Celeste

Celeste is an unassuming facade to one of the best and freshest experiences Somerville (and Boston) have to offer. It may taste fresher and crisper than many of the sushi restaurants in the area serving ceviches, crudos, and Latin/South American inspired dishes that belong among the top restaurants yet served out of what reminds me of a diner (but extremely clean). The place is unassuming like I said, with a cloth sign outside. Before you can even read the sign you will smell the complex and spiced dishes being prepared. Upon entering I got a sort of a local diner or a place that I would walk into when abroad in Latin America or the Caribbean. The space is clean and the staff is extremely friendly and upbeat (a welcome change these days). Service is as fast or slow as you would like it to be and the menu is different than anything I've seen in Boston in the 6 years I've lived here. With all that out of the way, let's talk about the food. The highlights can appear to be the crudos, ceviches, and starters that eat more like tapas (and priced as such). There is not a bad thing we ordered and 4 of us shared ~8 different dishes. The seafood is fresh, treated with the deft hand that supplements without overpowering the natural sweetness and brine of the fish/seafood. However, the stews are what stole our hearts. The Incan stew and stir fried sirloin/strip steak in broth were some of the best things I put in my mouth this year. Everything is juicy, spiced/seasoned perfectly, and ordered to your preferences in terms of cooking temp and level of spice (hotness). On top of that, the two desserts they offer are worth getting even if you don't think you have room. They are two of the most interesting and surprising desserts I've had in a long time, boasting latin/south American ingredients and preparation. I had never heard of either, but one ate like a tangy dulce de leche and the other like a citrusy butterscotch pudding. The one drawback (if any) will be the price point. A lot of people will want a fine dining experience for the sort of price you will pay at Celeste, but you aren't paying necessarily for the space or where you are eating... rather for the fresh and clean ingredients used by the expertly prepared chefs who send out these beautiful and complex dishes. It's not a weekly sort of place, but rather a special treat or splurge on occasions that demand something... different compared to the likes of the other Boston icons or titans in the dining space. I can't recommend it enough!

I'm rounding this up to 4 stars but think it's more of a 3.5. That's because although the ceviche and service were outstanding, the entrees and dessert were a bit disappointing. Starting with the highlight - the mixed seafood ceviche was incredible. The blue cod was our favorite, and the marinade was so good we were basically drinking it with the spoon. Although mostly limited to piscos, the cocktails were also very good. I recommend getting the spicy version. As for the entrees, they certainly weren't bad. They just didn't feel like anything particularly special or worth the price. The scallop squid ink pasta was very flavorful and something I'd order again, but only if I were sharing it since it's so rich. And the locro was our least favorite. Although the fried fish we added was cooked perfectly, the stew itself was lackluster without much flavor. The dessert was actually disappointing. Although it tasted good, it was much too rich and more of a caramel sauce than a mousse. Overall, I've been hearing rave reviews of Celeste for years now and am happy I finally made it in. But I'd likely only go back for drinks and ceviche.

Really enjoyed my dinner at Celeste. It was quite crowded on a warm night but luckily they were able to seat us on the patio. I ordered just a lemonade to drink which was good. They charged it as a mocktail which I was unsure about but that's ok. It was refreshing none the less. I ordered the Ceviche Mixed Seafood which was really good. Refreshing and fresh! I'm used to ceviche coming with chips which I guess I could've asked for but it was still good. My friend ordered the scallops con pasta a la huancaina which he really enjoyed as well. I tried a little and the sauce was so rich and creamy, I'd order that next time probably! This is a really cute spot right in Somerville which is perfect for a night out in the summertime! Check it out.

I visited Celeste for an early dinner on a Saturday night a few weeks ago and had a great time. I tried the shrimp and mango ceviche, the scallop crudo, the tuna tartare causa (potato), and the scallops with squid ink fettucine (our favorite). I absolutely loved our meal, all of the seafood was very fresh. I didn't expect the causa potato dish to be served cold, which I still enjoyed but I would probably try a different side next time. The dulce de leche custard was so good, don't skip it, it's very rich so I'm happy I split it with my partner. The cocktails were excellent as well. I'll definitely be back!

This charming little spot just outside of Boston is worth a visit! The service was impressively fast--we were in and out in about 40 minutes. The ceviche was a standout, bursting with flavor and served in generous portions. We also tried the locro with added fish, but unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to expectations. Despite all the ingredients, it lacked the bold, vibrant flavors we were hoping for and ended up being rather bland. Still, a pleasant experience overall, with the ceviche being the highlight of the meal!

When you're in Boston for less than 72 hours and it was last minute, glad I have a foodie family that can point me in the direction of Celeste in Somerville before my flight out. Having available street parking without having to find a place to park in Boston itself when you're in a time crunch was so important. We arrived right when they opened and was immediately seated since we thankfully made a reservation. Before long the place was packed and I can see why. We started with the super flavorful Camaron pupusa which I was so happy to have all to myself, it was that good, followed by tomato avocado Causa that made me a fan of causa, and the classic lomo saltado. This was way better than any airport food and it was only 15 minutes from Logan.

AMAZING FOOD! Every single dish was incredible here.We started with the ceviche de shrimp y mango with maracuya infusion. One of the best ceviches I've ever had!Lomo saltado is my favorite Peruvian dish so I had to try. They don't make it with fries but there are still potatoes in it. Although I love fries, this dish works perfectly with the potatoes they use because the sirloin is so tender and cooked to perfection. It does come with a side of rice as well.We also got the scallops con pasta a la huancaina, which is seared scallops with fresh squid ink fettuccine and huancaina and that was SO DELICIOUS. I could've had that dish all to myself. Might have been my favorite dish out of the three, which caught me by surprise.Writing this review is making me want to go back already! I had the most wonderful experience here. Parking was easy since there was a lot of street parking.

One of the few higher-end options for South American cuisines in Boston with well-executed dishes and memorable flavors served in a casual, comfortable space. Starter highlights include bright, flavorful ceviches and causas (Peruvian potato terrines), which are my personal favorites on the menu. Entree offerings include a good range of meats, seafood and vegetarian options. The stir-fried beef and lamb stew were both tasty - tender, well-seasoned and with a little spice. The steamed fish was good though with less forward and memorable flavors. They have a strong cocktail list, emphasizing topical and fruity flavors but with all the classics, in addition to beer and wine. Price is on the higher end. Overall a unique and enjoyable restaurant experience within the broader Boston dining scene that I have returned to several times over the years and would recommend to any foodie.

This was my second time in for couple years. Celeste provides unique vibes and dishes. They have cute spaces -extended when weather permits for outdoor seating. Staffs are very friendly and well understanding about the menu. They have lots of options for seafoods but also recommendable dishes of meats as well. The restaurant is good for special occasions :)

The food was so colorful and was packed with flavor. The dish presentation was also clearly thought out. You can tell there is so much love poured into the restaurant. Service was great too!