25 Best Restaurants in Kendall Square
There are all sorts of amazing restaurants in Kendall Square and the surrounding area. Here are 25 of the best it has to offer.
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Kendall Square
Cafe Beatrice
100 N First St, Cambridge, MA 02141
A newcomer to the developing Cambridge Crossing area, Cafe Beatrice offers a variety of pastries, an all-day breakfast, and unique sandwiches like the Roasted Pumpkin Grilled Cheese.
Cafe Luna
612 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Winner of the 2019 “Best of Boston” breakfast, Cafe Luna’s breakfast highlights are the Double Thick Belgian Waffles and seven(!) types of French Toast. Expect to wait for their weekend brunch, but it’s well worth it.
Mamaleh’s Delicatessen
One Kendall Square, 15 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139
A popular Jewish deli, Mamaleh’s was named one of Bon Appetit Magazine’s 50 Best New Restaurants in the country when it opened. Try the Pastrami Rachel or grab some bagels and lox to go.
Tatte Bakery & Cafe
318 Third St, Cambridge, MA 02142
A cute Parisian-style cafe, Tatte’s all-day breakfast offerings include Croque Madame and Lamb Hash. But be sure to leave room for dessert, like the Orange Upside Down Cake or the gluten-free Halva Bomb.
Best American Restaurants in Kendall Square
Glass House
450 Kendall St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Glass House wanted to reflect Kendall Square’s history of glassmaking and won the IIDA New England Design Award for doing so. It prides itself on its seafood, particularly the Clam Chowder, and has a sizable gluten free menu.
Shy Bird
390 Third St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Shy Bird is the place to go in Kendall Square for chicken - rotisserie, fried, on a sandwich or in a salad - however you want it, they’ve got it.
The Smoke Shop BBQ
One Kendall Square, First St #100, Cambridge, MA 02139
Once you try the Smoke Shop’s Texas-Style Brisket Plate you’ll understand why they have three locations in Cambridge and one in Boston’s Seaport. Owner Andy Husbands turned 20+ years of BBQ competition into some of the best meat eating in the area, and paired it with New England’s largest American whiskey collection for good measure.
Best Asian Restaurants in Kendall Square
Fuji at Kendall
300 Third St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Upscale Japanese, head to Fuji at Kendall if you’re craving sushi or chicken teriyaki. They’ve also got a variety of wok-tossed noodles, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Helmand
143 First St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Helmand is a cozy Afghani restaurant famous for its brick oven flatbreads and its pumpkin dishes. You can’t go wrong with Lamb Lawand and the Bucklawa for dessert.
Le’s Sushi Bar & Restaurant
425-429, Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141
A classic sushi spot, don’t miss out on the Bubble Tea or a Vietnamese Coffee. Le’s also serves Pho, rice bowls, and their lunch combos are a great deal.
Mu Lan
228 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139
Mu Lan offers a variety of traditional Taiwanese dishes as well as dumplings, noodle & rice plates, and hot pot. It’s a great option for takeout or delivery.
Shabu & Mein
148 First St, Cambridge, MA 02141
A sleek ramen and sake spot, Shabu & Mein tempts you to test your heat tolerance with the Crazy Pork Ramen or the aptly named Spicy Hell’s Ramen. Make sure to order a side of bao.
Sumiao Hunan Kitchen
270 Third St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Contemporary Chinese, the decor alone is worth the visit. Go for the Avocado Meatball, Sizzling Calamari, or Hunan Street Noodles with a Passionfruit Mojito or Lychee Martini.
Best French Restaurants in Kendall Square
Café du Pays
233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave, Cambridge, MA 02141
A taste of Montreal right in Kendall Square, Café du Pays offers French-Canadian classics like Duck Confit, Steak Frites, and, of course, Poutine. If you need warming up, the Caribou is a warm blend of rye whiskey, red wine, and aromatic spices.
Craigie on Main
853 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
You’ll need a reservation if you want a seat at Boston Magazine’s “Boston’s Best Chef” winner Tony Maws’ high end farm-to-table restaurant. The French-inspired seasonal menu will not disappoint, and the rare off-menu Legendary Burger (they only make a few every night) is said to be one of the best in the city.
Best Italian Restaurant in Kendall Square
Amelia’s Trattoria
111 Harvard St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Small, rustic, and family-owned, Amelia’s is the place to go in Kendall Square for a night of pasta and wine. For date night, they offer a “Dinner and a Movie” package with discount tickets to showings at the nearby Kendall Square Cinema.
Best Pizza in Kendall Square
Area Four
500 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139
Area Four’s gourmet pizzas come in forms like Wellfleet Cherrystone Clam & Bacon and Not Pepperoni (it’s soppressata). The Shaved Brussel Sprout & Kale Salad is a great pairing with any pie.
Kendall House of Pizza
201 Third St, Cambridge, MA 02141
The quintessential no-frills neighborhood pizza joint, Kendall House of Pizza is the perfect place to grab a slice or a sub for takeout or delivery. Add a side of wings or mozzarella sticks to complete the package.
Best Takeout in Kendall Square
2nd Street Cafe
89 Second St #1, Cambridge, MA 02141
Grab a hearty sandwich to go at the 2nd Street Cafe, like the Grilled Chicken Pesto or the Turkey Deluxe. Get there long before they stop serving breakfast at 11 if you expect to get a breakfast burrito.
Aceituna Grill
605 W Kendall St #1110, Cambridge, MA 02142
Mediterranean counter Aceituna Grill starts you with a base of rice, salad, or pita, then shawarma or falafel, and finally an assortment of toppings and sides. When you’re done, you’re walking out with the perfect healthy lunch.
Clover Food Lab
5 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02139
The menu at this local vegetarian fast food chain is a rotating selection of things like the Chickpea Fritter and the BBQ Jackfruit sandwich. Throw in a Beluga Lentil Salad and a slice of Olive Oil Cake and you can be feeling good and back at the office in time for your next meeting.
Toscanini’s Ice Cream
159 First St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Toscanini’s is a longtime Cambridge staple serving gourmet ice cream with unique flavors like Blueberry Cardamom and Goat Cheese Brownie. But don’t worry if you’re not feeling adventurous, they have the classics like chocolate and cookie dough too.
Best Bars in Kendall Square
Cambridge Brewing Company
1 Kendall Square Bldg 100, Cambridge, MA 02139
This gastropub and beer garden serves beer brewed on site alongside a classic pub menu of burgers and fried chicken. Try a flight to see what you like and then take some bottles home.
Catalyst
300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139
Catalyst is a cool upscale restaurant with offerings like Maine Lobster Ravioli and a Roasted Dubreton Pork Chop. It’s outdoor lounge is the perfect place to explore the large drink menu including cocktails with intriguing names like Grey Dawn and The Undecided.
Meadhall
90 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142
Meadhall is a large bar with an even larger tap wall of over 100 constantly rotating beers. Try the Belgian Ale Meatloaf and a pretzel is a must in a beer hall like this, but definitely don’t try all 100 beers in one sitting.