Best Cheap Eats in Cambridge

Israeli-inspired bakery and cafe. Beautiful pastries, shakshuka, fresh salads, and excellent coffee. Multiple Cambridge locations, Instagram-worthy.

Award-winning bakery with breakfast and lunch. Sticky buns, sandwiches, and pastries. Multiple Cambridge locations.

Retro diner with creative comfort food and all-day breakfast. Fun atmosphere, huge portions, great for groups. Known for inventive pancakes and Bloody Marys. Moved from Kendall Square to Harvard Square in 2023.

Vibrant vegetarian cafe with organic bowls, smoothies, and fresh juices. Colorful, healthy fast-casual.

Creative pizza slices with unique toppings. Counter-service pizzeria with slices and whole pies. Quick, casual, and fun flavor combinations.

Hokkaido-style ramen chain from Japan. Rich tonkotsu broth, perfectly cooked noodles, tender pork slices. Counter seating, quick service.

Iconic music venue and bar with multiple stages. Live music nightly, Middle Eastern food, diverse crowd.

No-frills burgers and beer in Harvard Square. Late-night favorite, affordable prices, classic American.

Fast-casual vegetarian chain with seasonal menu. MIT-founded, locally sourced, innovative plant-based food.

All-vegetarian diner with vegan options. Comfort food classics reimagined plant-based. Retro diner atmosphere with modern values. Full bar.

Artisan pizza, craft beer, and wood-fired cooking. Popular breakfast spot and neighborhood gathering place.

Lebanese-Turkish bakery and cafe. Sister restaurant to Oleana. Mezze, baked goods, Turkish coffee. Cozy space, perfect for lunch or afternoon break.

Local brewery with taproom and outdoor seating. Rotating beer selection, food trucks, community vibe.

Legendary thin-crust pizza since 1933. Cash-only neighborhood institution known for charred crust, spicy sausage, and lamb skewers. No frills, all flavor.

Full service Cuban restaurant and bar serving modern interpretations of traditional Cuban dishes. Craft cocktail program and highly curated selection of Cuban Rums. Vibrant atmosphere celebrating Cuban culture.

Jewish delicatessen and bakery. House-smoked pastrami, bagels boiled and baked in-house, Montreal-style smoked meat. Weekend brunch destination.

Upscale gastropub with 30+ craft beers on tap. Locally-sourced American fare, great burger selection, and welcoming neighborhood atmosphere. Popular for brunch and late-night dining.

Vibrant Spanish tapas bar with authentic dishes. Lively atmosphere, sangria, and paella.

Global small plates from chef Ken Oringer. Eclectic menu drawing from cuisines worldwide. Communal seating, creative cocktails, lively atmosphere.

Authentic Thai cuisine with traditional recipes and fresh ingredients. Family-run restaurant serving Cambridge for over 20 years with consistent quality and generous portions.

Harvard Square institution since 1971. Eclectic menu, half-price food with drink purchase before 7:30PM. Cozy basement setting, college-friendly prices.

Cafe with espresso, coffee, home-made bagels, and elaborate bagel sandwiches. Fresh bagels baked daily. Cozy Harvard Square spot popular for breakfast and lunch.

Authentic Afghan cuisine in East Cambridge. Family-run, flavorful dishes, warm hospitality.

Artisan bagel shop and café serving hand-rolled bagels, creative sandwiches, and specialty coffee. Fresh-baked daily with quality ingredients. Opened 2024.

Authentic Shanghai cuisine with hand-pulled noodles made to order. Soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) are signature dish. Modern casual setting.

The one and only Uyghur cuisine in Massachusetts, offering the unique food mixture of Asian and Turkish food culture. Authentic Central Asian dishes with lamb, hand-pulled noodles, and traditional spices.

Cambridge's oldest family and woman owned bar. Serving cold beer and warm friends since 1934. Iconic neighborhood institution with rich history and loyal following.

Best ramen in town. Authentic Japanese ramen with rich broths and fresh noodles made daily. Cozy space in Central Square with excellent tonkotsu and miso options.

Serving wholesome and healthy sandwiches, salads, multigrain rice bowls, and noodle dishes. High grade hot and iced teas, espresso and coffee. First in Cambridge to introduce bubble tea in 2002!

Nashville-style hot chicken from three Korean-American founders. Crispy, fiery chicken sandwiches and platters with varying heat levels. Started as a pop-up in 2019, opened brick-and-mortar in 2022.

Serving fresh, authentic Mediterranean and Moroccan food cooked-to-order. Family recipes passed down generations with traditional tagines, fresh pita, and couscous.

Traditional Japanese sushi and izakaya. Omakase available, fresh fish selection, extensive sake list. Intimate counter seating, authentic preparations.

Taiwanese-style dumplings and noodles. Hand-wrapped dumplings made fresh daily, extensive noodle soup menu. No-frills, cash-only, lines out the door.

Fresh lobster rolls at wholesale prices. Counter service, no frills, just incredible lobster. Cash only, lines common, worth the wait.

New England seafood with coastal vibes. Fresh catches daily, creative raw bar, and approachable seafood preparations. Full bar with coastal-inspired cocktails.

Upscale American diner with creative comfort food. Rotisserie meats, inventive sides, and extensive whiskey selection. Modern space with outdoor patio.

North Indian cuisine in Central Square since 1990. Extensive vegetarian options, tandoori specialties, and daily lunch buffet. Family-friendly atmosphere.

Jazz dinner club with live music and Asian fusion cuisine. Creative sushi, Southeast Asian dishes, and craft cocktails in intimate setting. Jazz Room hosts live performances Fri-Sun.

Texas-style BBQ with house-smoked meats. Brisket, ribs, and creative sides. Bourbon selection, outdoor patio, casual atmosphere.

Offering Spanish Caribbean cuisine, music, art, and culture. Vibrant atmosphere with live music and cultural events celebrating Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage.

Family-run Chinese restaurant serving Cantonese and Szechuan classics since 1989. Generous portions, reliable quality, and neighborhood favorite. Full bar.

Irish pub with dance nights and events. Karaoke, trivia, and themed parties throughout the week.