Grafton Street

Enjoying a lovely dinner with my daughter! What a great day to be in Harvard Square. Server was pleasant and helpful. Food was good! Very nice vibe.

Mediocre at best. Came here today with friends to sit outside and enjoy the warm weather. Service was acceptable but did not make the effort to go beyond decent. I go ½ dozen oysters to eat and have never experience oysters that were cleaned so poorly. Lots of shell, sand, and grit still in the oyster making them very unpleasant to eat. I got a mixed drink that was pretty good and the only good thing about the experience. I definitely do not place on going back anytime soon after such a poor experience.

I did not like the food; it was tasteless. I did not want to write this, but, all the plates needed a special magical ingredient. Everything was too plane. The lamb’s flavor was lamb, not a delicious lamb. The shepherd’s entrée was too dry. The ground lamb should be instead more moist. Btw, the potato did not have salt. The fish and chips were really grease. My belly pork was fried, not cooked in its own fat. The scallops had no flavor as well.
Our waitress, however, was really diligent. She found out about our happiness and suggested a very good dessert called «Chocolate Pave». This piece of eatable art was a success.

This is a good place in Harvard Sq. for lunch or drinks. It has a good bar area with a fantastic beer menu and the dining room is a good size as well, albeit it can get a bit loud. They also have outside seating but be warned, it can be either 1) a long wait or 2) a pain as crowds of people walk bye often.
I had the Shepherd’s Pie and my fiancée had the pan-​roasted chicken. I have had some good meals here but this one was just okay. I think they overcooked the Shepherd’s Pie as it was dry, salty, no mushroom gravy in it, and the mashed potato was like eating bread… The pan-​roasted chicken was lacking flavor but at least not dry.
Overall if you are looking to get some check-​ins on Untapped or just want a casual place for lunch and good beer, stop by the Grafton Street.

Sangria was so so, oysters were fine, Cesar salad was mediocre and we had to send the broccoli back because it was completely over cooked to a camouflage green color.
Many better restaurants in the neighborhood.
EZ John

I went here with a large group (15 people) and they were very accommodating. The waiter somehow managed to split the bill, the drinks were great (I especially enjoyed their selection of hard ciders), and the fries were amazing. We did order a small pizza but were underwhelmed. I recommend stopping in for drinks and appetizers!

This is a pretty standard (read: good but unspectacular in terms of flavor or creativity) American restaurant. For flavor and the food alone, I’d give 3.5 stars, but rounded up due to the atmosphere and convenience. The ambiance is comfortable and elegant at the same time, and reservations are relatively easy to get, which are big pluses. For dinner: the cioppino was seasoned well and not too salty, and the pieces of fish were generous! The pizzas are well done, and would recommend the mushroom one. The standouts from the dinner menu are actually the desserts! The carrot cake is surprisingly delicious, and the chocolate torte is rich and creamy. The desserts are large enough to share.
For brunch, I had the eggs benedict with avocado and a side salad. The portions were large, but again, everything was pretty standard. The yogurt parfait with granola and fruit wasn’t too sweet, and our group had a cute plate of small nutella crepes to share as well.

Came for an a pre-​dinner drink and appetizer. Service was a bit slow, but I think they were in the middle of a shift change. Nice place in the middle of Cambridge. Had the braised rib pizza which was out of this world! Would definitely recommend!

I have now eaten here 3 times and the fair is New American. It starts with the host staff greeting you always, and they are not too busy to be friendly. The bar is almost always full at dinner time usual 2 to 3 people deep. You can apparently reserve pats of the bar area for a get together.
My first impression is of a dark wood place with ceiling that are high enough to not be oppressive, and low enough to give a feel of homeyness. The coloring is in glowing oranges and reds. It seems like a great place to eat lot of bustle to hang out in. It is not to loud to hear your friends in. The dress of the customers tends to be dressy casual, with some business casual mixed in.
The seating is roomy, and the neighboring tables are not wedged up against you. The seats are comfortable, and here comes you server to take you drink order. The menu is not overwhelming but everything looks good. I’m trying to eat fresh and vegetarian 90% of my calories, and there are lots of sides and salad options. Plus, they will work with you to get you you a plate that you can eat what you want. They were very busy the last time I was there and they still tweaked my friends fried chicken burger order to exactly what he was in the mood for. The servers are knowledgeable and willing to at least ask. I have found every person on the staff to be able to answer most quests, but willing to telly that they don’t know, and will find out.
Food is hot when it comes out, especially on busy nights they have an expediter system it seems. Water glass tends to stay full. They check on how you like the app about 3 bites into it. The drinks are tasty, and the apps came out quick. I got the excellent in house bourbon cocktail that they age in barrels, like a cross between a Manhattan & a Old-​Fashion. Oyster were fresh and tasty.
The entrees are fresh and good, although I tend to get the seasonal cheese plate or ploughman’s plate of cured meats.
Dessert are taste, though the swiss roll was chocolaty, but a little dry. Nice portions though, not to much food.
Only constructive criticism is that the complementary focaccia bread is too dense, it wasn’t left to rise long enough and had to much slat in it. The salt could have been to blame since it retards the development of the yeast. Thus the bread didn’t have that nice yeast taste that nicely risen breads tend to have.
This place is rising as a nice place to meet people at near Harvard Square. To summarize it is a nice atmosphere, with good staff, a tasty bar and food menu. Any time of day seems to be good, and lot’s of folks seem to like it.

