Oh Central, I miss you so much. I miss stumbling home from Manray. I miss walking through Harvest to get home, picking up the makings of dinner along the way. I miss being able to hop on my bike and get somewhere. I miss the bustle of crowds. I miss going into Libby's for my Dunhills and always getting a smile (I miss smoking in general, but we won't get into that now). I miss being able to randomly decide to stop into Pearl for feathers. Hell, I miss the way our fourth-floor apartment would sway in the wind. I miss hearing the distorted sounds of the World's Fair bouncing off of buildings up to our apartment. I miss the way the moon would shine onto my face a few days each month when I'd go to bed. Sure, I've got a house and a yard now and can leave my car unlocked in my driveway... but it ain't a city, and it certainly ain't Central. read more

I gotta say out of all the squares in the peoples republic this one comes in 3rd on my list. It doesn't have everything that Harvard and Davis has, but it's got things that neither of them do. So in it's own right central is pretty cool. It's got TT's, Zuzu/MiddleEast, the Middlesex lounge and umpteen other bars/clubs. If you're lookin for a place to go out on a random night i'm sure you'll be able to find something to your liking in this place. All types if restaurants and pretty much any store ya can think of. Like the other squares it's got a LOT of traffic, and since it's a main route to get over to Mem drive and the Mass ave bridge into boston, there are always people coming and going. But since it's more open then the other squares people will be driving faster so watch your ass walking across the streets. Someone like me might run ya down ;-) read more

I live and work in central. yes its dirty and yes the square regulars are crazy in more than one way... but that's kinda why I like it. It isn't manufactured character... everyone is real in central... whether it be real fucked up or real genius... it's a place where the sci-fi kids can come out of the closet about their love for WOW, where crack whores can freely express themselves, where the weird Irish old guy at the Cantab can feel cool because it's his only chance to talk to girls, where Guitar Hero originated (no lie), where I've seen prettier guys dressed as girls than girls dressed as girls, where hippys can eat and meat heads can party, where Harvard kids get scared, and where MIT kids are unable to formulate a rational explanation of the obscurities that is central square. It is home, and there is no place like it. read more

My go-to place for live music, co-op shopping, and happy hour apetizers. Great collection of bars and a few interesting shops.

The last review of Central Sq was on as much crack as its residents. The City of Cambridge HAS cleaned up Central Sq. A decade ago, people would not have been raving about the area. The police presence there has totally changed the lay of the land. Yes, Central Sq is gentrified. Welcome to City living, my friends. Central Sq has a hell of a lot more character than say Harvard Sq as a result. I enjoy the mix of yuppies, students, working stiffs, and people that mutter to themselves. So what does Central Sq have? Great restaurants, bars, best live music in town, and a rockin scene. Maybe I don't walk around alone late at night, but it's a small price to pay. read more

Central Square is one of my favorite places to hang out in Boston and is definitely superior to that other Cambridge Square that gets so much attention. You can take a cab to the square and satisfy all your needs here. There is a wide selection of solid restaurants that fly below the radar, like Green Street and Central Kitchen. Tons of dive bars to satisfy your boozing needs - Field, Cellar, PL, Cantab, etc. And there are serious late-night food options like Hi-Fi and Moody's. And if you really enjoy being heckled and harassed by the homeless and a litany of other vagrants, Central Square is definitely your spot. Seriously though, this place has character and character goes a long way. read more

I moved here from Florida about a year ago and I've been living in Central Square ever since. I personally LOVE it! It is a great location to live in relation to Inman Square, Harvard, Square, and Kendall Square. Yes, there are homeless, but I have never had a problem with them. I have never witnessed anything that would make the area unsafe for kids, and luckily, I've never had a problem with getting peed on. Central is so much more than a lot of the negativity it's getting in these reviews - tons of restaurants that cover multiple cuisines, and ever-expanding options of nicer dining options (Greenstreet, Central Kitchen, Craige on Main, Cuchi Cuchi, etc.); a great variety of music venues and bars; and many locally owned businesses. I don't plan on moving out of this area any time soon - love it! read more

