A Cambridge Local Business Guide
Minority-Owned Businesses in Cambridge
BIPOC-founded shops, studios, and services across Cambridge — the immigrant-led storefronts and first-generation operators whose work keeps this city interesting.
40 businesses curated
Cambridge's commercial corridors were shaped by immigrant and first-generation owners — the Portuguese families in East Cambridge, the South Asian shopkeepers in Central Square, the East African owners who turned a stretch of Mass Ave into one of the densest Ethiopian commercial districts on the East Coast. This page is a shortlist for anyone who wants to direct their dollars accordingly.
We mark a business “minority-owned” when the founder or majority operator is BIPOC. If we've miscategorized or missed anyone, write in and we'll correct the record.
Inman Square
5Christina's Spice & Specialty Foods
Specialty food · Inman Square
Cambridge institution since 1991 offering hundreds of hard-to-find spices, herbs, and specialty ingredients from around the globe. The knowledgeable staff helps home cooks recreate authentic world cuisines. Also famous for their homemade ice cream featuring unique flavors like cardamom and burned caramel.
Moona
Middle Eastern · Inman Square
Beloved Middle Eastern restaurant serving Levantine-inspired mezze and hearty entrees. Owner Mohamad El Zein's personal stamp on traditional dishes with a mostly Lebanese wine list. Now expanded to a larger Central Square location.
Casa Portugal
Portuguese · Inman Square
Traditional Portuguese restaurant
Punjabi Dhaba
Indian · Inman Square
Authentic North Indian street food at prices that make no sense (in a good way). The chole bhature is perfect. The thali platters are generous. No frills, strip mall location, incredible food. This is what dhaba-style should taste like. Best value Indian in Cambridge.
Ole Mexican Grill
Mexican · Inman Square
Lively Inman Square Mexican restaurant with tableside guacamole, creative fare, and assorted margaritas. Local favorite for Tex-Mex comfort food and generous portions.
East Cambridge
8Amba Cambridge
Mediterranean · East Cambridge
Modern Mediterranean restaurant
Rebelle Artisan Bagels
Bagel Shop · East Cambridge
Artisan bagel shop and café serving hand-rolled bagels, creative sandwiches, and specialty coffee. Fresh-baked daily with quality ingredients. Opened 2024.
Sumiao Hunan Kitchen
Chinese/Hunan · East Cambridge
Contemporary Chinese restaurant & bar introducing authentic Hunan Cuisine. Creative melding of tradition with modernity, stunning design draped in sentimental works of art. Features seasonal weekend authentic specials for adventurous appetites.
The Helmand
Afghan · East Cambridge
Authentic Afghan cuisine in East Cambridge. Family-run, flavorful dishes, warm hospitality.
Silk Road Uyghur Cuisine
Uyghur/Central Asian · East Cambridge
The one and only Uyghur cuisine in Massachusetts, offering the unique food mixture of Asian and Turkish food culture. Authentic Central Asian dishes with lamb, hand-pulled noodles, and traditional spices.
Muqueca
Brazilian · East Cambridge
Authentic Brazilian restaurant in East Cambridge specializing in the namesake muqueca (fish stew). Vibrant flavors, generous portions, and warm Bahian hospitality. The feijoada on weekends is not to be missed.
Fasika Cafe
Ethiopian · East Cambridge
Cozy East Cambridge spot for authentic Ethiopian. Smaller than Asmara but feels more homey. The kitfo (Ethiopian steak tartare) is excellent if you're adventurous. Great for a casual dinner with friends - order the messob platter to share.
Seoul Soulongtang
Korean · East Cambridge
Korean comfort food done right. The sullongtang (ox bone soup) is the signature - milky white broth from hours of simmering, perfect for cold Cambridge winters. Also solid for hangover recovery. Unpretentious, just good soup.
Central Square
10Seven Stars
Book store · Central Square
Laid-back bookstore with New Age titles
Cicada Coffee Bar
Vietnamese · Central Square
Modern Vietnamese cafe with excellent coffee and creative banh mi. The duckfit banh mi is worth the hype. Their Vietnamese iced coffee is dangerously addictive. Expect a weekend brunch line but it moves fast. The vibe is immaculate.
Life Alive Organic Cafe
Vegetarian · Central Square
Vibrant vegetarian cafe with organic bowls, smoothies, and fresh juices. Colorful, healthy fast-casual.
Shanghai Fresh
Chinese · Central Square
Authentic Shanghai cuisine with hand-pulled noodles made to order. Soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) are signature dish. Modern casual setting.
Dumpling House
Chinese · Central Square
Taiwanese-style dumplings and noodles. Hand-wrapped dumplings made fresh daily, extensive noodle soup menu. No-frills, cash-only, lines out the door.
