Harvard Square (the area around the convergence of Massachusetts Avenue and Brattle, Mount Auburn, and John F. Kennedy Streets) is a commercial center for Harvard students, Cambridge residents, and tourists. Photo by Chynna Benson (CGS’18, COM’20)

Things-to-do

Getting to Know Your Neighborhood: Harvard Square

Museums, great eateries, unique stores, and of course, Harvard Yard make this a must-visit destination

According to historian Charles Sullivan, an area that includes the present-day Harvard Square was founded in 1630 as the Puritan village of Newtowne, which in 1638 would become Cambridge. Many of the original streets still exist, including parts of Church, Story, Eliot, Arrow, and Mount Auburn streets. And a few early 18th-century wood-frame houses on Winthrop, Dunster, and South streets remain, as well.

The name Harvard Square did not become popular until the middle of the 19th century. Today the square (the area around the convergence of Massachusetts Avenue and Brattle, Mount Auburn, and John F. Kennedy streets) is a commercial center for Harvard students, Cambridge residents, and tourists. It’s no surprise, given the disposable income passing through, that regional and national chains have moved in—yet the square retains many long-standing locally owned and operated businesses.

Below are some jumping-off points for exploring the square—destinations that lead to other destinations.

Bar Enza
One Bennett St.

One of Harvard Square’s go-to spots for delicious Italian cuisine, Bar Enza, which opened inside the Charles HOne of Harvard Square’s go-to spots for delicious Italian cuisine, Bar Enza, opened in the Charles Hotel in 2021. The spot is a carb-lover’s dream, and its menu highlights include handmade pastas like paccheri “Carbonara” and Alber’s Tagliolini with veal Bolognese, alongside Miso black cod and Nebraska prime sirloin strip steak. Open for dinner only, it’s run by James Beard Award–winning chef Lydia Shire.

Henrietta’s Table
One Bennett St.

Also in the Charles Hotel is Henrietta’s Table, which led the vanguard in farm-to-table dining in Harvard Square. The menu includes seasonal dishes using ingredients sourced from local farms and artisans—think duck egg skillet, New England mussels, and Pineland sirloin with truffle fries. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and supper daily, along with its beloved weekend brunch, featuring comfort classics like chocolate bread pudding and a fall dessert sampler. Whether dining indoors or on the spacious seasonal patio, guests come from all over the Boston area for the “fresh and honest” cooking.

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
One Bow St.

This Japanese ramen chain first opened in New England in 2015 and has earned a devoted following. The signature dish is shio ramen, a mild and creamy soup flavored with salt and topped with pickled plum. Another favorite is the spicy miso ramen, with broth featuring three kinds of chili peppers. There are eight ramens to choose from—including a vegetarian option–each delicious. Students with the Santouka app receive a free size-up, two free ajitama, one free appetizer, and a 20 percent discount each time they visit, if they have a valid college ID.

The Attic
1218 Massachusetts Ave.

The Attic feels like a well-kept secret in Harvard Square. The light pink and powder blue walls are adorned with vintage artwork and hanging bags. Hats and accessories rest neatly on wall-mounted shelves, while a pink couch and wooden furnishings make the space feel like stepping into your grandmother’s living room. Racks are filled The Attic feels like a well-kept secret. The light pink and powder blue walls are adorned with vintage artwork and hanging accessories. Hats and bags rest neatly on wall-mounted shelves, while a white couch and wooden furnishings make the space feel like stepping into your grandmother’s living room. Racks are filled with a carefully curated mix of clothing: cozy sweaters, unique pants, and an array of jackets. Students get a 15 percent discount for students on Mondays. Check out the $5, $7, $10 offerings in the blue-walled room, as well. Follow the Attic on Instagram for updates on new arrivals and store highlights.

Hong Kong
1238 Massachusetts Ave.

