Cambridge is a city jam packed with a lavish selection of fine eateries from corner to corner. As with options this vast, it can be daunting making a decision on where first to embark. Luckily for us, my bestie and her hubby were our unofficial tour guides for the evening, as we ventured on a casual double date night at none other than Grafton Street. It's as every bit as street level as its exterior decorum exudes. Incidentally enough, we discovered that the best time to arrive on a Friday night is anytime before 7:30, because that's when the crowd decided to show up. That having been said, it's important to note this place can become very noisy very quickly. It is a bar after all. And the lushes were afoot on this most boisterous Friday night. So anyways, we started the night off with two apps.. Spinach and Artichoke Dip: My bestie highly recommended this app and her palate was most spot-on with this one. Creamy as hell with large Artichokes throughout. And the homemade chips add a much appreciated rustic touch to the whole thing. Though, I do wish there were an option to add a protein like shrimp or even lobster meat or something. 9 out of 10, would recommend! Steak Tartare: What's the best way to put this? I think....misleading sums it up. I'd even go as far to say this felt like a fake tartare. For one thing, it didn't even look the right color. And that's likely because it was doused in some kind of dressing that gave the whole thing an unusual taste. Now, we've had our fair share of tartare apps in the past; the carpaccio from Proper Chophouse at the Nash Casino being among the best. But this one had a strange flavor with a bizarre, chewy texture that just didn't sit right with us. Not only was the beef unrefined, it was also underseasoned. Needless to say, we ended up sending this one back after only one bite each and swapped it out for the artichoke dip. 1 out of 10, this one just didn't work. Onto the mains.. Shepherd's Pie: From what I gather, the wifey was quite pleased with this one. She just needed to add her copious amounts of salt as she does because she's the salt queen. After which, she thoroughly enjoyed it. We also appreciate the fact this is a REAL Shepherd's Pie and not merely cosplaying as many other restaurants do by making theirs with beef. Nay. Nothing but lamb in this legit dish. Grilled Pork Chop: Okay. I need to start this out by stating how elated I was to finally try a properly cooked pork chop in a restaurant. So, a little background story - growing up in the 80s, I was fooled into believing pork chop was simply something I pretended to enjoy, since it was always a thin cut, overcooked, dry as hell slab of anemically seasoned pork. Ch'yeah...my uncle really cooked like a donkey sometimes. Anywho, fast forward to 2026 and I'm presented with this gorgeous cut of freshly grilled pork. Right away, I can tell that it is WELL seasoned! A lot. Like...salty. VERY salty. Salty like the sea. Chat, the pork was overseasoned. And I can't even believe I'm saying that! But allow me to elaborate. It wasn't overseasoned to the point of being inedible. But JUST over the mark. And I've NEVER had that happen in a restaurant setting before. Usually, you'll hear me complain about food being quite the reverse. This is so rare, in fact, that I initially had a tough time admitting it to myself. After bite number 7 or 8, I thought, "Wow! This is the saltiest piece of meat I've ever tasted inside restaurant walls!" The insides of my mouth felt drier than Pakistan. I felt as if the Special Forces were about to start conducting maneuvers inside my mouth-hole imminently. But, I digress. This one was OKAY, but I don't think I'd get it again. 7 out 10, not sure if they'll take requests for reduced sodium, but....be sure to drink a tall glass of water with this one. Side note on the potato salad: it was good. Not quite as good as the one I make at home. Though, I can appreciate the fact they use Yukon Gold potatoes, same as me. This one was served warm, however; possibly due to the hot pork chop sitting atop of it. All things considered, we would certainly return. The vibe is contemporary, as is its decorum. And wouldn't you know it? They actually have tap-to-pay courtesy of their mobile POS systems! That was an unexpected, considering normally only casual chain dine-in restaurants have that sort of thing. Next time around, I'd be willing to try a burger or even the fish n' chips, if the mood so fits. Taking into account their potential, aside from their one-off faux pas, I'm gonna give Grafton Street 4 savory pork chops hot off the grill out of 5. read more

