Moeca

Name: Moeca
Address: 1 Shepard St, Cambridge, MA, United States, 02138
Telephone: (617) 945-0040
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

4.7

356 Reviews

$31 to $50

Seafood

Top Tags:

Moëca is a neighborhood seafood focused restaurant inspired by Italy and beyond.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Nov 30, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 26 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Seafood, Fish, Dining Bar
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 945-0040
Website
https://www.moecarestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Michael Pagliarini

Location
1 Shepard St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Neighborhood
Cambridge
Cross street
Massachusetts Avenue
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 356 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Boston
Innovative

356 Reviews

MC
MeredithC
Greater Boston
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Exciting, creative dishes, great service, fun vibes!
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D
Deegee
Greater Boston
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was outstanding! Our server had excellent recommendations, food was exquisite, and ambience was lovely! Will definitely be coming back.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall4food5service4ambience4
The food was great. The ambiance positive. The wait time between courses left a little to be desired. At the end, quantity of time wait should be sacrificed for qualify. Perhaps a tantalizing bite should be offered between courses. Overall, a very positive experience for a return to Cambridge for the Spanish mackerel or Venice for the crabs. [Tanks to the owners for the annuendo.]
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MB
MarkB
New York Area
29 reviews
vip
3.0
29 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall3food3service4ambience3
We dined on Friday November 24. Our reservation was at 845 pm. We were seated promptly. The server approached us immediately. The opening martinis were very good. It was the wife and I. No particular occasion. First course was the grilled mussels. It wasn't bad but was forgettable. Did not leave us with a good or bad impression. Second course was scallops. That was drop dead delicious . Oysters were good and worth getting. Pasta was ok. Sauce was well prepared the fried monkfish was good. The John dory was super . Id pass on the mussels. Pasta was good but no evidence of lobster. Scallops and John dory were the best dishes The bottle of Chablis was good. The deserts were ok. Popcorn ice cream and something else that was ok but forgettable. We were kind of sated at that point. The preparation of everything was thoughtful and I'd come back from a new York perspective the bill of fare was down right reasonable.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Dallas
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience4
Pacing of courses was nonsensical. Hot and cold food crowded our table to rush us through pur meal. Pasta was over salted, Lamache lacked depth. Server was nice, just lacked interest in guiding us through the experience. “Order taker vibes” For recent accolades we were expecting more, overall disappointed.
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h
holisticman
Greater Boston
34 reviews
vip
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Fun night! Some really good food and some near misses but overall a lovely experience. Our service staff was impeccable and just right.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 21, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Was out of a greens dish that we had heard was amazing and which was the reason for our visit. Smoked trout, oysters and scallop special were terrific.
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Y
Yumyum
Greater Boston
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 18, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Some things (Cape Cod scallops) were amazing! Some thing (our desserts) were just ok.
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GS
GatesS
Greater Boston
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 18, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience3
Wonderful crudos and drinks - the tuna collar was a bit overdone on the sweet and salty but the tartare made me believe in hope again.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Waitstaff was wonderful: attentive without being obsequious. The food was all amazing: complex flavors, perfectly cooked seafood, and aggressively al dente pasta. We’ve been twice more and surely be going again!
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k
kbbb
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My first visit to Moeca was amazing! The oysters and the gnocchi stood out as the absolute highlights, but the flake crudo with fermented strawberries was also exceptional. The cocktail list was inventive and expansive, and I will absolutely be back!
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o
onewhoknowsfood
Detroit
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I almost hate to write my true opinion of Moeca because then we won’t be able to get a table. Without a doubt this is our favorite place to go. They have such fabulous flavors and an incredible staff. We had four dishes and Richard had a cocktail. Even though we love their desserts we skipped it because we felt perfectly happy after sharing the four (we love to share because then we get to taste more of their creations). We usually go early, when it opens, so we can grab a seat at the bar which is friendly and fun.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
8 reviews
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 8, 2023
overall3food2service4ambience4
We were looking forward to dining at Moeca, as we were intrigued by the inventive dishes on the offer. The inventiveness was up to the expectations, but the execution was disappointing. Mussels on skewers was a promising start, but then it went downhill. Rosted fish head-and-neck looked mouthwatering, but there was an insane amount sault that killed all other flavors. Battered Chrysanthemum as a dish and "fennel funnel" (battered fennel) were practically clumps of fried batter with specs of chrysanthemum in the first and no fennel to be found at all in the second. If you go there to take pictures for Instagram - any dish will do. If you also would like to enjoy your meal, then be more careful when selecting your dishes. I bit too loud in the dining hall.
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JH
JenniferH
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The best restaurant I've eaten in since I moved to Boston from San Francisco six years ago! Fantastic variety, creativity and quality. Top-notch service (thank you Ben)!
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R
Ringsel
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 3, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience4
Moeca is one of the best restaurants in Massachusetts. It is a happy eating discovery. All the dishes are superlative.
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KP
KevinP
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We really enjoyed our visit to Moeca. The service and food were outstanding. Highly recommended.
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JB
JoanB
Greater Boston
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on November 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A wonderful restaurant, great food, nice room and excellent service
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h
hbauchner
San Francisco
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Service was excellent; and the food was inventive. Appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Tend to like simpler desserts; these were not, but they were excellent.
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AC
AnnC
New York Area
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 29, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience4
Creative menu, overall well executed with excellent service -but a few hiccups with several dishes not being as warm as I would have wished. Wine list has only foreign wines, all ridiculously overpriced. I live in France near Burgundy. The Saint-Veran Chardonnay they charge $90 for is a wine that costs 20€ max …and it was not a particularly good one. The cheapest Chard on the menu. Come on.
