You could draw a circle around this place about 10 miles in diameter and not find a better breakfast sandwich spot. I've been going here no and again for years, always consistent, always excellent service, great hidden patio in the back. Bravo. read more

3.2/5.0 Having tried Dave's Fresh Pasta's and Flour's, the sandwich here is just okay, slightly above average, but not what I expected from the reviews. The bread was hard and chewy. I wish it had been crispier, a little bit lighter and served hotter (the chewy part is great Keep it up.) The tomato slices was seasoned and presoaked which made them very juicy and flavorful. The tomato slices and the mustard spread were the best parts of my Turkey sandwich. The turkey meat was just mediocre. Throughout my little journey of sandwich tasting, I would say Dave's is still the best unbeatable candidate (Flour comes second). I am not a big fan of sandwiches so I would only stick with these two to-go-when-I-am-really-craving-for-sandwiches favorites. read more

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

Love rustica, their special is delicious and their cashiers are always nice. It's our go to spot for sandwiches.

The coffee, food and service is amazing. It's pretty small but charming. I'm definitely going back. It might become my go-to study spot!

Excellent sandwiches in a nice quiet neighborhood. We enjoyed our lunch sitting in their patio. We'll worth the walk!

I want to give 3.5 stars. I followed Yelp to this fine cafe. It was around 11am and I got a croissant with ham, egg, and cheese. The sandwich was good, the croissant was excellent. The cafe late was above average. The staff of three pleasant fellows was busy restocking so a little distracted. The atmosphere is a bit disheveled and amiable. It is friendly, but not immaculate. I believe that the other reviewers are correct that there is a great energy to the place. read more

This is a wonderful cafe! The owner was delightful and the service was fast. This is a very friendly and honest place.

Very special place. Like visiting your favorite cool uncles place.coffee Great service, light and comfy atmosphere, drinks and food are fresh and delicious. I consider this wonderful spot an oasis from the hustle and bustle. Do yourself a favor and grab a book and head over to Cafe Rustica for a hot coffee, tasty sandwich and good vibes. read more

They have among the world's best patios. I think they have a fence that's like a forsythia??? So nice in spring when it blooms, with that yellow burst at the end of a long winter. The coffee, too, is bursting with flavor, but that happens any time of year. read more

ive never left a review before, but this place is sent from heaven. everything puts a smile on my face, the cashier, the sandwiches, the music, the chai latte. trnna gatekeep this place ngl! read more

When I first moved to Somerville, this was the first place I tried for my habitual weekend-afternoon-coffee-and-newspaper session. Needless to say, I haven't felt the need to go anywhere else since. It's my favorite place. Note that I didn't say my favorite coffee shop - my favourite PLACE. I took my roommates here and it's their favourite place now, too. I take my out-of-town guests here and it becomes their favourite place. I have a friend living in Oregon who tells me he still has dreams about Café Rustica. I need to stop telling people about this place. Which brings me to the one and only complaint I can muster, which is that, around lunchtime and especially in winter, this place can get a little crowded. Sometimes there's no room to sit and this makes me sad. If I can manage it, I always try to show up before 11 or after 2. Another protip: no matter how nice it is, the outside is always less busy than the inside. Which brings me to the best part of the whole experience: the OUTSIDE. Come here in summer, give your order to the man at the counter - who, incidentally, is probably the nicest person you will ever meet in your entire life - then head to the back. That door way at the back that looks like an emergency fire exit? Go through it. Don't be afraid. WELCOME TO EDEN. The patio is gorgeous, enclosed on all sides by trees and apartments and overhung by a huge weeping willow. You might get leaves in your coffee, but you won't care. The coffee is not the best coffee in the city. It won't blow your mind. But speaking as a coffee snob, it's perfectly serviceable and I've never been disappointed or regretted coming here instead of somewhere else. The owner/barista is a big part of that. His smile and warm conversation really stand out against the icy reception one can expect at a lot of independent coffee shops these days. He really seems to trust and respect his customers and he clearly cares about building a relationship with his regulars. Forgot your wallet? No problem. Want coffee after your lunch? He'll bring it out when he sees you're done eating. Need help with your French and/or Arabic homework? He's on the case. And then there are the sandwiches. The selection is nothing special or original. It's the usual combinations of turkey, ham, prosciutto, tomatoes, etc. but with some sort of magical fairy dust that makes everything taste heavenly. My roommate contends that they probably just use really fresh, high-quality ingredients, but I'm convinced that it's fairy dust. So come to Café Rustica. Be happy. Just don't take my spot out back. read more

