Got the fish tacos here the other day. It was delightful and the sauce had a spicy kick to it. The vibe was pretty chill and the lighting made it seem later in the day than it actually was. I think the place is a good place to go drinking at night, but I ate there in the afternoon. Would recommend Cambridge Commons for a good place to chill, drink, and dine! read more

Great curly fries and buffalo chicken sandwich. The portions are huge for the price, at least when it comes to the burgers/sandwiches! You'd never guess it, but their pasta can be amazing. They rotate their pastas, but if you ever see the bolognese come back on the menu, make sure to try it! So flavorful and delicious. Local law students hang out here a ton, so don't be surprised by extremely large parties. read more

Cambridge Common is a fun spot. Well, was a fun spot. I have been here for a few years now but never to the point that I'm so impressed or disappointed to write a review, until today. First star is for the environment, music choice and volume is on point, suits the set up well. Second star is for beverage selection, great beer flight choice. Almost one star for food, except the deviled egg I got tonight was extremely salty. Southern fried chicken is on point and so was the boneless chicken. However the service is what triggered me. Took a fair long time for greeting and barely got any attention throughout the meal to the point that my water was empty for a solid 10 mins or so. And I was just too fed up to even bring anything up about the deviled egg just so I don't have to wait another long half an hour for any response. I probably would come up but I hope the service get better. read more

This restaurant did an AMAZING job with their outdoor, COVID friendly dining! The tent is open on 3 sides, tables are distanced, and each table has an individual heater. The waitstaff was friendly and courteous. The food was delicious. Highly recommend! read more

I am a huge fan of cambridge common, and i come here extremely frequently- a regular for 5 years now. In those 5 years, i have had not one negative experience. the staff is accommodating to allergies and preferences. In particular, John Mead is an absolute pleasure to be seated with. He is not only attentive, but also a friendly face and an absolute delight to have serve you. I strongly recommend anyone in the cambridge area to make there way here, for a quick bite, or a long dinner splitting a pitcher of beer punch or sangria- both are phenomenal. The food is great quality and amazingly priced, and the service is just as excellent. 10/10 recommend. read more

This place is a pleasant surprise. After being served crap food at elevated prices in places around Harvard Square, found this place on Yelp and ordered the fish tacos. Fresh, tasty, and well presented. read more

I'm giving 3 stars because the service was excellent. Actually, I'd give service 5 stars but I was appalled at the portion size of my fish and chips. There were two flattened patties of fried fish, 2 forkfuls of cole slaw, and a handful of sweet potato fries. This was not the generous portion I would expect or have experienced in my many visits to this restaurant. I also had a burger last summer that wasn't up to size. All they, perhaps, downsizing their portions? If so, they are risking losing long-time customers like me. read more

Two words: Tater Tots Also, the avocado in the egg salad sandwich is an awesome touch. read more

The burger selection was quite good! Had some basics with the ability to add on a few key ingredients (gotta have sauteed onions!). The curly fries, like almost all curly fries really got my excitement up as well. The fish'n'chips on the other side of the table didn't look so hot though... too bad. The flip side would be that the drink selection (for those that partake in good beer) was quite excellent. Some beers from all over the nation and they even have a cask on Wednesdays. Unfortunately, I didn't have my ID on me, so I guess I've gotta go back! Anyone want to join? read more

Pros: Generally upbeat, laid-back vibe. Decent food. Cons: Not incredible food, not great drinks. Balance: PROS...tentatively BOTTOM LINE: I want to like this place more than I do. It's a well-intentioned joint, but it somehow leaves something to be desired. read more

