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    Charlie's Kitchen

    3.5 (974 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Charlie's Kitchen Photos

    CHARLIE'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Charlie's Kitchen

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    Our typical New England spread
    Erika R.

    This place is great! Old school diner vibes with the booths and bar stools. Came here on a whim Friday night for some dollar oysters. They're two dollars now, but still a good deal. The oysters were great though, better than some places I've paid double the price for. We saw they had a special for lobster rolls (2 for $35 as of the day I'm writing this) and couldn't say no to that. Yes it's lobster salad not pure lobstah pieces, but we were still very pleased for the price and felt that we still got a decent amount of lobster on our rolls. We also got clam chowder which was phenomenal, actual clams in the chowder. We came for the oysters and will be back to try the rest of the menu and catch a game. They've got 4 or 5 TVs so you can catch a game while you're eating here. Funny thing is what we ordered isn't even what they're known for, I think people come here for the burgers and beers, not oysters and lobster rolls. I'll try that next and report back.

    Breakfast burger
    Russ M.

    Charlie's ups the game!! I'll be the first to admit it, haven't been here in a longgg time. Imagine my delight when I ordered the chicken and waffle. It was not the bland stuff you get in a lot of places. This was a crispy spiced chicken and a waffle with wonderfully spiced maple syrup. I've never had spiced maple syrup before. I am now a fan. Service was good and our water glasses were refilled without asking. Noise level is as one would expect in a local eatery.

    Interior
    Adina S.

    Charlie's Kitchen is your typical local/college bar type of place. The vibes are very relaxed and lowkey. Compared to most places in Boston, the prices are definitely a lot more reasonable. Just know you might need to call out a few times to get service. My friends and I didn't have anything to eat, but I'm guessing it's pretty standard bar fare. With so many options in the area, I'd probably stick to drinks here. Recommend for a chill time with friends!

    Double Cheese Charlie 's Double Cheeseburger
    Joe C.

    A Quick Burger Charlies is one of the few remaining remnants of the old Harvard Square. Leavitt and Pierce Tobacconists, the Brattle Theatre, and the Coop are some of the other few remaining landmark businesses in the Square. The hamburgers are simple, good, and cheap. There's live music upstairs on the weekends. What more do you want? Harvard Square is not Harvard Square without Charlies. Thanks

    Sara Jieyi T.

    Great late night spot in Cambridge. They serve $1-$1.50 oysters after 9pm which is a great deal and their fried food is pretty to par as well. We got fish and chips, burger and grilled cheese and they were all delicious! This place gives out a cozy and intimate vibe and its great for hanging out and cracking jokes with friends. The service here is friendly and efficient as well. Food: 8.8/10 Service: 9/10 Experience: 9/10 Value: 9/10

    Cathy W.

    We loved Charlie's, and we loved Sam who was behind the bar. Very low key, relax and chill place that won't draw you in on curb appeal but will make you very happy you stopped in for a Lobster Roll app (plenty big) and a local beer on tap. I had a Whaler's Rise Pale Ale. It's actually from Providence RI, not Boston-but it was close enough for my taste buds. Good light beer for a hot afternoon. We also ordered hummus which came with some great warm, fried pita chips.

    Grilled mahi mahi tacos, spicy crema sauce on the side.
    Jennifer M.

    Food was good and came out quickly, prices were very affordable (3 tacos for $13, bottled beer for $5)! Would definitely visit again.

    Christina G.

    Charlie's Kitchen has a fun, relaxing atmosphere that is perfect to enjoy with friends. The outdoor beer garden is secluded. I ordered the chicken and avocado grilled cheese. It was made with grilled chicken, avocado, tomato and onions using thick, delicious bread slices. The ingredients were fresh and flavourful. This place is worth visiting for a casual night out!

    Pat N.

    great dive in harvard square. second floor feels like home. friendly and helpful staff

    Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Sando

    Chicken sandwich was massive. It was good too. Service was solid, nice cool (temp wise) place to go on a hot summer day.

    French toast topped with fresh berries!

    Had a great brunch at Charlie's Kitchen during my last visit to Boston. The food was prepared perfectly and it was simply delicious. Staff was friendly and Chef/Owner David came personally to our table to see if everything was ok. By the time we were ready to leave, the restaurant had few empty seats available. Will definitely be back on my next visit!

