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Bagels, Coffee, and Brunch

How to start the day with the neighborhood’s tastiest baked goods and buzziest caffeine. Plus, a few sit-down brunch highlights.

Bagels

Best of Boston winner Bagelsaurus is just a mile away in Porter Square, but Harvard’s got a couple great options, too.

Black Sheep Bagel Cafe

A “maaa and paaa” (haaa!) café. Try fun flavors like a Cajun spice bagel with fresh jalapeño cream cheese, or dive into the sandwich-and-toast portion of the menu for multi-topping combos like avocado toast with lemon, Aleppo pepper, microgreens, and optional additions like lox or bacon. To drink, a chai latte or café con leche fits the bill.

56 John F Kennedy St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-945-2189, blacksheepbagelcafe.com.

PopUp Bagels

This self-described “not famous but known” bagel chain has its third Boston-area location here, offering fresh, hot bagels, with some rules—minimum three per order; no slicing, no sandwiches, no frills—and rotating cream cheese and butter specials. Kraft mac and cream cheese, anyone?

1440 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-945-1155, popupbagels.com.

See also: Where to Find the Best Bagels in Boston Right Now

Coffee

Walk past the national coffee chains to seek out these local options.

Asaro Bakery & Cafe

Start the day off strong with the loaded Jerusalem bagel platter (tuna salad, egg, hummus, salad) and chai latte on draft, or stay for lunch to enjoy a sandwich on the house challah. Crispy schnitzel, perhaps?

1629 Cambridge St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-395-3132, asarocafe.com.

Faro Café

Drink a flat white, play chess, and snack on pastries—some sourced from the absolutely delightful La Saison Bakery—at this greenery-filled, laptop-free nook. Watch Instagram for details on evening events—live music, poetry nights, chess tournaments, life drawing, and more. Suki Waterhouse is a fan.

5 Arrow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, instagram.com/faro__cafe.

George Howell Coffee & Wine Bar at Lovestruck Books

Harvard Square coffee O.G. George Howell is back in the neighborhood with a café (and wine bar) tucked inside a Best of Boston romance-oriented bookstore. The café is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with single-estate coffees, a red velvet cappuccino, and more, but if you’re hoping to browse the books, note that the shop itself doesn’t open until 10 a.m.

44 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-286-2346, lovestruckbooks.com.

Luxor Cafe

Baklava lattes, Turkish coffee, karak tea—we’re sold. Pastries like Dubai chocolate tiramisu and bigger meals like hawawshi (Egyptian meat-stuffed pita) seal the deal at this halal café and deli.

148 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-661-0904, orderluxorcafe.com.

Pavement Coffeehouse

Nine locations strong, this local chain has an outpost inside Harvard’s (open-to-the-public) Smith Campus Center. Swing by the counter for on-the-go bagel sandwiches, “chaider” (cider plus chai), seasonal lattes (such as cinnamon-fig), and more.

1350 Massachusetts Ave. (Smith Campus Center), Harvard Square, Cambridge, pavementcoffeehouse.com.

More Quick Breakfast Options

Sandwiches and such when you’re in a rush. (And be sure to check the Sweet Treats section below for doughnuts and other on-the-go baked goods.)

Felipe’s Taqueria

Breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, and more, available 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily. (Consult the Drinks section below for more info.)

21 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-354-9944, felipesboston.com.

Flour Bakery + Cafe

The local bakery-café chain is a great sweet-or-savory (or both!) breakfast option, with smoked salmon lox buns, seasonal pop-tarts, iconic sticky buns, and lots more.

114 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, flourbakery.com. 

Sally’s Sandwiches

The Blackbird Doughnuts crew brings us the ultimate breakfast sandwich (fried eggs, cheese, bacon, avocado, hash brown, spicy aioli), named for gone-but-not-forgotten South End restaurant sibling the Gallows; opens 8 a.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. weekends.

1350 Massachusetts Ave. (Smith Campus Center—open to the public), Harvard Square, Cambridge, blackbirddoughnuts.com.

Sit-Down Brunch Favorites

Find out more about each of these in the Sit-Down Meals section below.

Harvest

Seafood towers, crab melt Benedicts, and classic lobster rolls, available 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

44 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-868-2255, harvestcambridge.com.

