Photo: Unsplash
Chef-owner: Tzurit Or · Opened 2007
Israeli self-taught pastry chef Tzurit Or started Tatte at Boston's Copley farmers market in 2007; first brick-and-mortar opened in Brookline 2008, now 24 Boston-area stores plus D.C. outposts.
~ The Intelligence Report ~
Cambridge Dining Intelligence
“Israeli-inspired bakery chain. Beautiful pastries, great shakshuka, excellent coffee. Instagram-worthy but delivers on quality. Multiple locations, reliable for breakfast and lunch.”
— Guide to Cambridge · Dining Intelligence
This place is exceptional for
Best Bakery Cafe Chain
Beautiful pastries, great coffee, multiple locations
Best Shakshuka
Israeli egg dish done right
What they nail
- Exceptional pastries
- Great coffee program
- Beautiful presentation
- Multiple convenient locations
- Good for working/meetings
Before you go
- Can get very crowded
- Limited seating at some locations
- Pricier than average bakery
- Chain feel (but high quality)
The maître d' recommends
- Shakshuka
- Any pastry (especially croissants)
- Coffee (excellent espresso)
- Avocado toast
Best for
Value
How this rating was built
Methodology →$15–$30 per person
Israeli-inspired bakery and cafe. Beautiful pastries, shakshuka, fresh salads, and excellent coffee. Multiple Cambridge locations, Instagram-worthy.
The Maitre d' Recommends
The Vibe
Tatte is the Instagram-perfect bakery that actually delivers on taste. Marble countertops, pastry cases gleaming with carefully arranged treats, and that particular type of morning light that makes everything look beautiful. But beyond the aesthetics, there's substance—Israeli-influenced baked goods that reward the eye and the palate.
Comfortable conversation level
Why It's Great
Where Israeli Baking Traditions Meet Cambridge Coffee Culture
Tzurit Or brought something new when she opened the first Tatte in Brookline in 2007: Middle Eastern baking traditions that most Bostonians had never encountered. The shakshuka was revelatory. The halva brownies created new categories. The morning buns perfected a form. Now, with multiple Cambridge locations, Tatte has become part of the fabric of the city.
The pastry case tells the story. Yes, there are croissants—but there's also za'atar-topped flatbread, cardamom-scented morning buns, and tahini-swirled cookies that transport you to Tel Aviv. The savory offerings—shakshuka, sabich, grain bowls—bring the same cultural perspective to all-day eating.
The spaces themselves are designed for lingering. Large windows, comfortable seating, and the kind of ambient noise that says "stay, work, enjoy another pastry." Students camp with laptops. Parents catch up over coffee. The remote-work crowd has made Tatte a de facto office.
What could feel like expansion for expansion's sake instead feels like sharing something good with more people. Each location maintains the standards. The morning buns are consistently excellent. The coffee is properly made. Tatte earns its place in the Cambridge routine.
Saturday morning: a table by the window, shakshuka, a morning bun, and nowhere to be.
Morning Bun
Orange-cardamom perfection—Tatte's signature
Shakshuka
Eggs in spiced tomato sauce with crusty bread—the Israeli breakfast classic
Halva Brownie
The signature mashup—chocolate meets sesame meets addiction
Sabich
Iraqi-Israeli pita with eggplant, egg, and tahini—savory perfection
Why It's In Our Guide
Tatte introduced Cambridge to Israeli baking traditions while creating spaces worth spending time in. It's become essential morning infrastructure for much of the city.
“Tatte makes you want to be Israeli on Saturday morning.”
— Boston Globe“The morning bun is the best breakfast pastry in the city.”
— Boston MagazineThe Cambridge locations have become default meeting spots. "Let's grab Tatte" is now a local idiom.
Insider Tips
Early morning (7-8am) for the freshest pastries. Midmorning weekends get crowded.
No reservations—it's counter service. Be prepared to share tables during busy periods.
The Harvard Square location has good seating. Kendall is smaller but convenient.
Try the morning bun first—it defines Tatte. The shakshuka is worth ordering if you're staying.
All Cambridge locations are T-accessible. Street parking varies by location.
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 2,801 reviews
1,567 reviews
Updated 2024-12
1,234 reviews
Updated 2024-12
Frequently Asked Questions
Tatte is known for Israeli-influenced baked goods and cafe fare. The morning buns, halva brownies, and shakshuka are signature items. The bakery blends Middle Eastern flavors with familiar formats, creating pastries and dishes that feel both new and accessible.
Reddit Mentions
Contact Details
1288 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Mon-Fri: 7AM-8PM, Sat-Sun: 8AM-8PM
4 min walk from Harvard
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Further Reading
Best Restaurants in Harvard Square
GuideHarvard Square Student Guide: Eat, Study, Explore
GuideHarvard Square vs Central Square: Which Is Better?
BlogWelcome to Guide to Cambridge: What We're Building and Why
Blog7 Hidden Gems in Cambridge That Only Locals Know About
BlogEvery T Station in Cambridge: A Complete Transit Guide