The "Lunch in Harvard Square" Blog - Restaurant Reviews

Since starting to work in the Square in mid-August, I'm trying to eat lunch at a new restaurant every day until I can't find any more. Here's my list of the Top Ten Lunch Restaurants in Harvard Square (Food Only). Got a suggestion on a new lunch spot for me? New Restaurants to Try in Harvard Square.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Top Ten Food Restaurants in Harvard Square

I get asked this every time I mention my blog to people: "what's your favorite?" So, I've taken a crack at it, in this case working only off of the food quality - ignoring price, atmosphere, etc.

(Note I'm writing this without having been to absolutely EVERY restaurant in the Square - but I'm pretty confident about the top ones regardless.)

Top Ten Restaurants in Harvard Square, By Food Quality:

1) Upstairs on the Square (downstairs). Exceptional ingredients, creativity in selection, all foods prepared perfectly. Savory, sweet, everything in between - "practically perfect in every way."

2) Cardullo's. Universal appeal from everyone who ate there: The food is outstanding. Somehow they make a 'normal' sandwich something special.

3. Veggie Planet. This is a real find, stuck in a basement where you wouldn't expect it. Great food, all vegeterian, usually served as a pizza.

4. Felipe's. I love burritos, and nobody does them better than Felipe's. Great value, super fast service, high quality food, and you get to watch them make it to your specifications.

5. Bartley's Burger Cottage. Ever have a perfect burger? The kind you try to make on the grill, but don't get quite right? It's got a bit of a crust on the outside - but not too much - and it's cooked just enough inside so the flavor just rushes into your mouth? This is the place.

6. Tamarind Bay. Finally, an Indian restaurant with creative, interesting, and delicious food! Not enough options in the buffet, but what's there is excellent.

7. Le's Vietnamese Restaurant (formerly Pho Pasteur) . Wonderful food, sure to satisfy, wide variety.

8. Cafe Pamplona. This is a real find - authentic Spanish food prepared well. Simple menu, but what they make, they do well.

9. Finale. Surprisingly tasty sandwiches (from a dessert place).

10. Charlie's Kitchen. It's all about matching expectations - if you're looking for an outstanding greasy burger, you can't do better than Charlie's.

9 Comments:

Blogger Oberon said...

.......if you're bored.....i've got a dish for you.

2:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You should also check out Z Square Cambridge. It's a new spot on 14 JFK Street. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can eat upstairs in the cafe, or downstairs in the dining room.

12:16 PM  
Blogger SquareLunchGuy said...

Z Square is on my list. Have you tried it? Are the menus different up and downstairs? Recommendations on the menu?
thanks
SquareLunchGuy

1:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love the blog, SponegBob SquareGuy.

I recommend Bombay Club. Their lunch buffet is delicious and inexpensive. After you've excited your tastebuds with tandoori chicken and curried potatoes etc., you can bring things to a sweet close with a bowl of their to-die-for rice pudding.

1:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You can't have a serious Harvard Square lunch list without Felipe's! It singlehandedly powers our entire office!

For starters, try:

Grande chicken burrito w/
refried beans
rice
lettuce
sour cream
salsa
cilantro/onion
roasted corn
hot sauce

You won't go back to Boloco for a long, long time.

12:15 PM  
Blogger SquareLunchGuy said...

Don't worry, I like Felipe's a lot - see my post on them.

I just like Boloco more.

SquareLunchGuy

12:52 PM  
Blogger SquareLunchGuy said...

Oh, and George, you can see my post on Bombay Club as well - I like it for the overall experience, but I like the food at Tamarind Bay more - more interesting, unusual dishes, I thought.

12:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Could you be persuaded to cross-post your reviews to Yelp? It would be cool to get them out where more people would see them...

http://www.yelp.com/?location=Boston

5:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why is there no love here for Flat Patties?

9:47 AM  

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