The Independent

We only had coffee and water, but it was a cup of recently made coffee. The Independent has a really nice, spacious and comfortable outdoor patio with many tables all covered by umbrellas and a great street atmosphere. For a drink, or two or just to relax for a while seems to be the ideal spot. Shout out to John who was our attentive, nice and friendly server.

An old and not crowded pub. It's a classical pub with wooden counters, dark ambience, and moderately fancy bar bood. The food is solid. Not a bad place to come for a beer and a burger!

Staff was friendly and quick. But honestly the food wasn’t that great. The Fish and Chips we had was a little off. The steak tips were really burnt on one side and super sweet. The chicken was very small. Just wasn’t our cup of tea.

The food was great but overshadowed by probably the most friendly staff in Boston. Everyone from the greeter to the bartenders and even the runner were just the most inviting and hospitable people. I went there for a casual first date and I will say, she was even happier than me. We had mussels which were correctly prepared in an authentic European broth and Mac&Cheese which was too bland for me but she devoured like there was a prize at the bottom. The place is roomy and not crowded. Parking was a chore though

Good service throughout the meal. Drinks were tasty but small and a little pricey. The artichoke dip appetizer was very good. Limited selection of entrees. The hamburger was not great but the fries were very good. Not bad but not great

Ok so interesting spot. Was in town with the fam, looked up spots that do dollar oysters this was one of them (Mondays 5-10pm). Table for 5 at 8:30pm/ We got a mushroom fricasee (polenta), 1 fancy salad with grilled chicken, 2 x mac and cheese and 1 indo burger. All were OK. The Mac and cheese portion is too small to be called a main dish, was more of an appetizer size. The 2 who had it were still hungry. The salad is also on the small side. Added chicken for an extra 8$ makes it a 24$ salad served in a half size dish. Burger was nice but again could be dressed up a little and maybe had a few more French fries on the side. The mushroom dish was ok 6/10. We also ordered 2 dozen oyster and those were a pleasant surprise. Good size, plump and deliciously salty. They add 3% to your bill as a kitchen service charge which is super odd. Buffer it into your price….why are you charging patrons a separate line item, seems like a weird way to say that your waiters dont share services tips with the kitchen staff. I’d Go back but would order differently

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.

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.

This is a place I will SURELY return to! We randomly stumbled upon this place while waiting for Urban Axes and it did not disappoint. We bought chips with French onion dip and Mac and cheese - both were filling and flavorful. However my favorite thing on the menu is the Thin Lassi cocktail. It's the BEST cocktail I've ever had - looks like ice water but is bursting with so many flavors at once including mango lassi, coconut, cardamom, lime, and saffron. It was like a party in a glass leaving you wanting moOur waitress was extremely polite and tended to all our needs as well!

Met expectations. Super cute interior and a chill gastropub/sports bar vibe. Food was decent, menu imaginative for the neighborhood but not the region. Guinness served in a frosted glass, as well as a Jameson neat. Mildly disappointing as this is bartender 101. Service was slower than what I would have liked to see, but it was pleasant. Probably would have ordered more if we were taken care of. A single gender neutral bathroom. Love the gender neutral, but not the single option. JFC, what happens when there is a full house?

I am not sure what this place is like as far as hanging out, and for drinks, it looks like it could potentially be a great spot. Because it's so beautiful inside it's so spacious, the decor is absolutely gorgeous. They have inadequate amount of staff, however during my visit there weren't many people in there so I don't know what the serving ratio is. I would highly advise against the food, I guess I can't speak for all of it but I did have the I'll tell you right now fish and chips and the chicken sandwich and both were very disappointing. The batter on the fish and chips is so greasy and has this weird like taste to it. The french fries are delicious, though. And the crispy chicken sandwich I don't know it tastes like they fried in an oil that's been used way too many times. Our server was okay. I'm not the best at hospitality, but she was attentive. Another thing I disliked was my food was brought out before my daughters, I always think that's weird because I would like to eat the same time as a person that I'm there with. So once my food comes out, I have to wait for her to come out, and then mine is cold. I'm just sitting there. But the server did take note and asked why her food wasn't there at the same time, so maybe it was just the kitchen issue. They have a big drink list, so if you're going to drink, I would say go for it because it does look like that kind of spot.

