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    Black Ruby

    4.5 (119 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Order Black Ruby Takeout or Delivery

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    BLACK RUBY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Black Ruby

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    Thai Iced Tea & Thai Iced Espresso Martini
    Brendon T.

    Black Ruby completely exceeded my expectations. The idea of Thai-American fusion with craft burgers and pasta sounded intriguing, but the food was genuinely impressive. Our favorites were the Mussels in Red Curry Rice Wine, Red Curry Bolognese, Massaman Beef Burger, and Mango Sticky Rice. Each packed with flavor and executed beautifully. The Thai Iced Tea was also excellent, while the Thai Ice Espresso Martini just wasn't for me. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the restaurant itself was clean, cozy, and inviting. The only downsides were that they had run out of their sourdough brioche buns, which I was excited to try, and reservations were tough to get as we had to book about a month in advance. Even so, it's easy to see why this place is so popular. I'll definitely be back and hopefully try some of the burgers with those sourdough buns next time.

    Dae B.

    I have to admit, given all the hype, I was expecting a bit more from Black Ruby. My friends and I came on a Thursday night with a reservation, and the restaurant was packed. Now, I suspect this might due in part because of the hype + location + thai/american fusion flavor, but even with a reservation we still ended up waiting about 30 minutes to be seated. Unfortunately, the service throughout dinner wasn't much better. Between the three of us, we ordered the scallion fries (which, for anyone wondering, aren't actually fries tossed in scallion oil or dressing), the fried calamari, the red curry Bolognese, the green curry pasta with steak, and, of course, the much-hyped Massaman burger. The fried calamari was probably the weakest dish. It had a fishier taste than I expected, and the breading was fairly greasy and tended to fall off. The scallion fries were good, though not especially memorable. Of the entrées, we preferred the green curry pasta over the red curry Bolognese, though both became a little heavy after a while. The Massaman burger was solid, but not quite the standout I was hoping for. Across the dishes, our biggest takeaway was that the curry sauces all leaned fairly rich and salty without much contrast. A little acidity or citrus would have gone a long way in brightening the flavors. Overall, Black Ruby was good, just not quite as memorable as I expected. Nothing we ordered really wowed us, but it's still a perfectly solid spot if you're in the area. I'd be open to coming back, though I'd probably try some different items if we were ever around Harvard Square.

    Larb Fries
    Hallie L.

    Fries were good, the sauce they came with was quite unique. The burger flavor was good and very filling. The sauce the burger came with was yummy but the taste became boring after a while. I really loved the pickles in the burger though! Would come back again, but probably not for the same burger.

    Alice D.

    Came here on a Sunday for a later lunch and the place was pretty empty. Interior was sleek and modern with wooden finishes with plenty of lighting from the big windows by the front. Menu had a good selection of entrees which I shared everything with a friend rather than order separately. Service was solid and relatively quick. Food came out in a reasonable manner and everything tasted great - Thai tea was yummy, burger was delicious, fries were so well seasoned, and the pasta was great along with the dessert. Only complaint is portions - definitely small for what you paid for. Overall, we had a solid meal and left feeling very full. I wouldn't mind coming back, but it isn't a restaurant I'd be a regular out due to its price.

    Susan M.

    Really interesting and tasty menu. I thought the drinks would be too sweet but they were quite good. It's a busy place but you can get a reservation. It's a little tricky if you need to wait inside. The servers are on top of things but efficient as are the seatings but it was a good meal!

    Thai Spicy Calamari
    Dinesh G.

    I heard about this place from couple of my friends for a while and wanted to give it a try. I am glad I finally did. Well, the food tasted real good - best Thai craft burger in the town. Reservations is highly recommended - walks in are accepted as well, but note that walk in wait time may vary. The spicy calamari, Massaman Beef burger are the must try. I heard good things about the desserts unfortunately I didn't not have a chance to try it - if someone do try it, lmk how it is. The service was faster and the staff are friendly. This place is perfect for group and intimate dates and college gatherings. I am def gonna visit again soon to try out the other food in their menu. :)

    Molly B.