Darling
Chinese/Cocktail Bar · Central Square
Chinese-inspired cocktail bar in the former Mary Chung space. Dim sum-inspired small plates reimagined with playful, creative flair. Hong Kong Shrimp Toast, Filet O Fish Bao, Red Braised Pork Ribs. Opened July 2025.
Asmara Restaurant
Ethiopian · Central Square
Cambridge institution since 1986 serving Eritrean-Ethiopian cuisine. The vegetarian combo is a revelation - lentils, collard greens, split peas all scooped with spongy injera. They make two types of injera (rice flour and teff). The weekday lunch buffet is an incredible deal.
India Pavilion
Indian · Central Square
North Indian cuisine in Central Square since 1990. Extensive vegetarian options, tandoori specialties, and daily lunch buffet. Family-friendly atmosphere.
Royal East
Chinese · Central Square
Family-run Chinese restaurant serving Cantonese and Szechuan classics since 1989. Generous portions, reliable quality, and neighborhood favorite. Full bar.
Dumpling House
Chinese · Central Square
The soup dumplings are the reason to come. Watch them make them through the kitchen window. Thin wrappers, hot broth inside - be careful, they will burn you. The scallion pancakes are also excellent. No frills, just great dumplings.
Harvard Square
5Tenoch Mexican
Mexican · Harvard Square
Authentic Mexican from the Medford original. Famous tortas, tacos, burritos. Only Tenoch with full liquor license. Opened 2024 in The Garage, Harvard Square.
Tamarind Bay
Indian · Harvard Square
Upscale Indian dining in Harvard Square. Regional specialties from across India, sophisticated spicing, elegant presentations. Popular for business dinners.
Santouka Ramen
Ramen · Harvard Square
Hokkaido-style ramen chain from Japan. Rich tonkotsu broth, perfectly cooked noodles, tender pork slices. Counter seating, quick service.
Wusong Road
Tiki Bar · Harvard Square
Hidden tiki bar in historic Conductors Building. Minority & LGBTQ+ owned. New England Chinese flavors meet classic tiki drinks. Named USA Today Restaurant of the Year.
Felipe's Taqueria
Mexican · Harvard Square
Harvard Square institution since 2004. Fast-casual Mexican with famous rooftop bar (260 capacity). Late night favorite for students. Cheap burritos and margaritas.
Mid-Cambridge
3Jahunger
Uyghur · Mid-Cambridge
MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Uyghur restaurant with fiery-umami flavors and hand-pulled noodles. Big plate chicken, lamb skewers, and cumin-spiced dishes from China's Xinjiang region. Small, no-frills space with incredible food.
Mu Lan
Taiwanese · Mid-Cambridge
Beloved Taiwanese restaurant serving authentic dumplings, noodle soups, and stir-fry dishes. A Cambridge institution with generous portions, affordable prices, and consistently excellent food. The scallion pancakes and soup dumplings are legendary.
Dado Tea
Tea House/Cafe · Mid-Cambridge
Serving wholesome and healthy sandwiches, salads, multigrain rice bowls, and noodle dishes. High grade hot and iced teas, espresso and coffee. First in Cambridge to introduce bubble tea in 2002!
North Cambridge
4Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar
Cuban · North Cambridge
Full service Cuban restaurant and bar serving modern interpretations of traditional Cuban dishes. Craft cocktail program and highly curated selection of Cuban Rums. Vibrant atmosphere celebrating Cuban culture.
Sugar & Spice
Thai · North Cambridge
Authentic Thai cuisine with traditional recipes and fresh ingredients. Family-run restaurant serving Cambridge for over 20 years with consistent quality and generous portions.
Black Ruby
Thai · North Cambridge
Thai craft burgers and dining between Harvard and Porter Squares. A unique fusion concept combining authentic Thai flavors with American comfort food. The Thai-spiced burgers and papaya salad are standouts.
La Royal
Peruvian · North Cambridge
Peruvian cuisine in North Cambridge featuring ceviche, lomo saltado, and creative cocktails with pisco. A vibrant addition to the Cambridge dining scene bringing authentic South American flavors to the neighborhood.
The Port
2Muku Ramen
Ramen · The Port
Best ramen in town. Authentic Japanese ramen with rich broths and fresh noodles made daily. Cozy space in Central Square with excellent tonkotsu and miso options.
La Fabrica Central
Spanish Caribbean · The Port
Offering Spanish Caribbean cuisine, music, art, and culture. Vibrant atmosphere with live music and cultural events celebrating Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage.
Riverside
1Wellington-Harrington
2Hot Chix Boston
Korean Fried Chicken · Wellington-Harrington
Hot Chix Boston provides casual fried chicken and Southern food to Cambridge. Korean-style fried chicken with Southern influences, crispy and flavorful.
Pita Cambridge
Moroccan/Mediterranean · Wellington-Harrington
Serving fresh, authentic Mediterranean and Moroccan food cooked-to-order. Family recipes passed down generations with traditional tagines, fresh pita, and couscous.