37 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 !!“

“This is a great little coffee shop with good coffee and great vibes. There is a good amount of seating available despite the small space with a few bar stools. Both baristas were very friendly and helpful to myself and another international customer. They gave both of different ideas for places to visit and see while we were in town. The food looked great but I did not eat there so I can’t really rate that side of the business.“

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

“Truly such a hidden gem by Porter Square! We got three different crepes to try, the Second Breakfast, the House Special, and the Classic, and they were all truly delicious. We loved the homey, charming vibe inside and the staff was so friendly. Will definitely be back!“

“Amazing Staff, amazing food !!! If You’re in Harvard Sq. don’t miss out!“

“Burger is the best for me 😘“

“Erica at the register was so nice and she had some great recommendations. Their pita Mac was one of the best burgers I ever had. I loved their hummus and the green feta dip. The rotisserie chicken was delicious also. I will definitely be back“

“My husband brought me here to try the baked goods and it was so delightful! We got a chocolate cookie sandwich (not pictured) and a passionfruit meringue-topped dessert that I forget the name of. Both were yummy and the ambiance of the shop was very cool, there’s seating upstairs, downstairs, and even a small outdoor patio. Nice spot!“

“Dado is the best kept secret in Cambridge. A beautiful café that feels so peaceful, considered and thoughtful in its every detail—the perfect place to sit with a friend, or take some time to just be alone and read a book. The co-owner Namwon has great energy. He was always really kind and welcoming to me and my boyfriend (we are from Australia, but Dado felt like a little slice of home). The food is really tasty (I could never go past their egg-salad sandwich; my partner loves the bibimbap wrap), and Dado, of course, has an amazing selection of teas. More than just feeding the body, all the meals felt like they were nourishing the soul. Just good honest cooking—maybe the rarest of things today. We’re about to leave Harvard this semester, and one of the great things we’ll miss is Dado.“

“I got a bite to eat (noodles with mixed vegetables) at an affordable place nearby to where I was working. The food was delicious, the staff was very friendly and the atmosphere was delightful. I will definitely eat here again if I am in the area. Loved it.“

“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!!“

“Place was pretty cool. They serve breakfast and lunch here. Friendly staff working and great neighborhood. The most amazing display of humanity was displayed by a customer named Maria who i believe worked at the registry of deeds. She paid for a woman who was having language barrier issues meal. The lady wanted a sub but she and the cashier couldn't figure it out. So she pointed out things and was able to order the meal for the older woman. What a great place and awesome hunan being“

“Update: Confirmed with staff they're staying open late to screen world cup matches!

Best cafe in Harvard for lingering to read or study. If you do however, please be sure to patronize and tip accordingly for their generous accomodations as you use their space. They have a downstairs section that is cozy but still in the works that is great for privacy, and it's wonderful their open late for a chill evening get together when you feel more like tea and less like mixed drinks.

Espresso is complex, rich and potent. The best meal they have is in the picture, and I think it's called Ciro Hawawshi. It's seasoned beef in fried pita with fresh and pickled vegetables. Healthy and delicious for breakfast or anytime. Although, currently only available as a weekend special.

(Update 07/04/26: Shakshuka is amazing! It's not spicy like I've had before, but bet that might be not to scare off western pallets. It had a rich and slightly sweet character, and the pita was fluffy rim, crunch middle perfect)

Their French toasts, coffees, and sweets are phenomenal as well. The one place I think they have for improvement are their sandwiches. They're fine, but I'd recommend getting something more traditionally Egyptian when it comes to their food, as that is where they excel. I'd love to see them offering more authentic or fusion regional dishes as they continue.

All in all, this is my go to cafe due to it's comfy and welcoming atmosphere, great espresso and tea, and interesting, flavorful and healthy Egyptian food.“

“Beautiful vibes here I love the sweets like the brownies my top 1 along with the cappuccinos they make here as well as Orange juice and also best to come here to relax and enjoy the WiFi here everything is excellent 👍😋“

“Great find. Peaceful, comforting vibe. Great staff. Restroom for customers. Tables. Had a delicious maple scone and iced Americano.“

“I love everything about this place. The coffee is incredible (the Sea Salt Shaker is unreal), the daily pastries are always delicious, and the empanadas (tomato and motz) are a go-to. I also love the no-laptop vibe, it makes the space feel intentional. The decor is beautiful, and the back porch is such a tranquil, unique spot in Cambridge.“

“Enjoyed my apple cider during rainy evening tonight. Friendly and accommodating staff!“

