50 Best American Restaurants near Harvard

“beautiful hiking trails, museums. super knowledgeable folks and incredible views!“

“Cravable food, awesome beer selection, super cool staff, great vibe.“

“First time here, and very extremely impressed with the food and service. We went on a wednesday, When we first arrived there was a small wait. Very surprising for midweek from my experience. Once we settled in, placed our orders, and got our apps; it was easy to see why. The chef here really knows what he is doing. Everything was cooked to such perfection, all local farm to table ingredients, such great amazing flavor. 👏 we plan to return very soon“

“We got married at The Herb Lyceum in November 2025, and it was truly the perfect venue for our wedding. The property is absolutely beautiful — romantic, warm, and full of character — with gardens, historic charm, and such a unique atmosphere that made the entire day feel magical and deeply personal.

What made the experience even more exceptional was the staff. Ariel and Elisa were wonderful to work with throughout the planning process and wedding weekend itself: organized, responsive, calming, and genuinely invested in making the day seamless. Our guests still talk about how beautiful the venue was and the TASTY FOOD . If you’re looking for a venue that feels intimate, curated, and unforgettable, The Herb Lyceum is incredibly special.“

“Best breakfast around !!! Great service and awesome food !“

“This is a really nice place in terms of environment, really warm atmosphere, you can feel like you are at your grandma’s house during the winter, that is how I was feeling.
The service is amazing, people working there is so nice, gentle and sweet. The drinks….. the drinks….. wine and beer are 100% local, home made, and those were just amazing. Different wines like red, white and sweet, all great. My concern, the menu. The have a very notable difference between the lunch menu and the dinner menu. Lunch is basically sandwiches, no too many options. Make sure to check the menu before visiting and make sure to go at a time according what you would like to eat.“

“My friend and I out for a celebration of sorts and both of us loved our experience. Molly was amazing as was everyone else we interacted with. Food was perfect ..“

“Cravable food, awesome beer selection, super cool staff, great vibe.“

“David and Diana are fantastic addition to Stevie's Café & Catering - Littleton, MA ! The food is made fresh to order. They are happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions or allergies. The food comes out fast and fresh.“

“Amazing food! We went for a special wi e night and service was perfect, food was amazing!“

“Welly’s has that classic family-owned diner feel with comforting American favorites and consistently friendly service. It’s one of those places where everyone feels welcome, and the food always hits the spot!“

“The Oak and Orchard in Bolton was a lovely restaurant. My family had a birthday party for me there last weekend. The place was lovely, the service was excellent and the meal was delicious. I highly recommend the Oak. and Orchard for a terrific dining experience!“

“Today I went into Johnson’s with my dad! He was having a hard day today! He was a little confused the staff inside Johnson’s could not be more accommodating! I so very thankful for your kind hearts 💕 and patience! My father loved his lunch and the Sundae!!!“

“Our house special was PERFECT tonight. Perfect!“

“Great staff and the food snd drinks are amazing and delicious!!!“

“My colleagues and I visited this establishment directly following our performance at GrotonFest, which was held nearby. The staff was very courteous and obliging. Lauren, our server, was particularly pleasant. We shared some lighthearted conversation, and our food was served promptly. The meal was substantial, the staff was friendly, and the view was extraordinary. The Rusty Randoms highly recommend Forge and Vine!“

“Held my daughter’s first birthday here! Stephanie, Devan, and their team — from the waitstaff to the servers, bartender, and kitchen — were fabulous! Stephanie was such a pleasure to work with through the whole process. The food was AMAZING! So many people told me how good everything was. Highly recommend!“

“Arugula salad is the best ever! Shrimp cocktail is excellent. The Lobster Guacamole, Spicy shrimp & hummus apps also excellent. Best entrees- Short Rib, Half roasted Chicken, Fish Tacos & their burgers delish. Best desserts: bread pudding - unreal!! & their salted caramel mousse and fresh whipped cream in the mason jar- ( tip may need a cig afterwards)!“

“Anna's food feelings like mom's home cooking. She knows exactly how I like my food and remembers me everyday. She greets me like an old friend. She always makes sure I am fed and is very aware of my allergies. I will always recommend this place.“