From its modest beginnings in 1954, this Chinese restaurant has become a Harvard Square fixture, with a restaurant, a lounge, and the area’s largest dance floor, spread over three floors. The menu is no-frills, but you’ll find the biggest scorpion bowl in town: a mix of nine alcohols (mostly rums) and juices made with a secret family recipe. With exotic drinks like that, who needs food? That said, you’ll find plenty of entrées to choose from, all kinds of appetizers, Chinese traditional dishes, and desserts. Follow their Instagram to stay up to date on special events, like Top Chef watch parties and mahjong game nights.

Mr. Bartley’s Gourmet Burgers
1246 Massachusetts Ave.

Americans love two things: burgers and snark. At Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage, a Harvard Square institution since 1960, diners can have both: every seven-ounce burger comes with a free side of sarcasm. The restaurant has been hailed in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal as one of the best burger joints in the country. Some menu items are a nod to current events: there’s the Great Inflation (a beef burger with arugula, tomato, blue cheese dressing topped with bacon bits) and ChatGP-Cheese (beef burger with garlic and herb cheese spread, grilled onions, and mushrooms). For an authentic Mr. Bartley’s experience, add an extra-thick frappe or malt—but only if you wear your stretch pants.

Harvard Book Store
1256 Massachusetts Ave.

In 1932, Mark S. Kramer borrowed $300 from his parents to open a small store for used books. Today, the store is still independent: Mark’s son, Frank, sold it in 2008 to longtime customers Jeff Mayersohn and Linda Seamonson, who have expanded it to 100,000 new and used titles. Their award-winning author event series presents readings, signings, and lectures by established and emerging authors. True bibliophiles will want to check out the store’s updated Frequent-Buyer Program: the more you buy, the more you save. Be sure to stop by the downstairs section that is filled with used books sold at a discounted price. The store also has a weekly email newsletter featuring author events, new arrivals, and sales, so you won’t miss anything.

Kome Sushi & Bowl
1350 Massachusetts Ave

Tucked inside Harvard’s Smith Campus Center, Kome Sushi & Bowl offers quick service and a budget-friendly menu of maki, nigiri, and hearty rice bowls. Build a meal from combos like the Kome Signature Tasting (featuring crunchy and phoenix rolls, and tuna and salmon nigiri) , or go with one of their rice bowls like Gyudon (beef), or Unadon (grilled eel). There are plenty of veggie options (miso soup, edamame, vegan rolls) plus a dedicated gluten-free menu—including rolls and spicy maki sets with GF soy sauce.

Harvard Coop
1400 Massachusetts Ave.

Founded in 1882 by a group of Harvard students, the Harvard Coop (pronounced like coupe, not co-op) is one of the country’s largest bookstores. Now run in partnership with Barnes & Noble College, the multilevel, multibuilding retailer sells textbooks, school supplies, and dorm necessities, as well as Harvard merchandise. Tables and lounges on every floor offer a welcoming space for anyone looking for a place to enjoy some reading. The membership fee is only $1 per year, just as it was back in 1882. But membership is selective: only students, faculty, alumni, and employees of Harvard, MIT, and affiliated hospitals of Harvard Medical School can join. Members receive an instant 10 percent discount on all purchases.

Grolier Poetry Bookshop
6 Plympton St.

Tucked into a sliver of Plympton Street and resembling a small hallway closet is Grolier, the oldest continuously operated poetry bookshop in America. Established in 1927, this nook of a bookstore now stocks over 15,000 volumes of trade, small press, and university publications devoted to poetry, prosody, and poetry markets. It also offers regular author readings and book signings. T. S. Eliot, Allen Ginsberg, Marianne Moore, and e.e. cummings are among the legendary writers who have visited Grolier, and their black-and-white portraits gaze down from above the shop’s many shelves. You can also place delivery orders over the phone.

Club Passim
47 Palmer St.

Before she became a poster child for the antiwar movement in the 1960s, Joan Baez gave her first concert at a small Cambridge music venue called Club 47. Now, more than half a century later, Club 47—now Club Passim—remains a cornerstone of local and legendary folk music. Noted performers—like Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan, Tom Rush, Judy Collins, Shawn Colvin, and Joni Mitchell—made some of their first public appearances here. Recent performers include Joshua Davis, Rose Cousins, Jeffery Foucault, and Joe K. Walsh. The club’s intimate setting invites interaction between the audience and the artists. All tickets include a $3 processing fee and a $2 preservation fee, but the processing fee is waived if you purchase in person at the box office. The venue also offers membership tiers, including a free student membership that grants access to ticket presales, free concert live streams, and many other benefits. It’s a great way to support the local folk scene, so check out all the perks here.

