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Andala Coffee Houses
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Middle Eastern Coffee & Tea, Middle Eastern [Edit]
286 Franklin StCambridge, MA 02139
Neighborhood: Central Square
(617) 945-2212
- Nearest Transit:
-
Western Ave @ Green St (64, 91)
Magazine St @ Auburn St (64)
Green St @ Magazine St (47, 64, 70, 70A)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
260 reviews for Andala Coffee Houses
Review Highlights
"Best breakfast place in Central Square."
(in 37 reviews)
"The free wi-fi is definitely a bonus."
(in 16 reviews)
"...of their menu (the goat cheese & honey plate sounds divine."
(in 6 reviews)
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260 reviews in English
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Review from Tina R.
Cambridge, MA
1/23/2012
Yay! My first Yelp review!!
I found this coffee place through Yelp and I loved it. So, I decedied to leave a yelp review. I tried turkish and arabic coffee both. They're so diferent from regular coffee. Arabic one has strong ginger taste so it was not so for me but I loved turkish one. It takes a lot more time to brew the coffe for them so be ready to wait if you gonna have exotic coffee! -
Review from T W.
Cambridge, MA
12/20/2011
This place is AWESOME!!! Good enough to make you Pro-Palestine if you were not before...
Came here on a total whim because I run by this place ALL THE TIME. I came here with my mother and sister and the food was delicious! It is a lot of food so if you want a filling, hearty lunch I would order something like the shrimp/rice dish I got. But you can also get something smaller like the lentil soup which my mother had. The food is technically "Palestinian Cuisine" but it's very similar to Turkish, Greek, and Israeli food of course. It is delicious.
When we told the waiter we were Turkish he hooked it up with a free hummus. They by accident made an extra meal we didn't truly order but they gave it to us for free anyway. The ginger drink is AWESOME-- it's fresh pressed ginger and lemon together. Yum!
I don't know the price of the place really because my mother paid :-) but I think it is reasonable...
Coming back for sure! -
Review from Claude F.
12/19/2011
Probably the most grotesquely false advertising in the Boston area (and that's SAYING something) is how Andala Coffee House advertises it self as Authentic Middle Eastern fare. The ONLY thing authentically Middle Eastern about this place is the wretchedly filthy bathroom (which the cashier acted like I was given a big special favor to use) which will indeed make you feel like you just walked into an Egyptian slum. If Truth in advertising was the national law of the land (I know...a guy can dream can't he?) Andala Coffee House would be forced to advertise it self as:
"Coffee for college kids who don't know ANYTHING about coffee but keep giving us props since we make them feel sorry for the Palestinians. Thanks you Harvard Trustafarians!"
This place had the worst Coffee I had ever had!!!! (and I have drank McDonald's Coffee ...at 3pm...in Kentucky!) I ordered the Arabic Coffee -over priced at $2.95 for not a whole lotta coffee- not that I was able to drink more then a third of it! Simply put: it was what EVIL must taste like. It was just a Terribadtastic combination of bitter, stale and pure disease ridden awful!
To eat (if you can call it that) I ordered the "Goat Cheese & Honey Plate" which, for $7.95, was advertised as "Goat cheese slices sprinkled with honey, served with Arabic
toast and fresh fruit of the season" The Goat cheese was rotten. The honey was bad super market quality. The Toast was stale and dry (I mean: How can you screw up toast???) And I they really need to consult the Webster's English dictionary for the definition of "Fresh" for the fruit.
And now a point about the Service...
Something else, even more Rotten then the Goat cheese, that I noticed while I was sitting there waaay too long (It took a while to scarf down that food with out puking) and watching the shockingly brisk traffic go in and out:
The staff treated the African American patrons much worse then the non-African American patrons. Always seeming to demand with a pissy tone: "Are you going to order anything?" (And Just when I thought my experience at Andala could not get any more nausiating!) So a special message to the staff:
We Bostonians are proud that we purged that vile stench from our fare city in the 1970's. So Please get with the 21st century! (though we all know you want to bring back the 13th) Though perhaps it is fitting: since the décor in your establishment kinda looks like the 1970's threw up everywhere.