Love the indo, great neighborhood spot, food is delicious and bar staff is great (shout out to John and CJ)

Came here with a large group on a Friday evening and they seated us within 10 minutes despite not having a reservation - very accommodating and kind! The service was pretty patient and quick with getting us drinks and such. I appreciated the kindness and efficiency while the drinks were pretty well priced and tasty. The shots we got went down pretty easily and the vibe of the place overall was relaxing but fun, great for a night out! Overall, I definitely wouldn't hesitate to come back if in the area again. I enjoyed my time and would recommend this place for some late night drinks and a good time!

I had a beer and took a picture of it to share some of the cheers and make the moment last a little longer! What happens before or after are of no consequence to the here and now, just the people you share The Independent moment, and that moment alone, with!

Horrible food, horrible management, and wait staff. The food is disgusting and cold. Also make sure you ask for napkins and silverware. I ordered food once I opened the bag to my surprise I had no silverware or napkins. I asked to speak to management and he said it's customary to ask for silverware and napkins for to go orders. I had to eat my food like a caveman. The manager could care less. Avoid at all cost.

I'm torn between a 3 and a 4. I usually go for brunch but have been there for lunch and dinner too. I think their food is decent but their service is lacking. Usually when service is slow at restaurants it is because the waitstaff, hostess, etc. are hustling. But you can tell they aren't busy and just chatty with their co-workers rather than caring about their customers. No problem, to me, I just reflect it in my tip. Figured I should write a review because that's my honest thought on this place.

Great dependable neighborhood spot for dinner and weekend brunch. They have also been great to work with for special events. I am so glad they have been in Union Square for as long as they have and I sincerely hope they continue for years to come.

Great neighborhood restaurant with friendly service They have a new chef since about 4 months ago who has Frenchified the menu and taken it from ok to pretty damn good! We've been here several times before for basic bar food and draft beer. But the menu is definitely up a level more recently. The mussels were A+, plump and juicy with a delicious mustard cream sauce with bits of chorizo. The mustard vinaigrette on the salad was really well balanced and tasty (Chef likes mustard!). Our entrees were good. The rainbow trout was very good. The brisket sandwich was flavorful but a bit dry and could have used some jus. The wine selection, mostly French now, was well curated and of course they still have a great selection of draft beer. This is the only resto in Union square were you can still walk in without a reservation on a Saturday night. Maybe not for long...

Definitely going to be my new go to spot in the neighborhood for an easy, no frills meal and drinks. I stopped in around 6pm on a Saturday with a group of 5 after we couldn't get a table at Back Bar. They seated us right away despite not having a reservation. We opted for drinks and appetizers only and everything was great. I was surprised by how good the cocktails were. I started with the King Volcano which was spicy and flavorful (though a little too smoky for my taste thanks to the chipotle in the tequila, it almost tasted like Mezcal so if you're into that I'd send it) and followed it up with the Getgo which was my favorite of the evening. We also ordered the calamari and pretzel with pub cheese, both were very simple but well done and exactly what we needed to go with a few rounds of drinks. There's nothing fancy about this place, but if you're looking for a fun, neighborhood hang out with reliable food and drinks, this is the place. Looking forward to coming back for a full meal soon!

I used to come here a bunch when they first opened in 2001 but I hadn't been in over a decade. They must be doing something right to stay open in this prime real estate right by the future green line stop, right? The Independent serves classic American brunch dishes. I appreciate that they offer a veggie burger in the otherwise meat-filled menu, but it was a bit dry and low on flavor. The fries are good though! The beer / cocktail menu is impressive and the service was friendly and efficient. I can't complain about much, but the food is pretty middle of the road.

Came for the calamari, stayed for the old fashioned. Calamari was spicier than I would've liked with the sauce and deep fried peppers included but actual calamari was good. The old fashioned was great, tough to do well but when it hits it hits. Ask for cubed ice and dark cherry.

