Out of our party of four nobody was happy with food. The meat plate was disappointing. Chopped liver was an unsuccessful attempt at upscale liver pate, the other pate on the plate was very strange-tastingI, On top of this the portion was rediculously small (you know, bad food and not enough of it) We all ordered different things and not of our whole party nobody was happy with food. The place itself is very noisy. . read more

Great food -- especially the goat stew. Collection of beers on tap is impressive. The place has a good vibe.

My girlfriend and I went to highland kitchen on a Saturday night about 8pm. It was busy, which we expected, and we waited about 30 min for a table. It was an ok experience, and I would go back for the atmosphere and the drinks, but not for the food or the service. Pros: Her Highland Fling cocktail was delicious, and I appreciated the quality draft beer (Dogfish 60 min). The atmosphere is cool and relaxing, everyone seemed like they were having a good time. I like the shabby chic decor. Cons: Constant upselling. As soon as we sat at the bar to wait for our table, we got our drinks and the bartender gave us a menu in case we wanted an appetizer while we waited. This is SOP for all restaurants. However, when another bartender asked us about 3 minutes later, followed by the original bartender again, it was a little much. They seemed disappointed that we didn't want to eat while we waited to eat. This theme continued throughout our meal. I realize that HK is a turn and burn style restaurant, but I felt rushed throughout. I had barely set my knife down when my entree plate was cleared and I was asked if I wanted to replace my half full beer with a fresh one. Perhaps the staff is simply trying to be super attentive to needs, but it comes off as rushing the diner and trying to boost avg. check. My other gripe is the food. It was merely ok. The Pumpkin ravioli were as good as frozen pumpkin ravioli can be...which is to say not memorable. The Chile Relleno was VERY tasty but looked a mess on the plate. I had a venison stroganoff special, which was also tasty but did not have enough sauce. Also, the meat did not have enough of a braise on it and was pretty tough. All in all the dish was a missed opportunity, especially for 21.95, which is well above other entree prices. A little finesse would have gone a long way. Finally, it is LOUD and cramped. This was fine by us, but do not go to HK expecting an intimate dinner. Like I said, I would go back for a drink, and I would probably try one of their delicious sounding sandwiches, but overall it was a miss for me. read more

I used to live close to the Highland Kitchen and the first few times I went it was amazing. The food, drinks, and service was great. Unfortunately, each time we went, the quality of the food became worse. I had the goat stew twice...the first time it was delicious, the second time there was a layer of grease on the top that made it almost inedible. Maybe I got the bottom of the batch?? We went for brunch once, which had a long wait, but it was worth it. The drinks have always been great. The best white russian I've ever had (I think the Great White Russian?) was made by Joe. I would definitely go back for that, but I don't know if I'm going to pay the cash for a lack luster meal again. read more

I live right next to here and heard that this is probably the best place to get southern food. Atmosphere is great, feels like a local bar on one side and very decently priced. Ordered the shrimp and grits. Not quite what I expected, very creamy and the shrimp was huge and fresh. The grits to shrimp ratio was a little off...but still quite delicious! I would definitely go back!! Best part was that my group stayed and chatted for a while. They were nice about kicking us out towards the end. Feels like a place I would bring some visiting friends as it is very well priced for the quality of food you get, and you get a taste of the local without being too crowded! read more

I went for the first time last night and I would definitely go back and recommend this place to others. I had the chicken empanada , which I think was a special, fried plantains, and buffalo fried brussel sprouts. Everything was delicious, including the free bread. I had the Elderflower margarita, also amazing. Hope to get back there soon to try the fried chicken and some of the other entrees. read more

This place is worth the hype. Don't miss the banana bread pudding. read more

Went here for Sunday Brunch with a group of friends. I can't believe I didn't try this place sooner! The brunch menu was great. I would say their food is southern inspired. The hash was delicious, but so was everything on the menu. The service was spot on. When one of my friends plates arrived 5-7 minutes later than the rest of ours, the manager came by and apologized, comping the dish. We really didn't expect that added courtesy, as it wasn't really a big deal to us. One hint, it gets packed on Sundays, but if you have a group of 6 or more, you can get a reservation. Just make sure you are all there when you're ready to be seated. read more

I want to start off by saying to the person who wrote that this place is in a cultural wasteland: WTF are you talking about? Highland Kitchen is pretty darn awesome. I've been there for drinks and dinner several times. I've also been there for the Tuesday night Spelling Bee. The food is very good, though the person who wants the run of the mill array of bar appetizers should go somewhere else. The drinks are also great. The Pink Squirrel went over very well with my friend who loves dairy products more than the average person. I would have given 4.5 stars if I was able to, because they do not cater to those who show up for events at all. It's totally geared toward those who want to eat, which is understandable. But you can't sit down and just have drinks, which is a bit unorthodox when you're holding Spelling Bees and Karaoke night. This place does not dissapoint! read more

this is a great place with great food! the atmosphere is a bit loud around dinner time with music and conversations. I would say to arrive early if you would like a quiet meal and not have to wait 35-40 minutes for a table. these things have not stopped us from visiting often because of the great tasting food. my favorite dish is the blackened catfish po' boy. it's perfect in every way. another delightful dish is the pan roasted boneless half chicken - full of good flavor. if you have food allergies - don't worry, they are beyond accommodating and understanding. amazing healthy comfort food (not sure that fits together but it is!). visit and have some. read more

Came here on a Monday night and the place had a 40 minute wait! That tells you something - it's that good! What's great about this restaurant is the unique menu and the very reasonable prices. The best thing I had here was unfortunately a nightly special, some halibut deliciousness. If that dish was permanently on the menu, I would come at least once a week! Overall, a great Somerville neighborhood gem! read more

What we had: spicy goat stew - good ting-a-ling cocktail - medium bread pudding - really good This place is a better bar than it is a restaurant. Atmosphere was probably the best thing about this place. read more

Loud and freindly with great beer on tap and hands down the best fried chicken this side of the mason dixon line.

After hearing all the hype about Highland Kitchen, especially their Monday special Fried Chicken, I absolutely had to give it a try. Immediately upon entering, my boyfriend and I were graciously greeted by a fantastic host. He let us know that we woud be seated in about a half hour, and we were glad to be there. The vibe is great; there is a small bar area with a good amount of elbow room, the decorations are subtle and trendy and the restaurant has a nice retro feeling to it. While waiting to be seated, we waited at the bar area and proceeded to have some drinks. The drink menu is creative and there is something for everyone. I especially liked that there were 6 beers on tap (for a small bar, that's good) and plenty of specialty drinks. I had a dark and stormy, made with their very own chili infused ginger beer. It was a decent drink, with a nice price of $6.50. My boyfriend had a beer, which was also decently priced at $5.50. And although the drinks were quite nice, I was taken aback by the poor/cold service given by the bartender. If someone is paying you to get a drink, and even tip you, the least you could do is be nice... ugh. I hate paying for service, even when it's bad. Luckily, our table was ready for us and we were seated right away. We chatted up a nice couple at the bar, who told us we were in for a real treat with the fried chicken and they also recommended the Devil's Horseback appetizer. As soon as we were seated, we ordered the Devil's Horseback ($6.50) and 2 Fried Chicken Dinners ($13.95). The appetizer was absolutely amazing-- 4 dates stuffed with blue cheese and an almond, wrapped with a nice piece of bacon. The sweetness, sprinkled with salty goodness and savory flavors were superb. And as soon as we gobbled up our appetizer, our chicken dinners were upon us! The chicken plates looked stunning, with 4 pieces of golden fried chicken, a generous portion of mashed potatoes, a small biscuit, and a heaping spoonful of collared greens. The sides were stunning, like a party in your mouth-- deliciously smooth and buttery potatoes, juicy collared greens that tasted fresh, and a deliciously flaky biscuit. The chicken, however, was subpar. It was to be the highlight of my night, but unfortunately, it was not what I was expecting-- especially with all those terrific reviews about it. What part of delicious fried chicken means that you will have DRY chicken? The chicken was too dry, it was overcooked, and it wouldn't have passed for a meal that I would even cook for my friends. So, as much as I wanted to adore this joint, I had to give it 2 stars for less than stellar service at the bar, and chicken that was decent at best. However, the sides and appetizers were just so tasty that it upped my rating to a 3. This is certainly a decent restaurant with glimmers of delicious flavors, and I hope that I just happened to go on an off night. read more

CONSISTENTLY good food and excellent service. This reliability makes Highland Kitchen our go-to restaurant with friends and out-of-town guests. . .unless we're exceedingly hungry and not willing to wait for a table. The wait for tables during the dinner rush is only a testament to their aforementioned attributes. 4 1/2 stars. read more

Food is very good. Good beers on tap. Prices are reasonable. 2 things I would highly recommend.... Buffalo Fried Brussel Sprouts and the Cuban Reuben sandwich. One downside... really no privacy at all. they will put literally two inches between tables, so if you're looking for something a little more private (when its busy at least) this ain't it. Service was great too. read more

Always been a huge fan of the food at Highland Kitchen, but am now an even bigger fan of the service. Although, my party of 6 waited for about an 1 1/2 for a table on a Saturday night, the bar kept us entertained and our food came promptly when seated. Then, a guy at the next table next to me spilled half a pint on my coat, purse, and jeans as we were leaving. Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled, but the general manager came right over, cleaned up the mess, and handed me his card to send him my dry cleaning bill. Classy move. read more

The first time I went here (2009-ish) I was not impressed, but I gave it another try a year or so later and was pleasantly surprised. The oysters are surprisingly good and the mixed drinks are good too. ask for recommendations and the bartenders are very helpful. I enjoy the shrimp and grits, fried calamari, organic green salad w/ goat cheese is tasty, (the caesar salad i found boring; hard to find a good caesar's anywhere...maybe b/c you can't get the raw egg needed to make it correctly). monday night's fried chicken is just okay. i asked for all dark meat but they said they couldn't accommodate me b/c it would screw up the kitchen's ratio....no one makes a fried chicken plate as good as the now defunct B-Side!Good beer, good drinks, good staff! read more

This is a terrific spot for both food and having a drink at the bar, I have been here several times and the food has been top notch. The severs are very nice and the atmosphere is great and the place and people are a little quirky, you meet all sorts in here from the biker guy in his cut off leather jacket to a girl who looks like harry potter wearing a Dickie bow. Anything goes. read more

I've been to Highland Kitchen a number of times -- consistently excellent food and excellent service. My favorite is Sunday brunch, they have the most amazing pancakes, a nice crisp outside, fluffy inside, served with delicious bourbon maple syrup and fresh berries. YUM! The ham, cheddar, tomato & egg sandwich is to die for - I got that and was so pleasantly surprised. Service is excellent - they were super attentive and I never felt like I was being hurried out for the table. Follow them on Facebook & get updates on their daily specials! read more

Been here countless times for drinks and finally got to try them for dinner 2 weeks ago with a couple friends. we shared several apps and I had the Jambalaya, which had duck confit in it and was delicious. The bartender was spot on with a fresh PBR as needed. overall great experience, I will always go here for late night drinks, but now I will be sure to go back for dinner too. read more

I've been to the Highland Kitchen several times always with different friends. We always love it. The fried chicken is terrific. The skirt steak is oh! so yummy. But the veggie burger yeah! the veggie burger is my favorite! The bar is always packed. I haven't had a chance to sig there yet. The servers in the restaurant are usually helpful and accommodating. read more