For my 365th review I wanted to write about my home for the last year. I can sum up my love for this place in words but sentences are failing me. So instead how about one of those Tag Clouds that you see in Web 2.0? falafel HARVEST BRATTLE TAXIS miniature liquors Subarus MURALS squares Vinyl silly hats The Red Line bicycle lane HIPSTERS bus stops Art Stores WENDYS drunk DRUNKS free newspapers CVS Meth-heads korean church CRAZIES Thunderdome bad hair MIDDLE EAST Mental Indian Art Stores CT1 Annie salsa classes Libbys vs Supreme CURRIES carabiners carnival FIXED GEAR BICYCLES drum and bass The Field homeless HOME thrift stores greek church Green St dumpsters MIDDLESEX ice cream The E-room nerds crazy mumbling lady Keno 7-11 ELECTRO no easy parking COFFEE SHOPS trivia bad pizza baraka GIGS houseparty sketchy PANHANDLING emos All Asia Charlie card hifi sammy the bum Heartthrob city hall Miracle Burgers jamaican bodegas garbage cans on fire Elk's lounge BANKS soccer People's Republic ASS-GUARD drunk pizza vids strange cosmic house on brookline that stinks of poop ANDALA Hubba Hubba MUTILATED BARBIES Giant Pink Gorrilla luna Send me your words so I can expand this Tag Cloud further read more

Someone once called me the "Central Sq posterboy". It wasn't until after I punched them in the face that I realized they just meant I really loved my neighborhood, and not that I give handjobs for crank. read more

i hang out in central square because i know that i will be hit on by a hobo calling me "chinatown." join me as i set the scene: (me sitting on one of those wall bench things) hobo: hey chinatown, you're looking beautiful, chinatown. (me still sitting there - i don't get up and walk away. i smile and enjoy it.) read more

i like bums, and central square is a good place to find them. some have wheel chairs, and some ask you things like "can you buzz me down". Not sure what that means, but it's pretty sweet. the road signs here are pretty lax. it's really common to turn left when it particularly says NO LEFTS, but only the pedestrians crossing the street seem to mind. It's a good mix of business and pleasure, and by pleasure i am referring again to the bums. call me maybe, but it's a place i can call home! read more

I don't really enjoy Central Square, I like that it is close to Boston -- but that is about it. I'd never want to live here. I get freaked out by the crazy people that live on Mass Ave (literally live on the street). Not trying to sound mean, but they scare me. I've been stared at, propositioned and I just get a dirty feel from this place. I do like Enormous Room which is in Central, but other than that, Central is not for me. read more

Ummm central sq has changed a lot in the past 2 years there were a lot of cute local stores that used to be in the square that are no longer there. Unfortuantly as diverse and sometimes amazing this area is it looks as though it is becoming more of a hotbed for homeless individuals and drunks. As well as unrulely teenagers with no type of respect or home training. read more

Why 4 stars? Because where else can you buy crack, get pissed on and have a wonderful meal at a dozen restauarants all in one block?

