Walked in *really* hungry and didn't know what to order. With a vegetarian diet, I knew I was limited and this place looked like a meat-eaters heaven. The guy at the counter asked if I needed help and told me he'd make me a veggie sandwich. IT WAS SO GOOD. Soft and crusty bread, fresh veggies, and not too expensive. I'm a really picky eater and have struggled with food allergies for a long time--this was a great, accommodating spot. I'm bringing back my boyfriend who loves meats, cheeses and anything delicious. We can both eat here happily. Good vibes all around. read more

Café Rustica - Veggie sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

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finally, after a very hard day, I need some comfort food, hate diet.So I went to the cafe, craving for their sandwich which I normally never a fan of. Then I ordered Rustica sandwich , however, I don't have a appetite to so cheesy that day. So I ordered the beef sandwich again which is so tasty with the red pepper and some pickle. I liked that even not a big fan of sandwich. Feel much better when I leave the shop. read more

Very friendly algerian owners. Very fast fresh sandwiches. I wish it was larger and also had wifi. read more

It's always a pleasure to go here because it is so welcoming and personal. The food is also excellent! I'm a hot chocolate fan, and this place has one of the best, if not the best, in town. The cafe itself has a backyard for use when the weather is warm and racks of magazines and books for a lazy morning or afternoon. The owner is invested in providing delicious food and I recommend their special sandwich with mozzarella, tomato, prosciutto, and avocado. So so good. read more

Café Rustica - The special sandwich of the day: tomato and mozzarella, and added extras prosciutto and avocado. So delicious! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Brunch in Boston can be annoying with the long lines and crowds, so I was hoping to find a place that I could run to when I hadn't planned ahead for reservations and didn't want to battle brunch crowds on a weekend. I wanted to meet a friend for brunch with outdoor seating one weekend morning, and after doing a quick search in the area, it seemed Cafe Rustica fit the criteria. I wish I could say that our experience here was exactly what we were hoping for, but it came up a little bit short. The place itself is a cute, quaint neighborhood cafe. It's very small with only a few small tables for parties of two or four off the the side. The weather had started warming up so, as mentioned, we wanted to eat outside. The 'back patio' is really just a few wire chairs and tables on a brick patio surrounded by larger, non-describe brick buildings--not too much for ambiance if you ask me. The food was fine. We both ordered egg sandwiches because frankly, there weren't a ton of options on the menu. There were a few different bread options, but they seemed to be out of all of the types of bread except white and wheat bread. They didn't have any particular breakfast sandwiches other than making your own, so I ended up adding peppers, mushrooms, and cheese to the scrambled egg sandwich. Like I said, the food was fine and the service was prompt, but I could have easily made it for myself, eaten on my porch, and still been in my pajamas a little bit happier. Overall, I don't see myself coming back here anytime soon, but that may be because I was looking for something that this place just wasn't. I guess if you want a quick coffee or average sandwich to take home, this place may fit the bill. I wouldn't necessarily suggest it for meeting friends and having brunch though. read more

Back when the economy was better (and I always had cash in my wallet) I used to eat here for lunch every day. It's in a quiet part of Somerville just a couple minutes walk from Mass Ave & Porter Square. First, I love the food. My friends get the sandwiches (which always look great and are on fresh hearty breads) but I always get the various salads. Each one is a little different depending on which guy makes it. The chef salad had quality meats and cheeses and usually has a good drizzle of a balsamic vinegar. Their chicken salad and tuna salad salads are great too. They have just the right amount of herbs added. One other great thing about this place is that they're so very open to customizations. They want everything to be customized for you. I love to get chunks of fresh mozzarella added to my salads. It costs a little more but makes the salad a great hearty meal. Second, the people.. they're the best. These guys make you feel like family and always have a smile. Sometimes you hear one of the guys singing! The place is popular during lunch. If the weather is nice I recommend sitting out back. I wish they took cards though. If they did, I'd definitely go more often. Now, I mainly go on paydays or as a treat to myself. read more

WOW! I am a very picky coffee drinker, but more than that, the setting has to match the cup. This place is exactly what I was looking for. I thought places like these only existed in Paris. I was visiting Somerville to see an old friend and decided to go for coffee at "this local place." I was very worried about going, but I did not want to disappoint my friend. Oh My God, was this place amazing. Friendly staff, warm and cozy atmosphere, amazing sandwiches and coffee. I am actually dying to go back to visit this cafe...err, I mean my friend ;-) read more

