1. Catalyst Restaurant
8.0
300 Technology Sq (at Albany & Main), Cambridge, MA
New American Restaurant · Kendall Square · 52 tips and reviews
Rich Thorne: Try the Pho: a blend of cucumber vodka, lime, basil, cilantro, and sriracha. Perfection in a chilled glass.
Boston.com: Try the beautifully roasted cod in a refined chowder, seared scallops with pickled pumpkin, tender and flavorful tournedos of beef topped with taleggio ravioli. Read more.
Steliane Marques: Super: Roasted Cod, Olive oil Crushed Potatoes Bacon, Mussels Chowder, Herb Nage!
2. Temple Bar
7.9
1688 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
American Restaurant · Neighborhood Nine · 50 tips and reviews
Michele Steinberg: Great craft cocktails. Bartenders invented a mushroom-dill vodka that is fabulous in their "Misha" mashup!
Gilt City: Nothing like its wild Dublin namesake, this Cambridge eatery succeeds in casual sophistication, baller cocktails, and inspired modern cuisine.
Isabel: Great brunch food. The chicken and waffles is very worth eating a whole chicken!
3. Cambridge Common
8.6
1667 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
Pub · Aggasiz - Harvard University · 122 tips and reviews
Boston.com: Served in a 20 oz. "Hurricane" glass, sips of this very spicy Bloody will reveal a zesty kind of flavor, from the peppadew pepper-infused vodka and an array of pickled veggies. Read more.
Kevin H: Awesome beer selection (and great staff who knows all about it & can help novices like me) + great burgers. Oh, and fried pickles. Get fried pickles.
Rob Sheppard: If you're not sure what to go for, go with the 'Staff Pick'. Four 5oz beer samplers. Tasty!
4. Orinoco
9.0
56 JFK St, Cambridge, MA
Arepa Restaurant · Harvard Square · 47 tips and reviews
ᴡ Martin: One of my favorite go to restaurants! The hot sauce!! The sangria! The waiters are all my favorites! The back patio is sublime! (Soo many exclamation marks)
Peter Boyce: The back patio seats 30, perfect spot on a summer evening. And the owner Marta is truly a gem of a host.
Jorge Pilo: Actually very authentic Venezuelan food. Try the Tequenos, our national pride.
5. Puritan & Co.
8.6
1166 Cambridge St. (Prospect St), Cambridge, MA
New American Restaurant · Inman Square · 63 tips and reviews
Dan Roberts: My favorite restaurant in Cambridge. The small plates are the best. Get the swordfish pastrami with mustard ice cream. The potato bread is addicting, we usually get upwards of three rounds ...
Eater: The single most essential Boston restaurant of the moment, in that here chef-owner Will Gilson is more thoroughly tackling a fresh perspective on New England cuisine than anywhere else in the world.
Eater: Chef-owner Will Gilson is more thoroughly tackling a fresh perspective on New England cuisine than anywhere else in the world. [Eater 38]
7. Little Donkey
8.3
505 Massachusetts Avenue (Norfolk), Cambridge, MA
American Restaurant · 45 tips and reviews
Matt Opsahl: The Grapefruit cocktail is the nectar of gods. Little Gem Salad, Manti and Cookie Dough great. Must return to try Raw bar / ceviche next time. This place is amazing.
Max: Really great fusion tapas. The raw bar has some rare items and there is a Portugal vibe throughout the menu.
Sofia Papastamelos: If you like small plates and different cuisines this is a great place for you. Always pretty crowded and food is great. Plates will sometimes rotate depending on the season.
9. Lord Hobo
8.1
92 Hampshire St (at Windsor St), Cambridge, MA
Gastropub · 120 tips and reviews
Dan Roberts: Best beer bar in Cambridge. Amazing selection and all that, but really the reason to come here is that the food is excellent. Perfect truffle fries and also get the chicken lollipops.
Boston.com: There are 40 rotating taps, and, boy, do they rotate, with great rare beers. The bottle list is just as much of a treasure trove. The wait staff is knowledgeable and welcoming. Read more.
BostonTweet: 50 craft beers on tap and the Lord Hobo kitchen stays open until 1:30am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
11. Olé
7.9
11 Springfield St (cambridge st.), Cambridge, MA
Mexican Restaurant · Inman Square · 49 tips and reviews
Terrence Beach: Wonderful selection of tequilas and mezcals. Pairs nicely with the Baja shrimp tacos or pork belly taco. Finish the night with a Torito and go home satisfied.
Stephen Hau: Table-side guacamole is a must.
Jake Smith: The Stuffed Peppers left a bit to be desired, but the table side guacamole and enchiladas were great Mexican fare.
14. The Red House Restaurant
7.7
98 Winthrop St (at John F Kennedy St), Cambridge, MA
New American Restaurant · Harvard Square · 46 tips and reviews
Bill Wendel: DREAM DATE: One of the few Boston / Cambridge bar / restaurants with a REAL fireplace, 50 cent oyster happy hour, cozy, Shaker feel. Bartender Dominic rec Old Chub, Scotch Imperial Ale dark but sweet
matt: Fifty cent oyster happy hour. Oysters do not suck.
Kenneth Sim: $1 oysters baby! Treat yourself to a dozen.
15. Area Four
8.9
500 Technology Sq, Cambridge, MA
Pizzeria · Kendall Square · 209 tips and reviews
Luke Henry: A close second on my list of best margarita pizzas in Boston.
Boston.com: Two restaurants in one, both tailor-made for Tech Square: an all-day bakery-cafe attached to a sparse, industrial dining room with two wood-fired ovens. Read more.
Bryan Yeager: It smells like a campfire, even when you sit outside. Great for Forrester-watching.