Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Parla XXI

    3.5 (100 reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Parla XXI Photos

    PARLA XXI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Parla XXI

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Madison N.

    What an interesting time we had last night 11/23. Came in after a movie with some friends and it was pretty quiet with lots of tables open. The host gave us a very passive aggressive comment, "you're lucky we had space, next time make a reservation." We were a bit turned off and wanted to leave but stayed because it really is cute in there. I've been to the Parla downtown and I know the drinks are good and the vibes are fun. I got a basic cider (I'm gluten free, kept it simple) my friends played the dice game and rolled all different numbers. All had different experiences but one rolled a #5, wow was that the most pungent disgusting gasoline filled drink we have ever smelled. But that's the name of the game, star gazer must be a throw away drink of the game- not an enjoyable one. We still have a good time though!

    Espresso martini - yum
    Angela D.

    What a neat spot in an unexpected place! We paused at Parla for a casual afternoon catch up on Friday and were delighted. Absolutely surprised by how quiet the space was but by 6p folks started to arrive. The interior matches the menus matches the vibes - an air of punk mystery, game, and good humor. The drinks were incredible - absolutely worth trying the Dungeon rolls and letting the dice pick your destiny!

    Something Pink (D20 #11) and Grandmothers and Frogs
    Lydia L.

    Ok, respect!!! We rolled the D20 twice and got one floral and light and one fruity and bold, both very well balanced. We also did the Grandmothers and Frogs, which was a cool old fashioned riff, and the Patatas Bravas fries, which are just seasoned fries but very good ones. I got my punch card and I can't wait to come back to roll again!

    Kunthea K.

    I'm just basing my review of the drinks and experience that I had, went there on a random Saturday night after some shopping around assembly and the drinks did not disappoint, I like sitting at the bar and ordering from there just because I like to see how the drinks are made and sometime get to interact with the bartenders. Overall it was a good experience for me, food wise, I did not order any food so I can't give any input on that but I will def be back for drinks !

    carpaccio and drink
    Vivian D.

    The vibes in this place is amazing, the wall art is beautiful and mystical almost like you're transported to somewhere else. They're currently doing a dice rolling game where whatever number it lands on corresponds with a cocktail. They then give you a list to fill out each drink as you try, there's 24 options I believe. It's definitely worth trying for a small girls night out or a casual date spot! Servers and bartenders are also very receptive to any questions you have!

    Gloria L.

    I thought the food was pretty good, I was definitely a fan of the lobster ravioli. The sauce was decadent and creamy, and I thought it was a good portion size. I was underwhelmed by the spaghetti carbonara - super duper salty, and couldn't get past that taste. We also got the mussel appetizer which had a great sauce and they piled on the mussels. The crustinis were okay, but that didn't matter since the mussels were so good I didn't care about eating it with that. They also loaded on the onions for the sauce and I loved the pairing of the textures and flavors. Now the reason we came was for the dungeon master - basically you roll a 20-sided dice and that corresponds with a drink. Definitely not for picky drinkers, which is me, but I wanted to try my luck. I absolutely hated both of my drinks, but that's okay, I signed up for that. Others liked their drinks (they also didn't kije mine), maybe I just have bad luck. They give you a card to keep track of what you have so you can make sure you complete the list and become a dungeon master! Also, if you guess 1/2 the ingredients in the drink, you get a free shot, I couldn't for the life of me guess mine, but my bf got one!

    Meg C.

    Had the burger which was solid, but definitely an unhinge your jaw situation, the portobello makes this puppy a tall tall sando. Fries were okay, the smokey aioli made them better. My friend really liked her carbonara. Rolled the dice a couple times, which was fun and I liked both drinks, and the ambiance had sort of a clubby feel with the blue lights, definitely different than the cozy OG spot in the North End. As it got busier it definitely got pretty noisy, but still a cool vibe. Service was great, I had leftovers and we were going to a movie across the way, and they offered to hold the leftovers in a bag for me to retrieve on my way back. Took them up on it and got my food after the movie, no problem!

    Fries
    Josh E.

