Skip! I went here with my friend on a Friday night while waiting for dinner reservations somewhere else. We had smoothies and they were fine - totally average, nothing to complain about, nothing special. Overpriced though for that quality... The staff was unfriendly. I asked if I could replace the milk in my smoothie with juice or something else and apparently that was one question too much for them. It's a shame cause this looks like a cool place near my work. But the average quality of their drinks and the unfriendly staff definitely makes me skip it every time I pass by.
(2)
Vanessa P.
High rating for their multi-grain rice bowl. It sounds kind of boring on the menu, but it is anything but! The soy-ginger dressing that they put on it is is life-changing, and when you mix together the rice + beans + tofu + salad + tomatoes + dressing, it basically becomes what you would get at Life Alive for less $$ and less time spent in line. So good. Unfortunately, I was less impressed by their bubble tea - the tapioca balls were a little bit crunchy/strange tasting. But I will give them another try since the rest of their stuff seems so delicious.
(4)
Kelly B.
Incredible mellow atmosphere and hearty, delicious, healthy food. I actually didn't get any tea (will have to remedy this next time) but they appear to have a nice selection of green teas. We ordered the veggie dumpling soup and the veggie rice bowl. Both were $5, and totally delicious. The veggie dumplings were tasty but actually very unusual tasting, and the soup was simple and light but still hearty and comforting The brown rice was sticky and moist and flavorful, the salad was fresh, and the dressing was simple but tasty. I was very impressed. Will try again.
A decent, if dusty Thai bubble tea for $4. I'm fine with a lighter scoop of boba, but is it a sign of quality when most of the tapioca pearls stick together? Texturally, those little gummy bubbles played well on the tongue. Digging them out of the bottom of the cup was tricky, however, as they glommed on to each other, requiring surgical separation with the de facto instrumentation: that giant, pointy straw. Appreciate the options - holding the sugar, or changing up the cream to a milk of choice. I went original, and was pleased with the product; it just wasn't a legendary staple. Stark, comfortable space, and they've got a compelling breakfast bundle: $4 buys a pastry, a boiled egg or piece of fruit and a hot tea or coffee. Grab and go, yo!
(3)
Dawn L.
This place deserves 25 stars!! Excellent service, nice atmosphere & excellent food!! Potter wrap is the absolute best wrap I've ever had!!
(5)
Suad M.
Went here because every other seat in every Cambridge coffee shop was taken (not uncommon for a Sunday). So very meh. How much would it hurt to put in more comfortable chairs? Dunkin Donuts is more comfortable.. Bubble tea is decent, costs roughly $4.85, and conveniently they don't take cards under $5. Atmosphere is probably the worst among Cambridge coffee shops. Staff is extremely unfriendly. Dirty. But hey, it has seats - and that's quite a luxury these days.
(2)
Ojus P.
Really. 2.5 star experience but rounded down due to the overall rating. Tried to get the Japanese curry but they were out so got a sandwich and a wrap and both were pretty meh. Disappointed
(2)
Sherry L.
Not impressed with the bubble tea. I've had bubble tea in Houston and Chicago, and this was the first time I ever had ice cubes in my bubble tea. I ordered the regular Taro bubble tea. Even though it indicated that the Taro flavor was a 'mix' I didn't expect it to taste like a watered down mix tea with ice cubes. For that price, I could have gotten better tasting bubble tea. The tapioca was plentiful, but not as fresh tasting as someone else had commented. Definitely not my go-to place for bubble tea.
(2)
Stacy H.
wait, what? excuse me for my different terminology, but a boba place that doesn't serve boba milk tea? it's not even in an option in their menu that's listed. i got a peach tea with bubbles, and it set me back $4.50. the peach tea wasn't even good, according to my boyfriend who hasn't even had any better!!!!! skip the boba, guys.
(1)
Misato P.
They try to keep their quiet, serene environment while they serve mostly organic, some vegan yummy treats and meal(mostly food with Asian flare such as noodles, curry rice, bi bim bop). Their selection of tea is fabulous! Owner of this cafe is super nice as well!
(4)
Gideon O.
This place is great! It's right in Harvard Square, but it seems to get very little traffic; you're almost certain to get a seat. There's free wifi, so it's a nice place to do work. They also do REAL tea here. No bag tea or paper cups: it's looseleaf, in a ceramic mug, with a saucer over the top to keep the tea hot while it steeps and hold the wet leaves after you take them out. They have many varieties of tea, including pu-erh, which is my favorite and isn't served at many American cafes. Always nice to find a tea place that takes its tea seriously! I have yet to try any of their very reasonably-priced lunch options. They sell fair trade dark chocolate bars, though, which I got as a snack - delicious.
(5)
anna h.
The lemon ginger tea is fantastic hot or cold. The wraps are yummy (except the turkey). I now get the bip and bop wrap (spelling?). Healthy and delicious. A bit pricey but a wonderful meal. Food is fresh and there a few items I am not sure what they are-fun. I find the space immaculate and the help is friendly. A bit reserved but all good for what you want. Really, the lemon/ginger tea is a so nurturing.
(5)
Alex Y.
I've come here for their bubble tea and ramen. The most important criteria for bubble tea is for the bubbles to be soft and chewy; sugar will mask any problem with the taste of tea except for the texture of the bubbles. Dado Tea, more often than not, does not produce very good pearls for their tea. When I came here for the ramen, I was disappointed because the noodles were not fully cooked. I like the atmosphere here when it's not too busy (not weekends), and the pots of tea are great. This is a nice place to get work done while sipping on tea or coffee.
(2)
Rebecca C.
This is my first time trying Dado. While the atmosphere is great and conducive for homework (outlets available for computer chargers, quiet, pretty spacious) the food was VERY disappointing. I ordered the rooibos chai bubble tea and chicken curry bowl. The tapioca balls were way overcooked and hard. Boba is supposed to be soft and chewy but it was neither and on top of that, flavorless. The tea was extremely watered down and didn't have any of the claimed "freshly steeped" tea taste. Now, about the chicken curry bowl... first off, the "chicken" was not chicken at all. It was the chewiest "meat" I've ever had. Far worse than McDonalds chicken mcnuggets. The texture was like an elementary school student's elastic eraser. Otherwise, the actual curry and rice were fine. The ambiance is nice so I would probably come back for a study date again but only purchase safer items like coffee or a packaged chocolate bar.
(2)
Alyssa F.
I love Dado more than ever. Best coffee on the block, never bitter, never murky. Recently added noodle bowls, spicy ramen especially, are a treat on cold, rainy days. Warmer days mean chicken or egg salad on multigrain bread with an iced peach blossom tea. Bright spacious seating in front, quieter tables in back, lots of foot room and always relaxing.
(5)
Cristina R.
I'm a big boba fan. The green tea latte bubble tea is made well. You can tell they use matcha powder, a hefty amount of bubbles fill the bottom third of the cup, and it's not overly sweet. I like that you can also customize your tea by choosing which type of milk (skim, soy, etc), and you can ask them to hold the sugar as well. On my last visit, I decided to deviate from the green tea and tried the lemon-ginger smoothie. As I mentioned, I'm all about the bubbles, so I asked them to put bubbles in the smoothie (the menu says they can be added to any smoothie for 50 cents). The girl at the counter advised me against it since the smoothie has pieces of lemon and ginger, but I insist. Gimme my boba. The number of bubbles I got was far less than in the green tea. And I'm paying 50 cents extra for them! The lemon and ginger pieces added an interesting texture and complexity, and I think the boba was just fine being in the mix as well. It didn't add a lot to the drink, but I still enjoyed their presence. The overall texture of the smoothie was a bit off, as if their blender were malfunctioning. There were large chunks of ice that I had to crunch down on, and the top third of the drink was overly frothy. The lemon and ginger flavors went well together, but I found the drink a bit too sweet overall. Serves me right to deviate. I'm going back to my green tea latte love. Boba-licious.
(3)
Michele H.
This tea shop holds a special place in my heart, as this is where I first discovered bubble tea. Every day before work during my first summer in Boston, I treated myself to a tall jasmine bubble tea with milk. Unfortunately, at $5 a pop, it was an expensive habit, but I never had better than from this place.
(4)
Monica T.
Multigrain rice bowl with chicken salad was super! Atmosphere for a late lunch was calm and quiet with academics working and chatting.
(4)
Frederic M.
Ideal place for a quick lunch or a relaxing afternoon tea. Dado is a place where you can sit down, relax, have a nice chat with whomever is with you. Lunch is affordable and good. I love the spicy ramen - though very spicy. Dumplings are pretty good too. They serve great tea. It is a nice afternoon escape, very different from the busy and noisy Starbucks' from this world. Service could be a bit more friendly...
(4)
Carrie P.
I feel like a fool that I spent so much time waiting in line at Life Alive before I discovered this place!! I've heard that this place is packed for lunch, but at dinner time, it is nice and empty and a great place to stop by for quick, healthy, and definitely yummy takeout. I always get the nutritive rice + salad + tofu and it is so delicious and like $5! It's definitely on my list to try for lunch!
(5)
Jonathan L.
The meals are great - simple, healthy, filling and . delicious. The spicy ramen with dumpling is a standout.
(5)
Bradley N.
8:03 am on an otherwise ordinary Monday except that I am here, and this is not Missoula. The streets of Cambridge are slowly filling with bodies, moving this way and that. Coffee cups in hand, smart phones in hand, iPads in bags, things being eaten on the go, thoughts floating into the chill of a mid-October morning. Time to escape from the sidewalk. Time for breakfast. Time to breathe. Time for tea. The Breakfast Special #1 is attractively priced: $3.50 gets me a toasted everything bagel with cream cheese, a boiled egg, and a pot of Keemun black tea. It's all prepared quietly and efficiently. I sit at a side table next to the windows and gaze outward at the passers-by, then inward, at my book (This is Not the Ivy League, by Mary Clearman Blew). I read. I think. I smile. I sip. I swallow. I spread. I crack and peel and eat egg, bagel, seeds falling on a napkin made of brown pulp on a table made of stained wood as I continue to chew. The tea is brewed right; strong without harsh tannins, the steam rises my mind clears my stomach stops aching it is time to move on to start the day to return to the streets filling with people covered with falling leaves lost in the shuffle of just another ordinary Monday morning it's now 8:23 am yet I am still here (blink), and this is still Cambridge. DA DO : Here's to ten more years. (dedicated to Markus N., Oakland, CA).
(5)
Rachel T.
I love going here for lunch. It's a nice, quick, and tasty choice for fresh food at lunch time. That being said, I would skip the coffee. It is a bit acidic. And with Simion's local roasted option within half a block and Atomic in the other direction...and Petsi Pie...I'd choose otherwise. For tea, definitely a good choice. I love the house celestial green! It's also incredibly nice that it's almost always quiet for reading and studying. Towards the front there tends to be a few talkers but in the rear it is almost silent even when filled with people like there is an unspoken library silent rule!
(4)
Abe A.
Disappointing, bubble tea that tastes watered down. Also, they can't serve bubble tea hot; only cold and lukewarm. What??! Skip this place, it's all presentation with no substance.
(2)
John S.
Decided I wanted to get the 5.95 ramen bowl. Then while debating whether I should get the 1.00 extra 2 dumplings, I saw that there was a 6.95 ramen with dumplings bowl. I got that. Not only was the ramen not very good and in small quantity, there was exactly one dumpling in my soup. What the hell. Never coming here again.
(1)
Stephanie L.
I really don't have any complaints, but since I'm reserving five stars for places that absolutely blow my mind, I would still consider this four rating as a positive recommendation. There are some interesting wraps available, and the thai ice tea is one of my favorites in the city. I forgot to mention I wanted boba in my tea, and where as some stores (looking at you, Harvard Tea Stop) would sass you and tell you, "Too bad, this is what you ordered," the man at the counter happily added more and still took my card (somehow it ended up being cheaper with boba? I'm not sure how that happened) even though my price was reduced to below the credit card minimum. Small gestures of kindness like that definitely make me want to come back with more cash so I can tip properly. :)
(4)
Cindy W.
Dado tea is a NoGo place! The service was awful. My friend and I ordered 2 bubble tea drinks...one with milk and another one without. When we got our drinks, we had noticed that both had milk. My friend told the women who took our order that she didn't want milk in one of them. The asian women over the counter looked at me as if I had 10 heads and raised her eyebrow a few times until she realized that I wasn't going to go anywhere until this matter was fixed. She kept saying "I don't understand what you are trying to say." Being born here in the states and attended a private university here as well, I assumed that my English was at least understandable and that she was playing stupid with me. She than went to a co-worker of hers to help solve this issue. The Indian women was said "you don't want milk in your tea?" And with the reply of "that is correct" from my friend, she than rudely said "all of our teas have milk in it and if you want it without, than you should have said it louder so we know." And when we got our orders straightened out, our experience of getting a cold drink, left a sour taste in our mouth that we would never go back. Seriously, these new owners need to train their employees to understand that customer service is key or you will not be in business long. If you want to try this place, I hope you get there soon, because I don't see this place lasting long. Expensive, rude service and bad products.
(1)
N T.
Vegan bubble tea, tasty brown rice meals. Dado mainly has tea, but also has a small selection of dinner meals, focusing mainly on rice, as well as various small snacks (yokan, mochi, buddha bars, watermelon cups) I enjoy the multigrain rice meals, they are vegan and gluten free as Dado uses gluten free soy sauce. The rice is a mixture of brown mochi rice, and various beans (soybeans, peas, etc). It's very tasty and similar to rice I would make at home, which I can't recall seeing at any other restaurant. Usually restaurants with brown rice have rice that is hard and flavorless, or they've added some salt and oil. This is why most people of Caucasian descent or who are culturally American will say that they don't like rice. They are eating bad rice. The tofu is fresh and served cold (uncooked) with ginger soy sauce. I really like the large quantity of fresh ginger used in the sauce. The sauce also has sesame oil - personally I think it has too much oil as I prefer to eat a low in refined fats diet. It would be nice if they offered a low oil version, since the ginger soy sauce part is delicious so no sauce would be sad. The food, when fresh deserves at least 4 stars. However, I've had some lackluster service, and purchased some bad watermelon here, so I had to lower the rating to 3 stars. Selling food that's gone bad is never okay. Also the bubble tea has varied from good, to full of half-cooked boba balls. And the "no sugar" thing just means no extra added sugar. The soymilk comes with sugar in it, and the tapioca balls are cooked in some kind of sweet syrup, so you can't really get a totally sugar free boba here. (which is ok, but I think it should be made clear to people who might be say, diabetic) Overall I really like Dado Tea - this is one of my favorite places to get food in Cambridge, but I had to take off a star for selling me spoiled watermelon. (Usually the watermelon is really good though) I think Dado could improve by: making sure food is not spoiled (don't sell watermelon cups after 1 day in the fridge). improving menu descriptions, perhaps with photos (the current menu is confusing for first time customers), adding rice noodle soups (not just udon), adding cooked vegetable based dishes (instead of just salad - I'd like a hot rice and vegetable meal).
