It is fun to visit once a while the graffiti alley in Central Square and watch street artists working. The alley is one of the designated graffiti wall in Cambridge early on, although in the past few years street arts has lightened up the streets around the square. Seeing these arts made me feeling happy walking in the streets during the past winter. There has been quite some rebuilding around Central Square. A twenty story building came up on Mass Ave the past year together with newly opened, modern style restaurants. I hope the local stores and restaurants in the 2-3 story copper stained and dark brown buildings around the square willI all survive the hardship and open up very soon. read more

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Specifically my 5 star review is for graffiti alley. I found out about this lil gem through a friend and have been here twice to experience the daily transformation. As a fan of graffiti and pop art I found this to be a real treasure, as there aren't many spots left in this country that allow this art expression in an open, welcomed public forum. If this type of art is not for you, skip it rather than posting a bad review. For those that appreciate this type of expression, it's worth a look if you're in the area. A side note: if this is your jam, check out Quincy Quarries as well. It's worth the drive. read more

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Central Square has some nice shops and places to eat (Cafe Nero comes to mind) but many businesses have closed due to the pandemic, high rents, etc. Most of the mom and pop type businesses that were here years ago seem to be gone. The square is a magnet for college students, long time residents, young women with tattoos and pink hair, poor immigrants, refugees, migrants, rich students with parents who rent condos for them, bicyclists who ride on sidewalks or speed through red lights, and homeless people (they get kicked out of Harvard Square) who "live" on benches, fight, laugh, and use doorways as bathrooms. For a number of years the Square has hosted a "World's Fair" that only represents a handful of residents who come from poor or developing countries. Good food, colorful merchandise, good music, but no representation of the Greeks, Italians, Poles, Irish, Germans, English, French or other groups that also have a history in Cambridge. In the summer, Central Square has a Caribbean festival, during which you get to enjoy floats in a parade that blast music so loudly that people on sidewalks cover their ears. I'm speaking of people in Harvard Square, over a mile away. A local Catholic church sponsors a couple of religious processions every year (such as Corpus Christi) and the mainly Mexican and South American participants bring the traditions of their homelands to life. Quite beautiful actually. When we first moved to Cambridge, the city had Christmas lights in the square every year. Not wanting to offend the forever offended, the city has since replaced illuminated Santas, candy canes, reindeer and stars with leaping stick figures that represent generic JOY!!!!!!! Or maybe the city gets a kickback from Ex Lax and the leaping stick figures represent ending constipation. Someone in this thread praised the squares "graffiti alley" but the alley has really gotten out of hand. Not content to display their "art out of a spray can" art on building walls, "arteests" have also covered the brick walkway and the plexiglass roof with paint, making the area look like a gang hangout or the side of the B.U. Bridge, decrepit, not trendy, and don't even get me going on the hydrocarbons and other crap that the spray paint puts into the environment. Odd that a "green" city doesn't demand that 21st century hipsters use environmentally friendly paints. Same with some of the other creative stuff in the square. Amazing what passes for "art" these days, then again, I did once see an installation at the MFA that consisted of a sheet of plywood leaning against a wall (I am not kidding) and "art" in the square is often of the same caliber. I weep when I think of how artists labored a century or more ago, creating art that ennobled us, raised us up, compared to what's popular today. I mean, if I see one more image stenciled on a mailbox or the sidewalk in Central Square of an "oppressed person" with his/her/their fist in the air, I'm gonna........ read more

Central Square has its good and bad sections . Cambridge has always been known as one of the most diverse places to visit there's many places to stop to shop and places to eat for all different types of palettes I especially enjoy seeing graffiti alley as there are many different artists from the Boston areas . Central Square does have a large population of displaced people which can be a little bit unnerving but I myself love finding new shops coming to the area read more

Closest thing to "home". Hating on Central Square means you just hate so you can hate. Mad love to the Spare Change crew: http://www.homelessempowerment.org/ More to come.. have to take a cigarette break to calm my nerves/express fully and I don;t even smoke. read more

Artistic Beauty! this is another hidden gem i found during a random drive to Boston. an alley full of color and creativity. its only small and can easily be missed. take a few moments to witnesd the graffiti and artwork from all walks of life. anyone can come here and add their work. only $2 for 2 hours of parking out back behind central kitchen which is right on the side of the alley. if you have free time go here, pretty cool to see. read more

