This was my favorite restaurant I went to over the long weekend I spent in the Boston area. All the courses were inventive and delicious. I would particularly recommend the croquettes. The ragu was also really good as were the fried potatoes. The service was really attentive and friendly too. It's a nice looking restaurant. I would go here again many, many times. read more

Oak Bistro - Patas rellenas - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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We had a lovely lunch here, it was pretty quiet which is expected on a Monday at 2pm. There were only 2 other occupied tables, but that meant we got to chat with the bar tender and server, both were very friendly and accommodating. The space is bright and cutely decorated with curated photos on the wall of small town, rural Brazil. We had the Tia Maria and Loose Goose, a cocktail and a mocktail. Both delicious and refreshing. You cannot taste the alcohol at all in the Tia Maria, you've been warned. All of the small bites sounded good so it was hard to choose. We ordered the croquettes and the fried oysters. The croquettes were delicious, well fried, not greasy and rich. I really liked the fried oysters but my husband thought they were too lemony, I love citrus so I enjoyed them. The gnocchi with confit duck and mushrooms was amazing. The gnocchi were pillows and the duck and mushrooms brought nice umami and texture. The tomatoes added acid and the pan sauce had a sweet touch. This dish really hit all the taste notes. The wings with their honey chili sauce were so well fried and crispy, the sauce was balanced and not too spicy. I want to also shout out Juan Carlos, the bar tender, who had to deal with the unpleasant situation of a patron not being able to pay for their meal. He handled it with grace and empathy, not many people would have reacted in the same way. We're looking forward to going back! read more

Oak Bistro - Croquettes and fried oysters - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Found this incidentally for lunch last weekend. My husband and I loved it! Great cocktails and the food was high quality. We enjoyed the bison sliders, gnocchi, and patatas appetizer. The ambiance was modern. Service was friendly and attentive. New spot so it wasn't packed but I think it's truly a hidden gem and you should check it out if in the area! read more

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Came here for a work dinner so we ordered a bunch of stuff and got to taste a lot. My favorites are: Short Rib Croquettes - much better than the short rib ragu. Sea Scallops were very delicious. The citrus salad was also very good. read more

My friend lives just outside of Inman Sq and walks by this place all the time so we decided to give it a try. This place has some outside seating but the only way to access is from the one main door. If you're going to have outdoor seating you should really have another way to take care of the patrons. We opted to sit inside. It was early dinner on a Sunday night, with a reservation and the restaurant was pretty full (always a good sign). We were greeted promptly with a smile and seated. It did take a little bit longer for our server to come over but she was friendly with a smile too. Our appetizers came out fairly quickly but our entrees took a bit longer than expected. And when we were finished with dinner it took a little while again for our server to clear out plates. There was a table that was seated a little while after us and their server did not come to their table for a very long time. My friend and I both made a comment to each other about it. It was a bit surprising and you could tell the party was slightly annoyed. On to the food. We ordered the blueberry ricotta cornbread and it was very delicious. Our only issue was how little you got for the price. The order had 2 small squares, maybe if they were bigger or they gave you 3 small squares but it was def overpriced for the portion. The same can be said for the halloumi bites. The bites were ok. They were pretty bland, even if you got a bit of the drizzle and greens still not much taste to it. Each were $9 and $10 respectively and really should have been at least $2-3 less. For entrees my friend got the short rib pasta and I the duck confit. Unfortunately my friend said his dish was on the salty side, but ok. I fully enjoyed the duck leg. The carrot puree was a smidge too sweet even with the duck. The polenta was good. There was also a little arugula salad. It was a well composed dish minus the overly sweet puree. The short rib dish seemed reasonably priced but not the duck dish. I have to add, I have been in the restaurant business for over 25 yrs. My family had a restaurant and I worked front and back of the house helping. There are ways to cut costs or at least prepare dishes where people seem to get there monies worth. Overall we aren't likely to return due to the somewhat slow service and some of the dishes being overpriced a bit. But as always never take my word and go try yourself. read more

Had an amazing dinner at Oak Bistro while in Cambridge for the weekend recently. Some highlights: -The food, of course. We started with a couple cocktails, which were delicious, and the thousand layer crispy potato pave. This was one of my favorite appetizers I've had in a long time. For my entree, I had the pappardelle braised short rib ragu. Also a big hit. My only complaint is that I wished the serving was a little bigger, although that may just be a testament to how good it was. - Excellent service here. We arrived a little early for our reservation but were seated quickly anyway. Per usual, I cannot for the life of me remember our server's name, but they were friendly and attentive. - The thoughtful touches all around the restaurant. It's clear that they have carefully considered all the little details that make for a comfortable, welcoming experience. The heavy curtain between the front door and the host station so you don't get blasted by a cold draft while you're waiting for your table. The little placard on the table with our name on it. The table light that can be dimmed, depending on what kind of ambiance you're looking for. All in all, it was a great night out and we left more than satisfied. Next time we're back in Cambridge, we'll definitely be making a reservation here. read more

