Looking for some delicious and creative food? Head to Althea in Cambridge. We dined at this restaurant with friends during restaurant week, and the food was awesome. Three of us tried the non-alcoholic drinks and they were yummy. There's a patio you can sit out on during a beautiful summer night (with a retractable roof in case it starts to rain). Inside the ambiance is cozy and well designed. This is a great spot to go to with a big or small group. There was a slight mixup with our order, but our waitress was great, made it right and offered us a free round of drinks, which was kind. It's not far from the redline, so it's super easy to get to if you don't want to drive in. All around a win from us! Lentz_explore read more

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Came here for dine out Boston! Def one of the best deals + a lot of their items were on their regular menu Food: 4/5, super inventive combinations, def the type of place where you say, "oh, I never thought those two things would go together" Service: 5/5, staff was attentive and food came out quick Ambiance: beautiful space + patio is lovely read more

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This had a very cute patio, but candidly the food was not excellent and the portions were small for the price. My favorite dish was the broccolini with whipped ricotta and parmasian, but we got 4 stalks for two for sharing. It was very good but small. The grilled watermelon with pork belly was actually revolting, but I was hungry. The pork belly was tough and oversmoked and the watermelon was simply weird. The fish dish we ordered was nice but nothing exceptional. I would come back here for drinks but not the food. The ambiance was nice and the cocktails were good. The food was really, really meh. Candidly, I was very disappointed. read more

I came here for dine-out boston and was so impressed by the three course meal i received. I loved how there were classic dishes but they all had a unique take on flavors I would have never expected but simultaneously were still so delicious. The $46 dineout menu included an app, entree, and dessert. My friend and I decided to share all the dishes we each ordered. For apps we got the salmon crudo which was fresh and had a great sweet sauce and onion crunch, we also had the pork belly. It was tender and i loved the sweet glaze! they topped it on watermelon which seems odd but worked very well. For the mains we had the spicy crab spaghetti - this may have been my favorite dish! It was in fact spicy, there was that seafood signature crab flavor, and it worked so well with the noodles. The other main we shared was the brisket - the was so soft and fell to the forks touch, paired perfectly with the most delicious mashed potatoes. The desserts were insanely delicious - tres leches and peach cobbler (cant go wrong with either). The inside ambiance is a bit moody and modern, they also have a large gorgeous patio. Service was very friendly! read more

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Really nice food presentation, the patio is cute and service was good. Mushroom arancini very tasty, grilled calamari tasty and beautifully plated. The only thing I didn't like was the Brussels, they were too burnt. read more

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Friendly service and a nice patio were a good start. The arancini and grits were delicious. The fish and chips were good too, but they were outshined by the pickles and cole slaw that came with them. read more

I thought Althea was just ok. Glad I tried it, but probably won't be back, at least not for brunch. The ambiance is lovely - lots of plants, comfortable seating. Service was very friendly and timely. The food was just not great. I ordered the mushroom and goat cheese omelet, and they were nice enough to let me swap goat cheese for Parmesan. To drink, I got a coffee. The coffee was fine - not amazing but not bad either. The omelet was just okay - it could have used some more salt. A little bland. I did love the home fries - crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and very well seasoned. The toast tasted like grocery store bread, so that was a little disappointing for the price. So to sum up: on the positive side, ambiance and service were great. Home fries were delicious. Portions were generous. On the meh side, omelette and bread were bland (plus they were no longer hot by the time they came out, so that was strange). The only really bad thing I have to say is that they served my mom sour milk for her coffee, but they were very apologetic and gifted us blueberry muffins to make up for it, so I won't hold it against them. read more

Althea - Mushroom and goat cheese omelet (parmesan subbed for goat cheese) - American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I've been loving the hip vibe at Althea! It's tucked into a hotel in Central Square with a pretty main dining area and large super cute patio. They do pretty frequent musical and special events. 5 stars for the decor, ambiance, and overall service. Seems like an industry spot and a good place for foodies who like to get their drink on.... I've enjoyed chatting with all the staff members including the super friendly owner- it's the kind of place where they want you to have a good time and enjoy your food & drink. I've tried a number of dishes and enjoy the variety of smaller and bigger dish options. Some items were a bit more of a hit than others for me... I really enjoyed the spicy pasta, croquetas, chowder, salad, and dessert. I think the cocktails might be my favorite part! If you want a hip but friendly and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere check out Althea! read more

