My home square! Porter is probably the most convenient Cambridge square to be close to. You've got groceries, liquor, pharmacy, Red Line T stop, and it's the easiest spot to get back onto Route 2 or take Alewife Brook Parkway out to Medford, Malden, etc. Parking in Porter is better than any other Cambridge square; there's a huge lot and it's free! There are great Porter Sq restaurants along Mass Ave--Sugar & Spice, Christopher's, Gustazos, Darul Kabab, Wasabi at Porter, Newtowne, all of the little eateries inside Lesley (ramen, sushi, etc), Chalawan, The Abbey, Poke City, Cambridge Common, Luce, Giulia, Upper Crust Pizzeria, and Changsho. There's a dozen more I'm forgetting right now but these are some of my top choices. Best little bars nearby are Toad (live entertainment) and Paddy's (very affordable!). Thistle & Shamrock is hands-down the best corner store I've ever been to (Walden St), I am so grateful to have this one-stop shop in the neighborhood. They've got fresh food, freezer stuff, beer/cider/wine, little gourmet odds + ends. I always get my manicures at Nails by Porter. This is where Elizabeth Warren gets her nails done too so you know they're good! They owners have confirmation pics with her on their wall. I've gotten my hair done at Salon Luna and Judy Jetson, both are wonderful. Luna is very minimalist/modern; Jetson is super fun and funky. For cafes there's Hi-Rise (really good sandwiches), Starbucks, Bourbon Coffee, Café Nero, Café Zing, Panera and Dunkin. Café Zing is located in Porter Square Books, which is one of the cutest spots in Porter, there's always a very high demand for their window seats. Tags has everything tool/yard/kitchen related that I need. Michaels and Target have everything else. Two different Bank of America ATMs in Porter. I'd definitely say Healthworks is a top-quality gym; love their two saunas and whirlpool. I've also heard great things about Down Under Yoga, but have not yet actually tried that one myself. Several cute little shops around Porter--Mudflat Gallery, NOMAD, WardMaps, Stereo Jack's Records, Made by Me. If you're looking for something quick and sweet you can hit BerryLine or Yotopia for froyo, or head over to Violette Gluten Free Bakery. And if you want to keep walking we're right in between Davis and Harvard squares which are my other two favorite spots in Cambridge. I feel very lucky to live in Porter :) read more

The Porter Square studio is so convenient to get to by T and has ample studio space and natural light. I love practicing here (i.e., yoga sculpt, hot power flows), as this studio has been my home base for 2+ years. The front desk staff and instructors have all been welcoming and friendly. read more

A good one. I am surprised how many Japanese restaurants in the Porter Square. There are also some good coffee spots. As a Japanese I need to try more of them. For biking around Porter Square is a little confusing (intersection) but bike lane helps. read more

Pretty convenient area, useful for finding goods at the hardware store and at the Shaw's a walk across the parking lot from the T stop. Also McIntire Books moved here, and there is decent Indian on the side of the street opposite the complex. The Pier 1 is rather useless though, and I'm not sure who goes to the Uno's anymore. Beware though, the CVS right across the street from the T stop is rather confusing. Only a 17 min. or so commute into Park Street Downtown Boston. read more

Yi-Hwa's review was very thorough, so I won't rehash too many details. I live near Porter and I looove it. All of you Porter haters can stick to Davis and Harvard and live among hipsters and pretentious people respectively. I'll stick with Porter. Why? Because a) It has all of the things I need and love -- my gym, 24 hours grocery store and dunkies for my middle of the night doughnut needs, fabulous thai food, an asian food court, and awesome bars and live music; b) Normal people live there!! You walk around Porter and you see a totally normal crross-section of city life. It's not all 2 cool 4 school hipsters like Davis or Inman. It's not smelly drunk people like Central. It's not weird hippies and Haaaavahd students like Harvard. And it's not techies and big buildings like MIT. I like a little normalcy in my life. But just a little. And don't forget Avon Hill, the neighborhood between Porter and Harvard. For some reason, people only seem to associate it with Harvard, but that's BS. It's my favorite 'hood -- great martinis at Temple Bar, cool little boutiques like Topaz and History, trivia and 'ritas at the Forest. Walk a little ways down Someville Ave and you get some institutions like Tacos Lupita (technically on Elm but whatever), La Ronga Bakery, and Razzy's. So to all the people that are like "waaaah, Porter Sq is dirty" or "waaah, there are pidgeon droppings", I don't need you in my hood anyway:) read more