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We were craving some steak so decided to come here (even though it's not necessarily a steak house) we saw the good reviews and decided to give it a go! Service was pretty good. Staff were friendly. The coladas I ordered were sweet but also one of the best I've ever had! They were nice enough to split the steak for us without having to ask. Food was nicely seasoned. I mean, I'm not sure what's not to like about this place. Definitely good vibes all around. read more

Grafton Street - Colada & non alcoholic beverage - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Restaurant and bar near the Harvard Square. The portions were large, and the food was acceptable; that's probably why it was still so lively on a Tuesday night. Moules Frites: Google revealed it's Belgium's national dish, but this seems to be an Irish restaurant... The mussels weren't large, but they were quite fresh and very umami. The sauce, a blend of butter, parsley, and white wine, was creamy without being too greasy. However, the fries were just average, a bit cold and soggy. Shepherd's Pie: I chose what looked like the most Irish main course. The mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy, and the minced lamb was very flavorful. Unfortunately, the sauce was a bit too salty, overpowering the natural acidity of the tomatoes. read more

Grafton Street - Moules Frites - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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A cozy pub with a more elevated menu and nice cocktails. There is a surprising amount of seating inside. The service was friendly and attentive. I got the hot-buttered cider, which was comforting and had exactly the right amount of cinnamon spice. The Irish coffee was a bit too strong on the whiskey for my liking, but I loved the baileys cream topping. The cheese board was substantial enough for 2-3 people. I loved the variety of cheese and the tart cranberry preserves on the side. I do wish it came with more bread or some crackers. read more

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Just wanted to add an update to my review: came here on a Friday evening for dinner and wanted to try something way outside of what I normally would. I ordered the apple cider-braised farro with added steak and it was lovely! The farro (a grain) was very tender and the mushrooms, corn, and kale all went very well with it and the sauce it was braised on. Service was incredibly friendly as always and we love coming here for a date night with the old timey advertisements in the wall and nice lighting! read more

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Haven't been here in ages but $1 oysters and validated parking lured me back. Got here and ordered two dozen oysters from Cotuit, a couple glasses of wine to start. Followed by some tasty deep fried calamari and chicken wings with some amazing dry rub. We were already full but split an order of the fish and chips. Before the main came the staff was generous enough to come back twice for me to sample various beers before I ordered one I liked. When the fish and chips arrived the kitchen had split our order in two plates. So all in all, service was fantastic! Food was very good and with validated parking so nearby what more can one ask for?! Note that there's plenty of different interior as well as exterior dining area to choose from, so come early before the crowd. read more

Grafton Street - Receipt - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Stopped by on a busy Friday night and hung out at the bar for a bit while waiting for a table. There I proceeded to get THE BEST amaretto sour of my life. Seriously cannot recommend enough. We were seated faster than they originally estimated and got a few apps to share. The mozzarella sticks here are huge which is a big plus. I also got a poke bowl which was very fresh with high quality salmon. The atmosphere is so cozy and definitely attracts a classy, young professional crowd (there may have also been a conference at Harvard). If you stop by, make it a point to try an amaretto sour!!! read more

Grafton Street - Amaretto sour - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Grafton Street is a fantastic place, one of my favorites in Harvard. The food is great, especially the Irish breakfast, it hits perfect after a night out. People actually talk to each other and it's an amazing place to hang out and meet friends for a night. The bartender Paul is amazing, very funny and just the person you want to talk to. It's my place I keep coming back to. read more

Grafton Street - Irish breakfast and mozarella sticks - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

