Kendall Square: Eat

BeanTowne Coffeehouse and Café
BeanTowne is a welcome addition to offset the neighborhood bars and upscale dining of Kendall Square. The atmosphere is laid back and artsy (there's even lots of art on the wall), the coffee is solid and the sandwiches are varied and tasty. And the Wi-Fi is free. Late lunchers be warned: don't come around asking for sandwiches after 3pm—BeanTowne's kitchen calls it quits pretty early. 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge (617-621-7900, beantownecambridge.com)

The Blue Room
The Blue Room is best known for its expansive and fairly-priced wine list and an eclectic brunch buffet—just know that you will be waiting for a table on a Sunday morning if you don't call ahead. A casual atmosphere and coveted outdoor seating make the space a great midday hangout for worker bees from the many neighboring office parks. The menu combines far-flung influences and interesting ingredients such as game and offal into its regularly changing repertoire. 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge (617-494-9034, theblueroom.net)

Clover Food Lab
Clover Food Lab is actually a food truck, a concept fairly new to Bostonians. You'll find the MIT iteration nestled between a few other frontrunners in the mobile food phenomenon just outside the MIT Medical Building, bringing inventive and nutritious locally-sourced breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks to the Kendall Square area. The Rosemary fries are always a crowd pleaser, as is the ever-changing beverage menu where you'll find creative concoctions like Blueberry Agua Fresca and Basil Lemonade. 20 Carleton Street, Cambridge (@cloverfoodtruck)

Emma’s Pizza
This little pizza joint slings straight-up awesome thin-crust pies. Try one of their suggested pizzas, or come up with your own flavor combo from their list of tasty toppings like garlicky green olives, thyme-roasted mushrooms and Canadian bacon. There's also a selection of craft beer and wine on offer to wash it all down. 40 Hampshire St, Cambridge (617-864-8534, emmaspizza.com)

Friendly Toast
The Kendall Square outpost of this quirky Portsmouth, NH–based diner is quickly becoming a local favorite for its mouth-watering, overflowing portions. Breakfast is served until closing, and the hearty brunch is a big draw on weekends—go on the early side to avoid a long wait. You can sit in the kitschy dining room, or belly up to the bar for a better view of the deliciously bizarre décor, which has a sort of mid-century macabre vibe. 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge (617-621-1200, thefriendlytoast.net)

Hungry Mother
This spot manages to combine a commitment to eating local with the best of finding inspiration from far away—specifically from the base of the Mississsippi River Delta. The concise menu bursts with Southern tastes and flavors, from shrimp escabeche to cornmeal catfish with dirty rice. Serving their late night menu until 12:30am (with last call for drinks at 12:45am), Hungry Mother is a great post-show pit stop. 233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave, Cambridge (617-499-0900, hungrymothercambridge.com)

MexiCali Burrito
A favorite with Kendall’s work-week crowd, Mexicali Burrito makes up for its no-frills environs with very tasty California-style Mexican grub. Burritos, quesadillas, tacos and other to-go staples are all on the menu, as well as rotating offerings like gazpacho, plantains and fresh fruit agua frescas. Service here is fast and friendly, made for staffers on short lunch breaks and MIT grads who need to get back to their labs. Grab a table inside, or eat your burrito out on Tech Square’s grassy lawn. 500 Technology Sq, Cambridge (617-225-2777, mexicaliburrito.com)

Voltage Coffee & Art
What sets Voltage apart from the myriad espresso joints in town? The capacious space offers plenty of nooks in which to gather for a tete-a-tete, yet leaves plenty of elbow room between tables. The light-filled room is the perfect foil for the rotating art exhibits. Owner-barista Lucy Valena herself mans the espresso machine, lovingly pulling nearly every espresso served. But the real draw is the coffee itself. A simple cup of drip is hand-brewed by pouring hot water through the freshly ground beans into individual cups. Lattes come in insanely delicious flavors, such as the Madame X, featuring Earl Grey-infused white chocolate ganache, or the hands-down winner, Atticus Finch, containing vanilla with burnt sugar. 295 Third St (617-714-3974, voltagecoffee.com)