If someone tells you to meet them in “the Square”, chances they are taking about Harvard Square. Although somewhat transformed by the national chains in recent years, Harvard Square is still home to many small, independently run business. In the warmer months, Harvard Square is host to many street performers, artists and musicians. The influence of Harvard University is obvious and the crowds of students grow and shrink with its semester breaks.

Neighborhood Listings

Neighborhood Restaurants

Charlie’s Kitchen
Bartley’s Burger Cottage
Henrietta’s Table

Neighborhood Hotels

Hotel Veritas
Charles Hotel
The Inn at Harvard

Neighborhood Attractions

Leavitt & Pierce
Harvard Book Store
Brattle Theater
Club Passim

Central Square is a rapidly changing neighborhood. Once known as one of the edgier areas of Cambridge, it still maintains a certain gritty character. However, it is slowly being transformed by a burgeoning upscale restaurant and bar scene, biotech and technology start-up offices, and live music and theater venues. Some lament the gentrification of the area, while other embrace it’s new shiner face.

Neighborhood Listings

Neighborhood Restaurants

Rendezvous
The Tavern in the Square
Cuchi Cuchi
Plough & Stars

Neighborhood Attractions

The Middle East
ImprovBoston

Inman Square is fighting the good fight against the Starbukization of Cambridge. Small independently run businesses are the norm in this bohemian neighborhood on the edge of Somerville. The area is becoming well known for its mixture of high-end and casual restaurants. Its yet to be seen how the planned 2014 extension of the Green Line will affect the now T-less neighborhood.

Neighborhood Listings

Neighborhood Restaurants

East Coast Grill
Druid
Trina’s Starlite Lounge

Neighborhood Attractions

20th Century Provenance
Inman Oasis
Ryles Jazz Club

Just across the Charles River from Mass General Hospital and right next to MIT, Kendall Square is the home of many pharmaceutical and high-tech companies including Genzyme and Akamai. MIT, Cambridge’s single largest tax payer, has been developing the area for high-tech tenants.

Neighborhood Listings

Neighborhood Attractions

Kendall Square Community Ice Skating – Strap on those skates for a few laps around the rink! Skate rentals, snacks and lessons are available.
MIT Press Bookstore – Open to both the MIT community and the public at large, this is the retail presence of the nonprofit scholarly publishing program of MIT.
MIT Strata Center – Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Stata Center houses the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and a lot of brain power.

Neighborhood Restaurants

Fuji at Kendall – A recent addition to the burgeoning Kendall Square restaurant scene, Fuji serves innovative sushi and Japanese fare in a sleek, modern setting.
The Friendly Toast
Tommy Doyle’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Cambridge Brewing Company

Neighborhood Hotels

Boston Marriott Cambridge
Cambridge Residence Inn
Kendall Hotel