(3)
Kyle G.
Steamed pork/chicken dumplings with soy dipping sauce, $5.30. Very nice lunch. Usually quiet.
(3)
Ace Z.
The bi bim bap is fresh and delicious, though when I ordered it with turkey (which seemed strange in itself) I did not expect it to be sliced deli meat. My only real complaint is that the service - other than the owner - is terrible. Unresponsive and disinterested at best, condescending at worst.
(3)
Sarah G.
A new cafe with free wifi and good coffee and decent food that is even pretty healthy?? Yes, Please! Being a nerdy grad student I am always looking for new cafe spots to well, be a nerd and do some work! And Dado Tea was one of those places we stumbled upon during our current housing search in that area, and it is a nice little place. Not only is their coffee pretty tasty, but they have a huge selection of teas too, so if you are feeling adventurous this place should have something new for you to try! And if you are hungry, they have some cheap lunch specials where for about $8 you get a sandwich, chips or fruit and coffee. And it is all made fresh too. One of our sandwiches was a miss though--the tofu pesto just wasn't too flavorful so Matt J and I were both pretty pumped to know that we had a chicken salad sandwich too with that olive spread and it definitely left our mouths a little more excited! But food aside, there are definitely enough tables here between the front and the back for a small group, but it is a quiet cafe...so if you are like me and enjoy a little more noise while you work, this might not be it, but hey free wifi is everyone's friend!
(3)
Emily S.
Nice spot for great tea. My wrap was pretty good and my friend's salad with hummus was delish. I had Dado's own tea mix and it was excellent. I would recommend it for green tea lovers. The walls are a little sparse but the decor they had was neat. A tad on the pricier side but a good place to stop for a quick cup of tea or bite to eat.
(4)
Christine W.
Love this place! My brother just started grad school at Harvard, so we make it a point to visit here at least once whenever I visit him, which has been about 4-5 times in the past 3 months. We haven't tried nearly everything they offer, but what we did have, was delicious. Just to name a few... Tea - always made well, whether hot or cold, just the right amount of sweetness (both of us like our beverages lightly sweetened). I like their Thai bubble tea and the hot honey lemon tea. Egg salad wrap - So good! Filled with fresh greens and chunks of mozzarella. I wish I wasn't allergic to large quantities of eggs, or I would get this more often. So I just share with my brother, mostly. Monkey Wrap - Banana and apple with peanut butter...yummy...one of the first things I ever tried here. VERY filling though! Tofu Udon - Also good, chewy noodles, slightly sweet kitsune-style tofu, with just the right amount of spiciness. Turkey Pesto Wrap (I think that's what it's called...): Again, delicious, turkey with pesto, fresh greens, and mozzarella cheese. Steamed Rice with Milk and Honey - Now, I love anything with steamed milk. And eating the multigrain rice makes me feel healthy ;) Pretty filling, and at $3.50 it's pretty worth it. Definitely looking forward to trying their salads and other forms of tea. This wasn't my first visit, and it definitely won't be my last. Only minor complaint is that it IS quite pricey.
(5)
Julia N.
Ugh, now I have to say something positive about Cambridge (just sippin' that haterade right now). Stopped hear to meet up with a friend/colleague. Never ate, so I did my typical "what should I get" routine. The worker (owner) was very understanding and patient. Needless to say, I got the Tuesday (Monday? I don't quite remember) special, which was a cucumber hummus wrap with green tea and chips. He is pretty heavy handed with the hummus, though that was not a particular issue with the amount of vegetables I loaded on top. This is a nice meetup/tea location. Haven't tried all of their teas. It's also away from the hustle and bustle just a few blocks down from the square. I'd stop by here again were I ever to get into Cambridge in the future and stay on track rather than become lost (sippin' that haterade).
(4)
Kenny C.
Ordered the peach blossom bubble tea. It had great flavor but I didn't think it was sweet enough... but then again, I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Didn't stay to sit down (though some people had their laptops out, so I assume there's free WiFi). The man behind the register was very nice and made the drinks himself (he also recommended the peach blossom).
(3)
Molly Y.
Dear Dado Tea, This $2.50 cupcake I'm not eating tastes like cigarette smoke smells, and the icing - where very lovely - is easily a close cousin to a car's tire, based on the flavor and the fact that it's unruffled, nevermind that the woman who packaged it nicely dropped it upside down into the bag. You are a disappointment. I think it's time for me to start seeing other teahouses. ANY other teahouses. Love, Me
(1)
Sara C.
Weak teas, I'm not even convinced there was any tea in the tea. I went with two other people and we each got a boba tea for four bucks. (We'd walked from MIT and were thirsty and wanted something fun to drink.) Not one of them had flavor. This place is pretty expensive too. Yes, one person can eat here for under $10 dollars, but that will get you only a tea and a cookie.
(2)
Lauren D.
Can't believe I've lived here 4 years without ever having stepped in the door. Where have I been?! This joint is a solid 4 star cafe. There seems to be a lack of good cafes in an area that is so densely populated with students (why?)...bottom line - I'm always on the lookout for one that isn't completely taken over by studious faces hidden in laptops. I'm not sure this fits the bill (there was still a lot of this there), but at least I was able to snag a great seat by the window. And, a few families came in with their well-behaved kids - I consider this a plus! The people here (both staff and customers) were laid back and courteous. Now, the food... I ordered a rooibos chai bubble tea, no sugar, with soy. Delicious. Finally a place that offers fresh bubble tea with a not-too-sweet option. I also got the carrot ginger hummus salad. Wonderful! Seriously huge plate of greens, shredded carrots, and a wonderful dressing (oh, and enough hummus to feed a family of four...or in my case, one very hungry petite female). About time a place figured out that a vegan meal deserves a large spot on the table (literally). It also came with a piece of comp bread if you're willing to take the end piece - why not?! Only gripe is price...but what do you expect around here? Will definitely be back!
(4)
Nandanie S.
Had a pot of tea here with my sister and fiance. Enjoyed it and liked that it kept me wired for a few hours :)
(4)
Courtney N.
I was very impressed with the peach blossom bubble tea that I purchased at Dado Tea. I really felt fresh and revived (I know that sounds corny) after I finished it! I decided to try this place since I read such good reviews on Yelp- so thank you fellow Yelpers! Small restaurants like Dado really make me wish I lived in Cambridge or a similar area. There just isn't an abundance (if any) of this stuff in my area. Then, driving and navigating Mass. Ave. and trying to find parking while avoiding pedestrians and people on bikes totally changes my mind. I guess that's the main drawback for me. One of these days, I'm going to be brave and take the train in for the day and learn to navigate the Red Line. I think that would make the whole traversing Cambridge experience a much more pleasant one for me. As for Dado Tea- the service was fine; my tea was finished very fast. The place wasn't very busy, but I liked the look of the seating and I loved that you could take a menu and browse it. A lot of places with counter ordering really rush you to make a decision. The price to me was fair, and since I didn't have time to sit and enjoy it in the store, I got to enjoy it while walking to my next destination. If you're visiting Cambridge, or live in the area and want an excellent bubble tea, definitely take a look at Dado! I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Azalea K.
Had a pretty decent bibimbap here and some delightful oolong tea. This location is a nice, big space with free wireless and outlets in the front. Theyre really friendly and dont make you feel awkward for sticking around for hours to do work.
(4)
Matt S.
Just can't get over how quality this place still is. Both locations, actually! I don't care that the service lacks. The tea and ambience and location make it perfect. And the tea! OH! Did I mention the tea? I did. Good.
(5)
Trevor B.
A wide variety of loose-leaf teas, free wi-fi, plenty of seating, affordable lunch specials on weekdays; Dado Tea has it all. I'm a regular. If you're a coffee fan, they have only the basics here. Fancier concoctions can be had at Atomic Bean just across the street, or a few blocks away at 1369. My biggest gripe with Dado is the background music. It's not that the selection is bad (mostly classical/acoustic, which fits the classy atmosphere); it's that the music often clicks, stutters and skips. The year is 2012; when was the last time you heard a CD skipping?
(4)
Jennifer N.
Dado tea is a peaceful place -- the almostCentral Sq. location is generally pretty quiet. The staff plays good music (sometimes jazz, sometimes classical), and serves delicious salads and sandwiches. For me, highlights include the delicious tea blends (like the serenity blend), the honeydew bubble tea, and the chrysanthemum tea. Also, their peppermint tea is delightfully strong, and I swear it cured me of a sinus infection. Oh- and this location is infinitely better than their Church St location which feels kind of cramped and uncomfortable.
(4)
Rani P.
Who woulda thunk that a tea + coffee shop would have me ranting and raving a five star review to all of my friends and coworkers. My initial four-star mental rating after drinking their delicious bubble tea was surpassed today because I did what many may not think to- I ordered food. Why? Because they're fresh and healthful menu is jam packed with the perfect light lunches that replace the heavy feeling with happy feelings :) So deciding between pesto tofu, chicken salad, roasted turkey and egg salad was not an easy task- but the Toto Wrap (turkey, fresh mozzarella, apple, greens and pesto) included so much goodness I couldn't resist. It was overstuffed with fresh mixed greens and apples- the pesto was perfection, and the turkey tasted out-of-the-deli fresh. Topped the whole wheat wrap off with a peach tea and might have had the best lunch I've had in Central Square (and I eat here a lot....) They have successfully merged delicious food with delicious bubble tea, making me proud to not pack my lunch and instead eat/drink/bemerry at Dado Tea.
(5)
Jess R.
Dado Tea is right around the corner from my apartment, so I have to restrain myself from coming here every day for tea and snacks! I love their daily lunch special, particularly Tuesday when my favorite roll (turkey, apples, mozzarella, greens) is the star. As others have mentioned, the staff is super friendly and they really take pride in their handiwork, making each drink or sandwich with great care. Not much else to say! Tasty drinks (bubble tea!!), tasty snacks, nice staff, cozy atmosphere.
(5)
Rebecca S.
I love Dado Tea. They have a nice selection of green and black teas, and a fantastic hot honey-fresh ginger-lemon tea that is just the thing if you feel a sniffle coming on. Their food is also very good -- fresh salads, wraps, and sandwiches that are filling but never heavy. Lots of vegetarian options, but they also have a nice chicken salad. This is a great place for a light meal.
(5)
Joanna C.
It definitely is a peaceful oasis here. Met a work colleague here to go over our battle plan before giving a huge presentation in front of a room full of people! My tummy gets all twisty and turvy when I get extremely nervous, so I had a pot of their organic peppermint tea while waiting for my co-worker to show up. And it was... delicious. It settled my nervous stomach, and enabled me to focus on what was at hand and ultimately kick butt 20 minutes later! YES! Definitely would be back if I was ever in the area again. The people behind the counter (specifically the Asian gentleman) were EXTREMELY nice, and I stopped for an iced Green Oolong bubble tea on my way home... which was perfect. They were able to do it with soy milk, which was a welcomed surprise for me, and the tapioca balls were slightly sweet and springy in my mouth. Mmmm... delish. :) PS - bathroom was also super accessible and clean!
(5)
lizzie b.
I don't think the atmosphere is as good as it should be, but it's a lot nicer and better and fresher than it's copy-cat on Church Street. Today I stopped in for bubble tea and tried one of their "special" teas -- jazzermelon -- watermelon mixed in with jasmine tea non-dairy smoothie with tapioca. Yum, yum! Deelish! It certainly tasted good for a crisp fall day, and it made my cold feel better. I would recommend this place to those in the area. It's great to have more neighborhood hang-outs. I only wish there were more near Central/Harvard area -- like a nice old-fashioned bakery or deli.
(4)
M. L.
This is THE SLOWEST shop in the area. They really have no reason to be, given their location away from the busier central Harvard Square area. There were only 2 people ahead of me in line, but after waiting for 1/3 of my lunch break, I had to leave empty-handed and trek back to Crema.
(2)
Jen A.
I went here to try their bubble tea, and I was disappointed. I tried their white tea bubble tea, and there was way too much ice (about 2/3 of the cup), which made the bubbles hard and the tea watery. The flavor was lacking as well. In the end, I had to throw it out before I could finish. If you're in Cambridge, I'd suggest going to Leisure Station instead. They make the drinks with much less ice, and the bubbles are more chewy.
(2)
Denise W.
The reason this Dado Tea is better than the one literally a mile away in Harvard is that the tables are huge - HUGE, I say - and as I mostly stalk this place because I need wifi and a place to study. It was the dead of finals time and anyone who knows anything knows that grabbing a spot at a place with free wifi is horrendous. So anyway, it's a big place with big tables, free wifi, coffee/tea/smoothies and random treats. I'm not the biggest fan of the fare at Dado, but that's not to say it isn't good. Oh, and if you're there hella late, scones become half off.
(4)
Chris M.
I went to this place to study for exams and I ended up staying all day! Well, mostly because it was freezing outside so I didn't want to move. First, I ordered a slice of cappuccino cake. It tasted pretty good except it was a bit dry and had a dried film over it like a skin from sitting in the display window for so long. Perhaps they should cover their pre-sliced cakes with saran wrap to prevent from drying out. But then it wouldn't look as appetizing, so I can understand why they don't. Later on, I got the bi bim bap which was basically a salad of mixed greens, cucumbers, sprouts, mushrooms, shredded carrot, and multi-grain brown rice. The rice was delicious! I ordered it with turkey, which sucked because it was just sliced deli turkey. But when you put their hot sauce on it and eat everything together, it was yummy! They also put a healthy amount of sesame oil which makes it very aromatic. Their dinner special is the bi bim bap (or a sandwich or wrap) with a tea and a treat (cookie) for just around $9. I ordered it with meat, so it was a dollar more (without meat is $8 and change). They give you a large portion so I was able to take some home and a made ramen the next day and added my leftovers in. It was really good that way. I also got a slice of banana nut bread, which was really good because I took it home and microwaved it. It was steaming hot and tasted like it had just come fresh out of the oven. I also got a cornmeal cookie, which was ok. The atmosphere is nice. The music selection is a great variety, but they do play it too loud sometimes. There are a decent number of outlets for your laptop, but only if you sit near the walls. There are a good amount of chairs and tables, but just be aware that around dinner time, it gets packed. There is a bathroom down the hall, but you have to borrow their key to use it. The place is kept clean and the people that work there are pretty friendly. I would definitely go back there again and try their wraps or sandwiches. Their tofu looked good (at least what looked like tofu). By the way, they only take credit cards if you purchase over $10. A big plus is that they have free wi-fi!