Note: My suspicions are definitely confirmed by other Yelper's reviews. Please read Alyssa J.'s excellent review dated 10/21/2010.
Now, a friend of mine is very mad at me that I even went here at ALL because a newspaper reported that the owners of Andala Coffee House support Hamas (the Terrorist organization well known for their Rabid Anti-American, Anti-Israeli, Anti-Women, Anti-Christian, Generally Wacko activities)
But after coming here, I don't thinks that story in the newspaper was true because this place is sooooooo bad EVEN Hamas would not want to be associated with Anadala. I think if all the Hamas terrorists came to Boston (the ones that are not already here going to BU that is) they would sooner eat at Zaftigs- the Jewish deli in Brookline- because judging by all the pictures of the Hamas Leaders- they really like good food and drink....which you will NOT find here.
Negative stars if I could (a first for me)
Foot note: "Trustafarians" are rich kids with trust funds who dress like Rastafarians and have a new annoying cause every week. Usually championing some poor, "oppressed" and suitably distant peoples. -
Review from Jon S.
Atlanta, GA
1/21/2012
Been here a couple times now, and every time the food and service is top notch. I don't know what more you could want in a cafe - there's tons of space and tables to work at without feeling crowded like Darwin's, the staff are super friendly, there's free wifi, the coffee and tea are excellent, and both breakfast and lunch have been fantastic.
It's my new go-to place -
Review from Samantha G.
Washington, DC
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food overload! There is so much to this place that it is completely unfair to characterize it as as coffee shop. In addition to the lots of comfy seating and free wifi, they have a great number of non-coffee options (get the hot cider!) and lots of breakfast and lunch options.
The omelettes are delicious and quite sizable. They also have other basic breakfast options like toasted bagels. The lunch items include some good options like an interesting take on an egg salad sandwich. And then there are the desserts...
It's primarily a Turkish-influenced place - both in decor and food. The service is great. There's no rushing you out (we spent about 6 hours here!) and the servers are always happy to help with whatever you need.
It can get crowded at peak times, but yet, it still seems to be able to accommodate everyone. Overall, this is a great spot to chill out and get some work done. -
Review from Olivia v.
Cambridge, MA
Updated - 10/30/2011
THE AVERAGE RATING REFLECTS THE "OLD" ANDALA, BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT WENT DOWNHILL.
I HAVE BEEN DOZENS AND DOZENS OF TIMES OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS. I SHOULD KNOW.
I used to love Andala. I live next door. They used to have lovely pastries (which they stopped buying from their supplier) and good coffee.
No longer.
The last 5 times I went, I was disgusted. I am now never, ever going back again.
- I asked for a latte. I was given an espresso with water. When I meekly said that was not a latte, they looked at me like I was crazy. the manager came out. I had to explain that a latte has milk. They came back with the drink, having simply poured unbelievable amounts of cream in.
- The avocado press sandwich is never twice the same, and it has miraculously gotten worse every time I, or a friend, has ordered it. This morning, it was a tasteless glop of salad with almost no avocado in a dried pita and disgusting fake-tasting "cheese". And it took them 50 minutes to bring it out. What are you DOING in the kitchen?
- All of their pastries now taste like sugary cardboard. I miss the amazing supplier they once had! My ex-housemate and I nearly cry when we reminisce about their previous selection in the good old days.
- I used to think the beef kufta was one of the only reliable menu items (yeah, I've learned not to order most other things), but this morning it came drenched in a cup of oil. I love oil way more than normal people do, but wow. Disgusting.
- They charge $10 for a bowl of oatmeal. Are you kidding me?
- The service is (notoriously) HORRIFIC, which is usually not something I care about at all... until it messes with the quality of my food. Easily a quarter of my orders have been completely wrong when brought to the table.
- I had the worst coffee of my life here one morning before a hike. I really needed coffee. They gave me something that tasted worse than dishwater. We had to stop at another coffee shop before leaving town.
Look, I used to love this place. This is my first bad review. They have really earned it. They do NOT deserve such a high Yelp rating. I really think the management has changed, or something. Ugh.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/18/2011
Food: get the shakshuka- it's a toasty egg/tomato/rice dish - or get some za'atar on your happy… Read more »
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Review from Ash T.
