Porter Square
Transit hub with local character
Why Visit Porter Square?
Porter Square strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and authenticity. Anchored by the iconic Red Line T-station, this neighborhood celebrates local businesses that serve the community with genuine care. Browse meticulously curated books at Porter Square Books, find unique transit-themed gifts, and shop at family jewelers who've built their reputation on quality and relationships. Porter is proof that convenience and character can coexist beautifully.
The Answer
What to do in Porter Square
Porter Square is transit hub with local character. Porter Square strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and authenticity.
Top Picks
- 1Porter Square
Landmark
- 2Leo Carroll Jewelers
Jewelry store
- 3Michaels
Art supply store
- 4Porter Square Books
Book store
Selection Criteria
Top spots in Porter Square selected for authenticity and local reputation.
About This District
Named after a historic cattle market, Porter Square offers easy Red Line access, independent bookstores, and neighborhood favorites.
Who Porter Square Is For
Families, commuters to North Cambridge or Somerville, and anyone who values parking and grocery access
Those seeking nightlife or a bustling scene — Porter is functional and pleasant, not exciting
The Japanese market and food options — a legacy of nearby academic ties makes this a quiet hub for Japanese cuisine
District Highlights
- Porter Square Books
- Transit-themed gift shop (MBTAgifts)
- Shopping centers & hardware stores
- Family-run jewelers
A Perfect Day in Porter Square
morning
Browse Porter Square Books' curated selection over coffee.
afternoon
Lunch nearby, explore Tag's Hardware and MBTAgifts.
evening
Casual dinner at a neighborhood favorite.
Locals Only
- 1.Porter Square Books hosts author readings regularly - check their calendar for free events with major writers
- 2.The Lesley University galleries are free and often have interesting contemporary art shows
- 3.Cafe Mami has some of the best ramen in Cambridge - it's hidden in the basement of the shopping center
- 4.The Porter Exchange building (downstairs) is a Japanese food court - it's like stepping into Tokyo
- Porter Exchange basement food court - Sapporo Ramen, Cafe Mami, and Japanese snacks in a mall basement
- MBTAgifts sells quirky transit memorabilia you literally can't find anywhere else
- Blue Shirt Cafe does excellent breakfast sandwiches for the morning commute
- The murals inside Porter T station are worth actually looking at - they tell the neighborhood's history
Skip These
- The strip mall aesthetics - yes it looks suburban, but treasures are hidden if you look
- Trying to find street parking during commute hours (just take the T)
- Dismissing it as "just a transit hub" - you'll miss the Japanese food scene
Best & Worst For
- Japanese food lovers - seriously, the Porter Exchange basement is a hidden gem
- Book lovers who want a great indie bookstore without Harvard Square crowds
- Commuters who live here and appreciate actual neighborhood amenities
- Anyone who appreciates quirky, transit-themed gifts (MBTAgifts is unique)
- Instagram aesthetics seekers - it's strip mall vibes above ground
- People who need walkable clusters of trendy spots
- Anyone looking for nightlife or late-night options
- First-time Cambridge visitors (start at Harvard or Central, come back for ramen)
Local Secrets
- ◆Cafe Mami's tonkotsu ramen rivals anything in Boston proper - locals line up
- ◆Tag's Hardware has been serving Porter for decades - they'll actually help you find what you need
- ◆The Star Market here is one of the better-stocked ones and less chaotic than Beacon Hill
Seasonal Guide
The outdoor seating at Christopher's is nice for a beer after work. Fresh Pond Reservation is a short bike ride away.
Perfect time to descend into Porter Exchange for steaming ramen. The underground food court becomes a refuge.
Transit Connections
6 establishments in Porter Square are easily accessible by public transit.
Getting Here
Porter station (Red Line, deepest in the system — long escalator). Commuter Rail to Fitchburg Line also stops here.
More available than Harvard/Central. Porter Square Shopping Center garage ($3/hr). Street parking possible.
Points of Interest
Local Establishments
Leo Carroll Jewelers
Family-run store with services
Michaels
National craft store chain
Porter Square Books
Beloved independent bookstore serving Porter Square since 1998. Features an exceptional fiction and children's section, regular author readings, book clubs, and passionate booksellers who love making personalized recommendations. A cornerstone of Cambridge's literary community.
MBTAgifts
Transit-themed gift shop
Quick Facts
Japanese influences run deep here.
Porter Square FAQ
“I saved Latin. What did you ever do?”
— Max Fischer, on neighborhood preservation