Rodney’s Bookstore
23 Church St.

After the 2020 closure of its beloved Central Square location and grand reopening in 2023 in Harvard Square, Rodney’s Bookstore is back in the swing of things. The place for curious readers and collectors, Rodney’s Bookstore sells used and rare books in all genres. Its small interior makes you feel engulfed in literature in the best way possible. Beyond the literary treasures you may find here, they also sell posters and art. If you need to make space on your own bookshelf for new additions, Rodney’s also buys used books.

SOURCE Restaurants
27 Church St.

This trendy, upscale gastro pub is known for its high-end take on a classic dish: pizza. You’re encouraged to eat it with…gasp…a knife and fork! SOURCE serves up delicious pies, such as the SOURCE Margherita—with Maplebrook Farm mozzarella, roasted tomato, and basil—and Mama Parmah—featuring panko-crusted chicken, creamy tomato sauce, and goat horn peppers. You’ll also find an excellent selection of cocktails, including their own sangria and espresso, and an assortment of entrées, pasta dishes, small plates, and delicious desserts. It’s open for lunch and dinner and serves a weekend brunch featuring French toast and a variety of egg dishes in addition to pasta and pizza. On Mondays, they have a special three-course dinner for only $29 per person.

The Sinclair
52 Church St.

This live music venue, opened in 2012, has helped revive Harvard Square’s nightlife scene. Aldous Harding, G Flip, and Agalloch are among the numerous acts that have appeared. The space can hold 500, but it has an intimate feel. Best of all, there isn’t a bad view of the stage from anywhere (the balconies have the best vantage point). Purchase no-fee tickets in person at the box office on Fridays from noon to 6 pm or during any show night; see a schedule of upcoming shows here.

Cambridge Artists Cooperative
59A Church St.

Established in 1988, the Cambridge Artists Cooperative is the area’s only year-round, artist-owned-and-managed crafts cooperative. With work from more than 100 domestic artists, this 2,000-square-foot gallery has contemporary handmade crafts, paintings, pottery, photography, jewelry, clothing, and sculptures. New work is displayed every month. Online shopping is also available.

Wholesome Fresh
60 Church St.

Wholesome Fresh is like a mini upscale grocery store in the middle of all the Harvard Square action. It also sells deli sandwiches and fresh self-serve options that steer clear of artificial ingredients. Stop in to grab a bite to eat or place a pickup order online.

Fjällräven
63 Church St.

This Swedish-based retailer specializes in outdoor gear and is particularly popular for its backpacks, which can be seen all over Boston. Many backpacks, along with the company’s jackets, pants, and other outdoor equipment, are made with its signature “G-1000” hard-wearing and waxed fabric—engineered to be durable and breathable, good for both mountain climbing and a stroll down Comm Ave. Though Fjällräven’s products are on the more expensive side, they’re popular for their high quality and lifetime warranty. Students receive a 15 percent discount with a valid ID.

Bosso Ramen Tavern
24 Holyoke St.

Ramen places are popping up all over the Boston area, but few can top this one. Bosso Ramen Tavern opened its doors in March 2022, drawing an immediate crowd of devoted patrons. The rotating, ocean-inspired menu offers several delicious rice bowl and sushi options—and they are best known for their ramen dishes. The umami ramen is particularly flavorful and comes with flavored egg and kikurage, a type of mushroom. Umami means “essence of deliciousness” in Japanese, and this dish fully lives up to that description. Whether you choose to go for lunch or dinner, it never disappoints.

Black Sheep Bagel Cafe
56 John F. Kennedy St.

This mom-and-pop café, open for takeout, has a fun and fresh spin on traditional bagels—or as they call them, “baaagels.” The bagels are made in-house with creative pairings. Try the The Favorite (served with a hard-boiled egg, avocado, tomato, and chipotle aioli) or the Lox 2.0, an upgrade of the classic lox bagel with scallion cream cheese, cucumbers, lemon, and microgreens.

Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe 
6 Brattle St.

Walking into Cardullo’s feels like stepping back in time to an era when specialty shops like this were at the heart of every neighborhood. The walls are jam-packed with shelves of imported pastas, olive oils, and other pantry staples, while the deli counter hums with activity, offering freshly made sandwiches and an array of fine cheeses and charcuterie. In between, you’ll find artisanal chocolates, gift baskets, craft beers, and a thoughtfully curated selection of wines and spirits. The shop has been a Harvard Square staple since 1950, and continues to balance old-world charm with a global, ever-evolving selection.

Felipe’s Taqueria
21 Brattle St.

Hands down, Felipe’s is Harvard Square’s best destination for Mexican food. Their tacos are a must-try, made with fresh corn tortillas, chopped onions, and a generous topping of guacamolillo. You pick the meat and toppings. If you’re stopping by in the morning, try their huevos rancheros—two over-easy eggs with chorizo, refried beans, corn tortillas, salsa ranchera, avocado, and queso fresco. The festive environment is one of a kind and only improves as the late-night crowd rolls in. Felipe’s is famous for its fresh key lime margaritas, and there’s a rooftop bar that’s open during warm-weather months. The taqueria serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Felipe’s website sums up their dining experience in three words: “fresh, fast, and friendly.” Trust us—you can take them at their word.

Bob Slate Stationers
30 Brattle St.

This store is a must for anyone who appreciates quality stationery, fine pens, office products, diaries, calendars, and a wonderful selection of gift and holiday cards and wrapping paper. The knowledgeable staff has been serving Boston-area residents since 1930 and can provide help with everything from selecting the perfect fountain pen to finding the right kind of personalized stationery.

Brattle Theatre
40 Brattle St.

Fans of the silver screen have been catching flicks at the Brattle since 1953, when Bryant Haliday and Cyrus Harvey, Jr., premiered the German film Der Hauptmann von Köpenick. Showing classic, independent, foreign, and art-house films, this nonprofit theater—one of a vanishing breed—is best known for its eclectic and repertory format. Housed in a barnlike meeting hall, it is one of the few remaining movie theaters to use rear projection—the projector is behind the screen rather than behind the audience—which reduces shadows on the screen and can give better contrast and saturation. The nonprofit Brattle Film Foundation has operated the Brattle Theatre since 2001, continuing its tradition of showcasing classic, independent, foreign, and art-house films.

Alden and Harlow
40 Brattle St.

When chef Michael Scelfo opened Alden & Harlow in 2014, he wanted to serve “honest American food, bold and flavor-forward in taste.” And he does, with dishes like grilled swordfish with cream Sudbury corn, farm potatoes, and charred pickles, and braised beef with a grilled carrot and miso puree, fish sauce caramel, and sesame cucumbers. There’s also a weekend brunch featuring dishes like classic sourdough pancakes, with honey-roasted blueberries, vanilla syrup, and lemony ricotta; farm vegetable shakshouka with roasted farm vegetables, poached eggs, and feta; and a milk bread monte cristo layered with smoked pork loin, Comté cheese, miso-maple dijonaise, and roasted strawberry jam. If you have room for dessert, try their rice pudding brulée that’s served with caramelized pistachio butter and dark chocolate. 

Lovestruck Bookstore and Cafe
44 Brattle St.

Calling all romance lovers to Boston’s one-of-a-kind romance literary destination. Opened in 2024 and voted best bookstore by Boston Magazine, Lovestruck is the place “where every reader belongs and every love story matters.” No matter your favorite trope—second chance, enemies-to-lovers, slow burn—Lovestruck has an array of options to satisfy your romance cravings. They also carry other best-sellers that aren’t necessarily labeled under the romance genre. If you find your next read, there’s also a cafe. Check their website for the number of community and author events they host.

