Top 10 Outdoor Dining Spots in Cambridge
After enduring the worst winter on record, Cantabrigians are flocking to patios all over the city, hoping to melt away the icy memories of 108.6 inches of snow. And lucky for them, there is an abundance of terrific outdoor dining options around Cambridge where happy gourmands can enjoy these precious, and fleeting, summer days and nights.
Looking for the very best spots to feast al fresco? Let us be your patio guide.
Our extremely knowledgeable agents gave us the inside scoop on their top 10 favorite spots for eating outside in Cambridge. Here are their picks:
Patio Guide: Top 10 Outdoor Dining Spots in Cambridge
1. Harvest
Tucked away in the heart of Harvard Square, this Cambridge institution serves contemporary New England cuisine in a serene, romantic setting that is pure perfection. Boston Magazine writes, “Harvest’s enclosed outdoor dining area is one Cambridge’s best date spots, particularly on chilly nights when they light up the stone fireplace.”
Location: 44 Brattle Street (on the walkway just across the intersection of Church Street and Brattle Street), Cambridge, MA – 617-868-2255
“A perennial favorite, Harvest‘s elegant outdoor patio is the perfect setting for a delicious, upscale evening in Harvard Square. Designed in the 1960s by the team who created Design Research and brought Marimekko designs to Boston, Harvest still delights.” – Bri Grady, Cambridge Realtor
2. Daedalus
This fantastic two-story pub in Harvard Square is a busy spot that’s always bustling with a diverse and lively crowd. The first floor has a with a separate bar and dining area. The second floor also has a bar and a dimly-lit lounge. But the rooftop deck is the real star of the show. Sit under one of the many umbrellas, tuck into a pint of beer and a delicious sandwich, and take in the fantastic view over the rooftops of Harvard Square.
Location: 45.5 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, 617-349-0071
“Deadalus is around the corner from our Arrow Street office and offers the PERFECT roof-top dining for those warm sunny days. Their crab cake sandwich is quite delicious…almost like I’m dining waterside on Cape Cod yet I am in the middle of bustling Cambridge.” – Amy Borr, Marketing Coordinator
3. Gran Gusto
If sipping a glass of Barolo while enjoying a delicious wood-fired Neapolitan pizza sounds like an ideal way to spend a warm summer night, then Gran Gusto is your dream place. Located next to Danehy Park in North Cambridge, Boston Magazine writes, “this little gem of a trattoria turns out some of the city’s finest pizzas (it doesn’t hurt that the chef is a Neapolitan native). Non-pizza standouts include homemade scialatielli pasta with shrimp and radicchio, risotto with asparagus and gorgonzola, and branzino with potato and black olives.” Relax on their sweet little patio while enjoying the great ambience and authentic Italian cuisine.
Location: 90 Sherman St, Cambridge, MA, 617-441-0400
“Gran Gusto has the best calamari! Grilled, not fried!” – Susan Wayne, Cambridge Realtor
4. Oleana
Travel + Leisure writes, “This Mediterranean kitchen is helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Ana Sortun, who studied culinary arts in Paris before turning her attention to Middle Eastern cuisine. Turkish carpets hang on the walls of the dining room, which is outfitted with banquette seating, a working fireplace, and an open kitchen. The menu focuses on Middle Eastern dishes and locally sourced ingredients: Vermont lamb with Turkish spices, whipped feta with sweet and hot peppers, and wild salmon in grape leaves. Acclaimed pastry chef Maura Kilpatrick turns out elaborate sweets like Baked Alaska and milk chocolate tahini tarts.” The beautiful patio is a miniature oasis complete with an herb garden and a fig tree.
Location: 134 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA, 617-661-0505
“Oleana is in a class by itself – sumptuous food from famed Chef Ana Sortun in an enchanting, intimate hidden garden. Not to be missed…a romantic spot for a dinner with your sweetheart!” – Bri Grady, Cambridge Realtor
5. Naco Taco
This wonderful new edition to the Cambridge dining scene is from the culinary scenesters behind the Harvard Square hotspot Alden & Harlow. Though it looks a lot like an average West Coast taqueria, the food is anything but average. There’s beef tongue and lamb belly tacos, and terrific smoked carne asada torta. Grab a Negro Modelo and some killer tacos, find a spot on the 90-seat patio, and join the party.
