Literally the best lamb shawarma I've EVER had hands down The staff are super friendly and helpful The store is clean and beautiful :) read more

This is a cute small spot with great food, coffee/tea, and baked goods. The staff is patient when you can't make up your mind. The portion sizes are a bit tricky; some dishes are the perfect size, while others leave you with enough room to order something else--though the food is definitely packed with flavor. And of course, if you do have that little bit of extra room, try one of their baked goods. It's worth a visit; keep in mind that finding a seat won't be easy. read more

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What a delightful bakery and cafe! We showed up on a holiday 1pm, and it was bumpin'! Lucked out with street-side parking after circling for 5min. Ordered and got a table within 10min, as there was a good flow to the customers. Food tasted fresh and delicious, with an abundance of options! Ambiance is definitely a hustle. No laptops out. Mindful customers, but we definitely felt rushed to give the standing customers a place to sit. Can't wait to return for more quick bites! read more

SOFRA Bakery & Cafe - Cheese borek - flaky savory yumminess - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Found this place within short walking distance of the Mount Auburn Cemetery. Long line because it's popular. Limited seating inside and some covered patio seating, best for groups of 2-4 at most. After our order we waited outside in hopes of getting a table. One group of 3 combined to one table to give us one and a couple vacated theirs to free up a second. Very thoughtful. Our food came out within 15 minutes! We ordered a spinach and falafel wrap and a chicken shawarma wrap, small for $13 each. My falafel wrap had yummy pickled carrots, arugula, and other pink pickles which saved it because the falafel were soft and bland. My brother and sister-in-law got a couple appetizers to share: fried cauliflower and potatoes. Both were fantastic--so crispy! Wish I knew what was in the bright yellow sauce on the cauliflower--it was savory and creamy and delicious--I used it on the potatoes too! My strawberry shariat was so refreshing! You can order it flat or sparkling. Overall a satisfying and wonderful lunch! read more

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Super cute small spot with amazing food, coffee/tea, and baked goods! The staff is patient when you can't make your mind up. We got Turkish breakfast and a dish with avocado, chickpeas and pita chips for breakfast along with a golden latte and coffee. To go the bakery box was filled with cookies, morning bun, brown butter croissant, spanakopita, bread and multiple baklava. Everything was delicious and I can't wait to go back the next time I'm in town. read more

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Such a wonderful cafe/bakery! Been driving past for months but only just paid a visit last week. They have so much delicious food, even ready meals that can be heated up located in a fridge. I love their selection of spices, oils, and other unique products that are uncommonly found in other stores. Inside it is clean and organized, and staff are polite. I tried a hot chai latte which was quite tasty and we split a cornbread which had black olives and feta cheese inside. Yum!! My bfs dirty chai was unfortunately super bitter and must have had a ton of espresso, because you could hardly taste the chai. Overall this is a solid cafe and we will be back to try more! :) read more

SOFRA Bakery & Cafe - Dirty chai - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Our son recommended we walk around the pond and stop here for coffee. Quaint cafe with amazing coffee and tea options as well as breakfast, pasteries and lunch items. Had a delicious egg sandwich and a baklava. So fresh! Regular and Chai iced lattes are incredible. The staff here are all smiling, greeting people and keeping everything orderly even being quite busy. Definitely recommend! read more

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Had a great experience at this hole in the wall. Fun bakery to stop in when you explore this beautiful area of Boston. read more

SOFRA Bakery & Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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I tried the Allston location before finally visiting this location and I prefer this one much better. It's smaller but I like the cozy feeling, and the fact that it doesn't feel as loud. We came on a Sunday and managed to snag a table for the two of us, but people cycle in and out pretty frequently. I ordered an iced chai and two pastries. The chai had a great mix of spices and the pastries were pretty filling. I got a Persian Spiced Kouign Amann and the Za'atar Man'ouche, which satisfied my sweet and savory cravings. read more

