Food and Drink
Harvard Square Stirs the Pot With 15th Annual Chili Cook-Off
El Jefe’s Taqueria won the Harvard Square Business Association’s 15th annual “Some Like It Hot” Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, in which customers in Brattle Square to taste-test competing free chili samples from local restaurants.
Serving Up Success: Two Cambridge Chefs Named Semifinalists for James Beard Award
Two Cambridge chefs got a taste of success after being named semifinalists for a James Beard award — one of the most prestigious honors the culinary industry has to offer.
Harvard Square’s Red House Restaurant Closes for Renovations
The Red House, a seafood restaurant in Harvard Square, has temporarily closed for “a few months” ahead of planned renovations, according to Harvard Square Business Association executive director Denise A. Jillson.
Tatte Renovates Harvard Square Location to Expand Seating, Coffee Bar
Tatte Bakery and Cafe, a popular Mediterranean bakery in Harvard Square, is undergoing renovations to relocate the espresso bar and expand seating on the first and second floors since late August.
Harvard Square Welcomes Egyptian-Influenced Luxor Cafe
Visitors to Harvard Square are in luck with the opening of Luxor Cafe, an Egyptian coffee shop and deli that launched in May.
Mediterranean Bakery Sofra To Open New Allston Location
Sofra Bakery, a Cambridge staple known for its Middle Eastern and Turkish-inspired cuisine, is set to open a new location in Allston this October.
Harvard to Reopen Queen’s Head as Event Venue, Hire Non-Union Employees
Harvard College will reopen the Cambridge Queen’s Head Pub as an event space this fall and hire six non-union employees, following the College’s controversial decision to close the establishment in May.
Popular Boba Tea Restaurant Tiger Sugar Expected to Close Harvard Square Location
Tiger Sugar, a popular Taiwanese boba tea chain, is expected to close its Harvard Square location less than two years after its grand opening.
Clover to Keep All Cambridge Locations Open After Surviving Bankruptcy
All of Clover Food Lab’s locations will stay open following a corporate restructuring after the company declared bankruptcy in November, Clover CEO Julia Wrin Piper said Friday.
One Reason Garden Bar Prepares to Mix Back In to Harvard Square
One Reason Garden Bar will be returning to the Charles Hotel on May 5, marking the second year in business for the bar which first opened in July 2023.
Here’s the Scoop: Van Leeuwen’s to Open in Harvard Square
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream will look to be the cherry on top of ice cream selections in Harvard Square as it is set to open a Cambridge location in the near future.
Fans, Critics Spill the Beans on New Mexican Restaurant Achilito’s
Achilito’s, a small chain of Mexican restaurants based around Massachusetts, opened its newest location in Harvard Square earlier this year.
Cambridge Chefs Named James Beard Award Semifinalists
Three Cambridge chefs — Tracy Chang of PAGU, Conor Dennehy of Talulla, and Patricia Estorino of Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar — were nominated as semifinalists for the James Beard Award for best chef in the Northeast region.
Harvard University Dining Services to Increase Halal Chicken Options
Harvard University Dining Services is in the process of ensuring that the majority of the chicken served in their dining halls is halal, according to a statement from a HUDS spokesperson.
Event Space ‘Dx’ Dances into Harvard Square
Dx @Dunster, an event space coming to the former location of John Harvard’s Brewery, is set to open next month.
Experts Discuss Food Misinformation at Harvard Law School Panel
Four experts discussed food misinformation and consumer choice at a Thursday panel discussion hosted by Harvard Law School’s Food Law and Policy Clinic.
Donut Miss Out: Union Square Donuts Rolls into Harvard Square
Boston-based donut chain Union Square Donuts made its debut in Harvard Square last Saturday.
Currier Adds New Interhouse Dining Restrictions to Mitigate ‘Overwhelming Workload’ for HUDS Staff
As Currier House dining hall workers face an “overwhelming workload,” House administrators have implemented new interhouse restrictions, Currier faculty deans announced in an email Monday afternoon.
Joe’s Pizza Expands its Dough-main into Harvard Square
New York-based chain Joe’s Pizza welcomed customers on Sept. 15, bringing the iconic taste of its NYC-style pizza to Harvard Square.
Funny Business: Circus Cooperative Cafe Opens in Former Darwin’s Location in Cambridge
The Circus Cooperative Cafe — located in the recently closed Darwin’s cafe and run by some of its former employees — opened Sept. 12 on the outskirts of Harvard Square after a soft opening two days earlier for friends and family.
‘A Great Atmosphere’: Aeronaut Beer Garden Closes Out Summer in Allston at Harvard’s Zone 3
Each summer since 2016, Somerville-based brewery Aeronaut brings life to an otherwise austere block with yard games, lights, music, and libations as part of its seasonal beer garden pop-up at Harvard’s Zone 3.
Möge Tee Joins the Par-tea as Fourth Boba Shop in Harvard Square
Boba shop Möge Tee held its grand opening in Harvard Square with a traditional lion dance performance and free drinks for their first 50 customers on Sunday.
New Fish on the Block: Students, Locals Welcome Ice Cream Store Taiyaki NYC to Harvard Square
Days before soft serve ice cream store Taiyaki NYC celebrates the grand opening of its Harvard location, the newest addition to the Square has already lured in students and local residents.
Taiwanese Boba Brand Tiger Sugar Pounces into Harvard Square
Taiwanese bubble tea brand Tiger Sugar has officially pounced its way into the Abbot building on JFK St., with a grand opening on Nov. 12.