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    Summer Shack- Cambridge

    3.3 (724 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Summer Shack- Cambridge Takeout or Delivery

    Summer Shack- Cambridge Photos

    SUMMER SHACK- CAMBRIDGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Crab fritters
    Susan D.

    Had my mind on snow crab- it's been years since I've ordered it as it's over $60. However, they had an all you can eat Thursday Summer special for just a few dollars more. It came with crab fritters, cornbread and corn on the cob-I subbed some yummy onion strings for the corn. They bring a full serving first and half servings there after. It was fantastic. Service was friendly but a bit slow and not very attentive. I think the server was spread across a few seating areas. Not overly crowded.

    Fried Whole Belly Clam Appetizer
    Jeffrey H.

    My fiancée and I were craving some fresh seafood after a day at the beach! We stopped by here because we've driven by the large sign multiple times and figured it was an opportunity to try it out! The restaurant is very large with plenty of parking outside and tables inside. They advertised events on certain days, but they didn't have one the day we went. There was a repeating set of classic songs playing overhead, we probably heard the same few songs 4-5 times during our meal. Just something we noticed, nothing particularly wrong with that. We ordered the fried whole belly clams app and a fried seafood combo entree to share. The fried fish was not very flavorful, just tasted like bland fish. The whole belly clams were great, but not too many large pieces, had more clam strip type pieces. The fried shrimp was good though! Prices are kind of high for what we got, even with the seafood tax. Service was subpar unfortunately which ultimately dropped the rating from a 4 to a 3. Our server was nice, but was not very present. Additionally, the busser attempted to take our plates even when there was evidently food left on it and we had to stop him from taking the plate which was a bit uncomfortable. Then later on in our meal, he asked again if we were done with the oysters this time and we said yes; he attempted to take the plate with the ice and ended up spilling some of the melted ice water on the food we were eating :( we weren't upset at him as it was clearly an accident, but he failed to apologize or offer anything for that mishap. We probably would return here only if we were in a bind looking for a quick seafood option, but otherwise will go elsewhere.

    Home fries
    Gloria L.

    I came here for a drag brunch and I absolutely loved it! They have ample parking and service was great. I had their home fries (absolutely delicious and well seasoned) and an espresso martini during the brunch. I honestly was there for the drag show, but the other people are the table had really yummy looking food.

    Patrick M.

    I started with dessert just to mix things up and Indian pudding was very good We had a combination of the shrimp scampi, the native blue fish and the crab cakes. All were delicious. The service was expedient and friendly.

    Lobster Potstickers
    Ameil S.

    Really enjoy dinner at this location this evening. The food was delicious. You must try the griddle cornbread. I don't know how they make it. Please lather on that butter and enjoy it is positively divine service was pretty much on point. She was terrific. The service all around seems to be quite efficient and effective. It has a nice vibe. Good ambience. I definitely recommend you will enjoy everything that you order delicious and fresh. What's missing from the picture? Is the New England clam chowder, which is positively delish!!!.

    Fried sea bass from my past visit years ago
    Lady L.

    I came here a couple years ago and fell in love with the food; especially the seabass. It was so good that I've been craving it ever since. I recently decided to stop by for lunch while I was in the area; hoping to relive that same great experience. Unfortunately, this visit was disappointing. I walked in and it wasn't busy; but the bartender who greeted me wasn't very warm or friendly. I tried to show him a photo of the dish I previously had and asked for a recommendation; but he seemed irritated. I'm not sure if it's their policy to redirect questions to the hostess; but it felt like I was bothering him. Thankfully, the hostess stepped in and was very kind and helpful in explaining the current menu. She let me know the menu changes often and recommended the seabass again. I wish I could say it hit the same; but unfortunately it was the complete opposite. The seabass this time was honestly inedible; the flavor and texture were off; the plate wasn't even hot and the fish tasted like it had been sitting out. I couldn't even finish it. I ended up wasting $35; which stung considering how much I loved it before. The ambience inside also wasn't my favorite; the dining area felt too dark for me. However, I do like the outdoor seating; it's a nice option when the weather's good. It's always tough when a place you once enjoyed doesn't meet the same standard. I appreciate the helpful hostess and hope this was just an off day in the kitchen; but sadly I don't see myself returning anytime soon.

