This restaurant was amazing! Let's start with the staff: so helpful and friendly. My friend has a lot of food allergies and they accommodated her and prepared a dish that tasted great! The food: calamari was cooked perfectly, with crispy coating and soft on the inside that were not chewy or dry. Lobster mac and cheese was so creamy and tasty. The kids' chicken tenders meal was a huge serving size that satisfied a very hungry child in our party. The Fisherman's stew was amazing! Each component was cooked perfectly and very well seasoned. The ambiance: variable. Inside, there are high table seating as well as booth seating available. There is also outdoor seating available for a more relaxed atmosphere. read more

The Hourly Oyster House at Harvard Square is a great place to gather with friends. Located in the building that once housed another Harvard institution, Herrel's Ice Cream, Hourly is named after the coaches that ran from that site to Boston, departing on the hour. Hourly's interior is high ceilinged and airy and features the eclectic decor that characterizes eateries on the Square. The menu features a range of seafoods for which it is known - from raw bar staples to lobster. We started with a Paul Buisse Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley and a Hendrick's Extra Dry Gibson up (Finally! A Gibson!) The wine was crisp and dry and a perfect accompaniment to the oysters we ordered. Hourly usually has up to 10 oysters on offer from New England and the Chesapeake. We ordered 2 each of the Paine's Creek, East Beach Blonde, Island Creek, Buttercup, and four of the Mookie Blues. Our favorites were the Buttercups and Mookie Blues. Both are from Maine and are larger with a textured brine and crisp finish. The main course was the Roasted Monkfish Almondine served with a cauliflower puree, raisins, caulilini, brown butter, and capers. The filet was meaty, flavorful and roasted to perfection. We also had the Striped Bass which was served on the bone with snow peas, zucchini, squash, and fava beans. Our server was prompt, attentive, and informative and we could not have been more pleased with the service. One of the genuine joys of dining at Harvard Square is you meet other wonderful, interesting people. The table on one side had two astronomers from MIT while the other had four high school principals from Houston. The conversation was engaging and delightful. Hourly has some strong choices for dessert but it sits next door to Mike's Pastry, a Harvard Square tradition, so we opted to indulge our sweet tooth there. Hourly is a great place to recharge and refresh at Harvard Square. read more

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Trying a lobster roll in Boston for the first time and was not disappointed. It was really good and lobster was fantastic. They were accommodating and let me have no butter and mayo on my roll... #lactose intolerant Overall good vibes and great eats read more

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We loved our time at the Hourly Oyster House! We shared the oysters, clam chowder, and calamari between the two of us and then split the lobster roll for an entree and it was delicious! Everything tasted amazing and the service was great. I love that we weren't rushed and sat outside where it was super quiet and cozy. I highly recommend trying!! read more

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This seafood restaurant is near Harvard Yard and was a nice place to grab a bite on our visit. They have indoor and outdoor seating. We sat outside but noticed the inside dining area has an old school steak house feel just swap out the usual burgundy colors for navy blue. The service was fast and friendly. I opted for the fish and chips after reading a yelp review that they were the best the person had tried in Boston. I don't know that I'd go that far but they were good and I'd order them again. The only part I didn't enjoy was the cole slaw which was warm and mostly mayonnaise. My husband ordered the mussels and frites which he also enjoyed. Overall we enjoyed our experience at The Hourly Oyster House and recommend it. read more

The Hourly Oyster House - Moules Frites - Seafood Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Cute spot in Harvard Square for Boston classics like oysters and seafood. Did a walk in for lunch and the servers were all really helpful. The clams were decent. The clam chowder was tasty. The lobster roll as many others mentioned was good but not spectacular (it's on me for not double checking if it was served warm with butter as opposed to cold with mayo). I did really enjoy the bun as it was griddled perfectly with butter. read more

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The grilled octopus was outstanding. I would definitely order it again. The tomato salad with feta and nectarines was OK. Vegan hubby was happy with cauliflower main course. read more

The Hourly Oyster House - Seafood Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Ok, so this place has grown on me as it's my husband's favorite lobster roll so we stop in quite a bit for dinner especially on a nice summer night. I've been able to try more dishes and have to say the clam chowder is really good as is the octopus. The bucatini pasta is delicious and the steak I had recently was cooked perfectly. There is an execution and consistency issue, for example the sides I had with my steak, the mushrooms were not good, the mushrooms had 0 seasoning and were super dry, the potato was overcooked. The basque cheesecake we had was crumbly and dry, the texture was totally off, it should not have been served to anyone. Service is really friendly though they have a few really young folks who are still getting the hang of things which can cause some hiccups especially on a busy night. I also wish that when you made reservations to sit outside you could indicate whether or not you would be ok with sitting in the "alley" space, while cute I would not want to sit in that space again. Overall, they have some nice staple dishes and seafood is fresh which is what keeps them so busy but to really elevate things they need to work on consistency and service. read more