This cozy neighborhood coffee shop brings European elegance to Porter Square. The friendly owners are from Alegria, and are comfortable taking yr order in English or French. Also worth noting is the secluded outdoor seating tucked behind the cafe. Most of the customers are regulars who appreciate the laid back atmosphere, and the quality coffee Rustica brews. I believe they use Italian Lavazza beans, and the prices are a tad cheaper than Star-yucks down the street. I have never eaten more than a bagel here, but they have a little deli for sandwiches and soups. If a mellow Continental cafe experience is what you desire, this is the place to come. read more

I wish I had my laptop with me, but an immediate review is necessary. The cafe has a pretty standard 'European' aesthetic. Wood, brick, chalk boards and such. The menu follows suit with various Italian offers-prosciutto, biscotti, salami, and a decent stock of euro-sodas. If you know anything or like anything about a good espresso drink, save your money. Seriously, I ordered a cappuccino and almost walked out while the guy was sloppily making it. He knocked the old espresso puck out of the portafiller, looked at it, and proceeded to fill it without as much as a rinse or wipe. Then he dosed old espresso (didn't even turn the grinder on) and tamped midair before he dosed more and repeated the process. Absolutely miserable. The shot poured it about 12-14 seconds (no pre-infusion) followed by milk steaming that wouldn't fly at starbucks. He scooped foam with a spoon onto the espresso and covered it with scalded, trashy milk. This cappuccino took the cake as the worst coffee drink I've had in Boston, let alone almost as bad as a lifetime low. read more

Ive been here a handful of times, and it's been great. Definitely some of the best quality eggs I've gotten on a breakfast sandwich. Coffee is also really good. Some advice to management: consider staying open later. Myself and some friends who live nearby always mention how we'd definitely come here often if the hours were expanded. Just a thought! read more

I think I just found my new weekend study spot! True, they close early during the week and they do not have wi-fi. But I was told I can get some internet from nearby locations with no issues. It's okay, it's a distraction for me anyways, gotta FOCUS on the studying! But I digress... seems to be plenty of parking in the area and much quieter than the hussle and bussle of Davis or Porter. Set right in between the two, this quaint lil cafe meets all my needs. Somewhere to study. A caffeine fixation. An outdoor patio. Genuine and friendly staff. And an easy location for me to get to. I kinda don't want everyone knowing where this place is, is that too selfish of me? Cafe Rustica, you have captured a new fan. read more

I had been living in Somerville for at least 4 months before I got the nerve to try this place. If it hadn't been for my girlfriend exclaiming, "Oh that place looks cute" every time we drove by I might have missed it. First we stopped in for breakfast after many failed attempts at other places. I got an egg sandwich with mushrooms on their baguette and she got one with red pepper a bagel. They both came out hot, cheesy and perfectly cooked and the regular coffee was great. But it wasn't until the second time we went back when the real magic happened. This time we strolled in for lunch on a Saturday and it was busy as usual but, the folks there are nice enough to know when it is time to let new patrons have a seat. This time we stepped up our coffee game and my lady got a cappuccino and I went for the Americano. Both were rich with coffee flavor and perfectly balanced mine had just the right ratio of water and hers just the right amount of milk. But the big win was the sandwiches. I order the Rustica Special a.k.a. a Caprese. I normally stay away from such bland offerings but I was drawn in by the Rosemary foccacia (usually sold out by 3p.m). From the first bite I was in sensory heaven, such fresh mozzarella, homemade pesto and this bread! Nicely toasted in a panini press, the portion was more than enough. My girlfriend got their soup which I'm not sure if it's homemade or not but was just as good. And their almond croissant was excellent, buttery, flaky and great for dipping. We're a couple of regulars now and are happy to see the owners every time we go in they greet us with a smile and are always happy to take care of us. If your in need of a good cup and a sandwich to soothe the soul I can't recommend this place enough. read more

