Summer is one of the most special times of the year in Cambridge. The city’s old New England charm accompanied by warm breezy coastal temperatures makes you want to linger and spend more time outdoors. The days stretch longer and the city’s neighborhoods come alive and come together in a way that’s hard to replicate any other time of year.
Luckily, Cambridge’s restaurant scene is built for exactly this kind of season. From rooftop decks with unbeatable skyline views, waterfront terraces right along the Charles, and uniquely lush garden patios tucked behind historic buildings, there is no shortage of beautiful places to pull up a chair and enjoy a meal outside. Here are some of our favorite spots to do just that.
Venues with a View
Cambridge’s rooftop scene has a foodie location that covers every mood. Felipe’s Taqueria serves up fresh Mexican fare and hand-squeezed margaritas from a rooftop bar overlooking Harvard Square. If you’re looking for a go-to lively, casual, and no reservations needed spot to enjoy a warm summer night with your friends, Felipe’s is your new favorite staple.
Still in the mood for Mexican, but looking to try something a little different? In Kendall Square, MEX Taqueria + Bar brings three levels of dining to life, including a crowd-favorite rooftop deck complete with a fire pit, fully stocked tequila bar, open-air terrace, and rotating playlist of “roof deck jams” to bring in all the summer vibes.
If you’re looking for a rooftop experience outside the realm of Mexican cuisine, Saigon Babylon, Central Square’s only rooftop restaurant offers a more elevated sit down dining option. This modern Vietnamese trendy dinner spot is known for serving up made-to-share small plates, creative craft cocktails, and even vegan-friendly options. Saigon Babylon offers customers a unique dining opportunity to both expand their palette with global flavors and enjoy some of the best sunset views in Cambridge.
Night on the Waterfront
East Cambridge’s stretch along the Charles is one of the most scenic places to eat in the city, and these three spots make the most of it. Scull and Keel at The Royal Sonesta Boston is a vibrant destination-style waterfront fish house celebrating fresh locally sourced seafood and handcrafted cocktails with outdoor dining overlooking the Charles. Come for the views, stay for the tasty bites and coastal Cambridge aesthetic. Also nestled within The Royal Sonesta Boston, Monteverdi offers an elegant Italian dining experience featuring an open air patio overlooking the Charles, with handmade pastas, fresh oysters, and beautiful river views to match.
For something more casual, CanalSide Food + Drink at CambridgeSide is a waterfront fast-casual food hall featuring a diverse sampling from local eateries, a full-service bar, and an outdoor patio right on the Lechmere Canal. A one-of-a-kind, choose-your-own-adventure dining experience overlooking the riverboats floating by.
The Secret Gardens of Cambridge
If an outdoor dining experience where you feel nestled in nature is calling your name, these outdoor spaces invite you to slow down in the lush, decorative gardens that Cambridge has tucked away around the city. In Inman Square, Oleana sets the standard with a flower-filled patio that feels like wandering into a private garden rather than a restaurant. The Eastern Mediterranean menu pairs perfectly with the setting, bringing bold flavors and seasonal small plates to a patio encompassed in nature.
In Porter Square, Season to Taste is an intimate dining experience that celebrates New England’s rotation of seasonal produce and highlights Southern and European influences, craft cocktails, and a string-lit patio right along Mass Ave.
Also In Porter Square, Giulia rounds things out with an intimate patio that feels like a well-kept secret among regulars. Pull up a seat, bring a friend, settle in with a glass of wine, and enjoy a meal worth slowing down for.
Tucked in Harvard Square, Harvest is an elevated fresh dining experience with highly desired seating on their Garden Terrace. Harvest’s Terrace is shaded by trees, lined with blooming flowers, and feels worlds away from the bustle of Brattle Street. Harvest is the perfect spot for year round al-fresco dining.
In the Heart of the Neighborhood
Cambridge is a city known for its individual neighborhoods, each offering their own lively and distinct character. These dining spots offer a front row seat to the neighborhood by neighborhood culture that makes Cambridge so special.
Kendall Square’s favorite all-day rotisserie cafe and bar, Shy Bird has earned its place as a neighborhood staple. Come for the perfectly seasoned rotisserie chicken, stay for the creative cocktails and good vibes spilling out onto the covered sidewalk patio.
A Porter Square go-to since 1996, Cambridge Common is the definition of a neighborhood spot done right. Think hearty comfort food, 30 rotating craft beers on tap, and a laid-back patio perfect for soaking up a long summer evening. Cambridge Common offers customers a cozy hangout that many neighborhood residents consider a beloved local hotspot, even including nightly live music in the Lizard Lounge!
Right in the heart of Harvard Square, The Hourly Oyster House is a classic neighborhood seafood spot that channels the Square’s vibrant past, blending its historic charm with a contemporary dining experience. Settle in for a meal on their lively outdoor patio with a rotating raw bar and fresh New England seafood.
Summer never lasts long enough, Cambridge will inspire you to make the most of it. Whether you’re raising a glass to a lively beat on a rooftop deck, admiring the river from a waterfront terrace, or settling into a candlelit garden patio, the city has a seat with your name on it. Pick a neighborhood, make a reservation, and soak in everything summer in Cambridge has to offer.
