Stopped here for an early dinner with my husband and boys ages 11 and 15. There was something for everyone (a challenge for us in picking restaurants). The 15 year old loved the chicken; my husband loved the atmosphere and sitting outside. They had a margherita pizza that worked for our youngest. I enjoyed the Hake and my husband and I shared a not-sweet-at-all beet and goat cheese salad. A bit pricey, but we will probably come back when we are in Harvard Square again.
(4)
Jennifer K.
Came here for the first time tonight and was pretty impressed. We were seated right away, our waiter was very attentive, and the ambiance was a nice, casual place. Perfect for catching up with friends. The food was pretty decent as well. I had the lobster macaroni and cheese. Not the best mac & cheese I've ever had, but pretty good. One complaint might be that they were a little skimpy on the lobster. The fish and chips was interesting as well. The fish itself did not have much flavor but came with a curry tartar sauce that had a nice little kick to it. The accompanying fries and apple coleslaw were surprisingly good as well. Coleslaws are usually a hit or miss with me, and I could've eaten a bucket of this one. Yum. Overall the food was a solid 3.5, and I'm bumping it up to 4 stars for the prompt service and nice atmosphere of the place. I'll be coming back, maybe soon!
(4)
Mairead N.
I usually come here for work lunch meetings. I've never been here at night. It is a pub/restaurant with the name of a street in Dublin. I'm not sure if its supposed to be an Irish pub, but whatever. The last time I went I had the salmon with greens and mashed potato and it was quite delicious. The wait staff are ok, a little slow the last couple of times and the place was not that packed at all. In the summer they open the windows and it can be a nice place to hang out if the weather is fine. It's ok, not great, every time I want it to be better but it always ends up being just kind of....alright.
(3)
Kasse R.
I came here for dinner and drinks on a Sunday night and I was surprised to see that this place was packed! My friend and I ended up sitting at the bar since the wait for a table would be a while and we ended up having a great time. We split the calamari and the Brussels Sprouts and Bacon and I had a "Zen Master" cocktail. Everything was delicious, service was spot on, and everything was on par with what I had expected pricewise from such a restaurant (very similar to LA). Overall, I would recommend if you were looking for some good eats around Harvard Square.
(3)
Heidi O.
We have been here numerous times particularly because of the outdoor patio. Last visit (July 4th) I had tasty sangria and price-worth charcuterie plate. Super-sweet waitress. My husband left his phone here and was to be found day after. Thanks!
(4)
Geoff F.
Not my cup of tea, despite the innumerable times I think I ended up here following my amigos around town. For one, i've found brunch to be subpar, especially compared to some of the other restaurants within the Grafton Group -- I'm looking at you, Russell House -- and i feel like the place has a bit of an identity crisis, especially on the weekend. There's better options around
(2)
Lauren F.
I visited Grafton Street on a Thursday evening after a conference with some work friends. We weren't sure how large our party would be or who was even coming, but the hostess seated us anyway at a large table. I thought that was very nice since most places won't seat you without your whole party. The sangria pitcher we got for the table was just OK, but the chicken with cheddar polenta and bacon was scrumptious. I also liked my table-mate's rosemary frites. The dining room is a good size but it's directly next to the bar which was loud with the Celtics game on. I felt like I had to shout to carry on a conversation with my friends. I would consider going back on a quieter night when there's no major sporting events happening.
(4)
Madeline N.
This is the same feel as Russell House Tavern in Harvard Square - kinda yuppie, room at the bar, room to eat, not too loud to hear your companions. Busy every night I've been here (Saturday, Wednesday) largely because I came with a crowd for various birthday parties. Not a lot of places to put your coat (a few hooks under the bar area) but you can always precariously place them over the backs of the booths one level down and hope that they don't fall down on the people eating below! Pleasant.
(4)
Elvira C.
Grafton Street is a hit and miss. More like a 3.5. Based on my first experience, I would give it a 5, but my second experience really wasn't that great. There are seatings outside, which is nice for a New England spring or fall day. The beet salad made with fresh beets, glazed pecan and a light vinaigrette was amazing! I had the New England Bouillabaisse my first time. The seafood was extremely fresh and the sauce was delightful. My friend had the chicken and she loved it. The second time I had the mussels. It was really mediocre. My friend had the ravioli and it was cold and not very fresh.
(4)
Alicia J.
Grafton Street is our go to place when we desire a nice dinner in Harvard Square. The service and food are always consistently good, and that's worth a lot. This review will cover our latest trip. We ordered a special clam appetizer with chorizo, the bouillabaisse and the scallops for the mains and the spiced molten cake dessert. The clam appetizer was well cooked with a pretty wonderful white wine / butter sauce. The sausage lost a bit of their flavor as if the sauce had been simmering a bit too long, but it was still a solid 4 star dish. We asked the waiter for more bread to soak up the sauce. The bouillabaisse consisted of clams, mussels, shrimp and potatoes in a tasty spicy red sauce. We ate it up. Finally for the mains, the scallops deserve special mention. I normally wouldn't order scallops as the portions are usually pretty small, and indeed the portions of scallops are smaller at Grafton Street when compared to their other offerings; however, the taste made up for it. The chorizo that come with the scallops were properly flavorful here and served as a great contrast. The fingerling potatoes -- tasty! Of course the scallops were perfectly cooked. We finished up with a spiced molten cake. The spicy cake was served with some holy ice cream. Mixing it all together with the hot 'molten' fudge was splendid. One thing I really like about Grafton is that the wine selection, while not spectacular, is quite respectable. We had the Vermentino white and also finished with a nice glass of port. Its the way to go for sure.
(5)
Jackie G.
Grafton street has the most amazing Day bartender. He is sweet, kind, and remembers the drinks (and names) of regulars. Optimistic disposition, nicely dressed, and dashing. Totally worth a trip to Grafton Street (but go before 5) :)
(5)
Erin B.
Food was decent, although nothing too special. All three of us ended up ordering the chicken panini, which was a good portion. I think they pride themselves on their drinks, which were impressive. They had a fairly extensive wine list, creative cocktails, and broad beer selection. I enjoy it when a bar has their own cocktail menus and puts something on there for everyone (They included drinks with varying main liquors.) It was rather busy, so I would recommend making a reservation. Despite it being packed, the service was speedy and friendly. Grafton Street feels like an upscale restaurant because of its presentation and service, but its casual and not stuffy. Good balance. If the food were better, I'd come more often!
(3)
Scott B.
If a school would offer a doctorate in Brunch, I'm pretty sure I'd get an honorary degree. So, with my expertise established, I can confidently say Grafton Street fails miserably when it comes to brunch. The food was sad. My eggs were a strange brown color (most likely from being cooked on a surface with old grease), the hash browns lacked any originality or flavor and tasted old, and the toast was disastrously dry. The sausage links were definitely homemade and delish, and saved this from a one star review. Also, the fresh squeezed orange juice is top notch. The service was mediocre at best. It was painfully difficult to get our coffees refilled, and our server was inattentive and lacking in personality. This review breaks my sweet little heart, as I really want to love this place, but unfortunately the experience speaks for itself.
(2)
Cat W.
This review is primarily for the service and not for the food/drink. I have been here many times over the years (for lunch, birthdays, dinners, drinks, meetups) and thought "it is what it is" with regards to this establishment. I came in on a Saturday night (in March 2014) at 5:30pm with a party of 14 other people in their early 20s. I did not expect to get exceptional service...but we did. "Thomas B" was our server. He was not only courteous and professional, he made our checkout process seamless! As dinner wrapped up, I was nervous thinking about how difficult it would be for everyone to put in money, decide who would be paying cash, who would be paying by credit card, etcetcetc. But Thomas B. saved the day by coming to our table with everyone's checks already individually printed out, placed in small black folios. Then he came back with pens inside each folio!! As we were putting on our coats, he asked if we needed directions to the theater. (We were all there for a pre-show dinner. Several of us had bouquets of flowers so I guess he could either tell or some other guest in my party told him what we were in town for.) A few days later, I decided to contact the restaurant to let them know that Thomas did a great job. I emailed their info@graftonstreetcambri… on a spur of the moment after midnight on a weekday. Their manager responded to my email within 5 minutes thanking me for the feedback, and it was clearly not an auto-generated email. It came from the general manager. I was very impressed by the professionalism of the restaurant. Again, this review does not have feedback on the food or drink itself, but the professionalism of this restaurant was certainly memorable. Again, my dinner party did not "look" like a party that would tip well or be notable, since most people were clearly in their young 20s, but still the server treated us like VIPs. I think he did not even charge us for coffee. We had a fabulous time!
(5)
Dessa R.
Had a business lunch here today. Cute dark space, nice location, and acceptable service, but the food? Disappointing and overpriced. Don't sucker yourself into ordering the mac and cheese. It's not what you think. Didn't try the drinks, so Grafton may be okay for that?
(2)
Ojus P.
Solid atmosphere, good location and the food is decent. The lobster mac and cheese was a little disappointing.
(3)
Audrey K.
Food is only decent, but the location can't be beat. Grafton's has a good bar (for beer - mixed drinks are poor), sidewalk seating, attentive service, and can accommodate large parties. The food is slightly better than standard pub fare (and a tad pricier), but I've always been happy with the quantity and quality. Attracts an older student crowd most nights, with more bros on weekends. Good for a causal dinner and drinks with friends; not exactly date-worthy. If you eat later in the evening, it can be hard to have conversations over the noise of the bar.
(3)
Jenifer W.
We tried this restaurant while in the area for graduation. It was a great experience, in all, and overall we were happy. ATMOSPHERE: BUSY! We arrived around 6:00 pm, and there was a full house. We had a party of 7, and had to wait about 20 minutes before getting sat. I took the little ones across the street to a nice grassy area, where we played happily until sitting down. The restaurant is upper scale, dimly lit, and not kid-friendly by trade, although they did a great job of accommodating us. FOOD: Very nice. Unbelievable, no, but clearly made with passion and well executed. We had: (1) Gorgonzola & Prosciutto Pizza for an appetizer - Tasty, but a little dry. IF there was sauce, there wasn't enough, and if there wasn't there needed to be. I couldn't taste the fig jam (assuming THIS was supposed to be the sauce), but had it been there this pizza would have been great. (2) Seared Day Boat Scallops - These were nicely done, cooked well, and were portioned just right. The cherry tomatoes were a somewhat "weird" addition (they looked strange on the plate), but not unpleasant. (3) Brandt Farms Grilled Bavette Steak - A little "poncy". The rest of the menu items didn't look as done up as this one did, so it stood out a bit. The flavors were good, not great, and the potatoes slightly dry. (4) Crab Cake (Did this as my entree) - Extremely tasty, probably the best crab cake I had on the entire east coast trip. It came complete with a corn relish that seemed odd at first but was fantasticly done and a welcome add, and an aioli sauce that was very good. My one complaint, if you call it that, was that there was not enough sauce to finish the crab cake, and I found myself scrimping. (5) Mushroom Ravioli - Fair, done well, clearly scratch made, and portioned decently, maybe slightly on the "not enough" side. The sauce was tasty enough, but a bit underseasoned for my personal preference. (6) Chicken Fingers and Mac & Cheese - Worth a mention because they don't actually HAVE a kids menu, and the chef whipped these up on request. Considering this was a very busy night food-wise, I found this extra special. SERVICE: Lacking. Our server took our food order, and we didn't see her again until we had to ask for the check. Some other servers brought the food, and although we needed drink refills she never did come back. The other point to note is that our food, while good, took a solid HOUR to get to our table - that's a rough ask of anyone, not to mention the little kids, so I was led to wonder if she forgot to put it in, or if this is truly acceptable by the chef. VALUE: Fair enough. While the prices are high, mostly around $20 - $25 per person, the food is well done, and the value stacks up. If you can afford this upperscale pricing, I'd recommend you stop by to see for yourself.
(4)
Kathy A.
This is more of a 4.5/5 instead of 4/5 review. We tried this place a little while back and it is pretty fantastic! It always seems to be busy in the bar and in general seating. The service is great! Our server was very nice and joked along with us throughout the meal. They have many great appetizers to choose from and delicious salads. They actually put anchovies on the Caesar Salad! (I realize many of you probably would prefer they not, and I'm sure you can get the salad without them). There are many sophisticated entrees to choose from as well as more traditional pub fare. They also have a few nightly specials which are typically fantastic. The salmon is especially great. The desserts are quite good, just relatively small portions for the price. Overall, absolutely enjoyed ourselves at Grafton Street and will definitely be back!
(4)
Kimberly H.
I have been to Grafton Street a handful of times and I can now say I am a fan. In my experience, some days are better than others as far as service goes. If you are sitting at the windows (prime people watching, let me tell you), prepare to be totally ignored. It seems like the windows are never anyone's actual section, so you have to do the creepy stare until someone notices that you have been sitting there for 20 minutes or just walk up to the bar. This particular dinner, a group of us were seated in the main dining room. We were having a meeting over dinner and our server was very accommodating, checking in only when necessary. I had eaten a late lunch so I ordered an appetizer I had not tried, the Short Rib Arancini. When the table's food arrived, mine was missing. It seemed that there was a confusion with the table numbers and mine was left off the ticket. I was not at all irritated, hey it happens, and I wasn't starving, but our server was very apologetic and even brought me some Rosemary Truffle Fries to munch on while I waited. Extremely nice of him! The fries were tasty and I would definitely order them again. When my Arancini arrived I was surprised by how large the portion was ... there is no real mature way to talk about big meaty balls but, I will try ... there were 3 large rice balls filled with tender short rib meat. The outside was crisp and cooked perfectly throughout. The accompanying tomato sauce had great flavor and a little spice and was topped with fresh basil and parmesan; a winner in my book and well worth the wait. All in all, Grafton Street is a solid spot for a casual diner when you are not in a rush.
(4)
Camille R.
The GM emailed me apologized prefusely for the service. They work hard to make sure customers are treated respectfully and would like me to give them another try. She said she would send me something in the mail so that I maky try Grafton Street or another one of their locations again. This was a very professional gesture and I am looking forward to another visit. Thanks!
(4)
Lauren F.
This restaurant is fantastic! The atmosphere is very relaxed, rustic, and inviting. My favorite time to come is in the afternoon when the music is at its best. That's not to say Grafton is lacking in the evening, though. The dinner menu is hearty with just enough creativity.(lobster mac and cheese, anyone?). The flatbreads are absolutely addictive... so fresh! The bar cannot be beat, especially in Harvard Square. It's so nice to find a laid-back place that still has high energy. The bartenders can make anything you want, but I'd suggest sticking to the incredible bar menu. So many really interesting options if you aren't into super-syrupy drinks!
(5)
T d.
enjoyed an excellent brunch here. Outdoor seating was great, and the food was tasty and fresh. Unfortunately, our server disappeared at the end of our meal, so we had to wait 20 minutes to get the check. Still, I would likely go back.
(3)
Min T.
Hey, hey, it's a gastropub! In general, I like gastropubs. Oh, I know, why are the drinks expensive? Why is comfort food not at comfortable prices? Yeah, well, it's a gastropub, something that just implies fancy mac and cheese as well as spendy drinks. But I like the atmosphere of gastropubs. They're warm and inviting and this one reminded me of a fave place in LA, the Village Idiot. Gotta say though, the food isn't bad and the drinks are well made. When we first got there, there was a bit of a wait so we entertained ourselves at the bar. Apparently they were out of house rum but Barcadi was like $.50 cents more so no biggie. I ordered my starter drink, my beloved vodka tonic and woohooo, there was vodka in this drink! No sooner did we order, our table was ready. For the three of us, they gave us a large table big enough for six. I thought that was cool as the Grafton was very crowded with what seemed like a young professionals gathering by the front window. I looked over the menu and was trying to decide between the mussels appetizer and a salad, or the paella or the native cod, mussel and lobster stew. Our server suggested the stew. It was very pretty. static.px.yelp.com/bphot… I definitely loved the tenderness of the cod in it. There were quite a few chunks of lobster but the mussels were so-so. Overall, I felt like it was much of a stew as more of a soup with seafood in it. The broth was good but could have been thicker. The paella and stew were both $18 which wasn't too bad for something that had quite a bit of seafood. I was missing some greens though so I added a side of brussel sprouts for $4. Um, I could use more brussel sprouts. static.px.yelp.com/bphot… Sarah G and her boyfriend, Matt J split the lobster bisque, pumpkin empanadas and chickpea burger. The "burger" really looked more like a giant pita. I didn't try any of their food but apparently the lobster bisque was the fave.
(3)
Anne B.
Consistently good food and friendly service. It can be loud on weekend nights and there will be a wait for a table. I eat at Grafton Street at least twice a month and am never disappointed.
(4)
Bill L.
Went here on a cold rainy afternoon and found the hostess and server to be extraordinary - they made the experience a pleasure. The chicken and bean soup had huge chunks of chicken - really tasty, and the chickpea burger was filling and tasty! I would recommend it to anyone!
(4)
Vanessa D.
I came here for dinner recently, and the food was fantastic! They had blood orange sangria (wooh!), herb infused butter with the bread, a HUGE plate of truffle fries for only $4, and a yummy beet salad. I was a happy camper. My boyfriend had their steak entree which was amaaaazing. I kept stealing bites of his. We are planning on returning soon so I can have the steak too :) I would suggest making a reservation ahead of time because this place can be really crowded. There was quite a wait for walk-ins and even a bit of a wait for people with reservations. Altogether, out visit was great and we really enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant!
(4)
Oiyan P.
This is how my friend Sherry described our experience last night: "It's like we're in an abusive relationship with this place." One minute the service was really friendly and attentive, the next minute it was like we weren't there for long periods, then we were being offered free dessert, then we weren't there.... After a good 90 minute yoga session, I was starving, and Sherry joined me for dinner down the street from the yoga studio so we could catch up. I was really excited about the truffle fries! I mean, can you ever go wrong with truffle infused foods? I also ordered the lobster mac and cheese with truffles! Sherry ordered the heirloom tomato salad. After ordering, we waited.... and waited.... 20 minutes went by, and then another 10 minutes went by... all this time, no one came by, and we had drank all of our water. Finally we waved our server down, and she asked if we needed more water. We said yes, but then also asked her how long our food would be since it had been about 35 minutes since we'd ordered. She said it was on it's way, and that the lobster mac and cheese was what takes longest. Before even being able to ask/say anything further, our server was already walking away. A few minutes later, another woman (the manager? owner?) came over to us to apologize for the long wait and to offer us free dessert. It was a really nice gesture. There was clearly a lack/break down of communication between the server and us. If a certain item takes longer to prepare, I suggest that the service staff make the customer aware. I probably would have ordered something else. Or at the least, we could have asked for the fries to come out first. Instead, when we were ordering and she asked us if we wanted everything to come out together, we assumed that it would be faster to have it all come out at the same time. I was sorely mistaken. We also didn't get a refill of water for another 20 minutes. When I looked around, I saw all the other tables with bottles of water so they could refill their water themselves. Granted, Sherry and I asked for iceless water, and the bottles we assume were chilled, but couldn't they have filled a bottle with room temp water for us? The food - the truffle fries were ok. They were sort of shoe string fries, which were just ok by themselves. With the truffle oil, it took them up a notch, but these weren't very memorable truffle fries. The lobster mac and cheese was really really hot, and pretty decent. I wanted memorable since there was truffle and lobster together covered with cheese (3 of my favorite things), but this was somewhat under-seasoned. Sherry didn't seem terribly bowled over by her heirloom tomato salad either. The ambiance - I really wanted to like the place because it is really cute. I like the big booths and the outdoor patio. The music playing was really great! Like Sherry said, it was kind of an abusive relationship. There was bouts of great friendly and attentive service, followed by bouts of extended neglect, then followed by offers of gifts. In the end we decided not to get the free dessert because it took so long for the server to come back and check on us when we were done eating our meals. We were both tired. It was 10:10 p.m., and I still needed to get home to JP! Overall, the experience was disappointing.
(2)
Big E.
We had a very enjoyable lunch experience here. We had wonderful burgers cooked just right and the service was very nice. Just beware that meter parking along the street there is one hour limit, strictly enforced, apparently. We got a spot right out front, paid the meter and then when we were almost done eating, realized our hour was almost up so fed the meter a little extra to make sure we didn't go over. Then we got back out to the car less than maybe 20 mins later, and had a ticket for going over the hour limit even though we added more money. Sometimes you just can't win. It's not the restaurant's fault, of course! But I guess next time, you have to go move your car mid-meal or just find longer term parking to begin with.
(5)
Derek W.
I would have given this place 5 stars if they had everything on the menu that was advertised. Realizing it was good friday, the other person with me ordered the salmon which was to come with brussel sprouts however, they were out of brussel sprouts and replaced it with spinach. Not terrible but again not what was advertised. I wanted the pumpkin cheescake but it wasn't available. The service, excellent. From the hostesses out front to the servers and actual wait staff. This place was mobbed at the entrance, the bar was very crowded but they seemed to have everything under complete control. We didnt' have to wait long at all (shorter than we were told). The Food was excellent, for appetizers we had two, the grafton plate which is cheeses, mustard, jelly's and some prosciuto and we also had the tuna tartare which was out of this world. It had a delicious mix of tuna and avocado. For dinner I opted for the butternut squash raviolis which was served with baby arugula and capers, something i have never had before and it was fantastic. The deserts were also exceptional, the creme' brulee was fantastic. Pricing was average, considering you are in downtown harvard square and parking is a bitch but hey it's harvard square. We had a nice seat near the window and enjoyed some people watching as well. Again, would have been 5 stars for me if not for the running out of menu items. On a friday, that is just unacceptable to me.... Derek W
(4)
Azalea K.
Grafton is a solid place for food and drinks, but particularly valuable for late night hangouts with larger groups. Lots of open space by the bar, reasonably priced drinks, and an overall lively atmosphere.
(3)
Keith S.
Good solid food. Outstanding service. nice presentation. Could be a bit loud but the curtains and wall hangings create something of a sound barrier and offers a bit of privacy if you ask for one of the corners. Better than the typical Harvard Square eatery
Finally had the chance to try the food here and we were very impressed with the Valentine's Day Prix Fixe offerings. Between us, we had the: -Grilled Stuffed Quail -Sweet Potato Gnocchi -Seared Day Boat Scallops and Cherries -Molasses and Lemon Grilled Duck Breast -Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Torte -Raspberry Mousse Everything was nicely executed and I particularly enjoyed the duck breast and scallops. The outer parts of both the duck and scallops were grilled perfectly and the inside was very tender and flavorful. I also tried the 2006 Solaire Chardonnay and 2007 Gnarly Head Zinfandel. The chardonnay had a really consistent, supple smoothness that was neither too light nor overly heavy - a great match for the quail and scallops. The zinfandel was great with a well-balanced fruity body and lightly dry finish. My date had a gin-based cocktail muddled with lime I believe and that was also very good with just the right amount of gin. Our server did a great job throughout the night coming in at appropriately timed intervals to take our orders, check in on the food, provide recommendations and tastings of the wines and cocktails, etc. As for the ambiance, it was dark, cozy, and plenty quiet for easy conversation (always appreciated XD). All in all, I had a fantastic dinner and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to have a quality night out filled with exceptional food, wine, and service.
(4)
Liliya M.
We recently brought a crowd of 20+ for a birthday and everyone made sure that we were comfortable and taken care of. Our waitress was very attentive and had a phenomenal memory. The food is always good and the drinks are superior. The truffle fries own my heart. Disregard the disgruntled reviews posted here and try this place for yourself!
(4)
Amy K.
I really enjoyed my lunch at Grafton Street. The restaurant is really nice on the inside, yet casual at the same time. BF and I both ordered off the specials menu. BF had the goat cheese flat-bread pizza. I tasted it, and it was delicious! The crust was outstanding. He also had a really dark beer that was featured that day. I can't say I liked it, but he enjoyed it. I had the pan-roasted chicken with fingerling potatoes and spinach. The chicken was juicy and the plate was drizzled with a light green sauce that seemed to be made from spinach and mint. Whatever it was, it was tasty! We had found Grafton Street after walking around Harvard Square and using the Yelp iPhone app. Once again, Yelp came through!
(4)
Nick M.
I've been to Grafton Street several times in the past few years and I haven't had a bad experience there. We've gone there to eat as well as just for drinks and each time our visit was enjoyable The area near the bar with the windows that open is my favorite spot to hang out. We usually end up scoring some seats over in this area and then ordering food and drinks from the bar. I love that they have Allagash on top year round and when we went last night, I noticed that Harpoon BPA (Belgian Pale Ale) was on tap as well -- definitely one of my favorite beers on tap While there can definitely be a younger crowd from time to time in there, for the most part, it's right on par with what I'd expect -- young professionals, grad students, etc The bartenders are friendly and attentive as well. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area
(4)
Denise M.
I had dinner here last night and the only good thing I can say is the environmental atmosphere is great. I would only come back for drinks, not dinner. There is just too many other places. The hostess was not very friendly, I had to ask about my table after I saw others who arrived after us seated. The food was not worth the price, I ordered the steak they burnt the outside and the inside was raw on a medium order. Its in Harvard Sq so maybe the atmosphere covers for the food quality and lack of care the staff give customers. I would not make this a destination and I would only suggest this place for drinks.
(2)
Crissy H.
We stopped here after finding out that the burger place around the corner was closed due to the holiday. My bf was very disappointed since he wanted to witness one of the "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" but we were assured by his aunt that this place was also a really good spot. We started off with Sangria which was delicious. The menu stated that it serves up to four glasses - but it served way more than that - there was three of us and we all probably filled up our glass at least three times. We then all shared the calamari - which was just okay to me - kind of chewy I thought. They also had the beet salad and pork belly - they both said each dish was outstanding. We then moved on to dinner. I had the lobster mac and cheese, he had the gorgonzola, fig, prosciutto pizza, and his aunt had the scallops. Of course we had to try each others dish, since each one looks more appealing then the next. And they were. I really don't know which one was the best - I think it's a toss up before the lobster mac and cheese and the pizza. So rich and flavorful...Yum! Normally I don't take home leftovers - but this time I couldn't let one piece go to waste...now that tells you something!
(4)
Ellie W.
Had dinner here this past weekend. Didn't seem too busy (probably due to the frigid 10 degree weather...) around dinner time, but the bar started getting a bit crowded later on. I was surprised by the food at Grafton--I was expecting strictly American pub food, and was pleased by the large menu selection. The dishes vary, from having a bit of Spanish stuff to lamb and mushroom pizza. I had the mussels and pumpkin empanadas to start, and the paella as an entree. Loved the paella! Overall, this was a pretty good spot to grab food and drinks with friends (I could actually HEAR without a shouting match in a restaurant for a change), and pretty conveniently located, so bar-hopping after dinner wouldn't be a problem.
(4)
Shuchi K.
I can't take Grafton anymore. Last year, I came here every other week because it's the easy choice in Harvard Square. In any given day, the place is packed with graduate school students (especially from HBS). I liked it the first time, now I can't take it anymore. I've eaten everything in the menu, which I think it's overpriced. I never feel like eating anything anything. Slowly, my choices have been reduced to 3: BLT with avocado sandwich for lunch, salmon for a date and hummus or pizza with a big group. The place is also way too big and too noisy. The only reason why I still go back is for the mojito, one of the best in Harvard Square!
(2)
Jane Z.
This place has a wonderful atmosphere, and the location is perfect! The food is quite good, and I'll definitely be going back!
(3)
MJ L.
Grafton Street is a favorite for Harvard students. Their bar area offers a large enough space to gather with a group of friends during a night on the town. Grafton also has a pretty decent menu, including some late night food available until around midnight.
(3)
Roman K.
Good food (but a not so big selection) and generally overpriced. Way too loud during rush hours - be early!
(4)
Diana G.
I enjoyed a Thanksgiving Feast at Grafton Street Pub for the first time this year. I had Butternut Squash Bisque, Roast Turkey dinner, and Pumpkin Pie Tartlet for $38. I also choose to pair the 3 courses w/beer for an extra $18: Jacks Abby Jabby Brau, Angry Orchard Apple Ginger Cider, & Southern Tier Pumpking. Fabulous dinner. Wonderfully prepared & portions were just right. Service was friendly, too.. I left feeling happy & full. I will consider returning next year! :D
(4)
Dawn E.
I'm unimpressed. It's clean and trendy in here but it just seems more "Boston" than "Cambridge," if that makes any sense to anyone. The Calamari was good. The staff was okay. This wouldn't be my first choice to visit.
(3)
Julie-Ann B.
Grafton Street was the only place in Harvard Square that was willing to accommodate a reservation for 13 people for my birthday dinner in Harvard Square this past weekend (we called around to various places over a week before). At first they weren't sure they could fit us all, but the manager confirmed that it would be fine, and indeed it was! We were in the back, but not too squished in, and the server was very sweet and never seemed stressed about having a large party. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we had no complaints. The drinks were delicious (Blood Orange Martinis and Left Banks were the two drinks that quickly took over the table... I personally had the sangria because, well, I can never resist a good sangria!) The pork belly appetizer was swooned over by one of my friends, and a few of us really enjoyed the cheese board. I had the Lobster Mac and Cheese for an entree, and it could have fed 3 of us, it was so rich (and very good!), and my husband really loved his Margerita pizza. Looking around the table there was an assortment of meals and no complaining, so overall a great night! Oh - and since my husband and I were staying just down the street at the Hotel Veritas, we even went back for brunch the next day! We had the same server too, she remembered us and asked how the rest of our evening had been. The brunch was DELISH! I had pancakes with caramelized bananas and he had the Irish Breakfast. We also got the Nutella Crepes to start and OMG so good. :) In the past I had only been there for drinks or dinner with just a few people, and it's always been crowded, so I do recommend a reservation! Enjoy!
(5)
David C.
I had dinner at Grafton Street so long ago that I can hardly remember how bland it was. That's really all you need to know though, I suppose. I got the chickpea burger based on a number of recommendations on Yelp, and was thoroughly disappointed. The portion was huge, but who really wants to eat that much bland food? Needless to say I ate the whole thing. Ketchup was very necessary that night.
(2)
Anushri M.
I go to Grafton pretty frequently (as you might have gathered from my posts), but I try to order something different and go on different nights of the week. Grafton has always been the restaurant that has waitresses and hostesses that I am concerned are hotter than me. That being said, I keep going back. Why you ask? Well, primarily because of the food and the convenient location. I went last Sunday night and had a hamburger. Shocker for those who know me, but I was in the mood to do something a little crazy - call it a Lent indulgence. The burger is easily the best value for your buck on the menu. It's only 12 bucks, but it's a standard size burger and you get a choice of fries or a salad. If you're getting a burger, you're clearly splurging - so you should double down and get the fries. My date ordered the tuna tartare appetizer which looked both delicious and filling. For the price of $12, you can easily make it an appetizer. I haven't discerned way some tables get bread and others do not. The people to our right had bread, yet we were never offered. It's kind of annoying and the type of thing that can sour you on an experience because you start wondering if you're being treated unfairly. The service was surprisingly not that great. Normally, whenever I go the people are friendly, helpful, and offer you bread. I guess don't go to Grafton on Sundays.
(3)
Alexa C.
The meal here I had while visiting Boston to watch the marathon was out of this world delicious! I had the scallops with butternut squash, bacon and apples and also the flourless chocolate torte for dessert. I dream about this food and being able to go back here! The chef was very versed on Gluten Free dining practices as well. Enjoy!
(5)
K M.
We got here early on a Sunday morning so the wait wasn't very long for brunch for a party of 4. Service was great and the food came out a resonable time. I liked the decor and the space layout of this place - I didn't feel cramped at all! My fav part was the food - of course! After we ordered our food, we got a basket of warm mini cranberry muffins and croissants. Nice touch vs. just getting a basket of assorted breads. I had ordered the Smokey Pork And Sweet Potato Hash and loved it. The amount of pork was perfect and the sweet potatoes added a nice touch to the hash. If I stayed longer in Boston, I would have come back to try this place for dinner.
(4)
Natalie M.
I highly recommend Grafton St. The prices are good for Harvard Square, and the quality of the food is excellent. Service can be shaky at times if you go during some of the busy times, but overall this is truly a wonderful place to dine.
(4)
Caitlin S.
The ambiance in Grafton Street is great. It's the perfect place to go out with a small group or a date for drinks. As far as the food goes i will have to agree with past yelpers in saying that it's mediocre. I had the Gouda risotto with cranberries and grilled shrimp and it was tasty but lackluster. Also, the bread was very BAD NEWS BEARS...if you take a grandparent here with dentures advise them to stay away...
(3)
Jeremy K.
4.5 stars and a happy and healthy new year to all. so some friends came up and went to the middle east last night, so we needed something in the cambridge area, being 530pm on the 30th, we started to get frantic, but we did hear about the street and thought we could give it a shot. we called and spoke about the possibility of many seating options and couldnt give a firm reservation so that was concerning for us, but once we did, (4pm on the 31st) it was set and so were we. i called and they said no, but mer called 3 minutes later and they said yes, lesson learned, i am not the fairer race. so then there was a blizzard, well in the afternoon at least, cause as you would know being out last night, the streets were empty which was very good for our car driving folks, us. we still valeted at Grafton at the last moment as it still wasnt safe to street park. 12 bux, 15 with new year cheer. so the atmosphere is as i would say 'modern wood', kinda how id like my home library *dream*would be, dark wood, sleek, very nice on the eye. our table was comfy, and they have hooks for the coats and glove on the wall, nice touch. i will also say that the seating in the bar is directly affected by the outside temp as the door was opened quite frequently and those who were there were visibly effected. drink menu invited me to try the st rita which had st germain and tequila, i was hoping to try the saint for a while, and this didnt disappoint. i had two and was in full cheer form.our friend had the grape-basil drink, said it was the best thing ever...im thinking there was some cheer going on there too. they had a $40 prix menu and although i didnt get that, the guy who did enjoyed it thoroughly. they did have a lite fare or tasting menu, not the full menu but many good options, so i instead got the steak frit which was tender and delish! i had to bring it home though cause i eat really slow. mer got the mac and cheese which was ok, a bit runny, but all in all tasty. again, 4.5 stars, great if you are looking for something a bit nicer in the harvard square area. good location. however i will also say that the seating in the bar is directly effected by the outside temp as the door was opened quite frequently and those who were there were visibly effected.
(4)
Nicole S.
I went here when my dad visited last weekend. It was crowded but i had reservations and they made sure i was seated quickly! When we passed my the crowded bar the inside was pretty lovely. I can see myself getting a drink here with friends or going for dinner. I had the crab cake as an app and steak and mashed potatoes as an entree. Crad cakes were good! but didnt care for my entree much. It was a bit pricey but since i was with my dad it was ok. What made my experience great was i didn't feel overcrowded and the waitress was the best and sooo nice. I'd come here again.
(4)
Bret C.
Great location and cool atmosphere. That's about all the praise I can think of for Grafton Street. Everything was fairly mediocre - and fairly pricey for the amount of food you get. Service was the same. I was shocked that it was busy on a Tuesday night. Unfortunately I can't see myself coming back unless I need to stop to use the restroom on the way to Bartley's or something - ha!
(2)
Molly Y.
My partner and I were out rambling the streets in Harvard Square looking for dinner. Stopped to read the menu outside Grafton Street and were sold instantly. I mean really, lobster macaroni & cheese? You gotta try something like that. We were so, so pleased that we decided to eat here! What a great experience. The service was prompt, friendly, knowledgeable, and accurate. The food was so, so good - good portions for the price, and the quality was top-notch. The beer selection seemed great to me, and our waitress (Katrina) listened carefully to our description of what kind of beer we like and perfectly nailed which beers to recommend. Didn't have room for dessert, but the dessert menu looked phenomenal. We'll have to save room to try some of the sweet treats next time. If you're looking for a cozy, comfortable place to have a beer and a really good meal, this is seriously the place for you. What a treat!
(5)
Richard C.
Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It can be easy to forgive a few things; a slightly over-cooked burger, a less than perfect bun or a mediocre pickle, as long as the complete package works in the end. The reality is that it's all about the flavor; bonus points for complete execution and a few carefully crafted "cheffy" tricks here and there. But to be solid, all you really need to is season up some beef, melt some cheese and call it a day. But the Grafton Street burger can't do it, it's simple, but to a fault. As Harold from Best Damn Buger and I soon discovered, the beef has little flavor and is way beyond the specified medium-rare. But it's one of those burgers that probably would have been underwhelming either way, there just isn't much character or personality in this burger. And as we all, know personality goes a long way. The additions of aged Vermont Cheddar and sweet onion relish should be welcoming, but instead I have to send out a search party because I just don't taste them anywhere. Individually, the flavor is there for these condiments (is cheese a condiment?) but the only flavors as a whole are charred, over-cooked beef. The fries are actually spot-on, crispy and salty, if not slightly cooler than I'd prefer. In many regards it's a very typical burger; not properly cooked, not seasoned aggressively enough and overall plain and boring. It's $11 which is all well and dandy, but completely forgettable in every sense of the word.
(2)
Colleen M.
Stopped on for a quick light dinner and got exactly that. We had the tomato salad and the margarita pizza, both were great. Service was a little slow but I hate reviews that dock a restaurant totally based on their wait staff. Overall, I'd go back. Next time I wanna try the cookie sunday; it looks great!
(4)
Thuy T.
The first time I went was just for drinks! It was fun and the people there were really nice. The second time I cam I ordered a salmon. It was undercooked and way to salty for me. I had them take it back. I ate the mash potatoes - the was good!. They did not offered me a new plate but just did not charged me for it. My waiter was really nice though. But It was extremely hard to get the waiters attention. We waited for at least 15 mins to get a check and another 10 for them to come back with our cards.
(3)
Stefanee H.
Oh how I would love to give this place 0 stars. What a joke!!! The waiter (aka the bartender) literally forgot to put our order in!!! (He would not admit that of course.) 30 minutes go by and my friend and I (both visiting from Chicago) are staring at him trying to get his attention because everyone around us, even people who came in after us, had gotten their food already. We see the other bartender bring this to his attention and he just kind of shakes it off. Finally I walk up to him and question where our food is. Waiter: "You ordered a burger medium well and that takes time. I will check on your order." WTF?! He does have a point, I mean clearly, they are the only restaurant that serves burgers in America. So not only have we been waiting, at this point, 40 minutes from the time we ordered, but we havent had our drinks refilled at all. At the 42 minute mark this waiter comes over to us, "So youre order got lost in the shuffle. You ordered a burger medium well so that is going to take at least another 10 minutes. I apologize." Me: "WHAT?! I asked you about this 10 minutes ago. We have been here for 40 minutes." Waiter: "Yeah ummmmm...I apologize. Its just that you asked for your burger to be cooked medium well...I apologize. THis just happens sometimes." Ok, here is where I lost it, in my head not in public. Why does this apology feel as though it was my fault for ordering a burger medium well?! I ordered a burger. If your cooks cannot cook one, do not have it on the menu. Also, he did not offer us an appetizer or a free dessert or even offer to refill our drinks. This is garbage. What happened to customer service in America? Me: "I understand that this happens sometimes, I have worked in restaurants, however I wish you would have checked on this when I asked you about it. We have a flight to catch and you have ruined our afternoon." Friend: "We are going to have to find a Wendys. Thanks!" (We didnt want to eat fast food, we have plenty of that in Chicago.) Waiter: "Yeah, ummmm...Im sorry about that and do apologize. I hope you come back and see us again!" (My friend and I laughing and mumbling curse words and how dissapointed we are in our decision to come to this restaurant.) To summarize: The customer service here was awful. The bartender/waiter had no idea how to treat customers and the hostesses just kinda stood there watching this happen. I do not care how great the food is (I will never know) because I refuse to go a place where the staff thinks they are doing us a favor by serving us. I will take average food and great customer service over a shitty, self righteous, staff any day.
(1)
Jess L.
If I had written this review as soon as I got home, I would have given it three stars: decent ambiance, good wine list, pretty standard menu, pretty standard service. I got the three-cheese flatbread pizza, which was greasy. Good portion size for the $10 price, though. BUT, I had horrible stomach issues the following night - won't go into details - so much that I was not sure if I would make my plane the following late morning. Ugh. Horrible feeling... I'll stay away from this one.
(1)
Rani P.
Grafton Street was a common destination of "welcome lunches" and "farewell dinners" at my last job. For some reason, everyone agreed it was a great place to go and get lunch on the company amex. However, each time I was continually disappointed with the food. If I haven't ordered most of what is on the menu, I tried someone else's entree. Everything was bland and average. A word to the wise- steer clear of the salads, they sound better than they taste. The highlight of this place is the very cool atmosphere and the convenient location that looks onto the busy streets of Harvard Square while still maintaining a trendy, exclusive feeling. Eventually a few of my coworkers and I continually would suggest another place whenever Grafton was name dropped. Not a horrible place, but there is SO much more in Harvard worth eating!
(2)
Michael W.
It has such a great atmosphere. The outdoor seating area where we sat is a cute enclosed space that affords privacy but also a good people-viewing platform. But the food was so disappointing. And while the service picked up as the meal went on, we went 15 minutes without being offered water or a drink. Anyway, onto the food. I ordered a Grafton burger, which was a good burger, if a little greasy (some people like it like that?). But the fries that came with were soggy, thin, oily, and virtually unseasoned. What is it with restaurants still not seasoning food, expecting you to season it yourself? That's so 1960s (but then again, I wouldn't know because I wasn't born yet) Girlfriend ordered a goat cheese and spinach omelette, which was even more of a letdown than my dish. First, the omelette itself came out looking like the egg had been fried for way too long, with a brown-ish tinge and crispy edges. Then you cut into it, and realize that the ingredients were probably never cooked with the egg, because the cheese wasn't melty and the spinach was in clumps of precooked form. Really disappointing. I'm confused as to why a business with such varied reviews gets so much business. Is there really such a dearth of options in the area? Or maybe I'm just being too harsh.
(2)
Priyanka N.
I actually really liked this place and would most definitely come back! I liked the vibe in general here, except for the common problem of 2 person tables that are too close together. We didn't mind when we came here though because it wasn't very crowded. We started with the sangria and a glass of wine. The sangria was pretty good - had a much more apple-y flavor than I'm used to but I rather enjoyed it. I ordered the fish and chips and my boyfriend ordered the steak (which came with mashed potatoes and a salad). The fish and chips were delicious! Fried fish tends to have the problem of being too heavy and oily but this fried fish was relatively light making it a delight to eat. The fries and dipping sauce were also good. I never know what to expect of steak from a non-steak house but I actually really liked the flavor of the steak and I'm not sure why but I loved the salad. Normally not a fan of raw mushrooms but I loved them here. It was a little pricey for what you're getting but the food was great!
(4)
Michael Z.
I think what I liked about grafton is that it doesn't try to be more than it really is. It's got solid dishes that are a little on the fancier end without the excessive oils or emphasis on super fancy ingredients that don't add much. It's in a semi casual/formal scene that felt really comfortable. Hopefully I'm not offending anyone with this impression. My Benedicts for brunch were pretty satisfying.
(4)
Sylvia C.
Place comes highly recommended by fellow Yelpers. Glad they steered us to the right place. The hostesses were extremely friendly and helpful with directions to the validated parking lot. We got there 30 mins before our reservation so we decided to kick start at the bar. The bartenders were quick to greet, friendly and attentive. Ordered two cocktails and the mushroom flatbread (couldn't wait til dinner). Love the flavor combination - fontina cheese, tomato jam, red onions and mushrooms. We were gently reminded by the hostess that our table is ready. For dinner - we opted the following: Dozen oysters - we slurped the briny and chilled oysters as soon as they landed on the table Mussels with fries - heaping of mussels in a wine broth topped off with shoestring fries Cioppino - normally not a big fan because of the mild flavor but not Grafton's version..it's packed enough flavor not to overcome the seafood Seared salmon - love the crispy skin and tapenade spread - definitely added depth to the salmon With the amount of food we'd ordered - we managed to make room for the banana bread pudding dessert. Two of my favorite items combined and it was a hit. Can we say OVERINDULGED?! Definitely be back.
(5)
Stacey G.
Excellent brunch!! Came here on a Saturday with friends. Upscale food, good prices, great service!! I had the huevos rancheros.... So good My friends both had the eggs Benedict with Irish bacon and avocado- they loved it!! We shared a carafe of the white sangria. This is a must go to restaurant.
(5)
Rob C.
If it weren't for the incredible service, I'd say it's a 4-star. Our waiter (think his name is Kai) was very personable, friendly, and professional, and made it a great experience. It was one of those times where my wife and I commented to each other how the service just made everything that much better. The food was great, some of which came from his recommendations. Had calamari to start, which was awesome - really great sauce with it, they do it a little differently. I had pork chop which I think is marinated in a maple sauce...phenomenal. Food was straight forward & excellent, and place has a nice modern decor without being pretentious.
(5)
Nikki C.
Nice stop for a patio lunch. The service was superb. I had the crab cake burger with bacon. It was served with fries. Very nice. I also had the red sangria, which was a perfect afternoon cocktail for such a hot day.
(4)
Jess S.
Well, this was probably the only place on Harvard Sq. to have multiple open tables at 8:30 p.m. on a Friday, so that's a plus I guess. I like that it is spacious and comfortable. The service, however, was slower than molasses on a freezing Boston winter day. For real, I nearly had forgotten what I ordered! Don't go hungry! Go an hour before your hunger will set in! When the food did finally arrive, I was disappointed by my veggie (quinoa) burger that lacked imagination, flavor, and desperately needed a good sauce. All in all, I'd only go there again if I had to.
(3)
Stella B.
I've had some oysters ,burger , salad with beer! The burger was delicious and the patty was juicy enough . Oysters what I had weren't that fresh because it was rainy day.. ( you better to avoid eating seafood when it's rainy day! ) I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant and a server who served for us. They were friendly and nice . This place has also outside tables so you can enjoy a summer night with your lovely friends !!
(4)
Rachel C.
I was pleasantly surprised to find a great looking cocktail list. I happily ordered the Aviation, which was made fantastically. We decided to order only a handful of appetizers, since we weren't too hungry. The oysters were good, although I believe they only have the one variety to choose from, the Island Creek. We also ordered the Ploughmans Board (charcuterie platter) and the crab cake. I was a little underwhelmed with the board. First off, I hate when the waiter just sets the board down and leaves. No explanation of what we're going to eat. So not knowing what was what, we dove in. Big plus with the pickled veggies, but sadly the board was just okay. There was literally two tiiiiny pieces of cheese and the rest were meats. The meats were okay, but nothing too amazing in there. I really liked the crab cake though. Not only was the crab cake itself really tasty, but the corn relish and cilantro aioli put it over the top. Loved every bite of it! Might be worth a stop in just for the crab cakes!
(3)
Cynthia L.
I was trying to remember when I had a meal like I did at Grafton Street. It was a year ago at Earth hidden pond , Kennebunk ME Grafton street simply is high quality! The chef came out for a visit after the simple mention for the compound butter ingredients. I did not catch his name- I'm bad at that! But he wrote out the recipe and was more than gracious. I have found my new home for that meal that is simply amazing. I don't mind going to Maine but Grafton street is so much closer! I ended up getting a 2-1 deal from Guilt. The offer expires this week, wished I went earlier and bought a few more offers!
(5)
Kelsey G.
This update reflects all the lunches I have here that are really fantastic. This place is a Mecca for Harvard staff to lunch together, and for good reason. The lunch specials are great and the regular sandwiches are reasonable and surprisingly good. I have especially liked the crab cake sandwich with a side salad. The meal is filling without making you feel overstuffed and unhealthy. The drink menu is fantastic here, so we still come here for after work drinks, but when I dine here, I now go for lunch over dinner.
(5)
Al N.
Pro: good customer service, friendly waiters, nice atmosphere. Con: very limited menu selection, don't order margherita pizza. They don't make the right kind of margherita like some other places. If you want the world's best margherita pizza, go to Mozzeria in San Francisco!
(3)
Cynthia E.
Came here for a company dinner and while we had primarily appetizer platters passing around I wanted to write a review since they were so accommodating for me. I am vegan and they made vegan appetizers for me. They passed them around at first with the others then once they knew I was the vegan all the servers made sure to find me as they walked through with the vegan choices. After awhile they got me a plate of a variety of the vegan choices. They were all really delicious as well!
Grafton Street is located in Harvard Square. There's free parking with an Open Table reservation but you must call the restaurant for details. The restaurant is decorated with large Guinness wooden signs and lamps that look like upside down hand drums. In the bar, there's a black chalk board with a list of beers on draught and bottle. They offer a variety of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, and cocktails). There are tv's in the bar to watch sports. There's rap, hip hop, and funk music playing loudly. After we were seated, our server Alexander politely asked whether we'd like sparkling or still water for the table. The water was served in a clear bottle. Two of the guests ordered Arnold Palmer's with less lemonade. The Arnold Palmer's came unsweetened. After we placed our order, our server brought us a basket of bread - sour dough and butter. I couldn't tell whether the bread was chilled or room temperature. For appetizers, we shared the Roasted Beet Salad and Moules Frites. The Roasted Beet Salad consisted of largely sliced golden and red beets served over spring mix, drizzled with cumin vinaigrette, topped with candied walnuts, and garnished with mint. The Moules Frites consisted of small to medium PEI mussels in Sauvignon Blanc, garlic, and parsley aioli topped with hand cut fries and mayo. Most of the mussels were cleaned nicely. The sauce was tasty and perfect for dipping bread. For entrees, we shared the Seared Atlantic Salmon and Margherita Pizza. The pan seared salmon was served over saffron rice pilaf with charcoal grilled broccoli rabe and topped with pineapple-red pepper-alfa sprout relish. The salmon skin was nice and crispy. However, I don't think it was the best salmon I've ever had. The Margherita Pizza was more like a thick flatbread with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and shredded basil. For dessert, we shared a Poached Pear, which was served over creme anglaise and drizzled with red wine gastrique. It had a strong cinnamon flavor. Two guests ordered coffee while I ordered Mem's China Green Tea, which tasted like Dragonwell tea. The honey and milk weren't necessary for this kind of tea. The tea bag of loose leave was steeped in tea pot with hot water and came with a tea mug. It was a good meal and I would return again!
(4)
Jessica L.
I stopped by after church on a Sunday morning at around 12pmish and was surprised the place wasn't as packed as I thought it would be. We were seated immediately, and the waitress was very understanding while we sat for around 15 minutes waiting for the rest of our party to arrive before ordering. I got the avocado benedict and it was the right choice! It's an ordinary eggs benedict, but with a twist, as the perfectly ripe avocado adds a touch of buttery bite to the eggs benedict. Another plus to the avocado benedict was that they were not stingy with the hollandaise! There was enough hollandaise for every bite AND for the homemade fries on the side haha Oh, and those fries were perfectly seasoned and every bite was crunchy. I would love to be back again for another brunch!
(4)
Susan W.
Food is not bad. The servers are very helpful and responsive. We had the Scallops with pork belly. There wasn't much flavors to the pork belly. But the scallops are excellent. The mussels were good as well. Good broth. The oysters are kind of small though, but fresh.
(4)
Kim K.
So average I really cannot remember what I had here. That's not good. American food that's accessible and fairly priced. Also, it's clean, friendly service, and always packed. Nothing I'd be rushing back to though as there are so many other great dining choices in Harvard Square! Come here if you need to host a group in a neutral location.
(3)
Joey N.
I wish I can give this place more than 5 stars but I'll give it a proper review. The food was amazing, the staff was great, but the service could have been a little quicker. The artisan pizza melts in your mouth and the beet salad plays with your tastebuds. I tried Sangria for the first time in this little cafe located near Harvard University....it's my new favorite drink. Thank you Grafton Street for the amazing meal and the fantastic experience.
(5)
Janet J.
Came in on a Sunday night for dinner and was impressed with some parts of our meal and was left unimpressed by some. My friend and I shared the lobster mac and cheese and the steak. I loved the mac and cheese. Very well seasoned and the truffle oil was heavenly. Definitely recommend! Sadly, the steak was bland. The arugula that came with the steak was also needed improvement. I like my salads a little crispier and the arugula seemed a little soggy. But, our waiter was nice and friendly! Good experience, but I'm not sure if I would choose this restaurant among all the other restaurants in Harvard Square
(3)
Susanna L.
The food here is so tasty!! We came for restaurant week last night but we ordered from the dine out menu as well as their regular menu. Best things I had were the braised short rib gnocchi (dine out), pigtail app (dine out), Arctic char (dine out), and duck confit (regular menu). Their moules frites was also pretty good. Their lobster mac and cheese was delicious at first but I think the pasta could have been softer. Service is not bad, a little slow but that suited us fine since it gave us more time to talk and linger. All in all, a very solid experience. Will try their desserts next time.
(4)
Vicky N.
I came here with a group of friends for dinner. Service was amazing! Waiter was very friendly, patient and helpful (gave great drink recommendation). I got the Maple Cured Berkshire Pork loin($21). The pork was dry tough and not flavorful. However i did like the gorgonzola corn cake (slightly sweet and soft texture) and the ginger carrot puree (who knew carrots could taste so good!) My friends got the Smoked moulard Duck Breast ($22). The duck was juicy and tender. My friend was very happy with the dish. My other friend got Lobster mac&cheese ($17). It was a pretty big portion . It was creamy, had the right amount of lobster, and loved the added crunch from the light truffle oil bread crumbs. Overall we had a great experience!
(4)
Monica T.
Good service, waiters had good recommendations, wide drink selection. The Drink recommendations were on point for everyone in my party. Only thing is complimentary bread was slightly lacking for my taste, but the main dishes and appetizers we tried were all amazing. We tried the calamari, duck, pork loin, lobster mac n cheese all amazing.
(4)
Eunice E.
Taking a bite out of the Grafton burger last night was the closest to heaven I've gotten yet. After 2 HOURS of Zumba-ing with my girl, Andrea B., we were in a haze of hunger. It got to the point where we were just incoherently grunting at each other after ordering our food. It was bad. Then, enter split orders of the burger and the fried chicken sandwich (with avocado!), plates brimming with the most perfect skinny fries on the face of this planet. Needless to say, there was only silence and a few repeated murmurs of "This is so good" from both of us for a good fifteen minutes. The service is always great; the prices keep my wallet happy; and the food, oh the food. I have come here just for drinks, too, because I love that long bar, I really do (as well as the hand-crafted cocktails!). But the food. I usually go a while between visits because I don't remember how much I love it, but this time, it's been seared in my mind, and I won't soon forget. I'll be seeing you soon, Grafton Street, you slice o' heaven in Harvard Square, you.
(5)
Sujith R.
I have to say. This place is BIG !! I ate steak and drank sangria just before catching a flight. The servers were so nice.
This is the kind of place you take your parents for dinner when they come visiting you in Cambridge. Or the kind of place where you go with friends or your couple for brunch on weekends. Very nice place, friendly staff and a nice menu that gives you what it promises; good American food well done.
(5)
Hayley D.
Had a wonderful brunch here in the middle of Harvard square. We were seated next to the window and the restaurant had a friendly atmosphere. The wait staff was very knowledgeable and welcoming. I ordered the daily special blood orange mimosa, which was delicious. I got the Texas style french toast with caramel and bananas, and I can honestly say it was one of the best french toasts I've had in my life. Large portion but you'll finish it all since it's fantastic. My boyfriend got the bacon cheese burger and I stole a few fries from him that were exceptionally well-seasoned. Our friends got the Irish breakfast (huge plate of food!) and the omelet with a side of fruit, which were all very tasty. I will be returning here the next time I'm in Boston!
(5)
Jasmine C.
Came for the brunch and ordered the yogurt and granola and fruit bowl, and I was surprised by how large the portion sizes were for prices comparable to most other brunch places around here! So yes, don't order both (as I normally would during brunch) because you can expect sizeable portions
(3)
Kelly R.
SANGRIA (!!!!) Food is standard to slightly above average (I've ordered the beet salad, bavette steak, molten cake, and lobster mac & cheese); sangria is the star of the show. Order it in pitchers!
(4)
Robert Y.
Came here for lunch during our visit to harvard. crab cake BLT Unique concept and had quite a bit of pieces of crab. If you like crab cake and bacon this one is for you. Came with fries or salad. 3.75/5 Ruben Pretty standard above average with decent amounts of beef. 3.75/5 Overall decent lunch place. Their brunch menu seems nice but only served on the weekends
(4)
Alexandra M.
Started drinking in their area of Harvard square Oktoberfest. They gave out tickets for a raffle sometimes when you bought drink tickets. -1 star for the complete lack of organization there on that. I bought 2 drink tickets, got 1 raffle ticket, someone else bought 2 drink tickets, got no raffle tickets, and another bought 2 drink tickets and got 2 raffle tickets. Good thing we sorted it out once we got to the bar. You had to go to the bar to get one free drink with your raffle ticket and then you can keep the ticket to see if you won the raffle...or just keep using that to get free drinks. Which you definitely were not supposed to do, but no one was stopping our group of 7+. Service was fast, we didn't get food so no comment there. Pretty interior with the dark wood.
(3)
Arthur C.
YES. Chicken Ciabatta Sandwich. $11. Worth every cent. From the bread, to the chicken breast (which is a huge portion in a sandwich) to the tomato jam. Oh and a massive side of fries. I was pretty full from this to check out dessert menu :( Came in here on a Friday night. BE SURE TO MAKE RESERVATIONS. Although that goes for every other nice place in Harvard Square. Great place to chill: comfortable and spacious, they place hip-hop through the night which I personally love, but I can understand if people don't like that music in a nicer restaurant. The only con was that my soup was forgotten but waiter was extremely nice and offered me a side dish on the house.
(5)
Brisk W.
I had an absolutely wonderful dinner date at Grafton. We began with the Sangria, which was divine. I have never had it with cinnamon before. My mother usually makes it en masse, so I know my way around the stuff. Am I a connoisseur? I should move on. The moules frites were not gluten free, which I sadly am, but I hear they were glorious. I could hear how crunchy the fries were. Can we talk about their scallops, mashed potatoes and ratatouille, tho? It was spicy and flawless. Each vegetable chunk was cooked through. All veggies were small, none were overcooked and altogether it made for a splendid meal. The potatoes were impossibly light and painfully delicious. And, of course, the scallops were impeccable. The service was wonderful. If you book early in the evening or early in the week, you get some pretty solid seats with pretty wonderful wait staff. Other than the price, this place rocked my socks. Would go again on a date. Probably going to go again on a date.
(5)
Belinda L.
Had a great experience when I was brought to Grafton Street for lunch on a work trip to Harvard! It was some atypical items on their menu that first drew my attention. I ended up with the clam chowder (you can't pass that up in Boston!) and the spicy lamb belly (!!) pizza, which were in my mind a great combination between the safe and the adventurous. Love how they use fresh clams for the chowder, that's one of the things Boston is famous for, fresh seafood yay!! And the pizza, it has American lamb, sambal, feta, cilantro on it. It's definitely not something I would have came up with, but the natural flavor of the lamb pairs really well with the cilantro and sambal. I ended up enjoying my lunch a lot and would definitely go back the next time I'm in town.
(4)
Cathy S.
Been here a couple of times and it seems like the food could be either a hit or a miss. I do like the atmosphere - there's a lot of seating as well as a patio area and the service has been good each time. I came for dinner once and got a pizza that wasn't that good. However this past time I got the pulled pork sandwich for brunch and it was really excellent. I loved how it came with generous servings of both a side salad (simple and fresh) and fries (crispy - I approve). The actual sandwich was great too with creamy potato salad, pulled pork, and slaw all layered on top of each other. A ton of food for only $11. As for my friends, many tried the eggs benedict and didn't seem impressed by that dish. So overall I've had mixed experiences here with the food, though with it's relatively diverse menu and nice atmosphere it could still be a good place to meet with friends.
(3)
Jodie K.
Our server was really great. She had suggestions on what was good and she didn't disappoint. I got the fish and chips and it was delicious. It was great for socializing and unwinding after a long day!
(5)
Sandra S.
I'm vegan and Loved their homemade hummus. Went tonight and no hummus platter. Asked what do you have for vegans. I was offered a Trio of Smoked Mushrooms with a red sauce. REALLY???? What kind of a vegan option is smoked mushrooms. I walked out. It's seems that the chef changed the menu and took off the hummus platter 'because it had been on there a long time.
(1)
Julia C.
I went to Grafton Street with a group of eight friends on a recent Saturday night. We had made a reservation and the restaurant seated us promptly. However, once we ordered sangria, our waiter disappeared for over thirty minutes. Later, the manager took care of the situation when we spoke to her about the long wait for service, which we appreciated. When the drinks finally arrived, we all enjoyed the sangria which tasted nice with elderflower liqueur added in. Everyone enjoyed their dishes. I ordred the pan roasted chicken, served with cheddar polenta and spinach with almonds and raisins. The chicken fell off the bone and melted in my mouth. I would like to return to this restaurant to try more of the food, which I would rate 4 stars.
(3)
Isabella C.
This used to be one of my favorite brunch places around Cambridge because the restaurant is clean, well-lit and inviting. However, my last experience there proved to be difficult so I would warn against dining there in a large group. The brunch menu is great - and reasonably priced, around $15 will get you a main and a coffee - and includes eggs benny, French toast, pancakes, omelets, etc. They also serve dessert at breakfast time, which is a nice treat. One time when I was there for brunch, they didn't have one of the items on menu and ended up offering us free dessert, which was both unprompted and appreciated. The last time I went there, I had a party of 10. I had mentioned that two separate tables would be fine, and they said they would do just that. We reserved for 6:45 and arrived a few minutes earlier, checked in, and were told it would be a five minute wait. A few minutes after 6:45, we asked about the table and they gestured to a table that was just ordering dessert, and apologetically said we would have to wait. I've never been told to wait at a restaurant because the previous table hadn't finished their meal, let alone not offered an alternative. This was just a regular table - not a patio or special area - and we would have been happy with any other. Finally they seated our first table of five, and then said the other table of five would be on the other side of the dining area, though we had asked for two tables close together. It was busy, so that was understandable, but there were at least 30 minutes between the initial reservation time and the time by which we were all seated. We ordered around the table and they served the food within a reasonable amount of time, though they did mess up one order. They brought over a soup for that person, apologizing for the mix up. At the end of the meal, we spoke to the manager about the delay we'd experienced and the manager apologized but did not offer us anything. Upon some prompting, we were offered gelato on the house - one serving for the entire table... All in all, the food was great. We ordered quite a few appetizers for the table and there was very little overlap between the dishes. There's also great variety between pizza, fish, bouillabaisse, sandwiches, steak, etc. but it's a loud place when full and the communication between the wait staff seems iffy at times and management could do with improving their reservation system.
(3)
Jen D.
A great place for dinner with friends or family and a pretty hopping bar at night. Reservations are a good idea, though--they fill up.
(4)
Matt I.
I've been here a couple times with varying success on the food. Arancini is good. Great chicken entree. Calamari appetizer seemed to be lower quality than I'm used to. Pot roast entree needed salt, but then was enjoyable. Great "date" atmosphere. The drinks are always top notch--that's a definite. Drinks aren't as good as Park, but I don't like Park's food menu. And Russell House Tavern, while the food is probably better, is just a little too weird sometimes (I'm not ALWAYS in the mood for Pig's Head Cake or Head Cheese). All in all, I'll keep coming back.
(4)
Matt N.
This place is great for dinner. I used this place as a date spot while I was dating. It is PERFECT for a date! The food is delicious. The first thing I tried was the chicken breast, with the bacon and spinach and whatever that white stuff is. My god. And again, and again, and again, and again, etc. Needless to say, that's all I've had. How do they do that? The person who I am with has enjoyed their meal every time. Even for a vegetarian. Sometimes it can be a little loud if you get a table by the bar. I've had a drink at the bar while waiting for a reservation, but I have not spent much time there and just ordered a beer when I did. I've had great service 3/5 times, "meh" service once, and one waiter that was out in left field, but it was laughable so it worked out just fine. And sidenote, if you drive, just book a reservation online. With that receipt on your dashboard (or just a note with a reservation and your last name) It's free parking down the street in a church parking lot. There are no signs, and you feel like you're going to get ticketed and towed. But you dont. It's a nice touch for sure. Great place for a dinner date. I'll be back again. And I already know what I'm getting.
(4)
Jenny P.
I was meeting a friend for lunch today. I was seated 3xs before the table was satisfactory. The first two tables felt like I was in a sauna. It is July and the weather is hot and humid. The manger came over to ask if I wanted to be moved. I explained if they close the windows the air conditioning would work better. She didn't even pretend to care or want to here what I was saying. Talk about poor customer service from the Manager!
(2)
Maximillian M.
The lobster mac and cheese was good, but I was underwhelmed by the clam chowder, which I also thought was under-seasoned and on the bland side. Excellent service though.
(3)
Matt Y.
It could have been due to a stellar evening before our crew arrived at Grafton Street (and would particularly recommend checking out Club Oberon if possible!). Yet, the atmosphere, ambience, and tastes here make for a truly inviting late night destination in Cambridge. Their drink list is generous but not sprawling, with a more than adequate Sangria and several specialty cocktails. Their appetizers are not to be missed, ranging from calamari to charcuterie to a sizable cheese spread to oysters on the half shell! Then, the appetizers whet one's taste more than enough for a fitting number of entrees. I can highly recommend their tempura-fried fish and chips with a red curry tartar sauce, tender whitefish, and house made cole slaw and French fries. Alas, no dessert was sampled but would be well worth savoring on a future visit. Oh, and should anyone be inclined for lemon drop shots, Grafton Street offers some rather smooth ones...
(5)
Ned K.
Overall, Graftons is a good restaurant. Food is good, atmosphere is good, and location is good. For me though, it kind of ends up being a last option after living in Cambridge for two years. The one gripe I have with it though, is that they need to relax with how heavy they are on truffle oil and aoili. We get it, that stuff is good, but calm down. KISS: keep it simple stupid.
(3)
Jane S.
Grafton Street may look like your average student pub from the outside, but the food is surprisingly good. The restaurant seems to cater to both the students of Harvard - the university which is literally only a few steps away - and a crowd of more critical eaters. The inside is a combination of a pub and a trendy restaurant, which can also be said about the menu. For students and less adventurous people, there's some pizzas and burgers ($9 -$13) and even those look stunning. The real surprise here is the combination of flavors and presentation. A roasted beet salad ($9) does not excite very much on paper, but the way that Grafton street presented it was pure magic. The dish was visually stunning (see photo) and the combination of french feta, candied walnuts, mint, and a cumin vinaigrette was absolutely to die for. The mains are equally impressive: the one that appealed to me most was the sweet potato ravioli ($18). The ravioli was cooked to perfection and the brown butter sauce with pickled cranberries, Parmesan, crispy sage and hazelnuts really elevated this dish. Although the meal was very satisfying, curiosity made me also want to order the rosemary truffle frites ($5). Although they were slightly too salty, they proved again that the chef really knows how to make flavors come together and how to provide a new twist to known dishes.
(4)
Luke S.
I'll keep it short here: Made a reservation on OpenTable. When they called to confirm, I requested that they give me a table by the window (my Mom was visiting and I figured that would be nice). Sure enough, when we showed up the best table in the house- right by the window- was waiting for us. That set a nice tone for the night. The service was fantastic. Our waiter was very nice, and, most importantly, did not rush us one bit (we may actually have rushed him, but, please don't misconstrue that as a complaint). There's nothing worse than feeling pressured to order. The food was great. I had the chicken and found it to be very good. The other two had the burgers and said they were good. If the burger is anything like the Grafton burger then I'm sure they were right. It was a great night and a great meal.
(4)
Liz W.
Came here for brunch today. It was a really beautiful day so we were seated outside. The waitress was extremely nice, and gave us some good recommendations for food. Drinks: -Strawberry Germaine Cocktail - 3/5: I'd say it was pretty good.. a refreshing sparking wine with some light strawberry flavor to it, but it was a little too watery -Seasonal Mimosa - 3.5/5: very fruity and had a unique flavor to it Food: -Corned Beef Hash - 3.5/5: Very generous portion... lots of corned beef and potatoes (which I think could have been cooked a little bit longer). There were 2 poached eggs on top which, when mixed with the corned beef hash, made the dish a lot better. Definitely add some hot sauce to this dish to give it a kick! -Cubano Panini - 3/5: Ham & carnitas panini, which the waitress also recommended. I thought it was so-so...but nothing that really stood out to me. Overal: -Good vibes/atmosphere, service was great, but I won't be going back for the so-so food.
(3)
Kelly O.
Bonus points to Grafton Street for still offering their brunch menu at like 3 on a Saturday, that was a nice surprise. I got the avocado benedict, which had perfectly poached eggs and giant fresh avocado slices in a tasty sauce... the english muffins were really tough to cut through though (too toasted? too stale?), and while the home fries had a great flavor, they were cold (I guess we were at the tail end of brunch, though). And portions are OK; I wasn't hungry anymore after cleaning my plate, but certainly wasn't stuffed or had any leftovers. So overall, decent I guess? That was the consensus around the table as well: decent, not terrible, not amazing. Grafton Street has a nice selection of beer, and I was able to try Angry Orchard Apple Ginger cider (delicious, BTW). This place is perfect for a large group with a myriad of large table options (giant round booths, long rectangle tables, high bar tops), and the overall atmosphere was cozy and pubby. Our waitress was awesome, friendly and attentive, and although she was new to the job she did her best to get answers to our questions and offer her opinion. Not bad overall. I agree with the Yelper who said "good, not great".
(3)
Celia Z.
I pass by here twice everyday to and from class. Until this semester, I never tried it. Its upscale nature really doesn't cater to the college student population unless for schedule occasions. When special occasions arrive, especially for student organization outings and recruiting events, Grafton Street is on the the radar. To make up for my lack-of-presence for the last two years, I came here twice in the last month. The first time, I ordered the seared scallops with chorizo, fingerling tomatoes, kale, and roasted cherry tomatoes. The dish was tiny: a long plate with exactly four scallops. The sauce had a creamy base, and the scallops were seared to a somewhat crispy nature. The kale was wilted, as if it had been soaking in sauce for way too long. While the dish was quite delicious, I was not too impressed, especially with the high cost of the dish. But Grafton redeemed itself today. While the fries were only a notch above mediocre, the hummus and pita bread was heavenly, and so was the Seasonal Cheese Plate with apricot honey mostarda, walnuts, and toasted brioche. But my favorite was the Gorgonzola and Prosciutto flatbread pizza. Small and thick pieces of delicately seasoned prosciutto, with a generous helping of thinly sliced caramelized onions, strategically bursting with flavor. Creamy gorgonzola. And then there was the little star who stole the show... Little pieces of fig seeds, dancing around in my mouth. I can still sense their energy and joy. Bring it back. Bring that delectable pizza back. Bring it back.
(4)
Diane L.
We stepped in for lunch during a day of touristing Harvard Square. The servers were very nice and attentive, although they were missing a key ingredient for the hot buttered rum and I ended up with a hibiscus toddy instead. Not bad, but not what I wanted for a windy afternoon. We split the calamari and had clam chowder for lunch. Both hit the spot. The calamari was especially impressive; they fry up jalapenos with the calamari, infusing a nice spiciness that goes well with their spicy aioli. The clam chowder was very good; a little heavy on the potato chunks but the clam chunks I did find were decent.
(4)
Dorise G.
Came here for brunch with a friend. I got the caramelized banana pancakes and thought they were outstanding, but my friend got the avocado benedict and was unimpressed. The waitress came over to see how our food was, and my friend shared that it was "ok." When asked, "just ok?," my friend responded honestly that the muffin wasn't toasted through, and that it just felt like it was missing something. When the waitress asked if there was anything she could do, my friend noted that she was hungry so she was just going to eat it, but wanted to provide the feedback. I always find this to be an uncomfortable situation, and so will generally just say nothing if I don't dig my food, but my friend is bolder than I. She wasn't asking for anything comped, and while it might come off as confrontational, I guess at least that's less of a dick move than just complaining about it on Yelp later without saying anything at the restaurant. I was really impressed by how our waitress handled the situation, though. She not only remained graceful, but then comped my friend's meal and brought her out an order of nutella crepes to compensate. None of this requested or suggested by my friend, but a gesture of good faith executed by the waitress. We were impressed and tipped her accordingly. Perhaps not all the food here is great, but I really enjoyed both the pancakes and the bit of nutella crepe that my friend shared. Not sure she'd give them a second shot, but I would!
(4)
Kiley S.
A quick walk from the redline so it's very easy to get to. Our waitor was great and very accomodating. I was craving an espresso martini and they didn't have it on the menu, but had espresso so they created a drink especially for me. Great service and food. WIll definitely be back!
(4)
Jackie C.
I had to have my iphone fixed because the screen cracked over the weekend. (Long story) I found Boston iPhone repair. Well they needed to keep for an hour for repairs so I wondered down the street and found this place. It's charming! The place is totally cozy and comforting. I drank coffee, had bread and jam while reading and it was wonderfully relaxing. I don't have any comment on the food but the coffee was great and so was the atmosphere. I would love to come back next time I'm over in the area.
(4)
Anne W.
Honestly.. not a fan of their food. I have tried it twice.. and both times were just really dismal. The restaurant area is just meh... I have been there with friends for drinks. It's okay. The bar area is a much better place to be. I like when they open the shutters so you can people watch. A better crowd than most of the other spots in Harvard Square. So the best thing I like about this place.. is that they sell bottles of wine. For $30 per bottle.. affordable too... esp if you're trying to unwind your date. :P Plus it's right next to Hong Kong.. so when you're done you have the option to get crazier.
(3)
Maite S.
We live in Central Square and walk over to Harvard Sq's Grafton a few times a month. Why is it our go-to favorite? (1) I'd call the menu traditional with a twist (burgers with a side of homemade pickled vegetables, pot roast in a light broth). We both always find something interesting to try (2) The staff is knowledgeable but not uppity (3) The prices are reasonable. These three points make it our favorite neighborhood spot. (note: The place is busy and it can get loud inside! )
(4)
Jen S.
I'm only really writing this review because A) When do you ever give five stars? And they deserve it. And B) The bit about this place not being any good for kids is a load of bunk. You just have to go at the right time of day. I brought my two-year old daughter to sit outside and have some apps, and there were about four of five other families sitting around us doing the same. Regarding the food and drinks - magnificent. We ordered three appetizers and two cocktails (for my husband, not my daughter!), and when one of our apps was no longer available, we got a free basket of truffle fries, which were spectacular. The fried calamari was killer, and the barrel-aged manhattan was the best I've ever had. I highly recommend this place. Especially if you're going out in the area, perhaps to the Comedy Studio? Also a great stop while you're in Cambridge. Nice work Grafton Street. Nice work indeed.
(5)
Mike B.
In the words of the immortal Homer Simpson: "That was good, but not great." I'd like this place to be great. I really would. I liked the ambiance, the service, and the nice beer selection, but the food itself was just okay. My wife and I ordered arancini (sizable portion) and fried calamari, which got things off to a fairly mediocre start. Good, for sure, but somewhat bland and uninspired. However, paired with a nice IPA, which the waitress explained in detail, and a mocktail (my wife is expecting in August), we were in good spirits and eager for the entrees. But the steaks came and the cuts just weren't up to snuff. A little tough, a little stringy, a little eh. Maybe other dinners would have been better, but I can only review what I ate. We did finish with a cheesecake, which was actually really tasty. Points off, unfortunately, for the bathrooms, which had wet sinks and a dripping faucet. Minor, yes, but important. If you live in the area and you're looking for somewhere new, sure, give it a try. But if you're in Cambridge for only a night or two, you can do better elsewhere.
(3)
Karen C.
I came here for brunch and ordered the eggs benedict with homefries, while my boyfriend ordered the french toast with strawberry jam and creme fraiche. I love having eggs benedict for brunch, and I was very pleased with the consistency of the yolk, which was smooth and soft without being excessively runny. I felt the bacon was a bit tough and I wish there was more hollandaise but I still enjoyed my dish as a whole. As for the french toast, I loved the strawberry jam, which wasn't too sweet and slightly tangy, while the acidity from the strawberries merged really well with the light sweetness of the creme fraiche. I would have liked the toast to be a little less soft/soggy but I would still give this dish a thumbs up. Overall, the restaurant provided good service and I gave an extra star for the atmosphere, since the seating and lighting made me feel very cozy and comfortable. Brunch was not bad, but I definitely do want to try its dinner options if I ever return.
(4)
Nora B.
Stopped at the Grafton for an early lunch. Breakfast/brunch menu was available but there was a good selection. Had the BBQ pork sandwich. On the sandwich was a tangy Asian slaw and potato salad. Ended up taking the sandwich apart as I did not want the potato salad. Sat at the window counter near the bar. So a great spot to people watch - especially with so much going on at Harvard apparently. Service was good - a bit slower than normal but with the seats to view what was happening outside and the drinks, we didn't complain
(4)
Junchen F.
The mushroom omelette is yummy! Wish they would share the ingredients so that I can do copycat at home. Seasonal mimosa is average but no complaint at this price tag.
(4)
Katie C.
I went in with low expectations and come out pleasantly surprised. The prices are steep, but the food is generally good - minus the lobster mac and cheese that my boyfriend ordered and didn't finish. (You know something is sub-par when he doesn't eat it all.) Our beet salad was incredibly fresh and tasty, and the plating was fun and ergonomic for sharing. My bouillabaisse rivaled others I've had at French restaurants. My only complaint is with the hostess stand. I'm pretty sure they seated another couple that came in later than us but had the same reservation name. After I heard them called to their table, we checked on our wait time again (it was far exceeding the initial estimate at this point). The hostess' "Oh, that's right" reaction was a pretty clear sign that she had forgotten about us. Still, 3.5 stars would be more accurate. I really enjoyed my meal, our server and the atmosphere.
(3)
Jason M.
As I was born into the Homosexual Lifestyle, I was blessed with the ability to truly appreciate brunch. I tried to appreciate brunch here and I just couldn't do it. Thankfully, as one born into the Homosexual Lifestyle, I was also blessed with the ability to mock things I don't enjoy. You're going to pay too much money for some food that is over-cooked, not too tasty and you're going to be ignored by your server who is busy serving all of the other suckers who found their way into the restaurant. The granola and yogurt was pretty sad. I could plop a scoop of Activia Yogurt and smoother it in flavorless granola at home. Then, I could ignore myself. That would be about the same thing as eating at Grafton. And as much as I like drinking coffee, I don't like getting it myself. The waitress must have felt the same way as our coffees were only refilled when we became sassballs. It's too bad. I had high expectations. I am a member of the Homosexual Lifestyle.
(2)
Lauren P.
Oh, Grafton Street. Great for group dinner reservations - they have mastered the ability to serve the 8 party group who has lots of weird requests and wants split checks. Grafton burger with spicy aioli is delicious. Of course, please order the rosemary truffle fries with that and not the salad. Scallops are also quite a hit. Bar area can get crowded, but is a good place to gather on Thursday nights.
(4)
Krista H.
So my hubby and I are down in Cambridge for a business meeting and just wanted to find something on the cheap side, where we could grab some pizza or a burger. I wanted to go to Ottos since I tried them up in Portland but my man was put off by how tiny the place is. We kept walking and found Grafton Street. The menu is a little small, but there were some nice sounding dishes so we decided to give it a shot. First impression, the place is really effing noisy. I don't mind it so much, because at least there's lots of people who want to eat there. The hostess sat us right away which was great, but the table had these awful square bar stools with no back rests. Does anyone actually like these types of seats?? By the end of the meal I felt like a hunchback. Our waiter was very rushed and not very polite. We were ready to order our meal but as soon as he heard our drinks, he ran off and came back ten minutes later to take our food order. We split the hummus plate and it was pretty delicious- I don't even like olives and I thought they were tasty. The flatbread to hummus ratio was a little off- a mountain of hummus with 5 small pieces of flatbread. We each had a grafton burger - cheddar, caramelized onions and spicy aioli...they were so tasty! So were the little handcut fries that came with them. After we were clearly finished, we watched our waiter go back and forth a dozen or so times, without even the slightest acknowledgement. After about 15 minutes of sitting on these crappy stools, the manager came by and offered to clear our plates. My husband put his card on the table and after another ten minutes, the manager came by and grabbed that as well. After we were paid up and walking out, our waiter said something like 'thanks guys'. Yeah, right. I don't need someone to hover over us but we waited almost 30 minutes to pay our check and leave... So, all in all the service sucked and avoid those stool tables at all costs...but the food we had was great, and over the noise of the dining room I got to hear some of my favorite reggae. Kinda middle of the road on this one.
(3)
Yuan W.
If you're looking for a more upscale restaurant in Harvard Square, Grafton Street isn't bad. It's also a decent place for get togethers for larger groups, since there's a lot of standing room in the bar area. Overall the atmosphere is pleasant and upscale but accessible. That being said, the food is relatively forgettable. I've been here twice for brunch and a few times for drinks. The brunch is your typical American fare, not particularly interesting and a little bland. I had eggs which tasted like nothing. The portions are huge. The only slightly interesting thing on the menu is the chickpea burger, which is only so-so. Maybe it's just me personally, but the consistency of a chickpea burger isn't great. In conclusion, not a bad place for a drink but I would avoid if you're looking for a good brunch place.
(3)
Jessie C.
Went on a saturday night with a reservation for a friends birthday - and it was a great experience. We had appetizers, dinner and a surprise birthday dessert. I had the Zen Cocktail, hummus plate appetizer and the salmon for dinner. All was good. The waitress (i wish i had caught her name) was very delightful as well. Very helpful with recommending dinner options. Great spot for a bite to eat or a date. I'd go again.
(4)
Janice D.
We came here for drinks, and were given good service, a comfortable table, and a great selection of drinks. The only reason I am not giving it five stars is because I did not get to try the food here. Otherwise, a great experience.
(4)
J C.
This place was pretty average. I got the New England Bouillabaisse. All the components of the meal were cooked competently and I have no complaints. But nothing really stood out.
(3)
Yue Z.
Service: 3 Food: 3 Ambiance: 4 I've been to this place quite a bit, more for the drinks than the food. It's typically very busy, and in the evenings the bar area gets crowded. It's a staple go-to for Harvard students, with a large TV above the bar and plenty of space for groups to gather. This, along with Park and Russell House, are owned by the same company and has the same feel. I prefer Russell House's food over Grafton though. Grafton's food is typically American. There isn't anything to write home about, but it has a good selection of beef, chicken, burgers, pizza, and typically American appetizers like PEI mussels, salads, and clam chowder. I've had most of their dishes by now, and they're all very average. It's nothing exciting, but it does the job. I do like this place for drinks though. They have a great selection of beers, wine, and cocktails. The more upscale decor makes it a more classy choice than the Kong next door or Tommy Doyles nearby.
(3)
Emily M.
Heads up- this is not a foodie/gourmet review of Grafton Street. It is a real review for real hungry people. I had the turkey dinner plate for lunch today. Can't tell you how satisfying it was without using dirty words. I took that turkey out on a date and got to third base. I'm telling you I demolished that thanksgiving masterpiece real quick. There is something about how thin cut the turkey was with this like fancy stuffing and a boat of mashed potatoes. Sometimes you just want a super filling meal that leaves you wanting no more and during those sometimes-- I'll be going to Grafton Street.
(4)
Lisa I.
I agree with the other reviews - this place is good, but not great. The food is fine - definitely better than your average pub food. But nothing is amazing. Their pizzas and burger are good, and the rosemary truffle fries are SO ADDICTIVE. I tried some of my friend's chickpea burger, which he liked, but I didn't care for. Prices are also reasonable. The booths/tables are cozy for dinner, but the upstairs bar part can get really crowded.
(3)
Rebecca Y.
The cheese plate was disappointing, featuring a couple of cheeses and some greasy crackers. Overpriced. This place is a standard college bar/restaurant with very mediocre food. The atmosphere can be fun. I'd only come back if a friend was celebrating something here.
(2)
Ed G.
Nice atmosphere and decent service. The food just wasn't that great. My clam chowder was lukewarm and my sandwich was nothing special. If you're looking for a great meal this is probably not the place. If you're looking for nice atmosphere, some appetizers, and a few drinks Grafton Street is a good choice in the Harvard Square area. .
(3)
Anu T.
Sweet atmosphere. Perfect for a date with a boy you met in class. Classy with a very university feel to it, perhaps cause its in Harvard Square. Try their Chickpea Burger! Super delicious :)
(4)
Viv B.
Oh my goodness gracious they have the BEST hot cider I have ever tasted. MmmMmmMmMmM. We ordered the chower and chili and I wish I could've taken the chili home with me too. The rest of the meal was hard to appreciate because the soups were already so much as it is so yeah... Next time I'll have to save room but it was good nonetheless.
(5)
Trevor H.
Terrible service. They didn't bring my appetizer and the dinner was of poor quality, but I couldn't say anything to the wait staff as there was none to be seen.
(1)
Deborah H.
I've been here more times than I'd like to admit and am constantly underwhelmed. There's never anything on the menu that I REALLY want except the burger, which is fine, but all burgers are usually at least fine. Saving grace is that they can accommodate large parties, they take reservations, and they're way less crowded (for good reason) than Park and Russell House.
(2)
Nicole S.
The food is pretty good, with maybe two options for vegans. However, we spent the entire dinner swatting at the cloud of fruit flies over our table. It was disgusting and made us not want to eat.
(3)
J T.
Grafton Street. Great location, nice look. I went for a dinner by myself and had a burger and beer. When you're out to dinner by yourself, especially when you're drinking by yourself, it's doubly sad to spend a lot of money. I'm certainly not about to impress anyone with my wealth, but I like a nice place for dinner now and again. My clothes, while not shabby, probably made it known to the bartender that I wasn't a big spender. The fact that I ordered the cheapest beer on the menu ($3.50, Narraganset... everything else is over $5) and nursed it through the entire dinner sealed the deal. But what I lack in coin I made up for in a knowledge of random information, most of which I've gleaned from internet news sites while I should have been working. Amazing how the brain can pull out buried bits of information at the right moment, given the proper inspiritation. Anyway, back to the bar. The burger was very good, the fries thin and tasty, the beer not so much. But they had a particularly intriguing football game on the TV and those of us at the bar enjoyed a conversation about the various benefits of the read-option offense (if you've been following the NFL in 2011 you'll recognize which team this must be referring to), injuries to notable players and how the teams would adjust to their absence, etc... I would highly recommend the Grafton Street bar and grill for a nicer than average but still casual meeting place... The bartenders are also knowledgable about football and will gently correct any errors in your conversation, if you like or are bothered by that sort of thing.
(4)
Steve G.
Went there with my girlfriend, she has a lot of allergies. The bartender had to remake her drink because of it,and even though i told him I'd drink it and not to take it off the check, he "accidentally" spilled the drink all over my girlfriends lap, in a way that looked very much on purpose. The cup didnt hit anything or leave his hand.He did not apologize in any way. Simply threw a rag at us and said "i'll just make it again". I'm a server at a restaurant and I was appalled almost disgusted at his attitude and disrespect. Don't know his name but he was tall, shaved head, older guy working in the bar Tuesday night August 6th. I will never go back there he was extremely rude.
