Drifter's Tale

Name: Drifter's Tale
Address: 1281 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA, United States, 02139
Telephone: (617) 714-5712
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.1

4.1

14 Reviews

$31 to $50

Gastro Pub

Top Tags:

This globe-trotting menu, created by Executive Chef Scott McCarthy, offers comfort classics and dishes inspired by flavors from around the world, as well as an impressive list of local beer and thoughtful craft cocktails.

Although the atmosphere is very comfortable and casual, there are no details spared. From the sausage made in the Drifter’s scratch kitchen to the playful cocktail names (i.e. ‘Resting Spritz Face’), the team works to create a neighborhood environment without compromising the quality.

Located conveniently on Cambridge St. in Inman Square, in between Harvard Sq. and Kendall Sq.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jul 2, 2022

11:30 PM

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(617) 714-5712

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Gastro Pub, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of operation
Wed–Fri 4:00 pm–11:30 pm Sat 4:00 pm–12:30 am Sun 4:00 pm–10:30 pm Bar Wed–Fri 4:00 pm–11:30 pm Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–10:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:45 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:45 pm
Phone number
(617) 714-5712
Website
https://www.drifterstale.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Scott McCarthy

Location
1281 Cambridge St Cambridge, MA 02139
Neighborhood
Cambridge
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

White Bean Dip$10.00
olive & artichoke tapenade, pita chips
Chicken Wings$13.00
buffalo & blue cheese, BBQ dry rub, or garlic parmesan
Chickpea Fritters$10.00
spicy avocado piccalilli sauce
Crispy Cauliflower$9.00
sour cream & charred onion dip, chives
Blackened Fish Tacos*$14.00
quick pickled red cabbage, thai chili aioli, radish, cilantro & lime
Argentinian Empanadas$13.00
painted hills beef, olives, egg, chimichurri, red pepper crema
Poutine$11.00
queso fonduta, pan roasted mushrooms, aleppo chili, scallions
French Dip Pigs in a Blanket$12.00
brisket, caramelized onion, frank & puff pastry, mustard jus
Drifter's Nachos$12.00
cheddar cheese sauce, pinto beans al pastor, napa cabbage, pickled jalapeno & onion, pico de gallo, smoked chili crema

Flatbreads

BBQ Braised Chicken$14.00
BBQ sauce, cheddar, shaved red onion, scallions, fried onions
Spinach & Goat Cheese$12.00
crispy artichokes, parmesan cream, fried garlic, lemon

Salads & Sandwiches

Baby Greens$10.00
radish, green goddess dressing, pumpkin seeds, crispy puffed rice
Mushroom & Quinoa Salad$13.00
spinach, pear, parmesan, pecans, mustard vin
Brisket Grilled Cheese$16.00
onion marmalade, swiss & cheddar, whole grain mustard
Eggplant Reuben$14.00
pastrami spiced eggplant, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, russian dressing
Tale Burger*$18.00
painted hills beef, cheddar, crispy onions, bibb lettuce, roasted garlic aioli

Entrees

Shrimp & Grits*$22.00
marinated shrimp, cheesy grits, mushrooms, bacon, scallion & cilantro
Roasted Pork Loin*$24.00
dijon herb crust, crispy smashed potatoes, braised cabbage, apple butter
Steak Frites*$28.00
8 oz bavette steak, mustard herb butter, fries, arugula & radish salad

Sides

Fries or Truffle Fries$7.00
Crispy Brussels Sprouts$10.00
chili flake, lemon zest & parm
Cheesy Cheddar Grits$7.00
scallions

Sweets

Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich$8.00
milk chocolate dipped w/ cookie dough ice cream
Apple Bread Pudding$10.00
peanut butter whiskey caramel

What 14 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.1

4.1 based on all time ratings

4.1Food
4.2Service
4.1Ambience
4Value

Noise • Moderate

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J
Jack
New England
19 reviews
vip
3.0
19 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2022
overall3food3service3ambience3
Burger was good but the roll was old. Fries needed to be cooked more. Friend’s medium steak frites was 1/4 rate. Server was really nice but then she disappeared then another guy said he was our server but then she came back so? It was ok. Really busy and very loud.
J
Jess
New England
47 reviews
vip
5.0
47 reviews
Dined on April 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, terrific staff, and a fun vibe.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
vip
3.0
1 review
Dined on February 13, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience2
The music is too loud, the lights are too bright, it is not cozy at all. The food is good but overpriced.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, great service!
P
Pickymom
New England
33 reviews
vip
4.0
33 reviews
Dined on December 27, 2021
overall4food5service3ambience3
Food was good and interesting choices. I wish they had more vegetarian options. I got vegetarian pot stickers and they were quite good. Drinks were interesting and good It was right after Christmas and it was pretty empty and kind of cold. I would have liked it to be a little warmer inside. The service was spotty. Nice enough, just for being kind of empty, not super attentive. Overall nice meal
KM
KateM
New England
8 reviews
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 11, 2021
overall3food4service3ambience3
Not sure how this place ended up in Eater. Food was good, cocktails were terrible (like, college-bar level sweetness and quality). Lots of TVs, just your average neighborhood bar - wouldn’t call it a “gastropub”.
TA
TATOT
New England
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2021
overall4food4service4ambience3
Nice little place. Very good staff. Bit too loud.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience4
Very casual ambience with simple food done well. Loved the paella (takes 25 minutes so be warned; we were in no hurry). Also loved sausage flatbread. Very pleasant waitstaff.
LS
LiaS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 23, 2021
overall5food4service4ambience5
Good food, the waitress's suggestions were excellent. Service was great , attentive but not overbearing.
MA
MAry
New England
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on October 22, 2021
overall1food2service1ambience3
We ordered wings as an appetizer that took 30 minutes to come to the table. Our waitress didn’t check on us once and we had to ask a different waitress to check on our food. I ordered a margarita that took 20 minutes to come. The paella was good aside from the mussels which were nearly inedible because they tasted like sewage.
L
Lynn
San Francisco
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on October 8, 2021
overall4food5service5ambience4
Menu has typical pub food but all was made in house including the sausage. Each bite was spectacular.
EL
EmilyL
New England
13 reviews
vip
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2021
overall4food5service4ambience4
Loved the food and drinks! The service was extremely spotty, although the restaurant was very busy and the server seemed new. The staff was all working hard. The noise level, however, was really hard to tolerate. It was SO loud. I’d love to come back for a lazy Sunday afternoon of drinks and food at the bar!
KH
KevinH
New England
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding
IL
InmanLady
New England
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2021
overall5food4service5ambience5
Food was great, especially the paella. Only downside is that there weren't any great food options for kids. They do offer a pizza-like flatbread and a burger but they are both kind of fancy. I would advise them to offer a few very simple kids' items like buttered pasta and chicken fingers. Thanks!

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily

FAQs

Drifter's Tale offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 714-5712.

Drifter's Tale is rated 4.1 stars by 14 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jul 2, 2022

11:30 PM

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(617) 714-5712

1281 Cambridge St Cambridge, MA 02139

Additional information

Neighborhood
Cambridge
Hours of operation
Wed–Fri 4:00 pm–11:30 pm Sat 4:00 pm–12:30 am Sun 4:00 pm–10:30 pm Bar Wed–Fri 4:00 pm–11:30 pm Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–10:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:45 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:45 pm
Cuisines
Gastro Pub, Tapas / Small Plates
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Scott McCarthy
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.drifterstale.com/
Phone number
(617) 714-5712

Drifter's Tale

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Additional information

Shared Plates

White Bean Dip$10.00

Chicken Wings$13.00

Chickpea Fritters$10.00

Crispy Cauliflower$9.00

Blackened Fish Tacos*$14.00

Argentinian Empanadas$13.00

Poutine$11.00

French Dip Pigs in a Blanket$12.00

Drifter's Nachos$12.00

Flatbreads

BBQ Braised Chicken$14.00

Spinach & Goat Cheese$12.00

Salads & Sandwiches

Baby Greens$10.00

Mushroom & Quinoa Salad$13.00

Brisket Grilled Cheese$16.00

Eggplant Reuben$14.00

Tale Burger*$18.00

Entrees

Shrimp & Grits*$22.00

Roasted Pork Loin*$24.00

Steak Frites*$28.00

Sides

Fries or Truffle Fries$7.00

Crispy Brussels Sprouts$10.00

Cheesy Cheddar Grits$7.00

Sweets

Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich$8.00

Apple Bread Pudding$10.00

Overall ratings and reviews

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Cleaning & sanitizing

FAQs

Does Drifter's Tale offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Drifter's Tale restaurant rated?

Is Drifter's Tale currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

Additional information