    My coworkers and I went here on a Thursday night. We ordered drinks after seeing the menu. Unfortunately, the only sodas the restaurant has is ginger ale and regular coke. Quite peculiar for a bar, but we asked multiple times and was told this was true. The drinks were pretty good. For entrees, I got the ribeye, and I added a side of fries. The steak was really good, and the fries were also solid. The salad was the best thing on the menu though. The Caesar salad came with fresh anchovies on the side. I will say, the anchovies were quite mild, but still nice to have as an option. My coworker got the lobster ravioli which he really enjoyed. The gnochi was also enjoyable per my other coworker. The service was adequate, but nothing to write home about. The food was good, but the non alcoholic drink options were appalling for a bar that serves food.

    Tanya J.

    We stopped by for drinks after meeting up with friends downtown. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the addition of places like this in assembly is appreciated and needed! This is a cute cocktail bar closer to the north shore without the headache of going downtown. Depending on the time of day, parking will be a headache- but there are tons of options if you don't mind a walk through assembly row. We got here around 11/12 on a Friday night and the bar was full (a little on the small side) but we sat at the high top and was were met with great service. Lovely ambiance, and the drinks are reasonably priced.

    Hennessey Sidecar
    Arnulfo M.

    I love speakeasy style places and drinks. Sat at the bar with my wife Stephen is reason we will be coming back Top 5 sidecar I have ever had.

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex G.
    103
    583
    1077

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dev T.
    0
    10
    0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    This place is the spot. Amazing service, great drinks, and great atmosphere. No where better to go in assembly row. Tuane is the best

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sina T.
    23
    15
    112

    1 year ago

    I'd return only to try other drinks. Food was not all that great. Service could be better too.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Amazing service! Guillermo is the best. Highly recommend the burratta!! Great for a girls night!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vlad I.
    539
    144
    987

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike A.
    0
    41
    19

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt S.

    Matt S.

    Thanks, Cyrus! Looking forward to seeing you!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J W.
    5
    131
    7

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt S.

    Matt S.

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Matt S.

    Matt S.

    Thanks, Ibrahim! We'll hope you make it back again soon!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Parla XXI

    You might also consider

    Darling - Noodles with veg

    Darling

    (57 reviews)

    $$$

    Central Square

    Had such a fun girls catch up at darling in Cambridge! Best restaurant I've tried in a while…read more Lively mysterious vibes, creative drinks, and good food! The colossal shrimp was my favorite - massive and grilled to perfection. The dumplings were my friend's favorite. We both enjoyed our drinks especially the "hope I packed a parachute" which was topped with taro foam! Will be coming back for a date night and to try the HK french toast cocktail for sure. Make sure to snag a reservation early :)

    I've been looking forward to trying Darling for a while, and I see why everyone is raving about it!…read moreThey had an interesting and varied drink menu, with combinations and ingredients I hadn't seen before. It was hard to choose one, but I got the A Perfect Circle and it was quite tasty. I'm eager to try some of their other drinks, since the cocktails were definitely the highlight of the experience for me. The dim sum portions were larger than I expected, which meant we ordered way too much food. We had the fried chicken, the cucumber salad, the shrimp, the pork wontons, the soy sauce noodles, the daikon/enoki dish (I forget the name) and the charred broccoli. There wasn't anything I didn't like, but I did find that the flavor profile seemed very similar for many of the items--it seemed like most things were topped with a generous portion of chili oil, scallions, and sesame seeds. I found that this contributed to a fairly uniform flavor experience and was getting a little weary of chili oil after several dishes. The food was also spicier than I anticipated (though to be fair, I have a low spice tolerance, so others might disagree.) I would have enjoyed some less spicy options to balance out our meal. Overall, all the food was good, though, but I think if I come back I'd get fewer items (3-4 would have been plenty for 2 people) and that might also help with everything blurring together. The service was great and our waitstaff was helpful and attentive.