I'm here to judge only on food! Presentation: 3.5 Texture: 5 Flavor: 4 First time visiting this place and I was pleasantly surprised. I tried the cubano and the fried chicken sandwich, both really good! The cubano was my favorite, perfect ratio of cheese to pork to ham in a perfectly pressed, crispy bread roll. The chicken sandwich was good but nothing extraordinary. When you eat the sandwich together it works, but individual components felt a little flat. Fries we perfect, very crispy but fluffy on the inside. And the side salad was actually amazing, very tasty and made with love (most restaurants just put some sad greens with no dressing). Portions were big! I'd come back to try other items.

This is one of the better bars in Camb/Som area without question. The service has always been spectacular the handful of times I dropped in. Some great cocktail selections and the food is great. Highly recommend the maple Buffalo wings, any soup, steak tips, salmon, and the burger. I also love the atmosphere there. It's got a nice feel to it. Clean, cozy, and two bars that are great to sit at. A local bar and restaurant that you could eat at daily - and I would if I lived closer. Thanks Independent!

We arrived with no reservations and were seated immediately which was a great bonus. When it came to the food it wasn't anything to brag about though. We got the fried calamari as an appetizer. Pretty horrendous quality as it contained little calamari so it was like just eating tasteless air. I got the lamb burger as an entree. It didn't really taste like anything besides the over powering and cold tasting mint seasoning that was on top. Would I visit again? I don't know.

4.5 stars for ambience. This is the type of place that I could rerun to over and over. Love the dark wood and warm, cozy interior. Nice bar with wide, round, leather top stools and intimate square high tops surrounded by one long wooden built in bench type seat. Dim lights, candle on table and pretty good music create the perfect date spot and 3 larger screens will appeal to the sports enthusiast. Pub menu, decent amount of beers on tap.... except for the one that Lee wanted. Too late for food, I enjoyed the compact but decadent brownie with a Demi scoop of vanilla ice cream, walnuts and a salted Carmel drizzle. I really like it here.

This is a great place for drinks and I love the apps! Food was so good, we started with the calamari and the meze platter which came with marinated feta, black bean hummus, beat tzatziki, pickles, and pitas. Afterwards we decided to split the gnocchi and the poutine. Everything was delicious but the meze platter blew us away and was the favorite of the meal. We had never tried anything quite like it and though we weren't sure what to expect, loved it! In addition to highly recommending that, I urge you to sample some of their cocktails. We started with an Irish Old Fashion and then I had a Crown Heights Sour. The Crown Heights Sour was one of my favorite drinks I've had out, it was a rye base with a red wine float. Love the creativity and the patio atmosphere. Looking forward to coming back soon.

Inside the restaurant itself is nice. Outdoor seating is annoying as everyone walking by bounces the floating flooring. Calamari was chewy. Lamb burger was 5/10. Regular burger was 0/10...overcooked so bad it was most likely on fire. Waitress was very nice.

We came here for a nice night out and had a pretty good time! The drinks were tasty and potent, and the food was good. My favorite drink here is the Santa Clarita, but the sangria is pretty bad. For food, the ploughman's platter and pork tostadas were amazing! The brussel dish was a bit undercooked, and the calamari were okay. Overall, pretty decent place, but didn't blow me out of the water.

Went for brunch today. Nice place right in Union Sq. Place was about half full with most people sitting at the bar. I got the corner beef Benedict. Everything was done right! Jess was our server. She was fast and efficient. With some help from other staff. An enjoyable time and meal. Will def be back!

Love the restaurant and service is great! The cocktails are incredible. Came here as the first part of our bar crawl through Inman square. Truly enjoyed it.

Stopped in for a beer recently and was grossly overcharged? Not sure how it happened, but I ordered a Narragansett lager and Miller Hi Life. Should'e been $5.40 + $4.40=9.8 + 2 dollar tip = $11.80. I look on my bank account 2 days later and I'm charged $16.50 plus another charge for a seperate $5.40? I mean come on. No clue how it happened since the tab was clearly $11.80. Won't be going back. $22.90 for a Narragansett and Miller Hi Life I guess.

