Arts At the Armory Cafe

This review is only reflecting the Farmers Market part.
I came here with my sister on Saturday to pick some up items. She has a farm share. The eggs were $ 8 a dozen! WHAT?! lol. so yea. i was in complete shock. She got a variety of veggies. She also picked up meat but it was at a different location.
So I walked around a bit. There were so many little stands and they all offered a variety of things. I didn’t get a see all of it but mostly veggies or different sorts. The price is a bit expensive however so i don’t know how much I would spend here if I were to pick up something here and there. It’s still cool though and I love the idea of buying straight from farmers rather than a market but sometimes your wallet dictates where you can go. I want to give it a 3.5 stars but settled on 3 instead of 4 because of its price.

Stepping into this quaint space instantly puts me at ease. I come here to see/​perform in shows and open mics. Although the food selection is limited, the Armory does offer some healthy vegetarian dishes like sandwiches, soups, and salads. I love few things more than ordering a sandwich, side of soup, and some herbal tea and relaxing on the couch while taking in a show. I could disappear into that couch, I swear. The food, though not particularly fancy, is always satisfying and nourishing. Sitting in this café makes me feel like a rodent burrowing into a cozy nook and I mean that in the best way possible.

It is better than what it looks like from the outside! Cozy, easy going place. Better than expected food and nice people running it. I find it easier to work at since it doesn’t play background music often and when it does it’s not blaring. I only wish it had more sunlight, but that’s the building style not the café’s fault.

Only had the soup (apple butternut squash). Took them 20 minutes to serve it and it was watery with little taste.

I love the atmosphere and the coffee and it’s nice to listen to some music while having a snack or meal. I’ve gone a few times on Saturday afternoons after attending the indoor winter farmers market. My complaint is the wait time. I’ve been there a few times when it’s not been busy and the food takes such a long time to come out. I was also disappointed with the vegetarian sandwich. I expected that the sandwich would have a few slices of great cheddar cheese but instead they put in a tiny, skinny triangle of that orange cheddar. It might not be processed food, but it sure seemed like it.

Perfect place to work if you want peace and quiet and lots of space, rather than getting crowded out in some Starbucks blaring their cheesy proprietary «Starbucks Radio» music. That said, some people prefer a more energetic and active setting… just depends on your preferences. Oh, and unlike many otherwise great independent cafes in the area, internet here is free and amazingly reliable/​fast. Certainly beats the eternally buggy, slow-​as-​molasses wifi at the Somerville Library down the street!
I always get iced coffee here which is strong and a decent amount for the price; the teas I found kind of so-​so, and while I’ve never had their food, it all looks quite good and reasonably priced… just too carby for my needs. They do have a surprising number of good craft beers in bottle, though, as well as wine… haven’t partaken as of yet, but as long as you weren’t looking to get drunk on the cheap it seems plenty adequate.
Have never taken in any of the performances they do here, but it does feel good to know that your dollars spent here are supporting such community events, not some distant corporation that could give a flying F.
My only complaint about this place is that they often have the AC running way too cold even when it’s in the 60s or 70s outside… what’s up with that??? Just make sure you bring an extra layer if you’re planning to hang out for a while.

The Armory Café is a great little coffee and sandwich shop and a performance space. I always enjoy their mocha latte’s and pastries. The panini’s are almost as good as Panera’s plus they have beer and wine options. What more could you ask for at an arts center in the city?
I consider it a hidden gem.

Definitely not as cool as I was expecting, based on the location and the other reviews I browsed. [Fair insight: I was hungry when I arrived, and hangry by the time I got my food]
The person who took my order wasn’t sure what they make the smoothies with – I’m making an assumption because I just kept asking her more specific questions about the smoothies and not getting an answer. Finally I just went with a sandwich and some soup. The sando showed up on a plate next to some lettuce. Maybe it was intended to be a salad, but there was no dressing so… that’s just lettuce. I had to ask for my soup twice before it actually got to me. That’s a bummer – I love soup.
In general, for the service and the food offerings, the prices don’t justify the end product. On the other hand, it does have free wi-​fi…

We’ve been going here after my daughter’s music class for a few months now. Always on a Tuesday at 10am and there’s usually three moms and three kids, plus a few others that stop in. There used to be a few breads and croissants to choose from, not great, but fine and convenient after class. The woman that works there is just ok too. Never friendly even though she sees us every week and we all tip. Lately there’s only two croissants left and nothing else, really? Is this a café or not? We’ve decided to walk down the street to Three Little Figs from now on.

