Row 34
Seafood · Kendall Square
Working-man's oyster bar with New England seafood. Fresh catches daily, craft beer selection, lively atmosphere.
Fueling brilliance: dining around MIT and Kendall Square
The MIT area has undergone a culinary renaissance. What was once an industrial district with few dining options is now home to some of Cambridge's most exciting restaurants. From quick bites between lectures to celebratory dinners after thesis defenses, the Kendall Square and East Cambridge neighborhoods offer diverse dining for every MIT occasion and budget.
Best Restaurants Near MIT
The MIT area has undergone a culinary renaissance. Our top picks include Row 34, Area Four, Lamplighter Brewing Co..
Raw oysters
Wood-fired pizza
Local beers
Thin Crust Pizza
Pastrami on Rye
Selected based on local favorites, authentic offerings, and community reputation.
Seafood · Kendall Square
Working-man's oyster bar with New England seafood. Fresh catches daily, craft beer selection, lively atmosphere.
Pizza · Kendall Square
Artisan pizza, craft beer, and wood-fired cooking. Popular breakfast spot and neighborhood gathering place.
Brewery · Kendall Square
Local brewery with taproom and outdoor seating. Rotating beer selection, food trucks, community vibe.
Pizza · East Cambridge
Legendary thin-crust pizza since 1933. Cash-only neighborhood institution known for charred crust, spicy sausage, and lamb skewers. No frills, all flavor.
Jewish Deli · Kendall Square
Jewish delicatessen and bakery. House-smoked pastrami, bagels boiled and baked in-house, Montreal-style smoked meat. Weekend brunch destination.
Mediterranean · Kendall Square
Modern Mediterranean in the Kendall Hotel. Farm-to-table focus with seasonal New England ingredients.
Chinese/Hunan · East Cambridge
Contemporary Chinese restaurant & bar introducing authentic Hunan Cuisine. Creative melding of tradition with modernity, stunning design draped in sentimental works of art. Features seasonal weekend authentic specials for adventurous appetites.
Afghan · East Cambridge
Authentic Afghan cuisine in East Cambridge. Family-run, flavorful dishes, warm hospitality.
Bagel Shop · East Cambridge
Artisan bagel shop and café serving hand-rolled bagels, creative sandwiches, and specialty coffee. Fresh-baked daily with quality ingredients. Opened 2024.
Uyghur/Central Asian · East Cambridge
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.
American · Kendall Square
Upscale American diner with creative comfort food. Rotisserie meats, inventive sides, and extensive whiskey selection. Modern space with outdoor patio.
BBQ · Kendall Square
Texas-style BBQ with house-smoked meats. Brisket, ribs, and creative sides. Bourbon selection, outdoor patio, casual atmosphere.
Within a 10-minute walk of MIT's main campus, you'll find Area Four for outstanding wood-fired pizza, Row 34 for premium seafood and oysters, and Legal Sea Foods for classic New England fare. Catalyst offers Mediterranean-influenced American cuisine in a modern setting. For quicker options, Clover Food Lab serves excellent vegetarian fast-casual meals, and Oath Pizza delivers customizable personal pizzas. The Kendall Square food court and MIT's own dining locations provide additional variety for tight schedules between classes.
Criteria: authenticity, local reputation, quality
Sources: community input • editorial review
“The only thing better than eating is eating in Cambridge.”
This guide is updated regularly to ensure accuracy.
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