    Mozzarella Sticks
    Abraham B.

    Me and my older brother decided to came here and the food was great. The mozzarella sticks and the double cheeseburgers were good. The people who work here are kind, and the restaurant has the vibe of a 1950s diner. Overall I'm giving this place a 5 star review.

    $10 for bufflo wings

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    2 years ago

    My kind of place but got charged $12 for a gin and tonic when the menu lists it as much less. I can pay that at a hotel bar

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    4 years ago

    Has a dive bar vibe to it. The food is is alright. No real frills to it but it's tasty.

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    Best waitstaff. Cheap eats & fun. I recommend. It's a Cambridge special for generations.

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    4 years ago

    I've been coming here off and on for 20 years !!! Great Bar Food and laid back atmosphere !!!

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    Page 2 of 25

    Charlie's Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Charlie's Kitchen

    Dogs allowed in the restaurant?

    Service dogs only

    Can children go with parents for food only?

    I think yes! First why not? Lots of families go with kids go for the food ,atmosphere, outdoor tables , out back and in front . Not sure if English style drink ( shandy… Read more

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    Josephine

    Josephine

    3.8
    (148 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    For dinner and drinks, this is a great restaurant in the neighborhood. The ambiance for a cocktail…read moreparty was great, and the hamburger sliders and cocktails were top notch. In particular, there was an orange mezcal cocktail I loved. For brunch, it was good but not great. The pancakes were good, but the eggs Benedict wasn't as good as I hoped. It was trying to be too many things. I think it would be better if the veg was on the side and not on the egg, and the Benedict sauce could benefit from having more flavor, maybe a little more spice. The coffee and cappuccino was also mediocre. The service was friendly and the location convenient, right next to the Cambria hotel with an indoor entrance between the two. Recommend for dinner and drinks!

    Let me preface this with I'm a SAVORY GIRL! My favorite foods are lemon, garlic and salt. This…read moreplace made everything the exact way I would want it if I could always have everything my way One of the best meals I've had in a while. I got a martini with the blue cheese olives, the smoked blue cheese in the olive was so unique and CREAMY and salty I'd be happy to back just for the olives alone. Shrimp cocktail came with half a lemon with OLD BAY seasoning!! Genius! Big shrimp, two sauces were great too, horse radish cream sauce and a classic cocktail sauce which was a tad sweet for me but I'll get over it because I'm all about the lemon and old bay. Cesar salad! Big salad! Wish we shared one. Big garlic croutons with a bit of rosemary and you could taste good olive oil on those. Dressing was very lemony and there was a hefty amount of cheese. I'd say even if you're someone who prefers a creamy Cesar you'd probably still like this because there's a lot of cheese which added great texture. Came with a big grilled lemon which is an A++ move in my book. Husband added grilled chicken to his and said it was great. Next time we'll share a Cesar and I can't wait to go back and try the fried artichokes.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Whipped Ricotta & Black Truffle Honey
    Whipped Ricotta & Black Truffle Honey
    Incredible vegetarian salad!

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    Incredible vegetarian salad!
    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

    3.9
    (800 reviews)
    1.5 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!

    Photos
    Diner booth seating
    Diner booth seating
    Onion Pakora
    Onion Pakora
    Kashmiri Devilled Eggs ($12)

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    Kashmiri Devilled Eggs ($12)
    Oak Bistro

    Oak Bistro

    4.7
    (133 reviews)
    1.2 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)
    0.3 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    65 years in business

    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.

    I'll be honest, I had high hopes for this place. After seeing it online and just how it's an old…read moreschool vibe, been open for a long time. I was impressed upon arrival, seeing the cool menu and interior. Knowing that many celebrities had eaten here! But then the food came out and we were a little disappointed. I ordered the D-Luxe and my boyfriend got the Bill Burr. We also started with soups, clam chowder and chili. The soups were good. Fries were really good! The burgers looked good, but then we took a bite. We both got medium, but usually that means pink...not raw. I'm not even lying my burger felt like I was eating raw meat. The meat was still super soft and shredded like. I get pink, but not raw. I was nervous I'd be sick after to be honest. I hate seeing pictures of people's bitten into food online but I felt the need to post it for reference... It's too bad because the vibes were great and everything, and maybe next time it'll be better, but I'd definitely say medium or medium well...

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

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    Charlie's Kitchen - burgers - Updated June 2026

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