Henrietta’s Table

Decadent all-you-can-eat locavore brunch, available 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

1 Bennett St. (Charles Hotel), Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-661-5005, henriettastable.com.

Painted Burro

All-you-can-eat brunch for $29, including various tacos, chorizo omelettes, and more, available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

32 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 857-259-6455, thepaintedburro.com.

Source

Cookie-dough-stuffed pancakes, build-your-own Belgian waffles, and hangover pizza, available 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

27 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 857-856-6800, sourcerestaurants.com.

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Casual Meals

Top counter-service lunch and dinner picks when you’re on the go.

Café Sushi Shoten

For omakase-worthy sushi gone casual, plus cool Japanese pantry items 

Sticklers might protest that this Best of Boston gem is technically between Harvard and Central squares (though closer to Harvard). But no one has any quibbles about the bold flavors in this bright and sleek sushi spot. Previously known for its outstanding omakase, it took a pandemic-era spin into a focus on takeout, delivery, and retail—but there’s still so much to love. (And there are a few seats available if you don’t want to take your order all the way home before digging in.) Chef Seizi Imura plays both deceptively simple (the pristine nigiri, for starters) to outright stylish with out-of-the-bento-box ingredients. Kingfish with ssamjang and iced onion, anyone?

1105 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard/Central squares, Cambridge, 617-492-0434, cafesushicambridge.com.

See also: Fall in Love All Over Again with Café Sushi

Clover

For locally sourced, vegetarian fast food

Born from a food truck near MIT back in 2008, this local chain now numbers 11 Boston-area restaurants. You’ll still find classics like the chickpea fritter (read: falafel) and rosemary fries on the menu, and other dishes—sandwiches, soups, bowls, etc.—showcase seasonal, local ingredients. Try a popover with the jam of the season.

1326 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge, cloverfoodlab.com.

Daily Provisions

For all-day casual dining—and a splash of orange cinnamon cold brew

Yeah, you’re gonna want a cruller (see Sweet Treats below), but this New York City export from hospitality superstar Danny Meyer (of Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack fame) also delivers memorable counter-service meals all day. Breakfast sandwiches, big salads, roast chicken dinners—take your pick.

1 Brattle Sq. Suite A1, Harvard Square, Cambridge, dailyprovisions.co. 

Joe’s Pizza

For top-notch slices

Another New York spot: Established in 1975 in Greenwich Village, Joe’s arrived in Harvard Square in fall 2023, and crowds have been buzzing since about the proper NYC slices, thin-crust and foldable, with classic, no-frills toppings like pepperoni and olives. Founder Joe Pozzuoli, who still operates the company, originally hails from Naples. He also spent time in Boston and opened Cleveland Circle icon Pino’s Pizza, which continues to churn out excellent slices today. (He was bought out by his partners years ago.)

3 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 857-259-6085, joespizzanyc.com.

Saloniki

For XL Greek club sandwiches and a fun take on spanakopita

Excuse us while we hoard jars of Saloniki’s Greek yogurt with lemon curd in our fridge—we can’t help but stock up on a few alongside our frequent orders of the local chain’s pork shoulder plates, laden with spicy feta, pickled slaw, and lemony secret sauce. This casual Greek concept comes from the team behind higher-end stunners Trade, Porto, and La Padrona, and their upscale experience comes through here in flavor-packed pitas, salads, and small plates like lamb meatballs and crispy feta puffs.

1350 Massachusetts Ave. (Smith Campus Center), Harvard Square, Cambridge, salonikigreek.com. 

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Sit-Down Meals

Our favorite full-service options.

Bar Enza

For Italian by a culinary icon

Culinary legend Lydia Shire came onboard in early 2025, bringing this Charles Hotel Italian restaurant into a new era. Think: A restaurant that happens to be in a hotel rather than a “hotel restaurant.” Start small (tuna tartare with taro chips and “dancing” bonito flakes; celery and celery root soup with roasted bacon bits) before dipping into the pastas (handmade paccheri with sausage carbonara; kamut spaghetti with Maine crab) and heartier entrees (crisp-skinned Chilean sea bass; turmeric-and-garlic brick chicken).