Boston, MA
11/12/2011
Great place for coffee and to chill out
Pros: Very cozy place and has a unique ambiance to it. The downstairs is the place to chill out. Free wifi is an added bonus. I had the honey and goat cheese plate which was ok. The Arabic coffee was amazing. The copper vessel with the titled handle accompanied the small cup and plate...the coffee was brewed with cardamom and had a sweet hint to it. Espresso has now a contender for packing the most calorie free caffeine punches. Somehow the atmosphere downstairs has a charm to make you forget time, dabble in some great conversations or even pull on your creative hat and take a shot at some poetry. It's places like Andala that offer what a true coffee shop should...(are you taking notes Starbucks?)
Cons: There is some tension among the wait staff and you can hear it if you're sitting upstairs. I first ordered a Rooibos Tea and the lady behind the counter didn't bother asking me if I wanted it to go or to stay. So the tea made it to my table in the boring drab of a paper cup smitten with advertisements and a black plastic top (minus 1 star for that) But the downstairs ambiance and the arabic coffee made up for it.
WIll be back for sure. Highly recommended -
Review from Jenny S.
9/6/2011
stopped in for some drinks on a rainy day!!! we wanted to sit in since this coffee house furniture & set-up was really cute, but it was STUFFY so we opted for TO-GO
HOUSE TEA.. enjoyable w/ my addition of soymilk at no extra charge! nice & spicy yet sweet!.. although they did charge me for 2 regular "pots" although i only took 2 mini cups to-go =(
BREWED TO ORDER, this was definitely a nice touch!! -
Review from Matt S.
Arlington, MA
Updated - 12/22/2011
Six stars for the best lentil soup in the Boston area and for a fantastic white chocolate mocha (as well as the one particular cute girl behind the counter who makes the latter).
Minus one for the fuckin' every time hassle to get someone to come over and take your order, let alone to get the check when you're in a rush.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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11/30/2011
The food and the ambiance are fuckin' awesome, but why the fuck did you add an extra forty-five… Read more »
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Review from Amanda G.
Cambridge, MA
10/19/2011
Came here Wednesday afternoon looking for place where I could have a decent lunch and a place with outlets and coffee to sit and study for a while. What a find! I've never been here, but I will definitely become a frequent customer. The ambiance and layout are amazing - cozy, open, lots of outlets, free-unlimited Wi-fi, pressure free (no rushed feeling...the staff doesn't make you feel like they want you to leave). It's reasonably priced and has *real* food. This is really about as good as it gets!!
I typically frequency Espresso Royale, but have since been driven away because of so-so food quality, expensive coffee, lack of seating, and really strong coffee/burnt bread smell you acquire after sitting there for longer than 30 minutes. While I do like ERC, if you're a BU student, the 15 min bus ride is worth it to come to Andala. -
Review from Chris T.
Boston, MA
9/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
My first trip here was at the recommendation of a friend. We went just for the Turkish coffee (it's funny how the Greeks and Turks work out those names) and it was during that visit that I checked out the food menu and decided I would come back and try a few of their dishes.
Well, LOW AND BEHOLD, the food was good! The dishes, because they are middle eastern in nature, tend to be a cuisine I don't partake in much. (primarily because I didn't desire much access to them)
I totally recommend this place for first-time and frequent visitors to the area, but especially if you have used the mass transit system to get there because parking can be a bit of an annoyance.
Atmosphere:
Chill. Feels like a coffee house. Plenty of those who can be seen at this restaurant, are students, and will hang there countless hours using their laptops, or reading and studying.
Food:
I enjoy it a lot. It seems very home-cooked in nature. The menu isn't a blow-my-mind cacophony of complex dishes, it's more timid than that, but the flavor is crisp, clean, fresh, and leaves me happy.
Service:
Transactional. It's very much business when you in there. I wouldn't say they aren't friendly, but I would suggest that it's very, yes, as I said, transactional. "Hi, what would you like today? Ok, great. Thank you." and off they go.
If that's the type of service you like, great. This place is for you.
