Apparently you're supposed to be a member to come here but if they are having a slow service they will let members of the community come in as guests to eat. I came here with a party of 4 for their Sunday brunch buffet. It was simply fantastic. They had a spread I could only compare to a Vegas buffet at one of the nice hotels in terms of offerings and quality. The attitude here is pure Harvard though, be sure to be wearing your Sunday's best (no jeans or t-shirts). Some of the notable brunch items included: Belgium Waffles w/ fresh fruit, whipped cream, and syrup Bacon Home fries Hungarian Veal Goulash California Rolls Seared Tuna Shrimp Assorted pastries Mushroom Spinach Cream Sauce Crepes Omelet Station Lobster bisque Salmon Artisan Cheese Vegetarian Dumplings A table of about a dozen different mini desserts Banana Bread Pudding w/ fresh butterscotch All you can eat for $38 plus a free mimosa or bloody mary isn't a bad deal. Come here, take your time, relax and enjoy. read more

See all

Harvard Faculty Club is an elegant place to dine & stay. Located across Lamont Library (East of Harvard Yard), it is housed in a lovely three story building. On the first floor is their dining facility (restaurant) & reading room, second floor has private dining rooms and third floor has overnight rooms. Since I was a graduate student at Harvard, I didn't need to be a paying member as all current students are considered free members of this facility. Even if you're not a member and just visiting Cambridge, call them to see if they will allow you to dine. They are very accommodating. Sunday brunch is to die for; the quality of food and service is quite exquisite. The ambience is upper crust. You dine as a piano plays in the hall. read more

See all

The service here is top notch. The waiters promptly come to clear dishes or refill your glass without hovering. However the food is mediocre at best. Came for lunch buffet with my professor, and there was a Norwegian themed spread. I tried a salad, maple roasted squash, some penne pasta, and some potatoes. The best thing was the squash. read more

Great food and atmosphere. We had a large group and they handled it well. Food is good (we had fish). They really cater to you and want to take care of everyone. If you can get in (members only) it is a great place. read more

Harvard Faculty Club - Outside the conference area - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Docking a star for service. They were probably busy and we were a large party, but we were literally filling our own wine glasses. I had to ask a couple times for a knife, and there was general unawareness of our silverware situation. The kitchen did a great job though. Food arrived mostly at the same time and everything was pretty delicious. read more

Lunch buffet is a great value. I've attended a number of events with professors here and the food is really top notch even though there aren't any formal servers. They had all kinds of cuisines offered including a lot of desserts, cheese and crackers offerings. The whole building has a lot of history inside with paintings of past figures and a nice classy atmosphere. I would definitely suggest taking a trip sometime to experience the history! Also, they do a wonderful job hosting small events. Particularly for firms who are interested in meeting students. read more

See all

Well maintained, classy, medium sized venue right on Harvard campus. I had a chance to visit Harvard Faculty Club to photograph a wedding. Food here was great - which I believe was prepared and served by HFC's own catering staffs? There are several rooms upstairs for couples and wedding party to get ready in. read more

See all

I attended a school function here. Space looks like the type of three-story home a tenured professor would own -- elegant, well-decorated, & located on some pricey, coveted real estate. First floor lounge is beautiful...fireplace, elegant staircase, couches so comfy, they just swallow you up. The event was catered with an elaborate Mediterranean spread -- roasted veggies w/ olive oil, cheeses, breads, hummus, babaganoush. Waiters would come around with fancy finger foods, which Friend & I totally took advantage of. Who can say no to shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, & lamp chop lollipops (her fave!) If you ever have a chance to even just take a gander, take the opportunity. HFC is gorgeous. I'd definitely stay at the hotel located on the top floor. And I'd definitely try their Sunday brunch. Wonder when I'll have time to do these things... read more

The brunch here is hands down my favorite in the greater Boston area. Efficient and courteous staff, and an amazing buffet, which is available every day! The food itself was phenomenal. As my dining partner aptly put it, "this isn't commodity smoked salmon." Not only that, but the portions and quantities were just right. For me, that set it apart from other fancy brunch buffets like, say, Henrietta's Table, where the dessert cart was buckled down with huge (delicious) cakes and tortes to the point of vulgarity. I was impressed by that kind of attention to detail, which gave the whole experience an understated elegance. You almost forget that this is likely the most pretentious dining room in America. But it is Hah-vad, which means people watching is an added bonus. It's like putting on a B horror movie and dubbing your own dialog. Only instead of microwave popcorn you have flank steak. And the zombie apocalypse has a penchant for tweed. read more