(1)
Gabbi P.
Great food and they serve brunch until 4pm
(4)
Melly S.
Delicious brunch. Tried the hash corned beef and pancakes. Both tasted great! Out of all the places I've had brunch at in Harvard Square, I'd say this is the best in terms of both food and ambiance. The price was also reasonavle. Although do note that this place gets packed on Sundays, so be prepared to wait in line.
(4)
Chuck L.
Dirty glasses and really bad service. As soon as we were seated, ordered drinks and had to wait for a long time for them. When my drink arrived it was horribly made; bloody mary with a huge slice of orange and lime and a very sad looking gigantic piece of celery that made it hard to drink; would be better if these were not there at all. The worst part was that the bar tender dumped a lot of red pepper in there, which made it impossible to drink. I like spicy drinks and dishes, but this was clearly a mistake, and they still had the nerve to serve it for $10. Come on now!!! Food was mediocre- not worth the price. Service was horrible- spent two hours there, most of which was spent waiting for the waiter. He made several mistakes, brought items that we didn't order and had to keep changing the amount on the check. Surprise that this place was not better, because another restaurant owned by the same company (Park, in Cambridge) is amazing.
(1)
Tamarleigh G.
Top Ten Reasons I'm Not Going Back This review update was far too long, so I'm going to try to sum it all up in 5000 characters. Too bad you will miss out on the entertaining details. 1. Veggie Benedict: english muffins are pathetic. Have ordered this each of the 3 times I've visited. First time, it was so hard I had to hack through it with a knife (a steak knife would have been better), second time was slightly better but still very hard, and third time was blatantly burned and was served to me anyway. 2. This english muffin issue is not at all isolated to the benedict arena. My boyfriend got an english muffin instead of toast, all three times we've been there, and ALL THREE TIMES, his english muffin has arrived cold and dry, with nothing to put on it. No butter, no jam, no nothin'. He asked me in bewilderment, "Who looks forward to a dry english muffin? What person, when a dry english muffin is placed on the table, looks at it and thinks, 'YUM!!'??" 3. It was super hot on Sunday. We were looking forward to the air conditioning. No dice. It's too expensive to run the AC, they say. So we sat there in the heat, with the windows open, waited more than 10 minutes for even a sip of WATER, and had flies and other insects to shoo away during our meal. 4. When you ask, long before your meal arrives, for hot sauce, and the waiter actually THANKS you for thinking of it ahead of time and letting him know, how many minutes would you expect to sit there staring at your food before the guy shows up with the hot sauce? How about if right when you get your food, he meets your eye and mouths across the room that he'll be right back with hot sauce, and it's still more than 5 minutes before he's back with it? 5. Not that it mattered so much, since I was sending the dish back because one of the main components was totally burned. And even looking at the burned muffin, he actually asked me what was wrong with the dish. It wasn't just a little burned--it was a lot burned. Making me point it out was just pathetic. 6. And on a hot day, when you're already making mistakes with a table, how long do you let someone sit there with an empty glass in front of her? How about ten minutes? This was after I couldn't even get the drink I wanted, because they were out of raspberries. The drink I got was good, so why did I have to stare at an empty glass for 10 minutes before being asked if I wanted another one? 7. On one visit, when my boyfriend asked for butter for his dry english muffin (and you know they're always stone cold before the butter arrives), the waitress brought something that was not butter. It started as butter, but had other stuff such as vanilla and sweetener added. It was clear just by looking at it that it wasn't butter but was some flavored butter spread. So we asked what it was and were told, "butter." After tasting it, we asked again and were finally told the truth. When someone asks for butter, why would you bring them flavored butter without asking if they wanted that? And why, when they notice it's not butter, would you answer "butter" when they ask what it is? If I ask for water, and you bring me lemonade--the fact that it's MOSTLY water doesn't mean you can tell me "water" when I ask what is this thing with lemons floating in it? Just as an analogy. 8. The manager wanted us to have a good experience when we returned. So I mentioned to the hostess on our way in, that the GM had asked me to let him know when I came in. It was his day off, and the hostess basically just mumbled that at me and proceeded to not pay any attention (CLEARLY) to making sure the service was good for that table. A hostess/host is part of a team, and it's the whole team's responsibility to work together to achieve great service. The manager, dedicated as he clearly is, cannot achieve this without the support of a good team. As a hostess, your job is more than just to look pretty when someone walks in the door. You're supposed to give a damn--that IS part of your job. 9. I shouldn't have to have my meal personally supervised by the manager in order for it to be a decent meal. I've given it three tries now, and although I do believe that if the GM were there and knew it was me, I'd have had a better experience--that isn't good enough. I want to be able to walk into a restaurant and have a decent meal with decent service, without having to go out of my way to let the manager know I'm coming. 10. In summary--you know what costs more than air conditioning, more than raspberries, more than decent english muffins, and more than quality hostesses? Losing a bunch of customers because your restaurant isn't very good. Honestly, the manager seems like a dedicated guy. I wish him luck with this situation, because short of Gordon Ramsay coming in with a camera crew and whipping the place into shape, I don't know what to suggest. I've given it three tries and I give up.
(2)
Xavier M.
My review is based on two experiences. The first one would be for 3 stars and the second one for 5 stars. The 3 star experience is based on my regular visits to this restaurant. I live close by and in the last year I have visited the restaurant 4 times. The food is a very typical American style. On the other hand, this week I attended one of the special events, a tasting menu with a pairing of rum drinks. Dinner, price and quality was amazing. Please, organize more events like this.
(4)
Ronjini M.
Maybe the 5 stars comes from the fact that I was drinking at lunch and was excited about it. The food was incredible, not to mention the Guiness, which is ALWAYS incredible. You can trust the reuben (on marble rye, btw) and the grilled salmon (with garlic mashed potatoes, yum!). The french fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. the ketchup is off the chain and the prices are pretty reasonable. I can't wait until the next time I'm in Cambridge, I will remember Grafton Street always!
(5)
Cameron J.
The service was just very poor. It's a beautiful restaurant inside and has a great location, but the manager at the stand when one walks in was just unpleasant and aggressive. Her manner was not one of welcoming, it was "ugh, a customer". I left.
(1)
Emily Z.
I've only been twice, so I must qualify my condemnation of Grafton Street. The food is overpriced for what it's worth, and they overcook steak. That is all.
(1)
Brian C.
Went there last night (Friday) with my wife for dinner. Atmosphere was nice, but the wait for a table was an hour. The food was tastey overall, but my Porterhouse steak came out super well-done, when I asked for medium rare. There was zero color left, basically white inside. On the upside, while waiting for a table they did not charge me for soda.
(3)
Chris P.
Wanted to write another review as I stopped in recently for a World Cup game. The Irish bartender who was on during the day was fantastic, and it was a great place to watch a game, grab a pint and some food.
(5)
Marko C.
This is a very popular place to go for lunch while you are visiting the Harvard / MIT area. It's a cute little pub that reminds you of the Cheers episodes on TV. People are friendly and work very hard here. I give the service here 4.5 stars. I give the food here 3.5 stars. I had the cheese salad (sorry, can't remember the name) here and it was made nicely with candied nuts (walnuts?), glazed and carmalized onions and was served with a chunk of cheese. The thing that I liked about this place was that they didn't try to rush you out of your table. I was in a business meeting and they respected our time.
(3)
Sonia D.
Randomly walked by after leaving the Donkey Show at Oberon on Saturday night and can I say that I have been craving the dish I had ever since. I'm not a big meat eater but was craving it and ordered the hanger steak with garlic mashed and it was fantastic! The meat was perfectly cooked and very enjoyable. It was accompanied by a nice glass of pinot noir. There was a DJ there which I thought was funny because it looks more of like a restaurant than a club but it was perfect, jammin while eating with great company. We also ordered the creme brulee of the day which was cardamom and it was interestingly tasty. I will definitely be back to try out more of their menu.
(4)
Georgios P.
Decent place, nicely decorated, good food, normal prices. I have been three or four times, every time I enjoyed it. No complaints. It is always a choice when we go to Harvard sq for lunch, dinner or drink. It doesnt have sth in particular to motivate 5 stars, but it is a place you will visit again.
(4)
Liz O.
Favorite go-to restuarant in Harvard Square. I'm fortunate enough to live right next store so I'm a frequent patron. Staff is always friendly and the service is great. Skilled bartenders with an extensive cocktail menu. Bar has good visibility to TVs if a game is on. Good outdoor seating when the weather is nice and plenty of indoor seating. Getting a table is rarely a problem but you can book a res on OpenTable.com so why not? For brunch: cappuccino and classic eggs n' bacon breakfast, eggs benedict (w/ or w/o avocado) or blueberry pancakes. All fab. Also I like the little muffins they bring out when you first arrive. For lunch/dinner: Grilled flatbread pizza with gorgonzola, prosciutto and arugula. It's to die for. Also the Rosemary truffle fries are heaven, but I typically ask them to go light on the rosemary. $1 oysters from 11pm - 1 am every night. Follow them on twitter, they'll let you know what kind of oysters they have that day or if they have any other specials going on.
(5)
Corona W.
Had dinner here a couple of weeks ago with my brother, his girlfriend, and a friend of mine. For a starter, we had the tuna and avocado tartare. This was nice and light. Great for the summer time and pretty tasty. For dinner: Friend had the roasted chickpea burger. It comes folded in a piece of naan. I had a piece and it was pretty good. I had the grilled scallops. Scallops were well cooked and came out juicy and in a bed of delicious butternut squash puree. My brother had the salmon - he said it was pretty good. I didn't try any. His girlfriend ordered a BBQ chicken pizza. It came on top of a wood board which, I felt was a nice touch. It's pretty big for a personal pizza and would act as a good starter among 4 people. In summary, it didn't blow me away but it's a great place to catch a casual dinner in Harvard Square.
(3)
Katie C.
Two friends and I came here one afternoon for a late lunch after an afternoon around Cambridge. Since it was nice, we were seated outside and enjoyed people-watching while enjoying our food. For the lunch menu, the prices were great for that area of Cambridge. I had the tasso ham Cuban sandwich, and it was one of the best Cubans I've had in a long time. The ham was perfectly seasoned and the mustard used was something like I've never tasted before. The fries, however, were a disappointment. Lukewarm at best and soggy. Seriously, how hard is ti to mess up fries? Total let-down. Service was just okay. Take drink order, put drinks on table, take food order, put food on order, and drop check. He wasn't very personable and barely smiled. We weren't expecting five-star dining, but just a friendly, "Hi ladies, how are you?" instead of "What can I get you to drink?" Overall, it's a great lunch spot. Not sure if I would return for dinner.
(3)
Carolyn M.
I gave this place another shot for brunch and it was much improved. Their bloody mary's are fabulous and the staff was very attentive and friendly. Ill come back for sure!
(4)
Barry G.
So I have now been here a couple times. With my new job, I take the redline into Harvard square after work. So I have started exploring more than the normal 3 places I go to. So I like the atmosphere, the vibe and decor. It feels like a comfortable place. Good beer selection, and decent enough prices (a little on the high side, but not horrible) I had high hopes with the menu, and hope to try more, but so far, it has been meh. I got the clam chowder once. Decent, but not great. Seems like Cisco food service chowder, not something they make. Which is fine, a lot of places (especially not 'seaside' places or 'seafood' restaurants) dont make their own chowder from scratch. Ididnt hate it, but I probably wouldnt try it again. I got a wedge salad the other time, and wow, what a disappointment. SO BAD. now, I know with types of salads, it is often up to interpretation, but this was just sad. It was a head of lettuce cut in half, a lot of watery dressing souped up in the bottom of the play, no olives, two tiny pieces of fatty bacon, a small hard boiled egg, and tons of blue cheese. I have never seen a salad so sorry looking, so poorly prepared or presented. This is what makes me think twice about food there again. It seems like they have plenty of potential, but if other dishes are prepared and presented like a salad (which doesnt require a lot of skill or talent), then I dont think I would enjoy them either. Maybe I was there on an off day, or got unlucky. The other people I was with had no big complaints, but no big compliments either. The bread was really good, they were prompt with service for tap water or sparkling water, and everyone was friendly. Not a bad place overall, but not the best either.
(3)
Gideon B.
Typical brasserie that we've all become a custom to. Good drinks and food when you're in the Harvard square area.
(4)
Cristina L.
Stopped in here for a quick drink early on a Friday night, and was pleased by the scene and the service. Great, succinct wine list and a number of my favorite beers on tap. We were served quickly and efficiently. I'll definitely return to Grafton Street.
(4)
Robert S.
I had the steak tips. I asked for medium rare and they came more medium-medium well. They were not tender and I got like 6-7 tiny pieces. The size of the meal and the quality of the meal were not great. Disappointed...
(2)
Jenny P.
Grafton is pretty much the most amazing bar/restaurant in Harvard sq. The restaurant itself has a really cool vibe. It's modern, lots of stone, cool colors, etc. It's a great place for brunch, lunch, dinner, etc. And their patio is such a chill hang out spot - great for summer nights. Now the food is really really good. I'm partial to the pancakes, hummus platter, and flatbreads, (they are outstanding), but I've never had anything here that wasn't short of delicious. And the best part is that the waitstaff is also really fantastic. They're knowledgeable, friendly, attentive, and really seem to enjoy what they do. But of course grafton is a bar and it doesn't fail to shine in this area either. Good crowd and the bartenders are cool, friendly, and just fantastic in general. All in all, grafton is amazing. Goooo!
(5)
Priyanka R.
The worst experience I've have in Harvard Square, the only reason for the one star is the setup of the restaurant, it exudes a sense of classiness. Besides that, the service, the food and the drinks were horrendous. What I Had: 1. Fresh Mozzarella Pizza (horrible and fairly tasteless) 2. Rosemary Truffle Fries for the table (good, but our waitress forgot to put in our order and we basically got these fries after we finished our meal). 3. All I'm gonna say about their cocktails - way too expensive and just taste not so great. All in all, do NOT waste your money here, and go to another restaurant, for your own happiness and mine.
(1)
Nikhil P.
There's a grandpapi in charge of Park, Russell House Tavern, Temple Bar, and Grafton Street. There's like a near 100% hit-rate of getting super good food (creative, delicious, filling, awesome ingredients), and a hip atmosphere where you can just eat drinks all night. We came here on a Gilt City and ate like mofo's... which is awesome when you want to sample a lot of different things and appreciate how good a menu really is. We had the short ribs (SO good, and the marinara sauce was a soup on its own), the tuna tartare (amazing tart taste, really creatively made with this cucumber risotto), and for mains the pork (braised for days and totally delicious and REALLY filling), and scallops. Finally, for dessert we had this enormous cookie with ice cream. The food was just really, really good and you can tell there's consistent awesomeness about this joint. Can't beat it, or any of the restaurants in the Grafton Street entourage.
(5)
Michele G.
I love the seared scallops at Grafton. They are cooked to perfection without any of the gritty sand sensation you might get biting into scallops at lesser establishments. And they come with sauteed kale, andouille sausage slices (a rarity in these parts!), grape tomatoes, and fingerling potatoes. The massive chocolate chip cookie sundae was bigger than my husband's face. There has to be at least 600 calories in that thing. And the spicy chocolate lava cake with ginger ice cream is delicious.
(4)
Nicole B.
I was here with a large group and the food and service were great. I had the salmon filet, which was so succulent and a great size, with a delicious glaze and cooked perfectly. There was a puree of parsnip that was completely delicious. Even the vegetables were sauced perfectly and the combination was a perfectly executed meal. The homemade sangria was delicious, with an interesting spice note (maybe clove and cinnamon?). I loved my meal from start to finish!
(5)
Liz P.
I love the terrace on sunny days and warm nights.
(4)
Kathy M.
We were back a week ago and, again, our meal was lovely. My husband had a burger that he really enjoyed. I had a flatbread pizza that was divine! Service was excellent....again. This time we sat inside as it was cold and rainy outdoors. We'll be back. We have decided that Grafton Street is one of our go-to spots in Harvard Square!
(4)
Joanna H.
Came here on a Sunday, around 3pm for some late Brunch food. I got an Avocado Benedict and my friend got a Classic Steak and Egg. The petit sirloin with the Classic Steak and Egg was pretty disappointing since the meat was too tough. My Avocado Benedict, however, was absolutely delicious. It was such a creamy dish, with the hollandaise, the oozing eggyolk, the buttery English muffin with large slices of fresh avocado on top. I was very sad I couldn't finish it all. I would definitely recommend it. The home fries had a hint of red pepper and onion flavor to them. Nothing too special though. While looking at the menu, I was also pretty tempted by the Beignets & Guinness Coffee Jam, the Nutella Crepe and the Spicy Salami Pizza. None of them are what Grafton's usually known for, but they definitely caught my attention. Checked out a table's order of Buttermilk Pancakes on the way out.. That serving size is ridiculously huge. Anyways, Grafton's service is very fast here and the people are nice. I'd say it's a worthwhile restaurant to visit!
(4)
Chris O.
I'm reviewing the bar only. This place is really solid. It has the most comfortable bar seats I've ever sat in. (Leather seats and backs) there is also a support level for your feet so they aren't just hanging. They have a pretty good beer selection and the bartenders let you try as many as you want. Speaking of bartenders, the guy with brown hair and usually wearing a tie is awesome! One of the customers was from Maryland and he somehow knew that it was called the Old Line state. No clue how that's possible. We also got free Guinness beer glasses embroidered with our names on them.
(5)
Luisa O.
Truthfully, there was nothing special or unique about this place. Granted, I only had a margherita pizza, but it was not exceptional in any way. (could have had fresh whole basil leaves, nicer, less melted cheese.) I tried my companion's scallops and again, they were just okay.
(2)
Ria S.
A local's place for intimate dinners and drinks. The price maaaybe not worth it. I'll have to come back. Did like the staff.
(4)
Bassem S.
A typical Harvard Square establishment. The food is solid for dinner, more lacking for brunch, and generally overpriced, but it's one of the few options in the area and a fun, busy environment. My favorite is actually the tuna tartar, which is surprisingly fresh and consists of pieces of whole tuna, rather than that mashed up junk a lot of restaurants serve. The short rib pot roast is my go-to entree - pretty generous portions of meat cooked very tender - the one complaint I have is that it's a bit too much on the sweet side. I would NOT recommend this place for brunch. I've come a few times because it's easy to get a group rezzie, but it's really not worth it. I LOVE brunch and am pretty easily satisfied with basic egg dishes and eggs benedict, but Grafton just can't deliver, and to top it off the dishes have often come out pretty cold. Service is a mixed bag - Last time we went, our waitress was really accommodating about us moving to a different table because the table next to us was SO loud we couldn't hear the person next to us talking, but they also forgot to give us any bread and didn't remember the specials the first time we asked. Best dishes: Ahi tuna tartar, short rib pot roast
(3)
Kathleen H.
Big plus - they serve food until 1am. I had a good burger with cheese and caramelized onions and very tasty fries. Aside from being open late enough - they have a whole wall open to the sidewalk so the cool summer breezes could blow through. Outside seating as well. Interesting space - Big place, with lots of different seating options. I like the stone bar. Also, high bar tables, and regular tables and booths. I'll likely return, especially if I need a drink and a bite late.
(4)
Mimi B.
I should star by saying I give this a 4 1/2 star, with details to follow. Love this restaurant. A bit up from the T stop and the square, on a nice breezy corner with outdoor dining and nice indoor table too. Lunch is waaaay better menu, but I had dinner there and was very happy with the meal. Drinks came fast, meal excellent and normal timing. Fried Calamari was deli-sh. My only issue is that everyone who works there looks "bored" or maybe its a "I'm so busy" look. No smiles or greets with happiness, just kind of blaa stares. It didn't ruin our meal, and my guest didn't notice, but I did. The food is always so good, and perfect serving size. Brunch is my favorite followed by the great lunches. Always good. A great place.
(5)
Sarah G.
I went back to this place last night to give it a try again, even though I left here from my first experience in a word "underwhelmed." This place definitely has potential--it is a good location in Harvard square, has a big patio out front, has pretty cool decor and ambiance inside...but then why is their food a) just not very good and b) so so over priced?? I was here with Matt J. and Shauna D and I think that Shauna enjoyed her experience here a bit more than Matt and I did. She got their stew dish and it actually looked pretty nice and she commented on the fish in it being pretty tasty as well. She also got a side of burssel sprouts though and for $4 for the amount of brussel sprouts she got, you would think they would have been laced in gold or something because there were barely any in that side dish! Lower price or throw in some more veggies please! America always overcharges for the healthy items and never gives you your fair share. We got the lobster bisque, chickpea burger and the pumpkin empanadas, all of which sound awesome, but most of which were not. First, don't call something a burger if it is really a wrap or a pita. That is just false advertising for your eyes and tastebuds. And don't say something is flavorful on the menu and have it have no flavor. That chickpea burger was kind of a waste. The pumpkin empanadas also just tasted like fried dough. You could barely taste the pumpkin in it all, and that was the whole reason we ordered them! I would come back for their lobster bisque however. But is pretty hard to screw up a bisque soup because it is basically lobster mixed with heavy cream :-) BUT this place is just way overpriced for what you get. Most entrees are over $20 each and that just seems wrong for the style, type and quality of food you get here. Just come to the patio and grab a glass of wine instead.
(2)
Tani H.
Stopped here on a tour of Cambridge/Harvard. Lovely place, with an interesting bartender ... couldn't decide if his grumpiness was just part of his schtick or if he actually was a jerk. It was the best place we could find to stop, but wouldn't seek it out specifically.
(3)
Josh R.
Grafton is a wonderful place to go for a drink. Given the fairly small bar area, it quickly gets crowded and slightly loud. I like it, but it may not be for everyone. As for eating, the food is good and the general feel of the restaurant is upscale. However, dining seems a bit pricey to me. Perhaps that's because I associate Grafton first with a bar, second as a place to eat. It can also be distracting trying to have dinner as the bar fills up--the separation between bar and dining is minimal.
(3)
Shannon P.
I had a great experience at this restaurant. I was part of a group of 4, and everyone loved Grafton Street. The tables are spaced out, so you don't feel like your sitting on top of another group of diners. The service was amazing, and the food was incredible. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone, especially groups.
(5)
Eryk L.
Lovely, Lovely, lovely, and just Lovely.. The drinks were good, but could of been a little stronger for the price to be honest.. the FRENCH FRIES!! OMG dipped in ranch and call it a day.. LOVED and awesome.. I had to try the New England Clam Chowder since I was in MA... It was really good, I think I ate it in literally 2 minutes I was so hungry.. WE sat at the window bar.. the Windows were open and a nice breeze was happening.. Oh how I wish I was there still.. and it's ONLY a step away from HARVARD University.. Great place for a date night, or just a hang out with friends between closes..
(4)
Chrysanthe P.
Definitely a nice place to go enjoy a meal or a drink with family and/or friends. I liked my food and they had a nice variety of offerings. I wasn't crazy about my cocktail (little tea cup), but I'd need to try at least a couple of their thee drinks to fairly judge. The service was great, as well. This place didn't blow me away, but I liked it.
(4)
Orly M.
I much prefer Grafton Street's cooler sister, the Temple Bar, but Grafton's aiight with me. it's the perfect place to meet friends for a bottle of wine and better than average apps. The entrees are good too if you are looking for a meal. I once went a faux date here(somehow I didn't get the memo), and got these scallops that totally redeemed the evening. I would maybe even go on another faux date here for those scallops...nah. Anyway, the space is nice, the food is good. I would never choose Grafton as my first choice, too vanilla for me, but if someone else wants to go I know I'll have a good evening, provided that the other person doesn't unilaterally decide we're on a date or I eat scallops.
(4)
Emily H.
We have been to Grafton Street several times and the food fails to deliver. The one good meal I had at Grafton Street was actually for Thanksgiving 2009. They had a great three-course meal that was 100% delicious. We have been to Grafton Street several times since this meal with bad results. I'm not sure if they have changed chefs or what, but it is really surprising that they did such a good job with Thanksgiving and such a poor job otherwise.
(2)
Tracy K.
I always used to see people eating here out on the patio and I thought they looked so damn cool, drinking their drinks and eating their eats. So of course the day I finally go, it's raining up a storm... But anyway. I was impressed by the atmosphere of this place, it can be very un-pubbish (un-pubbly? non-pub-like?) and almost upscale, even though their "candles" are just fake flickering lights. My grilled salmon was nice and fatty, but it just felt so...small in comparison to my friend's fish and chips which was 4 bucks cheaper. I want to try the artichoke ravioli next time. So yeah, it was good enough to warrant a "next time." But not good enough to make me want to order dessert when I know that BerryLine is a hop and a skip away.
(3)
Eliot D.
What can I say? I come in here a lot for lunch with my friend and it's something I look forward to every week, and not because of my friend (he's boring). The food is great and so is the atmosphere and the considerably sized bar. I think what keeps me coming back here for though is the bartender Paul. He's just absolutely wonderful on every level. Without him I'm pretty sure this place wouldn't be the same.
(5)
R F.
I can't highly recommend this place, but it is above average. The food is pretty good, the drinks are OK, and the waitstaff are OK. I've never been for "nightlife" but I would imagine I would probably not enjoy it. I probably wouldn't come back here again, but that's just me not enjoying the pretend-we're-a-fancy pub with tons of people packed in there type of place... and i wouldn't be able to score a hot Man even if i tried.
(4)
Eme M.
Thank you Grafton Street for exceeding my expectations for a New Years eve dinner and proving that there are still restaurants out there that know what they are doing and are doing it well! We had 830 Reservations for NYE, we arrived on time but our table was not yet ready, which I completely understand especially on NYE so we had a drink at the bar while we waited... $10 for a martini only on NYE will I spend.. well my boyfriend spend.. $10 on a single drink , but I wasnt disappointed. I totally suggest the blood orange martini if you are willing to spend the dough! We were shortly seated at a beautiful table with a great view of the street ( I love people watching!) Our server was super cute, but still professional and in a good mood for having to give up her own NYE to wait on us. I was actually quite surprised by the demeanor of the entire staff, its been awhile since we've been out and actually felt like the staff liked their job! Everyone was friendly, happy, and attentive! Way to go guys! They did a 3 course menu for $48 dollars a person. I ordered the oysters, perfect seasoning and nicely chilled loved them! My boyfriend ordered the pork belly - mouth watering! it was crisp on the outside and had a perfectly pulled pork texture served with mashed parsnips( I forgot how much I adore a little parsnip ) The other couple we were with had the pork belly as well and the bisque which was also amazing, not to mention how nice all the plates looked! Three of us ordered the beef tenderloin which to be honest with you was the best piece of meat I had in ages, I try to keep my "dainty" figure and rarely finish everything on my plate but in this case it would have been an injustice to leave any bit on my plate( or thats how im going to justify that I could not put my fork down The meat was so tender i don't even think I really needed the steak knife. Chloe ordered the duck which she was very impressed with as well. I had the boston creme pie cake whatcha ma call it and it was perfect, just the right size and a great end to an even better meal. Ray ordered the mint chocolate brownie mouse... the mouse was delightful, the brownie was a little too hard and cold but we arent complaining. I might also mention that the timing between courses was right on! I can not stand when courses come out on top of each other or directly after one another! All in all it was a great low key beautiful night. They had a dance floor set up and it wasn't super crowded but fun, no obnoxious 21 year olds, now that im in my mid-twenties i have no desire to be around a crazy drunk crowd on NYE like i did 5 years ago I just wanted a happy medium!Grafton street gave us just what we were looking for- a classy fun joint, a great meal, and great time with each other. We will definitely be back soon. Happy New Year!
(4)
Michelle M.
Great lunch place (may be impressive other times as well but I haven't experienced - YET)! I'm now working in Cambridge and have been searching for good places for casual, but yummy lunch. Grafton St Pub & Grill offers a great cobb salad that I enjoy and I've seen people get meals they appear to enjoy as much. I'm happy with the food, ambiance, and service. Paul is the bartender and he remembered I liked the cobb salad after the first time I visited! He is definitely impressive! The relationship Paul has with his regular customers appears to be outstanding. I just may have to become one of the regulars so that I can enjoy the good food and the great service!
(4)
Cathy W.
I like the roominess of this place for a leisurely weekday lunch, but management should rethink the layout. I was having a quiet lunch with my father, squeezed into a corner at a small table; next to a large circular table in the same nook - bad judgment. Three loud and self-important academics invaded and held court on half of the adjacent table as if they were in a private conference room, taking phone calls, doing their little deals. Their behavior seemed boorish - maybe okay for a Friendly's restaurant, where you eat and run, not linger. Well, I could have been eating at a Friendly's because the clam chowder, sloppy joe, and ruban were no better than what you'd get there, and more expensive too.
(2)
Maxeme T.
Closest thing I've found to NYC Brunching :)
(4)
Andrew M.
This place cracks me up. I liked it better when it was down the street, but the whole time it has been a bastion of poseurdom! The most hilarious part is checking out the babyfaced Finals Club undergrads in the window as I stroll by... en route to somewhere else. The food is mediocre, but if you need to entertain someone who values atmosphere over taste you could take them here.
(2)
Annie P.
This place is ridiculously great. Where else can your "friend" order chicken fingers as their entree and have a fancy waiter come out holding this little black spiral containing the fries and chicken with his buff fingers. Right after he gently places it down.. another perfect looking food runner comes by.. holding with care (two hands).. a nicely presented ramekin of.. yes... honey mustard sauce on the side. I love it. The best part was our laid back pretty server. We ordered randomly off the menu and had people from the bar sitting and going with drinks.. but she never once gave us shit for it. I can totally tell she enjoyed our antics. Especially after my "friend" practically threw a glass of ice water in my face "by mistake" which had me seriously choking/coughing on bread... which had her spilling ketchup all over the table.. and at that exact moment of chaos... our waitress popped her head in and started to ask "how is everything goi...OH....I'll get you guys some towels" and laughed/walked away. She didn;t show any kind of annoyance or attitude... which was cool. Bless her soul. Glass of decent Chianti was only $5 or something.. This place is big and has all these different spots you can cram into.. with theater collage things on the walls. It's still Top 40 bland though. If I wore high heels all the time or button down shirts with khaki's and had beautiful vidal sassoon hair I would totally dig it here. What they did offer us that particular night were the insane people upfront to chat up and that fisherman guy (a regular) who let me ride his bicycle around the block.
(3)
Melissa M.
You can get drunk here, but your bank account may suffer. I find this place to be very overpriced. I think the atmosphere is a bit stuffy and should be more relaxed. I liken Grafton Street to a hotel lobby bar/restaurant, it's a place you'd go to when the only other option is an Applebee's. Not thrilled when I go here (and I got a BLT once that had DUST all over the bacon/sandwich/plate. Very weird, I didn't want the cobwebs with my food.
(3)
Elisa B.
We went to Grafton Street for dinner on a Sunday, during our trip to Boston on Memorial Day/weekend. We had our 8-year old and our 2-year old with us. We were seated right away, and a waiter was ready to take our drinks. He was very accomodating and attentive, and never pushy. We got a spacious corner booth, which I really appreciated The restaurant is lovely: nice decor, not too large but also not terribly cramped, very clean. It's not what I would call a child-friendly restaurant, but our daughters are fairly well-behaved and it worked out fine. They have highchairs and booster seats and didn't make faces when I walked in with the stroller - when I folded it and asked where to put it someone came to get it and showed me exactly where it would be. The food was really good and reasonably priced: my husband ordered the burger and fries, the girls had chicken fingers and fries, I ordered the New England chowder and the crabcake - the latter was absolutely delicious, with julienned fennel and orange peel underneath that added a lovely sweet, slightly aromatic flavor without overpowering the mild taste of the crabmeat. It may not have been the best crabcake I have ever had without the fennel and orange, but with it... fantastic. The whole family enjoyed the meal and the restaurant - I think we'll try it for brunch the next time we are in the Boston area.
(4)
Marc C.
Service we less than terrible. Waited almost a half hour for a waiter to come by when we were one of TWO TABLES inside. Gave up and left. The management is lucky that unknowing tourists will keep them in business.
(1)
Jennifer P.
If I could, I'd give it another half star for the excellent service and unique martini with black pepper. But my main entree was a semi-disappointment. Don't get me wrong, the salmon was cooked well, with a nice crispy crust, and there was nothing wrong with the asparagus and potatoes that came with it. But there was no oomph, no incredible flavors, nothing new. It was just OK. On the other hand, I had a bite of my friend's mushroom risotto which was fabulous. I could taste the deep richness of the truffle oil and the risotto was as creamy and delicious as it should be. The service was good bordering on scary. He was so attentive we all thought he was a robot, that there was some sort of switch on the back of his neck, in fact probably a camera situated right there. We timed how long it would take him to notice we were ready with the check and I counted it--literally after THREE seconds he came and whisked it away. The creme brulee with bottom chocolate layer was OK. It was creamy but very JELLO pudding-like. Chocolate flavor tasted a little canned, not gourmet. All in all, a pleasant meal with great service and nice atmosphere.
(3)
Jocelyn C.
I somehow managed to work around the corner from here for about 2 years, but never stepped inside until this Saturday. The only reason to come here is the window seating for crazy people-watching and spying on the police van sketchily parked outside of Hong Kong. If you're not drinking at the window, don't even bother. There are better (and cheaper) places to go to in Harvard Square.
(3)
Lila S.
Its safe to say the best thing this place has going for it is the atmosphere and the decor.. which may suit some fancies, but very nice nonetheless. I particularly like the bar area and how the stools on the side wall bar area are open to the street in the warmer months. Nice rich dark woods throughout are nice but on a rainy afternoon in summertime still seemed gloomy. Anyhow on to the noms I had the salmon off the lunch menu and my sis had the spring special pasta with veggies. I'm so glad I asked for the honey glaze on the side because it was Wayyyyyyyyy too sweet... I mean too much sugar guys c'mon... the fish was good quality but about a sliver of salmon..kinda suprised about a small portion of fish... its not as filling as steak. Minor detail. The snap peas and rice that came with my fish were good and definately tied the lunch together but didnt fill me up. We shared some chicken nachoes beforehand that were simple but delicious! Warm oily fired tortillas done right! ( this usually but not always indicates good bar food.) I had a bite of my sister's pasta and aside from the lemony aftertaste it seemed quite bland. Im sorry to say I hadn't sampled the cockails or any other adult beverages ( it wasn't 12 yet....) but I can say that the coffee was damn good n strong! The service was promt and attentive but rather cold. I'll be back for the bar food, a seat at the cute little bar and maybe and wink and a smile.
(4)
Dana L.
Recently went here to celebrate graduation with my son and his roomates (12 in our party). All I can say is that the food was fantastic and the service was far better. I had the scallops entree and have had the roasted chicken dish previously...both were remarkably good. Our wait staff was more than attentive to our needs and the price was quite reasonable. I would recommend Grafton Street "without reservation" (haha -that's my foodie joke of the day). Great looking place too!
(5)
Kimberly H.
I won't write as long a review as Stefanee, but I will write a review to verify that her story is not made up. We picked the place because it looked like a nice place for lunch that wasn't a chain. We did leave after 45 minutes that included "services" of taking our order, bringing us a water and an iced tea(never checking for a refill) and returning our frustrated glares and inquiries with blank stares, lack of emotion or concern, and pathetic/condescending comments like "these things do happen," "your order got lost in the shuffle," and "we do hope you'll come back and see us." Those things happen because the terrible staff let it happen. Trust me, we won't come back and see you. As a Chicagoan that has access to unlimited delicious food as well as fast and accurate service, I feel sorry for people in Cambridge that think this place is worth one's time. That being said, I will not waste more of my time reviewing this place. Skip it, it's not worth the frustration to deal with such poor service, no matter how good the food listed on the menu might appear.
(1)
Jenna J.
Really like this place. Like the lighting and the atmosphere, it's cozy, can be romantic or good for groups. We've come here just to have drinks before, but they also have good food. Last time I ordered the chickpea burger, which I thought was really good but I can see why it would get mixed reviews. It's sort of glue-y which is why people don't like it, but I actually liked that part. Right on mass. ave in harvard square, good for people watching.
(4)
Eric B.
Yeah so what if this is the location of my first long term relationship break up. They say if you fall of a bike, you should get up and try again and I'm glad I have...figuratively of course. I've eaten here several times and have enjoyed each occasion save the first one of course. The food is truly great, it's a fun atmosphere and conducive suitable to bring a date...that is during dinner hours. Later hours include a DJ on tables and a young and well dressed crowd at the bar. I've always found it to be social here and the drinks are strong enough for what I would like to call a well developed pallet.
(4)
Adam S.
The food at Grafton street is excellent at very reasonable prices. Great place for a nice date or group dinner.
(3)
Bevin C.
I feel like this place isn't cool at all. Yeah, that's the problem. And yet when I walk by Grafton Street on my daily walk home from work, I wish I could join the moderately good looking, somewhat well dressed thirty-somethings with their nice cold drinks in nice clean glasses, wiping their lipsticked mouths with their nice white napkins. ...so I did. And I lllliked it! The bf and I had a really nice time sitting on the sidewalk, watching the kids and weirdos and Harvard people pass by. Though much of the items on the menu seemed completely overpriced, we managed to have a nice meal for under ten bucks a person for the food. I liked the beet salad I ordered - very fresh greens, just the right proportions of goat cheese and dressing and beets and greens and bacon. Delicious. I also got "Deviled Eggs Four Ways", which reminded me of something you'd eat if you were a judge of a Top Chef Quickfire Challenge. And I'm into that. The burger was good too.
(3)
Lisa E.
While I really enjoyed the food here and appreciate the creative brunch menu, I have to gripe a bit about the front of house service. I was there on a busy Sunday morning and was told the wait for a table would be about 15-20 minutes. We ended up waiting almost an hour and no one seemed to care. We tried checking in a few times and the staff was not very helpful. When we were finally seated, the hostess barely apologized. It is understandable to have a long wait at a prime hour, but be up front about it.
(3)
Jalop N.
Dark. One word to describe this place. Who designed this dungeon? The crew of Hot Topic? The men of Folsom Street Fair? With the interior resembling that of a setpiece of a West Elm photo catalog shoot, the benefit of it being dark is that we brown folks of California can slip on by unnnoticed. This comes in handy as you don't want people to point out that the cook's entrance is out back. Expensive. The other word. Through the magic of the way-back machine (ok, the restaurant website), I remember my group ordering paella, salad, and roasted chicken. If our selection seem a little bit pedestrian, well, it's because the menu was. Animal, vegetable, and some sauce. But sure as hell the prices were daring starting at $16 and up! My roasted chicken was decent the first few bites but quickly dried out. The mash potatoes and the gravy were too salty. Only the appetizer, sashimi, elicited a good response. Loud. Bostoners need to shut the fuck up. No one cares about the Red Sox. And stop drinking.
(2)
mightycollectro m.
Went back to Grafton last weekend .. The Mac n cheese is incredible.. The staff was great as were the bartenders.. We stayed late because of the music.. The DJ was playing quality tunes you don't hear at EVERY other bar/club . It was a nice change from the usual top40 bs. I'd definitely recommend this place if you want to hang with some friends at a table or nod your head to the beats at the bar. Fun place minus some snooty harvard types lol. Recommended.
(5)
Vinod R.
I went with a group of 9 that had a reservation for 8pm on a Friday. We ended up waiting at least 30minutes past our reservation time. They were nice about it though and comp'ed us two appetizers. We got a cheese plate and a hummous plate, and the latter was excellent with slightly nutty hummous and warm pita. They also have a really nice spicy ginger beer. I, a vegetarian, ordered the chickpea burger and was unimpressed. It was a bit sloppy and i had to eat it with a fork and knife, but worse, the chickpea cutlet-thing was really really bland. Get some cumin powder or red chili powder in there or something please! The fries were shoestring that looked like the tiny stubs at the bottom of a bag of frozen fries. I ordered a side of brussel sprouts, and while initially good, you quickly realize that they were way too buttery. It left me feeling quite heavy. My significant other ordered their grafton st burger, and she was satisfied, but not wow'ed (which is fine). Service was friendly and attentive. The bar area was loud but it was quieter in the seating area. But the bottom line to me is the food and, while I acknowledge I may have missed the menu's high notes, I'm not inclined to go back.
(2)
jay s.
I don't know what happened to this place - ordered raw oysters, took about 45 minutes. Some bartenders here are excellent, others would rather chat with the "womenfolk" than refill a beer. Still, not an entirely horrible establishment - really depends what time/day you go. Very interesting menu. Crowd is mostly touristy during the days and weekends, after-work crowd is pretty lame. This is a good 3pm "quick pint of Guinness and burger" place.
(2)
Jenny i.
Beautiful bar. Very friendly and knowldegable bartenders. Wish the appetizer menu was a bit more extensive.
(4)
Tim H.
Ended up checking out Harvard to up my intellect points through osmosis, but that didn't work and got hungry in the process. Stopped in for lunch and ended up with a nice table next to an open storefront window for good conversation, people watching and just taking in the whole atmosphere. Very chill. Got The Cuban and the Fish and Chips. The Cuban was amazing. Shredded pork, ham, some sort of chili aioli, and a few other things on bread twice pressed. Food is mostly typical bar fare, but the atmosphere is what really makes this place stand out. Try getting a table outside if possible.
(4)
Felecia C.
Grafton St is probably the most tolerable bar in Harvard Square. Sure, it's kind of yuppie, but would you rather deal with the asshats at the Hong Kong nextdoor? I didn't think so. The bar overall has a laidback, but not dirtbag, feel, and I've never seen it insanely crowded. I'm never here for food, so I do wish the bar and dining areas were divided more equally. I can't say that this bar is AMAZING but it is the ideal spot in this area to hang out in groups. I'll be back.
(4)
Kevin M.
very good place for Brunch and for people watching! Calamari was good... I tried the chicken tenders, which were really tasty, and not too heavy. Mimosas are huge. Served in a wine goblet as opposed to the usual flute, you get a little more for your money. Fun to go here when it's nice out too, and soak up the Harvard Sq. ambience.
(4)
lily l.
Is it a pub? Is it a bistro? Not sure. A bit schizophrenic. Came to stay in Harvard Square for a business trip, and actually ended up eating here twice. The first time was for brunch, which was actually pretty good. Either that, or I was simply just ravenous after landing from my redeye. I ordered a huge omelet with home fries and toast. Can't really go wrong with that. The service was only so-so. Perhaps my server just flew in on a red-eye as well?! Then I went for dinner the next night with a group of 15. Kudos to our server who was super chill and patient. For dinner, the food is expensive and not that great. That's when I was confused if this place was meant to be a fancy place due to the fancy prices. Can't imagine the students around the area digging this place (at least for dinner)... but that's just me.
(3)
Curt W.
Wanted so badly to like this place, but the "gourmet" mac and cheese they served up was overcooked and just yucky. Menu said it should be "creamy" but instead it was all dry, and the truffle oil they put on it was off-putting. Bonus points to the waitress for not charging for it when we mentioned it, which was nice. Luckily the buzz we caught at Hong Kong drinking scorpion bowls put us in too good a mood to let this ruin our night. Pricey but nice inside. Try at your own risk...but avoid the crap and cheese!
(1)
Douglas Q.
The server was charming, and I don't dislike the atmosphere, but the food doesn't warrent a repeat trip. I don't think that you should have to slather ketchup all over a burger to get it to taste like sonething... anything.
(2)
Sarah S.
Not too much exciting to say - it's a bar. In Harvard Square. I liked that they opened the windows so I could sit and watch people walk by while drinking. That was cool. Other than that, unremarkable. They have Chimay on tap, which is cool. I was mainly just glad it wasn't more crowded, but I'm guessing that's because undergrads are gone - it's probably insufferable during the school year.
(3)
Karen W.
Having lived in Cambridge for almost a decade now, brunches at Grafton Street have been inevitable occurrences. However, at this point, I only go here when I'm forced to (i.e., when a group of other people decides that this is the most convenient place to meet for brunch). I know that the Irish Breakfast is usually pretty good, but their omelets have always been terrible. Greasy, lukewarm, and reminiscent of airplane food. I think I had a salad once, and it was swimming in oil. I used to get excited about their little complimentary basket of warm brunch breads -- but they seem to have done away with that. My advice is to skip Grafton and head a few blocks towards Central to the Plough and Stars for a brunch menu that does not disappoint.
(2)
Jordan G.
This review is specifically for the weekend brunch, which is very underrated. The Bow Street Breakfast (eggs, potatoes, meat, bread, fruit) is under $10 and Grafton's coffee is surprisingly excellent (Lavazza). And never a long wait. :)
(4)
JR S.
Fine for lunch with your boss, or meeting up with a huge group that planned ahead (e.g. my college alumni group). Wicked blah decor and crowd. The blue-button-down-shirt and Vidal-Sassoon-hair description sums it up. Someone I know used to insist on going here and I think her reasoning was "that salad with the greens, apples, walnuts, and bleu cheese (wistful sigh)." If this salad sounds like groundbreaking cuisine, maybe you will dig Grafton Street. If it sounds like something you've had all over town, you may be bored by the menu - and probably disappointed by the actual cooking.
(2)
David D.
I've been coming here off and on for years to enjoy food and spirits. This is a great place for you and your friends to come and unwind after a long work day. I suggest, if you can, to try and get there during the day as you will not be disappointed by the staff. Working behind the bar is Boston's very own voted "Boston's Best Bartender" Paul Barry. All other bartenders pale in comparison. Without a doubt the rest of the staff here is amazing as well. The food is top notch and the drinks, well Paul's makin them so they're off the charts. So come in and enjoy a bloody marry this weekend as I hear Paul is whipping up a new batch of bloody marry mix that you have to try.
(5)
Chrissy D.
I had the grilled tuna salad which is one of my favorite meals. The tuna came rare with lots of potatoes, tomatoes, string beans and olives. The tuna was perfectly seasoned and for only $14 it was a big portion. Great friendly service!
(4)
Aaron B.
Popular place, frequented by Harvard B-school students. Crowds tend to related groups which makes socializing between groups very difficult. A good spot, but only if you don't want to leave your circle of friends. Bar gets too crowded and service is way too slow when they're crowded. Food is very overpriced for the cuisine (essentially bar food) and quality. In summer, street windows open to the sidewalk which is nice.
(1)
A V.
Tastiest damned menu in the square! The entire staff is quite a delight, and on weekends they got DJ Pauly on the 1's and 2's.
(5)
Andrea H.
My husband and I came to Cambridge on our honeymoon and happened to stumble upon Grafton Street at lunchtime. We immediately found ourselves enjoying good converstaions and even better drinks with our bartender Paul. He made us feel like we were in our hometown pub with old friends, and due to his hospitality, we are now heading back there for day 2 to enjoy lunch. Loved everything about this little gem, the decor, friendly staff, location, just a wonderful expereice and looking forward to enjoying what is sure to be a memorable meal. Cheers to Paul! Slainte!
(5)
Andrea M.
Sad to say after a number of poor experiences, I'm finally writing a review about my last meal at Grafton. There have been a number of near misses, not so hots, and just plain bad experiences in the past year, but I always expected them to improve. Now, I have to say, unless it's just for drinks, I'm not going to bother with the food, and with the drinks, make sure you check over the receipt, carefully, before you pay. This last time, I ordered the salmon that came with the salmon, brussels sprouts, and scallion pancake. The salmon was overcooked, came with far too little sauce, and the entire dish was so dry, I had to ask for more water (how does one serve a pancake with mere drips of some oil, and nothing else to moisten it?). Our waiter was incredibly sweet, but obviously didn't pick up on the conversation that was about how dry the entire dish was, nor did he ask about how we liked our meals. I'm not the type to send food back - this meal has made me promise that the next time, I will send it back. All this being said, the demeanor of the waitstaff here is always good (the demeanor, not necessarily the skill). I have kept going back because they generally do try and they're not nearly as stuck up as some of the other options in the square...but next time, I'm going next door to Bartley's, getting a burger and then I'll come here for my drink.
(2)
Lalin A.
Nice, lively atmosphere. Good for drinks. Stay away from eating there. The menu is weak, but worst: the food is very mediocre.
(2)
Alyssa N.
Good drinks. The bartender made a decent version of one of my faves- OJ, vanilla vodka and Sprite. Nice clean bathrooms. Kind of a yuppie vibe, but the crowd seemed nice. Didn't try the food yet. Maybe on another visit.
(3)
Bradley L.
I like Grafton. It's a good default for a casual meal or meetup with friends for a drink. It generally isn't too crowded (though late night on weekends that's not the case). They're on open table so it's pretty easy to check availability and get a table for a meal. The food here is decent - I like it more than my friends and I consider myself a picky eater. Service here is hit or miss. Sometimes they give waitstaff an area that's too big and the server is overwhelmed with too many tables. Worth adding to your arsenal if you're a local, but not a must-see if you're just visiting.
(3)
Steve D.
Good neighborhood pub. Tasteful spot with good prices and good appetizers.
(3)
Christina and Jaime F.
We have only had brunch here, which is really good. Love the french toast and mimosas. Beware that the sausages are the flat patty type, which are pretty good, just not what I was expecting. The only bad thing was that we were sat next to a table with a bunch of kids...not really the McDonalds type of restaurant...hmmmm....recovering from the night before and having kids jumping up and down on their seats = not great.
(4)
Lindsey W.
The food came quickly and the lobster ravioli the lobster ravioli special was awesome. Also Meghan, the best waitress ever, works here. Stick around late night for drinks if you don't mind drunk Harvard students approaching you.
(4)
Jenny K.
Don't let the swanky looking decor and close proximity to Harvard fool you. Below average on a number of levels. I came here for brunch while visiting Cambridge. I found the menu was very limited. There was only one omelet on the menu which I ordered - spinach, mushrooms, cheese with home fries and wheat toast. Drew W. ordered the basic breakfast: scrambled egg, sausage, home fries and toast. While we waited for our food, the server brought a little basket of pastries - mini croissant, danish, and blueberry muffins. The pastries were stale and tasted like bad store bought. Over thirty minutes later, our meals showed up. Ridiculously long wait for eggs I think. The home fries were nicely fried and tasted good. The omelet was subpar. It was flavorless and part of it was undercooked and runny. According to the menu, my dish was supposed to come with wheat toast but I never got any. Drew W.'s eggs were fully cooked but unremarkable and his sausage looked and tasted like Jimmy Dean sausage patties. A highly disappointing brunch. And a total rip off at over $30 for two.
(2)
Steve L.
It was moderatly busy. A party of five, seated immediatly and ordered cocktails and water for the table. Waitress left and came back 10 minutes later to take food orders. 5 minutes later receive cocktails, 10 minutes later we remind her about the water for the table, receive it 5 minutes later. About 10 minutes later one of our party orders an extra app and not more than 60 second later the fried calamari he ordered came out. So where's our food? 15 minutes later is where, the dumplings were greasy and had almost no filling, everything else was average... So here's the kicker they gave absolute crap service and then tacked on 18% tip, thankfully we were able to give 5% with the hopes that they tipped out to the bartender for the drinks.
(1)
Sara C.
Went here ate night and got calamari and scallops as appetizers, and was awesome. The bartender was great and very helpful. But after going there on a Friday night, I doubt I'll go back when I intentionally wAnt to get food. I got steal frites, which tasted amazing, but it as so busy that our server didn't introduce herself, took 20+ min for drinks, and basically no attenion paid to what was going on. Awf awful service.
(2)
Natasha W.
My boyfriend and I went here for dinner, the food is pretty good. I had a steak and he had the fish and chips. It's got a great atmosphere and the inside decor is nice. They did forget about us for a little bit after they sat us...changing sections or something. However, I went over and asked and we got someone right away and then they gave us a free dessert for having to wait which was very nice of them. Overall we were pleased with the restaurant
(4)
Matt C.
Quick seating, Pikachu shaped rolls, and the Grafton burger make this place a hit. Seating us to the left of the sliding front windows when we requested outdoor seating does not, nor does an overly enthusiastic but spastically inattentive waitress. Check out the strawberry shortcake dessert. Four stars.
(4)
Gigi B.
Went here for the first time with my boyfriend for a drink after work on a Wednesday evening and was overall very pleased. We sat at the bar and had excellent service. The bartender even gave me a small glass of a summer drink with blueberries and mint leaves to try, gratis. I look forward to going back for a meal soon, perhaps on their charming patio before the end of the summer.
(4)
Nicole B.
Nothing special. Been once for dinner and once for brunch, definitely overpriced for the quality you get but it's right in Harvard Square/tourist trap area. Most recently we were there for brunch this past Sunday. I got the Grilled Chicken Mac and Cheese. I seriously couldn't taste anything in the sauce at all. It didn't taste like cheese, it didn't taste like much of anything at all. My husband tried it and agreed, very bland and boring. For two brunch entrees, one soda and one bloody mary our bill was around $42. Totally not worth it. We thought we would give it a second shot but it reaffirmed what we though the first time....this is a total skip when you want good food in Harvard Square.
(2)
A.K. M.
This place was really great! I totally would recommend eating here if you are in the area. The vibe was really laid back, the service was AMAZING, and the food was really great! The portions are pretty small, but in general I like small portions. If you prefer typical American oversize, you will probably not like the portion size. I had the roast chicken over cheese grits, and they were really great. The salad was pretty average, but nothing to really complain about. Again, mostly I really liked the service. She was quick, not intrusive, attentive, and efficient.
(4)
Ryan B.
I miss the Bow and Arrow but I guess Grafton will do! I know that the Bow and Arrow has been gone for a while but I do miss it. Such a dump and it was always filled less then creative people. If you are looking for a decent lunch menu or place to sip a drink in Harvard sq Grafton St can be one of my top choices. In the warmer months they open up the large street facing windows and can make the experience even better. They do even have a small outside seating area which can be pleasurable. However there can be a fairly pompous aura on some evenings when there an over abundance of HBS folks. Not that all HBS folks are like that but I think you get the point. Today I was pleasantly surprised by only getting an appetizer for lunch and the food was tasteful and well presented. The server was attentive and very accommodating.
(4)
Michael G.
Mediocre all around. We went for brunch and the waiter never brought us silverware and forgot to ask us if we wanted cheese on our burger. The food is decent but you are pretty much overpaying for proximity to harvard square.
(3)
Robin W.
I had dinner with a friend here on 3/210 - food was good, service left something to be desired... We split a Caesar salad, then my friend had the fish and chips, which she really liked; and I had the lobster mac & cheese, which was delicious. Then for dessert I had the creme brulee (don't remember what her dessert was). The creme brulee was pretty good, my only small note about that would be that I tend to like the caramelized sugar layer on top to be a little thicker so that you have to tap it kinda hard to break it. The downside of the meal was the service. While our server was friendly and even double-checked on an ingredient when we first ordered after that we had no idea where she went. When we first arrived we had asked for an extra minute to look at the menu - not a good idea. We finally did put in our order the salad & came out first and then the entree but they were both served by someone other than our waitress. Our entree sat in front of us for ages after we were finished with them until a bus boy finally noticed and whisked away after apologizing. After which the waitress briefly re-appeared to take our dessert order. Next, when we were expecting dessert they brought us the entrees for a different table (small oops). After finishing dessert waited a while until we ended up having to flag down a bus boy so we could pay our tab and get out of there. Personally, I'm not a fan of having 3 different people service a table. I like it much better when you have one waitress who takes your order, brings your food, takes it away, and brings and rings up your check. This 3-person system seems to result in no one having a good idea of how the timing of your meal is going. To give an idea of the impact of this on our meal - we sat down at 6:30pm and weren't able to get out of there until 9:30pm. Ok, I get that it was a Tues night and they're maybe not in a rush to turn over the table, but 3 hours for dinner? C'mon... I like their food and would probably go back but definitely not if I had plans later.
(3)
George A.
It's a nice place to hang out if you get a window table, the experience deteriorates very quickly once you get just a few feet away from the windows. Went there for a Sunday brunch, the food was good, but quite basic. It felt disappointing because the apparent trendiness of the place from the outside does not translate into any level of culinary creativity. At $10 for scrambled eggs you'd expect a little more flair. The waitress was polite, but always in an extreme hurry, even though it wasn't a busy day. We had a hard time talking quickly enough before she'd walk away from the table!
(3)
Irene F.
The calamari here is probably the best in all of Boston, if not anywhere that I have eaten (Legal's Thai-style calamari does give Grafton a run for its money, though). Usually the bar is packed with after-work drinkers, which is also fun, but people tend to stick to their own group. The food is absolutely amazing, from appetizers to entrees. Even the bread is good! Once it gets warm, they open up the windows and even have a patio out front, but it's a little annoying because you can't bring any glass outside (a.k.a. your drink!!). The cosmos, however, are mostly vodka, and not that tasty, and it seems like most of the drinks are on the stronger rather than tastier side.
(4)
Dachary C.
I second the "Meh" of one of the other Yelpers. This place did not impress me. I may have been biased, because I happened in here on Memorial Day when I was trying to go to Bartley's (which was sadly closed) but it wasn't a great experience. The hostess started off by refusing to seat me at a table since I was by myself, but told me instead to sit at the bar. This is one of my pet peeves. I'll wait for a table with the rest of the folks, but I should *not* be penalized or refused a seat for going out by myself. Ugh. Bartender who waited on me was nice. Unfortunately, I had to wait *way* too long for a drink refill. And they didn't have much in the way of selection if you're not in the mood for alcohol. The menu has a lot of 'food with a twist' - variations of a wide range of cuisine, far beyond simple pub fare. However, the dish that I tried wasn't particularly good. It wasn't bad... but it was very "Meh." And on the down side, over an hour passed between the time I placed my order and when I received my food, while I watched people all around me chowing down in a fraction of the time. No explanation for the delay was offered, nor did they offer me bread or a chance to add an appetizer to munch. Bad form. On the upside, the bar opens the windows to the sidewalk on nice days. I always like that. The food wasn't particularly good, the hostess refused to seat me, and the service was slow. It seems like it might be a neat place, but I probably won't go back.
(2)
Natasha D.
Went here on a Saturday night with a friend, wanting to be social with other bar people since it always looks busy when I walk past towards Karma Yoga. My pear-amaretto martini was good, the service was good, the moules frites that someone else at the bar ordered looked good. However, nothing was so great that it wow'd me or made me want to become a regular.
(3)
Hannah L.
the interior of grafton street is cute and classy-pubby. i found it interesting that they have faux lamps hanging from the ceiling, with actual light coming from random bulbs in the wall. i was kind of sad to see that the menu didn't have any new or cool recipes. it was standard. i was left wondering "where are the cool funky twists on classics?" nothing was new. anyway, i was feeling fat because i ordered the fried mushrooms and fish+chips, (split them!) so i got a pre caesars salad. which was decent. the fried mushrooms made me kind of nauseous, i think the dip had way too much mayo in it. the fish was crunchy and decent as well. when i came home, i took a big #2. good times! i'd say, eat if you are hungry, but there are better places. come for cute ambiance and beer.
(3)
Jillian Y.
Lovely atmosphere; sadly, the food just isn't that hot. I had a flatbread pizza and fries (what, I was hungry?) and was not pleased with either...the pizza was burnt and the fries were so bland that I practically had to dunk them in salt. Disappointing, especially since I was expecting so much more! My friends seemed a bit more impressed with their food.
(3)
CeeCee R.
Went there with a friend. Food and service were very average, not that great. Very basic food, not sure if we'll ever be back.
(2)
Jackie S.
Just - no. Not only was the place packed from elbow-to-elbow, but the food was almost unacceptable. To top it all off, the server brought my boyfriend and I's dinner to the table next to ours. We had to watch the couple next to us argue about how the food was not theirs while the server stood their cluelessly. There was not even an apology for the mix-up. The food - squash risotto and the duck entree - was lukewarm and mushy. The duck (ordered medium rare) was red and raw in the middle. The 'pomegranate reduction' was just pomegranate seeds scattered on a sloppy plate next to the undercooked duck. The risotto was also cold and the bacon on it completely overcooked. I would expect food of this caliber to come out of a cafeteria, not a restaurant like this.
(2)
Mo M.
This place is totally overrated. The food is mediocre at best, but for the price you feel ripped off. I mean, one would expect that pizza is something that can't get messed up, but guess again - it looked better than it tasted! The best thing to do here is drink, but that's about it.
(2)
Cheryl L.
Always a reliable place to go. Great service, very good food. Burger and fries always a good thing to order. However, the Cobb Salad, steak frites, pork chops and... uh oh too many dishes to mention are solid choices.
(4)
Colleen Y.
I like to go there with my parents for a laid back meal but to socialize? No way. The crowd is uptight and as a young person I feel totally out of place. Maybe if I was wearing a Polo sweater around my shoulders I would break into the in crowd there. If you are a girl under 28 expect to be oogled...no matter how busted you are. The yuppies in there haven't seen skin that fresh since they finished reading last month's Maxim.
(2)
Hope R.
1st time here: business lunch. decent food, WAY overpriced. 2nd time: romantic date with an italian. nice ambiance. we sat 2.5 hours just with our single drink. attentive waiter. it didn't work out with the italian, though... 3rd: drink with my girlfriend. very nice atmosphere at night, esp. with windows open. we had delicious cocktails. bartender was cute and thorough. even kept refilling our waters. all in all, don't come here for food, but it's a nice place for a cocktail with a friend (or more) :)
(3)
Donal C.
Go for the drinks, don't stay for the food. We went for dinner last night, and I have to say, it was not a good experience. The pasta dish was tasteless and overcooked. That went back. The chicken dish was ok at best - as in it didn't go back. The chicken was oven-baked, and a little dry; the mashed potato was average and complelty soaking in butter. The creme brulee was really tasty but cold!! Wow, that's the worst review i've ever given, and i'll suffer a lot of average places. I do like the bar though for atmosphere and beer, but they really need to get a new head chef.
(2)
Kim N.
It's so strange, every time I visit someone who lives in Cambridge, they end up taking me here. The food is ok, your standard midrange food that most people would enjoy, but nothing to write home about. Atmosphere and beers are good, a good place for groups or a buddy you want to chat with. Next time I cross the river though, I'll have to be sure to mention I've already tried this place and that I'd like something new please.
(2)
Leigh D.
Bad all around...maybe a bad night? The hostesses were distracted...we were a party of 6, 5 guests of mine from Colorado and me a local who has been there several times and choose to bring them.. We very nicely selected a table with a view that we wanted and we waited patiently for a table up in the front. The clean up process was slow. It seemed even the hostess forgot about us? Which seemed confirmed when my friend checked in and the three of them stopped discussing their necklaces and moved some dishes of the table The waiter, Johnny, was on the ball for the most part...and was charming and gracious...the food, however, was such a disappointment...mushy crab cakes, bland chowder, cold mashed potatoes with a luke warm steak on top, side cut tuna for the tuna wasabi...blah. Pizza was good but not too hard to mess that up? Calamari was good enough, too. Chowder was sent back. Steak and potatoes, too. Tuna was pushed around the plate. Crab cake was eaten by 6 people and each bite was determined to be mushy and bready, not crabby. I will say the manager responded to the concerns we had...we weren't being obnoxious about it, just disappointed. He said the right things and sent over deserts....mediocre ones...as the 13 year old at the table noted, "The cookie tasted like freezer burn." Sorry, Grafton, I have been a fan! I love the ambiance but Grafton was a huge embarrassment last night. Hope you guys can get it together.
(1)
Jess K.
I just went here for drinks so I can't tell you anything about the food. The drinks were a bit pricey. The atmosphere is modern and upscale. The bartenders were very nice and all seemed to be good friends with each other. Their discussion of ordering a burger and fries made me almost want to be a carnivore and order one myself. I guess if they crave the food you know it must be good, right? I recommend going here for a drink after work or for a nice quiet meal but not really for the "bar scene".
(4)
Hannah T.
I went to Grafton Street with 8 of my good friends and we loved it. Considering there were 8 of us I'm not about to list off everything, but some of the favorites were seared scallops (as usual), cobb salad and one dish that deserves its own paragraph. A friend ordered the chickpea burger and after a light meal I decided to sample her leftovers. OH LORD was it good. A soft, thick pita with tzatziki (cucumber/yogurt mix) and a chickpea patty that was so flavorful and delicious. I want to go back to Grafton Street just to order that myself. I also had a drink made with mint, citrus vodka, and ginger beer. I forget the name but it was somewhere between a mojito and a dark & stormy. It was yummy, overpriced naturally, but yummy. Go here for a romantic date, or for a huge gathering. You'll be satisfied either way.
(3)
Elizabeth M.
We went here for a Mother's Day brunch and it was excellent! The service was terrific, the ambiance was nice, and the food was delicious. I highly recommend this place, and I'll definitely go back.
(5)
Jules M.
The first time I'd been to Grafton Street, I wasn't overly impressed. The food was tolerable and pricey for the quality and quantity. The seating booth [which was able to seat the six of us] was not comfortable - nor did it allow for comfortable conversation since the place got loud and the table was very wide. Talking to anyone across the table brought it up to yelling mode - not quite appropriate for dinner conversation - and more suitable for a sports bar atmosphere. The booth was also located at one of the busiest locations in the restaurant - next to the kitchen door. Therefore, a table that can potentially bring in quite a profit for the establishment is in one of the least desireable locations. The second time I stopped in, was for a 'quick drink' with my friend and headed into the lounge, which was about half full. It was this re-visit that made me determine that I was never going to return there again. The bartender only acknowledged a token few "buddies" at the bar. The waitress service was non-existent and she only made quick appearances at the back of the lounge area and would then disappear again. The hostess was always chatting with her co-workers and did not make any effort to have service brought to new customers. Since the waitress was wandering elsewhere, I then made my way up to the bar to order the 'quick drink'. The bartender continued to walk back and forth behind the bar - and would then stop at the other end of the bar to talk to co-workers. He continually ignored myself, and another new customer at the bar, without bothering to say "I'll be with you in a moment", or something to that effect - even when the new customers would try to politely get his attention. After nearly 15 minutes of trying to get a 'quick drink', my friend and I left the poorly managed establishment - and I added the place to my "Places that Are Never to Get Another Dime From Me" list.
(1)
E M.
The food is alright, but for the price you pay it should be better. It's a good place to watch soccer games though.
(3)
Wendy L.
Food is average but there is a considerable amount of variety. The resturant is really big so it's a great place for large groups.
(3)
jen h.
I went here on St. Patricks Day and had a few beers. Beer was good, service was good. But they didnt serve Irish Carbombs. Menu looked good, but we didnt eat! I will be back!
(4)
Stuart F.
Perfect meal for either a large group or small intimate setting. For those of us who love bar food...but not the noise that it brings. Awesome ambiance, location and decor. Visited here this past Saturday for a nice meal. Had a perfectly cooked burger with a bun that did not get to gross (aka it was pretty much heaven for me). Great Beer-battered Chicken Tender appetizer as well. Girlfriend was ecstatic about her salad (especially when they added Chicken to it). Pretty thrilled about our experience here. We will be back!
(4)
Aaron H.
Saturday and Sunday afternoons this is a great spot to sit at the bar, have a pint and a sandwich and interact with some great bartenders. I usually come on Sundays and I always have a good time. Swung in on Saturday and had a great Long Trail IPA and a Cuban. Had two terrific bartenders, one spunky little blonde who was one of the funniest bartenders I have ever met and a guy who loved to talk golf. All around a great spot to spend an hour or so in the square. The food is pretty good, but I tend to stop in more for the beer selection and atmosphere.
(3)
Pooja N.
Went on a Saturday night with an 8 pm reservation, but didn't get seated until 45 minutes later. They were very apologetic about the delay, and the service and food were pretty good when we finally got seated. I really enjoy their tuna tartare and scallops. The pizza is also a good choice on a budget. Overall, nice place, but I'd try to go at a less crowded time and not expect brisk seating.
(3)
Janina T.
I was so disappointed when I ate here again last night (note: I wrote a pretty glowing review about my 22nd birthday celebration here a few weekends ago so I expected good service again). We walked in at around 6:45 pm, after the Oktoberfest and Honk! Parade festivities and were seated right away considering the restaurant itself was maybe half full, with most of the life happening around the bar. Our waiter came and took our order. When he got to my friend who wanted to order a pizza, he said that they were all out for the night. I'm not quite sure how that would happen in a restaurant where an entire portion of their menu is out of commission. Ok, fine, we moved on. Then we tried to order a bottle of Pinot Grigio. He comes back, they're apparently all out of PG bottles too. His brownie points are slowly waning. We finally put in our final orders, with some changes due to the lack of inventory they've got going on. We're at the restaurant for maybe 15-20 mins. now, haven't received the complimentary bread rolls yet, it gets to the point that my friend has to flag down the waiter to just ask for them. We notice the table next to us gets their starter bread rolls AFTER their entrees are served. I'm pretty sure that's backward logic at it's best. We finally get our food, turns out the pizza my friend wanted initially is actually still around so he brings it out, +1 brownie point. To top off the crappy service, when we finally want our check, prep our cards and cash and are ready to give it back, our waiter is no where to be found. I'm pretty sure a restaurant would LOVE to turnover as many customers as possible in as short a period of time. Didn't seem to be happening. We finally got approached by someone who appeared to be a hostess, not a waiter. It looked like our waiter had checked out for the night because we didn't see him walking around anywhere. I hope he doesn't get the tip from our bill because someone else definitely deserves it far more than he does. Thank God someone wanted us out of there or it would have taken years to even make it out the door.
(2)
rob. l.
I was in the Harvard Square area for 2 days and I went here 3 times. It was great. I tried the cheeseburger and the seared salmon and both were absolutely amazing. Good beer selection as well. Highly recommended.
(4)
Kerry S.
We found this place after spending the morning walking around Cambridge. The chickpea burger on naan is excellent. The fish in the fish tacos is deep fried, but otherwise delicious. Good atmosphere and reasonably priced for the area. Definitely recommend and will go back the next time we are in the area.
(4)
Mike M.
Grafton Street is a great restaurant for food and cocktails, I frequent it mostly for their brunch as they have a nice indoor/outdoor atmosphere and specifically their bartender Paul Barry is the best in the city. Cocktails are generally very creative, they have a "Dirty Pickle Martini" that is a welcome change for any Dirty or Hot and Dirty Martini lover. The only DOWNSIDE to Grafton Street is their atrocious house Bloody Mary mix, which Paul has countered with his own homemade creation which I must say is out of this world. Go to Grafton Street, ask for Paul Barry, and then request his personal Bloody Mary mix... There is no better Bloody in Boston! Enjoy!
(4)
Joseph L.
I'm a regular. The food is good and getting even better, and the service is great! A big part of the ambiance is Paul behind the bar in the afternoons. Often very funny, providing as much or as little entertainment as I'm looking for, Paul has brightened many an afternoon. He's boston's friendliest and best bartender, and a Cambridge institution.
(5)
Trish B.
I really like the ambiance here. Ive gone here both for drinks at the bar and for dinner and both have been great. Its worth going just for their buffalo chicken fingers, which I got the last few times. They come with fries and extra hot sauce and blue cheese on the side. The buffalo sauce is really think and has a great flavor! This seems like an ideal date spot because its classy, but not stuffy. The game is on in the bar, but there is nice decor, and food a few steps above a good pub. You cant beat the location either. Ive never sat outside but i definitely want to!
(4)
Anna W.
Good food, great decor, good service. All around, I've never had a bad experience here. I've had the salad and sandwiches for lunch. For dinner, I've had their paella (was pretty good... not bad considering it's an Irish bar), steak, and chicken. Portion size is good and price is reasonable, but not incredibly cheap. The bar area is small and a tight squeeze. On weekends, the line can get insanely long. I would never wait in line to get in here, but if you go during lunch or early dinner, it isn't bad.
(4)
Lakay C.
YUMMY! The bar tenders are fun and adorable. The food is delicious. The drinks are perfect pours. It's hard to get a seat in the bar most nights - but it's worth the crowd. Great after work place.
(4)
Liza F.
I have only been to Grafton Street at night, either for dinner or for the bar so I can't really comment on the brunch or lunch scene. I think the food is good. It definitely hits the spot for comfort food. Last time I went I had a very yummy cheese fondue as an appetizer. I have also had the steak frites which was great but not as good as my favorite (Aquitaine). Bartenders are prompt and pretty attentive considering how busy it gets on weekend evenings. The servers I have had have all been spot on and efficient. I also came here for New Years Eve two years ago and I recommend it if you are looking to go out but not with the amateurs night crowd. The scene is a bit older as most students are not around. It gets packed but not to the point of absurdity. The Friday and Saturday night DJ is cool to the point of ridiculousness. You will find yourself singing the words to the songs you recognize but it's not redundant like you find at most clubs and lame bars. He is actually a musician and not a run of the mill DJ who stands there all night mindlessly playing tracks on a computer. So worth checking out if you are in the Harvard Sq area.
(4)
Kristen F.
I will probably need to re-review this place once I go back for I only popped in last night for about 20 mins. From what I saw, the place is really nice with an adorable outdoor seating area. The fumes coming from the kitchen smelled really good. I'd love to try this place again for lunch or dinner.
(4)
Caitlin O.
A large group of us stopped by Grafton after seeing a concert at the house of blues on a Saturday. The line to get in was kind of a drag, but once we were in, we were seated quickly. Despite the crowd, our waitress brought our food and drinks in no time. We had heard great things about the weekend DJs but weren't prepared for how good he really was. What a refreshing change! He played a great mix of top 40 for the kids along with some old school hip hop and funk. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Jonathan S.
I've only ever had one thing on their menu in the three times I've been here but it's worth four stars. That item is the toasted chickpea sandwich with yogurt on naan. I can't comment on the other food here but try the toasted chickpea sandwich!
(4)
Charles L.
Grafton St. has seen its share of parties. Definitely a good spot at the tip of Harvard Square. Nightlife can get a little saucey over there if you happen to run into the right crowds... Never know when some eager party animals trickle in from the Hong Kong... Oh, cute waitstaff too...
(4)
Arik C.
Unlike the Asgard, this place actually feels Irish. ok upscale Irish. Good selection of beers and true irish behind the bar. Food is pretty decentbut nothing to go there for that only. Trendy on weekends and when school is in.
(3)
julia r.
you know you're a student when the only time you've been here since circa 2003 was with a folder full of articles and a lemonade in hand. the window was open and the breeze felt fantastic. who knew grafton street was a secretly great study spot?!
(4)
M C.
Grafton St Restaurant is a must stop in Harvard Square -- but only if a delicious varied menu appeals to you, and if prompt and excellent service provided by a young , energetic and intelligent staff are high on your dining requirements list. However, its piece de resistance is the Sunday brunch and a drink, or your entire brunch, served at the magnificent bar by Paul Barry ---- Grafton Street's polymath bartender whose keen Irish wit and infectious conviviality enriches your day, ratchets up your IQ, and makes you glad to claim Celtic ancestry --- even if only by adoption. Paul has even been known to bestow honorary Irish citizenship on those intrepid souls up for several shots of John Jameson, while he beguiles you with tales, both noble and bawdy, of the Brirish Royals --- in whom he has an endless, quite un-Irieh fascination.To know Paul and the pleasures of this delightful watering hole is to enjoy Harvard Square at its best. Salut et bon appetit, mes amis! Sir Maurice and Lady Mary .
(4)
William Z.
My favorite spot, currently, for lunch or dinner in Harvard Square!
(5)
Jason P.
I've been going to Grafton Street for the past 8 years, and unfortunately, the quality of the food has recently declined. When I first became a customer, I was impressed by the selection on the menu, and the consistently high quality of meals. Now it's uncommon to have a dish without serious problems. It's a shame because I love the ambiance, and I have a lot of good memories associated with the place. Fortunately, the drinks are still good. But the small bar area quickly becomes crowded.
(2)
Lynette M.
The tuna tartare was incredible
(4)
Pete P.
some people from work like to go here a lot so i gave it a try. it was horrid from the moment we walked in. it honestly smelt like wet, dirty sneakers. like they had just mopped it with one of those stinky sponges that has been by the sink way too long. they sat us way in the back, just 3 of us even thought the place was virtually empty. bah. the food? my fish & chips were horrible. it was one huge chunk of white fish. and the supposed flaky outside found on most fish & chips was a hard, crusty shell that fell of f the fish when you tried to separate it with a fork. who has to eat fish & chips with a knife? the chips? terrible. my friends chicken finger appetizer was way over cooked. again, the chicken did not have a flaky outer crust, rather a hard, deep fat fried shell. gross. i won't even go back for a beer because the service was so slow and the smell was so much like sneakers. i have to stop now before i ramble on and on about how bad this place was. stay away because its not cheap either!
(1)
Joe R.
I had some sort of elk tenderloin at this place tonight - not bad at all. The meat was tasty, the garlic mashed potatoes outstanding, and the service pretty good. I like the outdoor seating, but have to ding them a star for not being about to serve alcohol outdoors. I hear that this is a city ordinance in Boston/Cambridge, and has something to do with awning size - none the less, I wasn't impressed.
(4)
Melissa Y.
Hey ! if you haven't tried this restaurant ,then you are missing out on something good. With a new chef and menu, last nights meal was delicious. Try the salmon, scallops or the mac 'n cheese. Plus,our server,Tyler, was helpful and funny. i highly reccommend this place and plan to make it one of my haunts.
(4)
Sean P.
Love the deviled eggs appetizer. Was not as thrilled with the pork chop, but Brandy loved her scallops and risotto, even if it was too much for her to finish. Was the prefect place to meet up with friends, and the Oban at the end of the evening made me forget all about the pork chop. So too did the bagpipers that popped in for an impromptu performance. We assumed it was because of the Irish film festival happening in town the same weekend, but either way it was a nice touch, even if it was a bit loud.
(3)
Chana E.
Went here with a group of 8 friends and had no trouble getting a reservation with a few days notice for a Friday night. Good wine and beer, we all loved the pumpkin empanada appetizer, and several people raved about their mac and cheese (with lobster OR sausage mixed in). However, what won my heart was when they gave us (FREE!) chocolate cake and ice cream since it was my birthday weekend. Will definitely keep this on my list of best Harvard Square places to go, especially with groups.
(4)
JOHN r.
The DJs play Top 40 tracks off their I-Pods, the soundsystem hits like the Aiwa boombox I bought in 1994, yet the DJs somehow always look like they are trying really hard. The bar is not easily accessible, and the semi-existent dancefloor is not that accessible either. Whoever designed the layout for this place was special in the bad way.
(1)
Bryanne R.
We had to practically beg for service. (probably not the norm for this place) It was a week night and we were sitting in one of the (AWESOME) window seats, but c'mon at least get us some waters! Food was good once we got it. It's a great place to go mid-week to have some food, talk with friends and watch a game. Great for people watching if you get a window seat.
(3)
Ashley S.
Serves Sunday brunch until 4p. They serve all the brunch standards and do a decent job of it.
(3)
Stellina M.
Many chefs swear it is one of the best places in town....I am not so sure. The ambiance is nice, lots of Harvard/Cambridge type people, the service is pretty good. I has mussels for appetizer and after that I was already full! Great breads and knowledgeable staff. But nothing super special!
(4)
michelle m.
I love this place. The poached pear appetizer is fantastic, and the fish dishes that I have tried are all very, very tasty. The atmosphere tends to be a bit more upscale (at least, in the evenings, which is the only time I've been). They also have outdoor seating along the street, but beware - it closes at about 10 pm, although food is served until 11. If you're in the Harvard Square area, definitely check it out!
(4)
Ray R.
great place for lunch. but their dessert it L A C K I N G, yet its made up by their cosmos! a sweet little place for a quickie. there was a wait of twenty minutes we were told, so we went over to the bar and as soon as we took a bar stool they had a tabel ready for us. loverly. the waitress was swell. granted she called my aunt OLD. none the less, we had the fish & chips, some pasta dish, and a little veggie plate on the side. whooOOoo. okay either i was really really hungry or that was the best fish & chips i've ever had. wow. as for their dessert is was reather dissapointing. we ordered the white chocolate mousse. it comes in this tiny chocolate cup with several raspberries and a white sauce to garnish. EH. we also had the chocolate & peanut butter tart which the waitress raved over. it was EH was well. great meal to say the least.
(4)
mickey l.
Mild June night and Daedalus roof deck is an hours wait so we sat on the Grafton's Sidewalk. Tourist watching I guess. But you know, I could see the Prudential really well from my seat. And the linens were crisp. Our Irish server had sweet chops. The Shiraz I drank felt fun in my mouth. The greasey calimari was deathly with the thick seasoned mayo. Caesar Salad had girth too. A small Pizza with goat cheese and toms was chewey and spicey. Note: The weather was perfect and that makes sidewalk dining a pleasure all by it's self.
(3)
Claire M.
My boyfriend and I went on a date to this place... It was okay. I will say the decor and ambiance are great, but I found the food to be just so-so. Nothing really blew my mind. I ordered a cocktail (even though I'm normally a wine drinker) and didn't think it was too good (though, to be honest, I'm not exactly a liquor connoisseur). I had a flatbread pizza which was only okay. I probably wouldn't rush back anytime soon.
(3)
Elizabeth M.
We came here with a large group, had a reservation and had to wait about an hour for a table, but it was packed with several other large parties and having worked in food service myself, understand what its like. We went to the bar for drinks while we waited and was surprised with strong, good sized drinks. When we were seated we had great service and our food and drinks came out quickly considering the size of the party. I ordered the blood orange martini (strong and yummy) and the brandt farm grilled bavette steak. I figured since we were being treated I might as well go for the most expensive meal on the menu. The steak was cooked to perfection (ordered rare). I am super picky about the way my steak is cooked and rarely order steak out as a result. The mashed potatoes were delicious and flavorful and the fresh salad with truffle oil was absolutely delicious. If I could afford to eat here on my own I totally would come back...for me it will be a restaurant to save up for and come to for special occasions. I will definitely recommend this restaurant to other people :)
(5)
Lynda M.
It is with great regret that I have to give a 2 star review to what used to be my favorite brunch place. We arrived today and were seated immediately. My husband ordered his fav over easy eggs Irish breakfast, and I ordered two eggs scrambled with toast. I waited patiently for the arrival of the basket of home made breads. It never came. Our food didnt come either, for a very long time, and the place was not even crowded. Finally when our food did arrived, it was cold. My eggs tasted like someone spilled a salt shaker in them, inedible. My husband got the same nasty eggs, after ordering eggs over easy. His sausages were under cooked, his bacon like shoe leather. The coup de grace was his french fries were ICE cold. I finally told our waitress about our meals, and she was very apologetic. She offered us something different, but at this stage our stomachs were churning and we just wanted to leave. They ended up not charging us for the meals we barely touched, thus the extra star. I can say I do not think we will be back to Grafton to eat, but maybe for drinks. It isn't worth the price :-(
(2)
Meridith H.
This place wasn't 1/2 bad. I went here on a first date. It was early evening, so I guess it wasn't quite overrun with the college-crowd. I had the cuban sandwhich and my date had the fish and chips, both meals were fine. The waiter specifically asked if we needed our food by a specific time (we did because we were seeing a movie). I appreciated that he took the time to ask that question. Overall, I would recommend Grafton St.--I've been craving another cuban sandwich since I left.
(4)
Rina R.
A fun place to hang out, have drinks, or eat a meal. Grafton Street has very reasonable pricing, and a 20s-30s something crowd. My girlfriends and I love it for the atmosphere. And my very picky aunt who studied to be a chef raves about it, so check it out.
(4)
Omoniyi A.
This review is based on 1 visit - so be aware. I went for after work drinks with a friend and ended up getting munchies and a drink. The place was super crowded, I dont know if it was a particular night, but it seems like Grafton is an afterwork standard in Harvard Sq, so be prepared to fight off crowds of up-and-coming professionals. The waitress was charming, which always is important to me (i mean, service with a smile!). The dinner menu is pricey, i actually overheard someone leaving complaining about the menu and going in search of cheaper eats. They do have a late night menu though that has cheaper food and starts being served at 9. I got the empanada plate which was delicious and came with slaw. The drink menu was also extensive. I probably wouldnt go back just because this place was def not my scene, but if you're the Cambridge professional looking for an upstyle afterwork lounge this could be the place for you.
(3)
Alexandra L.
Grafton's food is good, not great, and the drinks are about the same. I am not trashing the place at all though, I spent a lot of really fun nights in the bar area (especially in the summer when the open the windows onto the street)... I agree with what Alice W. says though that it is a trendy bar for university students and young professionals.... if you want something more, you may want to get out of Harvard Square though.
(3)
Greg C.
I got nervous when our server said, "The beer?" after I asked him for a Heineken Light. At that point, I was pretty sure that this was going to be a less than stellar night out. I met 2 friends there. And by "met 2 friends there" I mean that I got there early and had to wait in a big-ass booth by myself for 15 minutes while everyone stared at me like, "why's this kid got the whole booth to himself and we're crammed at these little friggin tables." The lead singer from coldplay, Chris Martin, aka our server, came right over and got my previously mentioned drink order. However, once the rest of the party showed up, he was nowhere to be found. This remained the case throughout the rest of the meal, as we had to keep asking other people who work there for forks, napkins, water, etc. I got the bartlett pear salad, which was amazing. I literally scraped the plate. It must have been pretty odd seeing someone trying to scrape a flat piece of lettuce that's balsamically-vinegaretted to the plate. So, as a breakdown, I give 1 star for Open-table presence, 1 star for the salad, 1 star for the attractive waitstaff, and 1 star for the delicious bread they bring out first. I'm taking off one star because it's too expensive. Listen, I realize your in haw-vawd square, but not everyone is living off of their mummies and daddies wallets.
(4)
Channon W.
The very first restuarant that I went to in Boston and I loved it. I ordered the lobster and corn fritter as an appetizer and it was ohhh sooo yummy! It was a really cute bistro with such a friendly environment. They had some pretty yummy drinks too. Everything on their menu looked delicious...I wish they had a grafton street in california!
(5)
Doody D.
I had brunch there this saturday. It was pretty disappointing. I had the steak and eggs and the steak was one of the worst steaks I have eaten in a few years, i got it rare and it was rare but super dry and tough and flavorless. The eggs were properly cooked, and the service was promp and friendly. I take bloody mary's seriously and do't want something so bland and spiceless, especially for 9 bucks. I don't think I will come back here.
(2)
Kisbee B.
Great food, great atmosphere! I went there for dinner and had a great time! We both had great dinners! A bit out of my usual price range, but I surely will going back there when I want to treat myself!
(4)
Jen J.
Went here other night for a quick bite when I was by myself in Cambridge. It was a warm winter day and they had the front windows open which was really nice for people watching. I sat at the bar and chatted with the tenders...nice guys...and had a great chicken salad...basic but nice portions and really good grilled chicken. Good drinks....good location. Good place to take the fam. or head out with friends for a somewhat causual/classy dinner spot.
(4)
Brian D.
