Guidebook for Cambridge

Joan
Guidebook for Cambridge

Food Scene

Exceptionally good Vegan & vegetarian. FR Fresh Juices, Highly recommend their signature dish 'Goddess Bowl with egg & Avacado add-ons. Delicious for Ominivores, too! Lunch and Dinner
240 locals recommend
Life Alive Organic Cafe
765 Massachusetts Ave
240 locals recommend
Exceptionally good Vegan & vegetarian. FR Fresh Juices, Highly recommend their signature dish 'Goddess Bowl with egg & Avacado add-ons. Delicious for Ominivores, too! Lunch and Dinner
Can't make up ur mind?...Bowl of Pho Noodles or rice dish ? Sushi or sashimi? Thelonious Monkfish is for you! Pan-Asian. Cool, Casual vibe. Interesting menu, but too big to choose from! Open for L&D
74 locals recommend
The Mad Monkfish (formerly Thelonious Monkfish)
524 Massachusetts Ave
74 locals recommend
Can't make up ur mind?...Bowl of Pho Noodles or rice dish ? Sushi or sashimi? Thelonious Monkfish is for you! Pan-Asian. Cool, Casual vibe. Interesting menu, but too big to choose from! Open for L&D
Very intimate & romantic! 1 Block from my front door! Zagat rated Excellent Moroccan Tunisian. Tangines, Cous Cous. Talented chef. Authentic Arbaic Coffee, lovely desserts. CASH ONLY. NO Liquor.
17 locals recommend
Baraka Cuisine
1728 Massachusetts Ave
17 locals recommend
Very intimate & romantic! 1 Block from my front door! Zagat rated Excellent Moroccan Tunisian. Tangines, Cous Cous. Talented chef. Authentic Arbaic Coffee, lovely desserts. CASH ONLY. NO Liquor.
Good Ethiopian, food. friendly, small, family-run. Bring an appetite! 'Enjera,' a large sour, sponge-y bread undergirds many tasty vegetables and meat dishes. Try the honey wine called 'Tej'
25 locals recommend
Asmara
739 Massachusetts Ave
25 locals recommend
Good Ethiopian, food. friendly, small, family-run. Bring an appetite! 'Enjera,' a large sour, sponge-y bread undergirds many tasty vegetables and meat dishes. Try the honey wine called 'Tej'
Fun, and friendly with various riffs on Middle Eastern- inspired cuisine. Full bar.
25 locals recommend
Zuzu
474 Massachusetts Ave
25 locals recommend
Fun, and friendly with various riffs on Middle Eastern- inspired cuisine. Full bar.
Truly GREAT Luncheon buffet only $12. Imagine Indian meets Asian flavors. Warm atmosphere, authentic Tibetan. Open for Lunch and dinner. $
19 locals recommend
Rangzen Tibetan Place
24 Pearl St
19 locals recommend
Truly GREAT Luncheon buffet only $12. Imagine Indian meets Asian flavors. Warm atmosphere, authentic Tibetan. Open for Lunch and dinner. $
Beer & wine. Cute & hip MIT hang out. Excellent soups and sandwiches. Brunch. Perfect casual spot for lunch --or before or after the MIT Museum $
43 locals recommend
Miracle of Science
321 Massachusetts Ave
43 locals recommend
Beer & wine. Cute & hip MIT hang out. Excellent soups and sandwiches. Brunch. Perfect casual spot for lunch --or before or after the MIT Museum $
Very popular brunch spot on weekends. Full menu / Breakfast and lunch only. Weekends Live jazz (Berklee students.) Salads, Out door seating $-$$
83 locals recommend
Cafe Luna
612 Main St
83 locals recommend
Very popular brunch spot on weekends. Full menu / Breakfast and lunch only. Weekends Live jazz (Berklee students.) Salads, Out door seating $-$$
Full Bar. Swanky - casual. ( pricier, entrees $25 +) Excellent New American cuisine. Highly recommended! $$-$$$
41 locals recommend
Central Kitchen
567 Massachusetts Ave
41 locals recommend
