“One of my favorite places in Boston & Cambridge: good coffee, excellent food, and pleasant ambiance. In warmer times, the back yard is very pleasant. It's very popular though, so snatching a seat can be difficult. Oh, and lately it doesn't offer takeout“
“Wow! This place is amazing. The food is good. The atmosphere is good, the price is good and the service is outstanding. I had a birthday dinner with my husband and it was the best. I am grateful for a wonderful dinner and friendly reception. A must go??“
“Had an awesome time at Soup Shack in Porter Square! Kevin, our server, was super cool and made us feel right at home. Everyone there was just so friendly, making the whole vibe really laid-back and welcoming.Now, let’s talk about the ramen – it was killer! The broth was on point, and they even had homemade kimchi that added just the right kick. But the real game changer? The marinated egg. They actually take the time to marinate it, and you can totally taste the difference. It’s those little touches that make me love this place.If you’re around Porter Square and craving some legit ramen, hit up Soup Shack. Great food, cool people, and an all-around chill spot.“
“I got the soba noodle salad with kimchi, peanuts with their Gochujang chicken, topped off with their Spicy Peanut and the flavors were fantastic! Staff was also really nice and gave me some recommendations which were great! The location had multiple huge live plant walls that made the area looked awesome. Will definitely stop by again for lunch next time I am in the area.Kid-friendliness: brought my kid there asking if they had something for kids and they were able to throw together a kids bowl for my picky son that he absolutely loved!“
“Wonderful array of menu options. I defaulted to special pho, which was flavorful with lots of quality cuts of meat. Looking forward to my next visit and chance to further explore the menu. P.S. the server was very helpful with recommendations! �“
“Feb 2024: party of 2Everything was great, service impeccable, appetizers: shrimp toast- flavorful hues of shrimp and toasted to perfection, slightly oily but scrumptious and the dipping sauce enhanced the flavor. Didnt get the chance to take picture of the pho but it was pretty good. The seafood pho #25 was sweet but just added Sriracha to diversify the flavor.“
“I love the JP Bon Me sandwich with paprika tofu from the Cambridge Test Kitchen. I think I am addicted. It is comfort food supreme: warm bagette, crisp crust, delectable tofu, crunch cool pickled veggies, and just enough spicy mayo to tingle my mouth, but not trigger GERD. I have tried other vendors in the Greater Boston area and they do not compare. I wish the Cambridge location was open on weekends...such is life. My companions most recently had The Take Out- lo mein with Chinese salt and pepper chicken and raved about it.Vegetarian options: I know that the spicy mayo and bread may contain egg, but this sandwich approaches vegan standards close enough, that I cannot deny myself its pleasure.Dietary restrictions: I always ask for onions to be held on the JP and the staff is utterly accommodating.Parking: Many available meters near the Cambridge location as long as you go off peak dining hours.“
Vietnamese •
“Great little hole in the wall with some of the best bahn mi in the area. There’s way more filling than other places and they’re packed with more flavor. The pickled veggies in the sandwiches also cut through the richness really well. Pair it with the salty lemonade or fresh sugar cane juice!“
“Ugh best coffee and banh mi in town but man I hate how cheap these Vietnamese workers act as if we're in Vietnam. So much aggression when requesting for extra butter in the banh mi. I've been a customer here for 20 years and it's always been like this that's why I don't come a lot. Like charge me for it or put less meat on. Don't tell me that it's enough if I say add more then just do it for gods sake. I even had a friend ask for more butter and the lady said it would make her fat. Ordered on uber eats where you can pay an extra 50cents for more butter and still had a dry ass banh mi. Stop acting so goddamn cheap“
“I ordered the veggie steamed bun and vegetarian ramen, and both were delicious. It was refreshing to find a vegetarian ramen soup with a flavorful base other than miso. The steamed bun was particularly tasty. As a solo diner, I felt comfortable dining alone. The restaurant had a quaint atmosphere, and street parking was available.“
“Love this place. Really enjoy the ambiance and the decor. The small kitchen atmosphere is really intimate and a clever use of space. Dishes were well prepared and my favorite had to have been the corn and duck dish. Service was great - really accommodating with our larger party of five, which is their max.“
“I was craving Pad Thai and saw great reviews for this new Thai restaurant in Lexington and decided to order takeout. I'm so glad that I tried them because everything was delicious. The place is nice and bright and my order was ready on time. I will definitely order from them again!“