Grafton Street has its moments. I don't think I would set out on a evenings course with the sole intention of going there but I have never had a bad time there. My most recent drunken adventure focused in on the value of drinking $6 Tanqueray and tonic vs $6 beer - do the drunky alcohol math, right? With a gullet full of gin my drunk associates and I managed to muscle out way into owning the entire open window bar area which is the bestest spot in the hose (if you are there for drinking alone). The people watching in Harvard Square is the reason to go there, and this is one of the best spots to do it in. Man, I was not disappointed no sir there was 'really bad toupee, high pants man' and 'really scary, very forward about it, crocodile dundee man' to name a few celebrity sightings. I dunno, it was a good night and happened to be at Grafton St so despite the kind of uppity, yuppie crowd I would probably go back soon if nothing else just to rock the window bar seats.
(3)
Cara G.
Met my, you know, significant other for a late lunch on a drizzly gray Monday. Doesn't the word "pappardelle" make you think of a clown? It's like the clown of Italian pasta words. Look, there goes Pappardelle, frolicking with an umbrella! Very Fellini. Anyway, that is what I ordered, because of the clowniness, and also because it came with blackened shrimp, in a tomato-based cream sauce, with spinach. Also it was flecked with things, parmesan and pepper, and who's not up for a good flecking every now and again? It was somewhere between fine and good. Probably good, but maybe it's tough to keep pasta interesting for a whole bowl. I also might have had two glasses of Chardonnay that I might have described as "buttery." My boyfriend had a turkey wrap, with sprouts and yellow tomatoes, that seemed dry and uninspired, but maybe that was just in comparison with his sparkling conversation. His buttery, sparkling conversation.
(3)
Patrick B.
Great atmosphere, especially the outdoor tables or bar by the open windows when the weathers nice. And, the bar offers a decent selection of beer on tap. However, the food quality has varied quite a bit and I've become nervous ordering anything beyond standard pub fare for which I always have low expectations.
(3)
Sam H.
Good food, great service, friendly waitress. They accommodated literally about 10 people who ended up joining our table of 2 unexpected, and did not complain at all. now THAT'S good service.
(4)
Jennifer B.
Can't speak as much to the food, but if I wanted to go to a bar full of the tackiest trust fund kids Harvard can muster (and that is a high bar, my friends) and the kind of mid-20s who hit on them, I'd head here. The defining moment for me was when someone pointed out that we were being blessed by the company of an Apprentice reject. Awesome! That being said, Harvard Square is not exactly awash in trendy eateries, and I hear the food is passable...
(2)
Sandra C.
I came here for lunch one weekend and it's pretty uncrowded. They actually had a really good pulled pork sandwich. The waitress was pretty snooty though especially when we just had *gasp* tap water instead of their bottled water. Service was terrible ever after that faux pas.
(3)
Steve N.
never ate here, but did have drinks a few times. not a bad pour on the whiskey and the Guiness was properly pulled. although for a while we had to stand by the service bar and there was a VERY strong odor of nasty hot dog sponge, if you've smelled it before you know what i am talking about.
(2)
Kiki B.
basically the ultraintentionally hip yuppie place you would expect. don't get me wrong, such a place definitely has a role and there are nights when it's just the thing. but if you're not feeling the dark wood, see-and-be-seen crowd, try somewhere else tonight. if you are, welcome.
(3)
Abby F.
OK, I and my adult family went there for brunch last Sunday at 2 PM. We didn't have to wait long for a table although the place was quite full, what with October Fest raging on in Harvard Sq., but then we had to wait 90 minutes before we were served! We begged for drinks and a bread basket, which probably saved our server's life. By the time the food arrived, we were SO hungry that we polished it off in no time at all. I selected the Breakfast Pizza which was delicious (scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, white cheddar cheese, and chopped fresh tomatoes on a tender pizza crust). My table mates had other stuff that they didn't talk about so busy they were chowing it all down. Thankfully the conversation was lively before the food arrived, and I had 1/2 glass of Chardonnay ($6.00!) and another person in our party was given a diet Coke instead of regular as he ordered (was graciously exchanged). So only two stars because of the ultra slow service and overpriced drinks.
(2)
ina c.
The fruit salad (literally slices/pieces of fruit with cottage cheese and a hearty chunk of banana bread) is yummy. Nice variety of places to sit or stand. Nice when they open the windows to the sidewalk in the summet.
(4)
Brian D.
Grafton Street is good, but not great, in a Harvard Square area that is ripe with fierce restaurant/bar competition. The food is pretty good, but again I've had nothing exceptional there. Sandwiches are reasonable $10-13, but most other entrees are $18-22. The lobster mac and cheese is good, but I've had better. Sandwiches are mediocre - nothing to rave home about. The atmosphere at Grafton is pretty solid, although it can get incredibly crowded with long wait times on Thursday-Saturdays (but come on, it's Harvard Square, what do you expect?). The beer list is pretty good, and Narragansett is only $3! Overall, Grafton keeps being close to 4*'s, but the food needs to be consistently better and the service could use some improvement. Honestly, Russell House Tavern has them beaten in all aspects right now, so Grafton step your game up!
(3)
S W.
Service was over the top awesome- The waitstaff replaced silverware and wiped tables between courses. Even though they leave bottles of water on the table, the waiter filled our glasses for us instead of letting us self serve. The only times I have received attentive service like this are at high end steakhouses which this place definitely isnt.. Color me impressed. Food was good too- Clam chowder good- Caesar salad- awesome awesome awesome Crab cakes-- didn't taste particularly crabby to me and the sauce wasn't my taste. But all things considered, a great experience!
(4)
Alex H.
Very solid place to go for either lunch or dinner (I haven't been to their brunch, but I'm sure it's solid as well.) Finding a place that serves vegetarian options for any number of my friends is always difficult, but Grafton has a few more options than comparable places in the area. Their chickpea burger is enormous and delicious, as is their mushroom ravioli. If you want something quick and dirty, their burger is superb. The kitchen actually cooks meat properly, which is such a relief. My favorite by far is the roast chicken with cheesy polenta. It is wonderful and flavorful, and it won't break the bank. I often stop in with colleagues for a drink or two after work, and I've found their cocktails to be fun and inventive without being gimmicky. They rotate based on the seasons, as do their taps. Basically, this is a good, solid place for dinner or drinks. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it certainly serves a purpose.
(4)
Catherine S.
I just went here for lunch for the first time, and I'll most certainly be back for more. Though I opted out of the lunch-break drink, it was a difficult task because their list of draft beers was epic--lots of local brews for us beer nerds, but some Harpoon and other options for those going the safe route. Additionally, the food was fantastic. I had a lamb meatball sandwich that was delicious, and my boyfriend had a burger that looked great too. And you gotta love how they have sidewalk seating, or if it's not quite warm enough, they open the windows for some fresh air. All in all, a great place, so definitely stop by!
(4)
Jesselyn B.
I came here with my parents when they were in town. The atmosphere was nice and the dining room is very well decorated. My parents loved their food (my father had steak and my mother a fish dish) I had a salad which was also good and huge. The fries were also great and handcut. It's traditional New England type good. Solid but nothing very creative. I gave it three stars just because I probably wouldn't be back unless someone else was paying. If you're looking for good food for steak lovers or non-adventurous eaters, this is a good bet.
(3)
Alex P.
This review is more for the service than anything. I ordered the fish and chips, which were delicious. My friend got the steak, and she loved it, although it was weird that it came with this big steak knife, and it was already cut for her. Our server though, was weird. Like Pyscho weird. Like, "It puts the lotion on" weird. First, I ordered a beer. My friend got water. He came back later, and asked if that would be all, and if we wanted the check. Because people come to restaurants at 7:30PM just to have one beer. Then, my friend ordered a clam chowder as an appetizer. Our server (I'm just gonna call him "Creepy Dave," although I'm not sure what his real name is) came back and offered her ground pepper. While he ground the pepper over the soup, he never broke eye contact with my friend. He was missing the bowl, but he didn't care. Creepy Dave just kept staring at my friend. In her eyes. It was weird; my friend was really creeped out. Later, I saw Creepy Dave stroking his tie, and staring at me, while I ate my food. He knew I knew he was staring at me, and he kept doing it. My friend and I are both bormal. Neither of us is albino or ginger or anything gross or weird like that. Not sure why he kept staring. So, bottom line is: food is good, but unless you want to get stared at by Creepy Dave, sit inside.
(3)
Elisabeth G.
I saw Conan O'Brien sitting on the patio here. It was months ago and has nothing to do with how I feel about this restaurant, but god, I had to tell someone cause it was a good moment in my life. Thanks, Yelp Diary. Now onto the actual review. It's not so much a review as a ringing endorsement of their chick pea burger. Vegetarian options? Yes please. Sometimes I wish my appetite had an off switch (as opposed to a floodgate I have to manually crank closed at the end of every meal), but eating the Grafton Street Toasted Chick Pea Burger is not one of them. It's a little huge, but I don't eat them every day, so I indulge when I get the chance. The patty is like perfectly seasoned, solidified hummus. It's toasted for a little crisp on the outside and a soft solid on the inside. mmmmmmm, It also blends the perfect combination of spicy and savory, topped off with cucumber sauce, surrounded in thin naan bread and accompanied by a lightly dressed, healthy bed of greens. Wash it down with a cold beer or an iced tea... **grrrrrrhfkjhsdfj**...sorry that was my tummy rumbling....
(4)
Champika F.
Had breakfast/ brunch here the other day. Had the eggs benedict which were pretty good. And the service was great. The only reason this place loses stars is because it's pretty over-priced. The food (i had) was good but not exceptional. And the meals themselves aren't actually overpriced... it's the drinks that are kind of ridiculously marked up. A tumbler full of from concentrate grapefruit juice is $3.00 as is a cup of house coffee.
(3)
William L.
For a more upscale take on the traditional Irish pub, you won't find much in the way of bangers n'mash in this particular version. The food is gourmet: stylish, succulent, and expensive, while the presentation leaves little room for improvement. Always buzzing with activity around the bar, this is a great spot for a sweet, creamy pint of Guinness, while the more 'classy' around you opt for cocktails. The high, wide windows let in the night air as the weather allows. One of the best places in the square for a date, a drink, or just a buzzy sit-down.
(4)
Barney B.
I was always surprised that Grafton was spelled without the letters DB - because it used to be full of 'em but the last trip here it was void of that cleintele, mostly - and it allowed me to enjoy open windows, decent food, and a good atmostphere. trust me, it's rarely on my radar when I am trying to figure out where to hit for a bite in H2 - but it's no longer the place I actively avoid.
(3)
Denis A.
Some friends from grad school came for a visit and suggested this place for dinner. The name sounded vaguely familiar, so we went. The place looks kinda fancy, and I felt underdressed in my jeans and nice shirt. The waiters didn't seem to mind though, and we were seated quickly. The beer list was decent enough, and the food was crazy good. I had some awesome lobster mac and cheese, and the meals of my friends were just as tasty. The place was expensive. I think if there is a lady-friend I want to impress, this is where I'd take her.
(4)
John L.
I'm going to try something kind of different here, because I felt like there were ups and downs with our brunch series experience. So, some fun with ratings and weighting and statistical wackiness. :) Service: 4 stars - Grafton Street was incredibly accommodating considering that our original reservation apparently didn't go through. I put in for 9, and they were able to put a table together for us. On top of this, they sat us and were patient though we were staggering in over the course of an hour. Furthermore, when the manager came to talk to us to have us move after it became apparent that we were going to have no more than 6, he wasn't demanding or upset, just asking. As for the waiter, he was nice enough, though he was kind of missing at points. But overall, this part was quite good. Ambiance: 4 stars - On the outside, I kind of feel like it's comparable to the Taverns on the Square: that sort of "hey, look at me, I'm a restaurant that can open our windows" sort of thing. The one primary difference is that the restaurant is spread out like a nice restaurant. The tables, particularly the circle ones, are perfect for exciting conversational wisdom. Food: 2.5 stars: Here come my issues with Grafton Street: the food is okay, but it's not remarkable. Brunch-wise, I appreciated the pastry basket, which did help the overall food. However, my special omelet wasn't up to snuff. The bacon/spinach/cheese weren't well-spread-out within the omelet. On top of this (and arguably more egregious) the omelet itself was way too salty. I shouldn't be able to overwhelmingly taste the salt in my omelet. As for the sides, the home fries were okay, but the toast was a little huge for its own good. As Roni put it, they were more like loaves. Looking at these three requirements, and weighting the scores to emphasize on the food being the most important aspect (because this is how I roll), I have to settle on a 3. It's okay and manageable, and the service is good. But that omelet is too salty.
(3)
Lindsay B.
I've been here twice with colleagues for lunch, and while a little pricier than some of the other options in the area, the comfortable sit-down ambiance is worth an extra couple dollars per plate. The first visit was with a group of 7 - it was nice that they could accommodate our large group without issue or incident. We all ordered beers (we were celebrating the completion of a project) - they were out of stock on a lot of the listed options (it would've been nice to know in advance!), but the waiter was helpful in getting samples and describing alternative choices. The food came out in a reasonable amount of time, and I think that everyone was satisfied with their meals. I ordered the crispy fish sandwich and thought it was good - the fish was well-cooked, the batter was indeed crispy, and the pickled veggies were a nice touch combined with the mayo. The second visit was with another large group to celebrate a birthday. I reserved ahead of time and pre-ordered a piece of cake for the b-day girl. The table was ready for us when we arrived, and our waitress was very capable at handling our size group (but for one meal coming a little after the others). Once again, the food was good - a few ordered the Crispy Fish sandwich on my recommendation, and it was the same quality as the first time, which was good! After the meal, our waitress came out with the cake as requested (without needing prompting) and - to top it off - did not include the dessert on our bill! Very pleased with this place - would like to come back for a happy hour and try one of their drink offerings and maybe something off their regular menu!
(4)
Clare F.
Grafton Street is my go-to Harvard Square spot if we cannot decide where to go. I consistently get good service and good food, as do the rest of the members of my party (whoever they may be). I've tried the lobster mac, chickpea burger, truffle rosemary fries, scallops, a veggie pizza, and butternut squash ravioli, and have loved every single dish. Staff are friendly and accommodating. I have gone with a specific group several times and they have no problem doing separate checks. Having worked in retail in the square for 3.5 years, its also a good place to recommend (other than Bartley's, which often has a line.) I've had several customers return after dinner to thank us for the recommendation. Yes, prices are a little higher than the average bar/restaurant, but Harvard Square is PRIME real estate, everyone needs to pay rent. Prices are on par with similar styles of restaurant in the area. DEFINITELY recommend.
(4)
Dannie W.
The place is good. Nice atmosphere. We were sitting at the corner next to a window. And the food tastes good. I ordered New England Bouillabaisse. It was great! The seafood is fresh and the sauce is awesome! It definitely worth the price!
(5)
Bailey M.
Very few places have menu's that I love this much. Lots of bar food, burgers, pasta, your regular American food items, but all done very well and in good taste. My favorite is the cheese platter with walnuts and honey. good finger food for when it's really late at night I've always experienced helpful and friendly service. The atmosphere is cozy (in a non-sketchy way) and clean. Food is a tad expensive, but worth it.
(5)
Joanna F.
I'm really on the fence abotu Grafton Street. I give it 3.5 stars. I've come in here for drinks numerous times and have never been too impressed. They do have a decent beer selection, but I've just never understood why people like hanging out here. One Saturday, we were the only people in there and the DJ wouldn't take our request for music. Is it just me, or should you play what the ONLY CUSTOMERS in the restaurant want to hear? Anyway, I went back this Saturday and had drinks as well as some food. All of the food I sampled was delicious. I had a few bites of the calamari, a little spicy sausage pizza and a few bites of the chocolate chip cookie sundae. So based on the food, I'll bump it up to 3.5. Our server however seemed unattentive when she realized we weren't all getting full meals. We didn't see her for a good half hour. I ordered a BBC Cabin Fever at the table, and for some reason only got an 8 oz glass even though everyone in my part had gotten pint glasses at the bar. SHe claimed it was because it was a really strong beer, but after already having one, I was pretty sure it wasn't. Overall, it's an ok place. I'll probably be back at some point, although it won't necessarily be my choice.
(4)
Lauren K.
I've been here for brunch a few times and its always a crowd pleaser. The place gets pretty packed around happy hour but the dinner food is good, too.
(3)
Dan C.
Went with a group of 8 people looking for a mid-priced Friday evening dinner. Four of us, including myself, went with the pizzas: either the tomato, basil, and mozzarella ($10) or the eggplant, ricotta, and arugula ($11). Though the pizzas looked wonderful with seemingly fresh ingredients and great textures, they lacked serious flavor (salt, seasoning, anything...) and left three of us (from two different types of pizza) with an identical feeling: very full and yet very unsatisfied. It was as if I had eaten an entire loaf of plain, dry bread--not a pleasant experience. We also shared the chocolate cake, which was perhaps the driest cake I've ever had, like a mound of chocolate chalk. it was basically inedible; we left 90% of it on the plate. It came with ice cream, which apparently was quite good though I didn't try it. Perhaps the fancier dishes are more appetizing, but my first visit to this place will be my last.
(2)
Jen X.
As a bar - meh. I could take it or leave it. I can't imagine ever going out of my way to come here. Just ate here for the first time today, and had a spectacularly bad brunch. Service was terrible: it took ages for them to take our order, ages again to bring the bread we asked for, ages to get our food, many things we requested (coffee, milk for my tea, etc.) never came, and so on. On top of that, my huevos rancheros were the worst I have ever had, and it was decently expensive. I could have done better for $5 at the Mass Ave Diner. Definitely never doing that again.
(2)
Amelia M.
Great cocktails -- particularly their Pimms cup. This place makes me happy.
(5)
Elizabeth W.
A few friends and I went to Grafton Street today for brunch. We shared a pitcher of the strawberry Germaine brunch cocktail, which was refreshing and not too sweet. I got the avocado benedict, which was pretty good. Everyone was happy with their food. It was reasonably priced. Service was a little bit slow (a bit crowded) and they were out of a few things on the menu, but I'd definitely go back to eat here.
(4)
Julie F.
Grafton Street is a lunch spot I hit up every month or so because I work in Harvard Sq. and it's not a far walk. They have an excellent chickpea (veggie) burger served in naan that is really the only thing I go there for. I like Grafton Street for that one dish pretty exclusively. Before I tried it, I had salads and other sandwiches that I thought were just okay, albeit a tad overpriced. How I feel overall about Grafton is how I feel about most places in Harvard Sq. - the constant crowds maintain a high level of business for restaurants, which in turn can charge more than they should and the food is fine but nothing to rave about. So, if you find yourself hungry whilst in Harvard Sq., check out Grafton Street, which is on par for the most decent American cuisine you will find in the area. Oh, they have outdoor seating on nice days - always a bonus!
(3)
May N.
Looked pretentious to me from the outside, but it was the only place acceptable in Harvard Square along Mass Ave for my picky partner to eat so here we went on an early Saturday evening. Patio out front with dark wood inside. The place looked more pretentious than it was, patrons were definitely dressed casually and were a mix of locals, foreigners, older couples, and families with kids. The menu was full of appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pastas, and some seafood. There was definitely some comfort food with a twist going on and several things sounded quite appetizing making my choice hard. My partner picked out the fancified mac & cheese while I went with the fish and chips. There was a creative cocktail menu, but we only got Guiness on tap. Service was ok, prices were moderate. We didn't get complimentary rolls that everyone else around us munched on while they waited for their entrees. I'd probably make rounds to other places nearby before returning.
(3)
Jen L.
I don't know what took me so long to try this place! SUCH a good place for date night/girl's night in the summer. I met up with seven friends and sat right by the open window. Classy place to meet up after work, and the service was fine for such a large group of us. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Megan L.
Grafton Street, I wanted to like you. My brother, friend and I mutually decided to come here after looking at the long list of restaurants that were participating in restaurant week. I made a reservation for 8:15. We arrived right at 8:15, and I had requested that we have a table outside, but there wasn't one available. We were told that we could either wait for a table, or they would seat us inside. We opted to sit outside, since it was so hot, crowded and loud in the restaurant. I was told a number of different times ranging between 15- 30 minutes. We took a walk, and came back around 8:40 and the table still wasn't ready. We were seated at 8:45. The patio is nice, and it was a beautiful night, so I was happier to have waited to sit outside. Service followed the trend it often does when sitting outside, and it was not nearly as attentive as I would have preferred. Our waitress was good besides not checking in as many times as I would have liked, but she was friendly, had good input on the menu, and our drinks were rarely empty for long. For cocktails, my friend started with the white sangria, and she was really happy with her choice. It had a huge piece of peach in it, which I assume tasted awesome after being infused with the wine. My brother got the Alagash White, and I started with the blood orange martini. My martini was good, but really tart and there was a lot of the bitters in it. I decided to change to the hibiscus martini after, which was a thousand times better, it had hibiscus infused vodka, pomegranite juice, lemon and basil. It was perfect, it was sweet, and a little tart, and a bit spicy with the basil. I would come back just to drink this drink, but I probably wouldn't get the food again. Here's why: We started with 12 oysters - where the problems begin. I had 5, my brother had 5 and my friend had 2. My friend had bit of the shell in one of them, as did my brother, but I had HUGE chucks of shell in not one, not two, but FOUR of the 5 oysters I had. So, if you do the math, half of the oysters were improperly shucked. Oysters are one of my favorite things, I could easily eat a whole meal of just oysters, and it was hugely disappointing. Next comes our first courses, which was actually quite nice. My brother and I both got the corn soup on the prix fixe, which was light, creamy, and well paired with a clam // corn fritter and bacon to bring some crunch to the dish. One problem was it was luke warm. It wasn't hot, it wasn't cold, but it was like the temperature of a good bath, which put me off. My friend got the summer bean salad, which was okay, but I was not a fan of the creamy mayo-y dressing they had it paired with, it took the lightness out of the beans. And then the main course: seared scallops for me, and they both ordered the shrimp pappardella from the prix fixe. As far as their dishes, both were unimpressed. My friend described it as "This isn't much better than what you can get at the Olive Garden" and for the $33.11 price for the 3 courses they were getting, it could have been a better value if we had just gone there. The noodles were overdone, the shrimp were overcooked, the sauce was super thin. On the positive side, the broccoli was fine, and the confit lemon brought a nice lightness to the dish. My friend had to salt her dish, since the dish was rather one note as far as flavor goes - just lemon. I couldn't detect any heat, or salt until after she salted it. Another issue with the seafood: there was a shell still attached to one of my brother's shrimp. I dunno what the deal is with the person prepping their seafood, but they need a serious reminder of how this should be done, cause they aren't doing it well. For my main course, I posted a picture. It was plated beautifully, but for $21, I got 4 scallops, 3 tomatoes, ONE piece of chorizo, and a bunch of kale, potatoes and watery sauce - the most inexpensive ingredients. There was part of a foot//a rock or part of the shell still on part of one of the scallops. I had to spit it out. There was a nice sear on the scallops, but also were bordering overdone. How can you advertise something has chorizo when there is one piece of it? You can't, or at least, you shouldn't. The sauce was so watery and thin, it hardly coated anything. The kale and potatoes were cooked well, and everything paired together and was seasoned, but there wasn't enough of anything. Then we got a dessert menu, and all opted for different things. I got the white chocolate cheese cake, my brother got the cookies and creme cheese cake on the prix fixe and my friend got the lemon poppy cake. I was amazed when I got my dessert. For $8, there was a mini cheesecake, that was almost the same circumference as my spoon. Definitely not a good value. It tasted good, but the portion size was just unreal. My brother's was just as small. My friend's dessert was the only appropriately sized one, and was delicious. Good drinks&service, bad everything else.
(2)
Linda R.
The food was really delicious. Atmosphere was cool. HOWEVER, the glasses were smudged with fingerprints (and who knows what else) and the dishes looked like they were not washed very well.
(3)
Lindsey G.
They handled a party of 20 (yes...20) for brunch on a busy Sunday - AMAZING!!! We had made reservations for 16, so 20 wasn't too far off. We were able to be against the wall and somewhat out of the way. The restaurant is a lot bigger than you realize it is when you first walk in. Our waitress was phenomenal. I really wish I remembered her name because she was so wonderful handling all of us, our orders, bills, etc. The fresh muffins were wonderful, everyone enjoyed their food (my blueberry french toast was amazing) and the environment really welcomed everyone to slowly wake up for our Saturday night activities.
(4)
Bryan R.
I've never had a great time here. Never had a terrible time. There's usually plenty of space to get a table and have a few drinks during a Harvard Sq crawl.
(3)
K. L.
Had a great meal at Grafton Street prior to seeing a play at ART. Our server was wonderful and my husband and I had a nice meal in the bar. My husband had a very tasty (and huge!) lobster mac and cheese and I had a pan roasted chicken that was truly delicious! Dim lighting, a bustling atmosphere and great service - definitely a great place for a cozy winter meal!
(4)
Gal N.
I have eaten here a few times. Their breakfast is pretty good, and their dinner is usually ok, if nothing special. I avoided writing a review until now, because I did not feel strongly enough about it either way. However, I had a bad dinner experience a few days ago. Two friends and I were looking for a place to eat on a Thursday evening. We called ahead, and were told there would be a 25 minute wait. We put our name down and arrived a few minutes later. Once about 30 minutes from the time we called have passed, we asked the hostess how much longer it would be, and were told that we were the next group to be seated, which would take about 10 more minutes. We ended up waiting 25 more minutes, and watched two other groups of similar size get a seat before us. My feeling is that hostess was dishonest about both the queue and waiting time in order to get us to stay. We were finally seated. Had the hummus platter for appetizer, which was pretty good... then again, we were starving by that point. One of my friends ordered a steak, but when it arrived it was not cooked to his preference (which the waitress did ask about) and was sent back. I had the duck, which was alright-- the duck itself was pretty good, the sweet potato/apple mash was only ok, and the sauce was not at all to my liking. For dessert, two of us had the peach cobbler (not great; the peaches were a bit hard, and it felt like the flavors did not have enough time to blend), and the third had a strange sundae (the menu calls this "warm chocolate chip cookie sundae". It is a single giant chocolate chip cookie, with two scoops of ice cream on top). The only positive thing I can say about the experience was that the waitress was friendly and very prompt.
(3)
Lauren D.
To be fair, Grafton should be rated by meal type. Breakfast: 4 Stars. Fresh squeezed OJ, fantastic pancakes and a pretty good breakfast sandwich, you really can't go wrong. Grafton gets 5 stars when the weather is nice and offers al fresco dining. But being MA, that only happens about 60 days in the year. Plan accordingly. Lunch: 3.5 Stars. Okay food. Again with the weather, Lunch time gets 4 stars when you can sit outside or by the windows. Dinner: 3 Stars. Eh - just not that special. Bar: 3 Stars. Good beer selection. Warning - when school is in session, there will be a lot of grad students populating this bar. If Harvard MBA types aren't your thing, avoid like the plague.
(3)
Katie W.
Great brunch spot with some decent eggs benedict. Great for dinner for large groups too, my friends surprised me for my birthday here and it was great! We had a great waiter and the service was quick for so many of us. Try the Grafton Goblet...the irish version of a scorpion bowl!
(3)
Alex L.
The atmosphere is one of the nicest in harvard square for a drink. Not too grungy (charlies kitchen) and not too stodgy (upstairs in the square). I've also forgotten how nice cheap alcohol is. Lots of space near the bar or feel free to take over a table.
(4)
Janet L.
the service was excellent and prices are reasonable. our margherita pizza was dull and the clam chowder was disappointing.
(3)
Laura G.
This place hit the spot on a cold, wintry, Sunday afternoon for brunch. It was fairly empty, I think we were some of the few that were dedicated enough to leave the house in a storm on a quest for some delicious eggs. Because the only thing that tastes better than eggs is someone else making you eggs. Preferably free. With cheese. And bacon. Ah, my mind wandered. I had been here a couple times for drinks only and sat at the bar. Upon entering in a sober state I realized that this restaurant was about twice the size of that I had originally thought. There was a whole back area I was unaware of. Interesting. All in all, food was solid, service was spot on (although there would really be no excuse for poor service in an empty restaurant), and our server looked like Patrick Fugit from Almost Famous. It was fairly pricey but I didn't expect much else. And quite honestly, they deliver on the portions. Ya know how you go to a restaurant and order bacon and eggs and you'll usually get a small ration of bacon? Like 3-4 pieces at most? This place gave me a whole heap of bacon. It was legitimately a small pile o' bacon. I could not have been happier. Bonus points for the bread basket. They had some tasty selections in there - croissants, muffins, breads, etc. Who doesn't love a bread basket?
(4)
Lynn R.
Just two words to say here: "Clam Chowda". Been here for lunch many times. From the reviews, seems the lunch scene is the best time to get better service, better seating & room to move about. I love the chowder here, in fact, I won't order it anywhere else again. Smokey bacon & lot of clams make this soup a stand apart from the wanna-be's. Get the bowl sized along with a staple of two plain sourdough rolls to mop up the delicious broth. A cold beer and you're all set. If you must eat more food, then by all means the burger is top notch. Good 1/2lb cooked to order & juicy each and every time! I top it with all the trimming and it is fantastic. Sit at the bar only. Best ambiance, peep watching and not far from a refill on your libation. Paul the bartender works the weekdays, straight from Ireland and gives attentive service. Tell him Lynn from CA say's "Hi"!
(4)
David O.
This place is great. I work in the area and often hunt around for places to eat. Without fail Grafton's hits the spot. Great food, good atmosphere and good prices. What I like best about this place are the people. They make you feel at home and are friendly like the folks in the old Cheers TV program. This is a shout out to you Paul. Thanks
(4)
Kate S.
The crowd here is old, white, and middle upper class. So, if that's your type--go for it! I've had some tasty things here, but it's too expensive and touristy for my tastes. For good food--go! For great food that's unique--go elsewhere.
(3)
Rachel H.
Nice for drinks, very nice when it's warm and they open the large front windows to the sidewalk. The service is friendly enough and the food good enough for the area. That is, it's a good bet for Harvard Square. I wish the menu changed more often. It's just short enough for me to sometimes have a hard time finding anything I'm excited to order. Also, great for groups! They helped a student club I'm in arrange a brunch for 20 and didn't charge us for a few no shows--very generous.
(3)
Nick M.
Do you like apples?? How do you like my apples!! Wait, that's not right, ah whatever?!?! Lucky for me, I had a tour guide as such, being that my friend was from Boston. When she recommended that we go to her favorite place first for a bite to eat, off we went. Hell, why not start off the trip right, with a nice Irish Pub and Grill (plus we were right next to Harvard Square). Grafton Street has only been open since 96" (which in this city isn't nearly that old) but has become a favorite among the locals and I can see why. Even though it was packed and we had to wait for a table there was still plenty of room in the bar area. Sports playing on the LCD above the bar, delicious aromas coming from the kitchen, people laughing and cheering, it's a great atmosphere. You feel very relaxed with the cream, beige, and brown tones, plus the booths are extra comfy. The staff is all smiles, courteous, and full of suggestions. It was that perfect amount of service, not to smothering, but yet not non-existent. Our waitress even recommended that I not get a certain item on the menu which I always appreciate that kind of info. This is not your typical bar food or even grill; it's much more elegant then that. To start a coconut shrimp appetizer that we all were pleasantly surprised by (just a hint of coconut), a large bowl of lobster bisque which we all also shared but then was licked clean (I'm not kidding) by one of us, grilled lamb, a seafood stew, trout, and a chickpea burger (yeah I know, the odd ball). Every dish was seasoned and cooked like one master chef hand prepared their self. The fish so fresh that they must have ran to the Massachusetts Bay jumped into the water and then ran back. We were all stuffed but the night has only begun! Nice start to the vacation Hillary T.!!
(4)
RC J.
As a one-timer only, perhaps I shouldn't be too critical. The individual pizza called Margherita was okay, although the promised cherry tomatoes and basil were slim pickings and the crust was more like a cracker than a pizza. The draft beer selection, although limited, was excellent -- except the stuff was expensive ($6 per pour) considering that the glasses were 14 oz and not the usual (nearly universal) 16 oz. Not only that, neither the menu nor the bartender informed me of that.
(2)
Melanie H.
This place has great potential and is in a great location, but they still have a lot of room to grow. I went here on a Thursday night around 7pm with a big group of college friends. The wait staff seemed overwhelmed by our group and was not crazy about giving us a table in the dining room. Some of us wanted to eat dinner, some didn't. I totally understand and wanted to make sure the waitress got a fair tip at the end. Although the service was fine, the waitress was pretty rude and annoyed the entire time. Also, the food was wayyy overpriced and not that good. Her attitude made us uncomfortable so we all quickly ate our dinners and moved back over to the bar. The restaurant was not crowded at all so I'm not sure why this girl was in such a hot rush to get rid of us. But, whatever. We moved back to the bar, which by the way is a very small area. Their dining room takes up about 75% of the space and the bar takes up the other 25%. The space is so small that everyone was trickling into the dining area. This obviously made the on-edge hostesses very angry and they kept reminding everyone to stay inside the bar "parameters." I'm sorry, we're giving you business, right? If we bother you so much then maybe we can just go somewhere else, o.k.? Overall, it was a sub-par experience. There are too many good bars and restaurants in Cambridge to waste my time (and hard earned dollars) at this place.
(2)
Milee S.
Well, actually 3 1/2 stars. Celebrated a friend's birthday here, and they were able to accomodate our large party. We all started with drinks; I had a Riesling which was perfect. There is a mix of beers, wines and mixed drinks, but everything I liked they were out of :( There are a bunch of veg and non-veg options, salads, pastas, entrees and lighter fare. I went for the fish and chips. It came with a very spicy coleslaw, huge thick french fries, tarter sauce and two pieces of white fish. I didn't think it was the best I've ever had, but I didn't hate it. I was thinking of the grilled cheese but maybe I'll get that next time. The mac and cheese sounded great, but when it came out, it was this giant bowl of ziti and cheese. Too carby for me! Since it was a birthday, the server brought out a small chocolate cake and candle. They don't sing here. It wasn't enough for our table to share, but it was a nice gesture. I think the prices are fair for the amount of food, but it was all ordinary meals. Fun for groups and dates. I'd come back.
(4)
Rachel S.
what you expect, nice place.
(4)
Marcus C.
I thought it was okay. My dining companions and I were in Harvard Square to see a show, so we stopped into Grafton Street, thinking it would provide a tasty meal beforehand. Nothing on the menu jumped out at me, so I ordered a standby: steak frites. The steak was rarer than the "medium" I ordered, but that was fine. The frites were quite good, but overall it didn't seem special. And I guess I wanted a special meal.
(3)
Bryan H.
Love this place. Food is wonderful, Drinks and Wine Selections are plentiful. Nightly can be very packed during sports games, Sunday Brunch is a must go. Avocado Benedict is a must, with OJ. Choice of Still or Sparking Water (Note they have a awesome way of making there own sparking water in house! its really great! with a lime or a lemon! delicious! All together Grafton is Great all around!
(5)
Jessica D.
Went here for dinner tonight and I really enjoyed it. The ambiance is warm and cozy with dark wood tables and soft lighting. Great service! My date and I were taking our time deciding and our waitress wasn't breathing down our necks to order. Everyone was very friendly. Food was very yummy. We had the short rib arrancini to start that were out of sight! We also split the wedge salad which was pretty standard for a wedge. We also had the roast chicken and pot roast which were both great. If you're looking for good food with a few twists on some classic dishes this is a great spot.
(4)
Dominique N.
Bottom line: Pretty tasty, hearty brunch in Harvard Square that takes reservations. It's always hard to meet up with more than 2 or 3 other folks for Sunday brunch in Harvard Square - the lines and waits are insane. That's where Grafton Street comes in...they allow reservations for brunch (including one for my party of 14) and provide a hearty brunch (no one will be going home hungry). The prices also seem somewhat more reasonable than other places in the Square (pancakes were $7 and egg / meat dishes were $12-13). All in all, a solid choice for brunch and the only place I'd consider going with a party bigger than 4-5 people.
(4)
Karen D.
I've been here a few times for a beer sitting in the window, but this is the first time I've eaten here. My boyfriend and I tried to go to Russell Tavern and for some reason it was closed, so we made our way to Grafton Street. It wasn't busy, but all of the bar seats were taken. I asked the hostess for one of the server tables in the bar area since two tables had their checks. She said sure, it would be a minute. When one party left, their table wasn't cleared for about 10 minutes. When it was cleared, we waited about another 10 minutes. I was taking it as a sign and was about to leave but two people got up from the bar. The bartender was very good; attentive, kept filling water, etc. We got burgers and the rosemary truffle fries. They had nice flavor and the burgers were cooked how we asked. I can't quite put my finger on it, but aside from the hostess forgetting about us which worked out better since I rather sit at the bar, I don't feel hard pressed to go back there anytime soon except for maybe a beer in the window in the summer.
(3)
Wintha K.
I always hesitated to try this place because it seemed overpriced, but when my mother and sister came to visit, I thought it would be the perfect time to give it a try. We ordered the following dishes: Rosemary-Truffle Frites (Sides) Couscous (Sides) Fresh Mozzarella Pizza Toasted Chickpea Burger Grilled Salmon w/ Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, on a Scallion Pancake Cocktails: Sloe Down The sides were both good, though probably unnecessary considering how filling the entrees were. I think by far the best dish was the grilled salmon. It was cooked very well and the vegetables were tasty as well. The scallion pancake it was set on top was a bit odd and was probably the only flaw in the dish. The toasted chickpea burger was a great choice as well, but it was a little hard to manage as a result of its size. Also, there was a slightly excessive amount of hummus, but overall the sandwich was great. The most underwhelming dish was probably the pizza, but my younger sister still seemed to enjoy it. Sloe Down was an interesting cocktail. Raspberry bits cluttered the bottom of the glass and added an interesting touch to the drink. While the drink seemed like a fruity, girlier drink, it was actually quite strong and you can definitely taste the alcohol. Overall loved the food and interior. Service was pleasant and sufficient as well. Would definitely recommend it to others.
(5)
Stephen Y.
Despite the faint fishy smell that permeates the place.... I kinda got used to it and my olfactory senses had habituated somewhat after many beers.... We stood by the bar then moved to a large table.... service was prompt Food was actually quite decent and the chicken tender was surprisingly tender under that crusty exterior....
(4)
Julia F.
My friend and I have made a pact to go in once weekly for one drink from the extensive and expensive drinks list until we have made it all the way through. The espresso martini and white mocha (chocolate?) martinis have yet to disappoint. At 10 bucks a hit though it will take us quite some time, though the eye candy behind the bar is worth the overpriced drinks at times. The bar area is usually cramped by 10:30p on a Saturday night but the music is pretty decent. It's pretty yuppie there, and though it's a bit better than the Joshua Tree in that respect, you definitely get funny looks for wearing a sweatshirt - not the place for an impromptu drink.
(3)
Matt J.
This two-star review is like Barry Bonds' home run record: there is a bit fat asterisk next to both. No no, my food did not contain any illegal, strength-inducing steroids (that I know of). In this case, the asterisk is a result of the price of this place. I came here for dinner with Sarah G. and a friend who was in town because we had heard good things and it was conveniently located next to Harvard Square. And upon walking in, the place is awesome: very dark and charming, great bar set-up, interesting light fixtures, and the menu itself had a lot of delicious-looking options. Furthermore, the food was actually good! Sarah G. and I split two appetizers (the lobster bisque and pumpkin empanadas) and the chickpea burger. The bisque was fantastic and the emapanadas were good but could have used more pumpkin. The chickpea burger was pretty flavorful but could have used more yogurt sauce (also was more of a "naan wrap" as opposed to a burger, but who's counting?). All signs point to at least a 3 star review right? Then the asterisk comes crashing down on the parade. Honestly, this place is just unnecessarily expensive for what it is. I've been to plenty of similarly classy establishments (Clyde's in DC comes to mind) that are much more reasonable. We opted for the chickpea burger, rather than a main entree, because the entrees averaged about $20 a pop. Maybe I"m being too harsh. I feel a little conflicted not boosting it up one star for the ambiance if nothing else. But if I was looking to spend as much money on an entree as I would here, there are plenty of better places in Cambridge/Boston I could go. I don't see any real reason to come back to eat here unless a rich benefactor feels the urge to take me here. Because I'm not going to lie, the lobster mac and cheese did sound pretty phenomenal.
(2)
Christina B.
So, I love Grafton as their bar (the corner near the window) is one of my favorite places in Harvard square. Its a great place to sit and read or just people watch. However their service and food has taken a nose dive. I have been going here for over 3 years, and Alex used to be my favorite bar tender. Now, its a love hate relationship. I go out of habit, but leave feeling annoyed. Their portions have shrunk while prices have gone up. Wine selection is mediocre, while beers on tap are excellent. Biggest, issue is the service. Except for Morgan, the rest of the bartenders need an attitude adjustment. They act like they are doing you a favor for serving you.
(2)
Michelle C.
This place is tops. For the same reasons as Russell St. (owned by the same group,) Grafton is one of the prime spots in Harvard to banter with the bartender and eat some really excellent food. If you come in the summer, it's all open-air, which is a big draw. For food, I've had an incredible raw tuna & avocado plate. I also brought my parents here when they came out for Thanksgiving, which was a set menu with awesome wine pairings. Very sweet servers and staff and were even willing to back-and-forth with my kind of crotchety stepfather. For drinks, they typically have great locals as well as rotating taps so no need to default to Harpoon or Sam Adams. They also have an impressive selection of bottled microbrews and imports. YES, it gets loud, but you'll be alright.
(5)
Marc H.
Definitely the best restaurant in Harvard Square: really good food and drink menu, very nice ambience. If you're from California and want to experience a nice, sophisticated feeling east-coast pub-restaurant, this is the place for you. PROS: The pork dish is phenomenal, but only eat if you are starving. Very filling. Other meals are average, but their burgers are quite good indeed. CONS: No cons, per se, but if it were adjacent to Charleys in the Back Bay, I would probably find myself usually heading to Charleys over this. This is why I elected to give it 4 stars instead of 5. Just not enough truly epic meals on the rather limited menu to warrant that final star. TIP: I'm fairly certain the façade of the restaurant was used for the opening scene of The Social Network ["the Facebook"] movie, albeit with an altered name, something like "Scholars Pub" or something.
(4)
Courtney F.
{sorry this is long, skip down for review} I came here for Sunday Brunch with two girlfriends, first, the hostess refused to talk to me. I was never rude or mean; I was actually friendly as it was CROWDED and I Brunch often and know that polite behavior is everything. Not only would she not speak to me, whenever she did look my way you would honestly think my picture had just flashed on Americas Most Wanted. Moving on, she said (to my friends while starring at me) we couldn't sit outside because there was no space, we'd passed the 4 open tables outside. She said we can't sit inside because there's a "really long wait", I know what that means but my friends persisted. Eventually we sat at the bar. The wait began. The insane bar keep arrives, as we look over the Brunch menu and cocktails (three brunch drinks, a mimosa, lychee thing & bloody mary), I mention to my friend maybe the mimosa. The bar keep shouts a little too loudly, "a mimosa is orange juice and champagne". I start getting a little offended, first the starring, then the refusal to seat us, now you're assuming I don't know what a GD mimosa is, AND you want the entire place to know?! Moving on. I order the eggs Benedict (one of the few vegetarian items), minutes later, I'm told to pick again, and they're out. I order something else...oops, they're out again, he even makes a joke "maybe its you". I give up and order the cheese and spinach omelet. The bar man asks, "any meat?" my response, "no thank you, no meat for me". Perhaps an HOUR slides by and my friends FINALLY get their meals. Crepes filled with chocolate Chickpea burger wrapped in pita with other yummy stuff (hers looked perfect, more on this later) My food arrives 15minutes after that, an omelet, with meat. No cheese, no spinach, just sandwich meat. Here's where I lost my cool, not only am I starving I feel like things are being done intentionally. They barely apologize, refuse to comp drinks or meals or anything (my friend asked in a joking manner and the restaurant became irate) I order the chickpea burger, it comes out in 5 minutes, it looks NOTHING like my friends meal. In fact she called the bar keep over and asked why I was being treated differently than everyone else. He couldn't answer. In the end. The food was terrible, the drinks were overpriced and the service was HORRENDOUS! Perhaps I'm a special case, maybe it was just me, as the creep from the bar suggested.
(2)
Fred Z.
Excellent service including dealing with a food allergy. The scallops were delicious as was the Ahi appetizers.
(4)
Joanna M.
I've liked coming here for drinks after work. The mint juleps are quite tasty, and they have ok beer and wine lists (nothing to phone home about, though). Their drinks are somewhat expensive even for this area. As much as I like their food, I wouldn't recommend coming here for dinner. I've been here a couple times and had surly service each time (in the evening) for reasons unbeknown to me. I recently had a cheese tortellini in a saffron ginger sauce with asparagus-- extremely tasty. It's not exactly vegetarian friendly (other than the typical salad fare). They will grudgingly make veggie entrees available, but you will feel like you have done something egregious by asking them to hold the bacon.
(3)
Lilee N.
Tips: make a reservation and ask about parking because they have a nearby lot that you can park in for free. Food: nothing fancy that sticks out, but their food is well-cooked and the presentation is nice. lobster mac and cheese is great for sharing. hummus appetizer is generous. scallops dish is highly recommended as is the steak. skip the chowder and the soups. Bar: nice for an evening drink or for a meeting. Seating can be outdoors which is great for spring and fall. inside the decor and atmosphere is trendy/chic so definitely relaxing and easy-going. great for young and old crowds.
(4)
Jussy F.
We rushed in here to get out of a downpour and were really glad that we did. Very good food and vibe. I had their gorgonzola, prosciutto and fig jam pizza. It was maybe a little heavy on the fig jam, but delicious overall. My sister had another pizza which I seem to remember had goats cheese on and was equally good. We shared a bottle of pink champagne (an ongoing theme throughout our Boston trip) and spent a fantastic couple of hours taking refuge from the rain. What a great way to waste an afternoon.
(4)
Melissa A.
Grafton Street- Nice looking place Great server, very personable and friendly. Excellent service Margarita I got was excellent Friend ordered a beer they were all out of... so the server recommended another beer.. but did not tell our friend that it was 12 dollars! Thats a crazy price to pay for a beer.. its important to mention that when trying to sell a featured beer. Calamari was horrible.. the worst we ever had. My boyfriend and I love calamari so we order it every place we go. It was rubbery and over fried and just plain yucky. We actually complained about it to the server and she was very sweet about it and took it back for them to re cook. We got it back and it tasted a tiny bit better still wouldnt recommend it. Also they charged us for it.. lost brownie points for me 1 $ oysters after 11 pm awesome idea and they were tasty. Overall- I give this place a 10 for service. 4 for food. I probably wont go back.
(2)
Nat R.
Wife and I needed to find something to eat before our flight out of Logan Airport and found ourselves here out of all places... Not exactly the most convenient stop driving to the Airport from Maine. But we had time to kill and wanted to relax before the long flight back to San Francisco. My wife had a stellar sandwich (did I just use the word "stellar"?) and I had a half soup/half salad which were very good. Top that off with a Sam Adams on tap, and the result was a nice lunch just steps from Harvard Square.
(4)
Jonathan G.
This place was jam packed for lunch, but they managed to squeeze us in at a table right next to the large open windows near the front. The only problem was said large open windows allowed a small ice storm to blow our napkins & lettuce off the table, emit howling noises, and were probably partly responsible for the nasty cold that my wife caught during our trip. Luckily, the party of four sitting next to us were even more miserable and after several rounds of complaining to the staff, were able to get the windows closed. Now on to the food: my wife ordered the burger, which was excellent and came with tasty fries. I opted for the Cubano sandwich, which was probably a mistake: the corollary to my Always Order What A Restaurant Is Known For is the lesser-known Never Order An Item From A Cuisine Other Than The Restaurant's (rule and regulations, people, rules and regulations). So you don't go to your neighborhood Chinese dim sum restaurant and request sushi. Pretty simple, right? OK, back to the review: having eaten at Porto's Cuban Bakery in Burbank, CA, I really should have known better. The sandwich was surprisingly good, all things considered. It came with a spring mix of lettuce which appeared to be covered in oil and sea salt. Not sure if this is a regional thing, or if the salt was from the gale blowing through said open window. Service was very good, and if you can manage the gales, sitting next to the window or outside on the terrace offers plenty of people watching opportunities.
(4)
Sarah F.
Stopped by here for a drink after seeing a show at Oberon down the street. Nice interior, good outdoor seating, popular bar area, lots of great beers available. The bartender and hostess were very friendly and helpful. I would definitely like to go back for a meal, the menu looks really good!
(4)
Ali E.
Frankly, I'm kind of amazed the food was described as mediocre. My eentree of scallops and porcini risotto was stellar, and the salmon was great too (I got to mooch.) The bread was crusty and chewy and awesome, and the wine was great. Minus a star for being expensive, but I was with my parents, so it wasn't really a problem. And the server even put up with my father, which, as both a former waitress and having known him for 24 years, is not a feat for the faint of heart. He's really annoying at restaurants. All in all a really nice experience. I'll go back. Oh! and you can go to Berryline for dessert right around the corner. Another plus.
(4)
Liz D.
Best mac and cheese ever. The leftovers really lost their creamy magic, so I recommend arriving a little starved so you don't have anything left over. My friend got the salmon and was equally thrilled. Overall, it has some relatively affordable but tasty options for a place with an upscale but relaxed atmosphere in Harvard Square.
(4)
Weiwei G.
Have been there for twice. First time got their mac&cheese my friend recommended and second time I tried their 3 courses restaurant week menu for dinner. The first time visit was good, the bartender was attentive and the mac&cheese was great with lobster, lol, first time tried this combination; so that I brought some other friends later to try during their restaurant week. We ordered Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart, Toasted Almond Crusted Gloucester Cod, Sweet Potato-Pecan Pie; Curried Crab Cake, Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs, Warm Chocolate Gran Marnier Cake. However couldn't remember how it tasted just after one week, kind of plain... But it's really nice in the summer because all windows are open. A suggestion: if you eat at Grafton, get the dessert on Finale nearby.
(3)
Tiffany L.
Walking in, this place is packed and my friend had to make reservations, so my expectations were pretty high. However, the long wait was probably due to the fact this place is conveniently right next to the college and T-stop, not for the food. I had the toasted chickpea burger, which maybe I struck bad luck but it was not the best thing on the menu. I felt like I had a frozen chickpea burger patty on top of some microwaved naan. The prices are great for the serving size, but it seems to tailor to students...decent food for a low price.
(2)
Zoe P.
The exception that proves the rule. I pretty much feel that to get good food in Boston you need to have (a) a lot of information at your fingertips, or (b) a lot of Boston experience under your belt, or (c) money to burn. But I walked into Grafton Street unawares and had yummy oysters and a salad and some scallops and a glass of wine and it was pleasant and not that pricey. But, of course, this place becomes an insufferable scene late in the evenings. Boo.
(3)
Esther Z.
We came in for some drinks on a crowded night after a gala. The hostess said it would be an hour wait to get us seated (even with a half empty restaurant), so we decided to try the bar- which was packed! After 10 minutes or so with no luck in getting some booze, we decided to leave. Just then, a super nice hostess (a DIFFERENT one from the two at the front) asked if we wanted to get a table since there were seven of us, and of course we said ok! Our waiter was incredibly polite and efficient. He wasn't pushy about food or drinks, he just let us have our space. We ended up having a great time just hanging out and grabbing a drink to end our night. I took off one star for the unnecessary situation earlier in the night - but the rest of the staff made up for it.
(4)
Courtney M.
Every time I come here it is decently crowded. I enjoy the crowds though and the food isn't bad. I had one of their pizza's which was very cheesy. I like the high energy it has here and the food is good enough for me so I will come back for sure.
(4)
John H.
Reliably pretty good food and service. Russell House Tavern and Grafton Street Pub are my two go-to restaurants for a sit-down lunch/dinner in Harvard Square. When friends come to visit and we're confined to Harvard Square, I often cycle through a long list of possible places before deciding on one of these two.
(3)
EC S.
I am a bit young for the Grafton Street crowd and I'm not a fan of the overall atmosphere (slightly yuppie, but not real yuppie, aspirational yuppie. if that makes any sense) arg. I haven't had a meal here lately but I remember it being pretty decent in the past, if slightly expensive. But it's going for the not poor college student crowd so... I have been going to the bar lately. The beer menu is decent, they have some locals like smuttynose on tap for reasonable prices. ($5.50, I believe) They also have $3 Narragansetts which is a good price I think, but it feels awkward drinking one here--just not the right vibe. Bartenders are efficient and quick to serve. I enjoy watching them handle the crowd and make ridiculous drinks. If it's a crowded night in Harvard Square and you're looking for a place to find a seat and get a drink, Grafton Street would be a decent option.
(3)
Joe F.
Went there with family on st patricks day. Real good meal, and the beer was great.
(4)
Britney A.
I've been for both brunch and dinner now and have never had a bad experience...pretty good! For dinner I've tried their salads and the toasted Chickpea burger. The portions are pretty hefty and I've never been able to finish. If you get a chance to try the Chickpea burger, it's a new favorite of mine! The "burger" is served bundled in super soft, fresh naan (grilled) with a light yogurt cucumber sauce drizzled in between. Yum. Brunch was pretty good too - ordered the Spinach and Goat cheese (egg-white) omelette. There wasn't much flavor to it and I had to dig around it to find the clumped goat cheese in the middle, but it was one of the healthier options on the short breakfast menu. The omelette itself took over half the plate (huge) and was really fresh (not greasy at all). Being on the edge of Harvard Square, it's always bustling so the atmosphere is fun.
(4)
Melissa W.
This is my third visit to Grafton Street. In previous visits, I have nothing but positive reviews for the establishment. For this evening, our bartender/server was super busy, so she did the best she could considering how busy she was. That said... the drinks were great, the food was great (had the lobster mac & cheese), and I left happy. I don't agree with the previous poster who compared this place to "Fridays"... its much classier and is not nearly as obnoxious as the chain. I'm sure most bartenders at Fridays wouldn't even have a clue what a port or a Manhattan was, while the food showed a certain attention to detail that a chain restaurant could never match. And even though the bartender/server was super busy, she was always cheery and happy to wait on our table... we never seemed to be a burden to her. I'm actually quite impressed with the way that she handled her patrons for the evening. I will absolutely be back.
(4)
Alicia B.
This just in! +++Grafton Street Pub Impresses with Meat and Veggie Burgers!+++ For meat eaters: You can get a pretty mean burger here, cooked to order. Medium rare tasted amazing. Especially paired with their rotating tap - Berkshire's Coffee Haus Porter. (Side salad had a bit too much dressing on it.) For vegetarians: You can also get a mean burger here. It's the toasted chickpea burger. And it was delicious. It comes with no cheese, but Grafton will gladly add a slice, if you fancy that. (Fries were a tad over salted.) What a great place! I'm still in love.
(5)
Alexandra M.
My husband and I met up for for Sunday lunch with MIL at this joint. The atmosphere is fine, a little too noisy for an intimate conversation, but this a pub after all. We had coffee and water as it was in the middle of the day so I can't comment on the drinks, but the food was nothing to write home about. My companions loved theirs fine, MIL had a Cobb salad, which looked fresh and crisp, hubby had a no frills burger with fries which he seemed to enjoy. I had the Chickpea burger on naan and I wouln't feed it to my dog, if I was a dog owner. I was expecting a crispy (it says "toasted" on the menu) patty with plenty of seasonings, but what I received was a bland, tasteless mush. If it wasn't for the raita (yogurt with mint and cucumber) it would have been a completely lost cause. The fries, although made from fresh potatoes, were limp and looked like they sat under the heatlamp a tad too long. Oh, and the waiter was MIA for the entire time. I don't want to write a place off based on one experience, but I won't be having the Chickpea burger again
(2)
Ernie H.
Fast and nice on a hot long day
(4)
Hungry B.
I was sort of on the fence for 3 or 4 stars... so I'll just say here its really 3 and a half... Its not fine dining or anything but the food here is overall pretty good and its a fun Harvard Square spot. Its a decent bar which is usually packed and the decor overall is pretty nice. They had a mushroom & goat cheese app for a while that was my favorite but think its gone now, but thats ok, the molasses pork belly is great. I also think the fish and chips and hanger steak here are really nice as well. I probably would have gone with 4 stars if I hadn't shared the same experience as at least a few other reviewers of the snarky hostesses attitude... but table service is usually good. As for long waits? Well, its Harv Sqr and its popular, so make a res if you're going to complain, they're on OpenTable...
(3)
Shannon F.
I'v been to Grafton St. many times, and I am always satisfied. The service is always friendly and their menu is creative. On Sunday around 2:00 we were there for a late lunch, however bruch was still an option which is always quite a treat. With a party of 6, some of us chose breakfast, while the rest of us had lunch. I'm pretty sure everyone was satisfied, but I was even more than happy with my "chickpea wrap" It was actually a lot like a falafel, but there was something special about it. It was served on naan, and with a delicious cucumber sauce. Our server was VERY attentive of our beverage refills which i always appreciate. I will definitely continue to check out grafton st. every now and again, and I recommend that everyone do the same!
(4)
Giselle E.
Grafton Street to me is like a fancy Starbucks. The environment is extremely similar in colors, but the tableware and dineware is more up on the scale. When I went there with my friend, we were seated immediately, however we were not greeted by our waitress until a good 15mins afterwards (she passed us at least twice to her other tables); she could have just said a simple "Hi, I'll be right with you in a moment" is all I'm saying. We ordered off the lunch special on this chilly Wednesday: A chicken quesadilla and two burger specials. The waitress didn't repeat our order nor write it down, and therefore when our appetizer came out, it was wrong. When we received our appetizer, it wasn't until we ate our first pieces that we realized this, and had to wait another 15mins for the waitress to check on us. She nicely apologized and asked if we would like it off the bill or the correct appetizer. We then quickly received our correct appetizer, and then five minutes afterwards, our burgers. Burgers were awesome. Thick, home-made patties, not the frozen ones thrown onto the grill. Bun was nice and toasty and the lettuce and tomatoes were crisp and fresh. Pickle was a nice garnish and the fries were deliciously crunchy. My burger was cooked as I asked (Medium-Well). Overall I wish the service was a little bit better. Their lunch menus were $9-$12 for various plates, which isn't bad. I might return to Grafton Street to see how their other dishes are.
(3)
Rohin A.
We went here last night and the food was great. My wife is a celiac and the waiters were very knowledgeable about gluten-free requirements (our first waiter made a mistake but did check with the kitchen before confirming the order and they sent someone out to let us know). My wife ordered the pan-roasted chicken and I got the fish and chips - both were wonderful. The food is very well priced ... our full meal cost us $50 (incl. tip and 1 side to share). For those with gluten allergies, most of the food can be made gluten-free so definitely worth a visit!
(5)
Joe B.
Grafton Street is probably not the absolute best bar in the world, but in all my times there, I cannot come up with a negative thing to say about it! I last dropped in here on Friday night for post-dinner drinks. While the bar area was crowded, a waitress took our order as we were trying to strategically position ourselves between two barstools to order from the bar. She was well-dressed, and when she asked us for our drink order, I didn't believe her at first until I saw the apron. She returned with my friend's pinot grigio and my Noble Pils shortly thereafter. This is a great place to go for conversation. It may seem loud, but it's not overpowering, and it's easy to hear the people around you. Plus, there is a reasonable amount of room to walk around in the bar area. And, the service is very friendly and helpful. I have been here to eat twice as well. I've found the seafood here to be excellent. At last check, they had a tuna tartare which was very tasty, as well as scallops done just right and fried calamari (a bar standard). The furniture is very comfortable, and one doesn't feel crowded in with other patrons. I'll definitely return to Grafton Street. It's a very clean and comfortable bar (including the restroom), the food is good, and the service is friendly.
(5)
Jeff M.
Wow, this place has gone down hill quickly. Biggest problem is the service. I don't know if I'll ever be back.
(2)
Farrell P.
(I'd like to give Grafton Street 2 and a half stars, but I ended up with 2 because, well, I have experienced better.) I love the actual atmosphere of this pub. I had a late lunch here with some friends on a Saturday (after we couldn't find a seat in the beer garden). It's spacious, airy, and comfortable. And we stayed long after we finished eating, while our water glasses were kept full. Our waitress was sweet, pretty, borderline flirtatious, and dealt well our interesting group. Some of the cocktails on the menu sounded interesting (though one friend said hers was garnnished incorrectly...I wouldn't know). I decided it was too early for me to start drinking and ordered an iced tea which was a little weak. Still on my weekend budget, I got the lunch special of half a grilled ham, swiss, and roasted pepper sandwhich and a cup of cucumber mint soup for $7. In addition to being about the size of my pinky, I could have made a better version of that soup and sandwhich myself - without their recipe. I'll take Panera over that any day. My friends fared better with Grafton's Cuban (really, really nice) and a couple rusticy pizzas (gorgonzola, fig, and prosciutto - one of my favorite combinations of all time). The menu was too meat/pork heavy for me and I wish it was a little cheaper. I'd go again, but I'd make sure to order something more substantial and pub food-y.
(2)
Alice B.
Awful food! One of those places where you pay a lot for "atmosphere" and the food is atrocious. We were a large party of a dozen or so - everything was fat on the side of salt. The food looked defrosted and not cooked in-house. The toast was 2 burnt-black halves of a slice of one of those pre-sliced bread loaves you get for $0.50 at the store.
(1)
C M W.
Firstly, delicious food. My boyfriend got decatant scallops and I had the artichoke ravioli. Taste and presentation, superb.... price, extremely high. Grafton Street is like fine dining meets London Pub. Ambiance nice, servers amiable. Drink selection and taste.... like the supermarket on a Sunday night... out of stock and listless. Do not order any drink with Ginger beer unless you want ginger on the rocks with a splash of cocktail. Definitely check it out, but bring your credit card... you are going to need it.
(3)
Haley S.
I literally saw the gentrification of Harvard Square happening before my eyes...and I'm not a fan. Back you tweed blazer intellectual, back! I don't like hiding fancy behind the exterior of a pub. Mashing pub and upscale can be done, but Grafton Street is a little off center. Our waitress was outstanding though. Bottom line...the food and service were good. But with all that H. Square has to offer I don't know why you'd put up with the crowd to get to the food. It's a lazy choice, get creative and venture out!
(3)
Alison C.
How have I not written a review for Grafton Street yet!? This is easily one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Every single time I go, I have an amazing time. From making new friends, to first dates, to bringing my family here after my college graduation last week, I've made a lot of crazy memories in this magical place. First of all, they have some of the best wine I've ever tasted at a restaurant. I even downloaded a copy of their menu to write down the different wineries they buy from. Two glasses of their Merlot, and I'm down for the count. Cheap and easy, just like I like most things. The food is always fantastic, but if you go and you only have enough money to buy ONE thing, get the Fried Calamari. Even my large Italian family of food snobs tried it last week and said it was the best they'd ever had. Do it now! It's a little pricey, but nothing that will make your wallet cry. Grafton Street loves big groups, and everyone who works there likes to have fun with their customers. I will be taking out-of-town visitors here til the end of time. Words can't express my love for Grafton Street.
(5)
Michelle C.
3ish stars for the food, and definite solid extra star for the service. My boyfriend and I had wanted to check out Daedalus one Saturday night since I've only been there for brunch previously, but they had an hour and a half wait for some reason (I didn't see many people waiting, so I'm guessing there were some large parties there). Wanting something along the same lines (new American I suppose they call it), we decided to check out Grafton Street, mainly because they had mussels which I was craving badly. When we arrived, the boyfriend was not too pleased about the 45 minute wait time we were given, but at that point I just wanted to have a drink and wait rather than keep wandering around Harvard Square. Happily, after more like 20-30 minutes of waiting, the hostess came over to bring us to our seats. I wasn't terribly pleased when we arrived at them as they were part of 3 2-person tables awkwardly close together. However, a few minutes later after we'd ordered our mussels, we found out why when the manager came over and brought a free tray of (very tasty) hummus and warm pita bread to us and the table next door. Apparently this was normally a 4 top, but rather than making us both wait longer, he broke them up. Many restaurants cram seats in that close together normally, so I was more than happy to have the shorter wait and the free food! The mussels were very tasty and plentiful. The boyfriend got salmon and I got a seafood stew. He liked his and I liked mine, but I did feel the portions were a little on the small size for the price and my stew was a bit under-seasoned, but better that than over-seasoned. I also very much appreciated their beer list; nice variety with one random Goose Island tap (a very delicious Chicago brewery) and the bartenders were very friendly and knowledgeable during our wait. Overall, I'd say that i'd be back more for the service than the food, but I'd definitely like to try other items off their menu. Thanks for not keeping us waiting!
(4)
Jeff L.
One of my go-to restaurants in Harvard Sq. They never disappoint. Whether youre looking for brunch on the weekend, out with friends for a great dinner or even a first date, Grafton Street is the place. Wonderful seasonal dishes and some comforting favorites like deconstructed fried chicken. Yum. Two words - Just go!
(5)
Sarah S.
I've been to Grafton Street enough times that, even though it has a zillion reviews I'm going to add my 2 cents. Like its sister Temple Bar (owned by the same people,) Grafton succeeds quite well at being a nice place to take the family or a date, while also being casual enough to grab a bite with friends or a few drinks, which is what I usually end up going for. Good selection of beer, though I've found the mixed drinks to be, well, mixed in quality, so for the price I usually stick to beer. The also almost always have Allagash White on tap, which I love love love, especially in the summer. Speaking of the summer, on warm-ish days Grafton has its windows open to the street, which makes for great people watching and the more-than-occasional leering old man. And of course, if your night should head in that direction, it's only steps away from the Kong!
(4)
Lara J.
I've been going here for about 10 years on and off and it used to be better. I haven't been in about 3 years but was looking forward to going again. The food was slightly below average - Clam Chowder was watery and pizza was below average. The chickpea burger was good but sat in my stomach like a brick. They do get credit for seating a large party (7) on a Saturday evening (5:45 pm) quickly, and the hostess was very friendly and helpful, but that's about it.
(2)
Marcus M.
This place was great. I just went out for drinks with about ten other friends and we had a blast. The Pretty Things drink was awesome - I had four of them. The silverita, coconut mojito, sangria, and cheesecake were all delicious. The waitress was extremely friendly and took care of us. However, she messed up preparing the bill and overcharged some of us while undercharging some of us too. Also, we stayed until 2 (closing) and one of the workers there was really rude.. He basically kicked us out in an unfriendly manner. Anyways, it was really fun aside from those negative points and I would overall recommend it. The decor was nice and you can eat outside which is cool.
(4)
Safia A.
I'd been to Grafton Street a number of times and always liked it but my experience there on Friday was enough to warrant me making a yelp account and telling the interwebs about it. Paul Barry (one of the bartenders) is the coolest person on the planet, and I've met everyone so I can say that with certainty. I'll definitely be going back to Grafton Street in the near future!
(5)
Jenna H.
I returned to Grafton Street for brunch and it was awesome! Brunch comes with a lovely little basket of pastries that includes muffins, croissants, and danishes. My friend and I ordered and shared the buttermilk pancakes and the Spinach and Goat Cheese Omelet which came with potatoes and toast, and it was a sumptuous feast. The pancakes especially were so fluffy and delicious. Places like this remind we why I love brunch so much.
(4)
Kevin B.
This was my first visit to this particular location. I did go to the one near Government Center last summer but that was during Gay Pride so my memory is a little hazy as I was cruising cute boys and not paying attention to the food. It is always a difficult balance...am I more of a foodie or more of a slut. Anyway, I went to the Harvard square Grafton Street on Sunday for brunch with a new friend. I was fairly impressed. The dcor was very upscale and pleasing and it was only amplified by the amazing light that pours in the windows. The menu selection was pretty standard for brunch but I was pleasantly surprised by how much food you got for nine dollars. The omelet was huge! I couldn't even finish it and I have somewhat of a reputation for being a fat girl. I was a little disappointed. I ordered the omelet because it had goat cheese and couldn't actually taste any goat cheese but it was still quite good. The waitstaff was impressive in their knowledge of the menu as well as their friendliness and they weren't constantly hovering so that you want to get a restraining order. My only other complaint is their tea selection. I realize that I am a tea freak living in a coffee drinker's world. They only had three types. If I wasn't so used to that I would have been horrified. Okay, I was horrified but I kept it to myself. I do have to give them points for having loose leaf tea instead of those vulgar little bags of mediocre grade tea scraps that most establishments offer.
(4)
A. W.
mmm...this place was nice on that rainy Saturday afternoon this weekend. Actually, it was cosier than just nice.....and it was more of a torrential downpour than just 'rainy'. The place is provocatively lit, the decor is slick and staff are friendly. But I have a few minor complaints... 1) My drinking pal was ignored for a good 5 minutes whilst she patiently waited for service at the bar... whilst the bartenders were just hangin out at the other end... 2) When bar tender finally decided to acknowledge our existence, he made THE most violently intense bitter cocktail ever. The Negroni should've had enough Campari "to taste"....not enough Campari "to make your eyes well up with tears".....and 3) Night shift of bartenders come on board and want to ID me, even after we already had 4 drinks on our tab....eejots. The bar snacks were delightful though...I'd like to go back and try their dinner menu. Oh and important note....a glass of Crane Lake Cab Sav is on their wine list for $6 . You can buy a bottle of that wine for $4.99 at Gimbles. Don't be fooled!
(3)
Lewis D.
Slooow service at lunch today (7/5/2011) and food, when it arrived, lukewarm (the server didn't return to ask, in any case). We waited for the check to arrive, and finally had to fo to the host stand to get action. A manager came and his affect and response was on a par with the service: in flat tones thanked me for bringing the issue to his attention. Period.
(1)
Renee G.
I have never, ever, ever waited so long to have my order taken at a restaurant. The drinks, at least, arrived promptly. I was running late, and when I arrived, my date already had a beer in front of him. The waitress swooped right over and took my drink order, and mere moments later, there was a cold glass of Sam Summer in front of me. Two minutes later - literally about two minutes later - she stopped by to see if we knew what we wanted to eat. Um, no...we had barely even had time to crack open the menu. So, perhaps in an effort to allow us as much time as we needed to be absolutely, positively certain about our entree choices, she gave us a half an hour before she bothered coming back. I tried shooting her pointed stares and engaging in menu opening-and-closing histrionics, to no avail. The food, once we got it, was okay. I had the seared tuna salad, which was over frisee with haricots verts, pickled onions, and hardcooked egg in a kalamata olive vinaigrette. To be honest, I probably wouldn't have ordered it if I wasn't halfheartedly attempting South Beach, but I still would have expected more - it was fairly tasty but the portion was very small and the tuna underseasoned. My date had the pot roast, which he said he enjoyed, but I did not try it and he seemed to leave a lot of it behind. With better food and better service, I think I would have liked this place. It has a low-key but slightly upscale atmosphere, which is exactly what I look for in a hangout. But as it stands, I have no plans of coming back.
(2)
Katie C.
I've been to this place about 5 times. All of the food there is delicious! The prices are a wee bit expensive but not too bad. The waitstaff is always very friendly and the food doesn't take too long to come out. The desserts are great too; I recommend the white chocolate creme brulee. No complaints!
(5)
Tom E.
...so you know that friend of yours, work colleague, or family member who's not really into being cheap, hip and urban or not being a Black AmEx-toting Back Bay name-chef diner? Yeah... you know, the person who'd never be on Yelp. Well, where do you take them for a relaxed dinner and drink? I can already think of hundreds of places NOT to take them. But I'd always recommend Grafton St as somewhere you could take them. Modern, efficient, reasonably stylish, good wine and whisky selections, great brunch, okay dinner, outdoor seating, never too loud to obscure conversation, TVs show the sports but not in an intrusive way, good location just on Mass Ave opposite Harvard.... am I selling it to you? The point I'm trying to make is that no-one really dislikes coming here, in fact most yelp reviews are very positive but everyone seems to give it 3 stars. Well, I'm giving it 4 because it's never failed me, not for... - whiskys after trivia - group booze-up pre-Hong Kong - brunch with my sister - the world cup with hundreds of french people - impromptu dinner on a first date - lunch with my mum's old roomie from 1970
(4)
Keith W.
A few general observations/comments: People always seem to stay for more than one drink. People always seem to be having fun. There is no reason to go to Grafton Street for dinner. It's not uncommon to see someone at the bar wearing a t-shirt and jeans, sitting next to someone wearing a full suit. While they may differ in dress, neither is out of place; they are both completely comfortable. If you stay around long enough, you are guaranteed to be treated to some free entertainment. My favorite shows include: The sixty-year-old guy wearing the Nantucket reds making out with his 25-year-old diamond laden, martini sippin', gold diggin' girlfriend with the fake fun bagz (trust me, it was HOT!); The fire spitting Bill Gates look-alike that told at least ten girls "you have the most beautiful smile in Massachusetts" before finally finding an astute lady who was so impressed by his compliment that she spent the next hour talking with him before eventually taking him home (Score!); The group of guys discussing the real reason why they love Costa Rica so much - the Hookers, of course! Grafton Street: there's nothing spectacular about it, but it just seems to work well for everyone.
(4)
Tara G.
The service was pretty slow. Its always a little dangerous to say you need a couple more minutes to order, but 15 minutes is too long to wait without even checking to see if we'd closed our menus. Our waitress never asked whether everything was okay, so she didn't find out until we had finished our meal that one of the dishes (chickpea sandwich in naan) was terribly dry and virtually inedible (and 100% of the sauce was on half the sandwich) and we'd have liked to get something different. They did take it off the bill, so +1 star.
(2)
Matt W.
Grafton Street is great if you are in the neighborhood. I would certainly pick other venues for my night time exploits if given the choice, but Grafton has that dual possibility of lounge in the back and sports bar in the front, perhaps a great combo for any guy (or girl) depending on how the date's going. The food is above average for a pub/lounge and the drinks are standard, nothing too special. I've also been to Grafton for brunch with an entirely different menu and brunch friendly cocktails (who am I kidding, all cocktails are friendly no matter the time of day). The crowds are minimal at brunch, which is a blessed change from the chaos found at other local Harvard square eateries around the same time.
(3)
Al A.
The hash sucks.
(2)
Amanda B.
We've eaten here once for dinner and once for brunch; the prices are fair, we love the decor and the atmosphere is good (although, the bar area can get super packed and loud on the weekends - just hope you get sat far from the bar). The downfall for the restaurant seems to be their food. Dinner: we went there on St. Patty's Day, which was awesome because as we were waiting to be seated there was an Irish bagpipe band that came into the bar area to play a couple of songs! Once we were seated, service was good, especially considering how busy they were, but the food was just average. Brunch: the hubby had the corned beef hash and was really disappointed; it was not tasty and was super greasy. I had pancakes, which you can't really mess up. Ultimately, it seems to be a good place to come get drinks.
(3)
Zarina M.
Service was impeccable. From the host, to the server to the manager picking up our plates. Food, could have been better. Russell House Tavern and Park have more inventive menus. I'd like to see more unique items and combinations. We had the brevette steak (flank) with mash potatoes and a arugula salad. I asked for medium it was more towards the well side and my bf had the pork chop with Brussels sprouts - meat was juicy and perfectly made. It also came with this very weird sweet potatoes with melted cheese... It was the wrong type of cheese. The flavors just fought with each other. My calamari appetizer also had pieces fried fish in it... The ploughers board was meek and had half of a half piece of cheese. And a single slice of prosciutto. All in all, come for their outdoor patio space and drinks... Go to the graftons sister restaurants down the street for better food.
(4)
Mauricio C.
I went with my family in the Father's Day lunch. From the special menu I have chosen the salmon. The dish was great! The grilled salmon was perfect with an egg exploding in flavor and perfume. Fully recommended.
(4)
Sara W.
After writing a review about my experience with Grafton, I was contacted by the store manager. She apologized and offered a complimentary meal, which was a very kind thing to do. It truly shows that Grafton cares about their customers, and I definitely felt a lot better when she reached out to me. I took up the offer, and gave Grafton a second chance. I decided to go past lunch time, around 3pm, so it wasn't busy at all. When I was seated, the manager working that day stopped by to apologize to me, which was very nice. On top of that, my friend and I also had a very friendly waitress. The service that I received was definitely a lot better this time around. I wasn't planning to order any appetizers, but the Chef planned out appetizers for us. We got the BBQ pulled pork tacos, which were pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of barbecue sauce, but the taco as a whole was good. We also got the truffle fries, and this time around, they were a lot better. For entrees, I got the Petite Sirloin and my friend got the Grilled Statler Chicken. The sirloin was delicious-- it was cooked right, and the sauce was great. I thought the dish as a whole was a bit too overwhelming though, due to the truffle fries. But overall, I was satisfied. The salad that was paired with my dish was great, I just wished that my dish had mashed potatoes instead of the truffle fries because I tried my friend's dish which had mashed potatoes, and it was so delicious. Overall, I had a good experience, and the food that we ordered were a lot better. I recommend heading to Grafton during lunch time. In my opinion, their lunch menu is definitely more interesting compared to their dinner menu.
(3)
Paul L.
So the taxi driver dropped us off in the totally wrong area, a mile away from where we asked. After being frustrated for having to walk a mile my girlfriend decided to just head in here and what a great surprise!! I was totally blown away by the cocktail menu and draft beer list. After ordered our drinks our focus shifted towards the appetizers. Decided to go out on a limb and try the calamari. With mint, peanuts, and sweet chili it was nothing I've ever had and was very surprised by how much I liked it. (Not a calamari fan but she is ;) ) Anyways this place gets all the praise in the world I could give a restaurant, any of the cocktails will keep you satisfied.
(5)
herp d.
Went here recently for a friend's birthday, pretty pleasant experience overall. I grabbed a drink at the bar while waiting for people to arrive, and while their Tom Collins are way too sour (and I'm saying this as someone who nibbles on lemon slices), the bartender was very friendly and polite. We get seated and I just have to say, some of their tables are really awkward. Really high booth seating that was just uncomfortable and awkward (my friend and I switched to the side with chairs, dooming our other friends to the weird booths, suckers). Service was really slow. I mean, I know it was a busy Friday night, but I think we were seated for almost an hour before our food orders were taken. The Flatlander drink is great, and the pear ice was an interesting touch that made the flavor change over time. I ordered a few of these. Their warm bourbon cider was great as well, and I don't even like bourbon. We ordered a dozen oysters, which were very good but also expensive. We also got fries (good), Brussels sprouts (undercooked), and moules frites (very good). Later we got the ploughman board, which came with sopressata (love), prosciutto, chicken liver mousse (really really good), a tuna salad thing (okay), some pickled onions (love), and a terrine made of, I think, pork, turkey, cranberries and pistachios? I can't remember exactly what was in it but it was soooo good. The whole thing was excellent but came with only four tiny pieces of crisp bread. Even if there wasn't six of us sharing it, that wouldn't be enough. Unless you were piling huge pieces into the tiniest bread bites possible, you couldn't spread the bread very far. Some of it, like the sopressata, terrine, and prosciutto was good enough or not messy enough to eat plain, but eating liver mousse plain isn't the best thing ever. Just a few more slices of bread, please. We also noticed waiters carrying around what looked like bone marrow but we couldn't find it on the menu. We asked our waiter about it and found out it's an appetizer, so we got that immediately. I've never had marrow before so I have no basis for comparison, but it was pretty damn good. I expected it to be spongy and light, and instead it was like a fatty jelly that tasted really intensely of beef. Sadly, there wasn't much to go around, so I only got two little bites of it. I would love to try it again though. Finally, my friend was presented with a (complimentary) banana bread pudding, complete with candle, which was very nice gesture for her birthday. I thought it tasted a little burnt, but she seemed to enjoy it. Overall, it's a little too pricey for me to go regularly, but I would go again for a special occasion. Personally, I like Park better (they're owned by the same people), but this was still a nice experience.
(4)
Alex S.
I came to Grafton Street for an excellent dinner. The restaurant is quite beautiful and very large. It is very well laid out and has a great atmosphere. This is a perfect place for a date. The food was also very good. Based solely on how comfortable and aesthetically pleasing Grafton Street is, I would provide a 5 star review. While I can't provide any complaints about the food (dinner was delicious) it just didn't stand out as amazing. I think with a little more passion thrown towards the menu, this could be one of the best places in Cambridge.
(4)
Anna G.
I came here on Valentine's Day at 7PM. we got sat for our reservation right away, and the ambiance of the restaurant was really nice- dim lighting, good music, etc. All of our food came out extremely quick. We didn't see much of our waiter though, he didn't come by to see if we needed anything else, or to check on how we were doing. This is understandable though, it was Valentine's day and they were extremely busy. We split the calamari- which was very good, but very different than any other calamari i've had. it seemed kind of asian inspired. I'm not sure my boyfriend enjoyed it as much as I did. I ordered the Lobster Mac and Cheese, and requested that they hold the peas. My boyfriend ordered the special- Surf (shrimp) and Turf. The waiter informed him that he managed to order the last one. we were excited about this, but pretty disappointed when the food came out and he ended up just getting the regular steak dinner. He really enjoyed it, but it was kind of strange our waiter didn't address that he brought out the wrong order, or that they may have actually ran out of the special, or something?? And my mac & cheese had peas in it :( i'm still giving them four stars though, because of their promptness, and I really enjoyed the restaurant. I think that had it not been the busiest restaurant night of the year, they probably would have nailed it with their service. i will go back and give it another shot
(4)
Joe C.
Grafton Street is an amazing pub. There is only about 20 options on the menu- but they are all delicious. I went with a friend and I got the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich, which I requested without lettuce, tomato, and ranch. My friend got the French Toast with a caramel drizzle and bananas. The Fried Chicken Sandwich was delicious. Between 2 buns lie 2 pieces of Applewood Smoked Bacon, melted cheddar cheese, a Buttermilk Fried Chicken breast, and a second layer of melted Cheddar cheese. I have never tasted a better meal.
(5)
S G.
We went for Brunch. It has the typical brunch menu. Portions are ample. The french toast with Banana caramel sauce was outstanding and probably feeds at least 2 hungry people. The eggs Benedict with irish bacon were cooked to perfection. The roasted potatoes were nice and crisp and very well seasoned. 2 Scrambled egg dish was huge, it looked much more than 2 eggs, accompanied by fruit upon request. The place was extremely busy and service was fine
(4)
Eunji Y.
Terrible service during brunch/lunch hours on Memorial Day. - ordered a burger cooked medium but they gave me a well-done. - they gave me a burger "without onion" when i had made no such request - my sister's burger "with onion" had a couple slivers of caramelized onion. When we inquired about it, the server brought some more as a side saying that "they had run out of it before and had to make some more" ... Which was the reason they decided to make my burger "without onion" without telling me and go skimpy on my sister's burger - it took forever for them to clear the table after we were done, and take the cash and give us the change. We had to ask a couple different servers to pay. The restaurant had more empty tables than occupied ones. Overall very disappointed. It was my first time eating here, and i have no intention to come back.
(1)
Ellie L.
I'm a short person so low chairs paired with high tables kinda bothers me. But aside from that, the place was fairly solid and I'd go here for a casual nice lunch with friends especially since the prices are quite decent. 1. chickpea sandwich - super tasty and I loved the chewy pita bread. Not like a falafel though since the chickpeas were quite soft 2. calamari - be warned, this is not your traditional italian style crispy fried calamari. It's very asian flavored, spicy, and maybe a bit too drenched in sauce which detracts from the freshly fried aspect. 3. apple crisp with ice cream - I really enjoy pairing cold ice cream with a warm chewy cake or crumble and while this dessert had all the right flavors, it fell short with the ratio between ice cream, crumble, and apple. Too little crumble, much too little ice cream. Overall, a pretty small dessert portion.
(3)
Allie G.
I've been to Grafton Street a total of three or four times and had a good time and good service every time except for last night - and I'm writing this review to show that it only takes one time and one bad server to completely turn people off to a restaurant that's sub-par to begin with. I should note that the other handful of times we've been here, it was around midnight. Last night, my boyfriend and I decided to come here for dinner + drinks around 8:00. The crowd was completely different, which I guess is to be expected. We were seated after about 35 minutes - which was in line with the estimate we were given by the hostesses, who were just about the only polite employees there. We were seated next to a group of loud, obnoxious people who were stuffed into a booth / chair combo. This is obviously to no fault of the restaurant - it's just the way it worked out. Our server had ZERO customer service. I felt like he was miserable (and he probably was because I was certainly not happy to be sitting next to the crowd we were sitting next to, but that's besides the point.) It drives me crazy when I go somewhere and feel like I have better customer service than the person servicing me! I basically had to shove our order down this guy's throat. He never came to check on us - the only time I didn't have to flag him down for something was when he came to offer us water and another round of drinks, the very first interactions that we had with him. He was clearly just not in the mood to be at work - and who ever is, really? His poor attitude didn't go unnoticed. We ordered a ton of food, too - you'd think he would've wanted 20% of that bill. Aside from this, it took several trips for anyone to notice there were empty dishes crowding our table just waiting to be cleared - and it wasn't THAT busy. There are plenty of other restaurants in the area that are much busier, with much better service. Sorry, but it was borderline terrible. To top it all off, our obnoxious neighbors later had another person join their group. This new addition is nearly sitting on top of me - I end up having to ask them all to move down politely - but the booth was in a corner, so they're already shoved in there pretty tight. They were rude about it, but obliged. It just aggravated the situation even more and we couldn't wait to leave. This place is now a last resort to me. I don't plan on coming here again. It was never a favorite for me but I give it three stars because out of the handful of times I've been here, I didn't have a bad experience until last night.
(3)
Dan R.
Trip report from a recent brunch: skip brunch, come for lunch or dinner. The brunch menu was miniscule (not sure if this was a special menu for the Head of the Charles or not). I got the Calamari, which was OK, but way too heavily breaded. I also ordered the Corned Beef Hash, which is one of my all time favorite meals. It wasn't great. In fact, it was the worst corned beef I've ever had. While it WAS a true hash, it was full of burnt pieces of rosemary, was incredibly salty, lacked any real flavor, and the corned beef was chewy and contained gross amounts of fat. I felt like I was eating tendon or something....I couldn't even finish half of the (not very large) plate. A shame, because Grafton is great for dinner -- I love their burger with egg, and their crabcakes are yummy. Chicken sandwiches are also a treat. Unfortunately only the burger was available on the brunch menu, and I kicked myself for not getting it. Great outdoor seating (in-season), and animal friendly. The bar is also decent at late night. Just pass on brunch.
(3)
Andrea B.
