect for brunch with a friend. The grapes growing overhead are the perfect touch!
(5)Ziyan C.
I was in Boston for a mere 2 days and made sure to make usual pilgrimage for the awesome cream of wheat! It did not disappoint, as expected. It was nice to come on a weekday lunch and not have to deal with the weekend brunch rush. However, there were a few issues with the service. - The wrong entree came out - but the good news is we got to keep it. Three for the price of two, woot! - The entrees came out first, before the cream of wheat. - I realized after the meal ended that I never got my OJ. Despite all that, you can't beat the vine-covered outdoor patio, large portions, and fantastic food. $30 total (incl tax/tip) for a huge lunch for two - not bad! Specials menu: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… * Special #98: French Toast topped w/ fresh blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, & drizzled w/ white chocolate syrup, 2 eggs, ham, homefries, coffee & OJ - 3.5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… toast close-up: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… 5 star cream of wheat: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… As usual, the cream of wheat is the shit! The eggs + homefries were fine, but there was no crips to the homefries. The ham was pretty good, a thick salty crisped piece of meat. The french toast ended up being two rather small pieces of bread. It was mostly soft with no crisp to it. I thought the white chocolate syrup would be more viscous (i.e. like an actual syrup), but it was more thin and glaze-like and really didn't taste like white chocolate. * Portuguese breakfast (off-menu) - 4 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… Ordered this when I saw some delicious pictures off Yelp. This came with many pieces of delicious meats: cod cake, another cake with a great crisped & breaded skin, a really tasty thick and meaty sausage. Really enjoyed this - wish I'd known on earlier trips here to get their portuguese dishes! (makes sense since the restaurant is portuguese.. not just a brunch spot) * Portuguese lunch - 3 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/the-… The meat had good seasoning, but it was kind of dry and hard. The veggies were soggy and plain. The fries were decent, cut thick, with a thin layer of crisp.
(4)Melissa Y.
The food and service here were excellent! We came here during the week around 2-3pm and it wasn't busy at all, but I've heard that on the weekends, it can get really busy. The restaurant isn't big, so if you can, I would recommend coming during the week to avoid crowds. Upon seating us, they gave us complimentary orange juice and a basket of bread. The menu has a lot of breakfast type food, but we decided to opt for one of their seafood dishes - the Portuguese filet - and we glad we did! The filet was lightly breaded and seemed more dense than halibut. The dish came with three filets, broccoli, and rice. The broccoli was cooked well, but on the salty side. However, with the rice and fish being not as salty, they balanced each other out. The entree also came with a side of kale soup and salad. The soup was delicious, perfectly seasoned, and had just the right texture and body. If only I could reproduce it! We just ordered one entree and shared it, and we were both stuffed at the end. Overall, I was pleasantly satisfied with the food and look forward to coming here again.
(5)Taylor M.
I've been going here since the early 80s and even after leaving for NY in the early 90s always come back with my friend Jerry when I visit. Now my twins are starting at Harvard (proud papa has to plug his kids), and can't wait to introduce this to them and the next generation. I don't know if it was the official name, but we called it "The Friendly Neighborhood Restaurant." I had a wicked crush on the waitress...last time I went (a couple of years ago, so like 25 years later) she was still there and as awesome as ever. I don't remember her name, but she exemplified the essence of The Friendly...caring, warm, friendly (duh). Back in the day they would serve free whiskey shots during the holidays. Lovely people, huge portions, great food. Makes me feel like, well, family. Thank you Borges!
(5)Kate A.
The Neighborhood is the PREMIUM spot to have breakfast in Somerville! Whether you're looking for a simple breakfast (eggs + toast + breakfast potatoes) or something more involved (butterscotch french toast drizzled with caramel; buttermilk pancakes with berries & fresh whipped cream; fresh crepe with nutella and strawberries... just to name a few!) -- The Neighborhood always delivers. Breakfast is always served with a small orange juice, unlimited coffee/tea/hot cocoa, and either fruit or cream of wheat. The breakfast menu has your standard egg/omelet combinations, as well as Portuguese-inspired options like linguica and fried bananas on the side. There is an ever-rotating menu of waffles, pancakes, special omelets and french toast, as well as whole wheat versions, which are usually also served with sides of eggs + toast + potatoes. So if you're going to The Neighborhood for breakfast, you'd better show up hungry, because the portions are huge! I recommend going on a weekday, because the wait on weekends can get crazy. The restaurant sets out baked goods and coffee for people waiting. The service is always great and the staff are incredibly friendly. I LOVE this place and highly recommend it to anyone! If you come in the summer, you can sit outside in their gorgeous patio underneath the grape leaves. It doesn't get much better than an outdoor Neighborhood feast on a warm summer morning under the grape leaves!!
(5)Abby R.
Linguica, eggs, homefries, toast, but the greatest of these is linguica. It was spicy, cooked just right and there was a hearty portion of it. If you go to a place that specializes in Portuguese food, get something Portuguese. Get the linguica. The rest of the breakfast was good. The homefries were probably my second favorite, they were fresh and hot and flavored well. I wanted more of them. The eggs and toast were eggs and toast. Also had some sangria which had a ton of fruit floating in it. I found that it made the sangria a little too sweet, and it didn't taste strong to me but I didn't finish the whole glass (which was sizable) so I don't know for sure. Waitstaff were busy but friendly, the atmosphere sitting outside was nice. Super shady under a living canopy of grape vines, brightly colored tables, festive feeling but very relaxed. Prices weren't as cheap as you can find for some breakfasts, but they weren't outrageous. My sangria and breakfast came out to be $20 with tip. Which is actually on the pricey side but I'm not sure how much the sangria factored into that. We got there around 10:30 on Saturday, party of 2, and we ended up waiting for about 1.5 hours to be seated. They had help yourself coffee, iced tea and portuguese sweet bread though, which helped tide us over, and we were in no hurry. This doesn't seem the place to go to if you're in a hurry.
(4)Miryam S.
Amazing. It was simply amazing. Mind-blowing cream of wheat too.
(5)Jon S.
I drove by this place when I first moved to Cambridge, saw a huge crowd of people outside and thought "MUST EAT THERE." Flash forward a year later, and it still hadn't happened... (whoops, guess I procrastinate in all areas of life). But today was the day. Today, I finally sat on a picnic bench, amidst some tacky (sorry...) statues of lions, shaded by the leaves of grape plants growing overhead. And we only had to wait 45 minutes! I was fully prepared to wait over an hour, so that was a pleasant surprise. Normally I go to breakfast/brunch and I'm torn. The decision between sweet and savory is just awfully difficult for my indecisive brain. Pancakes or an omelet? I want both. Yet, I always end up making a decision, not wanting to pay for two breakfasts, and sadly one half (probably should look this up, I doubt this is factual) of my tongue is always a little disappointed. BUT at Neighborhood, you can have both (and more!) for one (relatively) low price! For 13 bucks, I got a heaping bowl of cinnamon-sugar cream of wheat (too much to finish, but delicious), a small cup of orange juice (which hit the spot), unlimited coffee, a delicious crepe filled with nutella, strawberries, and blueberries, 2 eggs, potatoes, a thick slice of ham, along with toast and a muffin (to split with my dining companion). Uhm, could you ask for anything more? The answer is no. Really. By the end of the meal you won't want (or need) to eat for hours. Definitely worth the wait. Definitely worth the money. Just remember to bring the Benjamins (actually Andrew Jackson will probably suffice), it's cash only. Still kicking myself for taking so long to haul my ass over here.
(4)Ben G.
It's been a while since I've been here. But after this most recent visit, I can assure you it will not be as long until the next time. While it was a little in the spring for the Patio to be open, it was still a killer experience. We rolled up and put our name on the list, helped ourselves to free baked goods and coffee/ hot chocolate. After about 20 minutes a table opened up and we strolled into the tightly packed restaurant. Upon sitting down we were all brought a small OJ and a choice of a baked apple or cream of wheat. The baked apple was good. It would have been great if it was warmed through. I had the crab cake eggs benny and it was awesome. I normally don't like home fries but these were amazing. Way more food than anyone could eat. The service here is top notch. Always friendly, Always affordable.
(4)Liz G.
Fast for at least a week before coming to this Somerville breakfast institution. Your meal is literally served on at least 3 different dishes. Also, no matter what time of day, expect at least a 30-40 minute wait. But don't worry; the wait is worth it. Sit down and get a cup of joe; pick from either fresh fruit or Cream Wheat as a starter; and make your breakfast choice. The Crab Eggs Benedict or Coconut French Toast are always safe bets. And like I said earlier, your main course comes with 2 plates of sides.
(4)Molly M.
FAVORITE breakfast place! My fiancé and I try to come here every other week or so, despite the distance. There's a server there who's a young brunette, with glasses and a baseball cap, who is an absolutely phenomenal waitress! She remembers us even if we haven't been there in weeks. The cream of wheat is to die for! Great place for a casual breakfast, especially when the patio is open in the summer.
(5)Thomas R.
This place is one of my favorite in all of Boston. Overall the food is good, by the thing that stands out is the cream of wheat. It was one of the most surprising and delicious things I've ever eaten. If you go around September you can get free concord grapes from their vines as well!
(5)Steven N.
Don't bother. This place used to be great. Last time the food was bland, took forever to arrive, and the "orange" juice tasted like it was cut with Tang. Today I gave them another chance. Never again. It took 50 min to get seated, after being told 20. So we just took some cream of wheat to go.
(1)James H.
Great breakfast for everybody. Even better if you're hungover.
(5)Jane D.
This is my first two-star review. I'm giving it this for the following: 1. when we arrived, we were unaware of any "sign-in" process, so two people that showed up after us were seated before us, because we simply had never been there before and didn't know we needed to sign in before we could be seated. 2. the food was cold. I ordered waffles, bacon, and eggs, and the waffles and bacon were literally cold. Butter did not melt on the waffles, and the bacon was just inedible cold. 3. the creme of wheat was really yummy. definitely get it if you choose to go here. 4. the outdoor seating is pretty groovy as well, although indoor seating is not an option if the patio is open. bummer if its super hot out. 5. service was fair.
(2)JoBeth U.
This place is so cute! They make their own jam from grapes that are grown above the patio. Their home made breads are fresh as ever and they even let you eat it while you're waiting for a table. I had the corned beef hash with poached eggs and hashed browns. It was SOOO good.
(5)Sarah C.
This place is awesome. HUGE menu, cheap prices, good food. Their cream of wheat must have some kind of magic dust in it. My friend was raving about it and I was like what the hell can be so amazing about cream of wheat?? I dunno but mmmmmm. It's crazy packed at normal hours on the weekends, not sure about the week. I went one time and had breakfast at 3pm and it worked out just fine for me. In the summer they have a nice outdoor patio. Only downsides are cash only and the bathroom is in the kitchen :p
(5)Alexander L.
Wait to get in for brunch was about 30 minutes. Food was a little slow coming out, but that (baked?) apple they serve at first was pretty awesome. Love the fact that hot chocolate is free and unlimited like water; awesome for cold mornings. They also serve a small OJ for free, but it is not refillable and if you want more, you need to order a full juice. Good-sized food servings. Service was attentive. Had a pretty standard spanish omelette with homefries and some of the toast also came with this lemon-y cake which was pretty good. haven't tried any of their more exotic omelettes, but there is a good-sized brunch menu. Will look to return at some point.
(4)Ty G.
Awesome! We got the BBQ steak tips/Shrimp and Portuguese Pork. Incredible flavor and portion size. Rain kept us from the patio - next time
(5)Jacob B.
Bring your appetite because the portions are huge. I would say this is the best brunch in Boston. And if you go during the spring summer you get to eat outside which makes it easier to get a table considering the actual restaurant is really small.
(5)Brendan T.
Its impossible not to be charmed by this ramshackle little local favorite Portuguese spot in the slightly off the beaten path Bow Square area of Somerville. The service is likewise slapdash and can certainly be slow and a bit scatterbrained. The breakfast though is a thing of beauty, most notably the seemingly perennial "Portuguese Breakfast special" . For 10 bucks you get eggs, once served scrambled with delicious Portuguese linguiça sausage another time alongside it, blood sausage delicious fried codfish, shrimp and meat cakes (one of each), solid house home-fries and toast, the last of which I was unable to touch every time. Oh yeah and you get a starter of either amazing house made cream of wear or fresh fruit beforehand in the deal and unlimited coffee. I hear tell that all the other breakfast offerings are delicious as well and am inclined to believe it but I was never able to bring myself to order anything else. Of course this is the type of breakfast that will have you feeling ready for a nice nap afterwards but it is a decadently delicious gut-buster.
(4)Corey L.
LOVE Neighborhood restaurant. Always expect a line on a weekend afternoon. The same crew has worked there for like 30 years and I'm a fan. The service is rarely the best, but they run around, get you what you want, and most importantly they deliver the cream of wheat. Which you must try. It's the best! I never had cream of wheat before coming here and Yelp helped me to try it and my life was changed. I've had it other places and it's basically always awful. But this is like eating a bowl full of cinnamon-enhanced heaven. And the menu in general is great. You can get about 100 different desserts masquerading as breakfast, from all sorts of pancakes, french toasts, and waffles to anything you want. And you get a HUGE amount of food. They just keep bringing stuff to the table. I'm not sure why you get extra breads at the end, but I'm definitely gonna eat it! But be careful, b/c the special menu is cash only. And incredible!
(5)Rachel Leah B.
My boyfriend has threatened to break up with me if I blog about this place because the line is long enough already. I don't think he's kidding. ...but he's not on Yelp, so let's keep this little review between us, shall we? Get there early, get the cream of wheat, and if you don't have a huge appetite, don't feel bad about sharing a plate. (The $3 sharing charge gets you your own cream of wheat, unlimited coffee, and one tiny OJ.) Winter is an adventure, especially if you're near the front door. Summer is beautiful outside underneath the grape vines and pastel umbrellas. The servers may seem a bit gruff at times, but I've been given free stuff before - it's these little touches that really make a place special. Once in the winter, we all ordered the cream of wheat, only to find that the seasonal fruit was an amazing-looking baked apple. We asked our waitress about it (at first we had no idea what it was from far away) and she brought over a free one. Another time, my friend and I looked visibly dead from a late night out. "I like to party on Friday nights, too," said the waitress. "Here, drink this," she told us, giving us a free bottle of some sort of soda that was supposed to be a magical hangover cure. I love this place, and I rarely have to wait very long because I drag myself there by 10. If you run into my boyfriend waiting in line at Neighborhood, please don't tell him I sent you.
(5)Hyunu K.
Ok so i dont give out Five stars out very often but this place deserves one because im a sucker for amazing breakfast places and this is an AMAZING breakfast place. Small and cozy and the staff is amazing. Such great service and great food. my girlfriend is one of those people who have a hard time deciding what to get all the time on the menu. So this time she was deciding whether or not to get the french toast (which was amazing) or just the egg and potatoes. She asked the waitress what she should get and she told us that they are totally flexible with anything on the menu. Anyways long story short she went with the eggs and potato but was torn obviously with the decision. The waitress was so cool that she ordered her a single serving for her to try just for free. Lets just say that have customers for life! Check it out and and stuff your face. O yeah if your a fan of Cream of Wheat then definently check it out because its free and amazing as well.
(5)Maureen K.
Best breakfast I ever had. Everything from the grits to the omelets to the waffles was fresh and cooked perfectly. This is a hidden gem.
(5)Judy P.
They have the best pancakes! We usually go there on weekends for brunch and the waiting line is pretty long but it's worth it. They serve o.j, coffee, and cream of wheat with every order. Cream of wheat is really tasty but I'd skip the coffee even if it's free. I tried Begian waffle, French toasts, Tri-berry pancakes, and Spanish omelet. I wasn't too crazy about the omelet but everything else was great. I dont remember what my hubby got though. I was too busy eating. The portions are huge so go hungry and wear a pair of spandex waist pants so you can eat the whole thing and still be able to breathe! ;) Service is always great. Staff seem like genuinely friendly people. The bathroom was tucked in right in front of the kitchen/dungeon and it was literally a SMALL closet.
(4)Ryan M.
Yay! I'm a fan -- with one caveat. I went on a week day around 11 and the service was STILL bad. I really liked the free coffee and orange juice, but the waitress brought just one water glass for a table for two... a little awkward. She came by halfway through and did the "how is the meal?" routine, my friend said "great" I tried to say "I would like water..." but she was gone. I suppose I could have gone and chased her down, but decided it was more worth it to stay sitting with my coffee. Anyway, I ordered the first thing on the specials menu, the Belgian waffle with blackberries and whipped cream. Comes to the table, no blackberries. After some initial confusion about why I would want blackberries (language barrier?), the server brought me some in a special bowl. Okay... awesome. Why the four stars then? Because the food was GREAT! Quite seriously the best whipped cream I've ever had, spreadable butter, delicious Belgian waffles, plus little extras like the coffee, orange juice, fruit beforehand, surprise extra food with the meal -- great for if you don't plan on eating for the rest of the day... or week! The atmosphere is also perfect for a warm morning this summer. They grow grape vines on this trellis roof which provides both shade and "summery" ambiance. Highly recommended for the food and the prices, but be prepared for inconsistent service.
(4)Samuel F.
How have I not reviewed this already? This place has the most amazing brunch I've ever had in Boston. I don't know if the food is quite the best in town, though everything is very good (the cream of wheat and the bread are particularly amazing). But it is an incredible feast, and for a very reasonable price. Go with friends for weekend brunch during the summer, brave the line, and enjoy a leisurely meal on the patio. You will not be disappointed. (Alternately, beat the crowd and show up for weekday breakfast or lunch. Presumably, the food is just as good.)
(5)Kathleen R.
Any place that has a wait out front on the sidewalk usually indicates you want to eat there. That is certainly the case with The Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery. Like the name, the establishment (or at least the back patio) is unassuming and homesque. We came around 10a and promptly milled around with the few other guests waiting on the sidewalk. As a few more people came up and wrote their name on a list we realized the hostess was just a seater and not a name taker. We squeezed our name onto the list (we were not losing our space in the queue) and whew...crisis averted! While we milled I took it upon myself to explore the cart for coffee cups and enjoyed a cup o' joe while waiting for our turn. The coffee was great, the weather phenomenal and no one was in a hurry while we waited for the packed patio to open up. Once it was our turn to be seated we were lead to the back of the patio. As you look up you can see grapes growing across the top of the entire patio casting the perfect shadow over the patio, allowing light to stream through the vines. The service was impeccable. As we milled and sat we joked that everyone who works there must be on PEDs. Everyone is ripped, including the women. Despite the muscles and seemingly ripe picking grounds for MMA fighters, everyone was extremely nice and helpful. Being a vegetarian who does not touch eggs, at all, there were very accommodating. I ordered the Belgian Waffle with granola, strawberries and cream. It came with egg whites scrambled w/ goat cheese and tomatoes. All meals also come with Cream of Wheat or fruit. My brunch mates ordered a variety of meat friendly dishes. The huge portions came out promptly and almost everything came at the same time. My tomatoes and cheese came a bit late and was not very good (you could tell the tomatoes were of the poor, factory produced variety) but that is my only complaint. We each paid around $12 for our meals and could easily have turned each one into two separate fares. All in all, I would go back in a heartbeat. There are no separate checks and it is a cash only joint but don't let that deter you. With good food, attentive service, and phenomenal people watching you can't ask for much more in a breakfast joint. I hear the bathrooms look sweet too.
(5)J K.
There is a really great video online that someone made where Judy Garland sings about Cream of Wheat. When I go to The Neighborhood and get the cream of wheat, I want to sing about it. I never knew I could love it so much. Everything is delicious. The potatoes rule. The juice is great. The pancakes! I could go on about everything. Cash only, so be ready, and bring an extra few bucks because the menu is extensively delicious.
(4)k k.
We were excited to try the Neighborhood Restaurant (a previous weekend we'd gone elsewhere because of the long lines but this weekend we were up early). Upon arrival (8.30am) we were immediately seated amid the many families with babies/toddlers. We were greeted and asked if we wanted coffee. My mug was STUCK to the table lip side down. ugh. We were seated at a table that was two 2-tops pushed together. Someone walked over and put OJ on the opposite side of the table. Not knowing they were ours, we never drank them. Most folks have raved about the amount of food. They are right ... the portions are HUGE. Too huge. No one needs to eat 3 meals in one sitting. If your breakfast occupies 3 plates that's 2 plates too many!! A LOT of really average food doesn't make it a good dining experience. (Seriously, there is so much food served in the $12.99 specials that they have imposed a $3 sharing fee -- because it's definitely enough food for two, maybe three, people.) The best thing there was the jam. It was delicious. We put it on both pancakes and toast. Sadly we won't be back since this place did not live up to it's raves.
(2)Katherine H.
I've only been there for brunch, but it is great! Portions are big so beware. Each meal comes with homemade pastries and cream of wheat or seasonal fruit. I recommend the cream of wheat if you like rich hot cereals. Cute (small) atmosphere and nice people. CASH ONLY
(5)Raymond W.
Lunch fare review: This is a review for lunch fare. The reviews are glowing, but I would say that for lunch, this place is just average. While you wont' see a lot of Portuguese restaurants around Boston, this one certainly thrives on yelp with strong reviews. I simply didn't see as much reflected in the food I got to go. The seafood was rather mediocre and tasted pretty much like a smaller family restaurant would. Perhaps it was inflated expectations or the fact that it's somewhat out of the way for most people including myself to get to. One thing that did stand out was the white bread that came with my food. I can easily see myself coming back to buy a loaf. Stick with breakfast and brunch here, but also expect to see long waits especially if it's raining or it's prime brunch hours.
(3)Dan A.
So, a quick caveat. I talk about my girlfriend in these reviews a lot because 95 percent of the time, I'm going out to these places I review with her. The Neighborhood represents the first time in as long as I can remember that we disagree. She would give this four stars, I would give five. Be warned! Put simply, The Neighborhood gives you the best combination of quality and quantity of any brunch place I've ever been to. Skip the main menu and head straight for the specials, all of which are $12.99 and come with OJ, coffee, cream of wheat or fruit, and a plate of toast and muffins. I've had three of the specials over time: the coconut french toast, the eggs benedict with crab cakes, and the southwestern omelette. All were phenomenal. I have also stolen and enjoyed my girlfriend's berry pancakes. Also, I normally hate cream of wheat, but for some reason, The Neighborhood's is unbelievable. Two last things. Some people seem to complain about the service. My servers have always been really nice, and very attentive. Second, go to the neighborhood in the spring / summer, and eat outside! They have a great outdoor seating area under grape vines. The Neighborhood isn't perfect. The OJ isn't very good, and the fruit isn't either. But overall, this is an amazing brunch / breakfast place, and the best value for your money you'll find.
(5)Rob M.
I'm glad I went. Its a nice thing in practice: sitting outside, enjoying breakfast. But most of my time was spent listening to my neighbors on my picknick table's conversation and swatting flies. The food was good, just not spectacular enough to make me forget the unfun part.
(4)Daniel B.
All you people with regular job type jobs really get screwed. Play hooky one beautiful cool summer morning, and come for breakfast under the grapevines without the hustle and bustle. Let me tell you, it's lovely. Super lovely. Sure, I've had better food. Better bacon, better eggs, better muffins, better juice, better coffee, better fruit. But I have NEVER, NEVER EVER, NEVER EVER EVER had better cream of wheat. And I do not think that I have ever been to a restaurant that was as generous as The Neighborhood. Sure, you pay for it in the end. There is no free lunch (despite the sign on the window). But dammit, they still give you free orange juice when you sit down. And it feels generous. Plus everyone gets that cream of wheat. I am still thinking about it. Mmm. I was visiting, so I had no idea of any hype or anti-hype. I got to be surprised about how great a place this is. Simple. Homey. Generous. And really, when I was there, the service was excellent too. Next time I go back, I may try to see if I can skip everything else, and just have the cream of wheat, with a side of cream of wheat. And some coffee. And the free orange juice, of course.
(5)Mike P.
We went as a group of 6 and although the wait was long, the food was great. We signed in and waited about 30 min for a table on Sunday morning, which was fine with us. At first the waiter was very attentive, but after we placed our order, we needed to chase him down for coffee and follow up a couple of times for the food thinking they forgot about us. But the food was great and different from your normal breakfast places. My daughter got a crepe with nutella and banana, my mom ordered salmon and poached eggs, and I had the Portuguese special, the others opted for the regular breakfast fare and we all had fresh fruit. The food was great, except for the meat cake on mine. It may just be something I don't like, but it was terrible. If you go, you will get a huge plate of great food, but go with someone you like because you will be spending a lot of time together.
(4)Delaina F.
Great food and great service, family owned and the prices are really good!
(5)Faezeh M.
Great place for brunch in Somerville! Apart from all the delicious food they served, I really enjoyed their baked apple. I will definitely go back to try their lunch and dinner menu.
(4)Vez K.
My friend told me that this place is known for great cream of wheat. I had never had cream of wheat before and found it to be good, though very creamy and too heavy for me. Breakfast there was great, especially their specialty pancakes. My friend loved her pumpkin pancakes. And if you like meat, the Portuguese breakfast was good, though a bit too heavy for me also (maybe because of the fried items). Overall, this place was good and gave lots of food.
(4)Jennifer N.
So after twelve years in Cambridge, I finally made it to the Neighborhood. This place is all about quantity- for example, I ordered an omelette which came with : bread, fruit, hash browns, tea, and coffee. My friend ordered waffles which came with bacon, eggs, fruit, bread, hash browns, and coffee. You get the idea. The name of the game is huge portions. So, if you like all-you-can-eat type places (or if you like to eat all you can), this is your place. The food was good- not mind blowingly brilliant- but solid (and affordable). This isn't like brunch at Highland Kitchen or something - it's a little bit less exceptional - but the staff is super-friendly, and you'll certainly be full for the rest of the day. Notes: --I thought the toast was the best part of the meal. Definitely eat the bread. --Expect to wait. We went during a blizzard so we didn't have to. --Cash only.
(4)William P.
I'm a breakfast lover so this place was always right in my wheel house. Living only a short walk away I frequented regularly during the week as it can get quite busy on the weekends. I loved how even if the outside wasn't open they would always seat singles at one of the big tables together so I never had to worry about taking a table up if I was just by myself. When you don't have time to sit down it was always easy to grab a quick Cream of Wheat on the go. Great service and wonderful food. Try the spinach / feta omelet!
(5)Sarah G.
The Borges Family can cook for me all day long!! Especially if that server with the biggest arm muscles I have ever seen delivers my food to my table all day long too! Wow! Can I get tickets to that gun show?? Just seemed so random to have a guy that buff serving us our brunch heh Loved it! We were sad that the outside patio was not open when we went because that doubles the space to seat everyone which meant our part of 6 had to wait about 45 minutes on a Sunday to get seated.....And then we were seated in the back corner by the kitchen which the AC didn't hit, which definitely heated up as we were eating our deliciously tasty food! So try and get a table not in that corner so you don't have to worry about sweating into your fruit salad! But you can see I am still giving it 4 stars. Heat aside, the food here is just fantastic. And you get SO MUCH food after waiting that long for a table we still couldn't finish everything that was brought to our table. They have a massive selection of food and then two more pages added in with all of their specials!! It is like the neverending story of breakfast! So awesome! What will I dream of forever??? Their pumpkin spice pancakes. My god. They are big and fluffy and they melt in your mouth. The cinnamon sprinkled on it paired with that fresh fresh whipped cream on the side, is just heaven!!! And it comes with eggs and hashbrowns and coffee and juice and fruit too!! All for $11!! And all of their breakfast meals come with that! It really is mother-lode of all breakfast lands!! And their healthy breakfast special with egg white omelet with asparagus and cheese and broccoli and red peppers was divine!! And the homefries were tasty too! Oh and did I mention you get muffins and bread and toast with your meal too?? Not gonna lie, our table couldn't finish everything on the table, so the extra muffins we didn't eat, took a little trip into my purse so we could eat them later as a snack heh. And they were even good after the fact!! I mean, we couldn't let good food go to waste!! You know they would have just thrown them away heh I wish The Neighborhood was even closer to my own neighborhood, because I could eat here all day every day of my life, as long as they put me in a spot where the AC reaches!!!
(4)Amanda B.
Going out for breakfast or dim sum on a Sunday is one of my favorite ways to start the day. My cousin had told me about this place so we made plans to head out there with her boyfriend. As soon as word got out that we were going a few others excitedly jumped on our band wagon. We got to the restaurant before 9 and we found parking right out front and only one person in line ahead of us. They have complimentary home made cake, coffee, and lemonade for patrons while waiting in line. They also had a sign posted that if you are in a hurry this is NOT the place to be. The outdoor patio is completely covered by grapevines. Amazing. They sat us and right away poured us little shot glasses of orange juice and asked if we would like coffee. They also give you the option if you would like fruit or the cream of wheat. Dear god, get the cream of wheat! This amazing porridge is buttery, slightly lemony and sprinkled with cinnamon. They also put out home made breads, cake, cupcakes, as well as home made jam. That day's jam happened to be strawberry banana. Delicious. They have an extensive listing of breakfast options as well as about 15 daily specials. I opted for the home made corned beef hash with 3 poached eggs and potatoes. I'm kind of a corned beef has snob and this was the best I have ever had. The potatoes were also totally awesome. Other dishes at my table consisted of french toast topped with caramel and bananas, lobster omelette, oreo pancakes, and the portuguese breakfast. I could eat here every week and still not try the whole menu for months.
(5)Miriam L.
Apparently, my parents used to take me here for brunch when I was a little kid. My mom lived in the area when they met, and I know that they have a lot of nostalgia attached to my current (and mom's former) neighborhood. Sadly, I had no memories of coming here with them. So, on to the review: First, be prepared to wait. We stood outside for at least an hour waiting for a table for two people. But they do put out coffee and cornbread for those waiting. Dear God that bread is delicious. We ended up sharing a table with another group of two. Not a big deal (though it might have been hard to get out had we finished & wanted to leave before them), but just something to keep in mind. Service was very quick and we got our orange juice and tea (complimentary!) almost as soon as we sat down. All breakfasts also come with fruit or oatmeal* and toast. My eggs were cooked perfectly - not runny except for the yolk. The hash browns were cooked just right as well. My only complaint? The bacon was a bit over cooked. Slightly burned actually. But at least there was plenty of it. They are cash only, so keep that in mind, but the food is also pretty cheap. We're planning on coming back...and maybe even bringing our roommates next time. *Side note to the reviewer who complained that they salt their oatmeal: That's not some weird freakish thing. My dad has always eaten his oatmeal with butter and salt. Sorry you don't like it that way, but oatmeal isn't always eaten with sweetener.
(4)Kat C.
I hate crowds, waiting in line, small spaces, cream of wheat and breakfast. Only their cream of wheat didn't turn me.
(5)Eric L.
On account of positive Yelp reviews, I went today with my 2 kids. Big mistake. We arrived on Sunday 11AM, waited outside for 45 minutes. While waiting, a middle aged woman signed up on the board, and then approached the waitress (young lady 5'3" heavish, with long light brown hair) calling the tables to ask if there is anything that she could do to get her in. There were about 30 other people waiting outside on the street. Finally when we got called and took a seat, this woman also got seated next to us, even though she was clearly further down the line, at least 40 minutes away from seating (had she not cut the line). I was shocked. This woman was clearly friends with the people that work at the place, but to cut the line so flagrantly, it's really unfair to all of the people that waited patiently. This clear violation of the system upset me enough to ruin the meal. Needless to say, I will never be back and will tell all my offline friends to avoid this place, so I am also warning anyone that reads this review. BTW, this woman that cut the line, she has a loud and filthy mouth, and unfortunately my 6 and 3 year old children couldn't help but be subjected to her conversation filled with expletives. Well, so if you do wait and get a seat, what about the food? Very average at best. Nothing stands out as good. The children's egg and bacon plates actually looked quite sad. I can't blame my kids for not wanting to try the baked apples, they looked disgusting. Side of waffle was ok, but how can you screw that up? I am convinced that I got food poisoning from the eggs Benedict, cold and the sauce was runny, bad combination. I have a cast iron stomach, but 1 hour after this meal I threw up the entire thing. I wish I could have my day back ..... will never visit again.
