What is in East Cambridge?

East Cambridge is home to the CambridgeSide shopping center, waterfront restaurants with Boston skyline views, the Cambridge Antique Market (one of New England's largest), Craft Loft workshops, and the Lechmere Green Line T stop. The Charles River waterfront walkway offers some of Cambridge's best sunset views.

Is East Cambridge walkable?

East Cambridge is moderately walkable. The CambridgeSide area is accessible from the Lechmere Green Line stop and is walking distance from Kendall Square. The waterfront path connects to the wider Charles River trail system. However, some areas are more car-oriented than Cambridge's historic squares.

What is the Cambridge Antique Market?

The Cambridge Antique Market at 201 Msgr O'Brien Highway is a five-story antique mall with over 100 dealers selling furniture, jewelry, art, vintage clothing, and collectibles. It's one of the largest antique markets in New England and a hidden gem that even many Cambridge residents don't know about. Cash is preferred for negotiating.

What is in East Cambridge?

East Cambridge is home to the CambridgeSide shopping center, waterfront restaurants with Boston skyline views, the Cambridge Antique Market (one of New England's largest), Craft Loft workshops, and the Lechmere Green Line T stop. The Charles River waterfront walkway offers some of Cambridge's best sunset views.

Is East Cambridge walkable?

East Cambridge is moderately walkable. The CambridgeSide area is accessible from the Lechmere Green Line stop and is walking distance from Kendall Square. The waterfront path connects to the wider Charles River trail system. However, some areas are more car-oriented than Cambridge's historic squares.

What is the Cambridge Antique Market?

The Cambridge Antique Market at 201 Msgr O'Brien Highway is a five-story antique mall with over 100 dealers selling furniture, jewelry, art, vintage clothing, and collectibles. It's one of the largest antique markets in New England and a hidden gem that even many Cambridge residents don't know about. Cash is preferred for negotiating.

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District Profile

East Cambridge

Waterfront dining & CambridgeSide

Retail & Waterfront

Est.1800s

Photo: Prateek Pisat (2019)

Why Visit East Cambridge?

East Cambridge offers the best of both worlds—shopping convenience at CambridgeSide paired with stunning waterfront experiences and a thriving multicultural community. Watch the sunset over the Boston skyline while dining at Mediterranean gems, explore craft workshops at the Craft Loft, or hunt for treasures at the Cambridge Antique Market. This evolving neighborhood blends retail accessibility with authentic local finds you won't discover anywhere else.

The Answer

What to do in East Cambridge

East Cambridge is waterfront dining & cambridgeside. East Cambridge offers the best of both worlds—shopping convenience at CambridgeSide paired with stunning waterfront experiences and a thriving multicultural community.

Top Picks

1
Craft Loft
Craft store
2
The Lexington
American
3
Amba Cambridge
Mediterranean

Selection Criteria

Top spots in East Cambridge selected for authenticity and local reputation.

Dispatch

About This District

Home to the CambridgeSide mall and waterfront restaurants with stunning Boston skyline views. A mix of retail, dining, and residential.

Who East Cambridge Is For

Good For

Residents seeking a quieter Cambridge experience away from the main squares

Not Ideal For

Those who want everything walkable — some areas require a bus or bike to reach restaurants and shops

What People Underestimate

How much neighborhood identity exists even in residential areas — each block has its own character

District Highlights

CambridgeSide shopping mall
Waterfront restaurants
Craft workshops (Craft Loft)
Cambridge Antique Market

A Perfect Day in East Cambridge

morning

Shop at CambridgeSide, visit Craft Loft for DIY supplies.

afternoon

Lunch at Amba or another Mediterranean spot.

evening

Sunset dinner with waterfront views, explore Cambridge Antique Market.

Locals Only

Insider Tips

1.The Cambridge Antique Market is five floors of treasures - budget at least 2 hours and bring cash for negotiating
2.Walk the Charles River path from here toward the Science Museum for amazing Boston skyline photos
3.Lechmere T stop (Green Line) is finally open again - makes access much easier than before
4.The CambridgeSide food court is surprisingly good for mall food - better than Assembly Row

Hidden Gems

Cambridge Antique Market - one of the largest antique markets in New England, and locals don't even know about it
The waterfront walkway behind CambridgeSide has some of the best sunset views in Cambridge
Craft Loft is a legit studio/workshop space - you can take pottery and art classes here
Amba Mediterranean has incredible Turkish/Mediterranean food and gets overlooked

Skip These

CambridgeSide on weekend afternoons - parking is a nightmare and it's packed
Expecting walkable charm - this is more car-oriented/mall-oriented
The overpriced tourist spots right at CambridgeSide (walk a bit further)

Best & Worst For

Best For

Antique hunters and vintage collectors - the Antique Market alone is worth the trip
Sunset photographers - the Charles River views here are spectacular
People who actually need to shop at chain stores (sometimes you just need Target)
Craft/art class seekers - Craft Loft has great programming

Not Great For

Anyone seeking "authentic Cambridge" vibes - this is the mall district
Walkability enthusiasts - it's car/T-oriented
Foodies looking for indie restaurants - most dining is chains
People avoiding malls on principle

Classified

Local Secrets

◆The Antique Market vendors often negotiate, especially if you're buying multiple items
◆The residential streets behind the mall have some beautiful old homes worth exploring
◆Museum of Science is technically right here - the parking is easier than the main lot