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Great experience from service to food. Comfortable environment and quiet enough for conversation

My wife and I visited Oak Bistro and had a great lunch. The service was welcoming and efficient. Even at lunch the place can be rather loud so be prepared. We started with the Za'atar Naan Bread and the Old Bay Buttermilk Fried Oysters. The Naan bread with hummus was fantastic! Very fresh red bell pepper hummus with the listed ingredients and an additional unlisted treat of toasted pine nuts on top. The oysters were excellent but were a bit small and far too few for $13 IMHO. My wife had the cheeseburger and reported that it was excellent. I had the French Dip Panini and it too was exceptional. The homemade au jus was very savory and was perfect for the sandwich. Both dishes came with their fresh cut French fries which we thought were outstanding! We'll probably visit when in the area again but will avoid these pricey small oysters in a seafood town. read more

We started with the Thousand Layer Crispy Potato Pave' and Oak Wings. Our entrees were the Classic Mushroom Risotto, Pappardelle Braised Short Ribs Ragu and Pan Seared Sea Scallops. Everything was absolutely delicious! Naomi B was our server, very attentive and friendly. They offer creative cocktails and a nice beer and wine selection. The weather was gorgeous so we opted to sit outside, it was a tough decision because the inside atmosphere is very inviting. Overall we had a wonderful experience and will definitely be back to sample more of the amazing menu options. read more

Oak Bistro - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Charming restaurant in Inman Square, with modern country vibes. Food and service were both good. read more

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We had a birthday party gathering for about 18 here for my friend and to start she had very little responsiveness from the restaurant about weather they could accommodate our party, which we called about a month in advance for. Then when we got there for our reservation they placed us at 3 different tables. they moved us to 2 tables halfway through. Our server was not responsive, was blatantly rude to one of our guests, ignored her, forgot her food and did not apologize. instead she acted very passive aggressive for the rest of the night. whenever we asked questions she was very rude. When the bill came our party was only 5 at a table and we were charged 25% included gratuity. We asked about this and she was extremely rude. I wouldn't recommend going here for any celebration or party, this left a lasting impression. read more

What a find! Farm-fresh ingredients, beautiful presentation, attentive servers and beautiful decor with dried flowers, exposed brick and warm wood. They even have a beautiful outdoor dining area. We enjoyed blueberry cornbread with honey ricotta, hummus with warm pita and fresh veggies, a cheeseburger with fries and a citrus salad with chicken. Delicious!!! And bonus points for metal straws instead of mushy cardboard. read more

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Went for lunch on a Saturday. We didn't have a reservation but were greeted warmly. I cant say enough about our experience. Everything was exceptional from the service, to the food. Our waiter was great! Started with buttermilk fried oysters. They were exceptional. Light and tender. Some of the best i have ever had. I had the Eggs Benny with Salmon at the recommendation of our waiter. I am an eggs benny snob and this was amazing. House English muffin was almost like a biscuit. Was unbelievable. BF had chicken and waffles that was also soooo good. He ate it so fast I didn't have time to take a picture! Bloody Mary and mimosa also great. Everything on the menu looked great. Can't wait to go back. If in the area this is a must try! read more

Oak Bistro - Salmon eggs Benny - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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the food was amazing! i got the omlette at brunch which came with a side of well textured home-fries. our peach spritzes were also a perfect brunch addition. the handmade nametag was also a cute touch as it was my birthday brunch! the staff was also attentive and great at dialoguing about the dishes. they also brought out a mini portion of beignets for dessert due to the event. overall, a great and thoughtfully curated experience! love the ambiance as well. definitely recommend as i always love coming here! read more

Oak Bistro - omlette, oak benedict, and peach spritzes! - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Great place for good food and drinks. We tried several different small plates and all were delicious. Went there without reservations but they were able to accommodate us and so glad they did. We definitely return only WITH reservations. read more

I came here with my work colleagues. I have a lot of dietary restrictions (vegan and gluten free), and there are other people on our team with dietary restrictions. The wait staff and kitchen did an AMAZING job. Everyone was happy and everything tasted so good. We will be talking about it for weeks. Thank you! read more

