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    Bambara - Cambridge

    3.6 (376 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM - 1:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    Bambara - Cambridge Photos

    BAMBARA - CAMBRIDGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    By Chef Adam Resnick!
    Court N.

    Bambara has a special place in our hearts because it is where we gathered after our wedding in May. We have been here many times from dinner to brunch to happ hour local dollar oysters (everyday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.) and every time the service is amazing and the food is out of this world - curated, seasonal, and delicious! Big shout out to Jasmin the Manager and the amazing server Yvessse - such genuine care, and the awareness where they are available with a glance but not in the way of conversation or privacy. True hospitality. (And shout out to Chanel, oir amazing server from the evening!) The brunch menu is unique and seasonal, I ordered the French Toast with pumpkin custard and it was sweet and delicious! I've never had french toast with pumpkin custard and candied walnuts, now I will in the future! Yum. Chai latte is less sweet than expected but traditional and warm, latte is flavorful. The evening before I had the scallops and I've never had a seasonally fall scallops dish, it was just the right amount of of squash with little pepitas to perfectly pair with a nicely pan seared dish of scallops with risotto. My partner also thinks that the Caesar Salad here is one of the best he has had, especially because of the homemade croutons. If you are a guest at The Marlowe, and want to make sure you try clam chowder in Boston, the chowder here is good, it is creamy but not too thick. 2 cups. Fresh. My partner also said the homemade fusilli pasta dish was delicious, and I had a bite and I agree. Thank you so much to the Bambara team. A nice surprise as I was finishing my meal occurred when a team member named Jessica came by just to say it was so nice to see me back again and we talked about the last time I was here. Just an all around fabulous place, with a beautiful view and calming upscale environment, welcoming intimate dinners, family brunches, and everything in between.

    Ariana M.

    We went to Bambara for breakfast on Thanksgiving day and it did not disappoint! My favorite thing were the breakfast potatoes. They were the optimal level of crispy. We also went back to the restaurant for drinks during our final night and they were perfection! I loved the staff at the restaurant, they were all very kind. I was also able to access the oat milk to make my own latte using the complimentary hotel that they offered me at the hotel. The environment was super chic and I definitely enjoyed being there!

    Smoked St. Louis Ribs
    Saerom K.

    This is my second time visiting Bambara. I took my parents, a brother and a cousin. I ordered same dishes from 1st time and everyone enjoyed all the dishes except for calamari. It was bit too salty. We ordered two dozen $1 oysters(happy hour 5-7). They were small but so good, we ended up ordering four more dozens, 72 oysters all together. We ordered clam chowder, beet salad, ribs, calamari, scallops, oysters and a bottle of wine, Austin Hope. I forgot to get our waitress's name but she was exceptional. Welcoming, bright and went beyond to serve our table. Atmosphere is very pleasant and comfortable. I will definitely visit again and highly recommend Bambara.

    Menu
    Siarhei Z.

    The restaurant has so much potential -- the service was warm, attentive, and honestly close to flawless. Our server worked with genuine care, and that deserves recognition. But the kitchen details held the experience back. Oysters should be a luxury, not a bite with tiny shell fragments. Eggs Benedict should arrive hot, rich, and runny -- not on the edge of hard-boiled. The potatoes? They looked and tasted like they had just come out of a microwave, not a chef's pan. These may sound like small things, but together they chip away at the magic. Service is a strong 5-, but the food execution drags the overall feel down to a 3+. With a bit more attention to presentation and precision, this place could easily climb into true 5-star territory.

    Alcohol Menu
    Gajtana S.

    My first time staying at a Kimpton property; the Bambara is connected to the Kimpton Marlowe. For the $30 hotel daily amenity fee, you have a $10 credit at Bambara, among other cool perks. We had dinner and breakfast at Bambara. The burger and fries is $28 and the lobster roll is $44. The two egg breakfast with bread and home fries is $19. Coffee and tea are $4 each. Tres leches is $12. The prices are on the high side with moderate portions,but so are most restaurants these days. Service was very good at dinner- warm friendly and efficient. At breakfast, there was no place to put the tea bag which would have been helpful, but service was otherwise fine and the breakfast was very good. The dinner was also overwhelmingly very good. The hamburger was juicy and the Caesar salad side (upgraded at no charge) was good with homemade honey dressing I asked for, which was excellent. My mother, a lobster expert at this point, had the lobster on hot buttered roll. She found it over buttered and said the butter overwhelmed the lobster, which was a small portion. Her homemade coleslaw and thick cut fries, which I tried, were excellent. The tres leches was different than the three milk drenched wonders I have had. This one had pieces of pineapple on top and was on the dry side. They have $1 oysters at happy hour from 5-7 p.m. which were small but very good. It was overall a very good (4 star) experience and I know Bambara has the potential for five stars.