I'm sorry but... They're friendly... They're nice... But they're going to screw up your sandwich. You have to hover over them like a spy to make sure that they don't put mayonnaise on your sandwich when you ask for NO MAYONNAISE! If you order a ham, egg and cheese, chances are they'll give you egg on bread if you don't watch them carefully. AND IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE CROOKS - it's because they're careless! It's gonna be tough for me to have the nerve to go here again... I've had to throw away a lot of sandwiches they've served me because there's mayo on them.... read more

Delicious food, amazing staff, but not a place to sit and stay. The staff at Cafe Rustica is outstandingly friendly and the sandwiches they make are delicious. I'd give 5 stars to the staff and an high 4-star review to the food. But this is a place to stop through if you are on the go. The seating is limited and unless you get one of the two window tables, you will be at one cramped long bench. It's clear that all the effort goes into serving delicious food and having the friendliest staff, but not into the look and feel of the cafe. read more

Darling cafe right around the corner from our AirBNB. Nice variety of breakfast sandwiches and great coffee. Comfy (if limited) indoor seating and a few outdoor tables. Delightfully friendly servers. read more

My favorite coffee place in Cambridge. Everything tastes good but my favorite is the delicious breakfast sandwich. They have very good espresso too. The guys working there are friendly and the atmosphere is just very nice. I highly recommend this place!! read more

Today, My friend & I came home from school. We didn't eat lunch so we came on Yelp to search for some walking distance places. We found Cafe Rustica & its like a 15-20 min walk from my house. We ordered the Italian tuna sandwich. So good! It's made with Olive Oil instead of Mayo, so its better for you. I will deff be going back soon. It might be Nathan & I's new place. I will deff recommended this place to anyone. read more

Stopped in for lunch today, for the first time, and got the Roast Beef with Brie and Roasted Red Peppers. Everything from the quality of bread and meat to the drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil was perfect. Significantly better than all of the local places with "Spa" in their names and much cheaper to boot (under $6)! The two guys working were both very amiable as well. I'll be going back often. read more

These reviews don't lie - Café Rustica is AMAZING. Everything they serve here is SO fresh and delicious and the staff makes you feel like family. We get the Rustica special every time we go - fresh mozzarella, basil pesto, fresh olive oil, sliced tomato, and prosciutto on freshly baked focaccia. YUM! read more

This is an adorable little spot. I don't think it's fair to complain that there's no wireless or that the cafe closes at 4 -- that's not what this place is about. When I step foot in here, I feel like I was transported to Europe and immediately relax and take in the laid-back vibe. The patio is awesome, the sandwiches and salads are good, and they have good bagels (Iggy's) they toast on a panini press in the AM. read more

Nice place with delicious sandwiches. I had tuna with olive oil sandwich and enjoyed that a lot

As noted, these folks are just genuinely good people. The sammiches are rediculusly delicious. Prices are better than Oxford Spa, another good sammich shop down the road (Oxford St.). Tuna salad ftw! I hope these guys stay around for a looooong time. read more

I love little local cafes like these! They really add to the charm of neighborhoods like Somerville. We'd been meaning to try this place for a while, but with all these other fab places to eat in Boston/Cambridge, we just never got around to it -- until yesterday. We went in for lunch and shared the salami sandwich (can't remember the cheese and other toppings...) on rosemary focaccia bread and the large caprese salad. He had a large coffee and I had a cafe au lait. Boy, was that sandwich GOOD! It had more than just their fresh-cut salami -- another cut of meat that I couldn't quite identify, but it was definitely salty and porky. Mmmm. There was also cheese (provolone, I think?) mayonnaise, and lettuce. We had the sandwich pressed, which added to the yum factor. While the caprese salad was good with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, I think the next time we'll get those fillings in a sandwich instead. The two men who were working here (I'm pretty sure they're the owners) when we came in were incredibly nice and friendly. Just seeing how friendly they were makes me want to come back and give them more business! It's quite a stark contrast when you compare the way they treat you to the way you might get treated at a place like Darwin's. The cafe itself is very cute, but what's even better is the outdoor patio area in the back that a lot of Yelpers have mentioned here. The area is small, but the area is beautiful and perfect for lunch or some afternoon reading/cafe au lait sipping. The prices here are a lot cheaper than going to the average fancy sandwich shop, too. I think our sandwich was around $5.75, and then I think there's a small extra charge if you want it grilled or pressed. I was marveling at the fact that the price we paid for the sandwich, salad, large coffee, and cafe au lait was how much two sandwiches would cost at Darwin's... I can't wait to come back here! read more