The Avocado Eggs Benedict at Grafton Street are a beautiful, beautiful thing. I never knew I could love poached eggs so much. But clearly I can. And you can too. I stopped by Grafton Street one Saturday for brunch. Their menu offers a nice variety of breakfast foods as well as burgers, paninis, and pizzas. It all sounds tremendously scrumdiddlyumptious (did I spell that right? Anyone?). The aforementioned Avocado Benedict really takes the cake, though. Poached eggs, avocado slices, and Hollandaise sauce, all slapped on an English muffin, and BAM! You've got a thing of beauty right before your very eyes. The Benedict came with a generous helping of home fries. I'm not gonna lie, I gave a little sigh when I saw them. My experience with home fries is usually that they're bland, too crispy or too mushy, and need to be drowned in ketchup in order to eat even half of them. So you can imagine my delight when I took a bite of Grafton Street's version of them and discovered that they were fantastic! Well-seasoned, flavorful, neither too crispy nor too mushy, the ketchup that came with them was completely ignored and forgotten. Add in the fact that they came with onions and red peppers, and BAM! Best home fries ever (I'm starting to sound like Emeril LaGasse). I came back a few days later for lunch with a friend. They have a delicious menu that features a nice selection of filling appetizers and entrees (which is what I'm looking for when I go for a sit-down meal for lunch - not just some measly sandwich!). We decided to get the fish tacos appetizer and the petite sirloin entree and share them. Both were fantastic. The app was by no means skimpy. We got three hefty tacos with hake, cabbage, salsa, and smoked chili aioli. They were a little heavy on the cabbage, but otherwise very tasty. The petite sirloin entree was wonderful too. The meat was maybe a tad too done for the medium temperature that we ordered, but it was juicy and tender and flavorful nevertheless. And it came with a bucketload of truffle fries! Home fries for brunch, truffle fries for lunch... when it comes to potatoes, Grafton Street really knows its stuff! Anywho, time to wrap this up. I am often guilty of walking past places a million times, taking forever to realize that they're incredible, and then kind of hating myself for taking so long. And Grafton is definitely one of those places! *Kicks self repeatedly.*
(4)
Chris C.
Bland tuna tartar Slow service Distracted slightly angry waiter Meh I've been 4-5x and the last two have been horrible - this is not how you want things to be trending
(2)
Jacquelyn C.
The atmosphere was great, super refreshing after a long walk on a hot Fourth of July. I would say their food isn't something to go out of the way to get, but definitely worth to go at least once. Their rosemary truffle fries were well flavored, their flatbread margherita pizza was good, but not memorable. Friends ordered the beef and scallion flatbread pizza (unique and pretty good) and the Crafton burger (well-flavored and juicy). Service was friendly even with a lot of people in the restaurant.
(3)
Marcello F.
This is definitely one of my favourite drinking places ever... not entirely sure what the reason, maybe just the feel, the vibe, the nice people, the good cocktails... Have to say I never tried the food so cannot vote on that, but as for drinks and service, it is a really good venue.
(5)
Minh C.
Six of us dropped by for an early brunch. It looked like we arrived just after opening, but it quickly filled up. We got seated in the back corner booth with curtains closing us off. Overall, food was typical good brunch food - many of us got one version or the other of the eggs benedicts. Service was also good - the waiter always waited until we stopped talking vs. interrupting a conversation midway so that was a big plus.
(4)
Lorenz S.
The atmosphere is nothing special (very much similar to its sibling restaurants, Park and Russell House Tavern), but the food is great. Here are Lorenz' special recommendations: * Avocado Benedict for brunch * Brussels Sprout & Bacon Pizza any time after that
Honestly, this place is boring and the food is mediocre. It is a bit 'what you see is what you get'. If you go at peak hours it will be full of non-discerning Harvard grads and tourists. This is the kind of place you go when you can't think of anything that excites you more. Kind of like the fall back to your fall back. That said, you'll get reliable beer selection, a decent burger, and a half-way interesting salad selection.
(2)
Clay N.
Grafton is the bookends to any good night out. The scene is a more calm than the Kong and more active than the Boathouse. Come rub shoulders with Harvard grad students and dodge H^2 tourists. Great for: - Brunch - Pre-Drinks Drinks - Nightcap - Meeting attractive successful men - Brown Liquors - Conversation
(4)
April K.
I must say... I really enjoyed myself here on a Sunday early night dinner. My boyfriend and I first sat outside, but unfortunately it started raining so we moved inside. My only qualm about sitting outside was that the table was extremely slanted. I'm not sure if that would have been comfortable had we eaten out there. The inside decor is dimly lit and romantic, but also casual. Our waitress was very nice, and we also had another waiter taking care of us. I was confused by that, but also content to see that they were all trying to help one another. As for the food, I started off with the Charcuterie which included duck pate, figs, and proscuitto, and random stuff you put on little bread. I was confused because there were only 6 little pieces of bread, but we just asked the waitress for more. It was so delicious my mouth is watering right now thinking about it. I would go back just for that appetizer plate. The sangria is really good too. They aren't stingy with it, and it's 9$ a glass. For the main course I got salmon. It was a little dried out, and the sauce they used tasted kind of like cheap barbeque sauce. I don't think it was that bad, but it wasn't great. The dessert consisted of a warm chocolate chip cookie topped with two scoops of ice cream. It was heavenly, but I think it's also a dish i could have made at home. It's kind of hard to screw up a warm cookie topped with ice cream. Overall I had a really good experience. The prices are decent. The only thing is... I hope they fix their toilets. The pressure of flushing was a little too much, and I may have gotten a splash or two of toilet water on me.... Not good for when i'm about to eat. =/
(4)
Marina Z.
We absolutely loved the dinner we had at Grafton St except it was too noisy inside. We ended up sitting outside where it was a way quieter, however, the hostess said she can't guarantee a seat inside if it starts raining :-) Fortunately, the rain stopped before our dinner and never started again, so we were lucky. Regarding the food, we liked it the best among three out of four restaurant from the group: Park, Temple Bar and Grafton. We had scallops and duck for entrees, and not too heavy, not too light for our stomachs, and tasted perfectly - with right combination of proteins and carbs including sauces.
(4)
Patrick D.
Grafton Street had the honor and privilege of being stop #1 on my and my girlfriend's "Dollar Oyster Crawl" last week and it did not disappoint! We came at about 6:30 and it was busy but not super loud, a good amount of noise to encourage conversation. We just ordered a dozen oysters and the Ploughman's Board, both of which came quickly, which was a pleasant surprise given how busy the restaurant was. The oysters were delicious, meaty, not too salty and the cocktail sauce was well proportioned. The Ploughman's Board had some liverwurst-type spreads on it, crostini, some prosciutto and salami and some pickled veggies. Definitely all acquired tastes but if meat and cheese plates are your thing this one is a home run. The small meal wasn't pricy at all and tasty, a real good pub in a great location with good service, we'll definitely be coming back here.
(4)
Viroopa V.
I've been here for dinner many times and have had great meals, but recently was here for brunch and was not a fan. The ambiance is great, but the food is mediocre. Your experience at Grafton is dependent on the time of day and what you order, so I'll just list some Pros and Cons. Pros: - Fabulous Ahi Tuna Tartare - Really great selection of meats and cheeses on the Grafton Charcuterie - Rustic Pizzas are awesome - Sweet Potato Ravoli is a must - Great ambiance for getting together with friends or for dinner dates - Great for drinks at the bar on Friday and Saturday night Cons - Service is sometimes slow - Eggs Benedict did not have properly poached eggs - Fruit bowl for brunch primarily consisted of pineapple
(3)
Hannah J.
AMAZING! We got the grilled corn appetizer and it was unlike anything I've ever tasted. Simply incredible. And I got the Grafton Burger, which has to be the best burger I've ever tasted. It's busy but the service is quick, friendly and charismatic! Absolutely perfect in every way.
(5)
Larry G.
Great. Beet salad and short rib appetizers are meals. Just get them and desert. And a cocktail.
(4)
Jessica S.
What a great little place in Cambridge! I was at Grafton Street with a fellow Yelper and 11 of our knitting buddies. They were able to fit us in that day with very little prior warning, so I give a huge tip o' the hat to the general manager and staff! I didn't order any food, but I did try a friend's truffle fries and they were divine. I ordered the hot bourbon apple cider and I swear I wanted to swim in the stuff it was so delicious! I hate bourbon on its own, but this heavenly concoction was... well... heavenly! The only reason this place doesn't get a fifth star is because it's a bit pricey. Sure, it's Cambridge and it's bound to not be cheap; however, there are many other places in the vicinity that don't charge $10 per drink. Regardless, I want to relive my experience here over and over again... so I'll bite the bullet and save my pennies to come to Grafton Street again!
(4)
Graceypoo M.
Held a surprise birthday party here for a friend, years ago. The staff let us wear fake 'staches as a disguise from our friend. Good food. Oysters are fresh Rosemary fries could be better Good service
(3)
Liesl W.
Can't judge the food but we ordered the tres leches cake and it was disgusting. It tasted like it had been sitting in the fridge with other foods for a very long time...
(1)
A-L B.
I wanted to love this place, after all, the bar scene from Goodwill Hunting was filmed here! My mojito cocktail looked nice but wasn't worth the $. I ended up spooning half of the ice in the slender glass and putting it in my room temperature water, which was presented in a nice glass bottle, but lacked chilling. We asked for a non-alcoholic cocktail and were offered a ginger concoction. It sounded good but tasted like some sort of astringent which burned our stomachs. Mmm, Coca-cola, please? The chowder was ok, nothing to write home about. The steak was fine, it came with truffle fries and mixed greens. Dare I say, the truffle fries were overly truffley!? I was tasting them all afternoon, and into the evening.
(2)
Olivia B.
Are you effing kidding me? This place was useful for about 14 minutes back when it opened. Ever since, it's been a fall-back, boring option for folks who burned off their taste buds with the energy drinks it took to get into Harvie's grad programs. Unless you're a sack of douche, as noted by use of references to your partner (hubby is your man, huh? how unexpected & not at all vomit-inducing) or other local establishments ('the Kong,' really??? Really?? REALLLY???? Check that shit, brodude. Your list makes me daydream about rabbit punching you in the throat, then tap-dancing on your man-bits. In heels. With a loose rabid raccoon. Yeah, I'd risk it since I'm fairly sure it would go for brodude first. That is just the way of things,). Of course, daydreams aren't reality, and violence is rarely the answer. That said, this place is terminally underwhelming. Food is blah, service is...mediocre at best. and the location is nothing special, given alternatives. Every date I ever had with B-school menz started off with a suggestion for this place. Yeah, insert your own walking "NOPE!" octopus clip. (On both counts) It's noisy, informal, and...meh. My interest has been lost...
(2)
Kurls T.
The atmosphere is great, but it stops there. We were 1st given dirty water glasses - with food particles stuck on them. I ordered a Ceasars salad which was ice cold and a bit wilted. I tried to eat it, but I stopped when I realized there was still dirt on the lettuce. I prefer all the dirt washed off my salad. My husband had the fish and chips which was quite good. Overall a very disappointing experience. Our meal was comped but I wasn't there for a free meal. I wanted a meal with clean dishes and food...sigh. The managers apology was one that lacked sincerity. Manager's response when I told her our water glasses were dirty "the glasses are a bit scratched up and I didn't see them." Her lips were apologizing but her face said " it's really not a big deal your glasses were dirty and your lettuce had dirt on it". I will not eat here again nor do I recommend this place :-/
(2)
Danielle S.
I'm pretty sure this place is owned by the same people as Russell House. The food is quite good both for brunch and for dinner. For brunch, I had the eggs benedict. It didn't blow my mind, but was a solid dish. For dinner, I usually stick with the burger, which is served with cheddar cheese, caramelized onion, and aioli. Again, a simple dish, but they do it well. The service here is good. If you're coming for dinner, they also have a nice bar to grab drinks before/after you eat.
(4)
Oliver V.
If you're going here to have an in-Harvard Square dining experience, then this place fits the bill. But, you'll need to deal with crowds, sticky surfaces, slow service and mediocre and overpriced food. No worries, the service is very friendly and the manager does make accommodations for unexpected encumbrances!
(2)
Wen-fai F.
Grafton St has become a regular place for me and it's a solid four stars because of its consistency. I've probably been here about 40 times. One thing I want to point out right away is that there is something here for everyone. Burgers and pizza if you don't feel like shelling out much, to steaks and lobster if you want a fancier dinner. So as a grad student, I can take my rich friends with real jobs here and we're both happy :) My favorite appetizer, probably in all of Cambridge, is Grafton St's short rib arancini ($9 for 3). I feel like it's this hidden gem since people get distracted by all of the other beautiful things on the menu. But the arancini are risotto mixed with pull apart sweet short rib, mixed with some mozzarella, rolled in to a ball, breaded, and fried. It might sound sickly unhealthy and it probably is, but they do it perfectly so you don't feel gross after eating it. I go with my friend from Italy quite often just for the arancini, and she absolutely loves it. Another favorite is the caesar salad -- it's always very fresh. And the brussel sprout and bacon pizza is terrific although sometimes they go very heavy on the cheese. I've also heard great things about the squash ravioli. The only dish I would be hesitant to recommend is the lobster mac and cheese. I had it once and could probably make better m&c. The cocktails are a hit or miss, and the beer selection could be a little better. I normally just go with a standard well drink which are reasonably priced. The longest I've ever had to wait (even on a Friday night) is 15 minutes. They seem to always stay a healthy amount of busy without being so terribly crowded like Russell House. It's such a huge space and the furniture makes it a bit homier. The service has always been friendly, and after ~40 visits, I have no complaints on the wait staff! That's saying something.
(4)
Duncan L.
Grafton Street was the last stop on a night of grabbing appetizers and drinks throughout Harvard Square, and we were lucky enough to snag an outdoor table (definitely luck of timing, as there quickly was a line for outdoor seating after we sat down). We kept it pretty simple: a couple fun beers, a charcuterie board, and one of the specials. The charcuterie board seemed a little sparse, but while picked at over the course of an hour or so, it filled us plenty. Grafton Street is nice because you won't feel stuffed - but if you take your time and enjoy your meal, you will leave quite content.
(4)
Corey L.
Sat at the bar early on a Saturday night before the nutcracker. Bar tender was really nice and got us in and out in the 30 minutes we had. Had a Cosmo and sangria, which were both well made and tasty. Sangria wasn't too sweet and had some pear chunks floating, which was good. We shared a chicken ciabatta sandwich w a side of truffle fries. Sandwich had a surprising amount of greens in it and was pretty good. Salad on the side was drenched in dressing, as they always are. Fries were quite tasty. Nice meal/experience
(3)
Cate O.
Some friends and I are visiting Boston for a few days and staying just down the street from Grafton Street, which naturally made it our weekend watering hole. I, admittedly, haven't tried the food here, but have been amazed by the kindness of the staff!! They helped direct us toward great things to do in the City that are of the beaten path, and away from gaggles of tourists!
(4)
Sam M.
Grafton street is good. But honestly, I felt like since I've been to Russell House (Best Burger), Park (More interesting drinks) and Temple Bar (can you say lamb burger, because I can) Grafton just doesn't hold up. Pretty good beer selection, liquor selection isn't as grandiose as a few of the others and I just wasn't feeling the skills in the cocktails. This isn't to say Grafton Street isn't good. It is a perfectly fine place to grab dinner or lunch. But there is a reason why its much harder to get a reservation on Friday at Russell House than Grafton...Just saying...
(3)
Kavya S.
It's just so hard to be passionate about Grafton. It's that place you go to when you want a drink (but aren't looking for the best drink ever) or have a big dinner that you are planning and other places in the Square are booked up. I'm never excited to go, but it's not that I hate the food... it's just so average. If you do end up going here for a meal or for drinks, this is what I recommend -- BRUNCH: Poached eggs are not bad--incredibly standard, nothing interesting to say about them, but a solid choice. DINNER: As a vegetarian, I'd go with the Sweet Potato Ravioli--the sauce tastes a bit heavy but the dish is still very flavorful. The pizzas are also great to order as appetizers to share. DRINKS: Get the sangria pitchers! It's a bit sweet, but the price is right, and it's a fun group drinking experience that I always enjoy. We usually order the hummus platter to go with it. NOTE the hummus platter comes with barely any pita bread, and if you ask for extra, you get charged $2 for it, so just keep that in mind. Basically, I would never choose to go to Grafton out of excitement for the food, but it's a consistent 3-star experience.
(3)
Nicole B.
I went here with my family for my Birthday dinner and had a great time! I originally found out about Grafton Street when it was named in "Scout Cambridge" Magazine as one of the best outside dining restaurants in the area. The large open windows created a relaxing summer atmosphere even though we sat inside. The wait staff was friendly and aiming to please. We ordered a pitcher of sangria which was tasty and balanced. Often times when I order sangria at restaurants it is watered down, but not at Grafton Street. The beet salad was extremely unique with the pairing of beets/walnuts/goat cheese with cumin. The fried calamari was mixed with fried hot peppers that added a crunchy kick to the dish. My family members seemed very satisfied in ordering a flat bread pizza (sausage & scallion), fish n chips, and sweet potato ravioli. I ordered the salmon with root vegetables and parsnip puree. The piece of fish was a generous portion and cooked nicely. The vegetables were also delicious and complementary. I also highly recommend one of the cookie sundaes!! Very gooey! Considering that the items are not priced outrageously this restaurant won't break the bank for a couple or a large group. The food is very good and the atmosphere is hard to beat!!
(5)
Rena M.
I thought this would be a good restaurant to finally try out in the Square since it's always so bustling and crowded, but clearly I was wrong. First of all, the service was horrible. I understand that it was a busy Friday night, but it is a bit ridiculous to wait at least 10-15 minutes for the table to be set up (even though I had made a reservation), then again for drinks, and then again to be served, and then again for the food to come, and then again for our plates to be cleared, and then again for the bill (which by that point, we just got up and went to the register). We didn't even get bread until we got up to ask for it (which then took about 10 minutes for the bread to come, by the way). Perhaps it was just our waiter who was absentminded or busy because some of the other tables seemed to have faster service, but our experience was unsatisfactory. Even though our waiter apologized at the end for the slow service as he handed us the bill, we waited at least 10 minutes for him to come back and take our money/cards, and then again to get our cards back. We quickly signed the slips and left. The food was also VERY sub-par -- I can't believe how much I paid for such poor-quality food. I ordered the lobster mac and cheese -- it was dry, hard and and tasteless, and it actually made me feel nauseous for hours. I tried some of my friend's scallops (and I LOVE scallops, by the way) but it was also tasteless and the texture wasn't smooth as scallops usually are. The only good comment I heard was from one of my friends who ordered pizza, which she said was pretty good. I will probably never come back here again.
(1)
Dj H.
Good place for weekend brunch ! They serve quality food at reasonable price. Waiter/waitress are nice and fast in general. The wait time can be long at times but on average it's reasonable for this type of restaurants. Dinner is bit pricy and I do wish they have more food options. Other than that it's a pretty decent restaurant and we come here for brunch about twice a month.
(4)
Leanne C.
Waitstaff who could tolerate 13 knitters on a Wednesday? Props! Great wine and cider selection, tasty sourdough bread, and excellent frites to nosh on. I had never been here and whimsically scheduled a meetup here and the hosts and waitstaff were super friendly and accommodating to our large group size. Try the Zinfandel blend on their wine list-- just the right amount of tannin for a savory sipper.
(4)
Keith D.
Great place to hang on a weekday day. Was there a few weeks back on Bastille day . The bartender was such a sweet lady. She was very helpful in helping me to order a great appetizer, the cheese plate. She even brought extra baguette over! Great beers on tap. Very elegant and beautiful, yet casual decor. Stellar restaurant to check out if your in Harvard sq moseying about.
(5)
Julia D.
Nice bar with a great location for people watching! We only had drinks so I can't speak to the food, but the price was decent (high, but most every bar in the area is. So it was on par). What would have me going back here tho is the seating at the window. My mother was visiting from FLA and we just plopped down and had a great view of Harvard (from the warmth of the bar) as we sipped on some wine :) A nice memory.
(4)
David P.
Solid pub food with a good beer list. The menu is fairly standard pub food with a few fancier dishes on the menu. Nice space but it gets noisy, so conversations are difficult.
(3)
Raquel F.
Food is so delicious!!! It came pretty fast, tasted amazing & sangria was one of the bests I've ever had around. Only complaints: waiter checked on us a little too often (not such a bad thing) & because patio/windows were opened, there were flies all the way in dining area around our table once in a while. Would still go back.
(4)
Anna B.
The drinks were messed up...twice. Pancakes ordered plain with blueberries on top came with blueberries in the pancakes, granola with fruit very late, never got a bread ad meat board, as no changing pad in bathrooms. Really not child friendly. The food we did get was good.
(2)
Devin N.
Wow, never expected a place that is technically a pub, I guess, to be so great. I think the most amazing thing was our waiter. I don't remember his name, but he was fairly short with a beard (if that helps, you could ask for him by description. lol). He gave us a such a great run-down of the menu and gave his honest suggestions (which seemed to be in agreement with the four of us). We will definitely go back there the next time we are up in the Boston area.
(5)
Natalie M.
Really enjoy sitting at the bar overlooking the street when they open the windows at the front of the restaurant. Great place to grab drinks if you sit there on a warm summer night!
(3)
Amanda T.
My fiance and I have been coming here ever since we moved to Cambridge, and we LOVE it, even so much so that we came here for our 5 year anniversary. The food is really good - especially calamari, fish and chips, burgers and pizza - yes, pretty much everything. I love the variety at this restaurant, they have something for everyone without having a massive menu that is just too overwhelming (aka Cheesecake Factory style). However, in addition to the great food, this review is really about Ashley, who is one of the managers. She is so nice, so helpful, so welcoming and knows the value of great customer service. She's one of the many reasons we keep coming back!
(5)
Janka L.
pros * half fries/half salad?! please and thank you! you basically get a full order of fries AND some greens to lessen the guilt * veggie burger was good too * lighting * drinks cons - I don't have enough money to eat and drink here all the time
(4)
Brittany S.
Yikes. First and last time going to graftons. Two of us walked in around 4:30 on a Saturday and were asked if we had a reservation? Who makes a reservation for 4:30? Our server who will remain nameless was very slow... Ordered two apps (which were good hence the 2 stars) our siracha wings had no blue cheese not to mention my coke was empty at this point. Spent 3-5 minutes just looking for our server, was never asked how our food was, had to ask for our side of blue cheese and was never asked if I wanted a refill... Not to mention they only had 3 tables. Frustrating experience & exactly why people prefer the bar over a bad waiter .
(2)
Xiao Z.
Gilt City Review: Alright, would have never given this place a try without a nice online discount, and to be honest, that's the only thing that boosted this restaurant from a 3-star to a 4-star. I came here with my girlfriend after spending ~$50 for 2 apps, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert. Between the two of us, we split the tuna tartare, beet salad, salmon, scallops and the molten lava cake. The food was definitely well plated, but nothing really jumped out at us in terms of taste and uniqueness, but they were still quite delicious. The molten lava cake was disappointing as the ice cream that came with it was wrongly paired and the lava cake lacked...well the lava. That being said, what endeared me to the restaurant was the sincerity of the service and the speed at which the food arrived. The overall vibe of the restaurant is casual/dating, and I definitely recommend eating outside if the weather allows. Overall, decent American restaurant made better with a discount! Food: 3 stars Price: 4 stars Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 3-4 stars
(4)
Meghan S.
Fantastic food! Bit pricey, but well worth it. Their sangria is some of the best I've had!
(4)
David J D.
Went back here for dinner Friday night! I had been one other time, and had a delicious dinner with excellent sangria! I ordered the same meal, but this time when it come out there were peppers in it. I didn't mention to anyone that I was allergic to peppers, cause they weren't in the dish last time. The food runner was receptive to my inquisitive concern about the peppers, and sent the manager over on his own. I didn't plan to send it back or complain as it was my fault for not preemptively informing them of my allergy. The manager could tell something wasn't right though, and encouraged me to order something else. We were impressed with their service, with our food, and the atmosphere. Again!
(5)
Alyssa J.
I come here almost every day for lunch. Why? The soup and sandwich special. $7 for some delicious cheese confection paired with a delicious soup. In all honesty, I have no idea who is deciding the pairings, but they do not make any sense. I also don't really care. Half the time I'll just eat the soup, bring the sammy back to my office and split it with my coworker. It's seriously a ton of food for $7. The other reason I keep coming back is Paul, the super sarcastic, incredibly friendly barkeep. He seems to be on a first name basis with every patron, which I love. He also knows when to lay off and leave me the hell alone. I really love this restaurant group. I bounce back and forth between Park, Grafton and Temple constantly and Russell House when someone else is paying ;)
(4)
Tanya S.
On warm days, it's great to sit by the open windows and enjoy a drink. They also have good american food for dinner-time (without much of a wait at all). Their sangria is a nice match too! Service is attentive overall. My stomach felt a bit funny (even though I asked for gluten-free options of my chicken-entree). Not sure if something was still in the sauce, so I will try to avoid their food from now on. But my friends enjoyed their dinner.
(3)
Jenn Z.
Decent food; great service. Although our reservation was ready when we arrived, we decided to wait for a table outside. I was glad that our outside seating was ready within the time they had promised us - something that doesn't happen in all the restaurants. The sangria we had was good; however, perhaps the bartender had put too much ice in the drink that it became a bit diluted/watery over time. I tried a little of my friend's tuna tartar over cucumber. The cucumber was very tasty but not really the tuna. The portion was generous though. My entree led me to experience a great service done by the restaurant. I ordered the curry scallops with cauliflower. Unfortunately the scallops were burned and were very bitter. When I mentioned this to the waiter who came inquiring about the dinning experience, he promptly escalated it to the restaurant manager/supervisor (I believe). I not only received an apology but also given the option to either get the same dish for free or have the restaurant taken the dish off the bill. Since I was not too hungry at the time, I chose to not order another dish. The restaurant not only took off my original order from the totals, but also the chief made me another small plates of scallops for free. These scallops were deliciously cooked and I loved the innovating combo of curry and scallops. The only downside afterwards was that the service was a bit slow. My friend, who initially wanted a beer, chose to skip it since we didn't see the waiter for an extended period of time. Overall, I think the food was quite good and I was impressed by their response to customer dissatisfaction. Despite having some room for improvement, I would definitely come back here.
(4)
Karis O.
Not bad for a Hahvahd Bah. So I actually got brunch and cocktails here. The burger with caramelized onion and the house special aioli is exactly what you would want it to be: thick, juicy and makes you have a well-deserved food baby afterwards! The fries that came with it were super tiny but are served in the size of a mini Mount Kilamanjaro- I couldn't finish them all. I also tried the Eggs Benedict with the Irish Bacon. Hollandaise is one of my favorite accompanients in the world because it's totally bad for you and Grafton did not disappoint in it's flavor! I got the Zen Master because I'm obsessed with anything ginger, and I will say that the cocktail itself was slightly watered down (I mean, it's 5 O'Clock somewhere in the world right?) and I wish the ginger had been paired with something fruitier like grape over the raspberry but I drank the whole thing so that counts for something. Apparently this is the place to be (as told by the Harvard student I was with) and I can definitely see why! Wicked cool vibes here and I'm curious to see what the nightlife is like!
(4)
Peter Y.
Really fantastic service, with some decent food to boot. I wanted to try something new, so I told the waitress to bring me out a dark, stronger beer and a sweet, wheaty beer. The waitress really knew her stuff, and brought out their Uinta BABA Black Lager and Slumbrew Happy Sol, both of which were delicious and exactly what I was looking for. I wasn't too hungry that day, so I didn't actually eat too much. But from what I tried, their hummus plate and Margherita pizza were delicious. The prices were fair, and the atmosphere was nice. I'll definitely come back again for a full dinner meal.
(4)
Vivian C.
Deeper than it is wide, if you wish, you may also choose to sit outside. A blackboard requests that you please check in with the host if you would like to enjoy the breeze at one of the 8 or so tables set out on the sidewalk. Grafton Street is located right on the corner of Mass Ave and Arrow Street, in the same building labeled One Bow Street. Complimentary water was offered - a choice of still or sparkling. Bread was later served with a chilled butter just moments before our appetizers arrived. I'm not a raw shellfish girl, so I left the majority of those for my DC (Island Creek Oysters - Shallot mignonette, horseradish, sriracha cocktail sauce, lemon; 6 Oysters - 12), while I enjoyed (immensely) my hockey puck of a crabcake with sweet corn kernels and creamy sauce (Crab Cake - Roasted corn relish, cilantro aioli $11). The crisp crust added a pleasant textural difference to the moist shredded flesh of the shellfish, and the dish on the whole was quite flavorful. Based on photos of the same entree previously posted on Yelp, I had expected the Seared Day Boat Scallops - Chorizo, fingerling potatoes, kale, roasted cherry tomatoes $21 to be much smaller a portion than was actually delivered to our table. With nary a bit of exposed plate peeking from between the ingredients, the four huge meaty sea scallops were nestled among an abundance of buttery fingerling potatoes, spinach (requested in place of the kale), and a multitude coins of spicy sausage. The non-protein portion of the Beef Short Rib "Pot Roast" Yukon gold potatoes, root vegetables, horseradish gremolata $18 made a less impressive showing, but the meat was moist and fork-tender (though almost unappetizingly dark). The scallops, however, won my vote as the better entree - too bad it wasn't mine. For desserts, we were interested in the Crème Brulee $8. But they advertise that it is the Chef's Daily Selection, which on the night of our visit was chocolate... ummm... neh. So we went with the Apple Walnut Cake, Maple Mousse & Whipped Cream $8 and the White Chocolate Cheese Cake, Fresh Whipped Cream & Raspberry Sauce $8 instead. The cheesecake sounded more tempting of the two, but it turned out to be the reverse. The cheesecake was a smaller portion and not as creamy as I like, while the cake was moist with a tasty frosting sandwiched between the cake layers. We came with a voucher for a 3 course meal for two, so we were presented with a price-less version of their regular menu, but the prices showed up on the receipt, which helped with figuring out the tip. Parking is available in a nearby lot if you make reservations at Opentable before you go-go.
(4)
Heidi L.
All in all, Grafton is just...Grafton. The brunch is middling, the dinner entrees are pretty standard. It's hard to articulate meh, so I'll keep this short. I think the revamped menu -- which I imagine was to attempt to get Grafton on par wtih Park and RHT -- was an improvement, but in that case I would just go to Park and RHT since they're close by and have a better bar menu anyways. That said, they do have a patio and the beet salad is fine. Note that on summer evenings, you might get a little shade if you order just a drink and sit on the patio. But service is usually fine otherwise.
(3)
Shir L.
My boyfriend bought a gilt city voucher, so we thought we'd try it out. The decor is nice and customer service was good, but I probably won't come back to order anything that I've ordered tonight, except maybe the Charcuterie (you can't possibly mess that up). For appetizers, we had the Grafton Charcuterie, and the Buttermilk Fried Calamari. Please RESIST from ordering the calamari, it was terrible. The breading was ok, but many pieces were soggy (maybe they didn't dry the calamari off before breading or the breading was too wet). For dinner, we shared the Bavette Steak and the Baked Lobster Macaroni and Cheese. The steak was well paired with the buttermilk whipped potatoes and baby arugula. The Lobster Mac & Cheese was good, but wish the sauce was more creamy. For dessert, we were notified that the apple walnut cake was sold out, so we aimed for the spiced chocolate molten cake. Unfortunately, they were out of that as well, so we opted for the warm chocolate chip cookie sundae with two scoops of ice cream (chocolate and caramel). I wouldn't order it again because half the ice-cream was melted (due to the warm cookie of course) and the cookie itself was huge, like the size of the serving plate drizzled with chocolate sauce. Don't get me wrong, it was good but i wish there was vanilla or a lighter flavor of ice-cream to pair with all the sweetness. Everything on the plate went well separately but together, it was just too sweet, even for my taste.
(3)
Lauren M.
Easy to make reservation for a party of 7 and the best part of the meal was when the bus boy took away one friends plate while another friend was going for her leftover croutons and 5 min later he came back with a small bowl of croutons. Great brunch on the outside patio!
(4)
Nicole Sung Un P.
The place is okay. It gets really crowded and overwhelming and the noise level is quite loud if you go in the evening. I couldn't hear what my friend across from me was saying most of the night. The waiters seem to be nice but quite distant and only are nice at the end, maybe because of the tip. The good itself is pretty good but I probably wont be coming here again.
(3)
Aaron M.
When I want to go down to the pub, but don't want to be served by some schlub This bartender's great, and Yale he doth hate, and they always have some delicious grub! The lunch staff deserves a world cup for great hospitality!
(5)
Joshua R.
I'd give the food a 4+, but the service a 2. I think the burger is one of the best in Harvard Square, and the lobster mac is pretty good as well, but we had a pretty negative experience there with a group event (significantly overcharged; probably should have fought with management a little harder but it was late and we were tired). It's also a decent place to get drinks of an evening. Update: The manager refunded our overcharge. No issues with service, changing rating to 4.
(4)
Lola T.
Prices are steep, unless your boss is paying which would have been great. Atmosphere is nice. Salad is overpriced Pizza lacks quality Wine menu is good Last year when I came they gave me free bread but not this time. Oh well.
(2)
Jane C.
First off, great service! Started with a squash/cheese/some sort of circular appetizer. Recommended by waitress and decided to try it. I don't know why I agreed, because I am not a huge fan of squash unless it doesn't taste like squash. Got the Grafton Burger and Chickpea burger for main! And now, as I write this review less than a week later, I can hardly remember how they tasted... hmm... All I remember is that the sauce that came with one of the burgers tasted like the sauce from Inn-n-Out that they put on top of the animal-style fries. Nice place for a quick roommate dinner, but doesn't compare to Umami (for those who have been.)
(3)
Bill B.
Wow- had a wonderful brunch here today. Beautiful day for the Head of the Charles-and Grafton Street was definitely the place to be! Food and service were PERFECT! We'll be back!
(5)
Krysten S.
I really enjoyed this place! it was a beautiful day to sit outside, so my date and I did (nice pick, date!). The service was fine - not horrible, not amazing. Typical service. I got the avocado benedict and it was sooo good. It was my first time having benedict, and I was not disappointed (I know, spare me the embarrassment for it being my first). I also love avocado, so how can you go wrong? Recipe for greatness. I recommend it! It would be nice if the tables weren't crowded so close together outside, though. A waiter pushed two or three together for a larger party, and one of the men in that party was pretty frustrated with my date and I for being so close to their table...as if that was our fault? Ha. Just a thought, because it was slightly uncomfortable. Other than that, really nice atmosphere and great food!
(4)
Maria T.
I love coming to this place! Their brunch is delicious. I have gotten the Huevos Rancheros and the Avocado Benedict. Both of these items were delicious and tasted very fresh. Grafton Street is one of my favorite places to go to dinner on a very cold night. The atmosphere is cozy and warm and the food is hearty and delicious. I give this place a 5 out of 5 for ambiance, service, food and comfort.
(5)
Julia E.
I love this place. I just graduated from college, but lived around the corner from Grafton for 3 years and ate there probably once a week. Always got the chickpea burger. Besides its relaxing ambiance, their drinks are as good as their food. I will miss this place!
(4)
Jula B.
The best restaurant I've been to in Boston, by far. Grafton Street is a beautiful gastropub. The food is incredible, as are the drinks. I first visited Grafton Street last year for my sister's birthday, and all of us were pleased with the quality of the food and service. Our waiter was extremely nice and competent! The beet salad stood out as a great appetizer, while I had the bouillabaisse for my entree. I highly recommend it! It was savory, fresh, and filling. The sangria was also incredible and unique, the best I've ever tasted! When I returned to Boston this year, I was sure to hit up Grafton Street once again. I ordered the same exact thing because I'm a creature of habit--and it was such a memorable meal I wanted to repeat it. Next time maybe I'll try something different, since Grafton Street seems to guarantee quality.
(5)
Dina C.
Had lunch here yesterday with my winter sesh classmates. I had a grilled cheese and ham special served with a small bowl of clam chowder.,.was delish! I also very very much appreciate the grad student friendly pricing. I will return to try other specials, though others in my party ordered off the menu and loved their choices. O they also brought all of us our own check without any 'tude. Their Nice in there.
(5)
Kelsey C.
Grafton Street captures the true essence of Harvard Square and all the spirit of VeRiTas it comes with. Harvard may be deep-rooted in its seat of tradition and prestige. Harvard may feel as old as time, but Harvard Square itself is never without a freshman breath of air. Grafton Street's menu teems with tradition including cult classics like bouillabaisse, burgers, and pot roast, but this little "pub" still keeps it fresh. My New England Bouillabaisse was lightened by a selection of shellfish in a rich and filling yet not-too-dense broth. The slice of toast dripping with a refreshing alioli-like topping just doubles the fun The Grafton Burger is juicy with all the flavor of Ivy-League promise, and the caramelized onion completes the whole package of Ivy League ideals. This burger is almost as intoxicating as the beer half the patrons are too young to (legally) drink. The underlying spirit of Harvard Square is the depth and warmth of the friendships formed by those who learn and grow together. And Grafton Street is one friend that sees you through thick and thin, through firsts (and lasts!), through the best and the worst of your college or post-grad career. The food will refresh and comfort you no matter where your life turns. Now that's the kind of food I intend to hang onto.
(4)
Sarah S.
After many a late-night hangout sesh in which my party monopolized a large table and ordered only a paltry few apps but great MANY drinks (all the while receiving attentive and pleasant service), and after just as many dinner dates with my guy, I am finally ready to give Grafton 5 stars. Every meal I've eaten has been absolutely wonderful- the mussels remain a favorite, but the mushroom risotto, mac and cheese, cheese platter app, fish and chips, and blue cheese/roasted fennel/greens salad are enjoyed with equal aplomb by my greedy self. Service remains helpful but not hovery, and always pleasant. Love it.
(5)
Tim S.
I've been here many times for dinner and I'm pleased with it. You're putting yourself in a price range where you expect good service, solid food, and a reasonable selection of beers. That's exactly what you get. It's a great standby.
(4)
Alex N.
Conveniently located, and aptly named by its location, Grafton certainly delivers quality for the fair price you pay. Beers on tap include many local brews, S.Adams of course, Harpoon etc. At 5 bucks a pint, Cali cannot touch those prices. Its no wonder people drink so much stinking water in LA! I had a burger, and man was it done right! Warm brioche bun with a thick patty cooked with a nice crust. My cousin had a chicken sandwhich and was also wooed by its flavor and texture. We ended up returning for beers a second night. Great place!
(4)
Sho B.
Although this place has really good food, I'm especially impressed by the bar and the beer selection here. Unlike any bar outside the Boston area, Grafton Street Grill carries the Boston Brick Red (by Sam Adams) and has Chimay! It's pretty big and spacious so if you're ever in the predicament of waiting for a table, it'll be easy to enjoy a few drinks at the bar. The set up and the decor of the restaurant is also impressive. Once you get on their listserve, you can get information about their seasonal specials and all they wonderful changes they have throughout the year! You can even book a table on Valentines Day and decorate it for yo honey before he/she arrives! Great place, never disappointed!
(4)
Lauren G.
Grafton Street's atmosphere is great on a summer afternoon with the window's open. The food is fine but nothing to write home about! I have been to Grafton for lunch, dinner and brunch on the weekend. They take reservations and the table has pretty much always been ready when I can so no complaints there. The food is fine- the burger is nice and the mac and cheese is also a solid choice. The appetizers are good and quite share-able. Brunch was solid- again nothing spectacular however the prices were a little high for what we got and the service for brunch was noticeably slower than for dinner during the week. Overall it is a solid choice for in H-Square but it is not going to bowl you over!
(3)
Jonathan V.
Grafton Street is decidedly mediocre. I have eaten there about half a dozen times because, well let's face it, its convenient. It has a great location near Harvard Square. The atmosphere is generally fun and it attracts a good, slightly upscale crowd. The service is generally pretty good as well. The food is OK depending on what you order. However, don't come to Grafton Street expecting anything to blow your mind. I'm not a huge fan of their burgers and I haven't found an entree yet that I love. Prices are also a little high for what you get. In summary, if you are looking for some great bar food (readily available in Cambridge by the way), look elsewhere. But, if you are looking for a place to catch up with a friend featuring a fun atmosphere and good crowd, then by all means, choose Grafton Street.
(3)
Miguel d.
Three solid stars. An iffy fourth. But three for sure. We were wandering the hallowed Harvard grounds when we got struck by hunger: you know that instant when window shopping turns from looking at merchandise to looking at food? Yeah. THAT. So we popped into Grafton Street and it felt as if we were the only people not holding business lunches there. Not to say that we felt out of place, no, but it felt like we were standing out just a tiny bit. Granted, four New Yorkers in ANY place would stand out. The place was cute, not too scene-y, and service was great. Our waiter, I felt, was a little too polite, but he gets major points for using vocabulary words with our orders. (Libations come to mind.) The portions were generous for lunch, and at a price point that can't be beat, considering how used I am to shelling out over $30 for lunch in NYC. With a drink and all, we still managed to save some dough for the rest of our trip. The food isn't anything fantastic to rave about, but I'd be more than willing to come back and try it again. If it's a hit, a fourth star will probably be worth giving.
(3)
Ron D.
My favorite restaurant in Harvard square. The food was good (not amazing but very good) and the prices are decent. Always go there when I want to take out a guest to a restaurant in the area. Prices of wine bottles are also good and they have a nice selection in the range of 25-35 USD per bottle. Try the "cookie" dessert.
(5)
Sara S.
Ha. Oh man. Me and 11 other people from Tumblr tore this place apart last night. Thank you bartenders, waitstaff, and everyone else who put up with our ridiculousness on a MONDAY NIGHT. We probably should have called ahead and warned you that we were coming. Oh well. Drinks were strong and props for having my favorite rum EVER, Castries (peanut rum). Castries + stoli vanilla = love. Ordered some appetizers too... calamari, homemade chips, and quesidillas. Awesome. Would totally come back here for some appetizers and drinks... on a Monday night.
(5)
Annie I.
they have these risotto balls that are fried and they are crack-delicious. really good sangria and fries as well. my girlfriend had a burger she liked, and the drink menu was good too.
(4)
Roni E.
Thank you for being patient with me & my party since it took me over 45 minutes to find parking in Harvard Square. Thank you for being accommodating of our size. But.... I was kind of disappointed to not get a confirmation call back to let me know of whether or not I have a reservation when I called and left a message at 8 am on your machine. I was also disappointed that your online reservation system, both promoted on your website and on the voice automated system, was not working via OpenTable.com . But that may not be your fault. All that aside, I tried the Bellini which was a bit lacking in the bubbles as well as flavor. I too had tried the Special Omelette - Spinach, Cheddar, and Bacon. The omelette seemed a bit too salty and not enough spinach. The cheese seemed to have been layered towards the middle and kinda glob-ed towards one end, while the bacon was set in the center fold.The homefries could have been cooked a bit longer for my taste, but I won't deduct points for that since that's my own personal preference. The toast was like a loaf of bread, it was huge! I wasn't even sure how to eat it. However, a nice touch was the pastry basket set on the table that included croissants, muffins, and danishes. So while Grafton may not be my ultimate brunch of choice, they weren't all that bad. I just could have done away with how much salt was in my eggs. I do however love the set up of this place and wouldn't mind trying some dinner here some time. I enjoyed the shape of the booths and would love to try it some time. It's also your typical dark wood, maybe cherry, kinda place. But there's a certain ambiance that makes me want to love this place more. A dinner visit is a must.
(3)
Joanna C.
I dined with a group of 6 at Grafton Street last weekend and it was delightful. We started off with the PEI mussels (garlic, white wine, shoestring fries, citrus aioli), crispy fried mushrooms (oyster, crimini and button mushrooms, porcini aioli), and one magnificent cheese (grilled baguette, honey, pecans and cranberries). I loved them all. The mussels were the best I've had in ages. Only two of them were overly salty and I didn't run into any grit. The mushrooms were fried in what I'm guessing was a corn meal batter. A little on the salty side but very, very tasty with a satisfying crunch. The cheese was some type of goat cheese. It wasn't creamy and spreadable like I thought it would be. It was fantastic with a bit of honey poured on it. I enjoyed it so much that I plan to pick up some cheese and honey next time I go to the grocery store. I ordered the squash and apple pizza (roasted butternut squash, fuji apples, sage, pecorino). It was tasty and not overly sweet. My dining mates ordered the mac and cheese (rigatoni pasta, vermont cheddar, breadcrumbs, white truffle oil), pumpkin ravioli (lemon sage butter, baby arugula, spiced pumpkin seeds), fish and chips (bass beer battered cod, house cured steak fries, spicy tartar sauce, coleslaw) and a pork special with a lasagnette. I sampled the pumpkin ravioli and wished I had ordered it myself. I've forgotten what the last meal was but everyone seemed to enjoy their meals with a few exceptions. The mac and cheese was a bit watery, the coleslaw with the fish and chips was VERY spicy and the mini lasagna wasn't flavorful. The mixed drinks were strong and the waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. She also had a Brazilian accent that some at the table mistook for French Canadian or Bulgarian. She was a good sport about it when we asked her. I'd definitely go back for more appetizers and my own plate of the pumpkin ravioli.
(3)
EricaLynn J.
I adore Grafton Street. Now, that doesn't mean that I want to marry it, like the way I want to share sweet nuptials with Xinh Xinh, the Vietnamese restaurant so nice they named it twice.... but Grafton Street holds a very dear place in this reviewer's heart. Is it pretentious? I've heard rumblings milling about on that very topic from all sorts of inquisitive folks; some gauging the pretentiousness of the patrons from inside the walls of the establishment itself.... some feel it fit to talk quietly amongst curious friends and stage whisper while looking half-concerned and half-starved and excited... whatever the "oh, but there's *this*"-du jour may be served as your accompaniment to your trip to Grafton Street, just keep in mind that an establishment is only as pretentious as its patrons allow it to be. In short, don't think so much. What you might be seeing as 'pretentious' may just actually be clean and more refined as compared to other nearby digs. What strikes you as obnoxious may just be you being a new kid on the block observing friends and old-timers who loved the bar for a bit more longer than you had, and thus, formulating camaraderie. The same camaraderie you'll likely soon enjoy if you just stopped looking at Grafton Street from 5 feet away all the time, wondering if it's really worth your time. That's right, kiddos. We see you peering over from Mr. Brantley's Burgers, just itching to know if the rumors are true, and that there's really a pretentious establishment that happens to serve alcohol right in Harvard Square. Oh, pish posh, come on over and see for yourself. And while you're figuring that all out, enjoy some comfort food, some standard bar fare, some apps and burgers and drinks and dark enough atmosphere. Leave your books - and pre-judgments - at home for now. You'll have plenty to write about after you're full and happy.
(4)
Hannah M.
We were starving, having experienced get up and leave before eating service at another Harvard Square eatery prompting a move to Grafton Street. Thankfully, we were seated relatively promptly. There seemed to be some issue with the table next to us necessitating a lot of moving, setting and re-setting. This was slightly annoying, but ended within 10 minutes of being seated. Our waiter was nice, but a little slow - it took us 15 minutes to get drinks (at least he took our appetizer order and brought water in the meantime). We ordered 6 oysters and were less than impressed with the quality of the oysters and the shucking. Lots of bits of shell and pretty bland taste. Cocktail sauce was also bland. But the burgers were tasty. And that's what we were hungry for. The caramelized onions on top were pretty freakin' awesome and the chipotle aioli is a nice addition. Fries were also quite good. Interesting observation - Seated next to us was a European couple, clearly not hip to the ways of tipping in the US. We watched as they enjoyed their meal and then slipped $1 in with the credit card receipt. $1 tip is upsetting, but waiters in the US have to understand that in Europe, any tip is for excellent service as the standard is to not tip. At any rate, their waiter actually threw a little temper tantrum behind our table upon noticing his $1 tip - not classy. Overall, our experience was OK. We'll probably go back at some point.
(3)
Nick D.
Great atmosphere and elegant service that won't rip holes in your wallet. Great for a date or drinks with friends. That said the food didn't overwhelm me. I'll second the recommendation on the fish and chips, and the potato cheddar soup I had was fantastic. But my chicken sandwich was only so-so. Will be back later to try more.
(4)
Jenna K.
Perfect spot for a weekend brunch in the summer. There was no wait at 11am for sidewalk seating. My server was prompt, yet she gave my friend and I space to eat and linger for a while. I would highly recommend the Nutella crepes with fruit. The portion may appear small, but you'll be amply full once you finish your last bite. The price was right around $8.
(4)
Lolia S.
It's a comfy, upscale pub and grill with leather booths and contemporary American cuisine. For lunch, choose from soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta and pizzas. I'm wary of pub restaurants but this one tries harder to offer a twist of traditional comfort food menu items and includes ingredients like goat cheese, feta, crème fraiche, white truffle oil, etc. I had the Seared Tuna Salad ($13.95) with haricot verts, hard cooked egg, pickled red onion, frisee, and a vinaigrette dressing. It came with plenty of seared tuna and the ingredients were fresh - but I felt that the overall salad lacked flavor. Given the price, I expected more.
(2)
Samantha M.
I spent a night researching restaurants on yelp to find the perfect venue to accommodate my party of 8 girls before my birthday. I made a reservation a week in advance because it seemed like a popular spot. My party had gotten there at 9 pm sharp (the time of our reservation) and the table wasn't ready. I arrived with the rest of my party around 9:15 and the table was still not ready. We were not seated until 9:35. They told me the table was being set but I looked around and didn't see a table being set. I noticed they had two hosts on the door, which is not uncommon as I am a host at a restaurant as well. However, it didn't appear as though there was a need for either of them to be there, nor was there a need for the attitude that they had displayed. The rest of the wait staff was kind and friendly, the food was great and the drinks outstanding. The atmosphere was awesome, and the restaurant itself is beautiful. I took my mother there this morning and encountered the same problem with the hosts. I asked if we could use the bathroom while they set the table, when we returned one host was about to seat a new walk in before us until the other host caught her. The meal was quick and great. I highly recommend the goat cheese and spinach omelette. The portions were perfect, and the brunch drinks were outstanding as well! I would love to come back but suggest they reform their hosting policy. I'm not paying for an attitude, I am paying for good service and good food, otherwise I would stay home and cook my own meal.
(3)
Meghan G.
I love this place! I've eaten here several times and it's always good. They have $1 oysters starting at 11pm and the most delicious Lobster Mac'n Cheese. We also went here for their 2011 NYE bash and it was super fun - and they were also very generous with the champagne toast filling glasses around 11:30pm and continuing to fill them until the clock struck midnight. Really great for a date night or taking the parents out when they come to visit. Great atmosphere and the food is worth the slightly higher than average prices.
(5)
Bryce B.
On a snowy Boston evening in February, some colleagues and I walked 12 blocks from the train station to Harvard Square to eat dinner. Nearly frozen and wet from snow, we entered the cozy warmth of Grafton Street Pub. The place was bustling, particularly the bar, but we were able to get a seat. The waiter was quick to take our drink orders, but slow to deliver them, taking nearly 10 minutes. When he did return, our waiter informed me that the wine I ordered was not available. Would it take another 10 minutes to get my revised selection? Thankfully no. I ordered the clam chowder (when in Rome...or Boston) and the hanger steak with frites. The chowder was very good, with smoky bacon providing a nice counterpoint to the sweet clams and creamy soup base. I could have eaten a bowl, no problem. But, speaking of problems, we had one when our entrees arrived and mine was not among them. Instead of putting in an order for the hanger steak, our waiter thought I meant the hanger steak salad. Mind you, when I ordered, I actually motioned to the right side of the menu, so not sure how he made that mistake. So, had to wait about 15 minutes for my actual order to come out. Not happy. In addition to this service faux pas, our waiter seemed to linger just a tad too long at our table, which everyone felt was pretty creepy. Anyway, when the steak finally did come out, it was well seasoned and a good medium rare. The frites were crisp, but a tad too salty. It'd give this place another shot if ever in Boston again.
(3)
Juli W.
Ugh - haven't been here for awhile - and won't be again. Went here for lunch - party of 6 in total. The waiter told us they were understaffed and apologized for keeping us waiting. I guess that apology was supposed to last us our entire visit because service totally sucked. We ordered our food with our drinks; it took 45 minutes for our sandwiches to arrive - and they didn't even offer us bread, even though the tables around us were given some. The thing that got us is that all the tables that arrived after us got their food before we did - and we had simple meals (3 of us even ordered the same chicken panini). What a disappointment - especially since the fries served with our sandwiches were cold!
(2)
Jessica M.
I love this restaurant. From the ambiance to the food and drink selection, this place is a go to on weekends. From the outside, Grafton Street appears to be an upscale joint that one might feel uncomfortable entering in jeans and a sweater. However, once you enter you are greeted by the down-to-earth, friendly staff and the reasonably priced menu. My favorite thing not the menu, by far, would be the chick pea burger in grilled naan bread with cucumber yogurt sauce. It is quite literally to die for and I would go back for just this burger time and time again.
(5)
Caitlyn L.
Grafton Street is a great combination of an upscale look and a laid back atmosphere. The hostess seated us in a cozy corner booth that looked like it was meant for at least three, despite the fact that the restaurant was already reasonably busy before the normal dinner hour. It would have been more comfortable if I were about six inches taller, but I digress. The waiter was very attentive and got us our drinks in no time. I ordered the macaroni and cheese (resistance is futile when I see macaroni and cheese on a menu), which was pretty darn good, though I don't really want to know how much fat was in it...everything in moderation. After eating, we sat around for a good 30-40 minutes just catching up and we never felt pressured to leave; the waiter (and I think the manager?) continued to keep our water glasses full. My meal, wine, and tip all came to about 20 dollars, which is more than reasonable for the quality and service at Grafton Street.
(4)
Alvin C.
This place is solid. I often wish I ordered the other person entree... but isn't that just the way it works sometimes. The menu is steady, and lobster mac and cheese is good. The paella is a bit uninspired, but straight forward seafood dishes are just not the best idea at some bars.
(3)
Stefanie G.
I go to Grafton almost every week for lunch, sometimes for dinner, and I go to the bar frequently. I like it - the service is excellent and so are the drinks (although the white wine list could be much better and more interesting). However, the "whole leaf" salads are bland and deceptively small, the salmon is inconsistent (sometimes too well-done, sometimes under-done), the pizzas are so-so. The squash risotto is bland, as is the reuben. The Cuban is good but used to be better. Stuff that's good? The french fries. The fish and chips. The beef ragu is incredible. The duck confit, I've heard, is quite good. Choose wisely!
(4)
Tracee D.
location location location (1st law of real estate) and the only reason this place is busy. It could be a card board box with melted slushies and chicken feet and it would probably still be busy. Be nice to the staff they work really hard. Everything I don't like about Harvard Square revealed upon entrance.
(2)
Rachel G.
(Let's call this 3.5 stars.) I've only eaten here in large groups, and in each situation we've had attentive service. Their steak frites are awesome, and I've also had good lighter fare there, like the chickpea burger (starchy, but so tasty) and a butternut squash risotto special a couple of falls ago. The place seems stuck between pub and full-out restaurant, with the decor and (sometimes) prices of the latter and the menu of the former and bar crowd. I'd recommend reservations for a weekend stop.
(4)
Purvi R.
Stop #4 on the bar crawl, and this was a relatively quick one. This was probably on the nicer side of what we had going on the rest of the evening, but it was a pleasant atmosphere nonetheless. The bar area is bigger than it looks, and our group was able to hang around without causing too much of a disturbance. The drinks were good, a bit pricey, but not out of line with what you'd expect. All in all, ok, may come back, may not. A good bar crawl stop though; close to a lot of other bars.
(3)
Larissa A.
Nice for a mid-week early dinner. My risotto was creamy and delicious, my glass of wine tasted nice and fresh. My friend lives for their "Green Monster" martinis and had two for dinner. She liked her steak tips too. A little pricey for the quality of the food, but everything as good. Our servers were both very attentive (they switched after we ordered) and right on top of things.
(4)
Eric W.
OK - went here for Sunday brunch. My friends and I had a HOST of issues. 1. Tried to order the "Banana Fritters" and was told that they were out of bananas at 11am. Hello! Go get some bananas.. you have a whole day ahead of you. 2. We ordered drinks and they weren't very good all around. The bloody mary wasn't spicy at all. The "blood orange mimosa" didn't have a blood orange in it, just an ordinary orange. The bellini was flat and made with pears (as advertised, but still not a typical bellini). 3. My two friends ordered omlettes and weren't impressed at all. The goat cheese and spinach omlette was filled with boiled spinach that wasn't seasoned at all. BLAND. The other omlette, it was the special of the day, was just standard fare with nothing exceptional to note. 4. The dish I ordered, the vegetable eggs benedict, was described to come with "grilled avocado." Again, another lie. First of all, I'm not even sure how you grill avocado, but the avocado on my dish definitely wasn't grilled. On the flip-side, the veggie eggs benedict was quite good. The eggs were cooked very well, and the dish overall was delicious. The homefries were great. Also, the coffee was delicious, if you are into strong coffee. This place is trying too hard. Its like diner service meets NYC sunday brunch crossed with a silly misleading menu. I can't help reference but Eminem and Ri-Ri - I don't love the way Grafton Street lies on its menu.
(2)
David S.
I went here for their New Years Eve fete- I'd never been here before, and their upscale atmosphere in Harvard Square seemed like a perfect choice for the last meal of 2008 and the beginning of a new year. It was. I sat at the bar (since I was by myself) and ordered the price fixe meal, and it was quite good. But the best part? Alex, the barman, poured a perfect pint of Guinness. And then followed it with another. And two more. I had him fill a champagne flute with Guinness for the NYE toast, it was so good. I laughed, I mingled, I met folks, I had a great time. I can't attest to the quality of the table service, but if you sit at the bar, you're in good hands.
(5)
Andrew M.
I guess a five stars might be a little excessive, but I like Grafton a lot and the owners have always been friendly to us. I can't think of another place that does this kind of food in this price range much better. The sandwiches are very good, as is the gnocchi.
(5)
molly f.
What a mess of blazers and passport dropping. I love harvard square for its international & intellectual crowd, but jesus, last night at grafton street you honestly would have thought everyone there was competing for the same 2 jobs at the U.N. We get it, you're well traveled and well educated. Now go get a drink and relax...then we can talk about the Bauhaus movement, I promise. Uppity atmosphere aside, the music is good & they have cider which always has me coming back for more. I've heard the food is good so I'd like to come give it a try. I wasn't dazzled by Grafton street, which tries to make "pub" more upscale with bad lighting design & chalkboard drink menus...but its walking distance and at the very least, a great place for some good people watching...over a giant magners.
(3)
Cleopatra P.
Grafton Street is your typical after-work yuppie hot spot. Since I work, study, and frequently socialize near Harvard Square, I constantly walk by the main entrance, but I have always been somewhat overwhelmed by the crowds of working professionals in various degrees of power dress (upon first glance, GS looks like the kind of place where chirpy professionals network--so not my usual scene). I came here with a few friends recently for some post-exam drinking. We tried out the bar area first, but it was unfortunately way too crowded (this seems to be a frequent issue judging by what I've seen on my numerous walk-bys). Tables, at least at night, are only for individuals/groups that plan to order food--since it was raining and we were lazy, we decided to take a table and sample the food as well as the alcohol. I had a hamburger (with onion marmalade--yum!), as well as a vodka martini. Both hamburgers and vodka martini's of course, are hard to screw up, but I found both to be very tasty (but not exceptional). The restaurant and bar area itself looks great--both are very sleek and sophisticated-looking. The lighting in particular was well done, despite being crowded, the space in the restaurant area felt fairly cozy. The pricing is a little on the more expensive side of average for the Boston area ($10 burgers and $11 martinis), but the decor, service and food on my visit were all satisfying. Grafton Street may not be a restaurant to choose as the focal point of a night out, but it's a great place to relax and enjoy a good meal and a strong drink before or after the main event of your night.
(4)
andrew s.
I dig it. And honestly, I'm pretty suprised about all of the "middle of the road" reviews out there. Its obvious that they have standardized the menus a bit, which has likely let them focus on the quality of their meals. I got the Steak Frites, and the hangar steak was not only a high quality cut, but cooked perfectly. The combo of red wine demi, melted herbed butter and the juices from the steak made for a perfect dipper for the frites - no ketchup needed. My girlfriend got the Paella, and while an unlikely choice, she loved it (a high compliment from someone with a Portuguese background). Service was great - though I prefer mine a bit on the colder side - efficient and pleasant, but in no way interfering with the meal. Grafton St. was a solid place to get a good dinner at a not too steep price (2 entrees and 2 drinks for around $50). Highly recommended for those looking to get a bit off the beaten path of Harvard Square.
(4)
Natasha A.
Favorite place in Harvard square by far. The bistro food is uber yummy and they can mix some strong yet drinkable cosmos. They have some of the best calamari anywhere. The bar is perfect for a happy hour and is often packed with young people washing down and away the days work. One work of caution..many of their tables are really wably so diligently protect that pricey martini.
(5)
Jillian Q.
I really wanted to like Grafton Street - a lot. The menu online looked great. When we got a parking space immediately on a busy Saturday night and then were seated promptly at the restaurant, I thought things were too good to be true. They were - a little bit. Service, as a whole, was incredibly slow. They were out of numerous beers and alcohols. Including our table, I heard the waitress tell both tables beside ours that they were out of different alcohol. I ended up getting their special pineapple vodka mixed with cranberry juice, which wasn't as good as I thought it would be. For apps we ordered the mac & cheese and the chicken fingers. The mac & cheese was decent, although a more soupier cheese sauce than most mac & cheese dishes. My husband loved it. We both were not crazy about the chicken fingers, the batter was just so freaking heavily fried. For our entrees, my husband had the skirt steak which was surprisingly yummy. I ordered the fish & chips. I was, at first, skeptic of the batter because of the chicken finger experience, but I was pleasantly surprised and the fish was very good and fresh. The fries were just ok. I try to always leave room for dessert and the selection looked impressive. After debating between the chocolate souffle and the chocolate chip cookie sundae, I went with the souffle that was accompanied by mint ice cream and a mint milano. I was pretty disappointed by it. It was cold and would have been much better at a warmer temperature. The milano was nothing to write home about and the ice cream was ok. *tear* I had such high hopes for the dessert. I think the entrees were the only thing that saved this from being a two-star review.
(3)
Jason J.
The first time I went here for my girlfriend's coworker's birthday I had a great time. The second time I went back I was not nearly as enthused. I ordered a "bourbon, neat". I think the waitress heard, "BOURBON?!?1!?!?!11!1 NEAT!!!!!!!" What came out was a rocks glass filled to the top with ice, and boubon that became so watered down that it looked like a glass of iced tea. When she placed it on our table I mentioned how I ordered the drink neat, not on the rocks, and she had a puzzled look on her face, thus proving she had no idea what I meant. Look, if a bar had an extensive scotch and bourbon menu, at least know what the term "neat" means. I said that I could live with the drink as is, but I immediately regretted that and sent it back. When she came back with my drink as ordered, it was less than a half pour of bourbon. I can handle a mix up on the drink order, but really, spiting me with less booze is a no-no, especially when I am already paying a 30% premium on what I ordered since this bar tries to be slightly upscale in atmosphere and thus price. :( x 4 With so many other great choices in Harvard Square, I won't be back.
(2)
Kathleen M.
OREO BREAD PUDDING!! I am so not a dessert girl--usually can take it or leave it, but will peruse the menu on occasion and will order if something strikes my fancy and I need something to go with my after dinner cognac. Given this, I typically only go for things that seem interesting, which is why the oreo bread pudding caught my eye. When I was a kid, Gram used to make bread pudding in this beautiful blue bowl who's entire purpose seemed to be to contain the so simple yet so delicious masterpiece. GS's pudding has nothing on Gram's, but it arrived warm, was topped with the perfect amount of vanilla ice cream, and was damned delicious. I'd go back just for this. OK, now for the rest of my review. I've been here a few times--brunch and dinner--never attempted to hang out in the bar, which I don't think is my scene. The tables and the bar area are mutually exclusive, so you can choose your scene in this place--crowded, Harvard undergrad meets Harvard law bar scene, or nice table service with a reasonable menu. Brunch here was fantastic, with GIANT mimosa's--lots of good eggy choices and not too ridiculously priced (typical ~$10 that you find in most establishments of this type). I thought dinner was quite good, and the menu is varied. Last time I was there, my pal was a bit disappointed because she was craving the mac and cheese that she remembered from the last time she was there, but they changed the recipe and removed the pork (what? of course M&C is better with pork, not sure what they are thinking). I quite enjoyed my clam chowder and seared tuna salad. Next time I'm trying the deviled eggs--we'll see how they compare to Casablanca's amazing herbed eggs that are served up down the street. Drink menu was reasonable--not too full of fruity drinks--I had a delicious whisky-based concoction. Overall, this is a nice place to go for dinner or brunch. It can get a bit loud, so I recommend going with small groups. And, don't forget to save room for dessert!
(4)
Gina Y.
This review might be a little biased, having visited Grafton Street as a hungry Manhattanite. My friends and I were walking around Harvard when we realized none of us had eaten before the 5-hour drive that took us from NYC to Boston. This place looked nice enough from the outside, and when we checked the menu, we were sold. Lunch entrees averaged at about $9-10 a plate, which is unheard of back home. I had the turkey BLT, something you can't really go wrong with, and a cup of the carrot soup, which was mighty tasty. I topped off the meal with a pint of beer and was happy to see my total didn't break my budget for the day. Extra points for good service and great music. If I'm back in the neighborhood, I'd be happy to stop on by.
(4)
CW A.
I was responsible for hosting at corporate team dinner, for 18 people, somewhere in Harvard Square. I came across Grafton by a friend's referral, and evaluated several other places. Grafton was fantastic at responding to me quickly, sending me a fixed price menu, and confirming our reservation promptly. On the night of the event, our semi-private dining area was ready for us and the service was great. My team was very happy with the service and the quality of the food, and i thought the prices for a 3 course meal were very competitive for the strong quality. We had a last minute cancellation, so were were 17 (rather than 18) and the manager was kind enough to take that off of the agreed-upon contract -- something I had not demanded, but showed consideration. Everyone was happy with this choice.
(5)
Erin M.
Went here for a Sunday mid-afternoon lunch with a friend. The hostess and waitress were both attentive to my friend's needs and seating requirements (she is disabled), all while giving us a comfortable seat near the open windows. It was a beautiful day so the seating was perfect! The waitress was extremely polite and friendly, did not hover, and gave us all the time we needed to peruse the menu. There were alot of options. None of these options were all that out there in terms of uniqueness but the variety seemed to be there. I wasn't starving and ordered basic chicken fingers. The portion was huge and served as an excellent lunch the next day. The ambiance was nice. My friend and I were able to hold up a conversation with minimal distraction even with the open window behind us. The decor was tasteful and made for a comfortable setting. Grafton Street is definitely not what I would call inexpensive, but it is not overpriced either. I would definitely call it reasonable and see myself going back there again often if experiences like this continue.
(4)
Austin S.
Grafton Street is my go-to lunch destination on the south side of Harvard Square, without a doubt. Whenever I'm working nearby, I'll drop by G.S. for lunch, always to be greeted happily by the daytime bartender, Paul. While I find the food a bit hit-or-miss, and maybe a bit overpriced, the service at the bar is exceptional. Paul, the Irish-Bostonian bartender who works the bar most weekdays during the day, is one of the most fun guys to interact with ever. Every time I walk in, he greets me by name (and he learned my name after only a couple of visits), pours my drink of choice, and always asks how I'm doing. He's quick, attentive, and knowledgeable, while at the same time snarky, fun, and funny -- a great combination for a bartender. If you want a place where the atmosphere brings you back day to day, go to the bar at Grafton Street.
(4)
A D.
Eh, they could do so much more with this place. 3.5 stars. We went on my 21st (last November) and sat at one of the bar tables. The bartender was quick and friendly but I got a cosmo that I think was just triple sec and cranberry juice? Ughhh. Moving on... We went again last night for dinner. I think the service was great. We got a cozy corner table, which I always love. The waitress was very nice and although admittedly new, she was happy to help in any way she could. I got some kind of martini with vodka, sour, pomegranate liqueur and cran juice. Overwhelmingly cran, but it was tasty. I had two, actually. Bf got a ketel martini, dry, twist. It came to him just colder than room temp. Blech. App was some sort of bread/cheese thing. They got the flavor compliments right, if nothing else. I was loving my bread, cheese, almond, honey combo. Boyfie (rhymes w/wifey. get it?) loved his too. Mmmmm. For dinner, he got a burger and I got mac and cheese. He said the burger was overcooked but pretty good (ordered it med rare, came out light pink, no red to be had). I took my first bite of mac and cheese and my slightly inebriated brain screamed GARLIC SALT!!!!!!!!!!! and it was all I could think about for the rest of the meal. It would have been sooo tasty with a subtle, fresh garlic flavor, but they failed. Overall though, I think the place has potential and it's very likely I'll be back.
(3)
Meghan Q.
I've had drinks here, I've crashed a Magners event here, I've picked up an attractive South African Harvard Business School student here, but until recently I'd never eaten here. I must say, as far as the food goes I was greatly impressed...service, however...ehh. A friend and I had an impromptu dinner here on a Saturday night around 9ish. The bar was full, we were waiting for some friends and when we decided they were standing us up we thought we'd stay for dinner. Lets start at the Hostess stand. "Table for two by the window" translated into "Table for two with a view of the empty seats by the window" Whatever, its was a comfortable corner booth-esque table. Got our menus, 10 mins later the waitress came and seemed thrown by the fact we already had drinks. We put in our order (steak frits for me, I think artichoke ravioli for my friend) and 20-25 mins later we got bread....and our meal. We didn't see our waitress for the rest of the night until we asked for the check at which point she brought it over and apologized half-heartedly for not paying attention to us. The skirt steak was perfection and the crispy thin "Potato-Stick" style frits added a nice texture. My friends ravioli was great, although it was somewhat drowned in a heavy butter sauce of love. The prices were really reasonable too. We ended up splitting our bill $20 each. The atmosphere is nice, the crowd is nice most of the time...when its not flooded with the pompous Harvard crowd, so I will continue to come here; to drink, to eat, to crash parties, and maybe even to pick up the occasional attractive guy....who knows.
(4)
Stacey H.
Part of me feels guilty for not giving Grafton street four stars. After all, this was the restaurant where I brunched the morning I got engaged and I've enjoyed many a glass of wine in with friends in the summer time in the bar area. It offers prime people-watching opportunities but it gets super busy and can be hard to find a seat sometimes. Most recently, I had a great experience at Grafton when I asked for no cream sauce with my salmon (I'm lactose intolerant). The dish was brought out WITH the cream sauce and after pointing this out to my server, she apologized, alerted the manager, and our bill was taken care of - on the house! It was such a nice gesture - and totally unexpected, that I will forever think of Grafton Street as an establishment that truly cares about customer satisfaction. So why only three stars? There doesn't seem to be a lot of change to their menu. Also, while it's the same restaurant group that owns RedLine and Temple Bar, it has that "chain restaurant" feel. Sometimes in the summer there is a sewage smell that inhabits their bathrooms. Plus, while the food is certainly very good, it's not what I would call amazing. Still...you'll probably find me there this summer enjoying the open windows and a glass of pinot ....
(2)
Chi N.
You're all wrong. Grafton Street is like that neighbor you never really see but you always wondered why he had one leg and an eye patch. And one day you run into him at the fish market and get talking and fast forward, you're best friends, honeymooning in the Fiji together. I know we've all been there. Anyway, if you go to Grafton not for the food but as a place to sit at the bar with your boys (sorry, men need only apply here) and talk with the bartenders, get to know them, this place will become a second home for you. I have spent many a night here till well-past-closing staying-late while the wait staff cleaning downing a beer or four. Of course I stopped doing this because I value my job and my liver (did you know we only have one?!).
(4)
Hugh R.
I've strolled by Grafton Street on a number of occassions and, upon looking in, felt that the place seemed a bit...pretentious. Don't ask me why, I couldn't tell you. It's just the vibe I would get whenever I passed the diners on the patio or peeked in the large, street-facing windows. I finally managed to drag myself in recently for dinner and drinks. There seemed to be a wait for tables, so we sat at the bar, where I enjoyed a few beverages and a humbly named "Grilled Chicken Sandwich." Not your ordinary chicken sandwich, this delicious bird featured grilled chicken stacked HIGH, sandwiched between two slices of foccacia bread and topped off with pesto mayo, provolone cheese, and grilled red onions. (I skipped the tomatoes, as I do on all sandwiches.) The bread is slightly "crumbly" and the sandwich a touch messy, meaning it fails my "first date" test. The onions were anything but "grilled" and could have been dispersed a bit more on the sandwich. (Or 1/2 of them done away with entirely.) But the overall taste of the sandwich and the accompanying fries was delicious. The sandwich is reasonably priced as well. So I encourage you, shed your class-consciousness, throw on your most casual clothes, and saddle up. Do arrive early, however, as the restaurant fills up around 9 with folks getting ready for a night out on the town.
(4)
Graham C.
This place has mediocre food but scores higher at people watching. This isn't a pub, and it's not really a bistro. I think that it makes it's money as a date place for Harvard kids. You know, like they met in Fundamentals of Eastern Religion, went to a party and then slept together and now to make it legit where can they go? A date is in order to keep this sex train from pulling out. And there on the horizon, just off the yard, sits Grafton St. Where you see they have food of the type no one will fight about and hey, there are a bunch of white kids with popped collars and slacks so it can't be all bad. So they go and have some expensive okay food to begin the start of their short lived and mediocre love story. Yeah, that's what I think of this place.
(3)
Josh G.
Some bars and restaurants you walk into and immediately think, "Ok, it's a student bar," or "Ahh, it's a bistro." Walking into Grafton Street, you kind of wonder what the hell they're trying to be. The name screams upscale Irish pub (Grafton Street is a well-known Dublin pedestrian street), but that atmosphere is completely missing here. The first time I came here was right after moving back to Mass from Dublin, and it was quite a culture shock. Sticker shock followed-- Fish and Chips will set you back $15 here. If Grafton Street was a true gastropub, with an expert chef tweaking the nose of old favorites, that price might be worth it. Instead, you just get the old favorite at nearly double the price. Battered fried fish with handcut fries and mushy peas. . . .Wait, wtf? How does a place with the name Grafton Street serve an English staple like mushy peas? Right. Moving on. Most times I've ended up at Grafton Street as a bar. Here is where I finally understand its appeal. Every time I've come here, the reason has been that the group of people going out have been a disparate band held together by the slim ties of work, school, mutual friends, or just a love of the sauce. Sure, if John Doe wasn't here, we'd probably go to the Middlesex for Hearthrob. But he hates dance music. If Jane didn't bring her new boyfriend (stockbroker from CT) we'd all hit up a couple of dive bars. Tom, Dick, and Harry from Sales voted for Union St. or Fanueil Hall, but the rest of us assumed they were kidding (God, I hope so). Sigh, I guess we'll just go to Grafton Street and all have a completely average, slightly awkward night trying to figure out where we can stand/sit/order drinks.
(2)
Kristin C.
Been here three times in the past few months... First time was for my birthday. As it was summer, my husband and I got to sit outside. Dinner was the mussels and then the special. Both very good. Have to say the service was a bit scattered. It seemed our waitress would forget about us from time to time ( tho i understand this happens when you have the patio and tables inside to attend to). Second time was during the fall. This time we were with a group of people. We all split a round of apps and I chose the burger as my entree. It was very good, but I wish I went with the the mac and cheese -- had a bite from a friend's dish and it was beyond scrumptious. Service was much better this time around, our waitress was much more attentive this time around, despite being a very busy Saturday. Third time was for a Winter brunch with the family. We were sat at a cozy round table in the back, and received wonderful service. The food, once again did not disappoint. I got the omelet, made with egg whites served with homefries, a side and two HUGE pieces of whole grain toast; it was certainly a plateful and the price was right! My sister had the squash and apple pizza which she described as the best pizza she's ever had. All in all we were all amazed and quite pleased with our food and drink. One downside, my mother had a drink called the LemonRizzi (i think). There was way too much booze and tasted nasty. My mother did not return as she felt it rude to do so, but I would have. I suggest avoiding and going with the Bloody Mary... it' was quite delish. So will i go back? For sure, I'll just be sure to avoid the "speciality drinks" and stick to what I know!
(4)
Sean M.
Feng Shui, I know nothing of, but I was attracted to this establishment. I felt invited, compelled to go in. The corner location, the outdoor tables, the open windows, all spoke to me. Such and appealing interior the long sturdy bar, the bi-level room, and of course the duct work! Yet I still feared deep down in my soul that it would just be a another trendy lightweight in the long list of mediocrity between hither and dither. The food is actually better than average, I'm partial to the flat bread za's and soups at lunch. There are some clear misses, most recently the white peach salad for example. The watermelon salad on the other hand is a sublime summer dish. The wine list, especially the by-the-glass has some real values, they have a good beer selection, respectable single malts and Absinthe. * Upscale Pub, possibly situated over a geophysical wellspring of good karma. * Sit in the lower section in the back for dinner or at the bar and have a beer and a burger at lunch. * Be adventurous trust the chef try the specials. * Get your "meat" on here the excel at the heartier dishes.
(4)
Jackie V.
Went for a grant completion celebration with my fiance & his co-workers; it's not a bad spot to grab a post-work bite. I'd go so far as to say it's "average". The interior had a nice vibe, and was stylish without being over the top pretentious (there were 2 abrupt lighting changes, which was a little awkward). I was definitely not impressed with their "original cocktails"; I appreciate a unique drink, but only if it's well thought out and tastes good, these seemed like someone got a little crazy in the back and seeping herbs in Svedka because they saw it once on Food Network. I'm not one for especially fruity drinks, and I think the only drink I really liked was the Brown Sugar martini (tasted like Key Largo in a martini glass). The apple and sage martini was a strange combo, but I liked that it wasn't a sugary-sweet appletini; the bellini had no identifiable peach flavor, and the walk by the Charles (or whatever it's called) was very reminiscent of cherry cough syrup, but with a better aftertaste. I'd definitely stick to the classics. I can understand what people are saying about the "crusty rolls" being not so much crusty as they were slightly stale, (sourdough bread was decent)...honestly, though, who goes out and cares about the BREAD?! I can't personally comment on the food, since I didn't have a meal, but others said that there were great burgers. What I can say is that the service was slow. Definitely not my fave in Harvard Square, but I wouldn't object to going back.
(3)
Nate R.
I have been wanting to go to Grafton Street for a while now and finally got a chance to check it out. In the back of my mind I wanted this to be my new favorite spot. However, it didn't live up to expectations. The place looks great and has a really great atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food just wasn't up to par. We both were not thrilled with the caesar salad and was a little grossed out by the slimy anchovy on the top of the salad. My sandwich was good, but the fries were as bland as can be. The pasta with pumpkin sauce was good to ok. Admittedly i wasn't feeling well when I came here and would be willing to give it another chance.
(3)
Kza W.
Still mild on this location.. not really my thing when Hong Kong is rt next door...upgraded?? Think not
(3)
Sandy H.
We came here for dinner on a busy Friday night without a reservation, but were seated promptly. The service was great, but the food was just okay. I had the Grafton Burger and the rosemary truffle fries. The were both good, but not amazing. The chickpea burger on the other hand was a huge failure. We thought it would be kind of like a falafel, but it came out mushy and bland.
(3)
Ken M.
So, I've always thought of Harvard Square as a kind of melting pot for a bunch of different things, and despite Harvard being there, I don't usually associate pretention with the square. Until now. and pretention for no reason. Grafton Street is a very "former greek-life people after work" kind of place. Despite having 4 hostesses and no line, it took them a long time to even greet us, let alone seat us in the fairly empty space. Once we were seated, our very nervous and inexperienced waiter came over and asked if we'd like a drink, but failed to read the specials. About 10 minutes later he came back with the boif's glass of wine, and asked if we were ready to order. We asked to hear the specials, and he told us them, and then left so we could contemplate for...another 15 minutes. Finally he came back to take our order and my boif's wine spilled (his fault, not the waiter's), the waiter awkwardly cleaned it up and forgot to take our order. Another five minutes later he came back to take our order, but didn't bring a new glass of wine. The food was fine, nothing special, and it actually came out quickly compared to the wait to order. It took forever for the waiter to bring the check and then eons for him to actually run the card. I was so glad to get out of there.
(2)
Patrick H.
Grafton Street is one of my favorite places in Cambridge. It may look pretentious, but don't judge a book by it's cover. The bar area is great, so if you're not looking for dinner and just want to hang out for a few drinks, it's still a great option. With nice weather, the front full-height windows are opened up for a great experience. There's enough room up front near the bar for a few decent sized groups, and the drinks here are usually pretty good (I like their mojitos). The atmosphere at Grafton is a mix of classy and contemporary, with nice booths and the typical wooden tables throughout. The lower lighting makes it seem a bit fancier too. The food here is pretty good, especially the complimentary rolls (sometimes you have to ask for them). The cheese plate is always good and includes whatever cheese is on special, some bread, walnuts and honey. I've had quite a few of the entrees and haven't been disappointed. The service is almost always great, though once in a while when things are busy, things can slow down. The servers are usually on the ball though, and always friendly. I end up at Grafton all the time, and highly recommend it.
(4)
Justin R.
Waitress was awful.. Had the personality of a door knob and hovered over us.. I felt as if she was trying to get us out! Food was over cooked! Ordered the Steak Frites, with blue cheese butter. The butter was amazing, but there was so little that it couldn't save the steak. All in all I may go back on a quieter night to give it another chance.
(3)
T.C. O.
My dinner here recently was amazing. I've been to plenty of the best restaurants in the city in the last few months, and the dinner I had here stood out as the best of them. Perhaps because it really hit the spot for what I was looking for that night, or because it surprised me just how good it was, but there's no doubt it was comparable to the best around. I've been here about a dozen times, and it has always been a good experience. Comfortable atmosphere, consistently good food, etc. and I would have given it three stars as a place you can't really go wrong with, until this last meal inspired me to come here and leave a four star review.
(4)
Claudia H.
Grafton Street seems to have become my choice for a convenient dinner and drinks in the square before heading to a party or downtown. It's very close to Harvard Business School campus, and pretty convenient to meet with friends. The bar area to the right of the entrance is pretty nice and during summer with the windows open it's a great place to enjoy a drink or two. Their drink menu is not outstanding in any way, but features a solid set of choices. Their brunch and the dinner menu offer a broad set of options that should satisfy most tastes, the food is good value for the money and fresh, and the portions are enough for two people or to leave you with a considerable take home portion. I really love them for solid, savory food. Their macaroni and cheese are extremely a good with a crunchy crust and the Grilled Wild Salmon is really fresh and has a delicious sauce. In the summer you can sit outside and relax in the sun, which is a big plus compared to other restaurants with only indoor seating options. Grafton Street is not the place, where I would take someone for a really nice dinner, but they offer a good set of good value choices with very nice and friendly service.
(4)
Marc K.
I went to the Grafton Street pub for lunch with 2 friends today (8/4/11) expecting to get a quick and tasty burger as I have in prior visits so I could get back to work for a midafternoon meeting. I recommended the burgers and one of my friends ordered one as well. The other ordered the chick pea burger. The waitress was very friendly and brought a couple rounds of iced tea and lemonade, After sitting and talking for awhile, I noticed that people around us had been served even though they had been seated long after us. So, I asked the waitress to check on our order the next time she came by. About 5 minutes later, the manager came out and apologized to us because our order actually had not been placed. She indicated that lunch was on the house and that they had just started it and that the chicken panini sandwich (which apparently takes longer than burgers) had been started. I looked at my friends a little puzzled as none of us had ordered the chicken panini (so they had guessed what our order had been rather than retaking it). We already were running so late that we decided to go with the flow. Lunch came out a few minutes later. I bit into my burger and it was the worst tasting burger I ever had been served. I decided not to complain thinking that I had been unlucky. On my way back to work, I mentioned to my co-worker how awful my burger had been and she said hers was awful too. So, the bottom line is, Grafton Street servers are pleasant and they take responsibility when they screw up, but I won't be going back any time soon and I recommend you go elsewhere if you are in a time crunch or you want a burger.
(1)
Elana S.
I went to Grafton Street last night for the first time with two girlfriends. The atmosphere is very cool - it has a relaxing, loung-y feel without being too yuppie-ish. (Well, maybe a little yuppie-ish...) The music, which is loud enough to notice, varies from Michael Jackson to Toni Basil and a lot in between, which I imagine most people can take or leave. My friends and I were able to share a bottle of wine, three entrees, and dessert for under $35 a person, which I think is close to amazing. We tried the mushroom risotto, pumpkin ravioli, and mac and cheese, all of which were delicious - though I think we all would say the pumpkin ravioli was a favorite. Wine selections were varied (we chose a pinot grigio), and desserts were unique. We ended up with a warm chocolate chip sundae. Yum! I'm happy to have finally tried Grafton Street. I think it would be a fun place for a date, dinner with friends, or a place to take parents when they're in town for a visit. The prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is comfortable, and the food is tasty.
(4)
Nathan M.
After walking by this place all the time but never eating here, I was pleased to discover Grafton Street is a great brunch spot. This place is nice and spacious inside and on a weekend they had no problem accommodating our group of 20 or so people. Service was excellent - my coffee cup never ran empty. Everyone seemed to enjoy their entrees - I found the Huevos Rancheros solid but not spectacular. Highly, highly recommend the fantastic banana fritters!
(4)
Ryan L.
Overall I like this place. Everything on the menu is good, so it is hard to make a bad decision. * Plenty of seating so typically a short wait for a table * Great bartenders * Very good for events (I have been to quite a few here) And they make one of the best dark and stormy drinks around, per my girlfriend who loves those things.
(4)
Clay F.
The warm beet salad with goat cheese was delicious and much larger than expected. The steak was a little salty, as were the frites, but sometimes salty is delicious. While the cocktails may be on the expensive side, our vodka/sodas were large and strong. Service? Not bad but not particularly good either.
(3)
Leighann F.
DISCLAIMER: 3.5 STARS That being said... I feel like Grafton Street is a local fancy version of a Friday's. Does anyone else have this feeling? They serve boneless wings and beer. But decided to class it up with Tuna Tartare and some chic lobster risotto dish. Aside from that fiasco, our waiter was fabulous, friendly and even invited us to another spot that I love, The Burren, for some open-mic night fun. The decor is warm and inviting...but still reeks of fancy Fridays. 3.5 Stars amounts to a return visit or two, but Grafton Street does not merit a spot on my Harvard Square Tour for out-of-town guests.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot, Validated Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Claire W.
Stopped here for an early dinner with my husband and boys ages 11 and 15. There was something for everyone (a challenge for us in picking restaurants). The 15 year old loved the chicken; my husband loved the atmosphere and sitting outside. They had a margherita pizza that worked for our youngest. I enjoyed the Hake and my husband and I shared a not-sweet-at-all beet and goat cheese salad. A bit pricey, but we will probably come back when we are in Harvard Square again.
(4)Jennifer K.
Came here for the first time tonight and was pretty impressed. We were seated right away, our waiter was very attentive, and the ambiance was a nice, casual place. Perfect for catching up with friends. The food was pretty decent as well. I had the lobster macaroni and cheese. Not the best mac & cheese I've ever had, but pretty good. One complaint might be that they were a little skimpy on the lobster. The fish and chips was interesting as well. The fish itself did not have much flavor but came with a curry tartar sauce that had a nice little kick to it. The accompanying fries and apple coleslaw were surprisingly good as well. Coleslaws are usually a hit or miss with me, and I could've eaten a bucket of this one. Yum. Overall the food was a solid 3.5, and I'm bumping it up to 4 stars for the prompt service and nice atmosphere of the place. I'll be coming back, maybe soon!