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Home of Cantab Lounge, H Mart, Supreme Liquors, two boxing gyms, Middle East, Brookline Cafe, Central Kitchen, Phoenix Landing Bar, Plenty of Banks an ATMs, a 7-11, a couple hardware stores on both ends, Bike Shops, Hubway station, dedicated bike lanes, many hair salons, barber shops, a Micky Dees, Salvation Army Headquarters, dance studio, A local Theatre group, Chepos records, Dunkin Donuts, several fitness clubs, Indian restaurants, a Police Station, T Stop, Starbuck, Star Market, Several Sushi Spots, a Vegetarian Deli, and soon to be 24 hour Clove, and many more.... Parking options on back streets are convenient. Central Square has it all. read more

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It's central square it's where you'll see the same people asking for money daily, although in different clothes everytime. See the die hard football fans queueing up at 8am for a big match outside of the Phoenix Landing. See the hipsters heading to either the Middle East or TT the Bears to catch a show. And see the endless masses of people waiting for the bus. There's a reason Central square doesn't feature in films about Boston. read more

Central Square - Shopping Centers Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I do like it here. The only thing that really bothers me about this place is that I am often asked for money or cigarettes from the many people who I see just hanging near the train station or walking around aimlessly. There is some good shopping here including Target, CVS and Walgreen's and also a hardware store if you're looking for hardware. They have all types of restaurants from McDonald's to Chinese food to Indian food here. I enjoy visiting the area. read more

Someone asked me the other day what I liked so much about Central Square. "The reason I ask," he said, "is because I've found that Central is really hit or miss. EIther you love it or you hate it. And clearly.... clearly you love it." It was really the first time that I actually took the time to really think it through. I mean, I always knew I liked Central. Many of my favorite restaurants are within walking distance of one another (Tavern in the Square, Rendezvous, Green Street, Garden at the Cellar), there are many super fun bars to visit (Tavern again, People's Republik, Phoenix Landing, The Field), I can see live music and then eat ice cream until I explode (Middle East and Toscaninis, respectively; and please note that you can reverse the order of that and it works just as well), and there is one of the best sports bars in New England right there at your disposal (Phoenix Landing again). When I'm ready to dance, I have what seems like endless choices depending on how much or how late I want to dance (Enormous Room, ZuZu, Middle East again, and of course, in line outside of ZuZu). When I want to take food out on the way home, there are many options I can choose from that aren't going to give me a heart attack at 40 or make me broke (Picante, the sushi section of Whole Foods). If I want to get some aspirin or a magazine, there's two drugstores and two 7-11s all within two blocks of one another. (Excessive, but convenience is fabulous when excessive!) And Central is on the Red Line, which is the cleanest, most functional, and speedy train line of them all. Yeah, I guess if I reeeeeally have to think about it, I suppose.... I suppose I am pretty smitten with Central Square. And yes, of course there are times where I wish that the lady who lives on the bench across from Picante would finally stop yelling at everyone, and I would really dig it if the folks around town would learn how to actually use trash cans (and not for drum practice.) I would be thrilled if the peeps who congregate in front of the bus stop all the time would ACTUALLY TAKE THE BUS instead of just standing around and having an all-day chat and waiting for people to come out of the liquor store right behind them in the hopes that they will get a swig or a treat. And I think that I will always be in awe of the people I have (until now) secretly named The University of McGillicudy Medical Students, who are outside having the best time ever at 8:00 a.m. or earlier, already (or still) drunk - and who are in the same exact place when I get home from work, already (or still) drunk. Oh, Central. But even though I know that my love for Central seems obvious to me, I was surprised to learn that it was obvious to others. So I asked what gave it away. He chuckled. "You are always smiling. When I see you, you are always smiling." And then he took a huge swig of a drink in a brown bag. "And every time I see you, it's when you get off the Central T stop and start invading my living space!!" Oh, did I trip over your shopping cart full of booze and blankets? "But I forgive you for that, you love my home." read more

I love Central Square with all of my heart. A lot of the people giving Central 1 or 2 stars sound like elitist assholes. I'm sorry, but insulating yourself from the reality of suffering people (whether they be substance abusers, in need of psychiatric help, or just plain down on their luck) doesn't mean that they don't exist. Hell, I'm happy to live near them, because it means that I can give them food, a smile, or a kind conversation from time to time. /moralizing-rant There are just so many fantastic places to go out for a beer, mixed drinks, music, cheap food, more upscale food...basically whatever you could possibly want or need as a 20-something is available here. I live about 50 meters from River Gods, so I am clearly biased toward that fine establishment . Other great bars: Green St. The Cellar Miracle of Science The Field The Enormous Room The Phoenix People's Republic Music: Middle East T.T. the bear's Cantab Lounge Casual Food: Cinderella's Toscanini's La Luna Cafe Mary Chung's Rangzen Falafel Palace Coast Cafe Rajdhani Express Upscale Food: Salts Cuchi Cuchi Green St. Central Kitchen read more