    Dollar oysters
    Alice Z.

    Dollar oysters here are so worth during happy hour!! Also got drinks but they were nothing crazy. Located in a hotel, it's usually pretty quiet and have plenty of seating and good service.

    Vegan pasta
    Jennifer B.

    Great drinks and good vibes from David as usual. Chef Adam has the night off, but we're in good hands with this friendly staff. Always vegan options.

    Sonya F.

    Came here for a company outing and the food was amazing! I typically don't go for steaks, but theirs was wonderful, moist and full of flavor. I also enjoyed their chicken dish, I don't think I've ever had a chicken cooked so well and not dry! Even though I really loved their food, I had to knock it down a star because it felt like an eternity before we finally got to eat after ordering. I'm not sure if this was because we were a large party, but as soon as the food came, I ate it up very quickly. Overall, this is a great nice restaurant by the river, and I can see how it'd be a nice after work activity!

    rachel m.

    Stopped here for a weeknight dinner and enjoyed it. They have $1 oysters during happy hour and a good range of cocktails. Staff were friendly and helpful with sharing their menu favorites. It did feel a bit expensive for elevated bar ambiance but given its connected to the hotel, it made sense.

    Map on the wall.
    Eddie R.

    We were looking for a breakfast place early Saturday morning. We arrived right when it opened so we got a nice table by the window. Our waitress was very nice and took our order. I asked for recommendations on the French toast. She said it was a favorite and very good. I ordered the French toast and my wife ordered an omelet. Both were really good and hit the spot. Great taste. So, good food. Food service. Nice view. Clean restaurant. What else could you ask for. I recommend this place.

    Dry-Aged Burger
    Sama C.

    Stopped in to have dinner, and was amazed by the burger and fries! The burger was super juicy and cooked just perfectly. The veggies and pickles on the sandwich was fresh and crispy. The bun, held everything well together. BUT, I would have liked it to be a bit bigger in size... I like to eat, and when something tastes soooo good, I need more of it! The fries were super delicious! Hand cut, thick slices, fried to perfection, seasoned with right amount of salt. Crispy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside. Sooooo good! Only gripe is the menu is limited and small. Would have loved to see more items as the burger was delicious.

    Amelia M.

    Went to Boston for a weekend and wanted a low key dinner with my husband! We were totally happy with this place. The ambiance was so nice from before you even walked in. The walls were used as bookshelves and I thought that was so cool. The food was great too! I opted for the chicken parm and my husband got a burger. Staff was also friendly and attentive. Food was great! 10/10

    Beet Salad & Fried Calamari

    We tried Bambara for the first time and ordered off the Dine Out (restaurant week) menu. The food was really enjoyable - we got the beet salad, fried calamari, steak frites and lava cake. The service just wasn't great. It felt like we were waiting around to be seated, waiting to order, waiting for our drinks - our apps were brought out before our cocktails and although we really wanted to ordered a bottle of wine with our meal we figured it would take too long. And the restaurant really wasn't very crowded. Altogether a good experience though! Our steaks were cooked perfectly!

    Old fashion.  All Figured Out.

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    Service is great. Bar staff is top notch. But $28 for a burger??? I saw it. It was a burger. I ate elsewhere.

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    Oak Bistro - Sriracha Buttermilk Fried Oysters

    Oak Bistro

    4.7(130 reviews)
    1.3 miInman Square

    Wow talk about a hidden gem!…read more I hadn't heard much about this place so I wasn't sure what to expect-- located in Inman square with nearby limited street parking (there's a metered lot on Springfield street nearby!), Oak Bistro is a medium sized restaurant with a simple but chic decor and true focus on hospitality. When we came in we were greeted and our coats were taken and put away. They have rotating specials that our server walked us through. We ordered all three of the mock tails on the menu -- Odin's Oracle was a sparkling elderflower and passion fruit drink, the Northern Rose was fruity with a slight thick cream of coconut base (and the tables favorite!) and the last drink was a warm ginger drink. They all came out looking beautiful. For food, we started with the Halloumi Cheese which was delicious and perfect for sharing (comes with four pieces), then tried the Blueberry Ricotta Cornbread (really well made and yummy but needed a little more butter spread) and the fried burrata (huge serving of burrata with balsamic, fig jam, warm bread, just as good as it sounds). We tried the Braised Short Rib Croquettes which were stuffed with short rib and topped with sooo much yummy cheese. We also had the Pappardelle braised shore rib Ragu which was truly delicious-- would highly recommend. For dessert we tried a special menu bread pudding which was a perfect end to the night. Our leftovers came perfectly packaged in little baggies with dish names and dates written on them which is so cute and thoughtful! Overall I would order everything we got again and was so pleasantly surprised by the caliber of food at Oak Bistro-- get in and try it before it gets too popular!

