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Cafe Paradiso - CLOSED
Rating Details »
Categories: Restaurants, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: Harvard Square1 Eliot Sq
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 868-3240
- Nearest Transit:
-
Harvard (Red)
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
15 reviews for Cafe Paradiso
I can't believe they are closed. I am so sad to hear this.
Its been forever since I have been in Harvard Square. But I was planning on bringing my daughter to the Co-Op to visit a friend, and immediately thought of grabbing a hot drink here.
I used to come here when I was waiting for the Bentley Shuttle to show up after spending the weekend at home. Or if us girls were going into Boston for a night of clubbing, we would swing by for a bit of a caffeine fix.
They had the best pastries and their drinks were phenomenal. If I ever make it over to the North End, I will certainly stop by that location.
This place has great atmosphere and drinks. First let's talk about the good part: the drinks. They have a wide array of great espresso drinks and european bottled drinks. The apple cider comes with a cinammon stick and the espresso is real Italian style espresso.
And now the not so good part: the food. The quiche may be freshly made, but they warm it up in a microwave, producing a slightly rubbery crust and sometimes uneven heating throughout. The pastries aren't always fresh, so look for the one that looks like it's almost gone!
The laidback atmosphere of the cafe itself makes up for a lot of this!
Cafe Paradiso is one of the last vestiges of the old Harvard Square. The Tasty of Good Will Hunting fame is gone as is Wordsworth and a number great independent places. Somewhere around the late 80s, someone had the bright idea of commercializing Harvard Square. Those bright white buildings in the middle once housed the ubiquitous Structure and other necessary clothing stores. They have been empty for years
But Cafe Paradiso remains. Like Cafe Vittorio in the North End, it is a great place for coffee and gelato as well as sandwiches and other pastries. It is also a great place to chill and hang. It remains the second best people watching spot after Au Bon Pain, but you can only watch kids with mohawks on skateboards for so long.
Check this place out before the landlord decides that it would be a great spot for Baskin and Robbins
Best espresso in Harvard Square. You can actually get a real macchiato in a real cup, which really shouldn't be asking much, but it is.
One of the few gelato outlets too. Very good, although I'd say there are a couple incredible ice cream joints down the way that eclipse it (Herrell's, Toscani's). This should not be interpreted as a slight against Paradiso's tasty gelato so much as an expression of amazement at the world-class sweet frozen dairy options around Cambridge. Don't people realize it's freezing half the year???
THE place for genuine gelato mmm, perfect with one of their alcoholic coffees. The teramisu is pretty good, though my favorite one is at Strega. Stroll through the North End and end the evening here.
I agree with all the other reviews, but i have to add, that paradiso is the best bet for getting a seat at a harvard square cafe at noon besides Pamplona
Paradiso boldly looks like the set of a high school musical and its hidden location keeps colorful characters away. If you're walking around the square with a heavy backpack, you are most likely to find an open table and quiet space to study here. The desserts are better than Starbucks' but this is not a North End pastry shop. Go for the non-chain decor, and remember, bold does not necessarily equal tacky.
I never went in it because all I knew about it was that it was called Paradiso. The only reason I even knew that was the neon green cursive sign on it. Actually, for some reason I always thought it was a nail salon. I dunno.
Anyway, I went there today. It's the most European place I've ever been, excluding Europe. And it's not all like "European-cool." It's just like European, like Europe's equivalent of the diner. Like where all the locals sit around and talk about soccer or about hating America and stuff. But in a good way.
I got a mozzarella and prosciutto panini and a cappuccino. Both were good. They take their time serving them to you, and they layer it with some nice olive oil. The servers aren't really that friendly, and they don't really thank you when you tip them at the register. Actually it was pretty much exactly like being in Italy, except that they didn't charge me extra for sitting down. I like it.
Superb Gelato, icecream, esspresso...unique flavours like a a deep green pistacho or tiramisu......seating in the summer and fall outside is great..in the arms of harvard sq near to the house of blues....laid back ....and the staff is very casual and personable...love it!
Sadly, Paradiso has closed recently and the owner, Oscar, has died. It was a fantastic little cafe and one of my favorite places to read and hang out.
I like Caffe Paradiso, particularly as a good place for a first meeting/date when the weather is warm. It's a casual coffee shop, with outdoor seating, in the middle of Harvard Square (so everyone knows how to get there), but it's a bit off the beaten path (you may not even notice it's there) which makes it possible to avoid crowds like those at nearby Peet's or Starbuck's. Seating inside is fine, too, but can be a little close if you prefer to have private conversations and is not the most comfortable (metal patio-like furniture inside and out?). Counter staff are friendly. The pastry I tried was ok.
You'll need to walk or take pubic transportation to avoid the exorbitant parking garage fee or circling around the busy square to find metered parking.
Disappointing pastries, very good espresso, OK atmosphere.
This place has great coffe and cappuccino (I am talking about real italian espresso!) , they have the best gelato made on the premises and sandwiches for lunch made with italian hams and cheeses!
Alas, Paradiso is no more. Word on the street is that the rent was raised 5000.00. It closed quietly and without fanfare.
awesome, awesome, awesome cafe.
It's got great coffee, bottled drinks, and soda.
The desserts are pretty good, and it's got a great atmosphere.
