30 Best Cocktail Bars in Cambridge

“My boyfriend and I stumbled upon Siagon Babylon and it has easily become one of our favorite Boston restaurants. The plates are small and I recommend getting a couple to share (tapas style). We loved that each dish had classic southeast asian flavors, but was so unique. You will not find dishes like this anywhere else in Boston. Excited to come back for more!“

“Extremely cozy ambiance in your classic dark lighting interior with lots of exposed brickwork and music playing at just the right volume. Service was excellent and two of my party enjoyed a couple of very well made cocktails but on this visit I opted for a can of beer . Prices were about right for the quality of the cocktails but a little steep for a can of beer . Would definitely visit again when I have more time to stay later and get a little more relaxed.“

“outstanding chicken sandwich and fries. highly recommend 👌👍“

“The food was so good it didn't even matter that the date didn't go well. Everybody involved in the service was great, John, Helena, and a manager I think. John's guidance was primordial in terms of food experience. The special with the Linguini, Black Bass and Calamari it's out of this world. Even tho it was full I never felt like I wasn't able to comfortably talk with my date. $200 plus tip for 2 apps, 2 entrees, 4 drinks and dessert felt pretty well spent honestly. 10/10 experience definitely coming back.“

“This place is the bomb. drove 2 hours to try it. service , food , and were phenomenal. Definitely coming back with friends. They even validated our parking.“

“Todo muy bueno y la atención de primera“

“The server’s expertise really helped us know what to try. I highly recommend trying several dishes and splitting them between your party if appropriate. The butter lobster toast was like a lobster grilled cheese with butter on top. A burst of butter, grilled bread, cheese and lobster in your mouth. Delicate and rich. The swordfish pastrami was smoked and creamy. It tasted like an upscale turkey pastrami. Loved it with the pickles and hint of mustard. The “stuffie” croquettes were fried and cheesy. Again very rich and creamy. The Ox tail with creamed corn polenta was so good. It’s a do not miss perfect for splitting. And of course the butter lobster roll with fries and dressed oysters were also a must try. Bacon, butter, beef, and seafood. It’s rich but very satisfying when it’s cold and fall is upon us. There were 5 of us and the fusions of flavor were so perfect. It’s a must try when you in Boston. T“

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

“My partner and I came for one of the individually ticketed ice cream making classes, and it was perfect. We were already huge Gracie’s enthusiasts, and this class made us even bigger fans. Aaron is a mastermind genius of ice cream and a hilarious, silly human. I promise you’ll learn a lot, and leave filled to the brim with ice cream, hot dogs and love.“

“The Boston Harbor Angels as part of the Boston Harbor Angels dinner club had a wonderful meal at Gufo. The elaborate pizzas just kept coming. They enjoyed the prosciutto and anchovies appetizers. The staff were wonderful and the atmosphere was jovial and lively. Thank you Gufo!“

“Great pizza an salad plus awesome non alcoholic drinks !“

“Innovative and delicious.“

“wonderful people making the best of today💖“

“Great local bar with solid drinks and great food.

Among the bars near Harvard Square, Abbey is my first pick for a laid-back drink on a patio. It’s just far enough from the noise, with reasonably priced drinks and, best of all, seriously good food. While the menu doesn’t push creative boundaries, they do the American bar comfort food done right.

Small bites like the Bacon Deviled Eggs and Pulled Pork Egg Rolls were tasty, but the entrée department was where Abbey excelled. Both the Salmon and Cod were outstanding—honestly, some of the best entrées I’ve had at a bar in recent memory. Each had an impeccable texture, almost as if delicately poached. The Salmon, paired with heirloom tomato risotto and a basil pesto vinaigrette, had a pleasant touch of acidity. Meanwhile, the Cod came with a potato scallion pancake, perfectly crisped and soaked in a shallot cream sauce, which added just the right crunch and salty punch to elevate the dish beautifully.

The crowd at The Abbey skews a bit older compared to some of the livelier Harvard Square bars, but it’s worth a visit f you’re after a more laid-back, cozy bar vibe. It’s popular among the locals, so if you’re hoping to snag a patio seat, I’d recommend going during off-peak hours.“

“We had a fantastic meal. We ordered meal for two. Yummy!!“

“Wonderful place to dine! Dimitri was very hospitable and gave great recommendations on what to try. Crack corn dip is AMAZING!!“

“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.“

“everything wonderful service food atmosphere“

“Service was great. Food arrived quickly. The Barbacoa was so good I got another one.“

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

“This place is delicious! Unlike some taco places which have the same toppings, but just switch out the meat, Naco Taco has different flavor profiles for the different tacos you order! Would recommend trying all of them. My favorite is the fish and shrimp.
Wait staff are friendly too. Happy that Naco Taco gives such a good taco option in Central Square.“

“great place to pack all my fans love the staff looking to perform here sometime in the near future“

“We went on a Friday night and the restaurant was not crowded - I think because it hasn't yet been discovered as it's off the beaten path, tucked behind the Alewife T station amidst the apartment buildings there. They have a lovely ambience with spacious outdoor seating and a fire pit as well as a spacious indoor dining area that doesn't make you feel crowded next to strangers. The restaurant offers a small menu but with very interesting flavor combinations - especially among their house cocktails - and there was something for everyone (vegetarian or carnivore). We ended up splitting several shareable plates and each one was a winner. And all of the servers were pleasant and attentive. It's now on our list of go-to places.“

“Came here when I found out they had another spot - I usually frequent their tried and true Chinatown location. Food here is, dare I say, even better. Probably my favorite spot in the local area.

Beautiful, hip and trendy interior. Service and drinks are great as well! Love it here, will definitely visit again when I’m in the area.“

“Fresh and delicious food. Different than anything else around.“

“I recently had the pleasure of photographing a wedding at Glasshouse in Cambridge, and from a photographer’s perspective, this venue is truly a gem. My one criticism of restaurant weddings is flow - with spaces that aren’t designed to be wedding venues, moving from cocktail hour, to dinner, to dancing can be a logistical challenge. Glasshouse avoided this entirely with its spacious layout and intentional design. The minimalist design, exposed ceiling, and floor-to-ceiling windows provided a visually striking backdrop. As a photographer, it’s always exciting to work in a space this beautiful.

One of the standout features was the large, beautiful entryway that hosted cocktail hour and dancing. The high ceilings and open layout made this area feel spacious and inviting, while also providing plenty of room for guests to mingle and celebrate. Coupled with the dedicated dining space which was kept hidden from guests until dinner, the flow was impeccable. The transition between the outdoor space, to cocktail, to dinner was seamless, and although the venue felt intimate, it never became crowded.

Overall, Glasshouse offers a wonderful balance of style, intimacy, and flexibility. Whether indoors or out, the space provides countless opportunities for capturing special moments in a setting that feels both modern and timeless. I highly recommend it for couples looking for a venue that blends industrial charm with a touch of elegance.“

“Great place for brunch and good customer service“

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

“Enjoyed a meal with friends at Mestizo. Food, drinks, and service were excellent. Loved the salsa experience as the salsa was different than the average you would get on the table and full of delicious tomatoes and roasted garlic. Our favorites were the enchiladas, tuetano, carnitas, and salmon con mole verde. Their bar program is fantastic. Recommend going when DJ Lee is there.“