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Algiers Coffee House
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Middle Eastern Coffee & Tea, Middle Eastern [Edit]
40 Brattle StCambridge, MA 02138
Neighborhood: Harvard Square
(617) 492-1557
- Nearest Transit:
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Brattle St @ Massachusetts Ave (86)
114 Mt Auburn St (71, 73)
Mt Auburn St @ Story St (71, 73)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 12 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
247 reviews for Algiers Coffee House
Review Highlights
"It's definitely a Harvard Square gem and favorite."
(in 50 reviews)
"we had mint tea and an almond cookie."
(in 61 reviews)
"They served me the best hummus I've ever had."
(in 53 reviews)
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247 reviews in English
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Review from shoaib a.
Arlington, VA
1/30/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Came here for some some coffee with a buddy on a Tuesday night. Having been my first coffee experience in Cambridge, I came away quite happy with my visit to Algiers. Seeing as their name comes from a North African city, I ordered the Arabic (Turkish) coffee. The waitress was good enough to ask me how much sugar to pack in the coffee rather than leave me with sugar to pour into my cup later. I told her I didn't want any sugar and so that's what I got!
The decor has a nice North African/ Middle eastern vibe. All in all, a fine coffee shop in a very cool part of Cambridge. -
Review from Cassy H.
Drink & food: Typical and overpriced. I ordered mint coffee and baklava as my Sunday afternoon treat. The coffee arrived with lots of whipped cream on top with mint syrup. The coffee itself tasted alright, nothing amazing... the whipped cream was a bit unnecessary and mint syrup was eh... lame. The baklava was meh as well... not as moist as I wanted it to be. The bill came out to be $10-- definitely not reasonable.
Service: You walk in the store... the waitresses ask you, "How many?" You tell them. They tell you, "Great, grab and menu and sit anywhere you want." It's not your typical coffee house where you order, grab your drink, and sit. It's more like a restaurant setup. Anyway, my waitress was great, so no complaints there.
It's a 2 star mainly, b/c of how typical everything tasted and yet it was super expensive. Plus, there's no wi-fi, so don't bother bringing your laptop to browse the internet... perhaps, a book or reading for class would do, but definitely no internet. =/ -
Review from jun k.
12/17/2011
Came here a few times and I like it because it's secluded and it's a great place to chat with someone.
Not a fan of their espresso mocha... or their really thick coffee.. or their honey cake.
DID like their mint coffee.
I'd come here to study. -
Review from Camille R.
Somerville, MA
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Falafel was pretty good. Prices are high and the staff are jerks.
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Review from Samuel F.
12/16/2011
How did I miss this place for so long? The food is very tasty, and I liked the relaxing atmosphere. Showed up late on a weekday, and the place was surprisingly almost empty despite the location.
An extra star because I love a place where you can get good breakfast food late at night. -
Review from Barbra B.
Pasadena, CA
1/23/2012
Looked this place up on Yelp at Logan Airport when I was in Boston a few months ago and loved it! My requirements were a cool cafe with WiFI near the train station in Harvard Square that had coffee and pastries and an interesting atmosphere, (you know, something to write home about). I had half a day in Boston to do some work on my computer, it was pouring rain that day so no touring, before heading to my sister's house in Providence. This place fit the bill and was definitely worth writing home about.
I had the mint coffee and it was good, not the best ever but good. The ambience (old books on shelves above the tables, cool lamps, maps and photos of Algeria from different points in history, old house converted to cafe) and the staff (appeared to be a family who worked there, including an older man who was cleaning the tables).
So, here's to Yelp leading you to find a place you would only stumble upon (if it wasn't raining of course!) -
Review from Kitty G.
Littleton, MA
1/3/2012
This place is infamous for bad service so if you are in a rush this is not a good place for you. The architecture is awesome! Great place for brunch or for a date. The food is fresh and flavorful. Honestly I have never eaten a bad meal there. The flaws are it can be obnoxiously loud, the staff WILL forget about you, and there are too many tables upstairs. Great place to study, honey cake is yummy, with the mint tea!!!!!
