Guchi’s ramen is pictured at Pagu in Cambridge, MA on Nov. 29, 2018. — Guchi’s midnight ramen at Pagu.

Where to Eat and Drink in Cambridge’s Central Square

Ramen, dumplings, cocktails, arcade games

by Terrence Doyle and Karen Wilber Updated Feb 17, 2023, 2:02pm EST

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Guchi’s midnight ramen at Pagu.

| Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

by Terrence Doyle and Karen Wilber Updated Feb 17, 2023, 2:02pm EST

A diner could go out every night for a month and not begin to scratch the surface of all Central Square has to offer. Whether it’s Chinese or Japanese or vegan diner food you’re after, you can find it in this Cambridge neighborhood.

Narrowing Central Square’s drinking and dining scene down to just 14 must-try spots is perhaps a fool’s errand, but if you only have time for a brief exploration, start with these.

Pammy's

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It’s not quite Central Square proper — Pammy’s is on the increasingly busy stretch of Mass. Ave. between Central and Harvard — but it’s worth the extra bit of effort, as there’s a reason for all the local and non-local accolades Pammy’s has received. (Here at Eater Boston, it’s on our list of essential restaurants.) Pammy’s serves unpretentious Italian-inspired cuisine in a beautiful space. The must try dish is the lumache with Bolognese, which is given a kick from the unlikely addition of a Korean chile paste called gochujang.

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928 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 945-1761

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Diners sitting and standing inside a bustling dining room at Pammy’s. — Inside Pammy’s.

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The Plough and Stars

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The Plough and Stars has been open for more than 50 years; it helps form the bedrock of the Central Square drinking, dining, and music scene. Go for lunch Monday through Friday and get a burger and a beer for $10, or head in on Saturday or Sunday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a hearty brunch. They keep the calendar jam-packed with trivia on Mondays and live music the rest of the week.

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912 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 576-0032

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Brick & Mortar

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Great cocktails, check. Stunning copper bar, check. Sort of hidden entrance that gives off exclusive vibes, check. Brick & Mortar is doing the modern “speakeasy” thing without hitting patrons over the head with it.

567 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

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Specialty bar glassware: a horse head with a pony head cozying up to it. A frozen cocktail and neon bendy straws are coming up out of the top. The glassware sits on a curved wooden bar with a brick wall in the background. — Very special glassware at Brick & Mortar.

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Little Donkey

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Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette love opening tapas restaurants (see: Toro.) Little Donkey is no exception, although it stretches the definition of “tapas” away from its proper home in Spain and takes it all around the world. This Central Square eatery serves up everything from uni tostadas to ramen cacio e pepe to burgers with foie gras.

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4018, 505 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 945-1008

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Five Spices House

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Five Spices House offers spicy, tingly fare that counts among some of the best Chinese food in Boston. The Cambridge location is nestled right in the heart of Central Square, just steps away from the T. For some classic Sichuan dishes, try the mapo tofu and the double-cooked pork, which is first boiled and then fried.

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546 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 714-3339

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The Nu Do' Society

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Not too far from the heart of Central Square, Nu Do’ Society offers noodle lovers udon, egg noodles, rice noodles, and more in a casual order-at-the-counter space. There’s much to appreciate from friendly service to sizable portions to environmentally-conscious choices like a chopstick recycling bin.

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125 River St, Cambridge, MA 02139

(857) 829-3939

Si Cara

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Si Cara is the spot in Central for great pizza. The mushroom pizza is a must, with the ultra-fluffy Canotto-style crust as a base, creamy taleggio cheese, topped with a generous helping of expertly roasted mushrooms.

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425 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 945-7629

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A round pizza with puffy, blistered crust sits on a wooden table with dipping sauces and a beer and wine bottle on the left side. — Pizzas from Si Cara.

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Brookline Lunch

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In addition to being a staple in Central Square, Brookline Lunch is an excellent brunch stop and a go-to for when you didn’t make a reservation. The essential details: incredibly charming, cash only, and outstanding baklava pancakes with homemade rosewater syrup.

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9 Brookline St, Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 354-2983

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Veggie Galaxy

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This vegetarian diner serves a giant selection of diner classics, minus the meat, and its entirely vegan bakery churns out some of the tastiest cakes, pies, pastries, and treats in Greater Boston. The doughnuts, especially, are must-eats.

450 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 497-1513

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Blue Owl Rooftop Bar

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At many rooftop restaurants, the view ends up being the main draw, but the food at Blue Owl is just as much of a delight. Enjoy overlooking Central Square, grab a few cocktails, and order the parmesan rosemary fries to start, which come with plenty of dipping options: curry mayo, sambal aioli, and ketchup, of course.

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907 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 349-2968

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La Fabrica Central

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This Caribbean-inspired restaurant is the spot for Brazilian music, bachata, and all kinds of plantain dishes. Try the shrimp mofongo, which is mashed green plantains with shrimp in a Creole or coconut Creole sauce.

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450 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

(857) 706-1125

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Chef Giovanna Huyke’s Caribbean octopus escabeche salad with tostones at La Fabrica Central in Central Square, Tuesday, April 18, 2017. — A Caribbean octopus escabeche salad from La Fabrica Central.

Mae Asian Eatery

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Right outside Central Square, Chef Yuri Asawasittikit’s serves up Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese dishes inspired by her mother’s recipes, and you can taste the care in every bite. Try the khao soi and you’ll never have to choose between curry and noodles again.

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781 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 354-3388

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Mae’s House Rice is pictured at Mae Asian Eatery in Cambridge, MA on Jan. 5, 2019. — Mae’s house fried rice.

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Pagu

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Tracy Chang’s food at Pagu is inspired by two great world cuisines: Japanese and Spanish. The inspiration comes to life in the spicy mushroom knife-cut noodles, which are cooked with both (Japanese) tamari and (Spanish) fino sherry.

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310 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 945-9290

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A4cade

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Booze and grilled cheese sandwiches from Roxy’s and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game? Uh, yes, please. A4cade is great for a date night — or a night on which you want to challenge all of your friends to a game of Hoop Fever.