1 Bennett St. (Charles Hotel), Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-661-5050, bar-enza.com.

Bosso Ramen Tavern

For creative noodle bowls and seafood snacks

Since opening in 2022, this fish-focused Japanese izakaya has proven to be a popular dinner spot. Start with a smattering of small appetizers—namely the smoked salmon potato salad (trust us) and scallop carpaccio—before getting hooked on the sushi, especially the scallop roll brightened by yuzu. Vegans can savor the zippy umekyu sushi (a combo of pickled plum and cucumber). Do dive into the Best of Boston ramen, too—especially the house specialty (and aptly named) umami ramen. With a pork bone base buoyed by chicken broth, it’s a savory bowl, with wood ear mushroom along for the ride. (In Back Bay? Check out Bosso’s sushi-focused sibling.)

24 Holyoke St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, bossoramentavern.com.

Forage

For special-occasion locavore fare

Tucked away from the main square’s bustle, Forage is worth seeking out for an upscale showcase of local, seasonal sourcing and global inspiration. Think dishes like skate wing with goldenrod-roasted celery root and green lentils, or chili-rubbed strip steak with saffron-braised zucchini and leeks. À la carte dining is available, but if you can swing it, go all-in on a tasting menu (choose omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan), with optional wine pairings and a cheese course. (Also, watch for special dinner events showcasing particular ingredients and wines—you’ll want to sign up for the mailing list.)

5 Craigie Circle, Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-576-5444, foragecambridge.com.

Grendel’s Den

For killer early-bird deals and cozy pub vibes

This mainstay—it opened in 1971—caters in particular to early diners with half-price food from 5 p.m to 7:30 p.m. daily (fine print: dine-in only; $4 minimum beverage purchase required per person; no doggy bags). But we love soaking up the European-inspired pub ambience at all hours, dining on hearty sandwiches, spinach pie, brisket mac and cheese, and molten brownies.

89 Winthrop St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, grendelsden.com.

Harvest

For when your family comes to town

With a grand patio boasting a pergola, Harvest is about as picture-perfect as you can get. Factor in dishes like local raw fluke with chive-infused olive oil, and it’s no surprise that this local legend—which was famously Julia Child’s favorite Cambridge restaurant and emphasizes New England farmers and producers—has been delighting diners since 1975. Seared salmon with seasonal accoutrements (carrot-ginger mousse and hen of the wood mushrooms, perhaps) stands the test of time, though that’s not to say executive chef Nick Deutmeyer can’t get downright avant-garde in the garden. See what seasonal ingredients he and the team are showcasing as you pass the hours by the indoor or outdoor fireplaces.

44 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-868-2255, harvestcambridge.com.

Henrietta’s Table

For time-honored locavore fare 

First things first: As of fall 2023, the all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch buffet is back, hallelujah. With that out of the way: Before everything was dubbed “farm-to-table”—accurately, or with a little fudging—there was Henrietta’s Table, which has been sourcing organic produce from local purveyors for over 20 years. And speaking of fudge, do check out the chocolate bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream and caramelized rum bananas. From his skylight-flooded American restaurant within the Charles Hotel, chef Sean Lizotte dazzles daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast of poached eggs served over baked Harrington ham and anadama bread, or stop by for lunch for a BLT on challah. For dinner, savor seared sirloin from Maine’s Pineland Farm alongside fried cheddar and scallion mashed potato cake.

1 Bennett St. (Charles Hotel), Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-661-5005, henriettastable.com.

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

For silky, savory ramen for lunch or dinner

Founded in late-1980s Japan, this now-international chain features a mild shio (salt) ramen made with a tonkotsu broth, which has a slow-simmered pork bone base. The busy Harvard Square location—one of a trio locally—continues the tradition, offering the signature shio ramen with pork belly, bamboo shoots, kikurage mushroom, naruto, scallions, and umeboshi. There are a variety of other ramen options, too, not to mention rice bowls, bento boxes, and more—all good lunch options for a busy day.

1 Bow St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-945-1460, santouka-usa.com.

The Maharaja

For boozy mango lassi, hearty dishes, and a view

Crowning a window-wrapped building that overlooks the bustling square, the Maharaja proffers Indian fare in fit-for-royalty portions. The novel-length menu has something for everyone. Those craving comfort should look no further than the crowd-pleasing and creamy chicken korma. In the mood for tandoori? Savor the grilled jumbo shrimp that’s marinated in cream and served alongside paneer. Biryanis bring the heat, and vegetarians find a feast in the sham savera—spinach and cheese dumplings cooked in a buttery, tomato-forward sauce. Sop up the last bit of sauce with keema naan, which is stuffed with ground lamb, but save room for dessert, as the gajar halwa, a carrot pudding served warm and with a kick of warming spices, is the perfect cap to the meal.