We were in Harvard Square for a concert at the Sinclair and wanted to get some food beforehand. It was a very busy day because it was Cambridge day plus all the Harvard sporting events. We went into Grafton Street hoping to find a table and instead, we werelucky to find two seats at the bar. Great beer, selection, had some calamari. I had the chicken sandwich my buddy had the burger. Bartender was efficient, and the food was quite good. I like that you can have fries or a salad or half and half. The salad was very very fresh --greens which was excellent. The fries were also very good. I would definitely go back to Grafton Street. Quite impressed. Place was packed by the way. Always a good sign. read more

The best corn chowder ever, but it was the worst hush puppy ever. I sat at the bar, and it is an amazing people watching spot. The service is great! I want to bring my husband here, because the vibe is crazy good!!! It ia really cool in decor, too. I'm thinking the poutine would be off the charts, as well as the burger. I think I also chose poorly for my entree. I still highly suggest coming here!!! read more

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Got an Irish breakfast. Food was nice but portion was small for the price. Always get excited when these places say "traditional Irish" on the item but it never is made with actual ingredients from Ireland. The service was great and the atmosphere is very nice but a bit overpriced! read more

Grafton Street - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This spot has a great location right next to a parking garage and they Validate! The Staff is very accommodating and friendly and it has a warm and comfy atmosphere! Recently they had a private function and had an area that was only for that event and served tasty small bites and open bar with featured beverages! Wasn't too crowded and was just right amount of invited guests! read more

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Came here for a quick drink. They have decent selection of mixed drinks. The actual space is pretty big. Right in downtown near Harvard. read more

Grafton Street - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Beautiful decor, delicious food, and friendly staff! Would definitely recommend this gem in Harvard Square. read more

Grafton Street - Beautiful decor for the season - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This is a fun spot, but it's 2026 and the menu still doesn't have gluten free options other than two appetizer salads! ! I went with friends and watched them eat instead. So many other restaurants offer more and a good atmosphere too. read more

I have never done a Yelp review, this is my first. I HAD to because we went there for brunch last weekend. I had the chicken and waffles and the chicken was literally the best piece of chicken I've ever had in my life. And I've eaten a lot of chicken. The waffles were also epic. read more

Love this bar! Stumbled in after a comedy show and it was great -- drinks were good, quick service. The nachos could have used more chips but had really good flavor. read more

This was our fifth time to the restaurant. We really like it and especially appreciate the free parking in Harvard Square. Highlights of the menu are the fish and chips and the crispy chicken sandwich. I was disappointed with a winter salad ( no longer on the menu). I do wish they would add a few more options to their menu since we visit frequently. I would like to try different things. I splurged this time and ordered the $29 salmon. The fish portion was small but exceedingly well prepared. Unfortunately, it was served on top of warm fingerling potatoes and a cold green bean salad, which was mostly olives. So if I were to order it again, I would decline the salad and request that the food be plated side-by-side instead of in a messy bowl the hamburgers here are also excellent. The bartender excels at a Guinness pour! service has been consistently excellent. We were there during a World Cup game the other night and the server told us that they were only two people on in the restaurant was extremely busy despite that, our service was attentive and we did not feel rushed highly recommend Grafton Street pub. read more

Grafton Street - Salmon- perfect fish, awful plating - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Fun atmosphere with FIFA game day, food was great and also friendly waitress gave us recommendations that were spot on for both drinks and food. We will be back... read more

Huge piece of fish cooked perfectly. Sat outside on a beautiful Friday afternoon during the Head of the Charles. Servers friendly and attentive. Second time here and would definitely recommend read more

Grafton Street - Fish & Chips - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

We sat down to eat dinner, we've been here before. This time we brought our kid who has some dietary restrictions so we got her a small meal elsewhere that complies with her needs. We were ready to order a giant meal and have some drinks, unfortunately they could not accommodate us bringing in a different meal for our child who is on a very specialized diet. And they were rude about it. The place was quite empty so rather than take our money and let our kid eat what they needed to we had to leave. So disappointed in their customer service and the lack of accommodation towards someone with special needs. I just got a very negative vibes this time. Normally the food is a solid three stars, the service has always meh but tolerable today was for sure the last time we eat here. I can tolerate mediocre food but that server was not nice. read more