Porter Square T is the Presidential Fitness Test from Hell. After a really long day, I thought it would be a fun "challenge" to run up the stairs as fast as I could. The first 5-6 flights were sort of fun, but somewhere around flight 7 or 8 a stabbing, sting-ray-like pain began in my chest, and is still in the process of wearing off. I would love to say I'm just "really out of shape," but the truth is I work out all the time at the Porter Square Healthworks across the street. I guess not vigorously enough. Porter Square-1 Me-0 read more

What's to like? Good collection of stores. You can buy furniture (used or new), get your nails did or hair cut. Eat: ice cream, donuts, soupinabreadbowl, burritos, thai, afghani, kebabs, pub foods, coffee, pizza, organic pizza, bar pizza, buy gifts, learn tai kwon do, drink, go to culinary school, buy gas, gardening stuffs, mail stuff, buy tackle and ammunition, or just go to the gym. It's all right here. Easy to walk to/from. Grab the T or commuter rail. Buses, and cabs, you got it. What's not to like? That stupid friggin parking lot of death. The spots are TIGHT, that's putting it lightly... My car has been hit twice in this parking lot, with me witnessing it each time. Both times because the person swung too wide and hit my car, why? Cause the spots aren't big enough for a compact car, let alone anything else that's on the market! read more

Porter Square is a little shopping haven on Mass Ave on the outskirts of Cambridge. Most visitors and tourists don't travel past Harvard Square, and those who do don't usually stop at Porter Square. Consisting of mainly Lesley University property, Porter Square has just about everything to offer for those not afraid to walk a few blocks and find everything there's to offer and accessible by the redline or buses. The main shopping complex at Porter Square itself has a 24 hour Shaws supermarket, 24 hour CVS, a fantastic independent bookstore, fantastic independent hardware store, a toy store, a vitamin/health food store, and the usual fast food, Radio Shack, and liquor store. Its a shame the Burlington Coat Factory outlet store closed, it used to be in the basement of Shaws/the hardware store. Taking the pleasant walk back towards Harvard Square almost all the places to visit will be on your right. There's plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and vintage clothing stores. Its a shame that Barefoot Books went out of business. Definitely worth stopping in Greenward to check out eco friendly accompaniments for your home, Hollywood Express for renting movies from probably the last independent place left on Earth, as well as Stereo Jack's for used records and Raspberry Beret for all of your vintage closet needs. Going in the opposite direction towards Davis Square and beyond most of the shops are again on your right (but opposite side of the street as the previous.) Immediately is Zing's Pizza, most likely the best pizza around, Stellabella Toys, Bob Slate Stationary, and McIntyre Used Books. Christopher's has the best food and drinks in Porter Square and Toad next door is a free venue to check out local music. Porter Square is pretty awesome, the downside is everything is on Mass Ave, instead of spread out throughout the neighborhood. Also there's no shade, always super sunny in the summer or leaving you exposed to the harsh winter. The shopping center at Lesley University used to be much nicer, but since the Japanese grocery store closed, I don't bother going there anymore. I definitely do most of my shopping in Porter Square. read more

This is by far the most visited Cambridge Square by me for the following reasons: 1. T accessible right dab in the middle. The red line is the "most" reliable out of the T. DO NOT climb the stairs unless you want to have abs and thighs of steel (DVD not included) 2. Porter Exchange! The only authentic Japanese grocery and food court in the Boston area. Worthy notables are Cafe Mami, Sapporo Ramen, Tampopo, and Kotobukiya. 3. Simon's Coffee Shop, serving some of the best coffee and tea in Cambridge. 4. Don't feel like you're going to be attacked by ketchup bottles like Alewife 5. Don't feel commercialized like Harvard Sq 6. Don't feel dirty and be begged at like Central Sq 7. Don't feel nerdy and boring like Kendall Sq 8. I love Inman Sq (esp Jessika's and Christina's Ice Cream) but not T accessible :( read more