    I had such a lovely experience here. I didn't have a reservation but was surprisingly seated instantly. The restaurant was on the smaller side and has been a hot commodity so I really wasn't expecting to land a seat on a Sunday night. The staff was super friendly and helpful with the menu, I had a couple questions. After speaking with the waiter I landed on the Massaman burger and chicken sandwich. Both were seriously UNREAL. I cannot stand dry beef or chicken and the meat itself was so moist. Once combined with their sauce...life changing. I cannot wait to go back here.

    Green Curry Cream Sauce Pasta
    Tiffany K.

    Thai Fusion? I am often skeptical when it comes to any asian fusion spots, but Black Ruby...does it VERY well. I was honestly blown away. The Massaman Burger, y'all already know that's why I came. Is it worth the hype? Some people are saying this is the best burger in Boston. Curry... and Burger? Somehow, someway... this works extremely well. That's a real good burger. I'm a huge texture person so the crunch was perfect. The curry wasn't overpowering at all. The green curry pasta was so good! The perfect spice level and the thickness of the curry stuck to the pasta perfectly. However, the steak might've been a little overcooked, in my opinion. Still good, though. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are allowed. I got lucky when arriving! Perfect spot for date night, and the drinks are sooo good. I got the thai tea martini and it was yummy. I'm not a big fan of an old fashioned, but it was pleasant. This might be the only place I'd voluntarily drink one.

    Tom Yum Shrimp Pasta
    David T.

    In dining experience was weaker than the takeout experience. Staff did not smile, slow service on arrival, and many college and younger kids come here. Would recommend takeout not in dining experience for this restaurant. P.S. the Green Curry Fried Chicken Burger is the best dish on the menu. Menu is somewhat small.

    Tom Yum Shrimp Pasta
    katey a.

    We decided to go on Valentine's Day, had a reservation, went in sat down. All super great. Waitress? Awful, looked like she was not happy to be there, was annoyed when we took off our jackets because she was bringing over water so she rolled her eyes and went to talk to the host. Our food was good. The burger didn't have enough sauce it was a very thin layer of it HOWEVER the burger was amazing, toasted and super flavorful. The paste was a great amount, yummy and spicy. The mango sticky rice was honestly the best. It was sweet, moist and that ice cream on top just melted.

    Thai Tea Martini
    Amanda G.

    Once I tried Black Ruby, it immediately became one of my favorite restaurants in Cambridge. The cocktails are creative and delicious--I love the Thai Tea Martini--and the food is fantastic as well. The Khao Soi burger is my go-to. It has all of the flavors and textures of Khao Soi, with pickled mustard greens for acid, crispy noodles for a crunchy flair, and just the right amount of spice. I find myself craving it often! The one and only bone I have to pick with Black Ruby is that the service, while very attentive, is almost TOO fast. I get that they want to turn tables over efficiently, but the last couple of times I've come, I kind of felt like they were rushing me out. I came here to catch up with a couple friends and our food came almost instantly, before our drinks, and the waitress seemed eager to keep us moving. I think our entire meal was less than 50 minutes. While I'll definitely be back, I think it won't be somewhere I'd bring friends anymore since it's just not enough time for a full conversation.

    Pad Thai Spring Roll
    Kaitlin C.

    Went here for the first time with my sister on a Saturday night. We didn't have a reservation, there was a wait but we got lucky and snagged a spot right away. The menu seems to be thai-fusion. We got the spritz with was made with thai tea and it gave it a very different taste than a typical aperol spritz. The pad thai spring rolls were tasty but left me wanting veggies. The trending massaman burger was absolutely delicious, I had never had massaman curry before but I loved it. The Green curry chicken sandwich was fantastic, the chicken was cooked wonderfully and the green curry was really good. Also their plain fries, 10/10.

    Mango sticky rice
    Evelyn W.

    Came here on New Year's Eve and it was fantastic. The service and ambience are great, but the food was incredible! Everything came quickly and all of them were delicious. It was so exciting to try a new place and love every single menu item we tried. - The Massaman burger had an amazing balance of flavors and textures to it. Definitely want to come back to try more burgers. - The crispy scallion fries were incredible, I wasn't expecting much but they were so good. It's how I wish radish cakes would taste at dim sum, if that makes sense. - The green curry pasta was great, another great balance of textures and spice, the choice by the restaurant to go with rigatoni as the shape was excellent. - The mango sticky rice was perhaps the only thing that left something to be desired. The rice wasn't quite sticky enough and I personally prefer the dish a touch saltier, this dish was simply sweet (but not too sweet!)

