Puritan and Company is a compelling entry into the seafood bistro scene. Chef Will Gilson has created a menu that pays tribute to the bounty of New England's rich seafood heritage and focused use of locally sourced herbs. Located at Inman Square in Cambridge, Puritan is housed in a tastefully decorated venue that has a 19th Century stove as its hostess station. We arrived late to a packed house but they were able to seat us at the lone open table - reservations are strongly recommended. We opened with a '23 Lucien Albrecht Pinot Blanc from Alsace which was light, dry, and crisp - the perfect accompaniement for oysters. We also ordered a Hendrick's Gibson but, alas, had to settle for an extra dry up with four olives on the side. One note: Puritan, like so many venues, fails on the point of serving a martini in a champagne glass. Why is this so problematic? A martini should be served in a conical V-shaped glass with a long stem. I ask: would they serve a burgundy in a bordeaux stem?? Puritan has a rotating selection of oysters and yesterday's was Island Creeks from Duxbury. The Island Creek is the classic east coast oyster - the deep shell allows for plump, meaty oysters that have a lot of tooth in every bite. They feature a rich ocean brine and seawood and finish with a smooth sweet kiss. Puritan oysters are served with cucmber mignonette, green chili, and classic cocktail sauce but my strongest possible recommendation is to savor these without. Why make mask the genuine taste with an opague dressing? We couldn't resist the seafood risotto and were more than pleased. Generously portioned with lobster and crab, the rice was infused with a delectable seafood taste profile. The baked cod was sublime. A large cod steak, coated in a kataifi crust, was perfectly roasted - crunchy exterior with moist, flaky cod inside. Served on a bed of roasted green beans with a drizzle of lemon capers gave the dish complexity and character. Puritan is an outstanding oyster bar and brings an intriguing selection of both starters and mains. Puritan is definitely worth a visit. read more

See all

Consistently fantastic. Came to Puritan and Company for brunch chasing a massive craving for fresh seafood and gosh do they deliver. We came twice for brunch last year during the summer and once this year so far and every single time we are absolutely grateful. Consistently fresh, constantly friendly, the seafood tower is a perfect array of delicious fresh bites - today featured fresh mussels prepared in a red base oil that was divine, a whitefish salad that was so fresh and herbacious I'm still dreaming about it, fresh plump shrimps and unicorn oysters all exceptionally fresh and salty. This time we tried the cocktail of the season (last year was a charming blueberry drink) this year it's an Overnight Oats based in rye whiskey with maple flavoring and Black Walnut bitters. Perfection in a glass as far as brunch cocktails go. Our server recommended this to go with our moods and our order and it was fully on point, thank you! Finally, the lobster roll. I am gluten free so we got the gluten free bun, french fries and lobster in traditional butter - it was perfect. Really unique was the immense flavor and fun texture of the bun, what a delightful surprise! The lobster was served in respectable chunks dressed in butter and the french fries were thin and perfectly paired. Ah just a big thank you, the charm and consistency of Puritan and Company will absolutely have me recommending this spot to others, coming in frequently for my personal recharges, and dreaming of your towers for many meals to come. Great food, excellent service, lovely atmosphere. read more

See all

WOW--Sunday brunch here absolutely lived up to the hype. They only serve brunch on Sundays, and it was easily one of the best brunch experiences I've ever had. After this meal, I already know I'll be coming back for dinner. We started with the tomato pastry and the biscuit with homemade jam, and both were outstanding. The biscuit was perfectly flaky and buttery, and the homemade jam made it even better. The tomato pastry was incredibly flavorful, unique, and unlike anything I've had before. For my entrée, I ordered the blueberry pancakes, which were phenomenal, light and fluffy on the inside with a perfectly crisp, caramelized exterior. To top it all off, the staff surprised us with complimentary glasses of champagne to celebrate our engagement, which was such a thoughtful touch and made the experience even more memorable. From the food to the hospitality, everything was exceptional. This has quickly become one of my favorite brunch spots, and I can't wait to come back for dinner. read more

