Everything Else
Best hot chocolate in the world, with an indulgent array of European-style cakes - a treat for adults and kids alike!
64 locals recommend
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates
52 Brattle StBest hot chocolate in the world, with an indulgent array of European-style cakes - a treat for adults and kids alike!
Unique flavors of ice cream are sure to delight! Stop by for a pick-me-up after an afternoon of window shopping.
298 locals recommend
J.P. Licks
659 Centre StUnique flavors of ice cream are sure to delight! Stop by for a pick-me-up after an afternoon of window shopping.
A divey Chinese restaurant and bar popular with undergrads for its scorpion bowl.
33 locals recommend
Hong Kong
1238 Massachusetts AveA divey Chinese restaurant and bar popular with undergrads for its scorpion bowl.
United States Postal Service
655 Centre StThe post office is within walking distance.
Delicious ice cream in interesting flavors. I don't like it quite as much as Toscanini's or J.P. Licks, but some people swear by this place.
68 locals recommend
Christina's Homemade Ice Cream
1255 Cambridge StDelicious ice cream in interesting flavors. I don't like it quite as much as Toscanini's or J.P. Licks, but some people swear by this place.
The New York Times once called this the best ice cream in the world; I agree! I love their salted caramel as well as their burnt caramel flavors; the ice cream is on the soft side and very indulgent!
115 locals recommend
Toscanini's Ice Cream
159 First StThe New York Times once called this the best ice cream in the world; I agree! I love their salted caramel as well as their burnt caramel flavors; the ice cream is on the soft side and very indulgent!
Food Scene
Hot steaming bowls of pho (rice noodles with beef shank in a savory broth) hit the spot on chilly days, while crisp spring rolls with vermicelli are perfect for the summer.
10 locals recommend
Le's Restaurant
36 Dunster StHot steaming bowls of pho (rice noodles with beef shank in a savory broth) hit the spot on chilly days, while crisp spring rolls with vermicelli are perfect for the summer.
Another coffee option in the Square, in an old Victorian house overlooking a small park
66 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
285 Harvard StAnother coffee option in the Square, in an old Victorian house overlooking a small park
Locally-sourced burgers and shakes that are hands-down delicious! Our favorite is the Adopted Luke (mushrooms and swiss cheese) - I make mine a turkey burger and my husband sticks with beef.
15 locals recommend
b.good
24 Dunster StLocally-sourced burgers and shakes that are hands-down delicious! Our favorite is the Adopted Luke (mushrooms and swiss cheese) - I make mine a turkey burger and my husband sticks with beef.
The biggest Starbucks in Harvard Square - the second floor has floor-to-ceiling glass windos overlooking the center of Harvard Square and tons of seating and tables. Great place to hang out or do work
202 locals recommend
Starbucks
1380 Massachusetts AveThe biggest Starbucks in Harvard Square - the second floor has floor-to-ceiling glass windos overlooking the center of Harvard Square and tons of seating and tables. Great place to hang out or do work
Undergrads flock to Noch's for the thick-crust pizza, but a lesser-known secret are its delicious subs
22 locals recommend
Pinocchio's Pizza & Subs
74 Winthrop StUndergrads flock to Noch's for the thick-crust pizza, but a lesser-known secret are its delicious subs
Popular gastropub that offers modern twists on American classics
58 locals recommend
Russell House Tavern
14 John F. Kennedy StPopular gastropub that offers modern twists on American classics
Best sandwiches ever! Also tons of baked goodies to try.
53 locals recommend
Darwin's Ltd - Cambridge St.
1629 Cambridge StBest sandwiches ever! Also tons of baked goodies to try.
Darwin’s Ltd.
148 Mt Auburn StBest sandwiches ever! Also a wide selection of baked treats.
Border Cafe
32 Church StThe Square's only Tex-Mex, this place hits the spot.
A wonderful spot for low-key diner-style weekend brunch, plus it's kid-friendly to boot! Just around the corner from our apartment.
26 locals recommend
Zoe's
1105 Massachusetts AveA wonderful spot for low-key diner-style weekend brunch, plus it's kid-friendly to boot! Just around the corner from our apartment.