“such an adorable spot. bumpin on the weekend. the coffee was amazing: rich and smooth, and the pastries were on point, not too sweet and really fresh. loved the super chill atmosphere and the clean, unfussy design. perfect spot for a slow morning or a laptop hour. would come back for sure, it’s one of those places that just hits.“

“Tatte always hits well on all fronts. Their drinks are always good, the space is tasteful and great for studying, working or meeting people. The few things I have tried as far as food goes have all been on point as well. Highly recommend this place.“

“Amazing coffee shop, especially all their combinations of vietnamese coffee. They have it both in hot and cold and so many different kinds, never seen that many anywhere else, not even in New York City. Very authentic and great quality! Maybe a dollar or two more expensive than elswhere, but extremely worth it.
They also have great pastries and spots to work at with a laptop.
Moreover, they also have great vietnamese sandwiches! You should definitely try it.
For the people that don't like coffee. No problem. My boyfriend love matcha. And they have amazing yuzu matcha. TOKYO FOGG (which is a matcha latte with earl grey). He says that's one of the best matcha he's ever had!
Regarding the palce itself, it could be more renovated or modernized and the bathrooms are not always the cleanest (depending how busy they are). If they'd improve that, then all stars woudl be five!!!“

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

“This coffee & bakery was a part of the Harvard Art Museums.

Flat White / Iced: I actually don't have much words to comment since I am not a coffee expert. Just ordinary and qualified I suppose. However, it really saved my life from feeling thirsty in the museum, where people couldn't drink or even bring beverages in.“

“The girls are always smiling and Carlos makes it more like family then business by knowing what people want as they are walking up to being on a first name basis with customers. You guys are an irreplaceable aspect of our little neighborhood. 5 stars does no justice.“

“I know a student who lived here 3 years. Cabot house consists of several different buildings. Most are old but pretty well maintained. It's a bit of a walk to the main campus so if you are assigned here you may want to bring a bicycle. If you are a parent dropping off a student there are a few off-street parking spaces which are usually available and generally easier to get than trying to park at the other dorms.“

“Better Sorts is a great spot to hang out. The decor is great, it’s chill, and the drinks and snacks are great. The space is beautiful and the details, like glassware and cocktail accessories, are top notch. Hidden gem I. Downtown Boston!“

“smooth latte, nice to have a decaffeinated lattee.“

“Staff are nice and have good service“

“Pacific St. Cafe is one of my favorite lunch spots in Cambridge. Excellent service and great selection of food including paninis, salads and drinks. The Moroccan lemonade is my favorite.“

“We stayed 4 days in Cambridge, just 200m away from Sarah’s. We came to have breakfast here the first day, and so we did for the rest of our stay (because it was so good!!). They have lots of options, from egg sandwiches, to wraps and pancakes. Also the employees are super friendly and impressive, as they are able to cook this many different things. We will miss them. Will definitely recommend to any person I know“

“This Tatte location has a shorter menu than other Tatte cafés, and some dishes we wanted—like the Croque Madame and lamb shakshuka—weren’t available. We ordered the regular shakshuka and a breakfast croissant, but honestly the food tasted pretty average and felt a bit below the standard of other locations.

The black sesame latte was excellent, though. The café itself is relatively small.“

“Just the other day me and a associate stopped by to brainstorm/study over coffee. I'll be brief, the staff is friendly. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

The vibe is definitely that of the thinking tribe. I tried the power bowl, that includes fresh spinach salad, also I tasted the wheat grain turkey sandwich, boiled eggs and a Gatorade.

Everything was delicious. I'll be back for more no doubt.“

“Went for the first time and everything was great!!“

“A hidden neighborhood gem we discovered while visiting Boston this past weekend. Our hotel was situated in a bit of a no-man’s land that made it difficult to do our usual walking to find good coffee in the AM but I’m glad we persisted. I found the Black Sheep Market after a refusal for settling for DD coffee. This spot was a brisk 10 min walk from our hotel- we got there shortly after doors opened on Sunday and while coffee drew us in we quickly discovered their incredibly solid selection of store made donuts and baked goods. I am going to be dreaming about the Boston Creme donut I left with for some time. Nothing better on the planet when it comes to donuts than that one right there. My husband ordered a cinnamon and sugar donut which he exclaimed melted in his mouth, and for our son who had been studying French- a chocolate croissant- delectable! The coffee - the reason we went at all- was hot, fresh, and delicious. Also warmed our hands on the cold walk back to the hotel for a bonus! The shop itself offered a wide variety of other goods - which we didn’t need that particular morning, but I’d love to have just around the corner if I lived in this Cambridge area neighborhood.
Thanks for a great cup of coffee, excellent service and a most memorable donut!“