Central Square is the center of the universe. I've been exploring this area for close to ten years and now live here, and I simply can't get enough of it. Yes, it's dirty. Yes, there are homeless people. Yes, it's loud, and uncouth. But you know what? There's no place else I'd rather be. The first time I visited Central Square was, I think, for the same reason a lot of people come here for the first time: The Middle East. 5 bars, 3 stages, and a whole lot of fun. That visit inspired a bar crawl the following week. The lineup has changed a bit since then, but here's the most comprehensive list of bars I can come up with (starting at the MIT end and moving toward the Harvard end) Miracle of Science The Middlesex Lounge *** The All Asia Cafe Asgard Middle East *** Zuzu (which is really just part of the Middle East) Phoenix Landing The Enormous Room *** Green Street Grill River Gods *** The Field Tavern on the Square The Cantab *** The Peoples' Republic Plough and Stars *** I'm probably missing a few, but with the exception of Tavern on the Square, which is a little too much like a poorly-run TGI Friday's for my taste, and the Enormous Room which has become sort of a scene, the bars in Central are entirely unpretentious and always a good time. A note on drinking in Cambridge from the perspective of a whiskey drinker: Compared to Boston, your drink with cost roughly 2/3s as much and on average be twice as large. But the nightlife (or daylife, depending on your schedule, I suppose) in Central Square is only the tip of the iceberg here. Because seriously, could I really call it the Center of the Universe if all there was to do here is drink? You want coffee? We've got coffee: Andala Cafe, Cafe Luna, 1369, Mariposa. Fine Dining? We've got Central Kitchen, Cuchi Cuchi (same people that own Dali in Somerville), Rendezvous, Craigie on Main (I still miss La Groceria though). The beauty of Central is its central location. On one side you've got the quiet, family-centric neighborhood of Cambridgeport, on either end you've got the scholarly MIT and Harvard areas, you've got the rougher (but still safer than most urban projects) Area IV heading toward Lechmere, and you've got the bohemian artistic areas of Inman and Union just up Prospect Street. Central Square is the crossroads, so you've got a thriving art scene (Tom Tipton from Out of the Blue Gallery on Prospect Street hangs local artists' work at nearly every bar and cafe in the area), an amazing music scene, lots of good schools and parks and playgrounds for the kids (my nearly-9-year-old son loves the dodecahedron climbing structure at the Corner of Windsor and Harvard), great food markets (from Whole Foods on Prospect to Harvest Market on Mass Ave- and the fantastic farmers' market in their parking lot weekly in the Summer months), two great art stores right across the street from each other (I'm partial to Artist and Craftsman Supply myself, but some people don't seem to mind Pearl), and (until they finish renovating their location in Harvard Square) Cambridge's largest public library branch right on Pearl Street. You've got Harvard and MIT grad students, low-income families in section 8 housing, the YMCA's rooming house, the homeless, the artists, and older established Cantabrigians all living within a few blocks of each other, making the neighborhood a prime people-watching melting pot. In some ways, living in Central Square is like living in 3 or 4 different neighborhoods that are all simultaneously in the same place. To those you think it's dangerous- you don't know what you're talking about. Go hang out in Roxbury, or Brockton, or any actually scary city, and then if you're still scared of Central, just hide in your house for the rest of your life because there's no hope for you. In short, as I said, there's something here for everyone, and nowhere else I'd rather be. Okay. I'm done rambling. Now who wants some whiskey? read more

Back in the day, this was my hangout when I was about 15 or so. I remember the allure to the decadence of this uber urban neighborhood. At one time you could walk from Harvard Square to MIT without leaving Mass Ave and stop at 7, yes 7, record stores all of which sold vinyl and 5 exclusively vinyl. almost 15 years later only 1 of those businesses remains. Great businesses folding has been the business as usual for Central Square as numerous wonderful additions to this neighborhood have closed their doors and faded into our memories. No more Hollywood Video, Pearl Art, or Rodney's Books. What is left in Central Square to bother us to even make the effort to stop by? There's always Hubba Hubba, the best place to stop for bondage clothes, lingerie, sex toys, or if you're a teenager to look in the windows and giggle for hours. Restaurants and bars, and here quantity is taking priority to quality. The Phoenix Landing is probably the worst bar in a five mile radius, there's a McDonald's for fine dining, yippee! Even the hardware store has attitude at Pils, which is why I give all my business to Economy Hardware. Don't let my nostalgic bitterness put you off from Central Square, there's a few places that I love here including Falafel King, Pandemonium Books and Games, the Middle East, Sandy's Music, 10,000 Villages, and Harvest Co-Op/Clear Conscience Cafe. It just seems that the city of Cambridge does not want to do anything to improve Central Square. Alright they made a park or two, but homelessness and public intoxication is more rampart here then anywhere else in Cambridge. The police just walk by as vagrants drink in public or expose themselves in public to urinate on the sidewalk without standing up from the benches on Mass Ave. What about the arts? Central Square has a ban on public performance due to being under construction according to the city's website. Over the past 15 years the only construction I've seen is the occasional NStar truck. Its obvious the city gave up on Central Square, its a shame because cleaning it up would bring more people to the area. Already Cambridge is a well desired place to work or live, and on every side of Central Square is some of the nicest places in Cambridge. Every time I visit, I can't help but hear Shane McGowan's voice sing, "Dirty Ole' Town." read more