TLDR (10/5!!!) THIS IS A MUST GO, VIBES, FOOD, SERVICE, THEY GOT IT ALLL. It's honestly not that expensive either and the menu is online! I went to Boston and I can easily say this is THE spot for me and will be a place I visit multiple times. The music choice is a vibe, but more importantly each aspect individually is great but add all of them together and you have a stand-out location. I ate here twice and it was for brunch and dinner. I definitely recommend the regular egg's benedict they have on the breakfast menu. By far one of the best I have ever eaten to date. Another MUST is the Tia Maria. A waitress recommended it the night of and let me tell you, we ordered like 8 of them in total between my friends and I. They somehow made vodkha and grapefruit not bitter?? Boston food scene is no joke for sure. I'll talk more about the other items below. Service was fantastic all around even though we barged in at 1AM. They were really nice and noticed when I dropped my knife and handed it to me on a plate?!! Come on, even the other restaurants that shall not be named didn't do that. Decor is really cute too. Why the hell are you reading this still!! Go there now! (P.S. I'm sorry you can read the food section) Food (5/5) They have some items that I can say aren't 5/5 but a majority of it are hitters. The coconut flan was a limited item but if they have it, it's delicious. Did I mention the egg's benedict and Tia Maria? (I had the chicken and waffle and it's pretty basic, I took a few bites of my friend's benedict and was sad for getting the chicken and waffle. If you crave chicken and waffle it is exactly that.) The prime grill 9oz was cooked just right and you know what crazy is that everything is not that expensive for the quality you get. What I mean is that minimum is around 10 bucks to the most expensive being 33 (Seafood option). It is still Boston at the end of the day. Another standout item was the buttermilk fried oysters and the Brazilian Raindrops were really nice. Croquettes are good but might be better to get the actual short rib. Thank you to the Waitress who recommended the Tia Maria!! Legit became my favorite drink. Your fashion was amazing btw. read more

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Walking into Oak Bistro you're met with a nice cozy ambience. Service was fast and our waitress was very helpful and kind. I usually ask for recommendations for a sweeter cocktail and she made sure to give her best recommendation. Food came out pretty quickly and our waitress was very attentive. Now onto the food the grilled Spanish octopus was amazing it was so flavorful and gave you a hint of sweet spicy flavor, it had a lot of flavors like jam, spicy sauce but everything fit well together. The gnocchi was decent it wasn't my favorite but it still was good it had rabbit in it but for me personally it didn't have too much flavor and the whole meal itself was a bit more watery than id prefer. Now the Bison Sliders were by far one of the best sliders I ever tasted, it was so flavorful and juicy and was cooked to perfection. Overall Oak Bistro is definitely someplace I would come back to! read more

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Came here for brunch--it was amazing! We got the short rib hash, maple fried chicken waffles and the Brazilian raindrop beignets. Everything was excellent. I particularly enjoyed the chicken and waffles. I expected the beignets to be more like New Orleans-style beignets but they were more similar to donut holes, but still pretty good. Overall good portions. The decor was super cute. My friend reserved a table and they had printed out her name on a card decorated with flowers. It's a great spot for a weekend brunch because it's not super crowded. read more

Oak Bistro - Maple chicken and waffles, short rib hash - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

9/15/2024 10:00pm Food A+ - The scallops were so flavorful and tasty . The steak was tender & warm. The grilled octopus was a perfect appetizer. Ambiance A++ - What a cute restaurant for a romantic dinner date !! Service A+++++ staff were sweet , outgoing and so happy even when it was so so late ! Thank you ! read more

Oak Bistro - Perfect for a romantic date night - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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I was going to be in town for a Sox game, and a quick Google search showed this was a popular and well-reviewed spot in the burgeoning Inman Square area. The reservation process was easy, and they even allowed us to sit about half an hour early despite an otherwise very crowded restaurant. With approachable and modern ambiance verging on elegant, this space definitely fits with what I think of as a "bistro". Great vibes all around! The hostess and our server were both charismatic and helpful, the latter of whom was happy to provide feedback on the menu and ultimately helped us make some (very important) food and drink decisions. I started with the corn potato soup which was a fantastic choice on a rainy night. My dad had the salmon, which was cooked perfectly on the inside, and had a great crust on the outside. I'm not a big fan of salmon, but he said it was VERY good. And that's pretty much my feedback about the scallops: perfectly cooked, beautifully presented with a veggie medley that was far more than a garnish. We had a couple cocktails which were good, but I think the food was more remarkable. Our visit to Oak Bistro was just an all around enjoyable experience. It ain't cheap, but it's worth it! With so many interesting things on the menu, I'm already looking forward to my next visit. read more

