Opened in haute Davis Square more than 20 years ago by Lydia and Steve Liakos, the Out of the Blue Restaurant offers simple, quality seafood done with a Sicilian accent in a cozy, nonpretentious atmosphere.

Detroit-style pizza is a square, crustless pie close to the thick, Sicilian style, and at Avenue Kitchen & Bar it’s a palate-pleasing, stomach filling treat.

A limited menu shows Shine Square Pub is still be transitioning back from the pandemic, but it’s kept the very best of what has been done so well during a short history – sliders and wings.

About the only issue diners will have with Ittoku is the robustness of the menu; the things you want to try always conflict with the tried and true pleasures you’ve come back for. 

Intimate and inviting, Harvest is a treat, especially with its well-maintained back patio encased by trellises – perfect for enjoying a pricy but lavish summertime lobster roll with just-made potato chips.

For eats, Shays has a limited menu, but a rock solid one with good burgers, including veggie- and plant-based alternatives. But the real jam is its sandwiches.

Cicada Coffee Bar and its backyard garden oasis have the same cozy sense of community and comfort as classic Cambridge institutions, and a menu of fresh and light yet satiating Vietnamese food and drink.

The hottest brunch ticket over the past five-plus years has been Cafe Luna, and its smoked duck tacos show why – though Davis Square’s Painted Burro and Los Amigos Taqueria will more than do for tacos in a pinch. Speaking of hot tickets: Bambara kicks off Pride with a Sunday drag brunch.

Upper Crust has proven a solid addition to pizza on “The Avenue,” and is a crowd pleaser that can satisfy diverse palates across diverse age groups and varying dietary choices and restrictions.

Russell House Tavern has been grinding it out the whole way through the pandemic with a brunch offering everything from cinnamon buns to oysters, eggs Benedict and a breakfast pizza. Opt for a smoked housemade andouille sausage hash and you’ll find it spicy and satiating, yet light.