Incredibly mediocre food and very rude servers who blatantly ignored me and my friends multiple times before taking our orders

Interesting bar/restaurant. One side is the pub and the other side is the restaurant. Came here with my sister because of Gilmore girls. The staff didn't even care about Gilmore Girls, they literally said they'd rather be watching some other show. The advertisement initially said themed food, drinks, music and the day of there was only themed drinks. The bartender had a big cough over someone's drink. We started with the Founder's Punch ($10) rum and punch and Range Life ($11) tequila and apple brandy. Then shared the mussels and fried chicken. Decadent and divine surprisingly. The moosabec mussels ($14) were in a creamy, tomatey, garlicy broth with three pieces of nicely charred bread. The fried chicken ($19) was finely brown but didn't taste burnt and came with a sweet potato biscuit and coleslaw. Perfectly cooked and finger lickin' good. It was a good try to lure the crowds for a pre-Thanksgiving go and they had quite a few tables but there were no subtitles on the two dinky tvs and the music was all right. Thumbs up for the coat hangers under the bar though. Service was good and the bathroom was all right... I'd come again if other people wanted to check it out, but I wouldn't sit at the bar because it was hard to watch the bartenders mix drinks with the spoon upside down and make the same drink 5 different ways. Brunch seems to be the biggie at this place though.

This spot was a great place to grab a few amazing drinks and some simple fare. We had a new server, who went above and beyond-gave us solid recommendations, and catered to our dietary restrictions like a champ. The mussels (without chorizo) were awesome; fish and chips and cheeseburger were fine (the fries stood out more than most, but burger portions were small). Truly the night's standouts were the earl-grey-infused-scotch-and-pomegranate cocktail, the chipotle-infused tequila, and even the mezcal/amaro chaser that came with my beer. Call it a great bar with good eats, and you're bound to be happy.

Drinks were good, food is decent, prices are high. The cocktail with lavender was tasty.

Food was overall awesome, however the service sucked, felt extremely rushed and just had an extremely rude waitress. cool ambiance though.

Seriously cannot go wrong with The Indo. Drinks are incredibly well crafted. I got the Crown Heights Sour and the Flannel Channel. Both delicious. For dinner I got the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich with Hot Maple Mustard and it was excellent. I got it with fries, and pro-tip if you're a French Fry dipper like me - ask for the Gorgonzola Dressing on the side. You'll thank me later. ;-) Throughout the years, I continue to love the vibe at this place. The outdoor patio is great and the service is always prompt. There always seems to be a group of friends laughing and enjoying drinks here. Good for the soul. The Indo is a tried and true Union Square staple!

First time visiting this restaurant as my friend and I were looking for a quick bite to eat. I recall hearing good things about it when it first opened so we opted to try it out. We went on a Saturday...didn't realize they did brunch on Saturdays too. They only had the brunch menu available. We made the best of it. My friend ordered veggie benedict and I ordered a mixed green salad with goat cheese and pomegranate with grilled chicken. My friend liked his order but I didn't like mine. Tasteless dressing and equally tasteless goat cheese. I barely noticed the goat cheese as there were 2-3 tiny dollops of it. But the chicken was nasty. It had a weird taste and consistency to it. Stringy with a strange flavor that I couldn't identify. Not sure if was spoiled. Luckily, I didn't not get sick from eating it. Service was average at best. It appears they are suffering from inexperienced newbie staff like many other food establishments. There was a good vibe to the place and it did get busy by the time we left. All in all, I probably wouldn't go back nor recommend unless I didn't have any other options. Based on the crowd, it is a popular place so perhaps I'm the outlier. There is metered parking in front but spaces can go quickly.

Slam dunk with the oysters! Like. Wow. Never have I had better oysters. So fresh and so clean. We went on a Monday, sat on their patio, and it happened to be $1 oysters. Best oysters, #1. Fried chicken sandwiches! Wings were admired by all of the meat lovers amongst us. Burrata was bomb; who knew a neighborhood bar could make such a divine salad! We also got a burger, good reviews on that. Oh wait- the cocktails! Omg start with the Getgo, a vodka guava martini delight. Then spice things up with the King Volcano. Their espresso martini was nice af.

