The Druid

Just had the ribeye and it was just about as good as you would get at a top end steakhouse in Boston (at half the price). Beer selection average but good enough.

If you know your stuff this place is awesome. The bartenders and servers have mad skills, its like watching a ballet when they get busy. They pay just enough attention to you but move along quickly and are watching the crowd all the time.
The food is awesome. It’s got to be a tough town to do chowder in but I was loving it especially with the Irish brown bread it sent me over the top. Had the steak another time and it was huge smothered with a sweet Guinness sauce. Loved that they had curry as a side for chips (french fries) as it really is a tradition in Ireland oddly enough.
Music in the corner is real Irish trad. Having grown up in Ireland I can tell you this is some of the best you’ll hear anywhere over there, and like at home they are kept in the corner and sometimes hard to hear over the crowd. Stay after you eat the great pub grub to listen and you won’t be disappointed.

A straight-​up Irish pub with laid back Irish staff just like it should be. Beer list wasn’t anything special but it’s got what you need (Guinness and a couple other interesting options) to get the job done. Guinness was good, but Guinness is pretty much always good. Try a Crean’s lager; it’s straightforward but reminds you what a lager should taste like.
As for the food I had the veggie burger. As others have been shocked to discover the «burger» has real veggies in it! Was it good? Meh. Was it bad? Nah. Is it overrated? Probably. But props for trying. Fiancé had fish and chips — big portion but the batter was super eggy for me and a bit undersalted. Again just fine but nothing to go out of my way for. It’s just a solid, straightforward pub.

Came here for lunch mostly because the entire block was smelling like fish&chips and this place supposedly has the best in the city. We sat at the bar, ordered fish&chips and veggie burger, two very popular items on their menu. Fish&chips come wrapped in a newspaper like a nice fried present. Fish was very well cooked but I found the dish severely undersalted and overly dry and the batter of the fish, although light and non-​greasy, was tasting like cooked eggs which my fiancé also agreed. I wish they had more tartar sauce too because I ran out of it halfway through my fish. Veggie patty was very veggie-​forward where you could see big chunks of zucchini and other stuff and actually fresh tasting, not like frozen cardboard. Enjoyed the Irish mustard that came as a condiment with it. Unfortunately after lunch, my fiancé had severe food poisoning so that wasn’t a nice memory but open to visiting again in the future.

I high expectations for this place given the reviews on Unilocal and a friend’s recommendation. I didn’t want to give too harsh of a review, so let’s start out with some pros: excellent service, scrumptious calamari, fun/​cool/​relaxed vibe, good drink menu, cool décor.
My issues came down to dinner. My husband ordered the sirloin medium-​rare and I ordered the veggie burger (said to be amazing). The sirloin came out looking delicious and smelled amazing, but once digging in, he quickly found out it was way overcooked… pretty much well-​done.)= My veggie burger was super dry and nothing special. It definitely could’ve used a sauce of some sort to counteract the lack of fat (moisture) a meat would bring. Sigh again.
However, we would think about coming back here because the vibe is so cool and the calamari was truly delicious. The guys serving were also really great.

Close to being a 3 but the music and gravy on the French fries put this to a 4. Good crowd. Service was ehh okay. Would good back for sure.

Heard about the fish n’ chips so I came in and the servers and customers together totally brightened my day. This is a great atmosphere for a casual, delicious meal with great beer.

My friends and I lucked out with this place.
We were originally visiting another restaurant in Inman Square, but it was closed when we arrived. Hungry and desperate for food, we stumbled into The Druid, fully expecting it to be bad pub food, but enough to sate us.
Well, the food was way better than expected. I had a fish sandwich and was more than pleased, so I would imagine the fish and chips are quite good here as well.
I have questions about the deco, especially because we were sitting directly underneath a very, VERY red light that made several of our foods look rather… different. Service was fantastic though. A Pats game was on and our waitress quickly came over after we were seated to apologize for the noise and offered to turn it down (it was neither loud nor were we offended).
What good luck it was, happening upon this place.

AMAZING veggie burger! I ordered it to go and I had to awkwardly wait as it took nearly 20 minutes longer than they said, and if you’ve been here, you’ll know that there is no room. However, the food more than made up for it. The veggie burger is moist and flavorful, made with an awesome combination of veggies. I dock a star because the fries didn’t really do it for me, even though I am generally a lover of fries.
I’d love to come back and sit in because the atmosphere seems awesome.

I went there late Monday night at 10:30 pm to have some beer, place is small and cozy from inside but has its own character like hanging Casper on the ceiling and red dim lights so different from other places a bit, prices are average, the kitchen closes at 10 probably :(, not too much beer variety they have. I would give it 3.5 stars Bar tender was nice and fast.

One of the only places open late in Inman Square, but fails to be lovable on basically every other level.
Food is «Irish» so… yaaayyyy…
There is literally never a place to sit. Every time I pass by I look through the windows just to check and… NOPE NOPE — people are crowding around the bar still, waiting 20 minutes for a beer.
The rest of the city could be abandoned following a Terminator-​style machine uprising and there would still be no seating at this place. People would be standing around in the Druid waiting for a beer or a place to sit down to eat their stupid shepherd’s pie while not 50 feet away Terminators would be walking over mounds of blackened human skulls casually machinegunning the burned-​out shells of abandoned cars.
Not because it’s all that cool. Just because it’s there, and this is Inman.

