Cicada is a cute little coffee shop with some simple yet refreshing food. I consistently order the sea salt shaker and have enjoyed the banh mi and the rice dishes. It's surprisingly a larger space than you think because of their backyard sitting area. However, don't be surprised if there is a small line out the door! read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

During breakfast, they only allow one group in tk order at a time, which is a great idea to let those sitting down enjoy their food without being crowded by those waiting. Sadly most people don't read signs and the person putting the orders through had to keep reminding people. Vegetarian here, who's never liked a banh mi, but I liked this one. Often the veggie ones get heavily salted but that was not the case with the mushroom. We both ordered iced teas why h we liked and has a coconut pastry which was delightful. Flaky pastry, creamy filling. Food came out quickly. read more

Absolutely amazing fresh, tasty food and phenomenal coffee. I would loooove it if they opened a location in Belmont, Watertown, or Arlington!! read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Vermicelli Salad - Cured Salmon - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cicada is one of Cambridge's most unique coffee shops! It's not as well known as many other Cambridge classics since it's not at the heart of any square but it is close by the central square t stop so it's got a good location. They offer a cool menu of Vietnamese or Vietnamese inspired drinks and vegan foods. I go for the good coffee and above all the vibe: the inside is really cozy and cool, and they've got a back patio that's really cute when the weather cooperates. I've always found the staff friendly and drinks come fast. A must try for any Cambridge coffee lover! read more

If you like Cicada's coffee, definitely consider trying their special weekend dinner. Be sure to make a reservation as it gets crowded quickly. Lemongrass duck tartare: spicier than I expected but very well balanced in terms of the sweet and acidic aspects. Wish they gave us more of the chip on top to eat with the tartare--like just one more would've been perfect. Monkfish: our favorite of the night! Fish was cooked perfectly and so savory and tender, and the noodles were like... buttery? That was the only word we knew how to use to describe it. Must try. Oxtail: if you aren't used to eating cuts of meat with more fat or cartilage, maybe don't get this one. Less "unique" of a dish than some of the others but still very solid, meat is tender and soup is very hearty. I think because we had the tartare and monkfish first, this felt quite heavy. Passionfruit yogurt: a great way to finish everything off especially after the oxtail. Fresh, not too sweet, nice cold passion fruit flavor. The ambiance is very lively and the restaurant is quite small so it can be hard to talk. Would recommend sitting at a table if you can and not at the bar. Service is wonderful--everyone is so friendly. read more

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No frills local coffee shop with excellent Vietnamese inspired dishes. Great for vegetarian and vegan options. Vibe is like your neighborhood café and your hipster friend's living room. read more

Forget this place, go to Pepita! I went on a Saturday morning to work from 9-10am. I am a mother of a young baby, so I take this time to myself to work on personal projects while my husband is home to care for our baby. I was sitting inside a mostly empty cafe, working quietly from my laptop in a corner, when an employee ran past my table to bark "we don't do laptops on weekends" in my general direction before scurrying away. No signage indicating this preference, no polite request, no concept that I was a paying customer worthy of a modicum of their respect. I will not be returning. read more

Aesthetics on point. Boston's nice coffee shops scene is almost non-existent so I was t h r i l l e d to find Cicada. Amazing coffee, great vibes. You leave feeling super zen and cooler because you went to Cicada to get coffee, and everyone will want to know where you went after you post on your ig story. read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Had the most wonderful dinner at Cicada with a friend last night. The atmosphere was lovely and the staff was very kind. I highly recommend the cured salmon spring rolls and short braised ribs. Viet yogurt was also delicious and a great way to end the meal. Can't wait to come again read more