See all

Walked into Puritan & Company on a Sunday about 30 minutes after opening--no reservation, and surprisingly, the dining room looked pretty quiet. Still, we were told bar seating was the only option. I was dining with my service dog, so squeezing in at the bar wasn't the most comfortable setup-- but we made it work. That said, once settled in, the experience really turned around. The lady working at the bar counter was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome despite the initial hiccup. I wanted an espresso, but they actually didn't have any available. She suggested i had a cold brew with a splash of milk, i ask for almond milk, and honestly-- that ended up being a great call. Smooth, refreshing and just what I needed. I ordered the chorizo and beet hash dish, and it was honestly amazing-- such creative combination of flavors. It felt thoughtful, well-balance. I really loved it. My husband kept it classic with the two eggs with bacon and sourdough toast. Simple, comforting and exactly what he wanted. Now, I was specially excited to try the butter biscuits. They looked incredible in photos and came out just as beautiful, served with butter and jelly. Texture-wise they were good -- but flavor-wise I have to say they were a bit on the bland side. Not bad at all but just missing that extra depth or richness that would make them standout. They really needed that butter and jelly to enhance flavors. Overall, brunch here delivers--especially if you go for the more creative dishes. read more

See all

This spot totally lives up to the hype. We started with amazing mocktails and Parker House rolls that were truly to die for. Then had the bisque with crab and some shrimp for apps, both absolutely delicious. For mains, we got the fish with pearl couscous and the lobster risotto, and both were fantastic. Everything tasted fresh and perfectly cooked. Dessert was my favorite part. The homemade sorbet was unreal and I will be dreaming about it till summer. The tres leches cake was also amazing and the perfect way to end the meal. The staff was incredible, special shout out to Joe. The atmosphere was fun and lively and the place was popping, so definitely make a reservation. I also love their oyster bar next door and the girl dinner vibes with oysters, martinis, and fries for $25. Highly recommend and cannot wait to go back. read more

See all

To be so for real... yuck all around. Starting with the service: the 2 of us felt ignored and rushed from the get-go. We spent a decent chunk of money here and did not feel appreciated. Next up is the food: the appetizer was really good in flavor and texture (this is what keeps this place a 2-star v. 1-star). I ordered a salmon with vegetables and was presented with an undercooked fish with black vegetables that were too salty and hard to eat. I ate the fish and that was it (I did get a stomach ache afterwards). The ambiance was nice in terms of music and lighting. The tables were really close together and we felt like we were part of our neighbors party/conversation. We will not be returning. read more

Puritan & Company - Salmon and vegetables - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

The service was great, the interior was comfortable, but the food was your average breakfast spot. The tomato bread was delicious - a consistently good place for brunch if that's what you're in the market for! read more

Puritan & Company - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

I came here with a friend to catch up and this place was stunning inside aesthetically! Super cute and cozy vibes inside and there were definitely a lot of people on dates or just catching up with friends as well. The service was amazing and very attentive and reservations are highly recommended as it gets busy quick. The food we got here was very good and we were really excited to try all of the items we ordered. The bolognese was great along with the large amount of seafood we ordered. The drinks were pretty refreshing too. I would definitely come back again to try more on the menu. read more

See all

We found this place the other night, after driving around, finally finding parking, and the restaurant we intended to go to, having a 45-60 minute wait at 7pm on a Monday (crazy). This restaurant was closer to where we parked, and when we walked in, we were greeted right away, and when we told them we did not have a reservation, we were told it was no problem, were seated right away, and provided menus. The restaurant itself is very cozy and warm inside, with lots of seating/space. Our server was great - we started with glasses of wine, and the house made Parker rolls (yum). For main dishes, my friend had the risotto, and I had the orecchiette bolognese. Both of our meals were delicious, flavorful, and exactly what you may be looking for on a cold winter evening. Perfect comfort food! read more