Crema Cafe
27 Brattle StA local cafe with sandwiches and baked goods
One of our favorite restaurants in the area - excellent seafood and ribs, with interesting side dishes (tip: you can swap out sides for others that you like), a fun vibe, and super kid-friendly!
55 locals recommend
East Coast Grill
Cambridge StreetOne of our favorite restaurants in the area - excellent seafood and ribs, with interesting side dishes (tip: you can swap out sides for others that you like), a fun vibe, and super kid-friendly!
Yummy sandwiches. I prefer Darwin's, but this is a better place for hot sandwiches.
44 locals recommend
All Star Sandwich Bar
1245 Cambridge StYummy sandwiches. I prefer Darwin's, but this is a better place for hot sandwiches.
Amazing high-level Turkish/Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. In warm weather, it's worth the wait to eat outdoors in the backyard patio - a magical experience. Get the vegetarian tasting menu to split!
130 locals recommend
Oleana
134 Hampshire StAmazing high-level Turkish/Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. In warm weather, it's worth the wait to eat outdoors in the backyard patio - a magical experience. Get the vegetarian tasting menu to split!
A fun, bright space with an open kitchen, this is a great place to get a quick, affordable, and tasty vegetarian meal. The falafel sandwich is awesome, as is the eggplant platter. Kid-friendly!
106 locals recommend
Clover Food Lab
1075 Cambridge StA fun, bright space with an open kitchen, this is a great place to get a quick, affordable, and tasty vegetarian meal. The falafel sandwich is awesome, as is the eggplant platter. Kid-friendly!
I'm not a coffee snob, but my friends who are tell me this is the place to go. Public coffee cupping (tasting) every Thursday at 3 PM.
58 locals recommend
barismo 364
364 BroadwayI'm not a coffee snob, but my friends who are tell me this is the place to go. Public coffee cupping (tasting) every Thursday at 3 PM.
My next special-occasion restaurant. Have only heard good things about it. Creative New American cuisine.
29 locals recommend
Bergamot
118 Beacon StMy next special-occasion restaurant. Have only heard good things about it. Creative New American cuisine.
Delicious Thai food - try the mango curry, the pad thai, or the drunken noodles (which are spicy - the non-spicy version is pad see yew, also very good!).
14 locals recommend
Spicies Cambridge | Thai Restaurant
24 Holyoke StDelicious Thai food - try the mango curry, the pad thai, or the drunken noodles (which are spicy - the non-spicy version is pad see yew, also very good!).
Harvard Square used to have almost no chain stores or restaurants. All that changed in the last several years. For those who love Panera's soups and sandwiches, that's a good thing.
35 locals recommend
Panera Bread
220 Boylston StHarvard Square used to have almost no chain stores or restaurants. All that changed in the last several years. For those who love Panera's soups and sandwiches, that's a good thing.
Drinks & Nightlife
A bar popular with the business-school crowd, I sometimes watch sports here. It's also a pretty good restaurant (their fish and chips rocks!).
39 locals recommend
Grafton Street Pub & Grill
59 Massachusetts AveA bar popular with the business-school crowd, I sometimes watch sports here. It's also a pretty good restaurant (their fish and chips rocks!).
John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House
1 Worcester RdA popular bar
Essentials
This grocery store is just around the corner from our apartment. It's small but has a wide selection of produce, bread, prepared foods, wines, and other grocery items. Super convenient!
40 locals recommend
Broadway Marketplace
468 BroadwayThis grocery store is just around the corner from our apartment. It's small but has a wide selection of produce, bread, prepared foods, wines, and other grocery items. Super convenient!
The biggest and most affordable grocery store in the area, boasting very fresh produce and long checkout lines.
236 locals recommend
Market Basket
400 Somerville AveThe biggest and most affordable grocery store in the area, boasting very fresh produce and long checkout lines.
Entertainment & Activities
The Cambridge Public Library is a stunning work of glass architecture. The third floor is a children's floor with story time and singalong, and the grassy lawn and playground out front are hits!