(1)Jace F.
Finally, after hearing so much about this place, I decided to try it. ***FIRST THING*** if you show up and there's a line outside [which there tends to be], put your name and party-size on the list so you don't stand aimlessly like an idiot. Yes. I fell victim to this during my first visit. The eager diners in front of us did not feel compelled to share the same advice I just gave you. You're welcome. Anywhoo, this is simply put the BEST breakfast spot I've found in the area. And I've lived here for 3 years and have tried most of them. SoundBites, Ball Square, Kelly's, Rosebud, Lighthouse, etc, etc. Nothing holds a candle to the value and quality you get at Neighborhood. The coffee gets slammed on Yelp but it's actually really good. Especially if you're craving it. Every breakfast comes with bottomless coffee, a small OJ [which is a small step up from water], cream of wheat or fruit, homefries, toast, and a little pastry [usually a corn muffin or corn bread]. If they have baked apples as the fruit, GET IT. It's like warm applesuace sweetened with glaze and a thick apple-skin shell. So good. For plates, the cinnamon texas toast french toast is my favorite. The pancakes are fluffy and delish, and the omelets are huge and stuffed to the brim. Overall, be prepared to wait, but it is worth it. I can't wait for the summer when they double their capacity with the outdoor seating!
(5)D B.
Went here to use an "eversave" deal and waited for close to an hour to be called. Checked on the list with the server and saw my name was the most recent to be crossed off the list. I inquired with the server who replied that she'd called my party 3 times already and I'd have to put my name at the bottom of the list (which had tripled since we got there) and wait again. Since we'd been seated right next to the door where she was calling names I told her there was no way she'd called us 3 times. She got super snotty and basically said something along the lines of "too bad". So we left. I got my money back from the website and we'll never go back, but I'm happy to tell everyone I meet to avoid that place and their b**chy wait staff.
(1)Dave B.
This place has gone downhill. Quite sad, really. The upside: it's still the best Cream of Wheat in the universe, and all the breakfast specials still all come with eggs/potatoes/meat so you don't have to choose between eggs and pancakes/waffles. But yeah...it's just not as good as it used to be. The sausages are almost universally undercooked (gross) and the eggs have become greasy and runny. I used to be a big fan of the Portuguese breakfast, but the last time I got it the fish cake and shrimp cake were OBVIOUSLY frozen (come on guys...people can tell) and the "linguica" tasted like Hillshire Farms kielbasa. Trying to get some toast is like pulling teeth and the portions have shrunk significantly, but maybe that doesn't matter since the quality has gone down. You'll walk out more or less full, but it's an awfully long wait for a meal of average quality.
(3)Nicky L.
Loved it. Im not going to repeat anything everyone elses already said but just wanted to stop by here and mention that i went for the first time this weekend and it really did live up to the hype. I was ready to find something wrong. NOPE! Everything they have is good and they are willing to make changes to accomodate you if for instance you want coconut on the french toast even though its not on the specials for the day. Loved it. Cant wait to visit again so i can make that my sunday morning ritual. Oh, i recommend sending someone to put your name on the list then coming back later because its a pretty long wait on the weekends after noon.
(5)Elbee M.
I'm not a huge breakfast fan, and thus not a huge huge-breakfast fan, but I still like coming to this place on occasion for a huge breakfast. If you like going out for breakfast, you will like this place more than me.
(3)Josh K.
We come here often for Sunday brunch. All the specials are generally quite good, and the atmosphere is warm even when the weather isn't. As somewhat of an old-timer here, I thought I'd share a few tips. 1.) Order one cream of wheat and one fruit for every two people at the table. The cream of wheat is so delicious you'll eat too much if you have your own bowl, and you'll be too full to enjoy the rest of the meal. 2.) If you live nearby, put your name down and come back twenty minutes later. The wait is usually at least twenty minutes or so in warm weather around peak brunch-time hours. 3.) The hungrier you are, the better. 4.) It's just about impossible to order too little food, even when splitting. I can't remember the last time we've finished all the food, and we always split. 5.) The silver lining to freezing weather is no lines at the Neighborhood. Thanks to the overworked yet friendly staff here for maintaining a great place to enjoy a meal.
(5)Min Y.
We got seated on a 6 person table for our party of 2. We had to sit with other people we don't know. The seats were very tight (about 15 inches wide; that's a little over the length of 8x11 paper). Luckily, I was able to fit. However, the food was very good food. Creative specials! Hard to read handwritings. They have service bread while you wait, which is nice. But, they aren't warm, nor that flavorful.
(3)Elizabeth H.
This place has a nice outdoor patio, and copious amounts of food. However, for me the food and coffee are barely a step up from Denny's. It's very greasy-diner-like. Coffee is served in plastic mugs, and everything smells like meat. However, the service is friendly.
(3)Steven R.
I just had to chime in on this one, even though I haven't been here in about 5 years. There is a reason for that, but take it with a grain of salt - maybe they've gotten better. Although I doubt it - I still go by all the time and the same long post-10AM lines of trust fund hipsters and people who apparently don't drink coffee were evident back then as they are today. The cream of wheat is good - but that's the only thing. I've had better coffee at a gas station at 3 o'clock in the afternoon than the crap these people were trying to serve me at 8 on a Saturday morning. The rest of my breakfast was not quite as bad, but still was closer to the coffee than the cream of wheat. This happened to me 3 times (the coffee was consistently awful, cream of wheat consistently good, and the rest of my meal consistently fair to poor) and then I quit going back. 3 strikes and they're out. What prompted me to post was not that the Neighbrohood is the worst breakfast I've ever had (although the coffee might be), but the fact that I'm baffled by the long lines and rave reviews on yelp. IMO there are MUCH, MUCH better places for breakfast right in the same "neighborhood." Is there something wrong with me that I can't grasp the wonderfulness of this "neighborhood" gem? Give it a try, if you want....maybe I'm nuts As "neighborhood" alternatives I recommend: S&S in Inman or Buddy's on Washington Street (both really close and pretty good); or Sound Bites in Ball Sq or (on weekends) Johnny D's in Davis (both pretty close and really good).
(1)Michelle F.
Get the cream of wheat. Best anywhere.
(5)David C.
Ok. I don't really NEED to review this place cuz you've got 200 plus to read already! So, at this point I'm just co-signing with the others. GREAT FOOD..and LOTS of it for the money! They serve this amazing custardy muffin like bread on the bread platter. Since I've been away from Boston 3 years now , I can't remember the name of that bread! But DAAAAAANG!! It sure was good! a couple of hassles...there is often a wait to get in there and 2) The outside dining isn't my favorite because of the flies that like to come around. I actually prefer eating there during the cold season because they serve inside which is crowded. But you get no flying insects trying to get at your grub! Great place! try it for sure!
(4)Ben F.
So, I have yet to write a review on here despite being using the site for years now, but this place comes up so often when I discuss breakfast that I had to write a review. Firstly, the cream of wheat, from the family's recipe. Put it this way, I don't even like cream of wheat, but they make an out of this world variation, just excellent. The atmosphere is great, and cozy as people have mentioned, and the outdoor patio with grapes all over is really pleasant when it's nice out. Family-run, and for me, that's a huge selling point. Everything I have ever eaten here has been quite good, particularly the "specials", like the Portuguese breakfast, interesting pancakes like pumpkin walnut w/ cinnamon, etc. Great food, family-run, reasonable, cozy. There is often a line, deal with it, worth your time, trust me. :)
(4)Brian S.
I've been searching for new brunch spots recently. Of course, I've been using Yelp to do some background research first. The large amount of great reviews peaked my interest, and I'm really glad I went to check it out. If you're going to go with a group like we did, send someone ahead to get on the list. The wait can be anywhere from 30-60 minutes for a group. We didn't mind, as it was as we expected. They do a great job of getting you to wait though. Free coffee and cake/pastry are put out for everyone in line. After being seated we were promptly served with menus and coffee - complete with a friendly introduction and smile. The outdoor patio is under a giant grape vine that covers the entire patio like a living roof with sun shining through the gaps. They give you the choice of fresh fruit or cream of wheat with every breakfast entree. We all ordered the fruit because the cream of wheat sounded gross, but truthfully none of us have ever had it before. Out comes the fruit as well as some cream of wheat to try just in case. The cream of wheat turned out to be amazing, I had no idea what I've been missing! Oh, you also get free OJ too! The waitress was nice, humorous, and explained everything well. She knew exactly what each numbered special was and what it included. (there were over 100!) We had been seated for an extremely long time before the meals actually came out. When they did... some were wrong, cooked incorrectly, and missing items. Lost major brownie points here. Once everything was figured out, the food tasted fantastic. The portions were also pretty good size. I almost licked my plate clean. You need to check this place out at least once if you've never been. I will absolutely be coming back, but I'll have to time it right to avoid the wait!
(4)G. D.
Oh cream of wheat I didn't realize I would ever love you! I love The Neighborhood, and the location is great if you live in the area. I try not to go on Sunday's because of the long lines. But if you get a chance during a weekday or go on a Saturday there's usually little to no line. Also wanted to point out that last time I was there people where coming in just to get the Cream of Wheat to go. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like you can now. Also the Sweet bread french toast is amazing, and I really like there potato's. I have yet to get anything that I didn't like, but because of it's popularity the service can be touch and go, but for the good food I can wait.
(5)Calli C.
The crowds of people standing around outside it on the weekends should have been my first clue. Now having been there several times for brunch, I understand why. This place has heaping portions of tasty food at an affordable price, and when it's nice out, it's served outdoors under an arbor of grapevines. It's unpretentious and delicious. Yes, the service could use a little help, as the last time we were there, we waited over half an hour for our food to come out, but it was worth it. My fave dish is the housemade corn beef hash with three eggs (over easy) and home fries, but I've sampled omelets, waffles, steak tips, and the Portuguese breakfast (some cakes are better than others) and it's all good. I would say to try to get there before 10 AM on a weekend if you don't want to wait forever.
(5)Paul M.
Portuguese breakfast! Ohhh yah. It was sooo good and filling my cousin was out of breath from the food high.
(5)Hubert H.
They serve something called "Portuguese Breakfast;" though some of it seemed like scrambled egg with potatoes, the main morsels were these fried meat and seafood cakes - though they all look like the same type of deep-fried foods they actually tasted good and were fairly differentiated from each other. I believe their omelets are also very well made. Their cream of wheat is a speciality, and today they served these sweet baked apples. Beware of the cold seat next to the door - it's really too cold and they should just cover it up with some bread or something.
(5)Kelley S.
After the Cambridge version of my Portsmouth favorite, The Friendly Toastproclaimed a 1.5 hour wait for breakfast, I proclaimed "let's bounce." We ended up in Somerville at the Neighborhood, enjoyed complimentary coffee while we waited in the spring sun, for 20 minutes. This place is home-brewed hospitality at it's finest. Baked apples, followed by eggs Benedict with bacon and avocado and shared wheat pancakes for dessert. Everything fresh, cooked perflectly and zero hipster attitude you'd likely encounter at TFT. 11.99 included coffee, juice, baked apple, eggs Benny, and side of homefries. When it's warmer the wait is longer, but the outdoor seating under the arbor is well worth it.
(4)Shaleen T.
I'm confused by the other reviews. This place was a total pain in the ass. The service was HORRENDOUS. I don't think I'm a diva or anything, but I'd like to be checked on once or twice; our server completely abandoned us after taking our orders. I didn't even have utensils when my fruit came so I had to go beg for it. The menu had lunch listed, and it was 1:30pm, but they had no lunch. My food finally came when everyone else in my group was practically done eating -- literally 20 minutes after the first person's food came. Yeah the food was good, but brunch food is pretty much always good. Nothing mindblowing. I got french toast, it was okay, needed butter but I didn't know how to get it since we had no service. I ate it while everyone else waited and a couple flies buzzed around. Then I waited for some interminable amount that seemed like hours before I finally went and got a to-go box myself. It's cash only by the way. I also think it's kind of annoying that tea or coffee is include in the price, because I only wanted water and felt slightly ripped off by that. Overall, barely satisfactory. I did choose the fruit, so maybe I missed out on whatever drug they must put in the cream of wheat to make everyone else so ecstatic.
(3)Michelle F.
I can see why this place is so popular, but maybe not four stars. We've gone a couple of times now. The specials they have always look amazing on paper, but are kind of disappointing when you receive them. Last time we went I ordered the pumpkin cinnamon pancakes, which were supposed to come with a "marscapone drizzle." I was in the mood for a good, subtle cheese, but lo and behold, my pancakes arrive sans cheesy drizzle! It also came with a side of homefries and eggs, which were supposed to come over-easy and instead came barely-cooked. I had to send it back. The server was cool about me sending it back, and brought out my new eggs perfectly done, but still... The service is decent...it's a neighborhood joint, and always packed, so don't expect the most prompt service. Still, your coffee is refreshed pretty quickly and they are GREAT about getting you sat as quick as they can, which has been wonderful during the winter. It's definitely worth checking out, and great for a cheap, filling brunch. They over-reach a little with their specials, but it's worth the $20 (for two).
(3)Dave M.
The best breakfast joint in Somerville - hands down. This quaint little Portuguese-American restaurant/bakery has been my absolute favorite breakfast stop since I first discovered it about 2 years ago. Every breakfast comes with your choice of cream of wheat or fruit (as well as homemade toast/popovers, a small juice, and coffee). Honestly, if you're not hungry as all get out, don't eat here - ... While the fruit changes frequently (occasionally a poached apple, fruit salad, etc), the home made cream of wheat is reminiscent of the "old country" - topped with cinnamon, it has that slow-cooked grandma feel with the essence of lemon - to die for. Do be careful tough, as Josh K points out, it's easy to fill up on it. Before I go any further, let me address one of the staples of breakfast joints: the coffee. The coffee at "The Neighborhood" is nothing more than absolute and total crap. Every once in a while, you get lucky and it's tolerable - but the coffee really is that bad (and probably the only thing that's keeping it from a 5-star review). Do yourself a favor, and hit up Bloc 11 four doors down either before or after for a good cup of coffee (they make a hell of a sammich too, look for another review soon) - I've never been ballsy enough to bring in my own coffee, but I see folks do it all the time and no one seems to complain. I will say that the rancid coffee actually gives this place a little bit of charm (am I insane?) The menu is numbered - your classic breakfasts being on the lower end (numbers under 30) - while the handwritten menu insert(s) with the "specials" have higher numbers, higher prices, higher quality, and bigger portions. My only question is what happened to numbers 40-90???? If you're going to order a special, lay off the cream of wheat (unless you've never had it)... guaranteed, the largest $11 breakfast plate you'll ever see (provided you count all that comes with it) ... If you haven't been stranded on an island for 11 days, or you weigh less than 200 lbs, I would suggest bringing a friend - agreeing on one special, then getting a smaller breakfast ... even then, you're leaving no less than a full meal uneaten. Great ham, chorizo, pancakes and or waffles (with fruit, don't eff around), legendary toast, and they really know how to poach an egg. If you're going on a weekend, try to get there before 9AM - otherwise you WILL be waiting in line for a table - however, it is easier in the warmer months when the outdoor patio seating is open. Get your coffee elsewhere, but for $25 for 2 (including tax and tip) - expect to be able to feed 6 Europeans or no fewer than 3 hungry lumberjacks. Food coma guaranteed.
(4)Ben S.
The Neighborhood will always be one of my favorite restaurants. Of course, every time I've gone the weather was beautiful so I had the pleasure of sitting under a grapevine canopy outdoors. Not that the food doesn't stand on its own! My most memorable experience was with a stack of mango whole-wheat pancakes. The portion wasn't enormous, but it was supplemented with juice, coffee, a bowl of fruit, cream of wheat, and toast (?) - all for ten dollars. I might even be leaving something out, in fact. Well worth the wait, especially on a warm and sunny weekend morning if you don't have to rush anywhere afterwords.
(5)Drew V.
Never had a bad meal or experience here !! cream of wheat is boss
(5)Emily D.
I'm sorry, but I just don't get what all the fuss is about. I live in Cambridge and I have made it my mission to seek out the best brunch places around. Naturally, I heard high praises about The Neighborhood Restaurant and went to check it out. The wait was long, which was to be expected, and the outdoor patio was as nice as everyone said. They serve you coffee while you wait, but it's weak, diner-esque coffee. They had some sort of muffin out too, but I didn't try it. I ordered an omelet and it was small and forgettable. The serving of homefries was small, too. Yes, everything comes with coffee, OJ, and cream of wheat or fruit, but the quality is severely lacking. The OJ tasted mostly like highly-pasteurized sugar water and the glass was just a bit bigger than a shot glass. I opted for the "fresh fruit" which was a few sad grapes and pieces of melon. My boyfriend got a waffle, which was decent and I think the whipped cream may have been homemade, but that was the only thing that was even slightly impressive. The pastries that were served tasted like something you could have picked up at a convenience store. Honestly, this wasn't the worst dining experience of my life, but what's the big deal? I don't consider something a bargain if the portions are small and the quality is low (and it's not that great of a bargain). Save yourself the wait; there are many great breakfast places in the area that make everything from scratch and use high-quality ingredients (check out my other reviews if you're looking for some).
(2)Elizabeth K.
This is such as awesome breakfast place! It has everything I could possibly want! Sweet bread for breakfast sandwiches! Add on home fries for like a buck! UNLIMITED tea (I feel like us tea drinkers always get shafted - not here!) Dozens of other options, including whole wheat pancakes. It's incredibly cheap (but cash only, they do have an ATM inside). Everything comes with cream of wheat or fruit as an appetizer - also a nice touch when you arrive starving. Why not 5 stars? The service overall is OK but sometimes it's not totally consistent. Some people have major attitudes, some are super fake, and some talk about all their problems really loud while waiting on customers (it's not a big place - it's really easy to hear everything - I don't need to know if my server is hung over). They're also not so great at refilling the aforementioned unlimited tea. Also, if you're a two-top be prepared to make friends, this place is tiny!
(4)Laura G.
SO. MUCH. FOOD. Kind of a confusing wait system when we got there (you need to sign in on a sheet of paper outside the door) but definitely worth the wait. The food was pretty good and they gave you so much of it! A standard brunch comes with fruit, cream of wheat, orange juice, and a little muffin basket before you even order anything. The berry pancakes were delicious and my boyfriend got an omlette which he said was good too. The decor was a little lacking, and we were trapped in a corner behind other tables who had to get up to let us out/in but who really cares about that. I will definitely return on a nice day to eat in their outside area
(4)Shelly R.
This place is great. Their cream of wheat is delicious, their portions extremely generous, and the experience very enjoyable. The staff can be pretty gruff and definitely unforgiving. They make you wait ages, then bark at you and don't even think about sharing (there's a fee) or asking to change anything about a dish. Just enjoy the delicious food and keep quiet!
(5)Tim K.
I love this place!!! It's so good I really don't want you to try it out, for that will mean the line will get longer... But hey, it's worth the wait!!!
(4)Alex P.
I know how you can have their famous cream of wheat at home. Here is the procedure: Step 1: grab a stick of butter Step 2: let butter sit at room temperature for 1 hour Step 3: dig in! The wait is simply not worth it. Really. No, I mean it.
(2)Melissa P.
At this tiny storefront you see a sign that reads "Welcome to the Neighborhood", the Portuguese breakfast shop's tiny interior has a sassy backyard extension where brunchers can eat under a canopy of grape vines. At this neighborhood haunt late morning risers are the mainstay especially since they serve breakfast until four. The menu hues closely to your typical breakfast menu with few exceptions- pumpkin pancakes, french toast on Portuguese bread and a linguica filled omelet. Most of the items are under ten dollars. Whatever you order you get your choice of tea or coffee with free refills and that delicious bowl of cream of wheat. Dishes for the dieters do exist from whole wheat pancakes to egg white omelets. Upon request you can get any style eggies in just egg whites. But don't bother. With their wonderfully tasty cream of wheat smothered with more sugar and butter than you'll care to admit. The stuff tastes more like a pudding than wheat!
(4)Tiff D.
Loved it. Eggs benedict with bacon and avocado. The bacon wasnt as crisp as I would have liked, and there was way too much hollandaise but the combination of flavors was amazing. Served with tasty potatoes and a small salad. Salad with my breakfast I said? But, the citrus dressing and hollandaise danced on my tongue. I couldnt get enough. -1 star for slow and not so friendly service
(4)CJ N.
My boyfriend and I had many a breakfast/brunch date here, and I associate this place with love and happiness. That's number one. For the long lines in summer time, my tip is word games/people-watching/Hub Comics next door. The food is overwhelming in its portions. Ask for sugar-free syrup if you wish - they do have it. And in the summer, unsweetened iced tea is served in a GIANT tumbler for you. They do have healthy options on the menu, so enjoy in good health! Bring your family and friends - this place is all about love! Ps - the live grape vines are wonderful to sit under when the patio is open.
(5)Selena J.
The outdoor seating is very pleasant. It always seems to be full of children, but they are somehow never loud and irritating the way children tend to be at restaurants (magically well-behaved Somerville children? works for me). Nothing fancy, but huge portions and excellent prices. Though truthfully all I ever want is a giant bowl of cream of wheat. Or possibly three.
(4)Gabriel U.
Quite simply some of the best breakfast you can get around Boston. I had the steak tips, and they were delicious. Juicy, well-seasoned, and a hell of a lot of them. Cream of wheat is also fantastic. Just remember that if you're planning on coming here on the weekend to plan on waiting for a table for a bit. But it's worth it for sure.
(4)rose n.
I am going to agree with everyone and their mom (and their cousin) and say this is the best place to get brunch in Boston. I've eaten some great brunch and I've eaten some crappy brunch everyone else said was great. My bf and I walked out of here filled up for $14.07. $14.07. For coffee, tea, orange juice, water (sure that's free but I actually got it here unlike some places), fresh fruit, banana muffin, toast, home fries, eggs, linguica omelette. I was a little more than impressed. I got the eggs (three of them!) and homefries which was around $5 and the BF got the linguica omelette. He was in heaven, I was satisfied (because scrambled eggs are pretty standard). I was more impressed that we got free OJ. Though served in dixie cup sized glasses, it was a nice touch and no one really needs 12+ oz of sugar juice. They had a huge menu and some excellent looking specials. The normal breakfast menu was under $10 with some things at a steal for $5. The specials were all $11.99 which seemed reasonable from how good they looked. The fresh fruit and toast were my only complaints. But hey, they were free and still good. The toast was four assorted pieces (with the pastry of the day an amazing banana muffin) so I had a nice piece of soft white and a harder roll-esque piece of white. I like a few pieces of white toast to splurge on at breakfast. I'll overlook that because the muffin was divine. DIVINE! The fruit was just boring hotel buffet fruit but it was a nice starter. I will def try the cream of wheat next time. The atmosphere was kitschy and everyone looked like family. My BF alerted me to "The Situation" who was bringing out food from the kitchen and I almost died laughing. All the servers were polite and yeah, they didn't fill up the coffee immediately but it was still fine. I wasn't rushed out of there and there was no line when we went in. It seemed like if there was a line, it would be managed well because of the list and the front server. Also, there was a low level of hispters which is good for Somerville/Cambridge. This place is basically what I like. They have low prices and amazing food, as well as extras that make you happy. And "the Situation" may serve you breakfast...
(5)Amanda L.
I'm so happy I've finally had the chance to check out the Neighborhood. The portions are HUGE and an amazing deal for the price. The specials are great and they include a fruit plate or cream of wheat, orange juice and coffee. I got the Portuguese plate which came with cod cake, meat cake, shrimp cake, linguica, 2 eggs, rice and beans, homefries and toast. Oh my lordy was that a lot of food and it was all delicious! And for only $12.99. WHAT?!? They don't take reservations, but I like that they leave out coffee and snacks for the people that are waiting. The patio is where it's at and a great way to have a delicious meal on a great day! Now to go back for dinner!
(4)De N.
BEST BREAKFAST PLACE IN TOWN! Food is absolutely delicious, ive been there at least 60 times and i can never wait to go back. I have taken several different friends each time and everyone has loved it. great place.
(5)Abbey G.
After two years of living in Boston I finally made it to The Neighborhood and it was the best breakfast I have ever had in this area. I was very excited to find a Portuguese breakfast restaurant as I am from the South Coast. I have since turned vegetarian and can no longer enjoy linguica but my roommate order the linguica and cheese omelette and loved it. If you have never had linguica you will need to order it - you will not be disappointed. I opted for just scrambled eggs, toast and home fries. The home fries were seasoned and cooked perfectly. I have to say the best part was the cream of wheat. It was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. I would go back just to get the cream of wheat! Highly recommend this place it is awesome!
(5)Mark M.
You will wait on the weekend... BUT they give out free coffee and cake while you wait. This hands down was the best Corned Beef Hash I have ever had. The employees are wonderful. The clientele is fairly hipster. I will be back again and again.
(5)Wen-fai F.
I'm so upset I've lived here for 5 years and haven't discovered this place until now! Went way back on Valentine's Day so they had kind of a "special" menu, I think. There was also about a 40 minute wait even at around 1:30p. You just write your name down on a sheet when you get there, so you never know exactly how long it'll be. Normally they serve up coffee and baked goods to people waiting outside but they forgot to refill this when we got there so we just waited hungry! But it was worth it. This place really gives you quality AND quantity of food for what you pay. I ordered the coconut French toast (may be a rotating menu item), which came with cream of wheat (or a choice of something else but I can't even remember because the cream of wheat was so delicious) and a bunch of gratuitous baked goods for ~$12. I had lots of leftovers. There are also lots of fun omelettes and Portuguese dishes that seemed worth trying. If you're in the area and it's a weekday, I would definitely go. If you're in the area and a weekend, just be prepared for the wait. I would not come with a group larger than 4. The service itself was also a bit slow and the way they seated us was kind of awkward. This place is also CASH-ONLY! We couldn't find a BOFA ATM around so come prepared!
(4)DJ N.
The breakfast here is great, and it starts with amazing cream of wheat! Yup, that's right. The cream of wheat is off the hook! I usually get the corn beef hash and it is deeelicious!! The portions are huge and the price is right. Be prepared to wait a little if you arrive during normal breakfast/brunch time on the weekend. Parking is metered//street so come prepared with quarters. Also, it's a cash only joint, but they have an ATM inside. You won't be disappointed :-)
(4)Kyle R.
I don't understand how anyone could give this place a bad review, unless you hate things like delicious food and casual atmosphere. Complaining about the vegetarian options at a portuguese restaurant is like complaining about the noise at a rock show. And for the record, the pastries/breads are 100% made from scratch, which may be hard to believe when you bite into them. The ambience is nothing to write home about, but again, if you go here expecting the cheesecake factory with vegetarian options, you should probably just go there instead. Bottom line, this place is amazing for breakfast if you actually have an appetite and don't complain about minor details, like ambience and location of the bathroom. It's always busy for a reason. Also, ordering a portuguese breakfast without the meat is one of the most hilarious things I've ever heard. Next time I order a salad I'm going to ask for no lettuce.
(5)Suzy L.
My friend just moved into a new place right around the corner, so we tried Neighborhood for the first time this AM. I didn't read any reviews in advance, so didn't know what to expect. I was a bit taken aback by the "cream of wheat or fruit?" when we first sat down, along with the coffee and juice that appeared out of nowhere. After consulting the menu, I was pleasantly surprised it was included, even though I had passed on the fruit. Next time! I had the breakfast sandwich with linguica on sweet bread. Holy yum, it was DELICIOUS. I LOVE linguica and sweet bread, so stumbling on a Portuguese breakfast spot by accident was a great start to my Sunday morning. The home fries were also super yummy. The portions were HUGE and the price on my breakfast was unbeatable, $5.50 for my enormous sandwich and side of home fries plus bottomless coffee and the fruit or cream of wheat I passed on. The combo plates are pricier, but again, the portions are ridiculous and they include a ton. Service was friendly and efficient, I think every person in the restaurant helped us at some point. The whole "sign in outside" thing is a little weird if you haven't been there before, but there's really NO room inside to wait, and they have coffee for you out there while you wait. They lose one star for being cash only, I NEVER carry cash, so it's definitely a drawback (luckily my friend had enough to cover us). Don't get me wrong, this place is good enough that I'll plan ahead next time!
(4)Julia E.
This place is amazing, and I wish I had found out about it sooner! The portions are very generous, so come hungry. The ambience is really nice and charming--a friendly, family-owned local business. The fresh fruit was wonderful, and the waitress kept our coffee cups full. On my belgian pancake came fresh berries (in February!) topped with homemade whipped cream (yummm) and maple syrup. In addition, my meal came with orange juice, eggs, sausages, and potatoes. Holy crap. My date had the Portuguese breakfast. In reference to the comments below--yes, that breakfast IS a Portuguese breakfast. There is meat, cod, and more. Don't order it if you don't want a Portuguese breakfast. The omnivore in us both, however, thought this breakfast was pretty awesome. I definitely plan to bring family & friends for the affordable, generous brunch. I'm really excited to come back during spring and summer so we can sit on the patio beneath the grapevines!
(5)Chris L.
I frequently find myself daydreaming of Neighborhood's ethereal Cream of Wheat whenever I am out for brunch or simply eating oatmeal in my living room. Since moving to NY nine months ago, this magical bowl of joy is one of the Boston foodstuffs that I find myself longing for on a regular basis. "Life changing" does not do this dish justice. Therefore, I've decided the only way to express my infatuation with this dish is through a romantic poem*. "Cream of Wheat" cream of wheat you can't be beat you are so neat like my best friend Pete sweet like bear meat served on the street you make me want to Tweet even in the summer heat it's a real treat eating you on outdoor seats you make me want to skeet on the cold concrete. I love you Cream of Wheat. *Please note: I nearly failed my undergrad poetry class.
(5)Anthony R.
Looks like most of the reviews here are for breakfast/brunch -- this one is for lunch. I came here in the middle of a 16-hour bout of moving, which meant I was very hungry and a bit grumpy when my housemates and I sat down for lunch on the patio outside. Very cool space -- sitting at a picnic table underneath the trellis almost overflowing with grapes, you do feel like a bit like you're at a cafe in Portugal rather than in the outskirts of Union Square. Lunch specials are cheap! $10 for a huge portion of salmon or sole is surprisingly great value, especially considering that also includes sides consisting of a generous amount of mashed potatoes, veggies, and rice. Sadly, when you're serving up that much food for that little money, sacrifices have to be made - the fish was decent but hardly excellent and the veggies were well-spiced but seemed like they'd come frozen out of a bag. Great preparation but the ingredient quality just didn't seem to be there. One of my friends got a sandwich which looked pretty blah - I'd stick to the fish/meat lunch specials. Also, the house white wine - which I was seriously in need of at the time to take the edge off our brutally epic move - may have been the worst wine ever. Not sure what I expected for $3.50 a glass, but it was bland, watery, faintly rotten smelling, and a bit sweet -- pretty terrible stuff. So: cool spot to eat, good value, okay ingredients, great prep, bad wine -- 3 stars.
(3)Charlotte A.
I ordered the mascarpone french toast with maple syrup topped with banana. I thought it's a stuffed french toast but it wasn't. The dish itself was delicious and looks quite extravagant when it arrived because of the generous portion. I was looking forward to a hearty bowl of cream of wheat again; it tasted so good on my first visit a year ago; however, this time I got a bowl of overly sweet baby food mostly consisted of butter, cream/milk and sugar (ton of it). My biggest regret was not getting coffee but orange juice; no, orange concentrate to be precise. This is a great place and l love having a comforting meal under the grapevine on a sunny day, but the taste of food has to be consistent.