L. A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates
52 Brattle St.

When the Aztecs drank chocolate thousands of years ago, this “drink of the gods” was so rare and sacred that only the richest could afford it. At L.A. Burdick, “richest” is a culinary reference: a mug of hot chocolate here beats that watery instant stuff any day. The secret? It’s made from chocolate—and only chocolate—hand-shaved and warmed in milk. L.A. Burdick also sells a wide selection of chocolate confectionery. Of special note are its whimsical chocolate mice and penguins, beloved by L.A. Burdick patrons for more than 29 years and individually handcrafted in 12 steps over three days.

Brattle Square Florist
52 Brattle St.

This eye-catching local flower shop, opened in 1901, is famous for providing the freshest flowers and stellar customer service. The knowledgeable staff will help you put together the perfect bouquet or arrangement or select the perfect houseplant. The shop offers delivery to Cambridge, Boston, and many other nearby areas. It’s open daily (except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).

American Repertory Theater
64 Brattle St.

Founded in 1980, the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) has garnered many of the nation’s most distinguished awards: a Tony Award for best regional theater, a Jujamcyn Theaters Award, and the National Theatre Conference’s Outstanding Achievement Award. Housed in the Loeb Drama Center, the A.R.T. has seen a number of its productions transfer to Broadway, among them All the Way, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Pippin, The Glass Menagerie, Waitress, and Life of Pi. The company has staged dozens of American and world premieres. In late 2026, A.R.T. is slated to relocate to the David E. and Stacey L. Goel Center for Creativity & Performance at 175 N. Harvard St. in Allston, near Harvard’s athletics facilities, business school, and science complex. Accessible by foot, bike, public transit, and car, the new venue will feature two performance spaces, studios, a public lobby, and an outdoor event yard, with performances beginning there in early 2027. A.R.T. will continue producing at the Loeb Drama Center until the move.

Longfellow House—Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
105 Brattle St.

Rich in history, this landmark building was the home of one of America’s most renowned 19th-century poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Prior to that, the house was George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War siege of Boston (July 1775 to April 1776). Today, the museum is administered by the National Park Service and houses a collection of 19th-century documentary material and papers belonging to the Longfellow family, as well as clothing, fine arts, tools, and toys. The house, which sits on just under two acres, has a carriage barn and a pergola and is surrounded by lush lawns and formal gardens. Join the likes of Charles Dickens and Ralph Waldo Emerson as one of many visitors to the house. The site is closed Tuesday through Thursday, but virtual visits are available.

The Garage
36 John F. Kennedy St.

Follow the smell of pizza, subs, and Vietnamese food, and you’ll end up at the Garage, definitely one of Harvard Square’s oddities. This multistory mini shopping mall—a neighborhood landmark for more than 50 years—is in fact a converted parking garage, with even its original car ramp preserved. It houses an eclectic variety of eateries and shops, notably Newbury Comics, with one of the region’s largest collections of new-wave and alternative music. The building also hosts the New England School of English and the Commonwealth Wine School, adding an educational touch to its lively mix of tenants.

Amorino
50 John F. Kennedy St.

This Parisian-based gelato maker specializes in shaping different gelato flavors into a multicolored rose, usually complemented by a macaron placed in the center. We dare you to find a more presentable dessert anywhere in the Boston area. It’s hard not to find your new favorite flavor: tiramisu, salted butter caramel, or an organic chocolate sorbet for the vegans and lactose-intolerant. Amorino also serves milkshakes, waffles, granita, and sorbet drinks.

Grafton Street Pub & Grill
559 John F. Kennedy St.

Opened in 1996, Grafton Street has been the neighborhood go-to spot for the past 30 years. Named after the famous cobblestone street in Dublin, this place is equal parts Irish pub and contemporary American restaurant. Their menu includes pub classics like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie alongside an impressive list of draft beers and cocktails. Stop by Friday or Saturday night to catch some live music.

Peet’s Coffee
100 Mt. Auburn St.

This cozy cafe, part of the Peet’s Coffee chain, is a popular spot for students and locals alike to unwind with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, crafted espresso drinks, or herbal teas. With ample seating and a laid-back atmosphere, Peet’s is perfect for catching up on reading, studying, or meeting with friends. The outdoor seating overlooks Winthrop Square, offering a pleasant spot to enjoy menu highlights like raisin bran muffins and iced lemon ginger scones, with a cup of coffee brewed with freshly roasted beans.