Central sq has changed a lot since I was a kid,but mostly for the better. The one thing that hasn't changed is the people begging for money. I swear I'm gonna get a tshirt that says "Don't harass me I'm local ". read more

Central Square is probably my favorite neighborhood in greater Boston. I lived there a few years ago, and while it's a bit...seedy, there are great night clubs, bars, restaurants, and stores. Get your dose of local and touring rock (and sometimes hip-hop) at the Middle East, Zuzu, and T.T. the Bear's Place (no, really), which are all on the same corner. Hate the band that's playing? Go next door to Hi-Fi Pizza for run of the mill pizza and people-watching. The Asgard is a gothic-styled Irish pub, with trivia and a meaty menu. Go to the art store across the street from Pearl Art for better service. The Enormous Room is absurd (it's very small), but definitely the most unique "bar" in town. For punk rock and cheap drinks, hit the Elks Lodge, and for goth/fetish themes go to Manray. read more

Trashy in an uninteresting and pathetic way; this isn't Haight Ashbury by any stretch of the imagination. Saved by a few decent restaurants, but altogether avoidable. read more

I've lived in Central for more than five years. I love it. I've had to move three times, and always stayed in Central. There's a great mix of owners and renters, young and old people, dive bars and places you can take your parents to, coffee shops (From Starbucks to DD to 1369), to live music venues, and generally people are pretty cool in Central. Yes, there are harmless homeless people hanging out. Yes, your front step might get peed on from time to time by a douchy drunk college kid. Yes, your car mirror might get smashed in (again, drunk college kids, you are awesome...keep up the good work). Guess what, you live in a city, get over it. When it comes down to it, Central Square, I can't imagine my life without you! read more

Been here a few times, during various points of the day and night and week but never for drinking, always for eating. The food's been good or great, and the drinks I have gotten have been mostly great. Pretty clean--I wonder where all the bums went? Or maybe I've just learned to not see them that much. read more

Some good restnts...close to hvd, mit....but seriously this place needs to clean up its act...this part of Mass Ave..from the roads to the access of the T..to a mere walk on the sidewalks is just disappointing..! read more

"Hooray for art stores! for harvest coop! for the middle east and tt's! for seedy people yelling at each other in the middle of the side walk!" a yelper posted that review almost a year ago and i pretty much feel the same way today :) read more

Why did I move here? Family. Will I ever leave? Of course. But while I pay my dues as a college girl's rock I love calling this side of town home. It is actually quite central. And yes, full of people quite mental. Holy shit it's expensive to rent here. Which is why many can't live here without public assistance. Trying to relax is not easy, as dump trucks wallop up River to Prospect within inches. We need better breakfast joints in Central. And maybe a pizza hole in the wall slice shop. And maybe a good head shop. Then we'd be complete, Ms. Central. read more

Shhh..It's the underestimated, best place to live outside of Boston. You'll find central square: convenient to all necessary commutes, popular choice for all the locals to party, and you can afford to live here! read more

Who could put a label on central square - many have tried: "mental square," "bohemian," "the ghetto." There's two thing for sure, Wendys and Baskin Robbins serve as larger homeless shelters than the nearby YMCA, and something about its inescapable charms keeps drawing people here. I have lived on central square for a year (literally, I live in the Holmes Bldg right on the intersection), and I feel like I've already seen it all and met all the characters: The Central Square mascot (an older gentleman who wears pants made up entirely of patches of cloth), the morbidly obese woman who begs for change outside CVS whom I once gave a cookie (thus probably contributing to untamed diabetes), the 50-cent guy ("can you spare 50 cents?), etc. I would also include the lights and sirens as a CS character (I have woken up many times to a blue and red strobe light spectacle). I would say there are several fine businesses that have earned loyalty: Ghandi Indian, Carberry's cafe, Starbucks, Pepper Sky Thai chief among them. All your friends may have thought you've lost your mind by moving to CS, but it is a convenient locale, close to the T, bustling with activity, and ripe with people watching opportunities. Why live elsewhere when you could have all the sights and smells of central square . And for anyone who lives ON the square: "Please use caution street sweeping in progress....(repeat ad nauseum). read more

A hip area to hang out in. Bars to check out and venues to see. There is always something going on.

