Best Restaurants Near MIT

Working-man's oyster bar with New England seafood. Fresh catches daily, craft beer selection, lively atmosphere.

Artisan pizza, craft beer, and wood-fired cooking. Popular breakfast spot and neighborhood gathering place.

Microbrewery and taproom between Central and Inman Squares on Broadway, with a shared cafe space with Longfellows Coffee. Known for funky fermentation beers — sours, wild yeasts, unexpected ingredients (sweet potato, chamomile, buckwheat) — alongside the core IPA program.

Jewish delicatessen in Kendall Square from the Hungry Mother / State Park team. House-smoked pastrami, hand-rolled bagels, Montreal-style smoked meat, and a weekend brunch line that regularly wraps the block.

The newest endeavor from the Mamaleh's delicatessen crew, in the former Vincent's space. Multipurpose outpost serving as test kitchen, event space, and deli. Jewish-style comfort food with creative twists.

Modern Mediterranean in the Kendall Hotel. Farm-to-table focus with seasonal New England ingredients.

Michelin-recognized Hunan restaurant in Kendall Square. Rare authentic Hunan cooking in Boston — Sumiao's father is a calligrapher and the interior is draped in his work. The name means 'sketch' in Chinese.

East Cambridge Afghan restaurant named for Afghanistan's longest river. Woodburning oven, hand-made flatbread, a small fireplace in the dining room, and one of the region's most acclaimed Afghan menus.

Artisan bagel shop and café serving hand-rolled bagels, creative sandwiches, and specialty coffee. Fresh-baked daily with quality ingredients. Opened 2024.

East Cambridge Uyghur restaurant blending Central Asian and Turkish traditions. Lamb kebabs, hand-pulled laghman noodles, polo rice, and traditional Uyghur breads cooked in-house.

Independently owned specialty coffee shop in East Cambridge. Famous for Liège waffles and quality coffee. Transforms into a natural wine bar some evenings.

The East Cambridge outpost of the ice cream shop the New York Times called 'the best in the world.' Same Burnt Caramel and B3 as the Central Square flagship, usually with less of a line.

Northern Italian at Cambridge Crossing from chef Will Gilson (Puritan & Company, Amba). Handmade pastas from chef Tony Susi, in-house gelato, and a warm, modern dining room on the first floor of The Lexington. Sister restaurant to Puritan & Company and Amba.

All-day modern Italian restaurant and cafe in East Cambridge from the SRV / Salty Pig / Baleia team. Named Gufo — 'owl' in Italian — with a menu built around wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and an Italian-leaning cocktail program. Morning cafe, evening restaurant.

East Cambridge Brazilian restaurant specializing in muqueca — clay-pot seafood stew from the coast of Bahia, a recipe passed down through generations of Brazilian indigenous cooks. Warm Bahian hospitality; weekend feijoada.

Upscale American diner with creative comfort food. Rotisserie meats, inventive sides, and extensive whiskey selection. Modern space with outdoor patio.

Texas-style BBQ with house-smoked meats. Brisket, ribs, and creative sides. Bourbon selection, outdoor patio, casual atmosphere.

Cambridge Crossing's destination restaurant by Chef Will Gilson. Rooftop bar with stunning views, greenhouse-style dining room. Weekend brunch, craft cocktails, seasonal menu.

Chef Will Gilson's Mediterranean concept at First Street Market. Named after a popular Middle Eastern condiment, Amba serves spiced rotisserie chickens with an array of sides and sauces. Fast-casual, flavorful, fresh.

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.

Abruzzo-rooted Italian restaurant in Kendall Square from the Susi family of Amelia's Trattoria. 130 seats, a long marble bar, semi-open kitchen, and a menu named for the medieval town in Abruzzo the family comes from.

Small family-run Italian trattoria just outside Kendall Square. Handmade pastas, house gnocchi, and meat dishes from chef-owner Delio Susi Jr. An off-the-beaten-path neighborhood spot from the same family behind Sulmona.

Kimpton Marlowe Hotel restaurant on the Lechmere canal, steps from Kendall Square. Globally-inspired Mediterranean menu from chef Adam Resnick, with farm-fresh sourcing and a strong weekend brunch.

All-day Parisian brasserie in Kendall Square, in the former Abigail's space. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner seven days. French classics: coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, escargot, raw bar.

MIT graduate student pub in Walker Memorial on the Charles River. Nobel laureates, grad students, and guests of MIT affiliates welcome; general public cannot enter without an MIT ID. Cash only. Open only during the academic year.

11,000 sq ft Kendall Square food hall with nine vendors under one roof: Clover, Juicy Jay's, Perillas Korean Kitchen, Everybody Gotta Eat, Việt Citron, Lone Star Taco, Bacaro Café & Bar, and Fuji Sushi. Two bars, 275 seats, open to the Kendall/MIT T platform.