    Saigon Babylon

    Saigon Babylon

    (58 reviews)

    Central Square

    Was not expecting the food to pop off but everything was delicious. We had a reservation and came a…read morelittle late but were still allowed in. It was pretty busy and we were seated at the bar which was a little crowded. Loved the decoration, it was black interior with red lighting and interesting seating arrangement with tables down the middles and plants around. For drinks we got the Saigon Sunset which had a little sour flavor and was my personal favorite, the Gimme with an interesting flavor, and the Old Fashioned which is what you expect (old fashioned are not for me). The bartender was great, he was so patient even with how busy it was making sure to always check up. For food, the Goi Ca/Fluke was so good. It was flavorful and the texture. The peanut butter sauce wasn't too nutty and went so well with the fish. I ate every little piece up. We also ordered the Wagyu Viet Carpaccio which was also good. It was refreshing to eat and came with a large cracker for eat bite.

    The lemongrass carpaccio is exactly as good as everyone says. Definitely my favorite dish of the…read morenight, but I'm interested in going back and trying other menu items. Not a fan of the layout of the restaurant. I don't like the long table in the center for parties of 2, it felt a bit awkward to be so close to other groups and there were large vases of fresh flowers which, albeit were very beautiful, I think should have been moved after parties are seated. A huge bouquet of fresh lilies were taking up a lot of space on the table when I went and they got in the way at times.

    Remnant Satellite - Cider-Mass Appeal

    Remnant Satellite

    (17 reviews)

    This burger was pretty fire, had it well done with the sweet potato fries and got the roasted beets…read moretoo. Everything was solid and the burger was fat with good salt. I would hella come again to this place. Vibe seemed alright like a typical pub but the burger got my heart.

    Enjoyed my dinner here at Remnant Satellite. We went on a Monday night early so didn't hear the…read morelive music but that's okay. I got a hard cider, the Stormalong Mass Appeal which I really enjoyed. My boyfriend got a vanilla latte which he liked. We then split the spinach artichoke dip which came with pita bread and carrots, the dip itself was only lukewarm and it was okay. I got the mac and cheese and added bbq which was really good, smaller portion but it filled me up. My boyfriend got the burger which was really fresh and the sauces were tasty. Towards the end my boyfriend noticed there was a Monday night rib special--which we were bummed because this was why we came here since they won first place at Rib Fest. I didn't get his name but the waiter we had was so nice and we ended up trying one. The meat melt off the bone and the sauce was incredible, so many flavors I couldn't pinpoint. It was sweet and tasted like a jam almost. Plus we learn they source a lot of food locally which is cool. The atmosphere too is very rustic inside and cozy, plus they have many events throughout the week from trivia to live music. Check out this nice spot in East Cambridge!

    Cloud & Spirits - New Year's Soup

    Cloud & Spirits

    (84 reviews)

    $$$

    Kendall Square/MIT

    We had reservations for 7:30, and when we got there, the place was decently busy - a few empty…read moretables here and there - so we were seated immediately. We ordered quickly after perusing the (rather short) menu, most of which was either small plates and cocktails . Our first plate was the hainan chicken arancini. I really liked the contrast in textures between the crispy exterior and the tender chicken and rice mix on the inside. Overall flavour was not bad, too, but I'm not sure that it was exactly good enough to merit the price point of $18. Next was the Xi'an street noodles, which was probably my favourite dish of the meal. The noodles were very well cooked - chewy but not too soft - and I loved the sauce, with the gentle peanut aroma on top of the various spices they used. One comment was that the chilli crisp, which was tasty, was very lacking (in amount) and as a consequence the dish was really not spicy at all. Finally we had the chilli crisp buffalo chicken. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the chicken was boneless (I was expecting something more like chicken wings), which made for very clean eating :) The buffalo sauce was nice (and perhaps a bit spicier than the aforementioned chilli crisp) and the chicken itself was very rich and juicy. Portion size was quite large too and overall I was very happy with this plate. For drinks we ordered the Jaded, which was a fun matcha-themed cocktail (even the marshmallow was matcha-flavoured) and a (spirit-free) cranberry limeade, which was surprisingly refreshing and sweet. Overall a yummy meal, but definitely very expensive. I would be interested to try some more of their cocktails, which seem very creative, but I'm not sure if I would be keen to come again primarily for the food. (To be fair, though, this is often the modus operandi of these restaurants that specialise in small plates and drinks )