I don't know a place that could feel more like home... or like an urban sister-city of my hometown Burlington, VT. Holding up in a victorian house with brick-sidewalks surrounded by, can it be true!?! trees, grass, flowers, parks! Quaint perks just steps from e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g you didn't know you needed. Harvest Market, People's Republik, Hollywood Video, TTBears, 1369, Boston Sports Club, food, music venues... plus, how much better is it to live on the redline than the green-(i'd rather be dead)-line? The crowd is diverse, the bums are your friends. I'm so happy i found this place when i decided to 'move to boston'. read more

When I don't have anything to do and my ADD is flaring up I go Central square to ease (tease) my nerves. Oh! Oh! Goodwill, Salvation Army, falafel palace, 1369 Coffee shop, Toscanini's, middle east, kids on bikes, record stores, food, booze, venues, cheap cheap goodies, Hubba Hubba, taxi cabs, drunken indecency. Sick twisted heaven on earth? Keep your children at home! Substantial entertainment. 4.5 stars for the necessity of the buddy system at 3 am. read more

I've lived in this neighborhood for four years during my undergrad. It's definitely a fun place to live - lots of cheap restaurants nearby, bars, cheap/free concerts at the Middle East, within walking distance of MIT and Harvard Square. It is a little sketchy at night and has lots of homeless people loitering around. It's definitely on the way up though. It's an interesting neighborhood, I'd recommend people to check out or live in. read more

Okay, in my ranking of the Tri-Square area in Cambridge (Harvard, Porter, and Central, with little Davis in Somerville forming the fourth and back-most point of a semi-pyramid, I suppose), I have had to come up with different categories, due to the fact that Central versus Harvard Square is like the proverbial orange/apple comparison. And what about Inman, for the love of god? Union? Ball? Kendall?The list goes on. In any case, Central Square used to have a very gritty inner-city feel and is (along with the tail end of Cambridge and the front section of Somerville) becoming extremely gentrified due to the cost of real estate in this...(snoring). Okay, anyway. Central perks: music! Under 21's can go see live music at TT's and the Middle East, as well as a few other places. Over 21's can enjoy some great spun music at Middlesex (an hip anomaly on the MIT side of Central) and the Enormous Room. There are some decent restaurants, there are GREAT coffee shops, there are a lot of 20 and 30-somethings, and a lot of open-minded people. One of the best things about Cambridge and Somerville (beside the lower rents) is that people tend to be much more communal (in a communiTY versus communiST way, although the latter ain't so different from the former now, is it!). All nationalities, all class levels, all interests. While Harvard is a little bookish, Porter is a little artsy and ethnic, and Davis is slightly more suburban, Central is definitely a culmination of all these factors. Definitely has more of an inner-city feel than most other parts of town (save Kendall, perhaps). read more

Cities have certain amount of danger. To me Back Bay is Boston's neatest neighborhood, but it is pretty dangerous too for rip offs and muggings. I have never felt threatened in Central Square. We go often to eat at Mary Chung's restaurant. I love her food and the prices are very good. I have friends who live in Central Square and they are very happy there. They really like the very affordable ethnic good restaurants and they have lower rents and good transportation. I do not see much there for tourists except the restaurants which I would especially recommend. read more

From a Newbie to Boston perspective...Yes....anywhere abound with vegan and Indian restaurants is my place. Take me to your leader. To be continued... read more

I used to work in Central Square. I used to nap on the City Hall lawn on my break. Great food great shops, cute neighborhoods. Right on the T. It was a great time in my life. read more

Central Square is pretty cool. There's a surprising range of things to do: dancing at Cantab Lounge or Middlesex, ice cream at Toscanini's, brunch at Cafe Luna, live bands at Middle East, fancy drinks at Green Street or Brick & Mortar, and pubby soccer gamedays at The Phoenix Landing are just a few to name. The namesake square, like the rest of Boston, has a real problem meeting the needs of homeless people, so you'll see plenty of despair on display amidst all the first-rate wining and dining, so steady yourself for that. read more