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Review from Eric F.
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Lousy espresso drinks. My cappuccino's milk froth was much too thick and the espresso itself tasted burnt. Combine this with spotty, awkward service and cramped quarters and you have one really lackluster coffeehouse.
Listed in: Coffee in Boston
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Review from S T.
Waltham, MA
12/12/2011
Charges for refills?
I can understand if coffee was the only item ordered but my wife and I ordered a meal with coffee. When I asked for a refill, I was notified that refills were not free! The issue is not the cost but that the coffee was standard filter coffee, not a latte, cappuccino, espresso or served in a place like Starbucks or Peet's! Even limiting customers to one free refill would have been appropriate! -
Review from Matt S.
Arlington, MA
12/25/2011
Tea and coffee and food are first rate. But why so dirty? I'm sure the massive cockroach that sauntered out once to greet me and my guest would agree. (At least, he would if he hadn't been scooped up by a waitress. And when the same thing happened at a place in Chicago, my wife and I got free dessert--so why so cheap?)
Minus two stars for that, so still four. I know they're almost everywhere. But they shouldn't be when I'm there.
Of course I'll still go back. -
Review from Archana V.
Cambridge, MA
12/11/2011
Yes, the decor is interesting. No, the food is not worth the price. My orange hot chocolate was way too sugary. Definitely not ideal for brunch.
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Review from Randy O.
Boston, MA
7/28/2011
Algiers is another of my Harvard Square favorites. Pop in and sit upstairs. You can sit and chat and sip tea or coffee (or have a small bite to eat) for as long as you want. Watch students and couples come and go. It's hard to be stressed here.
The ambiance really does feel like a spot you'd find in Algiers. It's worth a visit.
Find me on Twitter: @onlyrandy -
Review from Kristin J.
Boston, MA
9/28/2011
I had the chicken skewer sandwich and mint tea, and my friend had the falafel plate and mint tea.
Mint tea was delicious, and they gave us free hot water for the pots after we had finished our firsts. I enjoyed my chicken sandwich- the meat was well seasoned, juicy, and there was a lot of it, the sandwich was dressed with a good amount of tahini, and I really liked the very thin, warm, and slightly crunchy pita bread it came wrapped in. My friend found her entree a bit skimpy, particularly given the price, and it seemed like she got a really paltry amount of fries- the plate looked bare.
The waitresses were pleasant, but seemed a bit overwhelmed (or maybe understaffed), and it was hard to get their attention.
I've already come back again for the delicious mint tea. I will definitely return to sample some of the other food items. -
Review from mimi x.
Cambridge, MA
5/11/2011
Algiers is one of the few coffee places in Harvard Square where you don't have to lurk creepily next to people who are on the last bites of their sandwich, hoping to grab their table. There is always plenty of room here, and It's surprisingly beautiful inside with funky decorations, an open foyer, and a deck upstairs. Seat yourself at one of their octagonal tables, and never feel rushed to leave.
As for food: HUMMUS HUMMUS HUMMUS. Served with olive oil, a dash of paprika, fresh cucumbers, and strips of pita, chickpeas never tasted so good. The kebab sandwiches are also a good choice for something more filling, and they come with a tangy side salad to quench your veggie quota.
One drawback is that service can be very slow, but I feel sorry for the waitresses who have to schlep up and down the stairs. Algiers seems severely understaffed, so don't expect to get in and out quickly. But if you're not in a rush and want a leisurely(turkish) coffee, stop in. -
Review from Katharine S.
Chicago, IL
10/26/2011
A little overpriced, but the ambiance Algiers cultivates is divine. If I ever find myself in Cambridge again I'll make a bee-line for this cafe.
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Review from Erin H.
Cambridge, MA
1/5/2012
Ah, the old standby. It's always there to love me. This place is great. The service is slow sometimes, but the food is great, and the Arabic coffee is divine. There is always beautiful classical music playing, and the space is so soothing, I like to write here and just people-watch. There are always cute boys on the upper floor. Lots of intense intellectual conversations. Oh, one more thing: in the summer, the balcony is sweeet: great place for a first date that won't set you back (too much)!