“Love the local musicians every Friday night! SUPPORT LOCAL!“

“Great food, great prices and excellent staff!“

“Milford - First time in, did not love what I ordered and not only was it taken off our bill, but the manager gave us a $25 gift card to come back…that’s excellent customer service which impressed us. Flatbread was excellent, waitress was very kind and attentive and lots of local teens working which was really nice to see. Can’t wait to come back! ❤️“

“I'm not one to write reviews, however, this place most definitely deserves it. First impression when walking in was excellent. Greeted by multiple people, very friendly. We sat at their bar set up overlooking the grill. The gentle man next to us had these massive plates of food. I decided to order what they had. My dish came with steak and an additional option of protein. I asked for a recommendation and they suggested the shrimp. I'm not a huge shrimp fan but let me tell you these were fantastic! Perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. The steak was well seasoned and grilled Perfectly. It came with a very generous portion of sauted vegetables. Delicious rice, homefries and eggs sandwiched between 2 corn tortillas. Homemade gauc and some black beans on the side. I was given the option to try their homemade hot sauce! My wife got the chorizo enchiladas . Sooo good! Don't miss out on this place !. We will return!“

“Occasionally we catch up with dear friends at the Berlin, MA location. Hospitality and service have been exceptionally kind here on every visit. Special shout out to Becca for being so attentive on our most recent outing. Really made our day.“

“Had an amazing dinner there recently. Went on a weeknight and seated right away. Our server (forgive me if not correct) I believe was Stephanie. Very knowledgeable, kind, attentive. Knew every detail about the menu. Drinks and appetizers came quickly. Had chowder, which was excellent as well as a caprese. Also excellent. 4 dinners came out and every single one was a perfect size, cooked great and tasted delicious. Cannot recommend highly enough“

“Had the Cesar salad, it was pretty good (a little overdressed for my taste). The service was very slow considering we were only 2 of 4 people at the bar. Overall not a bad place if you don't feel like going out, but if you have another option, I would probably pick it.“

“Jackie- the Friday Night bartender is beyond phenomenal! Had the best laughs and shakes the best drinks! The food always comes out promptly and exactly how we ordered.“

“Excellent for enjoying time with family and friends in a pleasant atmosphere both inside and outside the restaurant. I recommend stopping by and sampling any of the food outside the restaurant at the tables or on the sofas they have for customers...“

“There’s always a first time, and for me, it was at this 99 Restaurant in Hudson. Overall, it was a pretty good experience. Locals (and yes, I’m using the word just to mirror how Americans affectionately refer to the rest of the world’s population in their native places) probably don’t need an introduction to this chain. But for anyone unfamiliar, think of it as a Chili’s with a bit more dining space beyond the bar or an Outback without the grilled steaks.

The food is solid, with comforting options that cater to hearty appetites. I was curious about what sets 99 apart from similar chains like Applebee’s, and the answer I got was simple: “They think they’re better and charge more.” While neither is glaringly obvious, the menu does offer a few standout dishes, like the Shepherd’s Pie - a refreshing option compared to the usual burgers and fried food lineup.

Next time, I’ll try sitting at the bar - it looks like the kind of spot where this place really shines. For a casual, satisfying meal, 99 in Hudson is worth a visit.“

“Great lunch with homemade soup Thank you I didn’t expect such a great meal!“

“staff was very Attentive and fantastic food great comfortable atmosphere“

“I want to make some suggestions rather than saying I do or don’t recommend this place. I’m familiar with Pepper’s, and I like to support hard-working chefs, especially when they use local farms and vendors. The overall concept of self-service is fine, but I preferred the table service of the old restaurant. It felt a little more closed in, and I also don’t like the paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils. Real utensils were available, though. The salad choices looked really healthy and colorful, and the menu was certainly varied enough. I saw a frittata being served and it was the size of a half piece of pie, though it looked good. My friends and I opted for soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, thinking they would be more like upscale comfort food. Two of us had the bacon-tomato version, the other had the mushroom. Since they were pre-made, then popped in a convection oven, they were more like melted cheese on dry, light toast, versus the buttery, golden goodness that makes a grilled cheese what its name implies. The portion was small and the fillings meager. If the idea was to make it a healthier grilled cheese, even a drizzle of olive oil might help. The soup was luke-warm, but tasty enough. We shared a dessert bar, which was delicious, with black coffee, which didn’t taste fresh like it had ben sitting a while. Be forewarned that if you pay by credit card, an automatic 15 percent tip is added, though you have the option to change it up or down, if you happen to notice it. There wasn’t much service involved, and you clear your own table. My portion alone, which included the sandwich with chips, a cup of soup, dessert bar, and coffee, plus added tip came to just under twenty dollars. I would give it another shot, but there is room for improvement. We all agreed that the dining experience was at a grade of about C+. Wishing you success in the future... Hope this helps.“