Location: 297 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA, 617-945-1548
“Central’s newest sensation, Naco Taco, cranks up its urban feel with a kitchen parked in the corner patio’s food truck. Sip sangrias and sample salsas on this oft-overlooked stretch of Mass. Ave.” – Tara Spitzen, Cambridge Realtor
6. Alden & Harlow
Alden & Harlow is a celebrated dining destination that blends the rustic charm of a neighborhood eatery with the innovative spirit of contemporary American cuisine. Boasting a cozy and inviting atmosphere, the restaurant offers a menu that highlights locally sourced ingredients and creative culinary techniques. Led by Chef Michael Scelfo, Alden & Harlow is renowned for its inventive small plates and seasonal dishes that showcase the bounty of New England’s farms and waters. The menu evolves with the seasons, ensuring each visit offers a fresh and delightful dining experience. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability and quality is reflected not only in its food but also in its carefully curated selection of wines and craft cocktails.
Location: 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
7. The Red House
This elegant Harvard Square farm-to-table restaurant is located in a charming red clapboard house , built in 1802, which was used as a residence for almost 200 years. A sweet white picket fence surrounds their lovely outdoor dining area. Soak up the summer sun while feasting on oysters and sipping chilled white wine.
Location: 98 Winthrop St, Cambridge, MA, 617-576-0605
“Maybe I shouldn’t mention the 50 cent oysters before 6PM at Red House. If you do go, please save some for me.” – Tara Spitzen, Cambridge Realtor
8.Area Four
Area Four is renowned for its artisanal pizzas, crafted with a crispy yet chewy crust that’s the result of a unique fermentation process using a special blend of flours. Beyond pizza, the menu features a diverse array of seasonal dishes that highlight fresh, locally sourced ingredients. From small plates to hearty entrees, each dish is thoughtfully prepared to showcase bold flavors and culinary creativity.
The restaurant’s commitment to quality extends to its beverage offerings, which include a carefully curated selection of craft beers, wines, and specialty cocktails.
Location: 500 Technology Square Cambridge, MA 02139
9. Geppetto
Geppetto’s menu features a delightful selection of traditional Italian dishes prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. From classic pasta dishes like spaghetti carbonara and fettuccine alfredo to hearty meat and seafood entrees, each dish is crafted with care to showcase the rich flavors and culinary traditions of Italy.
Location: 100 N First Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
10. Mr. Bartley’s Gourmet Burgers
All the burger-lovers out there will agree that sometimes the very best dining experience can be gorging on a top notch burger. And there are few places that serve a better burger than this Harvard Square institution that’s been around since 1960. Time Out Magazine writes about this critic’s pick, “There’s barely room to move amid the memorabilia that clutters this Harvard Square institution, never mind the crush of diners scoffing thick, juicy burgers and even thicker frappes (New England–speak for milkshakes). But don’t let that stop you; the tight squeeze is all part of the fun at a joint that features 30 different burgers named after local and national celebs (Stephen Colbert, Kevin Love), all accompanied by kitschy comments (The Kim Kardashian/please make her go away).” Their outdoor eating area consists of just a few tables outside the Mass Ave eatery, but who needs elegance when you’ve got a great burger to enjoy.
Location: 1246 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 617-354-6559
“Mr Bartley’s has even won a National competition for their burgers. Truly the best around, and I’m a New Yorker, so I would know. :-)” – Susan Wayne, Cambridge Realtor
No matter where you live in Cambridge, there wonderful restaurants, shops, green spaces, and cultural offerings right around every corner, which is why Cambridge is one of the most livable and desirable cities in the country. Why not make this wonderful place your home?
Start out by exploring some of Cambridge’s fine homes for sale. Then connect with one of our Cambridge agents by visiting one of our Cambridge offices at 1693 Massachusetts Avenue and 19 Arrow Street, Harvard Square or calling 617-876-1414.