I've been craving fried chicken forever so I was so happy when I found this place! It's a tiny restaurant (there are two tables and three stools to sit on if you want to eat in). I got the 3 piece box which is a steal at $7.50. It does take some 20 minutes because they cook it fresh. I did end up eating it somewhere else, but there's a park nearby if you need a place to eat it right away. The chicken was good and definitely satisfied my cravings. read more

Coast Cafe is no joke. This is THE place to go for soul food in Boston. Super cheap and amazing selection of Southern-fried treats. I highly recommend the fried chicken plate, which is their signature dish more or less. The ribs are also tasty. And the sides are ridiculous - the mac-n-cheese and jag are pretty amazing. Where else can you get collard greens in Cambridge? Cornbread...ain't nothin' wrong with that. read more

We were on the hunt for Beef Ribs and Cambridge and we found em! They were cut small - almost like short ribs and slow cooked until every once of fat had rendered. The BBQ is definitely in the smothered style - with a sweet Kansas Style sauce. And just the right amount. The sides we tried were all pretty good (cornbread, mac n cheese, and yams). The only downside was the yams were just drenched in an overly sweet sauce (could only finish the top half). Overall a solid BBQ place - and a great find in Cambridge! read more

Don't blink or you'll miss it! Coast Cafe is a great little place to order food out from. They don't really have a table where you can sit and enjoy your lunch, but that doesn't take away from their AMAZING food. I order 12 piece chicken wings along with mac n cheese, greens, potato salad, and mash potatoes. The potato salad is probably the best I've ever tasted in my life. The fried chicken is juicy, the greens weren't the greatest (I like mine spicy), and the mash potatoes were perfect. Coast Cafe is a great place to grab food when you are spending a day in Boston. I would so totally go back! read more

I had the rib sandwich and a single fried chicken thigh. The ribs, although not smoked or BBQ'd, were excellent. Moist, juicy, good flavor, good sauce. I know what I'm about to say is blasphemy, but the chicken just didn't do it for me. All of the reviews (yelp, pigtrip.net, newpapers, etc.) say how great the fried chicken is, how they cook each one to order and it's so nicely seasoned and crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside and ... And maybe the taste of fried chicken is a personal thing. But it just didn't do it for me on this visit. If I go back, I would like to try some of the other things like the fried catfish, but I probably won't have the chicken again. Sigh. Sorry about that. The people behind the counter were really nice. So I give them 4 stars for the ribs and 2 stars for the chicken, so 3 stars overall. read more

Went in for lunch, ordered and in 15 minutes we received piping hot food! Food: Mac & cheese and Haddock. Went in expecting the typical chopped up, deep fried, light batter with golden brown color & amazing taste; but instead, received a WHOLE filet of haddock (massive) that was battered with a type of southern seasoning and fried. it was tasty, crunchy, and not at all what I expected. I am a typical, New England Haddock fan, so although this was not my favorite way to prepare it, it was still really good. I enjoyed it. - the Mac & Cheese is AMAZING! I will be back here again and again and again for this! This was not your run-of-the-mill, stir in the cheese sauce kind of Mac & Cheese. This was done with LOVE. Baked in the oven, add-in heaps of butter, topped with bread crumbs, and seasoned to perfection. MmmmMMMmmm. Keep doing what you're doing Coast! The cornbread on the side was fine. It tasted good, but serving it cold was probably not the best thing IMO. As for DH's food, he ordered a catfish sandwich and seasoned fries (lunch special for ~$9 or so). The sandwich comes plain, which is fine by him. He added a bit of hot sauce and devoured it. According to him, it's not the catfish that you can get in the south, but certainly good. And the fries were good. Environment: Three chairs & "bar" attached to the wall - not the most comfy chairs, but fine by me! Music from 104.1 which is upbeat and fun. Small space but good if you just want to get your food to go. read more

My husband and I ate here on Saturday and it definitely hit the spot! I ordered the fried chicken plate (fried chicken breast plus two sides: mac n cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy, plus cornbread) and it was so delicious! The chicken was well seasoned and the mashed potatoes and mac n cheese were the best comforting sides on a chilly day! My husband had the coast burger with onion rings and said it was a solid 9/10! We also ordered two beef and cheese patties while we waited for our main food and WOW, just WOW! Delicious, well-seasoned ground beef with gooey cheese...I could eat those all day! While we ate we watched people come in and order just the beef patties! Lots of people also coming in to pick up orders. The place is tiny, but it packs a punch! Very friendly staff! Don't miss this gem if you are in Cambridge ;-) read more

every patty hits the spot. obsessed with their collard greens the only ones i'll eat besides my mothers. tasty desserts make you feel all warm. read more

