Places to Eat

A very biased list of recommended eateries in the area.

LUNCH

There are many dining choices in the area, though not all are open over the weekend. The following restaurants will be open and are within a ten minute walk of Stata. They are grouped into four general locations - refer to map provided above.

East

These are some of the closest choices.

Au Bon Pain ($)

Counter-service chain serving soup, sandwiches, and pastries.

Cosi ($)

Counter-service chain with flatbread sandwiches, pizzas, and salads.

Legal Seafood ($$$)

Sit-down New England seafood chain; their claim to fame is their clam chowder.

North

This plaza area hosts a number of tasty choices.

Cambridge Brewing Company ($$)

One of the oldest microbreweries in the country, CBC serves up contemporary American gastropub fare with a diverse and flavorful range of house beers. Brunch menu on Sundays, plus outdoor seating.

Tommy Doyle’s ($$)

Irish pub with outdoor seating right next to CBC. Typical pub fare.

Friendly Toast ($$)

Brunch-focused spot with an extensive American menu. A gazillion breakfast choices.

Blue Room ($$$)

Upscale spot open for brunch on Sunday for an extensive buffet. Reservations required.

Main St.

Walking up Main Street from Stata takes you by a variety of fine selections.

Quizno’s ($)

Popular national sandwich chain with toasted subs. Not open on Sunday.

Royal East ($$)

Popular Chinese spot focusing on Cantonese cuisine.

Bertucci’s ($$)

Eastern US chain serving Italian fare, with an emphasis on their brick oven pizzas.

Mass Ave.

Walking up Main St. all the way to Mass Ave. yields a whole new set of choices, such as:

Flour Bakery and Cafe ($), Mariposa Bakery ($), Cafe Luna ($)

Upscale sandwiches and bakery goods at these three local cafes.

Miracle of Science ($)

Popular MIT-area bar that also does a pretty good brunch.

Asgard ($$)

Irish pub that serves brunch.

Mary Chung ($)

Another popular Chinese food joint; does a basic dim sum menu on Sundays.

Desi Dhaba ($$)

Does an inexpensive Indian lunch buffet every day.

DINNER

Walking distance (up to 20 minutes) from MIT

Mulan ($$)

Authentic Taiwanese cuisine tucked steps away from the Stata Center.

Cambridge Brewing Company ($$)

One of the oldest microbreweries in the country, CBC serves up contemporary American gastropub fare with a diverse and flavorful range of house beers.

Similans ($$)

A comfortable Thai restaurant near the Cambridge Galleria mall. Substantial portion sizes.

The Helmand ($$$)

Delicious authentic Afghan cuisine and a fabulous wine list. Owned by a brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Reservations are necessary.

Flour/Mariposa/Cafe Luna ($)

Local bakeries and cafes serving inexpensive sandwiches and similar fare.

Craigie on Main ($$$$)

Chef Tony Maws is renowned for his preparations of every part of the animal - try the pig tails or the burger (considered one of the best in Boston - the secret is that they inject bone marrow in the meat).

Cuchi Cuchi ($$$)

A 1920s flapper-themed “International Tapas” restaurant, they have a delicious, shareable menu great for small groups and an extensive drink list taken straight from Prohibition-era underground favorites.

Harvard Square/Inman Square

Punjabi Dhaba ($)

A bustling counter-service restaurant that serves “roadside” Indian food on metal trays.

Ole ($$) / Olecito ($)

Mouth-watering Mexican food in New England? At Ole Grill, Yes! Added bonus: if you’re running low on per diem, go across the street to Olecito, their takeout burrito offshoot.

Crema Cafe ($)

Sandwiches, pastries, free wi-fi, but hard to find seating.

Algiers Coffee House ($$)

Algerian/Mediterranean food. Try the couscous with vegetables or their wide range of teas.

Henrietta’s Table ($$$)

Outstanding creative contemporary American cuisine with an emphasis on organic, locally sourced ingredients. From Sunday to Thursday, enjoy reasonable prix fixe pricing.

Finale ($$)

Desserts that will blow your mind. Great chocolate options.

Many More ($ - $$$$)

Harvard Square’s dining scene deserves exploration in its own right - you’ll find food to match every palate and budget clustered within a five block radius.

Boston

Island Hopper ($$)

Popular Malaysian spot (with influences from the entire southeast Asian diaspora), right across the Harvard Bridge (that’s the long bridge carrying Massachusetts Ave) from MIT.

Elephant Walk ($$$)

French-Cambodian fusion with a fantastic (and relatively affordable) prix fixe menu.

Petit Robert Bistro ($$)

Surprisingly affordable French cuisine.

L’Espalier ($$$$)

One of the priciest eateries in Boston, but with food to match. Their degustation menu showcases the chef’s talents.