SOFRA Bakery & Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

The dishes were unique as much as they were delectable! The was the first time visiting Sofra and it didn't disappoint. I ordered the Turkish breakfast, Arabic coffee, the frosted cinnamon bun, and a Mediterranean dish I can't remember the name of lol. All were really good. Please note that though the portions may appear small, they left me feeling satisfied and not uncomfortably full. The ambiance can be aptly described as industrial meets modern cuisine Shout out to Sasa for her knowledge and expertise on the menu! She was accommodating as well as super-friendly. read more

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Everything I want is here! Super cute place. Great service, really friendly and helpful. And quick, especially for how popular this place is! Sweet baked goods are top notch. Chai is great. But my favorite so far is the simit. Savory and delicious. read more

It was good to be back after a few years and see it's still delicious. We tried the lamb and chicken shawarmas, hummus, and baklava. Everything was delicious! The only thing I'd do differently is not order the pita bread, which was a little soggy. read more

Came here as a group of 4 people on a weekend and the ambiance was very laid back. This establishment doesn't place any limits on the time you have for a table. A table next to us was done eating/drinking and was just chilling and having a conversation when our group sat down. They left the same time as us after we finished our food. Just something to keep in mind; you might end up waiting a while to get a table to sit down and eat as space was also very limited. For food, we got the lamb moussaka pie and cilbir. Portion size was on the smaller side but taste was good. The waiter did recommend pita bread with the cilbir which was a good recommendation. But this does make me wonder if the expectation is they serve it as is and make you put add-ons for a complete meal otherwise you just eat it plain. We also got the saffron pistachio roll and shishito pepper croissant tart. Both pastries were good but I preferred the croissant one more. For the drink, we got the sesame caramel latte which was very good. Once you order, they give you a number plate for you to find a table and sit down. They will bring the food to you. You will need to get your own napkins and utensils by the door and will clean up and bus your own table at the end. They also charge a kitchen appreciation fee. Because you pay when you first order and not at the end of the meal, these things would've been nice to know for tipping purposes. read more

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Visited on a rainy Saturday afternoon with a friend and found a chill environment with happy folks all around! We shared a molasses cookie and a lemon marzipan + earl grey biscuit. Both were very good, the biscuit frosting was very sweet! The green tea with cherry??? was refreshing but also very sweet, if they can add the flavor with less sweetener it may help. Either way though, every item was fresh & enjoyable. They quickly brought our drinks to us at a small booth. The size of the restaurant is quaint, making for a cozy and friendly vibe which I loved. Thankful I got to stop at this small treat of a location! read more

SOFRA Bakery & Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Absolutely incredible! Space is limited inside but if you're lucky, you might be able to snag a seat. I was told there's usually a long line but came a day before the holiday so it wasn't too bad. Lots of fresh baked goods to choose from, as well as breakfast and drink options. Usually not a big chai person but the chai latte was delicious! Shashuka and baked goods were also so yummy and not too sweet. Highly recommend trying a little bit of everything. Prices are reasonable and service was great. There is also parking in the left side of the shop for customers. Everything was delightful. read more

SOFRA Bakery & Cafe - Chai, shashuka, baked goods! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This was a pastries-only/grab-and-go visit, and WOW! SOFRA really knows what they're doing. I split four pastries: pistachio baklava, sesame caramel carrot cake, borekfast (flaky, savory pastry with goat cheese, leeks, golden raisins, and sesame seeds), and heirloom tomato tart. All four with stupendous. If I had to be picky, the tomato tart could have benefitted from some flaky salt on top. Also, I want to know why more bakeries aren't topping their carrot cakes with halva. It deserves another WOW! The next time I'm passing through, I know where I'm having lunch and a round two of pastries. What a gem of an establishment! read more

What a lovely cafe with self-serve seating, utensils, and water. It was pretty crowded when we got there at 11am on a Saturday, but we were able to get seats once we finished ordering at the counter. I got the Turkish breakfast, which was a delicious collection of savory fried feta cheese blocks, hardboiled egg in fried pastry, pickled cucumbers, and sweet fruit preserves. It was a good combination of flavors, filling, and reasonably priced at $12. I would come back again to try more of their menu items! read more