Staff was wonderful, drinks were great! The fish and chip were second to none! Tasted like I pour in my order and they went out and caught the fish! Solid will return! read more

Senior paradise. Who knew that a pub could have a parlor area! We love gastro pubs but don't like the noise. When I went to the hostess I ask if there was a quiet area. What a surprise when she brought us to our secluded parlor. I was thrilled to see full Irish breakfast on the menu. It was as good as the many Irish breakfasts I've had in UK. My glass of Prosecco was filled to the top! I loved the friendly service here. read more

Grafton Street - Irish Breakfast - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Pretty good salad! Honestly, it might have come TOO fast hahah... wanted to chat more with my guest. Of course there's the "Cambridge tax," so don't come expecting to pinch ya pennies, but it's good read more

I came here only because I heard Good Will Hunting was filmed in this bar location. I don't recognize any of the interior, but it was nice inside. Service was superb. Prices were high. Food and drink quality were slightly above average. Great spot for a date, business meeting, or a small group of friends. I wouldn't bring a family or children here, though. read more

Good crème brûlée. Ambience is alright. Nothing special. Might try their savory dishes like their Fried chicken sandwich and their Mexican chocolate tart. Loved the peach mango downeast. read more

Grafton Street - Crème brûlée - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I had a great dinner experience here. The burger hit the spot. I got the brussel sprouts on the side which left some to be desired--they were just steamed with no glaze/salt/pepper/etc. The farro dish was super flavorful and such a large portion. The space is high-energy but service is attentive. I would definitely go back for a quick "elevated bar food" meal. read more

The place is pretty big. Make sure if you go with a large party make a reservation before. They offer breakfast until 4:00 pm and after 4:00 they offer dinner. The service was good. read more

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Came here with a party of 2 on a Friday evening and was seated relatively quickly despite it being the H v Y weekend. It is quite a loud and packed place - I would not recommend it for those with children. We started off with some drinks which were good. For food we got the Grafton burger and the chickpea fritters. The burger was good - nothing to write home about. The chickpeas however were SO salty. So much so that we did not finish the dish. I'm not sure if it was a one-off accident but I would not order that dish again. I would recommend this place for a fun dinner with friends read more

Grafton Street - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Awesome food and Paul is amazing! Came here with a number of friends and the service was great. Food came out super fast. Also the ambiance was fantastic for us to just spend a relaxing Saturday morning. read more

Great place, great vibes, great mimosas. Paul B is the man. Definitely recommend anyone to come.

I had such a great experience at Grafton Street Bar & Grill thanks to our server, Paul. From the moment we sat down, he went above and beyond to make us feel taken care of. I came in with a sore throat and without hesitation, Paul made me a special tea on the spot....not something you expect at a bar and grill, but it was exactly what I needed. On top of that, he was witty, personable, and had the kind of energy that makes dining out feel like more than just a meal. You can tell he genuinely enjoys what he does, and it shows in the way he treats his guests. 10/10 would recommend coming here, and if you're lucky enough to have Paul as your server, you're in for a treat! read more

Came to Harvard Square for the first time in YEARS (despite being a Boston local all my life!) and decided to grab a bite to eat with a friend. We stopped at Grafton and were both eager to try the Grafton burgers. I got all toppings and sauces included cooked well done, and my friend got it plain cooked medium. At first, there was a mix-up and our patties got swapped (I got the medium and she got the well done), but the waiters kindly replaced it and were so sweet! The staff at Grafton are wonderful, and checked in numerous times to ensure we were satisfied. When the burgers came, they were great! Not the best burger I've ever had, but I left satisfied. The service was what made the experience 4 stars. read more

