This is a really fun wild restaurant, with lots of atmosphere and a congenial staff. Tapas style dishes range, in cuisine from all over the world mixed with great drinks make for a fun dinner.

An oddly Mediterranean feel accompanies this homey find closer to your door and (slightly) easier on your wallet than the North End. While the rumbling of the T below and less than scenic Central Square streets outside may decrease the romance factor, the beautifully presented and simply delicious culinary delights at La Groceria will enchant any lover of Italian cuisine. The fried calamari ($9) and Garlic Bread Groceria ($5) will ease what could be a long wait for your food, as the restaurant often fills up in the evening. Try the crabcake appetizer ($9), a wonderful complement to any of the seafood entrees, or the fabulous lasagna pasticciata, with zucchini, squash, and spinach baked inside ($14). After the tiramisu, you'll happily skip the T to walk off all those carbs. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Salts is a locally owned business that strives to give their customer an incredible experience with their cuisine spanning France, Spain, an the America's. Salts is located in Kendall Square in Cambridge and has been noted by several publications for it's seasonal menu and wine list. One of the most well known menu items is the duck, which is boneless and stuffed for two. It is recommended to call ahead to reserve a duck.

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.

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.

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.

Definitely one of the coolest places around, The Middlesex, is more than just a bar, it's a scene. With low banks and tables to sit at, you can listen to DJ's spin, while tasting some of their reasonably priced beverages and munching on some of their appetizers.

Though perhaps somewhat steep for the budget-conscious student, Oleana is an excellent choice when parents come to town. Secluded between Central and Kendall Square, this restaurant epitomizes the truly satisfying dining experience. Everything at Oleana feels just right: the service is impeccable, the portions filling, and the food heavenly. The Mediterranean menu complements the museum mystique—you'll feel like you're eating in the middle of an Ancient Egyptian exhibit at the MFA. The appetizers include a variety of meat, fish, salads, and cheeses, including the Sultan's Delight, a delicious blend of glazed beef, eggplant, and pinenuts ($9). You may find yourself uncertain of the menu's exotic choices, such as sujuk (sausage) with sweet potato kibbeh or Jerusalem artichoke skordalia, but rest assured that each is delicious and cooked to perfection. Try the grilled lamb steak with Turkish spices ($23) or the lemon chicken ($21), each accompanied with a vegetable or cheese garnish. Make sure you leave room for dessert, a renowned restaurant specialty. The Baked Alaska ($10), an extravaganza of coconut ice cream and passion fruit caramel, tastes every bit as good as it sounds. Appetizers $8-9. Entrees $21-38. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. This place is known for having unique dishes. You will find Arabian food meshed with Mediterranean style; the restaurant is very pretty; they have a nice fireplace during the winter. The menu is quite innovative with simple, fresh ingredients presented in unique ways that always seem to work. The service is knowledgeable and acquiescent to catering dietary needs. However, the service can be bumpy and otherwise lackluster. The food makes up for the service, so don't be afraid to try this eclectic treat.

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.

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.