Russell House Tavern

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1. T

   Tom2020

   New England

   21 reviews

   4.0

   21 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall4food4service5ambience3

   Fun, lively Sunday brunch crowd. Very noisy, but that's the way it goes.

   Report
2. OT

   OpenTablecritic

   New England

   29 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   29 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall3food3service4ambience3

   Average food for breakfast. A bit bland. No coffee variety (espresso, cappuccino, etc). Just regular mediocre americano. No fresh squeezed oj. Nice space in a great location. Could do much better with a few simple tweaks.

   Report
3. JM

   JenniferM

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Absolutely delicious, perfect service and great atmosphere

   Report
4. SL

   SaraL

   New England

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   This has been at the top of my list to try and it did not disappoint! We went during the Dine Out Boston week and got their 3 course meal selection. Our favorites were the fried chicken appetizer, flank steak entree and strawberry shortcake (I think the best out of everything we had). The atmosphere was very fun and cool and the service was great. Will definitely come back!

   Report
5. JM

   JoshuaM

   Austin

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall4food3service4ambience5

   Order the steak three course meal. Everything was done well except the steak. Steak was cook to temp pretty good, but was charred which left a burnt flavor throughout the steak. Everything about the meal and experience was fine

   Report
6. A

   Anon

   New England

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall3food3service1ambience3

   Service was terrible. Ordered two side salads; despite our asking (twice), they only came as we were finishing our entrées. Four different servers; left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing. Even the apology was perfunctory.

   Report
7. J

   James

   New England

   60 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   60 reviews

   Dined on March 19, 2023

   overall4food4service5ambience3

   My main complaint was the noise level. They had music blaring at a level that made it difficult to have a conversation. To their credit, the did reduce the volume when asked, but even then, it was way too loud. Food on the Sunday night wasn't as good as during the week. Service was good, and the setting (apart from the sound) was pleasant. I like this place, and I hope they revise their sound level protocols permanently.

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8. GC

   GCWE

   Kansas City

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on March 18, 2023

   overall3food4service2ambience5

   It was a very nice restaurant with a great menu, but the service was lacking. If we ordered juice, we got lemonade. Salad with ranch came out with Cesar. A medium steak was rare. The steak had a sauce, but the server didn’t remember what the sauce was, yet the menu stated it was a red wine Demi glaze. When we saw them setting up for an event we asked our server if we should pack up to go and were assured we had plenty of time, only for another server to ask us politely if we could leave about 4 minutes later. Really disappointing considering the 34 dollars we paid to park so that we could make it to our reservation in time.

   Report
9. JT

   JenniTS

   New England

   47 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   47 reviews

   Dined on March 17, 2023

   overall4food4service4ambience4

   Good places for quick meal. We had tuna tartare (a little heavy on the avocados for me) and chopped salad (very nice and not over dressing as many are). There seems to be something for everyone on the menu. It is really loud though so hard to have dinner conversation.

   Report
10. LA

    LifeAdventurer13

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Tasty food! Love their fries! Perfection - whiskey sour with bourbon- a proper egg white and drizzled cherry - and a luxardo cherry!

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11. JL

    JLynnS2325

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Great service, cozy atmosphere and delicious lunch!

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall1food4service1ambience2

    We asked the owner

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13. w

    wooop

    New England

    20 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    Great atmosphere. Great Bolgnese. Salmon was dry and overcooked. The mushroom leek farro that came with it was very good.

    Report
14. MP

    MarlainaP

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was amazing! We went for Brunch. The Crab cakes, French Toast, and Tavern Breakfast were all winners! Our waitress was friendly. We will be back! Marlaina from New Jersey ;-)

    Report
15. ES

    ErinS

    New England

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Excellent food and great service. Would highly recommend!

    Report
16. J

    James

    New England

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    All good food, decor, service, noise level, price. One of the few reasonable restaurants left in the Square.

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great experience for a family brunch. All good was delicious and service was great!

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18. G

    Gruzi

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was great overall, highly recommend the curry mussels, they were AMAZING!

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19. RB

    RachelB

    New England

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We’ve tried other restaurants in Harvard Square, but none beat Russell House for service, inventiveness, and value. We were seated right away, brought water, and had our cocktails in short order, all of which were delicious. The food was outstanding and our servers could not have been more attentive. This was actually my first time dining inside, so I will say it is a loud and bustling place, but it didn’t detract from our enjoyment of the meal. Can’t wait to go back!

    Report
20. GM

    GayleM

    New England

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 21, 2023

    overall2food1service2ambience2

    I had lunch with 3 friends yesterday. When one of my friends and I arrived, we were told we had no reservation even though I had made the reservation about a week prior and had gotten a text. While in conversation with the hostess about this, a woman came from downstairs and asked if I was so and so, that the other two in my party were already seated, etc. Was that not something that the hostess could see on her screen? The crab cakes were not very good - looked like hockey pucks, too dense, not hot, and, other than a feeble garnish, there was nothing else on the plate. Plus, no bread or anything else to munch on. One of my friends had the fish and chips. She said, "Chips were under the fish, totally cold, soggy, and swimming in a pool of grease. 2 tablespoons (if that) of coleslaw served in the little metal condiment container they serve ketchup in. Fish was good." Two of the wines we selected were not available, nor was decaf coffee. We shared two desserts, including the cookie in the skillet, which was very good. The waitress was nice, but rather clueless about the menu (she said there was a larger one on line!!!). We got one paper menu and had to ask for more. She never told us about the QR option. The menu itself seemed very limited, once you eliminated the brunch stuff and salads. The room was way too dark. I had to use my phone to read the menu. It was also quite noisy even though it wasn't that crowded. The overall dining experience for me was quite bad, actually. You really need to make a lot of improvements, starting with the food. I was very disappointed. I used to come to your restaurant frequently when I worked in Harvard Square. It seemed a lot better then. Sorry to be so negative, but I think $48 was a lot for what I got. Will not be back unless someone else picks your restaurant and I just go along for the ride.

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21. n

    nycnowboston

    New England

    60 reviews

    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    Friendly helpful long curly haired waitress explained dishes patient with decisions Good. Very good. Mussels delicious ! Hamburger very good hot perfect bacon 🥓 Drink want another one Not crazy about the menu with the. QR CODE BUT WILL come again been here before — Thanks RUSS house !

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Waitress rocked my socks off. Thx for also having allergies so you know what’s up w the menu u rock my socks off. Thx for rocking my socks off

    Report
23. PO

    PamelaO

    Orange County

    30 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    A great find in Cambridge area near Harvard. The food was great, with lots of tables and bar space. The restaurant was full, so the noise level was loud but bearable. They had a great variety of food from poultry, to steak, to fish, to soup.

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Love it great food

    Report
25. M

    Matthew

    New England

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    Nice, comfortable atmosphere with a great brunch menu - for both food and drinks!

    Report
26. A

    Anne

    Naples

    28 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience2

    Everything was okay. They sat us outside which was a little cold. Heaters weren’t great. Got field salad with chicken. Chicken tasted old. Salad was not great. Egg Breakfast with Bacon and sausage was just okay.

    Report
27. CI

    CarlI

    New England

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We got seated immediately upon arrival. Great service. The food was delicious. It was a great experience and it made for a great night. I’ve been here a few times the food and service are consistently good.

    Report
28. DQ

    DeborahQ

    Sacramento

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 6, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience4

    Service was good, crab cakes were delicious. Bloody Mary was so salty I couldn’t drink it. I ordered a chopped salad and it arrived with slightly wilted romaine that wasn’t chilled and discolored discolored avocado. A disappointing salad.

    Report
29. AJ

    AJCL

    New England

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent service, great burgers and drinks…friendly staff, love the ambiance but the music a bit too loud for the space.

    Report
30. WC

    WarrenC

    New England

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    Average. Just so sadly average. Fish and chips, small fish huge amount of batter. Nothing I couldn’t have gotten at the local 99. This place used to be special.

    Report
31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Montreal

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Ate here before a performance at American Repertory Theatre. My request for a booth was noted and we got a nice cozy one downstairs by the bar. Service was very attentive. Food was excellent. Would eat here again next time we are in the Harvard Sq area.

    Report
32. AC

    AnnaCarina

    New England

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall2food2service5ambience4

    Service and ambience was great. However, order was made wrong with little done to make up. Took a few conversations with manager to get the wrong order taken off the charge.

    Report
33. J

    Jonsax

    New England

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Reserved here for a light dinner before a show at Longy. Food, service, and everything else was excellent. I expected nothing less since this has become a go-to spot for me for meetings and with friends. I love the ambiance of the downstairs lounge area. You can get a terrific small dish (including from their raw bar!), or go for a fuller meal. Waitstaff is very cheery. And the prices are quite reasonable for a good place in Harvarad Square. Highly recommended!

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 19, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience4

    Caesar dressing was too salty and crab cakes need more flavor and less breading

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35. 2

    2ndhelpings

    New England

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 19, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience4

    Food is OK but my son couldn't even eat his chicken sandwich. Our server was very nice but she never even asked if there was a reason why he only took one bite. That said, it is a cozy vibe and my husband enjoyed his burger.

    Report
36. S

    Speg75

    New England

    12 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Wonderful service and brunch selection

    Report
37. BS

    BillStets

    New England

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    The food was awesome! We were taken by surprise when the dinner came a few minutes after we ordered. Don‘t know how they did it that fast, but the short ribs and bolognese were fabulous. Service was great and they didn‘t rush us after the food arrived so quickly.

    Report
38. T

    Tanya

    New England

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Good food, good service, nice seating. Would definitely recommend for casual American.

    Report
39. MF

    MikeF

    New England

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Smooth arrival process. Staff attentive and courteous. Food was excellent

    Report
40. KC

    KevinC

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great value, excellent service, better than average food. Overdressed dirty Caesar and undercooked burger but the other entrees, fried fish and salmon were excellent. The bar and restaurant have a great energy and vibe. I highly recommend.

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