Cambridge Dining Guide
Best Chinese in Cambridge
From Sichuan to Cantonese, discover the best Chinese restaurants in Cambridge MA. Curated by locals who know the real deal.
5 restaurants curated
Cambridge's Chinese restaurants reflect the city's academic connections to China — many are run by immigrants with deep regional expertise. You'll find authentic Sichuan mapo tofu, hand-pulled noodles, Cantonese dim sum, and Hunan specialties that rival anything in Boston's Chinatown, often at more reasonable prices.
Insider TipAsk for the Chinese-language menu at sit-down restaurants — it often has dishes not on the English menu, particularly regional specialties.
East Cambridge
1Shanghai Fresh
Chinese · Central Square
Shanghai-style restaurant at the corner of Mass Ave and Inman Street. Hand-pulled noodles, pork-and-crab xiaolongbao, and Sichuan-style fried chicken. Cheery, hip dining room with chalkboard walls and modern bamboo light fixtures.
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, with a reimagined dim-sum menu from executive chef Mark O'Leary (JM Curley, O Ya, Shojo). 40-seat lounge, 16-seat walnut bar, a hand-painted mural by Julia Purinton, and original exposed brick from the Mary Chung era.
Royal East
Chinese · Central Square
Central Square Cantonese-Sichuan restaurant with a live seafood tank at the front. Wide Chinese and Malaysian menu with destination dishes (Peking Duck, Salt-Baked Chicken, Sichuan Poached Fish) alongside weekday lunch specials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambridge's best Chinese restaurants are spread across several neighborhoods, with notable options near Harvard Square and in North Cambridge. Styles range from Sichuan to Cantonese to Hunan.