Highland Kitchen is one of my new favorite places. We tried to go once for dinner this past summer but they don't take reservations for less than 6 and there was a 45 minute line out the door. Then, a couple weeks ago we got in for a late night dinner. Great beer selection and the appletini I ordered was great. Our food was delicious and the waitress was fun and friendly. We tried some cheese fritters as an appetizer, a burger with carmelized onions and a rueben sandwhich. I also had a mixed green salad that was perfectly dressed and very fresh. If you are in the mood for casual dining that also translates well into romance (dim lights, nice ambiance, etc.) it's the perfect place. It works for either a romantic dinner or a bit of a rowdy night out with friends. We will definitely be going back! In cause anyone out there cares, they don't take Discover. read more

I've been coming here since they opened, and have always had great food and drinks, and great service! The atmosphere is a dark, cozy, casual and a bit loud. But I don't go here for a quiet dinner out. I always enjoy myself here with friends and family. I recommend the banana bread pudding, the buffalo fried brussel sprouts, gnocchi with short rib ragout, and the mussels (just to name a few). read more

You literally cannot keep me away from this place. Joe and Jim know what's good and the silly karaoke night on Wednesday kicks ass. Do yourself a favor and get some HK in your life!! read more

Luckily, I live right down the street so I can visit Highland Kitchen regularly. The goat stew is as great as everyone raves about, drinks are really good and priced nicely, and the brunch is great. The only downside is the wait, I've had plenty of visitors who I've wanted to share Highland with and it just never happens due to the long wait. As I have said, I live right down the street so it is a great location to walk to for great food and drinks but if you don't go just as they open you are screwed. read more

I couldn't believe it when I went in for brunch I got there just before 11 when it opened. There was a line!! But we got seats at the bar (didn't prefer a table) and got our food in an extremely timely fashion. and it was HOT and DELICIOUS. This is the third time I have been here for brunch but I was uber impressed by the timeliness of the food arriving when literally the entire place was seated at once. Holy efficiency!! The staff is amazing, as well. Always friendly and very attentive. At one point live music came on, which was as enjoyable as the rest of the place. Love it. Get the pancakes! read more

I was wicked excited to come here with my 3 family members on a Friday night as it seemed like a such a casual yet nice place. I went there in the beginning of January and I am glad we came here! We got there a little before 6, we were told that we had to wait around 30 minutes, which ended up pretty accurate. The place was already pretty full with people occupying the bar seating area. The entire place in general definitely had a nice ambiance with moody lighting, but there was still a lighthearted atmosphere. While we were waiting I got a ginger beer which I think is from a AJ Stephans bottle. They do have homemade ginger beer but the bar does not tell you and you would have to specifically ask for it. I tried that later in the night and it was definitely very different. The homemade one's spiciness was more longlasting because they use special peppers and in general it had a very strong flavor that was more sweet. I like both of them, and I would say the one from the bottle was more mild in flavor. My mom wanted a drink of rum and coke and it was mixed perfectly. So after we sat down and ordered appetizers, I have to say the food was definitely worth the wait! We ordered the Handmade Potato gnocchi, grilled corn, riccotta and mozzarella fritters, calamari and a cheese soup. The handmade gnocchi with rib ragout was absolutely amazing. The rib ragout was bursting with flavor that was so inviting and homey, which totally complemented the gnocchi. I think I could have just kept eating that the rest of the night. The portion came a in small bowl size but the dish itself was so rich that I don't think you need much more. The gnocchi itself was so soft, it was like eating a velvet cloud.The grilled corn was good with four pieces, and it was cooked perfectly. The cheese and garnish on it was salty yet savory, really good. The fritters were also good but I think for me personally, it wasn't out of this world? The honey dipping sauce was really a nice different touch that still makes this dish worth trying. I think the cheese inside wasn't melted enough for my taste. The calamari was a solid good and the portion of it was of a nice size. And the cheese soup came in a nice bowl size, very savory and good as well. We were all soo full by the end of finishing the apps between the four of us! I couldn't believe that we still had entrees left, seriously. So we had decided on 3 entrees, the rabbit fettuccine, spicy jambalaya, and spicy coconut curried goat stew. For the ones we ordered, they were generally good but I think some were better than others. I was most excited about the rabbit dish but I think for me it ended up to be the most disappointing. The fettuccine for me was like really thick and I think it hampered down the delicateness of the rabbit. The pasta itself didn't really have a lot of flavor, I just only remember the thick texture and the starchy taste. I think the rabbit itself was okay, maybe slightly overcooked. The jambalaya with the duck was good and was a nice complement for the rice which was definitely infused with savory flavor. The goat stew was by far my favorite. The goat meat was tender and really went well with the stew. The flavors of this dish for me was the most dynamic in that it was salty, yet it was slightly sweet. Really powerful flavor. I also have to say for some reason as I ate these dishes that they didn't really jump at me with flavor at the table especially the rabbit dish. Maybe it was because I was so full already? I'm not sure. It was only as leftovers did I really feel the flavors came through more. So I would say the food isn't always perfect to my standards, which is why I give the food in general a 4/5. As we left around 8 o clock, the place was definitely at its fullest with a crowd of people waiting for a table. I'm glad we kinda had beaten the rush even though we still had to wait. I would definitely come back and try their other dishes! read more