57 John F. Kennedy St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-547-2757, maharajaboston.com.

See also: The Best Indian Restaurants in Boston

Moëca

For globally inspired seafood dishes you’ve never seen before

This is a bit of a hike down Mass. Ave., heading into that is-it-Harvard-or-is-it-Porter territory, but for the purposes of this guide, we’ll consider it close enough—and it’s a worthy destination even if you’re coming from farther away. It’s the younger sibling to Giulia (a few doors down, and maybe slightly more Porter than Harvard, but hey—definitely go there, too, if you love Italian and can get a reservation). You’ll find a creative array of seafood-focused dishes that don’t stick to a particular regional cuisine: raw black bass to start, perhaps, with yuzu, carrot, cilantro, and finger lime; followed by fried oyster with buttermilk, caviar, and chive; heading into a pasta course of spaghetti with Maine lobster, fermented chili, and shiso. It’s a whirlwind.

1 Shepard St., between Harvard and Porter squares, Cambridge, moecarestaurant.com.

Painted Burro

For all-you-can-eat tacos

We know: You’re still not over the Border Cafe closure at this address. But give this established local Mexican mini-chain a chance—perhaps on a Monday, when there’s an all-you-can-eat deal for $29. Tacos in varieties like Buffalo cauliflower, birria, or blackened mahi mahi will win you over, not to mention 10 flavors of margaritas.

32 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 857-259-6455, thepaintedburro.com.

Russell House Tavern

For comforting pub-but-fancier fare

This cozy, multi-story gastropub has been going strong for 15 years, serving up raw bar items and comforting fare like steak frites, Bolognese, pulled pork-topped pizzas, and cheese boards. Conveniently, it’s pretty much always open, offering weekday lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner until fairly late, plus dollar oysters at various hours each day. Its siblings in the neighborhood—Grafton Street Pub & Grill and the Hourly Oyster House—are also solid bets.

14 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-500-3055, russellhousecambridge.com.

The Smoke Shop BBQ

For whiskey galore, sticky wings, and well-fed kids

Restaurateur Andy Husbands’ local barbecue chain currently has six locations, including one in the heart of Harvard Square. Our recommended order: the sticky-sweet agave wings, which are smoked and flash fried; a brisket plate with your favorite barbecue sides; and butter cake for dessert. Bring the kids—Smoke Shop is very family-friendly. (The kids’ mac and cheese consistently gets a big thumbs up from at least one picky toddler of a Boston staffer.)

8 Holyoke St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-547-7427, thesmokeshopbbq.com.

Source

For delicious (and photogenic) pepperoni-loaded pizza

The true source of Source’s Best of Boston wood-fired pizza—besides the decades of know-how brought by owner Daniel Roughan and executive chef/partner Brian Kevorkian—is all thanks to one original batch of sourdough starter. That sourdough starter, named “Mother,” is so pampered she’s currently enjoying some R&R at an off-site facility, while her offspring, dubbed “Sister,” serves as the new starter for the daily-made dough. This family lineage results in a lighter-than-air crust that’s a soft and chewy landing for a host of toppings, from crisp-edged pepperoni to a boatload of veggies. Pie perfection, along with a handful of pastas, small plates (hello, miso chili caramel Brussels sprouts), and more, is dished out in the industrial-hip space, which opened in late 2020 (and has been visited by the mayor of Flavortown himself). As tempting as it may be to start your day with leftover cold pizza, roll over to weekend brunch for avocado-topped pizza-dough waffles and “wait, this is a pizza place?”-levels of delight stirred by French toast baba.

27 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 857-856-6800, sourcerestaurants.com.

Stoked Pizza Co.

For scorpion bowls and barbecue-sauced pizzas

Head just a bit down Mass. Ave., toward Harvard Law, to find yet another great Cambridge pizza option. We love the crumbled pepperoni best (add hot honey), and the cheeseburger pizza is also hugely popular. Not only does Stoked make killer pizza (with tons of vegetarian- and vegan-friendly options), but the hospitable team also offers a sneakily good selection of tropical cocktails. Sure, you can get takeout and delivery, but you’ll love sitting down for a full-service meal here.

