Monta's Guide - my local scoop and perspective :-)
Food Scene
Eats and drinks in our daily rotation :-)
Solid place to get a healthy meal, veg only. The shakes are great and the acai bowls are very refreshing. Monta likes the watermelon poke bowl, and teriyaki tofu. Bill really enjoys the Elvis smoothie.
240 locals recommend
Life Alive Organic Cafe
765 Massachusetts AveSolid place to get a healthy meal, veg only. The shakes are great and the acai bowls are very refreshing. Monta likes the watermelon poke bowl, and teriyaki tofu. Bill really enjoys the Elvis smoothie.
This is our favorite sushi place! They switched to take-out only during the pandemic, but there are a few counter seats available if you want to dine-in. They stock tasty snacks, sake, and condiments- all worth a look when you go pick-up your food. The signature sampler is a great place to start if you don't know what to get- the flavors are really inventive if you're a nigiri person
47 locals recommend
Cafe Sushi
1105 Massachusetts AveThis is our favorite sushi place! They switched to take-out only during the pandemic, but there are a few counter seats available if you want to dine-in. They stock tasty snacks, sake, and condiments- all worth a look when you go pick-up your food. The signature sampler is a great place to start if you don't know what to get- the flavors are really inventive if you're a nigiri person
Great for vegans and the like. Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten free diner. Even if you don't have these dietary restrictions, the food is great! We dare you to order the Mac n' Stack :-)
36 locals recommend
Veggie Galaxy
450 Massachusetts AveGreat for vegans and the like. Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten free diner. Even if you don't have these dietary restrictions, the food is great! We dare you to order the Mac n' Stack :-)
Super chill local coffee joint, there's always seating, never too busy or loud. Great place to get a bite and coffee.
58 locals recommend
barismo 364
364 BroadwaySuper chill local coffee joint, there's always seating, never too busy or loud. Great place to get a bite and coffee.
Tatte Bakery & Café
70 Charles StA local chain with tasty baked goods. It's always boppin'
This place is small and sells bagels... but the bagels are so good. If you go during their busy hours (mornings, weekends), there will be a line out the door, some times even down the block! I recommend the BLT or Hot Smoked sandwich. The honey-rosemary cream cheese is great too.
42 locals recommend
Bagelsaurus
1796 Massachusetts AveThis place is small and sells bagels... but the bagels are so good. If you go during their busy hours (mornings, weekends), there will be a line out the door, some times even down the block! I recommend the BLT or Hot Smoked sandwich. The honey-rosemary cream cheese is great too.
Fancy Italian, but oh so good. You'll need advance reservations,... or show up 15 minutes before they open up to score a seat at the bar
61 locals recommend
Giulia
1682 Massachusetts AveFancy Italian, but oh so good. You'll need advance reservations,... or show up 15 minutes before they open up to score a seat at the bar
This is our favorite Mexican place. Okay, maybe it isn't the most authentic, but we like it more than the others. Monta likes getting the plate with carnitas. During the summers, the rooftop bar is open and frozen margaritas are served.
47 locals recommend
Felipe's Taqueria
21 Brattle StThis is our favorite Mexican place. Okay, maybe it isn't the most authentic, but we like it more than the others. Monta likes getting the plate with carnitas. During the summers, the rooftop bar is open and frozen margaritas are served.
Local coffee shop with several locations, one under a 5 minute walk away.
133 locals recommend
1369 Coffee House
1369 Cambridge StLocal coffee shop with several locations, one under a 5 minute walk away.
It gets crowded and loud, but it's definitely worth the trip. Sit at the bar (less of a wait), get yourself a drink (the bartenders are amazing), get sassy and eat some awesome food! They call it small plates, but some of the plates are larger. Keep an open mind and just go with your gut.
51 locals recommend
Little Donkey
505 Massachusetts AveIt gets crowded and loud, but it's definitely worth the trip. Sit at the bar (less of a wait), get yourself a drink (the bartenders are amazing), get sassy and eat some awesome food! They call it small plates, but some of the plates are larger. Keep an open mind and just go with your gut.
I feel obliged to put this on the list because it's such an institution and people from all over love it (Joanne Chang has a cookbook), but honestly, the other places are just as good. I often think the baked goods here are too hyped up. The cookbook is great though.