Sitting up at the bar, we had a good old time watching the game! Our hostess was a pretty girl with a decadent flower in her hair. The patrons were a mix of friends, folks with babies and kids and neighbors. Everyone was happy! The bartender engaged and seemed to care about everyone! The menu included old favorites like deviled eggs and fried pickles - had a plate for breakfast. One of my favorites at the Common is the English Burger, and they offer a wide variety of crafted beers. For the brave of heart, order the Bloody Mary. I'll warn you - it is spicy! The bartender actually took the time to explain to us that they decided not to go with Absolut Pepper and infused the vodka with peppers themselves. The glass is probably about a liter and topped with huge olives, pickled asparagus, pickled green bean and pickled carrot. The staff actually cares enough to gently thread the vegetables. A real family, comfortable atmosphere! Fun! read more

This is a Harvard bar. That's not a complement. When I say this, I use that jokey Kennedy accent. The place is OK. The wings are good, but the Satanic sauce is mischievous at best. (I put habaneros or thai chilis in almost everything I eat, even when I'm recovering from intestinal flu... that's maybe too much information... sorry...) Good beer selection, but a bit pricy. Decent Manhattan, and at least the punk bartender knows to put the bitters in (I can't tell you how pissed off I get when they leave out the bitters... a Manhattan with no bitters is not a Manhatttan; it's just vermouth and bourbon, which is pretty disgusting). I dunno... there's something missing. Something totally lacking. Maybe I'm just lamenting 3 Aces being gone... I'd go there for food and then meet friends at the Common (or start with beers and then head to the Aces). Or maybe it's that while my friend was cool and his friend was cool, all the rest of the drinking companions were Hahvids, and they really bug me. read more

On summer nights when it's too hot to cook my mom's go-to dinner is always a quick and easy BLT. On this particular summer night I was not only hot but feeling lazy as well so I decided to venture out for dinner. The BLT with avocado at Cambridge Common really hit the spot. As an added bonus their sweet potato fries were some of the best I've had in a long time. While the place wasn't exactly hopping on a Sunday night, the service was friendly, and there was a pretty good vibe about the place. I'll have to go back for a drink another night to get a better sense of the place on a busy night. read more

Great place for a beer and a meal. Excellent selection of beers with knowledgeable servers to explain them makes this a great place to drink. Big burgers and incredible curly fries make this a great place to eat. This isn't a sports a bar. The Sox game was on the other night when Adrian Beltre belted a grand slam. I was cheering until I realized that I was the only one even paying attention to the game (the bar was PACKED). Outdoor seating seals the deal on a nice summer day. Just be prepared for a mix of Harvard students, hipsters, and yuppies in the bar. read more

I met a couple of friends here last week who had just moved to the area from DC. They suggested Cambridge Common because it was across the street from their apartment, and they aren't too familiar with the area yet. It was around 8pm, so the lighting was dim -- almost too dark. Our server was very attentive, and came back several times hoping to take our order before she finally could. (This was the first time I had seen these friends in 3 years, so we had a lot of catching up to do). I ordered a cosmo and a burger (medium well). The cosmo was tiny, but STRONG, definitely worth the $8.88 I paid for it. The burger was OK, crispier than I would expect for medium well, but for just over $4 it got the job done. The fries the burger came with were pretty good. Cambridge Common has a decent beer selection, if you're into that sort of thing. Overall, it didn't impress me that much -- nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe it's worth another trip? read more

Went for an unofficial Yelp event. Had some appetizers. wings- very good, mac n cheese bites-excellent(never had them before), and a few others that were ok, just can't remember them all. Good sports type bar. Loads of specials as far as beer goes. I'm not a beer drinker, so I usually get a Captain and coke. At first, after tasting it, I thought they made a mistake, so I asked for another. So, I watched them make it, just to make sure they heard what I was ordering. No, they didn't make a mistake, but it still didn't taste like what I had ordered. You really can't go wrong making a Captain Morgan and coke. This is my usual. But still, I really didn't like it. I don't know if it's the coke they use, or what it was. The mixed drink was really bad. But, good company and comfort food was really great. read more