(3)Jennifer L.
Good food! Unique options. Abundance. Such awesome service! Can't believe I didn't try this place after living in the area for so many years... Definitely a new go-to breakfast, especially during the warmer months. They have plenty of outdoor seating under a cool trellis with grapevines and flowers. The first thing that struck me was that they offered serve-yourself coffee and bread while you wait. You sign yourself in on a clipboard, maybe to free up the host to help out in the restaurant. Once we were in (we only had to wait a few minutes), we were served by about four people in two minutes! It was overwhelming (in a good way). Someone brought over coffee, someone else brought fruit, and someone else asked us if we wanted any cream of wheat. Then our waitress took our order. The fruit, coffee, and cream of wheat comes with breakfast. They had some different types of food that you don't see everywhere - Portuguese influenced I think? Plus all the standards. Portions were huge, the food was delicious, the service was amazing, and the prices were fair. Definitely recommend it, but expect to wait on a weekend - it's no secret this place is amazing.
(5)Deborah M.
There isn't much I can add here that hasn't already been said about this place. It is absolutely fantastic and probably one of THE BEST BREAKFAST places I have ever been to. I came here with someone whose taste I do not always trust...so I was definitely a bit skeptical when we walked into what looks like a somewhat dodgy restaurant from the outside. It was a weekday, so there were no hordes of waiting diners to affirm the restaurant's greatness. The inside of the place was tiny, but I'm told there is an outdoor seating area with a grape-covered (and scented) pergola that makes for a decadent dining experience. After a quick scan of the menu, I could tell I would not be able to harass my friend for his restaurant choice. Each meal sounded better than the next. Fresh and inventive without being overly complicated -- The Neighborhood Restaurant has taken breakfast standards like waffles, french toast, and pancakes and turned them into edible works of art. I actually contemplated ordering two things, but was admonished not to. I'm glad I listened because the portions are HUGE...I was stuffed when I finally rolled out of there. And how cute that you get a little appetizer with breakfast. Both choices were awesome and I had NO IDEA cream of wheat could be that good. Because we were here on a trip and had a plane to catch, our waitress was kind enough to call us a cab (this place is not on the T but is definitely worth a cab or bus ride over). In my mad dash to get to the cab, I left my jacket at the restaurant and did not discover it until I was at the airport. Wouldn't you know they were nice enough to mail it to me in Washington, D.C. for no charge? The people who work here are the nicest people ever. Go to this place...you will NOT regret it!
(5)Ivy G.
Er~it is really delicious. I tried their brunch with friend before. You can choose to have Buffet on Friday morning so I ordered buffet you know I cannot say no to buffet. Then my friend went on with omelet. Then before her food was served I was already full with beacon and meat. So the entire brunch was totally like a one person style. But I would still recommend this if you want tasty brunch but do not want pay more .
(4)Deanna D.
Cute, cozy little restaurant with an adorable patio. Fantastic home cooking served by friendly & attentive staff. Amazing value for a super filling and delicious breakfast. Freshly baked breads & muffins= Lovely way to start the day Freshly squeezed OJ- Yummy The Cream of Wheat- Creamy, sweet, topped w/ cinnamon--Amazing! --makes me wish I was a kid again! Portuguese breakfast special: 3 eggs+ cod cake, shrimp cake, meat cake+ Linguica + morcela+ home fries+ toast+ muffin= Super stuffed & happy me! Special Corned Beef hash Benedict= Best in Boston! And we can't forget the server with amazingly large arms delivering food to your table. Place gets really busy very quickly so try to get there early or be prepared to wait. One of the best breakfast places in Somerville!
(4)Kathleen F.
If this review was based on food alone the neighborhood would definitely get 5 stars. The food here is hands down the most amazing brunch spread! You start out with fresh fruit or cream of wheat and then get your meal. I usually always get omlettes when I come here but yesterday decided to switch it up and try one of their healthy option dishes: egg whites with cheese, spinach and tomato, a side of turkey bacon and a giant oatmeal waffle topped with bananas=omg amazing breakfast! I also had a mango spritzer which was pretty f'in delicious! It was a great meal to start off the long weekend with! Ok so now for the service part, the main problem is there aren't always enough waitresses to handle so many people so we got our food before our drinks. We asked the girl serving coffee if we could have our spritzers and she didn't know what a spritzer was. Obviously she did ask someone and we wound up getting them, just took a while. So worth repeat visits for the food but don't expect amazing and attentive service.
(4)keila d.
i love the food. The staff was okay .
(5)Crista B.
Yum! Headed to this restaurant for Sunday lunch/brunch. I had heard that you always turn down the fruit for the cream of wheat. This was a hard decision because 1. the fruit was a baked apple and 2. I had never had cream of wheat before. Oh my goodness ... have the cream of wheat!!!! I have no idea what is in it, but I am sure that I am spoiled for any other cream of wheat. So then the decision was what to have to eat after already enjoying my cream of wheat, fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee ... which are included with your order. #97 (coconut french toast) was the winner and it was so yummy. This is a cash only restaurant, but there is an ATM inside. You can split dishes with a friend for a $3 charge which is totally acceptable and doable ... but I recommend skipping breakfast and dinner and going midday. When you arrive you have to sign yourself in to the wait list ... so don't forget! Enjoy!
(5)Raj S.
Dry pancakes (pumpkin), tight quarters, unclean table (got syrup on my shirt), not friendly service. Blah overall...Cash only. I would recommend Paramount in Beacon Hill or Ball Square Cafe.
(2)Daniel M.
My first visit was sort of a pain in the ass and had the food not been so amazing I would have not come back. After waiting over an hour to get in (expected) we were treated to more waiting. Basically someone forgot about us and we sat for well over an hour waiting for our food while people came and left after us. When the food arrived though all was forgiven which is saying a lot since breakfast took over three hours. Second visit was considerably better, went on a weekday with my mother. We were seated right away and waited a reasonable amount of time before the uh-mazing food came out and we gorged ourselves on deliciousness that can't be matched around here. During our meal my mom noticed a sign on the wall claiming that they had the best breakfast in the country. A bold statement that they back up with their huge delicious portions, affordable prices, and seemingly endless menu. I like that Every meal comes with bottomless coffee, a wee orange juice and your choice of cream of wheat (uh-mazing) or fruit. The fruit is clearly prepped ahead of time and is juicy and amazing but the cream of wheat is where it's at. The patio is a fun place to eat during the warm months as it's completely covered in vegetation with grapes, zucchini, and tomatoes just hanging there overhead. Makes for an awesome breakfast spot but pack your patience when you visit.
(4)Peter C.
I actually found this place on Yelp from my friends, and I want other people to find it this way too. I cannot express how AMAZING this place is. I don't know if it's the funky colors or the aluminum chairs that I had in my high school, but I always love eating here. It's the perfect place to go after a nice night on the town, especially if you have a hangover. First off, you get bottomless coffee and a nice cup of OJ. Almost every meal is served with Cream of wheat or fruit (I've had both, and they're both DE-LIC-OUS, so it's your choice. Note however, that I have never had such amazing Cream of Wheat anywhere else), and I always substitute Linguiça in on my meals. My friends usually get the coconut french toast, but honestly, anything you get here is going to be good. Also, if you have the option, you should definitely sit outside under the grapevines. It's beautiful in the summer, and reminds me of my grandfather's own grapevine he had when I was a kid. Definitely brings out the Portuguese in me. Oh, and you get some nice eye-candy too while eating. Look for the guy with muscles that are WAY too big for his shirt. You'll know when you see him. Ow ow!
(5)Susan A.
OH my darling... I miss you so, so much! Every time I venture back to E. Massachusetts, I try to make it for Sat/Sun brunch. Such delights that abound! The whipped cream of wheat, swirled to perfection, creme de la creme, apple of my eye. The fruit, depending on which season, goes from 'meh' to 'bleh' to 'right on!' Fresh squeeshed OJ, Tea, Coffee depending on your preference that morning. The cornbread that they feed you to stave off your hunger BEFORE you even get seated. OHHHHH soooo GOOOOD. The pancakes, waffles, eggs, homefries, omelettes, mmmm.... I have to stop writing before I cry. I miss this place!!!
(5)Nicole W.
Best little find in Somerville- have been going for a few years. One thing no one has mentioned is lunch- if you ever get a chance to have lunch there- Mon thru Fri- go! Fish & Chips! Yum! Comes with their fresh baked bread, soup or salad, fresh veggies... And dessert. All included for I think $8. All fresh, all extremely tasty. Lots of great portuguese fare as well which i have yet to try. Not available in weekends though, so it's a treat. Breakfast is if course great, so I won't bother to repeat what everyone else has said. Yes- get the cream of wheat, nothing like it, but in the summer, the fresh fruit is refreshing. The staff is super friendly. Cozy in the winter & in the summer it's so nice to sit outside under the grape vines. Be prepared to wait in line for a table on weekends, but they always have coffee & baked goods to nibble on while you wait.
(5)Jess L.
I wish I could give this place more than three stars, but after hearing about it for so long, I was not blown away when I finally got there. The ambiance is supposed to be charming, but the bright-colored walls didn't do it for me, and there are some awkward seating arrangements. Plus, the chairs are heavy and cumbersome. The food was fine. I think the best thing on our table was the mascarpone french toast, which was a special that weekend. My cheese omelet was so-so and greasy. The linguiça (Portuguese sausage) is good, but mine was a little dry, I thought. The service was decently fast, but one had to try hard to get their attention. Oh, and when you're offered fruit or cream of wheat, go with the cream of wheat!
(3)T M.
Always a great experience here. I've been coming here for years and the food is always amazing. IMO it's the best breakfast place in Boston. The prices can't be beat either for the quantity and quality of food you get. Service is always friendly too. Also the cream of wheat here is over the top good. Whatever they do to it makes it a real treat.
(5)Emily O.
This place is fabulous secret of West Somerville. The home fries are wonderfully spicy. Comprised of a sweet potato-Yukon blend and cayenne'd up, these might possible be the best home fries in Greater Boston. French toast is great (FYI: Sweet bread means Challah/Egg.) I also adore that they serve brunch until 4:00 p.m. for those lazy, mildly hungover weekend afternoons. Thanks, Neighborhood, for being the most delicious remedy in town.
(4)Abishek C.
Another crowded brunch place! Their food is very good, but with huge portions. The Boston Creme French toast is amazing, and so it their Portuguese Breakfast. I really like their concept of unlimited coffee, and the inclusion of OJ and fruit bowl/cream of wheat with all their brunch options.
(4)Emiko T.
This is a true gem, a diamond in the rough. Although, it definitely isn't a diamond in the rough, it actually IS a sparkling, tried and tested jewel that holds up to the hype. Some of the best food you're going to have and the best service ever provided. You might have to wait but with free coffee outside, it's more of a pleasure than a pain in the side. It's a Portuguese-run restaurant and family owned. It runs like a well-oiled machine that has been doing it for years. You sit outside in the patio area under tacky umbrellas and amongst garden gnomes and plastic cheetahs but all that lends so much character that you wish people would write this place off as "bad" so that you could get in that much faster. I think that the most incredible part about the restaurant is all the extra sides they hook you up with (at least for breakfast). You get a choice of cream of wheat (which is excellent) or fresh fruit (which I think was cantaloupe and melon) and they give free orange juice and coffee. Since breakfast food can usually be done anywhere and everywhere and usually taste about the same, I decided to go with their special Portuguese breakfasts that came with a whole lot of fried things and meat that I unfortunately do not know the names to. And also unfortunately these specials aren't listed on their main website menu so if you're lucky to enough to find them on your menu next time you go, you should give one of these plates a try. And why not? It's obviously the dish that they would do the best. The meat that I had was tender and juicy and the potatoes were perfect. I had something else that seemed like a dark plantain as well as another deep-fried fish cake-ish ball. I sound completely ignorant and like a uninformed tourist here, but if I could humbly add my opinion to this already well-established restaurant, it would be to give them a try if you haven't already and that you'll have a wonderful time having breakfast in the cutest, quaint neighborhood you've ever seen. Tip well, because the restaurant deserves 5 stars on EVERY level. Yelp challenge #19/365
(5)Andrew J.
I am giving Neighborhood Restaurant three stars. Maybe this is an unfair rating because i am not a brunch person and I went here after church on a Sunday. I live up the hill, and always walk by this place on my way into Union Square. I suppose I should have expected a brunch/breakfast menu but it was about 1pm when we showed up. I was hoping to check out some Portuguese food but only breakfast food was available. So rather than order from the lunch menu, I instead had to sort through a bunch of crap I'd never eat: Oreo pancakes, french toast (yuck!) and a bunch of breakfast items I can make at home for a dollar. I got the portuguese breakfast, which was good: linguica sausage, fish cakes, eggs and home fries. I want to come back when the rest of the menu is available. The atmosphere is really what brought my rating score up. On a hot day, outdoor seating was nice and shady with a faux grape vine ceiling and picnic tables. Really chill eating environment. I would come back here for Portuguese food but not breakfast.
(3)Jesse B.
Best breakfast I have ever had?? certainly the best in recent memory. For 10$ you get more food than 2 people can consume and everything is delicious.
(5)B P.
This place is good considering the prices. The food is ok with generous portions. There is a long wait, but they put out free coffee and cake for the folks in line - which is nice. The cream of wheat was good - I'm not sure what all the rave reviews are about. The Portuguese breakfast and Eggs Benedict were good. Service was crazy - but they were pretty busy. They seated us with another couple at table for four. Then when the couple left they pounced on that table to clean it - thereby dropping a whole cup of coffee on me! They apologized but considering we were almost done, they could have waited another 5-10 minutes before descending on us! Bottom line -its nice - nothing to write home about.
(3)Jennifer S.
Craving breakfast? Go to the Neighborhood. Yes there's a wait on the weekends (and we even experienced a wait on a non-holiday Monday morning), but I'd prefer to wait in line for breakfast here than the nearby Ball Square long-line restaurants. Each breakfast comes with coffee, juice, fruit or cream of wheat (Get the cream of wheat!) and a plate of muffins/breads...all before you even order your main dish, which are fairly big portion sizes. The outdoor seating in the shaded patio is beautiful and will keep you cool on a hot day.
(4)Logan V.
If anyone can suggest a better breakfast place in Boston, let me know. There's a good reason this place always has at least a 30 minute wait. The patio is fun with almost complete shade from grape vines, and the free coffee and cornbread while you wait on the street is always greatly appreciated. The eggs benedict with hash is great, and their homemade jam is excellent.
(5)S W.
The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars was because it was a pretty long wait to get a table (almost an hour). But they definitely made up for it in how quick the service was once we went inside. The amount of food they give you for what you're paying is amazing. They give you a plate of bread and a random baked good. Unlimited coffee, hot coco or tea. Fresh squeezed OJ. an appetizer of fruit or cream of wheat. I just wanted to pause for a moment and talk about the cream of wheat. I'm always weary of ordering c.w at restaurants but my friend told me I should. It was amazing, great thickness, sweetened perfectly, the only thing was it was a little too much cinnamon but not overpowering. I order the pancakes, eggs, homefries and a side of linguica. The linguica was not my thing but everything else was really good. The eggs and pancakes were so fluffy and great. I just wish it was the kind of place I could just go and sit down and not having to deal with waiting. But I will say they try to make people comfortable as they wait by giving out bread and coffee.
(4)Joe L.
Not the best but not the worst, seasonal outdoor seating saves this place. The indoor seating used in wet/cold weather reminds me of a big disorganized closet. It is the only diner in union square, so kind of stuck when your looking for a local in/out bacon n egg befast
(3)Leo G.
One of the best breakfast places ever --- happy upbeat atmosphere. Brought my family --- college age kids, girlfriend and ex-wife --- and had a great time! Outdoors under live grapevines at picnic table on a sunny July day, attentive service. Had to wait 20 minutes, but okay for group of 6. Lucky to get good street parking. Young owner carrying on the family tradition in a very good way. Cream of wheat was outstanding --- the sweet condensed milk is the secret. Omelettes, french toast, eggs, all good, though a step below the COW. Good value for the money.
(5)Kathy Z.
Waffle is delicious!!! Good brunch but long long wait.
(4)Sara G.
When you go in the morning for brunch you end up waiting in line, and it seems to suck, but you actually get free coffee and pastry bites while you wait. It shows they care! Though doubtful, the cream of wheat was truly amazing - it is a nice warm bite to have after waiting outside in the cold on a New England morning. I've had the waffle with fruit (comes with hash, eggs, and sausage too) with orange juice and coffee. It's really an incredible amount of food that tastes amazing. I've also had just the eggs and hash. Be prepared to eat a lot, be surrounded in a small divey place, and enjoy every moment of it. Cash only here, so be ready (they have an ATM though). You really can't go wrong with brunch here on Sundays. It's one of those restaurants that will become a stand by that you recommend to your friends, that you bring your parents to, and that you will remember for years to come!
(5)Emma R.
I was very excited to go to this place, especially after reading all the highly rated reviews. It was a beautiful day and I was very excited to sit in the outside seating pavilion. The outside seating is perfect for a nice, sunny day because they have this nice covering so the area is pleasantly shaded. Unfortunately, the service was the worst I have ever had, anywhere. I was sat right away, however, it took forever for the waitress to finally come over and take our drink/ food order. The waitress was also not very friendly and didn't seem to be the slightest bit excited about her job. I would understand this kind of service a little more if the place had been packed but there were plenty of empty tables and other servers. Once the waitress took our order, that was the last time I saw her until she brought the bill. I had to ask one of the bussers for another beverage and a refill on coffee. The food was alright, but nothing I haven't had before, the food was definitely not worth the horrible service. I am truly hoping that this kind of service is not typical of this place and the server was just having an off day, because the decor and outdoor seating is something I would go back for, but that is it.
(1)Caitlin C.
One time I saw a lady walk in with a HUGE tupperware container and get it filled with cream of wheat. She drove all the way to Union Square just for their cream of wheat! They do not mess around here. I always opt for the complimentary fruit though (CoW is just not my thing) and I love the little shot of OJ you get. Omelets are huge and stuffed generously with whatever you asked them to be stuffed with (I like broccoli & cheddar + bacon when I'm feeling sinful). Sometimes they sneak surprise muffins in with your toast (last time it was a coconut muffin and it was so good! I thought about pretending like it wasn't anything special, but then I felt guilty and offered a taste to my dining companion). Cozy dining room, super pleasant staff, reasonable prices and generous portions. And now I'm looking forward to spring when it will be warm enough to dine on the patio. Yes!
(4)Doris H.
The only reason i am giving this place three stars is because service takes FOREVER. However, if you don't mind waiting an hour outside (on the weekend) and another hour to get your food, the food is really worth it. The healthy options are pretty good and the cream of wheat is so good!!
(3)Erika A.
One of the best breakfasts I've ever had! We were in town for a game, and stopped here after reading all the great reviews. They certainly lived up to their promise! I had the coconut French toast (made with homemade bread) and my husband had the crab cake eggs Benedict. Both were amazing. I loved that they had starters of either cream of wheat or baked apple, both of which were brimming with cinnamonny goodness. I was partial to the cream of wheat. :-) Definitely worth checking out! Oh, get there early because there will be a line.
(5)Mark W.
Best creme of wheat anywhere ever, I could drink it out the pot. I love the outdoor seating in the summer and its super cheap but you always leave full and completely content. Go here if you enjoy eating breakfast. Do yourself a favor and get the creme of wheat.
(5)Lara C.
I take back my 3 star review. In the years since I wrote it I have moved to Somerville and frequented The Neighborhood many times. I have grown to appreciate its, shall we say, relaxed approach to food service. Yes, the wait is long. So long that they actually now have a sign up that says "This is not the place to be if you're in a rush." But it's worth it. What I didn't realize the first time was that the specials menu is really where it's at. Most of the items are seasonal so it's constantly rotating, and you get a ton of food for only $13. The most recent time I was there with a friend, they had oreo cookie pancakes on the menu. My friend (another loyal Neighborhooder) and I seriously went back and forth trying to decide whether or not to order this gluttonous feast for about 15 minutes, and finally opted not to for the sake of not feeling disgusting after brunch. My belgian waffle with fresh berries (4 different kinds) and banana was delicious, but I haven't stopped thinking about those pancakes since. Tips that I know now which would have made my first experience better: 1) Do not get there after noon. You will be waiting for over an hour, and all of the coffee/lemonade/cake samples will be gone. 2) Don't put anything in your stomach before you get there. You need to be starving to eat this food. 3) Agree with the rest of your party to have one (or 2 depending on size) of you get the cream of wheat, and the rest get fruit. The cream of wheat is delicious but very heavy and it's really too much for one person. But that combined with the fruit is a nice little appetizer (and the fruit's freshness has improved since my first visit). I can't believe I ever thought any less of this place.
(5)Spencer T.
Amazing place, worth the wait. Portions are huge, if you are not super hungry share a plate. The cream of wheat that is included in your meal is like edible comfort.
(4)Erin C.
Love! One minus star for crappy toast and tiny expensive orange juice. But, the cream of wheat is SO delicious! I don't like it anywhere else...I don't know how they make that grey gooey stuff into something I can't get enough of! They also have good Portuguese-inspired breakfasts (different types of sausages) that are pretty good and great pancakes! I also enjoy the fact that the servings are really large and that you can sit outside under grape vines. Very cute in a kitschy sort of way. Great for large groups.
(4)Joanna F.
4 stars for the value of this place alone. I've been for brunch and most recently, I tried their dinner. Dinner here is a VERY limited menu. I had the paella. It wasn't the best paella I've ever had, but I can't complain considering I paid 15 bucks for a glass of sangria, a salad, bread, paella, two sides, and flan. We didn't end up taking the free flan at the end since we were so ridiculously full after all of the other unexpected food that came with our meal. We were one of the only two parties in the entire place. I don't think their dinner is very well known... I believe they only have it on Thursday and Friday nights. The service was good, and the 2 dollar huge glass of sangria was even better. There was only one vegetarian option for my friend (cheese ravioli) which isn't really a specialty at a Portuguese restaurant, but it was still fairly good.
(4)Catherine R.
Earth-shatteringly good food served in Imaginationland. First, opt for the cream of wheat over the fruit. The NR&B's version (an adventure in sweetness, creaminess, and heat) will make you forget any previous sentiments you have about it, whether it was made too lumpy, too bland, or too watery. One piping hot bite, and those memories of BLAH will be replaced with memories of GIMME MORE. Throw in the bottlomless coffee, cute cup of juice, and a breakfast fit for a king, and THAT is what five starts tastes like. In the winter, you sit in a room painted neon colors: pink, green, blue, yellow. In the summer, you sit under a lattice roof overgrown with the most fragrant grapevines you'll ever encounter. Do they make (and sell) their own homemade grape jelly? Yeah, they do. And yeah, you need to try it. Now. Careful of the lines, though, because the food is good enough to wait for, in the rain, snow, sleet, and hundred-degree heat of a midsummer morning. Don't forget to check out the bathroom: Inside, down the stairs, first door on the left.
(5)Stacy-Michelle R.
I want to write this place a great review, I *really* do. It is ADORABLE. Seriously - you walk up and think "I want to eat THERE." But, it did not live up to what I had hoped for. Be prepared to wait. Granted, we went at prime sunday brunching time - and expected to wait for a table - and we did, for over an hour. we sat down to our waitress being visibly (and a little verbally) upset that we were only a two top instead of a four top. We were going to tell her that we tip like a four top, but since it took her almost 15 minutes to come back to us(and we were right in front of the water/cream of wheat/oj/coffee station) we figured she didn't deserve it. Once she came she was cool enough, and brought us the cream of wheat really quick. The cream of wheat. We laughed that everyone said it was the best cream of wheat they'd ever had. Then we had it...and oh my goodness. It is. It's creamy, it's sweet, it's perfect consistency. I would go there for that alone if I wasn't so allergic to it. We were excited as to what was in store for us next! Sadly, it took an hour for the next round of food, and by then we were more than full from the giant bowl of cream of wheat. The food is expensive. Yes, the cost per piece is cheap, but the food is expensive. I don't go to brunch for pancakes and expect to pay $14. That $14 bought us pancakes, eggs, meat, potatoes, toast (cause we needed more bread), oj, coffee, and cream of wheat. only 30% of which as consumed and 20% of that I could label as "really tasty." Honestly - if it wasn't for the Cream of Wheat, it would be a 1 Star, it's that good. Thats about it. Pros: Cute, Lots of food and amazing cream of wheat Cons: Extensive waits, high price, too much food, blah food, OJ from concentrate (I hate this)
(2)Mike Z.
Breakfast/brunch food done right at very reasonable prices. Cream of wheat (free) is delish. Fruits (free) were fresh. Small shot of orange juice (free) was refreshing Bacon and Cheese ($9.49) omelet was good, but too cheesy. Portugese Breakfast ($12.99) was a bit too adventurous for me. The Portugese sausage and shrimp cake was OK, codcake was meh, and I don't know what to make of the morcella. The two eggs and potatoes were pretty standard. Lesson learned, I'll try something more standard next time! The cute outdoor patio with the grapevine ceiling bumps this one up from a 3.5 to a 4.0 rating.
(4)Ahmad M.
they are soo generous. u get orange juice, coffee and an amazing cream of wheat. not to mention the nice waiters and unlimited menu, meaning that they can do anything you want. def worth the 50 min wait when I came on Saturday.
(5)Sara M.
When you get here, put your name in on the clipboard and help yourself to some coffee and pastry - it's gonna be a wait...but worth it. The specials come with orange juice, pastries for the table and your choice of fruit or cream of wheat - and that's before whatever you ordered. Brunch will run you about 15 bucks, but you'll be full all day! The service was a little slow, but servers were happy to get us whatever we needed, and we were well taken care of. Overall a great brunch and I bet it would be a good fix for a hangover. Looking forward to going back and trying something new.
(4)T T.
My third trip to Neighborhood Restaurant was not nearly as memorable as the first. The coconut French toast was sadly absent from the menu, so I ordered the blackberry and blueberry pancakes. The pancakes were quite dense and were pretty mediocre. The accompanying scrambled eggs were good, though. The sausage and potatoes were so-so. The freshly squeezed orange juice was on the sweet side, and the hot chocolate I ordered tasted of bad hot cocoa mix. Overall, I felt that I could make a better breakfast at home. The service is still friendly, though!
(2)Sonia D.
Cutest place ever!! It feels like you are eating in someone's backyard. I went for brunch on Saturday with a friend and thought it was great. Super cheap food and you get unlimited coffee and a mini cup of oj. We ordered 2 dishes and split both. -Linguica w/3 eggs, toast, fried bananas and homefries. anything fried is yummy but I LOVE bananas so they were pretty tasty. The linguica was cooked a little too much but still edible. We skipped the toast and ordered the sweet bread! HELLO...I wish I was Portugese but then again glad I can just stick to being Italian and od'ing over pasta. -Omelette with mushrooms, broccoli and feta with rice & beans, homefries and more sweet bread. I wasn't a huge fan of the omelette but was a fan of the rice and beans. Should've just ordered a side plate of those. There was just enough flavor and salt to the rice with pinto beans. It was soooo yummy! I can do without that omelette next time though. It was a bit too much and the feta was very salty. Overall, the place was so cute and fun! The waitstaff was very chill and didn't bother you or try to get you to leave shortly after you eat even though there was a huge line of people waiting to get seated. They also only take cash which is a pain but they have an atm machine inside the restaurant that only charges $1.25 fee but then your bank also charges an additional fee depending on the bank. Bring CASH. Hope you all enjoy it!
(4)Elisa C.
This wasn't my first time here, but unfortunately I have been away TOO LONG !!! I had to do a fasting blood test and going to "The Neighborhood" after my doctor's visit was perfect !!! (you get A LOT to eat for breakfast !) As soon as my friend and I selected a table on the patio, we were handed a small glass of orange juice (it is like they are psychic!) Much needed coffee was served right away (and free refills - keep it coming!) and then came the arduous task of WHAT to have (everything looked sooo good!) The "appetizer" choice for breakfast was fresh fruit or cream of wheat. I was trying to be healthy and thought I can have cream of wheat anytime at home so I chose fruit - my friend whispered "get the cream of wheat" - I shrugged and kept with the fruit. The waitress walked away and my friend argued "its not like at home, its cream of crack !" I didn't want to be a pain and change my order so I obliged to try my friend's serving when it came. OH MY GOD! My friend wasn't exaggerating! The only way I can describe it is, its like rice pudding flavorwise, but extremely smooth and no raisins, just lovely cinnamon on top! This would be the end of some people's breakfast, but no ! This is only the beginning ! I happen to be an extremely boring breakfast person, I love waffles, but I always give in to the protein - bacon and eggs, so I end up getting the same thing every time I go out. Today I was able to do both when I got the waffle special !! 2 eggs, toast, homefries, I replaced the sausage with bacon (no problem) and a waffle with fresh berries and a small scoop of whipped cream ! AND if that wasn't enough, the plate the toast came on had a slice of frosted marble cake ! (That went home to the friend's hubby !) And yes, you may take home what you can't finish !! This kept me going all day until dinner and I am wondering when am I going to get back to Somerville! Yes, I WILL get the cream of wheat for myself next time !
(5)Tangi T.
I love this place! I wish we lived closer to it! We drive from the cape to just get the Magical Cream of Wheat!!! OMG!!! I wish they would sell it online and I could have it shipped to me in Marion!!! The service is always great but you have to get there early to avoid long lines. The bread they put out is wonderful!!! Love the team that serves. A great family owns this place and they take pride into the restaurant. I put my hubby onto this place!!! He loves it..
(5)Anna F.
Wow. So much food. 1st tip: go on a warm sunny day. There will be a wait. Be prepared to peruse the comic book next door. 2nd: There will be a choice between fruit and cream of wheat. For the love of god, take the cream of wheat! 3rd: don't be afraid to sit by the door when it's chilly (not that you'll have a choice), they have a heater over the door that keeps the temp from dropping every time folks exit. 4th: be prepared to take food home. Choose your breakfast wisely by finding foods that reheat well 5th: enjoy the bounty that is Neighborhood!
(4)John S.
Do you like breakfast? Do you want to eat a four course meal for breakfast? If so, you might be at home at The Neighborhood. The thing about a four course breakfast is that it has four courses and takes forever to serve. Prepare for along wait while the staff brings you ever-increasing amounts of food that you didn't order. Not by mistake, that's just what they do here. They show up to your table with fruit and fine breads to placate you while they try to make sense of your actual order in the kitchen. Maybe they are playing catch with your order? Hard to say. The atmosphere here is cool if you're into bad, old lawn furniture. It seriously reminds me of eating at an amusement park. Please look at picture of this place before you decide if it's for you. Now to the food...the food wasn't too bad. I got some benedict and this place suffered from that wait-this-is-just-butter-not-hollandaise-sauce disorder, but other than that, I liked what they brought me. The coffee was meh, and they served it to me in the littlest container that could...which would have been fine if they could've brought me more of it more frequently...which they apparently couldn't. Are we getting the picture that the service here was weird? They were friendly, but we wound up resorting to flagging down random other waitstaff to try to get our requests lodged...but then, those people would just mysteriously forget that we had asked for anything? And I sat at a multicolored picnic table the whole time, yeah? Price was alright, but I had to go to their ATM to pay in cash, and I was charged a one million dollar withdrawal fee. But that's probably just as well, because if I had given them my card, it might have taken them 20min to figure out how to charge anything to it?
(2)Deb R.
I've been going here for years so the fact that there's always a long line and cramped seating doesn't bother me, I'm used to that. if it's nice out sitting outside is a bonus to the good food and friendly service. ya the line is long and sometimes it's cold waiting there 20 minutes but they have a coffee pot right outside for their customers to drink while they wait and that's very nice of them I think.
