34 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 !!“

“Excellent coffee shop. It's rather hard to find (see my photo with an arrow pointing to the cafe). Inside there's a coffee shop vibe, with lots of people on laptops. They serve beer and wine in addition to coffee, and I wonder if there's more of a wine bar vibe in the evening. I've ordered espresso beverages a couple times and they're great.“

“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!“

“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.“

“It was just another day of Ivy League networking for this metropolitan girl. After inhaling more liquid than I could hold (I nearly leaked myself in front of a prospect!), i sprinted to tatte’s single person restroom. A smooth man came out just in time. As I put my hand out to open the door, he said “oh no, someone’s still in there”. I quivered and stomped my right foot for two minutes in confusion until a second man exited the same restroom (were they brothers? sure looked like it!). First I wondered what they were doing together in there. Then I said to myself “hey! don’t judge, some people need help in the bathroom.” He had a big smile on his face. So did I!“

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

“Burger is the best for me 😘“

“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.“

“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“

“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“

“I went to Luxor Cafe and was very impressed. The coffee was excellent, the food was delicious, and the service was great. The ambiance was also very pleasant. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for good coffee, a good meal, and a nice atmosphere !!“

“Love a good cafe tucked inside a local bookstore like this. But this one actually takes the cafe part seriously. I’ve been to a few literary coffee spots in the city (including Cafe Zing down the street), and this place has the best food and drink selection. Plus, the layout works better here. The café area is more clearly separated from the bookstore space, which made it feel noticeably calmer and more relaxed than most spots in the city.

Like most Cambridge spots, they use Iggy’s bread for their pastries and focaccia, so the baseline quality was guaranteed. Most sandwiches come with either pesto or chili crisp mayo, and honestly, both work really well with on the focaccia. I personally preferred the chili crisp mayo (Epilogue). Even with the strong umami from the salami and cheddar, the mayo still added an extra layer of richness without overpowering anything. Drink-wise, they use good-quality local coffee brews and teas, and everything I’ve tried so far has been good.

Even without the bookstore charm, this would be a top-tier cafe. And a major bonus is that on weekdays, they offer 45-minute parking validation for the Lesley lot out back.“

“The Little Crepe Cafe is a neighborhood within a neighborhood. Warm and welcoming, the crepes are delicious, and it is a fun gathering place. The owners have created a community, with chess nights on Wednesdays and open mic poetry on Fridays, that is unique in all of Cambridge. Every time I am nearby I think about trying a new restaurant, but The Little Crepe Cafe draws me back in. A sweet moment of Paris when in Boston.“

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

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

“It's a nice location which attracts alot of people. It's convenient to the MBTA. It can get crowded and the line can be long at peak times. But it moves fairly fast. It has a bright and modern atmosphere. The staff was friendly. The food was good. There is outdoor seating available which is great in good weather and for dogs. There are some nice walking trails nearby if you want to walk after eating. The rest rooms are clean and modern. The prices are on par with other cafes. Overall it is a pleasant place to meet and a great location.“

“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!!“

“Saw this cafe near Cambridge and decided to try it with some friends 😛✨

. What drew me in initially was the ube tiramisu, which is something I’ve never tried before. It was quite good and the ube flavor prevalent, but the only thing is the cake felt too cakey and not as soaked/moist as a tiramisu typically should be. However, the banh mi was SO good and the meat perfectly flavored. The bread was perfectly toasted and you could hear the slight crispness from biting into it. The Nutella walnut cookie was slightly too hard, which could’ve just been because it was overbaked or stale. However, the matcha was solid!

Service: It was quite packed in the cafe but the workers were so efficient, quick, and nice.

Atmosphere: It was quite hectic and crowded when I went on Saturday around noon. It gives very bustling busy cafe vibes and is the perfect place to chat with friends and study. Lots of windows and sunlight, cramped but abundant seating.

Overall, highly recommend this spot for a casual meetup and/or to get some quick studying done! Food was overall good!“

“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.“

“I had my best coffee in Boston here. Perfect extraction, temp, and milk texture. Wonderful atmosphere for reading, sipping, people watching, and kissing. Things also just taste better when the barista wears a nice suede vest + neckerchief. 💯“

“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.“

“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 🙏“

“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.“

“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!“

“Always clean, staff is friendly, great food“

“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.“

“AMBA has amazing, delicious food with unique and lovely colors, flavors, fragrance and taste. This was the second time I ordered a complete takeout meal; but this time instead of ONE, I ordered TWO whole roasted rotisserie chickens with sides, mezze and sauces. A tall order.
Initially, I was concerned that the roast chickens might be overcooked as it was a takeout meal, but after a discussion with the head of operations, we had the entire meal ready to serve and delivered on time unexpectedly by a fellow employee, W.G.

And as promised and predicted, the meal was delivered in a timely fashion, chickens hot and ready to serve. We can't thank AMBA enough for a stellar meal enjoyed by 9 very discerning diners! This was an occasion where I the host had a chance to talk and not cook... truly priceless.

ELS, MOMM“

“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.“

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

“Great cafe, very chill atmosphere. the sounds of soft contemporary jazz and the smell of espresso, make for a relaxing winter morning. this particular cafe is also directly next to the Porter. Square train stop. So it is very accessible, given your morning commute.“