    Murder mystery menu
    Emily C.

    Went to try their new murder mystery dinner package! 3 course menu, themed cocktail menu, and entertainment you get to be involved in. Will definitely be going back

    Oyster menu - March 2025
    John A.

    Dined at the summer shack upon the suggestion of a colleague. Didn't disappoint. $2 oysters all day, every day - what a deal! They got a loyalty program too, buy 10 dozen get one free by getting your card stamped. They had 6 options when we visited. They were fresh and well shucked. It was a little busy, but there weren't enough servers. The host station was empty when we came in, and we waited for a while before someone came over to seat us. It's a little divey, nice bar area and the fresh tank with shell fish in the middle was kinda cool. Would recommend.

    Mussels in garlic broth and raw wellfleet oysters

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    20 days ago

    I love summer shack. They have good food. If you can't decide whether or not to come to summer shack, you should come to summer shack.

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    Lyons G.

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    Lyons G.

    Thank you, Kate, for the shoutout. We will be sure to tell Caitlin!

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    5 months ago

    Always a great time at the Shack hanging out with Joao. He always knows which drinks to make and bring great energy!

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    6 months ago

    Went with friends to celebrate the holidays, food and service were great. Had a fun night.

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    Page 1 of 19

    Summer Shack- Cambridge Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Summer Shack- Cambridge

    Is there parking available?

    Yes, a large free lot for the restaurant

    How is the service?

    Great. Very professional. This is a local group that owns 40+ units.

    Is this a shorts and sandals type of casual?

    Absolutely. Shorts & sandals are fine.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Lehrhaus - Pickled vegetables

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    4.5(45 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Lehrhaus. The menu is on the smaller side but with a good…read morerange of fun and interesting, Jewish-inspired options that skew vegetarian (I.e. a beet Reuben and an eggplant dish that is a play on chopped liver). The Reuben was perfectly grilled and rich in flavor and the fries were lightly crispy and well seasoned. The cocktails were fantastic with a good array of flavor profiles. Service was great, as well, and we were well attended to throughout. While it's not necessarily fine dining, I would definitely recommend as an excellent option for drinks or a casual meal with family or friends!

    I've been meaning to try Lehrhaus for a while, and I'm really glad that I did! It seems pretty easy…read moreto get a reservation on a weekday, but you just have to watch out for its schedule since it's closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Jewish holidays. The interior is spacious and the service was great. I fell in love with the chopped not-liver ($13), which is a delicious eggplant spread that doesn't taste like eggplant but has a great savory flavor with a slight wine aroma. The pita bread that came with it was so warm, pillowy, and chewy. This dish was just perfection. There's an eggplant dip (Oren's eggplant) in the Bay that I have been craving, and now I have something in Cambridge that is just as good if not better. The haus smoked whitefish ($12) was also quite good. It had a lot of fish but wasn't too fishy, had good flavor and came with crunchy crackers. The fish and chips ($24) was tasty as well -- the chips are really crunchy and the fish was flaky and crunchy, and the sauce was interesting and spicy. Lastly, we got the halva ice cream sundae ($12), which was pretty decent with a lot of crunchy bits. I'm not a big fan of nutty flavors or milky ice cream, so I'm not sure if I'd get it again. There is a 20% gratuity automatically applied (we had 2 people, so I don't think it's due to party size). Service was great -- people kept checking on us and refilling our water. In conclusion, the eggplant chopped not-liver was amazing and it's everything I've been looking for. I'm excited to try more of their offerings.

