50 Best American Restaurants in Cambridge

“Our favorite restaurant in the Boston area. The food is incredible - our go to is the kale salad, biscuit, burger, sea captain, and always trying something new. The service is phenomenal - the chef goes out of his way to introduce himself and check in on the meal, and every waiter has always been amazing. Sam and Nick are so great and have made this a special spot for us. Truly a gem!“

“Everything was really great. Jorge was our waiter and was lovely and now we’re gonna have to go to freaking Groton to try the Tavern because he talked it up so much. Mocktails were great; carrots were so good. Everything was so good. Yum.“

“I "cried" when my fave VEGAN or VEGETARIAN "GO-to" eat-in place closed all their locations around Boston. That was sadly & formerly GrainMaker .. (gone now) However DiG has grown on me as their deFACTO replacement for all FRESH VEGGIES and otherwise ALL FRESH MEAL VEGAN or VEGETERIAN eats and eat-in place! This is becoming my greatly reccomended "hidden vegan and veggie gem" in Boston with LOTS of locations. They have 3 locations thus far in Boston and 2 in Cambridge. I hav ONLY visited their downtown location thus far! Just as formerly with GrainMaker, DiG is as close to authentic home cooked! & genuinely HEALTHY! AND fresh meals that you can get to. Always fresh veggies, steamed & otherwise. --(they also serve a variety of proteins, as in variety of meats and fish, but i stay vegan. I have NEVER tried any of their meats or fish here.. ONLY their veggies and seasoned TOFU on occasion.. more oft than not, i do not even get their TOFU as a protein and opt to feast on JUST their steamed or boiled or baked veggies, bases. like rice and excellent mixed veggie salads sides!) Have been frequenting it for about 2 years since 2023 now, but held off on reviewing it until i was SURE of my experiences here. Decided to review it today bcs "it's time". I spoke to the very customer service oriented and responsibve supervisor here at this location, his name is DiJuan and was served by Adonis today and he was also very accommodating (after i explained i eat vegan) and on showing me my MANY fresh veggie choices, bases, proteins (including delish prepared Tofu) and PLENTY of heavenly veggie sides, all preped like you'd expect to find in a Thanksgiving grand day family meal. (AND they do this EVERY DAY!! ) This is HEALTHY eats and quite tasty and delish! See my posted pic w this review of my choice of eats today. In short, just today, i started with very little brown rice as my base and added 2 types of their fresh salad, Cannellini Beans w dill & greens along with their steamed or boiled Kale greens and added also a sweet potato that had been steamed & also steamed brocolli. I LUV eating fresh, healthy, TASTY and "homemade style" (as in NOT processed!!). I added their Garlic dressing to top it off. It came to something like 10+ bucks (B4 tax)! Unheard of !! for a BIG & FULLY portioned full veggie plate like this! BIG PORTION of a FULL PLATE! -- i declined, as usual to get any protein with my meal today, is why, STiLL i got a HUGE portioned plate! ( I normally HAVE2 order 2 - 3 separate orders and combine them, at HoneyGrow, anuther fave local "vegan" franchise in Boston, in order to get filled up if i'm only eating OMAD, as in One-meal-a-Day, in order to get full elsewhere usually!). They have a FAMILY (feeds4) option after 3pm every day that feeds 4-5 people (adults not kids) for like $43. QUITE A BARGAIN for something like this. AND it look like a Thankgiving day meal to top it off! --(formerly anuther non-vegan place "had this", now gone, called Boston Market. However they LOADED their side protions and even base meal with SO MUCH SALT, yuck! so that was ALL you could taste. THEY supposedly made home made, but found out NOT SO!!, theirs was loaded with processed sh*t, like their supposedly home-made mashed potatoes were the powder kind, loaded with pseudo milk and SALT, YUCK!!) NOT SO ! with this place.. DiG is 180 degrees fr tht.. This is truly GREAT tasting REAL and "home-prepped" veggies. They are winning me over from my other 2 "go-to's" "vegan-ish" franchises in Boston whcih have steadily been declining for various reasons, those being Bon-Me (their employees, over at Bon-Me for last 2-3 years it seems at ALL locations i have tried, simply do not undertsand nor speak english for the most part, their food WEN i can get it ordered the way i want it, is generally good, oft times its taken over 2 returned plates in order to get it prepared the way i orderd it.. v“

“Amazing food. Don't miss out on the pasta dishes or the bread. They actually make for great sharing apps. The staff is so nice and welcoming. Drinks are delicious and unique.“

“The best meal- great service- Beautiful atmosphere And warm friendly hostess“

“Very appealing menu; a rare one where I wanted almost everything on it. And the food did not disappoint — wonderful combinations, like the chicken liver on toasts topped with green tomato jam, and pillowy ricotta-stuffed agnolotti with corn and mushrooms. Everything was exceptional.“

“Nice space, attentive and friendly team and great food. Highly recommend.“

“nice state park.lots of wild life to see.“

“Had such a wonderful dinner at The Fallow Kin last night! Everything was delicious, but the blueberry salad, swordfish, and sweet corn dessert were absolute standouts.

