Baraka Cafe

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80 1/2 Pearl St
Cambridge, MA 02139

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(617) 868-3951
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Baraka Cafe - Cambridge, MA
Baraka Cafe - Cambridge, MA
Baraka Cafe - Cambridge, MA
Baraka Cafe - Cambridge, MA
Baraka Cafe - Cambridge, MA
Baraka Cafe - Cambridge, MA
Baraka Cafe - Cambridge, MA
Baraka Cafe - Cambridge, MA
Baraka Cafe - Cambridge, MA
Reviews
( 5 )
( 3 )
( 1 )
( 1 )
( 1 )

Best

i was served by the owner with so much warmth and class. she had a very strong personality and that is maybe i can see why it will bother some of special kind of man that has made...

Worst

I used to really like cafe baraka - even recommended it to friends and co-workers, but after last night's experience, i'll never go there again. after waiting for some 45 minutes...

wonderful specially the owner 8/24/2010

i was served by the owner with so much warmth and class. she had a very strong personality and that is maybe i can see why it will bother some of special kind of man that has made an opinion about a VEILED MUSLIM WOMEN???? WEAK she is not. The food was so well presented, served,and delicious. do not leave until you have the chocolat flourless torte with their home made sorbet...yummy more
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Delicious and unique Algerian-Tunisian and North African cuisine. 1/20/2009

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. more
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Terrible Service 3/19/2008

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. Pros: good decent food Cons: absoltely worst service i've ever encountered more
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Not as good as many other places, but all right if you're in the neighborhood anyway 8/12/2007

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 more
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Great vegetarian food in a comfortable atmosphere 12/19/2006

I went here the other day after having had it recommended to me multiple times by a good friend. It was not at all what I expected, but I loved it. The restaurant is tiny, warm and full, someplace I'd fall in love with while travelling but never expect to find in the Boston area. Pros: Great for vegetarians, intimate atmosphere Cons: Small space could lead to long waits more
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A hidden gem tucked away a few blocks outside of Central Square 12/2/2006

The food here is excellent! My favorites are the vegetarian platter and the hot mint tea with assorted nuts. They also make some wonderful desserts. The owner is very charming. It is cozy but definitely worth checking out! more
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Hidden Gem 10/20/2006

Tiny and unassuming, but one of the best restaurants I have been to in Boston. The only downside is the wait, waiting to get the menu, waiting to put in our order, waiting for the food and even waiting for the check (grand total of 2 hours at the restaurant). But the food was fantastic. The lamb was flavorful, the couscous some of the yummiest I have ever had. The lemonade is also a bargain and very unique. Definitely worth a try, but make sure you plan a good chunk of time for the dining experience (and don't go if you are starving). Pros: Great food Cons: Wait too long more
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Good food in homey environment, a very unique experience 8/4/2006

Dining at Baraka is like having a love-hate affair, but I keep going back, so I think I have more love for it. It has great authentic Northern African food. I have tried almost every dish on its very limited menu, pretty much everything is good. It is difficult to go wrong. That being said, I still want to stress that its lamb dishes are great, so are its appetizers. I dont usually like sour stuff, but I just cannot pass its lemonadea musteven if you dont like sour stuff. Dessert menu is very limited, but delivers with high quality. Pros: good food, homey environment, staff with unique personality Cons: small place, long waits more
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among the worst dining experiences 7/12/2006

I used to really like cafe baraka - even recommended it to friends and co-workers, but after last night's experience, i'll never go there again. after waiting for some 45 minutes for a table, we were treated in the most unpleasant manner. the owner was clearly stressed out by the huge party that overwhelmed her tiny restaurant. for some reason or another she lashed out at them in front of all the other guests. she then proceeded to rant about them to the kitchen staff. luckily, i don't know french and didn't understand her. that made the rest of the evening quite unpleasant. she was entirely inattentive, spending time sitting around and gossiping with a visitor, not once asking us whether we liked our food or needed anything. oh, and on top of that, my food was completely wrong. i ordered the same thing as last time (melkha) - and it was terrible. but maybe my appetite had already been ruined by then. more
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Outstanding 3/27/2005

Flavorful, fresh and authentic preparations of North African cuisine. Their eggplant appetizer is one of the best things I've had anywhere. The merquez was great as well. The lamb was very tender and the seafood stew special had a great sauce. The spiced lemonade house drink is incredible. As good a value as you will get anywhere for dinner in Boston. Just note they don't take credit cards or reservations for 2 (and it does get crowded). Pros: Food, Value Cons: No credit cards more
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Delicious and unique 7/26/2003

I am a big fan of Baraka Café. The setting is intimate and off the beaten path, and the food is unique. Lots of flavor, lots of vegetarian choices, and lots of subtle flavors and spices that you don't find in many other places. Prices are more than reasonable. Pros: Inexpensive, Flavorful, intimate Cons: Location more
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Menu for Baraka Cafe


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Editorial

  • 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...

  • 10/18/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Tuesday To Saturday From 11:30 AM To 03:00 PM Tuesday To Saturday From 05:30 PM To 10:00 PM Sunday From 05:30 PM To 10:00 PM
  • Payments: Cash
  • Neighborhoods: Cambridgeport
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