A great place for college students to live-- it's inexpensive, compared to the rest of Cambridge (i.e. Harvard), and arguably safer than Central Square. Everything you need is within walking distance in the shopping center-- the T station, CVS, Star Market, Blockbuster, Ace Hardware, a book store, a few restaurants, a liquor store, a dry cleaner's. There's a GAP and City Sports, along with many Japanese restaurants, just a block away, and for the ladies there is a Healthworks Gym (for everyone else there's Bally's). Most apartments are in the form of a unit within a two-family house. Expect to pay $600-$800/person for a 2+ bedroom flat here. read more

Seriously? Best neighborhood I have lived in during my 3 years in Boston. I won't rehash all the reasons other people who have outlined why Porter rocks, but I'm in total agreement. It's ridiculously convenient for food, liquor, books!, dry cleaning, pharmacy needs, hardware/home crap, video rental (just a short walk down to Hollywood Video if you don't feel like feeding the Blockbuster Corporate Machine), gyms (provided I actually JOIN one first), post office, and so on and so forth. Granted, there aren't as many funky restaurants/bars, and it can feel very commercialized when you think about all the stores nearby, but I like convenience. In fact, it's made me very, very lazy. The Red Line is probably one of the fastest T lines in Boston (tied with the Orange Line in terms of reliability and speed, in my opinion) and, as everyone else has said, it's smack-dab in the middle of the square. Not so much a fan of the vertigo-inducing escalators, but then I went to Atlanta and rode the escalator at the Peachtree Center MARTA stop and promptly stopped complaining. The best reason for living here? I now have a gaggle (that's right, a gaggle) of friends who live within 10 minutes of each other and it's now super-convenient to have low-key hangouts at someone's house. Very important in this crappy economy of ours. MTV True Life or Soul Calibur 2 marathons? Don't mind if I do! read more

I grew up in porter square and while it's irrefutable to say it's a lot nicer than it was in 1992, it's lost what it used to have. When I walk down my old street there are condos that used to be an auto body, condos where there used to be mike's gym, condos across the tracks where there used to be a factory. The end of rent control killed it. Now, much like in practically every other part of metro Boston, the "working-class" vibe that it's supposed to have is a bunch of BS...the people that work @ qodoba or newtowne pizza could NEVER afford to live around there- it's all a stage for neo-yuppies and closet-hipsters. I miss it, but I'd never move back because it's not the same place I grew up. Not even close. read more

I love to go here. There are so many fun attractions..many different and delicious foods.. restaurants , coffee shops and gym... It is really good place that we can release stress and have a good time with friends and family!!!! read more

Porter Square / By Me Living in Porter Square is like living in a computer. All I need to do is walk a few feek and use my imagination and... YES I will find what I need. Dude...there is everything within walking distances *1mile*: All sorts of Asian food, Dive Bars, Jamaican, Mexican & South American, Tibetan, Indie Movies, Great Bands, Good Beer/Bad Beer, Groceries, Gyms, Italian, Pizza, Bookstores, Toystores, Liquor Store, BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY (never been in, just cool), ACE Hardware, CVS, Post Office, Mckinnons Butchery, MUTHAFUC*N NEW TOWNE GRILL, Banks, Pizzeria Uno, Transportation, Cafe's, Cambridge Naturals, City Sports, Paper Source, Holllywood Video, Harvard Square, Davis Square, Cambridge Common, The Burren, Japanese Mall, Emack & Bolios, Pottery, Guns and Fishing stuff, etc etc etc RIP: McDonalds, Video Store, Subs Express (but they were replaced by some damn great alternatives..except McDonalds cause QDoba is gross. My guess is they were probably owned by the same corporation as Mac Ds). Rather have a Big Mac or Catfish Burger at Christophers.... Support Annas, Lupitas, Boca, Falzones, Dunkin Donuts, Lupita's, New Towne Awesome place to live. read more