(4)
Tammy K.
Stopped by here because the Buddhist vegetarian place across the street was closed. Dado definitely satisfied my craving for healthy and comforting food. Just as we stepped in, sunny skies turned to torrential downpour, making this teashop even more welcoming and cozy. There is a great selection of teas (iced, hot, herbal, caffeinated, with or without pearls). The food menu includes many healthy selections, from whole wheat wraps to multigrain rice dishes to salads. I had the bibimbap, which comes with multigrain rice, cucumber, salad mix, shiitake mushrooms, bean sprouts and carrots. For an extra $2, you can choose a protein topping (tofu, turkey, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad). The turkey was a little higher quality than tyipcal luncheon meat. The dish comes with hot sauce on the side. If you're not into spicy, use sparingly - this sauce definitely adds some heat! I also had the iced lemon and ginger tea, which is made from a mix. This is a really refreshing drink for summer - nice and cooling! I normally don't like ginger, but this was the perfect combination of lemon and ginger. If you don't like your tea too sweet, you can ask them to add more water in. My friend had the multigrain rice, which comes with a salad and tofu. The dressing on the salad and tofu is soy-ginger. Really nice and light - and surprisingly filling! Dado is definitely the type of place I like to stop by after a good workout to fuel up and feel healthy!
(4)
Huong P.
I was having some self-doubts about this place, thinking that they were trying to amp up the prices for some simple tea and bubble tea that they brand organic. I was, however, pleasantly wrong. The whole feeling of this place was rather simple. Homey.. the kind of place that is a wonderful mix of comfortableness like being at home and working environment perfect for studying. There are plenty of space to grab a table and work all day... which I did. I came in around 11 and did not leave until they were closing around 6. There I got an iced peach blossom tea--black tea with a hint of a fruity flavor. It was light and tasted great. I got the caffeine I needed and a little flavor that wasn't overwhelming. And then I started working... ... And working.... ... And kept on working until my stomach rumbled from being hungry. I decided to give the multigrain meal a try since I am a tofu fan and was interested in how they would make the multigrain rice. It was not what I was expecting, as the presentation of the dish was simple but beautiful. The foods were light, although I had an issue of the seeping sesame oil that kept getting on the utensils (dear hostess, please hand me the utensils than putting it on the plate). And it was very filling. The rice may seem bland but when soaked with the sesame oil and when eaten with the ginger-soy sauce marinated tofu, it was the perfect combination. The bathroom may look a little rundown, but at least it's clean. Overall, Thank you for providing me a wonderful study space while bringing simple, but delightful dishes.
(4)
Justin H.
I had a jasmine bubble tea here the other day. It was tasty- but the tea was weak. The cashier was friendly, extra points. There's wi fi which is a plus, and a reasonable number of seats so unless it's prime time you can usually find a place to work at a table or at the bar lining the windows. The bathroom is outside down a hall, which is kind of inconvenient. Also the power strip to plug in your electro devices is hanging from the wall right next to a seat so if the place is crowded, you have to dance your way to the outlet and wave your power cord through the person's arms, legs, etc. The menu offers a range of teas and coffees and to be honest, Im a fan of any place that serves yerba mate. I wonder how many people order that? I like the atmosphere, like most coffee shops it's a bit pricey and there are some tasty deserts that I've never tried. Dad has a nice view of the street through it's wall to wall windows, and is a good neighborhood cafe to get some work done.
(3)
Hibah H.
The perfect lunch spot in Harvard Square. The carrot ginger salad is delightful, as is the pesto tofu wrap. Where else can $7 get you a plate of fresh, simple food, a cup of black coffee, and an apple? They also sell Pocky, which is always a plus in my book.
(4)
Dessa R.
The facts: Excellent tea/coffee selection, fast non-chatty service (the best kind), free wi-fi, and a superb space for studying and small meetings. The only potential drawback is that it's kind of in that barren area between Central and Harvard, but so worth the extra few minutes walk. Whenever I need a quiet coffee place to take care of something serious or important, this particular Dado is my best bet.
(4)
R. M.
The teas are good: good selection and good brewing. The coffee is bad. Service is mediocre, not very friendly or helpful. Space is clean and neat. Prices are average for the Cambridge, area... competitive with TeaLuxe.
(3)
Michael O.
For a coffee man who only drinks tea when he's sick, I may not be the one to comment on their tea. I am a sandwich lover, though, who is very opinionated about bread freshness, quality of ingredients, and price. To that end, I have a great deal of praise for Dado. Their Chicken Salad is delicious. You can tell that it's all white meat by its consistency. Not overly-Mayo-tasting. The fresh greens included are a crunchy counterpoint to the chicken salad and hearty, yet moist, multi-seed bagel that was my bread. Cozy atmosphere. Soothing music with lots of ethnic variety. $7.10 including tax seems a tad much for a bagel sandwich. But you can tell that the extra cost is due to the high quality of ingredients, not just because they are charging whatever they feel like.
(4)
Asya T.
Delicious and fresh veggie options that leave me feeling as good as if I'd made healthy lunch at home rather than eaten out. Service is super friendly and fast as well.
(5)
kelly w.
You would think since my office is right next door I would get sick of this place, but I still love it! I have lunch there all the time. Of course the tea is great, but so are the sandwiches and they're HUGE. The toto wrap is my favorite - turkey (even though I'm trying to go vegetarian, I lapse sometimes), fresh mozzarella, greens, apple slices and pesto. It's also great how you can customize a basic sandwich with different spreads and such, just by filling out their order cards.
(5)
Stefano J. A.
Sandwiches that you could make yourself with nothing other than pre-sliced ingredients out of a supermarket, and teas that you could make yourself with... well, a kettle and a teabag. Doesn't make for a place where I would happily spend 12 dollars. I was hoping for some help picking the tea, but the ladies at the counter and I could barely understand each other, so I had to keep it simple and short, and got not at all what I had in mind.
(1)
Shira S.
Great place to get work done! Free wifi, it's never crowded, the beverages and refreshments are great and not too expensive, the staff are nice, pleasant (but non-distracting) music is playing--I could go on and on! Ultimately, I will definitely be coming back on those days when I want to get out of my house to do schoolwork.
(5)
Emily M.
The staff is very friendly and the food/drinks are prepared so fast! I come in for an americano and the guy has it ready before I finish paying. This is the closest coffee/tea shop to my work so all of my co-workers and I go here frequently. Great baked goods!
(5)
Shaina S.
This place is a crazy mishmosh of Asian culture; There's Korean music, Korean masks, and Bi Bim Bab. And then there's the Japanese name, the Chinese teas, and the boba (originally Taiwanese). I came here with a Korean student who said, "Maybe they can't tell us apart..." I don't really think that's the case because I think the owner is actually an Asian woman (though I don't know specifically from which country). I do, however think that Dado has a lot to offer in the way of fresh salads, sandwiches, and tea varieties. The service is not excessively friendly, which feels appropriate somehow, and they never have a problem when I come in here with a larger group. It's also the perfect kind of quiet place to meet up with a friend. I hate boba with a passion for it's phlegm-y texture but I was almost able to choke down one of Katie F.'s tapioca balls, without spitting it into a napkin. That's sayin' somethin.
(4)
Bethany B.
I go here on a regular basis. It is one of the few places that I will order tea. I have two things I order fairly regularly - the chicken salad wrap with cucumber or banana bread - both with Dragonwell Tea and a lemon. The owner is great - he knows where I work, recognizes me AND knows my tea order. He even noticed when I cut my hair! They are a little pricey, but I have to say, I would rather pay a little extra and get the great service that goes with it.
(4)
A V.
It tastes healthy, and it IS healthy. Which normally doesn't mean that it tastes delicious. Fortunately, for this spot it does.
(5)
Adam E.
I ended up at Dado after a failed attempt at shopping for home goods at Bowl & Board, which is closed now. I was sad because I really wanted to spend some coin on stuff I didn't need. And I was hot. I do not enjoy the summer and get really ornery when the mercury goes above 75F. So when I got to Dado I was pouting and definitely needed an iced tea. The bearded fellow behind the counter smiled and welcomed me, and provided me with a plain ol' black iced tea. It was delightful and at 20 ounces, was definitely enough. It was about $2.50. I felt better already. After a few splashes of simple syrup, I was back to my chipper, optimistic self. Ok, not quite. But I enjoyed the tea and some qt with a book. Just the ticket before heading back out into the stupid heat. The atmosphere was lovely, with a relaxing water feature. But it would've been nice if there was wi-fi. I'm not sure I'd choose it as a place to hang out regularly for hours on end, but I don't think that's what the place is going for. Although there was ample seating on the Friday afternoon I stopped in. What, I took the day off, so? Anyway, it's a nice stop to refuel, and the sandwiches looked great too so maybe grab one of those with your juice.
(4)
Michael K.
To be fair, I have only ever gotten Thai and Chai tea at both locations of Dado Tea. Oh yeah, and I got a sandwich once, which was delicious. Anyway, what I mean to say is that the sweet Japanese man who works here (and presumably owns it from the way he directs around everyone else) can tailor the concentration and sweetness of these teas to your taste if you just ask him. I am pretty poor and I don't live in Cambridge anymore, so I have been making my own masala chai (where the ef can you find thai tea to brew yourself?) which costs much less than $3.84 for a medium. But yes, since one of my three life goals is to become a chai guru, I highly recommend stopping by this place and ordering the chai tea. Plus there is outdoor seating for those of us who enjoy getting some sunlight (granted there are only two tables, four chairs total, in direct, unshaded sunlight in front of a rather unremarkable building on a rather unremarkable stretch of Mass Ave where quite a few unremarkable people often walk).
(5)
Joanna C.
I absolutely love their organic pesto tofu salad with mixed greens and pesto spread (or olive spread - equally yummy). Everything is always so fresh and delicious. I wish it was a little cheaper though - around $7 for a wrap (I know it's $8 for a lunch special, with apple/banana/chips and a drink, but I never get that since I'm too stuffed after just the wrap), I'd definitely buy more often.
(4)
Orly M.
LOVE!!! I used to come here a lot when I worked a block away. Somehow, having moved 3 blocks down the street, it fell off my radar. I need to start going back! Great Americanos and decent prices. I'm an Americano girl so I can't comment on the coffee. AWESOME sandwiches. Not cheap, but fresh and healthy and tasty and made to order just how you like them. I used to get the one with fresh mozz and pesto a lot. They had really good soup WARNING: The bi bim bab salad is highly disappointing. If you love the 'bab, pass on it. The atmosphere is lovely and soothing. It's actually a good place for a business meeting too, some good sized tables and bright enough to get things done, but still relaxing.
(5)
Tom E.
Dado Tea's original store provides a respite from all the pine tables and vinyl chairs of Mass Ave's furniture ghetto. The Korean couple who founded this cafe have managed to create a nice and calm light-filled atmosphere - something that often is lacking in their more accessible (ie. busy) Harvard Sq branch. I , like countless others, popped in here for rest and refuel on my walk between Harvard and MIT. My engine runs on tea, and in terms of choice, I was not let down - Dado has a long menu, if a little expensive in places. The tea took a while to come and wasn't served very well either. Perhaps our server was having a bad day, she certainly was no help in advising about all the different teas. I really wanted to like this Dado, as I do like their Harvard outpost, but the uncomfortable and rather bland seating ruined it - especially when Mrs Annoying McAnnoyingson on the table behind started banging her chair against the back of mine and then telling me off. Come on Dado - give us more room!
(3)
Kelly N Z R.
YAYAYAY-- This is my 100th review! Dado Tea has a neat atmosphere-- typical cafe in the front, tea house in the back. Better yet, it has an awesome 7-ingredient tea, whose name escapes me now (but I'll look it up), that includes dry raspberries and rock candy. I highly recommend it!
(5)
M R.
Dado Tea is a nice, quiet place on Massachusetts Avenue. They have a good selection of tea, food, and assorted Japanese foods. The proprietor is clearly intelligent: he has not knuckled under to popular demand for wireless internet. If a wireless portal opens up, he can kiss his seating and customers goodbye, because this is a very nice place to hang out. Bring cash if you plan on spending less than $10. They do not have a minimum charge for credit cards, but credit card charges are hard to absorb for small businesses.
(4)
Jenny F.
I was craving a good cup of tea so I stopped at Dado. I knew I wanted something with ginger. I asked the guy working at the counter if he could make me something with ginger. He made me an Indian Chai. Now I have had chai before and this was nothing like that. Indian tea with fresh grated ginger and ginger extract with a teeny tiny bit of milk then sweetened with honey. Wow this tea had bite! If I lived near here I would go broke from drinking tea all of the time. Lot's to choose from and they also carry a great selection of loose tea.
(4)
Kristen D.
This place is the bomb. I do a lot of work here on the weekends, and unlike many of the tea places in Central/Harvard you can almost always get a table and the free wireless is fast and reliable. The atmosphere is really nice--calm but not creepy quiet, and the soft classical music they play on the speakers is a nice background. I've never had any of their food/sandwiches, but they always look delicious. Bubble tea is great. Their boba is usually a little "al dente" with a firm, chewy center which personally I love. Their regular tea selection is also great and reasonably priced. Only con is that sometimes it's a little warm and could use more outlets. $10 minimum on cards so bring cash.
(5)
Ellen E.