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Unfortunately, we had horrible service here. We were seated outside in 90° weather even though we made a standard reservation. I think that should be made clear when reserving. We eventually moved inside, and no waiter ever claimed our table. We asked two times who our waiter was, and no one could give us an answer. It took over an hour to receive our entrees with no apologies. We never had someone check in on us or fill our water. We ate with our previous courses' dirty dishes still on our table, and they were never cleared. read more

The food here was stellar! We were pleasantly surprised to find they were participating in dine out Boston. We got a 3 course meal for around $50 each. My favorites were the crispy Brussels and the Norwegian salmon (on top of a lovely spaghetti squash). We had so much fun soaking in the food and ambience that I forgot to take photos! read more

Came here on a Friday night for Dine Out Boston and it did not disappoint. We enjoyed every dish that we ordered! We also tried some cocktails too as they were reasonably priced at $15. For Dine out Boston you can choose from a list of small plates, large plates and desserts. We chose the smoked potatoes and chicken croquette, the beef brisket and spicy crab spaghetti and for dessert the upside down banana cake and coconut dream mousse. Everything was delicious and really good value! Would come back and try more of their dishes! read more

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I'm not in Cambridge very often so I wanted to check out a restaurant that my local friend recommended and decided to go to Althea. We sat in the outdoor courtyard area which was really nice and has the smoker in one corner so it smelled pleasantly like a barbecue. I started off with one of their cocktails which has rhubarb puree in it and it was deliciously tart and sweet. We also ordered a couple dishes to share: the brussel sprouts, the octopus, and the Norwegian salmon and all the dishes were delicious. It was the perfect amount of food for two females. The service was also great and the staff were friendly and attentive. Would definitely go back to try their other dishes! read more

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Beautiful inside and out. The food was amazing from the beginning. The smoked beet salad was fresh and served warm. The braised beef with horseradish cream was delicious and my friends enjoyed the bass and salmon. I'd definitely return here for another dinner is was delicious. The staff were kind, informative and attentive. A wonderful place for drinks and dinner. read more

Althea - The inner patio - American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Absolutely fantastic waitress, fun, knowledgeable. Great atmosphere inside the restaurant, beautiful patio as well. Meal was excellent, creative , so fresh. Highly recommend. read more

Really charming outdoor patio seating! They also have a smoker there which they use to smoke a lot of fruits/veg/meats. We had the milk punch which was made with smoked peaches, and it was delicious!! The service was really good, and the little bar outside is cute with string lights outside once it gets dark. read more

Althea - Stuffed zucchini - American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Food was terrific. We all loved the Brussels Sprouts small plate to share. Two chose the Baked Cod over gnocchi that was delicious. The Salmon plate is always a winner. Perfectly cooked medium rare as ordered and the gnocchi bolognese was good as always. Cocktails for some and wine for others (except our designated driver) hit the spot. Too full from dinner so we passed on dessert. Service was perfect and the ambiance allowed for cheerful conversation. It helps when everyone is enjoying the wonderful food and relaxed atmosphere. read more

Came here for after dinner drinks while staying in the Sonder hotel above and had some really lovely cocktails. Very unique and interesting options to choose from! The ambiance dark and cozy and the bartenders were nice and helpful. read more

To start with the positive, the atmosphere is very nice, and the service was excellent. But you come to a restaurant for food, which overall was extremely underwhelming. The ribs were terrible. Very tough and over sauced. Beef tartare was a nontraditional preparation, and was not good, lacking in flavor. The portion of grilled octopus was very small (the tomato, corn, andouille sausage preparation in came with was very good). The beer pours are tiny, a total rip off at the hefty prices they charge. Fried green tomatoes and chicken croquettes were good, but not remarkable. Unfortunately, another Yelp rating way over-inflated by so called "elites". Hey "Elites", How can every place you eat at be 5-stars? Bottom line: Ambiance and service -4; food and beverage - 2. read more

Food was okay. Beef skewer didnt have a knife, was very hard to chew at the end and had to swallow huge piece. Things had a nice char but after awhile a sole smoky flavor got boring read more

Everything about this place is magic. I took my partner there for his bday, every dish was amazing and the vibe old school chill.