136 locals recommend
Flour Bakery
190 Massachusetts AveI feel obliged to put this on the list because it's such an institution and people from all over love it (Joanne Chang has a cookbook), but honestly, the other places are just as good. I often think the baked goods here are too hyped up. The cookbook is great though.
Amazing ice cream with seasonal inventive flavors. Keep an open mind! They don't do samples, but you can always order a kiddie. Bill and I are so glad this place isn't located closer to our house :-)
10 locals recommend
Honeycomb Creamery
1702 Massachusetts AveAmazing ice cream with seasonal inventive flavors. Keep an open mind! They don't do samples, but you can always order a kiddie. Bill and I are so glad this place isn't located closer to our house :-)
Trendy little cafe across from Whole Foods nearby. If you can get a seat or it isn't completely packed, definitely give it a try! I love the sea salt shaker (sweet and salty coffee drink) and the food is great too
Cicada
Trendy little cafe across from Whole Foods nearby. If you can get a seat or it isn't completely packed, definitely give it a try! I love the sea salt shaker (sweet and salty coffee drink) and the food is great too
French Patisserie. They make their lattes here with local milk and it makes a HUGE difference. Monta thinks they have the best croissants. This place also attracts local French people, so they must be doing something right!
Praliné French Patisserie
French Patisserie. They make their lattes here with local milk and it makes a HUGE difference. Monta thinks they have the best croissants. This place also attracts local French people, so they must be doing something right!
Vegetarian "fast food" The fries are cut from a whole fresh potato right before your eyes when you order. The sandwiches change according to what's available during the season.
Clover
496 Massachusetts AveVegetarian "fast food" The fries are cut from a whole fresh potato right before your eyes when you order. The sandwiches change according to what's available during the season.
Coffee for the coffee aficionado (I apologize if the Keurig doesn't do it for you, it doesn't for me either, but I was going for guest convenience, ok! :-) As of fall 2024- they've teamed up with a bakery, offering delicious biscuits and sandwiches made from said biscuits.
8 locals recommend
Broadsheet Coffee Roasters
100 Kirkland StCoffee for the coffee aficionado (I apologize if the Keurig doesn't do it for you, it doesn't for me either, but I was going for guest convenience, ok! :-) As of fall 2024- they've teamed up with a bakery, offering delicious biscuits and sandwiches made from said biscuits.
Singh's Dhaba
Currently, our favorite Indian spot. We love the Kali Mirch ke Tikke and Dal Tadka.
Essentials
Oh yes... There's a Whole Foods here. It's not very far from the house. Cambridge charges 10 cents per shopping bag, so bring the reusable one in the closet with you.
1155 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
413 Centre StOh yes... There's a Whole Foods here. It's not very far from the house. Cambridge charges 10 cents per shopping bag, so bring the reusable one in the closet with you.
This is a pharmacy/convenience store. I wouldn't buy food here, but a good place to go if you need a special type of shampoo or extra toothpaste.
429 locals recommend
CVS
624 Massachusetts AveThis is a pharmacy/convenience store. I wouldn't buy food here, but a good place to go if you need a special type of shampoo or extra toothpaste.
Monta's favorite wine store. Unpretentious, knowledgeable staff, interesting wines.
41 locals recommend
Wine & Cheese Cask
407 Washington StMonta's favorite wine store. Unpretentious, knowledgeable staff, interesting wines.
This is one of the oldest YMCAs in the country! It's not going to be swanky and new, but the facilities are solid for a workout. FYI- the cardio room just received a bunch of new machines. $12 for a day pass to use the gym, $15 for classes.
6 locals recommend
Cambridge YMCA
820 Massachusetts AveThis is one of the oldest YMCAs in the country! It's not going to be swanky and new, but the facilities are solid for a workout. FYI- the cardio room just received a bunch of new machines. $12 for a day pass to use the gym, $15 for classes.
I dash here to grab a bottle of Guinness to pop into my turkey chili. Good spot for a quick 6 pack!
Dana Hill Liquor Mart
910 Massachusetts AveI dash here to grab a bottle of Guinness to pop into my turkey chili. Good spot for a quick 6 pack!
This is the larger liquor store in Central Sq. And by large, I mean, MUCH larger. My favorite will always be Wine & Cheese Cask though! You can break a 6 pack here and create a mixed 6 pack.
