Lisa’s Guidebook

Lisa
Lisa’s Guidebook

My favorite local restaurants in Cambidge

If you'd like any other recommendations, please ask!
Extremely popular, delicious organic vegetarian restaurant. If you eat there, sit downstairs in the basement to check out the mural and atmosphere. This is also a good place to get work done if you don’t mind some background noise. In nice weather, a popular option is to order food to go and take it across the street to sit on the grass in front of Cambridge City Hall. You’ll see many people doing this when the weather is nice.
240 当地人推荐
Life Alive Organic Cafe
765 Massachusetts Ave
240 当地人推荐
Extremely popular, delicious organic vegetarian restaurant. If you eat there, sit downstairs in the basement to check out the mural and atmosphere. This is also a good place to get work done if you don’t mind some background noise. In nice weather, a popular option is to order food to go and take it across the street to sit on the grass in front of Cambridge City Hall. You’ll see many people doing this when the weather is nice.
Known for arguably the best dumplings, especially soup dumplings, in the Boston area. Gets very crowded and somewhat noisy at peak times on Friday and Saturday evenings. The food other than dumplings is good too.
46 当地人推荐
Dumpling House
950 Massachusetts Ave
46 当地人推荐
Known for arguably the best dumplings, especially soup dumplings, in the Boston area. Gets very crowded and somewhat noisy at peak times on Friday and Saturday evenings. The food other than dumplings is good too.
Easily the best baked goods, cookies, and cakes in Boston. The sandwiches are equally delicious, and so is the coffee and other drinks. Extremely popular. Started by Harvard graduate Joanne Chang, who has won a James Beard Award baking award, among others. Everything is delicious. There are two additional Flour locations in Cambridge that are only slightly further (.9 mi) from my home, in Cambridgeport and on the other side of Central Square, as well as locations in the Back Bay and Seaport District in Boston.
180 当地人推荐
Flour Bakery
1595 Washington St
180 当地人推荐
Easily the best baked goods, cookies, and cakes in Boston. The sandwiches are equally delicious, and so is the coffee and other drinks. Extremely popular. Started by Harvard graduate Joanne Chang, who has won a James Beard Award baking award, among others. Everything is delicious. There are two additional Flour locations in Cambridge that are only slightly further (.9 mi) from my home, in Cambridgeport and on the other side of Central Square, as well as locations in the Back Bay and Seaport District in Boston.
Just gut renovated and reopened in Sep. 2018, this is a beautiful modern, environmentally friendly space (check out the moss walls) that is a central meeting spot for Harvard students and faculty, and is open to the public, with a number of delicious fast casual food and beverage options and plenty of seating. All of the food and coffee vendors were selected because they have other local locations that are extremely popular. This is also a great place to do work and to people-watch, and occasionally catch a public performance or lecture.
Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center
1350 Massachusetts Ave
Just gut renovated and reopened in Sep. 2018, this is a beautiful modern, environmentally friendly space (check out the moss walls) that is a central meeting spot for Harvard students and faculty, and is open to the public, with a number of delicious fast casual food and beverage options and plenty of seating. All of the food and coffee vendors were selected because they have other local locations that are extremely popular. This is also a great place to do work and to people-watch, and occasionally catch a public performance or lecture.
Great, quick sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches and very good coffee, as well delicious baked goods. This is a popular meeting and working spot.
53 当地人推荐
Darwin's Ltd - Cambridge St.
1629 Cambridge St
53 当地人推荐
Great, quick sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches and very good coffee, as well delicious baked goods. This is a popular meeting and working spot.
Very large selection of delicious teas (including bubble tea), as well as healthy sandwiches and other Asian-themed dishes. The seating area in the back of the café can be a good place to work.
9 当地人推荐
Dado Tea
955 Massachusetts Ave
9 当地人推荐
Very large selection of delicious teas (including bubble tea), as well as healthy sandwiches and other Asian-themed dishes. The seating area in the back of the café can be a good place to work.
Famous for its delicious chocolate, especially its hot chocolate. People often say it’s the best hot chocolate they’ve ever had.
64 当地人推荐
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates
52 Brattle St
64 当地人推荐
Famous for its delicious chocolate, especially its hot chocolate. People often say it’s the best hot chocolate they’ve ever had.
Boston is not known for its Mexican food, so keep that in mind – I’m not saying this is outstanding compared to what you get in the West Coast or south – but by our standards, this is an extremely popular Mexican fast-casual place that also has cocktails. It’s very popular with Harvard students and professionals, and is quick and the best bang-for-your-buck that you’ll get in Cambridge in terms of quantity and quality of food. It’s also open very late.
47 当地人推荐
Felipe's Taqueria
21 Brattle St
47 当地人推荐
Boston is not known for its Mexican food, so keep that in mind – I’m not saying this is outstanding compared to what you get in the West Coast or south – but by our standards, this is an extremely popular Mexican fast-casual place that also has cocktails. It’s very popular with Harvard students and professionals, and is quick and the best bang-for-your-buck that you’ll get in Cambridge in terms of quantity and quality of food. It’s also open very late.
Pricey, but fabulous. One of the best restaurants and bars in the Boston area. I strongly recommend making a reservation if possible, though it is usually possible to sit at the bar without a reservation and order from the regular menu. Cocktails are unique and delicious. If you don’t go for a full meal, I recommend ordering the donuts for dessert, if you like good donuts – they are made to order and amazing.
12 当地人推荐
Waypoint
1030 Massachusetts Ave
12 当地人推荐
Pricey, but fabulous. One of the best restaurants and bars in the Boston area. I strongly recommend making a reservation if possible, though it is usually possible to sit at the bar without a reservation and order from the regular menu. Cocktails are unique and delicious. If you don’t go for a full meal, I recommend ordering the donuts for dessert, if you like good donuts – they are made to order and amazing.