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I love this place - it is a standout in the Somerville area. Its funky, delicious and very unique. There is always a wait during normal dinner hours but I normally have pretty good luck with an early or late dinner any night of the week. I have a few favorites that should be mentioned off the bat - you MUST get the buffalo brussels sprouts. People have every excuse not to get these "I don't like brussels sprouts", "I don't like spicy", "I don't like fried things" - I feel the same way - all of the above - but go against your better judgment and GET THEM! They are unreal. I have turned so many people onto them. The mussel appetizer is also phenomenal. It's a little spicy but so unique and awesome! Get extra bread to soak up the sauce. The short rib gnocchi is actually my go to meal there because its heavy (gnocchi always is) and soooo filling and yummy! Its on the menu as an app though but either way! Lastly, I am not a vegetarian (clearly i guess) but the black bean burger is out of this world. Its so juicy and comes with great toppings like guacamole! So so so good! Don't neglect the specials menu either - there are always some good selections there! OK - now the rest of the experience. The service never fails to be good - very polite, outgoing staff (especially at the bar). They are willing to make suggestions and I am often make them choose my dish for me and surprise me. The atmosphere is fantastic - funky, eclectic and energizing! I love it here. Enjoy! read more

YUM. Hands down fabulous place, great beer selection to match too. They have different events and deals for the workdays. Try the Brussel sprouts, the mussels, the pulled pork and the banana bread pudding. You'll be hooked. Portions are big, so splitting an app + a main dish is more than plenty for two. read more

I tried Highland Kitchen several weeks ago, and shame on me, I'm just now writing a review. In this reviewer's opinion, the buffalo brussel sprouts are a top five dish in Boston. Not an exaggeration. They are a revelation. So much so, that I ordered a second plate, something I've never done anywhere else, for anything else. But, whether it is the service, the cocktails, or anything else on their creative and thoughtful menu, everything at Highland is fantastic. If you live within 200 miles, it's a must try. read more

UNREAL. goat stew and fried chicken. So good. Cocktails are also really good and nice and strong. Patrick was a fantastic waiter. Will be coming back for a long time. read more

I love Highland Kitchen! I've been coming here for 5 years and always get treated well. The bartenders (especially Joe) have a great sense of humor. I like that they remember me by name. Additionally, no matter if I come in on Tuesday night or a busy saturday night, the food quality is the same. I like the black bean burger, po boy sandwich & the brussle sprouts. In the summer, the tomato and watermelon salad rules. Fried Chicken night was what we had before my Tuesday night wedding believe it or not with the family...Last time I ran the Boston Marathon, we went here before raceday because I knew I'd get good, homey, quality food. This is our home away from home: We also took our relatives from Europe here when they wanted to go to some low-key local venue. HK wins all around! read more

