The Independent is a warm, welcoming gastropub in the heart of Somerville, MA, where neighborhood comfort meets elevated food, thoughtful drinks, and a lively social atmosphere.
Located at 75 Union Square, this casual yet trendy spot has become a favorite for guests looking for more than just a meal — it is a place to relax, connect, and enjoy quality hospitality from breakfast through late-night bites.
With a strong 4.30-star rating from 829 reviews, The Independent has earned a reputation for delivering a consistently enjoyable experience that keeps guests coming back.
What makes The Independent stand out is its blend of approachable comfort and polished gastropub quality. Guests can enjoy draft beer, craft cocktails, coffee, comfort food, and a standout selection of elevated bar bites, including oysters and other great bar food favorites.
Whether you are stopping in for lunch, dinner, brunch, or dessert, the menu is designed to satisfy a wide range of cravings and occasions.
The atmosphere is equally versatile, offering fast service, a great beer selection, great cocktails, karaoke, quiz night, local specialties, and sports viewing — all of which make it an ideal destination for everything from solo dining to group outings and casual celebrations.
The Independent is also built around convenience and accessibility, making it a comfortable choice for a broad range of guests. Visitors can choose from outdoor seating, kerbside pickup, delivery, takeaway, or dine-in service, and reservations are accepted for those who like to plan ahead.
The restaurant is equipped with wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating, and toilet facilities, along with a bar on site, restrooms, Wi‑Fi, and free Wi‑Fi for added comfort. Payment is simple and flexible, with credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted.
For anyone seeking a gastropub that combines quality food and drink with a friendly neighborhood feel, The Independent offers the perfect mix of atmosphere, accessibility, and dependable dining in Somerville.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at The Independent
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
house-cut fries, crispy fried chicken, spicy peppers, togarashi, scallion, curry gravy
spicy remoulade
house-cut fries, ketchup upgrade your fries with gravy or a dip...or try them all!
cherry peppers, spicy remoulade
gorgonzola, celery
romaine hearts, brioche croutons, parmesan, caesar dressing
baby heirloom tomatoes, red onion, dijon vinaigrette
vermont cheddar, charred red onion, garlic aioli*, lettuce, tomato, iggy's brioche
maple mustard, red cabbage slaw, lettuce, tomato
sweet potato, chickpea, arugula, spicy remoulade, toasted brioche
house-cut fries, crispy fried chicken, spicy peppers, togarashi, scallion, curry gravy
spicy remoulade
house-cut fries, ketchup upgrade your fries with gravy or a dip...or try them all!
cherry peppers, spicy remoulade
gorgonzola, celery
house-cut fries, crispy fried chicken, spicy peppers, togarashi, scallion, curry gravy
sriracha ranch
spicy remoulade
house-cut fries, ketchup upgrade your fries with gravy or a dip...or try them all!
sourdough toast
cherry peppers, spicy remoulade
gorgonzola, celery
Gruyere Crouton
baby heirloom tomatoes, red onion, dijon vinaigrette
house-cut fries, ketchup upgrade your fries with gravy or a dip...or try them all!
gorgonzola, celery
romaine hearts, brioche croutons, parmesan, caesar dressing
baby heirloom tomatoes, red onion, dijon vinaigrette
romaine hearts, brioche croutons, parmesan, caesar dressing
baby heirloom tomatoes, red onion, dijon vinaigrette
little leaf greens, baby heirloom tomatoes, red onion, avocado, gorgonzola, dijon vinaigrette
vermont cheddar, charred red onion, garlic aioli*, lettuce, tomato, iggy's brioche
maple mustard, red cabbage slaw, lettuce, tomato
sweet potato, chickpea, arugula, spicy remoulade, toasted brioche
vermont cheddar, charred red onion, garlic aioli*, lettuce, tomato, iggy's brioche
maple mustard, red cabbage slaw, lettuce, tomato
sweet potato, chickpea, arugula, spicy remoulade, toasted brioche
roast pork, ham, swiss, pickles, dijon
maple mustard, red cabbage slaw, lettuce, tomato
vermont cheddar, charred red onion, garlic aioli*, lettuce, tomato, iggy's brioche
sweet potato, chickpea, arugula, spicy remoulade, toasted brioche
sunny farm egg, north country bacon, vermont cheddar, charred red onion, brioche
banana brulee, sticky toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream
demkota ranch prime rib, roasted garlic mashed, broccoli, horseradish cream, beef jus
shaved prime rib, gruyere cheese, charred red onions, iggy's sourdough, horseradish cream, beef au jus, house-cut fries
house-cut fries, crispy fried chicken, spicy peppers, togarashi, scallion, curry gravy
sriracha ranch
spicy remoulade
house-cut fries, ketchup upgrade your fries with gravy or a dip...or try them all!