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What a fantastic little spot! This is the perfect patio for a Boston summer. Our server was so charming. The oysters were truly some of the best I have ever had -- so refreshing yet still briny and delicious. I absolutely loved the tuna tartare and the moules frites as well. The octopus was good, but I have definitely bad better. The blue cheese martini was also phenomenal. We absolutely loved it here!! read more

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After reading all the positive reviews in various places, I was so excited to try it and unfortunately I personally felt underwhelmed. I had the lobster roll and felt it was just ok. It didn't have a lot of flavor, which was disappointing. The fries were really good though. My husband was t big on his beer either. The waitress was nice and so was the restaurant. I just wish the food was better. It was a shame. read more

The Hourly Oyster House - The lobster roll had a lot of lobster but not much flavor sadly. Fries were really good though. - Seafood Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Great outdoor seating and super dog friendly. They brought out a water bowl for my dog which was very appreciated. Food was solid. - Tuna tartare unfortunately had a very fishy taste that made us worry it was not fresh - they brought it back and kindly offered to replace it, but we passed on that - Lobster roll: best dish that we ordered, packed with lobster and tasty bun - Fish and chips: wish the breading was lighter and flakier, and the fish kept falling apart read more

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Visiting Harvard and looking for a bite to eat... Hourly Oyster House looks like a good choice and we are able to score a table for a late Saturday lunch. Nicely decorated with a good vibe...place is full, good 80's music playing and folks are enjoying themselves. Nice... My boy wants a Lobster Roll since we are in New England...can't blame him but he isn't a cheap date at $36. He enjoys it and the fries are nice and crunchy. On the opposite end if the spectrum is a crab cake sandwich for only $18...hmmm sounds like a deal especially considering the cost of crabcakes in the DmV. Yeah...It isn't lumb crab but more like your old school crab patty. It is still pretty tasty though. Overall an enjoyable meal in a pleasant environment. Check em out... read more

We loved this place! It feels like they're doing classic seafood dishes - crab fritters, lobster rolls, fried calamari, you're not getting any surprises on the menu - but they just execute all of them really, really well. That's a nice thing to do. also, we often just order a bunch of appetizers and ask them to space it out sort of tapas-style, and restaurants never, ever manage it - it's fine, it's a lot to ask, we don't really expect it to work - but these guys actually did it, which was nice. Good cocktails too! read more

We love Hourly Oyster! It's become our go-to for a special night out -- especially when our 20-something kids are home. It's fun picking out new oysters to try and dinner never disappoints. But the standout for us is the friendly, fun vibe and service. (We even call ahead sometimes to see if Caroline is available -- she's a delight.) Give the blood orange Negroni a try. read more

So crowded. Insanely busy. Really good food. Shirley temple was made & mixed well. He was craving mussels and the bowl they brought me was really good. No sand/grit so they were definitely cleaned well and the broth was really good. They had a gluten free cornbread option with a sweet compound butter. I was intrigued, so I ordered it. So glad I did. It was incredible. Didn't look great but it didn't matter. The taste exceeded my expectations. Service was quick. Would definitely return. read more

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Visiting friends in town and one of them recommended we try this place. We tried "A Tale of two oysters", which includes two oysters from each of the days oysters. They provide a "menu" with a description of the undertones and varieties to the taste with each type. I think the descriptions are pretty true to taste. My friends swear they can now distinguish between "salty" and "briny". I think favorites were the black stone point, sweet neck, and pleasant cove. I also got the fish and chips, but after seeing my friends get the fried clam po' boy I really wish I had gotten that. I think the fish is fried well, but without adding the other components (ketchup, Cole slaw, etc.) it is a bit bland. I also ordered lobster Mac n cheese, which didn't have as much lobster flavor or discernible lobster bits as I was hoping -- but the Mac n cheese was quite delicious with just the right blend of noodle to cheese. Service was pretty quick and servers are attentive to your needs. The inside has close together booths, but each booth is decently spacious. Pictures line the walls. Overall: oyster house lives up to its name, serving quality oysters. read more

The Hourly Oyster House - Fish & Chips - Seafood Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Nice ambience, clean, fresh ingredients and tasty octopus. Prices are decent for the size of the dish. read more

The Hourly Oyster House - Seafood Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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I came here alone on my birthday. The restaurant was nice and clean, lively. The food was delicious, expected maybe some simple complimentary items but that's okay. No complaints at all there. The service was a bit disappointing. My host was chatting away at the table next to mine--no issue there, but he forgot to check on me. I'm not sure if it was because I was alone, but I checked my time, and it was almost 15 minutes before he even took my order. it wasn't that busy for him to forget, so I felt a bit upset. I dine alone a lot. I also wish they gave me the option to choose where to sit, considering ai reserved ahead. there was a few smaller bar tables that would've been better. Regardless, everything here was a 10/10 except for the service. Still tipped well, nonetheless. read more