Things to do in Cambridge

Things to do in Cambridge, without crossing the river to Boston. These are all within about one mile of my apartment, and most are much closer.
Official Harvard Tour: The official Harvard tour, led by a current student, is free and departs from the Harvard Information Center inside the Smith Campus Center. The tour lasts for approximately one hour. Tours generally depart every hour, but please check the current calendar, which you can access by googling “official Harvard tour” and then clicking on calendar. In lieu of a live tour, there is also a free, self-guided official audio tour of Harvard that you can find by googling “Harvard audio tour.”
Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center
1350 Massachusetts Ave
Official Harvard Tour: The official Harvard tour, led by a current student, is free and departs from the Harvard Information Center inside the Smith Campus Center. The tour lasts for approximately one hour. Tours generally depart every hour, but please check the current calendar, which you can access by googling “official Harvard tour” and then clicking on calendar. In lieu of a live tour, there is also a free, self-guided official audio tour of Harvard that you can find by googling “Harvard audio tour.”
The Harvard Art Museum is not the size of the Museum of Fine Arts or Gardner Museum in Boston (both of which are amazing), but has a very impressive collection, is housed in a gorgeous, recently gut-renovated building, and is large enough that you undoubtedly will be unable to see the whole thing in one visit. There is also currently (through July 28) a special exhibit called The Bauhaus and Harvard that is quite good and showcases the University’s Bauhaus collection, which is the largest in the world outside of Germany.
205 当地人推荐
哈佛艺术博物馆
32 Quincy St
205 当地人推荐
The Harvard Art Museum is not the size of the Museum of Fine Arts or Gardner Museum in Boston (both of which are amazing), but has a very impressive collection, is housed in a gorgeous, recently gut-renovated building, and is large enough that you undoubtedly will be unable to see the whole thing in one visit. There is also currently (through July 28) a special exhibit called The Bauhaus and Harvard that is quite good and showcases the University’s Bauhaus collection, which is the largest in the world outside of Germany.
Harvard-run theater led by Diane Paulus (Tony-winning director who has sent multiple shows that she originated at the A.R.T. to Broadway). I frequently go to plays here, and the quality is always outstanding. Ticket prices are quite affordable including $25 tickets to every show (if not sold out), and it is a small venue so there are no bad seats. Sometimes you can also get last minute standing-room tickets for $20 if you aren’t able to snag a ticket otherwise. Ask me and I can give you more tips on how to do this.
65 当地人推荐
A.R.T. - American Repertory Theater
64 Brattle St
65 当地人推荐
Harvard-run theater led by Diane Paulus (Tony-winning director who has sent multiple shows that she originated at the A.R.T. to Broadway). I frequently go to plays here, and the quality is always outstanding. Ticket prices are quite affordable including $25 tickets to every show (if not sold out), and it is a small venue so there are no bad seats. Sometimes you can also get last minute standing-room tickets for $20 if you aren’t able to snag a ticket otherwise. Ask me and I can give you more tips on how to do this.
This is also a pretty good restaurant, but it’s mainly known for having great live music acts.
69 当地人推荐
The Sinclair
52 Church St
69 当地人推荐
This is also a pretty good restaurant, but it’s mainly known for having great live music acts.
Visitors who are not prospective students are allowed to join student-led, free MIT campus tours if space permits. Contact the MIT Admissions office or stop by at approximately 10:30 am or 3:00 pm to check on availability (though please check the website, as these times are subject to change). Alternatively, there is also a free audio tour complete with maps and text that you can access by googling MIT audio tour.
MIT Admissions Welcome Center
292 Main St
Visitors who are not prospective students are allowed to join student-led, free MIT campus tours if space permits. Contact the MIT Admissions office or stop by at approximately 10:30 am or 3:00 pm to check on availability (though please check the website, as these times are subject to change). Alternatively, there is also a free audio tour complete with maps and text that you can access by googling MIT audio tour.
Rent a canoe, kayak, or standup paddleboard and get some exercise while taking in beautiful views of Boston and Cambridge. Extremely popular in the summer. Reopens for the season on 5/4/19. Counterintuitively, go to the Boston location to be closer to views of Cambridge/Harvard, and to the Cambridge location to be closer to views of downtown Boston.
33 当地人推荐
Charles River Canoe & Kayak : Allston Brighton
1071 Soldiers Field Rd
33 当地人推荐
Rent a canoe, kayak, or standup paddleboard and get some exercise while taking in beautiful views of Boston and Cambridge. Extremely popular in the summer. Reopens for the season on 5/4/19. Counterintuitively, go to the Boston location to be closer to views of Cambridge/Harvard, and to the Cambridge location to be closer to views of downtown Boston.