sourdough toast
cherry peppers, spicy remoulade
gorgonzola, celery
Gruyere Crouton
romaine hearts, brioche croutons, parmesan, caesar dressing
baby heirloom tomatoes, red onion, dijon vinaigrette
little leaf greens, baby heirloom tomatoes, red onion, avocado, gorgonzola, dijon vinaigrette
garlic, shallots, white wine, herbs, grilled sourdough
beer battered haddock, house-cut fries, red cabbage slaw, caper & cornichon tartar
garlicky summer greens, creamy corn polenta
parmesan breaded chicken cutlet, sauteed asparagus, baby heirloom tomatoes, arugula, lemon beurre blanc
brandt prime bavette, house cut fries, cherry bomb peppers
cavatappi, parmesan breadcrumbs
hen of the woods mushrooms, arugula, parmigiano-reggiano, marsala cream
vermont cheddar, charred red onion, garlic aioli*, lettuce, tomato, iggy's brioche
maple mustard, red cabbage slaw, lettuce, tomato
sweet potato, chickpea, arugula, spicy remoulade, toasted brioche
roast pork, ham, swiss, pickles, dijon
banana brulee, sticky toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream
demkota ranch prime rib, roasted garlic mashed, broccoli, horseradish cream, beef jus
shaved prime rib, gruyere cheese, charred red onions, iggy's sourdough, horseradish cream, beef au jus, house-cut fries
garlic, shallots, white wine, herbs, grilled sourdough
beer battered haddock, house-cut fries, red cabbage slaw, caper & cornichon tartar
garlicky summer greens, creamy corn polenta
parmesan breaded chicken cutlet, sauteed asparagus, baby heirloom tomatoes, arugula, lemon beurre blanc
brandt prime bavette, house cut fries, cherry bomb peppers
cavatappi, parmesan breadcrumbs
hen of the woods mushrooms, arugula, parmigiano-reggiano, marsala cream
baby heirloom tomatoes, red onion, dijon vinaigrette
house-cut fries, ketchup upgrade your fries with gravy or a dip...or try them all!
gorgonzola, celery
maple mustard, red cabbage slaw, lettuce, tomato
vermont cheddar, charred red onion, garlic aioli*, lettuce, tomato, iggy's brioche
sweet potato, chickpea, arugula, spicy remoulade, toasted brioche
sunny farm egg, north country bacon, vermont cheddar, charred red onion, brioche
heritage farm eggs, north country bacon, gruyere cheese, smashed avocado, spicy remoulade, portugese english muffin
bourbon & vanilla brioche, mixed berries, whipped cream, maple syrup
two sunnyside eggs, north country bacon, maple sausage, home fries, mixed greens, 7-grain toast, fig jam
bell peppers, baby kale, home fries, mixed greens, 7-grain toast
home fries, mixed greens, 7-grain toast
poached eggs, north country ham, hollandaise, home fries, mixed greens, portuguese english muffin
two poached eggs, baby spinach, hollandaise, home fries, mixed greens, portuguese english muffin
demkota ranch bavette, sunnyside eggs, home fries, mixed greens, 7-grain toast
little leaf greens, baby heirloom tomatoes, red onion, avocado, gorgonzola, dijon vinaigrette
heritage farm eggs, north country bacon, gruyere cheese, smashed avocado, spicy remoulade, portugese english muffin
bourbon & vanilla brioche, mixed berries, whipped cream, maple syrup
two sunnyside eggs, north country bacon, maple sausage, home fries, mixed greens, 7-grain toast, fig jam
bell peppers, baby kale, home fries, mixed greens, 7-grain toast
home fries, mixed greens, 7-grain toast
poached eggs, north country ham, hollandaise, home fries, mixed greens, portuguese english muffin
two poached eggs, baby spinach, hollandaise, home fries, mixed greens, portuguese english muffin
demkota ranch bavette, sunnyside eggs, home fries, mixed greens, 7-grain toast
little leaf greens, baby heirloom tomatoes, red onion, avocado, gorgonzola, dijon vinaigrette
house-cut fries, crispy fried chicken, spicy peppers, togarashi, scallion, curry gravy
spicy remoulade
house-cut fries, ketchup upgrade your fries with gravy or a dip...or try them all!