Overall:
Love it. Would I change some things, perhaps, but I certainly appreciate it as-is and would continue going without changing a thing. So if it ain't broke, don't fix it. -
Review from Alex H.
Cambridge, MA
12/9/2011
Love and love this place. Boston needs more places like it. The atmosphere is great, I love the decor. It is centrally located. Service is slow nevertheless, and I am giving it 5-star for overall experience and food. I LOVE the $2.95 Avocado Bagel Special! We certainly need more places like these.
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Review from Brian C.
Cambridge, MA
7/26/2011 9 Check-ins Here
This is a wonderful coffeehouse and restaurant featuring Palestinian-style Middle Eastern food and drink. The owner, Sami, is very welcoming, the food is delicious, and the portions are reasonable (I.e., not more than you can or should eat).
A great addition to Central Square! -
Review from Erin H.
Cambridge, MA
1/12/2012
The food is really fresh and delicious here. I recommend the Jerusalem hummus, you can feel the chickpeas in it. The entrees are all delicious as well. Plus, they have freshly squeezed juices that are amazing. This is a wonderful place to come and write, or to just hang out with friends. The service can be a bit on the slow side, but, to make up for that, they never rush you to leave. A leisurely cafe atmosphere, I wish there were more places like this in Cambridge but, sadly, they are a vanishing breed.
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Review from Erin B.
Woonsocket, RI
9/8/2011
Atmosphere, ambiance, stellar coffees & teas, and great specialty food all make Andala one of the best places around to grab a coffee, have a bite, and relax. With free (if intermittent) WiFi and many outlets, it's a great study locale as well. Don't expect to be alone, however. The only thing lacking is the staff. If it's busy, expect slow service. I'm not sure if it's understaffed or what but that's my only complaint.
On a recent outing, I tried the hummus plate and could not have been happier. It boasted great flavor and the proper authentic consistency you would expect from this sort of cafe while somehow surpassing the expectation all around.
I've had the Arabic coffee as well as a few teas (all very good) but decided to try the Turkish coffee this time. I was not disappointed. The flavor was very balanced and it was ground to perfection. Something great about the coffee selection is that they serve it in the proper cups and with the right serving implements. Far too few places do that. That is what makes Andala's coffee fit perfectly into the atmosphere of the cafe thereby completing the Andala experience. -
Review from Erica C.
Cambridge, MA
9/15/2011 1 photo
The service is the only reason I didn't give them a 5.
Gluten free friendly
I had an awesome chai latte from here. I also had the lunch special of tomatoes, onions, oregano, and. meat over a bed of rice. The food was great.
Free WiFi -
Review from Ethan A.
Boston, MA
Updated - 5/24/2011
I didn't expect to have such bad service, because I really enjoyed this place previously. I went late last night to get some work done, and ordered an iced coffee. Ended up with some weird iced tea. Whatever, doesn't matter, drank it. That was still in line with my previous good review score.
Today I went back with a friend. He ordered a sandwich and iced coffee. Waiter guy asked if he wanted milk in it, friend said sure. Waited then forced, "So you want an iced latte then." Friend said "sure?" We were later charged for the more expensive drink.
I ordered an iced tea, and saw they had bagels on the menu, for $.95, cream cheese extra. Perfect, I just want something to snack on and no cream cheese. He tells me they are out of bagels and asks curtly, "What else instead?" I said no thanks, I was fine with just tea. I'm sitting in the basement area, next to the kitchen. I watch the waiter go to the fridge, pull out a bag of six bagels, and comes back and says, "we have bagels now, do you want one?" I said sure.
Our drinks arrive, my iced tea has a single cube of ice. It was cold enough, I suppose, but not an iced tea. A few minutes later my bagel comes - with cream cheese, tomato, and avocado. The waiter says, "here its the house special bagel". Not cool throwing cheese on my food - I don't eat it. I didn't touch it. After waiting forever for our check, the waiter says absolutely nothing in response to my entire bagel sandwich going untouched.