The highlight of Cafe Rustica is the backyard patio. oops.... I meant outside patio....I slipped, since I literally felt like I was in my grandma's backyard at a BBQ....with a bunch of Yelpers. It's cute back there. The weeping willow trees, the black wrought iron tables...and the odd pipeline gaggling along the wall. {Be careful} The best part of being outside, is there is a James Bond exit if you don't want to disrupt the sish-u-a-cheee-on on your way out! Yelpers definitely took over the space, but it was all good. Great company, awesome Vanilla Chai Latte, yummy looking food and....well, the great outdoors ;p The employEE (Yes, one) that was working that night, was super sweet and dealt with crowd wearing a smile. Not only that, but I had a dream that night and he was in it. .......it MUST have been the latte ;p read more

The folks at Cafe Rustica are so thoughtful and part of the neighborhood. They have delcious sandwiches and have a nice hidden patio in the back. I will definately be back. read more

I left Boston two years ago and I still shed a tear every Saturday morning when I wake up hungover and know I will never have the unbelievable Rustica Special with prosciutto again (well not never...I did have a layover in Boston a few months ago and I made a trip out to Somerville specifically for this sandwich...and I ate it at 9am...and it was still perfect...). But seriously, this is the best sandwich in all of Boston (and yes, I have eaten at Dave's/All Star plenty of times). The bread is by far the best part- somehow they have this baguette that is fresh, crusty but still tender, and a little bit sweet? It's out of this world. The fresh mozzarella is the definition of fresh as well- so much more flavor than the packaged balls from the supermarket. The pesto is subtle, more of a basil oil than intense pesto and that's actually great because the bread and cheese really shine in this sandwich. And definitely go for the prosciutto on top- the saltiness balances the sweet bread and cheese and is super fresh. I hate when prosciutto isn't fresh but they slice this stuff to order and you just can't get it any better. My boyfriend always gets the chicken salad sandwich and has almost the same level of devotion to it that I have to the Special...but I just really can't explain how good it is to eat this sandwich after a night of heavy drinking. It's a really special moment. They also have fancy bottled Italian sodas and good iced tea. And one time there were a couple of aging mobsters with black eyes having breakfast (no joke- they both had black eyes). But for real, get the Rustica Special. read more

I've avoided this review for awhile, namely because by trumpeting the goodness of this place I can only send more visitors flocking over to cram their bodies into this tiny, cozy, delightful establishment. The people working here are suspiciously friendly. Furthermore they managed to coax enough European sensibility into the décor to make you blink twice and wonder what the hell happened to Somerville. Rustica makes up for the relative dearth of good, old fashioned cafés in proportion to the massive amounts of students floating around in the area on any given weekend. Their drinks are tasty, but not as tasty as their food. Don't mind the deceptively simply menu options- their paninis come loaded with love, goodness and most importantly, pesto. My daily dose of Omega-3s quickly became a weekly dose as I crunched into a baguette sandwiching a healthy slab of mozzarella, tomato and basil-blended goodness before washing it down with a cold Pelligrino. Best of all, once Boston starts recovering from its winter slump (or rather once people become fed up and start going into a complete state of denial à propos to their wardrobes/temperature threshold) Rustica opens its doors to the patio, where you can prop your feet up in a setting that feels not unlike someone's private back yard, minus the tonka trunks and garden gnomes. I wouldn't come here if you're looking to do laptop work for extended hours- you'll probably be crawling under the legs of unusually happy patrons looking for an outlet and anyway, the space is too delightful for zoning in on a thesis/Yelp review. Rather, take a minute to sit back and soak in. There are little spots of warmth in the area after all. read more

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

An ode to Cafe Rustica. ~Oh Cafe Rustica How do I love thee? Let me count the ways: You opened your charming space to the Yelp Community, after hours, no less. You provided us with nom nom nommy goodness and always with a genuine smile. You also displayed a delightful assorment of tasty beverages to whet our whistle. I am a big fan of Izze and was thrilled that you had it. You also had the regular size bottle of Pellegrino, in addition to the teeny-chic sized one too. You even let me use your clean bathroom in the very rustic cellar. This is such a nice thing. The man working at the counter told me to be careful on the stairs and watch my head. What nice advice. Had he not have said that, I definitely would have fallen down the very steep steps and hit my noggin on the low low low ceiling. Cafe Rustica, I adore you. Until next time. read more