Full Bar. Swanky - casual. ( pricier, entrees $25 +) Excellent New American cuisine. Highly recommended! $$-$$$
Mary Chug's is a great! ! Cambridge's best authentic Chinese in Old School Ambiance, (High backed booths, etc) dishes like whole crispy fish in black bean sauce, spicy long beans, etc. $
16 locals recommend
Mary Chung
464 Massachusetts Ave
16 locals recommend
Mary Chug's is a great! ! Cambridge's best authentic Chinese in Old School Ambiance, (High backed booths, etc) dishes like whole crispy fish in black bean sauce, spicy long beans, etc. $
Knock out ice cream made on the premises by Gus Toscanini Great Coffee, too. Voted Best Ice Cream by NY Times (Gus modestly says " It's the best ice cream in the world.")
115 locals recommend
Toscanini's Ice Cream
159 First St
115 locals recommend
Knock out ice cream made on the premises by Gus Toscanini Great Coffee, too. Voted Best Ice Cream by NY Times (Gus modestly says " It's the best ice cream in the world.")
Best Coffee in Cambridge, period.
133 locals recommend
1369 Coffee House
1369 Cambridge St
133 locals recommend
Best Coffee in Cambridge, period.
Arguably the Best Restaurant in Boston, right here in Cambridge. Tony Maws chef owner. Menu: Fresh, farm sourced french Bistro style $$$ Impeccable service. Inspired mixologist at Bar
73 locals recommend
Craigie On Main
853 Main St
73 locals recommend
Arguably the Best Restaurant in Boston, right here in Cambridge. Tony Maws chef owner. Menu: Fresh, farm sourced french Bistro style $$$ Impeccable service. Inspired mixologist at Bar
Very good sit down restaurant/ North Indian cuisine. Full Bar. Lunch buffet. Great Value. Dinner - Lunch around $12 excluding tip. $12-$18
17 locals recommend
India Pavilion
17 Central Square
17 locals recommend
Very good sit down restaurant/ North Indian cuisine. Full Bar. Lunch buffet. Great Value. Dinner - Lunch around $12 excluding tip. $12-$18
Excellent neighborhood gastro pub. (-$$) American high style food; casual ambiance. Will please both less adventurous palettes and gastronomes. Interesting cocktails, good wine and beer selection!
86 locals recommend
Green Street
280 Green St
86 locals recommend
Excellent neighborhood gastro pub. (-$$) American high style food; casual ambiance. Will please both less adventurous palettes and gastronomes. Interesting cocktails, good wine and beer selection!
Vegetarian Diner. VG has the Best french fries ever! Waitstaff wear all black, have multiple piercings and appear to have stepped out of Central Casting from 1999 punk scene.
36 locals recommend
Veggie Galaxy
450 Massachusetts Ave
36 locals recommend
Vegetarian Diner. VG has the Best french fries ever! Waitstaff wear all black, have multiple piercings and appear to have stepped out of Central Casting from 1999 punk scene.
Homey, welcoming, inexpensive and pleasantly quirky. Always has a line Saturdays and Sundays for brunch. Eclectic menu to please all. Great value.
29 locals recommend
Brookline Lunch
9 Brookline St
29 locals recommend
Homey, welcoming, inexpensive and pleasantly quirky. Always has a line Saturdays and Sundays for brunch. Eclectic menu to please all. Great value.
Homemade dumplings, and Patty is always inventing new ones!...Open late.
7 locals recommend
Patty Chen's Dumpling Room
85 Windsor St
7 locals recommend
Homemade dumplings, and Patty is always inventing new ones!...Open late.
A classy, casual Pillow-ey Palestinian Paradise. Great Neighborhood Hang Out. Order Sammy's Special Tea, Excellent Toasted bread sandwiches! try Avocado smash, Jeruselem Egg, or Chicken Kalilli