I was charged $3 for my weak iced tea, $3 for the bagel I ordered which should have been ninety five cents, waited over a half hour for the check, and our waiter clearly was just trying to milk us for all the money we could and didn't care at all that I left an entire dish untouched. I could have forced them to eat the cost and serve me a new bagel, but you know what, I'm a nice guy. I will never return.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/2/2010
Came here after seeking a laid back coffee house to spend an hour. This was the exact place we… Read more »
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Review from Cha Cha W.
Cambridge, MA
6/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I love the Middle Eastern theme and fare not to mention the cozy seating and casual atmosphere. When the weather gets hot, I escape to the lower level; when spring comes, I take my blunch outside and people watch from the patio. When I have work to get done, I slide open the doors of the sun room and settle in to the free wifi. Oh and that spot by outlet on the banquette, that's mine. My bottom has a claim on it and if it finds you there beware of my evil eye rays!
Summers were made for smoking the hookah on the patio. The staff are super friendly if not always so expedient but that's okay by me. This isn't your run of the mill rush in rush out kind of place. A stone's throw from Central Square, parking could be a bit of a hassle if you plan to stay longer than 2 hours. Don't miss out on the Shakshuka (eggs cooked in a tomato sauce over rice) and Green Plate!Listed in: Lounge Cafes
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Review from Tom M.
Cambridge, MA
7/24/2011
Great food, good tea, and bad service. That is why it is only 3 stars. With the right staff this would be a 5 star rated business.
I will say I do manage to luck out and always get the same waitress who has never annoyed me, but I like to people watch and so I do notice what many yelpers are complaining about so I feel it's right to downgrade my rating even though the slow/bad service has never directly affected my experience.
I usually get the fruit plate w/ goat cheese and honey. Mango, pear, apple, banana, and grapefruit with a couple wedges of pita bread. I'm not a big goat cheese fan but it complements fruit well along with the honey and I always have some left on my plate.
They have about 30 loose lead teas in stock and will bring boxes to your table so you can see and smell them before ordering a pot, but I'm more of a coffee drinker.
They serve Turkish Coffee which is very concentrated and strong, but delicious. Be warned - if you are a Dunkin Donuts drinker and that's what you enjoy, you will not like Turkish Coffee.
Andala also has free WiFi and the signal has always been pretty good. The atmosphere is cute. Yeah, I said it. There's outdoor seating in front and a back patio inside. There are a couple regular tables, one long dining table for big parties, and a little nook/booth for a more intimate feel.
I'm a fan of the back patio and I'm a fan of not feeling rushed when I sit down somewhere. I can eat my breakfast and have a couple coffees in peace here right in Central Square, and that's hard to come by if you're not in your own kitchen. -
Review from Eric F.
10/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
For a place that has "coffee house" in its name, I had the worst latte in years here last night. The espresso was barely discernible and the drink was basically (over)heated skim milk. Oh and the waitress decided that it'd be okay to give me over a dozen nickels in change presumably b/c they ran outta quarters...really? If you wanna come for the food, have at it. But stay far, far away from anything that involves coffee beans.
Listed in: Coffee in Boston
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Review from Juston P.
New York, NY
6/16/2011
Trip #1: "... and an ice water."
Trip #2: "... and an ice water."
Trip #3: "... and can you please put ice in my water?"
What do these 3 have in common? All three times my water arrived nice and warm, without ice.
This isn't a big deal. I'm a big boy. I can drink warm water. However, it's representative of the service at Andala. To paraphrase the prophet Eminem, they just don't give a ffff. It's seriously awful. To wit:
Trip #1: 15 minutes elapsed between sitting and being given a menu.
Trip #2. 7 minutes elapsed, so I approached a waitress and ordered directly.
Trip #3: 3 minutes elapsed before I got up. I learn. I'm a smart boy.
"Dude, why do you keep going back if all you're gonna do is whine about the service?" Because, my bodacious friend, the food is awesome! Such tasty, spicy sandwiches! Such rich and fresh hummus!
And the atmosphere is awesome, too! Look at that cute, outdoor patio! Check out that cool greenhouse room that overlooks the street! Listen to the intricate vocals of the middle eastern music! Partake in the free WiFi!
My advice: carve out an hour to eat your food. That way, you won't flip out when 20 minutes passes between your being given the check and the waitress' picking up your money. -
Review from Samuel F.
