C and I lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts from 2003-2005. While there, I worked from home 70% of the time, so I became quite familiar with the best places to sit and work around town.
We also explored a bit, and developed a circuit of favorite places to eat. Generally speaking, we don't like to spend a lot when we eat out, and have tasty food as our primary objective. What follows is a compilation of recommendations that we've sent to friends over the last couple of years, as they've traveled to the east coast for weddings or to visit friends. Enjoy!
My favorite cafe, hands down, is Diesel, in Somerville (I like the Vietnamese coffee, which they make with French Roast instead of a slow drip, so it doesn't get you too wired). They also have pool tables and tons of seats. The only good thing about the Starbucks across the street is that they have a fireplace. A movie theater and the T stop are down the block.
In Harvard Square, here's a delisious, decadent hot chocolate shop. Darwin's Cafe is my second favorite cafe in the city -- free wireless, dominant sandwiches and a great place to watch the snow fall... but sometimes tough to get a seat. Dado Tea is also a good place to sit and hang out, and is right around the corner from the Harvard movie theater. Just make sure you don't get their bubble tea -- if you want that, head over to the Bubble Tea Stop. This Yoga Shop also has a nice, cozy setting for tea, and is halfway between Harvard and Central Squares, if you're feeling adventurous. The Harvard Book Store, as opposed to the school bookstore, the COOP, is the best bookstore in the city.
In Brookline, visit the Bookline Brooksmith and the movie theater across the street. The best sushi in Boston is right near Brookline -- at Genki Ya or Fugakyu. No spectacular cafes that I know of, but a good Jewish bakery is nearby (Brookline is now mixed Jewish and Chinese, for the most part). They might just have the best bagels in New England (though that isn't necessarily saying much). Also nearby is the Kennedy Library.
On Newbury Street, this bookstore/cafe is the best place to go to eat breakfast and watch the snow fall. It was even better when they allowed use of their outlets. This place, on the other end of Newbury St., has good espresso, too.
If you're in the mood for asian food other than sushi, this is our favorite little Chinese place (it's in a food court at an asian market, but it's cheap and delish -- you can also get Korean, Vietnamese, Thai and good bubble tea at the same place).
Near MIT is
The Helmand, widely regarded as one of the best Afghani restaurants anywhere (and also right near a movie theater).
NORTH END
* You can always just walk around too and find great restaurants all thoughout the area.
Terramia Ristorante
98 Salem St
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 523-3112
With only about a dozen tables, this popular Salem Street restaurant guarantees an intimate atmosphere, especially on weekends, when the place is packed and harried waiters struggle to recite the nightly specials over the noisy crowd. Still, gourmands and well-informed tourists put up with the prohibitive noise levels and cramped seating arrangements in order to enjoy some of the North End's most adventurous dining. With its soft lighting, stucco walls and beamed ceilings, the dining room sports a slightly rustic vibe.
Rabia's Restaurant
73 Salem St.
617) 227-6637
While the kitchen prepares all the expected favorites with great aplomb, it stands out for its inventive preparations of fresh fish.
Sage Restaurant
69 Prince St, Boston, MA 02113 · 617-248-8814
One of the North End's newest restaurants -- I remember hearing about the restaurants and it getting rave reviews.
Two Northern Ave.
Boston, MA 02210
DESSERT IN THE NORTH END
Mike's Pastry
300 Hanover St.
Modern Pastry
257 Hanover Street
Boston, MA 02113
Phone: 617-523-3783
SOUTH END
Via my buddy Bush,
Blunchin just opened a year ago - pretty amazing breakfast sandwiches.
Mike's City Diner
1714 Washington St. (@ W. Springfield St.)
Boston, MA 02118-3307
(617) 267-3307
Bursts at the seams with delicious breakfast dishes, from Belgian waffles (made from scratch) to thick French toast, cooked to a golden-brown perfection. Oversized omelettes, accompanied with a heaping helping of delicious Red Bliss home fries, arrive hot, oozing with cheddar. Corned beef hash, made fresh daily, is well-worth the wait.
Tremont 647
647 Tremont St, Boston, MA
Beautiful people and quirky, creative cuisine distinguish one of the South End's trendiest restaurants.
A Quick Tour Around Town
Start by heading to the South End for breakfast. If you find cheap
parking for the day, feel free to take it. If not, park at the meters
and park at the Boston Common lot in the middle of the park.
Either way, walk down Newbury St. and stroll around Boston Common. The
'real' Cheers is on Boston Common, and there's a cemetary and some
Revolution sites nearby to boot. Mostly, Boston Common is just a great
park. A block towards the river off of Newbury St. is a great
park-like area to walk. Ritzy brownstones.
Charles St. is also nice, with some good little coffee shops, if you
have the time, though I'd definitely say its third on that list.
Charles St. is in the Beacon Hill part of town, where John Kerry
lives.
Whether you start in the South End and walk to Boston Common or park
in Boston Common and walk away from the park to Newbury Street, you
should lunch in the North End.
If you've walked to the park, its a moderate/long hike to the north
end, worth doing if you're not too tired. Just get to see more of the
town. If you don't feel like walking, or if you are on the opposite
end of Newbury St., definitely take the T.