OTTO

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.

Good service here, ambience is decent and food is tasty but overall 3.5 stars overall.read more

Interior

2 pieces Chola Bhatura ($6.50 per piece) - chickpea curry with tamarind mint sauce, wrapped in fried bread

See all

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

Life Alive Organic Cafe Davis Square

4.0(62 reviews)

1.1 mi•Davis Square

I love Life Alive cafes, and the Davis Square one was less busy than some of the other locations…read morearound Boston. I had the Coconut Red Lentil Dal, which is a summer special, and it was the best Life Alive bowl I've ever had. It was fresh, hearty, and delicious, with the creamy dal going perfectly with the lentil and rice base. Our food came out quickly and there was both indoor and outdoor seating available. I'd definitely come to this location again!

First place I would give 6 stars if possible!!…read more Our food was perfectly prepared, fresh, and filling. Prices were extremely fair given the quality and quantity of food. I think there was a hole in my plate!! (Because the food disappeared) The atmosphere Life Alive has curated is so comfortable and open. There is plenty of seating space indoor and out. 10/10

1.4 mi•Porter Square, North Cambridge

Inside

Teriyaki shiitake wrap - hard to eat without falling apart

See all

PB&J açaí bowl, iced matcha with oat milk and green planet açaí bowl

Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar - Cambridge

4.3(455 reviews)

My wife and I were born in Cuba and moved to the United States when we were very young. We've…read morecherished Cuban cuisine throughout our lives, prepared by our parents and grandparents. Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting Gustazo Cuban Kitchen in Cambridge for the first time, and it was an exceptional experience. Our server, Sandeep, was delightful and provided excellent suggestions and recommendations. We began with three small plates: Croquetas de Jamón, Garbanzos con Espinaca (a Spanish-style dish with chickpeas and spinach in a smoky almond sofrito), and Tortilla Española (a traditional Spanish egg frittata with layered potatoes and caramelized onions). Each dish was incredibly delicious. We also sampled the Congrí Rice & Beans to see if it would be suitable for our holiday catering needs, and it exceeded our expectations. For our main course, we enjoyed the Ropa Vieja, served traditionally with white rice, black beans, and maduros. We ended with a delicious flan to share. Having dined at many Cuban and Spanish restaurants in Massachusetts, we can confidently say that Gustazo is the most authentic Cuban restaurant we've experienced. The flavors were truly delightful. Highly Recommended! Ray & Luisa Gonzalez

We had dinner here with a reservation on a Friday night and the place was packed. Despite how busy…read moreit was, the service was fantastic. Our server was knowledgeable about what ingredients were in the dishes and made sure to accommodate our table's different allergies. We got a bunch of small plates to share and the highlights were: * Ceviche - fresh and with delicious sour citrus flavors * Bacon-wrapped plantains - the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors, plus crunchy-chewy and soft textures. * Octopus - perfectly cooked, flavorful, and topped with perfectly cooked potatoes The dishes were on the pricier side, but the great service and lively atmosphere made for a great group dinner experience.

Bar or open kitchen at the lower level

WHOLE TRES LECHES CAKE

See all

Beet salad

Five Horses Tavern

3.8(918 reviews)

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!

Eye catching tap handle display

Biscuits and gravy with mimosa flight.

See all

Menu with my dirty martini and husband's Negroni

American Flatbread

4.2(514 reviews)

1.2 mi•Davis Square

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.

Ambience

LG Medicine Wheel

See all

Sugidama Soba & Izakaya

4.2(497 reviews)

Parking - Easy to find street parking on a Sunday evening. Davis Square has many metered parking…read morelots in the area as well. Service - Servers were polite and attentive to our needs, filling waters before they were emptied, checking in on our food, etc. Food - Torch Toro Maki: 9/10 Really delicious & flavorful, the roll just melts in your mouth Million Dollar Maki: 10/10 This was my favorite roll with yellowtail, tuna, and salmon. In one bite you get a ton of fish and it tastes so satisfying! Salmon & Spicy Scallop Maki: 8/10 I did not love the mayo sauce on top but the roll is still delicious! The scallops and salmon pair nicely together Tenzaru Cold Soba This dish was so satisfying on a hot day! I really enjoyed the wasabi that comes with the soba noodles - it tastes fresh and sweet. They give you a generous portion of noodles and tempura - 2 shrimp, 2 sweet potato, 2 squash, 1 lotus root, 1 perilla leaf.