6/15/2011
A remarkable spot in the heart of Central Square. The house tea is amazing, the food is great, the decor is nice, and there's plenty of space. Comfortable seating, especially the long benches on the inside porch. Free internet. Very relaxed.
The next time you're passing the Central Square Starbucks, consider crossing the street and walking the extra block. You won't regret it. -
Review from Josephine L.
Boston, MA
3/17/2011
Andala gets 19,000 stars for decor/atmosphere/ambiance, 5 stars for service, 4 stars for food and 2.5 stars for tea.
I'll get the bad stuff out of the way first. I was super-excited to try the House Special tea with cardamon. Spiced tea is almost always a win. The pot came, the pretty, long, thin, glass cup and saucer with it. I poured. The fragrant smell of cardamon wafted up. I sipped....and.....bleh! The tea was so watered-down that it had absolutely no flavor! Now, I'm one of those people who will happily re-use tea bags/leaves over and over until they've lost all semblance of flavor. But tea should not be flavor-less on the first steep! Especially when I'm paying $2.50 for it! Tea fail.
The food: I had the Andala omelette and it was delicious. It was also huge, especially with the accompanying salad. So much more filling than I was intending for a snack. My boyfriend had the Jerusalem Egg Salad Sandwich and it was toasted perfection. I detest egg salad, but this was more scrambled/fried egg than hard-boiled, so it was just awesome. The pear juice he got was so fresh and tasty. You know it's fresh when it turns slightly brown after 10 mins as the fruit oxidizes.
The service is amazing. Friendliest staff ever.
The atmosphere. This is the #1 spot in all of Boston/Cambridge that I would choose to set up shop for the day. I LOVE the mismatched furniture, LOVE the cozy rugs, LOVE the fireplace mantle covered in hookah paraphernalia, LOVE the framed pictures, LOVE everything that makes this cafe warm and inviting. Andala is the antithesis of the soulless corporate takeover that Central Sq (and much of Cambridge) has become.
Do yourself a favor and make this your go-to spot for beverage, food and socializing needs.Listed in: I Love Tea
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Review from Argyria D.
Cambridge, MA
11/2/2011
Andala is my favorite coffeehouse in Central. I love coming in here when it's cold out and the big windows are filling the place with sunny goodness. In the summer, the arbor outside is beautiful.
It's a chill, comfy atmosphere that feels clean and creative. I can work from here using the free wifi without feeling rushed.
The food is good too - I especially like the Jerusalem egg sandwich.
It's great that they have servers, but sometimes they take a little time to make the rounds -which adds to the chill feeling, but you should be aware of if you're in a hurry. -
Review from Ploy K.
Concord, MA
10/10/2011
A cute, spacious coffee house with free wifi? Sign me up! I spent an incredibly pleasant afternoon doing schoolwork at Andala. I can't really comment on the food or drinks, however, because I really didn't like the Turkish coffee I ordered (I had never had one before, and had no idea what to expect - I don't like coffee that strong, so just because I didn't like it doesn't mean it wasn't of good quality). My friend got an iced peppermint tea and said it was really good. The waitress who helped us was very friendly and attentive, but the real kicker for me was the atmosphere. It's so open and colorfully decorated, it really is a perfect place to just sit and sip some coffee while working or reading a book. I'll definitely be back to try another coffee drink more to my taste!
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Review from Joel M.
Cambridge, MA
7/15/2011
Ate here for lunch during a hot day... the place wasn't terribly well conditioned, the staff was indeed pretty slack, but the food was excellent and a good value. I'll be back, but getting in and out during a 1 hour lunch break isn't really an option.
5 stars for food/value, 4 stars for ambiance, 2 for service. -
Review from Hana T.
Boston, MA
1/10/2011 ROTD 2/18/2011
Andala is _____________
- more relaxing than Starbucks (less foot traffic)
- more spacious than Cafe Luna
- more serene than Clear Conscience Cafe
- less hippie than Toscanini's
- less crowded/noisy than the overall shitty 1369 Coffee
- less expensive than Mariposa
So there- why not go to Andala? A great coffee house with good tea selection, sweet staff, free WiFi, and tasty almond croissants.
Just choose a spot: the patio to soak in the sun, the hidden porch for some sweet talk, a small table for some nibbles, or head downstairs for even more space. There's no other coffee shop in the area where I'd want to linger around for hours, and you wouldn't be rushed out the door either. -
Review from Krystal T.
Cambridge, MA
6/22/2011 5 Check-ins Here
This place is good, not awesome. The ambiance is nice, but the staff sucks with the exception of a few. The food is good, and yes, they are constantly changing the staff.
I live across the street from this place and do recommend their breakfast omelets and their coffee bar, but if you like you drinks hot, make sure you ask for extra hot. -
Review from Nadia A.
Cambridge, MA
3/13/2011
I love the ambiance and decor of Andala...I have to say I really like their tea selection and coffee as well. I really like the side room with all the windows and the large tables make this a great venue for meetings. I've had just a few dishes here...all very tasty. My only complaint is that the service is ridiculously slow...very courteous, but SLOW. I'm not actually sure it's the waitstaff's fault...i have been to this place and been served by so many different waiters and waitresses that I don't think it's them. I actually think they need more organization or coordination to their waitstaffing system. Maybe they need to hire more people for busier times?
The free wi-fi is definitely a bonus. Andala is a great addition to the Cambridge coffee houses. Another plus is that they are open late if you need to get work done. Overall, Andala = awesome. -
Review from Dawn E.
2/8/2011
Turkish coffee! ::jumping and joy ensues::
I had recently eaten before popping in here to pass some time so I did not partake of any food, BUT, my Turkish coffee was everything it should be.
Additionally, the atmosphere in here is fantastic and the service was perfection. I will be back for food. -
Review from Bastian L.
Boston, MA
3/28/2011
And the search ends here.
Ever since arriving in Boston last summer I have been looking for a coffee shop that truly is that "Third Place" that Starbucks marketing people describe their stores as.
I am European, so by definition it is tough to satisfy my expectations of a coffee shop. Generally, paper cups and red EXIT signs suffice to never let me experience the cosiness of a Central European coffee house or cafe - the kind that really makes you want to linger.
Andala nails it though. Every kind of seating arrangement you could want, carpets, high ceilings, lots of light and great lighting, fantastic wait staff, great cappuccino and chai. I havent tried the food, but that's not what I am going to a coffee shop for. Oh, free wifi, power outlets, so you can actually get work done here, too.
Now if they could just open a branch in Beacon Hill... -
Review from Hiroki M.
Boston, MA
6/18/2011
This is my new favorite cafe. One of a kind ambiance, the food and tea is terrific as well.
Great place for either just sitting down for some tea/coffee or taking a group of friends for some food. -
Review from Rob R.
San Francisco, CA
10/2/2011
I've been to boston three times this year and every time I've been frustrated with the choice of cafes in the area. On my third visit, after spending way too much time yelping for a decent cafe and nearly giving up because it seemed most cafes in Boston are stingy with their wifi, I found Andala. First, the atmosphere of the place is great. The seating options range from outside to a sun room where you can open all of the sliding glass doors for fresh air and an inside area. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of food too. I would definitely suggest getting the hummus. Oh, and free wifi!
-
Review from Alyssa J.
10/21/2010
If I could give this place a negative star rating I would. A black hole rating would be preferred.
I was here for my first writer's group meeting. The location itself is nice, plenty of room for large groups. The menu seemed a little overpriced, but as an independent cafe that I believe serves free trade coffee, I can understand.
There were about ten of us and about 50% of the group had ordered a drink, a muffin, a scone, whatever. A waiter came up to a group of four of us and said "If you don't order something you are going to have to leave right now" ....Wow. Keep in mind the cafe was 60% full and it was 8pm on a Wednesday night. Maybe they were expecting a rush?
We all ordered something to appease our 'roided up server. I got a decaf coffee, because there was no way I was going to put any caffeine in my body this late in the evening. My decaf came out...No cream, no sugar. A companions tea came out in a shotglass. Yup. It was in shotglass with a handle. Oooookay.
