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Restaurants and Shops

photo of lunder arts center and church along a busy inresection under a clear blue sky

A local guide to hot spots around campus.

We asked the Lesley community for their top picks on where to dine in Boston and Cambridge. Here's our must-do list for new undergrads to help you make the most of your time here.

Porter Square

 Home to one of our three tri-campuses and major open-air shopping center of the same name.

 

  • Restaurants

    Bagelsaurus 
    Ben and Jerry’s  
    Caffé Nero 
    Cambridge Common
    Changsho  
    Chivo Taqueria  
    Dunkin Donuts 
    Dudley Café  
    Harvard House of Pizza 
    Honeycomb Creamery 
    Little Bake (Bubble Tea) 
    Montrose Spa (Deli) 
    Nirvana Taste of India 
    One Ramen and Sushi  
    One Zo  
    Panera 
    Porter Square Books/Café Zing 
    Simon’s Coffee Shop 
    Stoked Pizza Company 
    Sugar and Spice
    The Abbey 
    The Halal Guys
    Violette Gluten Free Bakery 
    Yume Ga Arukara 
    Zoe Acai Bar 

     

     

  • Shopping

    CVS
    Henry's Bear's Park
    Michael's
    Mud Flat Gallery
    Porter Square Books
    Star Market
    Target

Davis Square (1.0 mi)

An eclectic mix of restaurants & nightlife.

 

  • Restaurants

    Dave's Fresh Pasta
    The Painted Burro
    Rosebud
    Saloon

  • Shopping

    Buffalo Exchange
    Comicazi
    Davis Squared

Harvard Square (1.6 mi)

How do you like them apples?

  • Restaurants

    DIG | Seasonal, fresh, local food
    Dunkin Donuts
    El Jefe’s Taqueria
    Falafel Corner
    Felipe's Mexican Taqueria
    Flour Bakery + Cafe
    Grafton Street Pub & Grill
    IHOP
    Life Alive Organic Café
    Mother Juice
    Otto Pizza
    Pavement Coffeehouse
    Pete’s Coffee
    Pokeworks
    Sally Sandwiches
    Saloniki Greek
    Shake Shack
    Smoke Shop BBQ
    Starbucks
    Sweetgreen
    Tasty Burger 
    Tatte Bakery & Café
    Veggie Grill
    WakuWaku Ramen
    Wholesome Fresh
    Zinneken’s Belgian Waffles

  • Shopping

    CVS
    Moleskine
    Newbury Comics
    Patagonia
    Raven Used Books

Central Square (2.2 mi)

Where Cambridge locals go for food & fun.

Kendall Square (2.8 mi)

An epicenter of technology & innovation.

Allston Village (3.0 mi)

A young, diverse, food-centric area.
 

  • Restaurants

    Roxy's Grilled Cheese & Burgers
    The Lone Star Taco Bar
    Lulu's

Assembly Row (3.4 mi)

Recently developed outdoor shopping district.

  • Restaurants

    Earls Kitchen + Bar
    Southern Kin Cookhouse
    Lucky Strike Arcade
    Style Cafe
    Zo Greek

  • Shopping
    Ashley Homestore TJ Maxx Trader Joes

Back Bay (3.4 mi)

A downtown hub of shopping & scenery and home of the Boston Common and Newbury Street.

 

  • Restaurants

    Cheers Tavern and Gift Shop
    Deluca's Market
    Fire + Ice
    Parish Cafe

  • Shopping

    '47 Brand
    Allbirds
    Fjällräven
    Lilly Pulitzer
    Niketown
    Trident Booksellers and Café
    Urban Outfitters
    Zara

Union Square (3.4 mi)

A hip, bustling hub of food, music, and culture.

 

  • Restaurants

    Bloc Cafe
    Brass Union
    Ebi Sushi, 
    The Neighborhood
    Union Square Donuts
     

North End (4.3 mi)

Pizza, pasta, & Italian fare.
 

  • Restaurants

    The Daily Catch
    La Famiglia Giorgio's Restaurant
    Pizzeira Regina 
    Trattoria Il Panino
    Strega

Coolidge Corner (4.5 mi)

A small-town, Main Street feel, right on Boston’s doorstep.

 

  • Restaurants

    Curry House
    Grainne O’Malley
    Martin's Coffee Shop
    Knight Moves Cafe
    Kupel's Bakery
    Union Square Donuts

  • Shopping

    Boston General Store
    Eureka Puzzles
    Fire Opal

Fenway Park (4.8 mi)

Home of the iconic Fenway Park, bustling restaurants, & shopping.

 

 

  • Restaurants

    Bleacher Bar
    El Pelon Taqueria
    Loco
    Shah’s Halal Food
    Time Out Market
    Wahlburgers
    Yard House

  • Shopping

    Blick
    Official Red Sox Team Store
    REI
    Sephora
    Target

South End (6.2 mi)

A corridor of quaint boutiques & fine dining in the heart of Boston.
 

  • Restaurants

    South End Buttery
    Blunch
    Mike's City Diner
    The Elephant Walk
    Delux Cafe
     

Hyde Square (6.4 mi)

Diverse eateries and vibrant nature.
 

  • Restaurants

    Miami Restaurant
    Blue Nile
    The Old Havana Cuban Restaurant 

Jamacia Plain - "JP" (6.8 mi)

Suburban gem on the outskirts of Boston.

 

  • Restaurants

    El Oriental De Cuba
    City Feed & Supply
    Monumental Market
    Soup Shack

Mission Hill (7.1 mi)

Small college neighborhood packed with character.

 

  • Restaurants

    Milkweed
    Penguin Pizza
    Lilly's Gourmet 
    Pasta Express
    The Squealing Pig

Seaport (7.5 mi)

A waterfront mecca of technology & dining.

 

  • Restaurants

    Bartaco
    The Barking Crab
    Gather
    Rosa Mexicano
    Tuscan Kitchen
     

South Boston "Southie" (8.2 mi)

Historically Irish-American  neighborhood with a vibrant nightlife.

 

 

  • Restaurants

    Cafe Polonia
    Doughboy Donuts & Deli
    Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant