Category: Eat & Drink

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Hungry? Work at Harvard? I do! A Guide to Lunching in Cambridge.

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A guide to the popular lunchtime spots of Cantabrigia; those I frequent, those I refuse to set foot in, and those I would probably die without.

Oxford Spa

102 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Admittedly, nobody likes paying $7 for a sandwich. Those people have also probably never been to Oxford Spa, where a $7 sandwich is worth a million bucks. Not to mention the fact that this place just has SPIRIT! Try the Thesis (mozz and tomats, yum!), or if you like a little meat, the Dissertation is the same thing, plus prosciutto.

Admittedly, nobody likes paying $7 for a sandwich. Those people have also probably never been to Oxford Spa, where a $7 sandwich is worth a million bucks. Not to mention the fact that this place just has SPIRIT! Try the Thesis (mozz and tomats, yum!), or if you like a little meat, the Dissertation is the same thing, plus prosciutto.

The Spa Spirit

Oxford Spa

Oxford Spa loves its exclamation marks!!!

Cambridge Common

1667 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138

Nothing better than this simple lunch spot…fresh pastas, tasty sandwiches and my favorite thing of all – curly fries! The best spot is their sidewalk smoke-free seating, but if you can’t get a spot, don’t despair – the A/C inside works just fine! Try the vegetarian pesto and mozzarella sandwich!

Nothing better than this simple lunch spot…fresh pastas, tasty sandwiches and my favorite thing of all – curly fries! The best spot is their sidewalk smoke-free seating, but if you can’t get a spot, don’t despair – the A/C inside works just fine! Try the vegetarian pesto and mozzarella sandwich!

Lee's Restaurant

61 Church Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Deliciously retro, deliciously greasy, deliciously perfect for lunch. Get a burger, or better yet, get wings. You will not regret it. Okay, you might, but your belly won’t.

Deliciously retro, deliciously greasy, deliciously perfect for lunch. Get a burger, or better yet, get wings. You will not regret it. Okay, you might, but your belly won’t.

Wagamama

57 Jfk Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

I have three words for you: yasai katsu curry. I first fell in love with Wagamama abroad, so when I moved here and discovered that there was not one, but two in the Boston area, I was in seventh heaven. The curry, the noodles, the long bench-style seating…what’s not to love, seriously?

I have three words for you: yasai katsu curry. I first fell in love with Wagamama abroad, so when I moved here and discovered that there was not one, but two in the Boston area, I was in seventh heaven. The curry, the noodles, the long bench-style seating…what’s not to love, seriously?

Wagamama delight!

Chilli Beef Ramen - Wagamama Filnders Lane

Oh noodly goodness!

Legal Sea Foods

20 University Road, Cambridge, MA 02138

So Legal is Legal – but this particular one has an awesome outdoor bar/paper plate seafood spot with a limited menu in a perfect people-watching spot. Plus, it’s at the Charles Hotel – gotta pee? Yeah, you totally get to use the fancy third-floor HSH bathrooms…awesome.

So Legal is Legal – but this particular one has an awesome outdoor bar/paper plate seafood spot with a limited menu in a perfect people-watching spot. Plus, it’s at the Charles Hotel – gotta pee? Yeah, you totally get to use the fancy third-floor HSH bathrooms…awesome.

Leos Place

35 Jfk Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Leo’s is grunge at its most awesome. While it’s totally a breakfast kind of diner, the lunch ain’t too bad either. Best part is, it’s the kind of place you expect to run into all sorts of unsavory characters, and yet, most of the patrons are typical Cantabrigians…looks like everyone knows how awesome Leo’s is.

Leo’s is grunge at its most awesome. While it’s totally a breakfast kind of diner, the lunch ain’t too bad either. Best part is, it’s the kind of place you expect to run into all sorts of unsavory characters, and yet, most of the patrons are typical Cantabrigians…looks like everyone knows how awesome Leo’s is.

Berry Line

3 Arrow Street Cambridge, MA 02138

Okay, so Berry Line is NOT for lunch…it’s for what comes after lunch – dessert! Tasty frozen yogurt comes in several flavors (plain is the best!) with lots of fresh toppings to choose from.

