14 best restaurants in Cambridge

Since 1975, this refined Harvard Square stalwart has led the farm-to-table charge, celebrating regional ingredients with an elegant, seasonal menu. The kitchen personifies a sophisticated approach to New England dining; locally-sourced seafood and meats, plus homemade pastas, are all meticulously and imaginatively prepared. The two-or three-course business lunch provides one of the area's best fine dining deals. If you’re lucky and the weather cooperates, a seat on the garden terrace is one of the most coveted in the Square.

Since opening in the Charles Hotel in late 2021, this neo-trattoria has been making headlines for high quality food that celebrates the spirit of Italy, and has been getting great word of mouth. With the addition of acclaimed local chef Tony Susi – who you might know from Capo, Gepetto, Olives, Sage and more – the menu has settled into one of the most appealing in town. You’ll love eating the campanelle nero (squid ink pasta with crabmeat); agnolotti with spring peas and a monkfish served acqua pazza style, in a  warm, booth filled room where the food is the star.

Two pretty dining rooms and an enormously popular garden patio provide a showcase for chef-owner Ana Sortun's passion for and mastery of the hauntingly aromatic cuisines of Turkey, Greece, Armenia, Morocco, Egypt and Sicily. Most of the small plates are memorable, while many of the desserts are downright extraordinary.

Chef-owner Michael Pagliarini and his wife Pamela Ralston pamper their guests with a warm welcome, friendly, professional service and killer pastas that are handmade by day on a custom-made table used to accommodate large groups at night. Brick walls and candlelight keep the vibe romantic and rustic. The all-Italian wines pair well with the dishes, which are often inspired by the chef’s travels to Italy. Try the popular smoked beef rib tortelli or the casarecce with foraged mushroom sugo.

One of Cambridge’s most celebrated chefs, Will Gilson, opened this casual Inman Square oyster bar early in 2023, and the area is better for it. It’s the perfect spot for a solo dinner at the bar, and a great date night spot (if you’re dating someone who likes to share!). This casual spot has a few reservations but strongly encourages walk-ins, and only offers small plates, so grab a spot at the bar and order crispy tacos packed with the freshest tuna, mini-lobster rolls or ball out and get the seafood tower. Bright cocktails and wine by the glass pours make for a lovely experience.

In Central Square, Pagu is helmed by Tracy Chang, a wunderkind who got her start at O Ya. The sleek, two-story loft space is patrolled by familial servers. Even the name is a treat: Japanese for “pug” and a homage to Chang’s own canine master, Phoebe. But it’s the food that’s the ultimate revelation here: ikura avocado toast, pork belly bao, sea scallop sashimi and comfort fare like Chang’s childhood fried rice. Order the prix fixe menu or go à la carte. Chang’s famed ramen features house-made alkaline noodles, pork belly, umami oil, nori, and a six-minute egg.

This self-described New England izakaya spot is where you want to eat in the fall and winter in Cambridge. There’s a cozy fireplace, and flavorful warm dishes like seared scallops and lobster roll pasta. The menu changes frequently, and the sake menu is deep and varied, so get a flight if you’re not sure what you like.

Duck into this subterranean hideaway and discover a bustling multi-room dining and drinking destination that balances a rustic laid-back vibe with an industrial edge. The reclaimed wood and brick walls add warmth to the sprawling space, as do the honey-colored glass lanterns that hang over the bar. There’s a small atrium dining room; high-top tables in the bar area; and the main dining room, where guests can glimpse the open kitchen through metal shelving stacked with cookbooks. Enjoy chef-driven home-cooking with an edge, such as smoked lamb belly ribs with carrot and cashew tahini and sour orange glaze.

Have a craving for Italian classics with a modern twist? Look no further than Geppetto in East Cambridge. Tucked within the Cambridge Crossing complex, this restaurant serves up serious Italian flavors in novel formats, thanks to celebrated chef-owner Will Gilson. Make the most of your visit by starting off with one of the eatery’s incredible crudos, like the chili-drizzled tuna topped with fresh slices of pear and lardo (a buttery, melt-in-your mouth Italian salumi that makes each bite absolutely luxurious), before digging into some dishes of house-made pastas. Guests looking to go big can indulge in the larger scale shareable feasts, like the swordfish kebabs, which are lightly smoked for added depth and topped with multi-herbed pesto. The beverages here are just as impressive as the plates; Choose from a deliberately curated wine list that includes lesser-known Italian varietals, or opt for one of the cocktails on tap, including a negroni and the now ubiquitous espresso martini.

Smart diners know to go where the chefs go. Cafe Sushi attracts many of the area’s best cooks as they look to kick back over affordable plates of well prepared maki and nigiri. All the standards are here, such as salmon skin rolls and hamachi sashimi, at prices rarely seen inside city limits. But the signature makimono is where things get interesting: ceviche maki,  spicy salmon citrus roll, hamachi Ssam Jang temaki and oshiiyushi (pressed sushi), complemented by side orders of salmon roe and seared avocado. Then there’s the kama (broiled fish collar) menu, a rarity ‘round these parts and a revelation to anyone usually dismissive of lesser known seafood cuts.

From the team behind the beloved Giulia’s comes the seafood-forward Moeca, which opened in the summer of 2022. Located just around the corner from Giulia, Moeca offers a raw bar with more unique takes and a focus on sustainability – the black bass with ginger, radish and seaweed is a must order. Like Giulia, Moeca finds a great balance between sophistication and comfort, with small plates to share and heaping plates of pasta, with plates like Sardinian Ravioli – salt cod is the star here. Spacious for the neighborhood, this is a great spot for a first date or a night out with the parents.

Situated between Central and Harvard Squares, this hip trattoria has a slightly retro feel thanks to the amber glow of its globe lights. Nosh on handmade pastas and Italian inspired dishes. Sit side-by-side at the vintage communal table, or huddle by the white tile, double-sided fireplace. Cap off the evening with one of the sexy desserts on offer.

Chef-owner Will Gilson’s menu at this comfortable coastal-chic spot is packed with locally-sourced ingredients and heavy on the New England touches. House-made Parker House rolls are served with butter that's been whipped with yogurt and sea salt. Highlights include toasts topped with crab or smashed fava beans, a to-die-for phyllo wrapped cod and grilled free-range half chicken.

With locations in Kendall and Technology Squares, the brick oven pizza purveyor is known for their signature toppings, made with a focus on recipes using simple, high quality ingredients and 30-hour-fermented dough. The weekend brunch menu is a hearty affair with pastries from the A4 cafe like orange matcha scones and blueberry cornbread making a welcome appearance.