Brunch hash with a Bloody Mary pretty much makes the day. Great setting.

It’s funny. This place also owns Russell house tavern down the street.
The funny part? Russell house is above and beyond better.
Had the charcuterie + cheese board. As well as the oysters. And Russell house blows them all out of the water.
If you want better pretentious food choices. Russell house is your best bet.

As a student at Harvard, Grafton isn’t usually somewhere we’ll go since it’s on the more expensive side. However, Harvard has a program where you can take your teachers out to a meal, and they cover the whole thing, so of course I signed up! I’ve also been here before with a large group of ~30 people, and they managed to accommodate all of us.
Bruschetta: This stuff is amazing. It comes kind of weird, with the goat cheese and tomato in a soup, and the bread on the size. You’re supposed to scoop the «soup» and put it on the bread, or dip it? Not sure. Everything about this combination just works perfectly though. Definitely recommend! ⁵⁄₅
Calamari: Kind of different than regular calamari, since they drench it in a sweet chili sauce. There’s both squid and baby octopus in this calamari. Pretty good, but I expected a bit more calamari for $ 12.
BBQ Tenderloin Tips: I was pretty disappointed by how little food arrived on the plate with this dish. Just three small tenderloin tips over a scoop of mashed potatoes. I guess I shouldn’t have expected more since it was on the lunch menu, but ¾ of the plate was just empty!
The service here is amazing, and it would be a great spot for a family, a date, or a more formal occasion. Looking forward to coming here again and trying out more food!

In the summer, it’s a perfect place for a drink at night: they gave a great outside area, good for talking to a friend or watching people.
I also go to Grafton for the brunch occasionally. My advice to select some other drink rather than coffee — cappuccino is definitely not so good.
Brunch options are versatile: you can find something for everybody. We liked the veggie burger and Nutella crepes.
Enjoy!

Nice window seating here with consistent food and somewhat inconsistent service, depending who you get and how busy it is. I usually order the mussels in white wine and frites and am always satisfied. The seafood in the cioppino was well-​cooked but the broth resembled tomato soup too much for me.

My best friend and I went here just before a show. We loved the ambiance and the atmosphere at the bar so we grabbed two seats there and grabbed a drink and started with appetzers. The food took a very long time to arrive once ordered. After quite some time we mentioned it to the bartender and we think he may have completely forgot to put in our appetizer order… it shouldnt take 45 min to get a caesar salad and wings… The salad was excellent, however the wings were undercooked and some were actually still raw inside. We tried to look past these things but my best friends pizza kinda summed up the entire meal. She ordered the short rib flat bread… unfortunately she bit into a huge bone that they forgot to remove as they shredded the short rib… overall, this place is great for drinks but otherwise…

Their lunch menu is great — cheap but pretty darn filling. :D My two friends and I all opted for the waiter’s suggestion of BBQ steak tips (medium rare, to be precise). This entrée was pretty pricy, but absolutely worth it. The carmelized onion rings were crisp and not too salty; the meat was fresh and delicious. My only complaint was that the mashed potatoes were too watery, but maybe that’s just my own personal preferences speaking. Overall, an impeccable experience and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for the price (free unlimited sparkling water, what can I say?).

I’ve had a few meals here over the years and always liked them. The ambience is super charming and the staff are very pleasant.
Today, I had the huevos rancheros for a late brunch. They were okay (needed salt – skip them if you’re a big Mexican food person). The wait was kind of longer than I would have expected, but not terrible. Next time, Id try the fish and chips again instead.

More than anything, I am very impressed by the price. The lunch menu and brunch menu average around ~$ 12, which is a great deal given the fancy ambiance. Grafton street really knows how to cater to college students who want to act classy but are on a budget. I brought a professor to lunch here and we all had a great time! I had the avocado benedict, which was delicious. While the food tastes average-​good, the presentation and service is great.

I went with a group of 7 and had pleasant overall experience with delicious food. Servicing food was relatively quick for a Friday night. The Leg Duck was amazing.

I came across this place strolling around Harvard square, looking for a place to eat.
I had the claim chowder, it was delicious. The chicken was also great.
I sat on the patio. I was lucky with the weather.
The server was very polite. The restaurant was pretty busy, in a generally quite neighbourhood.

Simple/​traditional American food made well. Grafton is one of my favorite, classic spots in Harvard Square. Many birthdays have been celebrated here (they sing to you!) and the bartenders are friendly. Mixed drinks can be a hit/​miss considering strength/​taste. Fantastic environment whether it’s a date or a casual thing
I normally view Grafton as a dinner/​drinks place, but they have a mean brunch!!!
Biggest tip: $ 1 oysters everyday starting at 11pm (sometimes they run out though!)

Went for dinner with coworkers and even on a Monday it was pretty packed when we were leaving. We had really good customer service. The server was friendly and attentive, and was able to keep everything straight. We were a party of 15 and there were no errors with our order.
The food and drink prices are all pretty reasonable. I got a cocktail (Crimson Cup) for $ 11. Coincidentally, the quinoa/​chickpea burger was also $ 11, so I ate for a thrifty $ 22:)
Seriously though, the chickpea burger was amazing. Tough I have to say, the fried chicken looked so good that I wanted to eat if off my friend’s plate. Also check out the seafood stew and the pizzas!

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!

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.

Place comes highly recommended by fellow Unilocalers. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!