    Great Cocktails, Average Food. I hovered between 3 and 4…read morestars here - ultimately deciding on 3 because while this is a great place to hang and grab drinks, the food is disappointing. Everyone was friendly and attentive but the food took a while to come out and it was just average. The best thing was the curry noodles and even those were a little bland. Also it was fairly expensive so I expected bigger portions or at least better flavor. Drinks on the other hand were delicious!

    Althea - Rib and Fried Green tomato

    Althea

    (33 reviews)

    Central Square

    Food was terrific. We all loved the Brussels Sprouts small plate to share. Two chose the Baked Cod…read moreover gnocchi that was delicious. The Salmon plate is always a winner. Perfectly cooked medium rare as ordered and the gnocchi bolognese was good as always. Cocktails for some and wine for others (except our designated driver) hit the spot. Too full from dinner so we passed on dessert. Service was perfect and the ambiance allowed for cheerful conversation. It helps when everyone is enjoying the wonderful food and relaxed atmosphere.

    I thought Althea was just ok. Glad I tried it, but probably won't be back, at least not for brunch…read more The ambiance is lovely - lots of plants, comfortable seating. Service was very friendly and timely. The food was just not great. I ordered the mushroom and goat cheese omelet, and they were nice enough to let me swap goat cheese for Parmesan. To drink, I got a coffee. The coffee was fine - not amazing but not bad either. The omelet was just okay - it could have used some more salt. A little bland. I did love the home fries - crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and very well seasoned. The toast tasted like grocery store bread, so that was a little disappointing for the price. So to sum up: on the positive side, ambiance and service were great. Home fries were delicious. Portions were generous. On the meh side, omelette and bread were bland (plus they were no longer hot by the time they came out, so that was strange). The only really bad thing I have to say is that they served my mom sour milk for her coffee, but they were very apologetic and gifted us blueberry muffins to make up for it, so I won't hold it against them.

    Nook - Interior

    Nook

    (26 reviews)

    My friend found this spot online and suggested we check it out, and I'm so glad we did. When we…read morearrived, I did not expect to find an entire courtyard filled with shops and restaurants tucked behind this little alleyway. It was such a cute hidden area, and I was already excited before we even got to the place. We headed upstairs into the bar, and the vibe was perfect. It's small, cozy, dimly lit, with vibey music playing. Since it was our first time, we were a little confused at first, but the waiter was super kind and walked us through everything. I ordered the Elly the Elephant and my friend got the Laughing Gull, and we both really enjoyed our drinks. One thing I thought was really nice is that they allow you to grab food from the surrounding restaurants and bring it in to eat there. We didn't end up doing that, but we did get the charcuterie board they had. It came with cheeses, crackers, and some fruit, and you can add meats for $10, which we opted out for. I will say I was a little disappointed by the fruit portion. The menu mentioned fresh fruit, so I expected more than three thin orange slices and one sliced strawberry. HOWEVER, when I asked for more strawberries, our waiter kindly brought out a whole bowl for me, which I really appreciated. We stayed for about two hours, and as the night went on the place definitely got more crowded, so we headed out. Overall, this is such a cute and cozy cocktail bar. I'll definitely be back when the weather is warmer to try the other drinks and restaurants in the market.

    I can't believe I've never been to Bow Market before but I will definitely be back! So many hidden…read moregems. Stores, cocktail lounges, restaurants, etc. It's also lit up very nicely at night. So fun! I'd imagine it's poppin in the summer/on a warm night. I just went to Nook (located upstairs once you're in Bow Market) and it's such a vibe! They've got an extensive drink menu, a couch area to lounge on, high tables and bar seating, cool interior design, and dim lighting. I mean the ambiance is there. Highly recommend the fruity drink! I forget the exact name but the bartender suggested it to me, and it was from the "West" menu page.

    Parla XXI - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...