This is a great one stop square. It has less notoriety than Harvard Sq, but I find myself choosing Porter over Harvard in most cases....leave Harvard Sq for the tourists. The Porter Exchange adds quick food choices, and across Mass Ave you have some nicer sit down choices. And a block in the other direction you have Elephant Walk who will impress most. I dare people to tell me something that Harvard has that Porter doesn't have, on perhaps a smaller scale. The biggest grief is definitely the parking..those "compact" spots are always occupied by SUVs and minivans which obviously reek havoc....but at least there is a lot, right?? And the lot behind the Galleria has slightly better parking options. read more

I do quite miss living in this area, although the Upper West Side of Manhattan is slightly preferable. OK, I admit it, I am an NYC snob. Anyhoo. Porter Square is great! There's so much neat food and stuff around here, and it's a great place to live because you're so close to everything else that makes Cambridge awesome. And you don't need to join a gym if you take the T to Porter, just walk to stairs and you've done your cardio for sure. I dig the metal gloves that are scattered along the escalator sides (that's the best description I can give you) and the funky windmill thing outside. Yay Porter! read more

Small shopping center with all your needs (grocery, pharmacies, gyms, bookstore, dunkins, BRUEGGERS, and emack & bolio's). Quirky area.

Well, well, well. Since my previous review, Planet Fitness has opened their doors. For a cheaper rate I now have a gym with cool people, far more respectable business practices, and diet "supplements" (yeah, that's code for drugs - no thanks!) aren't displayed prominently whenever I drop in for a run or to lift weights. That alone makes Porter perfect. Among the things I forgot last time: We also have a post office *and* UPS store (convenient for all my Zappos returns), two fabulous hardware/locksmith stores, and now even a toystore. I grew up near a former location of Henry Bear's Park, so there's some nostalgia for me in one opening up here. Ah, Porter Square, I love calling you home. read more

Home sweet home :) Cleaner, safer, and more convenient in my opinion than the other squares. Who cares if the bar scene isn't as rockin'? I can walk to The Burren in under 7 minutes. 5 stars, yes please! read more

Let's start with the name-- Porter Square. Porter isn't a square. It's not a tiny contained area like Harvard Square or Davis Square, two streets that come together with stores on all sides. Porter Square is a long strip of Mass Ave. that starts right by Cambridge Common and extends all the way up to Elephant Walk. And on that long strip, you can find everything: a place to buy cool clogs (Vintage), a formerly cool bookstore (McIntyre&Moore), stationary (Bob Slate), a 24 hour pharmacy (CVS), Cambridge's best gym (Healthworks), cafes (Rosies, Simons), amazing clothes (Nomad), and some puzzling things (that Irish imports store that sells soda bread... how do they stay in business?!). read more

If Davis is my first home- Porter is my second. I've lived close to this square for a while too and its pretty darn good. Rather than being a great neighborhood spot its where you go when you need something- anything. With CVS, Star Market, Pier One, Burlington Coat Factory, Anna's, Blockbuster, Porter Sq. Books, Zoots and Dunkin' you've got it all. Getting to the actual train is somewhat time consuming considering how far down you have to go and all the construction you have to cross over. Driving here is pretty insane with the one ways and the parking lot and the construction- so avoid it if you can. Overall its a great place to have in the Somerville/Cambridge area! read more

I live here. It's great. Urban enough that I don't feel like I'm in the suburbs, but far enough out that it's not crowded and busy all the time. Plus, since I'm just over the Somerville Line I get all the benefits of Cambridge without the taxes. Suckers! I do wish there were a few more bars here, but Toad, Newtowne Grill, Pizzaria Uno, and Razzy's pretty much cover my full range of bar desires (I'm very particular in the kind of bars I like). Plus I'm in walking distance of Davis and Union squares if I feel the need to expand my drinking horizons. Even Inman's not that far away, or Central if I feel like catching a bus. read more