This place is really cute inside. The service was kinda slow, and the order forms were nice but there were no pens around till you got to the front counter so that was kind of useless... My bubble tea was good, but not the best I've ever had either. I had the Mango one. I also just found out that bubble teas are really terrible for you, I guess I should have known before? I dunno I googled it and its like 350 calories on up. OUCH. I did have a really good veggie sandwich there though so props on that. I have to admit though, the prices are way too high, so that will probably keep me from going back. Free wi-fi is a plus though. I'd go back if I needed that.
(3)
Julia F.
Pros: Once I heard people discussing/singing an opera in the making? Very funny. Managed to keep a straight face. I mean... They have seating enough for larger groups... It is nice and sunny and very clean in here. They sell fruit. My vegan cousin can eat lunch here. Cons: Things seem to be overpriced. Their bubble tea made me feel like I was sucking phlegm through a straw, I was off bubble tea for a LONG ASS time. My vegan cousin can eat lunch here, so mostly things do not look delicious to me.
(2)
Erin K.
I like patronizing this little tea/coffee place by work. I've also been to the Harvard Square location and like it equally well although this one is a little more tucked away and thus a bit less busy. The coffee and tea drinks are good. I've tried both lattes and the homemade chai bubble tea. They have a respectable pastry selection, the same types of scones, brioches, muffins that seem to proliferate between petsi's, 1369 and the former Toscannini's cafe that's on Kirkland and now called something else. The food is quite good for a lunch stop. Its on the lighter side, I've had the salad with marinated ginger-soy tofu. It was simple, not exactly something you couldn't make at home but it tasted good and with marinated ginger carrots was light and refreshing. I've also had the Potter wrap which is huge and will fill you up for the rest of the day. Its an unusual combination of cool chicken salad in a wrap with tomato, field greens and warm mixed grain rice. It was very tasty and I could barely finish. They also have daily lunch specials with a sandwich of the day and drink and chips or fruit. This place is soothing, calm, and unpretentious. Its worth stopping by.
(5)
Laura F.
Peaceful, quiet tea, bubble tea, lassi type drinks, hot loose leaf teas and big wide tables. They are very serious about their teas here, for example the water temperature depends on the type of tea! It's a nice escape from both Central and Harvard Sq. It is also near to the Buddhist Society, which also has a great sense of peace to it. I love this place.
(3)
Angelo S.
This place is owned and run by a gentle Nepalese man. The atmosphere of the location resonates with that Zen-like, at ease, and spiritual ambiance you associate with that side of the universe. Exotic and traditional types of drinks, many specialities and bubble teas, GREAT sandwiches, everything a bit on the more expensive side but absolutely worth it. This is my favorite laid back date spot.
(5)
Mike K.
Dado Tea was the shining soothing light of an otherwise dour day. First thing in the morning I slipped and fell down the stairs, which did something to my right leg, causing me to limp for two weeks. (Up to now) Parking was tough to find, so I decided to take a shortcut through a parking lot, but due to my useless leg, I failed in getting over a chain-link fence, and got my favorite pair of jeans ripped. So I had to limp on a descending foot-thick wall to get down in front of Dado. But, once that was all over, and I went into Dado Tea, everything got better. The decor is peculiar, it's very clean and stark. But in a moment, the Asian styling becomes clear. As others have pointed out, very "Zen". Me and my companion ordered a pot of white peony tea (a.k.a Bai Mu Dan), I got a chicken salad sandwich on french bread, and she got the multi-grain rice dinner (Vegans gotta eat, too). I also had a carrot-cake for desert. Needless to say, everything was superb. The food was great, the tea was just right, plenty of leaves, and a lot of water to add. The leaves were of high quality, as well. The carrot cake was above my expectations. As a tea aficionado who admittedly hasn't sampled many of the local tea houses (I usually brew for myself), this is definitely a place to which I shall return. T info: Red Line - It's marked as Central Square, but it's closer to Harvard. So get off at Harvard, and walk south on Mass Ave. It's on the east side of the street, and a little bit hard to spot.
(4)
Vanessa F.
I've been here a few times to study, and will be back. They have ample seating, free wifi, and tea. Pretty much everything I need. Plus, it's not just any tea, but they have my absolute favorites: genmai cha, lapsang souchong, and (oh my god) puerh. The pots are generous and they will rebrew the leaves if you ask them. Seriously, if you like tea, they've got the best selection in the area
(5)
Elizabeth E.
A zen atmosphere and a very wide selection of fabulous teas does not outweigh the overpriced cost of everything here. I've paid a few visits and generally found the service to be pleasant. Maybe I'm just more of a coffee gal--but I really just think the tea was far to expensive. However, I hear from a discerning and reliable source that the Dada Veggie Wrap is healthy, fresh, divine, and worth every penny.
(3)
Blaise F.
I love to meet people here for lunch. Their Bi Bim Bab and sandwiches are reasonably priced and healthy. It's also nice to order a pot of tea to offer to your guests, and it's a very comfortable spot to wait if you show up early.
(4)
Jenny B.
Best. Egg salad. Ever. Not something I would normally order in a restaurant - but its amazingly good, and not full of mayo (which I find gross). The lunch deals are a great deal, but otherwise its a bit pricey.
(4)
Bevin C.
I really, really enjoy the Dado wrap. It's got greens, shredded carrots, nicely ginger-marinated tofu, and this absolutely rad cooked grain blend. Mmmm, grains. The quality of this wrap varies depending on who is making it for you - the proportions and temperature are different from sandwich to sandwich. But I always get that self-satisfied, I-just-nourished-myself feeling when I eat it. Makes it worth the eight or nine bucks you have to pay for the thing (this place would get five stars if it were cheaper). Another thing that kind of bugs me about Dado is that they insist on having two different types of frequent buyer cards (those punch cards - buy ten get one free). So even though their coffee and tea costs roughly the same, you've got to have a separate coffee one and tea one. I'm not down with that. But I'm starting to think those cards are a total waste of my time anyway. But whatever, the tea is good, I could eat that wrap every day. The people who work at the Central Square location are really, really nice. Like, the nicest. And the Harvard location has the "stay focused" guy working there. Not sure if that is a plus or a minus...
(4)
Diane I.
my school friends and i are on a 'cafe exploration circuit'. every sunday we meet up at a new place and get some studying done. this week was dado. it's "a-ok" as 3 stars suggest. a solid cafe. its not crazy busy or noisy. they play classical music. the coffee was okay.
(3)
Gaelle D.
Such a relaxing spot! A great place to hang out to read, or even to work, because it's so quiet. They have fair-trade coffee, which is neat (although it doesn't taste any better IMHO). Their lunch specials are a good deal with a different sandwich every day of the week. Bi-bim-bop (Korean cold salad with spicy sauce on the side) is good but more expensive (more than $10). I guess it's OK for them to charge more since they are a locally-owned business. If you're on a budget try the Greater Boston Buddhist Cultural Center across the street, for cheap, non-profit, decent vegetarian fare.
(4)
D M.
I stopped in this morning because I just missed the bus, and figured I could grab a tea while I was waiting. I had to wait a while because it looked like there was some sort of sandwich training going on, but I ordered a peppermint tea. I had to wait my entire bus ride home for it to cool to the appropriate drinking temperature. It was well worth the wait and it's delicious. Perfectly minty and refreshing and lovely! So good. I will go in again at some point. They have good treats and sandwiches, it seems. It looked good, but I had my breakfast already. Beware, $10 minimum on credit card purchases.
(4)
Michele G.
This is a really great little place that I wish was closer to where I live. It's a nice respite from the Mass. Ave stretch and has cute decor that evokes a calming atmosphere. I haven't been here in some time, but anytime I'm around, I make it a point to stop in and relax..forget about the city outside of the shop's doors. And of course, the tea and cuisine are both delicious.
(4)
Stephanie ..
Only been here once. They wisely have a no-cell phone policy. Ordered a sandwich with hummus, feta, and olives...it was decent. Their chais taste more indian, than say, any chain coffee shop, but not quite in the style of the "indian chai" they claim. The decor seems to lack personality--a bit sterile, but they have great window seating and a few outside tables.
(3)
stephanie c.
Waste of time. Slow service, limited menu and very overpriced. Apparently they don't have much competition, can't think how they survive otherwise. Maybe it's the free Wifi, no other reason to come in here.
(2)
Jessica P.
Fantastic tea....and much quieter than Harvard Square.
(5)
Claire S.
I much prefer this Dado to the location in Harvard Square. It's less busy, more spacious, and overall a better place to settle in with a computer and get some writing done (or papers and some grading or a book and some reading...). I especially love the tables in the back--each is big enough for four chairs but you can sit alone, spread out and not feel guilty. I haven't done a scientific comparison, but I think their prices are a little higher than, say, Starbucks, but I'm willing to pay them because the ambiance is worth it.
(4)
Kristine M.
I love Dado Tea! My favorite tea there is the chrysanthemum. I like that they have Pocky so I can munch on Pocky when I'm sipping on tea. This is actually my preferred Dado location because I've gone to the Harvard Square location and been unable to find seating. :-( I've gotten a hummus sandwich here before and it was quite tasty!
(4)
Charlie G.
GLUTEN FREE DRESSING! I am so excited they just started making some gluten-free dressing - their famous soy, sesame ginger dressing - that I had to join Yelp to write this review and let everyone else know that if you are gluten-free or have celiacs, you can now eat their salads. Their bubble tea is also gluten free. They're testing it out, so go and try it now! and thank the owner for listening to customer feedback. Personally, I love their multi-grain rice meal. I also love their honey-lemon ginger tea, especially when I feel like I might be getting sick. It clears me right up! For those who aren't gluten-free, their sandwiches are DELICIOUS! especially on the multi-grain bread!
(5)
shary m.
Dado and I have an interesting relationship. We live very close by to each other, so we interlude very often, but we never acknowledge each other. This is because sometimes "he's" very grumpy in the morning and that's difficult with the bright and early nature of a coffee shop...he can always make it up to me with the hummus and ginger carrot wrap, or the rice meal and a boba tea (mint variety is wondrous)...but that isn't in the morning, that would be more mid-day. So it all depends on who's controling who and at what time. Me, him, or the barista on duty. All in all, my experience is inconsistently zen, which I would think is his syle, but he's got me on a short leash, I will always return.
(3)
Christina G.
I love Dado tea. Great tea selection, fresh pastries, nice classical music that relaxes you while you happily work on your computer. Big tables, quiet baristas (they could smile more) but i happened to be served by the owner who is super friendly. A very nice place right between Central and Harvard.
(5)
Shannon C.
Dado tea is my favorite place to shed the winter blah's. Yes, drink the tea and sit quietly with a book and definitely try one of their sandwiches (the tofu pesto is surprisingly good). But if you try Dado Tea, make sure to sit by the windows on a sunny winter day and enjoy the warmth, the sun, and the plants...and forget it's winter.
(4)
Sarah T.
I love Dado Tea because their food is always fresh and tasty. However, sometimes it takes a little while waiting for your order when it comes to the luncheon rush. They have a variety of interesting selections for tea, sandwiches, salads and you can even create your own. Don't expect it to be a fast experience not an inexpensive one because between the sandwich and a tea you could run yourself greater than $10... but it is worth the trip.
(4)
Ashley S.
Dado Tea is tucked away inconspicuously in my nook of Cambridge between Harvard Sq and Central Sq. The off the beaten path location makes for a great overall vibe - super chill/friendly staff, enough seats for everyone, patrons are polite to each other, no cell phones and very few laptops, etc. The tea selection is pretty exhaustive, the breakfast pastries are fresh and the lunch choices really hit the spot - especially the pesto tofu spread/sandwich.
(4)
S S.
I spent some time here, during my CFA exam days. The bad first, its one of those places that does not accept card for anything under$10. The good, its so electic and cambridge. I love the bubble tea here, and the various pastry delight. I like the seating where you face church street garage and watch the crazies of Harvard sqaure. I love the food here. Sooo healthy, yet amazingly yummy. I ate a brown rice, tofu, sesame dish here and loooved it!!! This place does get busy and sometimes finding a table here is very challenging. Oh, also you get booted for talking on the cell phone!
(4)
K P.
Dado tea is my favorite place to work. The pot of tea is giant and good quality, the front of the store is sunny and usually pretty quiet, they play music that's conducive to studying, and the free wifi works well. It's also great for staring out at Mass Ave and watching the people walk by while thinking about equations or experiments. Their baked goods are average but the tuna salad sandwich is homey and perfect. The staff is polite and accommodating.
(4)
Nikki K.
Love the decor, it's cozy and not overtly done that shouts Asianess. I like their large selection of tea, and have done my Christmas shopping here for tea-loving friends because it's the only place I could find both authentic Chinese teas and "lovely" Western variations. Their bubble teas are also decent with subtle flavors, not too sweet or syrupy like Boston Tea Stop in Harvard Square. Try the jasmine. Although on the expensive side, I still like to pop in once in a while for the warm and simplistic atmosphere or a cup of steaming tea to go.
(4)
Jessamyn C.
Dado is really comfy. The Central Square location is a very calm space and tends to be very quiet. They have the best brownies, ever--with a double layer of fudge and mint frosting. The tea, I think can be oddly overpriced, but if you want to sit and enjoy the atmosphere it's worth it. And the tea is really very good. ALso the staff is unfailingly polite, and very calm, too, which contributes to the pleasant atmosphere.
(5)
Julia C.
Lovely Zen like tea house. The place is really a relaxing oasis in busy Mass Ave. Stop there for a nice tea and a good boiok to read.
(4)
Sophia C.
Dado tea is the BEST! Their bubble tea is excellent and their food selection is nice. This is a great spot for relaxing and the people who work there are so friendly!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes Good for Working : Yes
Catalina C.
Pros: Very fast, Affordable, Vegan options Cons: Wrap could use a bit more taste This very affordable café has several vegan options on the menu. I tried the dado wrap. It was quite tasty but could benefit from a nice vegan sauce on the side. Overall there's a nice atmosphere and I was impressed by the incredibly quick service.
(3)Gina G.
Skip! I went here with my friend on a Friday night while waiting for dinner reservations somewhere else. We had smoothies and they were fine - totally average, nothing to complain about, nothing special. Overpriced though for that quality... The staff was unfriendly. I asked if I could replace the milk in my smoothie with juice or something else and apparently that was one question too much for them. It's a shame cause this looks like a cool place near my work. But the average quality of their drinks and the unfriendly staff definitely makes me skip it every time I pass by.
(2)Vanessa P.
