North Cambridge - Cambridge, MA Area Guide

After the incorporation of Cambridge in 1846, the railroad lines finally reached North Cambridge. This led to the opening of brickyards around Massachusetts Avenue, Concord Avenue and Alewife Brook, as well as a new ice-cutting industry. North Cambridge and other areas around it were then split up into housing districts for the immigrants who came to work in these emerging industries. The closest museum to the neighborhood is the Museum of Bad Art, located in Davis Square. The North Cambridge Family Opera and an art gallery called From Russia with Art both call this neighborhood home.

Nearly all North Cambridge’s restaurants sit along Massachusetts Avenue. Types of cuisine include Greek, Middle Eastern, Italian and Chinese.

L’Impasto, a small and intimate restaurant where a line begins to form early in the evening, offers authentic Italian cuisine prepared by the owner himself. Pair the free bread with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar sitting at each table, or pay to take a loaf home with you as the locals often do. L’Impasto has been mentioned in the Boston Globe, complete with a profile on chef-owner Riccardo Passini.

Café Barada, a family owned and operated establishment, serves traditional Lebanese food. As mentioned in the Boston Globe review, the owners or one of their adult children greet and serve guests. They can accommodate special dietary requests, such as gluten-free rice pilaf, and get your order right every time without ever writing it down.

Just beyond the eastern boundary of North Cambridge lies Toad, a small venue that features live local bands. With no cover charge and a variety of brews on tap, it has quickly become a popular nightspot for locals. For a quieter visit, go by before 7 p.m. when people begin to spill in to watch the bands.

When you want more than drinks at a local bar or club, head to Lanes & Games, which provides bowling, pool tables and an arcade, as well as a full bar. Open as late as 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, you can spend an early evening bowling with the kids or a late night challenging your buddies at pool.

If you like sports bars with an upscale vibe, visit McCabe’s on Mass. They serve everything from a great Sunday brunch to flatbread to ribs and offer plenty of gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan fare. A large screen TV sits behind the bar so that everyone has a good view for the next Patriots touchdown while enjoying a local craft beer.

Public transportation, walking and bike riding remain popular forms of transportation for North Cambridge residents. Porter Square is the main transportation hub, with Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Red Line access, plus commuter rail and bus stations. Another MBTA station, the Alewife Red Line station, lies at the western end of the neighborhood. Residents can also call a cab or book transportation through Uber.

The MBTA has a 2,700 space parking lot at the Alewife Station, and many paid meters sit along Massachusetts Avenue. The MBTA charges $4 to $7 per day. Meters charge $.25 for 15 minutes or $1 for an hour and are free on Sundays.

US Route 3 passes through and along the eastern boundary of North Cambridge. The Concord Turnpike also begins at the eastern border, which leads directly to I-95. Interstates I-90, I-91 and US Route 1 sit within close proximity to the neighborhood.

As Cambridge’s ninth most walkable neighborhood, you can run most errands around North Cambridge on foot. Bike lanes and trails exist throughout North Cambridge streets. Bike racks are also readily available, especially in high-traffic areas.

A small park just under an acre, Reverend Williams Park has a playground, waterplay area and basketball court. Covering a little over an acre, Bergin Park has a playground and a waterplay area. Danehy Park has a dedicated off-leash area that you can enjoy with your furry friend. This 49-acre park also has a playground, walking paths and sports facilities. All these parks are free to visit.

The cost of living in North Cambridge hovers just over $65,000 a year, nearly 2 percent higher than the state average. The cost of goods and services, groceries, utilities and transportation remain comparable between North Cambridge and the rest of the city. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment is slightly under $2,700 a month.

The center of commerce in North Cambridge lies along Massachusetts Avenue. The stores found along this street include a few chain stores and high-end to high-value specialty boutiques. Find the perfect suit for work or a special occasion at Drinkwater's Cambridge on Massachusetts Avenue. Even if they don't have the right suit on the floor, you can have one custom-made. On the boundary of North Cambridge and Somerville sits Diaper Lab, a specialty shop focused on cloth diapering. Find a wool diaper for cold winter nights or an all-in-one diaper that combines the convenience of disposable with the benefits of cloth. Purchase diapers separately or as a starter package that includes everything a parent needs to get started. Pemberton Farms Market, located on Massachusetts Avenue, prides itself as a specialty grocery store that carries non-GMO-verified products and natural pet products. It also has a range of regular grocery items, a deli and a beer and liquor section. Capone Foods, also on Massachusetts, sells the perfect food items for an Italian-style dinner. From filled pasta to sauces and desserts, you can find it in their store or order it online. Although North Cambridge doesn't have its own farmers market, two farmers markets are close by. Visit the Charles Square Famers Market on Sundays and Fridays and the Harvard University Farmers Market on Tuesdays.