(5)Michelle C.
I was expecting more from this place. I had book marked it a while back and finally ventured over for a Sunday breakfast with my eating buddy. The wait was minimal, thankfully it wasn't that cold outside. The dining room is squished! we were sitting at a 4-top that was split into 2 and we had to share all the condiments. No biggie, the people next to us...and I mean RIGHT next to us, were nice. Friendly, efficient service and you really get your bang for a buck! $8.49 for the Neighborhood omelette....comes with small OJ, coffee, cream of wheat or fruit, toast and homefries. Wasn't a fan of the cream of wheat, but that's a personal thing, I don't like that consistency, but apparently it a hot item there. My omelette was ok, a bit on the salty side, could've used more cheese. I liked the thick wheat toast. P.S. they only do cash, so bring it or be forced to use the sketchy ATM P.P.S. don't sit at the table right behind the door, you'll be forced to get up and down when people leave the little table by the window. plus, when they deliver food/coffee to the window table, you have to say a little prayer they don't spill it on your head.
(3)Dwight B.
I can't recommend this place enough! The beautiful outdoor patio and friendly staff alone make this place a must-visit for brunchgoers in Cambridge. On top of that, the food is amazing, even the less Portuguese options like Eggs Benedict and Corned Beef Hash. Other people know this as well though, so expect to wait for a while, especially with larger parties. Even the waiting experience is enjoyable though, because they put out coffee and pastries for everyone waiting, and it is up to you to sign your party up on the list, so you can always check how many parties are in front of you. The best part of our last experience, though, was when we remembered that they only accept cash, and asked the hostess what we could do. After a lot of back and forth with ATM's and missing debit cards, we decided we had to leave, but when we notified her that someone else could take our table, she insisted that we should just eat and we would "figure it out". Obviously, when we came back to pay later that day, we gave them a huge tip. As other people have said, the wait is long, but it pays off. This is the kind of business I do everything I can to support!
(5)Mjp H.
This place is great. It's tiny so the thought of waitressing and carrying heavy plates of hot cream of wheat in such an enclosed space gave me second-hand panic. I tried the cream of wheat after reading the yelp reviews, and I can say it gave me flashbacks of eating it as a 3 year old at grandma's house in the Dominican Rep. After eating the whole plate I couldn't imagine eating a linguica omelet on top of that, but I did, I ate most of it, along with all of the delicious pulled hash. This place is good :)
(5)Julie C.
I think the rude service here just spoiled any chance of me truly enjoying their food. I went on a weekday so it was pretty slow and our waitress was just really sour. I was pretty bummed because these little places are usually my favorite kind of spots but I'm not sure that I'll ever go back.
(2)Maile S.
The Neighborhood is, in a word, overrated. The food is decent, and the kitschy patio is lovely. But I cannot for the life of me understand why people WAIT IN LINE FOR AN HOUR to eat here. Go on a weekday morning when you happen to have the day off. It will be wonderful! But on the weekend? Use that hour to do something more interesting, like sleep.
(3)Jessica B.
The cream of wheat is unbelievable! The menu doesn't have much of a variety but they serve large portions! A bit on the pricey side compared to other local breakfast spots. Love the outdoor seating area. Tip: cash only.
(4)CW W.
I drive by this place all the time and the line is usually around the corner. Finally convinced my bf to come with and try it. It was somewhat worth it. We prepared ourselves that we'd have to wait and figured any place that always has a line must be good. We arrived on a Sunday just before noon and wrote on our name down. We were seated in less than 30 mins but seemed reasonable considering how many people were there waiting. The service/waitstaff were all friendly, attentive and prompt. Let's talk about the food. So basically all the meals comes with coffee and OJ and also the choice of a baked apple or bowl of cream of wheat. I got the cream of wheat and my bf the baked apple. Cream of wheat was tasty, little too sweet but good. I didn't try the baked apple but my bf said it was good as well. For our main dish I got a crepe with nutella and strawberries that came with home fries, ham and eggs. My bf got the french toast with home fries. Also with your breakfast comes sides of toast and a muffin. Lots of food all around. So the reason this place got 4 stars instead of 5 is the crepe. The crepe was just boring, literally a crepe, that was kinda hard that had nutella spread on it then chopped strawberries. The strawberries were cold and when I got the crepe the whole thing was cold, not appealing. The eggs were delicious, so was the ham, home fries were pretty good but some a little undercooked. My bf's french toast was average in his opinion. Portion size was good as well. Overall we enjoyed our meal, the atmosphere was really nice but we probably wont go again just because we hate waiting. The food was great but not great enough to wait up to 30mins for it. As always never take my word and go try yourself, just be prepared to wait.
(4)John K.
Absolutely Amazing! The Neighborhood is by far the best place to go for brunch in the city. The cream of wheat is most delicious thing I've ever had, even better than my grandma's! I have never been disappointed with any meal I've had there, and on the weekdays they offer a nice little buffet which is great as well. The place is small in the colder months because they can't use their terrace ( which is great when it's nice out) but the food and service is well worth the wait! A definite favorite!
(5)Kevin A.
Love this place. Missed the lines that so many reviews speak of. Walked in, sat down and placed an order. Everything was great. I decided to leave a triple tip after the table next to me walked out without paying. So sad. I'll reserve further comment on that. Waitress kept a great attitude and I very much hope she doesn't get charged for that as is a policy in some places. Cash only.
(4)Tanya V.
If you're looking to a healthy breakfast, this is not for you. They have healthy menu options, but they are nothing exceptional. However, their standard menu is huge, great value, portions are huge. I had to take half of my breakfast home and had it for breakfast the next day. It was still pretty good. The cream of wheat is amazing. The wait line at 11:30 runs for like 40-50 mins, so be prepared to kill time.
(4)Annie W.
this place is extremely popular. i live close by and lines on weekends are two blocks long any time hovering around brunch, which is most hours, because they're only open 'til ~4 pm. i had a day off of work today, so i went. it's got a nondescript interior with about 10 tables -- surprisingly small for the long lines. service might take a while. there was only one waitress. it's only cash. the quantity of food you get for the price is huge. i really loved the cream of wheat (okay, so you sold me a whole container of condensed milk with cinnamon with a side of creamed wheat, and i ate it all up). the coffee is mehdiner coffee, the orange juice is in a tiny kiddy cup and not quite sure if it were fresh-squeezed... the waffles are fresh pressed but not the most amazing i have ever had. the omelette looked more like a bit of scrambled eggs (i didn't mind) with occasional egg shells. the turkey bacon was salty. but i loved the cream of wheat. and might i mention that i got all that for under 12 bucks? they also have a breakfast buffet with eggs, home fries, rice and beans, portuguese meats, fruit, unlimited cream of wheat, oj, coffee, fruit, etc for around 12 bucks. so if you're hung over and hungry, it's a fine deal. if you're hungry, it's a fine deal. if you want tip top gourmet food, maybe not where to go, but it's a well-meaning mom and pop and a solid neighborhood establishment. i like the touch of the blue mugs with the local neighborhood business advertisements on it, like newspaper ads. give it a try. i just ate enough calories for breakfast, lunch, and a little of dinner.
(4)Alex O.
You will not be able to finish your breakfast, no matter how hard you try. It is just that much food! Start with the cream of wheat (or fruit cup if that suits you), and then move on to the main course, which is usually enormous and can feed two people. I had the Portuguese Breakfast and my friends had the #99. None of us finished! The wait is long but well worth it!
(5)Maureen K.
Great breakfast. Also, the restaurant definitely fulfills it's name as a neighborhood place - small but a spot to meet friends and relax!
(4)Erica P.
Awesome, delicious, cheap breakfast food. You get a free bowl of Cream of Wheat. Quick service, and I always roll out of there full beyond belief. You will have to wait outside if it's full (which it always is), but the owners are nice enough to have some coffee and rolls out there to munch on as you wait. Beware - it's cash only, but they have an ATM. Besides, $10 can buy you a king's breakfast.
(5)Shana N.
Fantastic food, great atmosphere, awesome staff. A bit of a wait for Sunday brunch, but totally worth it and they have quick turnover. Live music playing at a corner table was a perfect touch, not too loud. Grab some pals and a bloody.
(5)Vivian C.
We stopped by for a late brunch one dreary Saturday afternoon. Their patio was damp and closed, so we headed up a few steps and through the door into the small narrow dining room. At 2:30pm, there was no wait for either us or the party behind us. The french toast on the Specials menu immediately caught my eye. I mean, French Toast Dipped in a Toffee Almond Milk & topped with milk chocolate toffee bits, bananas & drizzled with caramel, two eggs, ham, homefries, coffee & OJ... doesn't that sound goooooood? All that food for $12.99, and preceded by a bowl full of childhood reminding tummy warming cream of wheat sprinkled with cinnamon (instead of the fresh fruit option - which today was melons) made for a full stomach for many hours. When my meal arrived on two plates, I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was - so much food! The french toast was a bit custardy in the middle and was nicely sweetened by the fresh banana and caramel. The eggs were prepared overhard as requested, and had even somehow grown to be 3 in number on my plate. The homefries were moister rather than the expected crispy specimen, but was still good. The table was provided with a plate of toasted white bread fully buttered and a square of sweet cornbread. The strawberry jelly was great with the toast. The small glass of OJ was really good and cleansed my tongue between the cream of wheat and the bottomless mug of cocoa I selected instead of the coffee or tea options. While my friends cleaned off their plates, I ended up taking half of mine home (minus the homefries which I decided to finish off). Yes, it is a lot of food, but if you want to split the bounty with a friend, there is a $3 sharing fee... however, you might want your own bowl of cream of wheat... If you need the bathroom, they have a single private bathroom available downstairs, just inside the kitchen and to the left. Yup, the blue door. But be careful - the ceiling is short and has angles that even I bumped my forehead on. Speaking of being careful, take care when stepping out the door with full tummy before you... the first short step followed by two more regular sized steps down to the sidewalk sort of caught me unawares.
(4)Sarah H.
A great brunch place. Ordered the coconut French toast and it was delicious. Huge portions with free coffee and a side with all meals. Can't ever finish my entire meal there. Wait staff is great too except one grumpy guy. Would still recommend this place!
(4)S. S.
Summer is not complete without a few trips here. Aaah the joy of sitting under the grape vines with a breeze cooling you off. I come here for the cream of crack. I always hated that stuff till I had some here. My god, blown away by the taste. The rest of the food is as delicious, including the pancakes, eggs and french toast. There are a lot of extra goodies which come along with your order like home fries, some homemade toast with jelly and butter, muffins. The staff is super friendly. When I am working nights I come here on weekdays to avoid the weekend rush and sit in peace and enjoy the summer breeze. Hands down my favorite breakfast spot!
(5)Michelle A.
FYI- Try the Cream of Wheat. Beyond that order whatever blows your hair back. Me and my friend Jessica went for breakfast. Usual 30+ minute wait. I like that they have coffee outside for those soon to be patrons. Unfortunately their coffee is pretty horrible. I found out from a friend who is "in the business" that because they pretty much give their coffee for free with every meal that they don't really care what the coffee tastes like. I say charge for coffee and get better coffee. But that's just me... We ordered two different things so we could share. 1. She got the spinach and feta cheese omelet for her. I'm not a huge omelet fan but it was tasty. Came with home fries, ham and toast. Also good. 2. I got what I thought said pecan pie or candied pecan pancakes with caramel drizzle. What I got was pancakes with small bits of pecans and no caramel. They quickly brought it out when they realized it was missing. Also got home fries and 3 eggs over easy and scali toast. Prior to all the food, we both got the cream of wheat which I love and they brought out a plate of small muffins and pastry stuff. All and all a good breakfast but not GREAT. I usually rave about The Neighborhood. I wish the patio was open because of the unseasonably warm weather but oh well not their fault. Ordering off the Specials Menu usually something a little better or more unique than the usual menu. Not so much this time. We actually got sat with two other people which was kind of awkward. It was a 4 seat table that they split up. Once they left though they didn't seat anyone there thankfully. And their coffee was especially bitter this time. But I will always keep The Neighborhood on my list of Breakfast Go To's.
(4)Qais D.
omg .... what a place .I love love love it ...nice fast professional service .nice outside lovely sitting .nice homemade food .many extras .good coffee .and u know what else ??? me and my wife get two full lunch meal plus coffee drinks o.j and house salad and sodas ..guess how much 22 $ I really willing to pay 45 I was shocked .will be there many many time to try the breakfast too .perfect job guys
(5)K F.
Couldn't actually taste the food here because I was sick of waiting in a non-moving line. You sign yourself in on a piece of paper and that's the list. We stood here for 30 minutes waiting while 2 tables were open next to us. Not exaggerating. No one bothers to say how long the wait is or ask if you want a drink while hanging out. Not sure if what from the menu looks like standard breakfast with some Portuguese flare is worth the wait but I won't be coming back to find out. Save yourself the hassle and go to one of the many awesome breakfast places nearby to get some decent customer service.
(1)Carolyn M.
The brunch is delicious, the staff is very friendly and it's like a cultural experience trying the cream of wheat and eating at a restaurant with such a family vibe. It's packed on the weekends for brunch so you have to wait outside but they even provide pastry samples and coffee while you wait. Beware, they don't accept cards but there is an ATM inside. Not a ton of atmosphere in terms of decor but it's not really that kind of place anyways.
(4)Rick E.
I gave up on the place a long time ago. I really don't understand what people see in this place. Yea, the outdoor seating is cool, but everything else is trashy. This is Somerville, not Lynn. Just some quick stuff - The owner, or the guy that drunk guy that stumbles around union sq Square claiming he's the owner, is an arrogant prick. -The Portuguese sampler or whatever (dish with different types of sausage ) is repulsive. The meat was dry and tasted old. - The waitstaff is hit or miss, most of the time they're miss, but yelpers for some reason enjoy this. - Obviously the Cream of Wheat is incredible, we all have a sickening butter addiction... Don't go here. Everyone knows it's sucks, the owner knows it sucks, but the lines keep forming.
(1)Lillybeth B.
Went here for breakfast and it was not as good as expected. I've been here a few times before and the food has been okay. The coffee is nothing special and my food came with chef DNA. The hair was as long as my plate. I didn't feel like mentioning it to the waitress. I feel like they would have just taken the plate away removed the hair and served it to me again. I hope my husband enjoyed it because that was our last visit to the neighborhood.
(1)Hyanna C.
The BEST brunch EVER. I have since left the Boston area and moved to New York, but I always try to make a trip to Somerville when I find myself at home. Neighborhood is a place of hopes, dreams, and unicorns... oh and the magic that is cream of wheat. For $15 (including tip ladies and gentlemen) you can easily get a main course, a few sides, cream of wheat or fruit (GET THE CREAM OF WHEAT), fresh squeezed OJ, and fresh bread on homemade seasonal jelly. This place is a true gem, the best of the best, an A+, heaven on Earth, etc. Best of all, you do not have to choose between sweet and savory with the specials! They give you sausage and homefries with your pancakes or waffles. They just get me here. Be prepared to wait and come with cash. Come hungry, you'll need all the stomach real estate you can get.
(5)David N.
My wife and I are in town on business and a friend told us about this place. It is amazing, one of the best Places I have eaten. It's cheap, it has a great atmoshere, and there's a real comunity feel. Be warned, the coffee isn't that good. Get it at bloc 11 next door. Also they only take cash.
(5)Paul A.
Very Very slow service. Took forever to get your meal. The server is not very attentive to your needs.
(1)Jennifer H.
Oh, how I so want to give the Neighborhood Restaurant five stars because it really is a neighborhood gem. I just have one major qualm: the seating. I barely squeezed into my chair, and I was nervous to move too much for fear of knocking my neighbor's eggs on the floor. I hate starting out with a negative, but I had to get that out of the way. Now I have so many amazing things to say about Neighborhood. First, they serve breakfast ALL DAY! This is my kind of place. Nothing else matters to me. Ok, kidding, everything else matters, but this is definitely a huge step in winning my favor. Not only do they provide breakfast for us late risers, but they serve scrumptious, jumbo sized breakfast, at bargain prices for everything you get. I ordered one of the specials -- the pumpkin cinnamon pancakes (three plate-sized, sweet, crumbly pancakes), which came with three eggs any way I like, sausage or bacon (a half dozen or so perfectly crisp slices), hash browns, bottomless coffee (oh and it was so good) or tea or hot chocolate, a small OJ and an appetizer. What??? A free breakfast appetizer? Yes, either cream of wheat or the fruit of the day, which happened to be a sweetly seasoned baked apple. All for the bargain price of $13. That's just the beginning. We all know it's the little extras that make you fall in love with a place. The people here welcome you like family. It is small (albeit, a bit cramped), cozy, welcoming and casual. I felt like I was a guest in someone's kitchen, and the staff treats you like family -- very bed and breakfast. Our waitress heard it was our first time visiting, and she brought us out a bowl of the cream of wheat -- even though we both ordered the apple to start -- just because it was "so good we had to try it." There are no reservations. There are many regulars. When you arrive, add your name to the clipboard outside the door to get on the (long) list. Then help yourself to some complimentary hot coffee and baked goods while you wait. The sidewalk out front was jam packed when we arrived, but I honestly didn't mind the 30-or-so-minute wait. Now, had the weather been bad, it might have been a different story since there is no indoor waiting area. I can't wait to come back in the warmer weather and eat on the outdoor patio. I'll wrap this up by saying you must go here if you are in the neighborhood -- or even if you're not. It's worth the trip. Oh, and bring cash... because that's all they take.
(4)Amanda O.
This place was great. It was a cold, slushy morning and we had to wait outside for about 20 minutes with a party of 5, but it was well worth the wait. They provide complimentary coffee and baked goods for everyone waiting outside - so nice! All the breakfast specials ($13) are delicious and come with lots of complimentaries. They brought us more coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice immediately. Shortly after, the waitress came by with a plate of fresh fruit and the cream of wheat each. This alone could have been my breakfast! All of this was at no extra charge. It took me by surprise as most other places charge by the item. Great homey service. Excellent value. In our group, we got the french toast, blueberry pancakes, a crepe, and eggs benedict. Everything was wonderful. I loved my eggs benedict, but the bites I had of the blueberry pancake were probably the best pancakes I've ever had. Parking was easy. We parked about a block away on a side street that had 2-hour parking. This place is cash only, but they have an ATM inside. I'm in Newton, so this place isn't in my neighborhood, but I will totally go back.
(5)Daniel Z.
This was the most delicious breakfast I've ever had. The end. Did you know that Cream of Wheat is delicious? I had absolutely no idea. I assumed the 300 people on Yelp that talked about Cream of Wheat here were a part of some crazy Cream of Wheat cult that had overtaken the reviews here and were trying to trick me into getting some. Well, I drank the kool-aid, and it tastes amazing. This Cream of Wheat is like a liquid cinnamon roll as it warms you to your very core. It is so delicious. I want some now, but now I'm home, and I'm pretty sure this isn't reproducible without some sort of black magic. The belgian waffle that came after I came out of my Cream of Wheat frenzy was engulfed in fruit - blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and bananas. It refused to be overshadowed by the Cream of Wheat and brought it's a-game. So I ate it. I ate it all. And I loved every second of it. Do you know what wasn't amazing? The homefries. Do you know what you don't give a $h*+ about after eating that amazing Cream of Wheat plus a delicious fruit-a-licious waffle? The homefries. If you're thinking of going, quit. Just do it.
(5)T. P.
if you want decent food in a cute outdoor setting, but no service, then come here. My boyfriend and I came here on a hot day at about 11am. It was already 88 degrees out. We waited about 10 mins before being called which I was happy about, but then when we went up to the host to claim our table she asked us if we would mind sharing a table. I looked at the table to see what she meant, and it was literally a 4 person small picnic table. No thanks. I told her no we do not want to share a table and that we would wait for a table and she said that was fine and we waited about another 10 minutes so not so bad. When we were finally called, we were handed our menus and told to "go to the yellow table." umm okay what ever happened to walking the customers to the table?! we had to seat ourselves! Anyways we sat ourselves down and immediately someone came over and gave us orange juice and asked us if we wanted coffee. We didn't, we actually wanted tea, but when we said no to the coffee the waiter took our mugs so quick before we could realize what was happening. And then that was it. We didn't see a waiter for about 20 minutes. We wanted water, after all, it was quickly approaching the low 90s and I can't believe no one even offered us water! FINALLY after about 7 minutes or so, (it seemed longer in the heat) a waiter came over and i asked for tea and water and she said that the tea was unlimited and I should have asked the bus boy for some. Umm sorry I have never been here before so I didnt know! don't tell me this like it is obvious because it is not. I have never asked bus boys for anything in a restaurant so obv I didn't think that it was appropriate for me to ask him for my drinks. Buy anyways the drinks came VERY quick. Then we waited another 20 minutes before our waitress came over to take our order. We ordered and i asked for toast on the side of my meal, and the waitress said that it already comes on the side. Sweet! There are a lot of little freebies here, the OJ, fruit, and toast among other things I am sure. The service is just a bit laid back for my liking, young kids just running around yelling at each other from across the patio "Jose get me a water!" (No lie) I was not aware this is cash only, but they have an ATM inside. It was ridiculously hot outside when we went, but all the shade on the patio allowed us to stay a bit cool. The food was all very good. I loved the pancakes. All in all, a decent place, But I think they need to focus more on customer service and how to interact w the customers.
(3)Guillermo M.
We came back and this place is amazing!! Now we tried the cream of wheat, the apple and they were so good. We had the steak and eggs and was so good. And what continues to amaze me is the prices in this place. One of the best value restaurants in the Boston Metro area.
(4)Johnny Q.
Great place for breakfast or brunch in summer. Usually very busy, and cash only which is inconveinient since i never carry cash. I ordered more food than i could eat but i left feeling full and satisfied.
(4)Monique S.
Wow. This place always has a line, so I knew it would be a great place to go with my friend visiting from the South Shore. We waited or turn all for a nightmare. I had brunch here, and it was one of my most awkward/awful experiences. I don't eat meat besides fish, so I asked the waitress if I could get it without the meat items. So I ordered the Portuguese Breakfast without meatcakes and blood sausage. My friend ordered the same thing with blood sausage. The runner brought one order out and gave it to my friend He did not announce it was the order without the meat (a few small sausage like items were on it). He brought Pancakes instead my breakfast, so he had to go get it. When it came, it had meat on the eggs, apparently the blood sausage. My friend was already eating her food, and the waitress callously told us just to switch plates. She then rudely exclaimed, "What do you want me to do?!" I was polite the whole time and told her I did not order blood sausage and it was already on the eggs. She finally took it back and brought back a dish and said no blood sausage was on the new food. This time the rice and beans were missing. I asked for the manager. The waitress came back and said Mario was too busy but comped my food. The stars are for the food (actually tastes good) and for the fact they did apologize, even though decent service from the beginning would have been preferred. The nicest person there was the bus lady. Don't believe the hype.
(1)Jess Y.
Oh, how the Neighborhood has changed. I used to think this place was the best deal in town - great portions for a great price - but I have finally seen the light and this place don't look so great anymore. You think you're getting so much bang for your buck because you get coffee, oj and cream of wheat or fruit with your breakfast. But take a closer look at the price of your meal and you'll see it's just tacked on that. $10 for a sub-par ham and cheese omelette, smushy home fries and half a piece of toast? And why do they give you three half pieces of toast for two people? I don't even get a whole piece of bread for myself? No thanks. I could do better getting a breakfast sandwich at Dunkin Donuts. As for service, it was friendly, but hardly attentive. Our server poured coffee for the table right next to us, like literally inches away, then looked over at our table, apparently missed the empty coffee cups and walked away. She was all ready with the check when it came time...although she gave me the wrong change. C'mon, people...simple math... Fortunately for those other suckers waiting in line for this mediocre fare every day, I'll volunteer to be one less person waiting. Overpriced and underwhelmed!
(2)Brian R.
This is one of my favorite breakfast places in Boston. The cream of wheat is magical and the service is fantastic and all at a price you can't beat! I go here once a week and I am always satisfied with more declicious food then I can eat.
(5)Sankeerth A.
Excellent Brunch for a sunday, you would get a bunch of sides for free We got O.J and Toast for free :)
(5)Naveid S.
Great for breakfast. Immediately served coffee and juice, followed by a nice warm bowl of cream of wheat. I got the eggs benedict with crab cakes and my brother got the corn beef hash, both extremely satisfying. All that for under thirty bucks, I'll take it.
(4)Sushmita M.
One of the best brunches in Somerville, no question. Value for money doesn't begin to explain it. Actually we're not sure how they manage to make a profit and afford the hummers in the car lot next door after all they dish out for customers. You can order one dish to split (at $3 extra) and still struggle to get through all that they offer. And I can eat. Coffee, orange juice, a bowl of cream of wheat or fresh fruit (go with the cream of wheat/crack no matter how anyone tries to dissuade you), a plate full of pastries and muffins, and then, oh yeah, your actual order. If you ordered a special (which you very well should from the handwritten inserts), you'll likely get two plates full of eggs, french toast / pancakes, potatoes, sausages, maybe beans and rice. So much. There will be a wait. Prepare thyself. Luckily, they extend their generosity to the sidewalk outside - grab a cup of coffee and muffin (or skip it, you'll soon repent wasting precious stomach space) while you strategize over the menu. Specials are always good and plentiful. My only regret is never having ordered the Portugese offerings. Take cash with you (although they have an ATM), a friend or two in tow, and absolutely nothing in your belly prior.
(5)Christina M.
Yay...after years of eye-ing this place, I finally got to go on a beautiful, clear, and sunny day to enjoy the outdoor seating. The Patio is colorful, cool, and delightful for eating, while the servers were quick and helpful. If you get there too late in the morning expect a line, but they offer a nice touch of free coffee and pastries as you wait. Here are some tips to make your visit the best possible: - get there before 9am to sit right away, and put your name on the clipboard by the free coffee/pastry table if you get there late. - eat the cream of wheat... it is yummy. However, seems like the reviewers are obviously not used to latin style farina, because this is just how our cream of wheat taste...yeah, we're the best! -If you like ethnic food or a more exciting and unique breakfast, try the Portuguese breakfast. The hubby loved the combination of eggs with rice, beans, and blood sausages, and fish cakes. - If you want something a little safer, try something not-of-the-egg variety. I liked my coconut french toast a lot, and it comes with basically an egg breakfast on the side too. - The Portions are huge! In my breakfast special I got french toast, eggs, sausage, homefries, a small cup of oj,, bowl of cream of wheat, toast, and a small muffin and unlimited coffee for 13 bucks. Definitely share too...it's only a $3 extra charge and you can always get a second bowl of cream of wheat if you really like it and don't want to share with a friend. - Cash only, so come prepared. They do have an ATM inside if you need it.
(4)Alex P.
I am going to say it right out the gate, I hate breakfast food and do my best to avoid it at all costs like it's the plague. I've seen the line for brunch/lunch hours on the weekend and have just laughed out loud wondering why anyone would wait that long for a dreaded cafe meal. Then some friends literally dragged me here because they loved it and were ranting and raving. After coming here, I can see why! It is hard for me to admit but they may have converted me - at least for their place. Thankfully we were early morning folks, so we didn't have to contend with the line. When I was looking over the menu, I wasn't surprised to see the $8 price tag on every meal - as I think all breakfast food is over priced - but when I reached the section where it stated what came with the meal I was shocked. Endless OJ or Coffee, choice of fruit or cream of wheat (I will return to this later) and toast...before even getting to what came in the meal HOLY SMOKES! I ordered the regular french toast, which I was given the option of white/wheat/sweet bread, I panicked because this was completely unexpected and ordered wheat - delicious. Then I had to tell them how I wanted my eggs, normal occurrence, and hear that I got home fries too. I haven't had cream of wheat since I was a little boy, and I am still convinced that it is the best I've ever had! I am seriously considering going back and just trying to get bowl after bowl of the stuff, simply amazing. They must make their own bread here, as the pieces were extremely thick and definitely not store bought. The flavoring of the french toast was nice, the home fries weren't burnt to a crisp, and the eggs - the food I most dislike in breakfast - were actually quite good. I will be going back here again!
(5)Adriana T.
I finally got to try the FAMOUS 'The Neighborhood Restaurant' for the first time this past weekend. I have been wanting to try it for a few months now for brunch, but parking is almost impossible there on top of the usual long line. Somehow we got lucky on Sunday and we didn't have to wait for longer than 3-5 minutes. The place wasn't pact as expected but while waiting for our brunch more people came in and it was at full capacity. I got the usual ham, green paper and cheese omlette with sausage on the side and a coffee. The give you orange juice and some dessert on the house!!! I liked the dessert even though I am not a dessert person. By the time the omlette came I was almost full. The food was very tastey!!! I liked the restaurant and I am definitely going to go back. The food was very fresh - I can't think of any other better place for lunch (maybe a better looking place but not better brunch). Keep up the good work!!! I give them a 4 stars because I dropped off my fork and the server forgot to bring me another fork so I had to use a spoon :))) Also, they don't bring water at the table unless you ask for it. We were sat by the door and the wind was blowing every time they opened the door (especially since we went there during the Nemo blizzard weekend!!!) - it wasn't too cold though!!
(4)Cassie K.
The line is always ridiculous, and remember to bring cash because it is cash-only. Definitely worth the wait though! Great mimosas, breakfast appetizers for all, and huge menu. Probably the best breakfast in Somerville.
(4)Cristina V.
Holy mother this place is amazing. We went here for brunch on a day off from work. It was a beautiful day so we opted to sit outside. I'm sure it gets stupid packed on the weekends, but there was no wait and we were greeted/seated promptly. The atmosphere is very pleasant but quirky (in a good way). Weird little plastic figurines, different colored picnic tables, striped umbrellas, etc. It was hard to decide what to get. The menu has some standard items and some more interesting fare. I decided on an omelette, he got scrambled eggs/bacon/homefries, and we split a banana walnut waffle. In three words: Best. Omelette. Ever. And honestly, eggs are one of my favorite foods. I've easily eaten my weight in omelettes in my 24 years of existence. This one was a special - I think they called it the Garden Omelette? - and it was absolutely unreal. It had spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms and feta in it. It wasn't one of those thin omelettes where the egg merely "drapes" over the ingredients (yeah, you know what I mean). It was a huge and fluffy, and the vegetables inside were definitely not canned. The best part? The vegetables were seasoned. I don't know what they were seasoned with - maybe fairy dust - but frankly, I didn't care. I inhaled that thing and left feeling like I had a small child in my stomach. Everything else was really great, too. He's a bacon snob and approved of the thick, crispy slices. The waffle was also insane. The only reason I'm taking off a star is because our server brought all the food at once when we wanted to start with the waffle, then have our egg-based meals. The food was so good, I'd give this place 4.5 stars if I could. Looking forward to trying some lunch items!
(4)Nitya D.
This just really isn't my cup of tea. I get it though, I guess - it's got that neighborhood feel to it where most of the diners are probably regulars. But you have to write your name down on the list with the number of people in your party (thanks for letting my friends and I stand around for 10 min without telling us) and seat yourselves (literally the waiter handed me the menus and pointed at a table and said "go ahead"). Haha thanks bro, what does your job actually entail? I almost wish they didn't have the complimentary coffee and 'lemonade,' as both were disgusting and watery. There was a human hair in my coffee mug. There were strange prior food remnants/grease on my plates. Some woman started feeding birds her leftovers and they started swarming all around us (al fresco dining only sucks when you are in the company of complete morons). Pluses: OJ on the house when you are seated, decent portions for the price and ok enough tasting food (home fries and cream of wheat were actually both quite tasty). However, the only way I'd go back is if it were literally the only restaurant in my neighborhood.
(1)Ash C.