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    Lehrhaus - The photo collection is great

    The photo collection is great

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    Tall Order - Firecracker Tofu

    Tall Order

    4.8(24 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    Great for drinks, okay for food! We visited Tall Order on a Saturday evening, having made a…read morereservation in advance. The interior was dimly lit with exposed brick walls and sports on the TV screens. For drinks, I chose the 1, 2, 3, 4 mocktail. This was one of the best mocktails of my life! The refreshing early grey really balanced out the tangy mango cold foam with tajin. They had a substantial non-alc and low ABV menu, which I love to see. For food, we ordered a bunch of plates to eat family-style. Our server had recommended the Pickled Mushrooms, which I thought were just alright. My favorite item was the Burrata with gooseberries, and the Caramelized Onion Dip was pretty good, as well. I was really unimpressed with the Fried Polenta, which had the skimpiest topping of braised short ribs. Service was good overall, but our drinks kept getting bussed before we were finished with them, which was unfortunate. Overall though, a good experience!

    Four of us went to Tall Order around 7 pm on a Saturday for drinks and apps, and it was exactly…read morewhat we were hoping for. The vibe is cozy and welcoming--no-frills décor, but thoughtfully laid out with a nice mix of low tables, high tops, and a long, inviting bar. It was fairly empty at first but became more lively as people trickled in. The staff really stood out, especially our server Sarah, who was warm, knowledgeable, and took the time to walk us through both the food and cocktail options without rushing us. As an extra touch, Chef Steve came out to our table to chat and describe a few of the dishes, which made the experience feel personal. Food highlights: * Firecracker tofu - perfectly fried cubes tossed in a hot-sweet Korean-style sauce; addictive. * Grilled broccoli - smoky, well-seasoned * Butternut squash soup - smooth and flavorful, elevated by roasted, ground squash seeds and a subtle curry note. * Polenta with short ribs - rich and balanced. * Smoked bluefish pâté - excellent texture though a little salty for my taste. Drinks: * Also Fancy - bright and fruity, but not overly sweet. * St. Peter's Bay - think mezcal meets Old Fashioned. * Bonus points: I asked for a custom gin gimlet, and the bartender delivered a fresh, mint-forward version that was amazing. Tall Order is a great neighborhood spot that's doing everything right. We'll absolutely be back.

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    Tall Order - Inside of Tall Order from our table. By 11pm on a Friday night it was still buzzing though not packed to the brim

    Inside of Tall Order from our table. By 11pm on a Friday night it was still buzzing though not packed to the brim

    Tall Order - Firecracker Tofu

    Firecracker Tofu

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    Outside of Tall Order on Beacon St

    Nook - Interior

    Nook

    4.5(26 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    My friend found this spot online and suggested we check it out, and I'm so glad we did. When we…read morearrived, I did not expect to find an entire courtyard filled with shops and restaurants tucked behind this little alleyway. It was such a cute hidden area, and I was already excited before we even got to the place. We headed upstairs into the bar, and the vibe was perfect. It's small, cozy, dimly lit, with vibey music playing. Since it was our first time, we were a little confused at first, but the waiter was super kind and walked us through everything. I ordered the Elly the Elephant and my friend got the Laughing Gull, and we both really enjoyed our drinks. One thing I thought was really nice is that they allow you to grab food from the surrounding restaurants and bring it in to eat there. We didn't end up doing that, but we did get the charcuterie board they had. It came with cheeses, crackers, and some fruit, and you can add meats for $10, which we opted out for. I will say I was a little disappointed by the fruit portion. The menu mentioned fresh fruit, so I expected more than three thin orange slices and one sliced strawberry. HOWEVER, when I asked for more strawberries, our waiter kindly brought out a whole bowl for me, which I really appreciated. We stayed for about two hours, and as the night went on the place definitely got more crowded, so we headed out. Overall, this is such a cute and cozy cocktail bar. I'll definitely be back when the weather is warmer to try the other drinks and restaurants in the market.