See all

Solid menu, fairly priced (for the Boston metro area), and pretty good drinks on the cocktail menu. Super friendly server and cute decor inside, felt very cozy for a weekday dinner!. My reason for the 3 stars is that personally, nothing really compels me to go out of my way to dine here again, especially because it takes a bit of effort for me to get to this neighborhood and it'd be at least $75 per person if you order a drink and entree and tip reasonably. read more

One of the best restaurants that I have been to in the Boston/ Cambridge area. I enjoyed the rose, sweet vegetable fritters, scallops two cocktails a sorbet. I had a great birthday dinner here! The service was outstanding. Very attentive to my dietary needs. We will return before my friend leaves for Scotland. read more

Puritan & Company - Fritters - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

We came for brunch, and there was plenty of room for us to be seated. The brunch menu isn't as extensive as the dinner menu, but still covered a lot of ground. I ended up getting the brisket hash which I recommend. I really liked the cream sauce and how crispy the potatoes were. Everything here is on the pricier side and the portions were not huge. Our service was a little slow at times because a lot of people showed up at once, but overall was a nice experience. read more

Puritan & Company - Brisket hash - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

What a wonderful meal! We did the tasting menu with the wine pairing, and everything was great. We had a shellfish allergy, so the chef had to make a few adaptations, but they did such a good job that we didn't miss it at all. Our absolute favorite though was the dessert--miso and coffee!!! Patrick was a phenomenal server too! The only thing we didn't love was the bitterness of the char on the pork, and it would have been nice to learn a little more about the wines as we went. But truly an excellent dinner, and we're excited to come back! read more

See all

What an amazing restaurant! Stopped by last minute on a Friday night and we were lucky to get seats immediately. This is the full restaurant with the larger menu compared to the oyster bar that's next door. There's bar and table seatings. It's pretty chill and laid back. The service was friendly, professional and quick. The food is some of the best food I've ever had. Everything was a 10/10. Every dish tasted so fresh and so full of flavor. Honestly I would have ordered one of everything on the menu if I could. The oysters were incredible and came with three different sauces that paired well with the oysters. The bone marrow was rich and a pretty decent portion. This is one of those places where you will have zero leftovers because the food is so good. This place is a must when you come to Boston. I can't wait to come back! read more

See all

Joe was awesome! Thank you for giving us a great birthday dinner! The mushroom vol-au-vent was sooooo delicious! Carrots are a sleeper and fantastic. Puritan and Co is upscale rusty and neighborhood vibes. Try it out! read more

See all

So good! Came here on a Sunday night. Thought we would do the oyster side, but went to the other side and got two seats at the bar. The Oyster side was very crowded, the other side wasn't...yet... Our bartender Nate was excellent!! We got some oysters (chef's choice), Parkman house bread and the Cod. OMG all were so good. We each had a glass of wine after Nate allowed us to sample different wines. Everything we excellent. Out second time here, looking forward to a return visit read more

Puritan & Company - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

After hearing about them being a 'dark horse'. For a Michelin star, I decided to have my birthday dinner here. We choose the chefs selection with the wine pairing - four courses, plus dessert. The courses were absolutely excellent, and the waiter was friendly and knowledgeable - he definitely added to the experience(and my kid immediately noticed his star wars tattoo, but that's besides the point). Creative dishes, excellent drinks, and a great atmosphere - we highly recommend! read more

See all

My first night in Boston I wanted to come back for what I knew would be an awesome experience! I was able to get seated right away, I had delicious gnocchi and oysters! It was a savory and tasty experience! I love the set up and the experience! Check them out if you are in the area! It's worth a visit! read more

See all

Returned to Puritan and Co for Restaurant Week and their 3 course menu was delicious! The mushroom tarte which was creamy and cheesy and flaky and delicious. The swordfish was perfectly cooked and seasoned, with a couscous with sweet parsnips and a green oil that balanced the flavors so nicely. For dessert, the chocolate caramel tarte was like a gourmet snickers bar with a creamy vanilla ice cream (perfect ice cream to dessert ratio!). Another delicious meal from Puritan and Co!! read more