1611 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square(ish), Cambridge, 617-945-0989, stokedpizzaco.com.

TooHot

For Sichuan omakase

The team behind Noah’s Kitchen in Brookline—beloved for its modern take on Sichuan cuisine—opened TooHot in 2025, to Harvard Square locals’ delight. Aside from the new spot’s exceptional Sichuan cuisine, it’s distinguished by omakase (Thursdays only, $118/person), showcasing the best of spicy, funky southwestern Chinese cuisine.

18 Eliot St. LG1, Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-945-1206, toohot.kitchen.

Toscano

For cheese flights and charcoal-grilled steaks

Hard to say what’s more welcoming at this homey spot: the brick walls and the warm wood surroundings, or the soul-boosting bowls of minestrone soup? Answer these and other existential questions with an avalanche of antipasti—especially the beef carpaccio studded with gem-like capers and parm slices, and the charred calamari served with a mustard sauce. The rest of the menu traipses through Tuscany, proffering pizzas, house-made pastas (with the rigatoni ramped up by double-smoked bacon), and cheese flights heightened by truffle honey. Plus, with four different riffs on risotto, you’ll definitely be booking a return trip.

52 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-354-5250, toscanoboston.com.

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Live Music

With good food, because this is a restaurant guide. 

Club Passim

For small bites and folksy sounds

Get cozy with your neighbors at this intimate, iconic venue that has been showcasing folk music in various iterations since the late 1950s. The food menu is as tiny as the space, but you’ll enjoy black bean burgers, burrata salad, shrimp-stuffed spring rolls, and more while soaking up the history and getting up close and personal with emerging and established artists. Maybe you’ll catch the next Joan Baez?

47 Palmer St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, passim.org.

Lou’s

For live Senegalese Afropop with a side of linguine and clams 

This spacious, genre-hopping newcomer—it opened in summer 2025—pays as much attention to its menu as its packed music calendar, bringing onboard acclaimed chef Jason Bond (of the now-closed Bondir). He’s serving comforting fare in the swanky digs, from baked mac and cheese (try it with bacon lardons) to roasted fish alla norma.

Lou’s, 13 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 857-706-1100, wearelous.com.

Regattabar

For world-class jazz

We can’t not include Regattabar: This many-time Best of Boston winner brings huge names in jazz to the Charles Hotel. But the truth is that the food menu is tiny—a meat board, a cheese board, a couple desserts, and not much else. Your best bet here is to book pre-show dinner at one of the Charles Hotel’s other spots, which you can find elsewhere in this guide: Bar Enza (Italian), Henrietta’s Table (farm-to-table), and Noir (cocktails and small bites).

1 Bennett St. (Charles Hotel), Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-661-5099, regattabarjazz.com.

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Drinks

From rooftop margaritas to classic tiki, we love these beverage-focused spots.

Felipe’s Taqueria

For Mexican breakfasts to late-night rooftop revelry

We spend the colder seasons dreaming about hot summer nights on the always-hopping Felipe’s roof deck, sipping frozen strawberry margaritas. But even when the roof’s closed for the season, this is a fun spot for a drink and casual Mexican. On showcase: steak and chicken grilled over a mix of hickory, maple, and oak.

21 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-354-9944, felipesboston.com.

George Howell Coffee & Wine Bar at Lovestruck Books

For sultry sips

You swung by in the morning for coffee; head back at night for wine, cheese, charcuterie, and desserts. The wine list is, like the bookstore, “female and romance-inspired”—and you can sip while you browse (or relax at a table). Try the strawberry amaro-based signature cocktail or a fortified wine if you’re feeling spicy, with a slice of Basque cheesecake to sweeten the evening.

44 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-286-2346, lovestruckbooks.com.

Noir

For French-ish drinks and warm chocolate cake

From classic cocktails that highlight the extensive spirits collection to newer concoctions (like the Cricket Club Cocktail, with gin, curry, grapefruit, and chickpea), this moody little hotel bar is a good place to start or end a night in Harvard Square. Pad your stomach with four-mushroom flatbread, lobster bisque, or house charcuterie.