(4)Mairead N.
I usually come here for work lunch meetings. I've never been here at night. It is a pub/restaurant with the name of a street in Dublin. I'm not sure if its supposed to be an Irish pub, but whatever. The last time I went I had the salmon with greens and mashed potato and it was quite delicious. The wait staff are ok, a little slow the last couple of times and the place was not that packed at all. In the summer they open the windows and it can be a nice place to hang out if the weather is fine. It's ok, not great, every time I want it to be better but it always ends up being just kind of....alright.
(3)Kasse R.
I came here for dinner and drinks on a Sunday night and I was surprised to see that this place was packed! My friend and I ended up sitting at the bar since the wait for a table would be a while and we ended up having a great time. We split the calamari and the Brussels Sprouts and Bacon and I had a "Zen Master" cocktail. Everything was delicious, service was spot on, and everything was on par with what I had expected pricewise from such a restaurant (very similar to LA). Overall, I would recommend if you were looking for some good eats around Harvard Square.
(3)Heidi O.
We have been here numerous times particularly because of the outdoor patio. Last visit (July 4th) I had tasty sangria and price-worth charcuterie plate. Super-sweet waitress. My husband left his phone here and was to be found day after. Thanks!
(4)Geoff F.
Not my cup of tea, despite the innumerable times I think I ended up here following my amigos around town. For one, i've found brunch to be subpar, especially compared to some of the other restaurants within the Grafton Group -- I'm looking at you, Russell House -- and i feel like the place has a bit of an identity crisis, especially on the weekend. There's better options around
(2)Lauren F.
I visited Grafton Street on a Thursday evening after a conference with some work friends. We weren't sure how large our party would be or who was even coming, but the hostess seated us anyway at a large table. I thought that was very nice since most places won't seat you without your whole party. The sangria pitcher we got for the table was just OK, but the chicken with cheddar polenta and bacon was scrumptious. I also liked my table-mate's rosemary frites. The dining room is a good size but it's directly next to the bar which was loud with the Celtics game on. I felt like I had to shout to carry on a conversation with my friends. I would consider going back on a quieter night when there's no major sporting events happening.
(4)Madeline N.
This is the same feel as Russell House Tavern in Harvard Square - kinda yuppie, room at the bar, room to eat, not too loud to hear your companions. Busy every night I've been here (Saturday, Wednesday) largely because I came with a crowd for various birthday parties. Not a lot of places to put your coat (a few hooks under the bar area) but you can always precariously place them over the backs of the booths one level down and hope that they don't fall down on the people eating below! Pleasant.
(4)Elvira C.
Grafton Street is a hit and miss. More like a 3.5. Based on my first experience, I would give it a 5, but my second experience really wasn't that great. There are seatings outside, which is nice for a New England spring or fall day. The beet salad made with fresh beets, glazed pecan and a light vinaigrette was amazing! I had the New England Bouillabaisse my first time. The seafood was extremely fresh and the sauce was delightful. My friend had the chicken and she loved it. The second time I had the mussels. It was really mediocre. My friend had the ravioli and it was cold and not very fresh.
(4)Alicia J.
Grafton Street is our go to place when we desire a nice dinner in Harvard Square. The service and food are always consistently good, and that's worth a lot. This review will cover our latest trip. We ordered a special clam appetizer with chorizo, the bouillabaisse and the scallops for the mains and the spiced molten cake dessert. The clam appetizer was well cooked with a pretty wonderful white wine / butter sauce. The sausage lost a bit of their flavor as if the sauce had been simmering a bit too long, but it was still a solid 4 star dish. We asked the waiter for more bread to soak up the sauce. The bouillabaisse consisted of clams, mussels, shrimp and potatoes in a tasty spicy red sauce. We ate it up. Finally for the mains, the scallops deserve special mention. I normally wouldn't order scallops as the portions are usually pretty small, and indeed the portions of scallops are smaller at Grafton Street when compared to their other offerings; however, the taste made up for it. The chorizo that come with the scallops were properly flavorful here and served as a great contrast. The fingerling potatoes -- tasty! Of course the scallops were perfectly cooked. We finished up with a spiced molten cake. The spicy cake was served with some holy ice cream. Mixing it all together with the hot 'molten' fudge was splendid. One thing I really like about Grafton is that the wine selection, while not spectacular, is quite respectable. We had the Vermentino white and also finished with a nice glass of port. Its the way to go for sure.
(5)Jackie G.
Grafton street has the most amazing Day bartender. He is sweet, kind, and remembers the drinks (and names) of regulars. Optimistic disposition, nicely dressed, and dashing. Totally worth a trip to Grafton Street (but go before 5) :)
(5)Erin B.
Food was decent, although nothing too special. All three of us ended up ordering the chicken panini, which was a good portion. I think they pride themselves on their drinks, which were impressive. They had a fairly extensive wine list, creative cocktails, and broad beer selection. I enjoy it when a bar has their own cocktail menus and puts something on there for everyone (They included drinks with varying main liquors.) It was rather busy, so I would recommend making a reservation. Despite it being packed, the service was speedy and friendly. Grafton Street feels like an upscale restaurant because of its presentation and service, but its casual and not stuffy. Good balance. If the food were better, I'd come more often!
(3)Scott B.
If a school would offer a doctorate in Brunch, I'm pretty sure I'd get an honorary degree. So, with my expertise established, I can confidently say Grafton Street fails miserably when it comes to brunch. The food was sad. My eggs were a strange brown color (most likely from being cooked on a surface with old grease), the hash browns lacked any originality or flavor and tasted old, and the toast was disastrously dry. The sausage links were definitely homemade and delish, and saved this from a one star review. Also, the fresh squeezed orange juice is top notch. The service was mediocre at best. It was painfully difficult to get our coffees refilled, and our server was inattentive and lacking in personality. This review breaks my sweet little heart, as I really want to love this place, but unfortunately the experience speaks for itself.
(2)Cat W.
This review is primarily for the service and not for the food/drink. I have been here many times over the years (for lunch, birthdays, dinners, drinks, meetups) and thought "it is what it is" with regards to this establishment. I came in on a Saturday night (in March 2014) at 5:30pm with a party of 14 other people in their early 20s. I did not expect to get exceptional service...but we did. "Thomas B" was our server. He was not only courteous and professional, he made our checkout process seamless! As dinner wrapped up, I was nervous thinking about how difficult it would be for everyone to put in money, decide who would be paying cash, who would be paying by credit card, etcetcetc. But Thomas B. saved the day by coming to our table with everyone's checks already individually printed out, placed in small black folios. Then he came back with pens inside each folio!! As we were putting on our coats, he asked if we needed directions to the theater. (We were all there for a pre-show dinner. Several of us had bouquets of flowers so I guess he could either tell or some other guest in my party told him what we were in town for.) A few days later, I decided to contact the restaurant to let them know that Thomas did a great job. I emailed their info@graftonstreetcambri… on a spur of the moment after midnight on a weekday. Their manager responded to my email within 5 minutes thanking me for the feedback, and it was clearly not an auto-generated email. It came from the general manager. I was very impressed by the professionalism of the restaurant. Again, this review does not have feedback on the food or drink itself, but the professionalism of this restaurant was certainly memorable. Again, my dinner party did not "look" like a party that would tip well or be notable, since most people were clearly in their young 20s, but still the server treated us like VIPs. I think he did not even charge us for coffee. We had a fabulous time!
(5)Dessa R.
Had a business lunch here today. Cute dark space, nice location, and acceptable service, but the food? Disappointing and overpriced. Don't sucker yourself into ordering the mac and cheese. It's not what you think. Didn't try the drinks, so Grafton may be okay for that?
(2)Ojus P.
Solid atmosphere, good location and the food is decent. The lobster mac and cheese was a little disappointing.
(3)Audrey K.
Food is only decent, but the location can't be beat. Grafton's has a good bar (for beer - mixed drinks are poor), sidewalk seating, attentive service, and can accommodate large parties. The food is slightly better than standard pub fare (and a tad pricier), but I've always been happy with the quantity and quality. Attracts an older student crowd most nights, with more bros on weekends. Good for a causal dinner and drinks with friends; not exactly date-worthy. If you eat later in the evening, it can be hard to have conversations over the noise of the bar.
(3)Jenifer W.
We tried this restaurant while in the area for graduation. It was a great experience, in all, and overall we were happy. ATMOSPHERE: BUSY! We arrived around 6:00 pm, and there was a full house. We had a party of 7, and had to wait about 20 minutes before getting sat. I took the little ones across the street to a nice grassy area, where we played happily until sitting down. The restaurant is upper scale, dimly lit, and not kid-friendly by trade, although they did a great job of accommodating us. FOOD: Very nice. Unbelievable, no, but clearly made with passion and well executed. We had: (1) Gorgonzola & Prosciutto Pizza for an appetizer - Tasty, but a little dry. IF there was sauce, there wasn't enough, and if there wasn't there needed to be. I couldn't taste the fig jam (assuming THIS was supposed to be the sauce), but had it been there this pizza would have been great. (2) Seared Day Boat Scallops - These were nicely done, cooked well, and were portioned just right. The cherry tomatoes were a somewhat "weird" addition (they looked strange on the plate), but not unpleasant. (3) Brandt Farms Grilled Bavette Steak - A little "poncy". The rest of the menu items didn't look as done up as this one did, so it stood out a bit. The flavors were good, not great, and the potatoes slightly dry. (4) Crab Cake (Did this as my entree) - Extremely tasty, probably the best crab cake I had on the entire east coast trip. It came complete with a corn relish that seemed odd at first but was fantasticly done and a welcome add, and an aioli sauce that was very good. My one complaint, if you call it that, was that there was not enough sauce to finish the crab cake, and I found myself scrimping. (5) Mushroom Ravioli - Fair, done well, clearly scratch made, and portioned decently, maybe slightly on the "not enough" side. The sauce was tasty enough, but a bit underseasoned for my personal preference. (6) Chicken Fingers and Mac & Cheese - Worth a mention because they don't actually HAVE a kids menu, and the chef whipped these up on request. Considering this was a very busy night food-wise, I found this extra special. SERVICE: Lacking. Our server took our food order, and we didn't see her again until we had to ask for the check. Some other servers brought the food, and although we needed drink refills she never did come back. The other point to note is that our food, while good, took a solid HOUR to get to our table - that's a rough ask of anyone, not to mention the little kids, so I was led to wonder if she forgot to put it in, or if this is truly acceptable by the chef. VALUE: Fair enough. While the prices are high, mostly around $20 - $25 per person, the food is well done, and the value stacks up. If you can afford this upperscale pricing, I'd recommend you stop by to see for yourself.
(4)Kathy A.
This is more of a 4.5/5 instead of 4/5 review. We tried this place a little while back and it is pretty fantastic! It always seems to be busy in the bar and in general seating. The service is great! Our server was very nice and joked along with us throughout the meal. They have many great appetizers to choose from and delicious salads. They actually put anchovies on the Caesar Salad! (I realize many of you probably would prefer they not, and I'm sure you can get the salad without them). There are many sophisticated entrees to choose from as well as more traditional pub fare. They also have a few nightly specials which are typically fantastic. The salmon is especially great. The desserts are quite good, just relatively small portions for the price. Overall, absolutely enjoyed ourselves at Grafton Street and will definitely be back!
(4)Kimberly H.
I have been to Grafton Street a handful of times and I can now say I am a fan. In my experience, some days are better than others as far as service goes. If you are sitting at the windows (prime people watching, let me tell you), prepare to be totally ignored. It seems like the windows are never anyone's actual section, so you have to do the creepy stare until someone notices that you have been sitting there for 20 minutes or just walk up to the bar. This particular dinner, a group of us were seated in the main dining room. We were having a meeting over dinner and our server was very accommodating, checking in only when necessary. I had eaten a late lunch so I ordered an appetizer I had not tried, the Short Rib Arancini. When the table's food arrived, mine was missing. It seemed that there was a confusion with the table numbers and mine was left off the ticket. I was not at all irritated, hey it happens, and I wasn't starving, but our server was very apologetic and even brought me some Rosemary Truffle Fries to munch on while I waited. Extremely nice of him! The fries were tasty and I would definitely order them again. When my Arancini arrived I was surprised by how large the portion was ... there is no real mature way to talk about big meaty balls but, I will try ... there were 3 large rice balls filled with tender short rib meat. The outside was crisp and cooked perfectly throughout. The accompanying tomato sauce had great flavor and a little spice and was topped with fresh basil and parmesan; a winner in my book and well worth the wait. All in all, Grafton Street is a solid spot for a casual diner when you are not in a rush.
(4)Camille R.
The GM emailed me apologized prefusely for the service. They work hard to make sure customers are treated respectfully and would like me to give them another try. She said she would send me something in the mail so that I maky try Grafton Street or another one of their locations again. This was a very professional gesture and I am looking forward to another visit. Thanks!
(4)Lauren F.
This restaurant is fantastic! The atmosphere is very relaxed, rustic, and inviting. My favorite time to come is in the afternoon when the music is at its best. That's not to say Grafton is lacking in the evening, though. The dinner menu is hearty with just enough creativity.(lobster mac and cheese, anyone?). The flatbreads are absolutely addictive... so fresh! The bar cannot be beat, especially in Harvard Square. It's so nice to find a laid-back place that still has high energy. The bartenders can make anything you want, but I'd suggest sticking to the incredible bar menu. So many really interesting options if you aren't into super-syrupy drinks!
(5)T d.
enjoyed an excellent brunch here. Outdoor seating was great, and the food was tasty and fresh. Unfortunately, our server disappeared at the end of our meal, so we had to wait 20 minutes to get the check. Still, I would likely go back.
(3)Min T.
Hey, hey, it's a gastropub! In general, I like gastropubs. Oh, I know, why are the drinks expensive? Why is comfort food not at comfortable prices? Yeah, well, it's a gastropub, something that just implies fancy mac and cheese as well as spendy drinks. But I like the atmosphere of gastropubs. They're warm and inviting and this one reminded me of a fave place in LA, the Village Idiot. Gotta say though, the food isn't bad and the drinks are well made. When we first got there, there was a bit of a wait so we entertained ourselves at the bar. Apparently they were out of house rum but Barcadi was like $.50 cents more so no biggie. I ordered my starter drink, my beloved vodka tonic and woohooo, there was vodka in this drink! No sooner did we order, our table was ready. For the three of us, they gave us a large table big enough for six. I thought that was cool as the Grafton was very crowded with what seemed like a young professionals gathering by the front window. I looked over the menu and was trying to decide between the mussels appetizer and a salad, or the paella or the native cod, mussel and lobster stew. Our server suggested the stew. It was very pretty. static.px.yelp.com/bphot… I definitely loved the tenderness of the cod in it. There were quite a few chunks of lobster but the mussels were so-so. Overall, I felt like it was much of a stew as more of a soup with seafood in it. The broth was good but could have been thicker. The paella and stew were both $18 which wasn't too bad for something that had quite a bit of seafood. I was missing some greens though so I added a side of brussel sprouts for $4. Um, I could use more brussel sprouts. static.px.yelp.com/bphot… Sarah G and her boyfriend, Matt J split the lobster bisque, pumpkin empanadas and chickpea burger. The "burger" really looked more like a giant pita. I didn't try any of their food but apparently the lobster bisque was the fave.
(3)Anne B.
Consistently good food and friendly service. It can be loud on weekend nights and there will be a wait for a table. I eat at Grafton Street at least twice a month and am never disappointed.
(4)Bill L.
Went here on a cold rainy afternoon and found the hostess and server to be extraordinary - they made the experience a pleasure. The chicken and bean soup had huge chunks of chicken - really tasty, and the chickpea burger was filling and tasty! I would recommend it to anyone!
(4)Vanessa D.
I came here for dinner recently, and the food was fantastic! They had blood orange sangria (wooh!), herb infused butter with the bread, a HUGE plate of truffle fries for only $4, and a yummy beet salad. I was a happy camper. My boyfriend had their steak entree which was amaaaazing. I kept stealing bites of his. We are planning on returning soon so I can have the steak too :) I would suggest making a reservation ahead of time because this place can be really crowded. There was quite a wait for walk-ins and even a bit of a wait for people with reservations. Altogether, out visit was great and we really enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant!
(4)Oiyan P.
This is how my friend Sherry described our experience last night: "It's like we're in an abusive relationship with this place." One minute the service was really friendly and attentive, the next minute it was like we weren't there for long periods, then we were being offered free dessert, then we weren't there.... After a good 90 minute yoga session, I was starving, and Sherry joined me for dinner down the street from the yoga studio so we could catch up. I was really excited about the truffle fries! I mean, can you ever go wrong with truffle infused foods? I also ordered the lobster mac and cheese with truffles! Sherry ordered the heirloom tomato salad. After ordering, we waited.... and waited.... 20 minutes went by, and then another 10 minutes went by... all this time, no one came by, and we had drank all of our water. Finally we waved our server down, and she asked if we needed more water. We said yes, but then also asked her how long our food would be since it had been about 35 minutes since we'd ordered. She said it was on it's way, and that the lobster mac and cheese was what takes longest. Before even being able to ask/say anything further, our server was already walking away. A few minutes later, another woman (the manager? owner?) came over to us to apologize for the long wait and to offer us free dessert. It was a really nice gesture. There was clearly a lack/break down of communication between the server and us. If a certain item takes longer to prepare, I suggest that the service staff make the customer aware. I probably would have ordered something else. Or at the least, we could have asked for the fries to come out first. Instead, when we were ordering and she asked us if we wanted everything to come out together, we assumed that it would be faster to have it all come out at the same time. I was sorely mistaken. We also didn't get a refill of water for another 20 minutes. When I looked around, I saw all the other tables with bottles of water so they could refill their water themselves. Granted, Sherry and I asked for iceless water, and the bottles we assume were chilled, but couldn't they have filled a bottle with room temp water for us? The food - the truffle fries were ok. They were sort of shoe string fries, which were just ok by themselves. With the truffle oil, it took them up a notch, but these weren't very memorable truffle fries. The lobster mac and cheese was really really hot, and pretty decent. I wanted memorable since there was truffle and lobster together covered with cheese (3 of my favorite things), but this was somewhat under-seasoned. Sherry didn't seem terribly bowled over by her heirloom tomato salad either. The ambiance - I really wanted to like the place because it is really cute. I like the big booths and the outdoor patio. The music playing was really great! Like Sherry said, it was kind of an abusive relationship. There was bouts of great friendly and attentive service, followed by bouts of extended neglect, then followed by offers of gifts. In the end we decided not to get the free dessert because it took so long for the server to come back and check on us when we were done eating our meals. We were both tired. It was 10:10 p.m., and I still needed to get home to JP! Overall, the experience was disappointing.
(2)Big E.
We had a very enjoyable lunch experience here. We had wonderful burgers cooked just right and the service was very nice. Just beware that meter parking along the street there is one hour limit, strictly enforced, apparently. We got a spot right out front, paid the meter and then when we were almost done eating, realized our hour was almost up so fed the meter a little extra to make sure we didn't go over. Then we got back out to the car less than maybe 20 mins later, and had a ticket for going over the hour limit even though we added more money. Sometimes you just can't win. It's not the restaurant's fault, of course! But I guess next time, you have to go move your car mid-meal or just find longer term parking to begin with.
(5)Derek W.
I would have given this place 5 stars if they had everything on the menu that was advertised. Realizing it was good friday, the other person with me ordered the salmon which was to come with brussel sprouts however, they were out of brussel sprouts and replaced it with spinach. Not terrible but again not what was advertised. I wanted the pumpkin cheescake but it wasn't available. The service, excellent. From the hostesses out front to the servers and actual wait staff. This place was mobbed at the entrance, the bar was very crowded but they seemed to have everything under complete control. We didnt' have to wait long at all (shorter than we were told). The Food was excellent, for appetizers we had two, the grafton plate which is cheeses, mustard, jelly's and some prosciuto and we also had the tuna tartare which was out of this world. It had a delicious mix of tuna and avocado. For dinner I opted for the butternut squash raviolis which was served with baby arugula and capers, something i have never had before and it was fantastic. The deserts were also exceptional, the creme' brulee was fantastic. Pricing was average, considering you are in downtown harvard square and parking is a bitch but hey it's harvard square. We had a nice seat near the window and enjoyed some people watching as well. Again, would have been 5 stars for me if not for the running out of menu items. On a friday, that is just unacceptable to me.... Derek W
(4)Azalea K.
Grafton is a solid place for food and drinks, but particularly valuable for late night hangouts with larger groups. Lots of open space by the bar, reasonably priced drinks, and an overall lively atmosphere.
(3)Keith S.
Good solid food. Outstanding service. nice presentation. Could be a bit loud but the curtains and wall hangings create something of a sound barrier and offers a bit of privacy if you ask for one of the corners. Better than the typical Harvard Square eatery
(3)Qichen Z.
Why is this place so overrated? I never understood the crowd that frequents this place and why they are willing to pay so much for pseudo-gourmet entrées that are just overfried and overbuttered. The Grafton Burger, I'll admit, is pretty good, but they always manage to get medium-rare mixed up with over-done. In general, I just feel like Grafton tries way too hard to be a chic, classy place, but sort of flops in terms of décor and atmosphere. The bartenders are super nice and friendly, but the menu and bar themselves are just so mediocre. Don't understand why this place has been such a staple in Harvard Square for so long. It's probably because of the great real estate. At least they have that going for them...
(2)Eric F.
Finally had the chance to try the food here and we were very impressed with the Valentine's Day Prix Fixe offerings. Between us, we had the: -Grilled Stuffed Quail -Sweet Potato Gnocchi -Seared Day Boat Scallops and Cherries -Molasses and Lemon Grilled Duck Breast -Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Torte -Raspberry Mousse Everything was nicely executed and I particularly enjoyed the duck breast and scallops. The outer parts of both the duck and scallops were grilled perfectly and the inside was very tender and flavorful. I also tried the 2006 Solaire Chardonnay and 2007 Gnarly Head Zinfandel. The chardonnay had a really consistent, supple smoothness that was neither too light nor overly heavy - a great match for the quail and scallops. The zinfandel was great with a well-balanced fruity body and lightly dry finish. My date had a gin-based cocktail muddled with lime I believe and that was also very good with just the right amount of gin. Our server did a great job throughout the night coming in at appropriately timed intervals to take our orders, check in on the food, provide recommendations and tastings of the wines and cocktails, etc. As for the ambiance, it was dark, cozy, and plenty quiet for easy conversation (always appreciated XD). All in all, I had a fantastic dinner and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to have a quality night out filled with exceptional food, wine, and service.
(4)Liliya M.
We recently brought a crowd of 20+ for a birthday and everyone made sure that we were comfortable and taken care of. Our waitress was very attentive and had a phenomenal memory. The food is always good and the drinks are superior. The truffle fries own my heart. Disregard the disgruntled reviews posted here and try this place for yourself!
(4)Amy K.
I really enjoyed my lunch at Grafton Street. The restaurant is really nice on the inside, yet casual at the same time. BF and I both ordered off the specials menu. BF had the goat cheese flat-bread pizza. I tasted it, and it was delicious! The crust was outstanding. He also had a really dark beer that was featured that day. I can't say I liked it, but he enjoyed it. I had the pan-roasted chicken with fingerling potatoes and spinach. The chicken was juicy and the plate was drizzled with a light green sauce that seemed to be made from spinach and mint. Whatever it was, it was tasty! We had found Grafton Street after walking around Harvard Square and using the Yelp iPhone app. Once again, Yelp came through!
(4)Nick M.
I've been to Grafton Street several times in the past few years and I haven't had a bad experience there. We've gone there to eat as well as just for drinks and each time our visit was enjoyable The area near the bar with the windows that open is my favorite spot to hang out. We usually end up scoring some seats over in this area and then ordering food and drinks from the bar. I love that they have Allagash on top year round and when we went last night, I noticed that Harpoon BPA (Belgian Pale Ale) was on tap as well -- definitely one of my favorite beers on tap While there can definitely be a younger crowd from time to time in there, for the most part, it's right on par with what I'd expect -- young professionals, grad students, etc The bartenders are friendly and attentive as well. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area
(4)Denise M.
I had dinner here last night and the only good thing I can say is the environmental atmosphere is great. I would only come back for drinks, not dinner. There is just too many other places. The hostess was not very friendly, I had to ask about my table after I saw others who arrived after us seated. The food was not worth the price, I ordered the steak they burnt the outside and the inside was raw on a medium order. Its in Harvard Sq so maybe the atmosphere covers for the food quality and lack of care the staff give customers. I would not make this a destination and I would only suggest this place for drinks.
(2)Crissy H.
We stopped here after finding out that the burger place around the corner was closed due to the holiday. My bf was very disappointed since he wanted to witness one of the "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" but we were assured by his aunt that this place was also a really good spot. We started off with Sangria which was delicious. The menu stated that it serves up to four glasses - but it served way more than that - there was three of us and we all probably filled up our glass at least three times. We then all shared the calamari - which was just okay to me - kind of chewy I thought. They also had the beet salad and pork belly - they both said each dish was outstanding. We then moved on to dinner. I had the lobster mac and cheese, he had the gorgonzola, fig, prosciutto pizza, and his aunt had the scallops. Of course we had to try each others dish, since each one looks more appealing then the next. And they were. I really don't know which one was the best - I think it's a toss up before the lobster mac and cheese and the pizza. So rich and flavorful...Yum! Normally I don't take home leftovers - but this time I couldn't let one piece go to waste...now that tells you something!
(4)Ellie W.
Had dinner here this past weekend. Didn't seem too busy (probably due to the frigid 10 degree weather...) around dinner time, but the bar started getting a bit crowded later on. I was surprised by the food at Grafton--I was expecting strictly American pub food, and was pleased by the large menu selection. The dishes vary, from having a bit of Spanish stuff to lamb and mushroom pizza. I had the mussels and pumpkin empanadas to start, and the paella as an entree. Loved the paella! Overall, this was a pretty good spot to grab food and drinks with friends (I could actually HEAR without a shouting match in a restaurant for a change), and pretty conveniently located, so bar-hopping after dinner wouldn't be a problem.
(4)Shuchi K.
I can't take Grafton anymore. Last year, I came here every other week because it's the easy choice in Harvard Square. In any given day, the place is packed with graduate school students (especially from HBS). I liked it the first time, now I can't take it anymore. I've eaten everything in the menu, which I think it's overpriced. I never feel like eating anything anything. Slowly, my choices have been reduced to 3: BLT with avocado sandwich for lunch, salmon for a date and hummus or pizza with a big group. The place is also way too big and too noisy. The only reason why I still go back is for the mojito, one of the best in Harvard Square!
(2)Jane Z.
This place has a wonderful atmosphere, and the location is perfect! The food is quite good, and I'll definitely be going back!
(3)MJ L.
Grafton Street is a favorite for Harvard students. Their bar area offers a large enough space to gather with a group of friends during a night on the town. Grafton also has a pretty decent menu, including some late night food available until around midnight.
(3)Roman K.
Good food (but a not so big selection) and generally overpriced. Way too loud during rush hours - be early!
(4)Diana G.
I enjoyed a Thanksgiving Feast at Grafton Street Pub for the first time this year. I had Butternut Squash Bisque, Roast Turkey dinner, and Pumpkin Pie Tartlet for $38. I also choose to pair the 3 courses w/beer for an extra $18: Jacks Abby Jabby Brau, Angry Orchard Apple Ginger Cider, & Southern Tier Pumpking. Fabulous dinner. Wonderfully prepared & portions were just right. Service was friendly, too.. I left feeling happy & full. I will consider returning next year! :D
(4)Dawn E.
I'm unimpressed. It's clean and trendy in here but it just seems more "Boston" than "Cambridge," if that makes any sense to anyone. The Calamari was good. The staff was okay. This wouldn't be my first choice to visit.
(3)Julie-Ann B.
Grafton Street was the only place in Harvard Square that was willing to accommodate a reservation for 13 people for my birthday dinner in Harvard Square this past weekend (we called around to various places over a week before). At first they weren't sure they could fit us all, but the manager confirmed that it would be fine, and indeed it was! We were in the back, but not too squished in, and the server was very sweet and never seemed stressed about having a large party. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we had no complaints. The drinks were delicious (Blood Orange Martinis and Left Banks were the two drinks that quickly took over the table... I personally had the sangria because, well, I can never resist a good sangria!) The pork belly appetizer was swooned over by one of my friends, and a few of us really enjoyed the cheese board. I had the Lobster Mac and Cheese for an entree, and it could have fed 3 of us, it was so rich (and very good!), and my husband really loved his Margerita pizza. Looking around the table there was an assortment of meals and no complaining, so overall a great night! Oh - and since my husband and I were staying just down the street at the Hotel Veritas, we even went back for brunch the next day! We had the same server too, she remembered us and asked how the rest of our evening had been. The brunch was DELISH! I had pancakes with caramelized bananas and he had the Irish Breakfast. We also got the Nutella Crepes to start and OMG so good. :) In the past I had only been there for drinks or dinner with just a few people, and it's always been crowded, so I do recommend a reservation! Enjoy!
(5)David C.
I had dinner at Grafton Street so long ago that I can hardly remember how bland it was. That's really all you need to know though, I suppose. I got the chickpea burger based on a number of recommendations on Yelp, and was thoroughly disappointed. The portion was huge, but who really wants to eat that much bland food? Needless to say I ate the whole thing. Ketchup was very necessary that night.
(2)Anushri M.
I go to Grafton pretty frequently (as you might have gathered from my posts), but I try to order something different and go on different nights of the week. Grafton has always been the restaurant that has waitresses and hostesses that I am concerned are hotter than me. That being said, I keep going back. Why you ask? Well, primarily because of the food and the convenient location. I went last Sunday night and had a hamburger. Shocker for those who know me, but I was in the mood to do something a little crazy - call it a Lent indulgence. The burger is easily the best value for your buck on the menu. It's only 12 bucks, but it's a standard size burger and you get a choice of fries or a salad. If you're getting a burger, you're clearly splurging - so you should double down and get the fries. My date ordered the tuna tartare appetizer which looked both delicious and filling. For the price of $12, you can easily make it an appetizer. I haven't discerned way some tables get bread and others do not. The people to our right had bread, yet we were never offered. It's kind of annoying and the type of thing that can sour you on an experience because you start wondering if you're being treated unfairly. The service was surprisingly not that great. Normally, whenever I go the people are friendly, helpful, and offer you bread. I guess don't go to Grafton on Sundays.
(3)Alexa C.
The meal here I had while visiting Boston to watch the marathon was out of this world delicious! I had the scallops with butternut squash, bacon and apples and also the flourless chocolate torte for dessert. I dream about this food and being able to go back here! The chef was very versed on Gluten Free dining practices as well. Enjoy!
(5)K M.
We got here early on a Sunday morning so the wait wasn't very long for brunch for a party of 4. Service was great and the food came out a resonable time. I liked the decor and the space layout of this place - I didn't feel cramped at all! My fav part was the food - of course! After we ordered our food, we got a basket of warm mini cranberry muffins and croissants. Nice touch vs. just getting a basket of assorted breads. I had ordered the Smokey Pork And Sweet Potato Hash and loved it. The amount of pork was perfect and the sweet potatoes added a nice touch to the hash. If I stayed longer in Boston, I would have come back to try this place for dinner.
(4)Natalie M.
I highly recommend Grafton St. The prices are good for Harvard Square, and the quality of the food is excellent. Service can be shaky at times if you go during some of the busy times, but overall this is truly a wonderful place to dine.
(4)Caitlin S.
The ambiance in Grafton Street is great. It's the perfect place to go out with a small group or a date for drinks. As far as the food goes i will have to agree with past yelpers in saying that it's mediocre. I had the Gouda risotto with cranberries and grilled shrimp and it was tasty but lackluster. Also, the bread was very BAD NEWS BEARS...if you take a grandparent here with dentures advise them to stay away...
(3)Jeremy K.
4.5 stars and a happy and healthy new year to all. so some friends came up and went to the middle east last night, so we needed something in the cambridge area, being 530pm on the 30th, we started to get frantic, but we did hear about the street and thought we could give it a shot. we called and spoke about the possibility of many seating options and couldnt give a firm reservation so that was concerning for us, but once we did, (4pm on the 31st) it was set and so were we. i called and they said no, but mer called 3 minutes later and they said yes, lesson learned, i am not the fairer race. so then there was a blizzard, well in the afternoon at least, cause as you would know being out last night, the streets were empty which was very good for our car driving folks, us. we still valeted at Grafton at the last moment as it still wasnt safe to street park. 12 bux, 15 with new year cheer. so the atmosphere is as i would say 'modern wood', kinda how id like my home library *dream*would be, dark wood, sleek, very nice on the eye. our table was comfy, and they have hooks for the coats and glove on the wall, nice touch. i will also say that the seating in the bar is directly affected by the outside temp as the door was opened quite frequently and those who were there were visibly effected. drink menu invited me to try the st rita which had st germain and tequila, i was hoping to try the saint for a while, and this didnt disappoint. i had two and was in full cheer form.our friend had the grape-basil drink, said it was the best thing ever...im thinking there was some cheer going on there too. they had a $40 prix menu and although i didnt get that, the guy who did enjoyed it thoroughly. they did have a lite fare or tasting menu, not the full menu but many good options, so i instead got the steak frit which was tender and delish! i had to bring it home though cause i eat really slow. mer got the mac and cheese which was ok, a bit runny, but all in all tasty. again, 4.5 stars, great if you are looking for something a bit nicer in the harvard square area. good location. however i will also say that the seating in the bar is directly effected by the outside temp as the door was opened quite frequently and those who were there were visibly effected.
(4)Nicole S.
I went here when my dad visited last weekend. It was crowded but i had reservations and they made sure i was seated quickly! When we passed my the crowded bar the inside was pretty lovely. I can see myself getting a drink here with friends or going for dinner. I had the crab cake as an app and steak and mashed potatoes as an entree. Crad cakes were good! but didnt care for my entree much. It was a bit pricey but since i was with my dad it was ok. What made my experience great was i didn't feel overcrowded and the waitress was the best and sooo nice. I'd come here again.
(4)Bret C.
Great location and cool atmosphere. That's about all the praise I can think of for Grafton Street. Everything was fairly mediocre - and fairly pricey for the amount of food you get. Service was the same. I was shocked that it was busy on a Tuesday night. Unfortunately I can't see myself coming back unless I need to stop to use the restroom on the way to Bartley's or something - ha!
(2)Molly Y.
My partner and I were out rambling the streets in Harvard Square looking for dinner. Stopped to read the menu outside Grafton Street and were sold instantly. I mean really, lobster macaroni & cheese? You gotta try something like that. We were so, so pleased that we decided to eat here! What a great experience. The service was prompt, friendly, knowledgeable, and accurate. The food was so, so good - good portions for the price, and the quality was top-notch. The beer selection seemed great to me, and our waitress (Katrina) listened carefully to our description of what kind of beer we like and perfectly nailed which beers to recommend. Didn't have room for dessert, but the dessert menu looked phenomenal. We'll have to save room to try some of the sweet treats next time. If you're looking for a cozy, comfortable place to have a beer and a really good meal, this is seriously the place for you. What a treat!
(5)Richard C.
Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It can be easy to forgive a few things; a slightly over-cooked burger, a less than perfect bun or a mediocre pickle, as long as the complete package works in the end. The reality is that it's all about the flavor; bonus points for complete execution and a few carefully crafted "cheffy" tricks here and there. But to be solid, all you really need to is season up some beef, melt some cheese and call it a day. But the Grafton Street burger can't do it, it's simple, but to a fault. As Harold from Best Damn Buger and I soon discovered, the beef has little flavor and is way beyond the specified medium-rare. But it's one of those burgers that probably would have been underwhelming either way, there just isn't much character or personality in this burger. And as we all, know personality goes a long way. The additions of aged Vermont Cheddar and sweet onion relish should be welcoming, but instead I have to send out a search party because I just don't taste them anywhere. Individually, the flavor is there for these condiments (is cheese a condiment?) but the only flavors as a whole are charred, over-cooked beef. The fries are actually spot-on, crispy and salty, if not slightly cooler than I'd prefer. In many regards it's a very typical burger; not properly cooked, not seasoned aggressively enough and overall plain and boring. It's $11 which is all well and dandy, but completely forgettable in every sense of the word.
(2)Colleen M.
Stopped on for a quick light dinner and got exactly that. We had the tomato salad and the margarita pizza, both were great. Service was a little slow but I hate reviews that dock a restaurant totally based on their wait staff. Overall, I'd go back. Next time I wanna try the cookie sunday; it looks great!
(4)Thuy T.
The first time I went was just for drinks! It was fun and the people there were really nice. The second time I cam I ordered a salmon. It was undercooked and way to salty for me. I had them take it back. I ate the mash potatoes - the was good!. They did not offered me a new plate but just did not charged me for it. My waiter was really nice though. But It was extremely hard to get the waiters attention. We waited for at least 15 mins to get a check and another 10 for them to come back with our cards.
(3)Stefanee H.
Oh how I would love to give this place 0 stars. What a joke!!! The waiter (aka the bartender) literally forgot to put our order in!!! (He would not admit that of course.) 30 minutes go by and my friend and I (both visiting from Chicago) are staring at him trying to get his attention because everyone around us, even people who came in after us, had gotten their food already. We see the other bartender bring this to his attention and he just kind of shakes it off. Finally I walk up to him and question where our food is. Waiter: "You ordered a burger medium well and that takes time. I will check on your order." WTF?! He does have a point, I mean clearly, they are the only restaurant that serves burgers in America. So not only have we been waiting, at this point, 40 minutes from the time we ordered, but we havent had our drinks refilled at all. At the 42 minute mark this waiter comes over to us, "So youre order got lost in the shuffle. You ordered a burger medium well so that is going to take at least another 10 minutes. I apologize." Me: "WHAT?! I asked you about this 10 minutes ago. We have been here for 40 minutes." Waiter: "Yeah ummmmm...I apologize. Its just that you asked for your burger to be cooked medium well...I apologize. THis just happens sometimes." Ok, here is where I lost it, in my head not in public. Why does this apology feel as though it was my fault for ordering a burger medium well?! I ordered a burger. If your cooks cannot cook one, do not have it on the menu. Also, he did not offer us an appetizer or a free dessert or even offer to refill our drinks. This is garbage. What happened to customer service in America? Me: "I understand that this happens sometimes, I have worked in restaurants, however I wish you would have checked on this when I asked you about it. We have a flight to catch and you have ruined our afternoon." Friend: "We are going to have to find a Wendys. Thanks!" (We didnt want to eat fast food, we have plenty of that in Chicago.) Waiter: "Yeah, ummmm...Im sorry about that and do apologize. I hope you come back and see us again!" (My friend and I laughing and mumbling curse words and how dissapointed we are in our decision to come to this restaurant.) To summarize: The customer service here was awful. The bartender/waiter had no idea how to treat customers and the hostesses just kinda stood there watching this happen. I do not care how great the food is (I will never know) because I refuse to go a place where the staff thinks they are doing us a favor by serving us. I will take average food and great customer service over a shitty, self righteous, staff any day.
(1)Jess L.
If I had written this review as soon as I got home, I would have given it three stars: decent ambiance, good wine list, pretty standard menu, pretty standard service. I got the three-cheese flatbread pizza, which was greasy. Good portion size for the $10 price, though. BUT, I had horrible stomach issues the following night - won't go into details - so much that I was not sure if I would make my plane the following late morning. Ugh. Horrible feeling... I'll stay away from this one.
(1)Rani P.
Grafton Street was a common destination of "welcome lunches" and "farewell dinners" at my last job. For some reason, everyone agreed it was a great place to go and get lunch on the company amex. However, each time I was continually disappointed with the food. If I haven't ordered most of what is on the menu, I tried someone else's entree. Everything was bland and average. A word to the wise- steer clear of the salads, they sound better than they taste. The highlight of this place is the very cool atmosphere and the convenient location that looks onto the busy streets of Harvard Square while still maintaining a trendy, exclusive feeling. Eventually a few of my coworkers and I continually would suggest another place whenever Grafton was name dropped. Not a horrible place, but there is SO much more in Harvard worth eating!
(2)Michael W.
It has such a great atmosphere. The outdoor seating area where we sat is a cute enclosed space that affords privacy but also a good people-viewing platform. But the food was so disappointing. And while the service picked up as the meal went on, we went 15 minutes without being offered water or a drink. Anyway, onto the food. I ordered a Grafton burger, which was a good burger, if a little greasy (some people like it like that?). But the fries that came with were soggy, thin, oily, and virtually unseasoned. What is it with restaurants still not seasoning food, expecting you to season it yourself? That's so 1960s (but then again, I wouldn't know because I wasn't born yet) Girlfriend ordered a goat cheese and spinach omelette, which was even more of a letdown than my dish. First, the omelette itself came out looking like the egg had been fried for way too long, with a brown-ish tinge and crispy edges. Then you cut into it, and realize that the ingredients were probably never cooked with the egg, because the cheese wasn't melty and the spinach was in clumps of precooked form. Really disappointing. I'm confused as to why a business with such varied reviews gets so much business. Is there really such a dearth of options in the area? Or maybe I'm just being too harsh.
(2)Priyanka N.
I actually really liked this place and would most definitely come back! I liked the vibe in general here, except for the common problem of 2 person tables that are too close together. We didn't mind when we came here though because it wasn't very crowded. We started with the sangria and a glass of wine. The sangria was pretty good - had a much more apple-y flavor than I'm used to but I rather enjoyed it. I ordered the fish and chips and my boyfriend ordered the steak (which came with mashed potatoes and a salad). The fish and chips were delicious! Fried fish tends to have the problem of being too heavy and oily but this fried fish was relatively light making it a delight to eat. The fries and dipping sauce were also good. I never know what to expect of steak from a non-steak house but I actually really liked the flavor of the steak and I'm not sure why but I loved the salad. Normally not a fan of raw mushrooms but I loved them here. It was a little pricey for what you're getting but the food was great!
(4)Michael Z.
I think what I liked about grafton is that it doesn't try to be more than it really is. It's got solid dishes that are a little on the fancier end without the excessive oils or emphasis on super fancy ingredients that don't add much. It's in a semi casual/formal scene that felt really comfortable. Hopefully I'm not offending anyone with this impression. My Benedicts for brunch were pretty satisfying.
(4)Sylvia C.
Place comes highly recommended by fellow Yelpers. Glad they steered us to the right place. The hostesses were extremely friendly and helpful with directions to the validated parking lot. We got there 30 mins before our reservation so we decided to kick start at the bar. The bartenders were quick to greet, friendly and attentive. Ordered two cocktails and the mushroom flatbread (couldn't wait til dinner). Love the flavor combination - fontina cheese, tomato jam, red onions and mushrooms. We were gently reminded by the hostess that our table is ready. For dinner - we opted the following: Dozen oysters - we slurped the briny and chilled oysters as soon as they landed on the table Mussels with fries - heaping of mussels in a wine broth topped off with shoestring fries Cioppino - normally not a big fan because of the mild flavor but not Grafton's version..it's packed enough flavor not to overcome the seafood Seared salmon - love the crispy skin and tapenade spread - definitely added depth to the salmon With the amount of food we'd ordered - we managed to make room for the banana bread pudding dessert. Two of my favorite items combined and it was a hit. Can we say OVERINDULGED?! Definitely be back.
(5)Stacey G.
Excellent brunch!! Came here on a Saturday with friends. Upscale food, good prices, great service!! I had the huevos rancheros.... So good My friends both had the eggs Benedict with Irish bacon and avocado- they loved it!! We shared a carafe of the white sangria. This is a must go to restaurant.
(5)Rob C.
If it weren't for the incredible service, I'd say it's a 4-star. Our waiter (think his name is Kai) was very personable, friendly, and professional, and made it a great experience. It was one of those times where my wife and I commented to each other how the service just made everything that much better. The food was great, some of which came from his recommendations. Had calamari to start, which was awesome - really great sauce with it, they do it a little differently. I had pork chop which I think is marinated in a maple sauce...phenomenal. Food was straight forward & excellent, and place has a nice modern decor without being pretentious.
(5)Nikki C.
Nice stop for a patio lunch. The service was superb. I had the crab cake burger with bacon. It was served with fries. Very nice. I also had the red sangria, which was a perfect afternoon cocktail for such a hot day.
(4)Jess S.
Well, this was probably the only place on Harvard Sq. to have multiple open tables at 8:30 p.m. on a Friday, so that's a plus I guess. I like that it is spacious and comfortable. The service, however, was slower than molasses on a freezing Boston winter day. For real, I nearly had forgotten what I ordered! Don't go hungry! Go an hour before your hunger will set in! When the food did finally arrive, I was disappointed by my veggie (quinoa) burger that lacked imagination, flavor, and desperately needed a good sauce. All in all, I'd only go there again if I had to.
(3)Stella B.
I've had some oysters ,burger , salad with beer! The burger was delicious and the patty was juicy enough . Oysters what I had weren't that fresh because it was rainy day.. ( you better to avoid eating seafood when it's rainy day! ) I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant and a server who served for us. They were friendly and nice . This place has also outside tables so you can enjoy a summer night with your lovely friends !!
(4)Rachel C.
I was pleasantly surprised to find a great looking cocktail list. I happily ordered the Aviation, which was made fantastically. We decided to order only a handful of appetizers, since we weren't too hungry. The oysters were good, although I believe they only have the one variety to choose from, the Island Creek. We also ordered the Ploughmans Board (charcuterie platter) and the crab cake. I was a little underwhelmed with the board. First off, I hate when the waiter just sets the board down and leaves. No explanation of what we're going to eat. So not knowing what was what, we dove in. Big plus with the pickled veggies, but sadly the board was just okay. There was literally two tiiiiny pieces of cheese and the rest were meats. The meats were okay, but nothing too amazing in there. I really liked the crab cake though. Not only was the crab cake itself really tasty, but the corn relish and cilantro aioli put it over the top. Loved every bite of it! Might be worth a stop in just for the crab cakes!
(3)Cynthia L.
I was trying to remember when I had a meal like I did at Grafton Street. It was a year ago at Earth hidden pond , Kennebunk ME Grafton street simply is high quality! The chef came out for a visit after the simple mention for the compound butter ingredients. I did not catch his name- I'm bad at that! But he wrote out the recipe and was more than gracious. I have found my new home for that meal that is simply amazing. I don't mind going to Maine but Grafton street is so much closer! I ended up getting a 2-1 deal from Guilt. The offer expires this week, wished I went earlier and bought a few more offers!
(5)Kelsey G.
This update reflects all the lunches I have here that are really fantastic. This place is a Mecca for Harvard staff to lunch together, and for good reason. The lunch specials are great and the regular sandwiches are reasonable and surprisingly good. I have especially liked the crab cake sandwich with a side salad. The meal is filling without making you feel overstuffed and unhealthy. The drink menu is fantastic here, so we still come here for after work drinks, but when I dine here, I now go for lunch over dinner.
(5)Al N.
Pro: good customer service, friendly waiters, nice atmosphere. Con: very limited menu selection, don't order margherita pizza. They don't make the right kind of margherita like some other places. If you want the world's best margherita pizza, go to Mozzeria in San Francisco!
(3)Cynthia E.
Came here for a company dinner and while we had primarily appetizer platters passing around I wanted to write a review since they were so accommodating for me. I am vegan and they made vegan appetizers for me. They passed them around at first with the others then once they knew I was the vegan all the servers made sure to find me as they walked through with the vegan choices. After awhile they got me a plate of a variety of the vegan choices. They were all really delicious as well!
(5)Addie M.
Disappointed. Hosts at door were cold and unfriendly. But they sat us right away on a pretty busy Friday night. They tried seating us at the bar but there was a loud obnoxious group and we asked to go into dining room. We walked in at 8 30 and were seated away from bar within 5 or 10 minutes. We knew what we wanted and ordered right away. We waited 15 minutes for water and a Pepsi. Our oysters came at almost 9 15 and our steak and fish and chips came three minutes later.. We asked for regular tartar sauce instead of the curried tartar sauce because my fiancé has an intolerance and the waiter refused. When he came back to the table he said the chef was not able to make tartar sauce. But you have fish and chips? And curried tartar sauce. Which means you probably have mayo and pickles or relish. The steak was over cooked and fatty but the sauce and salad were nice.
(2)Samantha L.
Grafton Street is located in Harvard Square. There's free parking with an Open Table reservation but you must call the restaurant for details. The restaurant is decorated with large Guinness wooden signs and lamps that look like upside down hand drums. In the bar, there's a black chalk board with a list of beers on draught and bottle. They offer a variety of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, and cocktails). There are tv's in the bar to watch sports. There's rap, hip hop, and funk music playing loudly. After we were seated, our server Alexander politely asked whether we'd like sparkling or still water for the table. The water was served in a clear bottle. Two of the guests ordered Arnold Palmer's with less lemonade. The Arnold Palmer's came unsweetened. After we placed our order, our server brought us a basket of bread - sour dough and butter. I couldn't tell whether the bread was chilled or room temperature. For appetizers, we shared the Roasted Beet Salad and Moules Frites. The Roasted Beet Salad consisted of largely sliced golden and red beets served over spring mix, drizzled with cumin vinaigrette, topped with candied walnuts, and garnished with mint. The Moules Frites consisted of small to medium PEI mussels in Sauvignon Blanc, garlic, and parsley aioli topped with hand cut fries and mayo. Most of the mussels were cleaned nicely. The sauce was tasty and perfect for dipping bread. For entrees, we shared the Seared Atlantic Salmon and Margherita Pizza. The pan seared salmon was served over saffron rice pilaf with charcoal grilled broccoli rabe and topped with pineapple-red pepper-alfa sprout relish. The salmon skin was nice and crispy. However, I don't think it was the best salmon I've ever had. The Margherita Pizza was more like a thick flatbread with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and shredded basil. For dessert, we shared a Poached Pear, which was served over creme anglaise and drizzled with red wine gastrique. It had a strong cinnamon flavor. Two guests ordered coffee while I ordered Mem's China Green Tea, which tasted like Dragonwell tea. The honey and milk weren't necessary for this kind of tea. The tea bag of loose leave was steeped in tea pot with hot water and came with a tea mug. It was a good meal and I would return again!
(4)Jessica L.
I stopped by after church on a Sunday morning at around 12pmish and was surprised the place wasn't as packed as I thought it would be. We were seated immediately, and the waitress was very understanding while we sat for around 15 minutes waiting for the rest of our party to arrive before ordering. I got the avocado benedict and it was the right choice! It's an ordinary eggs benedict, but with a twist, as the perfectly ripe avocado adds a touch of buttery bite to the eggs benedict. Another plus to the avocado benedict was that they were not stingy with the hollandaise! There was enough hollandaise for every bite AND for the homemade fries on the side haha Oh, and those fries were perfectly seasoned and every bite was crunchy. I would love to be back again for another brunch!
(4)Susan W.
Food is not bad. The servers are very helpful and responsive. We had the Scallops with pork belly. There wasn't much flavors to the pork belly. But the scallops are excellent. The mussels were good as well. Good broth. The oysters are kind of small though, but fresh.
(4)Kim K.
So average I really cannot remember what I had here. That's not good. American food that's accessible and fairly priced. Also, it's clean, friendly service, and always packed. Nothing I'd be rushing back to though as there are so many other great dining choices in Harvard Square! Come here if you need to host a group in a neutral location.
(3)Joey N.
I wish I can give this place more than 5 stars but I'll give it a proper review. The food was amazing, the staff was great, but the service could have been a little quicker. The artisan pizza melts in your mouth and the beet salad plays with your tastebuds. I tried Sangria for the first time in this little cafe located near Harvard University....it's my new favorite drink. Thank you Grafton Street for the amazing meal and the fantastic experience.
(5)Janet J.
Came in on a Sunday night for dinner and was impressed with some parts of our meal and was left unimpressed by some. My friend and I shared the lobster mac and cheese and the steak. I loved the mac and cheese. Very well seasoned and the truffle oil was heavenly. Definitely recommend! Sadly, the steak was bland. The arugula that came with the steak was also needed improvement. I like my salads a little crispier and the arugula seemed a little soggy. But, our waiter was nice and friendly! Good experience, but I'm not sure if I would choose this restaurant among all the other restaurants in Harvard Square
(3)Susanna L.
The food here is so tasty!! We came for restaurant week last night but we ordered from the dine out menu as well as their regular menu. Best things I had were the braised short rib gnocchi (dine out), pigtail app (dine out), Arctic char (dine out), and duck confit (regular menu). Their moules frites was also pretty good. Their lobster mac and cheese was delicious at first but I think the pasta could have been softer. Service is not bad, a little slow but that suited us fine since it gave us more time to talk and linger. All in all, a very solid experience. Will try their desserts next time.
(4)Vicky N.
I came here with a group of friends for dinner. Service was amazing! Waiter was very friendly, patient and helpful (gave great drink recommendation). I got the Maple Cured Berkshire Pork loin($21). The pork was dry tough and not flavorful. However i did like the gorgonzola corn cake (slightly sweet and soft texture) and the ginger carrot puree (who knew carrots could taste so good!) My friends got the Smoked moulard Duck Breast ($22). The duck was juicy and tender. My friend was very happy with the dish. My other friend got Lobster mac&cheese ($17). It was a pretty big portion . It was creamy, had the right amount of lobster, and loved the added crunch from the light truffle oil bread crumbs. Overall we had a great experience!
(4)Monica T.
Good service, waiters had good recommendations, wide drink selection. The Drink recommendations were on point for everyone in my party. Only thing is complimentary bread was slightly lacking for my taste, but the main dishes and appetizers we tried were all amazing. We tried the calamari, duck, pork loin, lobster mac n cheese all amazing.
(4)Eunice E.
Taking a bite out of the Grafton burger last night was the closest to heaven I've gotten yet. After 2 HOURS of Zumba-ing with my girl, Andrea B., we were in a haze of hunger. It got to the point where we were just incoherently grunting at each other after ordering our food. It was bad. Then, enter split orders of the burger and the fried chicken sandwich (with avocado!), plates brimming with the most perfect skinny fries on the face of this planet. Needless to say, there was only silence and a few repeated murmurs of "This is so good" from both of us for a good fifteen minutes. The service is always great; the prices keep my wallet happy; and the food, oh the food. I have come here just for drinks, too, because I love that long bar, I really do (as well as the hand-crafted cocktails!). But the food. I usually go a while between visits because I don't remember how much I love it, but this time, it's been seared in my mind, and I won't soon forget. I'll be seeing you soon, Grafton Street, you slice o' heaven in Harvard Square, you.
(5)Sujith R.
I have to say. This place is BIG !! I ate steak and drank sangria just before catching a flight. The servers were so nice.
(4)Natalie D.
One of the best meals I ever had in Boston. I came here for an early dinner with my boyfriend almost 2 weeks ago. We got to sit outside at a big table even though we were only 2. The host was awesome! The server brought water right away which is important when you're sitting outside in the summer time. I ordered the best beer I've ever had: an IPA that was made in a Jack Daniels barrel. It sounds crazy but it had this amazing coconut flavor and a ton of alcohol even though it tasted like a lighter ale and not like a hoppy IPA. Food: best Mac and cheese of my life! Lobster Mac had truffle oil and was just the right size. I doubt I'll ever eat a better Mac and cheese. My boyfriend got the grilled salmon with root veggies... So many delicious smoky flavors really elevated the earthy root veggies. Dessert: I ordered the creme brûlée which was awesome. I'm always impressed when restaurants have solid desserts bc usually they don't have the expertise being that they specialize in savory concepts but this brûlée really held up to the best of them. I can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu!
(5)Justina D.
This is the kind of place you take your parents for dinner when they come visiting you in Cambridge. Or the kind of place where you go with friends or your couple for brunch on weekends. Very nice place, friendly staff and a nice menu that gives you what it promises; good American food well done.
(5)Hayley D.
Had a wonderful brunch here in the middle of Harvard square. We were seated next to the window and the restaurant had a friendly atmosphere. The wait staff was very knowledgeable and welcoming. I ordered the daily special blood orange mimosa, which was delicious. I got the Texas style french toast with caramel and bananas, and I can honestly say it was one of the best french toasts I've had in my life. Large portion but you'll finish it all since it's fantastic. My boyfriend got the bacon cheese burger and I stole a few fries from him that were exceptionally well-seasoned. Our friends got the Irish breakfast (huge plate of food!) and the omelet with a side of fruit, which were all very tasty. I will be returning here the next time I'm in Boston!
(5)Jasmine C.
Came for the brunch and ordered the yogurt and granola and fruit bowl, and I was surprised by how large the portion sizes were for prices comparable to most other brunch places around here! So yes, don't order both (as I normally would during brunch) because you can expect sizeable portions
(3)Kelly R.
SANGRIA (!!!!) Food is standard to slightly above average (I've ordered the beet salad, bavette steak, molten cake, and lobster mac & cheese); sangria is the star of the show. Order it in pitchers!
(4)Robert Y.
Came here for lunch during our visit to harvard. crab cake BLT Unique concept and had quite a bit of pieces of crab. If you like crab cake and bacon this one is for you. Came with fries or salad. 3.75/5 Ruben Pretty standard above average with decent amounts of beef. 3.75/5 Overall decent lunch place. Their brunch menu seems nice but only served on the weekends
(4)Alexandra M.
Started drinking in their area of Harvard square Oktoberfest. They gave out tickets for a raffle sometimes when you bought drink tickets. -1 star for the complete lack of organization there on that. I bought 2 drink tickets, got 1 raffle ticket, someone else bought 2 drink tickets, got no raffle tickets, and another bought 2 drink tickets and got 2 raffle tickets. Good thing we sorted it out once we got to the bar. You had to go to the bar to get one free drink with your raffle ticket and then you can keep the ticket to see if you won the raffle...or just keep using that to get free drinks. Which you definitely were not supposed to do, but no one was stopping our group of 7+. Service was fast, we didn't get food so no comment there. Pretty interior with the dark wood.
(3)Arthur C.
YES. Chicken Ciabatta Sandwich. $11. Worth every cent. From the bread, to the chicken breast (which is a huge portion in a sandwich) to the tomato jam. Oh and a massive side of fries. I was pretty full from this to check out dessert menu :( Came in here on a Friday night. BE SURE TO MAKE RESERVATIONS. Although that goes for every other nice place in Harvard Square. Great place to chill: comfortable and spacious, they place hip-hop through the night which I personally love, but I can understand if people don't like that music in a nicer restaurant. The only con was that my soup was forgotten but waiter was extremely nice and offered me a side dish on the house.
(5)Brisk W.
I had an absolutely wonderful dinner date at Grafton. We began with the Sangria, which was divine. I have never had it with cinnamon before. My mother usually makes it en masse, so I know my way around the stuff. Am I a connoisseur? I should move on. The moules frites were not gluten free, which I sadly am, but I hear they were glorious. I could hear how crunchy the fries were. Can we talk about their scallops, mashed potatoes and ratatouille, tho? It was spicy and flawless. Each vegetable chunk was cooked through. All veggies were small, none were overcooked and altogether it made for a splendid meal. The potatoes were impossibly light and painfully delicious. And, of course, the scallops were impeccable. The service was wonderful. If you book early in the evening or early in the week, you get some pretty solid seats with pretty wonderful wait staff. Other than the price, this place rocked my socks. Would go again on a date. Probably going to go again on a date.
(5)Belinda L.
Had a great experience when I was brought to Grafton Street for lunch on a work trip to Harvard! It was some atypical items on their menu that first drew my attention. I ended up with the clam chowder (you can't pass that up in Boston!) and the spicy lamb belly (!!) pizza, which were in my mind a great combination between the safe and the adventurous. Love how they use fresh clams for the chowder, that's one of the things Boston is famous for, fresh seafood yay!! And the pizza, it has American lamb, sambal, feta, cilantro on it. It's definitely not something I would have came up with, but the natural flavor of the lamb pairs really well with the cilantro and sambal. I ended up enjoying my lunch a lot and would definitely go back the next time I'm in town.
(4)Cathy S.
Been here a couple of times and it seems like the food could be either a hit or a miss. I do like the atmosphere - there's a lot of seating as well as a patio area and the service has been good each time. I came for dinner once and got a pizza that wasn't that good. However this past time I got the pulled pork sandwich for brunch and it was really excellent. I loved how it came with generous servings of both a side salad (simple and fresh) and fries (crispy - I approve). The actual sandwich was great too with creamy potato salad, pulled pork, and slaw all layered on top of each other. A ton of food for only $11. As for my friends, many tried the eggs benedict and didn't seem impressed by that dish. So overall I've had mixed experiences here with the food, though with it's relatively diverse menu and nice atmosphere it could still be a good place to meet with friends.
(3)Jodie K.
Our server was really great. She had suggestions on what was good and she didn't disappoint. I got the fish and chips and it was delicious. It was great for socializing and unwinding after a long day!
(5)Sandra S.
I'm vegan and Loved their homemade hummus. Went tonight and no hummus platter. Asked what do you have for vegans. I was offered a Trio of Smoked Mushrooms with a red sauce. REALLY???? What kind of a vegan option is smoked mushrooms. I walked out. It's seems that the chef changed the menu and took off the hummus platter 'because it had been on there a long time.
(1)Julia C.
I went to Grafton Street with a group of eight friends on a recent Saturday night. We had made a reservation and the restaurant seated us promptly. However, once we ordered sangria, our waiter disappeared for over thirty minutes. Later, the manager took care of the situation when we spoke to her about the long wait for service, which we appreciated. When the drinks finally arrived, we all enjoyed the sangria which tasted nice with elderflower liqueur added in. Everyone enjoyed their dishes. I ordred the pan roasted chicken, served with cheddar polenta and spinach with almonds and raisins. The chicken fell off the bone and melted in my mouth. I would like to return to this restaurant to try more of the food, which I would rate 4 stars.
(3)Isabella C.
This used to be one of my favorite brunch places around Cambridge because the restaurant is clean, well-lit and inviting. However, my last experience there proved to be difficult so I would warn against dining there in a large group. The brunch menu is great - and reasonably priced, around $15 will get you a main and a coffee - and includes eggs benny, French toast, pancakes, omelets, etc. They also serve dessert at breakfast time, which is a nice treat. One time when I was there for brunch, they didn't have one of the items on menu and ended up offering us free dessert, which was both unprompted and appreciated. The last time I went there, I had a party of 10. I had mentioned that two separate tables would be fine, and they said they would do just that. We reserved for 6:45 and arrived a few minutes earlier, checked in, and were told it would be a five minute wait. A few minutes after 6:45, we asked about the table and they gestured to a table that was just ordering dessert, and apologetically said we would have to wait. I've never been told to wait at a restaurant because the previous table hadn't finished their meal, let alone not offered an alternative. This was just a regular table - not a patio or special area - and we would have been happy with any other. Finally they seated our first table of five, and then said the other table of five would be on the other side of the dining area, though we had asked for two tables close together. It was busy, so that was understandable, but there were at least 30 minutes between the initial reservation time and the time by which we were all seated. We ordered around the table and they served the food within a reasonable amount of time, though they did mess up one order. They brought over a soup for that person, apologizing for the mix up. At the end of the meal, we spoke to the manager about the delay we'd experienced and the manager apologized but did not offer us anything. Upon some prompting, we were offered gelato on the house - one serving for the entire table... All in all, the food was great. We ordered quite a few appetizers for the table and there was very little overlap between the dishes. There's also great variety between pizza, fish, bouillabaisse, sandwiches, steak, etc. but it's a loud place when full and the communication between the wait staff seems iffy at times and management could do with improving their reservation system.
(3)Jen D.
A great place for dinner with friends or family and a pretty hopping bar at night. Reservations are a good idea, though--they fill up.
(4)Matt I.
I've been here a couple times with varying success on the food. Arancini is good. Great chicken entree. Calamari appetizer seemed to be lower quality than I'm used to. Pot roast entree needed salt, but then was enjoyable. Great "date" atmosphere. The drinks are always top notch--that's a definite. Drinks aren't as good as Park, but I don't like Park's food menu. And Russell House Tavern, while the food is probably better, is just a little too weird sometimes (I'm not ALWAYS in the mood for Pig's Head Cake or Head Cheese). All in all, I'll keep coming back.
(4)Matt N.
This place is great for dinner. I used this place as a date spot while I was dating. It is PERFECT for a date! The food is delicious. The first thing I tried was the chicken breast, with the bacon and spinach and whatever that white stuff is. My god. And again, and again, and again, and again, etc. Needless to say, that's all I've had. How do they do that? The person who I am with has enjoyed their meal every time. Even for a vegetarian. Sometimes it can be a little loud if you get a table by the bar. I've had a drink at the bar while waiting for a reservation, but I have not spent much time there and just ordered a beer when I did. I've had great service 3/5 times, "meh" service once, and one waiter that was out in left field, but it was laughable so it worked out just fine. And sidenote, if you drive, just book a reservation online. With that receipt on your dashboard (or just a note with a reservation and your last name) It's free parking down the street in a church parking lot. There are no signs, and you feel like you're going to get ticketed and towed. But you dont. It's a nice touch for sure. Great place for a dinner date. I'll be back again. And I already know what I'm getting.
(4)Jenny P.
I was meeting a friend for lunch today. I was seated 3xs before the table was satisfactory. The first two tables felt like I was in a sauna. It is July and the weather is hot and humid. The manger came over to ask if I wanted to be moved. I explained if they close the windows the air conditioning would work better. She didn't even pretend to care or want to here what I was saying. Talk about poor customer service from the Manager!
(2)Maximillian M.
The lobster mac and cheese was good, but I was underwhelmed by the clam chowder, which I also thought was under-seasoned and on the bland side. Excellent service though.
(3)Matt Y.
It could have been due to a stellar evening before our crew arrived at Grafton Street (and would particularly recommend checking out Club Oberon if possible!). Yet, the atmosphere, ambience, and tastes here make for a truly inviting late night destination in Cambridge. Their drink list is generous but not sprawling, with a more than adequate Sangria and several specialty cocktails. Their appetizers are not to be missed, ranging from calamari to charcuterie to a sizable cheese spread to oysters on the half shell! Then, the appetizers whet one's taste more than enough for a fitting number of entrees. I can highly recommend their tempura-fried fish and chips with a red curry tartar sauce, tender whitefish, and house made cole slaw and French fries. Alas, no dessert was sampled but would be well worth savoring on a future visit. Oh, and should anyone be inclined for lemon drop shots, Grafton Street offers some rather smooth ones...
(5)Ned K.
Overall, Graftons is a good restaurant. Food is good, atmosphere is good, and location is good. For me though, it kind of ends up being a last option after living in Cambridge for two years. The one gripe I have with it though, is that they need to relax with how heavy they are on truffle oil and aoili. We get it, that stuff is good, but calm down. KISS: keep it simple stupid.
(3)Jane S.
Grafton Street may look like your average student pub from the outside, but the food is surprisingly good. The restaurant seems to cater to both the students of Harvard - the university which is literally only a few steps away - and a crowd of more critical eaters. The inside is a combination of a pub and a trendy restaurant, which can also be said about the menu. For students and less adventurous people, there's some pizzas and burgers ($9 -$13) and even those look stunning. The real surprise here is the combination of flavors and presentation. A roasted beet salad ($9) does not excite very much on paper, but the way that Grafton street presented it was pure magic. The dish was visually stunning (see photo) and the combination of french feta, candied walnuts, mint, and a cumin vinaigrette was absolutely to die for. The mains are equally impressive: the one that appealed to me most was the sweet potato ravioli ($18). The ravioli was cooked to perfection and the brown butter sauce with pickled cranberries, Parmesan, crispy sage and hazelnuts really elevated this dish. Although the meal was very satisfying, curiosity made me also want to order the rosemary truffle frites ($5). Although they were slightly too salty, they proved again that the chef really knows how to make flavors come together and how to provide a new twist to known dishes.
(4)Luke S.
I'll keep it short here: Made a reservation on OpenTable. When they called to confirm, I requested that they give me a table by the window (my Mom was visiting and I figured that would be nice). Sure enough, when we showed up the best table in the house- right by the window- was waiting for us. That set a nice tone for the night. The service was fantastic. Our waiter was very nice, and, most importantly, did not rush us one bit (we may actually have rushed him, but, please don't misconstrue that as a complaint). There's nothing worse than feeling pressured to order. The food was great. I had the chicken and found it to be very good. The other two had the burgers and said they were good. If the burger is anything like the Grafton burger then I'm sure they were right. It was a great night and a great meal.
(4)Liz W.
Came here for brunch today. It was a really beautiful day so we were seated outside. The waitress was extremely nice, and gave us some good recommendations for food. Drinks: -Strawberry Germaine Cocktail - 3/5: I'd say it was pretty good.. a refreshing sparking wine with some light strawberry flavor to it, but it was a little too watery -Seasonal Mimosa - 3.5/5: very fruity and had a unique flavor to it Food: -Corned Beef Hash - 3.5/5: Very generous portion... lots of corned beef and potatoes (which I think could have been cooked a little bit longer). There were 2 poached eggs on top which, when mixed with the corned beef hash, made the dish a lot better. Definitely add some hot sauce to this dish to give it a kick! -Cubano Panini - 3/5: Ham & carnitas panini, which the waitress also recommended. I thought it was so-so...but nothing that really stood out to me. Overal: -Good vibes/atmosphere, service was great, but I won't be going back for the so-so food.
(3)Kelly O.
Bonus points to Grafton Street for still offering their brunch menu at like 3 on a Saturday, that was a nice surprise. I got the avocado benedict, which had perfectly poached eggs and giant fresh avocado slices in a tasty sauce... the english muffins were really tough to cut through though (too toasted? too stale?), and while the home fries had a great flavor, they were cold (I guess we were at the tail end of brunch, though). And portions are OK; I wasn't hungry anymore after cleaning my plate, but certainly wasn't stuffed or had any leftovers. So overall, decent I guess? That was the consensus around the table as well: decent, not terrible, not amazing. Grafton Street has a nice selection of beer, and I was able to try Angry Orchard Apple Ginger cider (delicious, BTW). This place is perfect for a large group with a myriad of large table options (giant round booths, long rectangle tables, high bar tops), and the overall atmosphere was cozy and pubby. Our waitress was awesome, friendly and attentive, and although she was new to the job she did her best to get answers to our questions and offer her opinion. Not bad overall. I agree with the Yelper who said "good, not great".
(3)Celia Z.
I pass by here twice everyday to and from class. Until this semester, I never tried it. Its upscale nature really doesn't cater to the college student population unless for schedule occasions. When special occasions arrive, especially for student organization outings and recruiting events, Grafton Street is on the the radar. To make up for my lack-of-presence for the last two years, I came here twice in the last month. The first time, I ordered the seared scallops with chorizo, fingerling tomatoes, kale, and roasted cherry tomatoes. The dish was tiny: a long plate with exactly four scallops. The sauce had a creamy base, and the scallops were seared to a somewhat crispy nature. The kale was wilted, as if it had been soaking in sauce for way too long. While the dish was quite delicious, I was not too impressed, especially with the high cost of the dish. But Grafton redeemed itself today. While the fries were only a notch above mediocre, the hummus and pita bread was heavenly, and so was the Seasonal Cheese Plate with apricot honey mostarda, walnuts, and toasted brioche. But my favorite was the Gorgonzola and Prosciutto flatbread pizza. Small and thick pieces of delicately seasoned prosciutto, with a generous helping of thinly sliced caramelized onions, strategically bursting with flavor. Creamy gorgonzola. And then there was the little star who stole the show... Little pieces of fig seeds, dancing around in my mouth. I can still sense their energy and joy. Bring it back. Bring that delectable pizza back. Bring it back.
(4)Diane L.
We stepped in for lunch during a day of touristing Harvard Square. The servers were very nice and attentive, although they were missing a key ingredient for the hot buttered rum and I ended up with a hibiscus toddy instead. Not bad, but not what I wanted for a windy afternoon. We split the calamari and had clam chowder for lunch. Both hit the spot. The calamari was especially impressive; they fry up jalapenos with the calamari, infusing a nice spiciness that goes well with their spicy aioli. The clam chowder was very good; a little heavy on the potato chunks but the clam chunks I did find were decent.
(4)Dorise G.
Came here for brunch with a friend. I got the caramelized banana pancakes and thought they were outstanding, but my friend got the avocado benedict and was unimpressed. The waitress came over to see how our food was, and my friend shared that it was "ok." When asked, "just ok?," my friend responded honestly that the muffin wasn't toasted through, and that it just felt like it was missing something. When the waitress asked if there was anything she could do, my friend noted that she was hungry so she was just going to eat it, but wanted to provide the feedback. I always find this to be an uncomfortable situation, and so will generally just say nothing if I don't dig my food, but my friend is bolder than I. She wasn't asking for anything comped, and while it might come off as confrontational, I guess at least that's less of a dick move than just complaining about it on Yelp later without saying anything at the restaurant. I was really impressed by how our waitress handled the situation, though. She not only remained graceful, but then comped my friend's meal and brought her out an order of nutella crepes to compensate. None of this requested or suggested by my friend, but a gesture of good faith executed by the waitress. We were impressed and tipped her accordingly. Perhaps not all the food here is great, but I really enjoyed both the pancakes and the bit of nutella crepe that my friend shared. Not sure she'd give them a second shot, but I would!
(4)Kiley S.
A quick walk from the redline so it's very easy to get to. Our waitor was great and very accomodating. I was craving an espresso martini and they didn't have it on the menu, but had espresso so they created a drink especially for me. Great service and food. WIll definitely be back!
(4)Jackie C.
I had to have my iphone fixed because the screen cracked over the weekend. (Long story) I found Boston iPhone repair. Well they needed to keep for an hour for repairs so I wondered down the street and found this place. It's charming! The place is totally cozy and comforting. I drank coffee, had bread and jam while reading and it was wonderfully relaxing. I don't have any comment on the food but the coffee was great and so was the atmosphere. I would love to come back next time I'm over in the area.
(4)Anne W.
Honestly.. not a fan of their food. I have tried it twice.. and both times were just really dismal. The restaurant area is just meh... I have been there with friends for drinks. It's okay. The bar area is a much better place to be. I like when they open the shutters so you can people watch. A better crowd than most of the other spots in Harvard Square. So the best thing I like about this place.. is that they sell bottles of wine. For $30 per bottle.. affordable too... esp if you're trying to unwind your date. :P Plus it's right next to Hong Kong.. so when you're done you have the option to get crazier.
(3)Maite S.
We live in Central Square and walk over to Harvard Sq's Grafton a few times a month. Why is it our go-to favorite? (1) I'd call the menu traditional with a twist (burgers with a side of homemade pickled vegetables, pot roast in a light broth). We both always find something interesting to try (2) The staff is knowledgeable but not uppity (3) The prices are reasonable. These three points make it our favorite neighborhood spot. (note: The place is busy and it can get loud inside! )
(4)Jen S.
I'm only really writing this review because A) When do you ever give five stars? And they deserve it. And B) The bit about this place not being any good for kids is a load of bunk. You just have to go at the right time of day. I brought my two-year old daughter to sit outside and have some apps, and there were about four of five other families sitting around us doing the same. Regarding the food and drinks - magnificent. We ordered three appetizers and two cocktails (for my husband, not my daughter!), and when one of our apps was no longer available, we got a free basket of truffle fries, which were spectacular. The fried calamari was killer, and the barrel-aged manhattan was the best I've ever had. I highly recommend this place. Especially if you're going out in the area, perhaps to the Comedy Studio? Also a great stop while you're in Cambridge. Nice work Grafton Street. Nice work indeed.
(5)Mike B.
In the words of the immortal Homer Simpson: "That was good, but not great." I'd like this place to be great. I really would. I liked the ambiance, the service, and the nice beer selection, but the food itself was just okay. My wife and I ordered arancini (sizable portion) and fried calamari, which got things off to a fairly mediocre start. Good, for sure, but somewhat bland and uninspired. However, paired with a nice IPA, which the waitress explained in detail, and a mocktail (my wife is expecting in August), we were in good spirits and eager for the entrees. But the steaks came and the cuts just weren't up to snuff. A little tough, a little stringy, a little eh. Maybe other dinners would have been better, but I can only review what I ate. We did finish with a cheesecake, which was actually really tasty. Points off, unfortunately, for the bathrooms, which had wet sinks and a dripping faucet. Minor, yes, but important. If you live in the area and you're looking for somewhere new, sure, give it a try. But if you're in Cambridge for only a night or two, you can do better elsewhere.
(3)Karen C.
I came here for brunch and ordered the eggs benedict with homefries, while my boyfriend ordered the french toast with strawberry jam and creme fraiche. I love having eggs benedict for brunch, and I was very pleased with the consistency of the yolk, which was smooth and soft without being excessively runny. I felt the bacon was a bit tough and I wish there was more hollandaise but I still enjoyed my dish as a whole. As for the french toast, I loved the strawberry jam, which wasn't too sweet and slightly tangy, while the acidity from the strawberries merged really well with the light sweetness of the creme fraiche. I would have liked the toast to be a little less soft/soggy but I would still give this dish a thumbs up. Overall, the restaurant provided good service and I gave an extra star for the atmosphere, since the seating and lighting made me feel very cozy and comfortable. Brunch was not bad, but I definitely do want to try its dinner options if I ever return.
(4)Nora B.
Stopped at the Grafton for an early lunch. Breakfast/brunch menu was available but there was a good selection. Had the BBQ pork sandwich. On the sandwich was a tangy Asian slaw and potato salad. Ended up taking the sandwich apart as I did not want the potato salad. Sat at the window counter near the bar. So a great spot to people watch - especially with so much going on at Harvard apparently. Service was good - a bit slower than normal but with the seats to view what was happening outside and the drinks, we didn't complain
(4)Junchen F.
The mushroom omelette is yummy! Wish they would share the ingredients so that I can do copycat at home. Seasonal mimosa is average but no complaint at this price tag.
(4)Katie C.
I went in with low expectations and come out pleasantly surprised. The prices are steep, but the food is generally good - minus the lobster mac and cheese that my boyfriend ordered and didn't finish. (You know something is sub-par when he doesn't eat it all.) Our beet salad was incredibly fresh and tasty, and the plating was fun and ergonomic for sharing. My bouillabaisse rivaled others I've had at French restaurants. My only complaint is with the hostess stand. I'm pretty sure they seated another couple that came in later than us but had the same reservation name. After I heard them called to their table, we checked on our wait time again (it was far exceeding the initial estimate at this point). The hostess' "Oh, that's right" reaction was a pretty clear sign that she had forgotten about us. Still, 3.5 stars would be more accurate. I really enjoyed my meal, our server and the atmosphere.
(3)Jason M.
As I was born into the Homosexual Lifestyle, I was blessed with the ability to truly appreciate brunch. I tried to appreciate brunch here and I just couldn't do it. Thankfully, as one born into the Homosexual Lifestyle, I was also blessed with the ability to mock things I don't enjoy. You're going to pay too much money for some food that is over-cooked, not too tasty and you're going to be ignored by your server who is busy serving all of the other suckers who found their way into the restaurant. The granola and yogurt was pretty sad. I could plop a scoop of Activia Yogurt and smoother it in flavorless granola at home. Then, I could ignore myself. That would be about the same thing as eating at Grafton. And as much as I like drinking coffee, I don't like getting it myself. The waitress must have felt the same way as our coffees were only refilled when we became sassballs. It's too bad. I had high expectations. I am a member of the Homosexual Lifestyle.
(2)Lauren P.
Oh, Grafton Street. Great for group dinner reservations - they have mastered the ability to serve the 8 party group who has lots of weird requests and wants split checks. Grafton burger with spicy aioli is delicious. Of course, please order the rosemary truffle fries with that and not the salad. Scallops are also quite a hit. Bar area can get crowded, but is a good place to gather on Thursday nights.
(4)Krista H.
So my hubby and I are down in Cambridge for a business meeting and just wanted to find something on the cheap side, where we could grab some pizza or a burger. I wanted to go to Ottos since I tried them up in Portland but my man was put off by how tiny the place is. We kept walking and found Grafton Street. The menu is a little small, but there were some nice sounding dishes so we decided to give it a shot. First impression, the place is really effing noisy. I don't mind it so much, because at least there's lots of people who want to eat there. The hostess sat us right away which was great, but the table had these awful square bar stools with no back rests. Does anyone actually like these types of seats?? By the end of the meal I felt like a hunchback. Our waiter was very rushed and not very polite. We were ready to order our meal but as soon as he heard our drinks, he ran off and came back ten minutes later to take our food order. We split the hummus plate and it was pretty delicious- I don't even like olives and I thought they were tasty. The flatbread to hummus ratio was a little off- a mountain of hummus with 5 small pieces of flatbread. We each had a grafton burger - cheddar, caramelized onions and spicy aioli...they were so tasty! So were the little handcut fries that came with them. After we were clearly finished, we watched our waiter go back and forth a dozen or so times, without even the slightest acknowledgement. After about 15 minutes of sitting on these crappy stools, the manager came by and offered to clear our plates. My husband put his card on the table and after another ten minutes, the manager came by and grabbed that as well. After we were paid up and walking out, our waiter said something like 'thanks guys'. Yeah, right. I don't need someone to hover over us but we waited almost 30 minutes to pay our check and leave... So, all in all the service sucked and avoid those stool tables at all costs...but the food we had was great, and over the noise of the dining room I got to hear some of my favorite reggae. Kinda middle of the road on this one.
(3)Yuan W.
If you're looking for a more upscale restaurant in Harvard Square, Grafton Street isn't bad. It's also a decent place for get togethers for larger groups, since there's a lot of standing room in the bar area. Overall the atmosphere is pleasant and upscale but accessible. That being said, the food is relatively forgettable. I've been here twice for brunch and a few times for drinks. The brunch is your typical American fare, not particularly interesting and a little bland. I had eggs which tasted like nothing. The portions are huge. The only slightly interesting thing on the menu is the chickpea burger, which is only so-so. Maybe it's just me personally, but the consistency of a chickpea burger isn't great. In conclusion, not a bad place for a drink but I would avoid if you're looking for a good brunch place.
(3)Jessie C.
Went on a saturday night with a reservation for a friends birthday - and it was a great experience. We had appetizers, dinner and a surprise birthday dessert. I had the Zen Cocktail, hummus plate appetizer and the salmon for dinner. All was good. The waitress (i wish i had caught her name) was very delightful as well. Very helpful with recommending dinner options. Great spot for a bite to eat or a date. I'd go again.
(4)Janice D.
We came here for drinks, and were given good service, a comfortable table, and a great selection of drinks. The only reason I am not giving it five stars is because I did not get to try the food here. Otherwise, a great experience.
(4)J C.
This place was pretty average. I got the New England Bouillabaisse. All the components of the meal were cooked competently and I have no complaints. But nothing really stood out.
(3)Yue Z.
Service: 3 Food: 3 Ambiance: 4 I've been to this place quite a bit, more for the drinks than the food. It's typically very busy, and in the evenings the bar area gets crowded. It's a staple go-to for Harvard students, with a large TV above the bar and plenty of space for groups to gather. This, along with Park and Russell House, are owned by the same company and has the same feel. I prefer Russell House's food over Grafton though. Grafton's food is typically American. There isn't anything to write home about, but it has a good selection of beef, chicken, burgers, pizza, and typically American appetizers like PEI mussels, salads, and clam chowder. I've had most of their dishes by now, and they're all very average. It's nothing exciting, but it does the job. I do like this place for drinks though. They have a great selection of beers, wine, and cocktails. The more upscale decor makes it a more classy choice than the Kong next door or Tommy Doyles nearby.
(3)Emily M.
Heads up- this is not a foodie/gourmet review of Grafton Street. It is a real review for real hungry people. I had the turkey dinner plate for lunch today. Can't tell you how satisfying it was without using dirty words. I took that turkey out on a date and got to third base. I'm telling you I demolished that thanksgiving masterpiece real quick. There is something about how thin cut the turkey was with this like fancy stuffing and a boat of mashed potatoes. Sometimes you just want a super filling meal that leaves you wanting no more and during those sometimes-- I'll be going to Grafton Street.
(4)Lisa I.
I agree with the other reviews - this place is good, but not great. The food is fine - definitely better than your average pub food. But nothing is amazing. Their pizzas and burger are good, and the rosemary truffle fries are SO ADDICTIVE. I tried some of my friend's chickpea burger, which he liked, but I didn't care for. Prices are also reasonable. The booths/tables are cozy for dinner, but the upstairs bar part can get really crowded.
(3)Rebecca Y.
The cheese plate was disappointing, featuring a couple of cheeses and some greasy crackers. Overpriced. This place is a standard college bar/restaurant with very mediocre food. The atmosphere can be fun. I'd only come back if a friend was celebrating something here.
(2)Ed G.
Nice atmosphere and decent service. The food just wasn't that great. My clam chowder was lukewarm and my sandwich was nothing special. If you're looking for a great meal this is probably not the place. If you're looking for nice atmosphere, some appetizers, and a few drinks Grafton Street is a good choice in the Harvard Square area. .
(3)Anu T.
Sweet atmosphere. Perfect for a date with a boy you met in class. Classy with a very university feel to it, perhaps cause its in Harvard Square. Try their Chickpea Burger! Super delicious :)
(4)Viv B.
Oh my goodness gracious they have the BEST hot cider I have ever tasted. MmmMmmMmMmM. We ordered the chower and chili and I wish I could've taken the chili home with me too. The rest of the meal was hard to appreciate because the soups were already so much as it is so yeah... Next time I'll have to save room but it was good nonetheless.
(5)Trevor H.
Terrible service. They didn't bring my appetizer and the dinner was of poor quality, but I couldn't say anything to the wait staff as there was none to be seen.
(1)Deborah H.
I've been here more times than I'd like to admit and am constantly underwhelmed. There's never anything on the menu that I REALLY want except the burger, which is fine, but all burgers are usually at least fine. Saving grace is that they can accommodate large parties, they take reservations, and they're way less crowded (for good reason) than Park and Russell House.
(2)Nicole S.
The food is pretty good, with maybe two options for vegans. However, we spent the entire dinner swatting at the cloud of fruit flies over our table. It was disgusting and made us not want to eat.
(3)J T.
Grafton Street. Great location, nice look. I went for a dinner by myself and had a burger and beer. When you're out to dinner by yourself, especially when you're drinking by yourself, it's doubly sad to spend a lot of money. I'm certainly not about to impress anyone with my wealth, but I like a nice place for dinner now and again. My clothes, while not shabby, probably made it known to the bartender that I wasn't a big spender. The fact that I ordered the cheapest beer on the menu ($3.50, Narraganset... everything else is over $5) and nursed it through the entire dinner sealed the deal. But what I lack in coin I made up for in a knowledge of random information, most of which I've gleaned from internet news sites while I should have been working. Amazing how the brain can pull out buried bits of information at the right moment, given the proper inspiritation. Anyway, back to the bar. The burger was very good, the fries thin and tasty, the beer not so much. But they had a particularly intriguing football game on the TV and those of us at the bar enjoyed a conversation about the various benefits of the read-option offense (if you've been following the NFL in 2011 you'll recognize which team this must be referring to), injuries to notable players and how the teams would adjust to their absence, etc... I would highly recommend the Grafton Street bar and grill for a nicer than average but still casual meeting place... The bartenders are also knowledgable about football and will gently correct any errors in your conversation, if you like or are bothered by that sort of thing.