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JC
JeffreyC
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Incredibly talented chef. The restaurant encourages sharing various dishes on the menu. So it's a mix between some tapas and some entrees. The starter courses are small but beautifully flavored and amazing.
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V
Valerie
San Antonio
62 reviews
vip
4.0
62 reviews
Dined on October 24, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience5
The food was excellent. Don’t skip dessert, cause the pastry chef is terrific. Very creative The 1 scallop dish was good but really pricy
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m
missioneater
San Francisco
14 reviews
vip
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Very enjoyable dinner, good food and wonderful service from a terrific and friendly waitress. Some of the dishes were excellent (taramosalata, scallop with corn, lobster spaghetti) while others disappointed (salt cod ravioli, mushroom mafalde).
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w
wallpaints
Greater Boston
25 reviews
vip
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This place was unbelievable- Everything was interesting, unique, delicious- it was so hard to choose what to order. and the mascarpone gelato with the spicy caramel popcorn was amazing. the lobster pasta was incredible too!
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PC
PaulinaC
Mexico City
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent restaurant with fresh, tasty seafood, great drinks and friendly, attentive staff. One of the best restaurants I've been to in Boston. The sourdough and pasta are also amazing.
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HD
HollyD
Greater Boston
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on October 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Everything was creatively delicious. Our server was welcoming and well informed about the menu. Loved the creative cocktails too. My only regret was that we didn’t have room for dessert!
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CM
ChuckM
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
From Start to finish, the staff offered excellent hospitality, with good knowledge and kind demeanor. Food was fabulous, well seasoned with good flavors. I haven’t had the pleasure of dining with them before, but we are very excited to return sometime soon! Tocayo.
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WR
WilliamR
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We loved every plate at Moeca. Such a lovely experience.
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RJ
RachelJ
Greater Boston
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food and cocktails - a little pricy for the small portions but definitely worth it for a special occasion!
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FM
FotineM
Greater Boston
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on October 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Incredible and tasty dishes that were great to share amongst a group of four. The tuna app, the focaccia bread, gnocchi, mussels, and the maple dessert were all my faves. Happy we got to try this restaurant!
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A
Alex
Greater Boston
4 reviews
vip
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on October 13, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience5
We love Giulia so we really expected more from Moeca...
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m
mariop
Greater Boston
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on October 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I can see why BA names it a top restaurant in the US. Loved the unexpected ways the very fish forward dishes were made. Service was top notch.
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JR
JohnR
Greater Boston
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on October 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
We had an excellent dining experience at Moeca. All the food items we ordered were delicious, well prepared, and flavorful. The service was outstanding.
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CA
CamiloA
New York Area
12 reviews
vip
4.0
12 reviews
Dined on October 11, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience3
It was lovely. Fine design and food. Highly knowledgable staff and a gorgeous kitchen and bar makes it easy. First time there, but won't be last.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
31 reviews
3.0
31 reviews
Dined on October 10, 2023
overall3food3service5ambience4
Our first dinner at Moeca in June 2023 was outstanding. Every dish was unique and delicious. We couldn’t wait to return. Last night was a disappointment. Everything was just “eh”. The tuna njuda (tartare) was tasty but came with one slice of toast. We asked for more since it here were three of us sharing. It came eventually … and then we had to ask again for a third piece. When the bill came, they had charged us $2 a slice. Chintzy for a classy restaurant. The delicate squash was sour. But the real disappointment was the barramundi fish. Served the tail whole. We had to filet it ourselves and there was hardly any meat on the bone for 38 dollars. We were told it would be a whole fish. Sadly we won’t be coming back anytime soon.
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A
Allen
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent restaurant with inventive fish-every course was interesting including the dessert, knowledgeable wait staff and nice surroundings
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AD
AndyD
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Moeca was a wonderful experience. We had some amazing food and the service was top notch as well. We loved the Fluke, the flavors were so bright and perfectly acidic. The Apple dessert and the Swordfish Schnitzel also knocked it out of the park. Would highly recommend.
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TG
TheGs
Greater Boston
1 review
vip
4.0
1 review
Dined on October 4, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience4
Upbeat with excellent service. Food was tasty but lacked something special, especially considering the cost.
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DC
DanaC
Greater Boston
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 4, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience4
We were seating at 9:10 for an 8:45 reservation and then told we only had a few minutes to put in our food order as the kitchen was closing. We were not charged for our drinks at the bar, but we felt very rushed once we had our table. The food was very good.
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SB
SaraB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is an excellent restaurant, and it really lives up to its reputation. Service was prompt and attentive. We ordered 8 different dishes, and every single one was tasty. While they are labeled “small plates,” the portions were quite generous. Cocktails were perfect, and they even celebrated my husband’s birthday with a dessert and candle. Incredible experience all around! Prices are reasonable for the quality.
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KT
KathyT
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
EVERYTHING we ordered was extraordinary! Textures, flavors and portions were all exceptional!
1 person found this helpful

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Moeca is rated 4.7 stars by 356 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

Nov 30, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 26 times today

1 Shepard St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Additional information

Cross street
Massachusetts Avenue
Neighborhood
Cambridge
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Seafood, Fish, Dining Bar
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Michael Pagliarini
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.moecarestaurant.com/
Phone number
(617) 945-0040

Moeca

Make a reservation

Additional information

Menu

What 356 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing

Screening

FAQs

How is Moeca restaurant rated?

Is Moeca currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information