Best Restaurants in Cambridge, MA

by The OpenTable Team

Updated 15 December 2023

Over the past few years, Cambridge’s dining scene has progressively transformed into a vibrant, cosmopolitan culinary environment. The city boasts a large selection of unique restaurants, ranging from classic American comfort food to Chinese, French, and Italian. There is an establishment that serves food to suit every palate, whether it be a cozy cafe or somewhere that offers fine dining. Many of these enticing businesses also serve a variety of tasty wines and unique handcrafted cocktails, making it easy to grab a drink along with a meal, or head to happy hour before a dinner reservation.

Season To Taste

4.8

4.8 (1667)

$31 to $50

American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Placed in North Cambridge, Season to Taste is a charming neighborhood restaurant that is owned and operated by Chef Robert Harris. Some of the most popular items on the menu include dishes like seared duck breast, grass fed beef brisket, and house-made mezzi rigatoni. The interior features private wooden tables that are convenient for an intimate meal, while the exterior has a heated patio that is a nice place to sit no matter the time of year.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Ate at the chef’s counter and had a great experience. Beverage pairing was also creative and generous!

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4.9

4.9 (645)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

A farm-to-table style restaurant, Urban Hearth was founded in 2003 by chef Erin Miller and has been wowing both locals and visitors with its tasty menu ever since. The menu is filled with diverse items such as goat cheese croquettes, big buttermilk biscuits, and ale braised pork cheek. The interior is light and airy, with bright colors and a welcoming atmosphere. For a particularly unique experience, opt for the Chef’s Tasting Menu, a five-course culinary experience that keeps diners on the edge of their seats.

Top review

AndreVIP

Dined on 19 Dec 2024

Really, really good. Every dish. Excellent service.

SOURCE Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (571)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

Cambridge

About the restaurant

A fresh and modern establishment, Source Restaurant is a mixture of a gastropub and pizza bar, owned by Daniel Paul Roughan. On the menu, there are options such as New York-style pizzas, carbonara bucatini, and wood charred chicken rings. The interior has a rustic and eclectic style that helps to make diners feel comfortable and at home. The restaurant has become quite popular for its brunch menu, so consider heading there on Saturday or Sunday mornings.

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Victoria

Dined 5 days ago

The host was very kind and accommodating. Food was great! Perfect casual dinner spot.

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4.8

4.8 (2266)

$50 and over

American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

A mixture between a New American style restaurant and a classic Italian trattoria, Pammy's has been in business since 2017 when it was opened by Pam and Chris Willis. On the menu, there are tasty options like steak tartare, sea scallops, and pork chops. The inside of the restaurant is bright, with light colors, plenty of natural lighting, and numerous lush, green plants. Pammy’s is known for having a large drink menu, so make sure to enjoy a handcrafted cocktail before dining there.

Top review

AlbertoVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The limited time squid ink gnocchi with lobster was amazing. The wait staff truly works as a team, timely picking up dishes and ensuring that your needs are met. They also were super knowledgeable of the menu, so much so I ventured with a gin cocktail (I hate gin) and found that the gin was just like the waiter described (well masked). 10/10

Giulia Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1803)

$31 to $50

Italian

Cambridge

About the restaurant

For mouthwatering Italian food, head to Giulia Restaurant, which has been a local favorite in Cambridge since it was opened in 2012 by Michael and Giulia Pagliarini. The menu contains exceptional choices such as chicken liver crostini, marinated octopus, and buckwheat pizzoccheri. The inside features a large bar and is mainly decorated with unfinished wood. Enjoy a classic Italian cocktail during dinner, such as a spritz or negroni.

Top review

Berwald

Dined 7 days ago

ALWAYS look forward to dining at Giulia. Consistently great food and staff. The linguine last night with scallop was a highlight. Love!

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Popular dish

Pappardelle

Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge

4.8

4.8 (843)

$31 to $50

Cuban

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Known for being one of the best authentic Cuban restaurants in the city, Gustazo Cuban Kitchen and Bar opened its doors in 2011 and is owned by Patricia Estorino and Adolfo De La Vega. Diners will find a variety of dishes on the menu, including yucca fries, churros, and ropa vieja. The interior has Cuban-inspired decorations as well as wood paneling on the walls, giving the restaurant an authentic vibe. It’s known for having an extensive cocktail menu, so set aside some time for a drink before dinner.

Top review

Tess

Dined on 14 Dec 2024

We love this place. Service was incredible and the drinks were delicious.

Nine Tastes

4.8

4.8 (55)

$30 and under

Thai

Cambridge

About the restaurant

A popular Thai restaurant located in Harvard Square, 9 Tastes was opened by Panja Lymswan in 2009. It has become synonymous with some of its most famous dishes, which include veggie puffs, mango fried rice, and lemongrass chicken. The interior of the restaurant is bright and airy, with an upbeat ambiance. There is also an extensive wine list, making it a nice place to taste some vino while dining.

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LaurieVIP

Dined on 14 Dec 2024

Great food! We got there early (5:30) and it was empty but it filled up so fast! Curry’s were fantastic. I will definitely go bsvk

The Helmand Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (748)

$31 to $50

Middle Eastern

Cambridge

About the restaurant

An Afghani establishment named after the longest river in Afghanistan, the Helmand Restaurant was founded in the early 2000s by Mahmood Karzai. At this restaurant, divers can try a variety of both unique and traditional dishes, including mantwo, lamb lawand, and kebabs. The inside is characterized by bright colors and decorations, and there is also an outdoor patio where individuals can choose to eat during warm weather. Make sure to peruse the diverse wine list.

Top review

RAJAT

Dined 6 days ago

The service was very nice ! I requested to do something special while making the reservation and I mentioned " birthday". I wasn't expecting anything but they arranged a beautiful dessert with a candle on top and brought it to our table! That was a nice gesture!!

Chalawan Asian Eatery

4.7

4.7 (291)

$30 and under

Asian

Cambridge

About the restaurant

For tasty Thai and southeast Asian cuisine, head to Chalawan Asian Eatery, which has become a popular local restaurant over the years. On the menu, there are a variety of different selections, including seared Alaska scallops, Thai crispy chicken skin, and Sumatra wagyu beef cheek. With large floor-to-ceiling windows, an intricate wall mural, and comfortable booth seating complete with pillows, it’s guaranteed that diners will have an enjoyable experience when eating at Chalawan Asian Eatery. Vegetarians will be delighted to learn that there is a separate vegetarian menu, which is complete with a variety of salads and tofu-based dishes, using the best and freshest vegetables that are available in the area.

Top review

Dennis

Dined on 7 Aug 2024

We ate here on a Wednesday and it was very quiet. Too quiet in our view as the food and service was outstanding. We have two youngsters in the age of 14-16 years and they loved it and so did we. We would advise everyone to come here at least one night to taste the outstanding combination of Thai, Malay and Indonesian food!

Cloud and Spirits (Private Events Only)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Cambridge

About the restaurant

A Korean-inspired New American restaurant, Cloud and Spirits was first opened in 2021. On the menu, there are many diverse items, including pork belly adobo, mushroom ravioli, and ratatouille. With intimate lighting, unfinished wood, and modern decorations, this establishment has a chic and stylish ambiance. Try some of the restaurant’s craft cocktails, which include a selection of classic beverages and new, innovative recipes.

Top review

Jax7815

Dined on 26 Apr 2023

We loved the look of the restaurant but the tables were a tad small. There were 3 of us and the plates/drinks/water were tight. Each dish was quite delicious but the servings were definitely mid-size tapas. The server warned us. Nice modest sound level until about 7:30 when the music went on and the sound level became intolerable

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