Like others here, I really wanted to like this place but the food & coffee are just awful. Let’s just say the microwave gets a lot of use. The armory is such a cool place — I hope they put some more effort into the café. Anyway, now I have an answer to why it’s always empty.

I really like this place. It’s so different then the other cafes, because it feels more homey. Its very casual and cozy. The only thing i dont like is that it can be expensive. The food is excellent, and the pastries are divine. They even have gluten free options. Its just that I’m poor, so about $ 7 for a sandwich and at least $ 2 for a cupcake leaves me a bit broke. Aside from that, its got free wireless and is the perfect place to relax and get some work done on a weekday afternoon when it’s not usually too crowded. They also hold events there which is a great way to bring the local art community together.

I walk here almost every day for a coffee after lunch. Aside from being a fantastic cultural arts venue, the food is good and the espresso better than most. The pastries, many of which are gluten free, look amazing, but I try not to eat them daily. The people who work at the café are very nice.

I love the armory and the Café, There is always something cool going on at the café. You can catch some live music or even a live podcast getting recorded. They have great coffee, food and Beer. I like a café that I can go and get a Guinness at.

A place that supports local comedy?! No way!
I did a standup show here a few weeks back and it went magnificently. The room is intimate and comfortable, the pianos are a nice touch, and the waitstaff are helpful and friendly.
I was going to try the food but nerves got the best of me. I did, however, have some tea and later in the evening wine. Their wine selection: so-​so but their tea: oh man. One of my favorite prepackaged brands is Mighty Leaf and that’s what they carry. It’s fantastic.
Extra plus: they use LevelUp. And I love when I can use my phone and not bother with my wallet.
Come be a patron! Support local arts and comedy!

I was so excited when I discovered this place right down the street!
As a coffee shop, it was wonderful, and the events they host look really cool, though I have yet to attend one.
My only reservation lay in the fact that on my first visit the woman behind the counter seemed flustered when I asked for a recommendation. I love taking recommendations from people wherever I go and especially at coffee shops because there is always something different to try. Maybe she was new or in the middle of something but she was taken aback when I asked her to recommend a drink and she told me to just get a cappuccino or latte, which I did, and it was very good. So maybe that was what she liked.
I will definitely be going back to try different things, especially for an art show or concert, I’m excited they have beer and wine and are open later!

Every time I go in here during the day the place is empty and honestly I don’t why.
The Café is both welcoming and clean. The coffee is both tasty and reasonably priced. The service is always friendly and accommodating. But yet, empty.
Let’s try and change it. Come sample one of the hidden quiet coffee spots in the City, you’ll be glad you did.

i really wanted to like this place because it’s in a cool building and close to my place.
i got a sandwich for lunch, which was kinda average. and the tables are small and not very stable. the staff talked to each other way too loud, and it didn’t help that they didn’t put on good music. i moved to the couch and found that the staff put their stuff all over (they were trying to put some new paintings on the wall). i know it’s a low time of the day, but it doesn’t mean that they can be skimpy on their service. but overall it’s pleasant enough to hang out in there. the wifi was quite reliable. i’m willing to give them another chance. it might have been their off day…

What a cool little space!
Inside the Somerville Armory, this café is open seven days a week (longer hours — until 10pm — on Saturdays, shorter hours on Sundays). They have breakfast sandwiches, coffee and espresso drinks, salads, sandwiches, soups, and flatbread pizzas. There is also a good selection of wines and bottled beers from local brewers such as Pretty Things and Slumbrew.
A bunch of small tables with mismatched furniture. Live music at least a couple of nights a week. Free wifi and friendly staff. What’s not to love?

I just discovered that the Armory café is open 6 days a week. It’s a cozy little spot with sandwiches and beverages (coffee, tea, beer and wine!) Food was good, although the service was a little slow. It’s not a place you’d be at if you were in a rush anyway. I’ll be back!

I just went to the café for a business lunch meeting– super impressed with how cute it is. What a great addition to the neighborhood! I will try to get some photos because the photo on their website is not current. The café is very cozy, reminds me of a living room where I could hang out all day. Relaxing jazz playing in the background. Wonderful assortment of food, pastries, drinks, sandwiches and coffee/​tea. They even have beer and wine! I look forward to going back for a drink when I am not working.