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The Hourly Oyster House, Cambridge, MA

The Hourly Oyster House

4.7 (1519)
$30 and under
Seafood
15 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 38 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Lively
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for creative cocktails
The Hourly Oyster House is a vibrant and welcoming neighborhood outpost in the heart of Harvard Square, where guests can enjoy thoughtfully sourced and playfully prepared seafood and oysters from New England and beyond, as well as a carefully crafted selection of signature cocktails, beer and wine. With a focus on seafood, The Hourly serves up New England classics in a dynamic and airy space.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Oyster Bar, American
  • Hours of operation
    Bar Daily 11:00 am–11:00 pm Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Sandro Joseph
  • Private party facilities
    From intimate dinner parties to festive cocktail receptions, the events team at The Hourly Oyster House awaits your next private function. Our contemporary yet casual atmosphere in the heart of Harvard Square is the perfect backdrop for any special occasion.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator: (617) 765-2342
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Cambridge
  • Cross street
    Massachusetts Avenue
  • Parking details
    Parking is available at the Smith Center Garage, directly across the street from the restaurant at 11 Holyoke Street. There is also on street metered parking directly in front of the restaurant on Dunster Street.
  • Public transit
    Just steps away from the Harvard Square T-stop on the Redline.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Dinner & A Show

    Multiple dates available
    Make your theater night in Harvard Square unforgettable with dinner at The Hourly Oyster House, the neighborhood’s premier destination for fresh, thoughtfully sourced seafood. Located just a short walk from both the American Repertory Theater and Sanders Theatre, The Hourly is the perfect spot for a pre-show dinner or a post-performance celebration. Our menu features a rotating selection of the finest oysters from New England and beyond, alongside expertly prepared seafood dishes that highlight the region’s rich flavors. Complement your meal with a glass from our carefully curated wine selection, featuring crisp whites and elegant sparklers that pair perfectly with our oysters and seafood. With a lively yet inviting atmosphere that blends historic charm with modern touches, The Hourly offers an unparalleled dining experience in the heart of Harvard Square. Whether you’re savoring oysters before the curtain rises or toasting to a spectacular performance afterward, let The Hourly be your go-to destination for an unforgettable evening.
    Dinner & A Show Photo

Private dining

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What 1,519 people are saying

The Hourly Oyster House reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Hourly Oyster House shines with its "great oysters" and seafood, offering a "fantastic vibe" in the heart of Harvard Square. Guests laud the "excellent service" from knowledgeable staff and a lively atmosphere. The menu features "delicious food" like clam chowder, lobster rolls, and creative cocktails, ensuring a memorable dining experience.
1,519 Reviews
  1. Ruth VIP

    New Orleans / Louisiana7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was terrific. We had oysters and shared the mussels…could have been the best oysters we’ve ever had. I got the heirloom salad and my husband the Caesar salad…both very good. Justin our server was great

    Is this helpful?

  2. Jonathan

    New York City16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Ryan was a great server and the oysters were perfectly shucked

    Is this helpful?

  3. Elysia

    Philadelphia County3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on July 22, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    The outside patio table in an alley was where we were seated. It was a bit windy and cool, service was not very prompt but the server was kind. Food was very good. We had to wait a while for apps and drinks to get refilled. Music was some 80-90s playlist, a bit funky. was an okay experience. Not as cozy as prior reviews said it would be.

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  4. Melissa

    New York City1 review

    4.0

    Dined on July 21, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    I had a delicious scallop dish and my son had salmon. Perfectly cooked

    Is this helpful?

  5. Kristina

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on July 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding food and even better service. Amazing playlist in the background, but not too loud. A new favorite!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Michael VIP

    Virginia48 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and generous portions. Friendly efficient server who answered questions from my partner and our daughter, both foodies. Nice beer list. Best calamari ive had in Metro Boston. Crowded with happy hungry folk. Moderate prices.

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  7. Carol

    Chicago / Illinois6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Our server Hailey was outstanding and made our experience wonderful. Highly recommend the calm chowder and lobster bisque!

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  8. Geraldine VIP

    Grand Est13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I was surprised to enjoy the food so much! My partner and I both had tasty clam chowder and lobster rolls which were excellent, ample in size and served with a generous portion of fries or a salad. Salad was simple and good, and fries were nice and crispy. Wine was good too. Prices were reasonable, especially for Harvard Square. We will return!

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  9. Kim

    New York City2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on July 14, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    I had two shells in my lobster roll. I brought this to the server’s attention. She offered a free dessert but we did not plan on eating dessert. Also the restaurant was mostly empty and we waited a while for a salad and lobster roll.

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  10. Paul VIP

    Greater Boston11 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on July 7, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The Caesar Salad was a huge disappointment for this restaurant which otherwise serves delicious food.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Hourly Oyster House offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 765-2342.

The Hourly Oyster House is rated 4.7 stars by 1519 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Greater Boston
  4. Boston
  5. Cambridge

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 38 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Hourly Oyster House

15 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Massachusetts Avenue
  • Neighborhood
    Cambridge
  • Hours of operation
    Bar Daily 11:00 am–11:00 pm Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Oyster Bar, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parking is available at the Smith Center Garage, directly across the street from the restaurant at 11 Holyoke Street. There is also on street metered parking directly in front of the restaurant on Dunster Street.
  • Public transit
    Just steps away from the Harvard Square T-stop on the Redline.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Sandro Joseph
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    From intimate dinner parties to festive cocktail receptions, the events team at The Hourly Oyster House awaits your next private function. Our contemporary yet casual atmosphere in the heart of Harvard Square is the perfect backdrop for any special occasion.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator: (617) 765-2342
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