1 Bennett St. (Charles Hotel), Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-661-8010, noir-bar.com.

Wusong Road

For expertly made mai tais and pupu platters 

Do you like tiki drinks? Wusong Road is the ultimate tiki destination, with a gorgeous, intricately decorated interior and concept that pays homage to owner Jason Doo’s childhood growing up in his family’s American Chinese restaurant in Malden. This is worth a full dinner stop, too: Accompany tasty drinks in fun glassware with a Vermont maple-infused riff on classic pork-and-chive dumplings; spareribs glazed with coconut and rum; cauliflower “kung pao”; scallion pancake quesadillas; and desserts such as Vietnamese coffee sundaes and Thai tea crème brûlée.

112 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-528-9125, wusongroad.com.

See also: The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Greater Boston

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Sweet Treats

We may never get over the closure of Finale Desserterie, but fortunately Harvard Square is crowded with ice cream shops and other sweet destinations.

Doughnuts

Local chains (and Best of Boston winners!) Union Square Donuts and Blackbird Doughnuts both have outposts in the neighborhood. Find Union Square at 15 JFK St. with flavors like brown butter hazelnut crunch, sea salt whiskey caramel, and maple bacon. Blackbird is inside the Smith Campus Center (open to the public at 1350 Mass. Ave.) with options such as blackberry jam Bismarcks, everything bagel brioche doughnuts, and a variety of mini doughnuts. For delightfully chewy mochi doughnuts, head to Dough Club (6 Church St.), which shares space with Taiyaki NYC—more on that one below. And for crullers with legions of fans, head to New York-based Daily Provisions (1 Brattle Sq. Suite A1), which opened its first Massachusetts location here in 2025.

Ice Cream

Options aplenty! There’s the aforementioned Taiyaki NYC (6 Church St.) with colorful swirls of soft serve in cute fish-shaped cones, and there’s another New York-based spot, Van Leeuwen (1 Brattle Sq.), with flavors like lemon poppyseed muffin, buttermilk berry cornbread, and Sicilian pistachio. Longtime local shops Lizzy’s Ice Cream (29 Church St.) and BerryLine (3 Arrow St.) hold down the fort with the former serving up a long list of classic scoops and the latter specializing in tart frozen yogurt (try the house-made mochi on top). And if you’re looking for decadent gelato? Amorino (50 JFK St.) offers gorgeous rose-shaped scoops of flavors like blood orange, mango, and stracciatella.

Other Treats

L.A. Burdick (52 Brattle St.) is the place for super-rich hot chocolate and dainty, ready-to-gift chocolate mice, not to mention other desserts. Beloved local bakery chain Flour has a Harvard Square outpost (114 Mt. Auburn St.) for your sticky bun needs (and plenty of other baked goods). And Nutella-topped Belgian waffles? Yeah, Harvard Square’s got those, too—head to Zinneken’s (1 Arrow St.)

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Late-Night Options

A cheat sheet to what’s open in the wee hours. (These hours are current as of this guide’s October 2025 update, but we recommend checking with a restaurant directly before heading over as late-night hours can change with little notice due to staffing, the season, etc.)

Charlie’s Kitchen

The double cheeseburger is the favorite at this neighborhood institution—plus: trivia, karaoke, and a seasonal beer garden. Open until midnight Monday through Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday (10 p.m. Sunday).

10 Eliot St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-492-9646, charlieskitchen.com.

El Jefe’s Taqueria

Loaded nachos, big quesadillas, churros. Open until 4 a.m. every night.

14 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-945-1986, eljefestaqueria.com.

Felipe’s Taqueria

See Drinks above. Tacos, frozen margaritas, and such. Open until 1 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

21 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-354-9944, felipesboston.com.

Joe’s Pizza

See Casual Meals above. NY-style slices. Open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

3 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 857-259-6085, joespizzanyc.com.

Madras Dosa Co.

Dosa (of course), plus uttapam tacos, canteen sandwiches, and more, with tons of vegetarian options. Open until 3 a.m. every night.

22 Eliot St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-714-5261, madrasdosaco.com.

Pinocchio’s Pizza & Subs

A decades-old student favorite for late-night Sicilian slices, subs, and baked ziti. Open until midnight Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday, or 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday when school is in session (September-May).

74 Winthrop St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-876-4897, pinocchiospizza.net.

Tasty Burger

Best of Boston local fast-food burgers and shakes. Open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

40 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-714-1590, tastyburger.com.