40 locals recommend
Andala Coffee House
286 Franklin St
40 locals recommend
A classy, casual Pillow-ey Palestinian Paradise. Great Neighborhood Hang Out. Order Sammy's Special Tea, Excellent Toasted bread sandwiches! try Avocado smash, Jeruselem Egg, or Chicken Kalilli
Pita sandwiches and plates. Inexpensive, ($6-8 ) take out. Great falafel, lamb schwarma, tabouli, open late week nights and later on weekends (3 AM)
12 locals recommend
Moody's Falafal Palace
25 Central Square
12 locals recommend
Pita sandwiches and plates. Inexpensive, ($6-8 ) take out. Great falafel, lamb schwarma, tabouli, open late week nights and later on weekends (3 AM)
Soul Food. And yeah, its the real deal. Voted Best Fried Chicken. They smother pork chops with love and onions. Kick ass with greens. No slouches when it come to mac n cheese, neither! 617-354-7644.
18 locals recommend
The Coast Cafe
233 River St
18 locals recommend
Soul Food. And yeah, its the real deal. Voted Best Fried Chicken. They smother pork chops with love and onions. Kick ass with greens. No slouches when it come to mac n cheese, neither! 617-354-7644.
Have you ever heard of Healthy Fast Food? You have now! DELICIOUS, quick veggie pita pockets with maxed-out flavors and textures designed to convert even die hard carnivores to slavish fans. Open 24 h
106 locals recommend
Clover Food Lab
1075 Cambridge St
106 locals recommend
Have you ever heard of Healthy Fast Food? You have now! DELICIOUS, quick veggie pita pockets with maxed-out flavors and textures designed to convert even die hard carnivores to slavish fans. Open 24 h
Great addition to Central Square. Accent on fresh. Mostly everything is house made. Chef owner. Mediterranean fare $$ Moderate. Nice Bar. Inspired mixologist. Excellent Value.
15 locals recommend
Viale
502 Massachusetts Ave
15 locals recommend
Great addition to Central Square. Accent on fresh. Mostly everything is house made. Chef owner. Mediterranean fare $$ Moderate. Nice Bar. Inspired mixologist. Excellent Value.
Its hot pot, what else do you need?
13 locals recommend
Happy Lamb
485 Massachusetts Ave
13 locals recommend
Its hot pot, what else do you need?
Hot new spot from chef Jamie Bissionette and friends. Breakfast Lunch & Dinner . Small plates concept to mix-match and share. Eclectic cuisines.
51 locals recommend
Little Donkey
505 Massachusetts Ave
51 locals recommend
Hot new spot from chef Jamie Bissionette and friends. Breakfast Lunch & Dinner . Small plates concept to mix-match and share. Eclectic cuisines.
Yet another funky-cool coffee shop for Cambridge. This one is right at the Central Square T stop so it's a great place to cool your heels while waiting for someone. ( me for instance) Coffee and baked goods, very decent ready made sandwiches, made daily.
145 locals recommend
Caffè Nero
733 Centre St
145 locals recommend
Yet another funky-cool coffee shop for Cambridge. This one is right at the Central Square T stop so it's a great place to cool your heels while waiting for someone. ( me for instance) Coffee and baked goods, very decent ready made sandwiches, made daily.
Pastured, (juicy) Beef burgers with Veggie Burger / Salmon Burger options from Maine. Good burgers decent value at $8.50 or so for grass fed beef.
8 locals recommend
Mainely Burgers
704 Massachusetts Ave
8 locals recommend
Pastured, (juicy) Beef burgers with Veggie Burger / Salmon Burger options from Maine. Good burgers decent value at $8.50 or so for grass fed beef.