Wow- this was by far the biggest comfort in southern food ever. Had the waffles with fried chicken, gravy and maple syrup. The waffles had the perfect crunch and juiciness and the chicken was crunchy and succulent. If you're in Cambridge, this place is worth (every bite) looking up! read more

The Coast Cafe - Waffles with fried chicken, gravy and maple syrup - Soul Food Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This place is a hidden gem. The register lady is always nice and the food is always good. The desserts like the banana pudding and wonder bar alone makes me a regular. The fried chicken is very crispy and delicious despite me walking 20 minutes home with it in a bag. The sides are also great and being a mac and cheese buff, I always want more. Ribs are great too. The only con is probably the parking which there is none unless you find a space on the street. Also the place is very small inside so call in ahead for take-out read more

Super delicious place right near central square. Fried chicken and Mac and cheese are both great. Nice staff, too.

Not my favorite. Definitely no frills but got some fried chicken to go based on these reviews and it was burnt to a crisp. Everything else was very very dry. Won't be heading back anytime soon even though I live close by. read more

Best fried chicken lunch ever. This place is right around the corner from work and looks small, I never thought to try it, but I am glad I finally tried it. I'll admit I am a bit of a fried chicken snob; it needs to be moist, well-seasoned, and meet some elusive almost immeasurable taste of fried chickeness. This has it. Sweetly moist and crunchy at the same time, also it is not over salted or fried to hell. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars. The sides, from which there are many to choose, go along with the fried chicken plate are perfectly no matter the combination. I will say the cornbread was only slightly dry, but I usually find that it tastes better that way, 4 out of 5 stars. The mac & cheese was amazing, simply amazing a buttery cheesy slice of heaven, 5 out of 5. The sweet potatoes had just a bit too much maple syrup in them making them a tad too sweet, 4 out of 5. Thank you Coast Café, thank you for the best lunch I have had in quite a long time. read more

Food was good but it's expensive. Fried Chicken was delicious. Was disappointed in the "famous" Mac & Cheese, thought it was just ok. What's most disappointing is even though they are only open Wedn - Saturday, this is the second Wednesday in a couple weeks that I've gone to order and they are closed. So check ahead before going because they might not even be open. read more

Really great food. wings are crispy and juicy. Mac and cheese is delicious. Ribs fall off the bone

I was born and raised in the South. So I was a little skeptical when I heard about the good soul food restaurant in Cambridge. The workers were pleasant and quite professional. I tried the black eye peas, candied yams, potato salad, and collard greens. All was decent, but the collard leaves need to completely picked from the stems and the spines. That is an essential step to cooking great greens. These had too many stems. Otherwise, they were okay. I will be back to try the fried chicken. I will make sure to take public transportation as there is absolutely no parking. I also would recommend that you plan for carry out as there is only two tables in the place. read more

Ordered the finger box and a beef and cheese patty. Beef and cheese patty was a solid 9/10. Packed full of flavor like a cheeseburger. Finger box on the other hand was a 1/10. Pieces were unseasoned. Barely palatable unless I smothered them in franks red hot. KFC or Popeyes or even McDonalds has more flavor. read more

I got bit by the soulfood bug when i went to atl a few years ago and i'm addicted! I've never been...but my expectations are really high! based on all the reviews. I read someone's review that said that the candied yams are really sweet...i'm excited! they're supposed to be sweet...that's they're called CANDIED yams. will be back to tell YA'LL how it went. read more

I love fried chicken, make a mean buttermilk version myself, so was excited to find this place. Had the thigh plate with mac&cheese and cole slow. Chicken was WAY over-cooked, outside coating was dark, dark brown, meat inside was dry. How does that happen when I place and order and wait 20 minutes? Cole slaw was decent for vinegar base, the only shining star was the mac&cheese which was excellent. I will probably not go back again for chicken, even if the chicken wouldn't be overcooked, it wasn't that great. But I could see getting a side of mac&cheese. 5 stars for the mac&cheese, 1 star for the chicken. read more

Amazing fried chicken and Mac & cheese. Best soul food I've had by far in the Boston area

Great southern soul food. The fried chicken and ribs were great, the mac and cheese was incredible, and the corn bread was the best I have ever had! read more

I visit The Cambridge area often and I was looking up food near me and this soul food place popped up. I read reviews on yelp and I must say I was very satisfied! U get your money's worth. The worse thing u can do is order food and it arrives cold, missing utensils etc NOT this place I ordered grubhub my food arrived 20 mins early and was correct ! i ordered the fish and I'm a sucker for their sides. The collard greens were amazing !! Yams tasted like dessert Everything I ordered had so much flavor. I can go on and on ! The 3 sides plate is perfect if u don't eat meat I've eaten here twice this week I even decided to go in to order , I'm just sad they are closed on Sundays that's my cheat day lol read more