9 locals recommend
Supreme Liquors
600 Massachusetts AveThis is the larger liquor store in Central Sq. And by large, I mean, MUCH larger. My favorite will always be Wine & Cheese Cask though! You can break a 6 pack here and create a mixed 6 pack.
Speedway
709 McGrath HwyThis is the most convenient and closest place to get some gas for the car.
Golden Touch Cleaners
Where we go for dry cleaning
Everything Else
Asian supermarket with a food court in front, where you can get ramen, katsu curry, and asian baked goods.
117 locals recommend
Hmart Cambridge
581 Massachusetts AveAsian supermarket with a food court in front, where you can get ramen, katsu curry, and asian baked goods.
Drinks & Nightlife
Fish and Chips! Live music! I like their fish chowder. It's a very, Irish Pub.
85 locals recommend
The Druid
1357 Cambridge StFish and Chips! Live music! I like their fish chowder. It's a very, Irish Pub.
This place is LOUD! The drinks are great. The food is ok...
42 locals recommend
Trina's Starlite Lounge
3 Beacon StThis place is LOUD! The drinks are great. The food is ok...
730 Tavern, Kitchen & Patio
A good place to watch a game and have a beer.
Just around the corner from our place, has live music, trivia once a week. Decent pub food. Good for beers.
The Plough and Stars
Just around the corner from our place, has live music, trivia once a week. Decent pub food. Good for beers.
Entertainment & Activities
Great little movie theater that plays foreign films as well as blockbusters.
52 locals recommend
Kendall Square
Great little movie theater that plays foreign films as well as blockbusters.
Getting Around
Subway: If you are going downtown, you want to take the entrance on the South side (next to CVS, Au Bon Pain). If you are going to Harvard Sq, Porter, Davis, Alewife, you want the entrance on the North side (next to Starbucks). This is important because you can't get to the other side of the tracks after you pay.
Bus: You can also easily catch many buses going to various places in Central Sq.
150 locals recommend
Central Square
Subway: If you are going downtown, you want to take the entrance on the South side (next to CVS, Au Bon Pain). If you are going to Harvard Sq, Porter, Davis, Alewife, you want the entrance on the North side (next to Starbucks). This is important because you can't get to the other side of the tracks after you pay.
Bus: You can also easily catch many buses going to various places in Central Sq.
You can catch the #1 bus to Harvard Sq right outside of City Hall, or cross the street to catch the #1 bus to downtown.
City of Cambridge
795 Massachusetts AveYou can catch the #1 bus to Harvard Sq right outside of City Hall, or cross the street to catch the #1 bus to downtown.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
37 Mystic AveSuper close... Good for car rentals!
Shopping
I love supporting this bookstore. I always stop by here before going to the big Harvard Coop. If they don't have what I need, I end up getting it online or going to the Coop, only if I really need it right away.
33 locals recommend
Harvard Book Store
1256 Massachusetts AveI love supporting this bookstore. I always stop by here before going to the big Harvard Coop. If they don't have what I need, I end up getting it online or going to the Coop, only if I really need it right away.
Perfect for that transit nerd in your life. Into trains? Love to gripe about urban planning? This is the place for you.
MBTAgifts
1731 Massachusetts AvePerfect for that transit nerd in your life. Into trains? Love to gripe about urban planning? This is the place for you.
Seriously, save yourself some time. Take a look, but don't waste your time here. It's such a tourist trap.
517 locals recommend
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
1 S Market StSeriously, save yourself some time. Take a look, but don't waste your time here. It's such a tourist trap.
I love stopping by to pick up a snack. They have a small wine selection and a deli. Extensive selection of teas and imported chocolates. Yum.
8 locals recommend
Cardullo's Gourmet Shoppe
6 Brattle StI love stopping by to pick up a snack. They have a small wine selection and a deli. Extensive selection of teas and imported chocolates. Yum.
Excellent chocolate shop, makes good presents. On the pricey side, but totally worth it. When it's cold out- we highly recommend the hot chocolate. Warning- it may spoil your appetite :-)
64 locals recommend
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates
52 Brattle StExcellent chocolate shop, makes good presents. On the pricey side, but totally worth it. When it's cold out- we highly recommend the hot chocolate. Warning- it may spoil your appetite :-)