I like their cream of wheat. But mimosa came out flat and the sausages came out completely burnt.. The waitress was not friendly when we asked to change our drinks.. It was a very disappointing experience compared to what I heard about this place before coming.
(2)Hadrien D.
Great value, yummy food. Everybody gets free coffee, a glass of orange juice, and your choice of cream of wheat or cup of fruit. I haven't tried the fruit yet, but I recommend the cream of wheat.
(4)Champika F.
Best breakfast in somerville/ cambridge hands down. The service is incredibly friendly and fast. The breakfast options are endless. The portions are beyond generous. And the cream of wheat they start you off with is addictive. Get there early so you don't have to wait in line!
(4)Kate H.
Went for Sunday brunch and was very impressed. The cream of wheat was to die for! My meal was about $13 but it was enough food to make three meals out of. I will definitely return the next time I'm in town! It is cash only but there is an ATM inside. Well worth the wait!
(5)J.J. J.
Love this place. Bring quarters for the meters and its cash only. LOVE THE CREAM OF WHEAT!!!!!!!!!!
(4)Neeharika B.
1. GET THE cream of "crack", i mean "wheat", recommend it over fruit any day / any dish (the fruit is just cantaloupes and honeydew which is meh (maybe it's not strawberry season.) 2. we got the whole wheat french toast off the healthy menu with vanilla yogurt and granola and it was delicious!! it came with a side of egg white scramble that was really great, the broccoli had a delicious crisp and flavor 3. feta and veggie omelet was cool, but i liked the egg white scramble that came on the side of our french toast even more, go for that! 4. DELICIOUS rice and beans! :) we devoured it.
(5)valerie d.
I've never walked out of a restaurant in my life before. At 11:40 we tried to order lunch and she said they're not serving lunch yet. The menu says 11:30 but she said we had to wait until "I don't know 12?" Not the end of the world but I find that super annoying since I don't do breakfast food. She said we could wait til 12, and we were going to, but... They way they store their coffee cups is upside down on the table wth nothing under them. A dirty table where there were just birds eating the previous person's food and flies all over the place (we were outside). I am not delusional. I'm sure I've eaten in many a dirty kitchen. I eat off my own floor regularly. But I want at least the illusion of clean. She filled the coffee cups and we just looked at all the crap it was just touching and left. I'm sure I put grosser things in my mouth regularly but ignorance is bliss. It's really hard to put something in your mouth when you can actually see the crumbs of whatever grossness was just on the table floating in it. At least put a napkin under it.
(1)Katie R.
So I want to give it 4 stars but the logistics of it brings it down to a 3 and here's why: -Have to have cash -Have to wait and I am on the fence about it being worth it. - Cramped dining room I am willing to give it another try maybe in the summer when I can wait in warm weather and sit on the patio. The food is good for the price, nothing to write home about. I even tried the cream of wheat due to yelpers and found it tasty but I don't dream about it. The texture is just weird for me and I didn't want to fill up on it before my three course breakfast arrived (Eggs, potatoes, and pancakes). Pretty decent service considering how busy they were. We were stuck in the corner and had to share our condiments with the next table as they split a 4 top to a 2 top, wasn't ideal but it beat waiting longer outside.
(3)Julia F.
You best believe THIS hype. I have never been here on a weekday, when I stop for brunch on the weekends? I've never waited longer than 30 mins for a table. Why? Maybe cause I am on the later end of "brunch time" or we only come with parties of 2-3? Either way, once we get in there, it's time to fill up on some of the tastiest foods Somerville has to offer, in Union Square! First decision: fruit or cream of wheat? Both are really good, so I usually switch off each time we go, or I force somebody at my table to share their fruit as I devour my cream of wheat. You get coffee and juice delivered quickly to the table, and then you have to find something off the three pages of tasty foods to order. No pressure! I love getting pancakes, or eggs, or anything really. I've never had a bad meal here. They have mimosas too, which don't happen to be all that expensive, and go down easily with anything I've had off the menu. The bathroom is right down through the hole in the floor that you see food coming up through. Don't get creeped out, or do, that's your business. You can't really use the bathroom if you are over 5'9" though, cause the ceiling grazes my head, and I'm only 5'6"! The prices are solid, the food is delightfully good, the lines CAN be long, but it's worth a try. In the summer months, you can eat outdoors, and the size of the place is practically doubled. Even though I don't live two blocks away anymore, I love me this neighborhood!
(5)Sidney L.
This place truly lives up to the hype. After an hour wait on a Sunday morning (I put my name down, went to Target, and came back, and ate some brownies that they brought out before finally getting seated), we were finally seated in their beautiful outdoor seating area. Grapes were hanging above us, and if it were a little bit less chilly, I would've felt like I was back in California gain. The meal began with free coffee, orange juice, and a choice of cream of wheat or fruit salad. The cream of wheat was delicious and not too sweet, and came with a hearty spoonful of cinnamon on top. I sampled a bunch of different dishes that we shared as a group, and they were all good. The steak and egg came with very tender meat, though it was more medium than the medium-rare than I ordered. The Belgian waffle was had a light batter and a delicious pile of fruits and whipped cream on top. The French toast (on sweet bread) was great as well, even without a lot of maple syrup poured on top. Finally, the prices are great. It's cheaper than what you would pay at IHOP or other brunch places, with huge portions that we took home. My only complaint is the wait and the somewhat slow service, but this is a wonderful way to spend a weekend morning.
(5)Rachael R.
The cream of wheat was tasty, a little too sweet though. I had the broccoli cheese omelette which was good, but had a bit of a strange sweet taste to it. Home fries were pretty good, but again had a strange taste to them. Coffee was meh, bread was soggy.
(3)lynn p.
Driving through Union Sq. at lunchtime, and I'm starving! I pulled over at the neighborhood. I'm veggie so not many choices for me, but I got the house salad, and it was enormous. They served it with some tasty homemade bread. Great meal for very short money. Very homey atmosphere. The family that owns the place has all the kids around. Really enjoyed it!
(4)Mollie W.
Everything is great here, but get something with a Portuguese twist like the portuguese sweet bread french toast, or the linguica eggs and fried plantain or, for the adventurous the Portuguese breakfast! But... I cannot stress enough...The best part of the meal.... Get the Cream of Wheat... Really Cream of Wheat? YES, Cream of Wheat, CREAM OF WHEAT! It's free with your meal, f-the fruit! Be a fatty, get the CREAM OF WHEAT!! Oh, and um, the outdoor patio is amazing...
(5)Lori A.
Come with a good appetite if you are having breakfast. A bowl of surprisingly delicious cream of wheat comes with the breakfast combinations, which also include potatoes and toast. The corned beef hash was great and tasted homemade. The coffee was good. We ate inside because of the weather. It is quite small and a little cramped so I look forward to eating on the patio sometime. Friendly and attentive service, reasonable prices, great food and a homey atmosphere make it a winner.
(5)Jon L.
Let's get one thing clear - this is one of the best places in Union Square. But, it's pretty over-rated in these past Yelp reviews. Ambiance is superb - nothing beats the outdoor patio with its perfect picnic tables and grape-vine cover. Portions are huge, both because they are and because each meal comes with so many extras (from the pastries you munch on while waiting in line, the complimentary cup of OJ, the bottomless coffee/tea, and the plate of sweetbreads). Yes, it's a long waiting time - at least 30 minutes for even small groups on weekend brunches. Why this place gets no more than 4 stars: -The food is just average - it's standard brunch fare with a couple of interesting Portuguese-inspired seafood items. Many dishes go heavy with sides of beans and rice - they fill you up, but it's not particularly flavorful or exciting.
(4)Catie F.
I will cut to the chase and say: it's as good as everyone claims! There's usually a wait, but it's worth it. You can take your time to browse the menu (especially on a nice day) AND the staff puts out iced tea, water, muffins and other pastries for you to enjoy while you wait. The cream of wheat appetizer is SO GOOD. I would consider it as my meal alone (but I'd need more!). I love that the menu offers healthy options as well as plenty of unhealthy ones, of course. I also really love that most dishes pair a savory and sweet item so you never have to make the tough choice between sweet pancakes or french toast and eggs and homefries. Patio is beautiful, staff is efficient - I've never been to a breakfast place that's so great about refills on your beverages! Really good value, too (bevs like coffee, oj, iced tea, cocoa are unlimited and all breakfasts come with toast/muffins as well as the app). NOM. One tip: beware the bathroom! It's clean enough, but it's down in the "grotto" aka kitchen. You might have to wait and watch the cooks while you're there. And be sure to duck to enter.
(4)David M.
whoa, how have I not reviewed this yet. I've been coming here for about 5 years! It wasn't until my brother in law told me he was craving a bowl of there creme of wheat while traveling all around the world that I decided to stop ordering the fruit and give it a try. I think I wept over all those bowls I forsook in the past for the crap shoot that is there "fruit bowl." The other discovery is the health menu. Its so much fun to ask for eggs over easy instead of egg whites, and real bacon instead of the turkey stuff. Can I get butter with the waffles? You will walk away from brunch here stuffed and probably good for the rest of the day. Anticipate a half hour wait on the weekend, but service is quick (unless you end up in there very relaxing patio... then all bets are off)
(5)Ed M.
Brunch, outside under some grape leaves along with free coffee and pastries while you wait for your table. This place is a great time and worth the wait. We met some friends here for brunch on a Sunday morning and left with plenty of food for another breakfast (ah, second breakfast). Everything on the menu comes with a choice of Cream of Wheat (tasty) or some fruit (it was a baked apple for us) as well as coffee and juice. I can report that the Portuguese Breakfast is glorious and the staff were all very nice. My wife tells me the pancakes were great as well. Two thumbs up, etc. Loved it.
(5)Michelle J.
Came here with a friend for breakfast one cold winter morning. The place was nearly packed at 9AM on a Sunday. I never really noticed it on my trips through Union Square but I love me some breakfast and it had been a while since I had some eggs. We got seated really quick which was a plus. They also had a good menu of eggs, pancakes and other breakfast fair. So far so good! Even more surprising breakfast comes with complementary cup of OJ and fruits. But finding a small piece of plastic in my fruit made me a bit hesitant to finish it. No worries though because the main course which is my western omelette is fluffy and delicious. And it didn't take long for them to make it. My friend had the pancakes which were large. As with most places it came with toast and home fries. We ate every bite. Even though the place was packed we didn't feel rushed by the staff. Our server brought us the check a little early, probably so that he wouldn't have forgotten us while he took care of a couple other tables but he told us to take our time and pay when we were ready. The food was good, it wasn't expensive and overall the place had a pleasant atmosphere. When we left there was a line of people outside. Wow. At least the restaurant puts out coffee for those who are waiting. I'm not sure I would wait to eat breakfast at a diner but be warned this place sure gets popular during the weekends
(3)Jess H.
This is my neighborhood breakfast spot! Overall, I love it! The service and food has always been consistently good, and the price is right. I would call this place reliable, and a good place to bring overnight guests. Also, the menu is HUGE! Pretty much anything you can imagine in any combination is on it. Plus, they always have very yummy-sounding specials. The main downside is that the inside is so small. There's been a few times that the person I was with and I had to sit very closely (basically sharing a table more or less) with the people next to us. This can be pretty awkward. Some people complained of a wait in their reviews, however I must have always lucked out and came at exactly the right time, because I can't recall ever having to wait very long.
(4)Catharine D.
I love the Neighborhood Restaurant- ESPECIALLY the patio. The food is delicious, portions are huge, it's reasonably priced. The best thing about Neighborhood- it's delicious, affordable, and adorable, AND it's been doing quality brunch since before brunch was trendy. Every breakfast comes with coffee, juice, cream of wheat or fruit, and a selection of fresh baked Portuguese breads/pastries. It really is too much food, but it just makes the experience so fun when the servers keep bringing out more goodies. I recommend sharing a breakfast with someone or at least planning to take home leftovers. When I was there recently they were advertising that the patio will be open in the evenings now for ice cream. Since Cambridge and Somerville already have such good ice cream, I'm not sure I would go to the Neighborhood for ice cream BUT I do love the idea of eating ice cream on their pato.
(5)Jeff K.
Love this place. It can feel a little bit cramped when they're busy and waiting to sit is never fun, but the food is delicious, the portions are solid and the hot crack / cream of wheat is lick-your-bowl-clean good. The corned beef hash is especially good - it's more like pulled beef than the chopped up beef I've come to expect. Just go.
(4)George G.
This place has a few negatives, but the positives make up for it! The place is tight and compact. They ask parties to share tables during the rush hours. The waiting area is outdoors. It was never made clear which server was actually our waitress, so we had about 6 different girls helping us. And of course, cash only. Now for the positives. Free coffee and Portuguese sweet bread while you wait outside. Free coffee, orange juice, and your choice of fresh fruit/cream of wheat for all patrons. As for the food, I ordered from the specials menu. Pumpkin pancakes with apple cinnamon slices. The consistency of the pancakes was perfect; neither flat nor heavy. Rich pumpkin flavor that went very well with maple syrup. The meal came with 2 eggs, home fries, grilled ham, toast, and lettuce and tomato. All of this for $11.99. My friend ordered coconut almond french toast which was battered in coconut milk. I tried a few bites and it is a delicious take on french toast. The Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery has high prices and great food. If you can tolerate the cramp quarters and confusing wait staff then you'll be able to enjoy one of the best brunches available. Oh yeah, If you've read any of my other reviews, you'll know that I am cheap. This place is not cheap, but for once, I'm not complaining. The quality of the food is that good!
(3)Nate R.
After hearing about how great this place was and seeing all of the great reviews we came here for brunch last Sunday. I feel like I have found a string of 1 stars lately because I left agitated and unimpressed. I seriously could not figure out why the wait was so long. It took well over two hours by the time we put our names in to the time our food was served. At that point I was expecting the food to be amazing and it was pretty average. That and we had to share a table with another couple. ughhhhh. The mimosas were pretty weak as well. I liked the outdoor seating but will not be trekking out to Union Sq. to come to Neighborhood's again.
(1)G H.
Such a great place for breakfast and brunch. This place got me to try creamed wheat! Now I can't get enough of it. Very good price for the amount and quality of the food. And they always surprise me with their baked goods, sometimes bread, sometimes some Portuguese pastry. Cash only is a downer and service is a bit here and there. There's always a line, but they do offer coffee and pastry while you wait.
(4)Cate K.
Quick summary if you don't want to read this whole review: -Go early -Go hungry -Do try the toast... it's real fresh Portuguese bread... MMmmmm! -They're CASH ONLY so hit the ATM -If you're over 5'7", expect to duck in the bathroom. Ceilings are LOW! And now, it's time for the REST of the story.... We went at 8 am on Saturday - not our usual time to get up, I assure you, but the duct guy was coming to clean our heating ducts. Yep - my management company scheduled it for early on a Saturday. Groan... How to make lemonade out of lemons? Get a kick-ass brunch of course! And it is what it is... and more. Not fancy in the traditional sense, Neighborhood restaurant is cozy and painted brightly, like the inside of a crazy watermelon. The service was really prompt (coffee refills before I could put down the cup!!) and the food was simple but JUST RIGHT. For example, my eggs over-easy were PERFECT. For me, this is the best of all worlds. I don't care if I can order some fancy-shmantzy breakfast; I just want to order eggs and have them be hot and perfect. I've gone to brunch on Newbury Street and paid lots for the atmosphere, but had to suffer through cold and clammy eggs. Blegh! Never again. Thank you Neighborhood Restaurant! Their corned beef hash is home made and very good; they make toast and French toast out of Portuguese bread that is very fresh (and reminds me of P-town!); and I loved the idea of an "appetizer" that comes with every meal (fruit or cream of wheat).
(4)Ruby G.
a normal person would not assume that cream of wheat be a religious experience. that person would be wrong. The Neighborhood does things with cream, lemon, cinnamon and supposedly wheat that makes everything else in your life OK. During the winter, you huddle inside the tiny brightly painted walls, and in the summer you sit beneath a grape arbor and watch corn grow in the garden along the fence while listening to 80s music. Their brunch is copious and magnanimous. also, awesome. the tables are too small for the pastries, orange juice, coffee, cream of wheat, eggs, potatoes AND coconut french toast. marscapone stuffed french toast. pumpkin pancakes. tropical fruit waffles. linguica. love.
(5)Michelle S.
I live up the street from this place, so frequent it a lot. Pros: Outside dining under the grape arbor! Love it! Cheap Delicious Cons: Inside dining is CRAMPED! Only CASH No reservations Overworked waitstaff
(4)Micah W.
Super good. The old standby. I actually am glad I have a job. Or otherwise I could justify going here every morning and would get really fat. For not much money.
(4)Mike O.
I'd go out on a limb and say this is THE best place to get brunch in the Boston area. No place is perfect, but this place is close. Price, quality, wait (it can be long, but they give you coffee and pastries on the house), and uniqueness. Yes it's a little out of the way, but I actually see that as a plus. Keeps the line down (unlike some grossly over-rated hipster breakfast places).
(5)adam s.
I decided to try this place out after reading the stellar reviews on Yelp. I really didn't know what to expect, but this place is the truth. We were able to get onto the patio after just a short wait. They had coffee and muffins while we waited for tables to open up. We knew we'd made a good choice when the first three groups groups of people walked out talking about how amazing the place was. Once seated, we were immediately given orange juice, coffee, fruit and cream of wheat, before even ordering anything. The menu was possibly the largest breakfast menu I had ever seen and the food was cheap, especially considering the sheer volume. For about $8, I got two large pieces of french toast, two eggs and hash browns. To the detriment of my health, I finished it all. So..I recommend this place to anyone that enjoys eating large amounts of breakfast on a gorgeous patio.
(5)Linda S.
Why I love The Neighborhood... *Going in for breakfast & coming out so full that you don't have to eat again until dinner. *The creamiest pappas (cream of wheat). *"Patio seating" under their grape vine in the spring and summer. *Breakfast includes coffee, o.j., cream of wheat, pastries, home fries... it goes on and on. *French toast made with Portuguese sweet bread. *Linguica is offered as a side order. *Disco tunes on the satellite radio. *All of the waitstaff call you 'Honey'.
(5)Jenny L.
I've been here for brunch indoors and outdoors and feel like now I can write a proper review. Obviously the food was great the first time and I was willing to return for the outdoor experience. The indoor restaurant is small and cramped to the point that you end up having a conversation with the tables next to you. The outdoor dining area was more roomy with its cute and colorful picnic tables and umbrellas. The outdoor tables were a little bit dirty tho which was not the best surface to have brunch on. But really, at the end of the day, it's not about the decor or a little bit of spilled orange juice on the table, it's about how the food tastes! And the food here is fantastic. During my first visit, I ordered the banana and chocolate stuffed french toast and the bf had the spinach Benedict. The french toast was too heavy and too sweet and the spinach Benedict was nothing special. The second time around, I ordered the Belgium waffle with fruit and he had the chicken with mushrooms and Swiss plus a cheese omelet on the side. The food was better the second time around. The fruit was fresh, the waffle was buttery, and the chicken was flavorful. But besides the entrees, the $12 meal came with the most heavenly cream of wheat I have ever tasted. And if you're reading this and have figured out the recipe, please please please let me know because I want to eat it every morning for the rest of my life. Oh, and that's not all! We had orange juice, and potatoes, and fresh bread! Too bad the bread was soaking in butter, but other than that, it was the best bread I've had with a casual brunch. So really, you can't go wrong with The Neighborhood. It's decently prices, friendly, comfortable, and delicious! The only bad thing about this place is the long wait...tho the free coffee and baked goods you can snack on while you wait make it a little more bearable. So, if you have a couple hours to spare and are not too hungry, definitely head here for brunch. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Sara D.
So I finally made it to Neighborhood. Like many others before me, I went for the Cream of Wheat. It was amazing - sweet, buttery and delicious. I also ordered the corn beef hash and it was some of the best I've ever had. Seriously. I went around 2pm on a Saturday and there was no wait. But the place is small so I could see how the crowds would line up. But this place would be worth the wait.
(4)lizzie b.
Waited forever. Am a huge fan of cream of wheat. Finally got there and everything tasted like dishwater. Seriously. I almost puked. I don't know what's going on in there, but someone should notify the BOH. Blech. What a shame!!!
(1)Michelle S.
BEST Breakfast in Boston! I'm visiting from Los Angeles. #102 Whole Wheat French Toast with Vanilla Yogurt and Homemade Granola Drizzle! Egg White Scramble with Broccoli and Mushrooms. Yummy! 5-Stars!!
(5)dean L.
The food was impeccably good. In a filled dining room, it took no more than 12 minutues to get our plates. Loved the hash browns, sausage and especially the french toast. The service leaves some to be desired in that the staff is not always around to re-fill a coffee cup or to see if there's anything you need. However, i cannot wait to go back.
(4)Gloria S.
I had a good feeling the second I saw the old school sign out front. Then I saw the fun patio umbrellas and the grapevine-covered patio and I was downright giddy. Luckily, it didn't disappoint. It's a rare occasion these days that you get sides included in your meal--in this case, unlimited coffee, plus orange juice, cream of wheat, and homefries! I went with one of the specials, the Hawaiian French Toast--soaked in coconut milk, topped with pineapple and shaved coconut. Oh, did I mention it also came with the aforementioned sides, plus an entire plate of eggs, ham, and toast? It was definitely more than I could've eaten, but hey, I was on vacation. Overall, I just loved the old school vibe, not to mention their handwritten sign out front, thanking people for their Yelp reviews, apologizing for the wait, and offering free coffee and pastries while you wait.
(5)Ray K.
Came here for breakfast with my GF, truly amazing. So good we made a return trip a few days later. Ditto with regards to all the other reviews: amazing cream of wheat, generous portions, great value, and great service. Mmmm.
(5)Dika K.
Go go gadget: cream of wheat. After being in a relationship with a breakfast man for months and months, I had the opportunity to try many of Somerville's, Cambridge's and Allston's breakfast locals. No omelet, muffin or pancake stacks up to the sweet cinnamon divinity of the cream of wheat appetizer which comes along with many of the breakfast meals. Sitting outside under the grape leaves of the terrace is very relaxing. Families are very welcome, and I always notice how the kiddies get better treatment here than most other restaurants. The diversity of the patrons not only in just age, makes coming the The Neighborhood Restaurant feel like catching a glimpse of an entire neighborhood. Just don't expect it to be the type of community where you have a lot of personal space. I love the familiarity of the wait staff and of my fellow diners. Go to The Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery and be prepared to eat. Njummm
(5)Tina L.
One more amazing review for the Neighborhood. My boyfriend and I went the other weekday morning, so we didn't have to wait long. I have heard that on weekends it can be a very long wait and especially in the summer. The service was friendly and fast. The best part of the Neighborhood is the prices! I got a cup of orange juice, unlimited coffee (or tea/decaf if you'd like), cream of wheat or toast (GET THE CREAM OF WHEAT), 3 eggs, homefries and a big basket of homemade toast for 6 bucks! They have a bunch of specials including healthy meals, which all looked great, but I was worried I couldn't eat it all. The entire meal was 17 bucks in total and was amazing. I can't wait to go back and try the french toast!
(5)Amy S.
"A lot for a little!" "Quantity over quality!" If these are you mantras, you will be happy at this little joint. But dare I say it, their brunch is not very tasty. With your main dish, they throw in a plate full of sweet bread, a bowl of farina, and a glass of Tang (yes I mean Tang). But these "extras" do not make up for the overall mediocrity of the food. The best this joint has to offer is the grape arbor. It's quite pleasant to dine at those colorful picnic tables under the vines and little round fruit. But again... atmosphere doesn't make up for taste. However, one thing is certain. You won't go hungry if you brunch at the Neighborhood Restaurant . Your belly will be bloated and you'll be ready for your afternoon coma.
(3)Donna D.
OMG! So much food it didn't fit on the table! The cream of wheat was one of the best I've ever had! Mmm.... I had the whole wheat Belgian Waffle with fuit, egg whites and tomatoes. My friend had the regular Waffle with fruit, eggs, hash browns, and sausage. So delicious, and so much food. Then we got the bill and it was so cheap! I am definitely going back!!!
(5)Joe A.
Since moving to Boston from LA, I've been in a hunt of a neighborhood restaurant with good food and a good vibe. This sweet spot is a definite destination for Sunday brunchers with its charming ambience and never-ending menu options. This is a very cozy, comfortable place to get your most important meal of the day. There are so many breakfast staples to choose from- the omelletes, waffles, the tropical french toast and the Portuguese breakfast. I recommended getting the side of cereal (Cream of wheat). It's exceptional for a Sunday morning wake-up dish. It's usually pretty crowded here on weekends but the food is well worth the wait. I love this place and the patio seating adds to the charm. The staff are always attentive even when they're extremely busy. The question of whether the cup is half full or half empty never occurs because the diligent servers keep the coffee cups more than half full, which helps provide a warm sense of optimism; furthermore, that darn cream of wheat has utterly changed my life. hehe Who wants breakfast in bed when it's just as good down "The Neighborhood." Go out and meet your neighbors!
(4)Alena D.
Order one side dish of linguica and one order of cream of wheat. Combine. Breakfast Heaven. Oh and everything else on the menu is good too, but skip on the side of fruit. Oh and if you order an actual meal, prepare for it to come to you on four different large plates because one order sounds like: 2 Wheat waffles w/ egg white vegetable scramble w/ fruit or cream of wheat w/ a coffee or orange juice, homfries, and bread or any other baked good. $7.75 5 emphatic stars.
(5)Jacey B.
This may be the best place to have brunch in the summer or spring. I love the outdoor patio. Love the grape vines. Love the triple berry whole wheat pancakes and the veggie omelet that I had. And it was sooo inexpensive. A great way to start off a lazy, sunny Sunday morning.
(5)Jungmin L.
The only bad is cash-only, and the long lines. If you are looking for something casual/comfortable/good quantity AND quality, this is the perfect place. I love the casual, easy going neighborhood feel of this diner. The food is correctly cooked/baked (the done-ness and the seasonings, the sweetness is not overdone and the ingredients are up to par) and everyone is very friendly. You get a LOT of food, so either split 2 full brunch/bfast plates amongst 3 or even 3 plates amongst 4!
(4)Brian K.
A friend that I was visiting brought me here on a very snowy day in December. The cream of wheat stuff is great! It's a small place, but cute. The menu is kinda a fusion version of American breakfast (from what I recall) - quite fun to order from. Definitely worth a visit, and I think the place may indeed live up to its name!
(4)Zhiling T.
Great food. Large selection of breakfast foods. Mmm... Pumpkin pancakes and apples cinnamon crepes. Had a nice selection of healthy selections. Most meal choices already include juice, coffee, and toast!
(5)Susie C.
Brunch, brunch, and more brunch. There is definitely a reason this has a line on Saturday and Sunday mornings, starting with the complimentary muffins and coffee they give to people waiting outside for a table. The food is divine and the portions are huge. The menu is varied, and truly- it's all good. I almost always order from the large list of specials. They start you off with a complimentary fruit or cream of wheat. My favorite is the baked apple they sometimes serve - it's literally an apple that has been baked until it's so soft that it's almost the consistency of apple sauce. Yes, please. I may opt for the coconut french toast (how can this be so achingly delicious?) with eggs, or maybe a giant omelette. My husband likes the traditional portugese breakfast platter, and we both love the pancakes. Coffee/tea refill service can be hit or miss when they are slammed.
(4)Kim L.
Oh dear god. This place is amazing. Please note: I didn't say fancy or ridiculously cool or even gimmicky. I said AMAZING. I could praise the sheer abundance of food one gets with every order (if you like cream of wheat, pick that instead of the fruit--you'll thank me later). Or the fact that every meal comes with a variety of freshly baked goods. Or perhaps the Portuguese dishes that make me feel like someone's grandmother might have created. I could praise the friendly service, and the fact that I never feel forgotten in the melee that is brunch. I could also praise the coffee and bread available as one waits in line (and sometimes, there's a wait). Or maybe I'd praise the option of eating outdoors when the weather is just right. Yes, I could praise these things. But I think the throngs of people that flock to this place in all kinds of weather can attest to its greatness. It's cash only and no reservations, but the wait is pleasant and totally worth it. Bottom line: I come here again and again. Oh dear god it's amazing.
(5)Brian K.
This place serves a spectacular breakfast. Expect to bring home breakfast for the next few days, their portions are huge. Best freaking cream of wheat I've ever had. They used to serve a killer fruit plate but recently they've only been serving small portions of the usual, cantaloupe, grapes, bananas, etc. Get there early on the weekend. The service is usually great.
(5)Zach B.
Eat breakfast in a patio covered by grapes vines Fill your mouth with waffles and sweet cream of wheat Step into a Portuguese breakfast bite by bite
(4)David D.
I'm still full. I went here for breakfast yesterday, and I was totally overwhelmed by the choices and the prices. I ordered some breakfast plate that consisted of your traditional fixtures: eggs, home fries, a breakfast meat, a giant belgian waffle covered in various fruits, orange juice, a side of fruit and coffee (I fucking H8 coffee, but thankz for the effort.) $10.95?! FUCK! That's cheaper than making it myself! I also had a huge mimosa that was was slightly under $5, and it was like someone poured a bottle of Andre in a bowl, threw an orange in it, and put it on my table. I'll admit it, I was slightly aroused when I left ... Best breakfast in 4evzZz! !
(4)Sarah D.
Not impressed. Needed to redeem a groupon-type certificate and knew we would be eating outside so we chose a gorgeous Saturday. Of course we expected long lines at 11 a.m. on a Saturday and signed our name on the self-serve hostess stand. Since we had about 20 people ahead of us on the list we walked to the farm stand nearby, twenty minutes later we returned and we had been crossed off and if we wanted a table had to go back on the list. NO EXCEPTIONS. Ok, fine, I get it. But if the hostess were to actually take your name and give you a ball park time of wait, it would be helpful. I saw this happen to many people in the hour we waited. We were forced to share a table with two other to maximize space. Mind you these are picnic tables. Service was "ok", we had to ask for refills on everything multiple times. All beverages are served in kiddie cups I think i used to play with in a Fisher Price play house. Coffee is terrible. Food was allright. Yes, portions are huge, but i'd rather pay a few extra bucks for more professional service and everything served on a matching, legit plate. By the time we at at 1p.m. we were so over the experience we wanted to hightail it out of there. We'll never be back. Not worth the wait.
(2)Allie G.
This place has such rave reviews, but it's really hit or miss. If you go on a nice day and can snag a seat in the courtyard under the grape arbor, then it's, like, transcendent. But if you're crammed inside--not so much. The outdoor area is especially nice if you can go on a weekday afternoon, when everyone's at work. From my experiences there, it seems like they're best with their funky and original baked goods/carb dishes...like pumpkin waffles and stuff. The eggs and toast are sort of disappointing, and although others like it, my husband found the cream of wheat tasteless and mono-texture. Sit outside on a nice day, and you'll enjoy the experience so much you won't care what you order, but just be careful to be more prudent inside!
(3)Claire M.
So. Much. Food. Crazy crowded but that's a reassuring sign of its popularity. As everyone else has said, get the Cream of Wheat.
(4)Kim V.
i'm in love with their cream of wheat...i can eat this all day everyday :D..that's how good it is..and when i'm there i must get another bowl of cream of wheat to go.
(4)Jon B.
The very thought of sitting underneath the grape vines in their outdoor cafe enjoying a 3lb Omlette filled with everything from linguica to a whole salmon filet makes the drool start to flow from my lips. If I had one last breakfast on this Earth I would spend it at the Neighborhood. If you have yet to discover this hidden gem on the outskirts of Union Sq. in Somerville, get there soon becuase once the green line extension shows up next millenium you won't be able to find a seat.
(5)Sam F.
It was very popular, so there was a 20 minute wait. 4 stars - For knowing how to appreciate breakfast. Breakfast should be a feast, and as such, the amount of food should be abundant. -1 - The amount of food should not be obscene. -1 - Shitty service and ambiance(music was too loud).