It's an easy to miss spot if you're not sure what you're looking for, but Cicada has quickly risen to my favorite spot for coffee in Boston. The coffee is amazing and tastes very much like to coffee you'd get in Vietnam (I've come to learn the beans are sourced in Vietnam, which is probably why). We got an iced Saigon Latte and an iced Sea Salt Shaker and both were really good. The latte was definitely a bit on the sweeter side for me, but that would be something I could have probably asked to go lighter on and have more coffee. My cousin loved the latte though, so it really just depends on your personal tastes. I personally loved the sea salt shaker because of the salty-sweet taste and some of the hidden chocolatey/caramel notes that are at the forefront when you take a sip (side note: make sure you stir a little so your first sip isn't full on sea salt, made that mistake at first). What also drew me to love this small cafe is the very cozy interior that reflects cafes I've been to in Vietnam. It has this nice traditional, but modern feel and is a great spot for a coffee date, studying, or just a quick caffeine fix. The pastries from Cafe Beatrice are also really good! Super light and fluffy, but with with some decadence and rotate out seasonally. It's also nice that Cicada is also about supporting other local businesses. The staff/baristas were very nice and helpful. Our drinks were out quickly and we overall had a nice time over coffee and a quick breakfast. Definitely a new spot to recommend to friends in the Cambridge area! read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Cozy interior that's reflective of cafes in Vietnam - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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My mom and I came here based on good reviews and were super disappointed. The prices were exorbitant for extremely mediocre food, it's not that it was bad it's that it was bland, and especially for the price it was nothing special. I have a running theory now that places (other than cafes) want you to pay and tip up front only when they know they have zero/bad service. That was definitely our experience here. They don't clearly explain their self serve system and overall the interactions with staff were awkward at best. The aesthetics are cute but it was definitely style over substance. read more

Very cute Vietnamese cafe serving good coffee and fresh food. Sat outside in their little enclosed patio and had their iced Sai Gon Latte which had a nice nutty flavor paired with the sweet creaminess of sweetened condensed milk. It was hot when I visited, so I ordered the special which was an avocado salmon stack with passion fruit dressing and it was very refreshing. Will be back to try the bahn mi and pastries! read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Salmon avocado and passion fruit drizzle - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I've visited many cafes before, but none as unique as Cicada. Their Vietnamese fare is pretty authentic (comparable to that of Little Saigon in Westminster, CA). I ordered the Saigon Latte and a spicy smoked salmon banh mi while my friend ordered the Sea Salt Shaker and the vegan noodle salad. I really enjoyed the Saigon Latte as it had the perfect balance of sweetness from the condensed milk and oat milk to cut through the bitterness of the double shot. The smoked salmon was spiced and flavored to perfection and made for a pretty solid banh mi. The aesthetics were on point. I felt very trendy and relaxed while sitting on the patio and catching up with friends. Price is also decent for the aesthetics and quality of the place. Food and coffee were all served pretty quickly as well. Definitely use the order ahead option to beat the line on weekends as it gets busy. Great place to work or hang out and would definitely come back again. read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Saigon Latte (left), Sea Salt Shaker (right) - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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I was absolutely delighted by my first visit to Cicada Coffee Bar. We ordered the sea salt coffee, spicy smoked salmon pho salad, and fish terrine banh mi. They accidentally made us two banh mis and kindly let us keep the extra! Everything was simply delicious. The spicy smoked salmon was plentiful, tender, and packed with savory flavor. The fish terrine was also well-seasoned and had a great texture. The vegetables were crunchy and fresh. The bread was both crisp and chewy and the noodles were warm, thick, and perfectly cooked. I don't normally drink coffee but I wanted to try their signature Vietnamese coffee and really enjoyed the sweet condensed milk with the sea salt flavor -- it paired perfectly with the delicious food. We sat outside in the cozy backyard with bamboo trees and wooden table tops which felt like the perfect environment for our meal. The portions weren't particularly large but the quality of food was top tier and I am already looking forward to my next visit! read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Spicy smoked salmon pho salad - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Very cute little Vietnamese shop in Cambridge. Owner is Vietnamese himself and seems to be very passionate about the shop as I often see him helping out. The shop may seem very tiny from the outside. But once inside, it can sit many people and there is a backyard seating area. The drinks are just amazing and very authentic. The food is on another level (non pictured) but the banh mi and salmon bowl are must tries. read more

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This place never misses. Now they have dinner service. It is a very limited menu but I wanted to try everything. The steammed clams with lemomgrass is a must. A great fusion of classic new england seafood with Southeast Asia seasoning. The ox tail pho is wonderful and great for cold fall nights. Come for the coffee during the day and stay for the clams! read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Ox Tail Pho, amazing flavor - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cicada is my new favorite coffee shop. The pastries are amazing. The owner, Vinh, is one of the nicest guys ever. He even remembered my name by my 2nd drink and gave me a free drink to sample. The one item I will continue to come back for is the Sea Salt Latte. It may be my new favorite coffee order and this is the only place I have ever tried it. It's outstanding, the mix of sweet and salty is perfect. read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Get the sea salt shaker - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Unique new spot for coffee in town! As a person who looks to specifically support Asian-owned businesses, I knew I had to try Cicada, and it definitely lived up to expectations! Tried the sea salt shaker (which was a little too sweet but tasted great) and the Saigon latte (which was so rich and good). There are a few tables and a bar that you can sit at to eat or study. The environment is welcoming and warm. Will have to come back another time for the food! read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Saigon latte - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