“Best banh mi I’ve ever tasted! We tried the shrimp and the fried chicken versions, both were very fresh with flavorful sauces. The bread had the perfect amount of crunchiness on the outside and soft butteriness inside. The ube taro boba tea and ube taro iced lattes were also phenomenal. This place is a real gem!“
“this is the most amazing banh mi i've ever had !! I'm on a little holiday in boston from london and I've recently fallen in love with banh mi. this has taken the top spot though - the baguette had that perfect crunch and it was overflowing with the filling. such a reasonable price and the service was so fast and lovely :) highly recommend the lemongrass pork !“
“If there were ten stars, I would give BANH MI CAFE those. We just got priced out of Cambridge after living there for years and years. What's helping us not to lose our minds is finding the beautiful library, our apartment in a high rise apartment complex, and some great foodie places for me to explore. My very fave is Nancy and her incredible BANH MI CAFE. The best Vietnamese coffee ever as well as the best sandwiches I have ever had. We've tried the beef, the original coldcut, and a breakfast type one which is sunnyside up and pate. All delish...my personal pick is original coldcut. Best coldcuts!! Lots and lots of interesting teas, boba. drinks, etc.Take out only, or Nancy's hub will deliver in the area“
“ordered their iced saigonese and iced Càphê Sua Da. both were sooo delicious and they came straight to our table since we used their online ordering system. there's limited seating inside the cafe but they have plenty of outside seating if the weather allows. I saw people stay at the cafe to do some work, so if you're ok with working in a louder environment I think this would be a good spot to work. their drinks were creamy and delicious! the sea salt foam in their iced saigaonese wasn't too overwhelming and both drinks weren't too strong. just the perfect amount of sweetness and coffee.“
“Maybe the best part was the mello jazz that was playing! Very cool and relaxing.I got the chicken rice noodle soup that was perfect for this drizzly and cool day.Generous amounts of delicious shredded chicken and fresh basil made it special.“
“Went for a family celebration amd had a fabulous dinner. The owners are lovely and very accommodating with food requests. The fried shrimp, the stir fry coconut little necks were amazing! The boiler with mussels and scallops amd noodles was delicious! The pho was too! The stir fry noodles were very good. The shrimp rolls with peanut sauce were light and tasty! The Boba and smoothies are actually nondairy and were yummy! And it's right on the beach! Simple decor, but perfect for the beach. I highly recommend it!Dietary restrictions: Very accommodating with requests.Kid-friendliness: Great for families and kids.Wheelchair accessibility: Easily accessible.“
“Tip: Usually good amount of street parking a nice ice cream place nearby for dessert.This place is definitely a must try if you like pho. I usually go to “pho viet” but honestly this place might be just as good or even better. Unfortunately I cannot say the ramen was as great as it was okay. But I would definitely come back to try another pho or even the Thai noodle soups. Price-flavored value is p good.“
“For $14 (via Uber Eat), cháo lòng is excellent! Forgot to take a picture. No bad smell from the intestines (which is really hard to achieve). Generous portion of meat and clean bean sprout, with a side of quẩy. Not a lot of places in Dorchester can rock an excellent cháo lòng. One thing I'd suggest, a side of small fish sauce and thai chili comes with it, to make it more authentic. Bánh canh cua is ok, 8/10, will get it when I desperately crave for it. Will come back.“
“Only started coming here recently after living in Quincy my whole life. Wish I started coming sooner. The food is very good and homey. I usually get any of the banh mi for lunch or to go but the noodle soups are all delicious. They have a lot of variety as well. I'm here at least once a week. The service is extremely friendly as well“
“Food is really good and authentic. Pancake is delicious but, served as a special so you need to ask what day it will be available. Steak with noodles was also delicious but, again served as a special, not on the regular menu. The restaurant is nice, lots of seats and bar to sit at, the owner and staff are very welcoming and friendly. If you like authentic Vietnamese food this is the place!“
“This was our first time visiting The Bangkok and it will NOT be our last! We decided to be complete fat@$$es — I mean adventurous — and delved into the small plates. If you are a person of small appetite, 1-2 small plates is enough for you (we did not stop there!). For apps/small plates, we shared the veggie crispy rolls and curry roti (fried scallion pancake). The rolls were perfectly crisp without being oily with a healthy side of pickled carrots and radish over lettuce and sweet/sour dipping sauce. The roti was served hot and crispy with a soft lemongrass soup sauce. Amazing! My carnivorous spouse added a small plate of ribs, too; she describes the ribs as “good.” In more elaborate details the curry on top tasted of a savory scallion and red beans that fit nicely with the meat of the ribs that fell from the bones (may