Cafe Rustica gets 5 stars for many reasons, but I shall mention just a few: The first is that they are some of the most warm, welcoming kind people I've ever come across in a cafe, and in life in general. They take time to learn your name. They trust you'll pay when you leave, and always serve you with a smile. They are some of the happiest people I've ever met, and they've often reminded me to wake up and smell the roses. When I lived in Cambridge, I would roll out of bed and go straight to Cafe Rustica. Best way to start the day. They are some of the most interesting people I've ever met. They keep quite an eclectic collection of vintage reading material. They keep a daily French vocabulary calendar for customers. They speak 50 languages... well, atleast I've been able to identify Arabic and French. Okay, onto the second thing. They make the best espresso in town. The third, they make the best sandwiches in town. I bring my out-of-town guests, coworkers, friends, and family here with confidence. Rustica special (get it pressed) or the salami were our go to items. They also make a delicious bean salad that became my favorite just before I moved. The fourth is that their cookies are really, really good. I exercise nearly everyday and despite my boyfriend's efforts to make me eat like I'm training to become a pro wrestler, I had to have a Rustica cookie pretty much everyday for three months. The fifth is that they believe in community. They know everyone, and everyone knows them. Just take a look at their impressive post card collection. We actually met a great friend at Rustica, and ended up helping him build a natural fence for the backdoor seating area. There is no reason to complain about Cafe Rustica. And if you do, I guess you didn't get the memo that cafes are about more than just snobbier served with a cold drip coffee from a roaster in LA that was featured in... whatever. A true cafe is about the combination of great people, great atmosphere, coffee you can sip slowly, and food that is made with love. read more

Sometimes it is hard to review a place when your only experience is at a Yelp event, but I will give it a shot. I love the small patio and the European feel of the place. Despite it being small, they have a very nice assortment of both hot and cold drinks. I can't review their food, as I only had the veggie and cheese plate, and not a pastry like I would have ordered had i been there on my own. Our host was very friendly and extrmely accomodating, even allowing us access to the non-public facilities. Unfortunaterly due to its restricited hours and not being terrible T accessible, I am unlikely to come here too much, but would definitely come again when in the area. read more

Sometimes I meet someone who lives in Porter who hasn't been to Cafe Rustica. They've never heard of it. I have a reserved slot of time every night where I cry for them and everyone else who's missing out on the revelry that is this seemingly simple sandwich shop. Their sandwiches steal the show, and while their breakfast and coffee may not be the best around, it doesn't have to be. They have a secret weapon that make them a near perfect establishment. The Rustica Special. Fresh mozzarella. A baguette baked that morning. Pesto that gives you flashbacks to a space and time you never lived in. Tomatoes so red you can't help but think they're trying to push some Communist agenda down your throats, but no, they're just locally grown tomatoes! An outdoor patio. A sense of communal love for the place by every guest. The owners listen to your praise or criticism, delivering the food to you personally no matter where you try to hide, and even take the time to ask your name and get to know you. A family owned and operated shop within five minutes form the Porter T stop...how is this place not always booming? Bottom line, a woman once came in, and while I was waiting for my order she told me she'd just come from Italy, and the sandwiches were just as good here. I'd already judged the place for myself, but now I can tell people that they're just as good as an actual cafe in Italy. Don't miss out! Unless you hate joy and good food. Then avoid this place at all costs. read more

review of their chai latte because it tasted like pure steamed milk. no chai flavors, albeit they steam milk pretty well ps-there's a credit card minimum that ordering just a chai didn't hit read more

A lovely little neighborhood cafe. The staff are sweet. I love that they don't make you pay for your meal till you're done, that's just great. Plus, the prices are just right. The atmosphere is bright and cozy inside, the food is tasty and fresh. They do need to work on consistency with their cappucino/espresso maker. My crema was definitely burnt a little. Still, I enjoyed the experience overall. Can't wait to check out the place in summer. read more

This is a great cafe with a very unassuming exterior for what is hidden inside. In my opinion, Cafe Rustica makes the best sandwich on Beacon St. The two guys that run the place are some of the friendliest around, and will do anything to accommodate special orders. I recommend the Rustica special on rosemary foccacia with prosciutto. They put an excellent pesto sauce on the sandwich, too. The breads are wonderful at this cafe and undoubtedly come from a local bakery somewhere. I am only subtracting one star because their iced coffee is far too watery for my taste. Overall, it's a wonderful cafe with the added bonus of outdoor seating out back in the warmer months. Highly recommended. read more