5 stars for ambiance and coffee! Tried the Saigon Latte and it was one of the tastiest takes on Vietnamese coffee I've had in a while. 3 stars for food, though. We came around 1pm and they were pretty much sold out of most of their menu. I tried the smoked salmon banh mi. At $13 it's a decent size but I'm used to $4 banh mi so the sticker shock was real. I appreciated the somewhat healthier versions of banh mi as well (veggie, fish options only; compared to the usual grilled pork or pate options). The bread and pickles veggies were fantastic, the salmon was nothing special. Overall I would come back for just coffee and save my stomach and $$ for banh mi elsewhere. read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Backyard seating area - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Once again, always amazed. I came here on a Sunday around noon, and although there was a line outside the store there was still a bunch of seating. I got the sea salt shaker and a chocolate chip cookie, which was chewy and crunchy. I'll definitely remember that cookie. They had a fruit brioche bun that I wanted to try, but sold out just a few minutes before--definitely come early for the pastries! read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - sea salt shaker - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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I've lived in the neighborhood for about 7 years and I can't believe today was my first time here. Heard about it from a friend who sent the semi finalists for the James Beard award. I thought Cicada was a coffee house, a higher end Starbucks and was pleasantly surprised to see that it is a Vietnamese coffee house. Just had lunch here and had the sea salt Viet iced coffee- DELICIOUS! I also tried the duck Banh mi and it was terrific. It was so good I didn't end up sharing with my hubby. The toffee choco chip cookie was also pretty big. Crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. I will be coming back for more!!! read more

My first visit here was impromptu, so I wasn't sure if we'd make it without a reservation, given the line that was beginning to form as they re-opened for the dinner shift portion of the day. Luckily, we were seated without delay and they were very helpful and welcoming to everyone who came in, even as the small space continued getting more and more crowded. The communal atmosphere definitely shows! It was cool having dinner in what functions as a coffee bar earlier in the day. The menu was minimalist and manageable. The food was on the healthy/lean side but absolutely delicious and creative- I've never seen such bold and creative flavors done with eggplant before! read more

You must get the sea salt shaker. Really cute shop but limited seating. And popular for a reason! The coffee is so good. Can't speak to the food but it always looks and smells so delicious. read more

5 stars for their coffee I got a sea salt shaker, and my friend got a Saigon latte. We're both coffee drinkers, and were both still reeling from the caffeine rush many hours. The sea salt shaker was so delicious and sweet enough for my sweet tooth that I did not realize how strong the coffee was. Pro tip: pace yourself! 3 stars for banh mi I have had plenty of amazing banh mi from living in So-Cal and spending a few weeks traveling through Vietnam. My friend and I got a cured salmon banh mi, which was good for Northern New England's standard but not that great when compared to all the other banh mi I've had. The salmon was probably only 10% of the banh mi, a disappointingly small quantity for the price. I had never had a banh mi with smoked avocado pate, and I prefer it without. I'll take mayo over smoked avocado pate on my banh mi any day. Overall, Cicada is a great addition to the lacking Asian food scene in the greater Boston area. Get their coffee! read more