Central Square is A-Ok. It has a great mix of great pubs and places to eat. I even saw a place that sells chicken kabobs and hookahs at the same location. That being said Central Square also has unsavory elements like plenty of wasted homeless and your random sketchy characters. It's worth checking out. read more

Look and Feel: Night life is key in Central Square, though I'm sure people live here. My view of Central square is that it is one long line of clubs. I know this isn't true, but this will be your view too if you visit on a Saturday night. Restaurants/Bars: The middle East is a club with many parts. Great food of, unsurprisingly, the middle eastern variety. Serves food late. Several different bands are playing at any one time here. you're sure to hear one you like. The Enormous room feels like a very chill party at someone's huge studio apartment. People lounge on couches and drink fancy cocktails. Central kitchen is a nice restaurant, with a sturdy, excellent menu. Shops: Pearl arts and crafts fits well among the rest of the square. read more

Love Central Square..It's not a place, but a state of mind. The city of squares could have been islands, but Central Square is that glue that holds the ehos that's Cambridge. Vibrant, animated, happening...that's Central Square. I am just a subset of its populace. Networking in my life with the innovative set happens in the multiethnic restaurants or varied bars. You never know who you will end up talking to. I come to meet up with my tech savvy postgrads or those working in tech square or nearby, and we invariably meet up Central. The meeting of minds, innovation, and creativity thrives in Central, and yes, we love the mix of people that make CS unique. It is not pretentious, but it just is, and for that reason, we love to be a subset of this diverse sq. read more

the boys and girls are smarter in harvard sq, but they are prettier in central sq.

aha. the opinions here on yelp seem to be tending towards two extremes: central square is charming and funky, or central square is sketchy and horrifying. these are both false. these are both true. ha! no one will never figure out central square or pin it down properly--and that's exactly what i like about it. it is populated with aging hipsters, MIT supernerds, friendly homeless drunks, families with kids and everything in between, and the businesses here reflect that, with bars of all class and caliber, fragrant indian buffets, thrift stores (not the vintage kind, but the kind where poor people actually shop), fine dining, MIT labs, equal-exchange-selling coffee shops, the cringingly corny JAX discount outlet, homeless shelters and more, all within the same five block radius. oh, and sometimes the tootsie roll factory is making something minty and it smells like candyland. i'm pretty amused, though, at the yelpers who claim to be terrified to set foot on our brick sidewalks. listen, i live here. i'm twenty. i'm female. i have huge tits. and i never worry. the bums here are friendly, or at least civil, or at least amusing. they're usually content to talk to their hallucinations and probably won't bother you. stick around long enough and you'll get to know them by name. seriously, some of the princesses below me might do well to remove the painfully large sticks they've shoved up their pretty little...butter churns. get over it: this is a city. there ARE going to be men walking around past nightfall, possibly homeless men, possibly men with their hoods up. that doesn't make it dangerous. and the vomit? again--it is a CITY. you ARE going to see vomit. you ARE GOING TO SMELL PISS. that doesn't make it dangerous, either. i see that someone below, who would never walk around here at night apparently, actually commented that they even look over their shoulder in "parts of beacon hill?" what parts would these be, in the richest and classiest and safest city neighborhood in the state? what sort of neighborhood would appease you, missy? were you raised in a gated community in connecticut for chrissake--or inside some sort of controlled biodome where men are kept on leashes at night or better yet there's a 24 hour artificial sun? apple-cheeked children on their way home from the schools in central can handle it, why can't you? people are scared of central, obviously, but that doesn't mean they're right. it just means they're scared. ya know, people are also scared of ghosts and clowns and carbs and hallucinogenic drugs and liberals and public speaking. all things i enjoy. the ghosts more in theory than in personal experience, i suppose. besides, the river and all kindsa organic grocery stores and parks and schools and cafes and restaurants and art venues (theaters, dance studios, galleries) are never more than a few blocks away. people don't like central, i think, because they are either little fancy-nancy scaredy cats, or they can't quite figure this place out which makes them insecure. good, then, go away. read more