+1 617-623-2233
Nestled in the heart of Somerville, Ball Square Cafe offers a delightful breakfast and lunch experience that keeps locals coming back for more. This charming restaurant perfectly blends a cozy, inviting atmosphere with a menu bursting with comforting and inventive American fare, making it a true culinary gem for early risers and midday diners alike.
Specializing in breakfast classics, Ball Square Cafe elevates familiar dishes using fresh, high-quality ingredients and expert preparation. Start your day with the indulgent Coconut Macaroon French Toast or savor the rich, savory notes of the Roasted Mushroom Omelette with a Side of Bacon, where the mushrooms are earthy and perfectly caramelized, while the bacon melts delightfully on your palate. For a luscious sweet treat, the Caramelized Banana and Walnut Waffle topped with whipped cream is a flawless balance of crunchy, sweet, and creamy textures.
The café’s Belgian waffles come dressed to impress, whether drizzled with Nutella, fresh strawberries, or the crowd-pleasing homemade fried chicken and waffle combination — each bite a symphony of flavor and crunch that feels both indulgent and comforting. For those who enjoy savory options, the Steak and Cheese Omelet and Moroccan Eggs introduce bold, vibrant tastes that awaken the senses with sautéed tomatoes, onions, and carefully spiced flavors.
One standout feature beloved by patrons is “Omar’s Home Fries,” a buttery grilled mashed potato side that has been praised as addictive and perfectly seasoned, adding a satisfying and hearty touch to any breakfast plate. This distinctive offering illustrates Ball Square Cafe’s dedication to crafting memorable dishes that go beyond the usual fare.
The beverage choices are equally thoughtful, with the fresh-squeezed orange juice bursting with citrus brightness and a cappuccino that offers rich, velvety coffee notes — the ideal complement to the rich, flavor-packed menu items. Special dietary needs are well-catered for here, with gluten-free pancakes and vegetarian sausage options, ensuring everyone can enjoy a delicious meal.
Beyond breakfast and lunch, Ball Square Cafe’s catering service earns glowing reviews for quality and generosity. Whether it’s tender, well-seasoned steak tips, flavorful chicken parmesan, or a fresh, crisp Caesar salad, customers consistently celebrate their catering choices as reliable and crowd-pleasing for any gathering.
What truly sets Ball Square Cafe apart is its ability to marry a warm, welcoming setting with expertly crafted dishes that feel both familiar and refreshingly inventive. The staff’s attentive service and the kitchen’s dedication to flavor and quality create an experience that feels personal and genuinely satisfying. Guests like Max Cooperman and Munah rave about the perfectly cooked eggs, the melt-in-your-mouth bacon, and the outstanding grilled mashed potatoes, while long-time fans like Cesar Ziegler consider it their go-to breakfast haven in Massachusetts.
Whether you’re stepping in for a peaceful solo breakfast, brunch with friends, or ordering catering for a special occasion, Ball Square Cafe consistently delivers on flavor, atmosphere, and hospitality. It’s a must-visit spot that elevates simple breakfast and lunch classics into memorable, crave-worthy meals that leave you eagerly planning your next visit.
This was incredibly easy to give a 5 star, here’s why. We got two plates, the “Fit for a King or Queen” and a Make-your-own breakfast sandwich with grilled mashed potatoes on the side. Here’s everything you need to know: the bacon melts in your mouth and is absolutely delicious. The grilled mashed is a staple here, it’s buttery and addictive. They have great gluten free options including pancakes, English muffins, and toast. Everything was amazing and I’ll be back soon. UPDATE 11/11/2025: Ball Square Cafe does not miss. I’ve been here 7-8 more times since the original review, 10/10 every time. This is my go to brunch spot, especially when it comes to gluten free options.
First time coming here and it will not be my last! This clean cozy cafe has everything you need for a nice brunch! Service was efficient and amazing! I ordered the meat lovers omelet and the waitress recommended the grilled mashed potatoes and THEY WERE OUTSTANDING!! I am now hooked. Their hot chocolate was tasty too! I enjoyed everything on my plate! I will be back!
We ordered catering with steak tips, chicken parm, and Caesar salad, and everything was a hit. The steak tips were tender and well-seasoned, the chicken parm was flavorful with plenty of sauce and melted cheese, and the Caesar salad was fresh and crisp. Portions were generous and perfect for a group. Overall, great quality food and a solid catering choice—we’d definitely order again.
I’ve been to many breakfast spots across Massachusetts, and Ball Square Café is by far the number one! The food is absolutely delicious — everything tastes fresh and perfectly prepared. The pancakes are out of this world, fluffy and full of flavor. If I could give them more than 5 stars, I definitely would. This place has officially become my go-to spot for breakfast. Without a doubt, the best place in Somerville!
Order 2 calzones for Christmas Eve get together. The calzones were a big hit. The rib eye steak and cheese calzone was excellent, very tender meat and tasty. Chicken parm calzone was excellent also. Highly recommend!
Really good service!!! No wait, both times I've been, however, I've seen people waiting outside for a table. Yummy food! The Moroccan eggs were fantastic! The omelets are good, so are the eggs and steak tips!! Went back another time! My partner had the Moroccan eggs, I had a bacon/mushroom omelet and we shared the raspberry French toast with vanilla cream!! So delicious!! Great service!!
Great place for brunch in Ball Square. I went on a whim because I've been disappointed by the quality of Sound Bites in the past year, and I've clearly been missing out. The coconut macaroon french toast was amazing! I will definitely get that again! The lox wasn't anything special, but it was good, and I didn't have any complaints. Whenever my coffee ran low, I was offered some more, which was great, and the service was fast.