I finally came here after getting off work and was not disappointed. The order procedure is a little unusual in that you scan the QR Code on the wall to order (takeout or sit-in are options). Scanning the QR code located at a specific table should be directly linked to that seat. I ordered the honey mousse espresso and got my order fairly quickly (not too many people were inside). You are supposed to mix the two layers a little before you drink it. Sadly, I didn't do that and got to taste each component individually. The egg is creamy and tastes a little like a custard. The espresso was very strong, enough to make the spoon stand on its end (if the spoon was live). I got to try some Vietnamese yogurt on the house as well. It's made with condensed milk and mildly tart but nowhere as tart as Greek yogurt in comparison. The aesthetics lend itself to a clean, urban appearance with some bookshelves near the table. Worth a visit if you are in the area or want to try some of their exotic (and pricy) drinks! IG: feastcoastoffense read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Honey mousse espresso (egg coffee) - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cicada Coffee Bar is a Vietnamese cafe located on 106 Prospect Street in Cambridge, Ma. It is located on Central Square part of Cambridge. My family went here on a Sunday morning just after 9 AM and many of the seating inside of the restaurant was already occupied as well as some of the additional seating in the garden. There was no parking on Prospect Street but we were able to find some nearby on Bishop Allen Drive near Barbara Ellis Square. The restaurant is directly across from the Whole Foods. The interior had repurposed furniture as well as the tables and chairs in the outdoor garden. I recommend the outdoor seating in the Zen garden at the back of the restaurant. The Zen Garden in the back had semi private seatings. The potted plants, Japanese maple tree and other trees and the bamboo plants were strategically placed to create a semi private space for each of the seating areas. Also in the garden were various vegetables and flowers growing. I saw some cilantro and other vegetables and there were day lilies and other flowers spread out. The Zen Garden had rakes so adults could create art. To children, it is a huge sandbox with toys in it. Inside the restaurant, there were QR codes at each table that you could use to place your order. The waiters will prepare and bring your food to your table afterwards. If you order at the counter and get seating in the back, they will call you by your name and bring your food to your table outside. I tried the Saigon Latte which had a giant dollop of condensed milk and strong drip coffee. The nuttiness came from the oat milk used. I highly recommend this drink for the Vietnamese coffee experience. This is probably some of the best I have had. The Sea Salt Shaker was a bit underwhelming compared to the Saigon Latte. It's a salty ice latte with a thin foam layer. They didn't have the Honey Mousse Expresso that we wanted to try because it seemed to only be available when the owner is there. Highly guarded recipe I suppose. For the banh mi, we had the cured salmon banh mi and the banh mi Sai Gon with the fish terrine. My husband said they discontinued the egg version which was one of the reason why we drove all the way here. I hope they bring it back. Both of the banh mi that we ordered were great and so different from what I am accustomed to in terms of Vietnamese banh mi. The fish terrine reminded me a lot of the fried fish patties that my mother in law would make. It is very authentic in taste. The cured salmon banh mi was surprisingly good with the herb pesto. This seemed more of a fusion banh mi. The fact that the daikon and carrots sticks in both banh mi was mainly salty and lacked sourness surprised me. I don't know if this was intended but I think a bit of sourness if they were to pickle them in vinegar instead would really enhance the sandwiches flavors. It would bring another dimension to the flavor profiles of both. Overall, I highly recommend this coffee shop. There is a great Eater Boston article that you can also read to learn more about the owner and his restaurant. See my pictures! read more

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Um... this was the BEST dinner I've had a long time. This is the cutest little hole in the wall cafe/restaurant and feels so homey and cozy inside. The cured salmon noodles remind me of a poke bowl, and the sauce was light and refreshing. The noodles are long and flat (my favorite)! The cucumber complimented everything nicely, and it was also plated so well! The espresso latte is actually more like a latte macchiato in that the coffee is on top. It has condensed milk in it, which makes it different than lattes I usually have. It really satisfied my sweet tooth! The passionfruit yogurt was such a burst of flavor and sort of has the consistency of creme brulee or flan. A great way to end the meal! read more

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The Saigon coffee was delicious!! It is a nice quiet cafe good for quick work/study. No wifi. Will definitely be back! read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Coffee and a snack! - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Pros: Very hip and trendy place. The atmosphere is nice and stays open later than most places Cons: Can be a bit loud, is self-serve (isn't a big deal), and seating can be limited As for the food, I could tell there was a lot of thought into the pho salad. Between the noodles and the pesto, the chefs here work on each ingredient deligently. However, it wasn't quite to my palate The pho salad costed $16 for not much food and I didn't really see how the salmon blended well with the rest of the dish. It also could have benefited with more fresh vegetables to give a sense of "freshness" read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Pho salad with salmon - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This place is legit authentic Vietnamese and I would know. The food and drinks here is basically a flight back to Vietnam. Honestly the food here could not be better!!! "Pho" noodle salad with salmon - was a bit worried at first since this sounded like a white washed twist but WOW the flavor (garlic! Fish sauce! Cilantro!) is chef's kiss amazing! I'm not a huge spice eater but the spicy version of this was perfect (less hot than hot Cheetos). The noodles aren't vermicelli but a fatter version. Dish is put together perfectly House made yogurt - ugh the tartness and softness is pure joy Service was so friendly and covid safe. They don't have too much space inside so just waited outside until my take out was ready I want to come back here multiple times over the next week and try everything!! read more

