burger — Journal of All Blog Posts

Cambridge, Massachusetts, with an impressive history as a lasting academic center in United States higher education, has long attracted intellectuals and artists from around the world. As English America’s first planned village, founded in 1630, and home to America’s oldest University (Harvard), the area deserves a visit for anyone interested in American history or fantastic bookstores (shout-out to Harvard Bookstore!).

Fortunately, Harvard Square, the area of Cambridge that surrounds Harvard University, has an appeal that far surpasses a typical college town. After living within the bounty of New York City for several years, I still think fondly of the 6 years I lived in Cambridge. Balancing both its fascinating history and now, a quality food scene, Harvard Square is an enriching place to spend a few days.

Below find my absolute favorite Harvard Square spots for quality food and drink:

Alden & Harlow - Best Fancy Dinner

I end up in Boston at least once a year for either work or pleasure, and have chosen Alden & Harlow the past three visits for a nice or romantic dinner stop. Using local farms and fisheries, Alden & Harlow has a really fresh and delicious take on preparing local ingredients. I recommend trying the three-onion dip and Berkshire crispy pork belly.

40 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Alden & Harlow restaurant in Harvard Square

Border Cafe - Best Casual Dinner

While this is not the place to go for traditional Mexican fare, you are guaranteed a fun tex-mex meal, surrounded by a diverse cross-section of the Cambridge social scene. I especially enjoy the free chips and salsa, and always choose the frozen margarita!

32 Church St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Pinocchio's Pizza & Subs - Best Slice

You may find yourself just hungry enough to indulge in a slice of pizza on the go. If this occurs during your stay in Cambridge, you should absolutely head to Pinocchio’s. You’ll be met by hilarious painted wall murals and an eclectic selection of old photographs. Local celebrities Mark Wahlberg, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon apparently stop here, so if that convinces you to try it, then cool! For the rest of you, you’ll just have to trust me.

74 Winthrop St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Darwin’s, Ltd. - Best Lunch Sandwich

A good sandwich can make a magical meal. And unlike some good dinners, I never seem to forget a good sandwich! Darwin’s was my regular stop for 6 years and never got old. You may encounter a line at lunchtime, but any wait is well worth it. Sandwich options are many, and bread choices are fresh baked! Also take note of the case of local cookies or shelves of excellent wines.

148 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Tatte Bakery & Café - Best Pastry

I didn’t want to include Tatte on this list, as they started opening in the Boston area after I moved away, but after just a couple visits, I was won over. Stepping into their Harvard Square cafe, you will notice a buzz that can only come from serving up the very best. Just try walking past their cases full of fresh-baked pastries and pies — you won’t make it out of here the same weight as you walked in.

1288 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Flour Bakery - Famous Sticky Buns

Selecting between the excellent local bakery options is difficult. This is why you’ll find a few on this list! But Flour, founded by a Harvard grad, serves up some of the best sweets in the square, especially the famous sticky bun. This place is also popular if you need a spot to sit and study, as there are several tables.

114 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Hi-Rise Bread Company - Best Cup of Coffee

Hi-Rise does a lot of things right. Interior decor is adorable. Breads, sandwiches, and pastries are top-notch (like the apricot-filled brioche). But this place is also a favorite for a cup of joe from their high-quality coffee bar, using beans from Counter Culture Coffee.

1663 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Hi-RIse Cafe next to the Harvard Law School, Cambridge

L.A. Burdick Chocolates - Best Chocolate Treats

Sometimes you find yourself chilled by the New England winds and just need a hot cup of thick hot chocolate. It’s nothing like the hot chocolate you’ve had from a dry mix. This stylish Brattle Street shop also sells chocolate mice, which are a wonderfully unique gift.

52 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

The Sinclair - Hippest Bar

Sometimes you grow tired of a traditional tavern or pub, so ubiquitous to the Boston area. The Sinclair is a wonderful alternative if you want an good selection of quality cocktails and the very best of local brews. Attached to a lively music venue, you can’t help but feel energized by the cool space and quality drinks.

52 Church St, Cambridge, MA 02138

The Sinclair Bar and Event Venue in Harvard Square

Shay's Pub & Wine Bar - Best Pub

Finally, a classic Cambridge pub! You should plop yourself down at Shay’s and enjoy a cool glass of beer and maybe even one of their delicious burgers. Located in the basement level on JFK Street, you’ll feel at ease here. So do as the Harvard students do, stay and keep the drinks coming.

58 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Whether you crave a basic hamburger or a burger crafted from prime dry-aged beef and Brooklyn Brine pickles, you will be able to find several top-quality options in New York City.

Burgers have been my dinner of choice for as long as I can remember, even growing up with a vegetarian mother (sorry, mom)! When I discovered how delicious they could be served medium rare or with the delightful texture of a lightly-toasted potato bun, my obsession grew.