the poor cow’s soul rest in peace).Moving onto entrees, I have a habit of testing Thai restaurants with tofu red curry. This was a healthy portion — too much to handle in one sitting — was a New England American (white people) spicy 5:10 after asking for extra spicy, luckily there was chili oil on the tables for additional spice. Anyway, the curry was creamy, not watery and had a beautiful mix of beans, red peppers, bamboo, tofu, pea pods, and chunks of eggplant, plus a side of rice. I would definitely get it again!Partner in murdering Thai food today got khao soi noodle dish that had a light yellow curry spicy (caliente) sauce with noodles, scallion, greens, herbs, vegetables, and a whole freaking chicken leg grass in a lemon grass coconut sauce, which I’m told tasted amazing. Again, God rest that chicken soul. We finished off fat@$$fest with the mango sticky rice. Well, the taste was impeccable with the just perfectly ripen mangoes, I would suggest just slightly more coconut sauce, but keep in mind I am an Asian American, not an Asian Asian.The service was wonderful and each of the people serving us was on top of our table without being overbearing. And the best part was for all of that we spent around $66 without tip. I highly recommend if you are in the Melrose area and really looking for some authentic, delicious Thai food.“
“Went in to dine for the first time yesterday specifically to try the Bun Rieu (a seasonal special for just this weekend using fresh crabs from Gloucester!). It was absolutely incredible. You could taste the love and care put into the many hours it took to prepare each component of the dish. The crab roe cake and broth in particular were spectacular. I felt like I was eating Michelin star soup and it was worth every penny for the price of ingredients and labor. I have a lot of respect for the head chef and kitchen staff for the extraordinary amount of work, thought, and love they expend bringing authentic, fresh, and exciting Vietnamese cuisine to eastern Massachusetts. We ate our soup with fried dough and a mango smoothie with boba. What’s not to love? We will be following the Instagram page to stay up to date on the special seasonal soups they make every week or two. Thanks Viet Citron!“
“It is hard to beat the offering of this restaurant! They have: good food, affordable prices, relaxed atmosphere and great service!We dinned here twice thus far and will surely return. It is the only place I feel confident to try a new dish without feeling bad about the money (in case I don’t like the dish).At about $50-60 for 2 entrees, one sake and tip, this restaurant is a gem. I don’t remember much from the more expensive restaurants I’ve dinned at (aside from how high the bill was). Because few places elevate cuisine to the level where a $150 bill for 2 people feels like money well spent.So, I am happy we found this restaurant because they got the recipe right: you pay a reasonable price for good food and you get loyal customers!Thank you!“
Vietnamese • $
“I seriously miss this place and would come here every week if it was down the street from me! This spot is such a hidden gem, we loved every item we ordered from here! This is the first Vietnamese Restaurant I've seen in Boston to serve Mi Quang and DAMN was it FRICKEN GOOD! The egg noodles were just chewy enough and the sauce and broth were such a good complement to one another that this may just be my favorite Viet dishWe also ordered the Pho Dac Biet (Pho Special) and the broth tasted so pure, it was just simply fantastic. In addition, we also ordered beef summer rolls which were pretty great too. The restaurant itself seems family owned since it seemed like many locals were walking in and also chatting with the owner. It's about small-medium sized inside, but definitely can still fit a good number of tables. Waiter was very kind and made sure our table felt cared for despite all the tables he had to take care of himself! Can't wait to come back again!What we ordered:- Mi Quang (A MUST)- Pho Dac Biet (Pho Special)- Beef Summer Rolls“
“This restaurant deserves the absolute best review! First, the ambiance is incredible. Very calming, bright, comfy & roomy. I never felt like I was going to push my chair onto someone else which is nice. The service was perfect! Not pushy but attentive. It felt like they were perfectly staffed which also added to the calming ambiance. Last but not least, the food was of the utmost quality with great portion size as well! Everything tasted fresh & authentic. They also had fresh cocktails being made that bar tenders were really putting effort into. This is an all around great place & I'm cheering for them to succeed! If you're in the area definitely check this place out!“
“Pho and Rice really impressed me, especially their Bun Bo Hue, which is the best I've ever had. Generous portions, rich flavors, and a cozy atmosphere make it a must-visit spot. Highly recommended for anyone craving authentic Vietnamese cuisine.“
“I was slightly anxious to enter this place but I don't regret it. It wasn't first time trying a Banh Mi and this place did not disappoint. I'm not a big pork/meat person so the amount of meat the sandwich had was fine for me. Customer service is definitely good as well. As a college student I also think it's pretty affordable and filling. The place is small but I believe that's what gives it it's welcoming ambiance.“