I stopped in for brunch at althea in Central Square recently. They offer ample seating in their bar area, dining room and outdoor patio. Since it was raining, eating on the patio was a no go and I sat at a big table near the window, given menus and a big jar of cold water and glass. For a starter, the Stuffed Littlenecks ($15 plus tax) were comprised of 5 very hot baked stuffed clams filled with a spicy bread stuffing with mainly minced pork & clam over seaweed. For the entree, the Soft Shell Crab BLT ($18 plus tax) was comprised of thick cut bacon stripss, dill mayo, a grilled soft shell crab between a thick toasted roll, lettuce & tomato slices on the side, served with crunchy potato chips and sweet pickle chips. I know some people will eat soft shell crab whole with the shells, but since I had a bad experience doing this (shell pieces stuck in throat), I decided to clean out the crabmeat from the shells onto the sandwich. The server gave me a small bucket for the shells, as they did for the clam shells earlier. I finished my food and the check with ToastTab QR code was presented with no rush. The check came out to $36.37 with tax and 3 percent kitchen fee and before server tip. Overall, the food I ordered was pretty good. I would suggest they offer a crabmeat and/or lobster meat BLT on the menu, which is easier to consume. The stuffed clams tasted great since the pork will make most savory food taste better. The service was attentive as the server cleared things immediately as I finished. They didn't offer dessert, but I already enjoyed a sweet waffle in Boston about an hour earlier. read more

I walked into Althea around 8pm on a weekday -- it doesn't seem too busy and they have a good amount of outdoor and indoor seating. We tried a few of the small plates and entrees. The standouts were the seafood items -- I wouldn't expect anything less from a Viale sister restaurant! The meat items were not as impressive. The grilled oysters ($12 for 3) were really delicious. The perfectly-cooked oyster, delicious chili crisp, and other savory sauces made for a perfect bite. It's not a bad price either, given that raw oysters go for $3-4 each these days. I'd definitely get it again. The grilled octopus ($18) was also excellent. Perfectly grilled/charred on the outside, tender inside, and paired very nicely with the sauce and the fresh brussels sprouts salad. I would come back to Althea just for the oysters and octopus. The pork ribs were $4 each so we got two. I didn't think these were very special -- not particularly tender, and served with a very standard barbecue sauce. We also got the barbecue plate ($28). The potato & greens salad was quite good and fresh, but the brisket was quite tough and the sauce was again just a standard barbecue. We also got the lobster pappardelle pasta ($25). There's a lot of lobster in this dish -- two claws and a whole tail -- and the lobster is decently cooked. The noodles were very wide and thin and bathe in the sauce. The sauce was a bit too sour for my taste, but overall it was a very rich dish and a decent deal. I enjoyed my first Althea experience and could see myself coming back for some evening small plates. I would probably stick with the seafood options in the future. Wishing them all the best! read more

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Amazing calamari. Grilled steak and legs served stacked together over an amazing squash purée. Awesome oysters too. And the Brussels sprouts were perfect. Althea lets the ingredients be the star on all these and they're fantastic read more

Outside ambiance was nice. Smoked potatoes tasted unseasoned unless you added a sauce. Cheeseburger and fries were great, though. Services was just okay. read more

The service was great! The food amazing and on the screen in the bar instead of having sports had otters playing with toys. A perfect evening! Thank you Althea! read more

Food was amazing and our server was very nice. Drinks were also very good. Loved the decor and moody vibes read more

Althea - American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Rude waitstaff. We waited to be served for over 15 minutes with no one else in the dining room, the staff seemed oblivious. The only contact we had was one of the servers being rude to us as we left. Very weird read more

First time going here and the service was amazing, very nice people and informative of what we were drinking and what we were eating. The atmosphere of the restaurant was great too. The food was amazing also, one of the best burgers I've ever had. The yucca fries and the salmon crudo were good, and the oysters were very fresh as well. Also they have some of the best homemade hot sauce. read more

