Where locals eat in Cambridge, Massachusetts
A common misconception about Cambridge dining: People assume Harvard Square has the best restaurants because it's famous. Locals know the opposite — Harvard Square restaurants serve tourists. The best food is in Central, Inman, and Porter, where restaurants survive on repeat customers, not foot traffic.
How locals actually choose a restaurant: First, pick the neighborhood you're already in. Then pick the cuisine. Then check if you need a reservation. Cambridge restaurants are small; the good ones fill up. Spontaneous dining works best at lunch or early dinner.
Julia Child lived on Irving Street. She would've loved our restaurant scene.
Jewish delicatessen and bakery. House-smoked pastrami, bagels boiled and baked in-house, Montreal-style smoked meat. Weekend brunch destination.
The Kendall Square outpost of the ice cream shop that the New York Times called 'the best in the world.' Same obsessive quality, often less crowded than Central. Perfect for the biotech crowd who need a reminder that life is about more than data. The MIT students know - this has been fueling late-night problem sets for decades. People Magazine named their vanilla the best in America.
Working-man's oyster bar with New England seafood. Fresh catches daily, craft beer selection, lively atmosphere.
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.
Artisan pizza, craft beer, and wood-fired cooking. Popular breakfast spot and neighborhood gathering place.
Local brewery with taproom and outdoor seating. Rotating beer selection, food trucks, community vibe.
Upscale American diner with creative comfort food. Rotisserie meats, inventive sides, and extensive whiskey selection. Modern space with outdoor patio.
Retro diner with creative comfort food and all-day breakfast. Fun atmosphere, huge portions, great for groups. Known for inventive pancakes and Bloody Marys.
Texas-style BBQ with house-smoked meats. Brisket, ribs, and creative sides. Bourbon selection, outdoor patio, casual atmosphere.
Modern Mediterranean in the Kendall Hotel. Farm-to-table focus with seasonal New England ingredients.
Rooftop Vietnamese restaurant and bar atop the 907 Main Hotel near Kendall Square. Modern Vietnamese cuisine with dishes like lemongrass beef carpaccio and oxtail over rice noodles, paired with creative cocktails and stunning city views.
Join our distinguished directory of Cambridge establishments and connect with discerning diners across all eight districts.
"I saved Latin. What did you ever do?"
— Max Fischer, Rushmore Academy
Cambridge has over 120 curated restaurants spanning every cuisine. Top-rated spots include award-winning establishments in Harvard Square and Inman Square, diverse ethnic restaurants in Central Square, and innovative dining in Kendall Square. Browse our directory sorted by rating above to find the highest-rated options.