39 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 😘“

“The GREATEST crepes I have had possibly ever. Such a sweet staff and ambiance, for locals and also visitors - this place is a must go to! Plus, they’re a great cafe to stop by for your morning coffee with windowed seating and outdoor seating!“

“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!!“

“I absolutely love coming here! Katie and the rest of the staff are so welcoming and knowledgeable about their craft. The atmosphere is so cozy and inviting - you genuinely feel like you are hanging out in your friend's dining room catching up over a glass of wine. The selection is always top notch and a hot seasonal latte never disappoints too (-:“

“The atmosphere is beautiful and makes me feel like I’m on breezy vacation. I got the duck pho which was okay, I’m that big a fan of pho in general. It was well made. But my friend got the pork bowl which was delicious. The yogurt reduction was like tasting heaven.“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“Tatte is an amazing bakery, always my first stop on my trips to Boston, offering savory and sweet offerings, combining the Israeli traditions with American tastes. Watch for example the use of za'atar or sesame seeds. If you can, get some of the nut cake which is remarkable. Their coffee is also third wave level“

“The location, atmosphere, and service were great! The drinks were pretty good. The food was different for us but we’re from the south. It was good, but if you’re used to southern breakfasts, order something different so you won’t be disappointed! Their “salsa” was similar to tomato soup with no spice so that was unique!“

“This is one of those nice chains that doesn't look or feel like a chain operation. Light, fluffy, fresh and very well-made croissants as well as other baked goods. Their coffee drinks are also excellent with yummy lattes and international caliber espresso.

Worth a visit if you are nearby although the lines can get a bit tedious during busy hours. All in all, nice to have such a nice quality café nearby.“

“I used to frequent Hi Rise when it was on Mass Ave pre-pandemic. I loved the Thai iced tea and blueberry scone. 5+ years later, I finally made my way over to the Huron village location, and I'll definitely be back soon!

The Thai iced tea was just as I remembered -- very aromatic and perfectly sweet. I'd come back just for this unique and delicious drink.

Unfortunately they didn't have the blueberry scone (I wasn't expecting it, since it said it was sold out on the website). We tried the small chocolate fallen cake ($10) which I thought was a bit too sweet.

We also got the ham, butter, and Swiss lunchie ($8), which is a very thin and long sandwich. It was delicious! The bread has a slight crisp on the outside, and is wonderfully chewy. The filling to bread ratio is pretty great. I'd get this again -- very satisfying.

There are also a lot of fruit preserves and packaged cookies that look really good and would make good gifts. I'll be back!“

“This meal felt like a little adventure: sandwiches dripping with flavor like treasure spilling from a chest, fries that crunched like stepping on autumn leaves, and lemonade that sparkled like bottled sunshine. Everything worked together in perfect harmony- playful, refreshing, and absolutely delicious. 10/10, would happily risk sandwich stains again.“

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

“It's such a nice and cozy spot. I tried the rose matcha latte, and it was really good—beautifully balanced and not too sweet. I also had one of their sandwiches; it was decent, though the drink stood out more. The atmosphere feels warm and relaxing, a lovely place to sit for a while and unwind“

“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.“

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

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

“Welcoming and friendly with a community atmosphere. Delicious bagels - crisp and chewy in just the right ways. The scallion cream cheese is delicious - I assume they make it themselves. I love that they have smoothies too, which are huge and very filling. Highly recommend.“

“Came here a few times for breakfast and it was phenomenal. Big portions and a bang for your buck. Asian customer needs to be kinder to her granddaughter though. Granny slammed her little one's takeout on the table, got me thinking she probably failed a quiz in Elementary. She got good taste though.?“

“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.“

“Lots of space to have a good time regardless if I am working or visiting! Great clientele and staff! I actually work here, but I'm also a long-term customer who has tried other locations in addition to all sorts of foods and desserts. Tatte is one of my favorites and I'm a big fan!“

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

“Five of us went for an early dinner. Everything was exceptionally fresh and delicious. The pita bread is to die for. We ordered Latkes (nice and crisp, very good); chicken shawarma (delicious-- love the pickled vegetables in the pita sandwich); the lamb burger (my husband can't stop talking about how good it was); the hummus bowl, and the street cart rice bowl. In short, everything was excellent AND affordable (something that rarely happens in the Boston area these days). We will be coming back, frequently. Be advised that the setting is more like a cafeteria than a restaurant, simple and modest, where you walk up to the counter to order. They have a few drinks where you can add a shot of alcohol but that's not their focus.“

“One of my fav places to grab a coffee and snack! It’s always so busy here but it’s because it’s worth it! The Ube Phin is great, with coffee and Ube flavoring coming through really nicely! The Ube milk tea is not bad but very milky, not a must try.

Pandan bun was very fluffy and had great texture! I just wish the Pandan flavor was stronger, even with the top part you could barely taste it, so it was more just a nice sweet bun. The food here looks so good though, can’t wait to try it and some of their other drinks next time I come!

Edit: Came back for the Breakfast skillet and it’s 100% worth it. A whole baguette with pickle on the side goes perfectly with a Vietnamese sampler platter of meats, egg, cheese, and tomato sauce. It’s a lot but so incredibly good!“

“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.“

“What a beautiful place to enjoy a delicious meal or snack! It's so gorgeous, they don't have to make the food as well and as invitingly as they do. Every cup, utensil, napkin and piece of flatware are recyclable or compostable and they provide the places to put them. Eat with your eyes at Jenny's! The parfait is a personal favorite“

“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.“

“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.“

“Pretty nice spot though the coffee's expensive. Not outlandish for a local spot in Cambridge, but still pricey- but delicious! Also note they are a laptop-free cafe (tho there might still be people on laptops lol) People were lovely and atmosphere was cute and warm.“

“Fantastic food and service, but the workers need more staff support during busy periods for sure! While they maintained steady, friendly service, the baristas were obviously scrambling to keep up with the line and everyone ordering noticed they seemed distinctly short-staffed. Hopefully this was a fluke and Cafe Nero otherwise staffs appropriately for the work volume!“

“Always clean, staff is friendly, great food“

“Fantastic neighborhood supermarket with a terrific set of cooks offering all sorts of breakfast and lunch options. Owner Raj manages to generate an atmosphere amongst employees and customers alike that is 🌱soothingly harmonious 💐.
Gracias amigos 🙏“

“I am in love with the brownie cookies at this cafe. I would like to know how and what gets put into them, these cookies were the highlight of my summer experience. The cake slices are good too, I would personally rate the decadent chocolate cake > the cheesecake >= the carrot cake. However, I think about these cookies on a regular basis. Maybe it's the combination of pure sugar shot into my veins by marshmallow, brownie, and cookie dough, but these cookies are delicious.“