50 Best American Restaurants in Cambridge

“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.“

“Consistently excellent menu, preparation, service, atmosphere, experience. Robert and his team really understand the meaning of the word "hospitality." One of the best craft cocktails I've had in a long while. We love watching what changes each season, and hope to get back soon for the autumn menu!“

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

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

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

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

“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“

“Good dining experience. Very friendly and knowledgeable service. My server replaced a dessert I didn't like with no change- which was very nice of her. Did the tasting menu which was nice. Next time I'll prob try the a la carte menu.

Parker House rolls:
Pillowy soft. Slightly sweet with a light dusting of salt on top. Butter was creamy and tasty too. 4/5

Potato pave
Like a giant French fry. Crispy outside nice and soft on inside. Topped with cavier and shallots which added a nice saltiness and savory flavor combo.

kampachi crudo-
Topped with basil, radishes, and cherry pepper drops
Good quality fish, slightly acidic flavor went well with the basil and radish. Cherry peppers added a light spice. Overall lacked flavor though 3.5/5

capitelli- topped with a Gremolata and capers, olive oil and eggplant
Very savory and well cooked. This was tasty 4.5/5

Pork loin with celery figs and peppers
Very tender and flavorful. Nice sauce with savoriness and a sweetest added by the figs 5/5

Dessert was a pear sorbet-
So good! Very. Tasted exactly like a pear. No added sugar no additives. so good! 5/5“

“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.“

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

“Literally the best hotel I think I have stayed at! First off, very easy check in with just being able to use a code and not have to hang onto a keg your whole trip. The bed was nice and big and it was easy to connect to WiFi. Two blocks away from the Red Line and a block away from the bus stop. It’s on such a cute street that is filled with plenty of food and drink options and even a small Target. The restaurant below has a great vibe if you are looking to get a nice bite or a drink at the bar. Overall 10/10 stay!!“

“This is our “local” and with good reason — their menu offers something for everyone, the atmosphere is comfortable, they have an extensive draft beer selection and you can frequently walk in and find a seat at the bar.

This is the kind of restaurant where you have a go-to order, but you are also rewarded anytime you deviate from that as well. Their Mac and Cheese and Fried Chicken Dinner are delicious, filling options. They make a great burger (beef, veggie or Impossible). Their buffalo chicken sandwich is top-notch. Sometimes you just need a grain bowl, though (so good) or to order the enormous nachos as an entree. I won’t judge, neither should you.“

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

“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!“

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

“You know when they say a "hidden gem"? I feel like the Paperback Tavern encompasses this title. My husband and I had SUCH a great date night here! From the ambiance to the food...they. did. Not. Miss! The food is actually enjoyable to eat and not just "eh...edible". Coming from a Carribean household where we LOVE our food to be well seasoned, I'm VERY picky about non-carribean food. The fact that all the food was cooked perfectly AND tasted Amazing, blew my mind! We had 4 different drinks, 2 appetizers, 3 different entrees and a dessert. Take their Cacio e Pepe Wings for example; With most American food, I always have to dunk or bathe my wings in some kind of sauce to actually enjoy wings, but these wings at Paperback....I ate most of them WITHOUT the need for any sauce (even though it came with it). It was sooo well-seasoned and had a nice crunch to the skin! And OH MY GOSH, THE LYCHEE LEMONADE! When I tell you they have the BEST lemonade I've ever had?? Seriously..all the words: Sweet, fizzy, refreshing, crisp, tart, tangy..Just, SO GOOD! And then we got to dessert.... the Boston Cream Pie!!! Man...Just GO eat here if you get a chance lol. I wish I could go through all the food and drinks for you all but this is just a Lil TASTE of how amazing everything went. If you're ever in Cambridge/Boston MA, it's WORTH IT to try Paperback Tavern. Take our word for it!“

“Brunch was delicious. Especially the giant cinnamon roll that we shared! Service was a little lackadaisical. Once we gave the server our order there wasn't much attention. Coffee was delivered but without milk or cream or a spoon. We had to flag someone down to get it. We were told food would come out as it was ready and that was fine but there was a longer gap between deliveries than we would have liked. Kind or weird the food was literally dropped off. No one asked if we needed anything else. It was okay but a tad more attention would have been nice.“

“wonderful people making the best of today💖“

“Randomly chosen as I was working an overnight in Cambridge and was more than pleased!

Sat at the bar and had the charred Caesar, the cheese pimento bites and both were DELICIOUS!

Rachel was amazing and even served this old single non-drinker a hot yummy coffee on the house.

How lucky was I?“

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

“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. 🎁🎊“

“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!!“

“S&S is OPEN for deli takeout during this time from 11am- 7pm. Curbside pickup. Enter only at front door 1334 Cambridge St.“

“everything wonderful service food atmosphere“

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

“I was so good I recommend it“

“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.“

“Clover is super fast and easy to order from, this location is no exception and conveniently located too where there aren’t already many vegetarian/vegan places. I do wish this location was open a bit later, but a lot of restaurants in Inman seem to close early, so perhaps an area-specific thing. I’ve never had a bad meal at Clover - all the vegan options have been great, and I appreciate that they change up the menu based on local, seasonal ingredients. My go-to is the chickpea fritter, the current lemonade flavor, and the rosemary fries. Just make sure you eat the fries right away, they’re wonderful but they do get dry!“

“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 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!“

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

“Awesome burger and the fries were delicious too!“

“It was a really enjoyable experience. We went there for a late dinner, and the staff was exceptionally kind and welcoming. Located on the first floor of a hotel, the restaurant gives off a vibe reminiscent of checking into a nice hotel. The space was pleasantly quiet and cozy with warm table lighting, which appreciated the most.

I highly recommend trying the grilled octopus—it was my favorite. The delicious aroma of butter, paired with sautéed vegetables and spicy sauce, created a fascinating blend of flavors. I also really enjoyed the spicy crab noodles, which featured minced crab mixed with marinated noodles and Asian spices. As for the focaccia, it was my first time trying it, and while it was a bit salty for my taste, the combination of perfectly cooked mushrooms, butter, and sweet cheese was delightful.“

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

“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!“

“Loved the space before COVID and the fires. Saw on Instagram that they are back in the MIT campus area. Should work on signage since I had to look for it walking around the buildings. I had the steak and cheese sandwich. It was delicious! With a side of fries. I am a wheelchair user and I appreciate the inclusionary touch they added to the new establishment. I frequently went to this place and stood at the bar most of the time.“

“Great place for brunch and good customer service“

“We hosted our 9/14/24 wedding at Catalyst and had the absolute best day! We booked Catalyst after our original wedding venue closed unexpectedly, and it was truly a blessing in disguise. Robyn and her team are so organized and helped make the planning process easy and stress free. We had so much fun at the tasting, and the team at Catalyst were so welcoming to menu changes and requests, and custom signature drinks. They are also so accommodating to any allergies or dietary restrictions, which was especially important as my husband has many food allergies. The rehearsal was seamless and organized. Robyn and her team made sure that our wedding day was totally stress free. We hosted our ceremony on site which was beautiful, and the space was decorated perfectly with Catalyst’s own touches as well as ours. Robyn kept the whole timeline on track the whole night. The food was amazing, we got so many compliments from our guests about all of the menu selections, drinks, desserts and late night snacks and overall service. We could not recommend Catalyst enough!“

“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“

“Veggie Galaxy is one of my all-time faves and a must-visit when I’m in the Boston/Cambridge area. Tasty vegetarian (everything can be made vegan) comfort food at a decent price with generous serving sizes. Breakfast all day is a huge draw. Most of the sweet items (French toast, pancakes, waffles, etc.) and all of the desserts are vegan as is. The savory items (sandwiches, platters, egg dishes, etc.) can all be made vegan. VG uses Yo Egg for when the dish calls for sunny-side-up or runny yolk and Just Egg or tofu for others. So much on the menu… but if you still don’t find what you are looking for, they welcome modifications. Besides the breakfast-y fare, there are killer sandwiches, burgers, entrees, and apps. Awesome vegan mozzarella sticks and mac and cheese! Fries and nachos that’ll put you into a food coma! The list just goes on and on. Thinking about beverages? Bottomless coffee (organic), vegan shakes and floats, cocktails and mocktails. Finally, if you are into diner vibes (high tops, booths, etc.) VG is also a great place to hang out. Servers are super chill, friendly, and flexible. I’ve spent entire afternoons there, drinking coffee refills, slowly making my way through the generous portions of my meal, and catching up on emails while I pass the time before Ubering to the airport. Have gotten nothing but love and recommendations for (delicious) pie from the staff. I’ll definitely be back!“

“Underrated! But great! Amazing for gluten free and dairy free folks! Really affordable and delicious toooo!!!

Dietary restrictions: Very great for dairy free and gluten free peeps. I'm not sure about celiac though! Also very easy to be vegetarian here too!“

“As a group of five we wanted to find a place to have conversation over food and drinks. We visited 3 places but their sound levels were ridiculously loud. We came here and it was better, so I asked where the quietest table would be and they sat us in an empty side area, allowing us to enjoy a very enjoyable evening at last.“

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

“Love all the sandwiches, and everything is easily customized. Wonderful atmosphere, old wood and great photos of the old neighborhood on the walls. Food is always great, and I keep coming back.

Vegetarian options: I typically get the Beyond Burger (with mushrooms and cheddar cheese), which is great. There are several other vegetarian options as well.“

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

“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..“

“My friends and I had a great time at the tavern. The service, food, atmosphere and the host the best.“