This is the friendliest, most welcoming place! From the moment you walk in you're greeted with warmth by the host, and all the servers are very accommodating. It's like being in someone's living room! The food was really good, we especially enjoyed the pickled vegetables, the fish and chips, and the giant cookie sundae for dessert was beyond amazing! Highly recommend if you keep kosher, or if you just like a nice pescatarian or vegetarian meal. read more

First of all the ambience of this place is amazing. The service is very very good, and they have a nice drink selection as well. I don't give it 5 stars because some of the food doesn't hit it for me. The poutine is not great, and not very well seasoned when I tried it. Their turshi however is amazing. But I haven't tried the entire menu yet so I may revise my review in the future. read more

I was a little skeptical because the menu is pescatarian - but I absolutely loved everything about Lehrhaus. The food was prepared with love and prices felt fair for the quality we received. The cocktails is where the place shines - all fantastic, perfectly balanced and delicious. Service was warm and inviting. Our bartender did a great job of walking us through the menu, and had a delightful personality that genuinely added to our experience. The front area feels closer to a coffee house or bookstore than a bar - which made it very cozy. I'd be interested in coming back for classes and workshops. While I do crave real chopped liver in lieu of eggplant or pastrami for beets - I honestly didn't feel like I was missing anything. Oh, and that dessert! Chocolate pave was so dang good. read more

See all

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Lehrhaus. The menu is on the smaller side but with a good range of fun and interesting, Jewish-inspired options that skew vegetarian (I.e. a beet Reuben and an eggplant dish that is a play on chopped liver). The Reuben was perfectly grilled and rich in flavor and the fries were lightly crispy and well seasoned. The cocktails were fantastic with a good array of flavor profiles. Service was great, as well, and we were well attended to throughout. While it's not necessarily fine dining, I would definitely recommend as an excellent option for drinks or a casual meal with family or friends! read more

See all

Halva Ice Cream Sundae - 1/5 - the taste of the brittle did not pair well with the ice cream Coconut Lime Kataifi - 2/5 - savory, but a dessert? It was an interesting experience to eat. Really cool atmosphere as its a place of learning and a restaurant. There's a small lounge area with books off to the side of the dining area. The dining area is spacious and lively. Went late on a busy night, but was lucky enough to get seated within 15 minutes as those on the waitlist ahead of us cancelled. We were hoping to just grab dessert. Unfortunately, I would not recommend. Service was good. Our server was quick to take our order and polite. When there was a mistake on our bill he quickly amended it and fixed the issue. There's ample street parking available near the restaurant that is only a short walk away. read more

Lehrhaus - Halva Ice Cream Sundae - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

See all

I've been meaning to try Lehrhaus for a while, and I'm really glad that I did! It seems pretty easy to get a reservation on a weekday, but you just have to watch out for its schedule since it's closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Jewish holidays. The interior is spacious and the service was great. I fell in love with the chopped not-liver ($13), which is a delicious eggplant spread that doesn't taste like eggplant but has a great savory flavor with a slight wine aroma. The pita bread that came with it was so warm, pillowy, and chewy. This dish was just perfection. There's an eggplant dip (Oren's eggplant) in the Bay that I have been craving, and now I have something in Cambridge that is just as good if not better. The haus smoked whitefish ($12) was also quite good. It had a lot of fish but wasn't too fishy, had good flavor and came with crunchy crackers. The fish and chips ($24) was tasty as well -- the chips are really crunchy and the fish was flaky and crunchy, and the sauce was interesting and spicy. Lastly, we got the halva ice cream sundae ($12), which was pretty decent with a lot of crunchy bits. I'm not a big fan of nutty flavors or milky ice cream, so I'm not sure if I'd get it again. There is a 20% gratuity automatically applied (we had 2 people, so I don't think it's due to party size). Service was great -- people kept checking on us and refilling our water. In conclusion, the eggplant chopped not-liver was amazing and it's everything I've been looking for. I'm excited to try more of their offerings. read more

See all

Our family group chat is all abuzz with talk of the Lehrhaus. A kosher restaurant in our neighborhood! It's a mechayeh! The concept, the menu, the design, the execution, everything about it is giving us nachas. Love that the menu weaves influences together from throughout the Jewish world. Having a room for studying and learning really brings that Jewish atmosphere. Yet it's not haimishe; it's beautifully classy, stylish, which is impressive. Reports on the food: Vegetarian chopped liver was exceptional. Indian spiced fritters were tasty. Amba flavored vinegar and schug aioli livened up the fish and chips; the chips were large cuts that tasted richly of potato. The chef came out and gave some chopped liver to take home. So nice! We're kvelling. read more

