17 Must-Try Cambridge Restaurants: Where the Cambridge Locals Eat

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Updated on March 27th, 2024

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Cambridge, MA, while a stone’s throw from Boston, has a food scene of its own. While you can find classics like Parker House rolls and Boston crème pie, you can also grab a bite at an authentic Portuguese restaurant, dim sum place, or even a Belgian waffle spot. So if you’ve recently moved into an apartment in Cambridge or are just looking for a new place to add to your list, we’ve gathered 17 must-try Cambridge restaurants that the locals frequent.

#1: Moona

Cuisine: Mediterranean restaurant
Address: 243 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Moona’s Website

Serving Eastern Mediterranean cuisine like falafels, tagine, and grape leaves, Moona’s Cambridge location is a great option to add to your list of must-visit restaurants.

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#2: Punjabi Dhaba

Cuisine: Indian restaurant
Address: 225 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Punjabi Dhaba’s Website

An Indian restaurant, Punjabi Dhaba has a lot of choices – think veggie pakora, tandoori chicken and vegetable korma – for anyone looking for a new place to grab a bite.

#3: Olé

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 11 Springfield St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Olé’s Website

Situated in Inman Square, you can find a variety of dishes at Olé – anything from tacos al pastor to mole enchiladas and margaritas.

#4: Pita Cambridge

Cuisine: Mediterranean restaurant
Address: 12 Springfield St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Pita Cambridge’s Website

Are you on the search for a new Mediterranean restaurant? If so, head to Pita Cambridge where you’ll find chicken kebabs, lamb shish kebab plates, falafel salads, and more.

#5: Pammy’s

Cuisine: New American restaurant
Address: 928 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Pammy’s Website

Another one of the many Cambridge restaurants you should consider stopping by is Pammy’s. A New American restaurant serving upgraded classics like pork Milanese and short rib, you can find their location in the Riverside neighborhood.

people eating pizza with tomato sauce basil and cheese

#6: All Star Pizza Bar

Cuisine: Pizzeria
Address: 1238 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
All Star Pizza Bar’s Website

All Star Pizza Bar has some awesome options for those looking for a pizza place. They’ve got options for meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans.

#7: Puritan & Company 

Cuisine: Modern American restaurant
Address: 1166 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Puritan & Company’s Website

You can find Puritan & Company located in Inman Square, where there’s a great selection of traditional New England dishes like Parker House rolls, oysters, seared cod, and clam chowder.

#8: Dumpling House

Cuisine: Dim sum restaurant
Address: 950 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Dumpling House’s Website

Dumpling House is a dim sum restaurant  where you’ll find favorites like five spice roast beef, crab Rangoon, and mini soup dumplings.

#9: Waypoint

Cuisine: Bar and seafood restaurant
Address: 1030 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Waypoint’s Website

Waypoint is an excellent spot if you’re looking for a craft cocktail, Maine lobster, local roasted chicken, or King Salmon. Make sure to check out this Cambridge restaurant for a taste of New England.

#10: Oleana

Cuisine: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant
Address: 134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Oleana’s Website

In The Port neighborhood, you’ll find Oleana, a Mediterranean restaurant serving everything from whipped feta, spinach falafel, stuffed latkes, gyros, and rice pudding.

#11: All Star Sandwich Bar

Cuisine: Deli and sandwich restaurant
Address: 1245 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
All Star Sandwich Bar’s Website

If you’ve recently moved to Cambridge and are searching for a new sandwich spot, you can find that at All Star Sandwich Bar. From classic and comforting grilled cheese sandwiches and reubens to burgers and bahn mi, there’s lots to choose from.

#12: Casa Portugal

Cuisine: Portuguese restaurant
Address: 1200 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Casa Portugal’s Website

Casa Portugal serves authentic Portuguese dishes like chouriço assado no fogareiro, bacalhau, and more. You’ll get a taste of Portugal without ever leaving Massachusetts.

#13: Café Sushi

Cuisine: Sushi restaurant
Address: 1105 Massachusetts Ave Ste 3, Cambridge, MA 02138
Café Sushi’s Website

Café Sushi is the perfect place to grab a bite in Cambridge, whether you’re craving shishito peppers, seaweed salad, or a salmon teriyaki bento.

belgian waffles with toppings like fruit and whipped cream

#14: Zinneken’s

Cuisine: Belgian restaurant
Address: 1154 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Zinneken’s Website

The 14th Cambridge restaurant to add to your list is Zinneken’s. Just a few blocks from Harvard, you can find this restaurant serving authentic Belgian waffles with a variety of topping choices from Nutella, to bananas and maple syrup.

#15: S&S Restaurant

Cuisine: Deli and restaurant
Address: 1334 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
S&S Restaurant’s Website

At S&S Restaurant, you can find a variety of meals to choose from – from matzo ball soup and potato knish to seared tuna salad and chicken Florentine.

#16: Sakana

Cuisine: Sushi restaurant 
Address: 983 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Sakana’s Website

Sakana is a fantastic restaurant to grab a bite in Cambridge. A sushi restaurant, Sakana has a great selection of nigiri, sashimi, and more.

#17: Clover Food Lab

Cuisine: Vegetarian restaurant
Address: 1075 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Clover Food Lab’s Website

Rounding out our list of Cambridge restaurants is Clover Food Lab, a vegetarian restaurant, serving food like chickpea fritter sandwiches and BBQ seitan plates. Whether you’re vegetarian or not, there’s something on the menu you’ll love.

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Favorite restaurants recommended by locals

1. Glass House

“My favorite restaurant in Cambridge is Glass House in Kendall Square,” recommends Alexandra O’Brien. “I was impressed with everything from their craft cocktails, to their contemporary American menu featuring delicious shareable Tuna & Salmon Poke Nachos, Award-Winning Clam Chowder, to their Rigatoni Bolognese. The beautiful space, accompanied by a great vibe, made my time at Glass House even more enjoyable.”

If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines here.
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Alison Bentley

Alison is part of the content marketing team and enjoys writing about housing affordability and home interior design ideas. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.

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