Oak Bistro - The corn and potato soup was excellent! - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Unexpectedly cozy and quaint for Inman square. Food was delicious, especially the oak wings! Cocktails were excellent and the banana beignets were warm and delicious with the caramel sauce! read more

This cute new place in Inman is so lovely! The vibe is very cozy and intimate, and the food is well thought out and tasty. I recommend getting the duck gnocchi. The service is also very quality and it was overall a very good dining experience. I would definitely come back again. It's perfect for a date night. read more

Oak Bistro - Croquettes and cornbread - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I went for lunch and we had a great experience. The food menu offers a great variety and the beer selection is also very good. If you are a Belgian beer fan they have La Chouffe on draft. The service was very friendly and we didn't feel rushed to leave when we finished our lunch experience. read more

Oak Bistro is wonderful! A comfortable, enchanting setting, lovely staff and great food! We tasted the fried oysters (absolutely delicious!), the mussels (ditto!!), the blueberry ricotta cornbread (to die for!, so creamy and warm!) and the Thousand-Layer Crispy Potato Pave (I had the leftover portion with a fried egg this morning!). We wanted to try more, but we couldn't fit in another bite! What an exciting surprise! I read a Yelp review and was visiting the neighborhood and decided to drop in. Don't pass on this one. It's so refreshing! read more

came here for a work dinner and the food was really good!! they have a rotating seasonal menu which was fun and made the meals feel festive! got a bunch of diff apps and all were really good!! food was rich and hearty as it should be :)))) got the short rib pasta as my main and it was some of the best fresh pasta i've had in a way. noodles were chewy and the sauce complemented the tender short rib well! nice, patient staff for our large group. overall great experience and a nice place for a nice dinner! read more

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Oak Bistro is such a cute spot for a nice dinner - great for a date night or another occasion! If you make a reservation, they have cute little signs with your name to welcome you. The service was excellent and our waitress was extremely knowledgeable about the menu. I had the gnocchi, which they made vegetarian for me, It was delicious. We also had hummus as an appetizer which was quite good. read more

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the staff was very kind and forgiving for being stuck in traffic. the french toast is TO DIE FOR! they brought out my friend a little dessert for her birthday as well! read more

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I've just discovered one of my new favorite places to eat in the Boston area! Almost didn't want to post the wildly positive review to try to keep it a little secret :) The food was amazing at - I think - a fair price point compared to other restaurants in the area. Everything was delicious and I can't wait to go back to try everything else. There was a lovely balance of flavors, textures, colors and techniques that made each dish exciting. You can taste that they use high quality ingredients. A couple of dishes were perhaps a bit under salted and I will say the beignets were a little underwhelming. The dough needed a pinch of salt and the texture inside was too dense and seemed almost undercooked. I loved that they had mocktails that were actually well considered and not just spritzed juice. The ambiance was so cozy. Tasteful decoration with comfy lighting. The waitstaff was friendly, although at times a bit awkward. The food came out quickly. I would absolutely come back here any day. read more

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went here the night before graduation and everyone with reservations had handwritten reservation cards with a special message to all the graduates which was very sweet. table placement was adorable and the vibe of the restaurant was very homey. food was awesome- crispy potato pave and cornbread especially was awesome. i want to try their brunch next read more

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The drinks were good. The service was great. Only two people were on staff though. The place was nice. Booths were comfy. The food was AMAZING! Best food I have had in Boston so far read more

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I've been here twice and enjoyed the food both times. The first time I ordered an omelette and it was amazing. They truly have the best ingredients and you can taste it, for example, in the cheese. The second time, I ordered the beef croquettes and they were amazing with just the right amount of crunch and sweetness, absolutely fantastic. We also ordered the fried oysters which were so so. The salmon was perfectly cooked and crusted. The cauliflower mash was good. The broccolini was OK, but could've been cooked a bit more to make it softer. We also got the beef ragu which was good. The service the first time was great. The indian server was warm and knowledgeable about the food. The second time, we saw what seemed like random kids hired as servers. They didn't seem professional. For example, he took our plate which had quite a bit of cheese in it before we could scrape it clean without really asking us. We also saw him set up a fresh table while rubbing his nose: not a good look in front of a packed restaurant! Also, some kid wearing a random T-shirt doesn't give the impression of a top notch restaurant. Please impose some sort of a dress code (white T-shirt and jeans) for your servers. This isn't some hole in the wall. Do better and hire well trained staff. The ambiance needs work. This location used to be a mexican restaurant and they've largely left the ambiance the same which makes it have an identity crisis. I think they should change, i.e. dim the lighting and get some better chairs. The high chairs are wobbly and uncomfortable after a few mins. Do better. The bar area is loud so put up a partition between the bar area and the tables on the other side: it's impossible to have a conversation at the tables even if you're not at the bar. Put up a few rugs and add some fragrance to the place. Make the tables lower and get the little lamps to actually work. With these changes, you'd make the place much more appealing and comfortable, and have a chance at surviving beyond a year. Overall, the food is almost great and will be great with a little bit of work (plating, for example). The ambiance needs work. The servers need a lot more training. But I will probably keep coming back for the fresh farm to table ingredients. And you should visit too, just for that reason. read more