“Love the banh mi! Got the roasted pork belly and my husband the beef together with the fried spring roll and it was DELICIOUS!! Definitly my lunch place going forward erParking: It’s located in the Plaza so there’s a huge parking lot availableWheelchair accessibility: No stairs and accessible with a wheel chair“
“After Plaster Funtime with the kids, I was searching for somewhere easy to eat with my kiddos but wanted to expose them to something they hadn't had before and that I loved. Pho!!! ?28 Bistro has a low key vibe, great music in the background, and the owner who works the register and tables(at least that Sunday) was delightful.The food was absolutely delicious! I had to order an 18yo, a 14yo, and a 7 yo. 29 Bistro didn't disappoint.Apps: Seaweed Salad, Short Ribs, and CalamariEntree options: Beef Pho, 2 x Seafood Pho, and Duck Pho (these aren't the names of the dishes, but the main ingredients within).My kids were loving the flavor, enjoying every moment of the experience, and had a bunch left over for lunch the next day despite being super full.I enjoyed it all. The Dutch Pho was absolutely amazing and while I over did it a bit in the apps, flavorwise, it was all amazing.Oh, we capped it off with various flavors of boaba tea!You've gotta check out 29 Bistro. I'll sure be back!!“
“This place is SO GOOD! I just moved in down the street and am so happy to have a true, authentic viet spot close by!! I've only been in for a quick banh mi grab and haven't had the chance to order any pho, but I'm sure as the weather gets colder I'll be there daily. I'm so picky about vietnamese food bc my mom had a restaurant while I was growing up. I'm sad she never taught me to speak vietnamese but the women behind the counter are so helpful and kind regardless!Highly recommend :)“
“This restaurant is located across the street from Davis Square. It has a simple menu with the main entrees including only Banh Mi and Rice Bowl/Noodle bowls. Wouldn’t recommend this place if you’re looking for traditional Vietnamese food or pho. But all to say, their pork rice noodle bowl was solid with a generous portion of meat and their papaya salad was good as well (not too spicy). This restaurant is definitely Americanized but is a good local place to try out if you’re in Davis Square.“
“The pho was wonderful -- aromatic broth with beautiful, fresh basil, lime, and sprouts. Not too far from Logan, this place was just right after a gruelling slog from the west coast. The service was great, the price was right, the place was clean, and the food was delicious.“
“I ordered pad thai and rice noodles. Of all the pho restaurants I've tried since coming to Boston, this was the most delicious and friendly. The staff’s delicacy and professionalism gave me a great sense of trust! I was disappointed that the Pad Thai noodles were a bit short, but the seasoning was just right and I ordered it with a fork and was satisfied with both the quantity and taste.The rice noodles also have less MSG flavor, are refreshing, and have quite a lot of meat. It had a clean rice noodle flavor, so it suited my taste ^^“
“Very delicious food and wide variety of menu items to choose from. Breakfast to dinner even late night snack, you can basically get anything you craving for. I would definitely recommend all my friends and family to visit this place, and for those who loves Vietnamese cuisine!!!“
“Stopped by for a rainy weekend late lunch. We were seated right away. I ordered the bun bo hue and it was very good. Soup was savory, not too salty. I ordered the steamed mixed veggies on the side, probably wouldn't do it again for the 3.95 price point - very small portion and the veggies were barely steamed. Good experience overall, will come back just for the bun bo hue!“
“Great portions for great prices! I ordered a 5 piece chicken wing for 12.99 and the portions were HUGE. I only ended eating 3 wings which filled me up. Perfect seasoning and crisp. The mashed potatoes were also delicious, melted in my mouth. Definitely coming back here again! Support local businesses!“
“Pho Town 7 is a delightful gem in the world of Vietnamese cuisine. Their flavorful pho broth, packed with aromatic herbs and tender meats, transports diners to the bustling streets of Hanoi. Complemented by friendly service and a cozy atmosphere, a meal at Pho Town 7 promises an authentic and satisfying experience that keeps patrons coming back for more.“
“Great little eatery! Staff was extremely pleasant and made sure I was comfortable and well accommodated. I tried their Classic Cold Cuts Banh Mii and it was yummy. The baguette was warm and flakey and extremely fresh! It made for a delicious lunch. Also got a Blood Moon Refresher to accompany the Banh Mii and it paired perfectly. The slight tartness and freshness of the lychee and berries meshed well with the toasted baguette.“
“Very nice small restaurant. Was not crowded had literally the best fresh spring rolls I have ever eaten and spring rolls, #3 on the menu, are my favorite thing ever. Had the beef soup, #19 on the menu, which was also quite amazing. Highly recommend!! Staff was friendly and fast. Definitely go try them out!“