Once, a homeless man approached me in the Subway. He skipped from side to side, front to back, his long smokey beard following just slightly behind. "I been to Alaska!" He'd say over and over. His volume grew louder each time, and finally he began to yell, "I WON'T GO TO MENTAL SQUARE! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME GO TO MENTAL SQUARE!" I was new to the area, and I didn't know what he meant. Now, I'm not afraid to say I agree with him. Unless I'm on my way to work, I will not go to Mental (Central) Square. Central Square is basically a pin cushion. Imagine the fluffy pin cushion as a nice mix of soft and enjoyable bars. Now add the crazies, the thugs, and the homeless. They are the pins, piercing my cushy enjoyment. That's a metaphor... and I'm full of them. I'll be here all week. read more

Central Square is the best place around. Where else does a tee shirt command a cult following re Central Square is For Lover's http://trainque.com/blog/2005/08/13/central-square-is-for-lovers/ (besides Virginia) only to be discontinued to everyone's dismay? Let's see, Green Street, YMCA, Miracle, Baraka Cafe, Teddy's Shoes, Venus WIgs, The Cantab (for chissakes), The Field, The plough & Stars (on the periphri), The aptly named Central Kitchen, the alley, Enormous Room, the crazy purple house on Brookline, Pearl Art- just to start. Other squares lack the maniac flavor that Central includes. Sammy, The Ricker, Can you spare 50 cents? guy- this is the only place to be In Cambridge. Only in Central would a staple like Sammy (think mardi gras beads- leather coat, pacing up and down Mass Ave while chain smoking) or better yet: http://www.cambridgeymca.org/central_house.html... write a poem about my friends and I on hot pink xeroxed paper. Feel the love. It's there for the taking. Harvard is for families visiting from suburbia. Porter goes to sleep by 8PM. Inman is a close 2nd in general radness, but Central is numero uno. Cheers to you Sammy! * Buckaroo's & Rodney's too! & the Middle East, & Zuzu's & Hollywood Express & Mass Ave DIner... read more

Without formal psychiatric training, I would argue that Central Square has a split personality issue. Sometimes it is appallingly rude, shocking and even scary. At other times it is welcoming, joyful and blissfully cool. Kind of like some of my old boyfriends. The odds are that you will be asked for money, cigarettes or food as you stroll through Central Square, and those odds increase as the day rolls into the night. I have never felt frightened here, but I do not make eye contact when someone tells me I look hot or they need help because they lost their wallet and T pass. I just keep going. But if you are into seeing arrests being made, hang out here and you'll be satisfied. And if you are trying to quit smoking? This is a great place to give away your unwanted cigarettes. It seems every other person in Central Square wants one. If you take the T, chances are that when you swipe your Charlie Card, you will have someone trailing your backside and almost hanging onto you in order to skip paying the fare. This drives me crazy. I have never seen more people skipping their fare than I have at this station. And if you use the elevator to go up or down, it stinks beyond anything, so hold your breath. So, onto the cool stuff. Are you hungry? All kinds of stellar restaurants tug for your allegiance in Central Square, including personal favorites Central Kitchen, Life Alive, Veggie Galaxy and Thelonious Monkfish. A few blocks away from the T stop, you can find other winners, including Bondir, Craigie on Main, Salts, Oleana, Green Street, Cuchi Cuchi, Area Four and Catalyst. Other options include Toscanini's, Mary Chung, Rangzen, and The River Gods. Many of the restaurants offer sidewalk dining during good weather, which is always appreciated. And the farmers market in the summer is just fantastic. (It's in the lot behind the alleyway with the cool graffiti art.) There's a chocolate factory nearby, just down the street on the way to MIT, that spews out the most delicious chocolate smells ever. It's so luscious that you just want to drink the air up. There's not a ton of good shopping here, with a couple of exceptions. Two of the best art stores (my favorite is Artist and Craftsman Supplies) and two really decent thrift shops are located in Central Square. And stop in at Harvest for groceries and wine on the way home. Walk up the street in one direction and you'll get to Harvard. Go the other way and you'll get to MIT. Walk down Prospect Street, past the Whole Foods, and you'll get to Inman Square. Central Square really is Central. I'm here a lot and am a big fan of Central Square. I hope you appreciate this very unique part of town, split personality and all. read more

