Many Bostonians seem to be mightily confused by the precise location of Inman Square. It’s a great neighborhood, but it’s just a touch of the beaten path. It lies just northeast of Central Square and though it isn’t the most convenient neighborhood in terms of the T, it’s relatively easy to reach via either the red line from Central or the 69 bus. It might be a bit of a schlep to get to Inman Square, but it’s worth the travel. It’s really one of Cambridge’s more pleasant neighborhoods: plenty of pretty Victorian houses, little shops and, oh yeah, great food. We’ve created a small guide (with accompanying map!) to the best dining in Inman.
•The Inman Square branch of 1369 Coffee House is the original branch of this mini-chain (the second location is in nearby Central Square) with a truly excellent friendly neighborhood vibe. The coffee is the best in Cambridge and the baked goods are great as well.
•We’ve discussed our deep obsession with the Druid Restaurant’s shepherd’s pie before, but our admiration for that dish should in no way minimize how great the entire menu is. The fish and chips, in particular, are exemplary. All of this great food is served up in one of the area’s coziest rooms.
•Inman Square and its surrounding environs have more than their fair share of Portuguese and Brazilian restaurants, but O Cantinho stands out among the pack for its truly great sandwiches and small plates. Make sure to try the stewed fava beans in season.
•While it’s certainly not the place to go for late night dining (it closes by 9:00), City Girl Cafe wins raves for its outstanding pizza and the ridiculously friendly staff.
•Justly lauded for its informal atmosphere and great food, East Coast Grill & Raw Bar is notable for its decidedly creative takes on seafood in a city dominated by Legal conservatism.
1369 Coffee House [Official Site]
Druid Restaurant [Official Site]
O Cantinho [MenuPages]
City Girl Cafe [Official Site]
East Coast Grill & Raw Bar [Official Site]
