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    Life Alive Organic Cafe Central Square

    4.3 (1.7k reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Life Alive Organic Cafe Central Square Takeout or Delivery

    Life Alive Organic Cafe Central Square Photos

    LIFE ALIVE ORGANIC CAFE CENTRAL SQUARE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Life Alive Organic Cafe Central Square

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    Richard M.

    This place is a Godsend! The food is always on point! I recently implemented a vegan diet and Life Alive made the transition a whole lot easier lol. I usually order the garlic noodles, mushroom shawarma pita, and the rainbow harvest. You can't go wrong with either! Service is notable as the workers are friendly and accommodating when it comes to the menu. The ambiance is just as inviting as their food!

    Life Alive's version of Bibimbap.
    Allison E.

    Don't get their Bibimbap dish if you like Bibimbap. I've loved this place since it opened. Since it was sold several years ago, there are some new additions to the menu - I'm all for that. But, yesterday I tried Garlic Sesame Bibimbap. It's not a good addition. It's nothing like Bibimbap, especially because it's missing Gochujang sauce! The dish is not spicy, missing that particular flavor. At least the tofu should have it on it when cooked. Don't get this dish if you like the Korean dish, Bibimbap.

    Bibimbap and ginger lemon tea
    Annie G.

    Great food. The bibimbap came with great portion with good flavor punch. The tofu was firm and filling , and the veggies made the bowl healthy. My favorite part was that unlike most Korean-style food, the gochujang-sauce wasn't overly sweet and I was actually able to mix into the food. Not pricey either. Feels great eating on a busy weekday night. The only wish was for the bowl to be warmer when it comes.

    The Green Goddess
    Jenny T.

    Food: I loved the hot Mexican chocolate. Came here on a rainy day and it was so heart-warming. Service: Food is always really fast here. Ambiance: I love how there are 2 floors here, it has such a cozy ambiance in a lovely area of Cambridge :)

    pita and hummus plate
    Isabella C.

    This is by far my favorite of their locations- such a cute space! The workers were friendly, and I particularly love how this cafe is open so late. We got the pb&j acai bowl- it was a refreshing snack with a bunch of different toppings.

    Brittany T.

    This place is SO COOL! Wonderful stop to get some real nutrients and energy while traveling. My friends and I got a variety of items and loved them all. I had the green smoothie and it was yummy and refreshing. A little heavier on the ginger than I'd prefer, burns a little but otherwise great and smooth. My friend had the Ocean Blue latte and said it tasted mostly like salted coconut milk but it was good.

    Ginger Crush and Steawberry Lemonade
    Himani M.

    I loved everything about Life Alive: the vibe, decor, aesthetic, drinks, and vegan food. I loved that there was so much room downstairs and there was an assortment of different types of seating--from sofa-seats with pillows to chairs. This is a great place to come for college students and visitors as it's right in Cambridge. The drinks were great. I particularly loved my Watermelon Poke. I will never have real poke in my life, but I don't feel bad when I can eat this vegan version and that too with watermelon. The ginger-sesame and watermelon flavors combined so well together. I'm sure other dishes may be average, but the watermelon poke I highly recommend! A++ for concept and physical space for sure!

    Some kind of celery lemon Spritzer
    Debbie S.

    Everything was really delicious and nicely prepared! As a meat eater, I was surprised this was very filling! My friend and I both really enjoyed.

    Buddha bowl
    Sharon K.

    Finding out about Life Alive was the best part of my move to Boston. I love a healthy meal that keeps me full throughout the day and doesn't make me feel all groggy and nasty inside. The best part of this Cafe is that there's quite a few of them so whenever I have to run errands, I just go to the nearest one. My favorites from their grains are their buddha bowl, green goddess bowl (truly feel like a goddess after), adventurer bowl, and their avocado sol. From their salads, I usually opt for the avocado greens or their sesame shiitake tofu (minus the shiitake because unfortunately shiitake and my body don't go well together). But, ALL of their salads are super refreshing and suprisingly very filling. They even have acai bowl and a bunch of smoothies and lattes you can choose from! This place is practically heaven for organic, plant based lovers like me!! I also do recommend trying their homemade hot sauce and umami sauce that they have next to their self serve water bottles. I usually buy their hot sauce which is a little on the pricier side, but so worth it.