I am not from the area (Western NY) and was looking forward to checking out The Coast Cafe. We ordered the fried pork chop with rice and gravy and Mac n cheese, catfish with greens and green beans, 1 jerk chicken patty, and 6 wings. The food and 2 beverages totaled $50. The pork chop was super greasy, mac n cheese was ok. The catfish was seasoned well but a little greasy, the greens were cooked down soft but they were bland . The green beans I didn't touch because they looked bland as if they were just thrown into some water and cooked. The texture of the cornbread was cake like. The jerk patty seemed to have cream cheese in it not exactly sure but it didn't mix well. The wings were cooked well done as we requested but tasted burnt like the temp on the oil was up too high or they were using old oil. They do have a grainy texture probably from a cornmeal mix. We picked over it and wasted the rest. Overall we were not impressed! It wasn't what I was expecting considering it has so many great reviews. None of the items we ordered wowed us. read more

More of a takeout place, with ~ 8 seats inside. Had the crispy chicken buffalo sandwich with lettuce, tomato, pickles and grilled onions. It was a perfect snack, not too crispy and great flavors. Will be back read more

This place was BOMB! My finacé and I came here in Jan 2019 (so I'm a bit late) but it hasn't left our minds since! He got chicken with two sides (Mac&cheese+mashed potato) and I got the chicken sandwich. mmmMMMMM it was so tasty! So full of flavor AND we even got some free Mac&cheese cause they had made a new batch! We saved this place as soon as we left. Obviouslyyy we're going back when we're in town! read more

Coast cafe is a tiny outpost with some very big soul. The collard greens & candied yams & mac & cheese are staples in my comfort food diet. The fried chicken is cripsy, flavorful, and generous. The friendliness of the owners tops it all off. oh, and it's really affordable too. read more

MMM! I heard on the Phantom Gourmet that the fried chicken was supposed to be awesome and IT IS. They marinate it before they fry it so the meat is really juicy and the skin is seasoned and crispy! They cook it to order so the wait is 10-20 minutes but well worth it. The sweet potato pie and candied yams, yuuum! The dinner plates come with cornbread and 2 sides and are about $8-$12. It doesnt taste like restaurant food, it tastes like a home cooked meal. Its basically a takeout place, there is a tiny counter with 3 chairs. I can't believe this place has been sitting right across the water from me this whole time and I never knew about it! Perfect if you are craving comfort food but not the restaurant atmosphere. read more

i heard so much about this place, and i thought it was too overhyped. stepped up into it, found it was way crowded (only three seats anyways), but it was cold outside after the snowstorm so we decided to wait it out and ordered up a ton of food. fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, sweet potato pie, potatoes, just amazing. not too greasy which is the best part, surprising since its deep fried. the staff is so friendly and is patient as you decide on the huge menu. my buddy had the catfish and everyone else got the chicken. def good soul food, as we all felt GREAT afterwards. read more

Best mac and cheese in Boston! Got the fried chicken sandwich and it was delicious. Love to see a Black soul food restaurant in Cambridge/Boston. read more

Really good food. But, the portions are WAY TOO SMALL in comparison to other soul food establishments. I usually get two meals out of them. I've tried most of them in the Boston area, and I guess I'm a bit spoiled. But after all the spoiling, their portions are offensive lol, especially since the price points are equal. read more

I happen to stumble on the fact that there has been a Popeyes Chicken in Boston for the past four months, and how dare I not know about that. Anyways, while reading the popeyes reviews I saw mention to this place, and that there fried chicken may actually be better than Popeyes. HOW DARE SOMEONE SAY THAT??? Ima Popeyes freak, and nobody does it better than them, especially in Boston, because all the fried chicken places I have been to here, been crap. Anyways, the same day i saw this I decided to head over to Coast with a friend visiting from out of town to go test the theory. You have to be looking for it to find it, as everyone has mention its a small store front and its not that clear what they do. Got out of my car, walked up to the front door, and I knew from then I was in for a treat. It smelled like my momma's kitchen on a Sunday afternoon, for those who have visited the caribbean, about 75% of homes there does fry chicken for Sunday dinner. Wow, ima bout to get some real good fried chicken, I could hardly wait. Cut the whole boring stuff, I got two pieces thigh, sweet potato and potato salad. Unfortunately, some greedy smug called in before me and ordered extra mac and cheese, as it was 45 minutes b4 closing that was the last of it, I was Mad as hell, but next time. Everything, I mean EVERYTHING, was good. I can't believe this place was here all this time, granted I live between Porter and Davis in Somerville, so I am not all that close, but I have had to drive to Dorchester to get good food before, so this is AWESOME!! All I can say, this is the closest thing i have had to good fried chicken in a while. Try it for yourself and be the judge, I will definitely be going back here soon and taking some friends. Don't plan to eat there though, as there really is no space for that!! read more

