You’re walking down Brattle Street, dodging the usual Harvard Square chaos—students with too many books, tourists staring at the Coop, and that one guy playing a plastic bucket drum—and you see it. A small sign for Alden and Harlow restaurant Cambridge. It’s tucked away. Subterranean. If you didn't know it was there, you might actually walk right past the stairs leading down to what has become, quite literally, a legend in the Boston food scene.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a cave. A cool, mid-century modern, "I know a secret" kind of cave.
Most people come here because they heard about the burger. You know the one. The "Secret Burger" that isn't actually secret because it’s printed right there on the menu. But if you think this place is just a fancy burger joint, you’re missing the entire point of what Chef Michael Scelfo is doing.
The Myth of the Secret Burger
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Or the 8-ounce house Creekstone grind in the room.
The burger at Alden and Harlow is famous for a reason. It’s a blend of brisket, short rib, and beef plate. It comes on a house-made roll with a crispy slice of baked cheddar cheese that shatters when you bite into it. They limit the number they make every night. Or at least they used to—now it’s a bit more available, but the hype remains.
"Your faith." That’s the ingredient they list on the menu. It’s a cheeky way of saying, don't ask for modifications.
But here is the thing: the burger is actually the least interesting thing on the menu.
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I know, I know. Blasphemy.
If you spend your entire meal focusing on the meat, you miss the vegetables. And at Alden and Harlow, the vegetables are the actual rockstars. Scelfo has this weird, brilliant obsession with taking things like kale or carrots and making them taste like something you’d choose for your last meal.
Why the Kale Salad is "Ubiquitous"
They call it the Ubiquitous Kale Salad. It's $18. It’s been on the menu since they opened in 2014. In restaurant years, that’s basically a century.
It’s got a creamy pistachio dressing, honey, and fennel. It shouldn't be that good. It’s just kale. But it’s massaged and seasoned in a way that makes people who hate vegetables order a second bowl.
The Subterranean Vibe
The space used to be Casablanca, a legendary Harvard Square haunt that lived for 40 years. When Alden and Harlow took over, they stripped it down.
It’s dark. It’s loud. The lighting is dim enough that you can’t see the person at the next table judging you for how much focaccia you're eating. The design is all reclaimed wood, steel, and leather. It feels like a place where a professor would have a secret affair or a tech founder would bootstrap a startup over too many cocktails.
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The Longfellow Connection
Named after the architects of 40 Brattle Street—Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow—the restaurant leans into its history without being a museum. If it’s too crowded downstairs, there’s The Longfellow Bar right above it. Same soul, different energy.
What to Actually Order (If You Want to Look Like a Pro)
If you want to actually experience Alden and Harlow restaurant Cambridge the way it was intended, you have to lean into the small plates. This isn't a "one entree per person" kind of place.
- Pickled Corn Pancakes: These are legendary. They come with maple, shishitos, and—this is the weird part—popcorn on top. It’s sweet, salty, and crunchy. It sounds like a mistake. It tastes like a genius idea.
- Grilled Rosemary Focaccia: Do not skip this. It comes with black truffle oil and honey whipped ricotta. The pink peppercorns on top give it this little floral zip.
- Chicken Fried Rabbit: If it’s on the menu when you go, get it. It’s served with blue cheese and chili oil. It’s basically the best version of buffalo wings you’ve ever had, but it’s rabbit.
- The Cocktails: The bar program is intense. Look for anything with "charred" or "infused" in the description. They do a drink called "Silent Storm" with tequila and salted blueberry that is surprisingly dangerous.
The "Hipster-Chic" Label
Some people call it a hipster restaurant. Is it? Maybe.
There are guys with groomed beards and flannel shirts. The music is usually something you’ve never heard of but immediately want to Shazaam. But the service is actually grounded. It’s not that "too cool to care" vibe you get in some parts of Somerville. The staff knows the menu inside and out. They’ll tell you if you’re ordering too much food, which, let’s be honest, is a rare trait in a restaurant.
Timing Your Visit
Cambridge is a nightmare for parking. Don't even try. Take the Red Line to Harvard Square and walk the two blocks.
If you want to get in without a reservation, you’re playing a dangerous game. This place is packed even on Tuesday nights.
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- The Move: Go for brunch.
- The Dish: Lemon ricotta pancakes or the Smoked Pork Loin Monte Cristo.
- The Secret: They save a few seats at the bar for walk-ins. If you're a party of two, show up right when they open for dinner (usually 5:00 PM) and you can usually snag a stool.
The Reality of the Cost
Is it expensive? Yeah, kinda.
Small plates are mostly in the $16-$24 range. If you’re following the "2-3 plates per person" rule, you’re looking at a $100+ bill for two people before you even touch the wine list.
But you aren't just paying for the calories. You’re paying for the fact that someone spent three days pickling green beans and figuring out how to make popcorn work on a pancake. It’s "honest American food," as Scelfo calls it, but it’s the version of American food that went to art school and traveled through Europe.
A Note on the "Basin" Experience
Since the restaurant is underground, there are no windows in the main dining area. If you’re claustrophobic, this might not be your spot. However, they do have a "greenhouse" area near the entrance with a living wall of plants that feels a bit more airy.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your night at Alden and Harlow, follow this specific sequence:
- Book at least two weeks out if you want a prime-time slot (7:00 PM - 8:30 PM) on a weekend.
- Skip the Secret Burger your first time unless you are a die-hard burger hunter. Focus on the "Classics" section of the menu instead.
- Order the Smoked Chocolate Bread Pudding for dessert. Most people skip dessert here because they’re full of small plates, but the Jacobsen Salt Ice Cream they serve it with is worth the extra gym time.
- Check the "Longfellow Bar" upstairs if the wait downstairs is over an hour; they often serve the Secret Burger sliders which satisfy the craving without the 45-minute wait for a table.
- Ask about the privateer rum infusions. They often have house-blended rums that aren't prominently featured on the main cocktail list but are excellent for sipping.