    Smoothie
    Allison L.

    I love this place for their vibrant bowls packed with flavor and fresh veggies! Their sauces complement each bowl so well and they are incredibly filling. I love the Buddha and Adventure bowl. Their butternut squash bisque and smoothies are also amazing! This is a great place for a quiet, fast casual meal that you know will be delicious and good for you.

    Mexican Hot Chocolate (iced)

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    8 months ago

    Awesome food. The menu includes nothing but healing delicious food. Great place to work on your laptop or read too.

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    Page 1 of 43

    Life Alive Organic Cafe Central Square Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Life Alive Organic Cafe Central Square

    Is this restaurant style or more of a cafe arrangement where I can pull out a laptop and do work?

    Hi Annette. You are welcomed to bring a laptop and do work in our cafés. We do have limited outlets and do ask that while you're with us, you'll take the opportunity to slow down and enjoy our delicious food.

    Is there a gluten free menu or anywhere online that can share what menu items are gf? Can't find anything!!

    They didn't seem to mark GF explicitly anywhere but the closest description I can find is from the home page of their website, it goes like "Whether you are an omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, macrobiotic, raw, gluten-free or other foodie… we know you… 

    What happened to the Goddess bowl?!?

    If you order a "Lover bowl" with no shiitake mushrooms, it is exactly the same as a "Goddess bowl". You can even replace the shiitakes with more of another vegetable for no additional charge. Hope this helps! :)

    I'm vegan. Is there anything I can eat but not containing garlic or onion? Thanks

    I can recommend ordering the Udo Miso or any bowl and ask them to replace the garlic-y sauce for any other like the Sesame Ginger.

    View All 5 Questions

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    Martsa On Elm

    4.0
    (427 reviews)
    2.1 mi
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    Good service here, ambience is decent and food is tasty but overall 3.5 stars overall.read more

    I think there is a lot left to be desired here. I had a party of 7 with a reservation, but they…read morecould not seat us until 15 minutes after our reservation time. This is due partly to another party ahead of us not leaving promptly, but I think the restaurant could have been ready ahead of us as well. I will admit that I enjoyed the ambiance - it had nice low lighting with contemporary decor which made a nice dinner spot. The service in terms of both the waiters and kitchen did not feel timely either. It took a while for drinks to arrive and there were barely any water refills in general. We ordered four different dishes on our side of the table and they were somewhat bland. The vegetable momos definitely need some kind of sauce since they were lacking in flavor. We also got a curry chicken thigh, beef noodles, and butter tofu. I think only the beef noodles had a good enough flavor profile and kick to them. I was also surprised that the portion sizes weren't close to what you would expect for the price. I think with so many good south Asian spots in the area, it's hard to recommend Martsa. I might consider coming back if I learn that there is a particular dish that I am missing out on.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    2 pieces Chola Bhatura ($6.50 per piece) - chickpea curry with tamarind mint sauce, wrapped in fried bread
    2 pieces Chola Bhatura ($6.50 per piece) - chickpea curry with tamarind mint sauce, wrapped in fried bread
    Aloo Parantha ($6.50) - pan fried potato stuffed flatbread

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    Aloo Parantha ($6.50) - pan fried potato stuffed flatbread
    Five Horses Tavern

    Five Horses Tavern

    3.8
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    $$

    We were part of a large group (12 diners) for a pre-wedding dinner/party…read more Except for the couple getting married, I believe the rest of our party were the only out-of-towners dining that evening. This is a pub-type atmosphere with a full-service, large bar serving cocktail specials and a gazillion draft beer options. There is a street-side patio if you wish to watch the people and cars at Davis Square. Five Horses serves American comfort food, and they do a pretty good job serving up their offerings. I ordered the steak tips, and they were OK. They were served Med/rare, as ordered, but they did need a bit more seasoning. Plus one ordered a steak salad, and it was OK. They were pretty frugal with the protein, and it came with an abundance of tomatoes. Another guest split a cobb salad it arrived without some ingredients, like bacon. Other diners stated that their dinners were excellent, so 4 stars seems about right. Even though they were very busy, our table was well taken care of throughout the evening. If I lived here, this would be in my rotation for a brew or two, catch a game, and enjoy a burger.