This friendly neighborhood cafe has a great atmosphere. There is a little outside area where you can sit if the weather's right, and the staff are great. Their coffee is solid, and their muffins are always fresh. They could be improved by some more vegetarian sandwich options (although their pesto mozzarella sandwich is tasty), and by having low-fat cream cheese. read more

Very cute place. Simple but tasty breakfast sandwiches. What does it is the staff. Such great folks. Always chatting with customers and treating everyone like family :) read more

Best coffee in the greater Cambridge/Somerville area. I used to think that the guys there were friendly to me, but I think they are friendly to everyone. Genuinely good people with a great product. read more

Hungry? Look at the clock. If it's before 4pm, you can be getting a treat at Rustica. These people got the coffeeshop concept down. There are certain things at which the [Algerian] owners excel. And those are the only ones they offer, really. Good coffee and cappuccino (takes a little while to make cause they brew each cup) and hearty sandwiches (they make those on the spot on many kinds of bread). The rest is from a good source too: pastries and bread from Iggy's, and soft drinks a-la-European coffee shop (think Orangina). Don't make the mistake of comparing these folks to Starbucks. They nearly kicked me out when I did. It's the friendliest coffee shop around. They know their clients by name and vice-versa. So go in there with a smile and you'll get one right back with a tip. I always get my sandwich focaccia bread, since it's big and delicious. Also, on a nice day, make sure you check out the patio in the back. lots of trees, flowers, and other life back there. read more

This place is endlessly cute. The location is random, in a residential neighborhood. The guys who work here are the nicest people around--no attitude, ever. They treat you like a guest and are super-polite and friendly. The egg sandwiches are the best, and they have an unexpectedly extensive menu. It's a tiny little space, and you literally feel like you're in Europe. It's a great neighborhood place and it seems like most customers are regulars. Everyone knows each other's name! A gem. read more

Mmm! My husband said it was the best sandwich he'd ever had - fresh crusty soft bread and lots of tasty extra add-ons. Excellent personal service by super friendly and jolly guys. Thank you. read more

Do not let the ambiance scare you away. The best sandwich we had on our vacation. Bread was fresh and toasted perfect without being too hard. I had the chicken salad, it was moist without being over dressed. My husband had the Italian meat sandwich. Both were incredible. Mocha-chino was made with very high quality chocolate and served nice and hot. Service was incredible. It is not McDonald's, you do need to be patient but know they are making it fresh. read more

Just had lunch here -- It was FABULOUS! Very fresh ingredients and wonderful service. So friendly! Superior lattes...makes you feel like you're in Italy. read more

Two requirements for opening a cafe like this should be that you have the proper equipment to make espresso, and you know how to make it. This cafe is clearly lacking one of the two. You can tell this immediately by the gossamer crema in the demitasse, the telltale sign of severe underextraction. The espresso, if it's fair to call it that, tasted a bit like robusta coffee--just terrible. read more

My fiancé and I stopped in here Sunday for breakfast and coffee. I ordered a croissant egg sandwich and fiancé had bagel and eggs. The Americano I ordered was absolutely delicious - maybe I need to take an alternate route to work just for that in the AM! The sandwiches were fresh and good, not greasy which was nice for me. Also, prices are reasonable and service was good! We'll be back! read more

A good local choice for a sandwich. The proprietors were really nice and quite entertaining. I had a turkey sandwich on focaccia with pesto and fresh mozzarella. The sandwich was quite good. The bread was especially excellent. I don't like that this place nickle and dimes you for stuff. Want mozzarella? $1.00. Focaccia? Add. Put it in the panini press? Add. It takes away from the overall experience. Also, their espresso is Lavazza and they sell Seattle's Best coffee. This meant there was no need to buy a latte. read more

