The Democratic Table — accessible to all
Fast-casual vegetarian chain with seasonal menu. MIT-founded, locally sourced, innovative plant-based food.
The Maitre d' Recommends
The Vibe
Clover is fast food reimagined—clean lines, efficient service, and food that's genuinely good for you and the planet. The counter-service model keeps things casual, while the quality keeps people coming back. It's what happens when MIT engineers tackle the lunch problem with local ingredients and genuine care.
Comfortable conversation level
Why It's Great
Vegetarian Fast Food That Converts Carnivores
Clover started in a food truck in 2008 with a radical idea: what if fast food was actually good? Not just tolerable, not just convenient, but genuinely delicious—made with local ingredients, served quickly, and entirely plant-based. The concept worked so well that the trucks became restaurants, and the restaurants became a movement.
The menu is tight and focused. A few sandwiches, seasonal sides, breakfast offerings, and drinks. Everything is made from scratch daily. The chickpea fritter sandwich (the flagship) features crispy, herb-flecked patties with pickled vegetables and tahini. It's satisfying in ways that transcend dietary categories.
The sourcing is obsessive. Clover works directly with local farms, and the menu changes with the seasons. Winter brings root vegetables; summer celebrates tomatoes and corn. The fries are cut from whole potatoes each morning. The lemonade is squeezed fresh. Nothing comes from a package.
For Cambridge—a city full of people who care about sustainability, ethics, and flavor—Clover is almost inevitable. It's the restaurant the community was waiting for, even if it didn't know it needed to exist.
A chickpea fritter with rosemary fries and fresh lemonade. It's fast food that makes you feel good—about what you're eating and how it got to you.
Chickpea Fritter Sandwich
The original—crispy chickpea patties, pickled vegetables, tahini, herbs
BBQ Seitan Sandwich
Tender seitan with tangy BBQ sauce and coleslaw—converts skeptics
Rosemary Fries
Hand-cut from whole potatoes, fried crispy, tossed with rosemary and salt
Egg & Vegetable Sandwich
Breakfast done right—local eggs with seasonal vegetables and cheese
Why It's In Our Guide
Clover proved that plant-based fast food could be genuinely craveable. The local sourcing is rigorous, the food is delicious, and the prices are fair. It's become an essential part of Cambridge's food identity.
“Clover has done more for vegetables than any restaurant in Boston.”
— Boston Globe“The chickpea fritter is the best vegetarian sandwich in the city.”
— Boston MagazineMIT and Harvard students have adopted Clover as their de facto cafeteria. The lunch lines are long because the food is worth it.
Insider Tips
Avoid peak lunch (12-1pm) for shorter lines. Breakfast is quicker and equally good.
No reservations—it's counter service. Order online for faster pickup at busy locations.
Most locations have limited seating. Plan for takeout or eating standing up.
Start with the chickpea fritter. Add rosemary fries. The seasonal specials are always worth trying.
Locations in Harvard Square, Central Square, and Kendall are all T-accessible. Street parking varies by location.
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 4,221 reviews
2,345 reviews
Updated 2024-12
1,876 reviews
Updated 2024-12
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the core Clover menu is entirely vegetarian, and most items are vegan or easily modified to be vegan. The breakfast sandwiches use eggs and cheese by default but can be customized. Clover is committed to plant-based eating and sources ingredients from local farms.
Reddit Mentions
Contact Details
Multiple locations
Mon-Fri: 7AM-10PM, Sat-Sun: 8AM-10PM
2 min walk from Harvard
RedThe academic palate demands both substance and style.
“She was my Rushmore.”
— Herman Blume, on Cambridge dining