Cambridge is where Ivy League tradition meets biotech startup cool, and where centuries-old streets host globe-trotting cuisines.
Its restaurants mirror every corner of the city’s intellectual and cultural energy.
Oleana
Ana Sortun’s Mediterranean landmark remains a destination for food tourists and locals alike, serving sultry flavors in a back garden bursting with flowers.
Highlights include lamb with Turkish spices, octopus with pomegranate, and baked Alaska with coconut ice cream. Every mezze sparkles; the staff’s wine advice is gold.
The Friendly Toast
Retro diner meets irreverent brunch palace, The Friendly Toast sports neon walls, crazy milkshakes, mammoth French toast towers, and playful benedicts like “King Cakes” and “Sklarmageddon.”
The crowd includes MIT professors in flip-flops, students in pajamas, and drag brunch enthusiasts on weekends.
Little Donkey
A true “global tapas” bar, Little Donkey’s menu is an adventure—Korean fried chicken bao, lamb shawarma tacos, Peruvian ceviche, and black bean burgers with spicy aioli.
The drinks are clever, the vibe is upbeat, and the bar is always packed with after-work crowds and grad students on splurge night.
Harvest
Since the 1970s, Harvest has guided the city’s food scene toward New England Modern: root-veg soups, roast duck, delicate scallops, and a wine list bursting with natural bottles.
Brunch on the patio is a must, and every meal comes with bread from the city’s best bakers.
Cafe Sushi
Hidden away near Harvard Square, Cafe Sushi elevates both the art and innovation of Japanese cuisine—unique nigiri, ocean-fresh uni, creative rolls with local seafood, and pristine sashimi.
Reservations are coveted; chefs greet regulars like old friends.
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