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    The Coast Cafe

    4.1 (427 reviews)
    ModerateSoul Food, Barbeque
    Closed 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM

    Order The Coast Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    The Coast Cafe Photos

    THE COAST CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Coast Cafe

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    Fried Catfish Combo Plate
    April T.

    Delicious soul food! I don't have a lot of experience with soul food but I can attest that this was absolutely delicious. I got the fried catfish plate with fried collard greens and green beans. The plate also came with a side of cornbread. The fish was fried without being greasy and the sides were delicious. I finished every last bit. My partner got jerk wings with mac and cheese and candied yams. I tried a bit of the wings and the mac and cheese and I think my favorite sides are still the ones I picked (the collard greens and the green beans). The jerk wings were spicy with a side of tanginess. Absolutely delicious as well. Beware though that this is a very small front (about 8 seats total) in Cambridge meaning parking is scarce. The staff were very friendly and the atmosphere here is just jolly!

    Smoked BBQ Pork Rib and Chicken Combo Plate
    Kai M.

    I can't believe I've been living in this neighborhood for 2 years and have never stopped by!!! This was insanely good. The restaurant is a small storefront just with two tables, so it's best to order out! You can order ahead, but I wanted to see what it was like in-person so I ordered there. They told me it would take about 15-20 mins, so I came back in 15 and it was ready! I got the ribs and chicken combo plate--highly recommend. The ribs portion was big and so tender. The chicken was so crispy and flavorful, but not over-the-top oily at all. I LOVED the Mac and cheese and the candied yams as sides. Usually I feel like Mac n cheese can be a little dry or crusty, but this was perfectly creamy and so cheesy. The candied yams were deliciously spiced and soft. I'm not usually a huge cornbread fan, but the side of cornbread that the plates come with was very moist. One of the best meals I've had in Boston, FOR SURE!! Don't sleep on this place!

    What kind of crap is this? The website says it's open. At the store, it says it's closed--and it's full of employees. What a garbage experience.

    Fried chicken thigh, corn bread, mac and cheese and green beans
    Masmin P.

    Cosy neighborhood takeout spot in the heart of Cambridgeport on busy River Street. Fried chicken and bbq are their specialties. The fried chicken thighs are crispy and very very good. I enjoyed the fried haddock too. Ordered online and picked up- very efficient.

    Suha L.

    This is the best fried chicken in the Boston and Cambridge area. Coast Cafe is a small, local shop owned by a married couple. This restaurant has been in their family for years and it's truly a community spot. They offer southern comfort foods like fried chicken, different sides, stuffed patties, and also jerk chicken!! For food, we got their 2 piece combo (both thighs ofc) with mac and cheese and collared greens, jerk chicken wings, and beef patties. The fried chicken was soooo fresh, juicy, and seasoned well. I burned my mouth because I got so excited! The sides were also great but not as fresh so they could've been better. The jerk chicken wings were bursting with flavor and had perfect consistency for the sauce: not too wet or dry! Beef patties were fire. They were mixed with cheese and every bite was even, great textures, and not dry at all. This restaurant truly is a hidden gem in Cambridge and it should stop being hidden!!! Go support them!!

    Hot sauce
    Terri T.

    Called and ordered a fried chicken wing plate with macaroni and cheese and yams when I got there the empanadas were looking so delicious so I got a beef and cheese empanada which was extremely delicious. Then I ate the fried chicken plate. Oh my gosh, it was so bomb. It was very delicious. Very fresh very juicy. When I went there. The customer service was nice. The guy that was at the counter was kind everything about this place was bomb. I would definitely be coming back too bad. I don't live around here the ambience was nice as well. It's a cute quiet place with delicious food plus it's black owned.

    Fried Chicken Thigh
    Jim M.

    Very kind service and solid food. It's a bit pricey for what you get, but what isn't in Cambridge Hole in the wall spot with some seating. 18/30

    Fried Catfish Mac & Cheese Candied Yams

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    2 months ago

    Great spot. Delicious chicken and sides. The sweat potato pie was fantastic. Super friendly staff and an overall great experience.

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    1 year ago

    The chicken was hot and crispy. I liked the flavor, not too strong. Some parts were a bit dry. But overall, still good. Would eat again.

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    1 year ago

    Good chicken, not too greasy. The crust was light and crispy. A bit plain inside. Still tasty. Would order again.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - The Coast Cafe

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    It had three tables and a stand-up counter. I was there at rush hour so all the table were full…read more I had brisket, pulled pork with cole slaw and Cajun cabbage. I had never heard of Cajun cabbage so the man at the counter gave me a sample. How is that for customer service? The brisket had bark so I know they have a smoker. They also had Mac & cheese. My plate was full. A piece of cornbread came with it....... like I had room after my meal for cornbread. There were five different types of barbecue sauce. The hot one was my favorite. I had them give me the sauce on the side. I would recommend. Remember to bring an appetite.