Central Square is the opposite of Cheers. Rather than a place where everyone knows your name, instead you recognize the faces of the eclectic individuals that comprise Central Square. Theres the guy with the felt hat and the flower patch on it, the woman who constantly yells at her man, the people who appear normal, but there's just something slightly off about them, in a rough, potentially scary low voice "Can aaaanyone spare some chaaaaange...??" oh wait, he's in Park Street. Anyway, the above, and many others, are reasons you HAVE to walk from The Miracle of Science all the way to Cambridge City Hall along Mass Ave to get a taste of the personality of Central Square. But to fully understand and appreciate Central Square, you MUST be a resident. Lately, I consider Central Square my baby. I've seen it grow and advance and I love the newly constructed theater (to come!), the park at the Y of Main and Mass, the cafes, restaurants, hippies, my old office building, lunch, dinner, many stores to explore like JAX, the battle of the Art Stores, Hubba Hubba, Venus, and more. From morning to late night, Central Square has something to offer people of all backgrounds and demographics. Everyone is welcome! read more

Groan. I'm so tired of all these Yelp reviews that make any place with any kind of a homeless population whatsoever to be a post-apocalyptic wasteland where death lurks on every corner. Maybe I'm just thick-skinned, but I've never had any kind of a problem here. No, Central's not as clean as Harvard...but it ISN'T Harvard (and honestly, I'm more terrified of getting run over by packs of tourists or wayward undergrads in Harvard than I am of anything in Central). It's a typical urban business district with a mix of different shops and restaurants, many of which have a distinctly local edge. I live in Cambridgeport so Central is my T stop and my shopping area. I haven't tried the famous Toscanini's yet, but I go to Shalimar regularly for Indian groceries and am looking forward to checking out Pandemonium Books, the Miracle of Science, River Gods, etc. etc.. I'll repeat what I said in my review of the oft-maligned Lexington Market in Baltimore: if you're afraid of poor people, racial minorities, crowds, and brusque urbanites, perhaps large East Coast cities are not for you, my dear. I AM knocking off a star because of the weird inbound/outbound arrangements of the Central T station. What's up with that? read more

Just because James K. probably *doesn't* smell like urine doesn't mean he knows what he's talking about when he badmouths central. It took me like 3 seconds after graduating from college to move to central, and I've been here ever since. Why? Three reasons: 1. It's hip enough to have plenty of the stuff I need--good rock (Middle East/TT's/Phoenix Landing even though I never go there), a sweet co-op (Harvest Market), a decent japanese food store (Yoshinoya), an art supply store (Pearl, and also Utrecht if you're into that), a fantastic indie video rental place (Hollywood Express), a great coffee shop (1369), a great used bookstore (Rodney's), the best blues club in Boston (the Cantab), two fantastic places that are open 'til 3:00 on weekends (Hi-Fi and Falafel Palace), and the greatest ice cream place in the world (Toscanini's). Still plenty hip even if Man-Ray is gone, and don't you say otherwise mister. 2. It's a great walk to MIT, Harvard, Porter, inman, and kendall, and concentrated around a T stop so you can get anywhere else. If there's something you want that you can't get here, it's still readily accessible. 3. It's got the best grass in the entire Boston area for sitting and people-watching. Have you ever traveled through central and asked yourself who that dude is who's on the grass practically every single night during the summer and fall? Yeah, that's me. No I'm not one of the crazies, I swear. The grade is perfect and you can just sit there for hours basking in the sun, watching the crazies/MIT students/Harvard students/gentrificators/etc., or reading. What a relaxing place to sit! Do I wish they weren't building condos and gentrified types weren't moving in and driving up rent prices and out misfit youths? Do I wish 1369 was Diesel? Do I wish Man-Ray hadn't closed? Do I wish so many MIT students weren't instructed that it's sketchy when really it's not at all? Yes yes yes yes yes. But these are minor things! Central is awesome! The people are friendly and have PhDs but don't tend to be pompous about it! The places are hip! The homeless guys are funny and tell me I'm pretty! And hey, if you happen to want a handjob, take Kabir's advice--get some crack and talk to one of our many urban outdoorsmen. read more

Poor Central Sq. No matter what happens, it will always be a squalid hot pot of homeless people waiting for shelters to open and hipsters waiting for clubs to open. No stores to speak of, so the couple that are there suffer. But there is really, truly great food all over the place, and there is really, truly, nowhere better to go see indie rock. You just have to accept that it is what it is, and keep a hand on your wallet. read more