I work around the corner from the Common and go there lots especially during our busy season. I have to say that the food is good and some of it really good, there's a decent beer selection and over all it's a great local place. There is a private lot but unless you are comfortable with itty bitty squished parking spaces I would advise against it. I parked my corolla there and had a hard time getting out. This is not the place to bring someone for a romantic outing or for deep conversation as it can get quite loud. There is the Lizard Lounge right next door and the Common tends to play it's music and tv's a little louder than I would say is necessary. It's a good place all the same for after work supper and drinks! read more

One of my favorite places across the CamberVille domain...The Common rules because the beer selection is always great, the beer is always fresh and the lines are impeccably clean. Local brewers and most varieties of domestic microbrews are well represented here. The staff is knowledgeable, and the curation is excellent. Also, the service is down to earth and friendly. The staff are sometimes rushed when the place gets packed, but politeness is always reciprocated here, even at the busiest times. Food is good pub fare, with healthy options for most diets and satisfying comfort food for everyone. One of the best pubs overall across the Boston area. Be aware that weekend nights will be PACKED during the school year, if not year-round. read more

Great food! Great prices! Tons of beer choices!!! I am from Southern California and just moved to Boston 3 weeks ago. I had some friends visit me from back home. After asking some of my coworkers out here what is a good place to eat that's inexpensive with good beer I was sent here. The food is delicious and portions are huge. I believe they have 30 something different beers on tap at very reasonable prices. And let me tell you about that beer punch. It was about $20 for a pitcher of beer/vodka/lemonade and it definitely packed a punch on all of us. They have a very comfortable environment and the servers/hosts were very friendly. I'll definitely be coming back here and I am gonna bring some more friends. read more

Nice, but a bit noisy. Received the tallest Tom Collins I've ever seen and I don't typically like to drink 20 oz of lemonade with my gin, but it was okay. Not so big an error that I asked for a replacement. Friendly service, good food with big portions! A good place to stop when you're not in a rush for dinner. read more

I'm not saying I moved just to be closer to Cambridge Common, but it was a pretty solid perk. Cheap (okay, comparatively cheap), friendly, and tasty. (I have tried the deviled eggs at many a Boston-area bar, and these are my favorite.) It can get pretty loud when there's a game on, but since that hasn't stopped it from being one of my very favorite bars in the city, I guess that shouldn't stop it from getting five stars, either. read more

My girlfriend and I happened upon this place for a late night meal. Needless to say it was one of our best experiences in the Boston area! The staff that greeted us was friendly helpful and quick we lucked out getting a table right off. Our waiter was prompt knowledgable and just a nice guy. We ordered drinks an appetizer and our meals all at once but everything came out in a timely manner. The food was amazing! Portions were appropriate quality was top notch everything was well presented on the plates. If your a vegetarian this place has many options for you and according to the menu the soup of the day is always vegetarian! All in all amazing experience 5 out of 5 stars read more

One of my favorite places!! Great selection of food (and beer). Ordering carry out is a breeze - makes it quick and easy to take care of dinner without a second thought. Consistent quality, great service, great art. read more

The food was delicious and John is an incredible server. Excellent experience - but again- ask for John and you'll enjoy it even more. Place is welcoming and a decent selection of craft beer to choose from. Awesome cocktails! We will be back. And that's a promise! read more

I use to love this place and would make a point of ordering takeout and eating here before Covid and during the epidemic. I made reservation through their website and had a screenshot of my reservation. I was told that they did not have my reservation listed and the only thing they could do was give me a seat for less than an hour. Meanwhile tables were empty out front. Never coming back. read more