I sipped my decaf. Ahh yes. Freezing cold, just the way I like it.
I went up to the waiter, as I was fairly confident that customer service was not his forte, and I didn't expect him to come check up on us; and said two things. #1 My coffee is cold and I wasn't given any cream or sugar; #2 It was a little rude for you to be so aggressive to us.
He flipped. FLIPPED. "This isn't a public library! You and your little group can go somewhere else! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!"
Instead of coming over to the table to give me a new coffee, he threw a check in my face and told me to leave!
WHAT THE FUCK ANDALA???? I will never come back here again. -
Review from Alan Y.
Boston, MA
1/21/2011
I stopped by this cafe one Friday night to get some work done. I was rather pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness of the cafe and the decor; I definitely felt that I was in someone's house instead of a generic coffeehouse. The bathroom was also quite nice and tidy. The servers were also quite nice and efficient.
Despite these positive attributes, I felt that the food (at least what I ordered) was somewhat lacking. I ordered the vegetarian chili, which left me completely disappointed. The soup was served luke-warm, had very little flavor, and lacked much to compensate for its hefty ($5+) cost. However, the soup did come with 3 flatbreads, which were not anything special. However, their cappuccino is decent, as is their banana-walnut muffin.
I'll try to stop by some other day to sample items from their menu, which hopefully will be more appetizing than the food I had. -
Review from Juliana N.
Boston, MA
2/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
We got our coffees to go and it was SO WATERED DOWN!
sad... i had high expectations too.
What went wrong? A majority of the people here had a good experience... ::sad:: -
Review from Lauren E.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
2/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have been looking for some new coffee shops to add to my circuit, and this one fortuitously came to my attention last week. Immediately upon walking in I could tell that it would be good. (Perhaps sadly,) everyone else and his brother seemed to already know about it, and it was super crowded! Fortunately, we were able to grab the only table in the place after walking downstairs and back up again.
In terms of the food/drinks---The Turkish coffee was good, but I wish they had brought me real cream instead of the little tiny packaged thing. I also had chai, which was pretty good and tasted original. I guess the mocha was good, too, but I didn't drink any. I had a pretty mediocre cookie as well. Didn't try any of the food, though it sounded good.
At least half of the crowd there was studying. It wasn't too loud, though there were several audible conversations at all times. I had a little trouble with the wireless network, but it worked for most of the time.
Despite the numerous imperfections, I give them the 4 stars for the decor and environment. In addition to the tables, there were couches and other forms of cushioned seating. The walls were prettily decorated, and nice to look at while spacing out and needing a break from my reading.
All in all, I'm looking forward to going back again, though perhaps next time with my ipod to help with the noise, and at lunch time so I can try the falafel and hummus. -
Review from Tanaya P.
New York, NY
3/22/2011
My boyfriend and I decided to venture out to Central Square for lunch today. Before I delve into the review, let me set the scene: I had not eaten a thing all day and was a starving monster. Thus, as soon as we spotted a place that didn't gross me out from the outside, I ran across the street and plopped myself at a table.
Within 3 minutes, we had ordered the egg salad sandwich, lentil soup, veggie chili, hummus plate and the house specialty tea (the name escapes me). The food was fantastic! Albeit, my eyes were larger than my stomach and I couldn't finish everything, but I was stuffed.
What's better is that it wasn't gross stuffed where you feel sick... instead all the food is fresh and delicious. After we stuffed our faces in silence, we ended up ordering a Turkish and Arabic coffee, which was a great way to cap our meal.
I highly recommend checking out Andala for a quick coffee, meal or new spot to study. -
Review from Aboud Y.
Cambridge, MA
3/19/2011
Love, love this place.
Great Arabic food / drink in a comfortable atmosphere. Great for breakfast, lunch, coffee, or just a snack. Also a good place to chill and talk with friends or even read / study.
The place does have its quirks (service and food are a bit inconsistent) but its all easily forgiven. -
Review from Sofia B.
Somerville, MA
3/17/2011
Great Turkish coffee at a very nice price. What's better? The lentil soup.
Next time I'll try the hookah that's available on the patio in the Summer.