SOFRA Bakery & Cafe - Turkish-Style Breakfast - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Phenomenal food and service, everything from the ambiance and music was very tastefully done and exceptional in execution. Came in midmorning on a Tuesday and the bakery section was fully stocked, with plenty of fresh looking options. I ordered the Turkish breakfast, and was very glad I did. I don't think you can make a mistake ordering off this menu. Try the Arabic iced coffee, and grab a seat inside or outside. They also have a well stocked pantry with spices, sauces, oils and nuts for sale, as well as a take home section with grab & go meals. read more

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SOFRA is off a little corner spot across from a great big mural and seated just up the way from some (lucky) residential neighbors. It's very small as far as the indoor dining goes, and thankfully there are some seats outdoors, but I can easily see how a cold day might equal some very cramped indoors as people wait for their food. If it's cramped, though... that means business is steady, at least? Lots of interesting and fun selections here! I was a little overwhelmed by the choices since so much looked delicious. I opted for the pastries, which were very fresh despite it already being the early afternoon. There were also chocolate earthquake cookies, which were really lovely and fudgy. Also... the coffee... to die for. Cafes vary wildly in their barista talent so it's never a sure bet, but here, it is. Stop in, even if only for a pastry. You'll be glad you did. read more

This tucked away bakery was such a delight to stumble upon! We ordered a mezz plate and everything on it was super fresh! I especially liked the baba ghanoush as you could individually taste how fresh each ingredient was. We also ordered the jalapeño cornbread that was light, airy, and packed with flavor. While the inside can get crowded, there are seats available outside which is nice. Theres also a selection of shelf stable and pre-made refrigerated items that are perfect for hosting. I picked up one of the marinade to try at home and was even able to make a chicken souvlaki from it! The staff is exceptionally nice and overall there is a great feel to this place - homey and community-esq is what comes to mind. I will definitely be stopping by here more when in the area. read more

Burnt meat, burnt wrap, dried out and basically inedible. We ordered two shawarmas--one lamb and one chicken. The chicken meat was burnt as was the outside wrap. The lamb meat was fine but the wrap was literally charred black. See photos. The soup for $8.50 was sweet not savory. We used to love going to Sofra. It's now off the list. read more

SOFRA Bakery & Cafe - Burned lamb shawarma. You have to actively not care to be okay serving this to customers. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Everything tastes sooo good! Small corner cafe with a wide range of menu from pastries, breakfast, cold meze bar to flatbreads and others. Seating might be hard on crowded days. I went there on a Friday afternoon and there was already a line formed to order and the place was packed. We got to pick five options for the meze platter and nothing disappoints. Whipped feta and Muhammada were remarkable. The sweets just hit the right spot as well - baklava was exceptional and my number one out of the three pastries I tried. The chocolate tahini tart was great but it can be a little too intense. I also taste their housemade chai and the taste was really subtle. They also had prepared foods (like a tiny grocery store) you can purchase as well as their different spices. I will definitely be going back there more to try different menu items. -8.7/10 read more

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" Over prices but fresh and delicious food " The breakfast sandwich's and other baked goods are delicious. It's just over priced. That is the only reason for my low review . The staff is friendly. The vibe is welcoming. read more

We headed to Sofra solely based on Yelp reviews and proximity to where we were. When we got there, the lines were almost out the door and both the inside and outside seating was practically filled to capacity. That is usually a good sign! We ordered the breakfast sandwich and the strawberry sweet cheese brioche. While we waited for our order, two seats at a communal table opened up, so we snagged them. My pastry was so good and my husband enjoyed his breakfast sandwich. The inside is quaint and lots of people were packed in there with the limited seating. They also sell prepackaged goods and sandwiches. read more

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honestly I don't understand what is the fuss and hype all about this cafe /bakery and its owner. She also owned Oleana which was an amazing restaurant with high quality food 13 years ago when we moved to Boston but having gotten back after a few years ago I was beyond disappointed about quality, taste. presentation, long wait to get reservation and at the end quite underwhelmed and disappointed . we used to be a fan of Sofra but after moving to Allston and trying their new Sofra location I am woken up about the hype. if I weren't a middle eastern not knowing how much some of these spices /herbs cost I could have also been mesmerized and all wowed. truth to be told, this place is over rated , has become super expensive , too much wait time and just overall average. today I waited more than 16 mins for a falafel plate and guess what I got, two small falafels over bunch of lettuce /greens with some tahini sauce for $15.00 ! you tell me read more