(4)Steve G.
Went there with my girlfriend, she has a lot of allergies. The bartender had to remake her drink because of it,and even though i told him I'd drink it and not to take it off the check, he "accidentally" spilled the drink all over my girlfriends lap, in a way that looked very much on purpose. The cup didnt hit anything or leave his hand.He did not apologize in any way. Simply threw a rag at us and said "i'll just make it again". I'm a server at a restaurant and I was appalled almost disgusted at his attitude and disrespect. Don't know his name but he was tall, shaved head, older guy working in the bar Tuesday night August 6th. I will never go back there he was extremely rude.
(1)Gabbi P.
Great food and they serve brunch until 4pm
(4)Melly S.
Delicious brunch. Tried the hash corned beef and pancakes. Both tasted great! Out of all the places I've had brunch at in Harvard Square, I'd say this is the best in terms of both food and ambiance. The price was also reasonavle. Although do note that this place gets packed on Sundays, so be prepared to wait in line.
(4)Chuck L.
Dirty glasses and really bad service. As soon as we were seated, ordered drinks and had to wait for a long time for them. When my drink arrived it was horribly made; bloody mary with a huge slice of orange and lime and a very sad looking gigantic piece of celery that made it hard to drink; would be better if these were not there at all. The worst part was that the bar tender dumped a lot of red pepper in there, which made it impossible to drink. I like spicy drinks and dishes, but this was clearly a mistake, and they still had the nerve to serve it for $10. Come on now!!! Food was mediocre- not worth the price. Service was horrible- spent two hours there, most of which was spent waiting for the waiter. He made several mistakes, brought items that we didn't order and had to keep changing the amount on the check. Surprise that this place was not better, because another restaurant owned by the same company (Park, in Cambridge) is amazing.
(1)Tamarleigh G.
Top Ten Reasons I'm Not Going Back This review update was far too long, so I'm going to try to sum it all up in 5000 characters. Too bad you will miss out on the entertaining details. 1. Veggie Benedict: english muffins are pathetic. Have ordered this each of the 3 times I've visited. First time, it was so hard I had to hack through it with a knife (a steak knife would have been better), second time was slightly better but still very hard, and third time was blatantly burned and was served to me anyway. 2. This english muffin issue is not at all isolated to the benedict arena. My boyfriend got an english muffin instead of toast, all three times we've been there, and ALL THREE TIMES, his english muffin has arrived cold and dry, with nothing to put on it. No butter, no jam, no nothin'. He asked me in bewilderment, "Who looks forward to a dry english muffin? What person, when a dry english muffin is placed on the table, looks at it and thinks, 'YUM!!'??" 3. It was super hot on Sunday. We were looking forward to the air conditioning. No dice. It's too expensive to run the AC, they say. So we sat there in the heat, with the windows open, waited more than 10 minutes for even a sip of WATER, and had flies and other insects to shoo away during our meal. 4. When you ask, long before your meal arrives, for hot sauce, and the waiter actually THANKS you for thinking of it ahead of time and letting him know, how many minutes would you expect to sit there staring at your food before the guy shows up with the hot sauce? How about if right when you get your food, he meets your eye and mouths across the room that he'll be right back with hot sauce, and it's still more than 5 minutes before he's back with it? 5. Not that it mattered so much, since I was sending the dish back because one of the main components was totally burned. And even looking at the burned muffin, he actually asked me what was wrong with the dish. It wasn't just a little burned--it was a lot burned. Making me point it out was just pathetic. 6. And on a hot day, when you're already making mistakes with a table, how long do you let someone sit there with an empty glass in front of her? How about ten minutes? This was after I couldn't even get the drink I wanted, because they were out of raspberries. The drink I got was good, so why did I have to stare at an empty glass for 10 minutes before being asked if I wanted another one? 7. On one visit, when my boyfriend asked for butter for his dry english muffin (and you know they're always stone cold before the butter arrives), the waitress brought something that was not butter. It started as butter, but had other stuff such as vanilla and sweetener added. It was clear just by looking at it that it wasn't butter but was some flavored butter spread. So we asked what it was and were told, "butter." After tasting it, we asked again and were finally told the truth. When someone asks for butter, why would you bring them flavored butter without asking if they wanted that? And why, when they notice it's not butter, would you answer "butter" when they ask what it is? If I ask for water, and you bring me lemonade--the fact that it's MOSTLY water doesn't mean you can tell me "water" when I ask what is this thing with lemons floating in it? Just as an analogy. 8. The manager wanted us to have a good experience when we returned. So I mentioned to the hostess on our way in, that the GM had asked me to let him know when I came in. It was his day off, and the hostess basically just mumbled that at me and proceeded to not pay any attention (CLEARLY) to making sure the service was good for that table. A hostess/host is part of a team, and it's the whole team's responsibility to work together to achieve great service. The manager, dedicated as he clearly is, cannot achieve this without the support of a good team. As a hostess, your job is more than just to look pretty when someone walks in the door. You're supposed to give a damn--that IS part of your job. 9. I shouldn't have to have my meal personally supervised by the manager in order for it to be a decent meal. I've given it three tries now, and although I do believe that if the GM were there and knew it was me, I'd have had a better experience--that isn't good enough. I want to be able to walk into a restaurant and have a decent meal with decent service, without having to go out of my way to let the manager know I'm coming. 10. In summary--you know what costs more than air conditioning, more than raspberries, more than decent english muffins, and more than quality hostesses? Losing a bunch of customers because your restaurant isn't very good. Honestly, the manager seems like a dedicated guy. I wish him luck with this situation, because short of Gordon Ramsay coming in with a camera crew and whipping the place into shape, I don't know what to suggest. I've given it three tries and I give up.
(2)Xavier M.
My review is based on two experiences. The first one would be for 3 stars and the second one for 5 stars. The 3 star experience is based on my regular visits to this restaurant. I live close by and in the last year I have visited the restaurant 4 times. The food is a very typical American style. On the other hand, this week I attended one of the special events, a tasting menu with a pairing of rum drinks. Dinner, price and quality was amazing. Please, organize more events like this.
(4)Ronjini M.
Maybe the 5 stars comes from the fact that I was drinking at lunch and was excited about it. The food was incredible, not to mention the Guiness, which is ALWAYS incredible. You can trust the reuben (on marble rye, btw) and the grilled salmon (with garlic mashed potatoes, yum!). The french fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. the ketchup is off the chain and the prices are pretty reasonable. I can't wait until the next time I'm in Cambridge, I will remember Grafton Street always!
(5)Cameron J.
The service was just very poor. It's a beautiful restaurant inside and has a great location, but the manager at the stand when one walks in was just unpleasant and aggressive. Her manner was not one of welcoming, it was "ugh, a customer". I left.
(1)Emily Z.
I've only been twice, so I must qualify my condemnation of Grafton Street. The food is overpriced for what it's worth, and they overcook steak. That is all.
(1)Brian C.
Went there last night (Friday) with my wife for dinner. Atmosphere was nice, but the wait for a table was an hour. The food was tastey overall, but my Porterhouse steak came out super well-done, when I asked for medium rare. There was zero color left, basically white inside. On the upside, while waiting for a table they did not charge me for soda.
(3)Chris P.
Wanted to write another review as I stopped in recently for a World Cup game. The Irish bartender who was on during the day was fantastic, and it was a great place to watch a game, grab a pint and some food.
(5)Marko C.
This is a very popular place to go for lunch while you are visiting the Harvard / MIT area. It's a cute little pub that reminds you of the Cheers episodes on TV. People are friendly and work very hard here. I give the service here 4.5 stars. I give the food here 3.5 stars. I had the cheese salad (sorry, can't remember the name) here and it was made nicely with candied nuts (walnuts?), glazed and carmalized onions and was served with a chunk of cheese. The thing that I liked about this place was that they didn't try to rush you out of your table. I was in a business meeting and they respected our time.
(3)Sonia D.
Randomly walked by after leaving the Donkey Show at Oberon on Saturday night and can I say that I have been craving the dish I had ever since. I'm not a big meat eater but was craving it and ordered the hanger steak with garlic mashed and it was fantastic! The meat was perfectly cooked and very enjoyable. It was accompanied by a nice glass of pinot noir. There was a DJ there which I thought was funny because it looks more of like a restaurant than a club but it was perfect, jammin while eating with great company. We also ordered the creme brulee of the day which was cardamom and it was interestingly tasty. I will definitely be back to try out more of their menu.
(4)Georgios P.
Decent place, nicely decorated, good food, normal prices. I have been three or four times, every time I enjoyed it. No complaints. It is always a choice when we go to Harvard sq for lunch, dinner or drink. It doesnt have sth in particular to motivate 5 stars, but it is a place you will visit again.
(4)Liz O.
Favorite go-to restuarant in Harvard Square. I'm fortunate enough to live right next store so I'm a frequent patron. Staff is always friendly and the service is great. Skilled bartenders with an extensive cocktail menu. Bar has good visibility to TVs if a game is on. Good outdoor seating when the weather is nice and plenty of indoor seating. Getting a table is rarely a problem but you can book a res on OpenTable.com so why not? For brunch: cappuccino and classic eggs n' bacon breakfast, eggs benedict (w/ or w/o avocado) or blueberry pancakes. All fab. Also I like the little muffins they bring out when you first arrive. For lunch/dinner: Grilled flatbread pizza with gorgonzola, prosciutto and arugula. It's to die for. Also the Rosemary truffle fries are heaven, but I typically ask them to go light on the rosemary. $1 oysters from 11pm - 1 am every night. Follow them on twitter, they'll let you know what kind of oysters they have that day or if they have any other specials going on.
(5)Corona W.
Had dinner here a couple of weeks ago with my brother, his girlfriend, and a friend of mine. For a starter, we had the tuna and avocado tartare. This was nice and light. Great for the summer time and pretty tasty. For dinner: Friend had the roasted chickpea burger. It comes folded in a piece of naan. I had a piece and it was pretty good. I had the grilled scallops. Scallops were well cooked and came out juicy and in a bed of delicious butternut squash puree. My brother had the salmon - he said it was pretty good. I didn't try any. His girlfriend ordered a BBQ chicken pizza. It came on top of a wood board which, I felt was a nice touch. It's pretty big for a personal pizza and would act as a good starter among 4 people. In summary, it didn't blow me away but it's a great place to catch a casual dinner in Harvard Square.
(3)Katie C.
Two friends and I came here one afternoon for a late lunch after an afternoon around Cambridge. Since it was nice, we were seated outside and enjoyed people-watching while enjoying our food. For the lunch menu, the prices were great for that area of Cambridge. I had the tasso ham Cuban sandwich, and it was one of the best Cubans I've had in a long time. The ham was perfectly seasoned and the mustard used was something like I've never tasted before. The fries, however, were a disappointment. Lukewarm at best and soggy. Seriously, how hard is ti to mess up fries? Total let-down. Service was just okay. Take drink order, put drinks on table, take food order, put food on order, and drop check. He wasn't very personable and barely smiled. We weren't expecting five-star dining, but just a friendly, "Hi ladies, how are you?" instead of "What can I get you to drink?" Overall, it's a great lunch spot. Not sure if I would return for dinner.
(3)Carolyn M.
I gave this place another shot for brunch and it was much improved. Their bloody mary's are fabulous and the staff was very attentive and friendly. Ill come back for sure!
(4)Barry G.
So I have now been here a couple times. With my new job, I take the redline into Harvard square after work. So I have started exploring more than the normal 3 places I go to. So I like the atmosphere, the vibe and decor. It feels like a comfortable place. Good beer selection, and decent enough prices (a little on the high side, but not horrible) I had high hopes with the menu, and hope to try more, but so far, it has been meh. I got the clam chowder once. Decent, but not great. Seems like Cisco food service chowder, not something they make. Which is fine, a lot of places (especially not 'seaside' places or 'seafood' restaurants) dont make their own chowder from scratch. Ididnt hate it, but I probably wouldnt try it again. I got a wedge salad the other time, and wow, what a disappointment. SO BAD. now, I know with types of salads, it is often up to interpretation, but this was just sad. It was a head of lettuce cut in half, a lot of watery dressing souped up in the bottom of the play, no olives, two tiny pieces of fatty bacon, a small hard boiled egg, and tons of blue cheese. I have never seen a salad so sorry looking, so poorly prepared or presented. This is what makes me think twice about food there again. It seems like they have plenty of potential, but if other dishes are prepared and presented like a salad (which doesnt require a lot of skill or talent), then I dont think I would enjoy them either. Maybe I was there on an off day, or got unlucky. The other people I was with had no big complaints, but no big compliments either. The bread was really good, they were prompt with service for tap water or sparkling water, and everyone was friendly. Not a bad place overall, but not the best either.
(3)Gideon B.
Typical brasserie that we've all become a custom to. Good drinks and food when you're in the Harvard square area.
(4)Cristina L.
Stopped in here for a quick drink early on a Friday night, and was pleased by the scene and the service. Great, succinct wine list and a number of my favorite beers on tap. We were served quickly and efficiently. I'll definitely return to Grafton Street.
(4)Robert S.
I had the steak tips. I asked for medium rare and they came more medium-medium well. They were not tender and I got like 6-7 tiny pieces. The size of the meal and the quality of the meal were not great. Disappointed...
(2)Jenny P.
Grafton is pretty much the most amazing bar/restaurant in Harvard sq. The restaurant itself has a really cool vibe. It's modern, lots of stone, cool colors, etc. It's a great place for brunch, lunch, dinner, etc. And their patio is such a chill hang out spot - great for summer nights. Now the food is really really good. I'm partial to the pancakes, hummus platter, and flatbreads, (they are outstanding), but I've never had anything here that wasn't short of delicious. And the best part is that the waitstaff is also really fantastic. They're knowledgeable, friendly, attentive, and really seem to enjoy what they do. But of course grafton is a bar and it doesn't fail to shine in this area either. Good crowd and the bartenders are cool, friendly, and just fantastic in general. All in all, grafton is amazing. Goooo!
(5)Priyanka R.
The worst experience I've have in Harvard Square, the only reason for the one star is the setup of the restaurant, it exudes a sense of classiness. Besides that, the service, the food and the drinks were horrendous. What I Had: 1. Fresh Mozzarella Pizza (horrible and fairly tasteless) 2. Rosemary Truffle Fries for the table (good, but our waitress forgot to put in our order and we basically got these fries after we finished our meal). 3. All I'm gonna say about their cocktails - way too expensive and just taste not so great. All in all, do NOT waste your money here, and go to another restaurant, for your own happiness and mine.
(1)Nikhil P.
There's a grandpapi in charge of Park, Russell House Tavern, Temple Bar, and Grafton Street. There's like a near 100% hit-rate of getting super good food (creative, delicious, filling, awesome ingredients), and a hip atmosphere where you can just eat drinks all night. We came here on a Gilt City and ate like mofo's... which is awesome when you want to sample a lot of different things and appreciate how good a menu really is. We had the short ribs (SO good, and the marinara sauce was a soup on its own), the tuna tartare (amazing tart taste, really creatively made with this cucumber risotto), and for mains the pork (braised for days and totally delicious and REALLY filling), and scallops. Finally, for dessert we had this enormous cookie with ice cream. The food was just really, really good and you can tell there's consistent awesomeness about this joint. Can't beat it, or any of the restaurants in the Grafton Street entourage.
(5)Michele G.
I love the seared scallops at Grafton. They are cooked to perfection without any of the gritty sand sensation you might get biting into scallops at lesser establishments. And they come with sauteed kale, andouille sausage slices (a rarity in these parts!), grape tomatoes, and fingerling potatoes. The massive chocolate chip cookie sundae was bigger than my husband's face. There has to be at least 600 calories in that thing. And the spicy chocolate lava cake with ginger ice cream is delicious.
(4)Nicole B.
I was here with a large group and the food and service were great. I had the salmon filet, which was so succulent and a great size, with a delicious glaze and cooked perfectly. There was a puree of parsnip that was completely delicious. Even the vegetables were sauced perfectly and the combination was a perfectly executed meal. The homemade sangria was delicious, with an interesting spice note (maybe clove and cinnamon?). I loved my meal from start to finish!
(5)Liz P.
I love the terrace on sunny days and warm nights.
(4)Kathy M.
We were back a week ago and, again, our meal was lovely. My husband had a burger that he really enjoyed. I had a flatbread pizza that was divine! Service was excellent....again. This time we sat inside as it was cold and rainy outdoors. We'll be back. We have decided that Grafton Street is one of our go-to spots in Harvard Square!
(4)Joanna H.
Came here on a Sunday, around 3pm for some late Brunch food. I got an Avocado Benedict and my friend got a Classic Steak and Egg. The petit sirloin with the Classic Steak and Egg was pretty disappointing since the meat was too tough. My Avocado Benedict, however, was absolutely delicious. It was such a creamy dish, with the hollandaise, the oozing eggyolk, the buttery English muffin with large slices of fresh avocado on top. I was very sad I couldn't finish it all. I would definitely recommend it. The home fries had a hint of red pepper and onion flavor to them. Nothing too special though. While looking at the menu, I was also pretty tempted by the Beignets & Guinness Coffee Jam, the Nutella Crepe and the Spicy Salami Pizza. None of them are what Grafton's usually known for, but they definitely caught my attention. Checked out a table's order of Buttermilk Pancakes on the way out.. That serving size is ridiculously huge. Anyways, Grafton's service is very fast here and the people are nice. I'd say it's a worthwhile restaurant to visit!
(4)Chris O.
I'm reviewing the bar only. This place is really solid. It has the most comfortable bar seats I've ever sat in. (Leather seats and backs) there is also a support level for your feet so they aren't just hanging. They have a pretty good beer selection and the bartenders let you try as many as you want. Speaking of bartenders, the guy with brown hair and usually wearing a tie is awesome! One of the customers was from Maryland and he somehow knew that it was called the Old Line state. No clue how that's possible. We also got free Guinness beer glasses embroidered with our names on them.
(5)Luisa O.
Truthfully, there was nothing special or unique about this place. Granted, I only had a margherita pizza, but it was not exceptional in any way. (could have had fresh whole basil leaves, nicer, less melted cheese.) I tried my companion's scallops and again, they were just okay.
(2)Ria S.
A local's place for intimate dinners and drinks. The price maaaybe not worth it. I'll have to come back. Did like the staff.
(4)Bassem S.
A typical Harvard Square establishment. The food is solid for dinner, more lacking for brunch, and generally overpriced, but it's one of the few options in the area and a fun, busy environment. My favorite is actually the tuna tartar, which is surprisingly fresh and consists of pieces of whole tuna, rather than that mashed up junk a lot of restaurants serve. The short rib pot roast is my go-to entree - pretty generous portions of meat cooked very tender - the one complaint I have is that it's a bit too much on the sweet side. I would NOT recommend this place for brunch. I've come a few times because it's easy to get a group rezzie, but it's really not worth it. I LOVE brunch and am pretty easily satisfied with basic egg dishes and eggs benedict, but Grafton just can't deliver, and to top it off the dishes have often come out pretty cold. Service is a mixed bag - Last time we went, our waitress was really accommodating about us moving to a different table because the table next to us was SO loud we couldn't hear the person next to us talking, but they also forgot to give us any bread and didn't remember the specials the first time we asked. Best dishes: Ahi tuna tartar, short rib pot roast
(3)Kathleen H.
Big plus - they serve food until 1am. I had a good burger with cheese and caramelized onions and very tasty fries. Aside from being open late enough - they have a whole wall open to the sidewalk so the cool summer breezes could blow through. Outside seating as well. Interesting space - Big place, with lots of different seating options. I like the stone bar. Also, high bar tables, and regular tables and booths. I'll likely return, especially if I need a drink and a bite late.
(4)Mimi B.
I should star by saying I give this a 4 1/2 star, with details to follow. Love this restaurant. A bit up from the T stop and the square, on a nice breezy corner with outdoor dining and nice indoor table too. Lunch is waaaay better menu, but I had dinner there and was very happy with the meal. Drinks came fast, meal excellent and normal timing. Fried Calamari was deli-sh. My only issue is that everyone who works there looks "bored" or maybe its a "I'm so busy" look. No smiles or greets with happiness, just kind of blaa stares. It didn't ruin our meal, and my guest didn't notice, but I did. The food is always so good, and perfect serving size. Brunch is my favorite followed by the great lunches. Always good. A great place.
(5)Sarah G.
I went back to this place last night to give it a try again, even though I left here from my first experience in a word "underwhelmed." This place definitely has potential--it is a good location in Harvard square, has a big patio out front, has pretty cool decor and ambiance inside...but then why is their food a) just not very good and b) so so over priced?? I was here with Matt J. and Shauna D and I think that Shauna enjoyed her experience here a bit more than Matt and I did. She got their stew dish and it actually looked pretty nice and she commented on the fish in it being pretty tasty as well. She also got a side of burssel sprouts though and for $4 for the amount of brussel sprouts she got, you would think they would have been laced in gold or something because there were barely any in that side dish! Lower price or throw in some more veggies please! America always overcharges for the healthy items and never gives you your fair share. We got the lobster bisque, chickpea burger and the pumpkin empanadas, all of which sound awesome, but most of which were not. First, don't call something a burger if it is really a wrap or a pita. That is just false advertising for your eyes and tastebuds. And don't say something is flavorful on the menu and have it have no flavor. That chickpea burger was kind of a waste. The pumpkin empanadas also just tasted like fried dough. You could barely taste the pumpkin in it all, and that was the whole reason we ordered them! I would come back for their lobster bisque however. But is pretty hard to screw up a bisque soup because it is basically lobster mixed with heavy cream :-) BUT this place is just way overpriced for what you get. Most entrees are over $20 each and that just seems wrong for the style, type and quality of food you get here. Just come to the patio and grab a glass of wine instead.
(2)Tani H.
Stopped here on a tour of Cambridge/Harvard. Lovely place, with an interesting bartender ... couldn't decide if his grumpiness was just part of his schtick or if he actually was a jerk. It was the best place we could find to stop, but wouldn't seek it out specifically.
(3)Josh R.
Grafton is a wonderful place to go for a drink. Given the fairly small bar area, it quickly gets crowded and slightly loud. I like it, but it may not be for everyone. As for eating, the food is good and the general feel of the restaurant is upscale. However, dining seems a bit pricey to me. Perhaps that's because I associate Grafton first with a bar, second as a place to eat. It can also be distracting trying to have dinner as the bar fills up--the separation between bar and dining is minimal.
(3)Shannon P.
I had a great experience at this restaurant. I was part of a group of 4, and everyone loved Grafton Street. The tables are spaced out, so you don't feel like your sitting on top of another group of diners. The service was amazing, and the food was incredible. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone, especially groups.
(5)Eryk L.
Lovely, Lovely, lovely, and just Lovely.. The drinks were good, but could of been a little stronger for the price to be honest.. the FRENCH FRIES!! OMG dipped in ranch and call it a day.. LOVED and awesome.. I had to try the New England Clam Chowder since I was in MA... It was really good, I think I ate it in literally 2 minutes I was so hungry.. WE sat at the window bar.. the Windows were open and a nice breeze was happening.. Oh how I wish I was there still.. and it's ONLY a step away from HARVARD University.. Great place for a date night, or just a hang out with friends between closes..
(4)Chrysanthe P.
Definitely a nice place to go enjoy a meal or a drink with family and/or friends. I liked my food and they had a nice variety of offerings. I wasn't crazy about my cocktail (little tea cup), but I'd need to try at least a couple of their thee drinks to fairly judge. The service was great, as well. This place didn't blow me away, but I liked it.
(4)Orly M.
I much prefer Grafton Street's cooler sister, the Temple Bar, but Grafton's aiight with me. it's the perfect place to meet friends for a bottle of wine and better than average apps. The entrees are good too if you are looking for a meal. I once went a faux date here(somehow I didn't get the memo), and got these scallops that totally redeemed the evening. I would maybe even go on another faux date here for those scallops...nah. Anyway, the space is nice, the food is good. I would never choose Grafton as my first choice, too vanilla for me, but if someone else wants to go I know I'll have a good evening, provided that the other person doesn't unilaterally decide we're on a date or I eat scallops.
(4)Emily H.
We have been to Grafton Street several times and the food fails to deliver. The one good meal I had at Grafton Street was actually for Thanksgiving 2009. They had a great three-course meal that was 100% delicious. We have been to Grafton Street several times since this meal with bad results. I'm not sure if they have changed chefs or what, but it is really surprising that they did such a good job with Thanksgiving and such a poor job otherwise.
(2)Tracy K.
I always used to see people eating here out on the patio and I thought they looked so damn cool, drinking their drinks and eating their eats. So of course the day I finally go, it's raining up a storm... But anyway. I was impressed by the atmosphere of this place, it can be very un-pubbish (un-pubbly? non-pub-like?) and almost upscale, even though their "candles" are just fake flickering lights. My grilled salmon was nice and fatty, but it just felt so...small in comparison to my friend's fish and chips which was 4 bucks cheaper. I want to try the artichoke ravioli next time. So yeah, it was good enough to warrant a "next time." But not good enough to make me want to order dessert when I know that BerryLine is a hop and a skip away.
(3)Eliot D.
What can I say? I come in here a lot for lunch with my friend and it's something I look forward to every week, and not because of my friend (he's boring). The food is great and so is the atmosphere and the considerably sized bar. I think what keeps me coming back here for though is the bartender Paul. He's just absolutely wonderful on every level. Without him I'm pretty sure this place wouldn't be the same.
(5)R F.
I can't highly recommend this place, but it is above average. The food is pretty good, the drinks are OK, and the waitstaff are OK. I've never been for "nightlife" but I would imagine I would probably not enjoy it. I probably wouldn't come back here again, but that's just me not enjoying the pretend-we're-a-fancy pub with tons of people packed in there type of place... and i wouldn't be able to score a hot Man even if i tried.
(4)Eme M.
Thank you Grafton Street for exceeding my expectations for a New Years eve dinner and proving that there are still restaurants out there that know what they are doing and are doing it well! We had 830 Reservations for NYE, we arrived on time but our table was not yet ready, which I completely understand especially on NYE so we had a drink at the bar while we waited... $10 for a martini only on NYE will I spend.. well my boyfriend spend.. $10 on a single drink , but I wasnt disappointed. I totally suggest the blood orange martini if you are willing to spend the dough! We were shortly seated at a beautiful table with a great view of the street ( I love people watching!) Our server was super cute, but still professional and in a good mood for having to give up her own NYE to wait on us. I was actually quite surprised by the demeanor of the entire staff, its been awhile since we've been out and actually felt like the staff liked their job! Everyone was friendly, happy, and attentive! Way to go guys! They did a 3 course menu for $48 dollars a person. I ordered the oysters, perfect seasoning and nicely chilled loved them! My boyfriend ordered the pork belly - mouth watering! it was crisp on the outside and had a perfectly pulled pork texture served with mashed parsnips( I forgot how much I adore a little parsnip ) The other couple we were with had the pork belly as well and the bisque which was also amazing, not to mention how nice all the plates looked! Three of us ordered the beef tenderloin which to be honest with you was the best piece of meat I had in ages, I try to keep my "dainty" figure and rarely finish everything on my plate but in this case it would have been an injustice to leave any bit on my plate( or thats how im going to justify that I could not put my fork down The meat was so tender i don't even think I really needed the steak knife. Chloe ordered the duck which she was very impressed with as well. I had the boston creme pie cake whatcha ma call it and it was perfect, just the right size and a great end to an even better meal. Ray ordered the mint chocolate brownie mouse... the mouse was delightful, the brownie was a little too hard and cold but we arent complaining. I might also mention that the timing between courses was right on! I can not stand when courses come out on top of each other or directly after one another! All in all it was a great low key beautiful night. They had a dance floor set up and it wasn't super crowded but fun, no obnoxious 21 year olds, now that im in my mid-twenties i have no desire to be around a crazy drunk crowd on NYE like i did 5 years ago I just wanted a happy medium!Grafton street gave us just what we were looking for- a classy fun joint, a great meal, and great time with each other. We will definitely be back soon. Happy New Year!
(4)Michelle M.
Great lunch place (may be impressive other times as well but I haven't experienced - YET)! I'm now working in Cambridge and have been searching for good places for casual, but yummy lunch. Grafton St Pub & Grill offers a great cobb salad that I enjoy and I've seen people get meals they appear to enjoy as much. I'm happy with the food, ambiance, and service. Paul is the bartender and he remembered I liked the cobb salad after the first time I visited! He is definitely impressive! The relationship Paul has with his regular customers appears to be outstanding. I just may have to become one of the regulars so that I can enjoy the good food and the great service!
(4)Cathy W.
I like the roominess of this place for a leisurely weekday lunch, but management should rethink the layout. I was having a quiet lunch with my father, squeezed into a corner at a small table; next to a large circular table in the same nook - bad judgment. Three loud and self-important academics invaded and held court on half of the adjacent table as if they were in a private conference room, taking phone calls, doing their little deals. Their behavior seemed boorish - maybe okay for a Friendly's restaurant, where you eat and run, not linger. Well, I could have been eating at a Friendly's because the clam chowder, sloppy joe, and ruban were no better than what you'd get there, and more expensive too.
(2)Maxeme T.
Closest thing I've found to NYC Brunching :)
(4)Andrew M.
This place cracks me up. I liked it better when it was down the street, but the whole time it has been a bastion of poseurdom! The most hilarious part is checking out the babyfaced Finals Club undergrads in the window as I stroll by... en route to somewhere else. The food is mediocre, but if you need to entertain someone who values atmosphere over taste you could take them here.
(2)Annie P.
This place is ridiculously great. Where else can your "friend" order chicken fingers as their entree and have a fancy waiter come out holding this little black spiral containing the fries and chicken with his buff fingers. Right after he gently places it down.. another perfect looking food runner comes by.. holding with care (two hands).. a nicely presented ramekin of.. yes... honey mustard sauce on the side. I love it. The best part was our laid back pretty server. We ordered randomly off the menu and had people from the bar sitting and going with drinks.. but she never once gave us shit for it. I can totally tell she enjoyed our antics. Especially after my "friend" practically threw a glass of ice water in my face "by mistake" which had me seriously choking/coughing on bread... which had her spilling ketchup all over the table.. and at that exact moment of chaos... our waitress popped her head in and started to ask "how is everything goi...OH....I'll get you guys some towels" and laughed/walked away. She didn;t show any kind of annoyance or attitude... which was cool. Bless her soul. Glass of decent Chianti was only $5 or something.. This place is big and has all these different spots you can cram into.. with theater collage things on the walls. It's still Top 40 bland though. If I wore high heels all the time or button down shirts with khaki's and had beautiful vidal sassoon hair I would totally dig it here. What they did offer us that particular night were the insane people upfront to chat up and that fisherman guy (a regular) who let me ride his bicycle around the block.
(3)Melissa M.
You can get drunk here, but your bank account may suffer. I find this place to be very overpriced. I think the atmosphere is a bit stuffy and should be more relaxed. I liken Grafton Street to a hotel lobby bar/restaurant, it's a place you'd go to when the only other option is an Applebee's. Not thrilled when I go here (and I got a BLT once that had DUST all over the bacon/sandwich/plate. Very weird, I didn't want the cobwebs with my food.
(3)Elisa B.
We went to Grafton Street for dinner on a Sunday, during our trip to Boston on Memorial Day/weekend. We had our 8-year old and our 2-year old with us. We were seated right away, and a waiter was ready to take our drinks. He was very accomodating and attentive, and never pushy. We got a spacious corner booth, which I really appreciated The restaurant is lovely: nice decor, not too large but also not terribly cramped, very clean. It's not what I would call a child-friendly restaurant, but our daughters are fairly well-behaved and it worked out fine. They have highchairs and booster seats and didn't make faces when I walked in with the stroller - when I folded it and asked where to put it someone came to get it and showed me exactly where it would be. The food was really good and reasonably priced: my husband ordered the burger and fries, the girls had chicken fingers and fries, I ordered the New England chowder and the crabcake - the latter was absolutely delicious, with julienned fennel and orange peel underneath that added a lovely sweet, slightly aromatic flavor without overpowering the mild taste of the crabmeat. It may not have been the best crabcake I have ever had without the fennel and orange, but with it... fantastic. The whole family enjoyed the meal and the restaurant - I think we'll try it for brunch the next time we are in the Boston area.
(4)Marc C.
Service we less than terrible. Waited almost a half hour for a waiter to come by when we were one of TWO TABLES inside. Gave up and left. The management is lucky that unknowing tourists will keep them in business.
(1)Jennifer P.
If I could, I'd give it another half star for the excellent service and unique martini with black pepper. But my main entree was a semi-disappointment. Don't get me wrong, the salmon was cooked well, with a nice crispy crust, and there was nothing wrong with the asparagus and potatoes that came with it. But there was no oomph, no incredible flavors, nothing new. It was just OK. On the other hand, I had a bite of my friend's mushroom risotto which was fabulous. I could taste the deep richness of the truffle oil and the risotto was as creamy and delicious as it should be. The service was good bordering on scary. He was so attentive we all thought he was a robot, that there was some sort of switch on the back of his neck, in fact probably a camera situated right there. We timed how long it would take him to notice we were ready with the check and I counted it--literally after THREE seconds he came and whisked it away. The creme brulee with bottom chocolate layer was OK. It was creamy but very JELLO pudding-like. Chocolate flavor tasted a little canned, not gourmet. All in all, a pleasant meal with great service and nice atmosphere.
(3)Jocelyn C.
I somehow managed to work around the corner from here for about 2 years, but never stepped inside until this Saturday. The only reason to come here is the window seating for crazy people-watching and spying on the police van sketchily parked outside of Hong Kong. If you're not drinking at the window, don't even bother. There are better (and cheaper) places to go to in Harvard Square.
(3)Lila S.
Its safe to say the best thing this place has going for it is the atmosphere and the decor.. which may suit some fancies, but very nice nonetheless. I particularly like the bar area and how the stools on the side wall bar area are open to the street in the warmer months. Nice rich dark woods throughout are nice but on a rainy afternoon in summertime still seemed gloomy. Anyhow on to the noms I had the salmon off the lunch menu and my sis had the spring special pasta with veggies. I'm so glad I asked for the honey glaze on the side because it was Wayyyyyyyyy too sweet... I mean too much sugar guys c'mon... the fish was good quality but about a sliver of salmon..kinda suprised about a small portion of fish... its not as filling as steak. Minor detail. The snap peas and rice that came with my fish were good and definately tied the lunch together but didnt fill me up. We shared some chicken nachoes beforehand that were simple but delicious! Warm oily fired tortillas done right! ( this usually but not always indicates good bar food.) I had a bite of my sister's pasta and aside from the lemony aftertaste it seemed quite bland. Im sorry to say I hadn't sampled the cockails or any other adult beverages ( it wasn't 12 yet....) but I can say that the coffee was damn good n strong! The service was promt and attentive but rather cold. I'll be back for the bar food, a seat at the cute little bar and maybe and wink and a smile.
(4)Dana L.
Recently went here to celebrate graduation with my son and his roomates (12 in our party). All I can say is that the food was fantastic and the service was far better. I had the scallops entree and have had the roasted chicken dish previously...both were remarkably good. Our wait staff was more than attentive to our needs and the price was quite reasonable. I would recommend Grafton Street "without reservation" (haha -that's my foodie joke of the day). Great looking place too!
(5)Kimberly H.
I won't write as long a review as Stefanee, but I will write a review to verify that her story is not made up. We picked the place because it looked like a nice place for lunch that wasn't a chain. We did leave after 45 minutes that included "services" of taking our order, bringing us a water and an iced tea(never checking for a refill) and returning our frustrated glares and inquiries with blank stares, lack of emotion or concern, and pathetic/condescending comments like "these things do happen," "your order got lost in the shuffle," and "we do hope you'll come back and see us." Those things happen because the terrible staff let it happen. Trust me, we won't come back and see you. As a Chicagoan that has access to unlimited delicious food as well as fast and accurate service, I feel sorry for people in Cambridge that think this place is worth one's time. That being said, I will not waste more of my time reviewing this place. Skip it, it's not worth the frustration to deal with such poor service, no matter how good the food listed on the menu might appear.
(1)Jenna J.
Really like this place. Like the lighting and the atmosphere, it's cozy, can be romantic or good for groups. We've come here just to have drinks before, but they also have good food. Last time I ordered the chickpea burger, which I thought was really good but I can see why it would get mixed reviews. It's sort of glue-y which is why people don't like it, but I actually liked that part. Right on mass. ave in harvard square, good for people watching.
(4)Eric B.
Yeah so what if this is the location of my first long term relationship break up. They say if you fall of a bike, you should get up and try again and I'm glad I have...figuratively of course. I've eaten here several times and have enjoyed each occasion save the first one of course. The food is truly great, it's a fun atmosphere and conducive suitable to bring a date...that is during dinner hours. Later hours include a DJ on tables and a young and well dressed crowd at the bar. I've always found it to be social here and the drinks are strong enough for what I would like to call a well developed pallet.
(4)Adam S.
The food at Grafton street is excellent at very reasonable prices. Great place for a nice date or group dinner.
(3)Bevin C.
I feel like this place isn't cool at all. Yeah, that's the problem. And yet when I walk by Grafton Street on my daily walk home from work, I wish I could join the moderately good looking, somewhat well dressed thirty-somethings with their nice cold drinks in nice clean glasses, wiping their lipsticked mouths with their nice white napkins. ...so I did. And I lllliked it! The bf and I had a really nice time sitting on the sidewalk, watching the kids and weirdos and Harvard people pass by. Though much of the items on the menu seemed completely overpriced, we managed to have a nice meal for under ten bucks a person for the food. I liked the beet salad I ordered - very fresh greens, just the right proportions of goat cheese and dressing and beets and greens and bacon. Delicious. I also got "Deviled Eggs Four Ways", which reminded me of something you'd eat if you were a judge of a Top Chef Quickfire Challenge. And I'm into that. The burger was good too.
(3)Lisa E.
While I really enjoyed the food here and appreciate the creative brunch menu, I have to gripe a bit about the front of house service. I was there on a busy Sunday morning and was told the wait for a table would be about 15-20 minutes. We ended up waiting almost an hour and no one seemed to care. We tried checking in a few times and the staff was not very helpful. When we were finally seated, the hostess barely apologized. It is understandable to have a long wait at a prime hour, but be up front about it.
(3)Jalop N.
Dark. One word to describe this place. Who designed this dungeon? The crew of Hot Topic? The men of Folsom Street Fair? With the interior resembling that of a setpiece of a West Elm photo catalog shoot, the benefit of it being dark is that we brown folks of California can slip on by unnnoticed. This comes in handy as you don't want people to point out that the cook's entrance is out back. Expensive. The other word. Through the magic of the way-back machine (ok, the restaurant website), I remember my group ordering paella, salad, and roasted chicken. If our selection seem a little bit pedestrian, well, it's because the menu was. Animal, vegetable, and some sauce. But sure as hell the prices were daring starting at $16 and up! My roasted chicken was decent the first few bites but quickly dried out. The mash potatoes and the gravy were too salty. Only the appetizer, sashimi, elicited a good response. Loud. Bostoners need to shut the fuck up. No one cares about the Red Sox. And stop drinking.
(2)mightycollectro m.
Went back to Grafton last weekend .. The Mac n cheese is incredible.. The staff was great as were the bartenders.. We stayed late because of the music.. The DJ was playing quality tunes you don't hear at EVERY other bar/club . It was a nice change from the usual top40 bs. I'd definitely recommend this place if you want to hang with some friends at a table or nod your head to the beats at the bar. Fun place minus some snooty harvard types lol. Recommended.
(5)Vinod R.
I went with a group of 9 that had a reservation for 8pm on a Friday. We ended up waiting at least 30minutes past our reservation time. They were nice about it though and comp'ed us two appetizers. We got a cheese plate and a hummous plate, and the latter was excellent with slightly nutty hummous and warm pita. They also have a really nice spicy ginger beer. I, a vegetarian, ordered the chickpea burger and was unimpressed. It was a bit sloppy and i had to eat it with a fork and knife, but worse, the chickpea cutlet-thing was really really bland. Get some cumin powder or red chili powder in there or something please! The fries were shoestring that looked like the tiny stubs at the bottom of a bag of frozen fries. I ordered a side of brussel sprouts, and while initially good, you quickly realize that they were way too buttery. It left me feeling quite heavy. My significant other ordered their grafton st burger, and she was satisfied, but not wow'ed (which is fine). Service was friendly and attentive. The bar area was loud but it was quieter in the seating area. But the bottom line to me is the food and, while I acknowledge I may have missed the menu's high notes, I'm not inclined to go back.
(2)jay s.
I don't know what happened to this place - ordered raw oysters, took about 45 minutes. Some bartenders here are excellent, others would rather chat with the "womenfolk" than refill a beer. Still, not an entirely horrible establishment - really depends what time/day you go. Very interesting menu. Crowd is mostly touristy during the days and weekends, after-work crowd is pretty lame. This is a good 3pm "quick pint of Guinness and burger" place.
(2)Jenny i.
Beautiful bar. Very friendly and knowldegable bartenders. Wish the appetizer menu was a bit more extensive.
(4)Tim H.
Ended up checking out Harvard to up my intellect points through osmosis, but that didn't work and got hungry in the process. Stopped in for lunch and ended up with a nice table next to an open storefront window for good conversation, people watching and just taking in the whole atmosphere. Very chill. Got The Cuban and the Fish and Chips. The Cuban was amazing. Shredded pork, ham, some sort of chili aioli, and a few other things on bread twice pressed. Food is mostly typical bar fare, but the atmosphere is what really makes this place stand out. Try getting a table outside if possible.
(4)Felecia C.
Grafton St is probably the most tolerable bar in Harvard Square. Sure, it's kind of yuppie, but would you rather deal with the asshats at the Hong Kong nextdoor? I didn't think so. The bar overall has a laidback, but not dirtbag, feel, and I've never seen it insanely crowded. I'm never here for food, so I do wish the bar and dining areas were divided more equally. I can't say that this bar is AMAZING but it is the ideal spot in this area to hang out in groups. I'll be back.
(4)Kevin M.
very good place for Brunch and for people watching! Calamari was good... I tried the chicken tenders, which were really tasty, and not too heavy. Mimosas are huge. Served in a wine goblet as opposed to the usual flute, you get a little more for your money. Fun to go here when it's nice out too, and soak up the Harvard Sq. ambience.
(4)lily l.
Is it a pub? Is it a bistro? Not sure. A bit schizophrenic. Came to stay in Harvard Square for a business trip, and actually ended up eating here twice. The first time was for brunch, which was actually pretty good. Either that, or I was simply just ravenous after landing from my redeye. I ordered a huge omelet with home fries and toast. Can't really go wrong with that. The service was only so-so. Perhaps my server just flew in on a red-eye as well?! Then I went for dinner the next night with a group of 15. Kudos to our server who was super chill and patient. For dinner, the food is expensive and not that great. That's when I was confused if this place was meant to be a fancy place due to the fancy prices. Can't imagine the students around the area digging this place (at least for dinner)... but that's just me.
(3)Curt W.
Wanted so badly to like this place, but the "gourmet" mac and cheese they served up was overcooked and just yucky. Menu said it should be "creamy" but instead it was all dry, and the truffle oil they put on it was off-putting. Bonus points to the waitress for not charging for it when we mentioned it, which was nice. Luckily the buzz we caught at Hong Kong drinking scorpion bowls put us in too good a mood to let this ruin our night. Pricey but nice inside. Try at your own risk...but avoid the crap and cheese!
(1)Douglas Q.
The server was charming, and I don't dislike the atmosphere, but the food doesn't warrent a repeat trip. I don't think that you should have to slather ketchup all over a burger to get it to taste like sonething... anything.
(2)Sarah S.
Not too much exciting to say - it's a bar. In Harvard Square. I liked that they opened the windows so I could sit and watch people walk by while drinking. That was cool. Other than that, unremarkable. They have Chimay on tap, which is cool. I was mainly just glad it wasn't more crowded, but I'm guessing that's because undergrads are gone - it's probably insufferable during the school year.
(3)Karen W.
Having lived in Cambridge for almost a decade now, brunches at Grafton Street have been inevitable occurrences. However, at this point, I only go here when I'm forced to (i.e., when a group of other people decides that this is the most convenient place to meet for brunch). I know that the Irish Breakfast is usually pretty good, but their omelets have always been terrible. Greasy, lukewarm, and reminiscent of airplane food. I think I had a salad once, and it was swimming in oil. I used to get excited about their little complimentary basket of warm brunch breads -- but they seem to have done away with that. My advice is to skip Grafton and head a few blocks towards Central to the Plough and Stars for a brunch menu that does not disappoint.
(2)Jordan G.
This review is specifically for the weekend brunch, which is very underrated. The Bow Street Breakfast (eggs, potatoes, meat, bread, fruit) is under $10 and Grafton's coffee is surprisingly excellent (Lavazza). And never a long wait. :)
(4)JR S.
Fine for lunch with your boss, or meeting up with a huge group that planned ahead (e.g. my college alumni group). Wicked blah decor and crowd. The blue-button-down-shirt and Vidal-Sassoon-hair description sums it up. Someone I know used to insist on going here and I think her reasoning was "that salad with the greens, apples, walnuts, and bleu cheese (wistful sigh)." If this salad sounds like groundbreaking cuisine, maybe you will dig Grafton Street. If it sounds like something you've had all over town, you may be bored by the menu - and probably disappointed by the actual cooking.
(2)David D.
I've been coming here off and on for years to enjoy food and spirits. This is a great place for you and your friends to come and unwind after a long work day. I suggest, if you can, to try and get there during the day as you will not be disappointed by the staff. Working behind the bar is Boston's very own voted "Boston's Best Bartender" Paul Barry. All other bartenders pale in comparison. Without a doubt the rest of the staff here is amazing as well. The food is top notch and the drinks, well Paul's makin them so they're off the charts. So come in and enjoy a bloody marry this weekend as I hear Paul is whipping up a new batch of bloody marry mix that you have to try.
(5)Chrissy D.
I had the grilled tuna salad which is one of my favorite meals. The tuna came rare with lots of potatoes, tomatoes, string beans and olives. The tuna was perfectly seasoned and for only $14 it was a big portion. Great friendly service!
(4)Aaron B.
Popular place, frequented by Harvard B-school students. Crowds tend to related groups which makes socializing between groups very difficult. A good spot, but only if you don't want to leave your circle of friends. Bar gets too crowded and service is way too slow when they're crowded. Food is very overpriced for the cuisine (essentially bar food) and quality. In summer, street windows open to the sidewalk which is nice.
(1)A V.
Tastiest damned menu in the square! The entire staff is quite a delight, and on weekends they got DJ Pauly on the 1's and 2's.
(5)Andrea H.
My husband and I came to Cambridge on our honeymoon and happened to stumble upon Grafton Street at lunchtime. We immediately found ourselves enjoying good converstaions and even better drinks with our bartender Paul. He made us feel like we were in our hometown pub with old friends, and due to his hospitality, we are now heading back there for day 2 to enjoy lunch. Loved everything about this little gem, the decor, friendly staff, location, just a wonderful expereice and looking forward to enjoying what is sure to be a memorable meal. Cheers to Paul! Slainte!
(5)Andrea M.
Sad to say after a number of poor experiences, I'm finally writing a review about my last meal at Grafton. There have been a number of near misses, not so hots, and just plain bad experiences in the past year, but I always expected them to improve. Now, I have to say, unless it's just for drinks, I'm not going to bother with the food, and with the drinks, make sure you check over the receipt, carefully, before you pay. This last time, I ordered the salmon that came with the salmon, brussels sprouts, and scallion pancake. The salmon was overcooked, came with far too little sauce, and the entire dish was so dry, I had to ask for more water (how does one serve a pancake with mere drips of some oil, and nothing else to moisten it?). Our waiter was incredibly sweet, but obviously didn't pick up on the conversation that was about how dry the entire dish was, nor did he ask about how we liked our meals. I'm not the type to send food back - this meal has made me promise that the next time, I will send it back. All this being said, the demeanor of the waitstaff here is always good (the demeanor, not necessarily the skill). I have kept going back because they generally do try and they're not nearly as stuck up as some of the other options in the square...but next time, I'm going next door to Bartley's, getting a burger and then I'll come here for my drink.
(2)Lalin A.
Nice, lively atmosphere. Good for drinks. Stay away from eating there. The menu is weak, but worst: the food is very mediocre.
(2)Alyssa N.
Good drinks. The bartender made a decent version of one of my faves- OJ, vanilla vodka and Sprite. Nice clean bathrooms. Kind of a yuppie vibe, but the crowd seemed nice. Didn't try the food yet. Maybe on another visit.
(3)Bradley L.
I like Grafton. It's a good default for a casual meal or meetup with friends for a drink. It generally isn't too crowded (though late night on weekends that's not the case). They're on open table so it's pretty easy to check availability and get a table for a meal. The food here is decent - I like it more than my friends and I consider myself a picky eater. Service here is hit or miss. Sometimes they give waitstaff an area that's too big and the server is overwhelmed with too many tables. Worth adding to your arsenal if you're a local, but not a must-see if you're just visiting.
(3)Steve D.
Good neighborhood pub. Tasteful spot with good prices and good appetizers.
(3)Christina and Jaime F.
We have only had brunch here, which is really good. Love the french toast and mimosas. Beware that the sausages are the flat patty type, which are pretty good, just not what I was expecting. The only bad thing was that we were sat next to a table with a bunch of kids...not really the McDonalds type of restaurant...hmmmm....recovering from the night before and having kids jumping up and down on their seats = not great.
(4)Lindsey W.
The food came quickly and the lobster ravioli the lobster ravioli special was awesome. Also Meghan, the best waitress ever, works here. Stick around late night for drinks if you don't mind drunk Harvard students approaching you.
(4)Jenny K.
Don't let the swanky looking decor and close proximity to Harvard fool you. Below average on a number of levels. I came here for brunch while visiting Cambridge. I found the menu was very limited. There was only one omelet on the menu which I ordered - spinach, mushrooms, cheese with home fries and wheat toast. Drew W. ordered the basic breakfast: scrambled egg, sausage, home fries and toast. While we waited for our food, the server brought a little basket of pastries - mini croissant, danish, and blueberry muffins. The pastries were stale and tasted like bad store bought. Over thirty minutes later, our meals showed up. Ridiculously long wait for eggs I think. The home fries were nicely fried and tasted good. The omelet was subpar. It was flavorless and part of it was undercooked and runny. According to the menu, my dish was supposed to come with wheat toast but I never got any. Drew W.'s eggs were fully cooked but unremarkable and his sausage looked and tasted like Jimmy Dean sausage patties. A highly disappointing brunch. And a total rip off at over $30 for two.
(2)Steve L.
It was moderatly busy. A party of five, seated immediatly and ordered cocktails and water for the table. Waitress left and came back 10 minutes later to take food orders. 5 minutes later receive cocktails, 10 minutes later we remind her about the water for the table, receive it 5 minutes later. About 10 minutes later one of our party orders an extra app and not more than 60 second later the fried calamari he ordered came out. So where's our food? 15 minutes later is where, the dumplings were greasy and had almost no filling, everything else was average... So here's the kicker they gave absolute crap service and then tacked on 18% tip, thankfully we were able to give 5% with the hopes that they tipped out to the bartender for the drinks.
(1)Sara C.
Went here ate night and got calamari and scallops as appetizers, and was awesome. The bartender was great and very helpful. But after going there on a Friday night, I doubt I'll go back when I intentionally wAnt to get food. I got steal frites, which tasted amazing, but it as so busy that our server didn't introduce herself, took 20+ min for drinks, and basically no attenion paid to what was going on. Awf awful service.
(2)Natasha W.
My boyfriend and I went here for dinner, the food is pretty good. I had a steak and he had the fish and chips. It's got a great atmosphere and the inside decor is nice. They did forget about us for a little bit after they sat us...changing sections or something. However, I went over and asked and we got someone right away and then they gave us a free dessert for having to wait which was very nice of them. Overall we were pleased with the restaurant
(4)Matt C.
Quick seating, Pikachu shaped rolls, and the Grafton burger make this place a hit. Seating us to the left of the sliding front windows when we requested outdoor seating does not, nor does an overly enthusiastic but spastically inattentive waitress. Check out the strawberry shortcake dessert. Four stars.
(4)Gigi B.
Went here for the first time with my boyfriend for a drink after work on a Wednesday evening and was overall very pleased. We sat at the bar and had excellent service. The bartender even gave me a small glass of a summer drink with blueberries and mint leaves to try, gratis. I look forward to going back for a meal soon, perhaps on their charming patio before the end of the summer.
(4)Nicole B.
Nothing special. Been once for dinner and once for brunch, definitely overpriced for the quality you get but it's right in Harvard Square/tourist trap area. Most recently we were there for brunch this past Sunday. I got the Grilled Chicken Mac and Cheese. I seriously couldn't taste anything in the sauce at all. It didn't taste like cheese, it didn't taste like much of anything at all. My husband tried it and agreed, very bland and boring. For two brunch entrees, one soda and one bloody mary our bill was around $42. Totally not worth it. We thought we would give it a second shot but it reaffirmed what we though the first time....this is a total skip when you want good food in Harvard Square.
(2)A.K. M.
This place was really great! I totally would recommend eating here if you are in the area. The vibe was really laid back, the service was AMAZING, and the food was really great! The portions are pretty small, but in general I like small portions. If you prefer typical American oversize, you will probably not like the portion size. I had the roast chicken over cheese grits, and they were really great. The salad was pretty average, but nothing to really complain about. Again, mostly I really liked the service. She was quick, not intrusive, attentive, and efficient.
(4)Ryan B.
I miss the Bow and Arrow but I guess Grafton will do! I know that the Bow and Arrow has been gone for a while but I do miss it. Such a dump and it was always filled less then creative people. If you are looking for a decent lunch menu or place to sip a drink in Harvard sq Grafton St can be one of my top choices. In the warmer months they open up the large street facing windows and can make the experience even better. They do even have a small outside seating area which can be pleasurable. However there can be a fairly pompous aura on some evenings when there an over abundance of HBS folks. Not that all HBS folks are like that but I think you get the point. Today I was pleasantly surprised by only getting an appetizer for lunch and the food was tasteful and well presented. The server was attentive and very accommodating.
(4)Michael G.
Mediocre all around. We went for brunch and the waiter never brought us silverware and forgot to ask us if we wanted cheese on our burger. The food is decent but you are pretty much overpaying for proximity to harvard square.
(3)Robin W.
I had dinner with a friend here on 3/210 - food was good, service left something to be desired... We split a Caesar salad, then my friend had the fish and chips, which she really liked; and I had the lobster mac & cheese, which was delicious. Then for dessert I had the creme brulee (don't remember what her dessert was). The creme brulee was pretty good, my only small note about that would be that I tend to like the caramelized sugar layer on top to be a little thicker so that you have to tap it kinda hard to break it. The downside of the meal was the service. While our server was friendly and even double-checked on an ingredient when we first ordered after that we had no idea where she went. When we first arrived we had asked for an extra minute to look at the menu - not a good idea. We finally did put in our order the salad & came out first and then the entree but they were both served by someone other than our waitress. Our entree sat in front of us for ages after we were finished with them until a bus boy finally noticed and whisked away after apologizing. After which the waitress briefly re-appeared to take our dessert order. Next, when we were expecting dessert they brought us the entrees for a different table (small oops). After finishing dessert waited a while until we ended up having to flag down a bus boy so we could pay our tab and get out of there. Personally, I'm not a fan of having 3 different people service a table. I like it much better when you have one waitress who takes your order, brings your food, takes it away, and brings and rings up your check. This 3-person system seems to result in no one having a good idea of how the timing of your meal is going. To give an idea of the impact of this on our meal - we sat down at 6:30pm and weren't able to get out of there until 9:30pm. Ok, I get that it was a Tues night and they're maybe not in a rush to turn over the table, but 3 hours for dinner? C'mon... I like their food and would probably go back but definitely not if I had plans later.
(3)George A.
It's a nice place to hang out if you get a window table, the experience deteriorates very quickly once you get just a few feet away from the windows. Went there for a Sunday brunch, the food was good, but quite basic. It felt disappointing because the apparent trendiness of the place from the outside does not translate into any level of culinary creativity. At $10 for scrambled eggs you'd expect a little more flair. The waitress was polite, but always in an extreme hurry, even though it wasn't a busy day. We had a hard time talking quickly enough before she'd walk away from the table!
(3)Irene F.
The calamari here is probably the best in all of Boston, if not anywhere that I have eaten (Legal's Thai-style calamari does give Grafton a run for its money, though). Usually the bar is packed with after-work drinkers, which is also fun, but people tend to stick to their own group. The food is absolutely amazing, from appetizers to entrees. Even the bread is good! Once it gets warm, they open up the windows and even have a patio out front, but it's a little annoying because you can't bring any glass outside (a.k.a. your drink!!). The cosmos, however, are mostly vodka, and not that tasty, and it seems like most of the drinks are on the stronger rather than tastier side.
(4)Dachary C.
I second the "Meh" of one of the other Yelpers. This place did not impress me. I may have been biased, because I happened in here on Memorial Day when I was trying to go to Bartley's (which was sadly closed) but it wasn't a great experience. The hostess started off by refusing to seat me at a table since I was by myself, but told me instead to sit at the bar. This is one of my pet peeves. I'll wait for a table with the rest of the folks, but I should *not* be penalized or refused a seat for going out by myself. Ugh. Bartender who waited on me was nice. Unfortunately, I had to wait *way* too long for a drink refill. And they didn't have much in the way of selection if you're not in the mood for alcohol. The menu has a lot of 'food with a twist' - variations of a wide range of cuisine, far beyond simple pub fare. However, the dish that I tried wasn't particularly good. It wasn't bad... but it was very "Meh." And on the down side, over an hour passed between the time I placed my order and when I received my food, while I watched people all around me chowing down in a fraction of the time. No explanation for the delay was offered, nor did they offer me bread or a chance to add an appetizer to munch. Bad form. On the upside, the bar opens the windows to the sidewalk on nice days. I always like that. The food wasn't particularly good, the hostess refused to seat me, and the service was slow. It seems like it might be a neat place, but I probably won't go back.
(2)Natasha D.
Went here on a Saturday night with a friend, wanting to be social with other bar people since it always looks busy when I walk past towards Karma Yoga. My pear-amaretto martini was good, the service was good, the moules frites that someone else at the bar ordered looked good. However, nothing was so great that it wow'd me or made me want to become a regular.
(3)Hannah L.
the interior of grafton street is cute and classy-pubby. i found it interesting that they have faux lamps hanging from the ceiling, with actual light coming from random bulbs in the wall. i was kind of sad to see that the menu didn't have any new or cool recipes. it was standard. i was left wondering "where are the cool funky twists on classics?" nothing was new. anyway, i was feeling fat because i ordered the fried mushrooms and fish+chips, (split them!) so i got a pre caesars salad. which was decent. the fried mushrooms made me kind of nauseous, i think the dip had way too much mayo in it. the fish was crunchy and decent as well. when i came home, i took a big #2. good times! i'd say, eat if you are hungry, but there are better places. come for cute ambiance and beer.
(3)Jillian Y.
Lovely atmosphere; sadly, the food just isn't that hot. I had a flatbread pizza and fries (what, I was hungry?) and was not pleased with either...the pizza was burnt and the fries were so bland that I practically had to dunk them in salt. Disappointing, especially since I was expecting so much more! My friends seemed a bit more impressed with their food.
(3)CeeCee R.
Went there with a friend. Food and service were very average, not that great. Very basic food, not sure if we'll ever be back.
(2)Jackie S.
Just - no. Not only was the place packed from elbow-to-elbow, but the food was almost unacceptable. To top it all off, the server brought my boyfriend and I's dinner to the table next to ours. We had to watch the couple next to us argue about how the food was not theirs while the server stood their cluelessly. There was not even an apology for the mix-up. The food - squash risotto and the duck entree - was lukewarm and mushy. The duck (ordered medium rare) was red and raw in the middle. The 'pomegranate reduction' was just pomegranate seeds scattered on a sloppy plate next to the undercooked duck. The risotto was also cold and the bacon on it completely overcooked. I would expect food of this caliber to come out of a cafeteria, not a restaurant like this.
(2)Mo M.
This place is totally overrated. The food is mediocre at best, but for the price you feel ripped off. I mean, one would expect that pizza is something that can't get messed up, but guess again - it looked better than it tasted! The best thing to do here is drink, but that's about it.
(2)Cheryl L.
Always a reliable place to go. Great service, very good food. Burger and fries always a good thing to order. However, the Cobb Salad, steak frites, pork chops and... uh oh too many dishes to mention are solid choices.
(4)Colleen Y.
I like to go there with my parents for a laid back meal but to socialize? No way. The crowd is uptight and as a young person I feel totally out of place. Maybe if I was wearing a Polo sweater around my shoulders I would break into the in crowd there. If you are a girl under 28 expect to be oogled...no matter how busted you are. The yuppies in there haven't seen skin that fresh since they finished reading last month's Maxim.
(2)Hope R.
1st time here: business lunch. decent food, WAY overpriced. 2nd time: romantic date with an italian. nice ambiance. we sat 2.5 hours just with our single drink. attentive waiter. it didn't work out with the italian, though... 3rd: drink with my girlfriend. very nice atmosphere at night, esp. with windows open. we had delicious cocktails. bartender was cute and thorough. even kept refilling our waters. all in all, don't come here for food, but it's a nice place for a cocktail with a friend (or more) :)
(3)Donal C.
Go for the drinks, don't stay for the food. We went for dinner last night, and I have to say, it was not a good experience. The pasta dish was tasteless and overcooked. That went back. The chicken dish was ok at best - as in it didn't go back. The chicken was oven-baked, and a little dry; the mashed potato was average and complelty soaking in butter. The creme brulee was really tasty but cold!! Wow, that's the worst review i've ever given, and i'll suffer a lot of average places. I do like the bar though for atmosphere and beer, but they really need to get a new head chef.
(2)Kim N.
It's so strange, every time I visit someone who lives in Cambridge, they end up taking me here. The food is ok, your standard midrange food that most people would enjoy, but nothing to write home about. Atmosphere and beers are good, a good place for groups or a buddy you want to chat with. Next time I cross the river though, I'll have to be sure to mention I've already tried this place and that I'd like something new please.
(2)Leigh D.
Bad all around...maybe a bad night? The hostesses were distracted...we were a party of 6, 5 guests of mine from Colorado and me a local who has been there several times and choose to bring them.. We very nicely selected a table with a view that we wanted and we waited patiently for a table up in the front. The clean up process was slow. It seemed even the hostess forgot about us? Which seemed confirmed when my friend checked in and the three of them stopped discussing their necklaces and moved some dishes of the table The waiter, Johnny, was on the ball for the most part...and was charming and gracious...the food, however, was such a disappointment...mushy crab cakes, bland chowder, cold mashed potatoes with a luke warm steak on top, side cut tuna for the tuna wasabi...blah. Pizza was good but not too hard to mess that up? Calamari was good enough, too. Chowder was sent back. Steak and potatoes, too. Tuna was pushed around the plate. Crab cake was eaten by 6 people and each bite was determined to be mushy and bready, not crabby. I will say the manager responded to the concerns we had...we weren't being obnoxious about it, just disappointed. He said the right things and sent over deserts....mediocre ones...as the 13 year old at the table noted, "The cookie tasted like freezer burn." Sorry, Grafton, I have been a fan! I love the ambiance but Grafton was a huge embarrassment last night. Hope you guys can get it together.
(1)Jess K.
I just went here for drinks so I can't tell you anything about the food. The drinks were a bit pricey. The atmosphere is modern and upscale. The bartenders were very nice and all seemed to be good friends with each other. Their discussion of ordering a burger and fries made me almost want to be a carnivore and order one myself. I guess if they crave the food you know it must be good, right? I recommend going here for a drink after work or for a nice quiet meal but not really for the "bar scene".
(4)Hannah T.
I went to Grafton Street with 8 of my good friends and we loved it. Considering there were 8 of us I'm not about to list off everything, but some of the favorites were seared scallops (as usual), cobb salad and one dish that deserves its own paragraph. A friend ordered the chickpea burger and after a light meal I decided to sample her leftovers. OH LORD was it good. A soft, thick pita with tzatziki (cucumber/yogurt mix) and a chickpea patty that was so flavorful and delicious. I want to go back to Grafton Street just to order that myself. I also had a drink made with mint, citrus vodka, and ginger beer. I forget the name but it was somewhere between a mojito and a dark & stormy. It was yummy, overpriced naturally, but yummy. Go here for a romantic date, or for a huge gathering. You'll be satisfied either way.
(3)Elizabeth M.
We went here for a Mother's Day brunch and it was excellent! The service was terrific, the ambiance was nice, and the food was delicious. I highly recommend this place, and I'll definitely go back.
(5)Jules M.
The first time I'd been to Grafton Street, I wasn't overly impressed. The food was tolerable and pricey for the quality and quantity. The seating booth [which was able to seat the six of us] was not comfortable - nor did it allow for comfortable conversation since the place got loud and the table was very wide. Talking to anyone across the table brought it up to yelling mode - not quite appropriate for dinner conversation - and more suitable for a sports bar atmosphere. The booth was also located at one of the busiest locations in the restaurant - next to the kitchen door. Therefore, a table that can potentially bring in quite a profit for the establishment is in one of the least desireable locations. The second time I stopped in, was for a 'quick drink' with my friend and headed into the lounge, which was about half full. It was this re-visit that made me determine that I was never going to return there again. The bartender only acknowledged a token few "buddies" at the bar. The waitress service was non-existent and she only made quick appearances at the back of the lounge area and would then disappear again. The hostess was always chatting with her co-workers and did not make any effort to have service brought to new customers. Since the waitress was wandering elsewhere, I then made my way up to the bar to order the 'quick drink'. The bartender continued to walk back and forth behind the bar - and would then stop at the other end of the bar to talk to co-workers. He continually ignored myself, and another new customer at the bar, without bothering to say "I'll be with you in a moment", or something to that effect - even when the new customers would try to politely get his attention. After nearly 15 minutes of trying to get a 'quick drink', my friend and I left the poorly managed establishment - and I added the place to my "Places that Are Never to Get Another Dime From Me" list.
(1)E M.
The food is alright, but for the price you pay it should be better. It's a good place to watch soccer games though.
(3)Wendy L.
Food is average but there is a considerable amount of variety. The resturant is really big so it's a great place for large groups.
(3)jen h.
I went here on St. Patricks Day and had a few beers. Beer was good, service was good. But they didnt serve Irish Carbombs. Menu looked good, but we didnt eat! I will be back!
(4)Stuart F.
Perfect meal for either a large group or small intimate setting. For those of us who love bar food...but not the noise that it brings. Awesome ambiance, location and decor. Visited here this past Saturday for a nice meal. Had a perfectly cooked burger with a bun that did not get to gross (aka it was pretty much heaven for me). Great Beer-battered Chicken Tender appetizer as well. Girlfriend was ecstatic about her salad (especially when they added Chicken to it). Pretty thrilled about our experience here. We will be back!
(4)Aaron H.
Saturday and Sunday afternoons this is a great spot to sit at the bar, have a pint and a sandwich and interact with some great bartenders. I usually come on Sundays and I always have a good time. Swung in on Saturday and had a great Long Trail IPA and a Cuban. Had two terrific bartenders, one spunky little blonde who was one of the funniest bartenders I have ever met and a guy who loved to talk golf. All around a great spot to spend an hour or so in the square. The food is pretty good, but I tend to stop in more for the beer selection and atmosphere.
(3)Pooja N.
Went on a Saturday night with an 8 pm reservation, but didn't get seated until 45 minutes later. They were very apologetic about the delay, and the service and food were pretty good when we finally got seated. I really enjoy their tuna tartare and scallops. The pizza is also a good choice on a budget. Overall, nice place, but I'd try to go at a less crowded time and not expect brisk seating.
(3)Janina T.
I was so disappointed when I ate here again last night (note: I wrote a pretty glowing review about my 22nd birthday celebration here a few weekends ago so I expected good service again). We walked in at around 6:45 pm, after the Oktoberfest and Honk! Parade festivities and were seated right away considering the restaurant itself was maybe half full, with most of the life happening around the bar. Our waiter came and took our order. When he got to my friend who wanted to order a pizza, he said that they were all out for the night. I'm not quite sure how that would happen in a restaurant where an entire portion of their menu is out of commission. Ok, fine, we moved on. Then we tried to order a bottle of Pinot Grigio. He comes back, they're apparently all out of PG bottles too. His brownie points are slowly waning. We finally put in our final orders, with some changes due to the lack of inventory they've got going on. We're at the restaurant for maybe 15-20 mins. now, haven't received the complimentary bread rolls yet, it gets to the point that my friend has to flag down the waiter to just ask for them. We notice the table next to us gets their starter bread rolls AFTER their entrees are served. I'm pretty sure that's backward logic at it's best. We finally get our food, turns out the pizza my friend wanted initially is actually still around so he brings it out, +1 brownie point. To top off the crappy service, when we finally want our check, prep our cards and cash and are ready to give it back, our waiter is no where to be found. I'm pretty sure a restaurant would LOVE to turnover as many customers as possible in as short a period of time. Didn't seem to be happening. We finally got approached by someone who appeared to be a hostess, not a waiter. It looked like our waiter had checked out for the night because we didn't see him walking around anywhere. I hope he doesn't get the tip from our bill because someone else definitely deserves it far more than he does. Thank God someone wanted us out of there or it would have taken years to even make it out the door.
(2)rob. l.
I was in the Harvard Square area for 2 days and I went here 3 times. It was great. I tried the cheeseburger and the seared salmon and both were absolutely amazing. Good beer selection as well. Highly recommended.
(4)Kerry S.
We found this place after spending the morning walking around Cambridge. The chickpea burger on naan is excellent. The fish in the fish tacos is deep fried, but otherwise delicious. Good atmosphere and reasonably priced for the area. Definitely recommend and will go back the next time we are in the area.
(4)Mike M.
Grafton Street is a great restaurant for food and cocktails, I frequent it mostly for their brunch as they have a nice indoor/outdoor atmosphere and specifically their bartender Paul Barry is the best in the city. Cocktails are generally very creative, they have a "Dirty Pickle Martini" that is a welcome change for any Dirty or Hot and Dirty Martini lover. The only DOWNSIDE to Grafton Street is their atrocious house Bloody Mary mix, which Paul has countered with his own homemade creation which I must say is out of this world. Go to Grafton Street, ask for Paul Barry, and then request his personal Bloody Mary mix... There is no better Bloody in Boston! Enjoy!
(4)Joseph L.
I'm a regular. The food is good and getting even better, and the service is great! A big part of the ambiance is Paul behind the bar in the afternoons. Often very funny, providing as much or as little entertainment as I'm looking for, Paul has brightened many an afternoon. He's boston's friendliest and best bartender, and a Cambridge institution.
(5)Trish B.
I really like the ambiance here. Ive gone here both for drinks at the bar and for dinner and both have been great. Its worth going just for their buffalo chicken fingers, which I got the last few times. They come with fries and extra hot sauce and blue cheese on the side. The buffalo sauce is really think and has a great flavor! This seems like an ideal date spot because its classy, but not stuffy. The game is on in the bar, but there is nice decor, and food a few steps above a good pub. You cant beat the location either. Ive never sat outside but i definitely want to!
(4)Anna W.
Good food, great decor, good service. All around, I've never had a bad experience here. I've had the salad and sandwiches for lunch. For dinner, I've had their paella (was pretty good... not bad considering it's an Irish bar), steak, and chicken. Portion size is good and price is reasonable, but not incredibly cheap. The bar area is small and a tight squeeze. On weekends, the line can get insanely long. I would never wait in line to get in here, but if you go during lunch or early dinner, it isn't bad.
(4)Lakay C.
YUMMY! The bar tenders are fun and adorable. The food is delicious. The drinks are perfect pours. It's hard to get a seat in the bar most nights - but it's worth the crowd. Great after work place.
(4)Liza F.
I have only been to Grafton Street at night, either for dinner or for the bar so I can't really comment on the brunch or lunch scene. I think the food is good. It definitely hits the spot for comfort food. Last time I went I had a very yummy cheese fondue as an appetizer. I have also had the steak frites which was great but not as good as my favorite (Aquitaine). Bartenders are prompt and pretty attentive considering how busy it gets on weekend evenings. The servers I have had have all been spot on and efficient. I also came here for New Years Eve two years ago and I recommend it if you are looking to go out but not with the amateurs night crowd. The scene is a bit older as most students are not around. It gets packed but not to the point of absurdity. The Friday and Saturday night DJ is cool to the point of ridiculousness. You will find yourself singing the words to the songs you recognize but it's not redundant like you find at most clubs and lame bars. He is actually a musician and not a run of the mill DJ who stands there all night mindlessly playing tracks on a computer. So worth checking out if you are in the Harvard Sq area.
(4)Kristen F.
I will probably need to re-review this place once I go back for I only popped in last night for about 20 mins. From what I saw, the place is really nice with an adorable outdoor seating area. The fumes coming from the kitchen smelled really good. I'd love to try this place again for lunch or dinner.
(4)Caitlin O.
A large group of us stopped by Grafton after seeing a concert at the house of blues on a Saturday. The line to get in was kind of a drag, but once we were in, we were seated quickly. Despite the crowd, our waitress brought our food and drinks in no time. We had heard great things about the weekend DJs but weren't prepared for how good he really was. What a refreshing change! He played a great mix of top 40 for the kids along with some old school hip hop and funk. We will definitely go back.
(4)Jonathan S.
I've only ever had one thing on their menu in the three times I've been here but it's worth four stars. That item is the toasted chickpea sandwich with yogurt on naan. I can't comment on the other food here but try the toasted chickpea sandwich!
(4)Charles L.
Grafton St. has seen its share of parties. Definitely a good spot at the tip of Harvard Square. Nightlife can get a little saucey over there if you happen to run into the right crowds... Never know when some eager party animals trickle in from the Hong Kong... Oh, cute waitstaff too...
(4)Arik C.
Unlike the Asgard, this place actually feels Irish. ok upscale Irish. Good selection of beers and true irish behind the bar. Food is pretty decentbut nothing to go there for that only. Trendy on weekends and when school is in.
(3)julia r.
you know you're a student when the only time you've been here since circa 2003 was with a folder full of articles and a lemonade in hand. the window was open and the breeze felt fantastic. who knew grafton street was a secretly great study spot?!
(4)M C.
Grafton St Restaurant is a must stop in Harvard Square -- but only if a delicious varied menu appeals to you, and if prompt and excellent service provided by a young , energetic and intelligent staff are high on your dining requirements list. However, its piece de resistance is the Sunday brunch and a drink, or your entire brunch, served at the magnificent bar by Paul Barry ---- Grafton Street's polymath bartender whose keen Irish wit and infectious conviviality enriches your day, ratchets up your IQ, and makes you glad to claim Celtic ancestry --- even if only by adoption. Paul has even been known to bestow honorary Irish citizenship on those intrepid souls up for several shots of John Jameson, while he beguiles you with tales, both noble and bawdy, of the Brirish Royals --- in whom he has an endless, quite un-Irieh fascination.To know Paul and the pleasures of this delightful watering hole is to enjoy Harvard Square at its best. Salut et bon appetit, mes amis! Sir Maurice and Lady Mary .
(4)William Z.
My favorite spot, currently, for lunch or dinner in Harvard Square!
(5)Jason P.
I've been going to Grafton Street for the past 8 years, and unfortunately, the quality of the food has recently declined. When I first became a customer, I was impressed by the selection on the menu, and the consistently high quality of meals. Now it's uncommon to have a dish without serious problems. It's a shame because I love the ambiance, and I have a lot of good memories associated with the place. Fortunately, the drinks are still good. But the small bar area quickly becomes crowded.
(2)Lynette M.
The tuna tartare was incredible
(4)Pete P.
some people from work like to go here a lot so i gave it a try. it was horrid from the moment we walked in. it honestly smelt like wet, dirty sneakers. like they had just mopped it with one of those stinky sponges that has been by the sink way too long. they sat us way in the back, just 3 of us even thought the place was virtually empty. bah. the food? my fish & chips were horrible. it was one huge chunk of white fish. and the supposed flaky outside found on most fish & chips was a hard, crusty shell that fell of f the fish when you tried to separate it with a fork. who has to eat fish & chips with a knife? the chips? terrible. my friends chicken finger appetizer was way over cooked. again, the chicken did not have a flaky outer crust, rather a hard, deep fat fried shell. gross. i won't even go back for a beer because the service was so slow and the smell was so much like sneakers. i have to stop now before i ramble on and on about how bad this place was. stay away because its not cheap either!
(1)Joe R.
I had some sort of elk tenderloin at this place tonight - not bad at all. The meat was tasty, the garlic mashed potatoes outstanding, and the service pretty good. I like the outdoor seating, but have to ding them a star for not being about to serve alcohol outdoors. I hear that this is a city ordinance in Boston/Cambridge, and has something to do with awning size - none the less, I wasn't impressed.
(4)Melissa Y.
Hey ! if you haven't tried this restaurant ,then you are missing out on something good. With a new chef and menu, last nights meal was delicious. Try the salmon, scallops or the mac 'n cheese. Plus,our server,Tyler, was helpful and funny. i highly reccommend this place and plan to make it one of my haunts.
(4)Sean P.
Love the deviled eggs appetizer. Was not as thrilled with the pork chop, but Brandy loved her scallops and risotto, even if it was too much for her to finish. Was the prefect place to meet up with friends, and the Oban at the end of the evening made me forget all about the pork chop. So too did the bagpipers that popped in for an impromptu performance. We assumed it was because of the Irish film festival happening in town the same weekend, but either way it was a nice touch, even if it was a bit loud.
(3)Chana E.
Went here with a group of 8 friends and had no trouble getting a reservation with a few days notice for a Friday night. Good wine and beer, we all loved the pumpkin empanada appetizer, and several people raved about their mac and cheese (with lobster OR sausage mixed in). However, what won my heart was when they gave us (FREE!) chocolate cake and ice cream since it was my birthday weekend. Will definitely keep this on my list of best Harvard Square places to go, especially with groups.
(4)JOHN r.
The DJs play Top 40 tracks off their I-Pods, the soundsystem hits like the Aiwa boombox I bought in 1994, yet the DJs somehow always look like they are trying really hard. The bar is not easily accessible, and the semi-existent dancefloor is not that accessible either. Whoever designed the layout for this place was special in the bad way.
(1)Bryanne R.
We had to practically beg for service. (probably not the norm for this place) It was a week night and we were sitting in one of the (AWESOME) window seats, but c'mon at least get us some waters! Food was good once we got it. It's a great place to go mid-week to have some food, talk with friends and watch a game. Great for people watching if you get a window seat.
(3)Ashley S.
Serves Sunday brunch until 4p. They serve all the brunch standards and do a decent job of it.
(3)Stellina M.
Many chefs swear it is one of the best places in town....I am not so sure. The ambiance is nice, lots of Harvard/Cambridge type people, the service is pretty good. I has mussels for appetizer and after that I was already full! Great breads and knowledgeable staff. But nothing super special!
(4)michelle m.
I love this place. The poached pear appetizer is fantastic, and the fish dishes that I have tried are all very, very tasty. The atmosphere tends to be a bit more upscale (at least, in the evenings, which is the only time I've been). They also have outdoor seating along the street, but beware - it closes at about 10 pm, although food is served until 11. If you're in the Harvard Square area, definitely check it out!
(4)Ray R.
great place for lunch. but their dessert it L A C K I N G, yet its made up by their cosmos! a sweet little place for a quickie. there was a wait of twenty minutes we were told, so we went over to the bar and as soon as we took a bar stool they had a tabel ready for us. loverly. the waitress was swell. granted she called my aunt OLD. none the less, we had the fish & chips, some pasta dish, and a little veggie plate on the side. whooOOoo. okay either i was really really hungry or that was the best fish & chips i've ever had. wow. as for their dessert is was reather dissapointing. we ordered the white chocolate mousse. it comes in this tiny chocolate cup with several raspberries and a white sauce to garnish. EH. we also had the chocolate & peanut butter tart which the waitress raved over. it was EH was well. great meal to say the least.
(4)mickey l.
Mild June night and Daedalus roof deck is an hours wait so we sat on the Grafton's Sidewalk. Tourist watching I guess. But you know, I could see the Prudential really well from my seat. And the linens were crisp. Our Irish server had sweet chops. The Shiraz I drank felt fun in my mouth. The greasey calimari was deathly with the thick seasoned mayo. Caesar Salad had girth too. A small Pizza with goat cheese and toms was chewey and spicey. Note: The weather was perfect and that makes sidewalk dining a pleasure all by it's self.
(3)Claire M.
My boyfriend and I went on a date to this place... It was okay. I will say the decor and ambiance are great, but I found the food to be just so-so. Nothing really blew my mind. I ordered a cocktail (even though I'm normally a wine drinker) and didn't think it was too good (though, to be honest, I'm not exactly a liquor connoisseur). I had a flatbread pizza which was only okay. I probably wouldn't rush back anytime soon.
(3)Elizabeth M.
We came here with a large group, had a reservation and had to wait about an hour for a table, but it was packed with several other large parties and having worked in food service myself, understand what its like. We went to the bar for drinks while we waited and was surprised with strong, good sized drinks. When we were seated we had great service and our food and drinks came out quickly considering the size of the party. I ordered the blood orange martini (strong and yummy) and the brandt farm grilled bavette steak. I figured since we were being treated I might as well go for the most expensive meal on the menu. The steak was cooked to perfection (ordered rare). I am super picky about the way my steak is cooked and rarely order steak out as a result. The mashed potatoes were delicious and flavorful and the fresh salad with truffle oil was absolutely delicious. If I could afford to eat here on my own I totally would come back...for me it will be a restaurant to save up for and come to for special occasions. I will definitely recommend this restaurant to other people :)
(5)Lynda M.
It is with great regret that I have to give a 2 star review to what used to be my favorite brunch place. We arrived today and were seated immediately. My husband ordered his fav over easy eggs Irish breakfast, and I ordered two eggs scrambled with toast. I waited patiently for the arrival of the basket of home made breads. It never came. Our food didnt come either, for a very long time, and the place was not even crowded. Finally when our food did arrived, it was cold. My eggs tasted like someone spilled a salt shaker in them, inedible. My husband got the same nasty eggs, after ordering eggs over easy. His sausages were under cooked, his bacon like shoe leather. The coup de grace was his french fries were ICE cold. I finally told our waitress about our meals, and she was very apologetic. She offered us something different, but at this stage our stomachs were churning and we just wanted to leave. They ended up not charging us for the meals we barely touched, thus the extra star. I can say I do not think we will be back to Grafton to eat, but maybe for drinks. It isn't worth the price :-(
(2)Meridith H.
This place wasn't 1/2 bad. I went here on a first date. It was early evening, so I guess it wasn't quite overrun with the college-crowd. I had the cuban sandwhich and my date had the fish and chips, both meals were fine. The waiter specifically asked if we needed our food by a specific time (we did because we were seeing a movie). I appreciated that he took the time to ask that question. Overall, I would recommend Grafton St.--I've been craving another cuban sandwich since I left.
(4)Rina R.
A fun place to hang out, have drinks, or eat a meal. Grafton Street has very reasonable pricing, and a 20s-30s something crowd. My girlfriends and I love it for the atmosphere. And my very picky aunt who studied to be a chef raves about it, so check it out.
(4)Omoniyi A.
This review is based on 1 visit - so be aware. I went for after work drinks with a friend and ended up getting munchies and a drink. The place was super crowded, I dont know if it was a particular night, but it seems like Grafton is an afterwork standard in Harvard Sq, so be prepared to fight off crowds of up-and-coming professionals. The waitress was charming, which always is important to me (i mean, service with a smile!). The dinner menu is pricey, i actually overheard someone leaving complaining about the menu and going in search of cheaper eats. They do have a late night menu though that has cheaper food and starts being served at 9. I got the empanada plate which was delicious and came with slaw. The drink menu was also extensive. I probably wouldnt go back just because this place was def not my scene, but if you're the Cambridge professional looking for an upstyle afterwork lounge this could be the place for you.
(3)Alexandra L.
Grafton's food is good, not great, and the drinks are about the same. I am not trashing the place at all though, I spent a lot of really fun nights in the bar area (especially in the summer when the open the windows onto the street)... I agree with what Alice W. says though that it is a trendy bar for university students and young professionals.... if you want something more, you may want to get out of Harvard Square though.
(3)Greg C.
I got nervous when our server said, "The beer?" after I asked him for a Heineken Light. At that point, I was pretty sure that this was going to be a less than stellar night out. I met 2 friends there. And by "met 2 friends there" I mean that I got there early and had to wait in a big-ass booth by myself for 15 minutes while everyone stared at me like, "why's this kid got the whole booth to himself and we're crammed at these little friggin tables." The lead singer from coldplay, Chris Martin, aka our server, came right over and got my previously mentioned drink order. However, once the rest of the party showed up, he was nowhere to be found. This remained the case throughout the rest of the meal, as we had to keep asking other people who work there for forks, napkins, water, etc. I got the bartlett pear salad, which was amazing. I literally scraped the plate. It must have been pretty odd seeing someone trying to scrape a flat piece of lettuce that's balsamically-vinegaretted to the plate. So, as a breakdown, I give 1 star for Open-table presence, 1 star for the salad, 1 star for the attractive waitstaff, and 1 star for the delicious bread they bring out first. I'm taking off one star because it's too expensive. Listen, I realize your in haw-vawd square, but not everyone is living off of their mummies and daddies wallets.
(4)Channon W.
The very first restuarant that I went to in Boston and I loved it. I ordered the lobster and corn fritter as an appetizer and it was ohhh sooo yummy! It was a really cute bistro with such a friendly environment. They had some pretty yummy drinks too. Everything on their menu looked delicious...I wish they had a grafton street in california!
(5)Doody D.
I had brunch there this saturday. It was pretty disappointing. I had the steak and eggs and the steak was one of the worst steaks I have eaten in a few years, i got it rare and it was rare but super dry and tough and flavorless. The eggs were properly cooked, and the service was promp and friendly. I take bloody mary's seriously and do't want something so bland and spiceless, especially for 9 bucks. I don't think I will come back here.
(2)Kisbee B.
Great food, great atmosphere! I went there for dinner and had a great time! We both had great dinners! A bit out of my usual price range, but I surely will going back there when I want to treat myself!
