Next to the Middle East, this small restaurant is relatively new and attracts it's own crowd. Definitely worth stopping by this offers an interesting mixture of middle eastern and mediterranean flavoured drinks. Along with a decent bar, this is a really popular local stop. This is more than at times, as also occasionally offer entertainment in the form, of music, dj's and movies projected on the wall. This is a moderate-high price range.

Mary Chung's is renowned for its incredible dishes that you can't get anywhere else. Try the Suan La Chow Show or the Dun Dun Noodles (No Chicken). Of course, they also do a great job on Chinese staples like Peking Ravioli. Dim Sum on Sunday is fabulous.

Since 2006, Rendevous has brought new and inventive North African and western Mediterranean cuisine to Central Square. Their philosophy is simple: the best ingredients make the best recipes. Using only local farmers and fisherman, chef Steve Johnson not only strives to make great food, the restaurant is all about the neighborhood as well and offers a 3 course prix fixe for $38 on Sunday nights. Also, Rendezvous was named Boston magazine's winner of the best drink menu for 2007.

With a menu that changes “at the whim of the chef,” Central Kitchen is a trendy restaurant and bar that provides a fresh alternative to Harvard Sq. establishments. This modern French- and Mediterranean-influenced bistro puts a creative flair on its 6 appetizers and 6 entrees, all featuring fresh seafood, meats, or organic vegetables. Try the “Mussles from Brussels” or duck confit with spiced rhubarb ($10) to start, while the steak frites ($25) always garners praise. Reservations recommended F-Sa. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Welcome to the secret society of the Cambridge elite. The Enormous Room is so exclusive, it doesn't even have a sign on the door. Look for the door next to Central Kitchen with an elephant on it and head up the stairs to a spacious expanse of avant-garde heaven. Depending on the DJ of the night, funk, house, soul, or blues plays in the background while grad students sit cross-legged around “enormous plates”—trays of appetizers including hummus and grape leaves, goat cheese-pine nut briouats, salmon skewers, and anything the chef feels like adding ($14, vegetarian $12). Drinks are more than reasonable, so feel free to sample the ever-popular Stoli Raspberry ($6). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Sidney's Grille is a unique dining experience, featuring innovative cuisine, eclectic, contemporary décor and exhibition kitchen with exposed apple wood grill.
This restaurant is located inside the Hotel@MIT Area workers swing by the bar for a $2 menu of "Small Bytes" that's served weeknights from 5pm to 8pm.

Craigie on Main is the new location of the Craigie Street Bistro, which closed on October 26, 2008. Weekly multi-course tasting menus by Chef Tony Maws and seasonal events such as a whole-hog dinner (which literally uses the whole pig). Chef Maws, who has won awards including Boston's Best Chef (Boston Magazine) and one of America's Best New Chefs (Food and Wine), offers his diners a seasonal menu replete with the freshest ingredients he can find, staying true to local, organic ingredients. This hotspot is a Cambridge favorite. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday after 9:00PM, Chef Maws offers his Chef's Whim special - $40 for a 4 course meal, $55 for a 6 course meal - improvising dishes based on available fresh ingredients. There's also a $38 prix fixe menu offered every day (Saturdays, it's only available after 9:00PM), and 6 and 10 course tastings available with advanced inquiry. He even publishes a Chef's Blog on their website: http://www.craigieonmain.com/?cat=8.

_

Some like it hot. Luckily for them, Green Street Grill is a Carribean-inspired mecca for all things “jerk,” “spicy,” and “hot.” The quiet location and rather faded sign belies the restaurant's inviting interior, decorated with modern artwork and framed with dark wood moldings. Tropical cocktails like the Dark and Stormy (Gosling's Rum and ginger beer, $7) set the mood for a creative selection of dishes, from green papaya and mango salad with grilled squid ($8) to tantalizing jerk spiced grilled chicken wings ($7). Entrees like grilled mahi mahi ($18) and coconut curried goat stew ($16), served with jasmine rice and fried plantains, range from moderately to extremely spicy. The rotating dessert options are limited but delicious, especially the banana bread pudding ($6) or warm flourless chocolate cake ($5). Wherever you are in this intimate setting, you'll be close enough to enjoy the live band on any given night; African drums on Su, jazz, rock, and blues on Tu, W, Th, respectively. Cover F-Sa for a wild Cuban roots and salsa gig. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

From the outside, Miracle of Science looks just like a regular MIT dining space. But inside, a fun restaurant and bar pays cheeky homage to the “miracle of science,” appropriately close to that university up the street. Hardwood stools, jet-black countertops, and a periodic table-themed menu may make you feel like you're in lab, though Chem 15 never tasted this good. MoS is a great place for lunch if you're in the MIT area. At night, trendy 20-somethings congregate for a wide range of specialty beers and tasty bar food (burgers, quesadillas, and kebabs; $4.50-11). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.