Blink, and you'll miss it. I first noticed this little cafe soon after I bought my bike last summer and took to riding down Beacon Street to Porter Square. I always noticed that it had a steady flow of customers and a little scattering of tables out front, and tried to make a mental note to try it one day. But it wasn't until the yelp event there last night that I finally made it over, and discovered its hidden secret; The most adorable coutyard out back that you could ever imagine. Yes, it was a little tight with all those yelpers back there, but I imagine on an average day it will be a great place to bring a book and sip a chai. Speaking of, the chai I had was delicious, as was the pesto, tomato and fresh mozerella sandwich. And the guy running the show was so friendly and managed to handle the crowd. I was a little in awe. I love that I live just down the street from this place and I look forward to making it a regular haunt. read more

Cozy little Eurpoean cafe near Porter Square, with plenty of (non-resident) street parking, huge sandwiches on wonderful breads for $5.75, and fresh-by-the-cup coffee (like a French press), teas, and iced drinks. The staff is super friendly, and along with that, they have a beautiful enclave in back -- trees and tables. A great place to study, meet a friend, or simply get your nature fix that day! read more

Get the Rustica Special Panino (mozzarella, tomatoes, pesto and fresh basil -- add prosciutto if you're feeling so inclined) Get there early enough in the day to get it on fresh focaccia bread (it's still divine on ciabatta but focaccia is the way to go) Al fresco dining in the back, cozy two tops inside, and the staff is some of the sweetest around. This place is beyond charming and delicious for your next lunch in and around Porter. read more

I don't know if you guys know but this is my new job. Really, the man behind the counter said the words "your hired." haha. no really. this place was awesome and sweet. the back patio was gorgeous and what a better day than yesterday? their coffee was delish and their sangwiches were, too. the company was incredible so really, what more can you ask for? wait, i know, being open later than 4pm! lol. read more

I can't get enough of this warm and inviting café! I would stop here all day, every day if I could. You don't know how long I've searched for an authentic, old-school, European café in the Cambridge/Boston area. Well, this is it. The staff is so sweet and you can tell they love what they do! Every sandwich I've had here is super simple yet delicious. I think my favorite may be the prosciutto, provologne, roasted red peppers, and a drizzle of olive oil on a crunchy baguette. My boyfriend enjoyed the Rustica Special (tomato, mozzarella, pesto) that everyone raves about. LOVE the Lavazza cappuccino here! Tastes just how it should. Would love to try their croissant next time, but I always visit later in the day when the pastries might not be as fresh. I also hear the oatmeal is awesome, so methinks I need to stop by for breakfast sometime. read more

I love Cafe Rustica's neighborhood charm (I went early before the lunch rush one day and heard three the owner refer to multiple customers by name), but I can't really recommend it on the basis of food alone, which is obviously what brought me there in the first place. I ordered one of the "specials," which basically turned out to be a caprese sandwich on toasted ciabatta with a barely perceptible smattering of pesto. The bread was perfectly chewy and crispy at the same time (no small feat) but the tomato and mozzarella (what should have been the stars of the show) left a lot to be desired. I know it's not tomato season yet, but there's no excusing the mushy product that was used to make my sandwich. The cheese was obviously homemade, but it was a little bland. The pesto could have probably compensated if they had actually bothered to put enough on. Perhaps I visited Cafe Rustica on an off day. The owners were friendly, but not exactly helpful. The first two things I inquired about off the menu were out (which was strange considering how early it was), and rather than direct me to similar items or something that they would recommend, they just kind of stared. Who knows. Maybe it was me. Maybe I had two heads that day and didn't know it. How else to explain this place's 4 1/2 star rating? read more

This is an amazing gem of a venue. The entire venue is small and quaint, and I felt as though I was instantly teleported to Europe the moment I walked through the doors. There are lots of different tasty beverages and sandwiches to try. The tomato, basil, and mozzarella was delish... as was my iced mocha and canoli. I wish I lived around the corner from this place.... then the only down side (limited hours) would be a non-issue. read more