Listen, there are plenty of places in Boston where, as a young woman in her early twenties, I'm not comfortable walking at night. That's to be expected in any city; even in parts of Beacon Hill, I do look over my shoulder occasionally. Fine. In Central Square... I'm uncomfortable in broad daylight. Now, there ARE some really cool things going on there. Lottts of different kinds of restaurants and bars. I took pictures all throughout an alley that was covered in incredibly creative graffiti, posters for free concerts, and a rainbow-colored glass ceiling. There were murals galore, and independent coffee shops. Go with a friend and check some stuff out and I'm sure you'll be impressed by the vibrant art and culinary scene. This place, however, has a serious dark side. Last time I went, there were some really obvious drug deals going down. (Note the plural.) And believe you me, I've seen some drug deals in my day. No, they were not happening in that alley, but on the very busy street, right in front of pedestrians and storefronts. No hiding, no keeping it secret. There are four 'wet' shelters within a few blocks of one another in Central (look that up if you haven't heard the term; I don't want to go into it here) and there are meth clinics. (Yes, I know those need to exist, but it doesn't mean I want to live next door to one.) There are people shooting up at bus stops. I once interviewed at a local business, and the manager told me this was a straight-up bad neighborhood and I shouldn't walk alone to the T stop (a block away) if I worked a night shift. I also got the most disgusting and explicit cat-call of my life here, so bad (and from so many men at once while onlookers -- male and female alike -- CHEERED THEM ON?!) that I literally went home and showered (because I felt so damn dirty), called the guy who'd just interviewed me, and told him I'd taken another job. I hadn't. And I still can't bring myself to hang out in this neighborhood. read more

Central Square station boasts excellent cell phone reception, timely trains, and a public restroom. Despite all of this, am still only going to give it three stars due to the fact it smells of vagabond urine (one would think the public restroom would help with this issue. One would be wrong.) Little known fact for the ladies in skirts- The entrance staircase is actually a super strong wind tunnel making it the number one place in all of Massachusetts to pull off a fantastic Marilyn Monroe impression. Don't say I never told you anything useful. read more

Honestly, the star rating system doesn't really work in this case. Two extremes: great shops, food, and a lot cheaper in all respects than Harvard Square. I find that folks who work in this neighborhood to be generally a good bunch... and fewer snobby students. But it's also filthy and disgusting, filled with disgusting bums, beggars, crazy people, drug dealers, spit, piss, and garbage. Under no circumstances should toddlers ever be brought to Central Square. It's simply too filthy. Sigh. read more

Central Square, I give you three stars. I don't want to give you any more, but not because I'm a stingy bastard. More stars means you've lost your spark, and have become sterile, and you'll end up like Harvard Square or, even worse, Kendall (nothing personal, Kendall. You just have the personality of moist bread). No, Central, you're solidly three stars. There are a couple of places where you class up, like Rendezous, Central Kitchen, and Craigie on Main. You've got live music in ZuZu, Middle East, and Cantab. Enormous Room, Phoenix Landing, and Middlesex have the dancing bit covered, even though that's not really my thing. You've got everything I need within walking distance: Shaw's, dueling liquor stores, dry cleaners, red line access, theater, trivia, and plenty of other fun neighborhood/non-chain stores and restaurants (Toscanini's and Cafe Luna standout here). If that were all, you'd probably get a fourth star. But Central is a place where I feel like I can either dress to the nines or get freshman drunk--either way, there's a place for me. There are homeless panhandlers outside of every convenience store and fast food joint. The ATM stalls reek of urine. And the Walgreens is probably the sketchiest Walgreens I've ever seen. Like I said, I don't want you to change. I think you're perfect as the ugly-hipster duckling you are. read more

If Boston's the hub of the solar system then Central's the hub of the SOULar system: this incandescent fireball at the confluence of Mass Ave, Prospect, Western and River is the spiritual center of all that's best about this metro area. It hasn't been flattened and cyborg-resurrected by the capitalist whirlwind of creative destruction. (Cough, Kendall.) It hasn't been historically-preserved to the ironic point where only horrible Gaps and Starbucks can afford its real estate. (Cough, Harvard.) It artfully conceals its parking lots. (Cough, Porter.) It's the crown of Cambridgeport. Or the glittering glass slipper of that whole undefined mid-Cambridge area. read more

Sometimes I wonder if anyone who gives Central Scare a 5 star review actually... lives in Central Scare. Visiting Central warrants MAYBE a 4 star rating, but living there? Not so awesome. After moving across the country to our dumpy sight unseen apartment right on Western, I nearly murdered my husband for moving me to the bowels of Cambridge. Could I take my dogs on a walk by myself after dark? Suuuuure, as long as I only walked on certain streets and didn't let my dogs poop or pee anywhere, because I'd be screamed at by crazy people sitting on their porches drinking beers.... At night, 5 star reviewers would come down to Central to be merry, and then walk down the streets screaming at the top of their lungs, pissing in doorways, and being drunk in general. Maybe I'm getting old, or maybe I just fail to see the cool factor of hypodermic needles and trash littering the ground, I dunno. All I do know is LIVING in Central was gross. read more