Grendel’s Den
89 Winthrop St.

The sign outside this enduring dyed-in-the-wool Harvard Square watering hole announces that it was established in 1271. It’s a typo, and should have read 1971. But the owners kept the sign because Grendel’s Den is named after the antagonist from Beowulf, and the medieval date evokes the epic poem’s period. The bar circumvents the state’s no-happy-hour mandate by offering half-price food between 5 and 7:30 pm daily. The justice system okayed such defiance: Grendel’s famously fought a 1982 legal battle over its liquor license all the way to the US Supreme Court and won—separation of church and state was at the heart of it, believe it or not. That’s worth celebrating with a sandwich and microbrew—or two.

The Sea Hag
49 Mt. Auburn St.

Stop by this coastal-inspired restaurant and bar. The Sea Hag’s menu features iconic “from the sea” dishes like New England clam chowder, fish and chips, and lemon butter haddock. On a warmer day, get one of their Snack Bar Sea Hags, a menu of French fries, onion rings, and smash burgers, and eat outside in their cute backyard area. Whether it’s for lunch, dinner, a quick bite, or a late-night snack, the Sea Hag aims to be a fun gathering spot for any occasion.

Harvard Yard

The “Yahd” defines one side of the square. Lined by Harvard’s freshman dorms, it’s the epitome of a New England college campus: red brick buildings under a canopy of hardwood trees, ablaze in color each fall. Presiding over the Yard is a statue of 17th-century English clergyman John Harvard, the college’s first benefactor. The sculpture is often called the “statue of three lies”: the inscription reads “John Harvard, Founder, 1638,” but the university was founded in 1636, Harvard was not the founder (although his library and fortune helped sustain the school through its early years), and no one knows what the actual John Harvard looked like. Sculptor Daniel Chester French (best known for the Lincoln Memorial) had a student model for the statue in 1884. When you look at the statue, note how brightly polished one shoe is. Tour guides say that it’s good luck to rub Harvard’s left foot. Nearby is Harvard’s main library, the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library, with 57 miles of bookshelves and more than three million volumes, including one of the world’s few existing copies of the Gutenberg Bible.

Harvard Museum of Natural History
26 Oxford St.

A trip to the Harvard Museum of Natural History is an evolutionary experience. Visit prehistoric creatures, such as fossil invertebrates, reptiles, and the world’s only mounted Kronosaurus. Wander through a garden of more than 3,000 handcrafted glass flowers or admire a 1,600-pound amethyst geode. The museum is open daily and offers student discounts to non-Harvard students.

Harvard Art Museums
32 Quincy St.

Among the things Harvard University is renowned for are its three art museums—the Fogg (Western art from the Middle Ages to the present), the Busch-Reisinger (works from northern and central Europe, with an emphasis on German-speaking countries), and the Sackler (Asian, ancient Mediterranean and Byzantine, Islamic, and Indian art). In a project that took six years to complete at a reported cost of $250 million, all three were united under one roof for the first time in 2014 as the Harvard Art Museums. The facility, designed by noted architect Renzo Piano, is an expansion of the original 1927 Fogg Museum building. The museums house more than 250,000 works of art and are home to four separate research centers. The renovation incorporated galleries to feature special exhibitions. The best part? Thanks to a contribution from the estate of David Rockefeller and support from the Office of the President of Harvard University, the Harvard Art Museums are free for all visitors.

Getting there: By subway: take the Green Line inbound to Park Street, then the Red Line outbound toward Alewife, and get off at Harvard Square. By foot: walk across the BU Bridge into Cambridge, turn left onto the pedestrian walkways along Memorial Drive, and then turn right onto John F. Kennedy Street, and you’ll tumble into the square. The two-mile trip (one way) is also an easy bike ride.

Click on the points in the map above for more information on the places listed in our guide to the Harvard Square area.

This article was updated on October 15, 2026.

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