Harvard Square Student Guide: Eat, Study, Explore

Harvard Square is Cambridge's beating heart — a vibrant mix of academic tradition, eclectic shops, world-class dining, and late-night hangouts. Whether you're a Harvard student, an MIT student taking the Red Line over, or a visitor exploring Cambridge, this guide reveals the Square's best-kept secrets alongside its beloved institutions.

Best Cheap Eats in the Square

Student budgets and Harvard Square can coexist if you know where to look.

Study Spots & Coffee

Harvard Square has more coffee shops per square foot than almost anywhere in America, each with its own character. Tatte Bakery offers beautiful spaces with Mediterranean pastries and strong coffee, but can get crowded. Cabot Cafe inside Harvard's Science Center is a popular student spot. For a quieter environment, seek out the upper floors of the Coop or find a window seat at Peet's Coffee. The Harvard Book Store cafe lets you browse while you caffeinate. Many students study at Lamont Library (Harvard students only) but the Cambridge Public Library is open to everyone with excellent study spaces.

Evening & Nightlife

Harvard Square's evening scene balances culture with fun. The Brattle Theatre shows independent and classic films in a gorgeous single-screen cinema. The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) produces Tony-winning productions. The Sinclair hosts live music acts in an intimate venue. For drinks, The Hourly Oyster House offers craft cocktails and oysters in a sophisticated setting. Charlie's Kitchen is a Harvard tradition — a dive bar with cheap drinks and a legendary double cheeseburger. Russell House Tavern has a speakeasy-style basement bar. Hong Kong restaurant's third-floor "Scorpion Bowl" bar is a rite of passage (proceed with caution).