Wrapro Falafel & Grille

1670 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

I love Wrapro – tasty, cheap falafel, sweet sweet baklava, wonderful service…definitely ask for extra hummus on whatever you get – reason twofold: the hummus itself is incredible, and they um, like to skimp. I told you.

I love Wrapro – tasty, cheap falafel, sweet sweet baklava, wonderful service…definitely ask for extra hummus on whatever you get – reason twofold: the hummus itself is incredible, and they um, like to skimp. I told you.

Yeah, yeah, another chain. Yeah, Bertucci’s. I know, I know. Bertucci’s is totally lame. It’s also totally great on a work day when you only have an hour or so and want reliable service and affordable, decent food. Sue me.

Yeah, yeah, another chain. Yeah, Bertucci’s. I know, I know. Bertucci’s is totally lame. It’s also totally great on a work day when you only have an hour or so and want reliable service and affordable, decent food. Sue me.

Henrietta's Table

One Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

This is the fancy place Harvard undergrads take their visiting parents. Yeah, it’s expensive. Yeah, it’s tasty. And again – in the Charles Hotel. Love those bathrooms!

This is the fancy place Harvard undergrads take their visiting parents. Yeah, it’s expensive. Yeah, it’s tasty. And again – in the Charles Hotel. Love those bathrooms!

 

Chicken Seafood?

Charlie's Kitchen

Charlie’s Kitchen

Charlie's Kitchen

10 Eliot Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Charlie’s is the kind of kid that only a mother could love. Still, its retro feel and greasy waffle fries draw in a good crowd for lunch and dinner, and the beer garden…okay, maybe you don’t want to hit the beer garden up for lunch (unless your employer’s cool like that), but you definitely need to go at some point. We can hang, it’ll be great.

Charlie’s is the kind of kid that only a mother could love. Still, its retro feel and greasy waffle fries draw in a good crowd for lunch and dinner, and the beer garden…okay, maybe you don’t want to hit the beer garden up for lunch (unless your employer’s cool like that), but you definitely need to go at some point. We can hang, it’ll be great.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

1 Brattle Sq, Cambridge, MA 02138

So it’s a chain, so what? Although Beantown’s got a few good burritos (see link below), Chipotle actually ranks among the best. And as a lunch spot, it can’t be beat – $6 for a tasty, HUGE burrito? Um, I’ll take it!

So it’s a chain, so what? Although Beantown’s got a few good burritos (see link below), Chipotle actually ranks among the best. And as a lunch spot, it can’t be beat – $6 for a tasty, HUGE burrito? Um, I’ll take it!

Chipotle is not overrated!

front sign at chipotle in colorado springs

Chaineriffic!

Beantown Burritos

This guide (by none other than moi!) will send you to the top bean spots in Boston (and its environs)

Hi-Rise Bread Company

208 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Another $7+ sandwich place – but get over it, you’re making the folks at Stuff White People Like proud! Hi-Rise specializes in bread, sandwiches, tea…everything. They’re jacks of all trades. They’re magnificent. Go. Now.

Another $7+ sandwich place – but get over it, you’re making the folks at Stuff White People Like proud! Hi-Rise specializes in bread, sandwiches, tea…everything. They’re jacks of all trades. They’re magnificent. Go. Now.

Holla for Challah!

Check out the dough (and um, spend some dough) at Hi-Rise!

Cardullo's Gourmet Shoppe

6 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

While Cardullo’s is definitely more shoppe than sandwich spot, I wouldn’t hesitate to hop on over for a European-style sandwich of some sort. Bonus points since you can take your pick of all sorts of international candies for dessert!

While Cardullo’s is definitely more shoppe than sandwich spot, I wouldn’t hesitate to hop on over for a European-style sandwich of some sort. Bonus points since you can take your pick of all sorts of international candies for dessert!

Cardullo's, Cambridge

Cardullo’s, Cambridge

Tanjore

18 Eliot Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Hoooooooly tasty. Tanjore is my favorite Indian restaurant in the greater Boston area – their aloo naan is TO DIE FOR, and their service is quite fantastic. I literally get drunk off their food. Mmm.

Hoooooooly tasty. Tanjore is my favorite Indian restaurant in the greater Boston area – their aloo naan is TO DIE FOR, and their service is quite fantastic. I literally get drunk off their food. Mmm.

Finding your way to a Harvard-style lunch...

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