Alden & Harlow
American · Harvard Square
Creative American small plates in a cozy basement setting. Known for inventive dishes and craft cocktails.
Authentic Mexican flavors in Cambridge
From quick-service taquerias to upscale Mexican concepts, Cambridge offers diverse Mexican dining. Find everything from traditional street tacos to creative contemporary Mexican cuisine.
Best Mexican Restaurants in Cambridge
From quick-service taquerias to upscale Mexican concepts, Cambridge offers diverse Mexican dining. Our top picks include Alden & Harlow, Tasty Burger, Cambridge Common.
Small plates
Burgers
Craft Beer
Half-Price Deal
Live Folk Music
Selected based on local favorites, authentic offerings, and community reputation.
American · Harvard Square
Creative American small plates in a cozy basement setting. Known for inventive dishes and craft cocktails.
American · Harvard Square
Chef-driven fast burgers in the former 7-Eleven space on JFK Street. Late-night favorite for students, with all-star beer list.
American · Harvard Square
Neighborhood gastropub on Mass Ave with 30+ craft beers on tap and a full menu of American comfort food (burger, meatloaf, fried chicken, buffalo cauliflower). Home of the Lizard Lounge — an intimate downstairs music room with live music Wednesday through Sunday.
American · Harvard Square
Harvard Square institution since 1971. Eclectic menu, half-price food with drink purchase before 7:30PM. Cozy basement setting, college-friendly prices.
American · Harvard Square
Nonprofit folk music venue and cafe tucked off Palmer Street. Nightly live music in an intimate 125-seat room. Cafe menu of soups, sandwiches, and small plates. Tickets and reservations via the venue website.
Mexican · Harvard Square
Harvard Square outpost of the beloved Medford torta shop. Signature Mexico City-style tortas (crusty bolillo rolls filled with milanesa, pastor, or chorizo), tacos, and margaritas. Full liquor license is unique among the Tenoch locations.
American · Kendall Square
Upscale American diner with creative comfort food. Rotisserie meats, inventive sides, and extensive whiskey selection. Modern space with outdoor patio.
American · East Cambridge
Beloved Cambridge brunch spot that relocated from Central Square to a larger East Cambridge space. Known for the French Toast Fantasy (S'Mores, Nutella Banana, Lemon Blueberry), lobster eggs benedict, and house-made corned beef hash.
American · Harvard Square
525-capacity live music venue and American gastropub in Harvard Square, booked by Bowery Presents. Consulting chef Michael Schlow built the food program. Three bars, a full kitchen, and a balcony overlooking the stage.
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.
Mexican · Harvard Square
Three-floor fast-casual Mexican spot in Harvard Square with the Square's signature rooftop bar (260-person capacity). Late-night burritos, frozen margaritas, and a daytime breakfast burrito that has carried many students through midterms.
American · Central Square
Flagship grilled-cheese counter in Central Square with an attached 21+ arcade bar (A4cade / Roxy's Arcade). Food-truck-era classics plus upgraded seasonal sandwiches; pinball, vintage video games, DJ nights, and karaoke in the back.
American · Central Square
Central Square dive bar and music institution operating on two floors — The Lounge at street level and The Cantab Underground downstairs. Bluegrass Tuesdays, funk Thursdays, and the long-running Boston Poetry Slam on Wednesdays.
Mexican · Inman Square
Texas-style taco bar between Inman Square and Lechmere. Strong tequila and mezcal list, margaritas, and a taco menu that runs from al pastor and barbacoa to battered-cod Baja.
American · Central Square
Central Square neighborhood sports bar in the former Tavern in the Square space — opened by chef Davidson Bettero, who ran Tavern in the Square's kitchen, and Deneir Rosa. 10 rotating draft lines, 45 bottled beers, a patio, and the kind of Saturday brunch that draws a line.
American · Central Square
Neighborhood bar and grill on Mass Ave between the Charles River and Central Square, open since 1991. Science-themed menu board (the periodic table of beers), the Ronie Burger, and a regular crowd of MIT faculty and grad students.
Criteria: authenticity, local reputation, quality
Sources: community input • editorial review
“The only thing better than eating is eating in Cambridge.”
This guide is updated regularly to ensure accuracy.
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