There are several excellent options in NYC, so please don’t default to that burger chain because you assume they know what they’re doing; like with most things, the very best can be hard to find, but it’s worth going for. The good news is you don’t need to spend big bucks to be served an amazing burger in New York. Below, I organize the best burgers into 3 price levels, from the high end special occasion burger to the everyday burger.

THE HIGH END BURGER (>$20)

These burgers may be expensive, but they are worth every penny. And the below restaurants are phenomenal culinary establishments in their own right, no matter what you order.

Breslin, $29

The first time you bite into the Chargrilled Lamb Burger at Breslin, a tear will probably come to your eye. It’s truly a phenomenal experience. And if you’re weirded out by lamb, you are not alone. I was nervous my first time back in 2010, until that first bite, when I realized I would never be the same. This burger is the most expensive on my list, but for a meal that makes you cry, you should go for it and save money somewhere else in your day.

The Breslin’s Lamb Burger served with feta, cumin mayo, and thrice-cooked fries

Minetta Tavern, $25

The Minetta Burger is famous and on just about every New York burger list. However, knowing that I am often disappointed by such universally-acclaimed experiences, I tasted with some trepidation. I am here to confirm Minetta Tavern’s burger is worth it; worth the cost for such a quality burger, but also worth visiting the historic restaurant on the lively Macdougal street. Minetta Tavern is full of atmosphere with classic service (huge cloth napkins!) and old time portraits on the walls. I show up early and grab a spot at the bar.

Minetta Tavern: 113 Macdougal St, New York, NY 10012

James, $23

James is a culinary treasure. Located in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, the adorable corner restaurant on a residential brownstone street, serves up one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Although I have eaten most of the burgers on this list multiple times, I’ve visited James the most. It’s cooked perfectly every time, and the fries and pickles are delicious.

James: 605 Carlton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Red Hook Tavern, $22

This tavern in Red Hook, Brooklyn, is run by the BBQ expert Billy Durney. Durney serves up a fantastic burger. I really appreciate how the cheese is melted perfectly onto three sides of the dry-aged beef burger. All proportions and flavors are spot on! I wish they gave a few more fries on the plate, but that’s just me!

Red Hook Tavern: 329 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

THE MIDDLE RANGE BURGER ($15 to $20)

Buying a mid-range burger doesn’t mean it’s middle-of-the-road in flavor! The burgers below will all keep you dreaming of a return visit.

Henry Public, $16 to $19

Henry Public is an essential Brooklyn experience. You walk in and feel like you’ve stepped into an 1890’s tavern. You won’t find people on cell phones, instead you may find an eclectic mix of locals having actual conversations over a beer or classic cocktails. And they serve up just a few food items, but they have perfected each offering.

Henry Public: 329 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Bernie’s, $17

Williamsburg can be an anxiety-producing neighborhood to eat out in. It attracts a lot of tourists (something Brooklyn was not always used to!) and there are several bars and restaurants to choose from. Bernie’s flies slightly under the radar, and feels like a hometown place, stuck in the middle of this expensive hipster a paradise. People look happy and relaxed, and the food is to die for.

Bernie’s: 332 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

The Double Windsor, $15

This beer and burger pub in South Park Slope, Brooklyn serves up excellent food from a window in the back. Just order a fine craft beer from the bar, then wander to the food window and ask for a burger. This place is always busy, in an otherwise chill part of Brooklyn, for a very good reason.

The Double Windsor: 210 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215

THE AFFORDABLE BURGER (<$15)

I couldn’t ignore the less expensive, but still delicious options that exist around NYC. These compare in quality and price to a Shake Shack or Five Guys burger, but have the local, non-chain vibe that I adore. Hit these up for a quick, anytime meal next time you’re hungry in Manhattan.

Corner Bistro, $11 to $13

Corner Bistro occupies a delightful corner in Manhattan’s well-loved West Village. You would think, if you looked at the prices of restaurants in this area, that anything served here would cost a ton. However, this bistro keeps costs low, yet somehow always comes through with a fun dining experience. Don’t expect a fancy place, food is served on paper plates and fries cost extra. But boy, the people watching from the windows here is worth something in itself.

Corner Bistro: 331 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10014

JG Melon, $12 to $13

JG Melon has been around since the 1970s. Starting on the Upper East Side, this burger-centric establishment is dripping in old-school New York charm. Watermelon paintings crowd the walls. You have to give in to the charms of green and red decor, and to the quality of their burger. They recently opened a restaurant in Greenwich Village that is more spacious than the Upper East Side spot, but I still prefer the original location, if I can manage to get a seat!

JG Melon: 1291 Third Ave, New York, NY 10021

Burger Joint, $9 to $10

This place is a hidden gem— and it’s literally hidden! You have to walk into the luxury Parker hotel, then locate the large, red plush curtains. Behind them you will locate this uber-casual small producer of fast and delicious burgers! I enjoy going here before a Broadway show or concert at the nearby Carnegie Hall.

Burger Joint: 119 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019