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.

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.

Relax in a cozy unique coffee shop and type reviews on povo.com using the free wifi they provide (or do your homework..hehe). Tempting Arabian coffee, vanilla chai and chicken wraps. Slightly overpriced (in my cheap opinion) but you get a different experience than the many starbucks in the area and nice customer service.

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.

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.

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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.