My top recommendations for Boston

There are countless options in Boston - here are a few of my top recommendations!
The Freedom Trail is a historic 2.5-mile famous walking tour of Boston that takes you by many of the historic museums, churches, meeting houses, burial grounds, etc., while also giving you a chance to tour areas of Boston that are busy and beautiful today. You can, of course, choose to do any portion of it. There is a self-guided tour that I have heard good things about, as well as guided tours that people tend to really enjoy. Here’s an additional hint: the Freedom Trail takes you to the State House, and I also recommend you go inside it and look around on the second and third floors: it’s gorgeous and unique. It is easy to get to the Freedom Trail by taking the Red Line T (subway) to Park Street (though tours start from other locations in Boston as well).
470 当地人推荐
自由之路
139 Tremont St
470 当地人推荐
The Freedom Trail is a historic 2.5-mile famous walking tour of Boston that takes you by many of the historic museums, churches, meeting houses, burial grounds, etc., while also giving you a chance to tour areas of Boston that are busy and beautiful today. You can, of course, choose to do any portion of it. There is a self-guided tour that I have heard good things about, as well as guided tours that people tend to really enjoy. Here’s an additional hint: the Freedom Trail takes you to the State House, and I also recommend you go inside it and look around on the second and third floors: it’s gorgeous and unique. It is easy to get to the Freedom Trail by taking the Red Line T (subway) to Park Street (though tours start from other locations in Boston as well).
gorgeous spot for a walk and/or shopping
647 当地人推荐
纽伯里街
Newbury Street
647 当地人推荐
gorgeous spot for a walk and/or shopping
The North End - historic Italian neighborhood, great for a walk, and pick up something at Modern Pastry
Prince Street
Prince Street
The North End - historic Italian neighborhood, great for a walk, and pick up something at Modern Pastry
Near the North End, an indoor marketplace with many local vendors, next door to the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (that’s JFK’s mom) Greenway that was a highway and is now a park.
70 当地人推荐
波士顿公共市场
100 Hanover St
70 当地人推荐
Near the North End, an indoor marketplace with many local vendors, next door to the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (that’s JFK’s mom) Greenway that was a highway and is now a park.
Catch a game!
815 当地人推荐
芬威球场
4 Jersey St
815 当地人推荐
Catch a game!
Incredible museum with huge and diverse collections.
1042 当地人推荐
波士顿美术馆
465 Huntington Ave
1042 当地人推荐
Incredible museum with huge and diverse collections.
Another one of Boston's gems with a world renowned collection. It was subject to the largest art heist in American history, which has made it even more famous.
500 当地人推荐
伊莎贝拉嘉纳艺术博物馆
25 Evans Way
500 当地人推荐
Another one of Boston's gems with a world renowned collection. It was subject to the largest art heist in American history, which has made it even more famous.
Always free on Thursdays from 5-9 pm
299 当地人推荐
波士顿当代艺术学院
25 Harbor Shore Dr
299 当地人推荐
Always free on Thursdays from 5-9 pm
Another gorgeous walk, right near the Freedom Trail, State House, and Boston Common, and within slightly further walking distance of Newbury St.
125 当地人推荐
灯塔山
125 当地人推荐
Another gorgeous walk, right near the Freedom Trail, State House, and Boston Common, and within slightly further walking distance of Newbury St.
440 当地人推荐
波士顿公共花园
440 当地人推荐
129 当地人推荐
肯尼迪总统博物馆暨图书馆
Columbia Point
129 当地人推荐