PRB Boulangerie KENDALL SQUARE

I’ll be honest, I didn't plan to write a review, but I feel it’s time to share some thoughts in hopes that PRB Boulangerie will take it as an opportunity to elevate the quality of their offerings. I first had a pleasure of trying their treats a few years ago, back when they still operated their Somerville bakery (now a sister shop, Café Saint-Germain). The pastries and breads were truly exceptional, and I also used to buy them for our New Year’s celebrations.

After the transition, I began occasionally stopping by their Cambridge location in Kendall Sq.. In my early visits, I was won over by their take on the hazelnut Paris-Brest. Still, to this day, the best I’ve ever tried. It looked like a jewel crowned with a caramelized hazelnut, hiding a crisp praline center that added a wonderful depth of flavor. Ahhh, what a culinary joy it was!

Visit after visit, I have found myself repeatedly disappointed by both the taste and quality. The pastries, croissants, and even a lukewarm strawberry matcha latte fell short: bland, cold, and lacking flavor. A recent purchase of three éclairs proved equally underwhelming; the choux pastry was completely tasteless. In general, their pastries are missing the rich, buttery essence that lies at the heart of classic French bakes. True, some of their desserts remain visually appealing; again, a reminder that appearances can be deceiving.

I stopped by shortly before noon on a Sunday. The café was nearly empty. The service was quick and gracious, which I truly appreciated. I hope PRB Boulangerie will take a note and improve. I look forward to a positive change and the day I can rediscover this place, and once again feel excited about stepping in and experiencing modern fine patisserie at PRB Boulangerie!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 5

This bakery is absolutely amazing! 🥐☕️
The sandwiches and pastries are incredibly delicious — everything tastes fresh and perfectly made. The place itself is unbelievably aesthetic and cozy, with beautiful dishes and presentation that make every detail feel special. You can tell everything — from the food to the coffee cups — is chosen with great taste. Definitely a must-visit spot!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Edit fall 2025: the review below was based on several visits in winter 2023-24. I visited again recently and was disappointed in the pain aux raisins - it was soggy and bready, without the crisp lamination or stunning flavors I remembered. I’m only taking off 1 star for now because maybe this was a fluke, but either the quality has declined or it is inconsistent.

Original review:
The pain aux raisins is amazing! It is a very legit French bakery

Really enjoy the setting and pastries! Employees are lovely as well!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place has the best pastries in Boston area!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I absolutely love this coffee shop! The coffee and baked goods are top-notch—far better quality than what you’ll find at most chain places. However, I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because the shop frequently closes for evening office events without updating their hours online, which is huge inconvenience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The baguette for the sandwich I ordered was so dry and hard I could barely bite into it. The service was slow and unfriendly. The dessert was slightly better but all the food is hugely overpriced given how mediocre it is.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

It's a nice cafe in the MIT area with coffee and sweet treats. I had the chocolate croissant and didn't find it to be very fresh or flaky. The coffee was good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Really cute coffee shop with nice atmosphere, good service, and good drinks. The blueberry ginger lemonade is very good!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Amazing chocolate orange pastry and coffee!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The WiFi is bad but the pastries are great and the drinks are great. A lot quieter than the Tatte across the street. Be ready to tether to your phone.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

The pastries we had were all delicious, and the drink we ordered paired perfectly with them. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting — a great spot to relax and hang out with friends. The service was excellent too. Definitely worth a try!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We drove 1 hr 40 mins from NH to have a pastry hopping date. This café ended being the best out of the 4 we tried in Cambridge. Super friendly staff, high-quality pastries, clean and comfortable environment. I can't recommend their raspberry croissant enough!!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great bakery with nice drinks too!

They really know what they’re doing with their croissants and flavors! The Blueberry bow tie was stuffed with a lovely tart blueberry jam, and had been baked perfectly! The Strawberry beignet was only shaped like a croissant, but more like a bready texture with some strawberry jam, pretty good!

The coffee and drinks were also very solid, with the blueberry lemonade being very refreshing and perfect for summertime!

Overall would definitely recommend coming here over Tatte for some quality French treats!

A Morning of Parisian Splendor at PRB Boulangerie, Kendall Square**

Mon Dieu, what a delightful little slice of Paris we stumbled upon this morning! Just next to our intended destination, PRB Boulangerie in Kendall Square beckoned with its luminous charm, and bien sûr, we could not resist.

From the moment we stepped inside, the air was thick with the intoxicating perfume of butter, sugar, and freshly baked bread—a symphony for the senses. The space, très élégant, was bathed in natural light, with an open, airy design that invited us to linger. The décor, a tasteful mélange of rustic and modern, whispered of a chic Left Bank boulangerie—très charmant!

But the true stars of the show? Les pâtisseries!Behind gleaming glass cases, an array of sweet temptations glistened, each more irrésistible than the last. Flaky croissants, decadent pain au chocolat, and delicate fruit tarts—oh là là! Above them, golden loaves of bread, their crusts crackling with promise, completed the tableau.

The staff, très aimable, greeted us with warm efficiency. No interminable queue, merci beaucoup! Her Majesty the Queen (of our household, bien entendu) and our young prince made their selections with the gravity such decisions demand. In moments, the pastries were neatly packaged, and we claimed a table where the morning sun poured in like liquid gold.

As they indulged in their treasures—each bite a buttery, flaky revelation—the sunlight danced upon the table, casting the moment in a glow so perfect it could have been painted by Monet. Magnifique! The Queen, in a rare moment of restraint, abstained from coffee this time—quelle surprise!—but peut-être next visit, she will succumb to the allure of a rich café allongé.

PRB Boulangerie is a petit bijou in Kendall Square—a place where the art of French baking is honored with every meticulous detail. If you find yourself in the neighborhood, do not hesitate. Allez-y! Your taste buds will thank you, et moi aussi.

À bientôt, PRB!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3