Om is a Harvard Square restaurant headed by New York and Providence chef Rachel Klein, who was named Best New Chef by Boston magazine in 2006. Chef Klein challenges her customers with innovative recipes and fresh and funky ingredients. Try Om for a shot of Zen in your dining experience. This place featuresover-the-top Zen luxury decor, a wall-ter fall, fancypants cocktails, and a whimisical bar menu. There are 2 floors to this place, the 1st floor is the dance floor which is pretty small. The 2nd floor is more of just a lounge. They only have single bathrooms, so the lines can be quite long, even for guys. However, don't get stuck in line - there are two sets of bathrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. Deb Klein is no longer the chef and the cuisine last time I was there was disappointing and ordinary. The drinks are still good if you don't mind the NYC prices.

Located in the oddly shaped former White Castle right in the heart of Central Square, Falafel Palace has provided delicious Middle Eastern food to on-the-go Cambridge residence and 2:30am drunks alike for over 15 years. FP is best known for its falafel sandwiches, which are pressed and grilled rollups rather than simple pockets (the other common way to serve falafel). There's usually a line at peak hours that may necessitate waiting 5 or even 10 minutes to get your hands on your food.

For such a popular Rock nightclub, who knew that the food could be amazing? One of the top places one must go to before leaving Boston. Opened as a Lebanese restaurant in 1970, the Middle East spans three storefronts filled with throngs of patch-covered jackets and wallet chains who come to enjoy a provocative symbiosis of sensuous Middle-eastern cuisine (falafel sandwiches $3.75), belly-dancing (W), and cutting-edge modern American rock and punk acts. Featuring live bands every night, the Middle East is a major landmark on any tour of Boston's alternative music scene, with no less than 3 separate stages. Local and regional bands, including Harvard's own, play in the small upstairs area, while larger names grace the more spacious downstairs. Music ranges from ska to hip-hop, but leans in favor of experimental acts testing the limits of what can be called music. Good selection of foreign and domestic beers (bottles $3.50). Cover $8-10 upstairs, $12-25 downstairs. Check the website for a full list of musical acts. The restaurant area features acoustic performances and folk music and never charges a cover. The two eating areas inside the club provide delicious and affordable middle eastern food. For fancier edibles, check out ZuZu which is a part of the Middle East complex but has its own distinct personality. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Redline fills the niche between Grendel's (friendly and lowkey) and Noir (expensive poseur). The bar is sophisticated in an unthreatening way, and drinks are remarkably reasonable, topping out at $8 for premium cocktails. Generous martinis are a very decent $7. Redline is usually crowded at night, especially after 1, when it picks up barflys from other local establishments. Despite its size, Redline has room both for lounge lizards and a small dancefloor complete with weekend DJs. Crowds notwithstanding, table service is quick and friendly, so grab a back table if you can. The kitchen specializes in fast, low-prep grill and pasta dishes at the same price point as other Harvard Square establishments attempting to win the sophisticated crowd. Lunch is usually less than $10, and dinner is pricier (appetizers $6-12, entrees $13-20, desserts $7-10). The substantial meat or pasta dishes are a pleasant surprise, proving that this bar and restaurant can indeed both fill your stomach with meat and potatoes and satisfy your jones for drinks and dancing. Sister establishment to Grafton Street and Temple Bar.

This buzzing, convivial spot, with a pool table, dart board, and Irish-tinged décor, is one of the most happening spots around. A carefree crowd of 30-something professionals and erstwhile grad students gathers in 3 warmly and eclectically decorated rooms to linger for hours over pints ($3.75) and mixed drinks ($4.50). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. The authentically Irish destination is famous for its "flaming Irish Car Bombs"--a take on the usual Car Bomb--and less-than-steller restrooms.

Great American Italian pizza, pasta, calzones and anything else you can think of. Great Toscanini's Ice Cream as well. Late night and Fast Delivery. Minimum for Delivery= 8 dollars. oooo and guess what? they sell Cannolis! Note: No delivery is available to Brighton, Glenville Avenue or Verndale Street. After 6:00 PM no deliveries below building 120 on Harvard St. or to Milton Court.

TVs are spread over three levels, and live music is featured on the weekends. Perfect pints of Guinness, usually delivered by friendly Irish waitresses, prove popular. cozy bar with old Boston knick-knacks that makes it feel like your grandmother's attic...surprisingly diverse (and good!) menu for a bar...get there early before the crowd takes over for the popular Fri and Sat night dance parties. Caters to students, frat boys, the "meat market" of women who are obviously trying to get drunk and picked up on, and the great many 20-something dudes with collared shirts (sleeves rolled up!) and too much hair gel.

Small cozy pub with an excellent selection of beers and a small patio where smoking and dogs are allowed! The sunken cobblestone patio of Shays is the place to while away a warm night with a group of friends and a pint or two. Inside, crumbling brick walls, exposed piping, and a laid-back crowd give this pub a cozy, lived-in feel. All drafts $4, bottles $3-5.50. Excellent appetizers range from the standard (nachos $5.75) to the distinctive (baked brie $5). All appetizers $3 after 6pm. Sandwiches, burgers, salads, and other pub fare ($3-6) available until 10pm.

Named after the owner's teddy bear hamster Tough Teddy, T.T. the Bears Place was voted 'Best of Boston,' by Boston Magazine. T.T.'s has live music seven nights a week and showcases everything from candypop to heavy metal. It's a friendly bar decorated with cubist artwork and fairy lights. Check the website or go to T.T.s for a monthly schedule. Who knows, maybe they'll hit it big; after all, Letters to Cleo got their start here. Cover ranges from free to $30 (cash only, with tickets for some shows available through Ticketmaster). All shows are 18+, making T.T.s a great place for the under- and over-21 crowd to mix. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Tucked down a side street in Central Square, T.T.'s has provided a venue for small musical acts of all genres since the late 1970s. Several huge bands--including Nirvana, who performed for only 13 people--played their first area show here. The crowd depends wholly on the entertainment, as one night might bring up-and-coming indie rockers, and the next a goth act or an acoustic folk duo. On Feb. 13th, they are hosting a "Vampy Valentine's day" for a bit of a Gothic/Vampire celebration to the holiday....

While it appears nondescript from the outside, the Paradise Café houses two levels of lively action for the alternative set. Live male dancers perform nightly and adult films play after 10pm. Great mixture of men of all ages. Cash only.