(3)Jennie W.
I have been wanting to go to The Neighborhood for years. I had heard about the legendary cream of wheat. I had gazed longingly at the weekend lines of salivating yuppies as my 87 bus sped by. I had walked by on summer nights and breathed the fragrance of their marvelous grape arbor. Finally, I went. The cream of wheat is truly luscious. It tastes like they add butterscotch candy while it's cooking. I don't know what they do to it, but I wanted to take a bath in it. And then order 3 more bowls. I should have. That was definitely the best part of the meal. The next best thing was the toast. They bake their own bread, so the toast is chewy and delicious, and they serve homemade jam. Who serves homemade jam anymore? Aside from those standouts, the linguica was seriously overcooked, and the whole wheat pancakes tasted box-y. I thought long and hard about my star rating. The linguica and pancake fail almost brought it down to a 3, but I'm gonna go with 4 because I'm crazy about the ambiance, the cream of wheat, and the jam.
(4)Liliya M.
The cream of wheat is perfect. The baked breads are endless. The prices are beyond reasonable. If the bathroom was bigger, I'd give them 5 stars. Grade: B+
(4)Stephen D.
Yelp served as my guiding light towards the Neighborhood Restaurant a year ago, and I'd like to keep that beacon shining bright. Simply put, the Neighborhood Restaurant is everything you could desire in a breakfast joint. They serve insanely large portions, charge next to nothing, and the food is delicious! Each meal comes with unlimited coffee and OJ, your choice between cream of wheat (amazing) and fresh fruit, eggs, toast and pastéis de nata, linguica or ham, and obviously your entree. If that list doesn't sound enticing, you should know it'll only set you back $10 or less (specials are $12, though)! My suggestion = the coconut french toast.
(5)Melissa M.
This little place rocks!!! Yes, long wait, but well worth it. I see most gave this "gem" 4 or 5 stars, but a few crazies that gave it 1 or 2. Huh? This is run by a Portuguese family & being Portuguese myself, I can say this is awesome comfort food. It's small, crowded, and busy. But who cares! It's all about the unbelievable food, amazing! The outdoor area is very cool in the Summer. 5 stars without a doubt!
(5)Jamie L.
It's true, sometimes I cheat on Johnny D's! Shhh... The first reason being, it's in my neighborhood. I suppose they do not call it The Neighborhood Restaurant for nothing. I think my favorite thing is the sign, "If you're in a hurry, this is not the place for you!" If only Johnny D's had the balls to be so outrightly, "Yeah, I said it!" (with a little neck and lop-sided smirk action). It's true they take their time, but I find they're worth it. This can be an hour to a whole morning affair. You wait to seat, you wait to order, you wait and wait to eat, you wait to pay. Luckily, as a Taurus, I not only love to eat, I am quite patient and will therefore wait forever for the right breakfast. It's true what they say about the portions. If I eat here, I'm generally good for the day, and have leftovers for the next! Every breakfast seems to come with a plate of toast and pastries, coffee (or tea), OJ, and fruit or cream of wheat. They will ask you, "Fruit or hot cereal?" You say, "Hot cereal!" Before you know it they're bringing out clouds from heaven in a bowl sprinkled with cinnamon! OMG!!! (It also ties you over for the relatively long wait for the meal.) This works well, I am quite grumpy when I'm hungry. It ties me over perfectly while I do that whole necessary "chatting" thing with whomever I tricked into joining me for pure gluttony! Though I have pigged out here alone, for some reason it is more socially acceptable to do it in front of someone, go figure! I have thoroughly enjoyed both the outside, and the inside. Outside, the shaded area is perfect for nice weather. It is more spread out, and you can help yourself to water. Yes I worry about the bug factor too but for Cream of Heavenly Wheat's sake people!?! Every upside has its down, right? Inside is tight, packed, crowded, small, clauterphobic even; most especially when they have the most awful morning music you could ever try to wake up to, much less digest during. I swear it is to get you out of there before you begin that latter process. This is also fine with me, a place has got to make money right? How they do so for those prices, that much food, and that small amount of space is beyond me!?! The breakfast gods smile broadly on these folks! I generally always meet the people sitting next to me in the midst of sharing condiments. I realize this can be awkward for some, but I'm just weird enough to like that part of the experience. I never have enough toast, but they happily bring me more! Their corned beeh hash is homemade!!! Their homefries are cooked with onions (and sometimes I catch a pepper or two in there)!!! AND holy-freakin'-cow, I am IN LOVE with their Coconut French Toast, dipped in coconut milk before being grilled and then topped with shredded coconut!!! I've heard they make thier own syrup. I know they make thier own whip cream. Hold on, my mouth is watering, I have to go change the above from 4 to 5 stars... Okay, I'm back. I originally had four stars for a few, now seemingly minor, reasons. The wait has been mentioned. They're busy people, I can see they're working hard, and there are definitely more than a few in their staff who have thier groove on more than Stella ever did - either before or after meeting a hot young stud! (There's a less than pleasing server in every crowd, this is restaurant destiny.) The music kills me and I always hate waiting to pay in particular. Many of these things you accept being a professional eater-outer (keep it clean, like the plate club kids)... The wait is hard to find out about. Basically, there's a clip board you write your own name and party number on. You are on your own guessing, Hmm... 3 parties of 4 before me, a party of 6, and several 2's... look inside, there's a few people who look like they're gonna leave, oh wait no, they just got their food... Who's this party of two that wasn't before me last time I looked!?! Darn, somehow they didn't see my name on the list, or is Tina*, party of two, a liar and cutter!?! I guess that's not their fault... *Name has been changed to protect their lack of integrity.
(5)Thena H.
I love this place!! Their breakfast is the BEST!! Absolutely love the Cream of Wheat and their sweet bread french toast. The place is pretty small, so sometimes the wait can be pretty long but is sooo worth it!
(4)Stephanie L.
The first time I ate here was in 2005 or 2006, when I was in college and a friend's boyfriend drove us to Union Square. I didn't return until this year and am so glad I re-discovered it. My mouth-watering memories of the cream of wheat were not shattered -- it is indeed delicious, cinnamony-sweet. Maybe they add tons of butter to it, but it is akin to ambrosia because of it. I brought my dad here for a weekend brunch and insisted we return a week later for one last amazing breakfast before he left town. Last week, I ordered french toast with the homemade sweet bread and, of course, cream of wheat. All breakfasts come with unlimited coffee or tea, a small glass of orange juice, and either a small fruit plate or hot cereal. The cream of wheat they serve is in a fairly large bowl, and considering the meals themselves are already enormous, I ordered the cream of what and asked my dad to get the fruit, so that we could share each. The french toast was perfection (soft on the inside but not raw, sweet but not disgustingly so, lovely crusts). I was incredibly hungry and still only managed to eat 1 or 1.5 of the 2 slices because there was so much food. The bacon was crispy, just the way I like it. My dad ordered three fried eggs overeasy, and they were so good he ordered the same dish when we returned today. Today, while my dad ordered the same thing as last week (#2 on the menu), I went with #98, a daily special. The french toast made with coconut milk and topped with coconut flakes and sliced almonds was divine. It was not overly sweet and the coconut flavor was not overpowering. The dish came with homefries, 2 sausages, and 2 eggs. I ordered fried eggs overeasy since they make them so well. However, I asked them to hold on the homefries because they were just not worth it -- and I'd rather save room for everything else! The sausages were alright, but I ended up leaving one on the plate because I finished my french toast and could not fit another bite. Next time, I'll ask them to hold the homefries again and might see if they will substitute bacon for the sausages. The service is very friendly and quick. The location is out-of-the-way if you do not have a car, but it is well worth begging a friend for a ride or taking the bus to Union Square. In warm weather, sitting outside under the brightly colored umbrellas and the grapevines (with many bunches of real grapes!) is idyllic. The only reason I give this place 4 stars instead of 5 is that the coffee is not as good as I would like it to be. Of course, you get an unlimited amount of it, so I can't complain. And the meal is so inexpensive when you think of what you get (a bountiful main dish, fruit or hot cereal, unlimited coffee/tea, homemade bread on the side, and a small OJ) that I would not want to fill up my stomach with coffee no matter how good it was anyway. In fact, I'd give it 4.5 stars but I cannot figure out how to do so on Yelp. This place is so good I signed up for Yelp just so that I could review it. One note: The waiters/waitresses do not automatically serve glasses of water. Just ask for some if you get thirsty.
(4)Tim F.
I've been going here for years. Yes, the line is outrageous, and truthfully, I've never waited. I save my visits for a weekday I have off, or Saturdays at 9:45 AM. Food is delicious, sitting under the growing grapes is charming. Service can be a little chaotic, and yes, I have had better coffee. Overall, this is a spot I enjoy frequenting.
(4)Doris K.
Open daily from 7am till 4pm! During the nice days you are able to sit outside in the patio area (huge), but during the not so nice days you have to sit inside. There is no choice. Be aware that there are long lines if you do not get here early. The food is amazing. Everything is fresh, and the portions are huge. I loved their corned beef and hash with home fries, and cream of wheat. The cream of wheat is nothing like I have ever tasted, certainly not your mom's cream of wheat. They not only have all types of breakfast foods, but they also have a large lunch menu. There's something for everyone at the Neighborhood. Somerville has plenty of parking so there really is not a problem. Although portions are huge you do pay for what you get. Sometimes I wish there was a kid portion so that I wouldn't over eat and it would be easier on the wallet.
(4)Layla P.
Roberto C. recommended that I try this place due to my love of the caribbean french toast at the creamery in Palo Alto. This place is awesome. The food was 4.5 stars and I say 4 stars overall because of the wait, which I know lots of people have commented on. We waited for an hour at about 1 PM on a Sunday, but by 3 PM there was no wait and I believe they are open till 4, so next time I'll be going around 3. They do bring sweet bread to you while you are waiting...you have to wait outside which was fine for us because it was a beautiful day, but if it's crappy outside you won't want to be waiting in it. You get to choose between cream of wheat and fruit, I wanted fruit but chose cream of wheat because of previous reviews. I was really glad I did, it was creamy and delicious and I saw someone else's fruit plate and it was pretty puny anyway. So I got the coconut french toast which has coconut and pineapple on top of the french toast (unlike my favorite french toast of all time which has coconut cooked into the bread, with the batter). It came with eggs, ham, hashbrowns, and a basket of bread. It was a lot of food! I ate it all (except the ham) though because I had just run 16 miles, but on a normal day I maybe could have only eaten half...or ok 75% of it. And it's true, you get a free mini glass of OJ and free coffee. Although I think someone else said you are not able to get a big glass of OJ, but I saw someone served a huge glass of it, so that may be something they have changed. The waitresses are good but busy. If you go with 2 people, you will probably be seated about 1 inch away from another group of 2, but it's cozy. NOTE: They only accept cash, there's a Bank of America and Citizens ATM down the street though, so hit it before you get there.
(4)joe f.
Well, seeing I live down the street I went over there after reading all these reviews. It was damn good! Since I went at 7 AM it wasn't crowded but it got busy by the time I left, around 7:45. Service is slow I think by design, it's not your typical diner that rushes you in and out. The cream of wheat was amazing, and I had scrambled eggs w/ cheese and tomatoes with sweet bread, coffee and OJ. The only negative was the coffee (Maxwell house I think) but the rest was amazing. I had to make sure the guy billed me right, because $7.38 didn't seem right WAY too cheap for the amount I ate! Anyway, I left a $10 and was extremely happy. Try it!
(5)Shelter T.
This place was amazing. My girlfriend took me there as a surprise, and i was in love with it. The service was very good, although when i ordered an orange juice the glass was the size of the cups found at a water cooler. For whatever faults The Neighborhood has, it is made up for by the food. My goodness was the food good. The atmosphere was the next best thing. Listening to oldies music under a grape vine at 10am in Somerville...it doesnt get any better than that. Definitely one of my top 5 picks for the Somerville area for the breakfast club.
(5)Beth M.
Neighborhood is a great choice for breakfast! It's packed and bustling, and you are definitely smushed up against other diners at tables that are about 6 inches apart. But the food is completely worth it. And you get so much for so cheap! For about $8 you get coffee, a small OJ, your breakfast entree, homefries, and your choice of cream of wheat or fruit. And the fruit isn't just a pile of drab looking honeydew and cantaloupe. Last time I went it was a baked apple. Yum! I highly recommend the french toast made on Portuguese sweet bread...it's heavenly. You get three, giant, thick slices, so there is plenty to take home. The basket of bread that comes with egg dishes is delicious too, including the standard toast, but also other Portuguese bready treats. Service is super nice and very efficient. There's great patio seating during the summer in this arbor-like area with cute umbrellas. Overall this place rocks, and successfully fulfills my delicious breakfast needs.
(4)D M.
Jesse and I finally went here this morning since we were both lounging around the house and I didn't feel like cooking. It was a nice treat. The place is small, and really the only thing I would change is the lighting (it's bad fluorescent) and the walls are bright green. I did like the taxidermied birds in the cage hanging over the table in the front window.....kinda creepy, but 100% awesome. Here's what's good: First off, you're served orange juice automatically if you're there for breakfast. Always awesome. Our food was really quick. Our coffee was refilled when it got low. Service was good. Portuguese pastries come with every meal, as does either fruit or cream of wheat. Only complaint: My broccoli and cheese omelet was mainly broccoli, which I would be okay with if the broccoli was fresh vs. frozen. It was still a good breakfast.
(4)Katie H.
I went here on a Saturday morning with a friend that lives around the corner from the restaurant and had been raving about it. When we saw how long the line was going to be I immediately suggested that we just go food shopping and make our own brunch, but she wouldn't give in. So despite my whining about starving we found a spot against the building next door and plopped ourselves down. To my absolute delight, not 5 minutes later did one of the servers come out with a tray of muffins and cereal! For free! They also have free coffee while you're waiting out on the sidewalk, but not being a coffee drinker thats not a huge plus for me. The wait actually wasn't too long and thank GOD. There was a couple standing 2 feet away from us in which the girl was popping zits on her boyfriends shoulder like it ain't no thang. Oh hi, I just puked in my mouth. Thanks so much! We were seated at a picnic table, and doubled up with another couple people, but the tables are long enough that you still really do have your privacy to talk about whatever you want and not worry about it. We were waited on almost immediately by a server who seemed to be working almost all of the tables, but he moved so quickly there was no complaint there. Unfortunately, when he came to serve us our food he did not have what I ordered as my stomach grumbled in protest. But amazingly, he was back out I'd say in less than 5 minutes with the right order. The food was great and the weather was beautiful for late September and I was thrilled to be able to eat outside. I only had a couple problems with this place. One, yes it is nice that you get OJ with your meal but its in a impossibly small glass. I understand it is because its fresh squeezed, but I wasn't even allowed to order a larger glass. Boo. Though, it was really cool that you could go over and help yourself to some water! Two, I was charged the same price for eggs, hash browns and corned beef hash as my friend was for a plate of eggs, bacon, a huge plate of pancakes, toast and a bowl of fruit. I felt a little jipped.
(4)Dan P.
Local Portuguese restaurant which makes me homesick from when I lived in New Bedford. Although due to my dietary choices, my options are limited here, breakfast is a must for a first time diner. The service is great, the food feels homemade. Their homemade jam is stellar, and there's free breads and juice with your meal. Summertime is the best time to visit so you can sit outside in the patio under the canopy of grapes. All my friends rave about their grits and omelets, and the Borges family does a great job making you feel as family or neighbors having Sunday breakfast at their home.
(3)geri s.
Best breakfast in Somerville, my kid is addicted to their cream of wheat. Get there early, the line is usually 20 people deep by 9 am.
(5)Allisoto P.
Good breakfast, lots of options, and very charming outdoor seating. I got the eggs benedict AND florentine (1 dish). Delish! I approve. Also, I tried the cream of wheat, and it was yummy, but a too rich for me to actually eat more than a few bites. Pretty solid place as far as food, but the coffee is terrible. Really just awful. I advise one to drink tea here. I will return.
(4)Ian H.
I've only been here for brunch, and not since I moved out of the neighborhood in 2003. But man, the brunch (and particularly the portions) in this place are legendary. I wish I could get a lobster omelette in San Francisco with 3 sides, juice, and coffee period ... much less for under $14. When I think of your green awning, Neighborhood, I sigh.
(5)Kathy L.
I love eating breakfast out and finally wandered over to The Neighborhood Restaurant after reading the great reviews. There I found a wonderful patio setting, one of the best omelets I've ever had, and a family atmosphere where waitresses called me honey as they refilled my coffee. If this isn't breakfast nirvana, I don't know what is.
(5)Emma D.
A seriously solid place to get brunch. Yes the wait may be 30 min (or longer if it's really nice out and you don't go either early or late), yes the staff may be running around like crazy and forget to give you water, but the huge comforting portions of a variety of classic breakfast foods are all done better than most places in the area. Also the food/money ratio is great (2 people order 2 breakfasts = $23 + 1 whole extra meal). and heck, the place just has character.
(4)Cara P.
Yup...I like this place. A lot. It is one of those places that "make you never want to spend a pretentious hour or two of your life eating over priced brunch on Newbury street." If you walked by, you could easily miss it. Than you see all this cool outdoor colorful seating under a tent like structure. Almost looks like someone is having a sweet sixteen party in their side yard and their family is seated at plastic tables strewn about. Than you see the wait staff. Chill people. Yummy food. Coffee strong and flowing. Try the crepes and tomato and cheese omelet.....yes it's my old stand by, but I will never give up on it. Anywhoo, It is a bit crowded and somewhat of a wait, but that is what makes your score of a meal SO worth it. For some insane reason there is always a table full of hot looking intellectual guys that just rolled out of bed and look like they should be on the cover of a GQ magazine. Not my type and rare for the 'ville............but that fact along with a crepe and a taste of pancakes, makes Cara a good girl ......... Oh, bring your own juice. It is seriously a glass made for smurfette herself.
(4)Wendy W.
Great breakfast and brunch but make sure you arrive early. This is no frills good food. You get a little cup of orange juice but that is the only little thing that will hit your table. Everything is huge...like two plates huge. Come hungry
(5)John D.
Good food great neighborhood gem but really bad service. Our waitress brought out wrong items, gave people the wrong food at the table and really was not all that attentive. I would go back as the food was fresh and fantastic. It is definately worth another visit.
(3)Scott M.
This is place creates delicious breakfasts. So why am I giving it one star? Same reason I am giving the Friendly Toast one star: Because I can never go there. Every time we've tried to get a table before 1pm on a weekend there has been a 45 minute wait. I have better things to do with my time. Can you please please please start taking reservations for just a few tables...? You'll still have a line and fill every missed reservation. I don't care if there are strict rules re: being late for your table.
(1)Trey W.
Simply put.... The food is okay, nothing fancy but the price is good. With the specials you get a lot of average food for the money. The service is horrific. Very long wait and once you are finally seated expect to ask for coffee two or three times before it is served to you. But, the servers are are friendly. Every time my partner and I eat her I complain to him about the service but we keep coming back so they must be doing something right. Give this place a try on a lazy day when you have time to kill.
(3)Bailey B.
I really don't get the appeal of this place. The cream of wheat is disgusting. I usually love cream of wheat, but theirs is pure butter. There is no other taste to it besides butter. I've only been there once, and doubt I'll ever be back.
(1)Jamie A.
Mmmmmm! What a wonderful way to have breakfast in the summer! The outdoor seating is wonderful and during the week it's not too busy! Definitely come hungry--- I certainly did not finish anything I got! My mushroom, cheese and tomato omelet was so so good. The mushrooms were just amazing. The hash browns were wonderfully seasoned with a bit of a kick. My friend ordered the cream of wheat as a starter and I got the fruit so we could have the best of both worlds. These come with the meal, so get prepared to eat! We hardly touched the toast & muffin that also came with the meal. Refills on coffee & the tiniest glass of OJ you've ever seen also accompany the meal! I'll certainly be back :)
(4)Karis T.
This place is awesome. First, since they are so awesome there is a link outside, but they provide free coffee and pastries while you wait. Then, you get inside this cozy little breakfast place and are immediately given free OJ. Their speedy waitress is quickly ready to take your order and the menu is large and has something for everyone. I got a #22, which is an omelet with cheese, tomatos, onions, peppers and mushrooms and devoured it. I was so happy that it was a REAL omelet since the last breakfast place I went just gave me scrambled eggs. I highly recommend eating here and hope to again soon
(5)Heather M.
One of my favorite local places for brunch. here is why: 1) Great friendly staff, and you sign yourself onto the seating wait list 2) coffee and cake munchies while you wait 3) the best outdoor seating in the summer 4) great local atmosphere at a family run restaurant 5) Portuguese breakfast on menu 6) low fat options on menu This is now a swanky brunch spot. this is a neighborhood brunch spot. You know you are local when you have brunch here. The portions are huge, and everything comes with a lot of sides: cream of wheat or fresh fruit, toast, OJ coffee, hash browns - hard to fit it all on the table. You can split one entree for a small fee. One down side - I have to say the coffee is merely passable. The wait on weekends after 10.15am can be 25+ minutes.
(4)Joy H.
This is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in the Cambridge/Somerville area. It's kind of like that hole-in-the-wall place except it seems like way too many people know about it judging form the lines that form on weekends for brunch. My first time there I went in the winter, and we were shuffled through the dining area and then down the stairs into their basement where we waited with several other groups for a table to clear. I kind of felt like Anne Frank. But boy was it worth it. Now I like to go in the summers to sit out on their patio. It's fun to go throughout the summer and watch the grapes get bigger and bigger until their fragrance fills the air in late August. I usually get one of the specials which may seem a little expensive compared to the rest of the menu, but when you consider that it comes with coffee, juice, breads, and fruit or cream of wheat, it's so worth it. I used to try to be "good" and get the fruit, but I finally tried the cream of wheat once and now I'm totally addicted. Also, I try to ask for extra popovers in the bread basket since they're so good!
(5)Andy T.
Neighborhood restaurant, how doth thou love me? Let me count the ways: You love me with hot coffee and muffins before I even open the door, hanging on the sidewalk and people-watching is almost fun here on a sunny day. You love me with your awesome patio with dappled sunlight and birds singing while I eat. You love me with the cream of wheat, fresh fruit, coffee, orange juice, toast and muffins that you bring to everyone who sits down, no matter what they order. You love me with your diverse crowds all squeezed in for breakfast and being friendly. You love me with linguica and yummy eggs. and you by being good food cheap, you love me best of all. This place is great. Not for the service, which is uneven and sloppy, or even for the food, which is always good but rarely anything mind blowing, but just for heaping on the (food and) love. I can see where some of the less than great reviews come from, this is maybe 3 star service and 4 star food, but the Neighborhood will always rate 5 stars with me for bringing so much good food cheap, for laying on the love, and for being the kind of place I want to be when I am still waking up.
(5)Josh O.
This place is awesome. The food is fantastic, the prices are good, and you get to sit outside under a canopy of grape vines. Plus, linguica omelettes! How can you go wrong? I only have two complaints, the first is that their orange juice isn't very good. But they also have guarana, so I'll probably just go with that from now on. The second is that I didn't get nearly enough toast with my food. I like to order my eggs runny so I can dip my toast in the yolks, but I didn't get nearly enough toast to do that with the three eggs they gave me.
(5)jenn p.
This is mine and my entire family's favorite breakfast place in the city (with the takeout omelets from the S&S a close second) I love how they give u Juice, Coffee, Fruit/creamOfWheat, and Portuguese baked goods with every breakfast choice. Some grips: they do get busy, and they don't allow pets in their outdoor seating area :(
(4)Amanda B.
On a summer morning, there's nothing more relaxing than sitting under the shade of grape leaves of this little restaurant. Come with a ravenous appetite, because portions are large. Every breakfast is served with OJ, a choice between fruit or cream of wheat, and home fries. On the weekend, go with the cream of wheat, because the fruit is just...meh. I actually recommend going during the week, because there's less people to cater to, thus better service and food. Lunch is also a good option here. Service is not fabulous, but what do you expect? At least the people that work there are honest. I went to breakfast with my family last weekend, and my mom accidentally left an envelope with money (stupid move) on the table. The waitress took it and put it in the restaurant's safe until we came back to get it later in the day. Anyhow, sit down, relax, don't worry about it. You're not here for the service. Listen to the rapid-fire Portuguese flying between the bus boys and the waitresses, people watch, and enjoy your linguica omelet.
(4)Cport J.
I think The Neighborhood is the perfect brunch place. Their brunch is simply amazing. It's definitely not fancy, but the food hits the spot, and the prices are great. The name is also perfect. It's a great neighborhood place for brunch, run by a Portugese family from the area. I love the cream of wheat (even though it makes it nearly impossible to eat all of your meal), the great selection of fruit juices, the bottomless cup of coffee, and pretty much all of the egg dishes, the pancake dishes, the waffle dishes, and the french toast dishes, as well as the meat sides, especially the linguica, a Portugese sausage. The pancakes/waffles/french toast served with fruit filling or fruit on top are always good. The steak and eggs and lobster omelette are awesome, although seriously filling. Don't order a combo special if you aren't hungry; there's no way you'll be able to eat it all. I usually only go when the outside patio under the grapevine arbor is open during the summer. The food is the same inside, but it's a bit cramped and really just not the same. I also only go for brunch, so I don't know about other meals. I would say the service has personality, which is a bit of an old Boston/Cambridge/Somerville specialty, and I've actually come to appreciate it. It's down-to-earth and fun and less antiseptic. It's sort of a window on a different time and place, before the gentrification of the area. After all, it is still Somerville, not the South End. The only other notes are that they do usually have a line in the summer, so make yourself a cup of coffee from the pot by the sign-in sheet for the waiting list and catch up with your friends (or bring the paper). Also, at some point in the summer they get a few bees visiting the grapes, so if you are seriously allergic, you might be a little nervous sitting there.
(5)Chris B.
The only reason Neighborhood doesn't get 5 stars is that the waits on weekends can get ridiculous. The food is excellent. I especially love the Linguica (omelette, sandwich, anything its in). For me, Neighborhood is the perfect mix of quality, serving size, and price. Its definitely one of my favorite places in Somerville.
(4)Nicole P.
A MUST for breakfast! Go hungry - this place is not stingy with the portions! Any basic order, eggs, omlettes, pancakes also comes with a choice of hot cereal (which is the most amazing, delicious thing ever) or fresh fruit, plus every table gets a bread basket filled with bread, mufffins and pop overs. The only downside is that if you get there after 10 am the lines can be crazy long. However, while you wait they offer free coffee and muffins! Also in the warmer months the outdoor patio is open which helps with the wait. I wouldn't reccomend the Neighborhood for fine dining but for a big, cheap and fairly good breakfast you can't beat this Somerville gem!
(5)Janice T.
My new favorite place to brunch! Quite the extensive menu, which includes the usual: pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, etc. and the not so usual: linguica (portuguese sausage). You get OJ, coffee, and fresh fruit (or cream of wheat) with every order which is a very huge plus. Their home fries were exceptionally delicious; seasoned well with that sometimes hard to achieve sector of flavor some call umami. One of the specials included a belgian waffle with a huge dollop of marscapone cheese and fresh berries: nothing short of amazing. Nothing better than sitting outside enjoying lotsa, lotsa yummy breakfast foods on a warm summer morning (or afternoon). Service was also fast, yet still very friendly.
(5)Anita S.
Don't question it. Just try this place. Friendly, down to earth service truly makes you feel like you're apart of the "neighborhood". It's so hard to decide what to eat with a menu like theirs! I opted for the whole wheat french toast made on their home made bread, eggs, bacon, cream of wheat, home made toast, oj, and coffee. All this for a super reasonable price. It was actually so much food I had to take french toast, bacon, and toast home! The cream of wheat will not disappoint and you MUST try! Have to say, this is the first place I've eaten in a while that I felt like I was really getting my $'s worth.
(5)Adam E.
There's always a wait, but waiting builds character. Then you sit down and it's way too crowded. So don't bring your strollers!! But then you order the pumpkin pancakes and cream of wheat. Don't be adventurous. Seriously. Try the other stuff if you want, but you're missing out if you don't get the two aforementioned dishes, they're the best on the menu. The coffee sucks, so bring a flask or something.
(4)Alex G.
Breakfast till 4 pm? Massive quantities of food? Wide selection and delicious? The amount might put me right back to bed but thats ok. I always leave happy as kid during christmas.
(5)Shannon F.
I heart the neighborhood restaurant. I bring my tourist friends here all the time. It the most down to earth, honest to goodness, f you if you don't like what we do breakfast place in the city. Huge portions, great specials. Not a "foody" place to go, but if you want your mama's western omlette and a giant stack of pancakes, go here.
(5)Alyson G.
Delicious breakfast/brunches, especially in the summer on the leafy outdoor patio shaded from summer sun by overhead trellises of grape vines. French toast and eggs were delish. This place is a standby for breakfast in Somerville.
(4)r. p.
I joined yelp just to write this review, and counterbalance the horrible review given to this fine establishment by Linds L, as we both dined there on the same day. First of all, the wait. if you plan on eating lunch at this place on the weekend, the wait is Very long, and the there are generally more people than the free pastries can accomodate (but there's plenty of coffee). Also, there are a couple surrounding stores to hold your attention while you wait. Hub Comics, for example, is located just a couple doors down and provides a neat place to wait. (They even have a mic running from NBR, so you can hear your name called, even if you are in the store) Second, the service. It's not great, but it's not terrible. The wait staff was accomodating and polite. Yes, the food did take a while to get to the table, but did i mention that they give you a TON of food, and plenty of things to eat while you wait, such as cream of wheat and fruit? I think we probably waited about half an hour for food. It is true that, if you want water, you have to trek the whole 20 feet across the patio to get yourself a glass. Boo-who. Third, the food. Was outstanding for Boston brunch based on taste and price. Although I'm sure there are more highscale places to go, this place has the best balance of price to quality/quantity of food I have seen. 11.99 paid for.. coffee, oj, cream of wheat, and a plate that included steak tips (fresh cooked), pork, a salad, rice, beans, homefries, and a couple of eggs. The staff also brought out a plate of toast, muffins and jam, which there was barely room for.. Contra Steve's review, I found my food to be fresh, warm, and delicious. The seating is picnic tables, so if you are looking for a fancy place that is sparkling clean, look elsewhere. NBR is a great place to eat brunch with a nice down-home feel. Snobs please look elsewhere, you are ruining the tranquility of this pleasant patio. sidenote: I didn't look at accessibility issues, but I'm confident that a person in a wheelchair could sit on the patio without much trouble. I do not think the inside is accessible.
(4)Dana B.
Wow...fruit, omelette, toast, muffin, homefries and a tiny glass of OJ all for $7.99 and it was DELICIOUS. They have a gorgeous covered outside section and the staff is friendly and attentive. We happened to get there right before the breakfast rush which starts around 9:45am - it gets crowded quick and lines form early! I completely understand why -it's delicious. The have an extensive menu with lots and lots of meat. Linguica appears to almost always be an option as a meat side which is pretty hard to find in many places. While I was waiting for my friend, a woman walked by and just started talking about how lucky I was that I was going to eat there. It was super tasty!!! It's tucked away just outside of Union Square amidst tripple deckers so keep an eye out for it!
(4)Tyler C.
good sized portions, competent food. Crepes/Blinzes are the outstanding dish here, as well as the side dishes of cream of wheat made with pure butter. the rest is your standard omelets, pancakes, etc etc etc. Some portuguese stuff sprinkled in, i.e. linguica omelets, etc. Down side: popularity has surged the past few years. Mobbed the the college and immediate post college crowd...haven't been able to actually get in for the past year and a half with the hour and a half wait on sunday brunch times..
(3)Sandy M.