Pretty, bland food…read more Started with green tea, a bag-in-cup with overheated water that arrives bitter. Tried a variety of items: hot soba, a few yakitori, futomaki, and scallop hokkaiyaki. Disappointed with one-note soba broth and tiny overcooked scallops on a clamshell. Yakitori is fine, plain. Futomaki is the only thing I really enjoyed.

Bar area

Kamo Nandan Duck Breast Hot Soba ($22)

See all

Ebi Hot Soba w/ Assorted Tempura ($18)

Tenoch Mexican

4.2(327 reviews)

1.4 mi•Davis Square

•$

YUM! This small spot on the corner near Davis is delightful. Loved catching up with my sister here…read moreover a burrito, street corn (off the cob), and guac and chips. Everything was addictive and sharing those 3 items was the perfect amount of food for us. Highly recommend the chicken mole burrito, made with pulled chicken and rice/beans, plus delicious mole made from ground nuts, cocoa, spices, and magic. Loved this meal, service was fast and everything was fresh and clean.

The food was good, and the price was great for the quality. The restaurant is an order at the…read morecounter type. It's a good place to go for a late night chat with a friend over a meal.

Burro de la Casa Pollo con Mole

Grease all over my hands every time

See all

Torta Carne Asada

DAKZEN

4.1(599 reviews)

1.4 mi•Davis Square

Ordered Tom yum soup, Khao Grapao and Pad see ew. Tom yum soup could be more flavorful than just…read morespicy, yet was close to being authentic. Last 2 dishes were really good and satisfying. Quick service, may be because we went at 2 PM on a Sunday. Seating limited.

I ate here years ago and remember it being good! I ordered the wonton soup and a pad see ew with…read morebeef via Uber Eats. The pad see ew was great, it had a good amount of Chinese broccoli and beef. The beef was pretty tender. It was very flavourful and had a light wok hey to it. I was not a huge fan of the wonton soup. The broth was light and the wontons were average. It was a cozy and comfort addition though. It's a nice spot and I would not mind ordering here again!

Interior

GUI-CHAI-TOD

See all

Tiew Kai Toon: chicken was flavorful. The soup did not have much flavors

Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

3.9(800 reviews)

1.4 mi•Davis Square

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!

Diner booth seating

Onion Pakora

See all

Kashmiri Devilled Eggs ($12)

The Painted Burro

3.8(1.1k reviews)

If you love brunch, Painted Burro is a must! The all-you-can-eat, bottomless brunch is a fantastic…read moreway to sample a little bit of everything. We definitely had big eyes and wanted to try it all, but the service is so quick that it's best to pace yourself. The Palomas were refreshing, and the skinny margaritas were perfectly balanced, not too sweet. The bright, lively atmosphere made the experience even more enjoyable. Great food, great drinks, and a fun vibe. We can't wait to come back! Service is friendly n courteous.

If tacos are your love language, the Painted Burro speaks it fluently…read more I came for Mucho Monday, which offers $29 all-you-can-eat tacos, and left completely impressed (and full). It's not just a gimmick. The tacos are genuinely creative, flavorful, and made with care. I tried almost the entire lineup, skipping only the chicken and cauliflower. Here are my top picks: The birria taco: rich, tender, and served with habanero/tomatillo salsa. The blackened mahi mahi: smoky, citrusy, and super fresh. The gulf shrimp taco: perfectly balance with a sweet and spicy mango habanero salsa that had me reaching for seconds. The vibe is casual and fun, with great service that keeps the tacos coming without making you feel rushed or awkward (yes, I went back for more than one round). It's the kind of place that's perfect for a low-key dinner with friends or a chill date night. I'll definitely be back. Mondays just got way more exciting!