(4)Jen J.
Went here other night for a quick bite when I was by myself in Cambridge. It was a warm winter day and they had the front windows open which was really nice for people watching. I sat at the bar and chatted with the tenders...nice guys...and had a great chicken salad...basic but nice portions and really good grilled chicken. Good drinks....good location. Good place to take the fam. or head out with friends for a somewhat causual/classy dinner spot.
(4)Brian D.
Grafton Street has its moments. I don't think I would set out on a evenings course with the sole intention of going there but I have never had a bad time there. My most recent drunken adventure focused in on the value of drinking $6 Tanqueray and tonic vs $6 beer - do the drunky alcohol math, right? With a gullet full of gin my drunk associates and I managed to muscle out way into owning the entire open window bar area which is the bestest spot in the hose (if you are there for drinking alone). The people watching in Harvard Square is the reason to go there, and this is one of the best spots to do it in. Man, I was not disappointed no sir there was 'really bad toupee, high pants man' and 'really scary, very forward about it, crocodile dundee man' to name a few celebrity sightings. I dunno, it was a good night and happened to be at Grafton St so despite the kind of uppity, yuppie crowd I would probably go back soon if nothing else just to rock the window bar seats.
(3)Cara G.
Met my, you know, significant other for a late lunch on a drizzly gray Monday. Doesn't the word "pappardelle" make you think of a clown? It's like the clown of Italian pasta words. Look, there goes Pappardelle, frolicking with an umbrella! Very Fellini. Anyway, that is what I ordered, because of the clowniness, and also because it came with blackened shrimp, in a tomato-based cream sauce, with spinach. Also it was flecked with things, parmesan and pepper, and who's not up for a good flecking every now and again? It was somewhere between fine and good. Probably good, but maybe it's tough to keep pasta interesting for a whole bowl. I also might have had two glasses of Chardonnay that I might have described as "buttery." My boyfriend had a turkey wrap, with sprouts and yellow tomatoes, that seemed dry and uninspired, but maybe that was just in comparison with his sparkling conversation. His buttery, sparkling conversation.
(3)Patrick B.
Great atmosphere, especially the outdoor tables or bar by the open windows when the weathers nice. And, the bar offers a decent selection of beer on tap. However, the food quality has varied quite a bit and I've become nervous ordering anything beyond standard pub fare for which I always have low expectations.
(3)Sam H.
Good food, great service, friendly waitress. They accommodated literally about 10 people who ended up joining our table of 2 unexpected, and did not complain at all. now THAT'S good service.
(4)Jennifer B.
Can't speak as much to the food, but if I wanted to go to a bar full of the tackiest trust fund kids Harvard can muster (and that is a high bar, my friends) and the kind of mid-20s who hit on them, I'd head here. The defining moment for me was when someone pointed out that we were being blessed by the company of an Apprentice reject. Awesome! That being said, Harvard Square is not exactly awash in trendy eateries, and I hear the food is passable...
(2)Sandra C.
I came here for lunch one weekend and it's pretty uncrowded. They actually had a really good pulled pork sandwich. The waitress was pretty snooty though especially when we just had *gasp* tap water instead of their bottled water. Service was terrible ever after that faux pas.
(3)Steve N.
never ate here, but did have drinks a few times. not a bad pour on the whiskey and the Guiness was properly pulled. although for a while we had to stand by the service bar and there was a VERY strong odor of nasty hot dog sponge, if you've smelled it before you know what i am talking about.
(2)Kiki B.
basically the ultraintentionally hip yuppie place you would expect. don't get me wrong, such a place definitely has a role and there are nights when it's just the thing. but if you're not feeling the dark wood, see-and-be-seen crowd, try somewhere else tonight. if you are, welcome.
(3)Abby F.
OK, I and my adult family went there for brunch last Sunday at 2 PM. We didn't have to wait long for a table although the place was quite full, what with October Fest raging on in Harvard Sq., but then we had to wait 90 minutes before we were served! We begged for drinks and a bread basket, which probably saved our server's life. By the time the food arrived, we were SO hungry that we polished it off in no time at all. I selected the Breakfast Pizza which was delicious (scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, white cheddar cheese, and chopped fresh tomatoes on a tender pizza crust). My table mates had other stuff that they didn't talk about so busy they were chowing it all down. Thankfully the conversation was lively before the food arrived, and I had 1/2 glass of Chardonnay ($6.00!) and another person in our party was given a diet Coke instead of regular as he ordered (was graciously exchanged). So only two stars because of the ultra slow service and overpriced drinks.
(2)ina c.
The fruit salad (literally slices/pieces of fruit with cottage cheese and a hearty chunk of banana bread) is yummy. Nice variety of places to sit or stand. Nice when they open the windows to the sidewalk in the summet.
(4)Brian D.
Grafton Street is good, but not great, in a Harvard Square area that is ripe with fierce restaurant/bar competition. The food is pretty good, but again I've had nothing exceptional there. Sandwiches are reasonable $10-13, but most other entrees are $18-22. The lobster mac and cheese is good, but I've had better. Sandwiches are mediocre - nothing to rave home about. The atmosphere at Grafton is pretty solid, although it can get incredibly crowded with long wait times on Thursday-Saturdays (but come on, it's Harvard Square, what do you expect?). The beer list is pretty good, and Narragansett is only $3! Overall, Grafton keeps being close to 4*'s, but the food needs to be consistently better and the service could use some improvement. Honestly, Russell House Tavern has them beaten in all aspects right now, so Grafton step your game up!
(3)S W.
Service was over the top awesome- The waitstaff replaced silverware and wiped tables between courses. Even though they leave bottles of water on the table, the waiter filled our glasses for us instead of letting us self serve. The only times I have received attentive service like this are at high end steakhouses which this place definitely isnt.. Color me impressed. Food was good too- Clam chowder good- Caesar salad- awesome awesome awesome Crab cakes-- didn't taste particularly crabby to me and the sauce wasn't my taste. But all things considered, a great experience!
(4)Alex H.
Very solid place to go for either lunch or dinner (I haven't been to their brunch, but I'm sure it's solid as well.) Finding a place that serves vegetarian options for any number of my friends is always difficult, but Grafton has a few more options than comparable places in the area. Their chickpea burger is enormous and delicious, as is their mushroom ravioli. If you want something quick and dirty, their burger is superb. The kitchen actually cooks meat properly, which is such a relief. My favorite by far is the roast chicken with cheesy polenta. It is wonderful and flavorful, and it won't break the bank. I often stop in with colleagues for a drink or two after work, and I've found their cocktails to be fun and inventive without being gimmicky. They rotate based on the seasons, as do their taps. Basically, this is a good, solid place for dinner or drinks. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it certainly serves a purpose.
(4)Catherine S.
I just went here for lunch for the first time, and I'll most certainly be back for more. Though I opted out of the lunch-break drink, it was a difficult task because their list of draft beers was epic--lots of local brews for us beer nerds, but some Harpoon and other options for those going the safe route. Additionally, the food was fantastic. I had a lamb meatball sandwich that was delicious, and my boyfriend had a burger that looked great too. And you gotta love how they have sidewalk seating, or if it's not quite warm enough, they open the windows for some fresh air. All in all, a great place, so definitely stop by!
(4)Jesselyn B.
I came here with my parents when they were in town. The atmosphere was nice and the dining room is very well decorated. My parents loved their food (my father had steak and my mother a fish dish) I had a salad which was also good and huge. The fries were also great and handcut. It's traditional New England type good. Solid but nothing very creative. I gave it three stars just because I probably wouldn't be back unless someone else was paying. If you're looking for good food for steak lovers or non-adventurous eaters, this is a good bet.
(3)Alex P.
This review is more for the service than anything. I ordered the fish and chips, which were delicious. My friend got the steak, and she loved it, although it was weird that it came with this big steak knife, and it was already cut for her. Our server though, was weird. Like Pyscho weird. Like, "It puts the lotion on" weird. First, I ordered a beer. My friend got water. He came back later, and asked if that would be all, and if we wanted the check. Because people come to restaurants at 7:30PM just to have one beer. Then, my friend ordered a clam chowder as an appetizer. Our server (I'm just gonna call him "Creepy Dave," although I'm not sure what his real name is) came back and offered her ground pepper. While he ground the pepper over the soup, he never broke eye contact with my friend. He was missing the bowl, but he didn't care. Creepy Dave just kept staring at my friend. In her eyes. It was weird; my friend was really creeped out. Later, I saw Creepy Dave stroking his tie, and staring at me, while I ate my food. He knew I knew he was staring at me, and he kept doing it. My friend and I are both bormal. Neither of us is albino or ginger or anything gross or weird like that. Not sure why he kept staring. So, bottom line is: food is good, but unless you want to get stared at by Creepy Dave, sit inside.
(3)Elisabeth G.
I saw Conan O'Brien sitting on the patio here. It was months ago and has nothing to do with how I feel about this restaurant, but god, I had to tell someone cause it was a good moment in my life. Thanks, Yelp Diary. Now onto the actual review. It's not so much a review as a ringing endorsement of their chick pea burger. Vegetarian options? Yes please. Sometimes I wish my appetite had an off switch (as opposed to a floodgate I have to manually crank closed at the end of every meal), but eating the Grafton Street Toasted Chick Pea Burger is not one of them. It's a little huge, but I don't eat them every day, so I indulge when I get the chance. The patty is like perfectly seasoned, solidified hummus. It's toasted for a little crisp on the outside and a soft solid on the inside. mmmmmmm, It also blends the perfect combination of spicy and savory, topped off with cucumber sauce, surrounded in thin naan bread and accompanied by a lightly dressed, healthy bed of greens. Wash it down with a cold beer or an iced tea... **grrrrrrhfkjhsdfj**...sorry that was my tummy rumbling....
(4)Champika F.
Had breakfast/ brunch here the other day. Had the eggs benedict which were pretty good. And the service was great. The only reason this place loses stars is because it's pretty over-priced. The food (i had) was good but not exceptional. And the meals themselves aren't actually overpriced... it's the drinks that are kind of ridiculously marked up. A tumbler full of from concentrate grapefruit juice is $3.00 as is a cup of house coffee.
(3)William L.
For a more upscale take on the traditional Irish pub, you won't find much in the way of bangers n'mash in this particular version. The food is gourmet: stylish, succulent, and expensive, while the presentation leaves little room for improvement. Always buzzing with activity around the bar, this is a great spot for a sweet, creamy pint of Guinness, while the more 'classy' around you opt for cocktails. The high, wide windows let in the night air as the weather allows. One of the best places in the square for a date, a drink, or just a buzzy sit-down.
(4)Barney B.
I was always surprised that Grafton was spelled without the letters DB - because it used to be full of 'em but the last trip here it was void of that cleintele, mostly - and it allowed me to enjoy open windows, decent food, and a good atmostphere. trust me, it's rarely on my radar when I am trying to figure out where to hit for a bite in H2 - but it's no longer the place I actively avoid.
(3)Denis A.
Some friends from grad school came for a visit and suggested this place for dinner. The name sounded vaguely familiar, so we went. The place looks kinda fancy, and I felt underdressed in my jeans and nice shirt. The waiters didn't seem to mind though, and we were seated quickly. The beer list was decent enough, and the food was crazy good. I had some awesome lobster mac and cheese, and the meals of my friends were just as tasty. The place was expensive. I think if there is a lady-friend I want to impress, this is where I'd take her.
(4)John L.
I'm going to try something kind of different here, because I felt like there were ups and downs with our brunch series experience. So, some fun with ratings and weighting and statistical wackiness. :) Service: 4 stars - Grafton Street was incredibly accommodating considering that our original reservation apparently didn't go through. I put in for 9, and they were able to put a table together for us. On top of this, they sat us and were patient though we were staggering in over the course of an hour. Furthermore, when the manager came to talk to us to have us move after it became apparent that we were going to have no more than 6, he wasn't demanding or upset, just asking. As for the waiter, he was nice enough, though he was kind of missing at points. But overall, this part was quite good. Ambiance: 4 stars - On the outside, I kind of feel like it's comparable to the Taverns on the Square: that sort of "hey, look at me, I'm a restaurant that can open our windows" sort of thing. The one primary difference is that the restaurant is spread out like a nice restaurant. The tables, particularly the circle ones, are perfect for exciting conversational wisdom. Food: 2.5 stars: Here come my issues with Grafton Street: the food is okay, but it's not remarkable. Brunch-wise, I appreciated the pastry basket, which did help the overall food. However, my special omelet wasn't up to snuff. The bacon/spinach/cheese weren't well-spread-out within the omelet. On top of this (and arguably more egregious) the omelet itself was way too salty. I shouldn't be able to overwhelmingly taste the salt in my omelet. As for the sides, the home fries were okay, but the toast was a little huge for its own good. As Roni put it, they were more like loaves. Looking at these three requirements, and weighting the scores to emphasize on the food being the most important aspect (because this is how I roll), I have to settle on a 3. It's okay and manageable, and the service is good. But that omelet is too salty.
(3)Lindsay B.
I've been here twice with colleagues for lunch, and while a little pricier than some of the other options in the area, the comfortable sit-down ambiance is worth an extra couple dollars per plate. The first visit was with a group of 7 - it was nice that they could accommodate our large group without issue or incident. We all ordered beers (we were celebrating the completion of a project) - they were out of stock on a lot of the listed options (it would've been nice to know in advance!), but the waiter was helpful in getting samples and describing alternative choices. The food came out in a reasonable amount of time, and I think that everyone was satisfied with their meals. I ordered the crispy fish sandwich and thought it was good - the fish was well-cooked, the batter was indeed crispy, and the pickled veggies were a nice touch combined with the mayo. The second visit was with another large group to celebrate a birthday. I reserved ahead of time and pre-ordered a piece of cake for the b-day girl. The table was ready for us when we arrived, and our waitress was very capable at handling our size group (but for one meal coming a little after the others). Once again, the food was good - a few ordered the Crispy Fish sandwich on my recommendation, and it was the same quality as the first time, which was good! After the meal, our waitress came out with the cake as requested (without needing prompting) and - to top it off - did not include the dessert on our bill! Very pleased with this place - would like to come back for a happy hour and try one of their drink offerings and maybe something off their regular menu!
(4)Clare F.
Grafton Street is my go-to Harvard Square spot if we cannot decide where to go. I consistently get good service and good food, as do the rest of the members of my party (whoever they may be). I've tried the lobster mac, chickpea burger, truffle rosemary fries, scallops, a veggie pizza, and butternut squash ravioli, and have loved every single dish. Staff are friendly and accommodating. I have gone with a specific group several times and they have no problem doing separate checks. Having worked in retail in the square for 3.5 years, its also a good place to recommend (other than Bartley's, which often has a line.) I've had several customers return after dinner to thank us for the recommendation. Yes, prices are a little higher than the average bar/restaurant, but Harvard Square is PRIME real estate, everyone needs to pay rent. Prices are on par with similar styles of restaurant in the area. DEFINITELY recommend.
(4)Dannie W.
The place is good. Nice atmosphere. We were sitting at the corner next to a window. And the food tastes good. I ordered New England Bouillabaisse. It was great! The seafood is fresh and the sauce is awesome! It definitely worth the price!
(5)Bailey M.
Very few places have menu's that I love this much. Lots of bar food, burgers, pasta, your regular American food items, but all done very well and in good taste. My favorite is the cheese platter with walnuts and honey. good finger food for when it's really late at night I've always experienced helpful and friendly service. The atmosphere is cozy (in a non-sketchy way) and clean. Food is a tad expensive, but worth it.
(5)Joanna F.
I'm really on the fence abotu Grafton Street. I give it 3.5 stars. I've come in here for drinks numerous times and have never been too impressed. They do have a decent beer selection, but I've just never understood why people like hanging out here. One Saturday, we were the only people in there and the DJ wouldn't take our request for music. Is it just me, or should you play what the ONLY CUSTOMERS in the restaurant want to hear? Anyway, I went back this Saturday and had drinks as well as some food. All of the food I sampled was delicious. I had a few bites of the calamari, a little spicy sausage pizza and a few bites of the chocolate chip cookie sundae. So based on the food, I'll bump it up to 3.5. Our server however seemed unattentive when she realized we weren't all getting full meals. We didn't see her for a good half hour. I ordered a BBC Cabin Fever at the table, and for some reason only got an 8 oz glass even though everyone in my part had gotten pint glasses at the bar. SHe claimed it was because it was a really strong beer, but after already having one, I was pretty sure it wasn't. Overall, it's an ok place. I'll probably be back at some point, although it won't necessarily be my choice.
(4)Lauren K.
I've been here for brunch a few times and its always a crowd pleaser. The place gets pretty packed around happy hour but the dinner food is good, too.
(3)Dan C.
Went with a group of 8 people looking for a mid-priced Friday evening dinner. Four of us, including myself, went with the pizzas: either the tomato, basil, and mozzarella ($10) or the eggplant, ricotta, and arugula ($11). Though the pizzas looked wonderful with seemingly fresh ingredients and great textures, they lacked serious flavor (salt, seasoning, anything...) and left three of us (from two different types of pizza) with an identical feeling: very full and yet very unsatisfied. It was as if I had eaten an entire loaf of plain, dry bread--not a pleasant experience. We also shared the chocolate cake, which was perhaps the driest cake I've ever had, like a mound of chocolate chalk. it was basically inedible; we left 90% of it on the plate. It came with ice cream, which apparently was quite good though I didn't try it. Perhaps the fancier dishes are more appetizing, but my first visit to this place will be my last.
(2)Jen X.
As a bar - meh. I could take it or leave it. I can't imagine ever going out of my way to come here. Just ate here for the first time today, and had a spectacularly bad brunch. Service was terrible: it took ages for them to take our order, ages again to bring the bread we asked for, ages to get our food, many things we requested (coffee, milk for my tea, etc.) never came, and so on. On top of that, my huevos rancheros were the worst I have ever had, and it was decently expensive. I could have done better for $5 at the Mass Ave Diner. Definitely never doing that again.
(2)Amelia M.
Great cocktails -- particularly their Pimms cup. This place makes me happy.
(5)Elizabeth W.
A few friends and I went to Grafton Street today for brunch. We shared a pitcher of the strawberry Germaine brunch cocktail, which was refreshing and not too sweet. I got the avocado benedict, which was pretty good. Everyone was happy with their food. It was reasonably priced. Service was a little bit slow (a bit crowded) and they were out of a few things on the menu, but I'd definitely go back to eat here.
(4)Julie F.
Grafton Street is a lunch spot I hit up every month or so because I work in Harvard Sq. and it's not a far walk. They have an excellent chickpea (veggie) burger served in naan that is really the only thing I go there for. I like Grafton Street for that one dish pretty exclusively. Before I tried it, I had salads and other sandwiches that I thought were just okay, albeit a tad overpriced. How I feel overall about Grafton is how I feel about most places in Harvard Sq. - the constant crowds maintain a high level of business for restaurants, which in turn can charge more than they should and the food is fine but nothing to rave about. So, if you find yourself hungry whilst in Harvard Sq., check out Grafton Street, which is on par for the most decent American cuisine you will find in the area. Oh, they have outdoor seating on nice days - always a bonus!
(3)May N.
Looked pretentious to me from the outside, but it was the only place acceptable in Harvard Square along Mass Ave for my picky partner to eat so here we went on an early Saturday evening. Patio out front with dark wood inside. The place looked more pretentious than it was, patrons were definitely dressed casually and were a mix of locals, foreigners, older couples, and families with kids. The menu was full of appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pastas, and some seafood. There was definitely some comfort food with a twist going on and several things sounded quite appetizing making my choice hard. My partner picked out the fancified mac & cheese while I went with the fish and chips. There was a creative cocktail menu, but we only got Guiness on tap. Service was ok, prices were moderate. We didn't get complimentary rolls that everyone else around us munched on while they waited for their entrees. I'd probably make rounds to other places nearby before returning.
(3)Jen L.
I don't know what took me so long to try this place! SUCH a good place for date night/girl's night in the summer. I met up with seven friends and sat right by the open window. Classy place to meet up after work, and the service was fine for such a large group of us. Will definitely be back.
(4)Megan L.
Grafton Street, I wanted to like you. My brother, friend and I mutually decided to come here after looking at the long list of restaurants that were participating in restaurant week. I made a reservation for 8:15. We arrived right at 8:15, and I had requested that we have a table outside, but there wasn't one available. We were told that we could either wait for a table, or they would seat us inside. We opted to sit outside, since it was so hot, crowded and loud in the restaurant. I was told a number of different times ranging between 15- 30 minutes. We took a walk, and came back around 8:40 and the table still wasn't ready. We were seated at 8:45. The patio is nice, and it was a beautiful night, so I was happier to have waited to sit outside. Service followed the trend it often does when sitting outside, and it was not nearly as attentive as I would have preferred. Our waitress was good besides not checking in as many times as I would have liked, but she was friendly, had good input on the menu, and our drinks were rarely empty for long. For cocktails, my friend started with the white sangria, and she was really happy with her choice. It had a huge piece of peach in it, which I assume tasted awesome after being infused with the wine. My brother got the Alagash White, and I started with the blood orange martini. My martini was good, but really tart and there was a lot of the bitters in it. I decided to change to the hibiscus martini after, which was a thousand times better, it had hibiscus infused vodka, pomegranite juice, lemon and basil. It was perfect, it was sweet, and a little tart, and a bit spicy with the basil. I would come back just to drink this drink, but I probably wouldn't get the food again. Here's why: We started with 12 oysters - where the problems begin. I had 5, my brother had 5 and my friend had 2. My friend had bit of the shell in one of them, as did my brother, but I had HUGE chucks of shell in not one, not two, but FOUR of the 5 oysters I had. So, if you do the math, half of the oysters were improperly shucked. Oysters are one of my favorite things, I could easily eat a whole meal of just oysters, and it was hugely disappointing. Next comes our first courses, which was actually quite nice. My brother and I both got the corn soup on the prix fixe, which was light, creamy, and well paired with a clam // corn fritter and bacon to bring some crunch to the dish. One problem was it was luke warm. It wasn't hot, it wasn't cold, but it was like the temperature of a good bath, which put me off. My friend got the summer bean salad, which was okay, but I was not a fan of the creamy mayo-y dressing they had it paired with, it took the lightness out of the beans. And then the main course: seared scallops for me, and they both ordered the shrimp pappardella from the prix fixe. As far as their dishes, both were unimpressed. My friend described it as "This isn't much better than what you can get at the Olive Garden" and for the $33.11 price for the 3 courses they were getting, it could have been a better value if we had just gone there. The noodles were overdone, the shrimp were overcooked, the sauce was super thin. On the positive side, the broccoli was fine, and the confit lemon brought a nice lightness to the dish. My friend had to salt her dish, since the dish was rather one note as far as flavor goes - just lemon. I couldn't detect any heat, or salt until after she salted it. Another issue with the seafood: there was a shell still attached to one of my brother's shrimp. I dunno what the deal is with the person prepping their seafood, but they need a serious reminder of how this should be done, cause they aren't doing it well. For my main course, I posted a picture. It was plated beautifully, but for $21, I got 4 scallops, 3 tomatoes, ONE piece of chorizo, and a bunch of kale, potatoes and watery sauce - the most inexpensive ingredients. There was part of a foot//a rock or part of the shell still on part of one of the scallops. I had to spit it out. There was a nice sear on the scallops, but also were bordering overdone. How can you advertise something has chorizo when there is one piece of it? You can't, or at least, you shouldn't. The sauce was so watery and thin, it hardly coated anything. The kale and potatoes were cooked well, and everything paired together and was seasoned, but there wasn't enough of anything. Then we got a dessert menu, and all opted for different things. I got the white chocolate cheese cake, my brother got the cookies and creme cheese cake on the prix fixe and my friend got the lemon poppy cake. I was amazed when I got my dessert. For $8, there was a mini cheesecake, that was almost the same circumference as my spoon. Definitely not a good value. It tasted good, but the portion size was just unreal. My brother's was just as small. My friend's dessert was the only appropriately sized one, and was delicious. Good drinks&service, bad everything else.
(2)Linda R.
The food was really delicious. Atmosphere was cool. HOWEVER, the glasses were smudged with fingerprints (and who knows what else) and the dishes looked like they were not washed very well.
(3)Lindsey G.
They handled a party of 20 (yes...20) for brunch on a busy Sunday - AMAZING!!! We had made reservations for 16, so 20 wasn't too far off. We were able to be against the wall and somewhat out of the way. The restaurant is a lot bigger than you realize it is when you first walk in. Our waitress was phenomenal. I really wish I remembered her name because she was so wonderful handling all of us, our orders, bills, etc. The fresh muffins were wonderful, everyone enjoyed their food (my blueberry french toast was amazing) and the environment really welcomed everyone to slowly wake up for our Saturday night activities.
(4)Bryan R.
I've never had a great time here. Never had a terrible time. There's usually plenty of space to get a table and have a few drinks during a Harvard Sq crawl.
(3)K. L.
Had a great meal at Grafton Street prior to seeing a play at ART. Our server was wonderful and my husband and I had a nice meal in the bar. My husband had a very tasty (and huge!) lobster mac and cheese and I had a pan roasted chicken that was truly delicious! Dim lighting, a bustling atmosphere and great service - definitely a great place for a cozy winter meal!
(4)Gal N.
I have eaten here a few times. Their breakfast is pretty good, and their dinner is usually ok, if nothing special. I avoided writing a review until now, because I did not feel strongly enough about it either way. However, I had a bad dinner experience a few days ago. Two friends and I were looking for a place to eat on a Thursday evening. We called ahead, and were told there would be a 25 minute wait. We put our name down and arrived a few minutes later. Once about 30 minutes from the time we called have passed, we asked the hostess how much longer it would be, and were told that we were the next group to be seated, which would take about 10 more minutes. We ended up waiting 25 more minutes, and watched two other groups of similar size get a seat before us. My feeling is that hostess was dishonest about both the queue and waiting time in order to get us to stay. We were finally seated. Had the hummus platter for appetizer, which was pretty good... then again, we were starving by that point. One of my friends ordered a steak, but when it arrived it was not cooked to his preference (which the waitress did ask about) and was sent back. I had the duck, which was alright-- the duck itself was pretty good, the sweet potato/apple mash was only ok, and the sauce was not at all to my liking. For dessert, two of us had the peach cobbler (not great; the peaches were a bit hard, and it felt like the flavors did not have enough time to blend), and the third had a strange sundae (the menu calls this "warm chocolate chip cookie sundae". It is a single giant chocolate chip cookie, with two scoops of ice cream on top). The only positive thing I can say about the experience was that the waitress was friendly and very prompt.
(3)Lauren D.
To be fair, Grafton should be rated by meal type. Breakfast: 4 Stars. Fresh squeezed OJ, fantastic pancakes and a pretty good breakfast sandwich, you really can't go wrong. Grafton gets 5 stars when the weather is nice and offers al fresco dining. But being MA, that only happens about 60 days in the year. Plan accordingly. Lunch: 3.5 Stars. Okay food. Again with the weather, Lunch time gets 4 stars when you can sit outside or by the windows. Dinner: 3 Stars. Eh - just not that special. Bar: 3 Stars. Good beer selection. Warning - when school is in session, there will be a lot of grad students populating this bar. If Harvard MBA types aren't your thing, avoid like the plague.
(3)Katie W.
Great brunch spot with some decent eggs benedict. Great for dinner for large groups too, my friends surprised me for my birthday here and it was great! We had a great waiter and the service was quick for so many of us. Try the Grafton Goblet...the irish version of a scorpion bowl!
(3)Alex L.
The atmosphere is one of the nicest in harvard square for a drink. Not too grungy (charlies kitchen) and not too stodgy (upstairs in the square). I've also forgotten how nice cheap alcohol is. Lots of space near the bar or feel free to take over a table.
(4)Janet L.
the service was excellent and prices are reasonable. our margherita pizza was dull and the clam chowder was disappointing.
(3)Laura G.
This place hit the spot on a cold, wintry, Sunday afternoon for brunch. It was fairly empty, I think we were some of the few that were dedicated enough to leave the house in a storm on a quest for some delicious eggs. Because the only thing that tastes better than eggs is someone else making you eggs. Preferably free. With cheese. And bacon. Ah, my mind wandered. I had been here a couple times for drinks only and sat at the bar. Upon entering in a sober state I realized that this restaurant was about twice the size of that I had originally thought. There was a whole back area I was unaware of. Interesting. All in all, food was solid, service was spot on (although there would really be no excuse for poor service in an empty restaurant), and our server looked like Patrick Fugit from Almost Famous. It was fairly pricey but I didn't expect much else. And quite honestly, they deliver on the portions. Ya know how you go to a restaurant and order bacon and eggs and you'll usually get a small ration of bacon? Like 3-4 pieces at most? This place gave me a whole heap of bacon. It was legitimately a small pile o' bacon. I could not have been happier. Bonus points for the bread basket. They had some tasty selections in there - croissants, muffins, breads, etc. Who doesn't love a bread basket?
(4)Lynn R.
Just two words to say here: "Clam Chowda". Been here for lunch many times. From the reviews, seems the lunch scene is the best time to get better service, better seating & room to move about. I love the chowder here, in fact, I won't order it anywhere else again. Smokey bacon & lot of clams make this soup a stand apart from the wanna-be's. Get the bowl sized along with a staple of two plain sourdough rolls to mop up the delicious broth. A cold beer and you're all set. If you must eat more food, then by all means the burger is top notch. Good 1/2lb cooked to order & juicy each and every time! I top it with all the trimming and it is fantastic. Sit at the bar only. Best ambiance, peep watching and not far from a refill on your libation. Paul the bartender works the weekdays, straight from Ireland and gives attentive service. Tell him Lynn from CA say's "Hi"!
(4)David O.
This place is great. I work in the area and often hunt around for places to eat. Without fail Grafton's hits the spot. Great food, good atmosphere and good prices. What I like best about this place are the people. They make you feel at home and are friendly like the folks in the old Cheers TV program. This is a shout out to you Paul. Thanks
(4)Kate S.
The crowd here is old, white, and middle upper class. So, if that's your type--go for it! I've had some tasty things here, but it's too expensive and touristy for my tastes. For good food--go! For great food that's unique--go elsewhere.
(3)Rachel H.
Nice for drinks, very nice when it's warm and they open the large front windows to the sidewalk. The service is friendly enough and the food good enough for the area. That is, it's a good bet for Harvard Square. I wish the menu changed more often. It's just short enough for me to sometimes have a hard time finding anything I'm excited to order. Also, great for groups! They helped a student club I'm in arrange a brunch for 20 and didn't charge us for a few no shows--very generous.
(3)Nick M.
Do you like apples?? How do you like my apples!! Wait, that's not right, ah whatever?!?! Lucky for me, I had a tour guide as such, being that my friend was from Boston. When she recommended that we go to her favorite place first for a bite to eat, off we went. Hell, why not start off the trip right, with a nice Irish Pub and Grill (plus we were right next to Harvard Square). Grafton Street has only been open since 96" (which in this city isn't nearly that old) but has become a favorite among the locals and I can see why. Even though it was packed and we had to wait for a table there was still plenty of room in the bar area. Sports playing on the LCD above the bar, delicious aromas coming from the kitchen, people laughing and cheering, it's a great atmosphere. You feel very relaxed with the cream, beige, and brown tones, plus the booths are extra comfy. The staff is all smiles, courteous, and full of suggestions. It was that perfect amount of service, not to smothering, but yet not non-existent. Our waitress even recommended that I not get a certain item on the menu which I always appreciate that kind of info. This is not your typical bar food or even grill; it's much more elegant then that. To start a coconut shrimp appetizer that we all were pleasantly surprised by (just a hint of coconut), a large bowl of lobster bisque which we all also shared but then was licked clean (I'm not kidding) by one of us, grilled lamb, a seafood stew, trout, and a chickpea burger (yeah I know, the odd ball). Every dish was seasoned and cooked like one master chef hand prepared their self. The fish so fresh that they must have ran to the Massachusetts Bay jumped into the water and then ran back. We were all stuffed but the night has only begun! Nice start to the vacation Hillary T.!!
(4)RC J.
As a one-timer only, perhaps I shouldn't be too critical. The individual pizza called Margherita was okay, although the promised cherry tomatoes and basil were slim pickings and the crust was more like a cracker than a pizza. The draft beer selection, although limited, was excellent -- except the stuff was expensive ($6 per pour) considering that the glasses were 14 oz and not the usual (nearly universal) 16 oz. Not only that, neither the menu nor the bartender informed me of that.
(2)Melanie H.
This place has great potential and is in a great location, but they still have a lot of room to grow. I went here on a Thursday night around 7pm with a big group of college friends. The wait staff seemed overwhelmed by our group and was not crazy about giving us a table in the dining room. Some of us wanted to eat dinner, some didn't. I totally understand and wanted to make sure the waitress got a fair tip at the end. Although the service was fine, the waitress was pretty rude and annoyed the entire time. Also, the food was wayyy overpriced and not that good. Her attitude made us uncomfortable so we all quickly ate our dinners and moved back over to the bar. The restaurant was not crowded at all so I'm not sure why this girl was in such a hot rush to get rid of us. But, whatever. We moved back to the bar, which by the way is a very small area. Their dining room takes up about 75% of the space and the bar takes up the other 25%. The space is so small that everyone was trickling into the dining area. This obviously made the on-edge hostesses very angry and they kept reminding everyone to stay inside the bar "parameters." I'm sorry, we're giving you business, right? If we bother you so much then maybe we can just go somewhere else, o.k.? Overall, it was a sub-par experience. There are too many good bars and restaurants in Cambridge to waste my time (and hard earned dollars) at this place.
(2)Milee S.
Well, actually 3 1/2 stars. Celebrated a friend's birthday here, and they were able to accomodate our large party. We all started with drinks; I had a Riesling which was perfect. There is a mix of beers, wines and mixed drinks, but everything I liked they were out of :( There are a bunch of veg and non-veg options, salads, pastas, entrees and lighter fare. I went for the fish and chips. It came with a very spicy coleslaw, huge thick french fries, tarter sauce and two pieces of white fish. I didn't think it was the best I've ever had, but I didn't hate it. I was thinking of the grilled cheese but maybe I'll get that next time. The mac and cheese sounded great, but when it came out, it was this giant bowl of ziti and cheese. Too carby for me! Since it was a birthday, the server brought out a small chocolate cake and candle. They don't sing here. It wasn't enough for our table to share, but it was a nice gesture. I think the prices are fair for the amount of food, but it was all ordinary meals. Fun for groups and dates. I'd come back.
(4)Rachel S.
what you expect, nice place.
(4)Marcus C.
I thought it was okay. My dining companions and I were in Harvard Square to see a show, so we stopped into Grafton Street, thinking it would provide a tasty meal beforehand. Nothing on the menu jumped out at me, so I ordered a standby: steak frites. The steak was rarer than the "medium" I ordered, but that was fine. The frites were quite good, but overall it didn't seem special. And I guess I wanted a special meal.
(3)Bryan H.
Love this place. Food is wonderful, Drinks and Wine Selections are plentiful. Nightly can be very packed during sports games, Sunday Brunch is a must go. Avocado Benedict is a must, with OJ. Choice of Still or Sparking Water (Note they have a awesome way of making there own sparking water in house! its really great! with a lime or a lemon! delicious! All together Grafton is Great all around!
(5)Jessica D.
Went here for dinner tonight and I really enjoyed it. The ambiance is warm and cozy with dark wood tables and soft lighting. Great service! My date and I were taking our time deciding and our waitress wasn't breathing down our necks to order. Everyone was very friendly. Food was very yummy. We had the short rib arrancini to start that were out of sight! We also split the wedge salad which was pretty standard for a wedge. We also had the roast chicken and pot roast which were both great. If you're looking for good food with a few twists on some classic dishes this is a great spot.
(4)Dominique N.
Bottom line: Pretty tasty, hearty brunch in Harvard Square that takes reservations. It's always hard to meet up with more than 2 or 3 other folks for Sunday brunch in Harvard Square - the lines and waits are insane. That's where Grafton Street comes in...they allow reservations for brunch (including one for my party of 14) and provide a hearty brunch (no one will be going home hungry). The prices also seem somewhat more reasonable than other places in the Square (pancakes were $7 and egg / meat dishes were $12-13). All in all, a solid choice for brunch and the only place I'd consider going with a party bigger than 4-5 people.
(4)Karen D.
I've been here a few times for a beer sitting in the window, but this is the first time I've eaten here. My boyfriend and I tried to go to Russell Tavern and for some reason it was closed, so we made our way to Grafton Street. It wasn't busy, but all of the bar seats were taken. I asked the hostess for one of the server tables in the bar area since two tables had their checks. She said sure, it would be a minute. When one party left, their table wasn't cleared for about 10 minutes. When it was cleared, we waited about another 10 minutes. I was taking it as a sign and was about to leave but two people got up from the bar. The bartender was very good; attentive, kept filling water, etc. We got burgers and the rosemary truffle fries. They had nice flavor and the burgers were cooked how we asked. I can't quite put my finger on it, but aside from the hostess forgetting about us which worked out better since I rather sit at the bar, I don't feel hard pressed to go back there anytime soon except for maybe a beer in the window in the summer.
(3)Wintha K.
I always hesitated to try this place because it seemed overpriced, but when my mother and sister came to visit, I thought it would be the perfect time to give it a try. We ordered the following dishes: Rosemary-Truffle Frites (Sides) Couscous (Sides) Fresh Mozzarella Pizza Toasted Chickpea Burger Grilled Salmon w/ Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, on a Scallion Pancake Cocktails: Sloe Down The sides were both good, though probably unnecessary considering how filling the entrees were. I think by far the best dish was the grilled salmon. It was cooked very well and the vegetables were tasty as well. The scallion pancake it was set on top was a bit odd and was probably the only flaw in the dish. The toasted chickpea burger was a great choice as well, but it was a little hard to manage as a result of its size. Also, there was a slightly excessive amount of hummus, but overall the sandwich was great. The most underwhelming dish was probably the pizza, but my younger sister still seemed to enjoy it. Sloe Down was an interesting cocktail. Raspberry bits cluttered the bottom of the glass and added an interesting touch to the drink. While the drink seemed like a fruity, girlier drink, it was actually quite strong and you can definitely taste the alcohol. Overall loved the food and interior. Service was pleasant and sufficient as well. Would definitely recommend it to others.
(5)Stephen Y.
Despite the faint fishy smell that permeates the place.... I kinda got used to it and my olfactory senses had habituated somewhat after many beers.... We stood by the bar then moved to a large table.... service was prompt Food was actually quite decent and the chicken tender was surprisingly tender under that crusty exterior....
(4)Julia F.
My friend and I have made a pact to go in once weekly for one drink from the extensive and expensive drinks list until we have made it all the way through. The espresso martini and white mocha (chocolate?) martinis have yet to disappoint. At 10 bucks a hit though it will take us quite some time, though the eye candy behind the bar is worth the overpriced drinks at times. The bar area is usually cramped by 10:30p on a Saturday night but the music is pretty decent. It's pretty yuppie there, and though it's a bit better than the Joshua Tree in that respect, you definitely get funny looks for wearing a sweatshirt - not the place for an impromptu drink.
(3)Matt J.
This two-star review is like Barry Bonds' home run record: there is a bit fat asterisk next to both. No no, my food did not contain any illegal, strength-inducing steroids (that I know of). In this case, the asterisk is a result of the price of this place. I came here for dinner with Sarah G. and a friend who was in town because we had heard good things and it was conveniently located next to Harvard Square. And upon walking in, the place is awesome: very dark and charming, great bar set-up, interesting light fixtures, and the menu itself had a lot of delicious-looking options. Furthermore, the food was actually good! Sarah G. and I split two appetizers (the lobster bisque and pumpkin empanadas) and the chickpea burger. The bisque was fantastic and the emapanadas were good but could have used more pumpkin. The chickpea burger was pretty flavorful but could have used more yogurt sauce (also was more of a "naan wrap" as opposed to a burger, but who's counting?). All signs point to at least a 3 star review right? Then the asterisk comes crashing down on the parade. Honestly, this place is just unnecessarily expensive for what it is. I've been to plenty of similarly classy establishments (Clyde's in DC comes to mind) that are much more reasonable. We opted for the chickpea burger, rather than a main entree, because the entrees averaged about $20 a pop. Maybe I"m being too harsh. I feel a little conflicted not boosting it up one star for the ambiance if nothing else. But if I was looking to spend as much money on an entree as I would here, there are plenty of better places in Cambridge/Boston I could go. I don't see any real reason to come back to eat here unless a rich benefactor feels the urge to take me here. Because I'm not going to lie, the lobster mac and cheese did sound pretty phenomenal.
(2)Christina B.
So, I love Grafton as their bar (the corner near the window) is one of my favorite places in Harvard square. Its a great place to sit and read or just people watch. However their service and food has taken a nose dive. I have been going here for over 3 years, and Alex used to be my favorite bar tender. Now, its a love hate relationship. I go out of habit, but leave feeling annoyed. Their portions have shrunk while prices have gone up. Wine selection is mediocre, while beers on tap are excellent. Biggest, issue is the service. Except for Morgan, the rest of the bartenders need an attitude adjustment. They act like they are doing you a favor for serving you.
(2)Michelle C.
This place is tops. For the same reasons as Russell St. (owned by the same group,) Grafton is one of the prime spots in Harvard to banter with the bartender and eat some really excellent food. If you come in the summer, it's all open-air, which is a big draw. For food, I've had an incredible raw tuna & avocado plate. I also brought my parents here when they came out for Thanksgiving, which was a set menu with awesome wine pairings. Very sweet servers and staff and were even willing to back-and-forth with my kind of crotchety stepfather. For drinks, they typically have great locals as well as rotating taps so no need to default to Harpoon or Sam Adams. They also have an impressive selection of bottled microbrews and imports. YES, it gets loud, but you'll be alright.
(5)Marc H.
Definitely the best restaurant in Harvard Square: really good food and drink menu, very nice ambience. If you're from California and want to experience a nice, sophisticated feeling east-coast pub-restaurant, this is the place for you. PROS: The pork dish is phenomenal, but only eat if you are starving. Very filling. Other meals are average, but their burgers are quite good indeed. CONS: No cons, per se, but if it were adjacent to Charleys in the Back Bay, I would probably find myself usually heading to Charleys over this. This is why I elected to give it 4 stars instead of 5. Just not enough truly epic meals on the rather limited menu to warrant that final star. TIP: I'm fairly certain the façade of the restaurant was used for the opening scene of The Social Network ["the Facebook"] movie, albeit with an altered name, something like "Scholars Pub" or something.
(4)Courtney F.
{sorry this is long, skip down for review} I came here for Sunday Brunch with two girlfriends, first, the hostess refused to talk to me. I was never rude or mean; I was actually friendly as it was CROWDED and I Brunch often and know that polite behavior is everything. Not only would she not speak to me, whenever she did look my way you would honestly think my picture had just flashed on Americas Most Wanted. Moving on, she said (to my friends while starring at me) we couldn't sit outside because there was no space, we'd passed the 4 open tables outside. She said we can't sit inside because there's a "really long wait", I know what that means but my friends persisted. Eventually we sat at the bar. The wait began. The insane bar keep arrives, as we look over the Brunch menu and cocktails (three brunch drinks, a mimosa, lychee thing & bloody mary), I mention to my friend maybe the mimosa. The bar keep shouts a little too loudly, "a mimosa is orange juice and champagne". I start getting a little offended, first the starring, then the refusal to seat us, now you're assuming I don't know what a GD mimosa is, AND you want the entire place to know?! Moving on. I order the eggs Benedict (one of the few vegetarian items), minutes later, I'm told to pick again, and they're out. I order something else...oops, they're out again, he even makes a joke "maybe its you". I give up and order the cheese and spinach omelet. The bar man asks, "any meat?" my response, "no thank you, no meat for me". Perhaps an HOUR slides by and my friends FINALLY get their meals. Crepes filled with chocolate Chickpea burger wrapped in pita with other yummy stuff (hers looked perfect, more on this later) My food arrives 15minutes after that, an omelet, with meat. No cheese, no spinach, just sandwich meat. Here's where I lost my cool, not only am I starving I feel like things are being done intentionally. They barely apologize, refuse to comp drinks or meals or anything (my friend asked in a joking manner and the restaurant became irate) I order the chickpea burger, it comes out in 5 minutes, it looks NOTHING like my friends meal. In fact she called the bar keep over and asked why I was being treated differently than everyone else. He couldn't answer. In the end. The food was terrible, the drinks were overpriced and the service was HORRENDOUS! Perhaps I'm a special case, maybe it was just me, as the creep from the bar suggested.
(2)Fred Z.
Excellent service including dealing with a food allergy. The scallops were delicious as was the Ahi appetizers.
(4)Joanna M.
I've liked coming here for drinks after work. The mint juleps are quite tasty, and they have ok beer and wine lists (nothing to phone home about, though). Their drinks are somewhat expensive even for this area. As much as I like their food, I wouldn't recommend coming here for dinner. I've been here a couple times and had surly service each time (in the evening) for reasons unbeknown to me. I recently had a cheese tortellini in a saffron ginger sauce with asparagus-- extremely tasty. It's not exactly vegetarian friendly (other than the typical salad fare). They will grudgingly make veggie entrees available, but you will feel like you have done something egregious by asking them to hold the bacon.
(3)Lilee N.
Tips: make a reservation and ask about parking because they have a nearby lot that you can park in for free. Food: nothing fancy that sticks out, but their food is well-cooked and the presentation is nice. lobster mac and cheese is great for sharing. hummus appetizer is generous. scallops dish is highly recommended as is the steak. skip the chowder and the soups. Bar: nice for an evening drink or for a meeting. Seating can be outdoors which is great for spring and fall. inside the decor and atmosphere is trendy/chic so definitely relaxing and easy-going. great for young and old crowds.
(4)Jussy F.
We rushed in here to get out of a downpour and were really glad that we did. Very good food and vibe. I had their gorgonzola, prosciutto and fig jam pizza. It was maybe a little heavy on the fig jam, but delicious overall. My sister had another pizza which I seem to remember had goats cheese on and was equally good. We shared a bottle of pink champagne (an ongoing theme throughout our Boston trip) and spent a fantastic couple of hours taking refuge from the rain. What a great way to waste an afternoon.
(4)Melissa A.
Grafton Street- Nice looking place Great server, very personable and friendly. Excellent service Margarita I got was excellent Friend ordered a beer they were all out of... so the server recommended another beer.. but did not tell our friend that it was 12 dollars! Thats a crazy price to pay for a beer.. its important to mention that when trying to sell a featured beer. Calamari was horrible.. the worst we ever had. My boyfriend and I love calamari so we order it every place we go. It was rubbery and over fried and just plain yucky. We actually complained about it to the server and she was very sweet about it and took it back for them to re cook. We got it back and it tasted a tiny bit better still wouldnt recommend it. Also they charged us for it.. lost brownie points for me 1 $ oysters after 11 pm awesome idea and they were tasty. Overall- I give this place a 10 for service. 4 for food. I probably wont go back.
(2)Nat R.
Wife and I needed to find something to eat before our flight out of Logan Airport and found ourselves here out of all places... Not exactly the most convenient stop driving to the Airport from Maine. But we had time to kill and wanted to relax before the long flight back to San Francisco. My wife had a stellar sandwich (did I just use the word "stellar"?) and I had a half soup/half salad which were very good. Top that off with a Sam Adams on tap, and the result was a nice lunch just steps from Harvard Square.
(4)Jonathan G.
This place was jam packed for lunch, but they managed to squeeze us in at a table right next to the large open windows near the front. The only problem was said large open windows allowed a small ice storm to blow our napkins & lettuce off the table, emit howling noises, and were probably partly responsible for the nasty cold that my wife caught during our trip. Luckily, the party of four sitting next to us were even more miserable and after several rounds of complaining to the staff, were able to get the windows closed. Now on to the food: my wife ordered the burger, which was excellent and came with tasty fries. I opted for the Cubano sandwich, which was probably a mistake: the corollary to my Always Order What A Restaurant Is Known For is the lesser-known Never Order An Item From A Cuisine Other Than The Restaurant's (rule and regulations, people, rules and regulations). So you don't go to your neighborhood Chinese dim sum restaurant and request sushi. Pretty simple, right? OK, back to the review: having eaten at Porto's Cuban Bakery in Burbank, CA, I really should have known better. The sandwich was surprisingly good, all things considered. It came with a spring mix of lettuce which appeared to be covered in oil and sea salt. Not sure if this is a regional thing, or if the salt was from the gale blowing through said open window. Service was very good, and if you can manage the gales, sitting next to the window or outside on the terrace offers plenty of people watching opportunities.
(4)Sarah F.
Stopped by here for a drink after seeing a show at Oberon down the street. Nice interior, good outdoor seating, popular bar area, lots of great beers available. The bartender and hostess were very friendly and helpful. I would definitely like to go back for a meal, the menu looks really good!
(4)Ali E.
Frankly, I'm kind of amazed the food was described as mediocre. My eentree of scallops and porcini risotto was stellar, and the salmon was great too (I got to mooch.) The bread was crusty and chewy and awesome, and the wine was great. Minus a star for being expensive, but I was with my parents, so it wasn't really a problem. And the server even put up with my father, which, as both a former waitress and having known him for 24 years, is not a feat for the faint of heart. He's really annoying at restaurants. All in all a really nice experience. I'll go back. Oh! and you can go to Berryline for dessert right around the corner. Another plus.
(4)Liz D.
Best mac and cheese ever. The leftovers really lost their creamy magic, so I recommend arriving a little starved so you don't have anything left over. My friend got the salmon and was equally thrilled. Overall, it has some relatively affordable but tasty options for a place with an upscale but relaxed atmosphere in Harvard Square.
(4)Weiwei G.
Have been there for twice. First time got their mac&cheese my friend recommended and second time I tried their 3 courses restaurant week menu for dinner. The first time visit was good, the bartender was attentive and the mac&cheese was great with lobster, lol, first time tried this combination; so that I brought some other friends later to try during their restaurant week. We ordered Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart, Toasted Almond Crusted Gloucester Cod, Sweet Potato-Pecan Pie; Curried Crab Cake, Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs, Warm Chocolate Gran Marnier Cake. However couldn't remember how it tasted just after one week, kind of plain... But it's really nice in the summer because all windows are open. A suggestion: if you eat at Grafton, get the dessert on Finale nearby.
(3)Tiffany L.
Walking in, this place is packed and my friend had to make reservations, so my expectations were pretty high. However, the long wait was probably due to the fact this place is conveniently right next to the college and T-stop, not for the food. I had the toasted chickpea burger, which maybe I struck bad luck but it was not the best thing on the menu. I felt like I had a frozen chickpea burger patty on top of some microwaved naan. The prices are great for the serving size, but it seems to tailor to students...decent food for a low price.
(2)Zoe P.
The exception that proves the rule. I pretty much feel that to get good food in Boston you need to have (a) a lot of information at your fingertips, or (b) a lot of Boston experience under your belt, or (c) money to burn. But I walked into Grafton Street unawares and had yummy oysters and a salad and some scallops and a glass of wine and it was pleasant and not that pricey. But, of course, this place becomes an insufferable scene late in the evenings. Boo.
(3)Esther Z.
We came in for some drinks on a crowded night after a gala. The hostess said it would be an hour wait to get us seated (even with a half empty restaurant), so we decided to try the bar- which was packed! After 10 minutes or so with no luck in getting some booze, we decided to leave. Just then, a super nice hostess (a DIFFERENT one from the two at the front) asked if we wanted to get a table since there were seven of us, and of course we said ok! Our waiter was incredibly polite and efficient. He wasn't pushy about food or drinks, he just let us have our space. We ended up having a great time just hanging out and grabbing a drink to end our night. I took off one star for the unnecessary situation earlier in the night - but the rest of the staff made up for it.
(4)Courtney M.
Every time I come here it is decently crowded. I enjoy the crowds though and the food isn't bad. I had one of their pizza's which was very cheesy. I like the high energy it has here and the food is good enough for me so I will come back for sure.
(4)John H.
Reliably pretty good food and service. Russell House Tavern and Grafton Street Pub are my two go-to restaurants for a sit-down lunch/dinner in Harvard Square. When friends come to visit and we're confined to Harvard Square, I often cycle through a long list of possible places before deciding on one of these two.
(3)EC S.
I am a bit young for the Grafton Street crowd and I'm not a fan of the overall atmosphere (slightly yuppie, but not real yuppie, aspirational yuppie. if that makes any sense) arg. I haven't had a meal here lately but I remember it being pretty decent in the past, if slightly expensive. But it's going for the not poor college student crowd so... I have been going to the bar lately. The beer menu is decent, they have some locals like smuttynose on tap for reasonable prices. ($5.50, I believe) They also have $3 Narragansetts which is a good price I think, but it feels awkward drinking one here--just not the right vibe. Bartenders are efficient and quick to serve. I enjoy watching them handle the crowd and make ridiculous drinks. If it's a crowded night in Harvard Square and you're looking for a place to find a seat and get a drink, Grafton Street would be a decent option.
(3)Joe F.
Went there with family on st patricks day. Real good meal, and the beer was great.
(4)Britney A.
I've been for both brunch and dinner now and have never had a bad experience...pretty good! For dinner I've tried their salads and the toasted Chickpea burger. The portions are pretty hefty and I've never been able to finish. If you get a chance to try the Chickpea burger, it's a new favorite of mine! The "burger" is served bundled in super soft, fresh naan (grilled) with a light yogurt cucumber sauce drizzled in between. Yum. Brunch was pretty good too - ordered the Spinach and Goat cheese (egg-white) omelette. There wasn't much flavor to it and I had to dig around it to find the clumped goat cheese in the middle, but it was one of the healthier options on the short breakfast menu. The omelette itself took over half the plate (huge) and was really fresh (not greasy at all). Being on the edge of Harvard Square, it's always bustling so the atmosphere is fun.
(4)Melissa W.
This is my third visit to Grafton Street. In previous visits, I have nothing but positive reviews for the establishment. For this evening, our bartender/server was super busy, so she did the best she could considering how busy she was. That said... the drinks were great, the food was great (had the lobster mac & cheese), and I left happy. I don't agree with the previous poster who compared this place to "Fridays"... its much classier and is not nearly as obnoxious as the chain. I'm sure most bartenders at Fridays wouldn't even have a clue what a port or a Manhattan was, while the food showed a certain attention to detail that a chain restaurant could never match. And even though the bartender/server was super busy, she was always cheery and happy to wait on our table... we never seemed to be a burden to her. I'm actually quite impressed with the way that she handled her patrons for the evening. I will absolutely be back.
(4)Alicia B.
This just in! +++Grafton Street Pub Impresses with Meat and Veggie Burgers!+++ For meat eaters: You can get a pretty mean burger here, cooked to order. Medium rare tasted amazing. Especially paired with their rotating tap - Berkshire's Coffee Haus Porter. (Side salad had a bit too much dressing on it.) For vegetarians: You can also get a mean burger here. It's the toasted chickpea burger. And it was delicious. It comes with no cheese, but Grafton will gladly add a slice, if you fancy that. (Fries were a tad over salted.) What a great place! I'm still in love.
(5)Alexandra M.
My husband and I met up for for Sunday lunch with MIL at this joint. The atmosphere is fine, a little too noisy for an intimate conversation, but this a pub after all. We had coffee and water as it was in the middle of the day so I can't comment on the drinks, but the food was nothing to write home about. My companions loved theirs fine, MIL had a Cobb salad, which looked fresh and crisp, hubby had a no frills burger with fries which he seemed to enjoy. I had the Chickpea burger on naan and I wouln't feed it to my dog, if I was a dog owner. I was expecting a crispy (it says "toasted" on the menu) patty with plenty of seasonings, but what I received was a bland, tasteless mush. If it wasn't for the raita (yogurt with mint and cucumber) it would have been a completely lost cause. The fries, although made from fresh potatoes, were limp and looked like they sat under the heatlamp a tad too long. Oh, and the waiter was MIA for the entire time. I don't want to write a place off based on one experience, but I won't be having the Chickpea burger again
(2)Ernie H.
Fast and nice on a hot long day
(4)Hungry B.
I was sort of on the fence for 3 or 4 stars... so I'll just say here its really 3 and a half... Its not fine dining or anything but the food here is overall pretty good and its a fun Harvard Square spot. Its a decent bar which is usually packed and the decor overall is pretty nice. They had a mushroom & goat cheese app for a while that was my favorite but think its gone now, but thats ok, the molasses pork belly is great. I also think the fish and chips and hanger steak here are really nice as well. I probably would have gone with 4 stars if I hadn't shared the same experience as at least a few other reviewers of the snarky hostesses attitude... but table service is usually good. As for long waits? Well, its Harv Sqr and its popular, so make a res if you're going to complain, they're on OpenTable...
(3)Shannon F.
I'v been to Grafton St. many times, and I am always satisfied. The service is always friendly and their menu is creative. On Sunday around 2:00 we were there for a late lunch, however bruch was still an option which is always quite a treat. With a party of 6, some of us chose breakfast, while the rest of us had lunch. I'm pretty sure everyone was satisfied, but I was even more than happy with my "chickpea wrap" It was actually a lot like a falafel, but there was something special about it. It was served on naan, and with a delicious cucumber sauce. Our server was VERY attentive of our beverage refills which i always appreciate. I will definitely continue to check out grafton st. every now and again, and I recommend that everyone do the same!
(4)Giselle E.
Grafton Street to me is like a fancy Starbucks. The environment is extremely similar in colors, but the tableware and dineware is more up on the scale. When I went there with my friend, we were seated immediately, however we were not greeted by our waitress until a good 15mins afterwards (she passed us at least twice to her other tables); she could have just said a simple "Hi, I'll be right with you in a moment" is all I'm saying. We ordered off the lunch special on this chilly Wednesday: A chicken quesadilla and two burger specials. The waitress didn't repeat our order nor write it down, and therefore when our appetizer came out, it was wrong. When we received our appetizer, it wasn't until we ate our first pieces that we realized this, and had to wait another 15mins for the waitress to check on us. She nicely apologized and asked if we would like it off the bill or the correct appetizer. We then quickly received our correct appetizer, and then five minutes afterwards, our burgers. Burgers were awesome. Thick, home-made patties, not the frozen ones thrown onto the grill. Bun was nice and toasty and the lettuce and tomatoes were crisp and fresh. Pickle was a nice garnish and the fries were deliciously crunchy. My burger was cooked as I asked (Medium-Well). Overall I wish the service was a little bit better. Their lunch menus were $9-$12 for various plates, which isn't bad. I might return to Grafton Street to see how their other dishes are.
(3)Rohin A.
We went here last night and the food was great. My wife is a celiac and the waiters were very knowledgeable about gluten-free requirements (our first waiter made a mistake but did check with the kitchen before confirming the order and they sent someone out to let us know). My wife ordered the pan-roasted chicken and I got the fish and chips - both were wonderful. The food is very well priced ... our full meal cost us $50 (incl. tip and 1 side to share). For those with gluten allergies, most of the food can be made gluten-free so definitely worth a visit!
(5)Joe B.
Grafton Street is probably not the absolute best bar in the world, but in all my times there, I cannot come up with a negative thing to say about it! I last dropped in here on Friday night for post-dinner drinks. While the bar area was crowded, a waitress took our order as we were trying to strategically position ourselves between two barstools to order from the bar. She was well-dressed, and when she asked us for our drink order, I didn't believe her at first until I saw the apron. She returned with my friend's pinot grigio and my Noble Pils shortly thereafter. This is a great place to go for conversation. It may seem loud, but it's not overpowering, and it's easy to hear the people around you. Plus, there is a reasonable amount of room to walk around in the bar area. And, the service is very friendly and helpful. I have been here to eat twice as well. I've found the seafood here to be excellent. At last check, they had a tuna tartare which was very tasty, as well as scallops done just right and fried calamari (a bar standard). The furniture is very comfortable, and one doesn't feel crowded in with other patrons. I'll definitely return to Grafton Street. It's a very clean and comfortable bar (including the restroom), the food is good, and the service is friendly.
(5)Jeff M.
Wow, this place has gone down hill quickly. Biggest problem is the service. I don't know if I'll ever be back.
(2)Farrell P.
(I'd like to give Grafton Street 2 and a half stars, but I ended up with 2 because, well, I have experienced better.) I love the actual atmosphere of this pub. I had a late lunch here with some friends on a Saturday (after we couldn't find a seat in the beer garden). It's spacious, airy, and comfortable. And we stayed long after we finished eating, while our water glasses were kept full. Our waitress was sweet, pretty, borderline flirtatious, and dealt well our interesting group. Some of the cocktails on the menu sounded interesting (though one friend said hers was garnnished incorrectly...I wouldn't know). I decided it was too early for me to start drinking and ordered an iced tea which was a little weak. Still on my weekend budget, I got the lunch special of half a grilled ham, swiss, and roasted pepper sandwhich and a cup of cucumber mint soup for $7. In addition to being about the size of my pinky, I could have made a better version of that soup and sandwhich myself - without their recipe. I'll take Panera over that any day. My friends fared better with Grafton's Cuban (really, really nice) and a couple rusticy pizzas (gorgonzola, fig, and prosciutto - one of my favorite combinations of all time). The menu was too meat/pork heavy for me and I wish it was a little cheaper. I'd go again, but I'd make sure to order something more substantial and pub food-y.
(2)Alice B.
Awful food! One of those places where you pay a lot for "atmosphere" and the food is atrocious. We were a large party of a dozen or so - everything was fat on the side of salt. The food looked defrosted and not cooked in-house. The toast was 2 burnt-black halves of a slice of one of those pre-sliced bread loaves you get for $0.50 at the store.
(1)C M W.
Firstly, delicious food. My boyfriend got decatant scallops and I had the artichoke ravioli. Taste and presentation, superb.... price, extremely high. Grafton Street is like fine dining meets London Pub. Ambiance nice, servers amiable. Drink selection and taste.... like the supermarket on a Sunday night... out of stock and listless. Do not order any drink with Ginger beer unless you want ginger on the rocks with a splash of cocktail. Definitely check it out, but bring your credit card... you are going to need it.
(3)Haley S.
I literally saw the gentrification of Harvard Square happening before my eyes...and I'm not a fan. Back you tweed blazer intellectual, back! I don't like hiding fancy behind the exterior of a pub. Mashing pub and upscale can be done, but Grafton Street is a little off center. Our waitress was outstanding though. Bottom line...the food and service were good. But with all that H. Square has to offer I don't know why you'd put up with the crowd to get to the food. It's a lazy choice, get creative and venture out!
(3)Alison C.
How have I not written a review for Grafton Street yet!? This is easily one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Every single time I go, I have an amazing time. From making new friends, to first dates, to bringing my family here after my college graduation last week, I've made a lot of crazy memories in this magical place. First of all, they have some of the best wine I've ever tasted at a restaurant. I even downloaded a copy of their menu to write down the different wineries they buy from. Two glasses of their Merlot, and I'm down for the count. Cheap and easy, just like I like most things. The food is always fantastic, but if you go and you only have enough money to buy ONE thing, get the Fried Calamari. Even my large Italian family of food snobs tried it last week and said it was the best they'd ever had. Do it now! It's a little pricey, but nothing that will make your wallet cry. Grafton Street loves big groups, and everyone who works there likes to have fun with their customers. I will be taking out-of-town visitors here til the end of time. Words can't express my love for Grafton Street.
(5)Michelle C.
3ish stars for the food, and definite solid extra star for the service. My boyfriend and I had wanted to check out Daedalus one Saturday night since I've only been there for brunch previously, but they had an hour and a half wait for some reason (I didn't see many people waiting, so I'm guessing there were some large parties there). Wanting something along the same lines (new American I suppose they call it), we decided to check out Grafton Street, mainly because they had mussels which I was craving badly. When we arrived, the boyfriend was not too pleased about the 45 minute wait time we were given, but at that point I just wanted to have a drink and wait rather than keep wandering around Harvard Square. Happily, after more like 20-30 minutes of waiting, the hostess came over to bring us to our seats. I wasn't terribly pleased when we arrived at them as they were part of 3 2-person tables awkwardly close together. However, a few minutes later after we'd ordered our mussels, we found out why when the manager came over and brought a free tray of (very tasty) hummus and warm pita bread to us and the table next door. Apparently this was normally a 4 top, but rather than making us both wait longer, he broke them up. Many restaurants cram seats in that close together normally, so I was more than happy to have the shorter wait and the free food! The mussels were very tasty and plentiful. The boyfriend got salmon and I got a seafood stew. He liked his and I liked mine, but I did feel the portions were a little on the small size for the price and my stew was a bit under-seasoned, but better that than over-seasoned. I also very much appreciated their beer list; nice variety with one random Goose Island tap (a very delicious Chicago brewery) and the bartenders were very friendly and knowledgeable during our wait. Overall, I'd say that i'd be back more for the service than the food, but I'd definitely like to try other items off their menu. Thanks for not keeping us waiting!
(4)Jeff L.
One of my go-to restaurants in Harvard Sq. They never disappoint. Whether youre looking for brunch on the weekend, out with friends for a great dinner or even a first date, Grafton Street is the place. Wonderful seasonal dishes and some comforting favorites like deconstructed fried chicken. Yum. Two words - Just go!
(5)Sarah S.
I've been to Grafton Street enough times that, even though it has a zillion reviews I'm going to add my 2 cents. Like its sister Temple Bar (owned by the same people,) Grafton succeeds quite well at being a nice place to take the family or a date, while also being casual enough to grab a bite with friends or a few drinks, which is what I usually end up going for. Good selection of beer, though I've found the mixed drinks to be, well, mixed in quality, so for the price I usually stick to beer. The also almost always have Allagash White on tap, which I love love love, especially in the summer. Speaking of the summer, on warm-ish days Grafton has its windows open to the street, which makes for great people watching and the more-than-occasional leering old man. And of course, if your night should head in that direction, it's only steps away from the Kong!
(4)Lara J.
I've been going here for about 10 years on and off and it used to be better. I haven't been in about 3 years but was looking forward to going again. The food was slightly below average - Clam Chowder was watery and pizza was below average. The chickpea burger was good but sat in my stomach like a brick. They do get credit for seating a large party (7) on a Saturday evening (5:45 pm) quickly, and the hostess was very friendly and helpful, but that's about it.
(2)Marcus M.
This place was great. I just went out for drinks with about ten other friends and we had a blast. The Pretty Things drink was awesome - I had four of them. The silverita, coconut mojito, sangria, and cheesecake were all delicious. The waitress was extremely friendly and took care of us. However, she messed up preparing the bill and overcharged some of us while undercharging some of us too. Also, we stayed until 2 (closing) and one of the workers there was really rude.. He basically kicked us out in an unfriendly manner. Anyways, it was really fun aside from those negative points and I would overall recommend it. The decor was nice and you can eat outside which is cool.
(4)Safia A.
I'd been to Grafton Street a number of times and always liked it but my experience there on Friday was enough to warrant me making a yelp account and telling the interwebs about it. Paul Barry (one of the bartenders) is the coolest person on the planet, and I've met everyone so I can say that with certainty. I'll definitely be going back to Grafton Street in the near future!
(5)Jenna H.
I returned to Grafton Street for brunch and it was awesome! Brunch comes with a lovely little basket of pastries that includes muffins, croissants, and danishes. My friend and I ordered and shared the buttermilk pancakes and the Spinach and Goat Cheese Omelet which came with potatoes and toast, and it was a sumptuous feast. The pancakes especially were so fluffy and delicious. Places like this remind we why I love brunch so much.
(4)Kevin B.
This was my first visit to this particular location. I did go to the one near Government Center last summer but that was during Gay Pride so my memory is a little hazy as I was cruising cute boys and not paying attention to the food. It is always a difficult balance...am I more of a foodie or more of a slut. Anyway, I went to the Harvard square Grafton Street on Sunday for brunch with a new friend. I was fairly impressed. The dcor was very upscale and pleasing and it was only amplified by the amazing light that pours in the windows. The menu selection was pretty standard for brunch but I was pleasantly surprised by how much food you got for nine dollars. The omelet was huge! I couldn't even finish it and I have somewhat of a reputation for being a fat girl. I was a little disappointed. I ordered the omelet because it had goat cheese and couldn't actually taste any goat cheese but it was still quite good. The waitstaff was impressive in their knowledge of the menu as well as their friendliness and they weren't constantly hovering so that you want to get a restraining order. My only other complaint is their tea selection. I realize that I am a tea freak living in a coffee drinker's world. They only had three types. If I wasn't so used to that I would have been horrified. Okay, I was horrified but I kept it to myself. I do have to give them points for having loose leaf tea instead of those vulgar little bags of mediocre grade tea scraps that most establishments offer.
(4)A. W.
mmm...this place was nice on that rainy Saturday afternoon this weekend. Actually, it was cosier than just nice.....and it was more of a torrential downpour than just 'rainy'. The place is provocatively lit, the decor is slick and staff are friendly. But I have a few minor complaints... 1) My drinking pal was ignored for a good 5 minutes whilst she patiently waited for service at the bar... whilst the bartenders were just hangin out at the other end... 2) When bar tender finally decided to acknowledge our existence, he made THE most violently intense bitter cocktail ever. The Negroni should've had enough Campari "to taste"....not enough Campari "to make your eyes well up with tears".....and 3) Night shift of bartenders come on board and want to ID me, even after we already had 4 drinks on our tab....eejots. The bar snacks were delightful though...I'd like to go back and try their dinner menu. Oh and important note....a glass of Crane Lake Cab Sav is on their wine list for $6 . You can buy a bottle of that wine for $4.99 at Gimbles. Don't be fooled!
(3)Lewis D.
Slooow service at lunch today (7/5/2011) and food, when it arrived, lukewarm (the server didn't return to ask, in any case). We waited for the check to arrive, and finally had to fo to the host stand to get action. A manager came and his affect and response was on a par with the service: in flat tones thanked me for bringing the issue to his attention. Period.
(1)Renee G.
I have never, ever, ever waited so long to have my order taken at a restaurant. The drinks, at least, arrived promptly. I was running late, and when I arrived, my date already had a beer in front of him. The waitress swooped right over and took my drink order, and mere moments later, there was a cold glass of Sam Summer in front of me. Two minutes later - literally about two minutes later - she stopped by to see if we knew what we wanted to eat. Um, no...we had barely even had time to crack open the menu. So, perhaps in an effort to allow us as much time as we needed to be absolutely, positively certain about our entree choices, she gave us a half an hour before she bothered coming back. I tried shooting her pointed stares and engaging in menu opening-and-closing histrionics, to no avail. The food, once we got it, was okay. I had the seared tuna salad, which was over frisee with haricots verts, pickled onions, and hardcooked egg in a kalamata olive vinaigrette. To be honest, I probably wouldn't have ordered it if I wasn't halfheartedly attempting South Beach, but I still would have expected more - it was fairly tasty but the portion was very small and the tuna underseasoned. My date had the pot roast, which he said he enjoyed, but I did not try it and he seemed to leave a lot of it behind. With better food and better service, I think I would have liked this place. It has a low-key but slightly upscale atmosphere, which is exactly what I look for in a hangout. But as it stands, I have no plans of coming back.
(2)Katie C.
I've been to this place about 5 times. All of the food there is delicious! The prices are a wee bit expensive but not too bad. The waitstaff is always very friendly and the food doesn't take too long to come out. The desserts are great too; I recommend the white chocolate creme brulee. No complaints!
(5)Tom E.
...so you know that friend of yours, work colleague, or family member who's not really into being cheap, hip and urban or not being a Black AmEx-toting Back Bay name-chef diner? Yeah... you know, the person who'd never be on Yelp. Well, where do you take them for a relaxed dinner and drink? I can already think of hundreds of places NOT to take them. But I'd always recommend Grafton St as somewhere you could take them. Modern, efficient, reasonably stylish, good wine and whisky selections, great brunch, okay dinner, outdoor seating, never too loud to obscure conversation, TVs show the sports but not in an intrusive way, good location just on Mass Ave opposite Harvard.... am I selling it to you? The point I'm trying to make is that no-one really dislikes coming here, in fact most yelp reviews are very positive but everyone seems to give it 3 stars. Well, I'm giving it 4 because it's never failed me, not for... - whiskys after trivia - group booze-up pre-Hong Kong - brunch with my sister - the world cup with hundreds of french people - impromptu dinner on a first date - lunch with my mum's old roomie from 1970
(4)Keith W.
A few general observations/comments: People always seem to stay for more than one drink. People always seem to be having fun. There is no reason to go to Grafton Street for dinner. It's not uncommon to see someone at the bar wearing a t-shirt and jeans, sitting next to someone wearing a full suit. While they may differ in dress, neither is out of place; they are both completely comfortable. If you stay around long enough, you are guaranteed to be treated to some free entertainment. My favorite shows include: The sixty-year-old guy wearing the Nantucket reds making out with his 25-year-old diamond laden, martini sippin', gold diggin' girlfriend with the fake fun bagz (trust me, it was HOT!); The fire spitting Bill Gates look-alike that told at least ten girls "you have the most beautiful smile in Massachusetts" before finally finding an astute lady who was so impressed by his compliment that she spent the next hour talking with him before eventually taking him home (Score!); The group of guys discussing the real reason why they love Costa Rica so much - the Hookers, of course! Grafton Street: there's nothing spectacular about it, but it just seems to work well for everyone.
(4)Tara G.
The service was pretty slow. Its always a little dangerous to say you need a couple more minutes to order, but 15 minutes is too long to wait without even checking to see if we'd closed our menus. Our waitress never asked whether everything was okay, so she didn't find out until we had finished our meal that one of the dishes (chickpea sandwich in naan) was terribly dry and virtually inedible (and 100% of the sauce was on half the sandwich) and we'd have liked to get something different. They did take it off the bill, so +1 star.
(2)Matt W.
Grafton Street is great if you are in the neighborhood. I would certainly pick other venues for my night time exploits if given the choice, but Grafton has that dual possibility of lounge in the back and sports bar in the front, perhaps a great combo for any guy (or girl) depending on how the date's going. The food is above average for a pub/lounge and the drinks are standard, nothing too special. I've also been to Grafton for brunch with an entirely different menu and brunch friendly cocktails (who am I kidding, all cocktails are friendly no matter the time of day). The crowds are minimal at brunch, which is a blessed change from the chaos found at other local Harvard square eateries around the same time.
(3)Al A.
The hash sucks.
(2)Amanda B.
We've eaten here once for dinner and once for brunch; the prices are fair, we love the decor and the atmosphere is good (although, the bar area can get super packed and loud on the weekends - just hope you get sat far from the bar). The downfall for the restaurant seems to be their food. Dinner: we went there on St. Patty's Day, which was awesome because as we were waiting to be seated there was an Irish bagpipe band that came into the bar area to play a couple of songs! Once we were seated, service was good, especially considering how busy they were, but the food was just average. Brunch: the hubby had the corned beef hash and was really disappointed; it was not tasty and was super greasy. I had pancakes, which you can't really mess up. Ultimately, it seems to be a good place to come get drinks.
(3)Zarina M.
Service was impeccable. From the host, to the server to the manager picking up our plates. Food, could have been better. Russell House Tavern and Park have more inventive menus. I'd like to see more unique items and combinations. We had the brevette steak (flank) with mash potatoes and a arugula salad. I asked for medium it was more towards the well side and my bf had the pork chop with Brussels sprouts - meat was juicy and perfectly made. It also came with this very weird sweet potatoes with melted cheese... It was the wrong type of cheese. The flavors just fought with each other. My calamari appetizer also had pieces fried fish in it... The ploughers board was meek and had half of a half piece of cheese. And a single slice of prosciutto. All in all, come for their outdoor patio space and drinks... Go to the graftons sister restaurants down the street for better food.
(4)Mauricio C.
I went with my family in the Father's Day lunch. From the special menu I have chosen the salmon. The dish was great! The grilled salmon was perfect with an egg exploding in flavor and perfume. Fully recommended.
(4)Sara W.
After writing a review about my experience with Grafton, I was contacted by the store manager. She apologized and offered a complimentary meal, which was a very kind thing to do. It truly shows that Grafton cares about their customers, and I definitely felt a lot better when she reached out to me. I took up the offer, and gave Grafton a second chance. I decided to go past lunch time, around 3pm, so it wasn't busy at all. When I was seated, the manager working that day stopped by to apologize to me, which was very nice. On top of that, my friend and I also had a very friendly waitress. The service that I received was definitely a lot better this time around. I wasn't planning to order any appetizers, but the Chef planned out appetizers for us. We got the BBQ pulled pork tacos, which were pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of barbecue sauce, but the taco as a whole was good. We also got the truffle fries, and this time around, they were a lot better. For entrees, I got the Petite Sirloin and my friend got the Grilled Statler Chicken. The sirloin was delicious-- it was cooked right, and the sauce was great. I thought the dish as a whole was a bit too overwhelming though, due to the truffle fries. But overall, I was satisfied. The salad that was paired with my dish was great, I just wished that my dish had mashed potatoes instead of the truffle fries because I tried my friend's dish which had mashed potatoes, and it was so delicious. Overall, I had a good experience, and the food that we ordered were a lot better. I recommend heading to Grafton during lunch time. In my opinion, their lunch menu is definitely more interesting compared to their dinner menu.
(3)Paul L.
So the taxi driver dropped us off in the totally wrong area, a mile away from where we asked. After being frustrated for having to walk a mile my girlfriend decided to just head in here and what a great surprise!! I was totally blown away by the cocktail menu and draft beer list. After ordered our drinks our focus shifted towards the appetizers. Decided to go out on a limb and try the calamari. With mint, peanuts, and sweet chili it was nothing I've ever had and was very surprised by how much I liked it. (Not a calamari fan but she is ;) ) Anyways this place gets all the praise in the world I could give a restaurant, any of the cocktails will keep you satisfied.
(5)herp d.
Went here recently for a friend's birthday, pretty pleasant experience overall. I grabbed a drink at the bar while waiting for people to arrive, and while their Tom Collins are way too sour (and I'm saying this as someone who nibbles on lemon slices), the bartender was very friendly and polite. We get seated and I just have to say, some of their tables are really awkward. Really high booth seating that was just uncomfortable and awkward (my friend and I switched to the side with chairs, dooming our other friends to the weird booths, suckers). Service was really slow. I mean, I know it was a busy Friday night, but I think we were seated for almost an hour before our food orders were taken. The Flatlander drink is great, and the pear ice was an interesting touch that made the flavor change over time. I ordered a few of these. Their warm bourbon cider was great as well, and I don't even like bourbon. We ordered a dozen oysters, which were very good but also expensive. We also got fries (good), Brussels sprouts (undercooked), and moules frites (very good). Later we got the ploughman board, which came with sopressata (love), prosciutto, chicken liver mousse (really really good), a tuna salad thing (okay), some pickled onions (love), and a terrine made of, I think, pork, turkey, cranberries and pistachios? I can't remember exactly what was in it but it was soooo good. The whole thing was excellent but came with only four tiny pieces of crisp bread. Even if there wasn't six of us sharing it, that wouldn't be enough. Unless you were piling huge pieces into the tiniest bread bites possible, you couldn't spread the bread very far. Some of it, like the sopressata, terrine, and prosciutto was good enough or not messy enough to eat plain, but eating liver mousse plain isn't the best thing ever. Just a few more slices of bread, please. We also noticed waiters carrying around what looked like bone marrow but we couldn't find it on the menu. We asked our waiter about it and found out it's an appetizer, so we got that immediately. I've never had marrow before so I have no basis for comparison, but it was pretty damn good. I expected it to be spongy and light, and instead it was like a fatty jelly that tasted really intensely of beef. Sadly, there wasn't much to go around, so I only got two little bites of it. I would love to try it again though. Finally, my friend was presented with a (complimentary) banana bread pudding, complete with candle, which was very nice gesture for her birthday. I thought it tasted a little burnt, but she seemed to enjoy it. Overall, it's a little too pricey for me to go regularly, but I would go again for a special occasion. Personally, I like Park better (they're owned by the same people), but this was still a nice experience.
(4)Alex S.
I came to Grafton Street for an excellent dinner. The restaurant is quite beautiful and very large. It is very well laid out and has a great atmosphere. This is a perfect place for a date. The food was also very good. Based solely on how comfortable and aesthetically pleasing Grafton Street is, I would provide a 5 star review. While I can't provide any complaints about the food (dinner was delicious) it just didn't stand out as amazing. I think with a little more passion thrown towards the menu, this could be one of the best places in Cambridge.
(4)Anna G.
I came here on Valentine's Day at 7PM. we got sat for our reservation right away, and the ambiance of the restaurant was really nice- dim lighting, good music, etc. All of our food came out extremely quick. We didn't see much of our waiter though, he didn't come by to see if we needed anything else, or to check on how we were doing. This is understandable though, it was Valentine's day and they were extremely busy. We split the calamari- which was very good, but very different than any other calamari i've had. it seemed kind of asian inspired. I'm not sure my boyfriend enjoyed it as much as I did. I ordered the Lobster Mac and Cheese, and requested that they hold the peas. My boyfriend ordered the special- Surf (shrimp) and Turf. The waiter informed him that he managed to order the last one. we were excited about this, but pretty disappointed when the food came out and he ended up just getting the regular steak dinner. He really enjoyed it, but it was kind of strange our waiter didn't address that he brought out the wrong order, or that they may have actually ran out of the special, or something?? And my mac & cheese had peas in it :( i'm still giving them four stars though, because of their promptness, and I really enjoyed the restaurant. I think that had it not been the busiest restaurant night of the year, they probably would have nailed it with their service. i will go back and give it another shot
(4)Joe C.
Grafton Street is an amazing pub. There is only about 20 options on the menu- but they are all delicious. I went with a friend and I got the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich, which I requested without lettuce, tomato, and ranch. My friend got the French Toast with a caramel drizzle and bananas. The Fried Chicken Sandwich was delicious. Between 2 buns lie 2 pieces of Applewood Smoked Bacon, melted cheddar cheese, a Buttermilk Fried Chicken breast, and a second layer of melted Cheddar cheese. I have never tasted a better meal.
(5)S G.
We went for Brunch. It has the typical brunch menu. Portions are ample. The french toast with Banana caramel sauce was outstanding and probably feeds at least 2 hungry people. The eggs Benedict with irish bacon were cooked to perfection. The roasted potatoes were nice and crisp and very well seasoned. 2 Scrambled egg dish was huge, it looked much more than 2 eggs, accompanied by fruit upon request. The place was extremely busy and service was fine
(4)Eunji Y.
Terrible service during brunch/lunch hours on Memorial Day. - ordered a burger cooked medium but they gave me a well-done. - they gave me a burger "without onion" when i had made no such request - my sister's burger "with onion" had a couple slivers of caramelized onion. When we inquired about it, the server brought some more as a side saying that "they had run out of it before and had to make some more" ... Which was the reason they decided to make my burger "without onion" without telling me and go skimpy on my sister's burger - it took forever for them to clear the table after we were done, and take the cash and give us the change. We had to ask a couple different servers to pay. The restaurant had more empty tables than occupied ones. Overall very disappointed. It was my first time eating here, and i have no intention to come back.
(1)Ellie L.
I'm a short person so low chairs paired with high tables kinda bothers me. But aside from that, the place was fairly solid and I'd go here for a casual nice lunch with friends especially since the prices are quite decent. 1. chickpea sandwich - super tasty and I loved the chewy pita bread. Not like a falafel though since the chickpeas were quite soft 2. calamari - be warned, this is not your traditional italian style crispy fried calamari. It's very asian flavored, spicy, and maybe a bit too drenched in sauce which detracts from the freshly fried aspect. 3. apple crisp with ice cream - I really enjoy pairing cold ice cream with a warm chewy cake or crumble and while this dessert had all the right flavors, it fell short with the ratio between ice cream, crumble, and apple. Too little crumble, much too little ice cream. Overall, a pretty small dessert portion.
(3)Allie G.
I've been to Grafton Street a total of three or four times and had a good time and good service every time except for last night - and I'm writing this review to show that it only takes one time and one bad server to completely turn people off to a restaurant that's sub-par to begin with. I should note that the other handful of times we've been here, it was around midnight. Last night, my boyfriend and I decided to come here for dinner + drinks around 8:00. The crowd was completely different, which I guess is to be expected. We were seated after about 35 minutes - which was in line with the estimate we were given by the hostesses, who were just about the only polite employees there. We were seated next to a group of loud, obnoxious people who were stuffed into a booth / chair combo. This is obviously to no fault of the restaurant - it's just the way it worked out. Our server had ZERO customer service. I felt like he was miserable (and he probably was because I was certainly not happy to be sitting next to the crowd we were sitting next to, but that's besides the point.) It drives me crazy when I go somewhere and feel like I have better customer service than the person servicing me! I basically had to shove our order down this guy's throat. He never came to check on us - the only time I didn't have to flag him down for something was when he came to offer us water and another round of drinks, the very first interactions that we had with him. He was clearly just not in the mood to be at work - and who ever is, really? His poor attitude didn't go unnoticed. We ordered a ton of food, too - you'd think he would've wanted 20% of that bill. Aside from this, it took several trips for anyone to notice there were empty dishes crowding our table just waiting to be cleared - and it wasn't THAT busy. There are plenty of other restaurants in the area that are much busier, with much better service. Sorry, but it was borderline terrible. To top it all off, our obnoxious neighbors later had another person join their group. This new addition is nearly sitting on top of me - I end up having to ask them all to move down politely - but the booth was in a corner, so they're already shoved in there pretty tight. They were rude about it, but obliged. It just aggravated the situation even more and we couldn't wait to leave. This place is now a last resort to me. I don't plan on coming here again. It was never a favorite for me but I give it three stars because out of the handful of times I've been here, I didn't have a bad experience until last night.
(3)Dan R.
Trip report from a recent brunch: skip brunch, come for lunch or dinner. The brunch menu was miniscule (not sure if this was a special menu for the Head of the Charles or not). I got the Calamari, which was OK, but way too heavily breaded. I also ordered the Corned Beef Hash, which is one of my all time favorite meals. It wasn't great. In fact, it was the worst corned beef I've ever had. While it WAS a true hash, it was full of burnt pieces of rosemary, was incredibly salty, lacked any real flavor, and the corned beef was chewy and contained gross amounts of fat. I felt like I was eating tendon or something....I couldn't even finish half of the (not very large) plate. A shame, because Grafton is great for dinner -- I love their burger with egg, and their crabcakes are yummy. Chicken sandwiches are also a treat. Unfortunately only the burger was available on the brunch menu, and I kicked myself for not getting it. Great outdoor seating (in-season), and animal friendly. The bar is also decent at late night. Just pass on brunch.
(3)Andrea B.