I grew up in the South and really need fried chicken fixes from time to time. When I got my first meal from the Coast Cafe, I was floored. The chicken was not only tender and juicy, but I really dug the breading, which is usually my least favorite part of the meal! I have to say that it's the best fried chicken that I have had in New England. Coupled with some of the best black-eyed peas that I have had in ages and their rather tasty potato salad, I can't imagine not making it a regular part of my meal rotations. In the five times that I have been, I have never had bad food or bad service. Keep in mind that this place is wicked tiny, so I wouldn't advise it for anything but take-out. And I would pad an extra few minutes from their rather on the low-side pick-up times. But, man, I'm a fan of this place. read more

So after hearing glowing reviews from my boyfriend and hearing all about this place on the Phantom Gourmet I decided to stop in here a few days ago on my way home from work to pick up some dinner on the go. Unsure of what to get, I ordered ribs, potato salad and sweet potatoes. The ribs were fairly fatty, but I guess that is to be expected and the sweet potatoes were amazing; covered in brown sugar syrup. However, the potato salad was simply potatoes, mayo and a few onions-not really what I was hoping for. Overall, I'd defiantly go back to the Coast Cafe, I'm just not sure it's what everyone has made it out to be, or maybe I just didn't order their best selections... read more

We decided on a small order of fried chicken wings and a small order of collard greens at Coast Cafe. The collard greens were very good and similar to the ones my mother makes. However, we all thought the chicken was disgusting. It was crispy and fresh and hot but the flavor was just....hmmm....gross...that was the best I could come up with. It did not look burned but it tasted scorched and it had a horrendous aftertaste. Nope...won't be ordering those again. My chicken at home is MUCH better than this read more

I love this place, I really do..which is why although I had two bad take outs in a row...I went in for the third...fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me..fool me thrice...uurrgghhh!...Hat-trick!!!! The size of the chicken was reduced to half and their lovely mac&cheese was watered down....all three times!!...maybe their getting healthier??? But hey, if I'm making the choice to trek from Arlington at night after work for some great-bad food...I just want my fix at that point! Not getting that anymore...nuh-ahh! I never thought I would give a not-so-nice review of this place ever, but hey, third times the charm! read more

After my first visit here, I have to echo the praise from the 4 and 5 star reviews below. Great food - I had fried chicken, collard greens, and sweet potatoes, with cornbread and a slice of cake - served up by pleasant and friendly people. Just as a point of information, prospective customers should know that there may be a bit of a wait on orders - the consolation is that this means they're actually cooking it for you, right then and there - and there are only two very small tables in a very tight seating area. It may be best to think of the coastal cafe as a takeaway spot. But it is a GREAT takeaway spot. I will be going back, and soon. read more

My husband and I were craving fried chicken, we looked up on yelp to find great reviews for this place so we decided to try it First of all the place is so tiny, just two tables, the fried chicken is so heavy like I drank a bottle of oil, I suffered for more than three hours with my stomach I gave it 2 stars for mac and cheese, the place is clean and the girl was so nice read more

If you are looking for good southern soul food, go to Coast Cafe. The fried chicken is good, the grilled cat fish is even better and the sweet potatoes, red beans and rice and the collard greens are superb. The place is really small so I reccommend taking out since there are only 2 sets and definitely call your order in ahead of time! The only problem with this place is the parking. Otherwise, you will not be disappointed. Its a real find! I also love the cakes and the owner is very warm and friendly. read more

The sweetest people you'll ever meet and the food is consistent and awesome. My faves; pork ribs, cheeseburger, jumbo box of fried wings, collard greens, black eyed peas, plantains. Good things take time, so call ahead and be patient. Note: it's a take-out place, only a couple stools to sit, and parking on River can be a challenge, but not a huge deal. read more

Being from New York City, I rely on help and Google to guide me outside of my neighborhood for good eats. I have to say I was extremely disappointed with this place especially that it took half hour to reach from the hotel. The ribs were not seasoned and completely cold. The only reason they had flavor was because I had them add extra bbq sauce but that also tasted like a kraft product. The fried chicken was very small and it tasted as it was fried in fish grease. The macaroni and cheese had no taste and a nap of bread crumbs. The candied yams tasted as if they added a half pound of brown sugar. Overall I would not recommend this place at all. Very pricey for the quality and portions. read more