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Review from Kristeen A.
Medford, MA
11/23/2011
Their orange mint hot chocolate was divine, great atmosphere, the only downside was I waited 25 minutes to get my hot chocolate.
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Review from Kelly M.
Cambridge, MA
6/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
There's a vibe here that's sort of "Seat yourself; we'll be there in a minute," and I don't say that in a negative way. It's an unfussy and welcome relief from the scenester coffee shops you can easily find in the area. They have excellent hummus; that alone is worth a visit. The best thing about Algiers, however, is the upstairs deck. You might as well be in a treehouse with some tea or a glass of wine: you can be outside enjoying a lovely summer evening in Harvard Square but without, you know, sitting outside on a Harvard sidewalk. (The only drawback to this is if you are sensitive to hookah smoke, as it sometimes wafts up from the downstairs tables.)
They've got some awesome-looking old school espresso and coffee machines near the registers. You should also look up, immediately upon stepping in the front door, and check out the mirrored details on the architecture.
Bring a book; bring a good friend; bring a desire to relax and enjoy some deliciousness.Listed in: I prefer to have cocktails…
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Review from Bonnie S.
Brookline, MA
10/18/2011
Yes, the decor is really nice, and the food IS good. But really, $10 for a hummus plate? $15 for falafel? $4 for a tiny pot of tea? Ridiculous. The food wasn't good enough to qualify for it being twice the price it should be. Service was just ok- one of the waitresses was very nice and accommodating, but the other never refilled our tea, brought ketchup when we said we didn't want it, and never smiled once.
If they cut their prices in half, I'd give this place a 4 star rating. -
Review from Deanna D.
4/20/2011
Algiers is a well decorate, cute, and inviting cafe conveniently located in Harvard Sq. The top floor was quite and had lots of open seating which was great for studying or reading. The service was a bit slow but friendly.
Unfortunately, they served one of the worst latte's I've ever had. It had no foam, luke warm milk, and weak espresso....and it was $4.50! It looked and tasted more like a cafe au late so I asked the server if this was a latte and she said yes....hence confirming my worst latte award.
I'm a big fan or local coffee houses & don't mind paying for good coffee but this was overpriced for the quality so 2 stars for the ambiance, 0 stars for the latte. I may come back to try some Arabic coffee since it a very cute & charming cafe, but I won't be rushing back anytime soon. -
Review from Justin H.
San Francisco, CA
4/3/2011
Friendly service, tasty falafel wrap, and arabian coffee served in a rustic steel coffee container make Algiers a Harvard Square favorite.
Wood laden, ye old bar comfortable ambiance add to the charm.
Free wifi is nice, and when the weather calls the outside deck on the 2nd floor is the spot to be.
One of the best signs of a quality establishment- I've had several meaningful conversations over plates of tasty food, both worth remembering and hearty reasons to return in the future.Listed in: Best of Boston
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Review from Alex Z.
Somerville, MA
7/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I unfortunately did not have the four/five-star experience that some have lauded this place for. As far as coffee goes, its a bust. This is not the best place for quality coffee, but rather a nice, cozy place to enjoy it. I haven't seen it packed before, apparently people really hunt for seats during peak hours.
They're food is a whole different story. Next time I go (if), I'll be sure to sit down and sample their menu, because I've heard great things about their hummus and sandwiches. Perhaps my review will deserve an update after that. -
Review from Randall M.