Grafton Street - Grafton burger - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Came here with my family for a late afternoon dinner. Service was great, cozy ambience in rainy weather. Some great $1 oysters! Everyone liked their food, but I cannot stop thinking about the cider braised farro with roasted corn, black kale, and crispy garbanzos. It was available with any protein on top, yet was super comforting, and the texture was on point for a great plant -based meal on its own that I need to figure out and copy at home. read more

Wasn't planning on going to Grafton Street but they had no wait had brunch and drinks so we had to give it a try. This place is very nice on the inside and for sure has English vides. We quickly looked over the menu and there was a lot that sounded good but first good get drinks before going to Harvard. A pitcher of mimosas was $48 which as a Floridan who has bottomless around for $15 to $25 per person it does sounds like a lot but let's be honest your not gonna beat Florida. Our pitcher came out and I will say it's a lot of OJ, fresh squeezed OJ but still a lot and as fresh OJ has... a lot of pulp. price just seemed high for what you get. Now there was a lot of options that sounded good for brunch. They do have an English Breakfast but I'm going to London soon so I'll wait. I went with the Chicken and Waffles. I love Chicken and Waffles please this came with Sausage Gravy which is also one of my loves. Their Chicken and Waffles comes with bacon & scallion waffles, sweet potato purée, swiss chard, bourbon-pecan syrup, sausage gravy. You had me at Bacon Waffle but I didn't notice any. I also did must the Swiss Chard which is basically spinach.. Just why not need for that at all but they seem to put it in most of their dishes. All 3 of the entrees was got had it. It's Chicken and Waffles, with gravy just through health out the window, but for Harvard reason I guess gotta have your greens. The gravy was not like any I have had either. More runny then thick but again I'm from the south. Everything else I mention would have been fine but the Chicken had so seasoning. It was so bland. As I'm typing this I'm thinking could this be 2 stars worthy... I think no, plus you really have to let me down to be 2 stars. Our food did come out very fast which is something I'm not gonna complain about either and serve was good. Just a little bit of a heads up if your going. I will say I did try their Sweet Potato Home Fries which I did like and I'm not a sweet potato fan. Again trying to give you come more health because once again Harvard. read more

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Haven't had their food, but they're great for a nice drink with live music. Their large format cocktails are fun and can easily be shared between 5 people read more

One of the best brunches I've had! I ordered the eggs Benedict and it was amazing. From the bread it was on, perfectly cooked eggs and fabulous hollandaise it is a must try. The sweet potatoes that came with it were also to die for! Everything else my family ordered was also fantastic, so definitely can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The ambience is very calming and quiet which made for a great meal to start the day. We ordered a pitcher of mimosas as well which were delicious. Would absolutely return! read more

Grafton Street - Eggs Benedict - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Drinks...EXCELLENT! Food...EXCELLENT!!! Best part...Paul, and his witty humor, made this an awesome brunch!! You should definitely come here for an awesome Sunday chill experience!! read more

Paul the bartender was a fantastic addition to our day. Loved the food, the drinks, and the conversation.

My husband and I came here on a Saturday night before a show in the area. There was some sort of event going on (saw people with nametags) so it was super crowded and loud, but we had a reservation and were seated right away. I was pleased to see they had a couple of mocktail selections on the menu (just two, but I never expect much). I chose one made with hibiscus tea with jalapeno listed as one of the ingredients, but it just kind of ended up tasting like a weaker iced tea without much flavor. I asked for a couple of slices of fresh jalapeno to spice it up, which did help. We ordered the mezze platter for an app - the tzatziki was incredible and we loved the pita. For mains we got the burger and the spicy chicken sandwich. Chicken sandwich was good but burger was amazing. My husband said it's the best he's had since we moved to Boston. Despite how busy they were, the service was fantastic and we were in and out in less than an hour. I really liked the vibe of the den and would love to return on a day when they're less busy and it's a little quieter so we can linger more. All in all, highly recommend! read more

Grafton Street - Mezze platter - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts