How is Temple Bar restaurant rated?

Name: Temple Bar
Address: 1688 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, United States, 02138
Telephone: (617) 547-5055
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.2

Temple Bar

4.2

1333 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Top Tags:

Located just outside of Harvard Square, Temple Bar is a casually sophisticated neighborhood bistro offering modern American cuisine. Its menu offers seasonally-focused, New England flavors at reasonable prices. Named for the urban district in Dublin popular for its shopping and nightlife, Temple Bar is the place where classic dining and smart atmosphere meet. Our Executive Chef serves up his own flavorful takes on creative New American fare, each emphasized by Temple Bar’s selection of hand-crafted specialty cocktails.

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Contemporary American, American
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 547-5055
Website
http://www.templebarcambridge.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 Temple Bar American Bistor awaits your next private function. Our contemporary yet casual atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for any special occasion. Please email us at events@templebarcambridge.com or visit our website for more information templebarcambridge.com.
Private party contact
Sandy Flynn: (617) 547-5055

Location
1688 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138
Neighborhood
Cambridge
Cross street
Sacramento Street
Parking details
Temple Bar offers FREE Parking to all of our patrons with reservations between the hours of 6pm and 1am, 7 days a week in the rear of the restaurant to the right. There is additional FREE Parking across the street at 5 Sacramento street in the Lesley Guidance Center lot.
Public transit
Temple Bar is located directly in between the Harvard and Porter Square T stops on the Redline.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,333 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.2