I had the delicious sandwich, tomatoes fresh mozzarella with pesto on focaccia for lunch . I had a cup of soy latte as well. read more

Café Rustica - Tomatoes and fresh mozzarella with pesto on focaccia. A cup of soy latte. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

I went somewhat out of my way to check this place out because of the awesome yelp reviews.. and came right back to yelp eager to add mine to the chorus. (It's that thing where you almost DON'T want to tell people about, lest it start to draw crazy crowds.. but really you do want to tell, because this is the kind of business that should flourish and stay around always!) The sandwiches are fabulous--simply, quality ingredients, delicious crusty bread, and generous portions. The lattes are wonderful. (I have yet to try the baked goods--while I was there, another customer asked if they make them in house and they said yes.) The atmosphere is lovely, with outdoor seating both in front and in back, plus a row of tables inside. What is more, the staff/owners are super friendly, warm, and colorful characters. I can't wait to come back! read more

I'm glad I looked up this place on Yelp! It's a small cafe that you might not think much about as you pass by, but definitely a good find. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by the really friendly staff. It definitely seems like they have a lot of regulars, and make an effort to know their customers. I ordered an iced chai and the Cafe Rustica special with prosciutto. The sandwich was really really good. The real standout for me was the quality of the bread. They toasted the sandwich for me, so it was nice and crispy on the outside, but soft and not too chewy. I will definitely be back to try their other sandwiches! read more

Cafe Rustica has everything going for it - Unmetered street parking - Good prices - Very good coffee AND espresso drinks - Good pastries, excellent sandwiches - Super nice staff!!!! - a bathroom! - a back patio... yes! With trees and a little lawn. It's like having coffee your cousin's house; very familial feeling. No complaints, none at all. read more

This is my favorite place to stroll over by to get coffee on a weekend morning. The guys that work there are super, super nice and friendly, and may I say, very amenable to requests for four-legged friends tied up outside (such as a bowl of water or an extra scrap of prosciutto...). The food is great, and I recommend bringing your appetite with you. The sandwiches come on a variety of delicious vessels, but I strongly recommend the baguette (I think it's Iggy's bread... if so, it's the best Iggy's bread I've ever had, and if not, my apologies to the baker.) Wherever it comes from, it's basically an unfortunate carb-lover's version of catnip... soooooo goood. On the lighter side, they have italian-style tuna salad (mmmmmm... no mayo..... just seasoning and olive oil.... yum!) and a greek salad that was great. The place has such a neighborhood feel that even if you're only out for coffee, it's totally worth going a block or two out of the way. read more

I can't believe that this place isn't more crowded. It, in fact, blows my mind. I went here with my roommate one Sunday morning. When you go to brunch on a Sunday at 11:30am, it is the assumption there will be an obscenely long line. When we walked in, there was only one couple in front of us. THAT'S IT! Meaning, for a delicious breakfast at 11:30am on a Sunday, there was a 5 minute wait to order. BLOWS MY MIND. Of course, in my head, there is this mental panic that the food must be terrible if no one wants to come here on a Sunday. There is no AC, and it is a little warm on this particular June day, so I ordered a Rustica Special (tomato, mozzarella, pesto panini) and an iced coffee. I look around for a seat and disappointedly realize that there aren't any by the windows, and it is just too hot to sit at the inner tables. I am disappointed, that is, until I look towards the back of the restaurant and realize there is an adorable back patio. When I say adorable, I mean little cafe in Europe adorable. There are 4 or 5 tables on the stone patio that is surrounded by trees in what looks like a neighborhood backyard. ADORABLE. So after we order, the sweet gentleman that took our order (and made us our iced coffees--the best man I met all day) told us to sit down, and he would bring us our food. After admiring the cooler (temperature-wise) patio for about 10 minutes, out come our sandwiches. My roommate lived in Florence, I have also spent an appreciable amount of time eating in Europe (because what else are you going to do, watch the Patriots game?). Usually when someone says "fresh mozzarella", they mean something that isn't terrible, but we all know it isn't really fresh. When Cafe Rustica told me "Fresh Mozzarella", they meant it. Be still my heart. I would write poetry to this sandwich if I had any writing ability at all. De. Lish. Us. Delicioso. Bellisimo! True European charm and reasonable prices. read more