Boston, MA
1/22/2012
Unfortunately the place is souring rapidly. I've been coming here for a while and while I used to appreciate the ambiance and food, the service has been consistently worsening for a while now. I needed a quick drink while on a break from a class at Cambridge Center for Adult Education. Came in and sat at the bar in front of the entrance hoping to order quickly to go. One waitress noticed me yet decided to continue writing her checks, yes, checks, not a check. Second one, same story, third one, the same - all aware of my presence but apparently too busy/ignorant to ask whether I needed anything. Finally I heard an unpleasant "Are you ready??" - well, not like I have been looking at the menu or appeared undecided. I asked for a hot apple cider to go. Five minutes later I receive a four ounce (!), poorly steamed drink. "$4.50 please, but I don't have a change", I hear from the waitress. Well, here you go, don't worry 'bout it, I say while paying, and leave. Sorry Algiers, you need to get your food service fundamentals straight.
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Review from Sara H.
Boston, MA
2/27/2011
Algiers is a bit off the beaten track in terms of frequently visited cafes in Harvard Square. I've never had a hard time getting a table here. I prefer the atmosphere upstairs. In the summer, there is a little patio on the second floor that gets great sun and is a wonderful place to grab lunch, coffee, or a late afternoon glass of wine.
The food is delicious. I highly recommend the combination salad plate that comes with tabouli, hummus, and baba ganoush. The only downside for me is that I've seen them up their price over the years and I think $4 is a little ridiculous for a cup of mint tea, even if the leaves are fresh. Also, no wireless. Keep this in mind if you come planning to do work. -
Review from Julia F.
Updated - 2/19/2011
Want a place to hold a complete conversation over a good meal, cup of incredibly good coffee, or anything inbetween? Go to Algiers. You can hear yourself think here, and while the service is usually a bit sluggish, sometimes a little too slow, but bring a good conversation, and you are set up for success.
I like the food a lot, it was one of my favorite places to meet up with friends after work and relax with a meal and or a latte.
Tired of feeling cooped up? Go out on the patio. It's teeny, yes. It's not a great place to people watch (unless you are into staring at the table next to you...) but it's a great place to enjoy the weather and a quiet meal. This is one of the most casually intimate places to dine that I have frequented for the past few years.
I really really like the couscous plate/meal, I can't remember what they call it. But it tastes like what my mum used to make all the time when I was growing up. Hummus, also very good.
Did I mention the coffee? It can't be beat. Though you may be tempted to get a dessert after your meal, I would stick just to the coffees, the cakes are all seemingly frozen, so... Stick to the stuff they make there.Listed in: Brunch : my favorite meal!, open air
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/22/2007
About 800 years ago my mum used to be a waitress here, I'm not sure that she has gone back since.… Read more »
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Review from Betsy A.
Cambridge, MA
5/7/2011
Keeping it simple, the food is good but not mind blowing but the ambiance and excellent friendly service more than make up for it.
I would recommend stopping by to study/work and grab their excellent Orange Mint Hot Chocolate. It's delicious! -
Review from Elizabeth G.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2011
After living in Cambridge for three years I somehow never thought to stop into this little gem of a restaurant/café. It's got a great location right in the middle of Harvard Square and is itself a beautiful building. I finally stopped in to grab lunch and coffee with a friend and was charmed by the place. You climb up narrow set of stairs to the upstairs room with a strange angled ceiling and tiny little booths that are surrounded by windows overlooking a bustling Brattle Street. They have free wi-fi so I've ended up coming back to do some work a few times and loved the upstairs attic feel of this place. You almost feel as though you're in some secret palace upstairs. There usually isn't music playing so it just has the subtle sounds of a café, which makes it a great place to catch up with a friend. The dishes are all Mediterranean/Middle-Eastern influence - while I probably sound naïve grouping those together, it really did seem as if the menu had a bit of both. The hummus is delicious and the salads are usually quite tasty as well. Overall, it's not too expensive and is never too crowded. I definitely was thrilled to finally find this gem after overlooking the place almost everyday.
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Review from Mercedes V.
Boston, MA
6/9/2011
I discovered Algiers today & love it! The atmosphere is very nice. There are 2 floors, high ceilings, and I loved the decor: colorful & eclectic. The service was exceptional. Everyone was so nice and attentive. Some people were eating and enjoyed the full menu and others were drinking coffee & doing work. I came to do work & was fine. It was a little loud but I had my headphones in and was fine.