The Avocado Eggs Benedict at Grafton Street are a beautiful, beautiful thing. I never knew I could love poached eggs so much. But clearly I can. And you can too. I stopped by Grafton Street one Saturday for brunch. Their menu offers a nice variety of breakfast foods as well as burgers, paninis, and pizzas. It all sounds tremendously scrumdiddlyumptious (did I spell that right? Anyone?). The aforementioned Avocado Benedict really takes the cake, though. Poached eggs, avocado slices, and Hollandaise sauce, all slapped on an English muffin, and BAM! You've got a thing of beauty right before your very eyes. The Benedict came with a generous helping of home fries. I'm not gonna lie, I gave a little sigh when I saw them. My experience with home fries is usually that they're bland, too crispy or too mushy, and need to be drowned in ketchup in order to eat even half of them. So you can imagine my delight when I took a bite of Grafton Street's version of them and discovered that they were fantastic! Well-seasoned, flavorful, neither too crispy nor too mushy, the ketchup that came with them was completely ignored and forgotten. Add in the fact that they came with onions and red peppers, and BAM! Best home fries ever (I'm starting to sound like Emeril LaGasse). I came back a few days later for lunch with a friend. They have a delicious menu that features a nice selection of filling appetizers and entrees (which is what I'm looking for when I go for a sit-down meal for lunch - not just some measly sandwich!). We decided to get the fish tacos appetizer and the petite sirloin entree and share them. Both were fantastic. The app was by no means skimpy. We got three hefty tacos with hake, cabbage, salsa, and smoked chili aioli. They were a little heavy on the cabbage, but otherwise very tasty. The petite sirloin entree was wonderful too. The meat was maybe a tad too done for the medium temperature that we ordered, but it was juicy and tender and flavorful nevertheless. And it came with a bucketload of truffle fries! Home fries for brunch, truffle fries for lunch... when it comes to potatoes, Grafton Street really knows its stuff! Anywho, time to wrap this up. I am often guilty of walking past places a million times, taking forever to realize that they're incredible, and then kind of hating myself for taking so long. And Grafton is definitely one of those places! *Kicks self repeatedly.*
(4)Chris C.
Bland tuna tartar Slow service Distracted slightly angry waiter Meh I've been 4-5x and the last two have been horrible - this is not how you want things to be trending
(2)Jacquelyn C.
The atmosphere was great, super refreshing after a long walk on a hot Fourth of July. I would say their food isn't something to go out of the way to get, but definitely worth to go at least once. Their rosemary truffle fries were well flavored, their flatbread margherita pizza was good, but not memorable. Friends ordered the beef and scallion flatbread pizza (unique and pretty good) and the Crafton burger (well-flavored and juicy). Service was friendly even with a lot of people in the restaurant.
(3)Marcello F.
This is definitely one of my favourite drinking places ever... not entirely sure what the reason, maybe just the feel, the vibe, the nice people, the good cocktails... Have to say I never tried the food so cannot vote on that, but as for drinks and service, it is a really good venue.
(5)Minh C.
Six of us dropped by for an early brunch. It looked like we arrived just after opening, but it quickly filled up. We got seated in the back corner booth with curtains closing us off. Overall, food was typical good brunch food - many of us got one version or the other of the eggs benedicts. Service was also good - the waiter always waited until we stopped talking vs. interrupting a conversation midway so that was a big plus.
(4)Lorenz S.
The atmosphere is nothing special (very much similar to its sibling restaurants, Park and Russell House Tavern), but the food is great. Here are Lorenz' special recommendations: * Avocado Benedict for brunch * Brussels Sprout & Bacon Pizza any time after that
(4)Fancypants X.
The bar at Grafton Street is definitely a place you could linger because their seats are so comfortable; not bar stools but cushioned seats with nice-sized backs to slump your weary body against. Three stars based on a single dining experience, aside from my one-time bar visit. Library Friend & I chose Grafton Street last night because it's right down the block from the library we frequent. She chose the mussels ($12) & I had the salmon ($20.) Baked & cooked all the way through (not dry), it was bland & lacking in seasoning. The parsnip purée needed a few chunks rather than being whipped smooth (like baby food *blech*) Root veggies (mushrooms, carrots, celery, etc) were nice & tender & had a sweet drizzle of balsamic. A nice study break, especially since the waitress left us alone to chat chat chat & the atmosphere is warm & jubilant, but I'm reluctant to try other menu items.
(3)Ana S.
Honestly, this place is boring and the food is mediocre. It is a bit 'what you see is what you get'. If you go at peak hours it will be full of non-discerning Harvard grads and tourists. This is the kind of place you go when you can't think of anything that excites you more. Kind of like the fall back to your fall back. That said, you'll get reliable beer selection, a decent burger, and a half-way interesting salad selection.
(2)Clay N.
Grafton is the bookends to any good night out. The scene is a more calm than the Kong and more active than the Boathouse. Come rub shoulders with Harvard grad students and dodge H^2 tourists. Great for: - Brunch - Pre-Drinks Drinks - Nightcap - Meeting attractive successful men - Brown Liquors - Conversation
(4)April K.
I must say... I really enjoyed myself here on a Sunday early night dinner. My boyfriend and I first sat outside, but unfortunately it started raining so we moved inside. My only qualm about sitting outside was that the table was extremely slanted. I'm not sure if that would have been comfortable had we eaten out there. The inside decor is dimly lit and romantic, but also casual. Our waitress was very nice, and we also had another waiter taking care of us. I was confused by that, but also content to see that they were all trying to help one another. As for the food, I started off with the Charcuterie which included duck pate, figs, and proscuitto, and random stuff you put on little bread. I was confused because there were only 6 little pieces of bread, but we just asked the waitress for more. It was so delicious my mouth is watering right now thinking about it. I would go back just for that appetizer plate. The sangria is really good too. They aren't stingy with it, and it's 9$ a glass. For the main course I got salmon. It was a little dried out, and the sauce they used tasted kind of like cheap barbeque sauce. I don't think it was that bad, but it wasn't great. The dessert consisted of a warm chocolate chip cookie topped with two scoops of ice cream. It was heavenly, but I think it's also a dish i could have made at home. It's kind of hard to screw up a warm cookie topped with ice cream. Overall I had a really good experience. The prices are decent. The only thing is... I hope they fix their toilets. The pressure of flushing was a little too much, and I may have gotten a splash or two of toilet water on me.... Not good for when i'm about to eat. =/
(4)Marina Z.
We absolutely loved the dinner we had at Grafton St except it was too noisy inside. We ended up sitting outside where it was a way quieter, however, the hostess said she can't guarantee a seat inside if it starts raining :-) Fortunately, the rain stopped before our dinner and never started again, so we were lucky. Regarding the food, we liked it the best among three out of four restaurant from the group: Park, Temple Bar and Grafton. We had scallops and duck for entrees, and not too heavy, not too light for our stomachs, and tasted perfectly - with right combination of proteins and carbs including sauces.
(4)Patrick D.
Grafton Street had the honor and privilege of being stop #1 on my and my girlfriend's "Dollar Oyster Crawl" last week and it did not disappoint! We came at about 6:30 and it was busy but not super loud, a good amount of noise to encourage conversation. We just ordered a dozen oysters and the Ploughman's Board, both of which came quickly, which was a pleasant surprise given how busy the restaurant was. The oysters were delicious, meaty, not too salty and the cocktail sauce was well proportioned. The Ploughman's Board had some liverwurst-type spreads on it, crostini, some prosciutto and salami and some pickled veggies. Definitely all acquired tastes but if meat and cheese plates are your thing this one is a home run. The small meal wasn't pricy at all and tasty, a real good pub in a great location with good service, we'll definitely be coming back here.
(4)Viroopa V.
I've been here for dinner many times and have had great meals, but recently was here for brunch and was not a fan. The ambiance is great, but the food is mediocre. Your experience at Grafton is dependent on the time of day and what you order, so I'll just list some Pros and Cons. Pros: - Fabulous Ahi Tuna Tartare - Really great selection of meats and cheeses on the Grafton Charcuterie - Rustic Pizzas are awesome - Sweet Potato Ravoli is a must - Great ambiance for getting together with friends or for dinner dates - Great for drinks at the bar on Friday and Saturday night Cons - Service is sometimes slow - Eggs Benedict did not have properly poached eggs - Fruit bowl for brunch primarily consisted of pineapple
(3)Hannah J.
AMAZING! We got the grilled corn appetizer and it was unlike anything I've ever tasted. Simply incredible. And I got the Grafton Burger, which has to be the best burger I've ever tasted. It's busy but the service is quick, friendly and charismatic! Absolutely perfect in every way.
(5)Larry G.
Great. Beet salad and short rib appetizers are meals. Just get them and desert. And a cocktail.
(4)Jessica S.
What a great little place in Cambridge! I was at Grafton Street with a fellow Yelper and 11 of our knitting buddies. They were able to fit us in that day with very little prior warning, so I give a huge tip o' the hat to the general manager and staff! I didn't order any food, but I did try a friend's truffle fries and they were divine. I ordered the hot bourbon apple cider and I swear I wanted to swim in the stuff it was so delicious! I hate bourbon on its own, but this heavenly concoction was... well... heavenly! The only reason this place doesn't get a fifth star is because it's a bit pricey. Sure, it's Cambridge and it's bound to not be cheap; however, there are many other places in the vicinity that don't charge $10 per drink. Regardless, I want to relive my experience here over and over again... so I'll bite the bullet and save my pennies to come to Grafton Street again!
(4)Graceypoo M.
Held a surprise birthday party here for a friend, years ago. The staff let us wear fake 'staches as a disguise from our friend. Good food. Oysters are fresh Rosemary fries could be better Good service
(3)Liesl W.
Can't judge the food but we ordered the tres leches cake and it was disgusting. It tasted like it had been sitting in the fridge with other foods for a very long time...
(1)A-L B.
I wanted to love this place, after all, the bar scene from Goodwill Hunting was filmed here! My mojito cocktail looked nice but wasn't worth the $. I ended up spooning half of the ice in the slender glass and putting it in my room temperature water, which was presented in a nice glass bottle, but lacked chilling. We asked for a non-alcoholic cocktail and were offered a ginger concoction. It sounded good but tasted like some sort of astringent which burned our stomachs. Mmm, Coca-cola, please? The chowder was ok, nothing to write home about. The steak was fine, it came with truffle fries and mixed greens. Dare I say, the truffle fries were overly truffley!? I was tasting them all afternoon, and into the evening.
(2)Olivia B.
Are you effing kidding me? This place was useful for about 14 minutes back when it opened. Ever since, it's been a fall-back, boring option for folks who burned off their taste buds with the energy drinks it took to get into Harvie's grad programs. Unless you're a sack of douche, as noted by use of references to your partner (hubby is your man, huh? how unexpected & not at all vomit-inducing) or other local establishments ('the Kong,' really??? Really?? REALLLY???? Check that shit, brodude. Your list makes me daydream about rabbit punching you in the throat, then tap-dancing on your man-bits. In heels. With a loose rabid raccoon. Yeah, I'd risk it since I'm fairly sure it would go for brodude first. That is just the way of things,). Of course, daydreams aren't reality, and violence is rarely the answer. That said, this place is terminally underwhelming. Food is blah, service is...mediocre at best. and the location is nothing special, given alternatives. Every date I ever had with B-school menz started off with a suggestion for this place. Yeah, insert your own walking "NOPE!" octopus clip. (On both counts) It's noisy, informal, and...meh. My interest has been lost...
(2)Kurls T.
The atmosphere is great, but it stops there. We were 1st given dirty water glasses - with food particles stuck on them. I ordered a Ceasars salad which was ice cold and a bit wilted. I tried to eat it, but I stopped when I realized there was still dirt on the lettuce. I prefer all the dirt washed off my salad. My husband had the fish and chips which was quite good. Overall a very disappointing experience. Our meal was comped but I wasn't there for a free meal. I wanted a meal with clean dishes and food...sigh. The managers apology was one that lacked sincerity. Manager's response when I told her our water glasses were dirty "the glasses are a bit scratched up and I didn't see them." Her lips were apologizing but her face said " it's really not a big deal your glasses were dirty and your lettuce had dirt on it". I will not eat here again nor do I recommend this place :-/
(2)Danielle S.
I'm pretty sure this place is owned by the same people as Russell House. The food is quite good both for brunch and for dinner. For brunch, I had the eggs benedict. It didn't blow my mind, but was a solid dish. For dinner, I usually stick with the burger, which is served with cheddar cheese, caramelized onion, and aioli. Again, a simple dish, but they do it well. The service here is good. If you're coming for dinner, they also have a nice bar to grab drinks before/after you eat.
(4)Oliver V.
If you're going here to have an in-Harvard Square dining experience, then this place fits the bill. But, you'll need to deal with crowds, sticky surfaces, slow service and mediocre and overpriced food. No worries, the service is very friendly and the manager does make accommodations for unexpected encumbrances!
(2)Wen-fai F.
Grafton St has become a regular place for me and it's a solid four stars because of its consistency. I've probably been here about 40 times. One thing I want to point out right away is that there is something here for everyone. Burgers and pizza if you don't feel like shelling out much, to steaks and lobster if you want a fancier dinner. So as a grad student, I can take my rich friends with real jobs here and we're both happy :) My favorite appetizer, probably in all of Cambridge, is Grafton St's short rib arancini ($9 for 3). I feel like it's this hidden gem since people get distracted by all of the other beautiful things on the menu. But the arancini are risotto mixed with pull apart sweet short rib, mixed with some mozzarella, rolled in to a ball, breaded, and fried. It might sound sickly unhealthy and it probably is, but they do it perfectly so you don't feel gross after eating it. I go with my friend from Italy quite often just for the arancini, and she absolutely loves it. Another favorite is the caesar salad -- it's always very fresh. And the brussel sprout and bacon pizza is terrific although sometimes they go very heavy on the cheese. I've also heard great things about the squash ravioli. The only dish I would be hesitant to recommend is the lobster mac and cheese. I had it once and could probably make better m&c. The cocktails are a hit or miss, and the beer selection could be a little better. I normally just go with a standard well drink which are reasonably priced. The longest I've ever had to wait (even on a Friday night) is 15 minutes. They seem to always stay a healthy amount of busy without being so terribly crowded like Russell House. It's such a huge space and the furniture makes it a bit homier. The service has always been friendly, and after ~40 visits, I have no complaints on the wait staff! That's saying something.
(4)Duncan L.
Grafton Street was the last stop on a night of grabbing appetizers and drinks throughout Harvard Square, and we were lucky enough to snag an outdoor table (definitely luck of timing, as there quickly was a line for outdoor seating after we sat down). We kept it pretty simple: a couple fun beers, a charcuterie board, and one of the specials. The charcuterie board seemed a little sparse, but while picked at over the course of an hour or so, it filled us plenty. Grafton Street is nice because you won't feel stuffed - but if you take your time and enjoy your meal, you will leave quite content.
(4)Corey L.
Sat at the bar early on a Saturday night before the nutcracker. Bar tender was really nice and got us in and out in the 30 minutes we had. Had a Cosmo and sangria, which were both well made and tasty. Sangria wasn't too sweet and had some pear chunks floating, which was good. We shared a chicken ciabatta sandwich w a side of truffle fries. Sandwich had a surprising amount of greens in it and was pretty good. Salad on the side was drenched in dressing, as they always are. Fries were quite tasty. Nice meal/experience
(3)Cate O.
Some friends and I are visiting Boston for a few days and staying just down the street from Grafton Street, which naturally made it our weekend watering hole. I, admittedly, haven't tried the food here, but have been amazed by the kindness of the staff!! They helped direct us toward great things to do in the City that are of the beaten path, and away from gaggles of tourists!
(4)Sam M.
Grafton street is good. But honestly, I felt like since I've been to Russell House (Best Burger), Park (More interesting drinks) and Temple Bar (can you say lamb burger, because I can) Grafton just doesn't hold up. Pretty good beer selection, liquor selection isn't as grandiose as a few of the others and I just wasn't feeling the skills in the cocktails. This isn't to say Grafton Street isn't good. It is a perfectly fine place to grab dinner or lunch. But there is a reason why its much harder to get a reservation on Friday at Russell House than Grafton...Just saying...
(3)Kavya S.
It's just so hard to be passionate about Grafton. It's that place you go to when you want a drink (but aren't looking for the best drink ever) or have a big dinner that you are planning and other places in the Square are booked up. I'm never excited to go, but it's not that I hate the food... it's just so average. If you do end up going here for a meal or for drinks, this is what I recommend -- BRUNCH: Poached eggs are not bad--incredibly standard, nothing interesting to say about them, but a solid choice. DINNER: As a vegetarian, I'd go with the Sweet Potato Ravioli--the sauce tastes a bit heavy but the dish is still very flavorful. The pizzas are also great to order as appetizers to share. DRINKS: Get the sangria pitchers! It's a bit sweet, but the price is right, and it's a fun group drinking experience that I always enjoy. We usually order the hummus platter to go with it. NOTE the hummus platter comes with barely any pita bread, and if you ask for extra, you get charged $2 for it, so just keep that in mind. Basically, I would never choose to go to Grafton out of excitement for the food, but it's a consistent 3-star experience.
(3)Nicole B.
I went here with my family for my Birthday dinner and had a great time! I originally found out about Grafton Street when it was named in "Scout Cambridge" Magazine as one of the best outside dining restaurants in the area. The large open windows created a relaxing summer atmosphere even though we sat inside. The wait staff was friendly and aiming to please. We ordered a pitcher of sangria which was tasty and balanced. Often times when I order sangria at restaurants it is watered down, but not at Grafton Street. The beet salad was extremely unique with the pairing of beets/walnuts/goat cheese with cumin. The fried calamari was mixed with fried hot peppers that added a crunchy kick to the dish. My family members seemed very satisfied in ordering a flat bread pizza (sausage & scallion), fish n chips, and sweet potato ravioli. I ordered the salmon with root vegetables and parsnip puree. The piece of fish was a generous portion and cooked nicely. The vegetables were also delicious and complementary. I also highly recommend one of the cookie sundaes!! Very gooey! Considering that the items are not priced outrageously this restaurant won't break the bank for a couple or a large group. The food is very good and the atmosphere is hard to beat!!
(5)Rena M.
I thought this would be a good restaurant to finally try out in the Square since it's always so bustling and crowded, but clearly I was wrong. First of all, the service was horrible. I understand that it was a busy Friday night, but it is a bit ridiculous to wait at least 10-15 minutes for the table to be set up (even though I had made a reservation), then again for drinks, and then again to be served, and then again for the food to come, and then again for our plates to be cleared, and then again for the bill (which by that point, we just got up and went to the register). We didn't even get bread until we got up to ask for it (which then took about 10 minutes for the bread to come, by the way). Perhaps it was just our waiter who was absentminded or busy because some of the other tables seemed to have faster service, but our experience was unsatisfactory. Even though our waiter apologized at the end for the slow service as he handed us the bill, we waited at least 10 minutes for him to come back and take our money/cards, and then again to get our cards back. We quickly signed the slips and left. The food was also VERY sub-par -- I can't believe how much I paid for such poor-quality food. I ordered the lobster mac and cheese -- it was dry, hard and and tasteless, and it actually made me feel nauseous for hours. I tried some of my friend's scallops (and I LOVE scallops, by the way) but it was also tasteless and the texture wasn't smooth as scallops usually are. The only good comment I heard was from one of my friends who ordered pizza, which she said was pretty good. I will probably never come back here again.
(1)Dj H.
Good place for weekend brunch ! They serve quality food at reasonable price. Waiter/waitress are nice and fast in general. The wait time can be long at times but on average it's reasonable for this type of restaurants. Dinner is bit pricy and I do wish they have more food options. Other than that it's a pretty decent restaurant and we come here for brunch about twice a month.
(4)Leanne C.
Waitstaff who could tolerate 13 knitters on a Wednesday? Props! Great wine and cider selection, tasty sourdough bread, and excellent frites to nosh on. I had never been here and whimsically scheduled a meetup here and the hosts and waitstaff were super friendly and accommodating to our large group size. Try the Zinfandel blend on their wine list-- just the right amount of tannin for a savory sipper.
(4)Keith D.
Great place to hang on a weekday day. Was there a few weeks back on Bastille day . The bartender was such a sweet lady. She was very helpful in helping me to order a great appetizer, the cheese plate. She even brought extra baguette over! Great beers on tap. Very elegant and beautiful, yet casual decor. Stellar restaurant to check out if your in Harvard sq moseying about.
(5)Julia D.
Nice bar with a great location for people watching! We only had drinks so I can't speak to the food, but the price was decent (high, but most every bar in the area is. So it was on par). What would have me going back here tho is the seating at the window. My mother was visiting from FLA and we just plopped down and had a great view of Harvard (from the warmth of the bar) as we sipped on some wine :) A nice memory.
(4)David P.
Solid pub food with a good beer list. The menu is fairly standard pub food with a few fancier dishes on the menu. Nice space but it gets noisy, so conversations are difficult.
(3)Raquel F.
Food is so delicious!!! It came pretty fast, tasted amazing & sangria was one of the bests I've ever had around. Only complaints: waiter checked on us a little too often (not such a bad thing) & because patio/windows were opened, there were flies all the way in dining area around our table once in a while. Would still go back.
(4)Anna B.
The drinks were messed up...twice. Pancakes ordered plain with blueberries on top came with blueberries in the pancakes, granola with fruit very late, never got a bread ad meat board, as no changing pad in bathrooms. Really not child friendly. The food we did get was good.
(2)Devin N.
Wow, never expected a place that is technically a pub, I guess, to be so great. I think the most amazing thing was our waiter. I don't remember his name, but he was fairly short with a beard (if that helps, you could ask for him by description. lol). He gave us a such a great run-down of the menu and gave his honest suggestions (which seemed to be in agreement with the four of us). We will definitely go back there the next time we are up in the Boston area.
(5)Natalie M.
Really enjoy sitting at the bar overlooking the street when they open the windows at the front of the restaurant. Great place to grab drinks if you sit there on a warm summer night!
(3)Amanda T.
My fiance and I have been coming here ever since we moved to Cambridge, and we LOVE it, even so much so that we came here for our 5 year anniversary. The food is really good - especially calamari, fish and chips, burgers and pizza - yes, pretty much everything. I love the variety at this restaurant, they have something for everyone without having a massive menu that is just too overwhelming (aka Cheesecake Factory style). However, in addition to the great food, this review is really about Ashley, who is one of the managers. She is so nice, so helpful, so welcoming and knows the value of great customer service. She's one of the many reasons we keep coming back!
(5)Janka L.
pros * half fries/half salad?! please and thank you! you basically get a full order of fries AND some greens to lessen the guilt * veggie burger was good too * lighting * drinks cons - I don't have enough money to eat and drink here all the time
(4)Brittany S.
Yikes. First and last time going to graftons. Two of us walked in around 4:30 on a Saturday and were asked if we had a reservation? Who makes a reservation for 4:30? Our server who will remain nameless was very slow... Ordered two apps (which were good hence the 2 stars) our siracha wings had no blue cheese not to mention my coke was empty at this point. Spent 3-5 minutes just looking for our server, was never asked how our food was, had to ask for our side of blue cheese and was never asked if I wanted a refill... Not to mention they only had 3 tables. Frustrating experience & exactly why people prefer the bar over a bad waiter .
(2)Xiao Z.
Gilt City Review: Alright, would have never given this place a try without a nice online discount, and to be honest, that's the only thing that boosted this restaurant from a 3-star to a 4-star. I came here with my girlfriend after spending ~$50 for 2 apps, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert. Between the two of us, we split the tuna tartare, beet salad, salmon, scallops and the molten lava cake. The food was definitely well plated, but nothing really jumped out at us in terms of taste and uniqueness, but they were still quite delicious. The molten lava cake was disappointing as the ice cream that came with it was wrongly paired and the lava cake lacked...well the lava. That being said, what endeared me to the restaurant was the sincerity of the service and the speed at which the food arrived. The overall vibe of the restaurant is casual/dating, and I definitely recommend eating outside if the weather allows. Overall, decent American restaurant made better with a discount! Food: 3 stars Price: 4 stars Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 3-4 stars
(4)Meghan S.
Fantastic food! Bit pricey, but well worth it. Their sangria is some of the best I've had!
(4)David J D.
Went back here for dinner Friday night! I had been one other time, and had a delicious dinner with excellent sangria! I ordered the same meal, but this time when it come out there were peppers in it. I didn't mention to anyone that I was allergic to peppers, cause they weren't in the dish last time. The food runner was receptive to my inquisitive concern about the peppers, and sent the manager over on his own. I didn't plan to send it back or complain as it was my fault for not preemptively informing them of my allergy. The manager could tell something wasn't right though, and encouraged me to order something else. We were impressed with their service, with our food, and the atmosphere. Again!
(5)Alyssa J.
I come here almost every day for lunch. Why? The soup and sandwich special. $7 for some delicious cheese confection paired with a delicious soup. In all honesty, I have no idea who is deciding the pairings, but they do not make any sense. I also don't really care. Half the time I'll just eat the soup, bring the sammy back to my office and split it with my coworker. It's seriously a ton of food for $7. The other reason I keep coming back is Paul, the super sarcastic, incredibly friendly barkeep. He seems to be on a first name basis with every patron, which I love. He also knows when to lay off and leave me the hell alone. I really love this restaurant group. I bounce back and forth between Park, Grafton and Temple constantly and Russell House when someone else is paying ;)
(4)Tanya S.
On warm days, it's great to sit by the open windows and enjoy a drink. They also have good american food for dinner-time (without much of a wait at all). Their sangria is a nice match too! Service is attentive overall. My stomach felt a bit funny (even though I asked for gluten-free options of my chicken-entree). Not sure if something was still in the sauce, so I will try to avoid their food from now on. But my friends enjoyed their dinner.
(3)Jenn Z.
Decent food; great service. Although our reservation was ready when we arrived, we decided to wait for a table outside. I was glad that our outside seating was ready within the time they had promised us - something that doesn't happen in all the restaurants. The sangria we had was good; however, perhaps the bartender had put too much ice in the drink that it became a bit diluted/watery over time. I tried a little of my friend's tuna tartar over cucumber. The cucumber was very tasty but not really the tuna. The portion was generous though. My entree led me to experience a great service done by the restaurant. I ordered the curry scallops with cauliflower. Unfortunately the scallops were burned and were very bitter. When I mentioned this to the waiter who came inquiring about the dinning experience, he promptly escalated it to the restaurant manager/supervisor (I believe). I not only received an apology but also given the option to either get the same dish for free or have the restaurant taken the dish off the bill. Since I was not too hungry at the time, I chose to not order another dish. The restaurant not only took off my original order from the totals, but also the chief made me another small plates of scallops for free. These scallops were deliciously cooked and I loved the innovating combo of curry and scallops. The only downside afterwards was that the service was a bit slow. My friend, who initially wanted a beer, chose to skip it since we didn't see the waiter for an extended period of time. Overall, I think the food was quite good and I was impressed by their response to customer dissatisfaction. Despite having some room for improvement, I would definitely come back here.
(4)Karis O.
Not bad for a Hahvahd Bah. So I actually got brunch and cocktails here. The burger with caramelized onion and the house special aioli is exactly what you would want it to be: thick, juicy and makes you have a well-deserved food baby afterwards! The fries that came with it were super tiny but are served in the size of a mini Mount Kilamanjaro- I couldn't finish them all. I also tried the Eggs Benedict with the Irish Bacon. Hollandaise is one of my favorite accompanients in the world because it's totally bad for you and Grafton did not disappoint in it's flavor! I got the Zen Master because I'm obsessed with anything ginger, and I will say that the cocktail itself was slightly watered down (I mean, it's 5 O'Clock somewhere in the world right?) and I wish the ginger had been paired with something fruitier like grape over the raspberry but I drank the whole thing so that counts for something. Apparently this is the place to be (as told by the Harvard student I was with) and I can definitely see why! Wicked cool vibes here and I'm curious to see what the nightlife is like!
(4)Peter Y.
Really fantastic service, with some decent food to boot. I wanted to try something new, so I told the waitress to bring me out a dark, stronger beer and a sweet, wheaty beer. The waitress really knew her stuff, and brought out their Uinta BABA Black Lager and Slumbrew Happy Sol, both of which were delicious and exactly what I was looking for. I wasn't too hungry that day, so I didn't actually eat too much. But from what I tried, their hummus plate and Margherita pizza were delicious. The prices were fair, and the atmosphere was nice. I'll definitely come back again for a full dinner meal.
(4)Vivian C.
Deeper than it is wide, if you wish, you may also choose to sit outside. A blackboard requests that you please check in with the host if you would like to enjoy the breeze at one of the 8 or so tables set out on the sidewalk. Grafton Street is located right on the corner of Mass Ave and Arrow Street, in the same building labeled One Bow Street. Complimentary water was offered - a choice of still or sparkling. Bread was later served with a chilled butter just moments before our appetizers arrived. I'm not a raw shellfish girl, so I left the majority of those for my DC (Island Creek Oysters - Shallot mignonette, horseradish, sriracha cocktail sauce, lemon; 6 Oysters - 12), while I enjoyed (immensely) my hockey puck of a crabcake with sweet corn kernels and creamy sauce (Crab Cake - Roasted corn relish, cilantro aioli $11). The crisp crust added a pleasant textural difference to the moist shredded flesh of the shellfish, and the dish on the whole was quite flavorful. Based on photos of the same entree previously posted on Yelp, I had expected the Seared Day Boat Scallops - Chorizo, fingerling potatoes, kale, roasted cherry tomatoes $21 to be much smaller a portion than was actually delivered to our table. With nary a bit of exposed plate peeking from between the ingredients, the four huge meaty sea scallops were nestled among an abundance of buttery fingerling potatoes, spinach (requested in place of the kale), and a multitude coins of spicy sausage. The non-protein portion of the Beef Short Rib "Pot Roast" Yukon gold potatoes, root vegetables, horseradish gremolata $18 made a less impressive showing, but the meat was moist and fork-tender (though almost unappetizingly dark). The scallops, however, won my vote as the better entree - too bad it wasn't mine. For desserts, we were interested in the Crème Brulee $8. But they advertise that it is the Chef's Daily Selection, which on the night of our visit was chocolate... ummm... neh. So we went with the Apple Walnut Cake, Maple Mousse & Whipped Cream $8 and the White Chocolate Cheese Cake, Fresh Whipped Cream & Raspberry Sauce $8 instead. The cheesecake sounded more tempting of the two, but it turned out to be the reverse. The cheesecake was a smaller portion and not as creamy as I like, while the cake was moist with a tasty frosting sandwiched between the cake layers. We came with a voucher for a 3 course meal for two, so we were presented with a price-less version of their regular menu, but the prices showed up on the receipt, which helped with figuring out the tip. Parking is available in a nearby lot if you make reservations at Opentable before you go-go.
(4)Heidi L.
All in all, Grafton is just...Grafton. The brunch is middling, the dinner entrees are pretty standard. It's hard to articulate meh, so I'll keep this short. I think the revamped menu -- which I imagine was to attempt to get Grafton on par wtih Park and RHT -- was an improvement, but in that case I would just go to Park and RHT since they're close by and have a better bar menu anyways. That said, they do have a patio and the beet salad is fine. Note that on summer evenings, you might get a little shade if you order just a drink and sit on the patio. But service is usually fine otherwise.
(3)Shir L.
My boyfriend bought a gilt city voucher, so we thought we'd try it out. The decor is nice and customer service was good, but I probably won't come back to order anything that I've ordered tonight, except maybe the Charcuterie (you can't possibly mess that up). For appetizers, we had the Grafton Charcuterie, and the Buttermilk Fried Calamari. Please RESIST from ordering the calamari, it was terrible. The breading was ok, but many pieces were soggy (maybe they didn't dry the calamari off before breading or the breading was too wet). For dinner, we shared the Bavette Steak and the Baked Lobster Macaroni and Cheese. The steak was well paired with the buttermilk whipped potatoes and baby arugula. The Lobster Mac & Cheese was good, but wish the sauce was more creamy. For dessert, we were notified that the apple walnut cake was sold out, so we aimed for the spiced chocolate molten cake. Unfortunately, they were out of that as well, so we opted for the warm chocolate chip cookie sundae with two scoops of ice cream (chocolate and caramel). I wouldn't order it again because half the ice-cream was melted (due to the warm cookie of course) and the cookie itself was huge, like the size of the serving plate drizzled with chocolate sauce. Don't get me wrong, it was good but i wish there was vanilla or a lighter flavor of ice-cream to pair with all the sweetness. Everything on the plate went well separately but together, it was just too sweet, even for my taste.
(3)Lauren M.
Easy to make reservation for a party of 7 and the best part of the meal was when the bus boy took away one friends plate while another friend was going for her leftover croutons and 5 min later he came back with a small bowl of croutons. Great brunch on the outside patio!
(4)Nicole Sung Un P.
The place is okay. It gets really crowded and overwhelming and the noise level is quite loud if you go in the evening. I couldn't hear what my friend across from me was saying most of the night. The waiters seem to be nice but quite distant and only are nice at the end, maybe because of the tip. The good itself is pretty good but I probably wont be coming here again.
(3)Aaron M.
When I want to go down to the pub, but don't want to be served by some schlub This bartender's great, and Yale he doth hate, and they always have some delicious grub! The lunch staff deserves a world cup for great hospitality!
(5)Joshua R.
I'd give the food a 4+, but the service a 2. I think the burger is one of the best in Harvard Square, and the lobster mac is pretty good as well, but we had a pretty negative experience there with a group event (significantly overcharged; probably should have fought with management a little harder but it was late and we were tired). It's also a decent place to get drinks of an evening. Update: The manager refunded our overcharge. No issues with service, changing rating to 4.
(4)Lola T.
Prices are steep, unless your boss is paying which would have been great. Atmosphere is nice. Salad is overpriced Pizza lacks quality Wine menu is good Last year when I came they gave me free bread but not this time. Oh well.
(2)Jane C.
First off, great service! Started with a squash/cheese/some sort of circular appetizer. Recommended by waitress and decided to try it. I don't know why I agreed, because I am not a huge fan of squash unless it doesn't taste like squash. Got the Grafton Burger and Chickpea burger for main! And now, as I write this review less than a week later, I can hardly remember how they tasted... hmm... All I remember is that the sauce that came with one of the burgers tasted like the sauce from Inn-n-Out that they put on top of the animal-style fries. Nice place for a quick roommate dinner, but doesn't compare to Umami (for those who have been.)
(3)Bill B.
Wow- had a wonderful brunch here today. Beautiful day for the Head of the Charles-and Grafton Street was definitely the place to be! Food and service were PERFECT! We'll be back!
(5)Krysten S.
I really enjoyed this place! it was a beautiful day to sit outside, so my date and I did (nice pick, date!). The service was fine - not horrible, not amazing. Typical service. I got the avocado benedict and it was sooo good. It was my first time having benedict, and I was not disappointed (I know, spare me the embarrassment for it being my first). I also love avocado, so how can you go wrong? Recipe for greatness. I recommend it! It would be nice if the tables weren't crowded so close together outside, though. A waiter pushed two or three together for a larger party, and one of the men in that party was pretty frustrated with my date and I for being so close to their table...as if that was our fault? Ha. Just a thought, because it was slightly uncomfortable. Other than that, really nice atmosphere and great food!
(4)Maria T.
I love coming to this place! Their brunch is delicious. I have gotten the Huevos Rancheros and the Avocado Benedict. Both of these items were delicious and tasted very fresh. Grafton Street is one of my favorite places to go to dinner on a very cold night. The atmosphere is cozy and warm and the food is hearty and delicious. I give this place a 5 out of 5 for ambiance, service, food and comfort.
(5)Julia E.
I love this place. I just graduated from college, but lived around the corner from Grafton for 3 years and ate there probably once a week. Always got the chickpea burger. Besides its relaxing ambiance, their drinks are as good as their food. I will miss this place!
(4)Jula B.
The best restaurant I've been to in Boston, by far. Grafton Street is a beautiful gastropub. The food is incredible, as are the drinks. I first visited Grafton Street last year for my sister's birthday, and all of us were pleased with the quality of the food and service. Our waiter was extremely nice and competent! The beet salad stood out as a great appetizer, while I had the bouillabaisse for my entree. I highly recommend it! It was savory, fresh, and filling. The sangria was also incredible and unique, the best I've ever tasted! When I returned to Boston this year, I was sure to hit up Grafton Street once again. I ordered the same exact thing because I'm a creature of habit--and it was such a memorable meal I wanted to repeat it. Next time maybe I'll try something different, since Grafton Street seems to guarantee quality.
(5)Dina C.
Had lunch here yesterday with my winter sesh classmates. I had a grilled cheese and ham special served with a small bowl of clam chowder.,.was delish! I also very very much appreciate the grad student friendly pricing. I will return to try other specials, though others in my party ordered off the menu and loved their choices. O they also brought all of us our own check without any 'tude. Their Nice in there.
(5)Kelsey C.
Grafton Street captures the true essence of Harvard Square and all the spirit of VeRiTas it comes with. Harvard may be deep-rooted in its seat of tradition and prestige. Harvard may feel as old as time, but Harvard Square itself is never without a freshman breath of air. Grafton Street's menu teems with tradition including cult classics like bouillabaisse, burgers, and pot roast, but this little "pub" still keeps it fresh. My New England Bouillabaisse was lightened by a selection of shellfish in a rich and filling yet not-too-dense broth. The slice of toast dripping with a refreshing alioli-like topping just doubles the fun The Grafton Burger is juicy with all the flavor of Ivy-League promise, and the caramelized onion completes the whole package of Ivy League ideals. This burger is almost as intoxicating as the beer half the patrons are too young to (legally) drink. The underlying spirit of Harvard Square is the depth and warmth of the friendships formed by those who learn and grow together. And Grafton Street is one friend that sees you through thick and thin, through firsts (and lasts!), through the best and the worst of your college or post-grad career. The food will refresh and comfort you no matter where your life turns. Now that's the kind of food I intend to hang onto.
(4)Sarah S.
After many a late-night hangout sesh in which my party monopolized a large table and ordered only a paltry few apps but great MANY drinks (all the while receiving attentive and pleasant service), and after just as many dinner dates with my guy, I am finally ready to give Grafton 5 stars. Every meal I've eaten has been absolutely wonderful- the mussels remain a favorite, but the mushroom risotto, mac and cheese, cheese platter app, fish and chips, and blue cheese/roasted fennel/greens salad are enjoyed with equal aplomb by my greedy self. Service remains helpful but not hovery, and always pleasant. Love it.
(5)Tim S.
I've been here many times for dinner and I'm pleased with it. You're putting yourself in a price range where you expect good service, solid food, and a reasonable selection of beers. That's exactly what you get. It's a great standby.
(4)Alex N.
Conveniently located, and aptly named by its location, Grafton certainly delivers quality for the fair price you pay. Beers on tap include many local brews, S.Adams of course, Harpoon etc. At 5 bucks a pint, Cali cannot touch those prices. Its no wonder people drink so much stinking water in LA! I had a burger, and man was it done right! Warm brioche bun with a thick patty cooked with a nice crust. My cousin had a chicken sandwhich and was also wooed by its flavor and texture. We ended up returning for beers a second night. Great place!
(4)Sho B.
Although this place has really good food, I'm especially impressed by the bar and the beer selection here. Unlike any bar outside the Boston area, Grafton Street Grill carries the Boston Brick Red (by Sam Adams) and has Chimay! It's pretty big and spacious so if you're ever in the predicament of waiting for a table, it'll be easy to enjoy a few drinks at the bar. The set up and the decor of the restaurant is also impressive. Once you get on their listserve, you can get information about their seasonal specials and all they wonderful changes they have throughout the year! You can even book a table on Valentines Day and decorate it for yo honey before he/she arrives! Great place, never disappointed!
(4)Lauren G.
Grafton Street's atmosphere is great on a summer afternoon with the window's open. The food is fine but nothing to write home about! I have been to Grafton for lunch, dinner and brunch on the weekend. They take reservations and the table has pretty much always been ready when I can so no complaints there. The food is fine- the burger is nice and the mac and cheese is also a solid choice. The appetizers are good and quite share-able. Brunch was solid- again nothing spectacular however the prices were a little high for what we got and the service for brunch was noticeably slower than for dinner during the week. Overall it is a solid choice for in H-Square but it is not going to bowl you over!
(3)Jonathan V.
Grafton Street is decidedly mediocre. I have eaten there about half a dozen times because, well let's face it, its convenient. It has a great location near Harvard Square. The atmosphere is generally fun and it attracts a good, slightly upscale crowd. The service is generally pretty good as well. The food is OK depending on what you order. However, don't come to Grafton Street expecting anything to blow your mind. I'm not a huge fan of their burgers and I haven't found an entree yet that I love. Prices are also a little high for what you get. In summary, if you are looking for some great bar food (readily available in Cambridge by the way), look elsewhere. But, if you are looking for a place to catch up with a friend featuring a fun atmosphere and good crowd, then by all means, choose Grafton Street.
(3)Miguel d.
Three solid stars. An iffy fourth. But three for sure. We were wandering the hallowed Harvard grounds when we got struck by hunger: you know that instant when window shopping turns from looking at merchandise to looking at food? Yeah. THAT. So we popped into Grafton Street and it felt as if we were the only people not holding business lunches there. Not to say that we felt out of place, no, but it felt like we were standing out just a tiny bit. Granted, four New Yorkers in ANY place would stand out. The place was cute, not too scene-y, and service was great. Our waiter, I felt, was a little too polite, but he gets major points for using vocabulary words with our orders. (Libations come to mind.) The portions were generous for lunch, and at a price point that can't be beat, considering how used I am to shelling out over $30 for lunch in NYC. With a drink and all, we still managed to save some dough for the rest of our trip. The food isn't anything fantastic to rave about, but I'd be more than willing to come back and try it again. If it's a hit, a fourth star will probably be worth giving.
(3)Ron D.
My favorite restaurant in Harvard square. The food was good (not amazing but very good) and the prices are decent. Always go there when I want to take out a guest to a restaurant in the area. Prices of wine bottles are also good and they have a nice selection in the range of 25-35 USD per bottle. Try the "cookie" dessert.
(5)Sara S.
Ha. Oh man. Me and 11 other people from Tumblr tore this place apart last night. Thank you bartenders, waitstaff, and everyone else who put up with our ridiculousness on a MONDAY NIGHT. We probably should have called ahead and warned you that we were coming. Oh well. Drinks were strong and props for having my favorite rum EVER, Castries (peanut rum). Castries + stoli vanilla = love. Ordered some appetizers too... calamari, homemade chips, and quesidillas. Awesome. Would totally come back here for some appetizers and drinks... on a Monday night.
(5)Annie I.
they have these risotto balls that are fried and they are crack-delicious. really good sangria and fries as well. my girlfriend had a burger she liked, and the drink menu was good too.
(4)Roni E.
Thank you for being patient with me & my party since it took me over 45 minutes to find parking in Harvard Square. Thank you for being accommodating of our size. But.... I was kind of disappointed to not get a confirmation call back to let me know of whether or not I have a reservation when I called and left a message at 8 am on your machine. I was also disappointed that your online reservation system, both promoted on your website and on the voice automated system, was not working via OpenTable.com . But that may not be your fault. All that aside, I tried the Bellini which was a bit lacking in the bubbles as well as flavor. I too had tried the Special Omelette - Spinach, Cheddar, and Bacon. The omelette seemed a bit too salty and not enough spinach. The cheese seemed to have been layered towards the middle and kinda glob-ed towards one end, while the bacon was set in the center fold.The homefries could have been cooked a bit longer for my taste, but I won't deduct points for that since that's my own personal preference. The toast was like a loaf of bread, it was huge! I wasn't even sure how to eat it. However, a nice touch was the pastry basket set on the table that included croissants, muffins, and danishes. So while Grafton may not be my ultimate brunch of choice, they weren't all that bad. I just could have done away with how much salt was in my eggs. I do however love the set up of this place and wouldn't mind trying some dinner here some time. I enjoyed the shape of the booths and would love to try it some time. It's also your typical dark wood, maybe cherry, kinda place. But there's a certain ambiance that makes me want to love this place more. A dinner visit is a must.
(3)Joanna C.
I dined with a group of 6 at Grafton Street last weekend and it was delightful. We started off with the PEI mussels (garlic, white wine, shoestring fries, citrus aioli), crispy fried mushrooms (oyster, crimini and button mushrooms, porcini aioli), and one magnificent cheese (grilled baguette, honey, pecans and cranberries). I loved them all. The mussels were the best I've had in ages. Only two of them were overly salty and I didn't run into any grit. The mushrooms were fried in what I'm guessing was a corn meal batter. A little on the salty side but very, very tasty with a satisfying crunch. The cheese was some type of goat cheese. It wasn't creamy and spreadable like I thought it would be. It was fantastic with a bit of honey poured on it. I enjoyed it so much that I plan to pick up some cheese and honey next time I go to the grocery store. I ordered the squash and apple pizza (roasted butternut squash, fuji apples, sage, pecorino). It was tasty and not overly sweet. My dining mates ordered the mac and cheese (rigatoni pasta, vermont cheddar, breadcrumbs, white truffle oil), pumpkin ravioli (lemon sage butter, baby arugula, spiced pumpkin seeds), fish and chips (bass beer battered cod, house cured steak fries, spicy tartar sauce, coleslaw) and a pork special with a lasagnette. I sampled the pumpkin ravioli and wished I had ordered it myself. I've forgotten what the last meal was but everyone seemed to enjoy their meals with a few exceptions. The mac and cheese was a bit watery, the coleslaw with the fish and chips was VERY spicy and the mini lasagna wasn't flavorful. The mixed drinks were strong and the waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. She also had a Brazilian accent that some at the table mistook for French Canadian or Bulgarian. She was a good sport about it when we asked her. I'd definitely go back for more appetizers and my own plate of the pumpkin ravioli.
(3)EricaLynn J.
I adore Grafton Street. Now, that doesn't mean that I want to marry it, like the way I want to share sweet nuptials with Xinh Xinh, the Vietnamese restaurant so nice they named it twice.... but Grafton Street holds a very dear place in this reviewer's heart. Is it pretentious? I've heard rumblings milling about on that very topic from all sorts of inquisitive folks; some gauging the pretentiousness of the patrons from inside the walls of the establishment itself.... some feel it fit to talk quietly amongst curious friends and stage whisper while looking half-concerned and half-starved and excited... whatever the "oh, but there's *this*"-du jour may be served as your accompaniment to your trip to Grafton Street, just keep in mind that an establishment is only as pretentious as its patrons allow it to be. In short, don't think so much. What you might be seeing as 'pretentious' may just actually be clean and more refined as compared to other nearby digs. What strikes you as obnoxious may just be you being a new kid on the block observing friends and old-timers who loved the bar for a bit more longer than you had, and thus, formulating camaraderie. The same camaraderie you'll likely soon enjoy if you just stopped looking at Grafton Street from 5 feet away all the time, wondering if it's really worth your time. That's right, kiddos. We see you peering over from Mr. Brantley's Burgers, just itching to know if the rumors are true, and that there's really a pretentious establishment that happens to serve alcohol right in Harvard Square. Oh, pish posh, come on over and see for yourself. And while you're figuring that all out, enjoy some comfort food, some standard bar fare, some apps and burgers and drinks and dark enough atmosphere. Leave your books - and pre-judgments - at home for now. You'll have plenty to write about after you're full and happy.
(4)Hannah M.
We were starving, having experienced get up and leave before eating service at another Harvard Square eatery prompting a move to Grafton Street. Thankfully, we were seated relatively promptly. There seemed to be some issue with the table next to us necessitating a lot of moving, setting and re-setting. This was slightly annoying, but ended within 10 minutes of being seated. Our waiter was nice, but a little slow - it took us 15 minutes to get drinks (at least he took our appetizer order and brought water in the meantime). We ordered 6 oysters and were less than impressed with the quality of the oysters and the shucking. Lots of bits of shell and pretty bland taste. Cocktail sauce was also bland. But the burgers were tasty. And that's what we were hungry for. The caramelized onions on top were pretty freakin' awesome and the chipotle aioli is a nice addition. Fries were also quite good. Interesting observation - Seated next to us was a European couple, clearly not hip to the ways of tipping in the US. We watched as they enjoyed their meal and then slipped $1 in with the credit card receipt. $1 tip is upsetting, but waiters in the US have to understand that in Europe, any tip is for excellent service as the standard is to not tip. At any rate, their waiter actually threw a little temper tantrum behind our table upon noticing his $1 tip - not classy. Overall, our experience was OK. We'll probably go back at some point.
(3)Nick D.
Great atmosphere and elegant service that won't rip holes in your wallet. Great for a date or drinks with friends. That said the food didn't overwhelm me. I'll second the recommendation on the fish and chips, and the potato cheddar soup I had was fantastic. But my chicken sandwich was only so-so. Will be back later to try more.
(4)Jenna K.
Perfect spot for a weekend brunch in the summer. There was no wait at 11am for sidewalk seating. My server was prompt, yet she gave my friend and I space to eat and linger for a while. I would highly recommend the Nutella crepes with fruit. The portion may appear small, but you'll be amply full once you finish your last bite. The price was right around $8.
(4)Lolia S.
It's a comfy, upscale pub and grill with leather booths and contemporary American cuisine. For lunch, choose from soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta and pizzas. I'm wary of pub restaurants but this one tries harder to offer a twist of traditional comfort food menu items and includes ingredients like goat cheese, feta, crème fraiche, white truffle oil, etc. I had the Seared Tuna Salad ($13.95) with haricot verts, hard cooked egg, pickled red onion, frisee, and a vinaigrette dressing. It came with plenty of seared tuna and the ingredients were fresh - but I felt that the overall salad lacked flavor. Given the price, I expected more.
(2)Samantha M.
I spent a night researching restaurants on yelp to find the perfect venue to accommodate my party of 8 girls before my birthday. I made a reservation a week in advance because it seemed like a popular spot. My party had gotten there at 9 pm sharp (the time of our reservation) and the table wasn't ready. I arrived with the rest of my party around 9:15 and the table was still not ready. We were not seated until 9:35. They told me the table was being set but I looked around and didn't see a table being set. I noticed they had two hosts on the door, which is not uncommon as I am a host at a restaurant as well. However, it didn't appear as though there was a need for either of them to be there, nor was there a need for the attitude that they had displayed. The rest of the wait staff was kind and friendly, the food was great and the drinks outstanding. The atmosphere was awesome, and the restaurant itself is beautiful. I took my mother there this morning and encountered the same problem with the hosts. I asked if we could use the bathroom while they set the table, when we returned one host was about to seat a new walk in before us until the other host caught her. The meal was quick and great. I highly recommend the goat cheese and spinach omelette. The portions were perfect, and the brunch drinks were outstanding as well! I would love to come back but suggest they reform their hosting policy. I'm not paying for an attitude, I am paying for good service and good food, otherwise I would stay home and cook my own meal.
(3)Meghan G.
I love this place! I've eaten here several times and it's always good. They have $1 oysters starting at 11pm and the most delicious Lobster Mac'n Cheese. We also went here for their 2011 NYE bash and it was super fun - and they were also very generous with the champagne toast filling glasses around 11:30pm and continuing to fill them until the clock struck midnight. Really great for a date night or taking the parents out when they come to visit. Great atmosphere and the food is worth the slightly higher than average prices.
(5)Bryce B.
On a snowy Boston evening in February, some colleagues and I walked 12 blocks from the train station to Harvard Square to eat dinner. Nearly frozen and wet from snow, we entered the cozy warmth of Grafton Street Pub. The place was bustling, particularly the bar, but we were able to get a seat. The waiter was quick to take our drink orders, but slow to deliver them, taking nearly 10 minutes. When he did return, our waiter informed me that the wine I ordered was not available. Would it take another 10 minutes to get my revised selection? Thankfully no. I ordered the clam chowder (when in Rome...or Boston) and the hanger steak with frites. The chowder was very good, with smoky bacon providing a nice counterpoint to the sweet clams and creamy soup base. I could have eaten a bowl, no problem. But, speaking of problems, we had one when our entrees arrived and mine was not among them. Instead of putting in an order for the hanger steak, our waiter thought I meant the hanger steak salad. Mind you, when I ordered, I actually motioned to the right side of the menu, so not sure how he made that mistake. So, had to wait about 15 minutes for my actual order to come out. Not happy. In addition to this service faux pas, our waiter seemed to linger just a tad too long at our table, which everyone felt was pretty creepy. Anyway, when the steak finally did come out, it was well seasoned and a good medium rare. The frites were crisp, but a tad too salty. It'd give this place another shot if ever in Boston again.
(3)Juli W.
Ugh - haven't been here for awhile - and won't be again. Went here for lunch - party of 6 in total. The waiter told us they were understaffed and apologized for keeping us waiting. I guess that apology was supposed to last us our entire visit because service totally sucked. We ordered our food with our drinks; it took 45 minutes for our sandwiches to arrive - and they didn't even offer us bread, even though the tables around us were given some. The thing that got us is that all the tables that arrived after us got their food before we did - and we had simple meals (3 of us even ordered the same chicken panini). What a disappointment - especially since the fries served with our sandwiches were cold!
(2)Jessica M.
I love this restaurant. From the ambiance to the food and drink selection, this place is a go to on weekends. From the outside, Grafton Street appears to be an upscale joint that one might feel uncomfortable entering in jeans and a sweater. However, once you enter you are greeted by the down-to-earth, friendly staff and the reasonably priced menu. My favorite thing not the menu, by far, would be the chick pea burger in grilled naan bread with cucumber yogurt sauce. It is quite literally to die for and I would go back for just this burger time and time again.
(5)Caitlyn L.
Grafton Street is a great combination of an upscale look and a laid back atmosphere. The hostess seated us in a cozy corner booth that looked like it was meant for at least three, despite the fact that the restaurant was already reasonably busy before the normal dinner hour. It would have been more comfortable if I were about six inches taller, but I digress. The waiter was very attentive and got us our drinks in no time. I ordered the macaroni and cheese (resistance is futile when I see macaroni and cheese on a menu), which was pretty darn good, though I don't really want to know how much fat was in it...everything in moderation. After eating, we sat around for a good 30-40 minutes just catching up and we never felt pressured to leave; the waiter (and I think the manager?) continued to keep our water glasses full. My meal, wine, and tip all came to about 20 dollars, which is more than reasonable for the quality and service at Grafton Street.
(4)Alvin C.
This place is solid. I often wish I ordered the other person entree... but isn't that just the way it works sometimes. The menu is steady, and lobster mac and cheese is good. The paella is a bit uninspired, but straight forward seafood dishes are just not the best idea at some bars.
(3)Stefanie G.
I go to Grafton almost every week for lunch, sometimes for dinner, and I go to the bar frequently. I like it - the service is excellent and so are the drinks (although the white wine list could be much better and more interesting). However, the "whole leaf" salads are bland and deceptively small, the salmon is inconsistent (sometimes too well-done, sometimes under-done), the pizzas are so-so. The squash risotto is bland, as is the reuben. The Cuban is good but used to be better. Stuff that's good? The french fries. The fish and chips. The beef ragu is incredible. The duck confit, I've heard, is quite good. Choose wisely!
(4)Tracee D.
location location location (1st law of real estate) and the only reason this place is busy. It could be a card board box with melted slushies and chicken feet and it would probably still be busy. Be nice to the staff they work really hard. Everything I don't like about Harvard Square revealed upon entrance.
(2)Rachel G.
(Let's call this 3.5 stars.) I've only eaten here in large groups, and in each situation we've had attentive service. Their steak frites are awesome, and I've also had good lighter fare there, like the chickpea burger (starchy, but so tasty) and a butternut squash risotto special a couple of falls ago. The place seems stuck between pub and full-out restaurant, with the decor and (sometimes) prices of the latter and the menu of the former and bar crowd. I'd recommend reservations for a weekend stop.
(4)Purvi R.
Stop #4 on the bar crawl, and this was a relatively quick one. This was probably on the nicer side of what we had going on the rest of the evening, but it was a pleasant atmosphere nonetheless. The bar area is bigger than it looks, and our group was able to hang around without causing too much of a disturbance. The drinks were good, a bit pricey, but not out of line with what you'd expect. All in all, ok, may come back, may not. A good bar crawl stop though; close to a lot of other bars.
(3)Larissa A.
Nice for a mid-week early dinner. My risotto was creamy and delicious, my glass of wine tasted nice and fresh. My friend lives for their "Green Monster" martinis and had two for dinner. She liked her steak tips too. A little pricey for the quality of the food, but everything as good. Our servers were both very attentive (they switched after we ordered) and right on top of things.
(4)Eric W.
OK - went here for Sunday brunch. My friends and I had a HOST of issues. 1. Tried to order the "Banana Fritters" and was told that they were out of bananas at 11am. Hello! Go get some bananas.. you have a whole day ahead of you. 2. We ordered drinks and they weren't very good all around. The bloody mary wasn't spicy at all. The "blood orange mimosa" didn't have a blood orange in it, just an ordinary orange. The bellini was flat and made with pears (as advertised, but still not a typical bellini). 3. My two friends ordered omlettes and weren't impressed at all. The goat cheese and spinach omlette was filled with boiled spinach that wasn't seasoned at all. BLAND. The other omlette, it was the special of the day, was just standard fare with nothing exceptional to note. 4. The dish I ordered, the vegetable eggs benedict, was described to come with "grilled avocado." Again, another lie. First of all, I'm not even sure how you grill avocado, but the avocado on my dish definitely wasn't grilled. On the flip-side, the veggie eggs benedict was quite good. The eggs were cooked very well, and the dish overall was delicious. The homefries were great. Also, the coffee was delicious, if you are into strong coffee. This place is trying too hard. Its like diner service meets NYC sunday brunch crossed with a silly misleading menu. I can't help reference but Eminem and Ri-Ri - I don't love the way Grafton Street lies on its menu.
(2)David S.
I went here for their New Years Eve fete- I'd never been here before, and their upscale atmosphere in Harvard Square seemed like a perfect choice for the last meal of 2008 and the beginning of a new year. It was. I sat at the bar (since I was by myself) and ordered the price fixe meal, and it was quite good. But the best part? Alex, the barman, poured a perfect pint of Guinness. And then followed it with another. And two more. I had him fill a champagne flute with Guinness for the NYE toast, it was so good. I laughed, I mingled, I met folks, I had a great time. I can't attest to the quality of the table service, but if you sit at the bar, you're in good hands.
(5)Andrew M.
I guess a five stars might be a little excessive, but I like Grafton a lot and the owners have always been friendly to us. I can't think of another place that does this kind of food in this price range much better. The sandwiches are very good, as is the gnocchi.
(5)molly f.
What a mess of blazers and passport dropping. I love harvard square for its international & intellectual crowd, but jesus, last night at grafton street you honestly would have thought everyone there was competing for the same 2 jobs at the U.N. We get it, you're well traveled and well educated. Now go get a drink and relax...then we can talk about the Bauhaus movement, I promise. Uppity atmosphere aside, the music is good & they have cider which always has me coming back for more. I've heard the food is good so I'd like to come give it a try. I wasn't dazzled by Grafton street, which tries to make "pub" more upscale with bad lighting design & chalkboard drink menus...but its walking distance and at the very least, a great place for some good people watching...over a giant magners.
(3)Cleopatra P.
Grafton Street is your typical after-work yuppie hot spot. Since I work, study, and frequently socialize near Harvard Square, I constantly walk by the main entrance, but I have always been somewhat overwhelmed by the crowds of working professionals in various degrees of power dress (upon first glance, GS looks like the kind of place where chirpy professionals network--so not my usual scene). I came here with a few friends recently for some post-exam drinking. We tried out the bar area first, but it was unfortunately way too crowded (this seems to be a frequent issue judging by what I've seen on my numerous walk-bys). Tables, at least at night, are only for individuals/groups that plan to order food--since it was raining and we were lazy, we decided to take a table and sample the food as well as the alcohol. I had a hamburger (with onion marmalade--yum!), as well as a vodka martini. Both hamburgers and vodka martini's of course, are hard to screw up, but I found both to be very tasty (but not exceptional). The restaurant and bar area itself looks great--both are very sleek and sophisticated-looking. The lighting in particular was well done, despite being crowded, the space in the restaurant area felt fairly cozy. The pricing is a little on the more expensive side of average for the Boston area ($10 burgers and $11 martinis), but the decor, service and food on my visit were all satisfying. Grafton Street may not be a restaurant to choose as the focal point of a night out, but it's a great place to relax and enjoy a good meal and a strong drink before or after the main event of your night.
(4)andrew s.
I dig it. And honestly, I'm pretty suprised about all of the "middle of the road" reviews out there. Its obvious that they have standardized the menus a bit, which has likely let them focus on the quality of their meals. I got the Steak Frites, and the hangar steak was not only a high quality cut, but cooked perfectly. The combo of red wine demi, melted herbed butter and the juices from the steak made for a perfect dipper for the frites - no ketchup needed. My girlfriend got the Paella, and while an unlikely choice, she loved it (a high compliment from someone with a Portuguese background). Service was great - though I prefer mine a bit on the colder side - efficient and pleasant, but in no way interfering with the meal. Grafton St. was a solid place to get a good dinner at a not too steep price (2 entrees and 2 drinks for around $50). Highly recommended for those looking to get a bit off the beaten path of Harvard Square.
(4)Natasha A.
Favorite place in Harvard square by far. The bistro food is uber yummy and they can mix some strong yet drinkable cosmos. They have some of the best calamari anywhere. The bar is perfect for a happy hour and is often packed with young people washing down and away the days work. One work of caution..many of their tables are really wably so diligently protect that pricey martini.
(5)Jillian Q.
I really wanted to like Grafton Street - a lot. The menu online looked great. When we got a parking space immediately on a busy Saturday night and then were seated promptly at the restaurant, I thought things were too good to be true. They were - a little bit. Service, as a whole, was incredibly slow. They were out of numerous beers and alcohols. Including our table, I heard the waitress tell both tables beside ours that they were out of different alcohol. I ended up getting their special pineapple vodka mixed with cranberry juice, which wasn't as good as I thought it would be. For apps we ordered the mac & cheese and the chicken fingers. The mac & cheese was decent, although a more soupier cheese sauce than most mac & cheese dishes. My husband loved it. We both were not crazy about the chicken fingers, the batter was just so freaking heavily fried. For our entrees, my husband had the skirt steak which was surprisingly yummy. I ordered the fish & chips. I was, at first, skeptic of the batter because of the chicken finger experience, but I was pleasantly surprised and the fish was very good and fresh. The fries were just ok. I try to always leave room for dessert and the selection looked impressive. After debating between the chocolate souffle and the chocolate chip cookie sundae, I went with the souffle that was accompanied by mint ice cream and a mint milano. I was pretty disappointed by it. It was cold and would have been much better at a warmer temperature. The milano was nothing to write home about and the ice cream was ok. *tear* I had such high hopes for the dessert. I think the entrees were the only thing that saved this from being a two-star review.
(3)Jason J.
The first time I went here for my girlfriend's coworker's birthday I had a great time. The second time I went back I was not nearly as enthused. I ordered a "bourbon, neat". I think the waitress heard, "BOURBON?!?1!?!?!11!1 NEAT!!!!!!!" What came out was a rocks glass filled to the top with ice, and boubon that became so watered down that it looked like a glass of iced tea. When she placed it on our table I mentioned how I ordered the drink neat, not on the rocks, and she had a puzzled look on her face, thus proving she had no idea what I meant. Look, if a bar had an extensive scotch and bourbon menu, at least know what the term "neat" means. I said that I could live with the drink as is, but I immediately regretted that and sent it back. When she came back with my drink as ordered, it was less than a half pour of bourbon. I can handle a mix up on the drink order, but really, spiting me with less booze is a no-no, especially when I am already paying a 30% premium on what I ordered since this bar tries to be slightly upscale in atmosphere and thus price. :( x 4 With so many other great choices in Harvard Square, I won't be back.
(2)Kathleen M.
OREO BREAD PUDDING!! I am so not a dessert girl--usually can take it or leave it, but will peruse the menu on occasion and will order if something strikes my fancy and I need something to go with my after dinner cognac. Given this, I typically only go for things that seem interesting, which is why the oreo bread pudding caught my eye. When I was a kid, Gram used to make bread pudding in this beautiful blue bowl who's entire purpose seemed to be to contain the so simple yet so delicious masterpiece. GS's pudding has nothing on Gram's, but it arrived warm, was topped with the perfect amount of vanilla ice cream, and was damned delicious. I'd go back just for this. OK, now for the rest of my review. I've been here a few times--brunch and dinner--never attempted to hang out in the bar, which I don't think is my scene. The tables and the bar area are mutually exclusive, so you can choose your scene in this place--crowded, Harvard undergrad meets Harvard law bar scene, or nice table service with a reasonable menu. Brunch here was fantastic, with GIANT mimosa's--lots of good eggy choices and not too ridiculously priced (typical ~$10 that you find in most establishments of this type). I thought dinner was quite good, and the menu is varied. Last time I was there, my pal was a bit disappointed because she was craving the mac and cheese that she remembered from the last time she was there, but they changed the recipe and removed the pork (what? of course M&C is better with pork, not sure what they are thinking). I quite enjoyed my clam chowder and seared tuna salad. Next time I'm trying the deviled eggs--we'll see how they compare to Casablanca's amazing herbed eggs that are served up down the street. Drink menu was reasonable--not too full of fruity drinks--I had a delicious whisky-based concoction. Overall, this is a nice place to go for dinner or brunch. It can get a bit loud, so I recommend going with small groups. And, don't forget to save room for dessert!
(4)Gina Y.
This review might be a little biased, having visited Grafton Street as a hungry Manhattanite. My friends and I were walking around Harvard when we realized none of us had eaten before the 5-hour drive that took us from NYC to Boston. This place looked nice enough from the outside, and when we checked the menu, we were sold. Lunch entrees averaged at about $9-10 a plate, which is unheard of back home. I had the turkey BLT, something you can't really go wrong with, and a cup of the carrot soup, which was mighty tasty. I topped off the meal with a pint of beer and was happy to see my total didn't break my budget for the day. Extra points for good service and great music. If I'm back in the neighborhood, I'd be happy to stop on by.
(4)CW A.
I was responsible for hosting at corporate team dinner, for 18 people, somewhere in Harvard Square. I came across Grafton by a friend's referral, and evaluated several other places. Grafton was fantastic at responding to me quickly, sending me a fixed price menu, and confirming our reservation promptly. On the night of the event, our semi-private dining area was ready for us and the service was great. My team was very happy with the service and the quality of the food, and i thought the prices for a 3 course meal were very competitive for the strong quality. We had a last minute cancellation, so were were 17 (rather than 18) and the manager was kind enough to take that off of the agreed-upon contract -- something I had not demanded, but showed consideration. Everyone was happy with this choice.
(5)Erin M.
Went here for a Sunday mid-afternoon lunch with a friend. The hostess and waitress were both attentive to my friend's needs and seating requirements (she is disabled), all while giving us a comfortable seat near the open windows. It was a beautiful day so the seating was perfect! The waitress was extremely polite and friendly, did not hover, and gave us all the time we needed to peruse the menu. There were alot of options. None of these options were all that out there in terms of uniqueness but the variety seemed to be there. I wasn't starving and ordered basic chicken fingers. The portion was huge and served as an excellent lunch the next day. The ambiance was nice. My friend and I were able to hold up a conversation with minimal distraction even with the open window behind us. The decor was tasteful and made for a comfortable setting. Grafton Street is definitely not what I would call inexpensive, but it is not overpriced either. I would definitely call it reasonable and see myself going back there again often if experiences like this continue.
(4)Austin S.
Grafton Street is my go-to lunch destination on the south side of Harvard Square, without a doubt. Whenever I'm working nearby, I'll drop by G.S. for lunch, always to be greeted happily by the daytime bartender, Paul. While I find the food a bit hit-or-miss, and maybe a bit overpriced, the service at the bar is exceptional. Paul, the Irish-Bostonian bartender who works the bar most weekdays during the day, is one of the most fun guys to interact with ever. Every time I walk in, he greets me by name (and he learned my name after only a couple of visits), pours my drink of choice, and always asks how I'm doing. He's quick, attentive, and knowledgeable, while at the same time snarky, fun, and funny -- a great combination for a bartender. If you want a place where the atmosphere brings you back day to day, go to the bar at Grafton Street.
(4)A D.
Eh, they could do so much more with this place. 3.5 stars. We went on my 21st (last November) and sat at one of the bar tables. The bartender was quick and friendly but I got a cosmo that I think was just triple sec and cranberry juice? Ughhh. Moving on... We went again last night for dinner. I think the service was great. We got a cozy corner table, which I always love. The waitress was very nice and although admittedly new, she was happy to help in any way she could. I got some kind of martini with vodka, sour, pomegranate liqueur and cran juice. Overwhelmingly cran, but it was tasty. I had two, actually. Bf got a ketel martini, dry, twist. It came to him just colder than room temp. Blech. App was some sort of bread/cheese thing. They got the flavor compliments right, if nothing else. I was loving my bread, cheese, almond, honey combo. Boyfie (rhymes w/wifey. get it?) loved his too. Mmmmm. For dinner, he got a burger and I got mac and cheese. He said the burger was overcooked but pretty good (ordered it med rare, came out light pink, no red to be had). I took my first bite of mac and cheese and my slightly inebriated brain screamed GARLIC SALT!!!!!!!!!!! and it was all I could think about for the rest of the meal. It would have been sooo tasty with a subtle, fresh garlic flavor, but they failed. Overall though, I think the place has potential and it's very likely I'll be back.
(3)Meghan Q.
I've had drinks here, I've crashed a Magners event here, I've picked up an attractive South African Harvard Business School student here, but until recently I'd never eaten here. I must say, as far as the food goes I was greatly impressed...service, however...ehh. A friend and I had an impromptu dinner here on a Saturday night around 9ish. The bar was full, we were waiting for some friends and when we decided they were standing us up we thought we'd stay for dinner. Lets start at the Hostess stand. "Table for two by the window" translated into "Table for two with a view of the empty seats by the window" Whatever, its was a comfortable corner booth-esque table. Got our menus, 10 mins later the waitress came and seemed thrown by the fact we already had drinks. We put in our order (steak frits for me, I think artichoke ravioli for my friend) and 20-25 mins later we got bread....and our meal. We didn't see our waitress for the rest of the night until we asked for the check at which point she brought it over and apologized half-heartedly for not paying attention to us. The skirt steak was perfection and the crispy thin "Potato-Stick" style frits added a nice texture. My friends ravioli was great, although it was somewhat drowned in a heavy butter sauce of love. The prices were really reasonable too. We ended up splitting our bill $20 each. The atmosphere is nice, the crowd is nice most of the time...when its not flooded with the pompous Harvard crowd, so I will continue to come here; to drink, to eat, to crash parties, and maybe even to pick up the occasional attractive guy....who knows.
(4)Stacey H.
Part of me feels guilty for not giving Grafton street four stars. After all, this was the restaurant where I brunched the morning I got engaged and I've enjoyed many a glass of wine in with friends in the summer time in the bar area. It offers prime people-watching opportunities but it gets super busy and can be hard to find a seat sometimes. Most recently, I had a great experience at Grafton when I asked for no cream sauce with my salmon (I'm lactose intolerant). The dish was brought out WITH the cream sauce and after pointing this out to my server, she apologized, alerted the manager, and our bill was taken care of - on the house! It was such a nice gesture - and totally unexpected, that I will forever think of Grafton Street as an establishment that truly cares about customer satisfaction. So why only three stars? There doesn't seem to be a lot of change to their menu. Also, while it's the same restaurant group that owns RedLine and Temple Bar, it has that "chain restaurant" feel. Sometimes in the summer there is a sewage smell that inhabits their bathrooms. Plus, while the food is certainly very good, it's not what I would call amazing. Still...you'll probably find me there this summer enjoying the open windows and a glass of pinot ....
(2)Chi N.
You're all wrong. Grafton Street is like that neighbor you never really see but you always wondered why he had one leg and an eye patch. And one day you run into him at the fish market and get talking and fast forward, you're best friends, honeymooning in the Fiji together. I know we've all been there. Anyway, if you go to Grafton not for the food but as a place to sit at the bar with your boys (sorry, men need only apply here) and talk with the bartenders, get to know them, this place will become a second home for you. I have spent many a night here till well-past-closing staying-late while the wait staff cleaning downing a beer or four. Of course I stopped doing this because I value my job and my liver (did you know we only have one?!).
(4)Hugh R.
I've strolled by Grafton Street on a number of occassions and, upon looking in, felt that the place seemed a bit...pretentious. Don't ask me why, I couldn't tell you. It's just the vibe I would get whenever I passed the diners on the patio or peeked in the large, street-facing windows. I finally managed to drag myself in recently for dinner and drinks. There seemed to be a wait for tables, so we sat at the bar, where I enjoyed a few beverages and a humbly named "Grilled Chicken Sandwich." Not your ordinary chicken sandwich, this delicious bird featured grilled chicken stacked HIGH, sandwiched between two slices of foccacia bread and topped off with pesto mayo, provolone cheese, and grilled red onions. (I skipped the tomatoes, as I do on all sandwiches.) The bread is slightly "crumbly" and the sandwich a touch messy, meaning it fails my "first date" test. The onions were anything but "grilled" and could have been dispersed a bit more on the sandwich. (Or 1/2 of them done away with entirely.) But the overall taste of the sandwich and the accompanying fries was delicious. The sandwich is reasonably priced as well. So I encourage you, shed your class-consciousness, throw on your most casual clothes, and saddle up. Do arrive early, however, as the restaurant fills up around 9 with folks getting ready for a night out on the town.
(4)Graham C.
This place has mediocre food but scores higher at people watching. This isn't a pub, and it's not really a bistro. I think that it makes it's money as a date place for Harvard kids. You know, like they met in Fundamentals of Eastern Religion, went to a party and then slept together and now to make it legit where can they go? A date is in order to keep this sex train from pulling out. And there on the horizon, just off the yard, sits Grafton St. Where you see they have food of the type no one will fight about and hey, there are a bunch of white kids with popped collars and slacks so it can't be all bad. So they go and have some expensive okay food to begin the start of their short lived and mediocre love story. Yeah, that's what I think of this place.
(3)Josh G.
Some bars and restaurants you walk into and immediately think, "Ok, it's a student bar," or "Ahh, it's a bistro." Walking into Grafton Street, you kind of wonder what the hell they're trying to be. The name screams upscale Irish pub (Grafton Street is a well-known Dublin pedestrian street), but that atmosphere is completely missing here. The first time I came here was right after moving back to Mass from Dublin, and it was quite a culture shock. Sticker shock followed-- Fish and Chips will set you back $15 here. If Grafton Street was a true gastropub, with an expert chef tweaking the nose of old favorites, that price might be worth it. Instead, you just get the old favorite at nearly double the price. Battered fried fish with handcut fries and mushy peas. . . .Wait, wtf? How does a place with the name Grafton Street serve an English staple like mushy peas? Right. Moving on. Most times I've ended up at Grafton Street as a bar. Here is where I finally understand its appeal. Every time I've come here, the reason has been that the group of people going out have been a disparate band held together by the slim ties of work, school, mutual friends, or just a love of the sauce. Sure, if John Doe wasn't here, we'd probably go to the Middlesex for Hearthrob. But he hates dance music. If Jane didn't bring her new boyfriend (stockbroker from CT) we'd all hit up a couple of dive bars. Tom, Dick, and Harry from Sales voted for Union St. or Fanueil Hall, but the rest of us assumed they were kidding (God, I hope so). Sigh, I guess we'll just go to Grafton Street and all have a completely average, slightly awkward night trying to figure out where we can stand/sit/order drinks.
(2)Kristin C.
Been here three times in the past few months... First time was for my birthday. As it was summer, my husband and I got to sit outside. Dinner was the mussels and then the special. Both very good. Have to say the service was a bit scattered. It seemed our waitress would forget about us from time to time ( tho i understand this happens when you have the patio and tables inside to attend to). Second time was during the fall. This time we were with a group of people. We all split a round of apps and I chose the burger as my entree. It was very good, but I wish I went with the the mac and cheese -- had a bite from a friend's dish and it was beyond scrumptious. Service was much better this time around, our waitress was much more attentive this time around, despite being a very busy Saturday. Third time was for a Winter brunch with the family. We were sat at a cozy round table in the back, and received wonderful service. The food, once again did not disappoint. I got the omelet, made with egg whites served with homefries, a side and two HUGE pieces of whole grain toast; it was certainly a plateful and the price was right! My sister had the squash and apple pizza which she described as the best pizza she's ever had. All in all we were all amazed and quite pleased with our food and drink. One downside, my mother had a drink called the LemonRizzi (i think). There was way too much booze and tasted nasty. My mother did not return as she felt it rude to do so, but I would have. I suggest avoiding and going with the Bloody Mary... it' was quite delish. So will i go back? For sure, I'll just be sure to avoid the "speciality drinks" and stick to what I know!
(4)Sean M.
Feng Shui, I know nothing of, but I was attracted to this establishment. I felt invited, compelled to go in. The corner location, the outdoor tables, the open windows, all spoke to me. Such and appealing interior the long sturdy bar, the bi-level room, and of course the duct work! Yet I still feared deep down in my soul that it would just be a another trendy lightweight in the long list of mediocrity between hither and dither. The food is actually better than average, I'm partial to the flat bread za's and soups at lunch. There are some clear misses, most recently the white peach salad for example. The watermelon salad on the other hand is a sublime summer dish. The wine list, especially the by-the-glass has some real values, they have a good beer selection, respectable single malts and Absinthe. * Upscale Pub, possibly situated over a geophysical wellspring of good karma. * Sit in the lower section in the back for dinner or at the bar and have a beer and a burger at lunch. * Be adventurous trust the chef try the specials. * Get your "meat" on here the excel at the heartier dishes.
(4)Jackie V.
Went for a grant completion celebration with my fiance & his co-workers; it's not a bad spot to grab a post-work bite. I'd go so far as to say it's "average". The interior had a nice vibe, and was stylish without being over the top pretentious (there were 2 abrupt lighting changes, which was a little awkward). I was definitely not impressed with their "original cocktails"; I appreciate a unique drink, but only if it's well thought out and tastes good, these seemed like someone got a little crazy in the back and seeping herbs in Svedka because they saw it once on Food Network. I'm not one for especially fruity drinks, and I think the only drink I really liked was the Brown Sugar martini (tasted like Key Largo in a martini glass). The apple and sage martini was a strange combo, but I liked that it wasn't a sugary-sweet appletini; the bellini had no identifiable peach flavor, and the walk by the Charles (or whatever it's called) was very reminiscent of cherry cough syrup, but with a better aftertaste. I'd definitely stick to the classics. I can understand what people are saying about the "crusty rolls" being not so much crusty as they were slightly stale, (sourdough bread was decent)...honestly, though, who goes out and cares about the BREAD?! I can't personally comment on the food, since I didn't have a meal, but others said that there were great burgers. What I can say is that the service was slow. Definitely not my fave in Harvard Square, but I wouldn't object to going back.
(3)Nate R.
I have been wanting to go to Grafton Street for a while now and finally got a chance to check it out. In the back of my mind I wanted this to be my new favorite spot. However, it didn't live up to expectations. The place looks great and has a really great atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food just wasn't up to par. We both were not thrilled with the caesar salad and was a little grossed out by the slimy anchovy on the top of the salad. My sandwich was good, but the fries were as bland as can be. The pasta with pumpkin sauce was good to ok. Admittedly i wasn't feeling well when I came here and would be willing to give it another chance.
(3)Kza W.
Still mild on this location.. not really my thing when Hong Kong is rt next door...upgraded?? Think not
(3)Sandy H.
We came here for dinner on a busy Friday night without a reservation, but were seated promptly. The service was great, but the food was just okay. I had the Grafton Burger and the rosemary truffle fries. The were both good, but not amazing. The chickpea burger on the other hand was a huge failure. We thought it would be kind of like a falafel, but it came out mushy and bland.
(3)Ken M.
So, I've always thought of Harvard Square as a kind of melting pot for a bunch of different things, and despite Harvard being there, I don't usually associate pretention with the square. Until now. and pretention for no reason. Grafton Street is a very "former greek-life people after work" kind of place. Despite having 4 hostesses and no line, it took them a long time to even greet us, let alone seat us in the fairly empty space. Once we were seated, our very nervous and inexperienced waiter came over and asked if we'd like a drink, but failed to read the specials. About 10 minutes later he came back with the boif's glass of wine, and asked if we were ready to order. We asked to hear the specials, and he told us them, and then left so we could contemplate for...another 15 minutes. Finally he came back to take our order and my boif's wine spilled (his fault, not the waiter's), the waiter awkwardly cleaned it up and forgot to take our order. Another five minutes later he came back to take our order, but didn't bring a new glass of wine. The food was fine, nothing special, and it actually came out quickly compared to the wait to order. It took forever for the waiter to bring the check and then eons for him to actually run the card. I was so glad to get out of there.
(2)Patrick H.
Grafton Street is one of my favorite places in Cambridge. It may look pretentious, but don't judge a book by it's cover. The bar area is great, so if you're not looking for dinner and just want to hang out for a few drinks, it's still a great option. With nice weather, the front full-height windows are opened up for a great experience. There's enough room up front near the bar for a few decent sized groups, and the drinks here are usually pretty good (I like their mojitos). The atmosphere at Grafton is a mix of classy and contemporary, with nice booths and the typical wooden tables throughout. The lower lighting makes it seem a bit fancier too. The food here is pretty good, especially the complimentary rolls (sometimes you have to ask for them). The cheese plate is always good and includes whatever cheese is on special, some bread, walnuts and honey. I've had quite a few of the entrees and haven't been disappointed. The service is almost always great, though once in a while when things are busy, things can slow down. The servers are usually on the ball though, and always friendly. I end up at Grafton all the time, and highly recommend it.
(4)Justin R.
Waitress was awful.. Had the personality of a door knob and hovered over us.. I felt as if she was trying to get us out! Food was over cooked! Ordered the Steak Frites, with blue cheese butter. The butter was amazing, but there was so little that it couldn't save the steak. All in all I may go back on a quieter night to give it another chance.
(3)T.C. O.
My dinner here recently was amazing. I've been to plenty of the best restaurants in the city in the last few months, and the dinner I had here stood out as the best of them. Perhaps because it really hit the spot for what I was looking for that night, or because it surprised me just how good it was, but there's no doubt it was comparable to the best around. I've been here about a dozen times, and it has always been a good experience. Comfortable atmosphere, consistently good food, etc. and I would have given it three stars as a place you can't really go wrong with, until this last meal inspired me to come here and leave a four star review.
(4)Claudia H.
Grafton Street seems to have become my choice for a convenient dinner and drinks in the square before heading to a party or downtown. It's very close to Harvard Business School campus, and pretty convenient to meet with friends. The bar area to the right of the entrance is pretty nice and during summer with the windows open it's a great place to enjoy a drink or two. Their drink menu is not outstanding in any way, but features a solid set of choices. Their brunch and the dinner menu offer a broad set of options that should satisfy most tastes, the food is good value for the money and fresh, and the portions are enough for two people or to leave you with a considerable take home portion. I really love them for solid, savory food. Their macaroni and cheese are extremely a good with a crunchy crust and the Grilled Wild Salmon is really fresh and has a delicious sauce. In the summer you can sit outside and relax in the sun, which is a big plus compared to other restaurants with only indoor seating options. Grafton Street is not the place, where I would take someone for a really nice dinner, but they offer a good set of good value choices with very nice and friendly service.
(4)Marc K.
I went to the Grafton Street pub for lunch with 2 friends today (8/4/11) expecting to get a quick and tasty burger as I have in prior visits so I could get back to work for a midafternoon meeting. I recommended the burgers and one of my friends ordered one as well. The other ordered the chick pea burger. The waitress was very friendly and brought a couple rounds of iced tea and lemonade, After sitting and talking for awhile, I noticed that people around us had been served even though they had been seated long after us. So, I asked the waitress to check on our order the next time she came by. About 5 minutes later, the manager came out and apologized to us because our order actually had not been placed. She indicated that lunch was on the house and that they had just started it and that the chicken panini sandwich (which apparently takes longer than burgers) had been started. I looked at my friends a little puzzled as none of us had ordered the chicken panini (so they had guessed what our order had been rather than retaking it). We already were running so late that we decided to go with the flow. Lunch came out a few minutes later. I bit into my burger and it was the worst tasting burger I ever had been served. I decided not to complain thinking that I had been unlucky. On my way back to work, I mentioned to my co-worker how awful my burger had been and she said hers was awful too. So, the bottom line is, Grafton Street servers are pleasant and they take responsibility when they screw up, but I won't be going back any time soon and I recommend you go elsewhere if you are in a time crunch or you want a burger.
(1)Elana S.
I went to Grafton Street last night for the first time with two girlfriends. The atmosphere is very cool - it has a relaxing, loung-y feel without being too yuppie-ish. (Well, maybe a little yuppie-ish...) The music, which is loud enough to notice, varies from Michael Jackson to Toni Basil and a lot in between, which I imagine most people can take or leave. My friends and I were able to share a bottle of wine, three entrees, and dessert for under $35 a person, which I think is close to amazing. We tried the mushroom risotto, pumpkin ravioli, and mac and cheese, all of which were delicious - though I think we all would say the pumpkin ravioli was a favorite. Wine selections were varied (we chose a pinot grigio), and desserts were unique. We ended up with a warm chocolate chip sundae. Yum! I'm happy to have finally tried Grafton Street. I think it would be a fun place for a date, dinner with friends, or a place to take parents when they're in town for a visit. The prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is comfortable, and the food is tasty.
(4)Nathan M.
After walking by this place all the time but never eating here, I was pleased to discover Grafton Street is a great brunch spot. This place is nice and spacious inside and on a weekend they had no problem accommodating our group of 20 or so people. Service was excellent - my coffee cup never ran empty. Everyone seemed to enjoy their entrees - I found the Huevos Rancheros solid but not spectacular. Highly, highly recommend the fantastic banana fritters!
(4)Ryan L.
Overall I like this place. Everything on the menu is good, so it is hard to make a bad decision. * Plenty of seating so typically a short wait for a table * Great bartenders * Very good for events (I have been to quite a few here) And they make one of the best dark and stormy drinks around, per my girlfriend who loves those things.
(4)Clay F.
The warm beet salad with goat cheese was delicious and much larger than expected. The steak was a little salty, as were the frites, but sometimes salty is delicious. While the cocktails may be on the expensive side, our vodka/sodas were large and strong. Service? Not bad but not particularly good either.
(3)Leighann F.
DISCLAIMER: 3.5 STARS That being said... I feel like Grafton Street is a local fancy version of a Friday's. Does anyone else have this feeling? They serve boneless wings and beer. But decided to class it up with Tuna Tartare and some chic lobster risotto dish. Aside from that fiasco, our waiter was fabulous, friendly and even invited us to another spot that I love, The Burren, for some open-mic night fun. The decor is warm and inviting...but still reeks of fancy Fridays. 3.5 Stars amounts to a return visit or two, but Grafton Street does not merit a spot on my Harvard Square Tour for out-of-town guests.
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