Cicada
$ • Coffee Shops, Vietnamese, Cafe Book a table: 7:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:30 PM MoreAbout Cicada
Customers' Favorites
Lemongrass Ginger Fresh Brew
Cured Duck with Red Wine
Charred Eggplant Banh MI
Duck Confit Noodle Soup
Spicy Salmon Bahn MI
Forbidden Rice Dish
Duck Confit Banh MI
Duck Noodle Soup
Pastries Dessert
Salmon Banh MI
Cicada Reviews
256 ratings
Share your opinion about Cicada
One of my favorite nights out for dinner in Cambridge!
I’ve been coming here for at least 3 years now and I adore it every time 💕
My favorite part of Cicada is how it suddenly feels you are so far away from Cambridge. The combination of being so kindly met by the staff and to have food that is so exquisitely executed creates a joyful atmosphere where our group of 3 had an incredible experience. Will always come back!
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5 - 11PM 8AM - 3PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM - 3PM 5 - 11PM |
| Thursday | 5 - 11PM 8AM - 3PM |
| Friday | 5 - 11PM 8AM - 3PM |
| Saturday | 9AM - 3PM 5 - 11PM |
| Sunday | 9AM - 3PM 5 - 11PM |
Cicada is a charming Vietnamese cafe and restaurant located in Cambridge, known for its delectable dishes and cozy atmosphere. Despite its small size and often long lines outside, the food is worth the wait, with customers praising the delicious cookies, espresso lattes, shiitake mushroom spring rolls, duck noodle soup, and salmon tartare. Recent reviews highlight their pho salad cured salmon, which was described as a unique and flavorful dish that was a favorite from a trip to Boston/Cambridge. Many customers appreciate that the menu seems to change often, offering new and exciting options regularly.
The restaurant smoothly shifts from a daytime cafe to a cozy nighttime wine bar, providing a versatile environment. In the mornings, they serve pastries from Cafe Beatrice, and their coffee, especially the Sea Salt Shaker, has been praised as one of the best Vietnamese coffees in the city. The atmosphere at night is enhanced by soft lighting that creates a mystical vibe, complemented by books in several Asian languages, along with an autobiography of Malcolm X and a Vietnamese calendar, adding cultural charm.
The lunch menu features a variety of noodles, banh mi, and rice bowls, with dishes like the Baked Salmon Rice Bowl, which combines sushi-grade salmon with refreshing contrasts. Dinner options include standout dishes such as Charred Whole Eggplant, Spicy Minced Duck, Lemongrass Confit Chicken, and Cured Duck with Red Wine, which was noted for its strong savory flavor and depth from the wine. The restaurant operates on a self-serve basis—guests order in line, pay, find a seat, and then pick up their food, utensils, and water when called.
Parking can be limited, with few onsite options and nearby street parking or lots, but the overall delightful dining experience makes Cicada a must-visit for anyone in the Cambridge area.