This place is a family owned Restaurant, and a neighborhood gem!! Everyone who knows this place and hasn't just stopped in ONCE knows the atmosphere is very casual..During the week you go in and see that most customers are regulars have been going there for 10 plus years and they all know eachother just from meeting at lunch time, conversations begin to fly across the room and anyone can jump in its really nice! The food is excellent, you can customize anything on the menu to your own liking, and I think that's great!! The service is always friendly I find it hard to believe that servers would be cursing at customers that is a very odd thing to say!! Some people have know idea what they are talking about when they write lies about such a friendly place! The atmosphere is nothing but family like and if you like that kinda of thing you will enjoy the atmosphere here!!! I don't usually write reviews but I do read them and I felt compelled to jump in on this one when I read things that are just NOT TRUE!! Love this place always have!!!
(5)Casey F.
This is hands down my favorite breakfast place, and I haven't even had the luxury of sitting outside on the patio! The boyfriend and I visited early one Saturday morning (around 8AM). The service was prompt, and they quickly cleaned up a spilt glass of water. The glasses of OJ are not large, beware. I am a SUCKER for beans with breakfast. I think it's from my months spent in Central America, but there's really no better breakfast food than beans! (Along with rice, eggs, and sausage of course.) I ordered the special Brazilian sampler breakfast platter. There were many items of different textures, tastes, and level of goodness. However, your first time at this establishment, I recommend this dish. That way you know what you want. And, the cream of wheat in all of its buttery salty delight is exactly that - delightful. The boyfriend got the normal eggs over easy, bacon, toast, and home fries. The potatoes were nothing to write home about, but the meal was solid. Our company was a variety of older couples and Saturday workers getting an early start on the day. Granted, we were there at 8AM on a Saturday ... no one in my demographic is awake then. In the summertime, not only can you sit outside on the patio, you can stop at the Union Square farmer's market afterwards! Verdict: I'll be returning. It's definitely worth the drive (from Ball Sq.. what can I say? i'm spoiled.)
(5)Greg D.
Somerville may very well be the brunch capital of the world. There are so many great breakfast places to choose from, all over the city, but the Neighborhood Restaurant comes out on top. Some tips on ordering. Listen to the other reviewers: get the cream of wheat. For the entree, order one of their hand-written specials stuffed into the middle of the menu. If you like pancakes, they often offer some sort of pumpkin pancakes which are to die for. The waffles are my favorite. Portguese breakfast is also really good.
(5)Sarah G.
Friendly, filling, etc., see below. Hot pink & green & blue interior with Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam on the stereo. Mint! update - went for lunch and wow, a ton of food for very little money. nothing for vegetarians, but if you eat fish you're set. the waitress told me as we were leaving that my entree came with dessert and packed a piece of cake to go - really sweet. the door to the house was open and we could see in from the patio and while we were eating a station wagon pulled up with cases of coke and beer to restock the fridge which made it feel all the more like a family dinner at my aunt's house in queens. if she were portugese of course.
(4)Sherry W.
While visiting our daughter and her boyfriend this past weekend, they brought us to this gem for brunch yesterday. I love visiting from VT and eating at all the unique little restaurants in the Boston area. This place did not disappoint. We started with a sample of a delicious raspberry pastry they brought outside for patrons waiting for a table (they also have a carafe of coffee outside as well). It's a little crowded inside but worth it. The prices are great for the amount of food you get. Starters include a choice of cream of wheat (may change to other hot cereals) or fruit (baked apple today and it was great). @Tiff T. The coconut french toast was on a list of specials attached to the menu (I noticed it because I don't eat coconut but love french toast). Our meals were great except for the american cheese in my daughter's omelet. She wasn't asked and didn't realize they would put a processed cheese in their omelets. I would definitely return again. One thing to remember is they only take cash but there is an ATM in the restaurant in case you forget.
(4)J T.
They definitely have really big portions. The food is okay. Nothing special. This place is pretty dirty though. I will not be going back.
(2)Vanessa C.
I finally headed here with the sometimes-gf on my last weekend in somerville for brunch (she refuses to go in the winter because she thinks its too small inside - claustrophobics take note!) not that it needs another review, but the whole experience - sitting outside beneath a canopy of grapes on a nice sunny day, being stuffed with tons of delicious food, enjoying a nice relaxing brunch - was worth the comment. we were there almost 2 hours! from the size of the place, Im guessing thats not common with the indoor service. all of their meals come with coffee or tea, orange juice, super yummie homemade sweet bread muffins, and a side of fruit or cream of wheat. TRY THE CREAM OF WHEAT! I was amazed by how good it was. how can simple cream of wheat be so delicious? they put magic in it! the portions are huge & the value for the price cannot be beat. for $20 we had several courses for brunch and still had to ask for take-away boxes. I liked the eggs & hashbrowns more than the pancakes or waffles, but overall the food was quality. next time I will have to try the linguica! I will definitely be making another trip here before the end of the summer. cash only, so be sure to hit the ATM first!
(4)Kaitlin B.
I had heard about The Neighborhood for a long time from friends and finally tried it last weekend. We really wanted to go while it was still warm enough to sit out on the cute outdoor patio--it's covered in grape vines and reminded me a lot of going to my Portuguese grandmother's neighborhood growing up. I think it's a great little brunch place. The portions are absolutely huge! Amusingly, the restaurant participates in the "Shape Up Somerville" program and in order to be "healthier," they recommend requesting 1/2 your meal be packed to go. I had the Portuguese breakfast and the cod and shrimp cakes were excellent. The cod cake was one of the best I've ever tasted. Bread was also delicious. I was less crazy about the meat cake and my eggs and rice were nothing special. Overall, I'd say that half the food was great and the other half wasn't very memorable. However, I don't think going to The Neighborhood is just about the food--it's the whole experience of huge portions, fun atmosphere, etc. We did wait for 20 minutes or so, but I don't see that as a drawback--on the contrary, it vouches for the popularity and increases the anticipation. They occasionally provide cake and coffee on the sidewalk, as well, which is a really nice touch. I would disagree with the price rating, however, and give it "$$": for the brunch specials it's close to $16-17 with tax and tip per person.
(4)Chrissy H.
Mmmmmm. Any place that serves homemade bread is alright by me. The neighborhood restaurant is located just outside of Union Square in Somerville. It is a tiny little room with a bunch of patio tables and chairs smooshed inside. Makes for truly close quarters with fellow diners and staff. Luckily, the Borges family makes up for the squishiness with a vast array of yummy food selections. The meal starts with your choice of fresh fruit or cream of wheat. I know, sounds like something your grandparents would serve. But the cream of wheat is so delicious, especially on a blustery winter day. They serve it in a little bowl with lots of cinnamon on top and a bit of lemon squeezed through for a bit of extra flavor, and it is so creamy! Not to mention that every breakfast also comes with a plateful of homemade toast, a muffin, and a bottomless cup of coffee. For brunch, I had the bacon and cheese omelet and home fries. The omelet was a bit too cheesy for me but overall good. My boyfriend ordered the eggs benedict with homemade hash which he devoured. They had some other really tasty sounding dishes on the menu that I should have tried, like the pumpkin and baked apple french toast. Or banana pancakes. The service is very friendly though very busy so don't mistake their lack of attention with rudeness... they just have a dining room filled with people to serve. All together, our meals came to $19.95 before tip. Just about what you'd pay at most Boston restaurants for breakfast. Just a few tips. It is really cramped in there, so if you go during peak hours you can bet you're gonna have to wait. That's why you should really bundle up if it's cold outside because you will be waiting outside. Also, parking can be a hassle. We parked in the central parking lot in Union Square which, surprisingly, had a few spots available, otherwise you would have to park on the street somewhere in the vicinity. Also, be sure to go to the ATM beforehand because they only take cash!
(4)Nicole M.
I thank my lucky stars for whoever gave me a heads-up about this place. But four years ago I was introduced to this tiny, somewhat hidden gem of a brunch place. I don't mind the wait. Wherever you go for brunch in the city, if you don't have a reservation - and c'mon, can you REALLY depend on getting your ass up for a reservation on Sunday morning, no matter how aware you are of the delciousness that's coming your way?? - you've got to bank on waiting for a table. Cream of wheat, delish. Pancakes, delish. Service, outstanding. Ambiance, adorable, as in going to my grandmother's house when she stopped caring if the mugs all matched one another. Likewise, all of their dishes, silverware, etc are a jumbled mix and match of stuff that you'd find at a flea market. I love this place for it's attitude, casual and homey, and of course, the cream of wheat and pancakes.
(4)Rod B.
I've lived round the corner from Neighborhood for four years, but had always been put off by the huge line outside on weekends. But today I was working from home, and after some severe chastising from friends for not sampling the Neighborhood, I popped-round on a "school day" to avoid the line. Some things are great: The menu is simple -- You pick a main dish, and then you get coffee, OJ, toast, fruit etc automatically. The specials looked truly special (waffles stuffed with chocolate cheesecake and strawberries‽), although I wussed out and plumped for steak and eggs. And the food was delicious and hefty for the price. That said, I was sat right near the front door, above a heating vent, so had to deal with alternate icy and firey blasts. And the coffee was bitter and unpleasant. I'd have been happier with Dunks. So, much like other local "must visit" brunch spots (S&S, Soundbites, etc), go for the food, preferably on an off-peak day, but tolerate the "experience".
(4)Christian P.
While not the most convenient location, it's definitely worth the hike some Sunday morning, even WITH a hangover. The breakfast here is delicious (especially the pancakes), and in the unlikely event that it doesn't meet your quality standards, at least you'll get a big portions for the astonishingly low prices you'll pay ($10-15 a head for everything!) I can primes that the portions will be enough to stump, and if not delay any serious hangover! Wear your Brazilian soccer jersey to score extra points with the staff. And if you can name at least a few players, you're in even better shape!
(4)Justin D.
You have no idea how good, how much, and how creative this wonderful family run establishment is. A true hidden gem.
(5)L D.
I wouldn't exactly call The Neighborhood cheap but you certainly get an insane amount of food for your money. Every meal comes with a choice of meat (linguica, do it!), home fries, OJ (tiny cup), coffee, choice of fruit of cream of wheat, and an assortment of fresh breads. I especially love the sweet bread that comes with the bread plate and always grab it before my dining partner knows what's going on. Today I had the hash and eggs. The hash wasn't the greatest ever but certainly cured my hangover. I took half of my breakfast home and can't wait to eat the rest. After I take a nice long nap and fire up the coffee. In the summertime there is an awesome back patio. Expect to wait for a table. Watch out in the winter. The door closes very slowly so the tables in the front get a freezing breeze every few minutes. Service is rather slow with only two waitresses and one busser. They never make you feel rushed, despite the lines of people waiting to be seated. Parking is generally easy with tons of meters throughout Union Square. The decor is stunning. You have to see it to believe it. And the music is beyond awesome. Every time I'm there I hear at least one Michael Jackson hit from the 80s. Cash only. There's a Citizens ATM a block away.
(4)Christina K.
I'm not a cream-of-wheat person, but I went ahead and gave it a shot. For what it's worth, if you can get past the consistency, it really is pretty good. I'm a bigger fan of the large quantities of food you get with your meal (do yourself a favor and order off the $6.99 side, the other side is about the same amount of food). The only downside is it closes so early! If you're hungover and looking for breakfast food, better get here before 3:30 otherwise people are a little grumpy that you came late and rush you while you're eating (or ignore you completely). The no-credit card thing is incredibly inconvenient but they have an ATM in-store.
(4)Ali M.
YUM YUM YUM!!! My friend and I tried this place yesterday due to hearing such great reviews. I enjoyed all of it-very much. First, the food is delicious. We split an omelette and wheat pancakes, which came with our choice of cream of wheat or fruit, so we got one of each. Our friendly server brought out a poached pear (MMM!) and the best cream of wheat I've ever had (sorry Mom!) Next, were our breakfast entrees with thick toast, potatoes, and even a cute little cupcake! That said, the portions are HUGE! The service was very efficient and friendly. We were shocked when we saw our bill--for all of that food, plus OJ and unlimited coffee--only $16 and change! I can't wait to go back.
(5)Arun C.
I finally had a chance to try The Neighborhood out for brunch recently and I was not disappointed. They had an extensive handwritten specials menu, which I like, and had plenty of free snacks to keep me satisfied until the main course arrived. It is cozy inside, especially the bathroom, but the food is good.
(4)Meaghan S.
I love this place. If you don't like crowds try going on a weekday morning, much much easier to get seating. If you don't mind waiting on the weekend it's a pretty eclectic crowd and can be kind of fun to chat with others who've been up all night or who've just woken up. The outside seating in the summer is beautiful and great for just kicking back and enjoying some OJ and coffee. The cream of wheat is out of this world. Without a doubt the best I have ever had. It's worth going to Neighborhood for that alone. I've had friends try to replicate it, but no one comes close enough. The rest of the food is delicious, and I definitely recommend the Coconut French Toast (Holy damn is it awesome! )and the variety of Portuguese breakfasts. Waiters and waitresses are friendly at this family owned joint. Best breakfast place in the Cambridge/Somerville area.
(5)Poliana R.
I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and quantity of what was offered for what I paid. You are offered a cup of coffee as soon as you walk in. The menu isn't huge but the two dishes I've tried were very tasty. I'd definitely recommend their haddock; it comes with homefries and veggies... Delicious! When you then think you're done, the waiter brings you flan! :D It wasn't the most impressive flan I've tasted ever but, hey, just like the coffee, it was on the house, so it's all good!! Their breakfast menu is mouth-watering and I've been planning to go back for it.
(4)Peggy L.
Great food, hidden gem. Go hungry and prepare for a line. The cream of wheat is like no other. I have seen people wait in the looting rain to eat here......
(5)stacey l.
Food is tasty, you get a lot of food, but for the price (breakfast for $10-15 is not a good deal last time I checked) I would expect a lot of food. Sometimes service is compromised when they are at peak times, which shouldn't be excused. Try this place on a Friday morning if you can. They have a buffet that is great, and if there is anything missing that you want they are quick to please. It's best during the summer when the outside seating is available. The place is low key with picnic tables and patio furniture. If you have kids, I would keep it to the off times. When only inside seating is available, the tables are tight and the staff runs around like mad. Parking can be an issue and seating for large groups is not an option inside. Any party over 6 people can wait for over an hour easy. When you get there put your name on the list ASAP, but if anyone in your party is missing they'll go on to the next on the list until they are there.
(3)Erik M.
Neighborhood Restaurant is awesome period. Just don't get there around closing time, they don't have as much selection and they don't mind bleaching the tabletops while you're sitting next to an empty table.
(5)Kelsey H.
Everyone keeps raving about the cream of wheat from this place.. They obviously didn't try the corned beef hash!!! Homemade and so so delicious, I couldn't keep my fork off my cousins plate (he made the super smart order). I actually thought that the cream of wheat was a bit too sweet for me... My cousin pointed out that it tasted like tapioca. But the other option is the fruit plate, which I got and it was sup par fruit for sure. Definitely not a place to go if you're only a little bit hungry! The service was good but speedy, the wait was RIDICULOUSLY long.. Ridiculous. But so worth the food! Plus they put out some kind of bread and drinks so that you're not starving while waiting for the hour or so. The lady next to me ordered some Nutella stuffed crepe.... If I knew her I wouldn't be able to keep my fork off of her plate either! I ordered a garden egg white omelet. Yummy but nothing out of the ordinary! That's probably what I get for trying to eat healthily...
(4)Flora C.
CASH ONLY but there is an ATM inside! My friends and I stumbled upon this restaurant on a Sunday afternoon after getting turned away by Union Square Donuts (sold out of donuts). The wait is pretty long but on that Sunday they provided complimentary coffee and iced tea, which made the wait less painful. Once we were seated, we were immediately served free coffee and OJ. I ordered the Eggs Benedict with Hash and homefries. Along with my order, I was also given the choice of either Cream of Wheat or Fruit. I chose to go with fruit but my friends picked cream of wheat which they all recommended. Complimentary toast and a pastry for the table were also served along with our food. -Eggs Benedict with Hash and homefries was pretty spot on. If you are looking for a hefty Sunday brunch plate, I would definitely recommend this one. Service was pretty decent given how busy the restaurant was even at 1:30pm. Although it was Cash Only, it was definitely worth the hassle given the large portions of food we were served. Thumbs up!
(4)Gonen M.
I love their patio. Great in the summer. But there's always a giant line. You end up waiting under the sun for an hour before you find a table. Food is good and cheap. One of the best breakfast places in Cambridge.
(4)Brittany H.
4.5 Stars. I mean I don't know why I'm not giving it 5. Probably something to do with the long wait. First off-- free cream of wheat. Don't doubt it. It's amazing. It must be the cinnamon. Free fruit and loads of coffee. Yes, this in itself is a breakfast. Next, I forgot exactly what everyone got, but I do remember the plantains, the sausage and the HUGE portions. You want to share with someone so that you can actually function the rest of the day. Remember to pace yourself. This meal is more like a marathon, not a sprint.
(4)Ana R.
The Neighborhood has an extensive menu that includes a lot of Portuguese food. I've never had a meal there that wasn't delicious and filling. The prices are a bit higher than you'd expect ($10.99-$13.99) but you do get a LOT of food. That includes OJ, fruit or cream of wheat and a basket of muffins. The cream of wheat they make here is just like my grandma's. Try it!! The weekend Fisherman breakfast special is the best. The wait on the weekends is not. Come early, meet new people in line and make the best of it. The waitresses get people in and out pretty quickly, so the line moves. The system is fair - they won't seat groups until everyone is present. And they have water and muffins outside for people waiting. In the winter months, they offer coffee and hot cocoa.
(4)Kim R.
We have been trying to eat here since we moved from the Cape in November! !! We signed in and had about 30 minute wait and it was well worth it !!! Cream of wheat off the charts waffle with the freshest of fruit the ham and eggs great steak tips to perfection and toast was AWESOME !!! Got a loaf of bread to go for $1 !!! Also added a muffin to our bill for $1 which will be picked up today for homeless shelter PLEASE IF YOU EAT HERE ADD A MUFFIN FOR THE HOMELESS! !! STAFF SO FRIENDLY AND FOOD IS GREAT !!
(5)Angel F.
I'm usually disappointed with breakfast spots. A lot of time I think to myself, I could make this or better myself. Not so here. First of all be ready to eat because they give a lot of food. I had to get the cream of wheat (which was delicious) and then got the linguica omelette. I eat A LOT and the portions here were great. My omelette was huge and they crumbled the linguica which means the meat and cheese were more evenly spread, no clumps of just egg. The potatoes were also delicious, and everything seemed seasoned well. I wasn't expecting such a big omelette, so I ordered a side of bacon too, which I still ate of course. Bacon was great also. This place is definitely worth the wait. One of the best breakfast places I've been to.
(5)Chaloe T.
In terms of waffles, which is the way I usually attack brunch: it tasted like the waffle you get at a dining hall. Not my thing.
(2)Debbie M.
We drive out of our way when we come up to visit our daughter, just to have breakfast here. The cream of wheat is incredible. My husband loves the Belgian waffle with the mass of fruit and I love the pancakes. The amount of food you get for the price (in Boston) is surprising. We always take a box home. We've never had to wait but it would be worth it. I'm looking forward to eating here during the summer, even if we have to wait.
(5)Kay H.
Meh. As you can see from my profile I don't normally give 2 stars. I felt strongly enougha about this 2 that I had to write about. My boyfriend and I went to The Neighborhood around 2PM on Sunday afternoon. We're brunchers so this isn't coming from a novice foodie. We sat ouside under their grape vine canopy which was pleasnt on one of the last days of the summer. We shared our sticky picnic table with another couple which we didn't mind. Our bill was rather expensive for one ($40?) that didn't include any mixed drinks or mimosas (which they don't have). I got the pumpkin pancakes which came with scrambled eggs, cream of wheat, and home fries. Included ni our meal was OJ and coffee. There was wayyyy too much food. I'm used to American portion sizes but dang. If it was good, I would have taken my left overs home, but it was meh. You know how there are those places where the food is so good you're willing to be boardline masochistic to finish your meal? Yea, this is not one of those places. I kept eating cuz I felt bad about wasting food. For as many reviews as this place has I had faith in the Yelp community to not lead my wrong. Sorry, not sorry but I won't be going back.
(2)Jamil B.
Sex on a plate. With over 400 reviews on the books so far I'm really not to go into great detail about The Neighborhood Restaurant. What I will say is that with a very basic menu and a relatively small footprint The Neighborhood has a great feel awesome food in a very loyal following. If you're in Boston you definitely need to stop in.
(5)Shelly J.
This is definitely the hidden gem of Cambridge. Listen to all the other reviewers and get the cream of wheat!! I would come here and pay the price of a full meal for just the cream of wheat. But instead, I religiously go through and try sometime new on the menu each time I come. Some day soon, I will have tried all their brunch specials (I hope!). The pancakes are fluffy- so delicious you don't need syrup at all. I just eat them straight. The belgian waflle with fruit is yummy too. And you are feeling something savory, the omelets and eggs benedict definitely hit the spot too. Warning: there will be long lines during the weekends.
(5)Grosian N.
This food at this place was definitely "meh" - something they would serve you at camp. The thing is, the price is not that cheap either and for a similar price, you could get something amazing at Brownwyn like a German apple pancake w/ schnitzel. The portions are ok, but understand that you get "a lot" of things because the quality is not great ie. orange juice is Sunny D or some mixed orange powder drink. I don't like to give negative reviews, but if you are situated in Union Square (haven for amazing food) and you still charge fairly high prices, people are expecting something really good...and like I said before, stuff here will remind you of summer camp.
(2)Bryan R.
Get the cream of wheat. Stop questioning and just do it (on the off possibility that you just wandered off the street and weren't brought here by an all-knowing local as I was). With cream of wheat as a strong starter it only goes up from there. A full menu--all of which looked delicious--greets you once you've made that first all-important decision. I went with the daily special, which happened to be french toast. Fantastic. And after the cream of wheat, you'll leave with leftovers. Hooray for second breakfast! Good price, cozy place--though watch out anyone over 6' using the bathroom...you'll know what I'm talking about. If you're in the neighborhood it's DEFINITELY a spot to check out.
(5)Zoe P.
Read this review and I shall reveal to you you The Secret of the Cream of Wheat. This place is certainly a good diner. And since you can get food poisoning at approximately 30% of the diners in Greater Boston, The Neighborhood Restaurant rates relatively high in my book. But come on. It's not delicious. It's just damn good. I had the pumpkin pancakes; they didn't need syrup or butter, that's a plus. And two eggs over easy, done right, with toast. My plate of fruit was forgettable, the cream of wheat was memorable, and my oh-so-sophisticated palate discerned, hmm, what is that, ah yes...cream and sugar.* Try it in your coffee! Or your oatmeal at home! And save yourself the wait! I ate here during the middle of week and they have (seriously) an AYCE buffet. But I just couldn't. *Or, on second thought, possibly sweetened condensed milk.
(4)Emily C.
The broccoli omelette and steak tips w/eggs are awesome! Gorgeous patio seating. Fine service.
(5)Jessica P.
Love it. Been coming here since i was a child. Love the cream of wheat.
(5)Kathee B.
This is the best place in the world. Their cream of wheat is laced with crack. I'm convinced. Go on a weekday. Stay forever. Cash only. Eat outside on the patio. I can't vouch for the indoors.
(5)Leonardo D.
This place was one of he first I have explored in Somerville, due to its fame. I have always been pleased with their food. Prices are good and I love their patio. Unfortunately I have noticed a decrease in the quality of their servings (not the service!) over the last 6 months. I find their dishes too heavy and also the menu has been left without new entries for you long. I am very concerned about this trend as I consider the neighborhood one of the gems of Union square!
(3)Randy V.
My first thought, "What is cream of wheat?" I grew up on Cap'n Crunch and Snickers! This place was featured on the Travel Channel so I had to make the trek out to Somerville on a chilly winter day and JACKPOT.. this place was awesome! The RESTAURANT: The place is a little on the small side so come early and beat the rush. There's street parking and we found a spot fairly quick right in front of the restaurant. And luck found us inside as we took the last vacant table!! The FOOD: Before I sat down, I had to take off my thick jacket, scarf, gloves, and hat. The waitstaff had managed to sneak in a cup of coffee and small glass of OJ waiting for me when I attempted to sit! Wow what service. The Cream of Wheat rocked! A big bowl of deliciousness. It was hot, it was creamy and buttery. It came with a dusting of cinnamon. WOW. The texture and flavor was intense. I also ordered a french toast, but I'd rather write about the cream of wheat. What have I been missing all my life?!
(5)Liz T.
Last Sunday, two friends out of town spent the weekend and after a long night prior, we decided a good hearty brunch was in order. Well after waiting over 45 minutes I assured my friends it was worth the wait. We did get seated outside (THANK GOD! the inside area is so crowded, elbow to elbow) under the grapes. Quiet frankly it was beautiful! Please note I have eaten here over a dozen times so I am very familiar with the staff, the menu etc. We were greated by one of the senior staff waitresses who quickly took our order, but never stopped by again. The busboy on the otherhand was amazing! He was attentive and rushed us over coffee....when we asked for butter from our waitress, it never came,...However the busboy was quick to jump to our every need. I wondered if he was the waiter? and she just the order taker? However when it came for us to pay, the waitress returned finally....asked if we wanted more coffee.~puzzled look~ I wanted to say nice to see you again after 60 minutes but just extended my hand for the check. We paid, left her an appropriate tip for the check. However we caught up with the busboy....who was extremely shy....and handed him a 20.00! Exceptional help is hard to come by these days...and for those behind the scenes...they too need to be noticed and praised! Excellent work young man. Hopefully one day you too an move up to seasoned wait staff and show the rest of them how its DONE! BTW the food is and always has been DELICIOUS! To the Neighborhood restaurant: You havent lost a client.....I will be back. I just want you all to know that sometimes the "LEADER" is not always at her best performance.
(4)John W.
The perfect summertime pleasure - an al fresco brunch. They serve huge portions of standard breakfast items at affordable prices. The service is prompt and polite. There is usually a long ass line of people waiting to sit under the grapevines on the patio, so put yr name on the list and take a nice stroll through Union Square while you wait - there are several Brazilian stores worth checking out.
(4)Carolyn S.
Before moving to Cambridge I used to get up early in the morning, catch the C-line to Cleveland Circle where I would then catch the 86 bus to Union Square. Why, one might very legitimately ask, would anyone willingly get up early on a Sunday morning to take a nearly hour-long trip to Somerville? The answer is Neighborhood Restaurant. I now live within walking distance of this wonderful Portuguese breakfast spot so there's no need to spend the bus fare or get up quite so early. What is so special about this restaurant? It's all in the food. Arrive early on the weekends or you'll be spending most of your time waiting on the sidewalk. There are no reservations and there is no hostess waiting at a greeting desk. You simply walk up to the front door and sign in your name on a sheet of paper, grab a cup of complimentary coffee and a pastry and wait your turn. Once inside the tiny restaurant (or the outdoor grapevine covered patio open only in summer) you will be faced with the daunting task of choosing your breakfast. You can't go wrong with any of the standards, although I usually opt for one of the specials (Belgium waffles with strawberries and whipped cream or lox eggs benedict.) Be forewarned, a seemingly harmless order such as pancakes comes with what looks like a second breakfast. All meals are served with fresh unlimited coffee or tea, fresh squeezed orange juice, a choice of fruit or hot cereal, homemade pastries, breads, and some of the best homefries I've had in Boston. Depending on what you order, this is often accompanied by some delicious tasting sausage and two eggs. Then you'll get your pancakes. Don't expect anything less than a no-nonsense welcome from this family run business. Neighborhood is not the place to dawdle and read the paper, someone will be ready to take your order as soon as you sit down. That being said, you will feel as though you are having breakfast at a family home. The food is filling, homecooked and amazingly good. The atmosphere is warm and friendly despite the hustle and bustle of the Sunday morning brunch crowd. Good food, good crowd, good times. You can't get more neighborly than that.
(4)Jon V.
found this place before a class i taught, I am seldom unable to finish a meal but this was on time.creme of wheat with cinamon, french toast with fresh fruit, 3 eggs, ham home fries and toast. everything was great except the toast, I think the bread was homemade so it was irregular size and cooked unevenly but tasted ok
(4)eg s.
very busy place, but it's worth to wait a bit.....
(5)M. Deloris D.
Let's get all the bad stuff out of the way first. Neighborhood is crowded and cramped. Whew. That was easy. Otherwise, this place is sensational. The cream of wheat is great. The fruit cups are great. Their emphasis on serving protein with fervor (plates heaped with meat) is much appreciated. Waffles with fruit? Hello, yum! Neighborhood is seriously so good that sometimes I can't use full sentences to describe it. Neighborhood is SO good that I forgot to ask whether they served mimosas and for me brunch without mimosas is like peanut butter with no jelly, kool-aid with no sugar...hell, brunch without mimosas. Neighborhood is good. 'Nuff said.
(4)Stefanie G.
Until this year, I had the privilege of living a few blocks from the Neighborhood. The line is long, but it just makes you that much hungrier and all the happier to get inside and eat. On a cold day, it's warm and cozy inside; on a warm day, you sit out under the grape arbor. Possibly the best brunch atmosphere ever. The service is amazing- in a cramped space, you are still sure to get all your food at once, after a short wait, and can always get more water, coffee or OJ with just a wave of your hand. It's a well-oiled machine. Downstairs, the surprisingly clean and pleasant bathroom is just past the kitchen, where tons of fresh, gorgeous food is sizzling and sparkling - the appearance of the kitchen, bustling and putting off appetizing odors, makes the food even more appealing. It's true that there is always too much food, but everything is perfect - from the pudding-like cream of wheat to the fresh, tasty fruit, to the plethora of fantastic, salty meats to the creamy scrambled eggs and perfect breads and muffins. Hash was a special today - it was more like pulled corn beef with a little potato, onion and green peppers - it was easily the best hash I've ever had. The pancakes of many varieties, waffles and french toast are amazing. Love it. Best ever.
(5)Nick L.
Breakfast with fresh orange juice, coffee, cream of wheat, and entree of choice for $10 with tip? Given the quality, I'm hooked, and will definitely go back again. They've also got fancier breakfasts for a bit more, but everyone at our table was happy with some variety of omelet or eggs. The other Yelpers are right about the cream of wheat, definitely the best I've ever had, and I've never enjoyed the dish before today. And my entree came out just fine, lots of food, and the fried bananas were a nice touch. Thanks, Neighborhood. The atmosphere is relaxed, quieter and much more spacious than Sound Bites. Even with the line, the wait staff let us stay and chat, refilling coffees after delivering the bill. Colorful walls and photos of family members make the place feel welcoming. I'm on the verge of giving another star, and probably will after visiting again. There's a couple street signs to lock bicycles to, maybe the front fence in front of the outdoor seating area, but not much beyond that.
(4)Cassandra M.
LOVE the waffles. Super slow service on Saturday and Sunday mornings, however. Long ass wait.
(4)Halley W.
this is my favorite brunch place in Boston. Granted, once I found it, I immediately ceased my quest for brunch, so I might be less familiar with the competition than some. Nevertheless, I'm devoted. You've heard it before: the cream of wheat is to die for. Usually, my boyfriend gets some manly meaty dish and I get something frilly with french toast or eggwhites, and then we take what's left home and snack on it for the rest of the day, and we are fat and happy all day as a result! It's true, you may have to wait awhile, but it's totally worth it!
(5)A. T.
Tons of food for $8-10, so great value. On the several occasions I've ordered it, the steak (and eggs) is seasoned and cooked nicely. I much prefer my dining experience here on lazy weekday mornings, because the weekends can get a little crowded.
(5)Bevin C.