Our server, Jon, made the whole experience even better. Every recommendation he gave us was spot on, he encouraged us to try things we might have otherwise missed, and he kept us laughing throughout the night. Great food and even better service. We’ll definitely be back, and ask for Jon!“

“Incredible food at the Chef’s Table. Amazing coordination between staff in a small space. Very friendly and accommodating. Probably the best meal I have ever had and I didn’t choose any of the courses!“

“Everything about this place was so good that we visited TWICE in a row during a 4-day trip to Cambridge/Boston. My dad loved the seitan reuben and cauliflower po boy, and I ADORED the impossible ground beef chop cheese and Nashville hot chicken (seitan). And absolute W. Can't wait to go back now next time I'm in town.“

“Staff, atmosphere, live music, food, beer - all great. What's not to like!“

“The oysters were fresh and i enjoyed the ambience!!!“

“Great place for brunch and good customer service“

“BRED is amazing addition to Kendall Square! They have oxtail fries and it’s delicious. It’s the best thing to eat when you want a quick lunch or if you’re hung over. The aesthetic of the place is nice and modern. The bathroom is clean (a major plus). Finally, shout out to the handsome barkeep Anel K. This man knows his way around a drink. He ALWAYS has the best recommendations! I always show up without a game plan and Anel K always makes a banger of a drink and always tells us what’s happening, specials, overall he has amazing customer service. Love Anel, love this place, love the food. BRED can bred me anytime!“

“Amazing“

“Went there last night after daughter's graduation with her boyfriend's family and her other friends. The bar was loud and very busy as expected but the servers and hosts were kind enough to accommodate us. But it was one particular bartender of Asian origin (I am an Asian myself) who was flustered the entire time we were there and we were not even ordering from her. It was a different bartender who was nice. And when I wanted to close the tab, she asked me something I couldn't hear and when I asked her again, she snapped so viciously, I was aghast. That was beyond rude and more like a criminal behavior towards a patron. I didn’t escalate it and left quickly but this perhaps is a repeat behavior from her and her attitude didn’t seem new. I hope the management/owners take notice of this. The way she behaved and looked flustered the entire time warrants termination, no less. This has nothing to do with the pub, the servers and bartender there are nice, except that one person who shouldn't have been employed.“

“The space itself was lovely and flexible for both small and large groups. Kelly, the Events Manager, made coordinating the event very easy and they were able to accomodate various food restrictions. I highly recommend Mothership Event Space.“

“Really good burgers, drinks, fries and chicken tenders. We have been here several times and have never had a bad experience. I also pick up for DoorDash deliveries here and they are always professional and nice. I highly recommend this place“

“I work in Harvard Sq., and Dig is my go-to if I don’t have time to pack a lunch. The food is delicious, healthy, and scratch made. I got an email saying lunch was 25% off today with a coupon code, so I decided to treat myself. I used the app and the website, and the payment kept erroring out. I figured it’s a gorgeous day, I’ll walk on over there. I arrived and not only were there far more options than what was available on the site, but I explained the issue I was having to Scott W., a food angel in disguise! He gave me lunch for free for the hassle. It made my whole day. Get yourself to Dig for stellar food and exceptional service!“

“I can praise Henrietta”s table enough! The choices are amazing all healthy and sounds delicious and fresh! Having gluten and dairy allergies it’s hard to find a restaurant that is kind and respectful and understanding is hard but here they will make sure you have a fabulous safe meal. Been here a few times and last night we had Brit who was absolutely a doll helped me get out of my scrod box and try the salmon. I HIGHLY suggest for all. Thank you Brit much appreciate it“

“An excellent dinner. Purple carrots! Lemon potatoes! Tahini mushroom with an egg! Blue fish! Good service. Guy ran down The block to return my bracelet which had fallen off! They give you the check in a Copy of the Constitution! Recommend but why are you not accessible! Such a contradiction of your stated philosophy. Should at least put it on your website with your apology“

“This place is excellent. Menu has an impressive amount of variety and everything was delicious and made fresh. The owner/head chef was so welcoming and really brought a sense of hospitality that many of the newer places in central square just can’t compete with“