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    Wade BBQ

    Wade BBQ

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    Hands down, the Best BBQ in Greater Boston. Best of all, it's cheaper than a flight to Texas…read more Place is a garage in Union Square with no seating - it's takeout only. The guy that runs the spot is super passionate about the craft and was kind enough to chat and explain the process. Only caveat is that the brisket sells out fairly early. The sides are very good, don't sleep on them. Between this place, BT's in Sturbridge and Rusty Can in Byfield - the New England *good* Q scene is slowly improving.

    I stopped by Wade BBQ in Somerville for takeout recently. This outdoor BBQ food stall is located on…read morea short cul-de-sac (Sanborn Ct) off busy Washington Street with limited street parking. They serve up a variety of smoked BBQ meats, including brisket, St. Louis ribs, beef ribs, sausage, pulled pork, pork belly burnt ends, chicken, turkey, and portabella "pulled pork" a vegetarian option. They offer BBQ plates, sandwiches, wraps, chicken wings, chicken tenders, fried foods (fries, okra, pickles), and sides (mac n cheese, candied yams, garlic mashed potatoes, rice, collard greens, BBQ pit beans, potato salad, grilled vegetables, & potato salad). The pricing is moderate. I ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich ($16.99 plus hospitality fee and tax) served with choice of side and pickles. Since I parked very close to the food stall, I sat in my vehicle (with flashers) for 5 minutes and quickly retrieved my order. The pulled pork sandwich was a good size with cole slaw, tender sweet BBQ pulled pork on a thick soft egg bun. The pulled pork was mostly lean meat, a bit dry, but it tasted just fine. The potato salad was pretty good, which had firm gold potatoes, chopped red onions, celery, egg, mustard, mayo, and seasonings and dill pickle chips on the side. I enjoyed my food in the vehicle before heading back home. I will have to try some of their other meats and sides on the next visit to Wade BBQ.

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    Wade BBQ - Brisket sandwich with lemon-pepper fries

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    Rosebud Bar & Kitchen

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    Walked in on day after thanksgiving for brunch, and this place was relatively quiet. We got an…read moreamazing booth seating, but really wanted their fancy bus seating which gives a classic diner feel to the restaurant. TL;DR - if you are from Bombay, are craving that specific Bombay Chinese food taste, and Vada Pav - look no further - this is the place. Most of their staff are fellow Mumbaikars - shout out to Shiv, Dhvani, and Ronak! Shiv, our server was friendly and our hungry table got straight to ordering which included a flavor packed and well priced Lychee Martini ($10), Masala Chai Hot Toddy ($12), and Spicy 'Lil Rita ($12) - being the best one! Food included some well name dishes like Kashmiri Deviled Eggs ($12), Vada Pav ($12), Rasam Risotto ($15), Butter Chicken Pot Pie ($20), Chicken Steak with Makhani Sauce ($18), Street Fried Noodles ($16), and Penne Pasta with Chicken for the kiddos. Food just hits the right spots and is very flavorful, extremely well seasoned, and perfectly spiced. Interiors and their bar is very inviting. Noise levels during our stay were on the lower end. Service was excellent. What was refreshing was they didn't charge us any automatic gratuity even for our large group - but absolutely deserved a generous one! Highly highly recommend if flavorful food is your thing!

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    Naksan BBQ - Spicy cold noodles

    Naksan BBQ

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    Great ambiance, nice dimly lit atmosphere and each grill is nicely spread out. The service was…read morequick and wonderful. The servers grill the meat for you here. The food was all divine. Meats were delicious and cooked great! Definitely on the pricier side but worth the splurge for a nice date or meal with friends. Parking can be a doozy but if you circle the block there is street parking on the opposite street. Would definitely go back, this is Boston's best upscale-esque kbbq that I have had. Overall an 8 or 9/10, only deducting points because I do feel the price is a bit much in comparison to other restaurants that offer the same (but I also understand this is the only place bringing this kind of service in Boston atm) signed, a KBBQ fanatic

    This was my first time trying KBBQ in Boston in probably 10 years or so. Based off of the photos,…read morebranding and ambience, I was expecting a somewhat upscale experience. While I appreciated small touches with being able to put your jackets in a plastic bag under your seat, everything else fell a bit short. The quality of the meats and produce was a bit disappointing. The onion our server used to flavor and start our grill with looked dry, the pumpkin seemed to have a bit of frost as though it were frozen, and the overall quality of the meat was a bit lackluster. Even towards the end of our meal, even when our server told us the meat was ready, a couple of pieces were still raw. The banchan was not bad and the bibim naengmyeon we had was probably the best part of our meal. Sadly I don't think we'll be back based on our experience.

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    The Coast Cafe - soulfood - Updated May 2026

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