4.2 based on all time ratings

4.1Food
4.1Service
4.1Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

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EF
ElizabethF
New England
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 8, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and cocktails. Consistently excellent. Never a bad experience.
J
Jane
New England
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on March 7, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely return after many years
J
Jorie
New England
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on March 5, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food here was soooo good. Went out as part of dine out Boston and this far exceeded expectations.
SM
SaraM
New England
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on March 5, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service and reasonably priced entrees, drinks and appetizers.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
19 reviews
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on March 1, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
Temple Bar is a favorite Saturday date-night go-to—in fact, I don’t know why we don’t do it more often! We had a great evening.
c
clyden
New England
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 29, 2020
overall1food1service4ambience2
Food was mediocre, lacked flavorful taste.
S
Shirin
New England
102 reviews
4.0
102 reviews
Dined on February 24, 2020
overall4food3service4ambience4
Pleasant surprise to have crunchy potato chips instead of bread basket enjoyed it very much . I ordered the warm quinoa salad and I was surprised with small portion (very few sweet potatoes and the cashews were soft and not crunchy ) taste was very bland even with the ginger dressing !! it was an appetizer portion and not an entree portion should have sent it back and ask for the white bean burger which is much more filling and a lot tastier
a
allaz
New England
26 reviews
vip
5.0
26 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2020
overall5food5service3ambience4
Everything was good , however service was slow . They had a large party that took most of their attention
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 16, 2020
overall4food4service3ambience4
Staff was great with our kids. One dish was missing when food arrived. But all in one, the experience was ok
GM
GerManny
New England
11 reviews
vip
3.0
11 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall3food4service2ambience4
Food was great. Especially the spareribs tasted great. The beet salad looked like a fast food delivery truck dish, but tasted very good. The roasted duck leg was well above average although I didn't care for the too dente beans. The sommelier list is a failure though. The house wine choices all were pretty bad. The sparkling rose from Italy tasted like a strawberry punch. The Cava was worse than most. And then the Sancerre tasted like it was half tap water. No structure. No bouquet. It is great that they offer still and sparkling water. I do remember the days when Cambridge had the best water in the state. Unfortunately, our sparkling now had a chlorine aftertaste. And on the service side, our waitress was very friendly, but had a terrible lack of knowledge about food and drinks. Also, it is odd when a waitress only talks to me and ignores my companion. If one is interested in opinions, why not ask both. The host desk was much more professional and helpful. They accommodated our seating wishes and helped us retrieve a lost item later.
AW
AllisonW
New England
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2020
overall5food4service5ambience4
We spent Valentine’s Day at Temple Bar and it did not disappoint!! We really liked how the V-Day menu was a la cattle and not fixed - it gave us options and we didn’t feel pressured. Our server was great and recommended a bottle of red that went perfectly with our meal! Only slight complaint would be how close the tables were to each other. We kinda felt like we were eavesdropping on the couples on either side of us because we were all squished in like sardines. That being said, the seating didn’t take away from the overall experience. Will return!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 7, 2020
overall4food4service5ambience5
Always tasty and great service!
R
Regulardiner
New England
517 reviews
vip
4.0
517 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2020
overall4food4service4ambience5
Convenient to Sanders and nice perk to have free parking. Food is tine but t not fancy.
AC
AnnC
New England
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on January 26, 2020
overall5food4service5ambience5
Really lovely atmosphere and nice staff provided for a lovely and relaxing evening. I would recommend! A neighborhood gem.
A
Aimee
New England
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on January 19, 2020
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was yummy, the cocktails were creative and awesome and our booth was just perfect for the four of us. Can't wait to go back!
AH
AH57930
New England
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 12, 2020
overall4food4service1ambience3
The restaurant space itself is great and the food is decent. Had multiple issues with the service (put in the wrong order, glasses of wine came far after our appetizer, waters were left empty for extended periods of time, took many attempts to get anyone's attention, etc. ) which was a bit souring. Perhaps an off night, would consider going back.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always love it here!!
D
Ducky
New England
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2019
overall5food4service4ambience4
The ambience is low key and the service is good. The food is creative without being weird. The short rib was outstanding and the burrata was too, except I thought the sauce for it a bit too sweet. They serve the off-beat Bourbon that I like.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
12 reviews
vip
3.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2019
overall3food3service5ambience5
Nice cozy ambiance for a Friday night. Excellent wait staff. Atlantic cod was excellent. Steak Frites par. Cooked well but too fatty.
SM
StuartM
New England
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 28, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience4
Had our Thanksgiving dinner at Temple Bar; the turkey was perfectly cooked; we had the butternut squash bisque, which was excellent. I went with wine parings recommended, which went well with the bisque and the turkey meal. Followed up with a small scoop of their home made ice cream. Ambiance was great and we had a great experience.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
36 reviews
vip
5.0
36 reviews
Dined on November 28, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
As usual, we had a great meal here- this time for Thanksgiving Dinner. Everything was delicious. The service was excellent. Exactly what we were hoping a laid-back Thanksgiving Dinner would be.
SO
SarahO
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 28, 2019
overall5food4service4ambience5
A very comfortable atmosphere and we were thrilled that they had the dog show playing on the tv! Food was very good. I would like to go back and order from the regular menu. (I had the Thanksgiving menu.) The next time I visit my daughter, we will be coming back for dinner!
H
Honesti
New England
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 28, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really enjoyed the white bean burger and kale/quinoa appetizer and the service was great.
F
Foodgirl
New England
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
My brother in law keeps saying it was the best hamburger he’s ever had.
LA
LoisA
New England
31 reviews
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this place. Food is always lovely and well-presented. We prefer a booth because of the noise level and we appreciate when they are able to accommodate us.
CO
CecilioO
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 17, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was my first time at Temple Bar and I really liked the place. The decor was nice and the staff were very pleasant.
VS
VinayakS
New England
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2019
overall4food3service5ambience5
Food is a little basic, but it was not bad. The drinks are pretty good!
SS
SueS
New England
54 reviews
vip
3.0
54 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2019
overall3food4service3ambience3
4 of us had dinner at Temple. The food was good, nothing too outstanding, but it would have been a more positive experience if the beer menu on the chalk board was up to date. My husband and son each had to go through several requests from the board before they got one that was really available. It seems like the chalk board should be easier to keep up to date. It's frustrating to decide on a beer only to be told they don't have that one.
H
Hamilton
Denver
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2019
overall4food1service5ambience5
I love this restaurant. This must have been an aberration the French toast usually melts in your mouth. It was tough and overcooked/browned. Awful. But the staff and manager were very nice about it. Am hopeful next time it will be great.
J
Julie
New England
7 reviews
vip
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 4, 2019
overall4food4service4ambience5
While not quite a "destination" restaurant, Temple Bar is reliably good -- tasty, well-prepared, fresh dishes, with enough variety for every taste; friendly wait staff; and a soothing, comfortable ambiance that lends itself to conversation. A great value and a "go-to" spot.
BR
BRFade
New England
40 reviews
vip
5.0
40 reviews
Dined on October 18, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Menu and food have improved’ very good service & an overall fun experience..
S
Shirin
New England
102 reviews
4.0
102 reviews
Dined on October 12, 2019
overall4food4service4ambience4
We like temple bar because of the menu which has a variety of choices especially for vegetarians the ambiance and vibe is great and the service is always attentive and not too pushy what is also great is that they have free parking available which is very rare in Cambridge
MA
MAJack
New England
46 reviews
4.0
46 reviews
Dined on October 9, 2019
overall4food4service4ambience5
Great little eatery with a cool cocktail list and a nice menu. Also reasonable and they have parking! Would certainly return.
T
Tanya
New England
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on October 6, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good food, great service, pleasant atmosphere. Would recommend highly.
MA
MattA
New England
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 28, 2019
overall3food4service1ambience5
Ambience and food was great. Waiter was just not very good and brought the overall experience way down.
DB
DavidB
New England
123 reviews
vip
5.0
123 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Super super amazing spot!! Gotta love the food and beverages to come with, the selection was worth it and great date spot too!!
W
Wauzo
New England
43 reviews
vip
4.0
43 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2019
overall4food4service5ambience4
Our waiter was terrific. The a/c was too cold, everything else was good.
DC
DCHugh
Washington DC
78 reviews
vip
5.0
78 reviews
Dined on September 21, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
awsome burger , lovely beer , nice restaurant , good service , great array of beers and liquors, have to go back and explore the menu further
M
Musix
New England
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 21, 2019
overall5food5service4ambience5
Great food, good outdoor seating on a nice day.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2019
overall3food3service4ambience5
I have been going to Temple Bar for many years. I love the ambience. The service is always good. But some of the dishes have no flavor, such as the bean burger, margherita pizza and kale and eggplant meatballs. The muscles and fresh fish are good. I hope they will improve so that the menu is more consistent.

FAQs

Temple Bar is rated 4.2 stars by 1333 OpenTable diners.