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Russell House Tavern, Cambridge, MA

Russell House Tavern

4.4
4.4
2436 Reviews
$30 and under
American
Top Tags:
A New American Tavern, Russell House Tavern is a comfortable gathering spot for every occasion-from casual lunch breaks on the patio to after-work cocktails in the upstairs tavern to functions in the private dining room and everything in between. Russell House Tavern delivers a seasonally-inspired menu of modern interpretations of American classics, including signatures like the R. House Burger, a selection of Tavern Pizzas and Steak Frites among other dishes. To complement the menu, Russell House Tavern serves an interesting collection of all-American wines, including two regional wines on tap, and a locally-driven craft beer selection. The cocktail menu strikes a balance between familiar classics and modern hand-crafted recipes using only fresh juices, homemade syrups and infusions.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 53 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(617) 500-3055

Other options

  • Order online
  • Logo image for ChowNow

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    American, Gastro Pub

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Mon–Wed 11:00 am–4:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–4:00 pm Bar Mon 11:00 am–11:00 pm Tue, Wed 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Thu 11:00 am–12:00 am Fri 11:00 am–1:00 am Sat 10:00 am–1:00 am Sun 10:00 am–11:00 pm Lunch Thu, Fri 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Wed, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Thu 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am

  • Phone number

    (617) 500-3055

  • Website

    http://russellhousecambridge.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Pay with OpenTable, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Private party facilities

    From intimate dinner parties to festive cocktail receptions, the events team at Russell House Tavern awaits your next private function. Our contemporary yet casual atmosphere in the heart of Harvard Square is the perfect backdrop for any special occasion. Please email us at events@russellhousecambridge.com or visit our website for more information russellhousecambridge.com.

  • Private party contact

    Janelle Jenkins: (617) 500-3055

  • Location

    14 JFK Street Cambridge, MA 02138

  • Neighborhood

    Cambridge

  • Cross street

    Brattle Street

  • Parking details

    We offer a $2 validation for the Harvard Square Parking Garage located at 20 Eliot Street.

  • Public transit

    We are located just steps from the Harvard Square T Station on the Redline.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

What 2,436 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Sort by

Filters

  1. D

    Diana

    New Orleans

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Really great spot. The service was good with the food arriving so quickly it was shocking. The Apps arrived before my drink (a whippersnapper, with was dangerously delicious). The tuna tartare was delicious (though the cucumber is more of a garnish than an ingredient), the crispy brussels were a little underwhelming and could use some seasoning. We all enjoyed our food, there were just small things that could have been done better. We felt a bit rushed, not by our waiter but by how quickly the food came and how it was brought the to table, hard to explain but it felt like the food runner was playing beat the clock. And the bathroom could have used some attention and it was still early in the evening.
  2. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Food was good. Service was friendly but not that knowledgeable about wine and such.
  3. H

    dkmHoptown

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Bartender needs to brush up on what a dry martini is, but the homemade ginger beer cocktails were exceptionally good!
  4. G

    Greifenklau

    New England

    24 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    This is one of my favorite Cambridge restaurants. I never feel rushed there, and the food is always wonderful. I usually eat downstairs, but this time, we ate outdoors, which was very pleasant. As usual, we started with an order of oysters, which are always excellent. They have a great burger, and their fries are among the best anywhere. I do wish they would bring back their pork loin sandwich, though. Highly recommended.
  5. RC

    RobertC

    New England

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Good place! The pizza was the primary weak spot - everything else was excellent.
  6. JD

    JosephD

    New England

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 18, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Food was mediocre and service was slow.
  7. L

    Littas

    Orlando

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2022

    overall4food3service4ambience5
    Nice ambiance and drinks for a date but the food fell quite short: very small oysters and clams and soggy “crispy” Brussels sprouts.
  8. MR

    MindyR

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Good food, great service, fun location
  9. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Mexico City

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Family vacation
  10. r

    rickj

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Nice outdoor setting! Great food & service. Great place for a business lunch.
  11. CL