Oak Bistro - The amazing cheesy fresh omelette will have me coming back for more! - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

No notes. I just happened to be walking by and thought the ambience was right for the mood I was in. Work trip. Dinner by myself. I was able to get a table with no wait and was immediately sitting with a beer and a menu. The waiter offered some great suggestions and he was right on the money with the braised short rib and pappardelle. Nice ambience, great service, good food, fair prices. Yeah. No notes. read more

I'll start with the good: - the decor is delightful - the wait staff were very nice and mostly pretty attentive (though one of us had to wait quite a while for the main course while everybody else else's sat on the table getting cold.) - the alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails were tasty - the food was all plated beautifully, and looked delicious The not so good: - None of the food had any real oomph or deliciousness - My Italian wife said her risotto looked beautiful, but lacked in any real depth of flavor - My duck confit again, looked beautiful, but lacked the intensity of flavor I expect of this dish. Also, the portion was tiny... Even after an extra side of bread, I left hungry. - the $20 "for the table" portion of octopus was tiny and also lacking flavor. Not sure how you supposed to share this dish with two minuscule tentacles of octopus, embarrassing really. The serving size just made me mad. - similar experience with the artichoke appetizer -the short rib pasta lacked any real short rib flavor... Not sure how this is possible with that super flavorful cut of meat. The price points are generally on the high side, cocktails in the $15-$17 range not particularly artisanal and just made with syrups out of dispensers at the bar. When I go out to dinner with four people and spend $300+ and everyone leaves hungry and not particularly satisfied, that pretty much summarizes the meal. If the price point had been significantly less, my opinion would be different. This is my second time dining at this establishment, and my first experience was essentially identical. With so many other options in Cambridge, I would not return. read more

Walking in, I immediately loved their decor! Our server was friendly and we tried two of their recommendations, the croquettes and the potato pave. The croquettes were probably the best ones I've tried in the near-Boston area!! They were big and filled with a creamy and delicious cheese, and the bits of short rib really pulled it all together. The flavor popped immediately as I bit into it, I could've eaten so many of these! The pave was yummy as well, a little crispy and tasted lighter than typical potato dishes. The risotto was very moist and had a very strong mushroom taste which I loved! Along with the cauliflower, it was the perfect dish for one. The ragu was the only dish that disappointed me a little, but it may just be because I wasn't sure what to expect. Although it felt a little lackluster compared to the other dishes, the ragu balanced out the intense flavors of everything else. For dessert, we tried the pineapple and coconut cake. As someone who doesn't love coconut, I really enjoyed this cake! Mainly because it was so light, which also feeling rich and soft. The pineapple chunks really made this dessert, and I would definitely order again. Overall, this is such a cute date spot, but also casual enough for you to just meet friends over good eats! read more

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Absolutely aces! From the name on the table, to winter affirmation with sweet quotes, to the tendon steak to sweet ending of orange chocolate bread pudding! Service and food delicious! Would highly recommended read more

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We were looking for a new place to have dinner in Cambridge on Labor Day Monday, when many places were closed. We scored a reservation at Oak Bistro, which one of us had heard about. It was a wonderful meal. The restaurant itself was tastefully designed. The service was attentive and friendly. The menu looked very interesting, and we wanted to order a selection of appetizers first and then think longer about our main dishes, but we were told that the chef recommends we put in all the orders at once. No problem, it just took us a little bit longer. All of the appetizers we shared were innovative and delicious, notably, the octopus, fried oysters, and short rib, croquettes. All the main dishes were creative and also very tasty, including the chicken, the duck, and the scallops. We did not have dessert. My only critique, and it's a small one, is the water glasses were demi-tasse sized, but the staff was good about replenishing our water bottle. Overall, I thought this was a great place and we look forward to coming back. read more

Good food and good service. Fried oysters were my highlight but the pie was scrumptious as well. GG read more

Oak Bistro - Key Lime Pie - New American Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Sat at the bar, had impeccable service, the food was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Oak Bistro is always a solid choice, no matter the time of day. read more

Lovely spot for food and drinks. Cozy ambiance and staff was friendly and attentive. Would love to come back again and try everything else on the menu. read more

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