Cambridge

Super-yummy Chinese food, including Dim Sum 11:30AM-3PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Signature dishes are Dun Dun Noodles and Suan La Chow Show. A major hangout for MIT geeks, and thus the first restaurant with a Usenet newsgroup, alt.fan.mary-chungs. Don't forget the pot stickers. Cash only.

The Porter Exchange

The food court of this indoor shopping area is the closest thing to Tokyo in Boston. A half dozen stalls compete to serve up delicious and cheap portions of tempura, udon, sushi, ramen and bulgogi without any frills. Finish your unagi-don eel over rice with a scoop of ginger mochi ice cream.

Café Pamplona

Spanish style cafe serving teas, strong coffee, desserts, and Spanish main courses supplemented by grilled Cuban sandwiches. Has both an outdoor patio and an indoor seating.

Moody's Falafel Palace

Located in a tiny "castle", this inexpensive Middle-Eastern restaurant serves up delicious shawarma, kebab, and their namesake falafel.

Well-known for Sicilian pizza. Also known for steak and cheese subs. Has colorful mural of Pinocchio and other fables on walls of dining area. Located on a small street between Harvard Yard and JFK Park, just off JFK Street.

Cinderella's

Pizza, subs, and good "American" Italian cooking. Pizza slices aren't on the published menu, but are available for a scant $1.25 and only $.25/topping.

Hong Kong–style Chinese food. Recommended: hot & sour wonton soup think steamed dumplings and sauce as a soup, General Gau's Chicken, and Beef Hot Pot beef with ginger and scalions–not on the menu.

Didi Emmons, author of Vegetarian Planet, is a co-owner and was the first head chef. Completely vegetarian and mostly organic, with plenty of vegan options they'll substitute tofu "ricotta" for other cheeses and do not serve soft drinks to further the more organic appetite. Yummy veggie combinations served over whole-wheat pizza dough, brown, or coconut rice.

Gourmet Italian food, at fast food prices. The owner, Altin, used to work in high-end Italian restaurants, but decided to strike it on his own. By appearances it ain't much formica booths, no table service, but the food is spectacular. Fresh homemade pasta daily. The major drawback is they have no liquor license, and since the Cambridge constabulary eats there nightly, won't let you bring your own.

Picante Mexican Grill

Good and healthy Mexican food, a step above fast food. Fresh salsa bar, daily specials.

Fast Mexican food, much better than Taco Bell. People seem divided on Anna's-- some love it, some hate it. Locations in Porter Square, Davis Square, and Brookline as well.

A great place if you need both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. They are very vegetarian friendly, but also have good burgers and beer, and some more yuppie-ish options.

Serving basic American bar food, this dark and crowded Harvard tavern would be unremarkable, if it weren't for their incredible happy hour special and the quirky staff. From 5PM-7:30PM everything on the menu is half price with a beverage purchase of $3 or more. Skip the burgers... If you can get a table. Non-happy hour entrees $5-$12.

This legendary Cambridge institution consists of an art gallery, 4 live music venues, 4 full bars, and no less than 3 dining areas including the upscale Zuzu, below. Sample a large variety of Lebanese dishes served in a vibrant, artsy setting. The "Corner" dining area enter at 480 features live music every night, often free, with belly dancing on Su and W. Extensive vegetarian menu.

Emma's

40 hampshire st. kendall sq., phone: +1 617-864-8534. tu-f 11:30am-10pm, sa 4pm-10pm. this cozy little pizzeria stands out for two reasons: unique and sometimes bizarre topping combinations like the house-smoked bacon pizza with roasted gold potatoes, cilantro and dried cranberries will make you rethink what makes a pie. and, more importantly, the pizza here is actually good -- the crust is thin and crispy, the sauce is flavorful, and the cheeses are fresh and melt just right -- quite a feat considering what typically passes for pizza in the boston area. $8-15/$11-18 small/large pie.

The Asgard

350 massachusetts ave, +1 617-577-9100. central sq. (http://www.classicirish.c...) tasty blend of irish/american/mexican food with large selection of beer and martinis.

Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage

1246 massachusetts av. harvard sq., phone: +1 617-354-6559, (http://www.mrbartleys.com...). m-sa 11am-9pm. a harvard square landmark, bartley's serves practically any kind of hamburger you can imagine, most named after individuals. a favorite - the ted kennedy - "a plump, liberal amount of burger with cheddar cheese, mushrooms, cole slaw and french fries." owners/menu leans right to the dismay of many customers. $10-15.

Midwest Grill

1124 cambridge street, phone: +1 617-354-7536, (http://midwestgrillrestau...). su-sa 11am-11pm. brazilian churrascaria served rodã­zio style - affectionately called a "meat faucet." waiters bring skewers of meat beef, pork, bacon-wrapped chicken, lamb, sausages and garlic bread around the dining room and slice desired portions at your table until you tell them to stop. salads are available buffet-style, and are included in the price. drinks are extra, but their caipirinha brazil's national cocktail is well worth it. lunch/dinner - $13/$20 all you can eat plus drinks.

S&S Restaurant

Inman square 1334 cambridge street, phone: +1 617-354-0777. everything is on this menu from deli to delicious entrees. prices are reasonable. restaurant hours are m-w 7am to 10pm, th-f 7am to 11pm, sat 8am to 11pm, su 8am to 10pm and breakfast is served all day long. s&s wings are quite popular.

Gallery Cafe

40 edwin land blvd.in the royal sonesta hotel phone +1 617.806.4122 m-th 6am-11pm friday 6am-12am sat 6:30am-12am sun 6:30am-11pm (http://www.sonesta.com/bo...)

Zuzu

474 massachusetts av. central sq, phone: +1 617-864-3278 x237. 5:30pm-11pm nightly. this is a middle-eastern tapas joint, which serves pretty good food at reasonable prices.

Oleana

134 hampshire st. inman sq., phone: +1 617-661-0505, (http://www.oleanarestaura...). su-th 5:30pm-10pm, f-sa 5:30pm-11pm. oleana's inspired and exquisite offerings span the mediterranean from spain to turkey and armenia to north africa, yet everything comes together superbly. vegetarian prix fixe $38 includes 5 mezze and dessert. omnivorous entrees $21-$25. or come just for dessert to sample their exceptional baked alaska with coconut ice cream & passion fruit caramel, $10.

Regional contemporary American cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. A wonderful outside dining terrace and one of the best Sunday brunches prix fixe, $33 in Greater Boston.

Upstairs on the Square

91 winthrop street harvard sq., phone: +1 617-864-1933, (http://www.upstairsonthes...). lunch 11-1; dinner 5-11, both daily. formerly upstairs at the pudding, this is one of cambridge's finer restaurants, serving a mix of new american and continental cuisine. the restaurant has two dining rooms, a lower-priced "monday bar room," and a more upscale soiree dining room. main dishes at the former range from $14-$28, while a prix fixe dinner at the latter runs $65.