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Welcome to Alden & Harlow

Alden & Harlow, a trendy American breakfast and brunch spot in Cambridge, MA, offers a unique dining experience. With a diverse menu that includes vegan options and creative flavor combinations, the dishes are perfectly crafted to delight your taste buds. From the Japanese Yams with fried chicken skin to the perfectly cooked scallops, each dish showcases innovation and quality. The outdoor seating adds to the ambiance, making it a great choice for special occasions or casual dining. Despite some variations in portion sizes, the overall dining experience at Alden & Harlow is a memorable one, leaving you wanting to return for more.

Alden & Harlow: Reviews & Ratings

Julie P.
Julie P.

It was a lovely temperature so we opted for the outdoor seating before going to ART for a show. Sadly the nearby dumpster was blowing bad smells into the outdoor dining area the whole time we were eating. No one else seemed to be reacting. I'm not sure the solution. A fan - scented incense- bouquets of aromatics on the tables? The rest of the experience was fantastic. The food flavor combos were perfectly crafted. Our server, Sara was pleasant and knowledgeable with any of our food inquiries. It was recommended to share 3-4 dishes. I believe we could have eaten even two more dishes but I think we chose smaller dishes. We ordered the Japanese Yams which had a tiny bit of delicious fried chicken skin and pickled apple. My favorite creative flavor combo. The broccoli and butternut squash hummus was so good - not only flavors but textures that were just right. The tuna sat on top of an orange gelatin- so yummy. But the star of the night were the scallops perfectly cooked and seasoned. Only 4 scallops for $27. But so worth it. We almost got another order to finish the night. Our mock tails were just ok. Gone in two sips. I do have a pet peeve about drinks that are mostly ice. I'd go back for the scallops.

Jasmine C.
Jasmine C.

To me, this place is elegant and delicious. I came here once for a friends birthday and was blown away by the Brussels sprouts. I booked it for a special occasion (graduation) and they seated us outside for lovely outdoor dining. I was glad that the Brussels sprouts were still on the menu- they tasted just as good as I remembered and my parents really loved them too. Each dish is such a treat and has a variety of flavors and textures and is interesting to try out. The dishes are very well paced too so you can slowly enjoy the meal, and the waitress was very attentive. Lovely dining experience, not just a meal!

Ashley S.
Ashley S.

Super yummy new American style food. Tapas-sized portions, made to share. Selection of shareable veggie starters such as roasted carrots and brussels sprouts. Basil pesto pasta was delicious and fun to share. Had the duck entree--it was delicious, yet seemed small for an entree size. Same with the salmon. So noted that you'll want to make sure to order lots of sides, as the entrees can feel a bit more "a la carte" sized. However, some at the table ordered the mackerel and the burger, and these felt like normal sized entrees. So the sizing of the entrees is a bit variable here--something to notice. Great location in Harvard Square, with a delicious wine and cocktail list.

Tess L.
Tess L.

Went here on a Thursday night with a friend and her family. The service was good and the decor is so cute!- a bunch of jarred pickled things everywhere. The menu is a bit expensive and the dishes are small- but the food was incredible!!!! My favorite thing was the BRAISED BEEF A LA PLANCHA, literally so tender and SO much flavor. The Brussels sprouts were also amazing. Lots of open bar seats and a good place for a date. Drinks were strong in a good way but again pricey. I will be back but maybe just for 1 or 2 things and a drinks!

Edward W.
Edward W.

Last summer, I dropped by this place for lunch during a raining afternoon. I ordered the donuts and secret burger and an iced tea for a drink. The donuts were filled with peanut butter and jelly and drizzled with maple syrup and topped with pistachios. They were warm and pillowy. Very good! The secret burger contained an 8 ounce patty, large cheese crisp, shredded lettuce and a thousand island like dressing. It also came with a side of kettle chips which were kind of dry. The burger was good though but not a "must eat" for me. For dessert, I got the sweet roll which was a warm cinnamon roll topped with an apple compote. It was tasty but I still think the donuts topped it! The bartender was friendly and attentive.

Phoebe D.
Phoebe D.