    I try not to post negative reviews but I do not recommend the flank steak. I saw it (flank steak,…read morechimmichurri sauce, mashed potatoes, and broccoli) at $29 and said I haven't ordered a steak in while, let's treat myself. Boy was I disappointed, it was literally four tiny slices of beef, about a ladle and a half of mashed potatoes (flavor was great but the texture was dry and it was hard to swallow), and the broccoli was broccoli. The steak was cooked to my liking (rare) but it was room temp and I would describe that serving size as maybe the equivalent of a medallion. Everything else our table ordered (pizza, shepherd's pie, and a burger) looked great but the flank steak is not it y'all. However the service was top notch and will definitely go back, just won't order the flank steak next time!

    Photos
    Eye catching tap handle display
    Eye catching tap handle display
    Biscuits and gravy with mimosa flight.
    Biscuits and gravy with mimosa flight.
    Menu with my dirty martini and husband's Negroni

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    Menu with my dirty martini and husband's Negroni
    American Flatbread

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    4.2
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    A surprisingly solid place that offers really good food, drinks and bowling…read more I came here as a group outing, and didn't have many expectations. The service was amazing, the flatbread was freshly made and delicious, the drinks were great, and the bowling was fun. I really liked the bake potato and Hawaiian with pork. It gets popular and make sure you book your reservation in advance. Highly recommend this place and will return again later. That being said, parking can be tricky. I came here on a weekend afternoon and the parking lot across the street was full. There are 3 street metered spots directly outside. I ended up finding another lot that was a 10-min walk away, and it offered 3-hour parking. So come early to find parking or prepare to walk.

    Merica!!! Most certainly a neighborhood gem…read more The warm & rustic ambiance is incredibly welcoming as you walk in and immediately you know... this is place is old school and I love it. Then right away, other than the multiple candle pin lanes & children playing and having a great time, is their pizza oven! The wood-fired oven is front and center, and you can actually watch your pizza being made fresh -- it adds to the whole experience. The flatbreads are a treat. The crust is nicely crisp with just the right amount of chew, and the toppings are fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully sourced. Either build your own and chose from their exciting menu options. Then of course there's beer They have a great selection of local beer that hit quite nicely. And the staff were extremely friendlier and attentive. They really make you feel like a valued guest. Whether you're here for date night, a casual dinner with friends, or just craving top-notch pizza, this place nails it. Some come enjoy some great food, solid beer and even try your hand at a game of candle pins.

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    Ambience
    Ambience
    LG Medicine Wheel
    LG Medicine Wheel
    American Flatbread

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    Sugidama Soba & Izakaya

    Sugidama Soba & Izakaya

    4.2
    (501 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    The best sushi I've had in Boston. Hands down. I am not exaggerating, my partner and I dream about…read morethis sushi all the time, and we've unfortunately started comparing our other sushi experiences to this one. Soba is also really good. Everything here is really good, but I highly recommend the nigiri - while it's a little pricy (standard pricing comparative to other restaurants), it is well worth it Service is quite fast and we felt like we were taken care of. One time, the server took the soy sauce bottle away from one table without warning and gave it to us, and then proceeded to do the same to us. However, in this rare case, the food quality and taste overpowered the service issues. Inside is lively, and cozy. They also have outdoor patio seating in the summer, which is lovely as well. This is a restaurant I wouldn't mind coming to over and over again.

    stopped in for a cool meal on a hot and sticky saturday. ordered an agedashi tofu, veggie tempura,…read moresushi soba and uni soba agedashi was good, kinda like fried tofu in hot and sour soup. tempura was cooked just right, came out popping hot, crispy, and the veggies inside cooked proper. the sashimi on the soba wasn't exactly the freshest, no concern whatsoever, but was not the freshest. uni soba was good. the uni was a little on the bitter side but the server did warn about that. the soba noodles were a little dried, not sure how the restaurant managed this for a soba place but it's just embarrassing.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Kamo Nandan Duck Breast Hot Soba ($22)
    Kamo Nandan Duck Breast Hot Soba ($22)
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    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

    3.9
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    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
    Fried green tomatoes and cheese grits!
    Fried green tomatoes and cheese grits!
    Nice pie list!!!
    Nice pie list!!!
    Meatloaf

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    Meatloaf

    Life Alive Organic Cafe Central Square - vegetarian - Updated August 2026

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