(617) 868-3951
80 1/2 Pearl St
Cambridge,
MA
02139
42.3627
-71.1043
Neighborhood: Cambridgeport
What People Are Saying About Baraka Cafe
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short – Expertly seasoned with cardamom, cinnamon and clove, Baraka's dishes properly represent the essence of Tunisian cooking, while maintaining a level of sophistication. Lamb and beef sausage, flavored with the traditional Tunisian paste of roasted red chiles, black pepper, cinnamon and cloves, is a classic rendition. No alcohol is served, but the signature lemonade is wickedly flavored with orange essence and rose water.
01/21/09
Delicious and unique Algerian-Tunisian and North African cuisine.
by hardinghouseinncambrdge at Citysearch
This cozy restaurant nestled on Pearl St. off Cambridge?s Central Square offers delicious and unique Algerian-Tunisian and North African cuisine. Main courses include wonderful couscous, tender lamb chops, and eggplant stuffed with a tasty concoction of olives, spinach, scallions, and two cheeses. At this hidden gem you will have an aromatic flavorful meal that you will not soon forget.
03/19/08
Terrible Service
by tomksmith at Citysearch
I'm writing to warn everyone not to go to Baraka Cafe. It used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the Boston area but I just can't go back there given the behavior of the owner. It's also interested to see that several other reviews on this site also mention that service is an issue.
As several other reviewers have mentioned, I was initially served the wrong thing. However, the appetizer that she sent me was the same as my entree, so I just assumed that it was coming out in stages. However, when the bill came, I saw that I had been charged for an extra dish because of her mistake. I politely told the owner that I didn't feel comfortable paying for it because I hadn't ordered it in the first place, and because it was her mistake in sending it to my table. Immediately she lashed out at my, raising her voice and yelling at me so that everyone in the restaurant heard her, and telling me that she was on the side of "justice" and that I didn't know what it was like to run a mom and pop restaurant. Later, when we were getting up to leave (having not paid for the extra dish) she turned to me again to yell at me in front of the entire restaurant. All the other customers were pretty much horrified at the scene. I don't recommend this restaurant to anyone - the owner is one of the rudest people I've ever encountered.
- Pros: good decent food
- Cons: absoltely worst service i've ever encountered
08/12/07
Not as good as many other places, but all right if you're in the neighborhood anyway
by zoechance at Citysearch
I had heard and read rave reviews of this place, and we were disappointed when we went. There were three of us for dinner and we ordered pretty much every vegetarian dish they had, and none of them were worth a second trip back to Baraka. We got olives, eggplant, carrots, harissa, soup, salad, and cous cous, and the cous cous was the blandest of all. The rosewater lemonade was interesting, but felt like drinking sugary soap. It's not that Baraka's terrible, it's just that with so many great ethnic restaurants in Cambridge and Boston, there's no reason for me to go back. Try instead: Casablanca (Middle Eastern tapas) in Harvard Square, Helmand (Afghan) near the Cambridgeside Galleria, The Kebab Factory (Kashmiri) in Inman Square, Bengal Cafe (Bengali) between Porter & Davis on Mass Ave, and Sabur (Mediterranean) in Davis Square.
- Pros: It's a funky, cute cafe
- Cons: The food's not worth the trip
The Details on Baraka Cafe
The Extras:
Within walking distance is The Cantab Lounge, offering alternative music, R&B, open mike nights and even a little bluegrass.
Know Before You Go:
Take out and catering options also available.
Category:
Payment Methods:
Cash
Restaurant Special Features:
General Info:
Open 7 Days
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