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This place is really nice with a casually chic fisherman vibe. The fish and chips were the best I've had in Boston and the beet salad was delicious. The lobster bisque was just OK. I should've gotten the chowder. My son doesn't like seafood, so he ordered the hamburger which he said was really good as well. Service was great read more

The decor is cute in this cozy bar. Lots of booths and high top tables. We enjoyed the tuna tartare appetizer that we shared. The seasonal gin and tonic was quite refreshing. Service was quick and to the point. Both the lobster mac and the lobster roll were good, but the lobster mac felt lacking in lobster for the price. read more

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Service and environment are incredible! Easy to get a table and prices are good! Ryan did a great job managing the bar. Oysters are fresh and constantly changing. I wanted to like the other options more but something was missing. Fish was good but flavor profile was ehhhh. Also no one wants a chewy octopus read more

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So good I visited my only two nights in Boston. Vesper Martini, excellent done. Serveware attentive, but not overly pushy , classy joint. read more

The Hourly Oyster House - Seafood Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Lovely spot to unwind and grab some oysters. We got 2 of each and it was perfect! Beautiful on the inside, nice drafts and cocktail menu - highly recommend. read more

The Hourly Oyster House - Seafood Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Fresh, Flavorful, and Full of Charm in Harvard Square The Hourly Oyster House is the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and savor -- whether it's a tray of briny oysters, a glass of crisp white wine, or the laid-back vibe of a perfectly run neighborhood spot. The oysters? Outstanding. Clean, cold, and impeccably shucked -- with a thoughtful mix of local and regional varieties. The mignonette is bright and balanced, and they're not afraid to let the shellfish speak for itself. The menu? Seafood-forward and full of smart choices. The clam chowder is rich and comforting without being too heavy. The lobster roll (warm, buttered, and perfectly toasted) is worth every penny, and the crab cake was all flavor, no filler. Even the sides -- like the Old Bay fries or house pickles -- felt like someone actually cared when they made them. Drinks? The bar is excellent -- a tight but well-curated wine list, fun cocktails, and knowledgeable bartenders who are happy to steer you in the right direction. Vibe & Service? Warm and unpretentious. The space is cozy but elegant, with brick walls, soft lighting, and an open-air feel when the weather's nice. Staff is professional but laid-back -- helpful with recommendations and clearly invested in making your experience a good one. Bottom line: Whether you're an oyster aficionado or just in the mood for a great meal in a great part of town, The Hourly delivers. Perfect for date night, solo oyster bar hangs, or showing out-of-town friends what New England seafood is supposed to taste like. read more

Lobster roll had a great texture and the roll was toasted nicely. It comes with fries which were pretty good. The oysters were fresh as well. I liked the clam chowder flavor but it was a little salty. We were seated immediately but the service was a bit slower. The workers were super nice though and split the rolls, fries and clam chowder between 2 plates/bowls for us. read more

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Love this place, nice atmosphere, food is excellent, staff is friendly. Raw bar is very good, everything else is too. One of the better restaurants in Cambridge, a 1000x better than stupid overrated Waypoint where the food is still too salty! read more

Everything was great each time we have dined there, the food, the waitstaff, the ambience.

We were visiting Cambridge today today and it was cold, windy &rainy outside. Inside it was warm, inviting and bright. Our server Jenny was excellent. We had Clam Chowder, Brussel sprouts, mussels and beet salad with shrimp. Everything was excellent. The clam chowder was the best I've had in the Boston/Cambridge area. The brussel sprouts were hands down the best I've had. The mussels and salad were excellent as well. I'll eat here again anytime I'm in the area. read more

We did an appetizer, drinks, and dessert. Everything was great! Loved the Christmas decor and vibes. Service was quick and friendly.

Had two great dinners here on a trip to Boston. The restaurant is in a historic building that to this day houses the Cambridge Savings Bank where my grandfather worked many years ago. On the first night we had calamari and the hamachi plus a salad. The second night we tried some of the oysters and had seafood dinners plus a peach crisp for dessert. It was very good - great food, service, location. read more

The Hourly Oyster House - Hourly entrance - Seafood Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Very good clam chowder and lobster bisque. Oysters are fresh and delicious. Caesar salad on point. Finished every plate. Just bring plenty of money. Glad I checked this box, but I'll stick to finding local ma and pa establishments when I'm looking to support their local economy. read more

Got hungry after seeing all the seafood in jars at the Harvard museum of Natural History, I couldn't have asked for a better place for a much needed Lobster roll! Seriously, i've eaten about 200 lobster rolls in my life, and this tops the list, it beat out Maine, Chelsea Market and Woodhouse Fish Co in San Francisco! Get it with the half salad half fries combo, a Bloody Mary, and you got yourself the Ivy League of Lobstah Rolls! Will def come back for the oysters one day. Service was impeccable , a sweet crew of peeps run this fine boat - Toot toot! read more

The Hourly Oyster House - Lobster Roll with Salad and crunchy fries - Worth every cent! - Seafood Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I absolutely love the lighting fixtures inside and outside of the hourly. It was giving a very European look and the dimly lit space felt like a great place to discuss some old Hollywood gossip. It was pretty busy on a Wednesday night and even though you can book a reservation day of, you might wait a little which is fine. The staff was all really nice from the host to the server with the fun reading glasses that I wished I complimented her on. Very steampunk style. I came here for one thing and one thing only: oysters so we got the Tale of two oysters which comes with 2 of each of their dailys which in total was 16 oysters between me and my friend. They have a note which describes where each oyster is from and the taste notes. I felt like I was doing a wine tasting, it was so fun! The entrees are pretty small and were just alright although I really enjoyed the creaminess of the lobster mac & lobster. I got the cod wrapped prosciutto on a bed of corn which i ate in two seconds because it was small. It was beautifully plated and not bad but then i remember it was $33 and it didn't match my expectations at that price point. I wanted to try their adult milkshakes but alas a milk intolerant girlie might face the troubles later. Left with my stomach not feeling full but basically just in a state of acceptable my sweets stomach was activated... but instead i just went to bed after. If I go again I'd probably skip the entrees and get a bunch of shareables to fill me up. $$$ Food 8 Atmosphere 8 Service 7 What we got Prosciutto Wrapped Cod Lobster mac and cheese Tale of two oysters (16 oysters) read more

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Grabbed a quick bite while visiting the niece. Overall the food & service were thumbs up. Our favorite was the tuna tartare. Goes well with the Asian rice crackers. Easy parking across the restaurant. read more

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Came here for our first meal in Boston after a long day exploring nearby Harvard. Located just across the street from the university, Hourly seems to be a great place for a drink and some bites after class. The inside is decorated with 2 (?) giant bars, mosaic tiles on the floor, and huge mirrors. We ordered: - Hush puppies - super heavy with a nice crunchy outside and cornbread-y fluffy inside. It came with a chili honey butter that it had a nice kick to it! It came as 6 pieces and was more than enough for the two of us to share. - Oysters (one of each that was offered that day) - these were a little small, and just about each one had pieces of shell or grit, which made the experience less than enjoyable. However, taste-wise I really enjoyed them. - Hourly double smash burger - this was for the non-seafood eater and was a basic but juicy burger. The SO ordered it with a side salad and it was just spring mix with a balsamic vinaigrette. - Lobster roll - SOOO juicy and meaty. This was my first ever legit lobster roll and it was pretty amazing. I did, however, find a piece of shell at the halfway point. But still. Big pieces of lobster stuffed in a buttery toast. Service was great, our drinks were always filled up and we were checked on multiple times. Overall a great first meal, and it was conveniently located next to famous Mike's Pastries for dessert! read more

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The restaurant was packed and we sat at the bar and had a great meal. The bartender was very helpful and the oysters, appetizers and soup were delicious. Will be back! read more

The Hourly Oyster House - Seafood Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

You can see the oyster bar on the left and watch them being shucked. With our permission, we were seated at a high table across from a small but active bar. Because they had Negronis on tap we had to try it and were very happy with the Campari forward flavor and a decorative orange peel garnish. Of course we were there for the oysters and the selection that day was great. We chose "A TALE OF TWO OYSTERS" With two each of today's oysters" making 16 oysters and came with a description of location and flavor profile for each selection, a light sherry vinegar sauce, and a traditional cocktail sauce. We enjoyed 2 mains. The Bucatini Frutti di Mare had a pleasantly light and creamy tomato sauce with mussels, shrimp, squid, and some diced fresh tomato over thin bucatini delicately seasoned with herbs and some fresh basil. My wife enjoyed the Faroe Island Salmon. She reported it was very fresh on a bed of farro and included a fennel bulb that seemed to have been boiled and then sautéed until crisp - both a little different and delicious. Although a bit pricey, it is not bad for Harvard Square. We will surely be back. read more

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Great food, professional wait staff. I loved the interior. The grilled octopus was served on tater tots (surprise!) Delicious!

Nice ambiance, lovely meal. We ordered the cod and the scallops and both were done to perfection. Entrees run a bit small, so do order an appetizer. read more

Lunch service was outstanding the oysters and lobster bisque even the fries excellent. The cocktails were also good and the service was attentive and professional read more