14 Best Cafes in Cambridge

“Delicious, Yummy, Friendly, Locally owned, with baking ingredients specialities! We’re so happy to have this warm and inviting place around the corner from where we live. #support local !!“

“Staff are nice and have good service“

“Burger is the best for me 😘“

“My husband and I had the cornbread, raspberry currant muffin, cold brew flight, carnitas taco, elote taco, and avocado tostado. All of it was amazing and affordable!!“

“The homiest meal in Cambridge. Every crepe and filling are freshly prepared with delicious ingredients and served by a friendly staff. Don't come here if you are in a rush, they give extra care to each crepe prepared and that means it takes a little extra time.“

“Their pho salad cured salmon (5/5) was one of my favorite foods from my Boston/Cambridge trip. It was a unique dish that I'd never seen at any Vietnamese restaurant before and it was so good! While toppings were cold and fresh, the noodle was warm and it was delicious. Strongly recommend it!

Turmeric golden latte was just okay (3/5).

Everything is self serve here - you get in line, pay for your food, find yourself a seat, and go grab your food/utensils/water when they call you.“

“I love Tilde - the coffee, wine and food is consistently great!
I've also come to participate in knit club and everyone is always a sweetie pie.

The wine selection has a great variety and the coffees are never too sweet even with a little added rose or vanilla.

Today I committed a faux pas because I became that dog owner who brings their pup into the shop. The person behind the counter was so gracious about letting me know that they can't allow dogs due to that food is prepared there and then another person helped by bringing my drink outside to me.

So all in all, this is a place to come to feel nice and tasty!“

“Delicious food and great coffee drinks! Excellent service from everyone and a super cute space —- highly recommend!“

“The staff here are so kind and patient and enjoyable to talk to as the first part of my day. I really appreciate pavement/harvard’s willingness to let folks hang out in their lobby /dining/ seating space, particularly folks who may be experiencing tough times. I’ve chatted with a few strangers in the lobby that have disclosed their housing insecurity to me. Even recently, when a woman was unsure whether her card would go through as we near the end of the month, there was a quiet offer of still enjoying a coffee if it didn’t. I’ve completely stopped going to the sterile waiting areas of similar places like Starbucks because we all need a little more community care for each other. As an aside to great staff and customers, I love (too much and too often) getting their rosemary bagel that they always hook up with lots of cream cheese. Keep it up pavement- you make me proud to be in Cambridge alongside businesses with staff that value the humanity that they can bring to others’ days. I hope they are compensated for the extra (and so so necessary) love they give others.“

“Though I have not been to the Cafe in person, the sandwich I had from there was one of the best I have ever eaten! Can't wait to go in person. 5 stars.😋“

“So sad. Today was their last day in Allston. Going to miss them...and their banana bread!“

“My Happy Place! A 5-Star Coffee Dream! ☕🥐✨
Seriously, y'all, Tatte Bakery at Harvard Square is my absolute favorite! Every single time I step through those doors, it's like a little slice of heaven. 😍 From the moment you walk in, you're hit with that amazing smell of fresh-baked goodies and perfectly brewed coffee – it's pure magic! ✨
This last visit was extra special because I treated myself to two of my absolute faves: a smooth Cortado and, get this, a Pistachio Coffee! 🤤 Both were ridiculously delicious and hit just the right spot. The Cortado was perfectly balanced, and that Pistachio Coffee? Mind. Blown. 🤯 It's the kind of drink that makes you want to do a happy dance.
And it's not just the drinks! I also snagged one of their famous Almond Croissants – flaky, buttery, and packed with almond goodness. Seriously, it's a masterpiece. 🎨
Beyond the incredible food and drinks, the vibe here is just chef's kiss. 🤌 It’s always buzzing but still feels cozy, with gorgeous decor that makes you want to hang out all day. And the staff? Super friendly and on top of things, even when it's packed! They handle the rush like pros, always with a smile. 😄
If you're ever in Harvard Square, you have to stop by Tatte. It's more than just a bakery; it's an experience! Trust me, your taste buds will thank you. 🙏 Five stars all the way! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“Strawberry, Roasted Peach & Chicken Salad $14.85: EAT THIS. Super yummy and fresh. It is the end of the season for strawberries and peaches, so I was warry, but this was fresh and light, not heavily dressed. The cheese added a nice creaminess, but I was surprised it was missing the usual tartness feta has. The chicken breast wasn't dried out. The cashews were a nice unexpected surprise that added crunch. RECOMMEND.

GF Chicken Salad Sandwich $12.50: So I had an initial bite that had like too much butter or something in it, fatty and odd. After that, the taste improved drastically, and was nicely balanced. OKAY.

Kale & Apple Juice 12oz $6.00: Refreshing! I could taste both the kale and apple, and one did not overpower the other. RECOMMEND.

Oatmeal & Walnut Cookie (GF) $3.50: EAT THIS. A love a soft cookie that has a bit of crunch on the outside for texture and this was perfect. Not too sweet, and the walnuts added nice texture. RECOMMEND.

It is a bright lovely space. While I know they are attempting to maximize space, seating feels too close. I sat at the bar facing out to look out the windows. I am a normal woman, but I had to put my bag on a stool next to me, and thing felt too close. I was lucky to be there during down time or I would have been brushing people to get to my seat. SO if you are like me and like your personal space, seek to go during off peak hours.

I didn't like where the location was to bus your plates when you are finished, I hat to walk back up to the front and pass the register. I understand why they do this, to make it easier for staff, and keep the visual space clear. I still found the placement off.

Staff were not the nicest, but I went in there to eat, not make friends, but something to keep in mind.

Verdict: GOOD. TRY IT OUT.“

“I stopped by to order a few different treats for my team event. And I came back to pick up the next day. If you want delivery, you need to order through the app (doordash / uber eat). I ordered a butter nutella cookie, butter cranberry and pistachio cookie, tiramisu cup, mocha cake, passion fruit cake, and fruit box and white chocolate. They were all pretty good. I like how their butter cookie were not too sweet at all, even the Nutella isn't too sweet. But the cranberry and pistachio were very popular and ran out first. I like the tiramisu cup, they were not too sweet. In all the things I tried, I would say my least favorite is the passion fruit and that was the most left over too. I think the white cream in that cake is way too sweet for me. I like the sour passion fruit in the middle, but the contrast makes the white cream even more sweet. I also recommend them to have a few more choices for dairy free and vegan to make it better experience for inclusive catering.“