Essentials

Full Indian grocery. In the back is a restaurant where 'dosas' (crepes )are poured onto a griddle and filled with what ever your heart desires! Have a mango Lassi for dessert ! (under $12.)
Shalimar Foods & Spices
3698 Massachusetts Ave
Full Indian grocery. In the back is a restaurant where 'dosas' (crepes )are poured onto a griddle and filled with what ever your heart desires! Have a mango Lassi for dessert ! (under $12.)
A full service food co-op. Open to the public. Complete grocery items including deli for take out. Bulk aisle; also many gluten free items. Full natural cosmetics and homeopathic products aisle.
42 locals recommend
Harvest Co-Op Market
580 Massachusetts Ave
42 locals recommend
A full service food co-op. Open to the public. Complete grocery items including deli for take out. Bulk aisle; also many gluten free items. Full natural cosmetics and homeopathic products aisle.
Large commercial grocery store located on the second floor of the Meridian hotel complex. All the usual big American supermarket stuff-- prepared foods, too.
58 locals recommend
Star Market
20 Sidney Street
58 locals recommend
Large commercial grocery store located on the second floor of the Meridian hotel complex. All the usual big American supermarket stuff-- prepared foods, too.
Fun, cool, tasty groceries. It's Trader Joe's!
409 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
748 Memorial Dr
409 locals recommend
Fun, cool, tasty groceries. It's Trader Joe's!
Great meet-up space right at the Central Sq subway! A truly ? Parisian style bakery w pastry/ coffee, plus food court (good noodles, Sushi,etc) with Kore-iCan grocery store--- All in one! Lively
117 locals recommend
Hmart Cambridge
581 Massachusetts Ave
117 locals recommend
Great meet-up space right at the Central Sq subway! A truly ? Parisian style bakery w pastry/ coffee, plus food court (good noodles, Sushi,etc) with Kore-iCan grocery store--- All in one! Lively
Our very own smaller-sized Target store right on the corner of my Pearl Street and Mass Ave ... for daily needs affordable housewares, greeting cards, socks, underwear, accessories and clothing items, groceries, sunglasses, toothpaste, etc. Target, yeah.
180 locals recommend
Target
180 Somerville Ave
180 locals recommend
Our very own smaller-sized Target store right on the corner of my Pearl Street and Mass Ave ... for daily needs affordable housewares, greeting cards, socks, underwear, accessories and clothing items, groceries, sunglasses, toothpaste, etc. Target, yeah.

Arts & Culture

Restaurant by day, Hot 20+ Music scene/ alternative at night. Poetry nights. Full bar.Traditional Middle Eastern food: baba ganoush, Ful maddamas, hummus, felafel, etc
150 locals recommend
Wok N Roll Restaurant
1908 Massachusetts Ave
150 locals recommend
Restaurant by day, Hot 20+ Music scene/ alternative at night. Poetry nights. Full bar.Traditional Middle Eastern food: baba ganoush, Ful maddamas, hummus, felafel, etc
Wanna learn to DJ? Just curious? You will be welcomed. "Too Cool for School", DJ School Right here in Central Square!
MMMMAVEN
614 Massachusetts Ave
Wanna learn to DJ? Just curious? You will be welcomed. "Too Cool for School", DJ School Right here in Central Square!

Shopping

Hours of good browsing in this multi- level used book store. Not to be missed!
11 locals recommend
Rodney's Bookstore
698 Massachusetts Ave
11 locals recommend
Hours of good browsing in this multi- level used book store. Not to be missed!
Medium sized well stocked drug store with prescriptions and all the usual drug store stuff: band aids , tooth paste shower gel, reading glasses stuff as well as basic groceries, milk OJ eggs, etc.
118 locals recommend
Walgreens
1890 Columbus Ave
118 locals recommend
Medium sized well stocked drug store with prescriptions and all the usual drug store stuff: band aids , tooth paste shower gel, reading glasses stuff as well as basic groceries, milk OJ eggs, etc.
Killer second hand store! Women and mens clothing, records, books glass and kitchen ware, hand-curated by gay men. What could be better? Wardrobe / house heaven. Proceeds fight AIDS
Boomerangs
563 Massachusetts Ave
Killer second hand store! Women and mens clothing, records, books glass and kitchen ware, hand-curated by gay men. What could be better? Wardrobe / house heaven. Proceeds fight AIDS
Legendary record store plays 70's and 80s soul and funk so you can hear it on the street as you walk by. One of my favorite things about Central Square. Encyclopedic knowledge required to work there, a memorable and fun place to visit.
Cheapo Records
538 Massachusetts Ave
Legendary record store plays 70's and 80s soul and funk so you can hear it on the street as you walk by. One of my favorite things about Central Square. Encyclopedic knowledge required to work there, a memorable and fun place to visit.

