35 Best Bars in Cambridge

“A wonderful tiki bar! We loved the food and creative cocktails.“

“Great place! Historical live music acts have played here for decades! great ownership! Great bartenders!“

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

“The restaurant is well-decorated and embodies the spirit of Boston in its decor. They offer a variety of items, from small plates to large. The beer selection includes both local and global options. The food dishes are beyond ordinary preparation, featuring a fusion of multiple cuisines, but with careful attention to avoid overshadowing any one cuisine. The veggie burger might sound simple, but even with lettuce wraps, it was juicy and the sauces were like warm hugs to the burger. The sides weren’t just plain house potatoes; they were crispy yet flavorful.“

“My colleague and I dropped in for a bite during a work trip, and we couldn’t have been happier with the food, beer, and service. The bartender, Liam, made our tough travel day so much better. Next time I’m in town, I’m making it a priority to stop here. Keep up the amazing work!!“

“Greta food great people and Dottie!“

“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.“

“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.“

“Voted best Dive Bar. Locals were very friendly! We had a great time.“

“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!“

“Such a chill vibe!! I will be making this a regular spot.“

“Definitely will go back. Very good food and a nice selection, generous portions. Steak was done perfectly and the fried appetizer was fresh and not greasy. It was a slow night, so I really appreciate that the food was still great. Very pleasant waiter, kind and checked in with us just the right amount. We ate outside.“

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

“They offer small plates and standard entrees. We had 2-3 small plates per person which was just right. They have lovely cocktails as well as nice beer and wine selections. We enjoyed our meal and look forward to returning to try more items.“

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

“Great for fondue on Saturday afternoon with warm cider 🍺 and great heaters“

“The food here is top notch! And our waiter, Mo, was the best! We live in Palm Springs and we’re here with local friends. When we return to California we’ll be seeking out an Afghan restaurant there as the flavors are SO good! Thanks again, Mo, and the entire staff!“

“Su buen servicio y la comida es deliciosa.“

“Excellent food and beer👍🍺“

“The lunch special was a great deal! The beef rib chili oil noodles were delicious. I would love to try every noodle dish here.

My one complaint food-size is that there was only one fresh vegetable side option (the cold cucumber salad) which was vinegary so together with the other side I got (golden chicken nuggets, which were a bit too crispy for my taste and rather salty) the meal overall ended up a bit too salty. A plain vegetable side would have made a good counterbalance to the flavorful but rich and/or salty/vinegary dishes.

We went on a holiday Monday so it was quite busy, but the wait wasn’t too long (~20min for a group of two via the online waitlist), and once we were seated the service was great and the food came out super quickly!

Given the busyness, it was a little tricky to flag down the host once our table was ready – there was a crowd of people waiting at the front of the restaurant by the door so you had to be carefully assertive as the staff were quite busy.
It might be nice if the restaurant asked people to wait outside instead, as the restaurant felt a bit cramped and loud as a result, but also it was a cold day outside so it’s good that people were able to stay warm. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Overall, would definitely recommend this place for stellar noodles, and I would definitely come back (on a non-holiday when it’s maybe less crowded)!“

“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!“

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

“Delicious!!! You should, definitely, eat here!“

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

“Went there with a big group of friends and it was great. The waiters were very friendly. At one point a waiter accidentally spilled water on my back and immediately offered to make my food+drink free, which I consider a big win lmao. 5 minutes drying off my dress in the bathroom in exchange for a free awesome dinner? Yes please lol“

“Great experience! Food was great and our server was really friendly and helpful! We were trying to catch a concert and service was very fast. Portion sizes were generous. Forgot to take a picture of the fried fish but that was also great. Highly recommended!“

“We loved eating here !! The staff is so welcoming and answers any questions you may have if you’re new to the cuisine. Great place for group dinners but wished it didn’t close as early as it did! We cannot wait to go back again and wish it wasn’t so far from where we live.“

“I recently visited Monteverdi for Drinks on the patio and then more drinks and Dinner, and can I just say I have not experienced Cambridge like this before! From the moment I walked in, I was blown away by the stunning waterfront views - it’s the perfect backdrop for any meal inside or on the patio. The staff was beyond exceptional, making us feel right at home with their warm hospitality and attention to detail. Now, let’s talk food! My friend ordered the Rigatoni Bolognese, and it was hands-down one of the best they've had - perfectly seasoned with a rich blend of beef, veal, and pork, and she said the locally made pasta was just to die for. I ended up just getting the the Warm Marinated Olives since I am a light eater, but they were also a fantastic vegan option that's full of flavor and the perfect snack for someone like me. And the drinks that kicked off the evening, as well as during dinner (we maaay have had a round or 2)?! Let me just say, the VELO Vodka Espresso Martinis were the ideal pairing for everything we got - a smooth and rich cocktail that’s just as classy as it sounds. And it's also a locally made (& women owned) Vodka company! If you’re looking for outstanding food, drinks, service, and ambiance, Monteverdi is a must-visit. I can’t wait to go back!“

“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!“

“Food is great. Not that many vegetarian options but offers a good selection. Prices are reasonable and it's a safe and comfortable atmosphere. Make sure to ask for specials of the day. There are great combos to try. Service is fast and there is a lot of seating available which helps when it's busy.“

“Awesome burger and the fries were delicious too!“

“Best Boston cream pie cake I’ve ever had“

“I went to Manray as a baby bat 25 years old and then the news got out that it was closing. That night was magical, the patrons were so non-dramatic. Then over time, it opened again. I'm excited to see it once more. SOON...“

“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.“

“I visited this place for the first time over the weekend. My best friend and I went for an overnight trip to Boston from Maine and had a blast. The two gentlemen working the bar were wonderful and can make a damn good drink. The DJ was amazing! The music was perfect for dancing and it was all stuff you probably know. Will absolutely be visiting again!“