Porter is the most utilitarian of the squares. Shaw's, dry cleaning, shopping are all right there. It lags behind Harvard, Davis, Central in "stuff to do" though. The restaurants just aren't as good and the whole area seems very chain-like. Of course, any of the red-line areas are great due to the convenience to Boston (and each other) , but Porter still gets 3/5 by me. read more

not as popular as Harvard, not as hipster as Davis, not as funky as Inman. so what does Porter have going for it? practically speaking, it is much more affordable to live here than in Harvard or Davis and it is on the red line unlike Inman. but Porter is much like an awkward little pre-teen, and once you can look past the bad skin complection and the braces, you see a beautiful butterfly trying to emerge. seriously though, Yi-Hwa hit the all the major points: there are some cool bars and restaurants, from Chez Henri to Christophers, along Mass Ave. there is a 24 hour market, pharmacy, and grocery store. there is bookstore, a hardware store, a liquor store, a Dunkin' Donuts ... and let's not forget Porter's most visible landmark, Susumu Shingu's 46-foot stainless steel kinetic sculpture entitled "Gift of the Wind." read more

Bostons version of Little Tokyo, No longer as accommodating thanks to Lesley University destroying the long time great local shop of Kotobukia. They literally replaced it with some stupid ass book store that is ALWAYS empty when the old japanese grocery store that has been there for more than 10 years was always PACKED. Butttt don't let that deter your visit, there are still many authentic and delicious restaurants residing here and all that are quite affordable. Some are cash only but they have an ATM right there too so no worries. Parking is convenient and easy and I've actually used it as a lot then took the train to Harvard. read more

Great shops and restaurants, great location, and best of all, this parking lot will help you talk your teenager out of ever getting a driver's license. read more

I loved living in Porter Square. I lived here for almost two years before moving to Chicago. It's close to the T, has a good mix of nightlife and practical stuff (hardware store, CVS, grocery store, etc) and is super close to Harvard and Davis Squares. It's a great little community and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cheaper yet still fun alternative to living in downtown Boston. read more

If you are a tourist, you should definitely check this place out especially riding on the T station! WOW, those stairs are so steep. GREAT JAPANESE FOOD!! Authentic cheap japanese cuisine (all kinds) in the Porter Exchange Mall, which has cheap parking in the back...similar to Japantown in SF but limited to a 5-6 hole in the walls. Good curry at Cafe Mami, Good sushi at Blue Fin, good ramen noodles at Saporro and great bi-bim bap or other korean dishes at Chocho. read more

Porter square is a convenient little shopping plaza. It has a 24 hour grocery store, 24 hour CVS, hardware/home goods store and a few decent places to eat. read more

This is perhaps one of the least generic neighborhoods in eastern Massachusetts. One of the greatest aspects of Mass Ave from Cambridge Commons to the border of Arlington, Ma is that it has a number of generic services that falls below 10%. Almost all the shops here are locally or independently owned. .If you are in the neighborhood it is worthwhile to check out the unique gift shops many which are thematic. These may include: Irish Imports-Items from the Emerald Isle, Tokai-Japanese, Mud Flat-Local Artists, TibetArt-Easteren Philosified Items, and Joise de Vivre-quirky cute. I can also say that unlike neighboorhoods like Wellselly Center which primarily caters towards high class women between the ages of 18-64, Porter Square or western Mass Ave. caters towards all income levels and even men as well. read more

I love Porter Square, especially the little mall with the Japanese shops and restaurants; very authentic, inexpensive and yummy?