I came to Sofra for Sunday morning brunch with a few friends. It was super busy, but we were able to find a table. If you're looking for a quiet spot to study or have an intimate conversation, this probably won't be the spot. You have to go up to the counter to order and then they'll give you a number to bring your food over once it's ready. From what I could tell, everything looked delicious. I couldn't decide on what to order, so I got one of the combo meze platters. Everything was delicious! My only gripe was that it didn't come with some kind of bread or bagel on the side, so I ordered a pita to go with it. read more

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It's been a long time since we last were here. But food is still very good. There is a little more seating which is a plus. Service is always friendly and helpful. read more

I went in not knowing what to expect. I saw people going in so I figured I give it a try. It was a Sunday morning so I was looking for breakfast fare. It is a Greek Mediterranean selection mainly bakery goods. I had an egg sandwich for 9.00. I was surprised at the price. I thought it was steep for what I received. It was egg with some fresh tomato's on a roll. No cheese or at least I could not find it. The portion size was small but there was no way at 9.00 I was having a second. The food looked appetizing. I am just not sure the world is looking for a 9.00 egg sandwich. I had trouble figuring out the menu. Pictures would have been helpful. I looked at what other people ordered but I could still not figure it out. That is why I went with an egg sandwich. I figured how could I go wrong but then again who knew. I guess if I was looking for that type of food and willing to pay the price, I would return. Otherwise, I would try another spot. read more

SOFRA Bakery & Cafe - Egg sandwich - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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This is a nice cozy Mediterranean cafe with a great selection of food, coffee and pastries. The baklava, chocolate cookie, latte and cheese borekas served with labneh were phenomenal. The spinach falafel and the wrap, however, were too dense and undercooked for our taste. The sauces were fresh. Service is good. read more

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As someone obsessed with bold tahini, lemon, hummus, garlic sauce, fresh spices on my food, I was really in love with this place! Every bite was a world of FLAVOR. Probably one of the best Mediterranean meals I've had in a long time, and I'm coming from Detroit area where there's plenty of that going on. I wasn't sure what to get so I asked the cashier, and he was very friendly. I can't remember exactly what I officially had, but it was tender juicy lamb on warm pita, with some very tangy pickled vegetables and a side of fabulous hummus, which was extra (who cares! So good). I wanted to lick my plate. I actually did lick my plate. read more

Wanted to like it but tried it twice and it's just too greasy and bland for me. The staff is nice and the place is very cozy.

Delicious Mediterranean baked goods and food in a very cozy setting. The sample of meze dishes I had were some of the best I've ever had. You gotta try the Muhammara and baba ganoush. Inside is a bit cramped and crowded with only a few seats mixed into the dry goods shelves. Not good for big groups or kids. They do have all sorts of treats and cooking spices to buy which is really neat. Items are on the pricier side and portions are a bit small but the quality is there to justify it. The lines here exist for good reason so order ahead if you are in a hurry. Parking is limited to street. Great spot for a quick bite! read more

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Cute newish bakery and cafe alert in Allston! It's always exciting to see a new cafe open up in this area, and I think there are lots of people who were excited as well. I came in on a Saturday late morning and it was busy with curious people. There are a few tables and seating inside and a couple tables outside. Something that shocked me though are the steep prices here. The items in the refrigerator were around $18 each. Sandwiches are $10+ and drinks also are too pricey. The food and drinks are way too expensive for what they are, unfortunately. I think other reviewers have made similar remarks. Also, the menu signs were awfully difficult to read. The font was strange and the size was so small. I like to support new businesses and places that open in the area, but unfortunately, I won't be going back any time in the near future. read more

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Update on Sofra! I've been going recently and the new hand-drawn menus are everything! I have been loving the vibe and the customer service is always on point. I will always be a huge fan of Sofra! read more

Wow - speechless Ordered the shakshuka and Cibril with the sweet cornbread and zatar pita. The shakshuka was smaller than what I expected but pretty flavorful. The cibril is a savory yogurt dish which was incredible. The only downside is that breakfast ends at 11 :/ read more