    CarolL

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had reservations for a late lunch, and we sat outside. It was a beautiful day. Traffic is heavy but it wasn't overly noisy. We started with a cocktail, then ordered lunch. The food was presented beautifully, and it was delicious. We did not have dessert. I would recommend this restaurant and would definitely go back.
  12. j

    johng

    Raleigh

    68 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    68 reviews

    Dined on June 12, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    We sat outdoors, in a lovely area. We both had meals we would have again.
  13. BC

    BicoastalCambridgeSF

    New England

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 12, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Sat outside for brunch. Good experience.
  14. LM

    LadyMacdeath

    New England

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall3food4service2ambience4
    I've eaten here numerous times and the food is consistently good, if not a bit overpriced for the portion sizes (but it Harvard Square prices after all). Unfortunately, on this particular visit the service was pretty mediocre, with our non-alcoholic drinks arriving AFTER our entrees and our server returning to table three times to ask us if we need anything else, each time showing up without the one thing that we had requested the time before. We were also overcharged on an entree that wasn't even prepared correctly and had to be remade. Definitely not their best day, but it won't keep us from returning.
  15. m

    michelleb

    New York Area

    23 reviews

    4.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall4food3service3ambience4
    Food good. . We went for Brunch on Saturday. Husband ordered side of crispy bacon, arrived just cooked. Other entrees ok.
  16. JF

    JohnF

    New England

    10 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on June 10, 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience4
    Mixed drinks were not very good. Fiddlehead was great.
  17. AM

    AnneMarie

    New England

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 8, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Great food, good outdoor seating. The tables were a bit close and I was sitting on a bench that was about a foot higher than my friend in a chair, but it worked. Food was delicious.
  18. N

    Njoy

    New England

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 7, 2022

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    My table for 3 (reserved in advance) was actually a small table for 2 pulled up to a bench. When the food came, the three dishes plus glasses could barely fit on the table. I spent my whole lunch sitting uncomfortably trying not to step on my colleagues feet. When we asked for a larger table, we were told they were all reserved. Service was very slow at first, but food then came out quickly. It was also very loud. Not sure I will be back.
  19. C

    Christian

    New England

    6 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 7, 2022

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    Fries were soggy, bear selection was uninspiring, calamari was basic, sausage and ricotta pizza was adequate. Dinner not sit well with me… This was my second (and last) time eating at Russel House.
  20. h

    hulawitch

    New England

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on June 5, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Very nice outdoor space in alley on side of restaurant. You wouldn’t know you were on such a busy street.
  21. S

    Sarah

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 5, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Outdoor seating for two needs some improvement but overall food and service was good.
  22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 4, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Food was pretty good, service was a little slow, but an overall enjoyable experience!
  23. d

    durjoyace

    New York Area

    34 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on June 4, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    Great server, super friendly and helpful. Sat outside in HSQ on a beautiful day. Sadly, my fish and chips were a bit soggy- both the chips and the fish. My bloody mary was a bit bland. But it was a beautiful day and we sat outside and everyone had a good time. I wouldn't have complained aloud.
  24. MI

    MarciaI

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our waiter Michael was wonderful. Service was great.
  25. TM

    ThomasM

    New England

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    The food and service were overall not great. Their recommended items were incredibly underwhelming. The cinnamon buns were particularly terrible.
  26. z

    zally

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food and service Place was busy but all was perfect Servers warm and helpful Best time ever!!!
  27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 25, 2022

    overall5food4service4ambience3
    Graduation celebration!
  28. TJ

    TJHH

    Tallahassee

    92 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    92 reviews

    Dined on May 23, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Waitress was terrific
  29. LN

    LukeN

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 23, 2022

    overall2food2service4ambience2
    disappointing and dated, food mediocre, the basement sitting area is a drag
  30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved the place
  31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We are on vacation & picked it because we had enjoyed the restaurant on a trip to Cambridge five years ago. Good food & atmosphere!
  32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food is so good! Love Love The Crab Cake’s cocktails always good and strong!
  33. PJ