I'm very fortunate to work for a boss who took us (9 of us) to the faculty club for a holiday brunch. It's as good as it gets, definitely! As soon as you enter the building, you are in a lounge area where a lady plays the piano. Being the holidays and all, there was also a choir singing christmas carols. The dining rooms are huge. There are 3 separate rooms, with the food all lined up in the first room. I wish we were seated in the bright solarium, it looked beautiful and faced a garden. The other rooms are grand! Polished silverware, wooden paneling and heavy curtains- you get the picture. We were served coffee immediately and we also had a choice of fresh juice, champagne, mimosa or bloody mary. Champagne it was. And the coffee reminded me of Cafe du monde. We started the meal with fruits, salad, smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, different varieties of cheese and bread. And for the main course, we had french toast, home fries, bacon, frittata, eggs benedict (the best i've had so far), chicken marsala and seared ahi-tuna. If this wasn't enough, there was lobster bisque for soup, a made to order omelet station and grilled meat section. And a selection of desserts (about 12-15 varieties)! Suffice it to say I was stuffed. Can't think of many places that serve such a fabulous brunch! read more

Harvard Faculty Club - Welcomed with Christmas carols - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Best lodging in the Boston area: need I say more? Okay, I will say some more!!!! The accommodations parallel with the MOST VENERABLE Harvard University that is serves, and it is so convenient to this utmost fine institution of higher education. I had the utmost fortune to visit and stay due to the fact that I was dating a Ph.D. candidate. If you obtain the chance to visit and stay, by all means (more or less) seize the opportunity!!!!!!!!!!! read more

I have stayed here as a hotel guest several times and have eaten the occasional lunch at the Club. I've also been to countless banquets and private dinners. The hotel rooms, which are not very large in number, are available for reservation by Harvard folks and members of faculty clubs at other universities that have signed a reciprocity agreement with Harvard. I've stayed over perhaps 3 or 4 times in my life, sometimes for 5 or 6 days. The rooms are simple and elegant and might remind you of a bed and breakfast place that actually had great taste. There's no plaque on the wall that says that George Washington slept in your bed, but there might as well be: the place reeks of history and tradition. The room won't look as modern as the ones in boutique hotels in your favorite downtown, but it doesn't need to. The plumbing works and the bed will be comfortable. In the old days, there was a killer hot breakfast buffet that came as part of your room charge. Unfortunately, that's now gone. Instead of kippers and hot Irish oatmeal, you'll have to make do with croissants, muesli, a fruit salad and coffee. In other words, it's the dreaded continental breakfast. As continental breakfasts go, it's far from the worst. The croissants are flaky and fresh, except on weekends. As far as the food service goes, it's kind of hit and miss. If you have lunch with a Harvard faculty member who knows the good things to order, you'll probably do OK. If you attend a banquet for 100 people, your dinner will remind you of the "rubber chicken circuit" that politicians and retired sports personalities sometimes complain about. The people who work here are warm, cheerful, friendly and eager to please. They're also very competent -- and proud of it. read more

I was offered the chance to become a member of the HFC last year and joined as a novelty. It's not clear to me that the membership benefits outweigh the $150 fee, especially when the dining room is open to the public anyway. Last night, for Valentine's Day, we finally got around to having a meal there. It was $69.95 per person, yet the bill came to $191 and change. We were dumbfounded and spent some time studying the check, thinking there'd been a mistake. Now, we're not cheapskates, but we didn't order alcohol, and the charges weren't immediately obvious to us. We had a bottle of still water, and had tea and coffee with our dessert, and wondered where these fees were coming from. Be aware that HFC includes a hefty "surcharge" (17-22%) on the bill, but it's not gratuity. It's to cover operating expenses of the Club. Uh...okay. That was one heck of a surcharge, and it's definitely made me reconsider whether it's worthwhile to retain membership. I'm also not pleased that tipping is not allowed. It'd be one thing if the "surcharge" went towards gratuity for the wait staff (all of whom were great), but it's clear that you're paying for the benefit of admission and nothing more. I can see why the HFC appeals to people. The setting is genteel, traditional, and you know what to expect. It's not a trendy or crowded place. The food was good, but I was disappointed that the Valentine's Day menu offered only two options: vegetarian or meat option, and you couldn't mix the two. I.e., I wanted the vegetarian 1st course, but the waiter explained that since I was getting the steak and sea bass main course, I had to get the meat option for each of the other dishes. I've had fixed-price meals at many restaurants and have never encountered that. I ordered my steak medium rare and my husband, medium. Both were really quite rare, to the point where I asked if I could have mine cooked further. I have only done that once before, so this was an indication of how rare it was! Even then, the steak was a bit underdone, but I didn't want to be "that" customer, so I just ate it. (The sea bass was cooked nicely.) Best part of the meal was an espresso-sized cup of black truffle and foie gras soup. I'll go again for brunch, since that seems to really be where HFC shines. But I think after that, the whole novelty of "I'm at the HARVARD FACULTY CLUB" will wear off. read more

