Oleana
Where olive oil flows like conversation and every dish tells a sun-dappled story
The Special Occasion — dress accordingly
Award-winning Mediterranean restaurant with Turkish and Arabic influences. Chef Ana Sortun's seasonal menu features creative mezze, grilled meats, and vegetarian options.
The Maitre d' Recommends
The Vibe
Oleana feels like stepping into a Mediterranean garden party hosted by your most sophisticated friend. The intimate dining room glows with warm lighting, while the legendary back patio—draped in fairy lights and climbing vines—creates one of Cambridge's most romantic outdoor settings. There's an air of celebration here, as if every meal marks a special occasion.
Comfortable conversation level
Why It's Great
Where James Beard Award-Winning Cuisine Meets Cambridge Magic
Oleana isn't just a restaurant—it's a pilgrimage site for food lovers. Chef-owner Ana Sortun won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Northeast, and every dish demonstrates why. Her Turkish and Arabic-influenced Mediterranean cuisine takes familiar ingredients and transforms them into something extraordinary.
The menu reads like poetry: deviled eggs with tuna tartare and warm buttery toast, lamb rib with Turkish spices, tamarind-glazed beef with fava beans. Each dish balances bold spices with delicate technique, creating flavors that are simultaneously exotic and deeply comforting. Sortun's genius lies in her ability to make the unfamiliar feel like coming home.
But what truly sets Oleana apart is its soul. The restaurant has been a Cambridge institution since 2001, and the team treats every guest like family. The servers don't just take orders—they guide you through flavor profiles, suggest wine pairings, and share stories about the dishes' origins. It's an education wrapped in hospitality.
The legendary patio deserves special mention. In summer, the back garden becomes one of the most coveted dining spots in Greater Boston. Vines climb the walls, string lights twinkle overhead, and the city seems to fade away. It's Mediterranean magic in the heart of Massachusetts.
The mezze tasting allows the kitchen to take you on a culinary journey through Turkey, Lebanon, and beyond. Trust the chef and prepare to be amazed.
Deviled Eggs with Tuna Tartare
The dish that launched a thousand imitations—creamy, tangy, with just enough bite from the raw tuna
Sultan's Delight
Tender lamb braised until it falls apart, served over smoky eggplant purée with Turkish spices
Baked Alaska
Turkish coffee-infused ice cream wrapped in meringue—the only acceptable way to end your meal
Lamb Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone tender with a pomegranate glaze that hits every flavor note
Why It's In Our Guide
Oleana represents the pinnacle of Cambridge dining—world-class cuisine in an intimate setting, helmed by one of America's most celebrated chefs. It's the restaurant we recommend when someone asks "Where should I go for a truly special meal?"
“Ana Sortun has created a restaurant that feels like the best dinner party you've ever attended, except the food is better than anything you've ever tasted at home.”
— Boston Globe“A masterclass in how bold spices and delicate technique can coexist beautifully.”
— Food & WineCambridge foodies consider Oleana a crown jewel. It's where locals take out-of-town guests to show off the best of the city's dining scene. The patio reservation is the most coveted warm-weather spot in town.
Insider Tips
Summer for the patio experience, but the cozy dining room shines in winter. Weeknights are slightly less crowded than weekends.
Book 2-3 weeks ahead for weekend dinners, 3-4 weeks for patio seating in summer. The bar sometimes has walk-in availability.
Request the back patio in warm weather—it's truly magical. Inside, the banquette seating offers the best view of the open kitchen.
Don't skip the mezze. The deviled eggs are mandatory. Trust your server's wine recommendations—they know the menu intimately.
Street parking on Hampshire Street is possible but competitive. The 83 bus from Central Square stops right outside.
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 2,139 reviews
1,247 reviews
Updated 2024-12
892 reviews
Updated 2024-12
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner and weekend brunch. Oleana is one of Cambridge's most popular restaurants, and tables book up quickly. For patio seating in summer, book 3-4 weeks in advance. The bar occasionally has walk-in availability for smaller parties.
Reddit Mentions
Contact Details
134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Tue-Sat: 5:30PM-10PM, Sun: 5PM-9PM, Closed Monday
12 min walk from Central
RedThe academic palate demands both substance and style.
“She was my Rushmore.”
— Herman Blume, on Cambridge dining