I had very high hopes from this place given that it repeatedly shows up in Boston eater, the lines are super long especially on weekends and the vibes look fun. That said, the food here is average at best. I had the salmon bahn-mi and it was dry and underseasoned, and quite frankly, bland. The coffees are usually great but with so many great coffee shops in the area, I don't think I'd come here especially for that. They do have good baked items but they source them from Cafe Beatrice - so full marks for sourcing well, but none for making good food themselves. read more

Overall, the food was good but I was really disappointed with the portions. Usually, when I order a banh mi, I expect it to be so filled with food that I have a difficult time getting all the ingredients in one bite. At Cicada, I ordered the lemon grass chicken banh mi, and while it tasted good, I could not believe that there were hardly any fillings and that it cost me $16. In my opinion, this was not worth the trip or the price. read more

I think I just found my new favorite coffee spot. I've been waiting for this place to open up and saw other people felt the same when there was a huge line on opening day. Even though I ended up going after opening day, this place is constantly filled with customers so you know it's good. If you're COVID-19 cautious, you can easily order on their website and order pick-up. We got the Ha Noi Mousse Coffee, Sai Gon Latte, Phở Noodle Salad with Cured Salmon, Banh Mi Cured Salmon to share and was pretty wowed by each dish. The coffee is rich and strong with a wonderfully smooth finish. The Ha Noi Mousse is heavy on the honey and a little too sweet for me, but I also didn't mix the drink that well so I would advise doing that if you order it. The Sai Gon Latte ended up being my favorite because it was lightly sweetened with condensed milk and additionally, creamy from the oat milk. (I went again a separate day to try the Sea Salt Shaker, and loved the addition of sea salt to the drink as it produced a nice contrast from the condensed milk. Definitely recommend this and the Sai Gon Latte.) Unfortunately I couldn't taste the flavor notes of the Banh Mi Cured Salmon because I was mostly eating the Phở Noodle Salad with Cured Salmon, which had an incredible balance of flavors. I can't believe the chefs fused cashew herb pesto with my childhood favorite nớc chấm, and made the dish work so well. You can order both noodle salads and banh mi's with spice or not but would definitely recommend the spice for a nice kick, although it's not very spicy. My only complaint is the salmon was a little too salty for me. The noodle salad has enough flavor so I personally don't think the salmon needs much additional seasoning. I also wish the banh mi had a little more flavor as the noodle salad definitely outshined it, but I also only took a few bites from it so I'm not a fair judge. Overall this an excellent Vietnamese cafe addition to Cambridge and will be my go-to coffee spot when I'm near Central Square. read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Sea Salt Shaker - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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We ordered the salmon pho (top) and the mushroom black rice (bottom). Both very good but the pho was definitely better. The whole setup of ordering is a little complicated though. You order at the front even after you have been seated. Food is also placed at the front to be picked up. And you should also bus your food after. Doesn't ruin the experience, it's just a little confusing. Finally, I have heard their coffee is very good, although I did not get any I look forward to trying it in the future. read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

One of the few greats, where the coffee and tea, and the clientele, are just a few of the instruments among the orchestral delight of resting in a seat here. Hopefully, for awhile. A cassette player provides the music. Old and tattered novels are piled upon the shelves. There is no WiFi. Don't ask. You don't need it. Order. Sit. Sip. Relax. Leave and come back again. read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Lemongrass herbal brew - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Absolutely delicious coffee and pastries. I recommend the sea salt shaker iced coffee and whatever flavor of brioche or kouign aman they have available that day. Amazing ambiance and beautifully decorated interior. Verrrrry popular, so there's a long line out the door on the weekends. If you're working from home and have the chance to pop in on a weekday, then you can usually grab a seat and hang out for a while. read more

Cute Vietnamese inspired cafe in the heart of Cambridge. It's a small place so the line gets a bit crazy on weekends. Great place for coffee/drinks and they do also sell a limited variety of foods as well. read more

Delicious food. Unique menu for dinners. We loved our chicken and duck dishes. We got a passion fruit brioche for dessert that was also exceptional. read more

Saigon latte- creamy but not overly so, and as someone who doesn't like super sweet drinks, this is just sweet enough. One of the best speciality lattes I've had. Ask for less ice and make sure to stir it well before drinking! read more

Cicada Coffee Bar - Saigon latte - Vietnamese Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I don't get the hype about this place. It's very chaotic and hard to find a table here. Saigon latte is pretty good but I don't feel that it's significantly better than other places. Don't get the duck confit dishes. Duck is extremely salty. read more