“I love this spot!! Such an underwhelming location with truly some of the best Viet food in Boston. I've been sleeping on this spot for so long, but my sister has been telling me about Dot Cafe and I finally made some time. This spot offers affordable and quick Vietnamese food and American breakfast. I actually only came for the Bánh Bột Chiên, Vietnamese fried rice flour cakes, but then I saw that they had Mì Quảng (it's new!!). It's a noodle dish from Central Vietnam that uses wide flat tumeric noodles, and the broth is a mix of pork and shrimp flavors. It was a little sweet, rich in flavor, and the pork was soooo tender. Not any, if very little places make this dish. My Sister's Crawfish used to make the best dry version of these noodles, but they sort of rebranded + relocated and don't have it anymore SO if you want some Mì Quảng, go to Dot Cafe!!!!“
“Overall rating: 4 Stars A solid banh mi spot but not the top PRO TIP: ONLY BANH MI SPOT I'VE FOUND SO FAR THAT DOES TOFU/VEGAN BANH MIFood: banh mi, baos, eggrolls, and vietnamese coffeeTexture: banh mi, the baguettes were fresh and crispy the pickled vegetables gave a nice crunch as well! Pricing: the banh mi here are on the steeper side going for $9 but it's probably due to being in the middle of Boston! A vietnamese coffee is $6Ambiance: The ambiance is unique, it's a mixture of a bunch of refurbished decor my friends and I find it funny when we see the American/pirate tablesSeating & Parking: 2 seats by the wall facing the banh mi counter and 4 seats to the left by the window, there is no parkingService: straight forward, may have a language barrier but the ladies there are kindMusic: noneBathroom: noneFinal comments: solid banh mi spot for lunch, fast service“
“How come I have to travel all the way to Dorchester to get really good Vietnamese food? Regardless, this place is worth the trip. The soup is hearty and the garnishes they provide for it are excellent. The Thai Tea smoothie is one of my favorite dessert drinks I've ever had. Summer rolls are excellent. Short wait times. Low prices. Plenty of seating for larger parties. This place is in a league of its own. I don't want that trendy hot pot stuff when I want a bowl of soup - just give me my Pho Le.“
“One of our favorite spots, this Vietnamese restaurant never disappoints. It's perfect for lifting our spirits. My partner and I consistently choose either the pho or the rice plates, and the quality and taste are always top-notch. The staff is incredibly welcoming, making us feel right at home every time we visit. With its spacious interior, seating is usually immediate. Additionally, they serve a variety of milk teas, with the Thai tea being a personal favorite. Overall, it's a fantastic place for comforting, satisfying meals.“
“There are not that many good restaurants in this food court anymore with pho viet, Kantin, and the Korean place (I don't remember what it was called but their kimbap was great) however this place still had an AMAZING bahn mi. They only offer the cold cut version but please trust me, it is the same satisfying as a bbq pork without it feeling heavy or overly sweet. Their cold cut banh mi is a great size, generous with the pate, fresh, and the bread is the perfect amount of chewy without it being soggy or too stale and stiff. The owners were very nice and gracious too! A great snack to munch on while your grocery shop or wait for the train. It is genuinely so tasty and feels good for your soul. Don't underestimate the cold cut banh mi !!!!!“
“Flavorful Pho Experience at Noodle MarketI recently dined at Noodle Market and opted for their Pho Dac Biet, and I must say, it was an absolute delight. The dish arrived piping hot, boasting a fragrant broth infused with spices and herbs that danced on my palate with each spoonful. The tender slices of beef, accompanied by chewy rice noodles and an array of fresh garnishes, elevated the experience to new heights.What truly stood out, however, was the impeccable service provided by the staff. From the moment I entered, I was greeted warmly, and throughout my meal, the attentive servers ensured that I had everything I needed. Their friendliness and professionalism enhanced my dining experience, making me feel welcomed and valued as a customer.Overall, Noodle Market offers not only delectable dishes but also a welcoming atmosphere and top-notch service. Whether you’re a pho enthusiast or simply seeking a memorable dining experience, I highly recommend giving Noodle Market a try.“
“Sandwiches are incredible.My favorite is the Roast Pork Banh mi.Would have posted a photo but demolished the sandwich.Everything is fresh.The parking lot is fast and furious.Coffee is great espresso with condensed milk DELICIOUS..Cash onlyEasier, if you speak Vietnamese..Parking: Very busy parking lot“
“Feel like something's changed in the past year or so. The food doesn't seem as cared for and has lost some of it's charm. not sure if just a bad day or if the chef has changed but other way feeling a little sad. still tasty but not the WOW it was “