Brunch in Central Square, Cambridge, MA

February 18, 2006 1:07 PM

Before going to an afternoon show at the Middle East tomorrow (Sunday), I and some friends want to have brunch in Central Square. Any suggestions?
posted by lunasol to food & drink (13 comments total)

Right down the way in Inman Square is S&S, which has been doing the brunch thing since 1919.
posted by killdevil at 1:38 PM on February 18, 2006

I was going to suggest S&S. Good stuff. Or, if you all like Indian, al of the Central Square places are really good.
posted by Mayor Curley at 1:45 PM on February 18, 2006

I love the S&S and highly recommend it. They have an excellent brunch. It's a little pricey, and there will be a long wait, but totally worth it.

I haven't tried it, but there's a place called The Brookline Diner right there, I believe it's across the street from T.T.'s. I've been meaning to try it out, it's been recommended to me by several people.
posted by pazazygeek at 2:06 PM on February 18, 2006

the middle east has a nice brunch of its own
posted by darkpony at 2:20 PM on February 18, 2006

I never had very good experiences at S&S.

Brookline Lunch is (was?) just down the street on Brookline Despite the name it's a pretty good breakfast place.
posted by Xalf at 2:27 PM on February 18, 2006

I think pazazygeek and I are talking about the same thing. Reviewed here
posted by Xalf at 2:28 PM on February 18, 2006

S&S is an overpriced diner that sells authenticity to the local pinheads, artistes, and New York refugees. If you like to wait for so-so food at too-too prices, Sunday is just the time to hit it. Bring something to read.

Obviously, I'm the only person who feels this way about S&S, so don't listen to me.

There's a great indian restaurant next to the Police Station in Central Square though. Not to be missed.
posted by MarshallPoe at 2:33 PM on February 18, 2006

"Right down the way" if you have a car, perhaps. It'll be a cold 15-20 minute walk otherwise, since there isn't an Inman T stop. Maybe a little longer; I usually walk to Inman from Kendall, which is a longer walk, and I'm just guessing.

The Middle East serves its own food, although I've never eaten there. Sunny's serves diner-style breakfast/lunch stuff, although it closes early. [It's a bit further south than the Middle East, right near Star Market and the building which used to be the NECCO building.] I know several people who opt for the Brookline Lunch place when they have lunch in Central.

If you wouldn't mind something less breakfasty, most of the Indian places in Central are good. Mary Chung's is decent Chinese food a few storefronts down from the venue, there's an Eritrean restaurant further north on Mass. Ave. that's interesting, although I forget its name.
posted by ubersturm at 2:48 PM on February 18, 2006

thanks for all the great suggestions! i think we'll go with the brookline lunch.
posted by lunasol at 2:59 PM on February 18, 2006

I wanna say Phoenix Landing has a good Irish brunch. But then again I'm going on conjecture.
posted by LilBucner at 3:24 PM on February 18, 2006

Outside Central, but still T plus walk accessable, you have Sound Bites and Kelly's in Ball Square (T to Davis, walk down the bike path, go left on Willow and left on Broadway and you're there!).

Ooh, in Porter is Christopher's (just T to Porter and, uh, cross the street) which had a groin grabbingly good brunch. It trends towards the organic, has plenty of veggie options (Portabella Eggs Bennedict++), and is decently priced.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:23 PM on February 18, 2006

There's an Ethiopian place on Mass Ave.
posted by brujita at 9:17 PM on February 18, 2006

Brookline Lunch in Central does do a decent brunch for little money, only think I don't like is the coffee is tooo weak. It's just across the road from TT's.
posted by zaphod at 10:50 AM on December 17, 2006