cherry peppers, spicy remoulade
gorgonzola, celery
romaine hearts, brioche croutons, parmesan, caesar dressing
baby heirloom tomatoes, red onion, dijon vinaigrette
vermont cheddar, charred red onion, garlic aioli*, lettuce, tomato, iggy's brioche
maple mustard, red cabbage slaw, lettuce, tomato
sweet potato, chickpea, arugula, spicy remoulade, toasted brioche
Hear from our valued guests
Amazing time. I had a third rail cocktail it was fantastic. I also had poutine and some Mac and cheese. Both dishes were fantastic. The atmosphere is nice. Parking can be a bit difficult depending on the day, so I would prepare for that. But expensive but that's typical for Boston.
Great Atmosphere, Awesome Food, an Amazing Selection Of Drinks & Phenomenal Hospitality From The Entire Staff. The Whole Group I Was Enjoyed Ourselves & Will Return 😁
The Independent is the best bar in union square. The whole staff is amazing, the food is always great and a fantastic Guinness pour. The best!
The atmosphere is nice - the place is cozy for seeing friends or a date - food is pretty good and the drinks are great! Service was awesome the hostess and waitress did a great job, overall a place is worth a visit. I had a buttermilk chicken sandwich with fries and honestly I would give it an 8.5 over 10.
Great food and an awesome beer selection. The oysters were very good. The fish and chips got two separate thumbs up. I enjoyed the brisket sandwich. Make reservations for prime time. Parking can be painful, I went to the street behind Dunkin donuts
Indoor and outdoor dining is open now. Great food and excellent service. The cheese plate was really good, especially the blue cheese. Also, the pickled veggies included fennel! One of the best fried chicken sandwiches I've had in a while. Finally, they sell beer, wine, and cocktails to go. Awesome time.
It's St Patrick's Day weekend. Perfect place. Fun and full of people. Not many folks on the sidewalks in Union Square. Attentive and informed service.
Such a cozy bar/restaurant. It feels both like being in a pub in the UK, as well as a nice American restaurant. The staff is super friendly, and it’s a really fun atmosphere - not overwhelming, but buzzing in a good way. Lots of little groups sharing bites. And the food was good too.
Cozy & kind, perfect spot to unwind! On a snow day or summer breeze-through, figure out where you will park and then linger over excellent locally sourced food and options for all ages.
I really enjoyed my time here! First, the Halloween decor was fantastic — a skeleton and a big hairy spider, but done so tastefully that it felt festive rather than over the top. Inside was cozy with candles on each table, a brick wall, quirky posters, bookshelves, and card games. I tried the orange wine, which was unique and refreshing. My partner got a cocktail called In the Cards — rye with cinnamon and cardamom — perfect for fall. We shared the fried calamari, I had the fish and chips (very good), and my partner had the mac and cheese (hearty and filling). Overall, great vibe, good food and drinks. I’ll be back.
Common questions about The Independent
The Independent is located at 75 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143, United States, Somerville, MA, United States.
You can reach The Independent by calling +1 617-440-6022.
The Independent has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 829 customer reviews.
The Independent features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
The Independent features the following from the business: Identifies as women-owned.
The Independent features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Kerbside pickup, Delivery, Takeaway, Dine-in.
The Independent features the following highlights: Fast service, Great bar food, Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Karaoke, Quiz night, Serves local specialty, Sport.
The Independent features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
The Independent features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Food, Food at bar, Late-night food, Spirits, Vegetarian options, Wine.
The Independent features the following dining options: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
The Independent features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom, Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi.
The Independent features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Trendy.
The Independent features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, LGBTQ+ friendly, Transgender safe space, University students.
The Independent features the following planning: Accepts reservations.
The Independent features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
The Independent features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs, Kids' menu.
The Independent features the following parking: Free parking lot, Paid parking lot, Paid street parking.
The Independent features the following pets: Dogs allowed outside.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
Request a table and we'll confirm your booking shortly.