See all

Went back and really enjoyed everything we had, didnt do the tasting menu. Parker rolls, bone marrow, caviar - yes

What we ordered: Oysters, Fried Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Garlic Shrimp, BBQ Beets, Short Rib Pappardelle, & Sweet Potato Gnocchi, & Banana Ice Cream. For a table of two, The server suggested that we order 2 appetizers to share and an entree each or a few apps and one entree to share. We definitely over ordered, but to many things sounded good! I would say 1 app and 1 entree per person in your party is a good place to start. We would get everything again, thats how good it was. I would highly suggest the Garlic Shrimp and the Mushrooms! My only critiques for the food are: I wish I would've asked for extra dipping sauce for the Mushrooms or it just came with more on the side. While the BBQ beets were great, it had a bit too much sauce. It was like the beets were drowning in the sauce instead of being enhanced by the sauce. Ambiance: The restaurant is a bit loud and the tables are pretty close together, otherwise it's a cool space with a hip Cambridge vibe. Only Complaint: Parking in Cambridge for non-residents can be a major issue. If you're looking for parking, you'll most likely be driving up and down Cambridge St. until a spot opens up. read more

See all

My fiancé and I went here last night since it's restaurant week and I've always wanted to check out Puritan and Co. I was not let down, the food was awesome and the drinks and service were even better! For the first hour it was just us at the bar, and we got to know Manny, who was bartending. He was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I think we talked more to him than each other lol. The restaurant has an exceptional selection of liquor and Manny walked us through all the different types of Amaros there were. It was almost like a private tasting event! He explained all the different flavor profiles, how some are bitter, some sweet, how they pair with certain spirits, etc. He even shared a really amazing cocktail recipe called the crop top, that may now be my go-to drink. We had a blast and were so impressed by our experience- we will definitely be going back! read more

This place is great. The food is always top notch as well as the service. I've come here many times for half off oysters and they never ever disappoint. The entrees and appetizers are always creative and fresh. Christine the bartender is very talented and always makes a lot of recommendations for new delicious cocktails. read more

First time eating here from a friend's recommendation and wow this place makes quality dishes. A whole lot of flavor in every dish. We had a candied squash posset for dessert which was incredibly unique. The staff were friendly and accommodating. They paced the dishes great. And the restaurant had a warm and inviting vibe. Worth a visit! read more

See all

Wow, great brunch place in Inman Square! Never been here before but always read great Yelp reviews. Glad I was able to check it out. The brunch menu is great, and everything we tried was amazing! A huge plus that the indoor ventilation is great around 700 ppm, although we were seated near the main entrance. So the opening and closing of the door definitely helped with the ventilation, because at one point it jumped up to 1,000 ppm. The place was packed quickly, and then the CO2 came back down a little later since so many people coming in/leaving. It's also family/kids friendly with high chair, coloring activity, and plastic cups. Would consider to return! read more

See all

Ambiance was great on a week night and server was very kind, attentive, and provided great recommendations. The food was clearly made fresh and delicious. Pricing was reasonable considering how much most things in Boston are, and felt that it was very worth it. We went here on a date night and it was a perfect spot. The menu has a good number of options of a good variety and all that we had was good on its own and together. There was a lot more on the menu we will certainly be back to try some time soon! read more

Puritan & Company - crab cavatelli -- fantastic brussel sprouts -- amazing - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

My partner and I took my mother out for a nice weekday dinner. For appetizers, we go the oysters, tuna crudo and smoked bluefish pate. I got the seafood risotto and bicyclette. The cocktail was great. The appetizers were great. The oysters were fresh, delicious and a good size. The tuna crudo was light, refreshing, but it needed a little more salt. I enjoyed the smokiness of bluefish pate. I was slightly disappointed with the entrees. Our food was lukewarm as if it was sitting out for a bit. Seafood was mainly scallops, with little crab and lobster. Flavoring was nice and light. My mother ordered the new york strip in medium rare, but it was a bit more on the rare side. The menu does change often. Our waitress explained that the chef's tasting is different every month. I had no issues getting a reservation the day before, but I suspect because it was a weekday. The portion sizes were great. read more

