Located in Sound Bites' old digs, the Ball Square Café’s menu is eerily similar to its renovated neighbor’s fare. In fact, the new brunch hotspot has retained Sound Bite’s old chef, Omar, who delivers some of the same treats that has made SB a Sunday morning staple. For those looking for shorter lines and a more laid-back atmosphere, Ball Square Café isn’t as crowded … at least, for now.

This old-school greasy spoon is known for its "Kiss My Grits!" service. Kelly’s Diner is a classic ‘50s-style silver boxcar with huge portions and an endless supply of coffee. This hotspot’s ambience alone is enough to keep them coming back with oldies tunes on the radio and a cutout of James Dean in the doorway.

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Urban Gourmet is currently being refurbished and will reopen soon.

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This is a great homestyle Italian-American deli in Somerville that serves up excellent veal and eggplant parm subs and fresh mozzarella proscuitto. Victor’s Deli also prepares Sicilian-style pizza and handmade calzones. This Ball Square gem also specializes in Italian staples like minestrone, pastas and wedding soup.

A Somerville fixture for 120 years, Lyndell’s Bakery specializes in cakes, cookies, Italian pastries, cupcakes and doughnuts. Their half-moon cookies (six-inch thin golden cakes chocolate and white icing) are their claim to fame, but it’s the shop’s no-frills charm and old-fashioned pastries like their bismarks and jelly rolls that keeps the locals coming back for more. Also, Lyndell’s is one of the last non-chain bakeries in Somerville where you can snag a doughnut for under a buck.

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Ball Square'sBall Square’s True Grounds begins where the now-defunct Someday Café left off. This local artist enclave is a true neighborhood coffeehouse with a stellar array of wraps and sandwiches that revel in Somerville's emerging color—including the Broadway (tuna melt with swiss), the Magoun Square (tofu, homemade hummus, sprouts and cucumbers) and the B-Square (roast beef, herbed boursin cheese and tomatoes). While this comfy café is becoming a hangout for up-and-coming musicians and writers (they offer free wi-fi to patrons), True Grounds' claim to fame is its refined aficionado coffees called George H. Howell’s terroir, which is served up in larger-than-usual cups and brewed to perfection. Owners Rhett and Amy also host a music night held the last Tuesday of the month from 7-9 p.m.

If you’re looking to tap into the old, working-class color of what Somerville used to be, Powderhouse Pub is the dive for you. This townie bar attracts an eclectic crew of Somerville regulars and underage Tufts students. Great place to grab a pitcher of beer and watch a Red Sox or Patriots game.