    Most excellent Yelp find! I am still not sure why it wasn't packed the day we visited. I don't…read moreknow if it's new or if it's unpopular or what it could be, because this place is great! Everything and everyone we encountered were just lovely! Our server was a delight. Slightly shy and a bit pensive at first. She opened up as we interacted. The interior is beautifully decorated. Interior design was spot on to me and the atmosphere was warm and cozy. Bravo! Why is it empty?? Restaurant business if tough man! Here sits a great place and no one is there. I really hope they kill it at night as our visit was at lunch. I absolutely loved my sandwich and think about it often still to this day. Beautifully grilled and crunchy, with a great beefy/oniony taste. The au jus was rich and flavorful and oh so good. Fries were fresh and also banging as well. C's dish of the thousand layers of really thin potato slices was probably the coolest thing we had to eat on our trip to the northeast. Wonderful dish with an excellent presentation! The piles of pecorino were an instant swoon. Very time consuming dish to prepare well. I applaud them for having it on the menu. All in all, a total memory maker kind of place that I do hope to return to someday. Until then, take care and keep up the good work! '26 - 10

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    Oak Bistro - Interior

    Interior

    Oak Bistro - Citrus Arugula Salad

    Citrus Arugula Salad

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    Tap 151 Bar & Grill - Fish & Chips

    Tap 151 Bar & Grill

    4.3(45 reviews)
    0.3 miEast Cambridge
    Locally owned & operated
    Certified professionals

    Tap 151 is a new Bar & Grill (at least new to me) located in Cambridge near Lechmere train station…read more It's a little hidden but definitely with it. Customer service is on point. Food quality and timing is great! Atmosphere is nice and welcoming! Definitely a must try if you're in the area!!

    I was in Cambridge with my daughter after a Red Sox game, which was a fun time even though the Red…read moreSox lost. My daughter heard of this place and we went. I am glad I did. It is very nice inside, clean, restrooms are very clean. I ordered a half roasted chicken. It came with mashed potatoes and asparagus that was roasted. That was a delicious meal. I was at another restaurant, ordered the same dish and the chicken was very tiny. Be prepared to bring your appetite as the portion is generous. We started with a hot calm chowder. It was good! My daughter got the fried fish tacos with rice. She was pleased with it. The only complaint was that the waiter never came back to fill our waters as I was so thirsty with all the food. Usually they do come to check on you. He never did. We were in the back and he had lots of tables in the front but he could have checked in once. I would still come back. Parking is on the street so beware of busy times.

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    Tap 151 Bar & Grill - Bar

    Bar

    Tap 151 Bar & Grill - Cheese Steak Egg Rolls

    Cheese Steak Egg Rolls

    Tap 151 Bar & Grill - Passionfruit mousse with chocolate from the specials menu - absolutely divine!! (April 2025)

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    Passionfruit mousse with chocolate from the specials menu - absolutely divine!! (April 2025)

    Willow & Ivy - Baby Iceberg Wedge with Two Blues (with added chicken breast)

    Willow & Ivy

    4.6(70 reviews)
    1.3 miBack Bay

    Everything was phenomenal! I can't recommend this place enough. The food, service, and ambiance…read morewere all exceptional. I went for my graduation dinner, and they had a hand written card at the table waiting for me to wish me congratulations. To start, we had the focaccia bread to share and clam chowder, so delicious. Best clam chowder I've had, and it had whole clams in it. For mains, we had pasta bolognese, salmon, and the green apple chicken. The chicken was the juiciest I've ever had, the salmon was cooked to perfection, and the pasta was so flavorful. The presentation was great as well. Vanessa was our server, and she was so kind, helpful, and attentive. After seeing another table get the oysters, we asked the restaurant manger, Dan, what they ordered. After explaining it to us, I told him I never had oysters so he gave us the appetizer for free to try! Everyone who worked there was bubbly and warm, genuinely some of the best service I've ever experienced. Everything was a 10/10. Will definitely be coming back!

    4.5/5 stars. This…read moreplace exceeded my expectations! Right when you walk in you're greeted with a gorgeous interior. The staff is so nice too. The food was great, however I didn't love the cocktails. Food: - Roasted Oysters (10/10): so buttery, cheesy, delicious. Favorite item on the menu, if you're going you have to order!! - Clam Chowder (8.5/10) - Chinatown Dumplings (8/10): loved the kewpie mayo - 16oz Ribeye (8.5/10): Tender and flavorful! The mashed potatoes it came with were so good. - Apple crumble (6/10): Would skip this and go for something else. Overall, a great experience and we will be back for the roasted oysters!

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    Willow & Ivy
    Willow & Ivy
    Willow & Ivy - Steak tacos and focaccia

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    Sarma - Sugar Snaps

    Sarma

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$$$

    Dining at Sarma was a delightful experience. We came on a Tuesday at 6pm and luckily got seated at…read morea countertop within 30 mins. I would recommend calling beforehand to ask about the wait. Although we commuted from Cambridge, this meal was worth it. For two people, we got: - Black Seed Cornbread: it's soft, sweet yet savory. I've never had cornbread like this, and the first bite into this was unforgettable. You must get this. - Honey Nut Hummus: this was honestly fine and I'd probably try a different dip next time. - Warm Gyro bread: well seasoned and great to share between two. I normally don't like gyro but I enjoyed this. - Lamb al pastor: this was a favorite. It was sweet and the lamb was tender. We were really impressed with the sauce. - Brussel sprout bravas: this was okay. I liked the crunchy nuts and the star of this dish was once again the sauce/seasoning rather than the brussel sprouts. With all of these dishes, we ordered enough for two, with a few bites leftover. If you have a smaller appetite, you could get away with ordering a plate less. Overall, I loved the dining experience here. Even though I'm not typically a small plates mediterranean person, I appreciated Sarma - from its beautiful interior space and open kitchen concept, to the liveliness of the restaurant on a random weekday night. Definitely come here if you're in the area (or even if you're not!)

    I had been looking forward to checking out Sarma for quite some time. Unfortunately, the experience…read moredidn't live up to the expectations. The food was overly salty, and the portions were very small.... even for tapas style dining. The flavor profiles just weren't there. The only thing that I would say tasted good was the cornbread and lamb skewer (which was definitely overpriced still). The cornbread was impressive and the ingredients made for a unique flavor. Service was also underwhelming. While the staff did their job, there wasn't much warmth or attentiveness and we didn't feel welcomed. We left feeling pretty disappointed given the hype and effort it took to get a reservation.

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    Sarma - Douggy, our bartender/waiter

    Douggy, our bartender/waiter

    Sarma - Feta Cheese Gnocchi

    Feta Cheese Gnocchi

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    La Brasa - Beet salad

    La Brasa

    3.6(394 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$$

    The menu looked interesting so we thought we'd give it a try. Can you make an espresso martini?…read moreNo, we don't have coffee. And we're also out of these 4 signature drinks. Ok we'll have a beer and a wine. What can I get you to eat? I'd like the roasted carrots.... No we're out. I'd like the oysters.... We don't have any. Could we share the whole fish? No, we don't have any fish. I'm sorry but we're out of a lot of things..... Buy the restaurant is empty and it's only 6:00 on a Saturday night. Can I have the check? Sure.

    Love this spot in Somerville. I remember when it first opened, it was one of the few places that I…read moregot excited for. It's like elevated/fusion Mexican food -- great for both dinner & brunch, and very suitable for larger groups. I've had a handful of dishes here & I'd recommend everything I've tried. Steak & eggs, pancake in a skillet, vegetarian crepe, fried rice, deviled eggs, the flan. They have a nice wine selection and rotating cocktail menu. The restaurant is like a high end cabin, with very cool murals throughout. I think one of my former roommates actually worked on a mural here, so I might be biased. Staff is welcoming and fun to chat with, they're very knowledgeable about their menu. Pricing tends to be around $50 per person. There's street parking. It's also a shared space with fat hen, which is an Italian restaurant -- I'll review that separately, but it is also worth checking out.

    Photos
    La Brasa
    La Brasa - Deviled eggs

    Deviled eggs

    La Brasa - Cured salmon tostada

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    Cured salmon tostada

    Bambara - Cambridge - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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