See all

Food and atmosphere were great - we've been dying to try this place and it ended up better then we event hoped! Can't wait to come back to try the oyster bar. read more

Puritan & Company - Lobster risotto - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

A friend got reservations for their Clambake which appears to occur once a month over the three summer months. Four of us were seated at a long community table in front of the restaurant, and a couple other parties joined the table eventually. It wasn't packed so there was room between the parties so that we could converse, or not, as we chose. I assume the tickets were prix fixe but since I was a guest don't know the cost. The server explained how the meal was going to go. We were first served a refreshing cocktail (I could detect grapefruit juice I think, and rum, but that was about it--oh and we got to keep the glass it was served in) and we were given our choice of Narragansett or wine. I don't drink beer so I chose the rosé which was fine. We were then served appetizers which they call "stuffies": a cup of clam chowder, a grilled Caesar salad with anchovies, and wedges of watermelon. Once that was cleared the fun began. The table was covered with a tablecloth upon which was first scattered some seaweed along the length of the table in the middle. Then several servers brought out the clambake -- a tub of food that they spread on top of the seaweed. There was corn-on-the-cob, roast potatoes, linguica, mussels, clams, grilled shrimp, topped with whole lobsters, one for everyone at the table. (We were provided with lobster bibs of course.) We didn't waste a minute digging in and there was not a complaint among the bunch. Everything was delicious. The servers were friendly, courteous, efficient and helpful in answering any questions. Once we had sufficiently sated our appetites they cleared everything away and served dessert -- individual peach cobblers topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which scrumptious. There wasn't much left but we were given containers to take home what we wanted. It was a lot of fun and I would definitely do it again! read more

See all

Fantastic Friday night meal. Great ambiance and on point service. - Tuna tartare: 5/5 - Seared Scallops: 5/5. SO SO Good. - Cast iron seared ribeye: 5/5. Every bite was yum. Perfect medium rare cook. Definitely coming back. read more

Not my cuppa tea. New England food all my life, so the charm maybe lost on me. Nice staff. Pretty room, and too loud for this old chick. read more

Amazing restaurant! Cozy ambiance, delicious food, great service (Bryan was the best!). Will definitely be back!

This was ok. It was obviously above average relatively speaking. There were a few standout dishes. Oysters were lovely, specifically the cucumber mignonette was excellent. The garlic shrimp was delicious. The carrots with ricotta and za'atar were tasty. The GF Parker rolls were decent. The rest was sort of uninspired. At that price point I expect a little creativity. Oddly the lights had some problems. Not sure if there was an issue with the LED lighting but it was intermittently flickering. And the strangest thing, they made their restrooms all gender (which is great) but they are stalls that you can see through. Nothing like a little awkward eye contact through a stall with some rando dude. read more

Puritan & Company - Orange wine - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

We came here for Easter dinner with a group of 4. The seating area is warm and comfortable while still feeling a bit more upscale - a great location for a date night or special occasion. We enjoyed the dishes overall and appreciated that you could get a glimpse into the kitchen from the dining room. What we ordered: - Tuna crudo: Interesting flavors. The fish tasted fresh but could have used some more acidity. - Fried hen-of-the-woods mushrooms: Nice, crisp, and well seasoned. - Sautéed heirloom carrots: The carrots were nicely cooked but the glaze was a bit too sweet. - Seared scallops: The scallops were perfectly seared and paired well with the lentils and sauce. - Phyllo-wrapped cod: We were surprised how crispy this was even though it was sitting in the sauce. The lobster stew was full of flavor. One of our favorites of the night. - Seafood risotto: The risotto was well cooked but the dish could have included more seafood. - Lemon pepper half chicken: The juices of the chicken soaked into the beets to make a delicious bite. read more

