I spent 3 months living in Boston during last Summer. Specifically, I lived near Kendall Square and worked on the MIT campus, so a lot of my recommendations are close to there. However, Boston/Cambridge are very very small, you can actually walk from Harvard all the way to the east coast of boston with very little effort.
I know I’m missing pictures, but I’m quite sure I have them for all the places listed. Just give me some time to get those up.
**Guide after the jump…**
Food:
-The Boston Sail Loft – Clam Chowder
REALLY GOOD CLAM CHOWDER.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-boston-sail-loft-boston
-The Beehive – Moroccan
They have Live music here many nights, it’s quite the spot.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-beehive-boston
-Dante – Italian
Went here very often after work. Amazing view and service. Recommend sitting at the outside bar. Cocktails are quite great, try getting ones on the “from the garden” section.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dante-cambridge
-Mike’s Pastry – Italian Pastry
All about them cannoli’s yo.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mikes-pastry-boston
-Sam’s – Oysters
Great place to go to after or before going to the ICP museum. Oysters yo!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sams-boston-3
-Park No. 9 – Expensive but amazing cocktails/food
Absolutely amazing spot. Bartenders can make some very sophisticated drinks here.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/no-9-park-boston
The thing about Food near universities like MIT and Harvard is that… they aren’t cheap. Everything is a bit pricey.
-Lord Hobo
This place was like 2 blocks away from my house. Their food is quite high level, but only worth it if you’re in the area. I recommend the steamed clams with bacon. They’re…. quite good.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lord-hobo-cambridge
-Cuchi Cuchi – Small plates
Great choice if you’re near MIT. Get the tuna coronets, SO GOOD. They also have this spicy cocktail that I really like…
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cuchi-cuchi-cambridge
-Russell House – Gastropub
If you’re around harvard, I highly recommend this place. The menu could be different but I recommend the beef wellington, pork jowel with egg, bone marrow, any of the pate’s, and the charcutterie board (a variety of meats).
http://www.yelp.com/biz/russell-house-tavern-cambridge
-The Red House – American
Another great choice if you’re around harvard. Very cute interior, almost like a house. I recommend getting the bacon covered dates as an appetizer.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-red-house-cambridge
-The Plough and Stars – Pub food, live music.
A very small and cozy pub located between Harvard and MIT.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-plough-and-stars-cambridge
-Irish Breakfast
There are many places that have irish breakfast:
The Druid – http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-druid-cambridge
Asgard – http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-asgard-irish-pub-and-restaurant-cambridge
The Kinsale – http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-kinsale-boston
Stuff to do:
-Tour MIT / Harvard / BU
-ICP Instutute of contemporary Art
http://www.yelp.com/biz/institute-of-contemporary-art-boston