Extra Plus's - an outdoor deck, air conditioning inside (which I especially enjoyed b/c I went on a Hot, summer day), AND it's open late (which is rare in Boston). -
Review from Lorrie M.
11/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place has pretty decent coffee, but decent is not really a 4 star rating. I didn't get any backlash from the waitresses or waiters and the barista was ok but everything here is just extremely overpriced.
Two cups of lattes = $10? Really? Since when? Even at most other places I went to which had sizes to their cups it was around $8 ...
Anyway, the to-go cups are small, and they don't really hold up well (they should think about investing in their to go stuff) and they don't give you a cup sleeve unless you look like you're about to drop the coffee because it's so hot and their cup are so thin.
Eh, in the end it served the purpose but I wouldn't come back for coffee. -
Review from Michelle L.
Boston, MA
4/11/2011
I've been here a lot for leisurely meetings and get-togethers. Cafe Algiers is a Harvard Square standout for me simply because it's never been too crowded and service is never rushed. Which can work both ways: you might wait a while for you server, but you'll never be pushed out the door, either. You're free to linger for hours on a pot of (delicious) mint tea, and they'll top off your pot with more hot water if you'd like, too.
In addition to the mint tea, I recommend the merguez (spicy lamb sausage). It's made in-house and is damn tasty. -
Review from Ed B.
Cambridge, MA
5/18/2011
Algiers is what a coffee house should be - a place where you can always find a place to sit, get a decent cup of coffee or tea (with refills) and linger over a book or a conversation without feeling uncomfortable or rushed. As others have commented, the service can be a bit slow, but it's always pleasant and if you are in a rush this is the wrong place to be.
The food is good, not great. The merguez sausage was excellent one time, average the next. The coffee and lattes have always been very good. -
Review from Peter T.
Washington, DC
11/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
I've been coming to Algiers for over 25 years - since before they were in this location and in a small, cramped spot nearby. So, my five star rating is in part sentimental. This has been one of my favorite coffee houses of all time, even though my sense of nostalgia may, to be honest, be coloring this view.
Anyway, Algiers has great Arabic coffee - which is an extremely rare find. They also have cool sweets, like tasty cookies with date filling. The baklava is rather mediocre, to be honest and, yes, the service can be nonexistent at times, but this is still one of the coolest places to hang out. It's in the middle of Harvard Square, so the conversations you overhear can be anything from discussions of art criticism, to religious history, to artificial intelligence.
For something really unique, give it a try! -
Review from May M.
Cleveland, OH
10/16/2011
The coffee was pretty fantastic. The food is slightly over-priced for middle eastern fare. The reason why this place did not get more stars was the obnoxious service. The asian waitress was very brusque and seem harried when the place was not remotely packed. Her demeanor was also rough when asking about the coffee choices available. She works is a place in the center of Harvard Sq. She cannot afford to be so impolite. I guess I'll be going back to one of the dozens of other coffee places in Harvard.
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Review from Betts C.
1/28/2011
So cute.
That is the first thing that came to me upon walking into Algiers. The place is just bloody adorable, and I couldn't help myself. And yes, it's a bit cramped. But somehow, between the decor and the incredible old ceiling, it manages to have the best light and atmosphere of anywhere I've found in Cambridge. Ok, yes, it's cramped. One doesn't exactly feel the comfort to spread, but for a girl who spent a lot of time in crowded corner cafes in NY, this is ok. At least no one is angry about it (at least most of the time).
The waitstaff is slightly harried, but in a nice kind of way- they are usually a bit busy, and especially if you're sitting upstairs, there are only a couple of people working quite a large number of tables, so over the lunch hours it can get a little slow. Another plus, however, is that even over the busiest hours, you never feel the pressure to move on.
The food is pretty good- the hummus especially is worth the effort, and it's scads of food. The next time I'm there, I may just eat hummus. The chicken kebab sandwich is yummy, and I'm excited to eat the lamb. The sandwiches also come with a perfectly good, very fresh salad, which made me happy. My partner for lunch had a hamburger, which she also gave two thumbs up.