Good area of restaurants and shops--the worst part is how far underground the T is! I like Davis Square more, but maybe I just need to explore more here. The key difference to me between here and Davis is that you have to walk further once you leave the t. I feel like when I leave the t at Davis I'm bombarded with places to go, in porter I have to look harder. read more

I grew up a few blocks from Porter Square and lived there most of my life. Though it has a special place in my heart, it really is still so ghetto. Oh Porter Square, why can't you seem to get it right? It is certainly much nicer than it used to be. The supermarket is nicer, the dunkies is still open all night, the commuter rail stops there, and some good places to eat have opened up, yet it is still no Davis or Harvard or Central. Davis and Central used to be ghetto...now look at them. Come on Porter I know you can do it! read more

This is somewhat close by to the Porter Exchange mall which is a pretty great Japanese mall. I believe a lot of Japanese people live around here. Nice neighborhood with great restaurants like Elephant Walk. Definitely check out the Porter Exchange mall for Japanese groceries, restaurants, and a sushi bar. read more

A little square with some nice restaurants and the Porter Exchange mall. There is a bit of construction going on but it's not too bad. Definitely not a Harvard Square but they do have some great places to eat. read more

Very nice area of Cambridge a lot of different international restaurants I love coming to this side of town for the summer not to crowded

I just like Porter Square. I like all the escalators and the bronzed gloves all over them. I like the red ice cream cones wind sculpture outside. I like how when you get out, you feel a little like your only options are to either go to White Hen or step into a construction site. I like all the indie shops on Mass Ave if you walk a little ways toward Harvard. I like the music at Toad and the community feel around there. I like the Baptiste yoga studio there. Porter Square, we know you've been a bit of a pass-through square for a long time, but keep on going...you're going great places. And don't charge any more. We love you because you're a cheap hussy. read more

Please don't be swayed by the illusion of what this gym has to offer. Yes the facility is nice, giving it an almost spa-like atmosphere, but is it worth the price?? Pros: 1. One of the best spinning instructors I have ever had. Switches up the routine and the music each class. Very inspiring person. (This is one of the only good classes at the gym). Cons: 1. The snootiness of the staff and some of the instructors. God forbid you make them actually do their job by asking a question or requiring any help. 2. Non-stop sales approach. Isn't the price I pay for the gym membership alone enough? NO! The personal trainers are always trying to lure you into an insanely expensive package that is 4 to 5 times the amount I'm already paying for my gym membership. 3. They removed a lot of their weight training equipment. This gym is focused on classes and cardio. 4. It's stinky (granted it is a gym, but it has a very STRANGE smell) In the end it's just another gym. Don't be fooled by appearances and end up wasting your money... read more

So, I've been living in Porter for about 6 years now and for me it's just about perfect. I technically say I live in North Cambridge but the census says Porter. I don't have the same love affair for the Porter Square of my youth as I do for Harvard and Davis. This Porter is far nicer and more cleaned up. The shopping center, once a haven for homeless and drunks (not that there's anything wrong with it) is so much nicer (tho the parking is hopeless...50% of the spaces are designated "compact". As if). There is just a solid mix of shopping, bars, and restaurants without losing the neighborhoodie sort of feel. The one thing I DO miss from my childhood is the conveyor belt at the old Star Market (Shaws) that the bagger would put your groceries on and delivered them to the front of the store while you pulled your car up. Now that was customer service. Oh, and we had lots of fun putting various and sundry non-grocery items on there read more

Just like to echo Orly, Yihwa and those who really understand/ appreciate Porter Square. Grant it, P-Sq is not a love-at-first-sight kind of place. Visitors wouldn't see much until they stay... really stay, then they will enjoy what P-Sq has to offer. (I'd skip all details described by other reviews) One review mentions "normalcy", I couldn't agree with it more. Because only in P-Sq, you see typical/ healthy cambridgeans living their normal lives (e.g. young couples with toddlers strolling along Mass. ave). All in all, P-Sq is a convenient, safe neighborhood with a nice touch of urban vibe, perfect for residence. That being said, P-Sq still lacks a sense of destinaiton, it needs some dress-it-up works to make it more "together" and really stand out among other squares. The good news is AIB (Art Institute of Boston) will be reloated here near Porter Exchange building, which will make P-Sq a bit artsy, wouldn't it be sweet? There is also an air-right mix-use development along commuter rail track (lthough, it's loooong way to go). The P-Sq future is looking bright. read more