See all

Great Yiddish drinking songs class with Jonah! Terrible BENE CORN CHOWDER (crispy fish cake, coconut curry broth). Too salty. Bad mix of flavors and texture. Next time I'll try the Fish and Chips. read more

Dining method: Actually came for a learning session (and a drink)! Item(s) ordered: Bloc Party cocktail Value: the price was right! The Review: As soon as I stepped foot into Lehrhaus, I knew that I was in a very special place. The decor is perfectly modern, yet with antique touches and Jewish memorabilia ranging from photos of families from the old country, to other cultural items. Including a Lactaid gumball machine down the stairs LOL. In addition to the impeccable detail in their decor, the staff were very sweet and welcoming. The menu items are diverse, spanning many different Jewish cultures from Sephardic to Ashkenazi and more. The learning session was led by a professor of Jewish Studies from Brandeis and was very well-done, for only having an hour to learn and discuss. This place immediately felt like a safe, inclusive, and beautiful space for the Jewish community and appreciators alike. I hope you will find this spot just as wonderful! read more

See all

This place is pretty confusing. It kind of always was. When I first saw the sign that they were opening a "place of learning" I thought "gee, that sounds nice" and also "what the hell does that mean?" Is it a school? A church? A high-brow porn store? Turns out it's a restaurant with mediocre food. But the confusion really doesn't end there. In no particular order: - There's a reading room that's separated, but also public and also a dining room - You have to order at the bar, but they have servers come around to give you menus and bring you food - Their drink menu has exciting lists of unpronounceable ingredients, but everything just kind of tastes like an old fashioned or juice - Their menu contains an extensive glossary of spices they use, but it seems to be missing salt. At least that's what it tasted like. It's definitely a unique place with a unique menu. As a place of learning, I guess I learned not to go a second time. read more

lehrhaus is an absolute GEM tucked away in somerville, boston. i only stopped by for dessert and drinks, but everything was so delicious. the entire menu regularly rotates and is curated by the staff based on in season produce or holidays. the chocolate pave was my favorite - it was decadent but also not too sweet, with dates and cacao nibs. the homemade ice cream was also phenomenal. additionally, i highly recommend the drinks! the lehrhaus staff are all exceptionally friendly and hospitable. the interior is a super cute vibe and they also have educational classes and programs for the community. overall, lehrhaus is a must-visit if you are in boston! i'm already looking forward to my next time there! read more

See all

The dishes we tried here were quite good (Fish and chips and the ice cream sundae). I was very excited to see that it was also a Jewish center for learning and expected to see a wide range of Jewish authors covered in their collection. However, they conveniently missed out on one of the most cited Jewish authors (Chomsky - who ironically taught a couple miles from this restaurant for decades) along with a bunch of other excellent authors such as Ilan Pappe, Norman Finkelstein etc. Seems like they are trying to cater to only a section of the Jewish diaspora here, not the whole spectrum. A place touting to be an intellectual house of learning shouldn't have such blatant bias. read more

Lehrhaus - Library - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Food, service and bar provided a warm, welcome atmosphere. We really enjoyed the fish and chips, barley soup and smoked fish with seeded crackers dishes. We will definitely frequent this establishment every time visiting family in Boston. read more

Simultaneously cozy and trendy Jewish-themed bar with a unique menu of bites and cocktails. Very warm service. I especially enjoyed how the menu explains its inspirations so you can really learn about the history behind the different flavors and their connections to the Jewish culture. Fish and chips were solid and I enjoyed the pairing with the spicy aioli. Would definitely like to come back to try more drinks and the other foods - the Reuben looked delicious! I'm hoping they add more entrees to their menu, as at the moment they are more bar bites or appetizers rather than full meals. Cute spot for a small group of friends or a date! read more

Lehrhaus - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

See all

Don't go to events here if you have any breathing issues or allergies. This place is inaccessible to people with breathing difficulties. The library is excessively dusty and I have gotten asthma attacks and illness after being there. I cannot attend events there as a result. I notified the staff of this and received absolutely no response. I guess they don't care about accessibility bc they make enough money without it. Maybe a review will get their attention. read more

We started with the 'not liver' which was really good. I've never had liver, and my partner couldn't remember, so we can't say if it was similar, but it was delicious, as was the puffy pita. We also had the deviled eggs which were different and great. We then had the Mac n cheese kugel which was great as the normal sweetness of kugel was tempered. Both of these were about the same size, but listed in different sections on the menu. I then had the beat Ruben sandwich which was a bit of a let down as the beat was just thinly sliced. I've had sweet potato Rubens before where the potato was spiced to get a different flavor, so I was hoping for that. The pickle wat very sweet, but I'm told that's a Jewish thing. We sat at the bar and service was mostly fine, food came fast. I had a cocktail too, which was good but I can't remember the name. I would have had another but the bartender asked how things were and ran off without an answer. read more