Really cozy, friendly atmosphere. Owner was quietly singing along to the Italian opera music while he worked which I thought was charming. The mochaccino was delicious and I also fully endorse the ham/egg/cheese bagel sandwich. Will definitely go back when it's warm out to enjoy the cute outdoor seating. Short walk from the Porter t-stop. read more

Their signature sandwich, the Rustica, is the best mozzarella and tomato sandwich I've ever had. The basil sauce is perfect -- light and balanced. The Cafe itself is pretty small, with seating inside for about 15. There are also usually two small tables on the sidewalk outside. It's tastefully decorated to give it a bit of an upscale feel, but it keeps its laid-back, local village-y vibe, and the guys behind the counter really do know locals and regulars. For those of us who aren't, though, it's nice to know it's only a five minute walk from the Porter Square station. Oh, and reasonable prices never hurt. read more

I am a coffee maniac and this place helps me to wake up in the morning with their good-quality coffee and nice attitude.

At present this place in fact has some of the best espresso around. Cafe Rustica is run by two Italian guys that can fequently get overrun by the crowds coming down from Porter Square, but the place is worth the wait. Sneak into the back courtyard on a sunny day and enjoy a prosciutto and provolone sandwich with roasted peppers on a crusty baguette. A side capri salad is light and refreshing. Be sure to grab a San Peligrino water from the fridge, or even an Aranciata. read more

The three stars does not reflect the fact that I personally love this place. Everyone who is a loyal customer agrees that the owners could arguably be the nicest cafe owners in town. For that alone you want to love the place. I wish wish wish the place served better espressos and hot sandwiches. There is a little garden in the back which is perfect for hanging out on a nice Sunday morning/afternoon. Their cold sandwiches and salads are ok. They have an assortment of good cold (bottled) drinks and two patio style tables out front. Interior is cozy. It's next to a laundromat and across the street from Satinbox, the new gift boutique, so you'll find yourself able to get many things done in one shot. read more

Why are places like Cafe Rustica so rare? Why is it that so many cafes are not cafes at all, but just glorified delis or worse? Not so Rustica. Here you will find fresh and interesting sandwiches, choosing from a selection that is limited enough to indicate their savvy--no, they don't pretend that we need 24 different ways of combining turkey, cheese and bread. Instead, you will find a handful of the classics, a few interesting twists, and ingredients that are actually fresh. And yes, the coffee rocks, as does the hot chocolate according to my latest table mate. read more

This is a family owned cafe, with a few unique things. Their sandwiches are good, plus the serving is decent. Maybe it's a little big for me, but my boyfriend thinks it just right. This place is a little tight, but could be better when they open the outside backyard. I think they could also have a nicer restroom for customers. read more

My boyfriend and I just moved into the neighborhood this weekend (read: no groceries yet) and I stopped by Cafe Rustica this morning for breakfast sammies. Got eggs, cheddar and ham on everything bagel and croissant. Both were piping hot, fresh and delicious. I absolutely LOVE the outdoor seating in the back, will have to go back and read outside with a coffee when I have more time. Friendly service, great food, good value. read more

Very friendly staff and yummy food. Well, to be honest, I ALWAYS get the tomato mozzarella pesto panini (rustica special), but it's just perfect, so I never felt the need to try anything else. Hits the spot every time and makes my day. I have to go get me one of these at least once a week. read more

WHAT A GREAT PLACE! Conveniently located near Porter Sq., it has less of the annoying traffic of other cafes (i.e. bookstores and bakeries) in the immediate area. It has a constant flow of customers, all are greeted very kindly. Actually, I am writing this as I sit here, using the free WiFi offered to customers. They make excellent espresso, Italian sodas, excellent sandwiches, pastries and bagels. Limited but comfortable indoor seating plus a few cafe tables out front and in the back courtyard. They are cash-only but I would rather spend my cash here than a debit or credit card elsewhere. There is 2-hr parking on Beacon (non-metered), which is super helpful, but is just a 3 min walk from Porter. Great staff, nice atmosphere, good food and beverages, great service. I recommend. read more

This place doesn't serve sandwiches, they serve poems. The roast beef, pepper, brie and jalapeno sandwich was one of the best gastronomic experiences in my life. Plus, great service: two very helpful and enthusiastic guys in charge of the place Plus, quite cheap. Similar cost to fast food rubbish and infinitely superior quality. dont miss it read more