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Great outdoor spot for the summer. Prices for drinks are way too much. Food is meh, but again it's great for the summer outdoors dinning if anyone is actually there It's been quite empty the 2/3 times we went. read more

We've been to Althea 3-4 times and it's always great! Their menu is creative and priced just right and their food is always excellent. We love the warm beet salad, grilled oysters, and brussel sprouts to start. We've also had the double bacon cheeseburger, fish & chips, spicy crab spaghetti, Giannone chicken and gnocci, salmon, and some lobster specials. The staff is always really friendly and the atmosphere is terrific. Highly recommend. Afterwards, stroll over to Toscanini's for incredible homemade ice cream, as it's just next door! read more

I went to Althea twice in the last 3 weeks. The Smokey corn chowder is amazing. Also had the shrimp and grits which has a beautiful slightly spicy and extremely flavorful sauce. On another visit we had the smoked chicken dish which is amazing and I had the warm beet salad and we also had the swordfish and the beef brisket and both were delicious! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the specialty cocktails were great and the service was great! One of the nights there was a band on the back outside patio playing which was really fun. We'll be back for sure! read more

FANTASTIC!! A Central Square gem located between New City Microcreamery and Toscannis. Came here for V-day and was treated to an incredible meal, warm and attentive staff, and a beautiful setting. Menu highlights include the grilled oysters, shrimp and grits, spicy crab pasta, and s'mores dessert. Incredible spot for dates or sharing plates with loved ones and friends. Will definitely be back soon! read more

Really cool atmosphere but somewhat underwhelming and overpriced for innovativeness level.

We stopped by around 5 PM without reservations as a group of coworkers and were seated promptly. It looks like a newer restaurant (opened this year, perhaps?), and they even have their own gluten-free menu, which is a huge selling point for me. The décor is gorgeous--very boho yet homey, creating a welcoming and stylish atmosphere. Several of us ordered the special, which was a brisket situation, and it was absolutely fantastic. It was beautifully prepared, and I finished the entire plate in one sitting! Our waiter was very attentive and patient as we navigated various allergies within the group, while still giving us time to soak in the experience. When the food arrived, we were all so pleased with our dishes. The drinks, however, might have stolen the show! Their espresso martini was one of the best I've had--definitely up there on my list of favorites. read more

Place is fine but $43 for 3 beers before a tip is taking the piss. I know the staff sell what they are told l, but its cheaper to drink a beer at the bars at Logan Airport...... read more

I was super excited for this dinner. But I was unfortunately disappointed -- My waitress lacked attention when serving my table and our food was brought out severely staggered (they disregarded any attempt to bring out my friends meal) Beautiful ambiance, hopefully I get a more attentive staff member next visit! read more

Love the vibe, the food, and the cocktails. Brings the best features of its sister restaurant Viale (including some old menu items) and does not disappoint. read more

If I could give 10 stars I would. The food is amazing and the staff are all super nice. My work holds monthly dinners and we are never disappointed or hungry when we leave. Cozy atmosphere and table seating makes you want to stay for dessert. And with the menu prices you can afford dessert! The owner goes above an beyond to help you with anything you need. I will be a customer for life :). read more

Came here for brunch and the food was great, really well seasoned! We ordered the steak with smoked potatoes and pulled pork benny. Steak was perfectly cooked to med rare, with a fresh salsa; the baby potatoes were smoky as advertised. The eggs benny were a nice twist on what they offer at Viale - tender pulled pork instead of ham and brioche bun vs. English muffin. The home fries were the same - super crispy and golden without being greasy. Ambience was welcoming - filled with light, comfortable seating, and the hanging plants added added a beautiful touch. Service was friendly and attentive. read more

Went to Althea last night for the first time and throughly enjoyed it. Met the owners Shanna and Greg and they could not of been nicer. We chose to sit at the outside bar and snack on some appetizers and share a baby back rib entree. They have a $5 lager, which is unheard of in Cambridge. The atmosphere was that of a backyard BBQ with fantastic music (Grateful Dead) playing. There is a smoke theme throughout the menu, which explains the giant smoker in the back corner of the patio. All the food we had was great, especially the ribs. Our bartender, Bruce was friendly and welcoming. Wonderful addition to the neighborhood, looking forward to going back soon! read more