“We were there for lunch and food was delicious. The fish was cooked just the right amount of tenderness. The burger was outstanding and the fish tacos were so good they were devoured in no time. The only thing I didn't like was the Smoke Show Fizz drink. It was a bit disappointing, tasting more like straight up juice out of the can without the charred pineapple, basil, lime, sprite. Service was impeccable with good attention to detail. Overall, very good and maintaining standards.“

“everything wonderful service food atmosphere“

“Whenever we are in the mood for more American style fare, we think why go anywhere other than The Abbey because the food is always reliably delicious. Take a grilled chicken sandwich: omnipresent on local menus, yet only The Abbey makes this a moist and delicious generous meal every time. Love their truffle fries, and whatever creative daily listing they have. I have made fans of visitors as well. A local treasure.“

“The atmosphere is open and modern. There is casual seating on sofas and soft lounge chairs and Adirondack chairs outside in a grassy area next to some picnic tables on a cemented area. Indoors, much of the eating is done on long tables that are shared and seating at the bar. Ping pong is available as well as table shuffleboard. The food I've had so far are burger and fries, margherita pizza, house salad, lemonade, and cheesecake. All have been delicious and I look forward to going back and trying the tacos.“

“The cafeteria at Harvard Graduate School of Design offers healthy, delicious, and affordable meals, and is very close to Harvard Yard. A great lunch option.

Plant-based Bowls: Available in two sizes. The small portion includes one type of lettuce, three types of cooked vegetables, one protein source, one carbohydrate source, and one sauce, priced by weight. The bowl pictured contains spinach, roasted zucchini, stir-fried edamame, roasted carrots, pan-fried sole, white rice, and lemon tahini. The ingredients were all very fresh; the vegetables were sweeter after roasting, the fish was tender, and the rice was perfectly separated. The lettuce is also at the ideal room temperature, not too bland. It's amazing how delicious it is as a healthy meal! It was my first time trying lemon tahini; it's like a more acidic version of Caesar dressing. The lemon's freshness complements the sesame's nutty aroma perfectly, only a little too salty. The final price was $10.68. Theoretically, you could skip the sauce and lettuce, right? That would be healthier, tastier, and cheaper.“

“Small beer selection, wine and a bar. But they were great, super friendly, and the food was good.“

“I wandered into Harvest based solely on their Google rating, with no inclination as to what the menu might hold. I'm so glad I did! The staff was friendly and attentive. My goblet was refilled before the thought crossed my mind that I may need more. Dishes were cleared almost immediately after each course. The food came out beautifully presented and piping hot. I ordered the Humboldt Fog plate, Mushroom & French Onion soup (Who thought to put miso in it?! Yum!) and roasted asparagus. I was very pleased and would certainly recommend folks give Harvest a try!“

“I just Love the New Republic great atmosphere amazing food great drinks beautiful vibe“

“The food here was seriously delicious from start to finish. We kicked things off with the side biscuit and homemade butter, and both were so good. The butter was rich and smooth, and the biscuit was warm and flaky. The focaccia egg sandwich was another standout, with great flavor in every bite. We also tried the French toast, which was sweet, soft, and perfectly made. Everything had so much flavor, and it’s definitely a spot I’d come back to.“

“Outstanding. Brenna surpassed my expectations of service. By far the best experience I’ve had in the last 3 days.“

“Foods good. Not amazing but good. The waitress was very friendly and attentive. She did mix up a couple things but it wasn't a catastrophe. This area didn't have a lot of options for lunch so we stopped here. I wouldn't make a special trip but it's not too bad. Fried pickles were excellent and the maple walnut grilled chicken salad was good.“

“Ordered food through Uber eats last night & couldn’t of been happier. I was having a craving for hot pretzel sticks so that’s what I searched on Uber. I came across this place & omg it was sooo worth it. I also got a paper explaining who the owners are and more about the place. I can’t wait until I can come with my family when this all ends! So happy I found you guys. Thanks!!“

“everything was wonderful!“

“We were seated by a courteous gentleman n amed Jackie. He was very courteous. My eggs were hot, my bacon had a very good flavor & the French toast was excellent! Our service was great! I believe their names were Rachid, Geraldini & Huilin. We were checked on by all of them. Great service! The food was delicious along with the presentation. Definitely recommend for a very good breakfast! 5 stars!“

“Went with friends this last weekend and had a great time. Service was top notch, food was well prepared and tasty, drinks were creative and delicious. We’ll be back!“