So impressed with this brunch spot near Harvard! The dining area is spacious, if a bit dim, and has a nice rustic vibe. The menu is nice and simple, making it easy for large groups to choose which plates they want to share. First up we got the summer squash latkes, which might have been one of my favorites - it was the perfect blend of sweet and savory and went super well with the yogurt sauce. The bravas skillet, kale salad, and shakshouka were, in my opinion, ones that could be skipped - the skillet was good but nothing special (and the potatoes didn't quite have the crisp outside and fluffy inside that I prefer), and the kale salad was really plain. It was a decently sized portion though. The shakshouka was alright but I'm sure you could get better elsewhere. I personally liked the fried brussels sprouts, but I could see how they could be divisive as they have a very strong fish sauce flavor. We also got the focaccia egg sandwich and the pickled corn biscuits, which were good but a bit tough to share. I couldn't really taste the biscuit under the slightly heavy gravy but I especially liked the herb salad that comes with the biscuits as it complemented the gravy very well. To round out the meal, we got the sweet corn pancakes and the French toast; both things that I probably wouldn't have ordered on my own but honestly they were two of my favorite dishes. The pancakes had a really nice corn flavor and a light, fluffy texture and the peaches were very juicy. I thought the French toast would be too basic but it was actually one of the best French toasts I've had - the slices of toast were thick and buttery and the vanilla cream cheese spread was delicious and not overly sweet. The service is friendly and also super fast, which was a huge plus. Overall had a great experience and I'd love to try their dinner menu as well!

Jing Z.
Jing Z.

We wanted to feel like the elite individuals of society that belong to Harvard so we had to get brunch here by Harvard square. This basement restaurant has a rustic and hip vibe with the cutest patio and the friendly but also classy staff. When I walked in I could smell the erudite conversation that comes with the food that everyone's having, which I was hungry for. To show gratitude to our working OT, we have to get the French toast $17. And omg it is sooo good! The berries are fresh as though they just got picked, and the toasts are soft inside and crispy outside with a buttery taste but not overly sweet. The steak and eggs Benedict $23 is another crowd stopper. It's on cornbread instead traditional English muffin, to show is well separated from the colonial British imperialism. The steak is soft and chewy, hopefully it's grass fed no gmo. We also had high hopes for focaccia egg sandwich $17. What could be better than eggs with pimento cheese on focaccia? But it was a big disappointment like me to my father. The sandwich self was so greasy we can hardly taste anything else. The arugula side salad is colossal with super salty dressing, and the leaves are kinda old. Our waiter was so nice that he let us pick another dish, so we tried bravas skillet $19. It was also really salty, and the potatoes are not super cooked inside, maybe they wanted to go for a crunchy texture but my pallets don't agree. Overall kinda disappointed by the food but the service is fast and the staff is nice.

Megha U.
Megha U.

Yum and veggie friendly, though I want to start by talking about the tiny under the plants glass area for seating- SO BEAUTiful! Super veggie friendly, and has great drinks too. The bartenders will whip you a drink based on your feeling of the day if you ask nicely- eg I got a French 75 and a south side cause I was feeling like it :)

Location

Alden & Harlow is a renowned American restaurant located at 40 Brattle St in Cambridge, MA. This trendy establishment offers a delightful breakfast and brunch menu, with a focus on creating unique flavor combinations in their dishes.

With a range of utilities like taking reservations, offering delivery and takeout, and even providing vegan options, Alden & Harlow caters to a diverse range of diners. The restaurant also features outdoor seating, making it a perfect spot for enjoying a meal on a nice day.

Customer reviews rave about the perfectly crafted food flavor combinations at Alden & Harlow. Dishes like Japanese Yams with fried chicken skin and pickled apple, broccoli and butternut squash hummus, and perfectly cooked scallops have left diners impressed with the creativity and taste.

While some customers have noted occasional small portions, like with the duck and salmon entrees, many have found the tapas-style servings ideal for sharing and trying a variety of flavors. The ambiance and service at Alden & Harlow have also received praise, with friendly and knowledgeable staff contributing to a pleasant dining experience.

If you're looking for a unique and flavorful dining experience in the heart of Harvard Square, Alden & Harlow is a must-visit destination. Whether you're a fan of veggie-friendly options or in the mood for a creative cocktail, this restaurant offers something for everyone to enjoy.