High rating for their multi-grain rice bowl. It sounds kind of boring on the menu, but it is anything but! The soy-ginger dressing that they put on it is is life-changing, and when you mix together the rice + beans + tofu + salad + tomatoes + dressing, it basically becomes what you would get at Life Alive for less $$ and less time spent in line. So good. Unfortunately, I was less impressed by their bubble tea - the tapioca balls were a little bit crunchy/strange tasting. But I will give them another try since the rest of their stuff seems so delicious.
(4)Kelly B.
Incredible mellow atmosphere and hearty, delicious, healthy food. I actually didn't get any tea (will have to remedy this next time) but they appear to have a nice selection of green teas. We ordered the veggie dumpling soup and the veggie rice bowl. Both were $5, and totally delicious. The veggie dumplings were tasty but actually very unusual tasting, and the soup was simple and light but still hearty and comforting The brown rice was sticky and moist and flavorful, the salad was fresh, and the dressing was simple but tasty. I was very impressed. Will try again.
(5)San W.
My go-to place if I'm looking to hunker down for at least a few hours to work/study, don't want to go to a library, and need the following: - Free, (generally) reliable wee-fee (aka, WiFi) - Conflict-free access to outlets - Plenty of seating with different table sizes according to your wingspan/sociability needs (I've never had an issue with finding preferred seating unlike at other cafés) - A wide assortment of drinks, including coffee, tea, bubble tea, smoothies, etc. - A wide assortment of (generally Asian-themed) sustenance, including sandwiches, wraps, salads, noodle bowls, rice bowls, etc. - Something sweet for my sweet tooth, including pastries, chocolate, etc. - Wall-length windows for natural lighting and people-watching for when I need entertainment - Clean bathroom - Affordable prices - Friendly service Other Notes: - The older Asian gentleman (the owner?) is incredibly nice - tolerated my paying in excessive change (gotta lighten the load somehow) by reassuring me that he needed change anyways, read my mind when he saw me squinting at the walls for the wee-fee password, and immediately came over to flip on the surge protector when I plugged in my laptop and failed to notice that the switch was off (hadn't had my caffeine yet). - Cheap breakfast ($4 for a choice of drink and pastry from 7:30 - 11:30 AM) and lunch specials ($8.50 for a choice of drink, sandwich, and snack from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM) during the weekdays. - Interesting and varying music selection. Sometimes calming, sometimes not so much (e.g., Requiem for a Dream's Lux Aeterna - great instrumental but not really easy listening, y'know?). Just bring your headphones in case. Time for a coffee refill!
(4)Damien S.
A decent, if dusty Thai bubble tea for $4. I'm fine with a lighter scoop of boba, but is it a sign of quality when most of the tapioca pearls stick together? Texturally, those little gummy bubbles played well on the tongue. Digging them out of the bottom of the cup was tricky, however, as they glommed on to each other, requiring surgical separation with the de facto instrumentation: that giant, pointy straw. Appreciate the options - holding the sugar, or changing up the cream to a milk of choice. I went original, and was pleased with the product; it just wasn't a legendary staple. Stark, comfortable space, and they've got a compelling breakfast bundle: $4 buys a pastry, a boiled egg or piece of fruit and a hot tea or coffee. Grab and go, yo!
(3)Dawn L.
This place deserves 25 stars!! Excellent service, nice atmosphere & excellent food!! Potter wrap is the absolute best wrap I've ever had!!
(5)Suad M.
Went here because every other seat in every Cambridge coffee shop was taken (not uncommon for a Sunday). So very meh. How much would it hurt to put in more comfortable chairs? Dunkin Donuts is more comfortable.. Bubble tea is decent, costs roughly $4.85, and conveniently they don't take cards under $5. Atmosphere is probably the worst among Cambridge coffee shops. Staff is extremely unfriendly. Dirty. But hey, it has seats - and that's quite a luxury these days.
(2)Ojus P.
Really. 2.5 star experience but rounded down due to the overall rating. Tried to get the Japanese curry but they were out so got a sandwich and a wrap and both were pretty meh. Disappointed
(2)Sherry L.
Not impressed with the bubble tea. I've had bubble tea in Houston and Chicago, and this was the first time I ever had ice cubes in my bubble tea. I ordered the regular Taro bubble tea. Even though it indicated that the Taro flavor was a 'mix' I didn't expect it to taste like a watered down mix tea with ice cubes. For that price, I could have gotten better tasting bubble tea. The tapioca was plentiful, but not as fresh tasting as someone else had commented. Definitely not my go-to place for bubble tea.
(2)Stacy H.
wait, what? excuse me for my different terminology, but a boba place that doesn't serve boba milk tea? it's not even in an option in their menu that's listed. i got a peach tea with bubbles, and it set me back $4.50. the peach tea wasn't even good, according to my boyfriend who hasn't even had any better!!!!! skip the boba, guys.
(1)Misato P.
They try to keep their quiet, serene environment while they serve mostly organic, some vegan yummy treats and meal(mostly food with Asian flare such as noodles, curry rice, bi bim bop). Their selection of tea is fabulous! Owner of this cafe is super nice as well!
(4)Gideon O.
This place is great! It's right in Harvard Square, but it seems to get very little traffic; you're almost certain to get a seat. There's free wifi, so it's a nice place to do work. They also do REAL tea here. No bag tea or paper cups: it's looseleaf, in a ceramic mug, with a saucer over the top to keep the tea hot while it steeps and hold the wet leaves after you take them out. They have many varieties of tea, including pu-erh, which is my favorite and isn't served at many American cafes. Always nice to find a tea place that takes its tea seriously! I have yet to try any of their very reasonably-priced lunch options. They sell fair trade dark chocolate bars, though, which I got as a snack - delicious.
(5)anna h.
The lemon ginger tea is fantastic hot or cold. The wraps are yummy (except the turkey). I now get the bip and bop wrap (spelling?). Healthy and delicious. A bit pricey but a wonderful meal. Food is fresh and there a few items I am not sure what they are-fun. I find the space immaculate and the help is friendly. A bit reserved but all good for what you want. Really, the lemon/ginger tea is a so nurturing.
(5)Alex Y.
I've come here for their bubble tea and ramen. The most important criteria for bubble tea is for the bubbles to be soft and chewy; sugar will mask any problem with the taste of tea except for the texture of the bubbles. Dado Tea, more often than not, does not produce very good pearls for their tea. When I came here for the ramen, I was disappointed because the noodles were not fully cooked. I like the atmosphere here when it's not too busy (not weekends), and the pots of tea are great. This is a nice place to get work done while sipping on tea or coffee.
(2)Rebecca C.
This is my first time trying Dado. While the atmosphere is great and conducive for homework (outlets available for computer chargers, quiet, pretty spacious) the food was VERY disappointing. I ordered the rooibos chai bubble tea and chicken curry bowl. The tapioca balls were way overcooked and hard. Boba is supposed to be soft and chewy but it was neither and on top of that, flavorless. The tea was extremely watered down and didn't have any of the claimed "freshly steeped" tea taste. Now, about the chicken curry bowl... first off, the "chicken" was not chicken at all. It was the chewiest "meat" I've ever had. Far worse than McDonalds chicken mcnuggets. The texture was like an elementary school student's elastic eraser. Otherwise, the actual curry and rice were fine. The ambiance is nice so I would probably come back for a study date again but only purchase safer items like coffee or a packaged chocolate bar.
(2)Alyssa F.
I love Dado more than ever. Best coffee on the block, never bitter, never murky. Recently added noodle bowls, spicy ramen especially, are a treat on cold, rainy days. Warmer days mean chicken or egg salad on multigrain bread with an iced peach blossom tea. Bright spacious seating in front, quieter tables in back, lots of foot room and always relaxing.
(5)Cristina R.
I'm a big boba fan. The green tea latte bubble tea is made well. You can tell they use matcha powder, a hefty amount of bubbles fill the bottom third of the cup, and it's not overly sweet. I like that you can also customize your tea by choosing which type of milk (skim, soy, etc), and you can ask them to hold the sugar as well. On my last visit, I decided to deviate from the green tea and tried the lemon-ginger smoothie. As I mentioned, I'm all about the bubbles, so I asked them to put bubbles in the smoothie (the menu says they can be added to any smoothie for 50 cents). The girl at the counter advised me against it since the smoothie has pieces of lemon and ginger, but I insist. Gimme my boba. The number of bubbles I got was far less than in the green tea. And I'm paying 50 cents extra for them! The lemon and ginger pieces added an interesting texture and complexity, and I think the boba was just fine being in the mix as well. It didn't add a lot to the drink, but I still enjoyed their presence. The overall texture of the smoothie was a bit off, as if their blender were malfunctioning. There were large chunks of ice that I had to crunch down on, and the top third of the drink was overly frothy. The lemon and ginger flavors went well together, but I found the drink a bit too sweet overall. Serves me right to deviate. I'm going back to my green tea latte love. Boba-licious.
(3)Michele H.
This tea shop holds a special place in my heart, as this is where I first discovered bubble tea. Every day before work during my first summer in Boston, I treated myself to a tall jasmine bubble tea with milk. Unfortunately, at $5 a pop, it was an expensive habit, but I never had better than from this place.
(4)Monica T.
Multigrain rice bowl with chicken salad was super! Atmosphere for a late lunch was calm and quiet with academics working and chatting.
(4)Frederic M.
Ideal place for a quick lunch or a relaxing afternoon tea. Dado is a place where you can sit down, relax, have a nice chat with whomever is with you. Lunch is affordable and good. I love the spicy ramen - though very spicy. Dumplings are pretty good too. They serve great tea. It is a nice afternoon escape, very different from the busy and noisy Starbucks' from this world. Service could be a bit more friendly...
(4)Carrie P.
I feel like a fool that I spent so much time waiting in line at Life Alive before I discovered this place!! I've heard that this place is packed for lunch, but at dinner time, it is nice and empty and a great place to stop by for quick, healthy, and definitely yummy takeout. I always get the nutritive rice + salad + tofu and it is so delicious and like $5! It's definitely on my list to try for lunch!
(5)Jonathan L.
The meals are great - simple, healthy, filling and . delicious. The spicy ramen with dumpling is a standout.
(5)Bradley N.
8:03 am on an otherwise ordinary Monday except that I am here, and this is not Missoula. The streets of Cambridge are slowly filling with bodies, moving this way and that. Coffee cups in hand, smart phones in hand, iPads in bags, things being eaten on the go, thoughts floating into the chill of a mid-October morning. Time to escape from the sidewalk. Time for breakfast. Time to breathe. Time for tea. The Breakfast Special #1 is attractively priced: $3.50 gets me a toasted everything bagel with cream cheese, a boiled egg, and a pot of Keemun black tea. It's all prepared quietly and efficiently. I sit at a side table next to the windows and gaze outward at the passers-by, then inward, at my book (This is Not the Ivy League, by Mary Clearman Blew). I read. I think. I smile. I sip. I swallow. I spread. I crack and peel and eat egg, bagel, seeds falling on a napkin made of brown pulp on a table made of stained wood as I continue to chew. The tea is brewed right; strong without harsh tannins, the steam rises my mind clears my stomach stops aching it is time to move on to start the day to return to the streets filling with people covered with falling leaves lost in the shuffle of just another ordinary Monday morning it's now 8:23 am yet I am still here (blink), and this is still Cambridge. DA DO : Here's to ten more years. (dedicated to Markus N., Oakland, CA).
(5)Rachel T.
I love going here for lunch. It's a nice, quick, and tasty choice for fresh food at lunch time. That being said, I would skip the coffee. It is a bit acidic. And with Simion's local roasted option within half a block and Atomic in the other direction...and Petsi Pie...I'd choose otherwise. For tea, definitely a good choice. I love the house celestial green! It's also incredibly nice that it's almost always quiet for reading and studying. Towards the front there tends to be a few talkers but in the rear it is almost silent even when filled with people like there is an unspoken library silent rule!
(4)Abe A.
Disappointing, bubble tea that tastes watered down. Also, they can't serve bubble tea hot; only cold and lukewarm. What??! Skip this place, it's all presentation with no substance.
(2)John S.
Decided I wanted to get the 5.95 ramen bowl. Then while debating whether I should get the 1.00 extra 2 dumplings, I saw that there was a 6.95 ramen with dumplings bowl. I got that. Not only was the ramen not very good and in small quantity, there was exactly one dumpling in my soup. What the hell. Never coming here again.
(1)Stephanie L.
I really don't have any complaints, but since I'm reserving five stars for places that absolutely blow my mind, I would still consider this four rating as a positive recommendation. There are some interesting wraps available, and the thai ice tea is one of my favorites in the city. I forgot to mention I wanted boba in my tea, and where as some stores (looking at you, Harvard Tea Stop) would sass you and tell you, "Too bad, this is what you ordered," the man at the counter happily added more and still took my card (somehow it ended up being cheaper with boba? I'm not sure how that happened) even though my price was reduced to below the credit card minimum. Small gestures of kindness like that definitely make me want to come back with more cash so I can tip properly. :)
(4)Cindy W.
Dado tea is a NoGo place! The service was awful. My friend and I ordered 2 bubble tea drinks...one with milk and another one without. When we got our drinks, we had noticed that both had milk. My friend told the women who took our order that she didn't want milk in one of them. The asian women over the counter looked at me as if I had 10 heads and raised her eyebrow a few times until she realized that I wasn't going to go anywhere until this matter was fixed. She kept saying "I don't understand what you are trying to say." Being born here in the states and attended a private university here as well, I assumed that my English was at least understandable and that she was playing stupid with me. She than went to a co-worker of hers to help solve this issue. The Indian women was said "you don't want milk in your tea?" And with the reply of "that is correct" from my friend, she than rudely said "all of our teas have milk in it and if you want it without, than you should have said it louder so we know." And when we got our orders straightened out, our experience of getting a cold drink, left a sour taste in our mouth that we would never go back. Seriously, these new owners need to train their employees to understand that customer service is key or you will not be in business long. If you want to try this place, I hope you get there soon, because I don't see this place lasting long. Expensive, rude service and bad products.
(1)N T.
Vegan bubble tea, tasty brown rice meals. Dado mainly has tea, but also has a small selection of dinner meals, focusing mainly on rice, as well as various small snacks (yokan, mochi, buddha bars, watermelon cups) I enjoy the multigrain rice meals, they are vegan and gluten free as Dado uses gluten free soy sauce. The rice is a mixture of brown mochi rice, and various beans (soybeans, peas, etc). It's very tasty and similar to rice I would make at home, which I can't recall seeing at any other restaurant. Usually restaurants with brown rice have rice that is hard and flavorless, or they've added some salt and oil. This is why most people of Caucasian descent or who are culturally American will say that they don't like rice. They are eating bad rice. The tofu is fresh and served cold (uncooked) with ginger soy sauce. I really like the large quantity of fresh ginger used in the sauce. The sauce also has sesame oil - personally I think it has too much oil as I prefer to eat a low in refined fats diet. It would be nice if they offered a low oil version, since the ginger soy sauce part is delicious so no sauce would be sad. The food, when fresh deserves at least 4 stars. However, I've had some lackluster service, and purchased some bad watermelon here, so I had to lower the rating to 3 stars. Selling food that's gone bad is never okay. Also the bubble tea has varied from good, to full of half-cooked boba balls. And the "no sugar" thing just means no extra added sugar. The soymilk comes with sugar in it, and the tapioca balls are cooked in some kind of sweet syrup, so you can't really get a totally sugar free boba here. (which is ok, but I think it should be made clear to people who might be say, diabetic) Overall I really like Dado Tea - this is one of my favorite places to get food in Cambridge, but I had to take off a star for selling me spoiled watermelon. (Usually the watermelon is really good though) I think Dado could improve by: making sure food is not spoiled (don't sell watermelon cups after 1 day in the fridge). improving menu descriptions, perhaps with photos (the current menu is confusing for first time customers), adding rice noodle soups (not just udon), adding cooked vegetable based dishes (instead of just salad - I'd like a hot rice and vegetable meal).
(3)Kyle G.
Steamed pork/chicken dumplings with soy dipping sauce, $5.30. Very nice lunch. Usually quiet.
(3)Ace Z.
The bi bim bap is fresh and delicious, though when I ordered it with turkey (which seemed strange in itself) I did not expect it to be sliced deli meat. My only real complaint is that the service - other than the owner - is terrible. Unresponsive and disinterested at best, condescending at worst.
(3)Sarah G.
A new cafe with free wifi and good coffee and decent food that is even pretty healthy?? Yes, Please! Being a nerdy grad student I am always looking for new cafe spots to well, be a nerd and do some work! And Dado Tea was one of those places we stumbled upon during our current housing search in that area, and it is a nice little place. Not only is their coffee pretty tasty, but they have a huge selection of teas too, so if you are feeling adventurous this place should have something new for you to try! And if you are hungry, they have some cheap lunch specials where for about $8 you get a sandwich, chips or fruit and coffee. And it is all made fresh too. One of our sandwiches was a miss though--the tofu pesto just wasn't too flavorful so Matt J and I were both pretty pumped to know that we had a chicken salad sandwich too with that olive spread and it definitely left our mouths a little more excited! But food aside, there are definitely enough tables here between the front and the back for a small group, but it is a quiet cafe...so if you are like me and enjoy a little more noise while you work, this might not be it, but hey free wifi is everyone's friend!
(3)Emily S.
Nice spot for great tea. My wrap was pretty good and my friend's salad with hummus was delish. I had Dado's own tea mix and it was excellent. I would recommend it for green tea lovers. The walls are a little sparse but the decor they had was neat. A tad on the pricier side but a good place to stop for a quick cup of tea or bite to eat.
(4)Christine W.
Love this place! My brother just started grad school at Harvard, so we make it a point to visit here at least once whenever I visit him, which has been about 4-5 times in the past 3 months. We haven't tried nearly everything they offer, but what we did have, was delicious. Just to name a few... Tea - always made well, whether hot or cold, just the right amount of sweetness (both of us like our beverages lightly sweetened). I like their Thai bubble tea and the hot honey lemon tea. Egg salad wrap - So good! Filled with fresh greens and chunks of mozzarella. I wish I wasn't allergic to large quantities of eggs, or I would get this more often. So I just share with my brother, mostly. Monkey Wrap - Banana and apple with peanut butter...yummy...one of the first things I ever tried here. VERY filling though! Tofu Udon - Also good, chewy noodles, slightly sweet kitsune-style tofu, with just the right amount of spiciness. Turkey Pesto Wrap (I think that's what it's called...): Again, delicious, turkey with pesto, fresh greens, and mozzarella cheese. Steamed Rice with Milk and Honey - Now, I love anything with steamed milk. And eating the multigrain rice makes me feel healthy ;) Pretty filling, and at $3.50 it's pretty worth it. Definitely looking forward to trying their salads and other forms of tea. This wasn't my first visit, and it definitely won't be my last. Only minor complaint is that it IS quite pricey.
(5)Julia N.
Ugh, now I have to say something positive about Cambridge (just sippin' that haterade right now). Stopped hear to meet up with a friend/colleague. Never ate, so I did my typical "what should I get" routine. The worker (owner) was very understanding and patient. Needless to say, I got the Tuesday (Monday? I don't quite remember) special, which was a cucumber hummus wrap with green tea and chips. He is pretty heavy handed with the hummus, though that was not a particular issue with the amount of vegetables I loaded on top. This is a nice meetup/tea location. Haven't tried all of their teas. It's also away from the hustle and bustle just a few blocks down from the square. I'd stop by here again were I ever to get into Cambridge in the future and stay on track rather than become lost (sippin' that haterade).
(4)Kenny C.
Ordered the peach blossom bubble tea. It had great flavor but I didn't think it was sweet enough... but then again, I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Didn't stay to sit down (though some people had their laptops out, so I assume there's free WiFi). The man behind the register was very nice and made the drinks himself (he also recommended the peach blossom).
(3)Molly Y.
Dear Dado Tea, This $2.50 cupcake I'm not eating tastes like cigarette smoke smells, and the icing - where very lovely - is easily a close cousin to a car's tire, based on the flavor and the fact that it's unruffled, nevermind that the woman who packaged it nicely dropped it upside down into the bag. You are a disappointment. I think it's time for me to start seeing other teahouses. ANY other teahouses. Love, Me
(1)Sara C.
Weak teas, I'm not even convinced there was any tea in the tea. I went with two other people and we each got a boba tea for four bucks. (We'd walked from MIT and were thirsty and wanted something fun to drink.) Not one of them had flavor. This place is pretty expensive too. Yes, one person can eat here for under $10 dollars, but that will get you only a tea and a cookie.
(2)Lauren D.
Can't believe I've lived here 4 years without ever having stepped in the door. Where have I been?! This joint is a solid 4 star cafe. There seems to be a lack of good cafes in an area that is so densely populated with students (why?)...bottom line - I'm always on the lookout for one that isn't completely taken over by studious faces hidden in laptops. I'm not sure this fits the bill (there was still a lot of this there), but at least I was able to snag a great seat by the window. And, a few families came in with their well-behaved kids - I consider this a plus! The people here (both staff and customers) were laid back and courteous. Now, the food... I ordered a rooibos chai bubble tea, no sugar, with soy. Delicious. Finally a place that offers fresh bubble tea with a not-too-sweet option. I also got the carrot ginger hummus salad. Wonderful! Seriously huge plate of greens, shredded carrots, and a wonderful dressing (oh, and enough hummus to feed a family of four...or in my case, one very hungry petite female). About time a place figured out that a vegan meal deserves a large spot on the table (literally). It also came with a piece of comp bread if you're willing to take the end piece - why not?! Only gripe is price...but what do you expect around here? Will definitely be back!
(4)Nandanie S.
Had a pot of tea here with my sister and fiance. Enjoyed it and liked that it kept me wired for a few hours :)
(4)Courtney N.
I was very impressed with the peach blossom bubble tea that I purchased at Dado Tea. I really felt fresh and revived (I know that sounds corny) after I finished it! I decided to try this place since I read such good reviews on Yelp- so thank you fellow Yelpers! Small restaurants like Dado really make me wish I lived in Cambridge or a similar area. There just isn't an abundance (if any) of this stuff in my area. Then, driving and navigating Mass. Ave. and trying to find parking while avoiding pedestrians and people on bikes totally changes my mind. I guess that's the main drawback for me. One of these days, I'm going to be brave and take the train in for the day and learn to navigate the Red Line. I think that would make the whole traversing Cambridge experience a much more pleasant one for me. As for Dado Tea- the service was fine; my tea was finished very fast. The place wasn't very busy, but I liked the look of the seating and I loved that you could take a menu and browse it. A lot of places with counter ordering really rush you to make a decision. The price to me was fair, and since I didn't have time to sit and enjoy it in the store, I got to enjoy it while walking to my next destination. If you're visiting Cambridge, or live in the area and want an excellent bubble tea, definitely take a look at Dado! I can't wait to go back.
(4)Azalea K.
Had a pretty decent bibimbap here and some delightful oolong tea. This location is a nice, big space with free wireless and outlets in the front. Theyre really friendly and dont make you feel awkward for sticking around for hours to do work.
(4)Matt S.
Just can't get over how quality this place still is. Both locations, actually! I don't care that the service lacks. The tea and ambience and location make it perfect. And the tea! OH! Did I mention the tea? I did. Good.
(5)Trevor B.
A wide variety of loose-leaf teas, free wi-fi, plenty of seating, affordable lunch specials on weekdays; Dado Tea has it all. I'm a regular. If you're a coffee fan, they have only the basics here. Fancier concoctions can be had at Atomic Bean just across the street, or a few blocks away at 1369. My biggest gripe with Dado is the background music. It's not that the selection is bad (mostly classical/acoustic, which fits the classy atmosphere); it's that the music often clicks, stutters and skips. The year is 2012; when was the last time you heard a CD skipping?
(4)Jennifer N.
Dado tea is a peaceful place -- the almostCentral Sq. location is generally pretty quiet. The staff plays good music (sometimes jazz, sometimes classical), and serves delicious salads and sandwiches. For me, highlights include the delicious tea blends (like the serenity blend), the honeydew bubble tea, and the chrysanthemum tea. Also, their peppermint tea is delightfully strong, and I swear it cured me of a sinus infection. Oh- and this location is infinitely better than their Church St location which feels kind of cramped and uncomfortable.
(4)Rani P.
Who woulda thunk that a tea + coffee shop would have me ranting and raving a five star review to all of my friends and coworkers. My initial four-star mental rating after drinking their delicious bubble tea was surpassed today because I did what many may not think to- I ordered food. Why? Because they're fresh and healthful menu is jam packed with the perfect light lunches that replace the heavy feeling with happy feelings :) So deciding between pesto tofu, chicken salad, roasted turkey and egg salad was not an easy task- but the Toto Wrap (turkey, fresh mozzarella, apple, greens and pesto) included so much goodness I couldn't resist. It was overstuffed with fresh mixed greens and apples- the pesto was perfection, and the turkey tasted out-of-the-deli fresh. Topped the whole wheat wrap off with a peach tea and might have had the best lunch I've had in Central Square (and I eat here a lot....) They have successfully merged delicious food with delicious bubble tea, making me proud to not pack my lunch and instead eat/drink/bemerry at Dado Tea.
(5)Jess R.
Dado Tea is right around the corner from my apartment, so I have to restrain myself from coming here every day for tea and snacks! I love their daily lunch special, particularly Tuesday when my favorite roll (turkey, apples, mozzarella, greens) is the star. As others have mentioned, the staff is super friendly and they really take pride in their handiwork, making each drink or sandwich with great care. Not much else to say! Tasty drinks (bubble tea!!), tasty snacks, nice staff, cozy atmosphere.
(5)Rebecca S.
I love Dado Tea. They have a nice selection of green and black teas, and a fantastic hot honey-fresh ginger-lemon tea that is just the thing if you feel a sniffle coming on. Their food is also very good -- fresh salads, wraps, and sandwiches that are filling but never heavy. Lots of vegetarian options, but they also have a nice chicken salad. This is a great place for a light meal.
(5)Joanna C.
It definitely is a peaceful oasis here. Met a work colleague here to go over our battle plan before giving a huge presentation in front of a room full of people! My tummy gets all twisty and turvy when I get extremely nervous, so I had a pot of their organic peppermint tea while waiting for my co-worker to show up. And it was... delicious. It settled my nervous stomach, and enabled me to focus on what was at hand and ultimately kick butt 20 minutes later! YES! Definitely would be back if I was ever in the area again. The people behind the counter (specifically the Asian gentleman) were EXTREMELY nice, and I stopped for an iced Green Oolong bubble tea on my way home... which was perfect. They were able to do it with soy milk, which was a welcomed surprise for me, and the tapioca balls were slightly sweet and springy in my mouth. Mmmm... delish. :) PS - bathroom was also super accessible and clean!
(5)lizzie b.
I don't think the atmosphere is as good as it should be, but it's a lot nicer and better and fresher than it's copy-cat on Church Street. Today I stopped in for bubble tea and tried one of their "special" teas -- jazzermelon -- watermelon mixed in with jasmine tea non-dairy smoothie with tapioca. Yum, yum! Deelish! It certainly tasted good for a crisp fall day, and it made my cold feel better. I would recommend this place to those in the area. It's great to have more neighborhood hang-outs. I only wish there were more near Central/Harvard area -- like a nice old-fashioned bakery or deli.
(4)M. L.
This is THE SLOWEST shop in the area. They really have no reason to be, given their location away from the busier central Harvard Square area. There were only 2 people ahead of me in line, but after waiting for 1/3 of my lunch break, I had to leave empty-handed and trek back to Crema.
(2)Jen A.
I went here to try their bubble tea, and I was disappointed. I tried their white tea bubble tea, and there was way too much ice (about 2/3 of the cup), which made the bubbles hard and the tea watery. The flavor was lacking as well. In the end, I had to throw it out before I could finish. If you're in Cambridge, I'd suggest going to Leisure Station instead. They make the drinks with much less ice, and the bubbles are more chewy.
(2)Denise W.
The reason this Dado Tea is better than the one literally a mile away in Harvard is that the tables are huge - HUGE, I say - and as I mostly stalk this place because I need wifi and a place to study. It was the dead of finals time and anyone who knows anything knows that grabbing a spot at a place with free wifi is horrendous. So anyway, it's a big place with big tables, free wifi, coffee/tea/smoothies and random treats. I'm not the biggest fan of the fare at Dado, but that's not to say it isn't good. Oh, and if you're there hella late, scones become half off.
(4)Chris M.
I went to this place to study for exams and I ended up staying all day! Well, mostly because it was freezing outside so I didn't want to move. First, I ordered a slice of cappuccino cake. It tasted pretty good except it was a bit dry and had a dried film over it like a skin from sitting in the display window for so long. Perhaps they should cover their pre-sliced cakes with saran wrap to prevent from drying out. But then it wouldn't look as appetizing, so I can understand why they don't. Later on, I got the bi bim bap which was basically a salad of mixed greens, cucumbers, sprouts, mushrooms, shredded carrot, and multi-grain brown rice. The rice was delicious! I ordered it with turkey, which sucked because it was just sliced deli turkey. But when you put their hot sauce on it and eat everything together, it was yummy! They also put a healthy amount of sesame oil which makes it very aromatic. Their dinner special is the bi bim bap (or a sandwich or wrap) with a tea and a treat (cookie) for just around $9. I ordered it with meat, so it was a dollar more (without meat is $8 and change). They give you a large portion so I was able to take some home and a made ramen the next day and added my leftovers in. It was really good that way. I also got a slice of banana nut bread, which was really good because I took it home and microwaved it. It was steaming hot and tasted like it had just come fresh out of the oven. I also got a cornmeal cookie, which was ok. The atmosphere is nice. The music selection is a great variety, but they do play it too loud sometimes. There are a decent number of outlets for your laptop, but only if you sit near the walls. There are a good amount of chairs and tables, but just be aware that around dinner time, it gets packed. There is a bathroom down the hall, but you have to borrow their key to use it. The place is kept clean and the people that work there are pretty friendly. I would definitely go back there again and try their wraps or sandwiches. Their tofu looked good (at least what looked like tofu). By the way, they only take credit cards if you purchase over $10. A big plus is that they have free wi-fi!
(4)Tammy K.
Stopped by here because the Buddhist vegetarian place across the street was closed. Dado definitely satisfied my craving for healthy and comforting food. Just as we stepped in, sunny skies turned to torrential downpour, making this teashop even more welcoming and cozy. There is a great selection of teas (iced, hot, herbal, caffeinated, with or without pearls). The food menu includes many healthy selections, from whole wheat wraps to multigrain rice dishes to salads. I had the bibimbap, which comes with multigrain rice, cucumber, salad mix, shiitake mushrooms, bean sprouts and carrots. For an extra $2, you can choose a protein topping (tofu, turkey, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad). The turkey was a little higher quality than tyipcal luncheon meat. The dish comes with hot sauce on the side. If you're not into spicy, use sparingly - this sauce definitely adds some heat! I also had the iced lemon and ginger tea, which is made from a mix. This is a really refreshing drink for summer - nice and cooling! I normally don't like ginger, but this was the perfect combination of lemon and ginger. If you don't like your tea too sweet, you can ask them to add more water in. My friend had the multigrain rice, which comes with a salad and tofu. The dressing on the salad and tofu is soy-ginger. Really nice and light - and surprisingly filling! Dado is definitely the type of place I like to stop by after a good workout to fuel up and feel healthy!
(4)Huong P.
I was having some self-doubts about this place, thinking that they were trying to amp up the prices for some simple tea and bubble tea that they brand organic. I was, however, pleasantly wrong. The whole feeling of this place was rather simple. Homey.. the kind of place that is a wonderful mix of comfortableness like being at home and working environment perfect for studying. There are plenty of space to grab a table and work all day... which I did. I came in around 11 and did not leave until they were closing around 6. There I got an iced peach blossom tea--black tea with a hint of a fruity flavor. It was light and tasted great. I got the caffeine I needed and a little flavor that wasn't overwhelming. And then I started working... ... And working.... ... And kept on working until my stomach rumbled from being hungry. I decided to give the multigrain meal a try since I am a tofu fan and was interested in how they would make the multigrain rice. It was not what I was expecting, as the presentation of the dish was simple but beautiful. The foods were light, although I had an issue of the seeping sesame oil that kept getting on the utensils (dear hostess, please hand me the utensils than putting it on the plate). And it was very filling. The rice may seem bland but when soaked with the sesame oil and when eaten with the ginger-soy sauce marinated tofu, it was the perfect combination. The bathroom may look a little rundown, but at least it's clean. Overall, Thank you for providing me a wonderful study space while bringing simple, but delightful dishes.
(4)Justin H.
I had a jasmine bubble tea here the other day. It was tasty- but the tea was weak. The cashier was friendly, extra points. There's wi fi which is a plus, and a reasonable number of seats so unless it's prime time you can usually find a place to work at a table or at the bar lining the windows. The bathroom is outside down a hall, which is kind of inconvenient. Also the power strip to plug in your electro devices is hanging from the wall right next to a seat so if the place is crowded, you have to dance your way to the outlet and wave your power cord through the person's arms, legs, etc. The menu offers a range of teas and coffees and to be honest, Im a fan of any place that serves yerba mate. I wonder how many people order that? I like the atmosphere, like most coffee shops it's a bit pricey and there are some tasty deserts that I've never tried. Dad has a nice view of the street through it's wall to wall windows, and is a good neighborhood cafe to get some work done.
(3)Hibah H.
The perfect lunch spot in Harvard Square. The carrot ginger salad is delightful, as is the pesto tofu wrap. Where else can $7 get you a plate of fresh, simple food, a cup of black coffee, and an apple? They also sell Pocky, which is always a plus in my book.
(4)Dessa R.
The facts: Excellent tea/coffee selection, fast non-chatty service (the best kind), free wi-fi, and a superb space for studying and small meetings. The only potential drawback is that it's kind of in that barren area between Central and Harvard, but so worth the extra few minutes walk. Whenever I need a quiet coffee place to take care of something serious or important, this particular Dado is my best bet.
(4)R. M.
The teas are good: good selection and good brewing. The coffee is bad. Service is mediocre, not very friendly or helpful. Space is clean and neat. Prices are average for the Cambridge, area... competitive with TeaLuxe.
(3)Michael O.
For a coffee man who only drinks tea when he's sick, I may not be the one to comment on their tea. I am a sandwich lover, though, who is very opinionated about bread freshness, quality of ingredients, and price. To that end, I have a great deal of praise for Dado. Their Chicken Salad is delicious. You can tell that it's all white meat by its consistency. Not overly-Mayo-tasting. The fresh greens included are a crunchy counterpoint to the chicken salad and hearty, yet moist, multi-seed bagel that was my bread. Cozy atmosphere. Soothing music with lots of ethnic variety. $7.10 including tax seems a tad much for a bagel sandwich. But you can tell that the extra cost is due to the high quality of ingredients, not just because they are charging whatever they feel like.
(4)Asya T.
Delicious and fresh veggie options that leave me feeling as good as if I'd made healthy lunch at home rather than eaten out. Service is super friendly and fast as well.
(5)kelly w.
You would think since my office is right next door I would get sick of this place, but I still love it! I have lunch there all the time. Of course the tea is great, but so are the sandwiches and they're HUGE. The toto wrap is my favorite - turkey (even though I'm trying to go vegetarian, I lapse sometimes), fresh mozzarella, greens, apple slices and pesto. It's also great how you can customize a basic sandwich with different spreads and such, just by filling out their order cards.
(5)Stefano J. A.
Sandwiches that you could make yourself with nothing other than pre-sliced ingredients out of a supermarket, and teas that you could make yourself with... well, a kettle and a teabag. Doesn't make for a place where I would happily spend 12 dollars. I was hoping for some help picking the tea, but the ladies at the counter and I could barely understand each other, so I had to keep it simple and short, and got not at all what I had in mind.
(1)Shira S.
Great place to get work done! Free wifi, it's never crowded, the beverages and refreshments are great and not too expensive, the staff are nice, pleasant (but non-distracting) music is playing--I could go on and on! Ultimately, I will definitely be coming back on those days when I want to get out of my house to do schoolwork.
(5)Emily M.
The staff is very friendly and the food/drinks are prepared so fast! I come in for an americano and the guy has it ready before I finish paying. This is the closest coffee/tea shop to my work so all of my co-workers and I go here frequently. Great baked goods!
(5)Shaina S.
This place is a crazy mishmosh of Asian culture; There's Korean music, Korean masks, and Bi Bim Bab. And then there's the Japanese name, the Chinese teas, and the boba (originally Taiwanese). I came here with a Korean student who said, "Maybe they can't tell us apart..." I don't really think that's the case because I think the owner is actually an Asian woman (though I don't know specifically from which country). I do, however think that Dado has a lot to offer in the way of fresh salads, sandwiches, and tea varieties. The service is not excessively friendly, which feels appropriate somehow, and they never have a problem when I come in here with a larger group. It's also the perfect kind of quiet place to meet up with a friend. I hate boba with a passion for it's phlegm-y texture but I was almost able to choke down one of Katie F.'s tapioca balls, without spitting it into a napkin. That's sayin' somethin.
(4)Bethany B.
I go here on a regular basis. It is one of the few places that I will order tea. I have two things I order fairly regularly - the chicken salad wrap with cucumber or banana bread - both with Dragonwell Tea and a lemon. The owner is great - he knows where I work, recognizes me AND knows my tea order. He even noticed when I cut my hair! They are a little pricey, but I have to say, I would rather pay a little extra and get the great service that goes with it.
(4)A V.
It tastes healthy, and it IS healthy. Which normally doesn't mean that it tastes delicious. Fortunately, for this spot it does.
(5)Adam E.
I ended up at Dado after a failed attempt at shopping for home goods at Bowl & Board, which is closed now. I was sad because I really wanted to spend some coin on stuff I didn't need. And I was hot. I do not enjoy the summer and get really ornery when the mercury goes above 75F. So when I got to Dado I was pouting and definitely needed an iced tea. The bearded fellow behind the counter smiled and welcomed me, and provided me with a plain ol' black iced tea. It was delightful and at 20 ounces, was definitely enough. It was about $2.50. I felt better already. After a few splashes of simple syrup, I was back to my chipper, optimistic self. Ok, not quite. But I enjoyed the tea and some qt with a book. Just the ticket before heading back out into the stupid heat. The atmosphere was lovely, with a relaxing water feature. But it would've been nice if there was wi-fi. I'm not sure I'd choose it as a place to hang out regularly for hours on end, but I don't think that's what the place is going for. Although there was ample seating on the Friday afternoon I stopped in. What, I took the day off, so? Anyway, it's a nice stop to refuel, and the sandwiches looked great too so maybe grab one of those with your juice.
(4)Michael K.
To be fair, I have only ever gotten Thai and Chai tea at both locations of Dado Tea. Oh yeah, and I got a sandwich once, which was delicious. Anyway, what I mean to say is that the sweet Japanese man who works here (and presumably owns it from the way he directs around everyone else) can tailor the concentration and sweetness of these teas to your taste if you just ask him. I am pretty poor and I don't live in Cambridge anymore, so I have been making my own masala chai (where the ef can you find thai tea to brew yourself?) which costs much less than $3.84 for a medium. But yes, since one of my three life goals is to become a chai guru, I highly recommend stopping by this place and ordering the chai tea. Plus there is outdoor seating for those of us who enjoy getting some sunlight (granted there are only two tables, four chairs total, in direct, unshaded sunlight in front of a rather unremarkable building on a rather unremarkable stretch of Mass Ave where quite a few unremarkable people often walk).
(5)Joanna C.
I absolutely love their organic pesto tofu salad with mixed greens and pesto spread (or olive spread - equally yummy). Everything is always so fresh and delicious. I wish it was a little cheaper though - around $7 for a wrap (I know it's $8 for a lunch special, with apple/banana/chips and a drink, but I never get that since I'm too stuffed after just the wrap), I'd definitely buy more often.
(4)Orly M.
LOVE!!! I used to come here a lot when I worked a block away. Somehow, having moved 3 blocks down the street, it fell off my radar. I need to start going back! Great Americanos and decent prices. I'm an Americano girl so I can't comment on the coffee. AWESOME sandwiches. Not cheap, but fresh and healthy and tasty and made to order just how you like them. I used to get the one with fresh mozz and pesto a lot. They had really good soup WARNING: The bi bim bab salad is highly disappointing. If you love the 'bab, pass on it. The atmosphere is lovely and soothing. It's actually a good place for a business meeting too, some good sized tables and bright enough to get things done, but still relaxing.
(5)Tom E.
Dado Tea's original store provides a respite from all the pine tables and vinyl chairs of Mass Ave's furniture ghetto. The Korean couple who founded this cafe have managed to create a nice and calm light-filled atmosphere - something that often is lacking in their more accessible (ie. busy) Harvard Sq branch. I , like countless others, popped in here for rest and refuel on my walk between Harvard and MIT. My engine runs on tea, and in terms of choice, I was not let down - Dado has a long menu, if a little expensive in places. The tea took a while to come and wasn't served very well either. Perhaps our server was having a bad day, she certainly was no help in advising about all the different teas. I really wanted to like this Dado, as I do like their Harvard outpost, but the uncomfortable and rather bland seating ruined it - especially when Mrs Annoying McAnnoyingson on the table behind started banging her chair against the back of mine and then telling me off. Come on Dado - give us more room!
(3)Kelly N Z R.
YAYAYAY-- This is my 100th review! Dado Tea has a neat atmosphere-- typical cafe in the front, tea house in the back. Better yet, it has an awesome 7-ingredient tea, whose name escapes me now (but I'll look it up), that includes dry raspberries and rock candy. I highly recommend it!
(5)M R.
Dado Tea is a nice, quiet place on Massachusetts Avenue. They have a good selection of tea, food, and assorted Japanese foods. The proprietor is clearly intelligent: he has not knuckled under to popular demand for wireless internet. If a wireless portal opens up, he can kiss his seating and customers goodbye, because this is a very nice place to hang out. Bring cash if you plan on spending less than $10. They do not have a minimum charge for credit cards, but credit card charges are hard to absorb for small businesses.
(4)Jenny F.
I was craving a good cup of tea so I stopped at Dado. I knew I wanted something with ginger. I asked the guy working at the counter if he could make me something with ginger. He made me an Indian Chai. Now I have had chai before and this was nothing like that. Indian tea with fresh grated ginger and ginger extract with a teeny tiny bit of milk then sweetened with honey. Wow this tea had bite! If I lived near here I would go broke from drinking tea all of the time. Lot's to choose from and they also carry a great selection of loose tea.