See all

Came here for dinner on a Friday evening with reservations and we were seated quite quickly. I would probably make a reservation for a weekend as it seemed pretty busy and there were folks waiting at the door when we left. The space itself has really nice decor, good lighting, and the service was quick to take our order and answer questions we had. Overall, I think the seats and ambiance were nice, but I do think it was a little cramped in the booth (tables are pretty close together) and it was hard flagging down our server for more water. The menu had a good selection of different entrees and plates to share; price was a little high in my opinion, but the quality of food didn't disappoint and portions weren't too bad. The mushrooms and bread to start were pretty good, I enjoyed the bread a lot honestly - super fluffy and warm! The cod was definitely the highlight of the meal - really large piece of fish, good taste, and overall really delicious! The linguine was honestly too small in my opinion and the noodles felt slightly undercooked. Dessert was well-made as well and I enjoyed the cake to end the meal. Overall, I enjoyed the meal and wouldn't mind coming back, especially to try their oysters next door or to try on their dollar night! read more

See all

To start off, they knew we were celebrating an engagement so they brought us all complimentary prosseco, which was very kind. I also tried one of their cocktails and it was delicious. The appetizers: - brussel sprouts - I think we all agreed that we were surprised at first glance that these were not more browned in appearance, but their taste nonetheless didn't disappoint. Flavorful marinade that had me back for seconds. - maitake mushrooms - Also not a traditional preparation of these as they were fried tempura style. Delicious flavor and sauce, although the sauce was hidden in the bowl so I only discovered it when I went back for seconds. Only complaint of the evening in terms of taste for me was the red berries (cranberries?) that were included whole and did not taste good. Entrees: - duck confit - perfectly light, crispy, and buttery skin with decadently moist and flavorful meat. Not gamey at all. Overall delicious. - fusilli - amazing flavor of the ribs and sauce, perfect al dente bite to the pasta, crispy toasted breadcrumb topping. Yum. Overall a great experience! A cute date night spot with great food, which I'm learning is not a given around Boston even at highly rated places. This one deserves its high rating. read more

Puritan & Company - Duck confit - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

I love great food and I instantly fell in love with this restaurant. We decided on this special place to celebrate my daughter's college graduation and it did not disappoint. We started with the Parker house rolls that were divine and melted in your mouth. We then moved to entrees. My party enjoyed the Berkshire Pork Milanese, Seared Scallops and Lobster Risotto. These dishes were beautifully seasoned and cooked to the perfect temperature. I paired my lobster risotto with a Pinot Grigio like wine (cannot remember the name but it was delicious). I highly recommend this restaurant for date nights and special occasions. read more

See all

Our first Puritan and Co experience was fantastic! Our waiter, Aaron, provided excellent recommendations and descriptions of the food and drinks. The duck was delicious, perfectly cooked, surrounded by vegetables, and the cod was equally impressive, a perfect mix of juicy, fresh, and slightly roasted. Finally, the tres leches cake, was surprisingly yummy! It didn't look like what I anticipated it would, and I'm not sure. It actually had three different types of milk, but it was so sweet, rich, and enjoyable. read more

See all

A thoroughly pleasant and delicious dinner. Service was excellent and the ambiance was cordial and proper. Every dish I tried surprised me in it's own way with a unique flavor profile that satisfied just about every taste bud of mine. The oysters were sweet and creamy. The mushrooms were crunchy and bitter. The carrots had a nice acidic bite. The chowder was actually more lighter than I'm used to but then topped off with a savory bite of bacon. The pasta was my favorite with wonderful texture and nicely balanced sauce. Dessert was very decadent The only downside is that our server recommended the carpaccio. It was a very one dimensional dish and lacked it's own personality which every other dish had. Food: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Vibes: 8/10 Value: 4/10 read more

See all

Did the 5 course tasting menu for 85. Overall very good. simple ingredients but tasty dishes. More home style cooking than technical fine dining. This is not meant as a negative. There was no menu so I don't really have a list of the dishes but they were all 4 out of 5s. The dessert was a 3.5 for me. Not sure what it was. I would eat here again and stick with the regular menu. Service was good too! Overall I would recommend enjoying a meal here! 4 out of 5 read more

See all