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Celeste

Name: Celeste
Address: 21 Bow St, Somerville, MA, United States, 02143-2933
Telephone: (617) 616-5319
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 22, 2024

10:00 p.m.

Booked 21 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Great for creative cocktails
Lively

It’ll be hard to find a restaurant as welcoming and lovely as Celeste. The Union Square spot feels like a party hosted by your very cool artsy friends, who just happen to make the best ceviche in town. Every dish here is tantalizing—throw in pisco-heavy drinks and a psychedelic cumbia playlist, and you’re in for the very best of Andean culture.
Recently included in The New York Times Best restaurants in Boston, Chef JuanMa and co-owner Maria Rondeau have been nominated for James Beard Best New Restaurant Semi-Finalist, Esquire's Best Restaurants in America, and Eater's Best Restaurant in Boston.

Why they're an Icon

From the OpenTable editors: Somerville has stellar Peruvian restaurants, but Celeste has always stood out from the crowd; Eater Boston named it restaurant of the year when it opened in 2018. That's because chef and owner JuanMa Calderon is recreating the recipes he learned from his mother and grandmother in a cozy and sleek space that will make you feel like you're eating in Calderon and his partner Maria Rondeau's home. You can expect some of the best ceviches in the city, the Andean stew carapulcra with pork and chicken, and colorful cocktails that celebrate Peruvian spirits and drinks like pisco and chicha.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Peruvian, Home cooking, Seafood
Hours of Operation
Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 616-5319
Website
https://celesteunionsquare.com/
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
21 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143-2933
Neighbourhood
Somerville
Parking details
None

seco de cordero con frijoles US$28.00
cilantro lamb stew + creamed canary beans with rice
sudado de pescado o berenjena
steamed fish or eggplant Peruvian-Chinese style with rice
- -US$26.00
- -US$23.00
locro (+ pescado frito + 7) US$23.00
black mint. squash, Java beans + potato stew with rice
camar6n al ajilloUS$27.00
shrimp scampi Peruvian style with rice
scallops con pasta a la huancaina US$29.00
seared scallops with fresh squid ink fettuccine + huancaina
lomo saltadoUS$28.00
stir-fried sirloin beef (8oz), tomato, onion, soy with rice
tacu tacu a lo macho (o de verduras) (+ pescado frito +7)
carapulcra US$26.00
/neon stew with potato, chicken, pork, peanuts + Porto with rice

SIDE

frijoles canarios** US$6.00
creamed canary beans

DESSERTS

suspiro limei'lo / dulce de leche custard US$12.00
suspiro limei'lo / dulce de leche custard (gf,d) mousse de lucuma / lucuma: Peruvian native tree fruit US$11.00

gf option: please inform your server to make necessary adjustments/ gt: gluten free / g: gluten / d: dairy / v: vegan /veg: vegetarian

* consuming raw meats. poultry, seafood, shellfish may increase risk of foodborne illness before placing order, please Inform your server of any food allergies

please note: 20% gratuity applied to tables of four or more

please note: 3% kitchen appreciation fee applied to checks. graclas for your support

What 46 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.3Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Celeste offers an exceptional dining experience, celebrated for its "fantastic food" and "amazing ceviche." Patrons rave about the "best Pisco Sour" in Boston and commend the "attentive service." While the space is small and seating can be uncomfortable, the "delicious" dishes and vibrant atmosphere make it a must-visit in Somerville.

46 Reviews

E
Elizabeth
Houston
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food - from the ceviche to the entrees - was fantastic!
Is this helpful?
A
Amodhya
New York City
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Good drinks and yummy food but not as flavorful as I was expecting. Ceviche and tuna tartare were highlights. Lamb and beef cooked perfectly.
Is this helpful?
B
Brad
Greater Boston
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on December 13, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food at Celeste is as superb as the excellent staff who cooks and serves it. The dishes that I have had have been FANTASTICALLY FLAVORFUL!
Is this helpful?
M
Mira
VIP
Greater Boston
25 reviews
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on December 13, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
I had to wait a year to manage a reservation and it did not disappoint!. Pisco sours were incredible. Ceviches were incredible. I don’t usually order meat, but the beef was delicious. Can’t wait to go back!
Is this helpful?
N
Nick
VIP
New York City
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Good vibes, great food. Pretty quick service, the staff were super nice.
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C
Chris
Greater Boston
43 reviews
5.0
43 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Drool worthy food from ceviche to appetizers to entrées to dessert. Small, chic space in an unassuming spot near Union Square. Staff went above and beyond, and the open kitchen offered some pre-dining entertainment. Quiet enough to have a conversation, but loud enough to feel like you were out for dinner. Can’t wait to go back!
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x
x72821
VIP
Central Texas
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great drinks, food was great but chicken was a little dry. Overall Still an A+ and great date night
Is this helpful?
A
Ana
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was absolutely a feast for the palate. We all ordered different appetizers and main dishes and tasted a bit of each. Every single one had a unique taste that was perfect. Will be returning soon!
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L
LILIANA
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A go to spot for sure, the food is incredible and the BEST PERUVIAN SPOT PERIODT. VEry home-y dishes and excellent drinks. IF i want good ceviche and good home food i go here!!!
Is this helpful?
A
Ann
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 21, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Really cute place with a laid back vibe. Amazing food and the staff was aweome! Would go back in a heart beat!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Celeste is rated 4.8 stars by 46 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 22, 2024

10:00 p.m.

Booked 21 times today

21 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143-2933

Dining areas

Additional information

Neighbourhood
Somerville
Hours of Operation
Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Peruvian, Home cooking, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None

Website
https://celesteunionsquare.com/
Phone number
(617) 616-5319

Celeste

Make a reservation

Why they're an Icon

Dining areas

Additional information

DEL MAR

ceviche de blue cod* US$21.00

ceviche mixed seafood (blue cod, squid and shrimp)*US$22.00

ceviche de palm and artichoke heartsUS$18.00

ceviche de shrimp y mango with maracuya infusion US$19.00

APPETIZER SPECIALS

pupusa de camar6n y queso + camaronesUS$16.00

yuquitas rellenas de verduras* US$15.00

CAUSAS / spicy potato terrine

causa de avocado and tomato US$15.00

causa de tuna tartare*** US$18.00

causa de shrimp US$16.00

SALADS

arugula salad with salsa criolla (lime, onion, tomato)US$12.00

arugula salad with lime/parmesanUS$13.00

ENTREES

seco de cordero con frijoles US$28.00

sudado de pescado o berenjena

locro (+ pescado frito + 7) US$23.00

camar6n al ajilloUS$27.00

scallops con pasta a la huancaina US$29.00

lomo saltadoUS$28.00

tacu tacu a lo macho (o de verduras) (+ pescado frito +7)

carapulcra US$26.00

SIDE

frijoles canarios** US$6.00

DESSERTS

suspiro limei'lo / dulce de leche custard US$12.00

suspiro limei'lo / dulce de leche custard (gf,d) mousse de lucuma / lucuma: Peruvian native tree fruit US$11.00

gf option: please inform your server to make necessary adjustments/ gt: gluten free / g: gluten / d: dairy / v: vegan /veg: vegetarian

* consuming raw meats. poultry, seafood, shellfish may increase risk of foodborne illness before placing order, please Inform your server of any food allergies

please note: 20% gratuity applied to tables of four or more

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is Celeste restaurant rated?

Is Celeste currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information