I was hanging out in Central long before I actually moved to Central. That should tell you something if I was taking cabs back and forth from Allston to have all my fun here. Plenty of places to go to: restaurants, bars, shops, etc. and plenty of crazies in the street to keep you entertained/mildly horrified at all times. What more could you want in a neighborhood?! Central keeps it real while other neighborhoods are too willing to be gentrified without a fight. Ah... home sweet home. read more

To me, Central Square is about the only part of Cambridge left that hasn't changed all that much from when I was a kid. It still has a real urban feel to it, and it can be gritty and tough in some places. But it has a sort of weird charm to it, and there are some real gems if you are looking for places to dine or shop. You still have to be a little careful around here at night, especially if you're not familiar with the area. But overall, it's a fairly safe neighborhood that you don't have to worry about strolling through as long as you use a little common sense. read more

I must agree with the reviewer who wondered , "Do any of the people who give Central Sq. 5-star reviews actually live here?" I am thinking that as well, because I certainly don't get the charmingly bo-ho, Williamsburg-y feel they get. Perhaps things just look prettier from far away ... Take it from someone who has the misfortune of waiting until their lease ends, so they can move out of the smelly crotch of Cambridge: there is very little "charm" in the scabby bum who sleeps in front of 7/11 and once prominently displayed his own fecal matter for passersby. There is very little charm here at all, just a lot of crappy post-war housing with faulty plumbing and a whole lotta bum fights. Now I've lived in a city, so I'm not some frightened country bumpkin in her first apartment. I'm used to Philadelphia (also known as both Killadelphia and Filthadelphia) but for God's sake, parts of Central Sq. make Philly look like the Hamptons. It's the amount of dirt and garbage that lines the sidewalks (I'm not sure where it all comes from) and the crowds of loud, crushing people--homeless and otherwise; again, not sure where they all come from--and the fact that during the summer, it smells like rotting milk and human feces. At first, it was appealing, like a miniature Mission tucked away in Cambridge, Land of the Ivory Tower and Hemp Pants. But really, I think it's just a dump, masquerading as a very hip place to live. It's similar to being Amy Winehouse: for a few seconds, it sounds great, but after that, you realize it's just a receptacle for crack-cocaine and insanity. The pros, and the reason it gets two stars, are the fantastic ethnic eateries within a two-block radius. There are some great cheap eats (Moody's Falafel is the cat's pajamas ... the cat's falafel ... the shwarma's pajamas?) And I love the produce at Harvest Co-op. I'm also of the opinion it's generally a safe area. There is a police station literally off Mass Ave. I was only threatened with grievous bodily harm once, and I think it was by an Emerson student. But at the cost of having to deal with some of the most unpleasant homeless people in existence? (They're honestly disgusting. See also: the time that lady proceeded to eat her own leg scabs at the #1 bus stop.) Or what about the time that I stepped on a bloody maxi pad? The ridiculous apartment housing costs, for pretty shite living conditions? Nay. This bitch is moving to Brookline. Deep down, I too am a yuppie Jew. I'm done with the fauxhemian life. read more

This is my favorite T station because it has bathrooms on the platform. You read that right - ON THE PLATFORM! This means you can enter when you hear the announcement that the train is "now approaching," do your business, and get out of there in time to get on the train (washing your hands and everything)! Try it sometime. It's really fun. I have to subtract a star because it can be confusing to figure out which entrance to the station you are supposed to use. You've gotta know which side of the street to be on, to go in the direction you want to go. (North side for outbound, south side for inbound.) And it can be hard to find the right entrance if you want to add money to your card - several (most?) of the entrances are Charlie Card only with no machines. But, the multiple entrances along Mass. Ave. also make it more likely that there will be one close to you when it's time to get on the T - so we're right back at four stars, yes we are. read more

pyla T, you make me so sad with your review of my old stomping ground! Granted, when I first moved to Central Square (This is back in 1998) I spent a good hour overturning my "lawn" and uncovering vials and syringes (I was with my dad who was helping me move furniture into the place after I had decided that two years living amongst the insanely wealthy at Emerson was enough for me) and I remember fearing that he was going to throw me in the van and book it down to Long island. In 2000, our landlords burned down the building in an attempt to evict all the tenants in an efficient manner while also collecting insurance money so they could rehab the building into "Luxury Apartments". That was awesome. Yeah, Central has some sketchy elements, but it also has 1369, Pearl Arts, the better art store across the street, TT the Bears, Middle East, Addis Red Sea, The Enormous Room, Hubba Hubba, the Coast Cafe, the trashy shoe store, Phoenix Landing, the harvest co-op....But they replaced Manray with condos,ugly ugly condos at that, the Rev. Larry Love passed away, they've got a Gap (though people keep throwing etching acid at it I've noticed), Lucy Parson's is long gone, $tarbucks, the loss of Liberty Cafe, the Japanese grocer is gone.... Central Square is a delicious mess of sketch gentrification...it's also damn expensive, otherwise I'd live there again...though I fear my former arsonist landlord. read more