    Tom Yum Shrimp Pasta

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    9 months ago

    Food tastes great and the vibe is upscale. I liked the Thai tea. Be prepared for small portions.

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    Highland Kitchen

    Highland Kitchen

    4.2
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    I enjoyed my dinner at Highland Kitchen!…read more This was my first stop with a friend after landing in Boston. I live for Creole food so I loved seeing Creole options on the menu. The cocktail and beer selection was also nice. Service was also super attentive to my food allergy. Solid option in Somerville.

    Had a chance to visit on a busy Saturday night with my family. We were lucky from the beginning as…read morewe got a parking spot right across the street on Highland Ave, which is a very busy street. Upon entry, it was very busy. We put our names on the list and we were told that our wait would be 25-35 minutes. Our luck continued as we only waited 15 minutes before being escorted to a booth. As I said earlier, it was busy and you could tell the wait staff was working to keep everyone happy! We were given menus and quickly asked what we would like to drink. The drinks were on our table in no time! We ordered one appetizer (buffalo fried brussel sprouts) and it came pretty quickly! I am not a big fan but my son and wife loved it! They raved about the seasoning and taste of the sprouts! (see picture) We put our orders in for dinner after finishing the sprouts. I ordered steak tips with frieds and ceasar salad, we had pan roasted flattened half chicken and a shaved kale and brussels salad to top things off. The food was delivered to our table in managable time. I would say 15 minutes from the time we ordered. The food was delicious and serving size was perfect. All three of were happy with our choices. The steak tips were perfect for me.....cooked medium well and juicy! We finished our dinner off with a dessert that my wife had heard of and wanted to order. I did not have any, but they raved about it! The Banana Break pudding was out of this world! I wish I saved some room as the smell was delicious and the size was perfect! WOW! Price- average Parking- seems to be enough spots on Highland Ave Vibe- a local bar with great food...lots of families Would I come back? For sure...I am looking forward to a visit before the Holiday season! I really like the way the entire place is set up....inviting and welcoming! 5 stars from me!

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    Highland Kitchen
    Aloo Bhindi
    Aloo Bhindi
    Short rib gnocchi

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    Short rib gnocchi
    Boston Burger - Somerville

    Boston Burger - Somerville

    3.8
    (1k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Came for dinner with my friends on a Sunday. We were seated right away. We decided to start out…read morewith some Mac n cheese egg rolls- which were great and held us over until our burgers came out. Two of us got the roots burger- bacon, jalapeños, cheese sauce, tater tots and the usual burger toppings. Love the toppings and the flavor combo. The burger itself was ok. I've definitely had better but it wasn't bad. It's silly they're served with chips and baked beans or Cole slaw instead of fries. Really didn't end up needing either in the end barely finished my burger. The milkshake was a good finisher I took most of it home and finished it later on but it as a good milkshake. And they have really extra milkshakes that have like three in one dessert vibes lol. They sound good in theory but it's a lot. Overall a decent burger place in Boston!

    A must-try burger place for burger enthusiasts! This is a very casual but solid spot to grab a…read moreburger, with a very extensive menu and lots of combos for everyone's taste. I LOVED my gravy train burger- the cheese curds were thick, salty, and had a nice bite and smothered in gravy with a thick patty. Our service was great too! Super welcoming workers and shout out to our waiter Ryan. He was really friendly and I couldn't be happier with our experience. A cozy spot in Davis Square, and it has me already thinking of my next burger!

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    Boston Burger - Somerville
    The King - very good!
    The King - very good!
    Big Papi

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    Big Papi
    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

    3.9
    (800 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    I was impressed with this place once I overcame my surprise this is not a stand alone diner car…read more I ordered the bacon cheeseburger since it is a signature dish. It was tasty, greasy (in a good way), and the spiced fries were a nice change up. My wife and I ordered a bottle of wine which was priced quite reasonably. This place has a stealthy good selection of craft beers on tap. Look forward to returning here again.