Looking for an after-work beer? Cambridge Common provides, with 24 beers on draught every day. They like to feature local brewing companies, and have 6 special draughts per day. Food is also done well here---and cheap for what you get. Standard pub fare, with apps, sandwiches, burgers, etc. A great place for carnivores, it also provides a veggie burger and some tasty salad options for those vegetarians. Personally, I had one of the better turkey burgers in recent memory the other night. You can't talk about Cambridge Common without talking about the tater tots. Yeah, tater tots. Like you had in the cafeteria in elementary school? These are so much better---crispy on the outside, with substantial potatoes on the inside. Never soggy like the ones you used to get... The waitstaff is friendly, knowleadgable, and quick to serve. They're also attentive--I noticed my waitress anticipated another table's desire for a second beer, and brought it over before even asked. I wondered if it had something to do with it being two college-age males; still, deserves props. The restaurant caters to families and an after-work/pre-concert crowd. Attached to the Lizard Lounge, it's hard to walk out of the restuarant without being tempted by the musical acts playing that night. All in all, Cambridge Common provides a casual, friendly atmoshpere, perfect for a laid-back night with friends. read more

Cambridge commons turned out to be great and saved my brother and I from going home hungry only to eat leftovers. Very busy, no wait! Food and beer out fast. Knowledgeable staff! Meat cooked to perfection. I'm surprised about a great experience purely based on the very poor ambiance including large TVs everywhere and upstairs live band. Beer: peak organic IPA. Good. Well rounded hops and malt. Lake placid ubu. Dark. 7.6%. Very good Allagash white. ORANGE. Decent white. Ciscoe Sankaty light. Crisp. Dull. No hops. Sad note: out of Boulder Beer's Killer Penguin. Good thing for Boulder Beer, bad thing for me. Once again, our server was very helpful and attentive. I will return next time I'm in Boston (and my brother will be back soon). read more

This place is great for good cheap food. I like to swing by here on a Thursday or Friday evening for a burger and a beer. By far this is the cheapest place in all of Cambridge for the amount of food that you get. I highly suggest the turkey burger with curly fries or the salad. Also try some of the special microbrew beers when you are there. The selection is huge and the staff is generally knowledgeable about the beer selection. read more

Love, love, love Cambridge Common! It's everything a neighborhood pub should be, done right. Fabulous beer menu, super-reasonable prices, and bartenders who really know their stuff and are happy to give recommendations. Service is always friendly. Food is really good, with lots of fresh, vegetarian-friendly offerings. I love the spinach-artichoke dip, which unlike the kind you'll find at plenty of other pubs, actually has fresh baby spinach and artichoke pieces. I usually order the homemade black bean burger, which has a nice, soft consistency, on a brioche roll, and a spicy chipotle mayo for a little kick. The curly fries are the best around, but I usually ask for a side salad instead. Cambridge Common is also very family-friendly, with a great kids' menu. My 7 year-old always orders the grilled cheese (fabulous, nice crusty bread with gooey cheese), tater tots, and a chocolate milkshake. Really the perfect place to make everyone happy! read more

If you're in the neighborhood you need to stop here. Their beer selection is large and ever changing, and they feature brews from all around new england and beyond. The bartenders are friendly and really know their beers, let alone mixed offerings. Beer Punch is something that you must try whilst there. The food is good, and as pub grub goes I'd say that the Commons gets it right. The curly fries are can't miss and the pickles always seem to be good. Burgers and sandwiches are hearty, tasty, and come in generous portions. Their mac and cheese is amazing. The menu changes somewhat depending on the season but the Commons keeps the offerings fresh. Service can be iffy at times, especially when college is in session. This is a place to go for that beer after work or to meet up with some friends. It can be crowded and loud, so I always am surprised at the families that come to the commons. Prices are for better or worse fair. Also: one of the only places I know of that has fried pickles, and sweet pickles. read more

Love the beer selection. Always good stuff, and the waiters make solid recommendations. The food is a little more spotty. It's generally good--the fried pickles are excellent, and the sandwiches are good. But my Taco Salad was quite mediocre even AFTER I asked for the pulled chicken that the kitchen forgot. Still, the artisanal cider recommended by the waiter more than made up for a mediocre entree; I'd happily return. read more

One of my go-to spots for 5+ years now. One of the places I started my "beer education" - but I can also bring family & friends who are intimidated by the letters IPA and find something they like. The sweet potato fries, fried pickles, and baja burger are literally staples in my diet. Always on my list of recommendations to visitors and new Boston residents to check out! read more