52 locals recommend
Cambridge Public Library
449 BroadwayThe Cambridge Public Library is a stunning work of glass architecture. The third floor is a children's floor with story time and singalong, and the grassy lawn and playground out front are hits!
It's all in the title - kids love this book and toy store. A Harvard Square classic.
World's Only Curious George Store
1 John F. Kennedy StIt's all in the title - kids love this book and toy store. A Harvard Square classic.
The Alexander Kemp playground in Cambridge Common is marvelously designed with a wooden dragon boat, water mazes, sand pulleys, and climbing nets - a children's paradise!
77 locals recommend
Cambridge Common
The Alexander Kemp playground in Cambridge Common is marvelously designed with a wooden dragon boat, water mazes, sand pulleys, and climbing nets - a children's paradise!
The playground at the corner of Hancock and Centre is shady and cool in the summer, with ride-on toys galore and a fun water spray area.
Hancock Street
Hancock StreetThe playground at the corner of Hancock and Centre is shady and cool in the summer, with ride-on toys galore and a fun water spray area.
Hours of fun and fascination are to be had here - there's something for all ages.
560 locals recommend
Museum of Science
1 Museum Of Science DrivewayHours of fun and fascination are to be had here - there's something for all ages.
Sightseeing
Kids and adults alike will love the animals and the famous glass flowers
151 locals recommend
Harvard Museum of Natural History
26 Oxford StKids and adults alike will love the animals and the famous glass flowers
The Fogg Art Museum not only houses amazing art, it is a gorgeous building and boasts a lovely courtyard.
205 locals recommend
Harvard Art Museums
32 Quincy StThe Fogg Art Museum not only houses amazing art, it is a gorgeous building and boasts a lovely courtyard.
Wander among the historic brick and marble buildings, including Widener Library and Memorial Church. Enjoy the lush, shaded green spaces of the Yard - perfect for people watching or a game of frisbee.
574 locals recommend
Harvard University
3 Oxford StreetWander among the historic brick and marble buildings, including Widener Library and Memorial Church. Enjoy the lush, shaded green spaces of the Yard - perfect for people watching or a game of frisbee.
Take a stroll or jog along the Charles to get a great view of the Boston skyline or watch the rowers and Canadian geese.
12 locals recommend
Memorial Drive
Memorial DriveTake a stroll or jog along the Charles to get a great view of the Boston skyline or watch the rowers and Canadian geese.
Take a tour of a chocolate factory! Seriously! Free chocolate tastings, too!
31 locals recommend
Taza Chocolate
561 Windsor StTake a tour of a chocolate factory! Seriously! Free chocolate tastings, too!
Shopping
Explore the lovely clothing and household items at this three-story Anthropologie.
12 locals recommend
Anthropologie
48 Brattle StExplore the lovely clothing and household items at this three-story Anthropologie.
Ann Taylor
100 Cambridgeside PlGet your workplace clothing here
Gap
15 Brattle StThis two-story Gap has baby and kids' clothing on the upper floor.
Independently-owned and well-curated, the Harvard Book Store holds frequent book signings / author events. The basement is a treasure trove of used books.
33 locals recommend
Harvard Book Store
1256 Massachusetts AveIndependently-owned and well-curated, the Harvard Book Store holds frequent book signings / author events. The basement is a treasure trove of used books.
You can not only browse the huge bookstore but also stock up on Harvard clothing and paraphernalia
24 locals recommend
Harvard Cooperative Society
1400 Massachusetts AveYou can not only browse the huge bookstore but also stock up on Harvard clothing and paraphernalia
Eastern Mountain Sports
1 Brattle StLocated above Chipotle, EMS is the place for all your activewear needs.
This gourmet food shop is crammed with European chocolates, jams, and other delicacies. It also has prepared foods.
8 locals recommend
Cardullo's Gourmet Shoppe
6 Brattle StThis gourmet food shop is crammed with European chocolates, jams, and other delicacies. It also has prepared foods.
Bob Slate Stationer
30 Brattle StFor all your paper and stationery needs