The décor was very hipster and the servers also had a "hipster vibe" to them with bold haircuts and skinny jeans. Despite the hipster look (not a fan in case you can't tell) the décor was cute and there were very unique lights that captured my attention. I also loved the chalkboard wall behind us - I need one of these for my kitchen for sure. I could tell a lot of the people who were sitting at the bar were regulars and the bartender even asked if we wanted to put our names on the waitlist for a barstool... that was definitely a new one to me. We didn't even feel comfortable standing near the one open barstool for fear of breaking another rule. We decided not to put our name on the bar list since we wanted to sit and eat - being on two lists felt a little excessive. Despite the 40 minute estimate to be seated it only took about 15 minutes to actually get a table which was an excellent surprise. One of the most disappointing parts of the Highland Kitchen was their limited beer selection. They only had about 6 beers on tap and since they were all heavier beers or IPAs there was nothing for me to drink. I decided to go with a cider, which was delivered to me in a can... At that point I wanted to recommend we leave, but I'm glad I gave it a second chance (I had to since I was going to write a review...) We had a trio of hummus to start with pita bread which was good (well 2/3 were). There was a spicy, tomato based hummus that was fantastic, but the other red hummus wasn't great and the standard hummus was average. They did refresh the pita bread when we ran out which I really appreciated and isn't something restaurants are always willing to do. When I proposed dinner I had been craving a burger all day and I had heard that the Highland Kitchen offered a great burger. It looks pretty plain based on the menu, but I do have to say it was cooked perfectly and well proportioned. If I had to do a taste test with most other burgers I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference, but it hit the spot. My date had the pulled pork and he said it was delicious - since I'm not a fan I had to take his word for it! All in all I had a good experience at the Highland Kitchen and would go back (although I'd probably try something else from their very diverse menu). If people asked me what the best restaurant in Somerville is it probably wouldn't be my answer, but I wouldn't tell people NOT to go there either. Just try not to go on a first date because you'll definitely have to yell across the tale to each other in order to have a conversation of any kind! http://eatinginthebean.wordpress.com read more

I have a very severe and uncommon allergy that is frequently difficult to accommodate. Highland Kitchen did an amazing job of working around it: our app (the pig and pickle platter) came out with the problem-food and they promptly redid the plate. The manager also came out to introduce himself and apologize for the oversight; he also assured me that their line cook washed his hands before handling my dishes. The food was fantastic, I highly recommend coming here . read more

This is the best spot in Somerville. Service, food and beverages are all top notch. Bartenders are all excellent. If you're sitting at a table hope Dave is your server - he is hilarious and fun -but all other servers are also excellent. Food highlights: Fried chicken, Goat stew, Deviled eggs, Pulled pork sandwich (cheap too), Brussels sprouts with buffalo sauce, etc. Great whiskey selection. Fun bottled beers. A bunch of those single village mescals. Fun drink specials. Be prepared for the bar to be at least two deep. AND if you want to dine at the bar tell a bartender right away because they have a list and there is a wait for seats. Try not to get offended when a seat at the bar opens up and then the bartenders politely inform you that is reserved for a guest (who has been on list - so get on the list....) ! read more

the best brunch dish (or top five) in the boston area. Fried chicken, sausage gravy, eggs, bisquits, bacon. The rest of the menu is also, to quote the great Guy Fieri, "money". WWGFD? Ask yourself. read more

Go here. The food is excellent- think cajun/southern/american comfort food with occasional creative license (e.g. goat curry). The bar is fun, the atmosphere is relaxed and youthful. Cons: the place is small and busy and you will wait for a table during peak hours. read more

This place is a staple in my neighborhood, and with good reason. While the menu has been practically the same since they opened, it is diverse and delicious. The specials are interested as are the cocktails. It's nice to see a quality restaurant land in that spot and stay there. read more

Inside- okay atmosphere. Outside- not located in Somerville's best area. Quite expensive ($10 for a cup of soup, etc...). A shared app, dinner & a drink or 2 will run $50 or more per person. However, the staff was very nice and attentive. read more