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Home to Harvard University, Harvard Square is a lively neighbourhood full of students, neighbours, and first-time tourists. However, the area also has a lot of restaurants and bars to choose from, whether you’re searching for a burger with fries or a cocktail to sip with brunch.
Harvard Square is consistently ranked as one of the top locations to eat in the Boston area, and with good reason. Continue reading to learn about the greatest Harvard Square eateries so you may experience this delectable corner of Cambridge.
This Blog Includes:
7+ Restaurants Near Harvard University
Harvard Square’s atmosphere and diverse culinary scene make it a fantastic hangout spot. With countless restaurants offering cuisines from around the world, you’re sure to find something to satisfy every craving. Here’s a list of some of the best restaurants near Harvard University, offering a variety of cuisines to satisfy any palate.
Here is the list of the top 7 restaurants near Harvard University. Explore must-try eateries :
| Restaurant | Must-Try Items |
| Alden & Harlow | Smoked chocolate bread pudding, Pickled corn pancakes |
| Henrietta’s Table | Maine crab and corn chowder |
| Russell House Tavern | Eggs Benedict, Stuffed brioche French toast, Slow-roasted pork loin |
| Orinoco: A Latin Kitchen | Empanadas, Sweet plantain-coated mahi-mahi, Molten chocolate cake |
| Source | Neapolitan pies, Eggs Benedict, Lychee Martini |
| Waypoint | Pizza with lamb, Grilled mussels, and Parsnip hummus |
| Toscano | Salmon appetiser, Meatballs, Oysters |
| Harvest | Lobster, Homemade pastas, Watermelon salad |
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Alden & Harlow
Alden & Harlow may be one of Cambridge’s most inventive culinary experiences. Their small plate menu is unlike any other, with scrumptious items including dressed oysters, smoked arrowhead cabbage, and charcoal-grilled duck hearts. Chef Michael Scelfo designed a fantastic spot for family and friends to come and enjoy a nice dinner together, with a warm, inviting ambience and tasty menu.
Address: 40 Brattle St, Cambridge 02138
Contact: 617-864-2100
Must Try Items: Smoked chocolate bread pudding, Pickled corn pancakes with buttermilk, maple and shishito
Henrietta’s Table
Henrietta’s Table, a homely farm-to-table eatery that sources organic goods from local suppliers, is located inside the Charles Hotel. Buttermilk pancakes with berries, jam, and toasted hazelnuts are a good option for brunch. You can eat a Yankee pot roast for dinner, which comes with crispy shallots and gravy. Sit on the patio and enjoy this traditional New England fare.
Address: 1 Bennett St, Cambridge 02138
Contact: 617-661-5005
Must Try Items: Maine crab and corn chowder
Russell House Tavern
Russell House Tavern bills itself as a ‘New American Tavern,’ and that may be an accurate description. It serves as a cosy restaurant for various occasions, from weekend beverages to quick work lunches. Chef Thomas Borgia’s seasonal menu is matched only by their comprehensive drink list. They feature an excellent beer and wine list, and their cocktails are handcrafted with fresh juices, as well as house-made syrups and infusions.
Address: 14 JFK St, Cambridge 02138
Contact: 617-500-3055
Must-Try Items: Eggs Benedict and stuffed brioche French toast. Slow-roasted pork loin with hoisin-ginger sauce and a “dirty” Caesar salad made with black kale
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Orinoco: A Latin Kitchen
Orinoco is a traditional Latin restaurant serving traditional Venezuelan food. It was inspired by ‘taguaritas,’ which are rustic and welcoming roadside eateries found throughout Venezuela. You can’t go wrong with this menu, which features historic family recipes and fresh, local ingredients, as well as some imported from Venezuela. This welcoming neighbourhood restaurant serves arepas and South American cocktails.