what? I've lived here for how long and haven't written a review yet?! what what what? Time to get to it. I HEART CENTRAL SQUARE. I love the people (crazy, sane alike), the stores, the food, the vibe...everything, everything about Central gets giant thumbs up from me. Fine, some of you may not love the street scene here...but you know what? everyone is happy. You walk down the street and someone who is either drunk or homeless tells you they like your shoes, or your hair...you can get indian food from like 9 different restaurants, not to mention 3 different indian grocery stores! There is fabulous live music, great bars...a James Beard nominee, amazing Ice Cream and all sorts of funky shops & people all in one fabulous place. you can take your fear of culture & lack of compassion and stuff it...Central Square is my home & there is no place like home! read more

Central Square loses a star for sketchiness, although I'll give back half since Cambridgeport Saloon closed. Of course, having a boarded up old bar in your neighborhood is pretty sketchy, so I'll take that half star again. Oh, Central Square... I remember back in the day, when I felt kind of funny walking down the street during the day. Oh times have changed... read more

Great place to meet random people. Everything is a few mins distance from each other. I prefer it to Harvard Square. Start the night at Central Kitchen, Baraka, or Cuchi Cuchi for delicious dishes. Have your delight at Christina's or Toscanini's. Have an after dinner coffee at one of the little, "entel" places... Go bar hopping, starting from Plough& Stars- People's republic, to Cantab Lounge, Tavern on the Square, The Field, Middle East-Zuzu, TT Bear's, Phoenix Landing, Enormous Room.. Note: See my reviews for these places! End the night at Hi-Fi with some greasy late night pizza. read more

Just to name a few awesome places to eat at: Toscanini, Craige on Main, and Flour amongst many great places to do, eat, and enjoy.

I think you have to live here to really understand Central Square. There are some incredibly interesting stores and restaurants all over the general area (stretching on Mass Ave down from about Middlesex and Miracle of Science to People's and the Plough and Stars). Furthermore, the shops are unique, though a few seem a little out of place (while places like Harvest and 1369 fit right into the neighborhood, the random Gap seems a little out of place). Yes, it doesn't have the cleanliness of Kendall Square, the large bustle of Harvard, or the larger shopping areas and windmill art thingy of Porter, but what it lacks in those areas it makes up for in its own unique perspective meshing with the many other perspectives and squares of Cambridge. read more

Central Square, I will always love you, all your faux dangerousness and drama, Hi Fi pizza, people pissing onto Mass Ave from 2nd floor windows, drunk but charming and generally harmless homeless, and all the debauchery that all your fine drinking establishments encourage. If this area ever becomes gentrified, I've lost all hope in humanity. read more

Central Square is one of those places that's certainly not for everybody. If you can't handle homeless people shaking cardboard cups of coins at you, or are looking for boutique-filled streets like Harvard Square, then CS is probably not for you. But I do think it has its own unique "charm". There are lots of cozy and locally-owned cafes and restaurants. The Conscience Cafe, right on Mass Ave, has some of the best organic tea around. Central Kitchen has great lunch-time items. There is a Whole Foods (2, actually) and a Trader Joe's right in the area. And the usual chains like Starbucks are right nearby. It's certainly not the best place to go shopping - unless vintage is your thing, then you'll have some things to choose from. At night, there are some great dive bars, hipster hangouts, and a few places with live music. Not really the place for those who like to get decked out and hit dressy bar or bumpin' dance club. As far as location, it's a convenient 2 stops from Boston on the redline, and is only minuted from Harvard Square. Because it's not the... "prettiest" of areas, the rent can be less here than Harvard or Kendall. Parking is generally easy for residents. Again, if higher-end aesthetics, that boutique-feel, or a place void of wandering people that mutter to themselves... Central is probably not for you. But I wouldn't rule it out without a visit :) read more