“This restaurant is dope. The interior is warm and inviting. It’s modern and chic. Definitely an elevated hipster vibe. A chill spot to hang out after work or nice date night. The food is bomb! For apps, I’ve never had a Chinese-inspired arancini. These crispy delights are addicting with their crack sauce. The sauce is a must have on the arancini. The salad is light and refreshing. The Kokoda is a well made dish. I never had blue fin tuna until I came here. The combo with the fresh fish with the acidity from the lemon juice and smooth finish of coconut sauce - oof, worth a try. There’s also another surprise about the Kokoda - there’s something called sea grapes 🍇 and were bursting of flavor and freshness. A nice addition to the dish. I could go for seconds with the Kokoda because it’s a bit small for me. I wish they made it 2x bigger so it could be more shareable with a date or with company. The Maine Uni was surprisingly delicious 😋. I honestly thought it was too expensive but after having it, it was an amazing amuse bouche (the perfect bite). I couldn’t believe that small bite packed so much flavor and complexity. It was balanced and left me feeling happy. Totally worth it. For mains, the pork belly adobo melts in your mouth. So good! The mushroom raviolis are my favorite out of this menu. The salted duck egg sauce is what makes this dish memorable. I would definitely eat this again. The bitter melon ratatouille is not my favorite because it wasn’t seasoned enough for me. It felt as though it was missing salt. The veggies were perfectly roasted though, but it didn’t quite smack like the other dishes. The ribeye is good, but not my favorite. I might be biased because I’ve had better at other places. For desserts, the pandan sorbet is tasty. I’m not a fan of the pandan taste. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but I enjoyed it because I love avocados and bananas and in ice cream form? No brainer. I wished they had a version without the pandan flavoring. I’m curious as to how it would taste then. The matcha cheesecake is surprisingly well-balanced. Not too matcha where it’s overbearing. The matcha is subtle while the richness of the cheesecake smacks just right and not overly sugary. The late night menu - I only tried the Chicharrón taco 🌮. The combo of crispy pork belly and the acidity from the lime is perf. Nothing else to say. Surprisingly really filling. I probably can’t have more than 2 of these tacos and I’m a pretty big guy. The drinks - I love the names and how they have a play on words. The blood orange and the banana espresso are my favorite. These drinks have enough booze and not too much where it’s offensive. Blood orange is enjoyable to drink and the banana espresso is complex with a chocolate finish. Their nice, clean cocktails. Service was awesome! The servers were friendly and quick. They regularly checked in with my wife and me. I don’t think I even had to do the awkward “please help us” lean at all. They were there when you needed them! Amazing 5 star service! You want a culinary experience. This place won’t disappoint.“

“Living nearby, Kantipur has become my go-to every week for quarantine takeout. I've tried all the chicken dishes about 3 times by now and I still can't decide which is the best! But my favorite menu item is the vegetable pakora appetizer. Dip it in the chutney sauce and you'll understand. 🎁🎊“

“Awesome livestream concerts! Thank you Passim!“

“great bar. cash only. located between Harvard and Central.“

“i love the place and the waiter who serves us was so nice and he offers us another bread for free because i asked if they sell the bread ..i loved what i ordered it was worth it and full filling that we end up to bring home the desserr..“

“Wow, if you like the best of the best in Craft beer, you gotta stop by, grabbed the garlic knots too, they were delicious...“

“Amazing atmosphere with iconic decor. An antiquated feel to it. I was here for a conference and there are quite a number of meeting rooms, but seating is rather limited. Also, parking is a gigantic problem, so use public transportation if possible because most conferences go all day long, so the zones limit you to either one hour or two hours with NO option to extend your time. You will have to keep moving your vehicle and driving around & around & around in hopes a spot will open up. Very friendly people here and it has a prestigious feel to it.“

“Wow, if you like the best of the best in Craft beer, you gotta stop by, grabbed the garlic knots too, they were delicious...“

“We ate at Grendel's Den with another couple last night. Everything was wonderful. Good food, good drinks, great service in a happy friendly atmosphere. We all loved everything but the predominate memory is the genuine hospitality.“

“Very good, But I don't want to hamburger anymore“

“saw Darlingside 's late show which wasn't a seated event.But the kind Lara,attending the merch table got a seat for my very pregnant niece.The venue is like a renovated subway station concrete cold but with a full house it warms up balconies on either side of stage and center give good views of stages.Restrooms clean as are bars efficient and stocked.Management had a good control of evacuating crowd .Band was very pleased too which made for a great show..will return to a seated show“

“Amazing Greek dishes, the Octopus was the best I've ever had.“