Drinks & Nightlife

Fun, if a little -rough- around- the- edges. Home of Lil' Joe Cook. Blues sit- ins, Celtic music sit-ins (see their schedule for nights)
45 locals recommend
Cantab Lounge
738 Massachusetts Ave
45 locals recommend
Fun, if a little -rough- around- the- edges. Home of Lil' Joe Cook. Blues sit- ins, Celtic music sit-ins (see their schedule for nights)
Sleek and "Hidden" Actually its right above Central Kitchen Nice cocktails and apps.
79 locals recommend
Brick & Mortar
567 Massachusetts Ave
79 locals recommend
Sleek and "Hidden" Actually its right above Central Kitchen Nice cocktails and apps.
44 locals recommend
Middlesex Lounge
315 Massachusetts Ave
44 locals recommend

Everything Else

Very Friendly and efficient car rental! They go out of their way to accommodate you! A block and a half from my door.
94 locals recommend
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
37 Mystic Ave
94 locals recommend
Very Friendly and efficient car rental! They go out of their way to accommodate you! A block and a half from my door.
One of Cambridge's Historically Black Churches. Welcoming to any visitor from any where. Choir not to be missed! 10:45-AM 1:00PM Sundays. Service (July 1 - September -10 - 9:45 AM-12:00)
Union Baptist Church
874 Main St
One of Cambridge's Historically Black Churches. Welcoming to any visitor from any where. Choir not to be missed! 10:45-AM 1:00PM Sundays. Service (July 1 - September -10 - 9:45 AM-12:00)
Need a quiet place of repose on your journey ? The MIT Chapel a beautiful non denominational space provides a quiet and inspirational place for reflection
MIT Chapel
48 Massachusetts Ave
Need a quiet place of repose on your journey ? The MIT Chapel a beautiful non denominational space provides a quiet and inspirational place for reflection
Fun anthropology romp. Cooler than cool gift shop
20 locals recommend
Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
11 Divinity Ave
20 locals recommend
Fun anthropology romp. Cooler than cool gift shop
A truly world class Science Museum. Also Duck Tours splash into the waters of the Charles River from here.
14 locals recommend
Museum Of Science Driveway
Museum Of Science Driveway
14 locals recommend
A truly world class Science Museum. Also Duck Tours splash into the waters of the Charles River from here.
Hear the Talking Drums in Central Square? One of my favorite things about living here! Enter the Dance Complex via a set of big stairs and ask to observe a class. Tango, Ballet, African Dance
9 locals recommend
The Dance Complex
536 Massachusetts Ave
9 locals recommend
Hear the Talking Drums in Central Square? One of my favorite things about living here! Enter the Dance Complex via a set of big stairs and ask to observe a class. Tango, Ballet, African Dance
Central Square is well served by 2 drug stores.
429 locals recommend
CVS
624 Massachusetts Ave
429 locals recommend
Central Square is well served by 2 drug stores.
This liquor store, ( across the street from Libby's Liquors and HMart) has a more extensive selection of both wine and beer, and has a bigger selection of spirits.
9 locals recommend
Supreme Liquors
600 Massachusetts Ave
9 locals recommend
This liquor store, ( across the street from Libby's Liquors and HMart) has a more extensive selection of both wine and beer, and has a bigger selection of spirits.
Walk through this funky and eclectic indoor marketplace of artisans and crafts people. Clothing designers, painters, Ethiopian jewelers , Kenyan importers, photographers... more..
12 locals recommend
Out of the Blue Art Gallery
12 locals recommend
Walk through this funky and eclectic indoor marketplace of artisans and crafts people. Clothing designers, painters, Ethiopian jewelers , Kenyan importers, photographers... more..

Sightseeing

Photo Op in front of The MIT Dome. One of the best 'quick' views of the MIT campus, Stopping there en route to the Charles River for a view of the Boston skyline and a great walk.
330 locals recommend
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
77 Massachusetts Ave
330 locals recommend
Photo Op in front of The MIT Dome. One of the best 'quick' views of the MIT campus, Stopping there en route to the Charles River for a view of the Boston skyline and a great walk.
U do not need to be a physicist to love this place! A rare collection of holograms, MIT robotics Lab and Arthur Ganson sculptures A must see! Incredible gift shop for hip/edgy gifts
105 locals recommend
MIT Museum
314 Massachusetts Ave
105 locals recommend
U do not need to be a physicist to love this place! A rare collection of holograms, MIT robotics Lab and Arthur Ganson sculptures A must see! Incredible gift shop for hip/edgy gifts