Visited on a Friday night in December of 2018. We were 5 of us and getting seated took about 5 minutes which I'd say is really quick for a Friday night. We ordered a bunch of drinks and food. Service was great and the restaurant has got a nice feel to it. Must Try: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

I am adding this one star review in complete disgust of the buttermilk chicken sandwich being removed from the menu. If there's anyone out there... anyone at all who has any pull in that kitchen please answer my prayer. If it's added back I give the independent 5 stars, truly a great all around restaurant, but for now I'm unfortunately left to my last resort.

This is a review about their delivery through toast. I ordered delivery from here and really liked it! I'd definitely order from them again. I got - Maine Mussels: delicious, flavorful, still warm when they arrived! Sauce comes packaged separately - Bangers and Mash: tastier than it looks. Mashed potatoes were excellent. I liked this dish, prob wouldn't get it agin though. Mostly bc it was just too heavy for my taste - Parisian Gnocchi: delicious! Very mushroomy Note that the food doesn't come with plates/utensils. At least what I ordered, esp mussels, you should provide your own bowls so that you can pour the sauce over the mussels.

This location has a bar side (left) and a restaurant side (right). Last night, I spent a few hours in the restaurant. As soon as you walk in, you'll notice the large amount of dark wood juxtaposed with lighter colored furniture and walls. Started with drinks. They tasted good but mine was heavily iced, detracting from the drink. I was also a bit disappointed that I had to adjust my whiskey choice due to unavailability of my first choice. But, being that it was Tuesday, I can understand they might be waiting for a mid-week delivery. Then, ordered a snack -- fries w/ aioli. The fries were good, presumably double fries as they were nice and crunchy! I was surprised to see that the snack was served and only a few minutes later the entrees were served, living little room on the table. The entrees were portioned well and balanced in flavor. We tried the beet salad with grilled chicken and the chicken basil Alfredo. Both are worth a try! During the meal, we felt very comfortable and not rushed. Our waiter checked in enough, but not too much. The leather chairs in the dining room were so comfy I could have stayed longer! If you are looking for an average American dining option in Somerville, this is your spot.

Seems to average out to a solid three-star place. Some good food (I do recommend the mussels), and a good bit of meh/heavy-handed food. Decent beer selection but my mixed drink had barely any alcohol in it that I could taste. They forgot the bacon on my burger altogether (sigh) and gave me fries instead of a salad (although they did eventually remember the side salad). They would really have to tighten things up to get to four stars.

I've been here numerous times for drinks, and am never disappointed. The left side is a wonderfully cozy, dark bar-only area with knowledgeable and attentive bartenders, and their beer list is on point (they do cocktails too). Can't speak about the food, but it's definitely a great spot to grab some drinks.

This place has a nice aesthetic and our server was pleasant but the food was not great. I had the poutine and french onion soup and both lacked quality flavors. The cheese on the poutine was a bit too salty and the french onion soup was not fresh but tasted more like it came from a frozen container. The prices were also too high for portion sizes and quality.

I really liked this place. Food was delicious. Service was fine- nothing great but not bad. Definitely coming back for the food though, and the drinks were good too. I like the beer selection as well

Came here for drinks and appetizers and it was very nice. Great ambiance with dimmed lights and lit candles. Many many drink options. Delicious food options, vegetarian included. Ordered the EVOO Brussel sprouts and they were delicious. Just the right amount of garlic and oil and not too salty. The calamari was great, came with some tasty fried peppers and a delicious aioli-- just the right amount of spicy. We also ordered oysters and they were excellent and fresh. Service was wonderful, everyone smiled and was happy to serve us. Very accommodating and attentive without being too much. Would definitely go back for dinner, drinks, or more appetizers. I recommend.

I went to The Independent for the first time ever. It's too bad I waited so long, since this place is pretty fab. My guy and I went Monday for the half price oysters. We got a dozen for $15 -- tried (4) each of the (3) different offerings. They were all deeelicious. Having had some poorly shucked oysters in the past, I was pretty pleased with how clean they were (and they did a good job loosening each oyster from their shell, so no struggling on my end). We also shared a veggie cheese burger, which I really enjoyed as well. I'd definitely return for Monday night oysters and/or date night. Side note -- beer list was good, and I enjoyed my cocktail!