    PJP106

    New England

    16 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    The service was excellent, and everyone else’s food looked good except I had the avocado smoked salmon toast which was a little odd because it had grapefruit sections underneath. And it was very light on the avocado. It needed something more like red onion or tomato and capers. It was Mother’s Day and horrible music was blasting. I think for mothers they could have played a different type of music.
  34. L

    Lucai

    New England

    17 reviews

    4.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    the brunch menu is great-lots of choices! Best ever Nutella stuffed French toast! Dipped in egg batter than deep fried-OMG! Smoked salmon avocado toast very good! Great cocktails
  35. A

    Anaya

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall2food1service3ambience3
    Unfortunately I will not be returning. The food was very bland, and their were lots of little kids there. I would not recommend if your looking for a laid back dinner with adult presence.
  36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Caribbean

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall3food1service3ambience3
    Mothers Day Brunch Have been to the Russell house many times for dinner and been pleased so felt it would be a safe bet for Mother’s Day. Well I couldn’t have been more wrong. The appetizers ( we ordered 4). Were overwhelmingly awful. The charcuterie board was almost empty, the “homemade” cinnamon rolls were hard as a rock , and the oysters and Brussel sprouts were okay. Let’s fast forward to the entrees. We have the steak and eggs that were so bad that it wasn’t even eaten after the first 2 bites, the 2 brisket meals were so short on supply and almost all fat. The pizza was good and the fish and chips average. And to make things worse nothing was served hot. We were meeting future in-laws for the first time and no one wanted to complain but most of the food was terrible. I was so disappointed as this isn’t what I was used to at the Russell House Tavern and unfortunately based on this I /we won’t be rushing back. Disappointing Mother’s Day meal!!!!
  37. EC

    EmilyC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall3food2service5ambience5
    Most bland fried chicken sandwich I have had ever.
  38. AR

    ArtR

    New England

    62 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    62 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    We ate downstairs. It was an upscale gastro-pub experience; not elegant, but pleasant enough. The noise level was up there. Service was excellent, and the food was very good. The house-made Andouille sausage was toned down from what you would expect in Louisiana, but masterfully seasoned. We also had the swordfish special and the cavatelli bowl, both very fine. Prices were reasonable for the quality of the food. All in all, an enjoyable dining experience and we would not hesitate to return.
  39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 27, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    The noise was out of hand for a sit down dinner. Too bad they can’t section out the place a little better than that. Food was good, space is nice.
  40. C

    Cab5

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 26, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The food was wonderful except the chocolate cake was stale…maybe dried out from being in the fridge?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Russell House Tavern using the Order Online button. Russell House Tavern also offers delivery in partnership with Chow Now. Russell House Tavern also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 500-3055.

Russell House Tavern is rated 4.4 stars by 2436 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 53 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(617) 500-3055

Other options

  • Order online
  • Logo image for ChowNow
Google Map for Russell House Tavern

14 JFK Street Cambridge, MA 02138

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Brattle Street

  • Neighborhood

    Cambridge

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Mon–Wed 11:00 am–4:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–4:00 pm Bar Mon 11:00 am–11:00 pm Tue, Wed 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Thu 11:00 am–12:00 am Fri 11:00 am–1:00 am Sat 10:00 am–1:00 am Sun 10:00 am–11:00 pm Lunch Thu, Fri 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Wed, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Thu 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am

  • Cuisines

    American, Gastro Pub

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    We offer a $2 validation for the Harvard Square Parking Garage located at 20 Eliot Street.

  • Public transit

    We are located just steps from the Harvard Square T Station on the Redline.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Pay with OpenTable, Visa

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://russellhousecambridge.com/

  • Phone number

    (617) 500-3055

  • Private party facilities

    From intimate dinner parties to festive cocktail receptions, the events team at Russell House Tavern awaits your next private function. Our contemporary yet casual atmosphere in the heart of Harvard Square is the perfect backdrop for any special occasion. Please email us at events@russellhousecambridge.com or visit our website for more information russellhousecambridge.com.

  • Private party contact

    Janelle Jenkins: (617) 500-3055

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