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Flavors - 3.5/5 Textures - 4/5 Presentation - 4/5 Value for Money - 3.5/5 I love that this bakery is unpretentious and filled with hidden delicacies. The prices are pretty fair, although keep in mind the portions are small. The best thing I tried was the tomato galette - very savory and crunchy, just wish it had more fillling. The cilbir was great in flavors, although both the egg and yogurt are too runny, making it more like a soup, less like a creamy dipping sauce (which is what it should be). The sausage pita is pretty meh. The cornbread is too sweet, even though advertised as savory. From the desserts, I loved the blueberry cheese brioche! Perfect balance of sweet and savory. read more

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The place is crowded on a Sunday afternoon. When we walked in, there were no seats left--even outside was packed. It's first come first served. But by the time I ordered food, some seats opened up. There are also lots to buy to take home. It's like a mini store--dips, drinks, spices, pastries. The food here is delicious! It's healthy and light. I came here for the sesame bagel but they were out. So we ordered other stuff: Turkish Style Breakfast: A fried kataifi like noodle is wrapped around a soft boiled egg. You have the crunch and then the creamy soft boiled yolk in the center. Fork a little of the sweet tomato relish on your egg and it's Devine! There are 2 cubes of fried cheese--like a toast ravioli but of cream cheese. The sliced Persian cucumbers and the Greek yogurt with jam is a nice balance. Geno's Egg sandwich: Like a soft brioche bread slider with a runny egg. Don't forget about the bacon. Turkish Au Lait: It's like drinking coffee grounds. Not my cup of tea...er, I mean coffee. I felt like I needed a coffee filter. But I still wanted to try it. Grape leaf Dolma: A little morsel of flavored jasmine rice. Reminds me of the Chinese Zhongzi or zhenzhu gai. Except you can eat the grape leaves. Apple Pear Bostock: A pastry tart with apples and pears. I liked that it wasn't overly sweet. Carrot Tahini Soup: Very smooth blended soup. It's got a kick to it like ginger. Came with 2 crackers: crick bits. After you're done eating, bus your own plates by the door. There is 1 gender neutral restroom. It's nice and big and clean. Staff are all nice and helpful. read more

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Cute corner bakery space with tasty pastries. I really liked the tomato galette - multigrain flakiness nested around beautiful tomatoes, cheese and savory goodness. This was my favorite, and I would return for this alone. I also had the Shakshuka for breakfast, which was flavorful, but it lacked texture, as the entire dish was a blended/pureed sauce with two very soft eggs that didn't solidify at all. The one Greek pita that came with it was good, but not enough to mop up all the sauce and eggs. Overall it was not substantive enough to be a filling breakfast for me. For a sweet treat, I got the pistachio shortbread and chocolate chunk cookies, both were very good. I liked that both were not too sweet. The pistachio had a nice nutty tender crumb and the choc chunk had a soft bite with good chocolate chunks. For coffee I had a latte and it was okay, but a bit too bitter and too frothy like a capp for my liking. Service was friendly and quick. They bring your food and coffee to you, and you self-bus when you're done. I understand having kitchen appreciation (6%) added but was annoyed this isn't very apparent upfront, only saw it after tipping and getting the receipt. Still would return for the pastries! read more

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Such a great addition to Allston/Brighton. Good and service were amazing. I can't wait to come back for lunch or an early dinner take out. read more

SOFRA Bakery & Cafe - Turkish Turkish-Style Breakfast - Middle Eastern Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

We came here right when they opened and found a parking spot in the small lot. The interior of the cafe is very small, but still spacious. We ordered the Turkish breakfast and sausage pita without the feta butter, and a morning bun. The Turkish breakfast was fantastic and surprisingly very filling. The pita was also very flavorful and delicious. The morning bun was a perfect dessert and the orange frosting was so so good. We also got iced coffee and the Turkish coffee, which was incredible. This cafe has fantastic food with very quick service. There was also a selection of premade refrigerated food, so I also picked up some muhammara. Fantastic breakfast, will definitely be back! read more

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