Ate here on a lovely morning last weekend, fully expecting to have a rad breakfast because rad breakfasts are what you get at the 'hood. Since I've had so many breakfasts here, and since I was in an "I'll eat anything" mood, I ordered the Portuguese breakfast without reading what it was. The plate was put in front of me and the voices in my head screamed "Ew! Icky! Icky! Icky!" Then another more rational voice said, "But this is the Neighborhood, the lovely restaurant that everybody raves about, that has the best cream of wheat in the whole wide world." So I listened to the latter voice and forked a black gelatinous mass in the middle of my plate and shoved it in my mouth. EW! ICKY! My Portuguese-American boyfriend informs me that what I just ate was Black Linguica. He said his dad eats it sometimes. I have tried researching this Black Linguica since with no luck, and I don't know what it is made of, but I think it tasted like something horrible - gelatinous and pungent with a rubbery casing. I'm an adventurous eater with a strong stomach, so I pushed on. There were several fried things on my plate. I vaguely remember that the meal included "fish cake, shrimp cake, meat cake", so I guess that these were those. It was like a guessing game. A nasty, lukewarm, rather stale guess-the-meat game. Then I moved on to the rice and beans. Imagine that you made rice and beans for dinner, and left some on your plate, and put the plate in the sink with the other dirty dishes, and then the next morning, you grab a fork and reach into the sink and have a bite. That's what the rice and beans tasted like. So I tried the omelette. Turns out it was a shrimp omelette with onions and peppers. It was overflowing with those little tiny canned shrimps. It looked like it was overflowing with maggots. That's exactly what it looked like. I pointed this out to my friends, who took great care to avert their eyes from my plate for the rest of the meal. I am willing to take 50% of the blame for this appalling dining experience. I should have known better than to order the wierdest, nastiest thing on the menu. Nobody else orders it, and that's at least partially why it was stale and disgusting. BUT the 'hood should be a little more discerning about what it puts in front of its customers, even the dopey ones.
(4)Monica T.
Portugest breakfast!!! Meat, Meat, Meat, and more Meat... I love this place, there are lots of fond memories hanging out all night in Boston and waking up to go get breakfast at the neighborhood. Sitting outside sipping my coffee (back in the day when I still drank it). Nothing better than a crisp fall morning, getting up with your paper and going to the neighborhood for breakfast with your beau. Brings back some great memories. My fav breakfast was the pork chop. No I am not 300 lbs, I am actually pretty think for the amount of food I eat.
(5)Corey F.
Fantastic breakfast restaurant. The wait usually isn't more than 15 minutes for a table, and even if it's more, it is well worth the wait. I probably haven't eaten cream of wheat since I was about 12, and it is unreal. The pumpkin pancakes, and french toast specials have been my go-to meal and are perfectly prepped and cooked.
(4)Ger T.
I'm not usually a fan of breakfast places, but I won't turn down a good breakfast if someone persuades me, and the Neighborhood Restaurant is a solid bet for a good breakfast. This is a tiny joint with low prices, simple food, massive portions, and incredible side dishes. Their pancakes and waffles are perfectly cooked, and from what I saw of my friends' breakfast sausages, the meats are great, too. They also serve some Portuguese-inspired breakfast platters if you are wanting something other than the traditional American breakfast. We came for breakfast food in the middle of the day, and I was still full that night (and I'd taken half my food home with me too).
(4)plz h.
After my first time here, I was so stoked on the cream of wheat and so happy to be eating outside that it took going back another 3 times or so before I realized how medicore the rest of the food is here. It's definitely worth eating here outdoors on a nice day, otherwise, skip it.
(3)Chrissy G.
How could it get any better? Best weekend hangover cure around. The only time I eat cream of wheat (TRY the cream of wheat because it's absolutely delicious and comes with your breakfast). Breakfast also always comes with bottomless coffee, delicious homemade breads/pastries, and OJ. I am hooked on the coconut french toast breakfast with linguica. I am also hooked on the sexy waiter with the arms too big to fathom (you have to see them to understand them). Leftovers are always enough to fill me up a whole second time. I would eat here every weekend if I didn't want to get fat(ter). Parking on Bow St. isn't bad on the weekends (metered) - but if you're not into crowds try it on a weekday when you're playing hookey or otherwise not working/schooling. I drive all the way from Wakefield to eat here. Oh, one downside is that this breakfast joint is cash only (not really a downside if you're not a debit card addict like myself) so plan on hitting the ATM beforehand. SO MUCH FOOD, so inexpensive! Open 'til 4 so you can still make it if you partied too hard the night before. I LOVE THIS PLACE!
(5)Huan z.
The Neighborhood Restaurant is excellent for a late morning breakfast in the summer. Colorful umbrellas, tables and benches. Fresh squeezed orange juice plus fresh fruits. Free fresh bread for the waiting line. What a relaxing morning to have your breakfast under the grapevine! You almost feel like having your breakfast in Europe. Tons of food to choose from unlike other typical American restaurants.
(4)Natalie C.
Great Food + Interesting Ambiance = one of my absolute favorite breakfast places!
(5)Karen C.
The Neighborhood Restaurant is the Somerville version of Zaftigs in Brookline. This brunch place has cheaper dishes that includes free fruit, coffee, strudel, and dessert from their bakery. The actual place isn't as fancy as Zaftigs or kosher, but it features art from local artists, making it truly a neighborhood cafe. The wait is comparable to Zaftigs, so get there early on the weekend (before 11am) or else face the line out the door. Weekdays are a lot calmer. During the spring, there is an outdoor patio.
(4)Christina K.
The thing about weekend brunch is that I like it to be super leisurely. It's nice if the service is fast and the food comes out quickly, but I don't want to be rushed or stared at by an impatient waiter. The Neighborhood is definitely very casual service-wise. The meals are huge, delicious and reasonably priced for the amount of food you get. Get the cream of wheat. Sitting underneath the natural shade of the grape vines is a treat for sure too.
(5)Henry P.
Often times, me and my friends get into debates as to the best brunch/breakfast in Boston. It's decidedly between Neighborhood Rest and Town Diner in Watertown, I often defend NR as teh bestzorz. Get the cream of wheat fool, it's wicked. Oh, and if it's raining outside and you drive by and there's no line...don't be fooled into thinking there is no waiting. Yo arse will be shoved into the basement where you have to wait along with the dozens of others waiting. If dozens of people are willing to wait in a 6 foot 2 inch dungie basement for some breakfast, you dam well know it's good food.
(5)Jake M.
In order to enjoy a more comfortable afterlife, the Egyptian pharaohs would be buried with their earthly riches, pets, personal servants, and even sometimes their wives and children. This in mind, when I die I want to be buried with the following (consider it a sort of Desert Island list, except this Desert Island is the sweet hereafter): -1 copy of ABBA Gold -Discs 4-7 of the 2004 Red Sox World Series Collector's Box Set (which contains Games 4-7 of the ALCS vs. the Yankees) -1 full volume set of Remembrance of Things Past (because in the afterlife, no one cares how pretentious you are for reading Proust - plus, I'll never get around to it in this life) -1 copy of the 4 disc box set What It Is! - Funky Soul and Rare Grooves 1967-1977 (because if I can't spend eternity at Soul-le-lu-jah at Zuzu, this is the next best thing) -1 full arcade cabinet sized version of Samba de Amigo -1 full-scale replica model of the Museum of Jurassic Technology -1 bottomless vat of cream of wheat from the Neighborhood Restaurant -1 endless plate of linguica from the Neighborhood Restaurant Here's the thing: the above listed items may seem perfectly reasonable until reaching the last two items. Cream of wheat? Really?! And linguica? You really want to take spicy Portuguese sausage with you to heaven (and yes, linguica is sausage, and not pasta, as I stupidly thought the first time I read the menu... linguine, linguica, yeah?)? Oh, but friends, the cream of wheat at the Neighborhood isn't that soupy curdled bowl of mush you so dreaded when you were a kid. No, I'm not sure what the secret ingredient is here - love? brown sugar? the hand of God? - but whatever it is, please fill my casket with it, pump it through my veins, please send me off to that undiscovered country enveloped and drowned in its warm soft embrace. But until that day, may it continue to warm and fill my stomach, and may the linguica continue to spice up my weekend breakfasts. And it'll all be waiting for me when I die....
(5)Raven J.
Love it! A neighborhood institution.
(4)An-Chian K.
Absolutely fabulous! We went on a weekday for lunch and it was great! We got an outside table with no wait and sat under the shade of the grape vines. The food was plentiful and delicious! The waitress was very nice and the kids really enjoyed the hand painted high chairs and the fairy painting in the restroom.
(5)Melissa B.
Eh, the food here really isn't that good. But it's a fun place. Basically this family converted their house into a restaurant. What used to be the big parking area is now patio dining, folks! Covered in grape vines (watch for the hornets in late summer). The basement houses kitchen prep, dishwashing - and the bathroom, so be careful on the stairs. Inside the long narrow dining area is a mish-mash of mismatched Fiestaware, some with smiley faces. Home fries are horrible, eggs are so-so, coffee is tolerable. People like it because you get a lot of food - they deliver a plate of (often stale) pastries to your table after you order. Service is tolerable, that is, they tolerate you most often, which is kinda fun. Do not be in a rush here. They do have some interesting looking Portuguese sweet breads and pastries inside and around the holidays, Easter especially, they have a lot of special orders. But - and there is a BUT - this places has the most ROCKING GOOD Cream of Wheat ever. Dreamy. Heavenly. Sublime. (I mean it, folks!) Sweet and creamy with a whisper of vanilla and lemon zest. They REFUSE to tell you how they make it. Do yourself a favor - get there as fast as you can and get into a big bowl of that delightful concoction. Then take satisfaction with knowing that you saved 10 bucks and your breakfast is way better than everyone else's.
(3)Maryann S.
I came here and had a pretty terrible breakfast, but as others have mentioned - the patio is pretty and there aren't that many eating establishment with outside seating, so I gave it another shot. NEVER AGAIN First time there (both visits were for breakfast) - the toast was drenched in butter, the omelet was undercooked and contained nearly raw bacon, and I had to beg to get a cup of coffee. There wasn't a wait (because we went at 8 AM on a Saturday) but that was pretty much the only positive. My daughter likes to look up at the vines, so my mom and I just gave it another go. Have I mentioned "NEVER AGAIN"? It took 43 minutes (literally. I swear) to get our breakfast. The patio was crowded (maybe only one empty table) but they weren't swamped - there wasn't a line. And this is BREAKFAST for chrissake. Again, we had to beg for water and coffee and when our food finally came my French toast was raw in the middle, mom's banana pancakes had no trace of bananas, the eggs, sausage and potatoes were luke warm and bland. I could never get a second cup of coffee either time. I could never get anyone's attention. The portions are sizeable, so you should go here if you are dirt poor. If you have any disposable income at all - at ALL, go somewhere else. Anywhere else. I left a note on the receipt that said: "43 minutes for undercooked French toast with NO explanation? No coffee refills? Terrible. I will never be back." If the waitress had even acknowledged the ridiculous wait or offered an apology, the entire experience would be markedly less virulent, although, as I said, the food is consistently subpar.
(1)Restaurant J.
I really like reading reviews on Yelp before going to a restaurant, and I usually trust the judgment of Yelpers. But I must say that Yelpers let me down this time. This restaurant is very overrated. First of all, if you go there on a weekend, you'll spend an average 45-60 minutes before you can get in. The wait staff is severely overloaded, which puts them a little bit on the edge I think, but that is no excuse for being rude. Charge us an extra buck and hire another guy, please! The place is dirty beyond belief, it took me three tries to find a glass that doesn't have nasty stuff in it to get some water (yes, you go and get your own water). And between guests, they wipe the tables with some nasty-smelling cleaning detergent (smelled like ammonia), which killed the first few minutes of our not-so-enjoyable time there. And for the love of god, it is just cream of wheat, and it really isn't all that good. Never going back there again.
(2)Najely S.
After reading the rave reviews on Yelp, I decided to head over to the Neighborhood today with my aunt for breakfast. I'm so glad I went - tons of yummy food, free OJ, a baked apple for starters, how quaint! The place was packed inside, service was quick, and eating with all the other humans made me feel whole again :)
(4)Pancake ..
You must eat more than you are comfortable with because the food is delicious and they give you a huge amount! I can't get enough of the cream of wheat they serve you as an appetizer. Ridiculous.
(4)Curt W.
hey kids....the outdoor patio opens on mother's day!
(5)Von S.
I have nothing but adoration for this place. Yes, there is always a forever wait. Yes, it's a bit expensive for breakfast (special plates are around 11.99). Yes, paying in cash can be an inconvenience. But the spread is absolutely delicious and well worth the time and money spent. I enjoy everything here. The portions are huge, the selection mouth-watering. The cream of wheat is the most precious bowl of happiness that I've ever experienced at a breakfast table--- sweet, delicate, heavy and airy at the same time, you just need to try it! If someone filled up a swimming pool with the thing, I would jump in and eat my way out--- and I don't even know how to swim! The pancakes and waffles are perfectly pillowy. The fruit and berries atop are always fresh and ripe. Free coffee and tea and orange juice--sure they come in midget friendly size cups but when was the last time you had free coffee with free refills? It is also the only place I've seen linguica (spicy sausage) on the menu--- that's where the Portuguese come in, I suppose. The atmosphere further makes eating here a wonderful experience. It's patio umbrella seating--overhead, you have grapevines and bunches of grapes hanging--very charming and functional in that they provide added shade. On a hot summer morning, this is the perfect place to enjoy al fresco dining. You will feel pampered for the rest of your day. Come early when the wait's not too bad--- however, if you have to share a table with other parties, chillax--- it's The Neighborhood Restaurant, take a seat and be neighborly.
(5)Cece K.
One word = amazing! I decided to check out Neighborhood Restaurant and Bakery last Saturday morning, and from the moment I got there, I was happy that I made the trip. Even from the outside, it smelt amazing! Yes, there was a wait, but it moved quickly and they provided complimentary coffee and pastry samples to help hold you over. As everyone else already mentioned, every breakfast comes with unlimited coffee, a small glass of OJ, and either cream of wheat (delicious) or fruit.... if that doesn't convince you, there menu was full of unique options that you can't get at you average weekend brunch spot. I had the coconut french toast (which you must try at some point in your life) special and I substituted the sausage for linguica (which is a must because it is a Portuguese place). This place is definitely worth the trek out to Somerville (which to my surprise, ended up not being much of a trek at all). I will definitely be back... I can't wait to try the other menu options; including the traditional Portuguese breakfast and the pumpkin spice pancakes (which sound like they would taste amazing on a Fall morning in Boston)!
(5)Melissa B.
I can't get enough of this place! Huge menu, always tons of great specials and massive portions. In the summer months there is seating on the patio, otherwise it's inside in their rather small and cozy quarters. Expect to wait, but it's worth it. You can't beat the amount of food you get for the price. Staff is friendly if a bit frazzled due to how busy it always is (but that's always a sign of a great restaurant). Your breakfast meal comes with either cream of wheat (so yummy!) or fresh fruit, and pastries. Their corned beef hash (usually on the specials) is some of the best in the city. Do not miss the Neighborhood!
(5)Al A.
long lines. friendly service. the food is nothing special (grease spoon stuff). somewhat pricy. I don't get it
(2)Mary R.
This is the PLACE to go in great weather. The wait can be a bit long on the weekends, but it's well worth it! The portions are huge and the atmosphere is like no other place I've found in the area. In nice weather you sit on a patio under grape vines. The orange juice that comes with every meal is delicious and the specials usually feature something new and different, such as pumpkin pancakes. I love the variety in egg dishes and the service is fairly attentive on most days.
(5)Roberto C.
We love these guys - we'd go every weekend if we could. Great service, food - outside in the summer - you cannot beat it. Such a nice family owned establishment...
(5)Kat L.
How did they manage to perfect cream of wheat? I've tried to replicate their hot cereal at home, but fall short every time. I've never tasted cream of wheat as good as this. I never thought I'd run out to a restaurant just for this - but I can see myself doing just that. The rest of breakfast was just as good. I had a delicious egg scramble with seriously fresh veggies. The potatoes were a bit on the blah side, but I was too stuffed from everything else to have any room for those. The two bummers are that it's really squishy inside and the restaurant is so popular that it's often a pretty long wait outside to get seated.
(4)giorgie g.
as my friends were waiting outside to get in, a short old lady in a bright magenta coat turned to us and said "it's worth the wait!" as she walked by. it was an omen. an omen OF DELICIOUS TIMES TO COME. it's basically eleven bucks for a breakfast special, which includes everything imaginable- huge pancakes (WHOLE WHEAT!) and eggs and sausage and homefries and fruit and beans and toast and pastries and coffee and these adorable little cups of orange juice that are fun to drink like shooters. the service was awesome, and so are the lime green walls. also, there are several "a perfect circle" stickers on the front door, sandwiched in between zagat signs and patriotic bumper stickers. love it.
(5)Jasmine E.
I have never had portuegese food so i decided to research this restaurant online first. I went to their website and saw that they are family owned and can claim authenticity so i figured what the heck try it for lunch one day. I went before noon to try to beat the lunch time rush. I'm a big corned beef hash freak and every time i see it on the menu i wanna try it. so i ordered that with eggs over easy, side of potatoes and cream of wheat (which btw i NEVER got! agh that's minus one star right there). corned beef hash was a tad toasted but otherwise yummy. Luvd the eggs and the potatoes. Talk about freshly squeezed o.j. yum The coffee was kinda lukewarm which was kinda gross. I guess the owner's daughter was there and herself and the staff were friendly. A lot of locals come here from the vibe i got. Be warned: space is pretty limited so i would not advise it for groups bigger than 4-5 ppl. Next time i'm trying that portuegese breakfast. hmmmmmm
(3)Jeannie C.
Great place to go for a relaxed, all you can eat, breakfast. The food is good, it'll sustain life, but nothing special. I guess I need to go back for the cream of wheat though. The atmosphere is funky and fun. When it is to cold to eat outside the tents and tables get moved and it turns back in to a parking area, yes it really does. There will be no question if you can eat outside or not. Definetly put it on your list as a weekend breakfast option.
(3)Simon S.
The Neighborhood - the best sunday breakfast spot around Union, with the longest line ever. Once you get in, the food is amazing. Fruit, Orange Juice, Coffee, Oatmeal free with basically any breakfast meal. And the portions are huge! Friendly waitstaff, a nice environment - especially in the summer, and cheap prices make this a great breakfast spot.
(4)Jessica E.
Decided to give this place a go after the numerous glowing reviews here. In summary, had a very filling breakfast with very few taste-related complaints, although the experience didn't knock my socks off, and I don't think I'd ever yearn for a return visit. The restaurant is pretty crowded, seat yourself, friendly and prompt service. They only take cash, so hit the ATM before you go. Food is cooked extra fast and brought up from the kitchen in the bowels of the restaurant. The menu is pretty extensive although any substitutions will cost you apparently one dollar each. Says so on the menu. Servings are enormous. Over two full plates of food per person. If your meal comes with eggs, expect three full eggs. Over a cup and a half of hash browns. A generous scoop of sliced fruit on top of the Belgian waffle. I mean just absurd amounts of food. With every meal they also bring a plate of butter bathed bread and a brownie, just cuz. unlimited diner coffee included as well. It would be more reasonable to split plates because of the BUCKETS of food they serve, but sharing a meal will cost you $3.00 extra- boo! CONS: -don't take credit cards, and I'm really post-cash, myself -The fruit salad they served as sort of an appetizer was semi decomposing. you know, that slimy type film. Guh. -My biggest con issue is the orange juice. Wait, "Orange Juice." I seriously think it either comes out of a machine or is made of TANG POWDER. Seriously. I'm a major orange juice fanatic, so this really wounded my experience. Additionally, the menu claims it to be "fresh squeezed" but that is pure bullshit and I would like to sue them for false advertising. -I prefer a cripsyish plate of homefries but they like the soggy rounded lumps of greasy kind. Eh. Whatever floats your boat. -Plate sharing fee of $3/ea But the pancakes and waffles were orgasmic. Get #99 which is pumpkin cinnamon pancakes w/ pecans and mascarpone on top. Purely divine. I'd say if you live close by (the "Neighborhood") go for it, otherwise, don't bother.
(3)Mike B.
Crazy good food. Huge portions. Silly huge. Had to wait outside during a snowstorm for a weekday breakfast over holidays. But they had muffins out there. The cream of wheat was delicious!! Seating is tight.
(5)Kathleen D.
I went to the Neighborhood with about 5 friends. We sat outside and the ambiance was amazing - under a grape sky with birds chirping etc etc. But the food was only so-so and it took over and hour to come out of the kitchen. We filled up on the fruit and muffins they provided free of charge, which was great and all but seriously: one hour? I will never go back there again.
(2)Adster N.
This place is awesome! The cream of wheat is really everything the other Yelpers say it is. Portions are HUGE. We ordered Special #100 which was really enough for 2 or 3 people. Full-sized waffle with fruit, two eggs, ham, toast, muffins, OJ, tea and of course the cream of wheat... all for $10.99. What a steal! I'll be back for sure.
(5)Beth F.
Breakfast here is amazing...particularly if you get to sit outside. They start you off with a basket of muffins...all kinds. The menu is extensive and the servings are huge. The outside is wonderfully covered with grapevines.
(5)Vanessa O.
I go out to breakfast/brunch at about twice a week in boston area and the neighborhood is by far my favorite. This is truly a neighborhood restaurant, run by a family and awash with little old ladies that are there everyday and leave with free cupcakes from the staff. The food is ALWAYS excellent and plentiful. Start with the cream of wheat - which is generally a very unspecial hot mush cereal - but here it is like crack with cream and sugar. Specials are fabulous and consist of eggs and potatoes with a "side" (huge serving) of fresh made waffles or fluffy pancakes with fresh fruit. You also get a plate of freshly baked breads, muffins and sweet cakes and free orange juice and coffee is included. The food is made of high quality ingredients like thick cut ham, house made portuguese sausages, and home-made baked goods - no corners are cut here, and it's a huge amount of delicious food for the money. The service is small-family style, don't be pushy, rude or in a rush; it's not McDonalds. It is a casual and friendly atmosphere and consistently an enjoyable experience. Don't try to go there on a weekend day unless you want to wait 2 hours for a table, this is a small restaurant that is VERY busy on weekends.
(5)Laura A.
i LOVE this place! ride your bike or take the 87 bus over, pronto. it was sixteen bucks for both of us to eat, including two coffees, two orange juices, french toast, 3 eggs, 2 orders of homefries, toast, and mango-banana-papaya pancakes. lots of families and locals which i thought was really cute and nice. no pretention whatsoever which i love. i'm taking off a star for three things: 1. non handicapped accessible bathroom (my dad uses a motorized scooter and there's no way in hell he could navigate those stairs and i'm sad because he would LOVE this joint and it would otherwise be PERFECT because it has a lot of room outside for him to get around) 2. no vegan options (even the "fruit" that you get before your meal is like, one slice of watermelon) - which i didn't expect since it's a portuguese place, but i would like to be able to bring my vegan friends here since sitting outside here is so pleasant and i can't 3. no bloody mary or mimosa options! what's brunch without alcohol?
(4)Elaine C.
I don't know how people could only give this place four stars. I guess they don't live in my area where there are no breakfast options like this. They get five stars from me just for ambience, free plate of muffins and buttered bread, free orange juice, the great breakfast specials, and of course, the CREAM OF WHEAT!! I initially thought that this cream of wheat would not win me over. What could possibly be special about this bland wintertime breakfast fare? Well, I don't know how they make it, but I want to go back just to get a bigger bowl of this stuff. Five stars for that alone. You who gave this four stars should take a trip to the burbs and find out just how good this is.
(5)julia r.
two words: SO GOOD. so good, soo good. come here, eat your heart out. happiness.
(5)Bird B.
we've gone back many times since our first review and we still love it. the meals are huge and so, so good. they serve alcohol too which is exciting. definitely our #1 pick for breakfast.
(5)Laura S.
The name fits. This is the old neighborhood restaurant that you can count on to have REAL food. They actually make their own baked goods and the linguica is homemade. The fruit or hot cereal and bread plate included with your meal make the price a bit more palatable. I've only eaten here outside in the summer, so I can't speak for their interior ambiance, but the shade of the grapevine covered picnic tables is refreshing on a warm day. Their menu includes some unique specialties as well as the standard choices. I would have given them four stars, but the last few visits, the wait staff has been terribly rude. They have been neither friendly nor attentive. When I asked for a refill on my water, I was told to go get it myself and we waited far too long to give our order, get coffee refills and the check.
(3)Tina L.
this place is a great for breakfast. you might have to wait - but it's worth it! (make sure to sign in if you are waiting - i didn't realize that and then got seated later than people that came after me). the chorizo is homemade! =) yum. the cream of wheat is good too! it is really rich though - so share w/ someone. i had the pumpkin pancakes and i could only finish one before i was stuffed. but everything is fresh and i haven't eaten anything that i don't like on the menu. :) delish!
(4)Gray c.
I love this place - yes the inside seating is awkward - yes there are long waits - but the food is good and the portions are fantastic. My biggest complaint about this place is the hostess - she is RUDE RUDE and RUDE - I assume she is a family member since most people who work there are - but I wish someone would talk to her about her behavior
(4)Chris S.
This really is as good as it gets. When I go to visit my family and friends in somerville / boston, I must go here. Weekends, the wait is long but in the summer , you wait outside and they set up coffee and cake to nosh on while you wait. In the winter the inside is very small and it is painted in strange bright colors that look like they were copied from an 80's wardrobe. The restroom is downstairs through a basement / cellar and very creepy. But the breakfast is awesome. The menu selections are handwritten and order by number type. Service is fast, they get you in and out. They have everything you could imagine from asparagus omelets to pumpkin cranberry orange pancakes. And it all starts off with the AMAZING cream of wheat with just the right amount of lemon , cinnamon, and wheat. I love it. You will always leave satisfied and full. I guess it's a little pricey but worth it and I can't pay attention to price when I'm staring at the most delicious waffle loaded with walnuts, strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream and syrup. YUM.
(5)Josh H.
One of the first breakfasts I had in the area. Went there on a Monday morning, so it was me & my friend and two other tables. I can imagine this place being like a crowded, sweaty club for Sunday brunch, but it was great when I went. Had the linguica & cheese omelette with the fresh fruit to start. Omelette was great, not greasy at all, and the free glass of juice they give you with breakfast is just so damn good! As others have commented, the bathroom is located in the kitchen, which gave me the creeps going in there, and if you're taller than 5 feet, be prepared to crouch when using the facilities. Despite the shortcomings, no pun intended, of the bathroom, the food and friendly staff earn this place 4 stars.
(4)Pete S.
The breakfast is good, don't get me wrong. That has all been well covered. What has not been mentioned, though, is that Thursdays and Fridays (and maybe even Saturdays) in the summer they open the patio, serve wine and beer, and have a hearty Potuguese buffet (lots of vegetables, seafood, and sausage). 4-9pm, I believe. The owners will probably be out there with you -- it's like they're just having you over the house. Classic New England hospitality (stop laughing, I'm serious).
(4)Ayanna B.
Yes, yes, yes! I am seriously picky about my Weekend brunch locations. This is a fantastic choice. Go! It's cheap, it's good, service is fast and courteous. The summers are best because of the grapevine roofed outdoor patio. So good. SO good.
(5)Beth C.
I was recommended this by my fellow Ravelry.com knitters. I looked up the review on Yelp and off I went went. Well, this morning was our first trip and... let's just say - we'll be back!!! Amazing! I had the tropical pancakes (with coconut, papaya, and bananas) with homemade butter - it was incredible. My boyfriend had the eggs benedict and was absolutely floored by how great it was. He said it was the best hash he's ever had and the eggs were poached perfectly. We also had the famous cream of wheat and the fruit - which was a poached apple. I think the other reviewers covered that one - it is insanely good and homemade. In fact everything is - right down to the jelly.
(5)Andrea C.
A little hard to get to. But oh sooooooo good. Great breakfast. Bottomless coffee and complimentary oj and pastries with your meal. Find it once and it'll become your Sunday regular.
(5)Georgia Y.
You've never been to the Neighborhood Restaurant, have you? Well, hop in your car or take the bus or a bike to Union Square, one of the most underrated parts of Somerville. It's summertime, so they'll have plenty of outdoor seating (under umbrellas to keep the sun off). I've only ever come here for lunch, so I can't say if they're open past 2 p.m. or so. Like Soundbites, be prepared to wait in line, but get ready for delicious breakfasts with a Portugese flair. I've had Belgian waffles, omelettes, and more here. It's no frills, but the food is great, and the service is average. You might get a funny looking, round, fried thing on your plate - it's some sort of fried fish bite...Portugese, I guess, and kinda tasty! Highly recommended.
(5)Chrissy M.
Ok so this place is NOT horrible, but from what people have told me I definitely expected MUCH better. As a small business owner myself I am always aware of great customer service vs. mediocre. We went to the Neighborhood this morning waited about 1/2 hour to be seated, when right before our name was called, a young couple, who obviously was a family, friend or coworker of the restaurant literally walked up and got seated before us. Ok, fine, you have connections but next time don't make it so obvious you are going cut in front of us and the rest of the 10 people waiting patiently in line. When we finally get seated who do we have the pleasure of sitting next to, or should I say almost on top of, this lucky couple with their baby who cut in front of us. YEAH!! The food is OK, yes you get more than your moneys worth in quantity but quality is just OK. The "endless coffee" is only endless when they actually re fill it. we had to ask 3 times to get our coffee filled again. Maybe we should try this place again when the driveway, oh I mean "patio" is o
(2)Jordan V.
Edited because: looks like they no longer serve dinner here! Hooray, now it's perfect again!
(4)Denise K.
Great food!! I got takeout on a rainy day, just a 10 minute wait (there were lots of tables available around 1pm). The cream of wheat and pancakes (pumpkin) were very, very good. The other breakfasts I saw people getting looked good too. Very large brunch menu. Seating was not bad - they seemed to have a good number of tables, but the place is small/cozy. Service was pretty good. They took my order and got it to me pretty quickly. I'm going back soon!
(4)Steve G.
It amazes me what sheep people are. Everyonse says it's good, so it must me. First, they tell you the wait is 10 minutes, but you don't get seated for 1 hour. The place is FILTHY! The food is always cold and precooked, nothing is cooked to order. The waitstaff consists of a brother, sister, and some illegal cousins. The service is terrible. Try getting a coffee refill. You can do much, much better elsewhere.
(2)Emily H.
There is a lot of joy inherent in eating outside on a gorgeous day under grape arbors and seeing a sign that says "This is not the place to be if you are in a hurry!" I'd give the place 5 stars based on that alone, but the food totally stands up to it. Completely ridiculous portions--I've never had a multi-course breakfast before. The omlet I had was totally packed with veggies, which made me happy, and came with yummy homefries. The boy ordered one of the specials, and it required TWO FULL HUGE PLATES. One with his punkin-apple-cinnamon pancakes with mascarpone (delicious and moist), and another for the eggs, homefries, and ham. Plus the fruit, cream-o-wheat, coffee, juice, and breads. And the two of us got out of there for 20 bucks, completely packed with food and ready to start the day. Wait was about 30 min, but we took advantage of the free coffee (FYI, the cups, sugar and creamer are in the drawers next to the coffee) and brought the newspaper.
(5)Lindsey G.
best. breakfast. ever. go on a weekday.
(5)Alyssa S.
The food and staff are awesome, but I was not impressed that they allowed people to smoke in their outdoor seating area. The smokers ruined the entire experience for me.
(3)Juliette V.
If you are in the area and want a huge breakfast this is the place. In the summer they have a large seating area outside draped with grape vines. The food in general is not great but it does the trick. When they give you the choice between fruit or cream of wheat, do youself a favor and go for the warm, buttery cream of wheat.
(3)