NEIGHBORHOODS > CAMBRIDGE


Square Deal
The people of Cambridge would like to inform the world that their fine city is not a neighborhood of Boston. Although it often gets lumped together with Beantown, Cambridge stands alone with all the sustaining qualities of an international city center. Throughout Kendall, Central, Inman, Harvard and Porter Squares, nearly 100,000 residents share a spirited range of cultural influences.

Central Square
Central Square sets a swift pace as the social center for Cambridge professionals and is home to the annual Central Square World's Fair. It's lined with coffee shops, burrito joints, down-home music stores, and its own share of great restaurants like La Groceria, Gandhi and Cuchi Cuchi. Every night of the week, fans of rock, jazz, hip-hop and the blues line up at the doors of venues such as the Middle East Cafe, T.T. the Bear's Place and Green Street Grill.

Harvard Square
The grand cultural and geographical nucleus of Cambridge houses six performing arts theaters, three movie theaters, nine museums, over 100 restaurants and more than 400 retail stores. History is everywhere, including storied Harvard Yard, home of the homonymous Harvard University, which makes its quaint presence on the north side of the square. With all this intellectual energy flowing, it's no surprise that Harvard Square has been dubbed "the book mecca of the world." Not everyone here is a student, though. A walk along Massachusetts Avenue or JFK Street reveals musicians, magicians and street performers, who add color to the already bustling square. Diners flock to Harvard Square for the food as well, at favorites like Henrietta's Table, UpStairs on the Square and Rialto.

Inman Square
Just north of Central Square, the more residential, quieter Inman Square prides itself on hometown sensibility, with a diverse working-class population, many of whom speak Portuguese. No elitism here: the area's only monument is the Cambridge Fireman's Mural. It is a place where food brings people together, whether at a range of local ethnic markets or at restaurants known for their bold flavors, like Chris Schlesinger's East Coast Grill. It does get rowdy over at the ImprovBoston, where an acclaimed comedy troupe spoofs on sports, mystery and pop culture with jamboree music and general "joyful chaos." Local and up-and-coming national jazz acts entertain music lovers at Ryles Jazz Club.

Kendall Square
Kendall Square, home to MIT-with its conspicuous concrete dome, the scene of many famous pranks-looks more like a high-brow business park than a neighborhood. Among the modern, sleek bio-tech firms and research labs, there are more than a few secret hiding places for fun. At the Kendall Square Cinema, movie buffs can check out foreign and independent films along with ice cream and espresso. And for shoppers, the CambridgeSide Galleria houses over 100 stores, including Banana Republic, J. Crew and Best Buy.

Porter Square
The young, artistic crowd influences the stretch of Cambridge just beyond Harvard Square. Porter Square, on the outskirts of Mass. Ave., is full of eclectic second-hand shops and home to restaurants like the Cambodian-French favorite Elephant Walk and the Temple Bar. For a feel of the avant-garde arts scene, head to the provocative Lizard Lounge for a poetry jam or live music.