    I can't believe I've never been to Bow Market before but I will definitely be back! So many hidden…read moregems. Stores, cocktail lounges, restaurants, etc. It's also lit up very nicely at night. So fun! I'd imagine it's poppin in the summer/on a warm night. I just went to Nook (located upstairs once you're in Bow Market) and it's such a vibe! They've got an extensive drink menu, a couch area to lounge on, high tables and bar seating, cool interior design, and dim lighting. I mean the ambiance is there. Highly recommend the fruity drink! I forget the exact name but the bartender suggested it to me, and it was from the "West" menu page.

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    Nook - Smokey delight

    Smokey delight

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    Darling - Noodles with veg

    Darling

    4.4(58 reviews)
    2.9 miCentral Square
    $$$

    Had such a fun girls catch up at darling in Cambridge! Best restaurant I've tried in a while…read more Lively mysterious vibes, creative drinks, and good food! The colossal shrimp was my favorite - massive and grilled to perfection. The dumplings were my friend's favorite. We both enjoyed our drinks especially the "hope I packed a parachute" which was topped with taro foam! Will be coming back for a date night and to try the HK french toast cocktail for sure. Make sure to snag a reservation early :)

    I've been looking forward to trying Darling for a while, and I see why everyone is raving about it!…read moreThey had an interesting and varied drink menu, with combinations and ingredients I hadn't seen before. It was hard to choose one, but I got the A Perfect Circle and it was quite tasty. I'm eager to try some of their other drinks, since the cocktails were definitely the highlight of the experience for me. The dim sum portions were larger than I expected, which meant we ordered way too much food. We had the fried chicken, the cucumber salad, the shrimp, the pork wontons, the soy sauce noodles, the daikon/enoki dish (I forget the name) and the charred broccoli. There wasn't anything I didn't like, but I did find that the flavor profile seemed very similar for many of the items--it seemed like most things were topped with a generous portion of chili oil, scallions, and sesame seeds. I found that this contributed to a fairly uniform flavor experience and was getting a little weary of chili oil after several dishes. The food was also spicier than I anticipated (though to be fair, I have a low spice tolerance, so others might disagree.) I would have enjoyed some less spicy options to balance out our meal. Overall, all the food was good, though, but I think if I come back I'd get fewer items (3-4 would have been plenty for 2 people) and that might also help with everything blurring together. The service was great and our waitstaff was helpful and attentive.

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    Darling - Five Amaro Julep - ok, taste like a regular tiki drink.

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    Wusong Road - Summer Rolls Shrimp (gf)

    Wusong Road

    4.2(451 reviews)
    1.7 miHarvard Square
    $$

    The whole experience was amazing. We sat at the bar and had a couple of drinks each. Every tiki…read morecocktail we ordered was fantastic and we had the pupu platter. Generally pupu platters are average but a good way to get a taste of all the apps. When we tried Wusong's pupu platter, it was amazing! Some of the best Chinese flavors I've ever had. We sat at the bar and watching the bartender Brian work was definitely an experience and entertainment all by itself. We can't wait to go back!

    We came to wusong road on a trip up to Boston after getting the recommendation from a friend who…read morecomes here every time they visit. Funny enough when we visited my friend was also in town that weekend and by happenstance we happened to get to the restaurant at the same time. I would definitely make reservations because I did not realize you would need a reservation for a Wednesday night, but we did. Luckily we were able to give our name and they had a cancellation and were able to be seated within 20 to 30 minutes. The upstairs is pretty cool. I really like the decor. One of my favorites was these monkey lamps they had. The food was pretty good and we had gotten a slider for my son which basically filled him up. My wife and I split a poo poo platter and got an appetizer and that was enough for us. The drinks were really good. We had gotten a few to try. I like my first one and really enjoyed my second one. I asked the waitress for a recommendation and she made one and then when we went for our second round she did say she was new to the job so I went with something I knew I would like. They also sell some of their mugs which is a cool bonus. If your into tiki drinks definitely pick up a wusong road branded mug when you stop by. We got two.

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    Summer Shack- Cambridge - seafood - Updated June 2026

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