Address: 56 JFK St., Cambridge, 02138
Contact: 617-354-6900
Must-Try Items: Empanadas, filled with shredded beef or vegetarian mushrooms and piquillo peppers, Sweet plantain-coated mahi-mahi dinner, marinated chicken adobo with malanga gnocchi and the molten chocolate cake
Source
Do you want a slice of pizza? Go to Source, which serves “rustic yet refined food.” Neapolitan pies are baked in a wood-fired oven and come in a range of flavours, including the classic Margherita, Tuscan kale, artichoke, New York style, and others. This Cambridge gastropub and pizza bar is proud to employ fresh, local ingredients in its wood-fired pies, pasta and small plates.
Address: 27 Church St, Cambridge 02138
Contact: 8578566800
Must-Try Items: Eggs Benedict and the Lychee Martini
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Waypoint
Waypoint, located on the other side of Harvard Square, was also created by the same team that created Alden & Harlow. The menu takes a contemporary approach to seaside cuisine, resulting in an extensive selection of delectable seafood-forward meals. Starters range from traditional raw bar fare to caviar service with unique twists like plankton and white corn blini. The cocktail menu is heavy on craft ingredients and spirits, while the beer and wine menus are heavy on hard-to-find selections.
Address: 1030 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge 02138
Contact: 617-864-2300
Must-Try Items: Pizza with lamb, grilled mussels, and Parsnip hummus.
Toscano
Toscano delivers the region’s original dishes to your plate, embracing the best of Tuscan flavours. The setting is rustic but sophisticated, and the cuisine relies on simple, fresh ingredients to create amazing flavours in each dish. Their menu is classic and will take you to Italy without leaving Cambridge.
Address: 52 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Contact: +1 617-354-5250
Must-Try Items: Salmon appetiser, Meatballs and Oysters
Harvest
This exquisite Harvard Square restaurant has led the farm-to-table charge for almost 40 years, honouring regional products with an elegant, seasonal menu. A seat on the garden terrace is one of the most sought-after in the city in the summer (and a space near the fireplace in the autumn). Dessert isn’t to be missed at Harvest, where head pastry chef (and sometimes Food Network star) Joshua Livsey prepares some of the most interesting sweet delights in town.
Address: 44 Brattle St, Cambridge 02138
Contact: 617-868-2255
Must-Try Items: Lobster, Homemade Pastas and Watermelon Salad
We hope this list of the best restaurants near Harvard University helped you in making a decision on where/what you want to eat next. As an international student studying abroad, one of the major challenges that you’ll face is developing a taste for international cuisines. But hey, it sure is worth a try! Head out to these top restaurants and fall in love with exquisite food made by some of the best chefs around the world. If you’re a student looking to study in USA, this might help you prepare beforehand. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or suggestions on these restaurants or if we missed out on something.
Tips for Dining Near Harvard University
Looking for the best dining options close to Harvard University? From cosy cafes and students’ favourite sports to upscale restaurants for a special night out. Learn when to visit, where to find student discounts, and how to choose the best sports for every mood and budget:
- Peak Hours: Harvard Square restaurants are busy during lunch (12-2 PM) and dinner (6-8 PM)
- Reservations: Recommended for fine dining spots like Harvest or Alden & Harlow.
- Students Discounts: Some eateries offer discounts for Harvard students, so carry your student ID.
- Dietary Options: Many places cater to vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free preferences.
Also Read: Best Restaurants Near the University of Buffalo
Dining near Harvard University offers a diverse mix of cultures and cuisines, reflecting the vibrancy of Cambridge itself. Whether you are craving a classic burger, an elegant seafood dinner, or a healthy vegan meal, the restaurants near Harvard Square promise unforgettable flavours and great vibes.
So next time you are around campus, skip the chain sports and explore these best restaurants near Harvard University, and you will get a real taste of what makes Cambridge such a beloved food destination.
FAQs
In Annenberg Hall, all first-year students eat together. Students normally dine in their House dining halls from sophomore through senior year, though students can choose to eat in other House dining halls as well.
Undergraduates have unrestricted dining privileges at Annenberg Dining Hall or in their own Houses. Anyone in the community is welcome to dine in one of our numerous cafes.
Here is a list of fun things to explore near Harvard University:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Harvard Museum of Natural History.
Charles River.
Harvard Art Museums.
Harvard Square.
Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Charles River Bike Path.
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