Sunday brunch in Cambridge/Somerville

[michla]

Looking for a place for Sunday brunch in Cambridge or Somerville. Ethnic is fine. Not interested in a large buffet restaurant. Thanks.

[polias]

Have to chime in for Soundbites - I wouldn't go anywhere else in Cambridge/Somerville if I'm spending the cash for brunch. Renee's, near Teele, is very good, and Johnny D's in Davis are both very tasty, but Soundbites has had my heart since bite #1.

[yumyum]

Amen! Yasser had me at "Get out!" LOL

Tu Y Yo in Powderhous also does breakfast/brunch. I think Johnny D's and Renee's are very average. If I wanted fancy I'd go to Blue Room or Harvest. If I wanted funky I'd go to East Coast Grill. And if I wanted basic breakfast and was willing to wait a bit, I'd head to Soundbites.

[Elyssa]

I really like the brunch at Harvest in Cambridge. Tasty with a nice, laid back, seasonal environment.

[itaunas]

The B-side is also excellent for brunch -- some winners (the grits), some losers (why sweet potato biscuits with gravy), but everything well done and good drinks.

I had a very enjoyable brunch at Atwoods Tavern recently. Its more of a beer bar, so dunno about the bloody mary's. It was almost depressingly slow, so no waits, but despite the light crowd the food was made with care. Druid is good for the Irish breakfast if you find East Coast too busy.

The original Plough and Stars had a great brunch, but I have been really disappointed with their dinner service under new management so have skipped it. I would be curious to know if anyone had a positive recent experience!

[rmperry]

I had brunch at East Coast Grill a few weeks ago and liked it a lot. The Cuban Reuben was fantastic. They have a make-your-own Bloody Mary bar which seemed to be very popular. We got there around noon and had to wait about 20 minutes for a table, which wasn't too bad and definitely worth it for the great meal we had. Highly recommend it.

[Bob Dobalina]

I will add my usual support for the Neighborhood Restaurant in Union Sq., although not really "brunch" - just breakfast.

[TomH]

I second the Neighborhood. Not really "brunch" like Bob said but a very good (and very large) breakfast/

[erican]

I live nearby, and although I like the Neighborhood for massive, rich, inexpensive breakfasts, The Independent, just down the street in Union Square proper, has a nice brunch menu and awesome cocktails. The food is fancier, menu smaller, and prices higher... but that thick cut bacon... mmmm.

The other advantage is that there is never a line - I think because of a combination of lack of publicity, higher prices, and the fact that they haven't consistently offered it over the past few years.

[DavisSquare]

If you want traditional brunch things, and are willing to wait in line or show up very early, try Soundbites in Ball Square. Delicious but often a long wait. Right next door is the new Ball Square Cafe which has gotten mixed reviews here but doesn't usually have as long a wait. Renee's between Davis and Teele is ok too if you don't try to get too fancy. Moving upscale in the traditional brunch vein, you might try The Blue Room in Kendall square which is a buffet but is quite tasty (and expensive). Miracle of Science in Central square is also pretty good, and Toscanini's in Central is now serving brunch which we haven't eaten but smelled delicious when we went in for ice cream. Plus you can have ice cream for dessert.

If you're looking for ethnic, many of the Indian places put on a buffet. Our current favorite is the Kebab factory on the Cambridge/Somerville line between Harvard and Inman; I think they do a buffet on Sunday. I'm not sure if there are any good dim sum options in Cambriville but hopefully someone will enlighten us.

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Sound Bites
704 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144

Miracle of Science Bar + Grill
321 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139

The Kebab Factory
414 Washington St, Somerville, MA 02143

Blue Room
1 Kendall Sq, Cambridge, MA

Ball Square Cafe
708 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144

Renee's Cafe
198 Holland St, Somerville, MA 02144

Toscanini's Ice Cream
899 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139

[pollystyrene]

Another tending-toward-upscale option is Upstairs on the Square in Harvard Sq. Further down the scale, but very good and inexpensive, is Johnny' D's in Davis Sq. (not a favorite of DavisSquare, I'm guessing, since he didn't mention it).

[DavisSquare]

Johnny D's brunch is better than any other meal there, which isn't saying much. It's adequate, but there does tend to be a line. If I'm going to wait, I'm waiting at Soundbites.