Tasty Burger
Classic comfort elevated to its highest expression
The Democratic Table — accessible to all
No-frills burgers and beer in Harvard Square. Late-night favorite, affordable prices, classic American.
The Maitre d' Recommends
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.
Energetic buzz—speak up a bit
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.
A burger, fries, and a beer at 2am. Pool game optional. The Harvard Square late-night ritual.
Classic Tasty Burger
Fresh beef, proper preparation, no frills—the foundation
Big Tasty
More burger for serious appetites
Hand-Cut Fries
Fresh potatoes, fried crispy
Milkshakes
Thick and properly made—chocolate, vanilla, strawberry
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.
“Tasty Burger is exactly what it says—tasty burgers, no more, no less.”
— Boston Globe“The 4am hours alone make it essential.”
— Boston MagazineThe late-night crowd knows Tasty Burger is always there. Harvard students have made it a rite of passage.
Insider Tips
Late night when you need food and everything else is closed. Also solid for casual lunch.
No reservations needed—it's counter service with table seating.
Downstairs for pool and a more relaxed vibe. Upstairs is quicker.
Keep it simple—the classic burger is the point. Add fries and a shake for the full experience.
Harvard Square parking is tough. Harvard T is a short walk.
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 2,110 reviews
1,234 reviews
Updated 2024-12
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.
Reddit Mentions
Contact Details
40 JFK St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Mon-Thu: 11AM-12AM, Fri-Sat: 11AM-2AM, Sun: 11AM-12AM
3 min walk from Harvard
RedIn Cambridge, even casual dining involves a thesis statement.
“She was my Rushmore.”
— Herman Blume, on Cambridge dining