A very elegant spot to dine in, with beautiful and classy decor. I came here for a pre-graduation event in June. We dined in the Conservatory Room; it was a unique blend of casual and elegant. I loved the gold-lined plates (which are actually just for decoration; they take them away when they bring out your food). The succulents are so cool; they really fit with the ambience of the Conservatory Room. One of the things that really stood out to me was the drinks. I normally dislike martinis and never order them, but the one at HFC was amazing. The olives were huge and the whole martini was just well-balanced and well-made. For appetizers, we shared the seafood ceviche and local oysters (both great!) For the entree, I had the grilled black angus NY strip. Beautiful presentation and overall, just a great steak. I wouldn't say that it's the best steak I've ever had, but I would definitely rank it in the top 5 of all time. Looking forward to being back soon! read more

See all

I recently came here for a school-wide, end-of-the-year type of reception/celebration. So, I didn't try the brunch or look at actual food menus. On the other hand, I got to sample a wide range of sweet, one-bite desserts... cakes, macarons, tarts, marshmallow, fresh fruit (pineapple, strawberries), melted chocolate, whipped cream... plus open bar with wine and beer and for non-alcoholics, coffee/tea for the caffeinated. Bottom line: everything tasted delish... the place is everything you imagined a "Hahvahd" faculty club to be like... rich, dark, mahogany wood, leather furniture, etc.. You will be fancy, sha-mancy... maybe a little stuffy when you are there, b/c the atmosphere is just filled with intellectual chatter and brilliance... however, have no fear, there's an outdoor patio/rose garden where you can mingle, catch your breath, and smell the roses. So, forget those pretentious folks and enjoy your time there! read more

I guess they were having an "off" night. My scallops were under-cooked, and my friend's salmon was dry. The salads were very mediocre. $154 later, I felt a bit ripped off. All pretense aside, if the quality of the food is mediocre, then I don't care how much the wait staff treat me like royalty. read more

Harvard Club is a privilege. Feels... cerebral, elegant. My mother-in-law is a Professor and we dine here frequently. It's a lovely, historical building. Typically there's a large lily bouquet when you walk in the door making the entrance smell heavenly. Dinner or Brunch are both great options. I highly suggest the oysters. Super fresh with a great sauce. Also try the apple tart. The crust is flaky. Yum. Only negative, my water glass and spoon were both filthy during my last visit. Service can be spotty as well. Example: waiter trying to take food order before wine and water. If you get a chance, go! read more

I was here for a Harvard summer intern event - and WOW impressive (wish I had done an internship at Harvard...). It's a very old Harvard-esque building complete with the Harvard personality. Very beautiful and quaint building. I was really impressed by the deliciousness of the food! We had cornish hen! At a future-doctors intern event! SO GOOD! I'd love to come see what their public restaurant is like. read more

Well, you're supposed to be faculty to have access to this, and it's good thing someone in my party had a Harvard ID, as they did ask for it. It was a slow lunch day, but it was pretty awesome. The highest quality ingredients. Salad, lox, smoked trout and the man course was seared tuna. There were also Japanese gyoza and seafood stew. Plus a dessert cart, all part of the buffet. If you happen to know someone with a Harvard ID, either faculty or a student this is a nice little rare treat. It's a little on the stuffy side as far as attire and the formality of the dining room, but that somehow seems an appropriate part of the experience. read more

Walking into this place is like walking into a version of America that most people will never get to experience. The interior is lavish and decorated in a classical american way that defines the aristocracy. The lunch buffet is impressively stocked, featuring a cornucopia of the delicately prepared delights. I don't know if the club is open to the public ( I came with a friend who worked at the University) but if you can get in, it's definitely worth it and not as expensive as one would imagine. The staff is quiet yet treats everyone as if they are royalty (as some of the patrons are). read more

HFC is a truly exquisite experience for faculty, students, and fortunate visitors. I've had the pleasure of dining here on 3 separate occasions (Sunday Brunch, Pre-Graduation Event, Wedding Reception) and everything was always top notch. The interior is elegantly embellished, as each room is picturesque in its own way. I especially enjoyed the sophisticated layout of the reading room, the charming personalities of all the private dining rooms, as well as the grand feel of the north dining room. As expected, everything has a refined feel to it. From the moment you step in to the hour you depart, your time here will be filled with a lot of rich history, great food, and stimulating conversations. Definitely a must see! read more

No words need to say, the faculty of the faculty clubs. The atmosphere is nice and established. The most of cuisines are categorized into classics. It seems to be better to wear in more than "business casual" if you don't want to be looked coldly. read more