The Indo always seems like a good idea: new American fare, killer cocktail list, please-all diversity, gastropubesque. It's the inconsistency that really buries it in the pile. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of the pros/cons list, but in some environments (greasy spoons and everypubs), it's really the only way to lay down the facts. + Deviled eggs flavor: tangy, firm and heavily salted. Dig the cuke platters to keep them upright, and bring a little texture to the party. + Gnocchi with short rib: eating this dish is like coming out of the rain and sliding in to a warm, thick robe. A robe made of braised meat. Gravy slippers. + The cocktails. Go with one from the specialty list and it's a ne'erfail. Honolulu Dogfight? Alright. Calamity Jane? Okayne. + Service. Top notch. Incredibly on point without hovering. - Deviled eggs price. Two eggs halved for $5? All-Star Sandwich Bar does a picnic version and slings 1.5 ova for $0.99. Maybe it doesn't run the con anywhere else on the menuohwait. $8 for a wedge salad. Suckered. - The calamari. Just... awful. Imbalanced, overcooked and almost rancid. Actually had to send it back. Bad plate? Won't chance it again. - Sirloin salad. The played-out combination of Bibb lettuce, blue cheese, avocado and tomato serving as a bed for protein would be fine and dandy, if it were executed well. The steak is rimmed with fat, most definitely precooked and sliced cold; the cherry toms are underripe and mealy in a handful of salad. Portioned for kids, priced for adults ($12). Nope. Methinks I'll be sticking it out at the bar for the next journey 'round Union Square, but with options like Precinct, Bronwyn and backbar closer to front of mind, I'm not sure when that next drink may come.

My boyfriend and I had an amazing experience. The mussels as our app were absolutely to die for. The atmosphere was awesome and so was our service. My Rosé Spritz was unreal!

I'm a fan of The Indep. The cocktails are great, the beer list is pretty good, there's gastropub fare (a little upscale, a little pricey, pretty tasty), and a brunch with a full Irish breakfast. It's a fairly large space (and even larger in good weather when the patio is open), so only at the busiest of times is it a wait and it's usually not uncomfortably crowded. The place is the corner-stone of Union. As such, it doesn't stand out as much as many places around it. But the service is friendly, and it's well worth going time and again.

Great food and fair prices for the area. But the way the staff treats it's customers was poor and lacked transparency. They fail to provide any explanation for "sold out items" and regulars will get there way. I was told by are server there were out bacon and my grandma and I could not get BLTs. However my brother's Mac n cheese had bacon in it. We finished dinner and payed the bill. After we payed the bill, the table next to use received BLT sandwiches. Apparently, they weren't out! Asked the server why that was, but he failed to provide an explanation, brushed it off and walked away. I did not want to cause a scene because I was with my family and did want to disturb the mood. It was a shame because the loin steak tips and garlic aioli fries were cooked to perfection!

Solid spot. The dishes aren't very big but they are flavorful! The atmosphere on a given night is super dark, my old eyes can barely see in the place. Great waiter and clean restrooms.

Pros: Atmosphere was classy & comfortable. We went for brunch--delicious pancakes and homefries. Excellent service. Cons: They advertised a 16oz mimosa, which was really 12oz and full of ice. I don't trust people that serve ice in their drinks. You wouldn't water down a beer, keep it out of the champagne.

Decent brunch and average prices for Boston. I ordered the Ham and Cheese Omelette which came with a side of breakfast potatoes. Overall the omelette was just okay. Nothing spectacular, probably would order something different if I go back. The potatoes had a really yummy seasoning!

Loved the atmosphere of this place. Server was extremely nice. Tried their specialty cocktail which is spin off of a spicy margarita. It was easily a 10/10. Great spice flavor, with balanced citrus taste. This place is know for its deviled eggs and it did not disappoint. Honestly overall this was a great restaurant with great eats and affordable compared to much of Boston.