And then there's the tea. In case you haven't read any other reviews, they have seriously good mint tea. Yes, it's $4 for a small pot, but you can ask for refills on hot water and keep the leaves going for two or three pots.
It is for these reasons that Algiers is rapidly becoming my favorite new place to go, spend some time, read something, or meet a friend. It's a great location, atmosphere and the place is a little quirky, and all that comes with occasional challenges (like tight spaces). But I would vote that it's entirely worth putting up with those. -
Review from Sofia B.
Somerville, MA
3/17/2011 1 photo
The pina colada was delightfully refreshing. The killer was the lamb sausage plate with (what must have been freshly ground) hummus. Perfect. The waitresses were very friendly and helpful in plate description, keeping the pita basket and my glass of water full.
Downside? Price. The delicious plate was about 17 dollars. (The sandwich option is about 7 dollars cheaper!) -
Review from Annie C.
12/22/2010
Nice little spot to stop in and take shelter from Harvard Square for a cup of coffee or mint tea. I'm no huge tea fan, but ever since I've traveled in Morocco for a month I have a soft spot for mint tea.
Algiers definitely serves up the classic mint tea that I've crave. They also have some jet-fuel like Arabic/Turkish coffee on the menu that I'm also partial to. The atmosphere is a bit hectic and crowded depending on where you get seated. But the layout/structure of the building is super cool as there's a big opening under a skylight that goes from the first to second floor.
Basically, a nice little spot to stop in or bring a date for a coffee. Not for the reading/lingering types though. I'd feel sort of awkward if I hunkered down with a book or notebook for 3-4 hours as it gets pretty busy in there. -
Review from Dave J.
Erie, CO
9/7/2011
I really liked this place. Terrific cup of coffee (a bit small, but tasty), and the service was exceptional. The ladies working the counter where I sat were fun, cheerful and asked about my day. I love friendly people and friendly places, so for this road warrior who stays in a different city every week...this place was terrific.
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Review from Remy-Anne V.
San Jose, CA
1/30/2011
I was celebrating nye 2010 in boston..so my memory may not be the sharpest. But one things for sure is that I definitely enjoyed this place!
My friend and I were walking around Boston trying to find a place to eat and get warm away from the 14 degrees and snow! He yelped this and the rest was history...
Food wise- I honestly don't remember what I had since it was over a year ago. But what I do remember having was their hot chocolate. This was awesome. Just the right amount and balance of sweetness and the ratio of whip cream on top. Quite tasty and comforting on a chilly winter night.
Interior design wise- this place is so cute and a bit small, but quaint. Reminds me of a cross between Aladdin meets Central Park cafe from Friends. It's a two story building and we sat on the first floor. What i loved most was the view from where we sat. We were able to look up the stairway to the ceiling, the architectural design and patterns were exquisite.
Thanks Yelp for the good find! -
Review from Jaimie M.
Brookline, MA
9/15/2010
Algiers is so very good- you need to go if you are in the area!
Try the hummus, which is homemade spectacularness. The Turkish coffee (which you can get with chocolate) is amazing, as is the falafel.
Service was good and pretty fast, the decor is interesting and fun, and the people were friendly. Worth checking out! -
Review from Kristine R.
Cambridge, MA
12/7/2010 2 Check-ins Here
What a cute place!
Came here for brunch with a friend and this place is so cute! We sat upstairs where it's decorated with various pictures and books (almost like a little library/cafe) though it is a bit cramped. I ordered the eggs, bacon and potatoes, which was good. The order also came with some bread. My friend ordered the pancakes which looked really tasty. They were garnished with fruit and it was a stack of three pancakes. She also ordered the mint coffee. I knew I should've ordered something more adventurous. There is a selection of middle eastern dishes on the menu like hummus and kabobs.
Service was ok, though it took awhile for to get our checks.
I'm really starting to like Cambridge - this isn't the first place I've liked.
