One of my badges of honor from my first year at Harvard is that I am very well acquainted with the Cambridge area. My eyes light up when people ask me for recommendations, and I love bringing my friends with me to explore new locations. 

Something that I really love about Cambridge is that many places are comfortably grouped in their own squares, the best known being Harvard Square, Porter Square, Davis Square, and Central Square.  

Harvard Square:  

Like many Harvard students, Harvard Square was my first introduction to the walkable and charming Cambridge area. My favorite spot in Harvard Square, one that I recommend anytime I am given a chance, is Luxor Cafe. Luxor Cafe is a beautiful study spot with a generous student discount and delicious, filling sandwiches named after Cambridge / Boston landmarks. Luxor makes incredible specialty matchas and lattes, and its basement is an ambient and cozy study spot. Another spot in Harvard Square that I adore is Kyoyo Haus, an ice cream shop located in The Garage, a complex with other stores and restaurants. Kyoto Haus makes rich and creamy soft serve with a stretchy and chewy mochi exterior. I especially love the mango soft serve. Last, my favorite (non-food) location in Harvard Square is Barre and Soul, a workout studio also located in The Garage. Barre and Soul has been an amazing way for me to move my body regularly, and it has made me feel more at home at Harvard. Barre and Soul is also home to an amazing community of primarily young women who are interested in fitness! These are just a few of my favorite spots in Harvard Square, but overall, getting to know this area has been crucial in putting down roots at Harvard and bonding with other freshmen. If I had to characterize this area, I would say that it feels very historic and academic. Every year, when students come back for the fall, the energy in Harvard Square noticeably shifts, which is one of my favorite parts of going to school in a city with so many students.  

Central Square:  

If Harvard Square is historic and academic, Central Square is very diverse and alternative. Central Square boasts several beautiful murals and street art and it is also home to many delicious, authentic, ethnic restaurants. My favorite event that I’ve been to in Central Square is the annual Cambridge Block Party, where they close the streets in Central, and everyone dances for hours to different DJ sets. This past summer, the block party coincided with the World Cup, so many people from outside of the United States were dancing alongside long-time Cambridge residents. It was lovely to see everyone coming together. I also love the fashion scene in Central Square. I frequent the Central Square Goodwill for clothes, fabric, and room decor. Their prices have never let me down, and they rotate out the offerings and restock clothes very frequently. Additionally, I love going to Cheapo Records to get a novelty band tee or artist tee. 

Davis Square:  

I like to think of Davis Square as Central Square’s cool fraternal twin. Davis Square is alive with the energy of young college students, which makes sense because it is close to Tufts University. I go to Davis frequently to get my raw fish fix — my favorites are Waikiki Poke and Boba and Pokeworks. Whenever I bring my friends with me, we love to go to the 7/11 and the H-Mart (also featured in Central Square, hence the “cool fraternal twin” designation”). But, my favorite part about Davis Square is that there are many cafes and study spots. My personal favorite is Diesel Cafe – a large, brick building that houses a vintage photobooth along with some cozy booths and cute vinyl stickers. I love Diesel because you could spend an entire day there and not get bored. They serve all three meals (depending on how you define dinner), have available outlets and comfortable seating, and have lots of activities that serve as study breaks. Davis Square is a space made for students, by students.  

Porter Square:  

Porter Square is where I go for my utilities. If I need anything, big or small, trust that I will be on the red line to Alewife with quickness and haste. Porter Square is home to the superior Target, with two floors and lots of cheap dorm supplies and decor. I went on a particularly memorable Porter Square Target trip at the beginning of my freshman year, where my roommates and I got an area rug and our beloved butterfly chair. Porter Square also has a Michael’s, a place that I frequented while I was Christmas gift shopping. There are also several amazing (literally) underground restaurants. I love going to ONO Pokebar for a sushi burrito. Other standouts include Yume, whose cold udon I dream about, and Phinista Cafe, an amazing Vietnamese cafe that serves specialty matcha — the pandan matcha is a must-try.  

As you get to know the area, you will find that each of the squares throughout Cambridge have their own unique character. I appreciate each and every one of these squares for how they have helped me feel at home in Cambridge!