    Walked in on day after thanksgiving for brunch, and this place was relatively quiet. We got an…read moreamazing booth seating, but really wanted their fancy bus seating which gives a classic diner feel to the restaurant. TL;DR - if you are from Bombay, are craving that specific Bombay Chinese food taste, and Vada Pav - look no further - this is the place. Most of their staff are fellow Mumbaikars - shout out to Shiv, Dhvani, and Ronak! Shiv, our server was friendly and our hungry table got straight to ordering which included a flavor packed and well priced Lychee Martini ($10), Masala Chai Hot Toddy ($12), and Spicy 'Lil Rita ($12) - being the best one! Food included some well name dishes like Kashmiri Deviled Eggs ($12), Vada Pav ($12), Rasam Risotto ($15), Butter Chicken Pot Pie ($20), Chicken Steak with Makhani Sauce ($18), Street Fried Noodles ($16), and Penne Pasta with Chicken for the kiddos. Food just hits the right spots and is very flavorful, extremely well seasoned, and perfectly spiced. Interiors and their bar is very inviting. Noise levels during our stay were on the lower end. Service was excellent. What was refreshing was they didn't charge us any automatic gratuity even for our large group - but absolutely deserved a generous one! Highly highly recommend if flavorful food is your thing!

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    Fried green tomatoes and cheese grits!
    Fried green tomatoes and cheese grits!
    Nice pie list!!!
    Nice pie list!!!
    Meatloaf

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    Meatloaf
    Oak Bistro

    Oak Bistro

    4.7
    (138 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    What a fun little hidden gem!!! Sat at the bar in between lunch and dinner. Good selection of beer…read more The food was really excellent! We tried the artichoke potato fritter things which were quite good. The Old Bay Fried Oysters were super good as were the duck toasts! Definitely going back to try the potato pave and the burger. Service as great also, bartender was very attentive!

    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!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Citrus Arugula Salad
    Citrus Arugula Salad
    Long Island Duck Confit Leg

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    Long Island Duck Confit Leg
    Mr Bartley's Burger Cottage

    Mr Bartley's Burger Cottage

    3.6
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    This is an institution known for their burgers and milkshakes. Not sure why the ratings aren't…read morebetter because it's one of my favorite places to eat in Harvard Square! I haven't had a real solid burger in forever, until now. Nothing fancy, just a really good classic burger with perfect proportions ( not that smash burger stuff). Good size of meat too. I also really enjoyed the onion rings. Not overly greasy. Only thing is that it does get really busy, especially at the peak of lunch and can get really loud inside too. I'm promising myself to get a milkshake next time!

    Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage is a Harvard Square institution that opened in 1960 and has not needed…read moreto reinvent itself since, which is its own kind of statement. We walked into a room where the walls are covered in memorabilia and every table is labeled with the name of a famous person who has sat there, giving the space a personality that no amount of designed ambiance can replicate. It feels like a place with genuine history rather than a place performing one. The burgers are the reason to come and they hold up after more than six decades without apology. The patties are thick and cooked to order, with medium being the right call for maximum juiciness. The creative topping combinations across the named burgers give you a range of directions to go depending on your mood. The Masshole is a natural starting point for a first visit, and the build your own option is worth knowing about if you want to go a more specific route. The portions are large enough that leaving satisfied is essentially guaranteed. The onion rings are a great choice of side for good reason, crispy and well seasoned in a way that holds up alongside the burger rather than competing with it, and the sweet potato fries are a strong alternative if you want something slightly less heavy. The frappes and shakes are worth ordering if you want something to wash it all down, and the raspberry lime Rickey is a summer ready drink with a refreshing taste. Service is straightforward and efficient, fitting the no-nonsense energy of a busy burger joint that has been handling crowds for decades. The staff moves quickly and knows the menu inside out, helping first timers navigate the extensive list of named burgers without hesitation. For a classic burger experience in Harvard Square that delivers on history, flavor, and personality, Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage remains a landmark worth every bit of its reputation.

    Photos
    Mr Bartley's Burger Cottage
    Mr Bartley's Burger Cottage
    Mr Bartley's Burger Cottage

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    Black Ruby - asianfusion - Updated August 2026

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