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Establishment Profile

Tasty Burger

Classic comfort elevated to its highest expression

American$
4.2
1567 reviews

The Democratic Table — accessible to all

No-frills burgers and beer in Harvard Square. Late-night favorite, affordable prices, classic American.

Harvard Square

The Maitre d' Recommends

Burgers
Late night
Beer
Affordable

The Vibe

Tasty Burger channels the burger joints of another era—simple burgers, cold beer, pool tables downstairs, and hours that stretch until 4am. The Harvard Square basement location attracts everyone from students to late-night revelers, with affordable prices and an atmosphere that never tries too hard.

Atmosphere
😊casual
Noise Level

Energetic buzz—speak up a bit

Dress Code
casual
Perfect For
late-night foodburger cravingscasual hangs

Why It's Great

The 4am Burger Joint Harvard Square Deserves

Tasty Burger arrived in 2010 with a simple premise: make burgers the old way—fresh, fast, affordable—and stay open when the city shuts down. The Harvard Square location, housed in a basement space with pool tables and a full bar, became an instant institution. When everything else closes, Tasty Burger is still serving.

The burgers follow the classic formula. Fresh beef, proper patties, standard toppings done right. Nothing is trying to reinvent the category—no exotic ingredients, no pretension, just burgers that satisfy at any hour. The fries are hand-cut. The shakes are thick. The beer is cold and cheap.

The atmosphere completes the experience. Pool tables in the basement create a hangout vibe. Full table service means you don't have to leave your game. The crowd shifts through the day—lunch workers, afternoon students, evening diners, and then the late-night waves of people who need food after everything else closes.

For Harvard Square, Tasty Burger fills an essential role. The neighborhood needed an unpretentious burger joint with late hours and fair prices. Tasty Burger delivered and keeps delivering, night after night, until 4am.

The Signature Experience

A burger, fries, and a beer at 2am. Pool game optional. The Harvard Square late-night ritual.

Standout Dishes

Classic Tasty Burger

Fresh beef, proper preparation, no frills—the foundation

$7

Big Tasty

More burger for serious appetites

$10

Hand-Cut Fries

Fresh potatoes, fried crispy

$4

Milkshakes

Thick and properly made—chocolate, vanilla, strawberry

$6

Why It's In Our Guide

Tasty Burger provides Harvard Square with late-night burgers that never pretend to be more than they are. The 4am hours, affordable prices, and pool tables make it essential infrastructure.

Awards & Recognition
Phantom Gourmet Great 8
Boston Magazine Best Late Night
What Critics Say

Tasty Burger is exactly what it says—tasty burgers, no more, no less.

Boston Globe

The 4am hours alone make it essential.

Boston Magazine
Local Love

The late-night crowd knows Tasty Burger is always there. Harvard students have made it a rite of passage.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Late night when you need food and everything else is closed. Also solid for casual lunch.

Reservation Tips

No reservations needed—it's counter service with table seating.

Where to Sit

Downstairs for pool and a more relaxed vibe. Upstairs is quicker.

Ordering Advice

Keep it simple—the classic burger is the point. Add fries and a shake for the full experience.

Getting There

Harvard Square parking is tough. Harvard T is a short walk.

Ratings & Reviews

4.1/ 5.0

Based on 2,110 reviews

Google
4.2

1,234 reviews

Updated 2024-12

Yelp
4.0

876 reviews

Updated 2024-12

Frequently Asked Questions

Tasty Burger Harvard Square is open until 4am daily, making it one of the latest-night food options in the area. Full service runs until close, including the bar and pool tables downstairs.

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Contact Details

Address

40 JFK St, Cambridge, MA 02138

WebsiteVisit Site
Hours

Mon-Thu: 11AM-12AM, Fri-Sat: 11AM-2AM, Sun: 11AM-12AM

Transit

3 min walk from Harvard

Red

In Cambridge, even casual dining involves a thesis statement.

Cambridge Culinary Wisdom

“She was my Rushmore.”

— Herman Blume, on Cambridge dining