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All 429 Cambridge Restaurants »

Sandrine's Bistro

8 Holyoke St, Cambridge, MA 02138-5014
617-497-5300
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Ranked #118 of 429 restaurants in Cambridge
3.5 of 5 stars 42 Reviews
Price range: 15 AUD - 82 AUD
Cuisines: French, Contemporary, Mediterranean, Vegetarian
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Restaurant details
Good for: Romantic, Bar Scene, Business, Special Occasion Dining, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Lunch Spot, Dinner, Reservations
Dining style: Casual Dining
Cross street: b/w Mass. Ave. & Mt. Auburn
Transit: Red Line to Harvard Square
Description: Nestled in the heart of Harvard Square is one of the warmest, most inviting French restaurants in the Greater Boston area. The restaurant prides itself on serving classic French Cuisine with an Alsatian influence. Sandrine's is an unpretentious Bistro with a national reputation for excellence. Shortly after the restaurant opened, Esquire magazine named it "one of the 25 best restaurants in the U.S.".
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42 reviews from our community

60% Recommend
    12
    14
    8
    6
    2
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Annecy, France
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 May 2012 NEW

During a recent trip to the east including DC, NY and Boston we voted Sandrines as the best meal we had. Just a block from the Harvard gates this was a great find. The food was upscale French Bistro with a beautiful room that was quiet and extremely conducive to conversation and true dinning. The service was superb with a... More

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Houston, Texas
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 May 2012

Solo dining was comfortable and delicious. Scallop special on perfect creamy potaoes was only topped by the chef's own foie gras terrine. I would go back for that terrine the next time I visit Boston. Great selection of wines by the glass. Attentive service. More

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Lexington, MA
1 review
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 April 2012

A friend suggested Sandrines so I'll be careful with my review. We went for a special occasion and were really surprised at how bad it was. Food was mediocre at best - filet mignon was not prepared well; I had Alsacian "specialty" that was a bowl of various pork pieces in sauerkraut- when I asked if server would recommend something... More

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Centerville, MA
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 March 2012

Sandrine's is like spending an evening in a Bistro on Ile de Cite. The ambience, the service, and the food transport you to that beautiful part of Paris. Years ago, another French Restaurant, Chez Dreyfus, had that style. Sandrine's, I believe is even better. Don't miss it! More

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Boston
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 March 2012

We ate at Sandrines before a performance at the ART (a 7 minute walk from the restaurant); the ambience is lovely - linen tablecloth and napkins; the lighting was dim but we were able to read our menus and the noise level was low even though the restaurant was completely booked for a 5:30 PM seating. All in all, the... More

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See 2 more reviews by jtois for Cambridge
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 February 2012

Very nice maitresse d' made sure we had a private table. We lingered for quite awhile and the server was attentive but respectful. My salmon medallions with a reduced lobster/cognac sauce were scrumptious and the bread was fresh and plentiful. Didn't have dessert, but I watched some tempting creme brulee go to the adjacent table. More

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Boston, Massachusetts
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 February 2012

Prices are very high for no more than average to slightly above average food...lovely atmosphere and good service BUT food does not rise to meet cost...there are far better choices. More

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Boston, Massachusetts
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 February 2012

Sandrine's is one of those places that doesn't screw up escargot; and that's enough reason for me to keep coming back. The cuisine is Alsatian and I would give the flambee, mussels, lobster risotto a solid 4 rating. The duck came perfectly pink in the center with very flavorful mushroom risotto to complete the meal. Service is a hit or... More

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Upstate NY
Top Contributor
90 reviews 90 reviews
Reviews in 58 cities Reviews in 58 cities
38 helpful votes 38 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 February 2012

We're not Cambridge regulars, but have had lunch and dinner at Sandrine's several times over the past ten years or so. We've always been treated well there, and last night's visit was no exception -- a fine welcome, quiet table, and a terrific dinner. We both had the avocado-lobster starter, which was terrific: my wife, who (she'll agree) is not... More

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See 3 more reviews by Itinerant_scholar for Cambridge
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 December 2011

This attractive and comfortable place will serve you very good - not great - French-style cuisine in the heart of Harvard Square. For lunch, we had a delicious chestnut soup, a perfectly prepared omelette and a very pleasing creme brulee. Recently for dinner I had an enormous choucroute garnie. Service is very professional and friendly, location can't be beat (unless... More

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See 6 more reviews by frankwil for Cambridge

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