...or as I often choose to refer to it as, "Stenchral Square". So, what do I love about Central Square? As far as things you need in life go, you could probably cover about 90% of them within the square. You've got a wide variety of restaurants at different price points ($ - $$$$) and ethnicities (American, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Ethiopian, Mexican, Tibetan) to choose from. Coffee shops (far more than just Dunkin or Charbucks), bars (too many to list), bakeries and ice cream (I think Toscanini's alone can cover pretty much all of these things in itself). So you have all your immediate food and drink needs ready to be satisfied. You have culture/entertainment provided by a variety of clubs with live music at night. Places like the Dance Complex which will fill the Square with echoing drum beats in the summer. There is even a theater there now. If you are trying to live in the area, you have groceries (co-op, Indian, Korean) and a couple liquor stores... so consider your self well stocked. Throw in a couple of bookstores and a mish-mash over other shops and you have got a pretty full package of offerings. So where is the downside? after all I am selling it a star short of 5. Well, I don't call it Stenchral Square for nothing. The place can get pretty rancid in the summertime, especially if you don't have a good amount of steady heavy rain. I think they must try to actually detergent clean the sidewalks sometimes, but I feel like it can just make it worse. The cleaner combined with the results of a homeless guy drinking a quart of CVS generic Listerine turn out some seriously funky biohazards. As for the homeless population: You have got a steady population from multiple area shelters streaming into the Square on a daily basis. You get some who just park themselves on a bench somewhere and maybe shuffle around a bit, but then there are the ones who park themselves with bottle smashing distance of the two main liquor stores yelling, fighting, etc. Throw into this mix an assortment of thieves, dealers and con artists coming from who knows where. So why am I still a fan? The general character of the Square is a lot bigger than the problems. Also, it might be a bit of a twisted take on things, but the permanent homeless and criminal element play a major role in keeping Central Square from ever getting overly gentrified. Things looked a bit bad the year a Gap and a Starbucks rolled in, but the Gap is gone now... so hope lives on. read more

This is my Century Mark, for reviews. One Hunnert! I purposely picked Central Square for this review. Reasons to be Cheerful: Venus Beauty Supplies Central Kitchen Harvest Co-op Pearl Art, and ArtisanCrafts Hubba-Hubba TT the Bears The MiddleEast Buckaroo's Mercantile Great East Trading Co. Moody's Falafel Palace PuPu Hot Pot Cinderella's Miracle of Science The Cellar Izzy's Sub Shop The Beautiful Black Ladies, going to Church Every Sunday, down my street. Hats, gloves, and Pride. Love it! RIP: The Waverley (I'm old, yo!) The Cambridgeport Saloon (scary, but great rugby girl nights!) The fact I could eat the world, within two blocks of home :( Woolworth's (I vowed I would move when Woolworth's closed, and I did) Man Ray The Old Green Street Grill Despite all complaints, Central Square is really cleaned up now. Dude, there used to be a prostitute stroll two houses down from me. As sketchy as you young 'uns think Central Square is now; you should have seen it , back when. Dude, there used to be a brothel underneath Toscanini's. For real! If I were to move back into the City, Central Square will be the place. I miss it every day. read more

I love Central Square. It's what my late grandmother used to refer to, between drags of her cigarette, as "life's rich pageant." It's incredibly dirty. Used condoms, syringes on the side streets and in alleys, human waste, various garbage everywhere...and, of course, plenty of what Central Square is most famous for - homeless people. The words "Central Square" are almost synonymous with the homeless around here. The place turns into an open air drug market at night, and the safety level drops considerably. The Cambridgeport neighborhood, to the southwest of Central, is surprisingly a pretty nice place to live. The dealers and the destitute don't seem to come down here much. Central's location is also great - in between Harvard and Kendall, walking distance to the Back Bay - right in the middle (almost as if it was the...center...or something....) of the Boston-Cambridge-Somerville axis. So if Central doesn't have it, everything else isn't too far away. But Central Square has flavor! It's one of my favorite places in Boston. The number of fantastic ethnic restaurants including Indian, Chinese, North African and Thai, is one major selling point. There's a Harvest Co-op Market (filled with the typical yuppie scum you'd expect - I hope someday organic food becomes untrendy again) and some unpretentious bars. It's never boring here - there's always some kind of barely contained chaos going on. This isn't a place for kids - at least, I wouldn't let any hypothetical children of mine go here. But if I was stupid enough to have children, who knows what else I'd do? I totally understand why people hate Central. Lots of homeless, drugs, crime...it couldn't really be called a "nice" place. But I think it's fantastic. read more

I love Central Square. It is my favorite city square in the whole world. There's so much to love here. And don't worry, if one of the drunks who hang out in front of Cheapo start showing you more love than you're comfortable with, just give them a little push - they'll topple backwards onto the street and leave you alone. I just wish those damn GreenPeace and MassPirg kids would get the hell out of there. Every single day before work, after work, on my lunch break, some wide-eyed recent college grad is yelling after me, "Don't you care about the whales?" and "Give me just 30 seconds if you care about the environment!" It's enough to make one stand on the street, screaming and yelling incoherently all day long... read more