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.
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.
New England izakaya specializing in local seafood with Japanese and East Asian flavors. Creative small plates, pristine fish, and a rotating menu that highlights the best of what's fresh. Intimate space, big flavors.
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.
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!
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.