“Excellent food and service. Will be back again.“

“The Wagyu Guinness burger was very good! we were also asked several times how we like to the food and how it was prepared. we have zero complaints and we will be dining here again!“

“This is a really good restaurant that’s located inside of the movie theater, but it’s not movie theater food. We had great burgers and the fries were perfect! The owner was also really nice and the service was great. Recommend trying it out“

“A great place to go for lunch and shop. A great treat is to have an ice cream.“

“Great Place always fresh and delicious“

“staff was very Attentive and fantastic food great comfortable atmosphere“

“martini's are on point! & the music makes you want to dance!“

“Thank you to Bolton Street Tavern who hosted the most beautiful celebration of life. The food was delicious and John and Sharon made sure that each and every guest there was taken care of. The setting was perfect with the beautiful lake in the background. And even the downpour of rain that passed by did not bother a soul as it was all covered. Lovely spot, great food, and most of all amazing staff! If you have not been there you must check it out!❤️❤️❤️“

“I cannot thank the wonderful people at the nashoba club enough. we did our pre wedding dinner there with my family. they were very accommodating, staff were great. I cannot recommend them enough.“

“That tres leches is so yummy!!!! Who ever put that together deserves a standing ovation because let me say WOW!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I am definitely going back and I’m bringing all my friends & family to share this deliciousness with. The service is great too. Super kind & patient.“

“Food was great overall, aside from a little confusion regarding my birthday. We thought Applebee’s still offered free ice cream for birthdays, but it seems they may not anymore — unless our server was new and unsure. Either way, he was very nice and attentive throughout our visit.

I did have to remind the staff about a few things, but I honestly don’t blame them since everyone needs reminders sometimes. The manager also checked in with us, and we were able to address the food concern right away, which I appreciated.

The restaurant itself was fairly slow at the time, especially near the host area, though the bar seemed pretty busy. Overall, it was still a great experience, and this is a restaurant we’ll definitely continue coming back to.“

“My daughter loved the burger.“

“Victor's feels like home! The food is always delicious, the service is warm and welcoming, and it's our go-to spot for family meals. It never disappoints. Highly recommend!“

“We got the steak tip and the kids fried haddock.. Yummy yummy yummy. Our waitress was fantastic, and the food was delicious. One of our best eats. I highly recommend trying this place out a few times over. Fast service on a Sunday afternoon. We will be back

Wheelchair accessibility: There is a slight hill, however everything is accessible.“

“Awesome staff and management; both go above and beyond to enhance your experience“

“Great iced coffee, bagels and caesar wraps!“

“I wanted to recommend Finnegans vodka sauce parm sandwich. I got this yesterday after seeing photos of it and thought this is a sandwich I want to try for sure. I absolutely loved the sauce and the chicken was breaded perfectly, the cheese was nice thick and melted perfectly on it. Normally I don’t do a sandwich because the bread is too much but I thought I would try it as is. For me it was still super filling and I could not eat the whole sandwich. I would recommend this 100% maybe a side of sauce for extra dipping 😉 I cannot wait to try the steak tips and potato soup, amongst other things too. Next time I’ll want to sit down and eat so I can enjoy the meal immediately. Also, I would love to say how friendly the staff is.“

“This was such a cute place. Bar/Grill. Food was delicious. Our waitress was attentive and polite. Definitely recommend. I also want to say that this place was busy, so the fact the waitress was attentive definitely was a job well done by the restaurant and her.“