I go to Cambridge Common first and foremost for the beer. They have ~30 beers on tap at all times (and 1 cask), and many of the tap lines are rotating, so there's usually something new to try. The breweries that they carry on their rotating tap lines are great: Troegs Lagunitas Bear Republic Cambridge Brewing Company Pretty Things Rogue Some others I'm forgetting I've never experienced an issue with a bad tap line, and you can get beer flights of just about anything on the tap list. Best part? The prices are the best I've seen around Boston/Cambridge. I'm talking $4.50-7 for some premium pours. The food's pretty good as well - I like the black bean burger and the taco salad. But for me, it's all about the beer. read more

Cambridge Common is great for grabbing dinner with a crowd, so I want to like it more than I do for as much as I am here. Hands down the best thing about coming here is the reasonably priced, always changing beer selection. They feature lots of local brews, and they offer staff pick and create-your-own samplers so you can try them all. The food menu offers a large variety of typical American fare. The food is consistently good, but rarely great. Both the meat and veggie burgers with any combination of toppings are solid choices and the quesadilla appetizer is hearty enough to be lunch or dinner by itself. I'd also recommend the Grilled Chicken and Couscous Salad. I would give Cambridge Common more stars if it weren't for the service. I've had a couple great servers, but I've also been at tables that have been neglected or abandoned. As an example, a couple weeks ago, a friend and I never actually had a waiter assigned to our table that we knew about. We had to find someone to take our order, had someone else deliver our meal, and asked someone else to bring us the check. But for reasonably priced good beer and food- especially if you are with more than 6 people- it's one of the best options around Harvard Square so it is worth putting up with so-so service. read more

One of my favorite places in Cambridge. Often changing rotating drafts to keep things interesting and relatively cheap bar food. Bare in mind the food isn't top notch- it's bar food quality BUT the option to choose regular fries or curly fries is available. Relive your childhood and enjoy adulthood with curly fries and craft beer on draft. Pros: Curly fries Often rotating drafts Low key atmosphere Cons: Quantity of food for price Overall, definitely a place to check out. read more

This place is HUGE, as are the portions. It's always bustling with people but I've never had to wait for a tabI came here for lunch a number of times and can never finish the nachos, no matter how many people I split it with. The sandwiches are great, as are the curly fries, which are perfectly seasoned and curled. This time around I got the turkey burger but swapped it out for a regular burger because, hey, I just wanted guac on my burger. I got mine well done (no judgement, please) and it was cooked beautifully as some restaurants tend to burn burgers to a crisp when asked to cook it well (out of spite, I'm not sure). The atmosphere is super lively as they have a huge bar in the middle and comfy booths to slide into. The walls are decorated with art from (local?) artists and they change every so often, so it's fun to take a glimpse and chat about it with your friends. The servers here are always so attentive and quick to provide. Food here is also quite cheap so it's hard to pass this place up. read more

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The food was descent, probably would have considered it great back during my college days. The service was extremely slow and inattentive. The atmosphere was noisy and you can clearly hear conversations several booths/seats away. Great for co-eds but not adults . read more

Terrific place for brunch! The drink menu was extensive and had some very interesting items on it. Looking forward to trying it again for dinner. read more

If your looking for a quick drink and a young college crowd this is your spot very casual

This is a convenient, inexpensive neighborhood place that is good for drinks and groups - nothing more. Basically, if you are new to or visiting this area and looking for a $$ restaurant to frequent, there is no reason to choose Cambridge Common for your next meal. To be clear, I have eaten here many times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I've never had to send a dish back or felt the need to complain about a markedly bad experience. But after trying many different dishes (at least 15), there has never been one I've wanted to order again. Each is as unremarkable as the last. So the best things I can say about Cambridge Common is that it's easy and cheap (i.e. you can get a burger for under $10); it's great for groups; and it has a solid beer selection. read more