Watch CBS News

Head Of The Charles: Best Restaurants For Lunch In Harvard Square

harvard
(Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

Just watching from the banks of the Charles River is enough to make one hungry, as rowers send ripples through the sparkling waters in pursuit of the finish line. With that said, CBS Boston's Best decided to scout out some lunch spots within walking distance. Since Harvard Square has the highest density of restaurants along the route, we picked the best spots to dine there.

Read: A Guide To The Head Of The Charles Regatta

Read: Best Places To Watch The Head Of The Charles Regatta

crema
(Photo from Crema/Facebook)

Crema Boston
27 Brattle Street
Cambridge MA 02138
(617)876-2700
www.cremacambridge.com

Crema offers up a combination of coffee, light breakfast, salads and cafe sandwiches in a casual enviornment. The house roasted turkey & seasonal chutney with goat cheese spread, fresh basil and mixed greens, pressed on a homemade boule is highly recommended.

Algiers Coffee House
40 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA
(617) 492-1557 ‎

This coffee house has a tiny roof deck that's perfect for a nice rest. The fare is light and Middle Eastern, which is perfect for a quick lunch, and there are plenty of teas and coffees to choose from.

Mr. Bartley's Burgers
(WBZ-TV)

Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage
1246 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 354-6559
www.mrbartley.com

Mr. Bartley's might be one of the most famous burger joints in America. The restaurant in the heart of Harvard Square has been perfecting its burgers for more than 50 years. Bartley's offers a bunch of options, most of which are named after local heroes or recognizable names with Harvard ties.

Russell House
(credit: russellhousecambridge.com)

Russell House Tavern
14 JFK St
Cambridge, MA
617-500-3055
russellhousecambridge.com

This American tavern is for more of a sit down lunch. It has an outstanding lunch menu that features sandwiches, grass-fed burgers, artisan pizzas, a raw bar and more. New cask beers make appearances on a regular basis, and a well-versed staff makes fantastic recommendations for pairing food with the right brew or their American-only wine list.

L.A. Burdick hot chocolate
(credit: burdickchocolate.com)

L.A. Burdick
52 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA
617-491-4340
www.burdickchocolate.com/stores-and-cafes-cambridge.asp

Let's face it: after lunch, you're going to need dessert. If it's a cold day, L.A. Burdick's has more hot chocolate choices and flavors than you likely knew existed. If it's a warm day, they are also available cold. Burdick's chocolate truffle choices are equally as extensive.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.