I've been here 3x now, and can say this restaurant is such a unique experience. The food is creative and always delicious, you can tell the chef that makes it (that you can always see and they walk around) is passionate about their food. The servers are always kind and take the time to help us get a group photo or help us decide the perfect food choice. It's also always busy, so reservations are also a must, although they always try their best to accommodate walk ins. Very calm and studious vibes from the decor and the events. Must try the fish and chips, poutine, and chocolate budino! read more

See all

The food was amazing. Wonderful vibe. Staff were knowledgeable and attentive. A definite must try! read more

Lehrhaus is a new restaurant in Somerville that is a tavern mixed with a Jewish House of Learning. It is absolutely incredible and was truly a joy to go to. My father and I went on a Wednesday night and by the time we left (around 7:45), the place was just getting more crowded. Not so crowded that you didn't want to be there, but the good kind of hustle and bustle crowdedness that lets you know people WANT to be there. I am not the most experimental eater, but you kind of have to be at Lehrhaus. (Hence the sign telling you to teach your tongue to say "I don't know") I'm so glad I tried things out, because everything was delicious. The restaurant is pescatarian, and even though I don't eat fish (allergic), there was plenty else to eat. The alcoholic drinks are so creative and wild, and again I was glad I tried the "Dafina so fine" because it was a fantastic rum drink. All the food was really good! The atmosphere/vibe of the place was relaxing, casual, and friendly. Every member of the staff was helpful and welcoming. My food allergies were proactively asked about and when they suggested a dessert, they remembered them and reassured me of the ingredients. Adding to the atmosphere, there was a room full of incredible books. I could totally see myself sitting down and just browsing through the books for hours on end. My only non-glowing comment is that I wish it was also open for breakfast/brunch foods. Coffee/tea, pastries, bagels, bourekas would all be great and even further encourage me (and others) to sit and read and write and work and discuss. Ok. It's still a glowing comment. The place was just that good! If you're looking for a great restaurant in Somerville (near Cambridge), check out Lehrhaus. If you're interested in good food and a chance to get some Jewish learning, you HAVE to go! read more

See all

First of all: I felt immediately at home at this wonderful bar/house of learning. The food is amazing! The herring tartine had just the right amount of spice to herring salty ratio. The very delicious beet "Reuben" was satisfying. I had four of their cocktails - one more delicious than the next. If you get the fries get them with the amba tahini. It is required, sorry I don't make the rules. And then I sat in a cool area and learned about Jewish mysticism. What's not to love?? read more

See all

A restaurant? I see it as my study house, where I can write and work on my book all afternoon, amid an eclectic assortment of Judaica. Philip Roth. The Talmud Bavli, Man Ray and Philip Guston. Cynthia Ozick. I am a habitual browser, and if this place could get a non-Jew to open it on Shabbat I would go here, because reading is my prayer and my knowledge of our people comes from memoirs of Jewish experience.( I am always smuggling books into shul, and hate it when the library keepers get rid of the good old stuff. I will be going back to work among the books during weekdays. It's probably a good thing you don't have a lending library. Aliza Artz's presentation of responses to her grandfather's sermon's (he was the rabbi of Somerville's only shul in the 1920s was stellar. read more

When my friends first suggested meeting for dinner here, some months ago, I was skeptical. And wended up being unable to make it work. So when the Esquire article about Lehrhaus being great came out? I texted my friends that they were aged of the curve. So tonight we met up there. Totally lives up to the hype. It's not fancy dining but great food and great, cozy and lively vibe and wonderful service. We didn't have a reservations so had drinks other lounge area. Their cocktail menu is eclectic and the drink I had was really good. We ate a ton of small plates and two desserts and everything was fantastic. Although you can do something's self service the servers were attentive and friendly. Dare I say it was hamish? Will be back. read more

See all

One of my favorite restaurants in the Boston area. Delicious fish- and veggie-centric menu plus creative cocktails. But most of all it's a warm and friendly atmosphere. You can tell this is a passion project for the owners and employees to create a true third space for the Jewish and non-Jewish community alike. It's so rare to find a place where one can feel meaning in being both Jewish and, for example, left-wing or LGBTQ+ or secular, all while keeping a sense of joy about these layers of identity. Lehrhaus pulls it off! And, to reiterate, the food is great too. read more

Almost too good to be true - the food, creativity, style, and soul of this place. Incredible job!!!

The food was perfect!!! We were outside and ordering on line and service was a little funky. But overall a great experience.

I have never seen anything like this! A Beit Midrash, bar and restaurant?! Count me in. One of the issues with many non-Orthodox synagogues is that there's so little opportunity for Jewish education beyond the endless parade of Judaism 101, Intro to Judaism, Judaism for Idiots, etc. Too hard to find opportunities for Jewish text learning with a vibrant group of intelligent people. But here at Lehrhaus we have endless classes, different ones each week with great learning and conversation. I would love to see a Lehrhaus in every state read more

I was very excited to try this restaurant, but it came no where close to the hype. The food was meh. As with the food, the less said the better. The service was horrible. Our server was MIA. We had to ask for our server to come over to take the order. That was the last time we saw her. She didn't ask how our meal was going. She didn't bring the check. Anytime we wanted something (e.g., more water), we had to flag someone down. Note they weren't particularly busy (or slow). N.B. -- When we asked for ice, the busser had to ask permission from someone else to serve it; weird! This explains why they have an autograt of 20%. Note that even though they are a kosher restaurant, they are pigs. The autograt should be based only off of the subtotal. Not only do they calculate it off of the subtotal, they also calculate it off of the tax AND off of items that were removed from the bill! read more

We came from Texas, because we heard great things about this unique place. Did not disappoint. Lovely atmosphere one is able to hear the other. The bar has fantastic and unique drinks. Best of all, the menu is exceptional. Everything on the menu is delicious. If your vegetarian you can't miss it, if your not you may reconsider being so after dining here!! read more

I had read about Lehrhaus a while ago, and last night was my first time here. A lively, friendly atmosphere, with imaginative, mostly vegetarian dishes that were fab. This is not just a restaurant and tavern. It is a welcoming community space. They offer a sprawling library and tons of classes. I will definitely return. read more

Nice idea; unfortunately, the food is overpriced and the lecture offerings are less than enthusiastic. Will only return if prices become fair and course/lecture offerings more interesting. read more

Great new spot. The "not" chopped liver is excellent. Arctic char was great, and the beet pastrami reuben also worth trying. Terrific cocktails as well. read more

The Ambience! The Food is delicious literally everything! And the drinks are fun. Serviceis superb!

The vibe. The history (meaning the knowledge and the amazing library and the sedar menu and the staff taught me so much)!. The cocktails. The food one word..... spectacular!!! read more

Was looking ok'ing for a kosher restaurant. Staff was very friendly and informative. Enjoyed the experience.

A very friendly atmosphere and cozy vibes. Tasty nibbles, and inviting & attentive staff. read more

Lehrhaus - Salmon pâté, latkes special, Some like it Harif 'margarita' - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Just went to Lehrhaus for the first time and loved it. We got there and the building has two halves - to the left is the dining area and to the right is a library and conference room for their learning events. We didn't have much time to explore the library, but the books we looked at were fascinating and their event list was exciting. The menu is small, but excellent. We started off with a few drinks all of which were interesting Jewish spins on classic cocktails and all of which were really excellent. We also ordered all the nibbles - each person in our party had a different favorite but all agreed that each was an elevated take on a classic Jewish food and it was an exciting experience to eat our traditional foods made in new and interesting ways. My personal favorite was the deviled eggs. We then ordered the leek and squash pastry and the fish and chips to split. It is a massive order of fish and chips and some of the best I've ever had. The pastry was served with an awesome carrot salad and we all fought over the last piece. We ended the night with an arak flight and several desserts. The pistachio arak was unusual but an excellent combo of flavors. Our service was slow but kind and helpful - they're great about allergies and they helped us split our bill in annoying ways. Overall I can't wait to go back to eat more delicious food, drink more cocktails, explore their library, and attend events! read more

Beautiful interior, friendly and professional staff, delicious food, incisive books inside.

Delicious food and drinks. Their fish and chips were even better than nearby Druid, which historically wins Best of Boston for that dish. I can recommend the Mezcal cocktail and Rye cocktail. Both quite tasty. The Haus Herring Tartine should be required eating. MUCH tastier than you think it will be. read more

Desperately wanted this to be a nice edition to the neighborhood but it is not a welcoming space. On our first try, I enjoyed the fritters and the feel but our table found the drinks bitter, the eggplant caviar execrable and the fellow that brought the food rude. On our second try, the fellow running the place was so obnoxious to an elder that everything tasted like sawdust. An establishment that claims to represent a culture has an obligation to act with grace, even on busy evenings. Management fails to meet that obligation. read more

Great atmosphere. Very solid food. And the drinks were just great. Always try to make it back when I can, one of my favorite spots in Somerville. read more