I was really disappointed with my dining experience. During the meal, I kept seeing mice running around — at least five times throughout my visit. It was very uncomfortable and made it hard to enjoy the food. The environment didn’t feel clean or well-maintained. I hope the restaurant can seriously improve its hygiene and pest control.
Atmosphere: 1
Rayna Santos-Wright
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mia Tilton
I have been to cicada many times and honestly have mixed opinions. I have tried most of the menu items and the food/coffee is always incredible. The staff has been amazing every visit. Despite how busy it can get they are always kind and helpful. The food and staff keep me coming back. However, the way the owner (at least I assume he's the owner) treats his employees is really upsetting. The way he speaks to them is borderline verbally abusive and is uncomfortable for everyone. It's really sad that it taints a place that is otherwise so welcoming. I will not be coming here anymore -- I don't want to support a place that doesn't respect employees.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sadie Vincent
I am so sad to give cicada a one star review. Their food and service is always so wonderful, but I have witnessed several times now the owner truly mistreating his employees. All of the servers are very attentive and kind and it is hard to watch them get screamed at for just doing their jobs. Previous reviews echo my experiences and I should have looked before spending my money here. The owner is TOXIC! Spend your money somewhere else, please.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
willow
The food here is truly excellent, the staff is outstanding, and the ambiance is warm and inviting. Unfortunately, the owner's behavior is a serious issue. He is openly verbally abusive to staff, which is unsettling for both employees and customers. The exploitation and mistreatment reported in reviews from a few years ago remain accurate today. It’s disheartening to see such a special place undermined by toxic and unethical management.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Olga Markou
An excellent balance of quality and comfort.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Google User
We can’t wait to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Allison Jo
Their pho salad cured salmon (5/5) was one of my favorite foods from my Boston/Cambridge trip. It was a unique dish that I'd never seen at any Vietnamese restaurant before and it was so good! While toppings were cold and fresh, the noodle was warm and it was delicious. Strongly recommend it!
Turmeric golden latte was just okay (3/5).
Everything is self serve here - you get in line, pay for your food, find yourself a seat, and go grab your food/utensils/water when they call you.
Jay Shen
This review is way delayed so the dishes are my review may not exist anymore in their menu, and if that is the case then I would consider it a good thing because this establishment gives the vibes that they change up their menus every now and then to provide novelties. If the items are still present in the menu, then good because consider it a treat if you get to try any of them because every dish that my friend and I had there was a hit! So far this is one of my favorite places within the Boston area.
First, we tried the shiitake mushroom springs rolls, or gười cuộn nấm đông cô in Vietnamese, and they were as conventionally good as we thought they would be, and actually had more flavor that the equivalent items I have had elsewhere, considering it didn't have meat. Both the cured salmon and the cured duck were outstanding in terms of flavor, having that strong savory taste that allowed the meat juice to immerse with the rice, and the red wine in the duck dish provided an additional layer of depth. Finally, the yogurt was amazing as well, which had a yolk-looking yellow spot in the middle that made it visually appealing. It wasn't too sweet and wasn't too solid, so overall served as a very nice dessert.
I must also mention that at night, the lights really make this place have a mystic feel, and the fact that they have books in several Asian languages, along with the autobiography of Malcolm X, and a calendar in Vietnamese, all give extra points for this place. Highly recommend!
Ellie Ngoc Do
awesome service, super delicious food and chill space for gathering 🫶 highly recommend
(4.5 stars) The vibes are immaculate, and I agree with everyone raving about the sea salt shaker coffee! I would recommend the coffee menu over their dinner menu, which feels a little overpriced for the quality.
Young-Il Jo
Truly magical place. The vibe is so nice and food I had and two drinks were great. I got the normal viet latte w condensed milk and it was sweet and good. And outdoor seating availble!
A bit pricey for the portion. So I don’t think this is a place to eat, but it is for the date, spending good time and coffee / snacks.
Maggie Liu
Underwhelming, especially at the price point. Each dish itself was good but feels monotonous to eat. Duck pho was good and uplifted the entire spread but by itself, it was okay.
Will come back to try out their coffee!
GJaen
Menu is relatively small but vegan items are clearly labeled. They have 2-3 vegan apps and 2-3 vegan entrees. I’ve come here a few times, also good for wine choices.
Ollyhonor
Always busy for a reason!
Good for lunch or dinner. Always has a nice vibe and great dishes!
Would love a vegan tea
I was really disappointed with my dining experience. During the meal, I kept seeing mice running around — at least five times throughout my visit. It was very uncomfortable and made it hard to enjoy the food. The environment didn’t feel clean or well-maintained. I hope the restaurant can seriously improve its hygiene and pest control.
Atmosphere: 1
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I have been to cicada many times and honestly have mixed opinions. I have tried most of the menu items and the food/coffee is always incredible. The staff has been amazing every visit. Despite how busy it can get they are always kind and helpful. The food and staff keep me coming back. However, the way the owner (at least I assume he's the owner) treats his employees is really upsetting. The way he speaks to them is borderline verbally abusive and is uncomfortable for everyone. It's really sad that it taints a place that is otherwise so welcoming. I will not be coming here anymore -- I don't want to support a place that doesn't respect employees.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am so sad to give cicada a one star review. Their food and service is always so wonderful, but I have witnessed several times now the owner truly mistreating his employees. All of the servers are very attentive and kind and it is hard to watch them get screamed at for just doing their jobs. Previous reviews echo my experiences and I should have looked before spending my money here. The owner is TOXIC! Spend your money somewhere else, please.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food here is truly excellent, the staff is outstanding, and the ambiance is warm and inviting. Unfortunately, the owner's behavior is a serious issue. He is openly verbally abusive to staff, which is unsettling for both employees and customers. The exploitation and mistreatment reported in reviews from a few years ago remain accurate today. It’s disheartening to see such a special place undermined by toxic and unethical management.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An excellent balance of quality and comfort.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We can’t wait to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their pho salad cured salmon (5/5) was one of my favorite foods from my Boston/Cambridge trip. It was a unique dish that I'd never seen at any Vietnamese restaurant before and it was so good! While toppings were cold and fresh, the noodle was warm and it was delicious. Strongly recommend it!
Turmeric golden latte was just okay (3/5).
Everything is self serve here - you get in line, pay for your food, find yourself a seat, and go grab your food/utensils/water when they call you.
This review is way delayed so the dishes are my review may not exist anymore in their menu, and if that is the case then I would consider it a good thing because this establishment gives the vibes that they change up their menus every now and then to provide novelties. If the items are still present in the menu, then good because consider it a treat if you get to try any of them because every dish that my friend and I had there was a hit! So far this is one of my favorite places within the Boston area.
First, we tried the shiitake mushroom springs rolls, or gười cuộn nấm đông cô in Vietnamese, and they were as conventionally good as we thought they would be, and actually had more flavor that the equivalent items I have had elsewhere, considering it didn't have meat. Both the cured salmon and the cured duck were outstanding in terms of flavor, having that strong savory taste that allowed the meat juice to immerse with the rice, and the red wine in the duck dish provided an additional layer of depth. Finally, the yogurt was amazing as well, which had a yolk-looking yellow spot in the middle that made it visually appealing. It wasn't too sweet and wasn't too solid, so overall served as a very nice dessert.
I must also mention that at night, the lights really make this place have a mystic feel, and the fact that they have books in several Asian languages, along with the autobiography of Malcolm X, and a calendar in Vietnamese, all give extra points for this place. Highly recommend!
awesome service, super delicious food and chill space for gathering 🫶 highly recommend
Restaurantji Recommends
(4.5 stars) The vibes are immaculate, and I agree with everyone raving about the sea salt shaker coffee! I would recommend the coffee menu over their dinner menu, which feels a little overpriced for the quality.
Truly magical place. The vibe is so nice and food I had and two drinks were great. I got the normal viet latte w condensed milk and it was sweet and good. And outdoor seating availble!
A bit pricey for the portion. So I don’t think this is a place to eat, but it is for the date, spending good time and coffee / snacks.
Underwhelming, especially at the price point. Each dish itself was good but feels monotonous to eat. Duck pho was good and uplifted the entire spread but by itself, it was okay.
Will come back to try out their coffee!
Menu is relatively small but vegan items are clearly labeled. They have 2-3 vegan apps and 2-3 vegan entrees. I’ve come here a few times, also good for wine choices.
Always busy for a reason! Good for lunch or dinner. Always has a nice vibe and great dishes! Would love a vegan tea
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