(4)Kristen D.
This place is the bomb. I do a lot of work here on the weekends, and unlike many of the tea places in Central/Harvard you can almost always get a table and the free wireless is fast and reliable. The atmosphere is really nice--calm but not creepy quiet, and the soft classical music they play on the speakers is a nice background. I've never had any of their food/sandwiches, but they always look delicious. Bubble tea is great. Their boba is usually a little "al dente" with a firm, chewy center which personally I love. Their regular tea selection is also great and reasonably priced. Only con is that sometimes it's a little warm and could use more outlets. $10 minimum on cards so bring cash.
(5)Ellen E.
This place is really cute inside. The service was kinda slow, and the order forms were nice but there were no pens around till you got to the front counter so that was kind of useless... My bubble tea was good, but not the best I've ever had either. I had the Mango one. I also just found out that bubble teas are really terrible for you, I guess I should have known before? I dunno I googled it and its like 350 calories on up. OUCH. I did have a really good veggie sandwich there though so props on that. I have to admit though, the prices are way too high, so that will probably keep me from going back. Free wi-fi is a plus though. I'd go back if I needed that.
(3)Julia F.
Pros: Once I heard people discussing/singing an opera in the making? Very funny. Managed to keep a straight face. I mean... They have seating enough for larger groups... It is nice and sunny and very clean in here. They sell fruit. My vegan cousin can eat lunch here. Cons: Things seem to be overpriced. Their bubble tea made me feel like I was sucking phlegm through a straw, I was off bubble tea for a LONG ASS time. My vegan cousin can eat lunch here, so mostly things do not look delicious to me.
(2)Erin K.
I like patronizing this little tea/coffee place by work. I've also been to the Harvard Square location and like it equally well although this one is a little more tucked away and thus a bit less busy. The coffee and tea drinks are good. I've tried both lattes and the homemade chai bubble tea. They have a respectable pastry selection, the same types of scones, brioches, muffins that seem to proliferate between petsi's, 1369 and the former Toscannini's cafe that's on Kirkland and now called something else. The food is quite good for a lunch stop. Its on the lighter side, I've had the salad with marinated ginger-soy tofu. It was simple, not exactly something you couldn't make at home but it tasted good and with marinated ginger carrots was light and refreshing. I've also had the Potter wrap which is huge and will fill you up for the rest of the day. Its an unusual combination of cool chicken salad in a wrap with tomato, field greens and warm mixed grain rice. It was very tasty and I could barely finish. They also have daily lunch specials with a sandwich of the day and drink and chips or fruit. This place is soothing, calm, and unpretentious. Its worth stopping by.
(5)Laura F.
Peaceful, quiet tea, bubble tea, lassi type drinks, hot loose leaf teas and big wide tables. They are very serious about their teas here, for example the water temperature depends on the type of tea! It's a nice escape from both Central and Harvard Sq. It is also near to the Buddhist Society, which also has a great sense of peace to it. I love this place.
(3)Angelo S.
This place is owned and run by a gentle Nepalese man. The atmosphere of the location resonates with that Zen-like, at ease, and spiritual ambiance you associate with that side of the universe. Exotic and traditional types of drinks, many specialities and bubble teas, GREAT sandwiches, everything a bit on the more expensive side but absolutely worth it. This is my favorite laid back date spot.
(5)Mike K.
Dado Tea was the shining soothing light of an otherwise dour day. First thing in the morning I slipped and fell down the stairs, which did something to my right leg, causing me to limp for two weeks. (Up to now) Parking was tough to find, so I decided to take a shortcut through a parking lot, but due to my useless leg, I failed in getting over a chain-link fence, and got my favorite pair of jeans ripped. So I had to limp on a descending foot-thick wall to get down in front of Dado. But, once that was all over, and I went into Dado Tea, everything got better. The decor is peculiar, it's very clean and stark. But in a moment, the Asian styling becomes clear. As others have pointed out, very "Zen". Me and my companion ordered a pot of white peony tea (a.k.a Bai Mu Dan), I got a chicken salad sandwich on french bread, and she got the multi-grain rice dinner (Vegans gotta eat, too). I also had a carrot-cake for desert. Needless to say, everything was superb. The food was great, the tea was just right, plenty of leaves, and a lot of water to add. The leaves were of high quality, as well. The carrot cake was above my expectations. As a tea aficionado who admittedly hasn't sampled many of the local tea houses (I usually brew for myself), this is definitely a place to which I shall return. T info: Red Line - It's marked as Central Square, but it's closer to Harvard. So get off at Harvard, and walk south on Mass Ave. It's on the east side of the street, and a little bit hard to spot.
(4)Vanessa F.
I've been here a few times to study, and will be back. They have ample seating, free wifi, and tea. Pretty much everything I need. Plus, it's not just any tea, but they have my absolute favorites: genmai cha, lapsang souchong, and (oh my god) puerh. The pots are generous and they will rebrew the leaves if you ask them. Seriously, if you like tea, they've got the best selection in the area
(5)Elizabeth E.
A zen atmosphere and a very wide selection of fabulous teas does not outweigh the overpriced cost of everything here. I've paid a few visits and generally found the service to be pleasant. Maybe I'm just more of a coffee gal--but I really just think the tea was far to expensive. However, I hear from a discerning and reliable source that the Dada Veggie Wrap is healthy, fresh, divine, and worth every penny.
(3)Blaise F.
I love to meet people here for lunch. Their Bi Bim Bab and sandwiches are reasonably priced and healthy. It's also nice to order a pot of tea to offer to your guests, and it's a very comfortable spot to wait if you show up early.
(4)Jenny B.
Best. Egg salad. Ever. Not something I would normally order in a restaurant - but its amazingly good, and not full of mayo (which I find gross). The lunch deals are a great deal, but otherwise its a bit pricey.
(4)Bevin C.
I really, really enjoy the Dado wrap. It's got greens, shredded carrots, nicely ginger-marinated tofu, and this absolutely rad cooked grain blend. Mmmm, grains. The quality of this wrap varies depending on who is making it for you - the proportions and temperature are different from sandwich to sandwich. But I always get that self-satisfied, I-just-nourished-myself feeling when I eat it. Makes it worth the eight or nine bucks you have to pay for the thing (this place would get five stars if it were cheaper). Another thing that kind of bugs me about Dado is that they insist on having two different types of frequent buyer cards (those punch cards - buy ten get one free). So even though their coffee and tea costs roughly the same, you've got to have a separate coffee one and tea one. I'm not down with that. But I'm starting to think those cards are a total waste of my time anyway. But whatever, the tea is good, I could eat that wrap every day. The people who work at the Central Square location are really, really nice. Like, the nicest. And the Harvard location has the "stay focused" guy working there. Not sure if that is a plus or a minus...
(4)Diane I.
my school friends and i are on a 'cafe exploration circuit'. every sunday we meet up at a new place and get some studying done. this week was dado. it's "a-ok" as 3 stars suggest. a solid cafe. its not crazy busy or noisy. they play classical music. the coffee was okay.
(3)Gaelle D.
Such a relaxing spot! A great place to hang out to read, or even to work, because it's so quiet. They have fair-trade coffee, which is neat (although it doesn't taste any better IMHO). Their lunch specials are a good deal with a different sandwich every day of the week. Bi-bim-bop (Korean cold salad with spicy sauce on the side) is good but more expensive (more than $10). I guess it's OK for them to charge more since they are a locally-owned business. If you're on a budget try the Greater Boston Buddhist Cultural Center across the street, for cheap, non-profit, decent vegetarian fare.
(4)D M.
I stopped in this morning because I just missed the bus, and figured I could grab a tea while I was waiting. I had to wait a while because it looked like there was some sort of sandwich training going on, but I ordered a peppermint tea. I had to wait my entire bus ride home for it to cool to the appropriate drinking temperature. It was well worth the wait and it's delicious. Perfectly minty and refreshing and lovely! So good. I will go in again at some point. They have good treats and sandwiches, it seems. It looked good, but I had my breakfast already. Beware, $10 minimum on credit card purchases.
(4)Michele G.
This is a really great little place that I wish was closer to where I live. It's a nice respite from the Mass. Ave stretch and has cute decor that evokes a calming atmosphere. I haven't been here in some time, but anytime I'm around, I make it a point to stop in and relax..forget about the city outside of the shop's doors. And of course, the tea and cuisine are both delicious.
(4)Stephanie ..
Only been here once. They wisely have a no-cell phone policy. Ordered a sandwich with hummus, feta, and olives...it was decent. Their chais taste more indian, than say, any chain coffee shop, but not quite in the style of the "indian chai" they claim. The decor seems to lack personality--a bit sterile, but they have great window seating and a few outside tables.
(3)stephanie c.
Waste of time. Slow service, limited menu and very overpriced. Apparently they don't have much competition, can't think how they survive otherwise. Maybe it's the free Wifi, no other reason to come in here.
(2)Jessica P.
Fantastic tea....and much quieter than Harvard Square.
(5)Claire S.
I much prefer this Dado to the location in Harvard Square. It's less busy, more spacious, and overall a better place to settle in with a computer and get some writing done (or papers and some grading or a book and some reading...). I especially love the tables in the back--each is big enough for four chairs but you can sit alone, spread out and not feel guilty. I haven't done a scientific comparison, but I think their prices are a little higher than, say, Starbucks, but I'm willing to pay them because the ambiance is worth it.
(4)Kristine M.
I love Dado Tea! My favorite tea there is the chrysanthemum. I like that they have Pocky so I can munch on Pocky when I'm sipping on tea. This is actually my preferred Dado location because I've gone to the Harvard Square location and been unable to find seating. :-( I've gotten a hummus sandwich here before and it was quite tasty!
(4)Charlie G.
GLUTEN FREE DRESSING! I am so excited they just started making some gluten-free dressing - their famous soy, sesame ginger dressing - that I had to join Yelp to write this review and let everyone else know that if you are gluten-free or have celiacs, you can now eat their salads. Their bubble tea is also gluten free. They're testing it out, so go and try it now! and thank the owner for listening to customer feedback. Personally, I love their multi-grain rice meal. I also love their honey-lemon ginger tea, especially when I feel like I might be getting sick. It clears me right up! For those who aren't gluten-free, their sandwiches are DELICIOUS! especially on the multi-grain bread!
(5)shary m.
Dado and I have an interesting relationship. We live very close by to each other, so we interlude very often, but we never acknowledge each other. This is because sometimes "he's" very grumpy in the morning and that's difficult with the bright and early nature of a coffee shop...he can always make it up to me with the hummus and ginger carrot wrap, or the rice meal and a boba tea (mint variety is wondrous)...but that isn't in the morning, that would be more mid-day. So it all depends on who's controling who and at what time. Me, him, or the barista on duty. All in all, my experience is inconsistently zen, which I would think is his syle, but he's got me on a short leash, I will always return.
(3)Christina G.
I love Dado tea. Great tea selection, fresh pastries, nice classical music that relaxes you while you happily work on your computer. Big tables, quiet baristas (they could smile more) but i happened to be served by the owner who is super friendly. A very nice place right between Central and Harvard.
(5)Shannon C.
Dado tea is my favorite place to shed the winter blah's. Yes, drink the tea and sit quietly with a book and definitely try one of their sandwiches (the tofu pesto is surprisingly good). But if you try Dado Tea, make sure to sit by the windows on a sunny winter day and enjoy the warmth, the sun, and the plants...and forget it's winter.
(4)Sarah T.
I love Dado Tea because their food is always fresh and tasty. However, sometimes it takes a little while waiting for your order when it comes to the luncheon rush. They have a variety of interesting selections for tea, sandwiches, salads and you can even create your own. Don't expect it to be a fast experience not an inexpensive one because between the sandwich and a tea you could run yourself greater than $10... but it is worth the trip.
(4)Ashley S.
Dado Tea is tucked away inconspicuously in my nook of Cambridge between Harvard Sq and Central Sq. The off the beaten path location makes for a great overall vibe - super chill/friendly staff, enough seats for everyone, patrons are polite to each other, no cell phones and very few laptops, etc. The tea selection is pretty exhaustive, the breakfast pastries are fresh and the lunch choices really hit the spot - especially the pesto tofu spread/sandwich.
(4)S S.
I spent some time here, during my CFA exam days. The bad first, its one of those places that does not accept card for anything under$10. The good, its so electic and cambridge. I love the bubble tea here, and the various pastry delight. I like the seating where you face church street garage and watch the crazies of Harvard sqaure. I love the food here. Sooo healthy, yet amazingly yummy. I ate a brown rice, tofu, sesame dish here and loooved it!!! This place does get busy and sometimes finding a table here is very challenging. Oh, also you get booted for talking on the cell phone!
(4)K P.
Dado tea is my favorite place to work. The pot of tea is giant and good quality, the front of the store is sunny and usually pretty quiet, they play music that's conducive to studying, and the free wifi works well. It's also great for staring out at Mass Ave and watching the people walk by while thinking about equations or experiments. Their baked goods are average but the tuna salad sandwich is homey and perfect. The staff is polite and accommodating.
(4)Nikki K.
Love the decor, it's cozy and not overtly done that shouts Asianess. I like their large selection of tea, and have done my Christmas shopping here for tea-loving friends because it's the only place I could find both authentic Chinese teas and "lovely" Western variations. Their bubble teas are also decent with subtle flavors, not too sweet or syrupy like Boston Tea Stop in Harvard Square. Try the jasmine. Although on the expensive side, I still like to pop in once in a while for the warm and simplistic atmosphere or a cup of steaming tea to go.
(4)Jessamyn C.
Dado is really comfy. The Central Square location is a very calm space and tends to be very quiet. They have the best brownies, ever--with a double layer of fudge and mint frosting. The tea, I think can be oddly overpriced, but if you want to sit and enjoy the atmosphere it's worth it. And the tea is really very good. ALso the staff is unfailingly polite, and very calm, too, which contributes to the pleasant atmosphere.
(5)Julia C.
Lovely Zen like tea house. The place is really a relaxing oasis in busy Mass Ave. Stop there for a nice tea and a good boiok to read.
(4)Sophia C.
Dado tea is the BEST! Their bubble tea is excellent and their food selection is nice. This is a great spot for relaxing and the people who work there are so friendly!
(5)