So they hired a new team of chefs and now the place is popping again! Attended a reception there Friday night and I will say--I was impressed with the food. Lamb chops were amazing, shrimp cocktail was delish and the vino was just perfect. After the reception we had drinks at the bar and Cynthia took great care of us. She, is impeccable at her job and deserves so much credit for giving the HFC its charm. There are times when I am walking by and I pop in just to have a chat with her...very caring human being. read more

My dad used to take me and my little sister here for lunch.... the food was always delicious, service was top notch and the atmosphere was beautiful. I felt like a little princess as a 12 year old eating here. The only downfall is now I have grand taste for the better kind of food in life, and not as much $$ bank as my dad had (as I am a college graduate). haha. I didnt know they had brunch. I think I will definitely be visiting this place as an adult very soon! :) read more

This place surprised me. I was expecting it to be overpriced and pretentious with mediocre food and plenty of attitude to compensate. Turns out they did have the fine dining attitude, but they were friendly and the prices were reasonable given the quality. Most importantly, the food was amazing. I'm normally a fan of hole-in-the-wall type food, but this was the first time I really enjoyed a nice restaurant. read more

I'm planing on going to Harvard Extension school next semester and was really excited to check this place out. I wasn't sure if they would let us in since I wasn't a student yet. We went to the sunday brunch buffet and it was quite so they let us in. When we first walked in to the beautiful building we were greeted by a women playing a piano and 2 cute kids running around playing. It felt like I was back in the 1940s, and it's a lovely setting. To the left of the piano room there's a sitting room which is great for reading newspapers and magazines, or kindle reading? ha To the right is the dinning room. We were sitted at a small table next to a big window which was very beautiful. The buffet came we a free mimosa, and the food was great! The food was so good that we both ate way way too much. I think I was full for 3 days. After brunch we walked around and didn't realized they had a solarium with a beautiful bar. Next time, I hope to get sitted there and maybe by then I'll have my Harvard ID card. :) read more

Wow. I had a very different experience than the other reviewers. Poor service, two of our entrees were wrong, and we had to ask for bread and water multiple times. And, finally, we asked for our check and we're forced to wait over 30 minutes. Definitely will not return. read more

Naturally, the food is very good, but it is here that you will find more Harvard memorabilia per square inch than anywhere else on Earth. Sorry, no trophy elephants bagged by T.R. hang on the wall, but I did notice a polite letter from Queen Elizabeth's secretary declining a kind offer from undergraduates to join them for a party they promised in her honor. Take your time and look at the stuff--it's all great fun. And, don't let the name throw you off--students can use the facilities and invite guests, so befriend an undergraduate and have a ball. read more

My (now ex) boyfriend took me here during the beginning of our relationship. It was nice to have a different atmosphere for a date than the typical restaurant. I felt like I was in a dining room of a wealthy family, mixed with a gentleman's cigar/scotch den. The decor was dark wood with thick curtains. I remember the food was prepared well and the staff was very attentive. read more

My friends got married here and it was a beautiful venue. Conveniently located (smack in the middle of Harvard Square), lots of rooms upstairs for everyone to get changed and ready in, a fancy staircase perfect for group wedding photos, a big dance floor, delicious food and wonderful servers who were mindful of various people's food allergies. read more

DELICIOUS and wonderful Sunday brunch. The waffles are fabulous, and you can add butter, syrup, whipped cream, and anything else your heart desires! Eggs benedict there is amazing. Salad selection beautiful. I am not a member, but I know people who are, and that's even better... read more

We had our wedding at the Harvard Faculty Club and the entire staff did a superb job making sure everything went smoothly. Everything was perfect. We have also been here for Sunday brunch. It is quite a treat. The food is delicious (and there is plenty of it!) and it is a great atmosphere -- usually a pianist, etc. read more

Literally home away from home. It's surprising to read some other reviews that refer to the place's elegance... To me this makes the HFC sound somewhat stuffy. Instead, think of the club as your grandmother's house, if your grandmother was linked to an institution with a $29 billion endowment. Still it's your grandmother - and there's an effort to be friendly and helpful. And the staff is nice and they remember you. And the wines are not overpriced, and the food is fine... like a nice neighborhood place, with everything competently prepared. If you work at the school, drop by afterwards and sit at the bar or outside (in the summer) at one of the tables behind the restaurant in the back and enjoy some relative peace and quiet. During the winter the library is always nice. Also it's a good place for casual meetings - and not a terrible place to interview prospective students if you're into that sort of thing. If you stay overnight, be aware that the rooms are badly in need of an upgrading; the bedspreads and the blankets need to be tossed and replaced, and some modern electronics would be helpful read more