Unreal service. It was slammed and 2 guys had the whole place fully satisfied and under control.
Veggie burger has ACTUALLY veggies in it. Each bite brings you to a new experience, zucchini, carrots, squash, oh my! It was super crunchy on the outside and the bun is light and airy! Best I’ve ever had.
My husband had the fish and (handcut) chips. Lightly battered but perfectly crunchy! Served authentically in a pile wrapped with newspaper.
Seasonal oxtail soup app is perfectly executed! Yum yum yum! Hearty, and satisfying! Note: this soup could be a meal so be prepared to share it with a friend!

I’ve had a pleasant experience every time I’ve come here. The fish and chips here is amazing, as well as the shepherd’s pie. The Guinness is on tap at a fair price, and really hits the spot. The live music that happens on certain days is worth showing up for, and for some reason it doesn’t seem any more packed than usual on those days (maybe most guests aren’t interested in that, but I really enjoy it).
I haven’t been to a Trivia Night here –well– I have, but I turned right around and found another place to eat since it was obvious there wasn’t any room left in the place. The place is small so often times I’ll have to wait for a table or bar opening, but I’ve always had luck getting a spot within 10 minutes or so.
This really is one of my favorite places to eat: the staff is very friendly, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is very cozy and authentic.

Hands down the absolute best fish ‘n chips I’ve EVER had, probably even including some very memorable ones I had in Liverpool. Portion is HUGE and comes wrapped in a giant ball of newspaper. Very awesome. The fried fish is the best tasting one I’ve had. Even as I was eating it, I was thinking «it’s fried fish, how good can it be» and am amazed with the subsequent bite.
Wait can be a bit long, but the place is really special.

Some bars you go to for the drink list. Others you visit when you’re looking to get smashed with unsavory characters. When I pay a visit to The Druid, I’m looking for cozy ambiance. And this place satisfies every time. I think that’s the principal reason why I’ve never had an unsuccessful date here. As soon as you walk in through the doors, The Druid puts you at ease. Maybe it’s the mix of old-​school Irish flair with the worldliness and artistry of Cambridge, but something about this bar is immediately agreeable.
The beer list isn’t too extensive, but it’s solid. And for a Cambridge watering, the prices are surprisingly reasonable. (Nothing like the highway robbery happening over at Lord Hobo and Meadhall.) The only thing I avoid at The Druid is trivia night. I’ve been to many trivia events, and this one is a little too «geek-​elite» for my taste. But otherwise, I’ll always jump at the invitation to have a lager here.

This is the place where I ordered my first ever beer (I was here on my 21^st birthday). Guinness was great! Liked how they poured it ¾ full, waited a bit, and then added some more to top of the glass. — While I have no confirmation of this the person next to me said they have the best Guinness in town. I am inclined to believe him.
Druid burger was perfect all around. One of the best, if not THE best burger I have ever had. Patty was cooked actually cooked medium, and not overdone as most places seem to have a tendency to do. All burger ingredients come together wonderfully, and are all in appropriate proportions. I will also give them major props for a good solid bottom bun, and not one that falls apart immediately from moisture.
Fries were some of the best I’ve had too. Not cooked to be crispy and solid (like matchsticks) but still hot out of the fryer, with amazing seasoning, and the slight softness really worked for them.
Bartender (John) was awesome too!
P. S. Location is small, but bright! (not a dimly lit drab place at all)

Today my boss announced she was buying lunch — score! I was quick to hint at the mysterious, little pub nearby with hundreds of rave Unilocal reviews. The Druid is only steps from my office and I have had it bookmarked for months. We opted for take-​out since we cannot leave the office unattended for long and I made the journey a few storefronts down to pick up the food. This hole-​in-​the-​wall type establishment is dimly lit and cozy inside. Wood paneling and a few Guinness wall plaques complete its Irish pub feel. Seating options include a bar to the left, tables to the right and nothing in between. The Druid is small so take that into consideration if planning a visit with a large group. It looks like a great little date night venue or the perfect setting for meeting a couple friends for dinner and drinks.
Upon entering, I was greeted by a very friendly bartender. I explained I was picking up an order and he offered me a seat and a drink as I waited. Of course, due to obvious workday restrictions, I had to politely decline the drink, but I am already planning a return visit to this little pub sometime soon to make up for today’s missed beer.
My boss and I were looking to keep our lunch selection somewhat low calorie and aside from the veggie burger, the grilled chicken BLT seemed the next best bet in the sandwich department. I returned to the office with two delicious sandwiches each accompanied by a side order of fries. The chicken on the sandwich was tender and cooked just perfectly while the fries came generously seasoned. The roll was slightly buttered/​toasted and the strip of bacon atop the sandwich made my lunch/​day complete. The bacon and fries probably cancelled out the low cal, diet– friendly factor from our lunch, but the food really hit the spot. I noticed several other menu items I would love to try on my next visit including the beef stew, fish stew, and the shepherd’s pie. I have a feeling the brunch at Druid is probably amazing as well.
Unexpected, but delicious meal during the workday. It cost me an extra long visit to the gym tonight, but was completely worth it.

Have been here before for drinks, but never to eat. Tonight we went there for dinner because we had tried to go down the street to the thirsty scholar for dinner, but it was closed for vacation. Which was ok by me seeing how it’s been hit or miss for me lately!
I LOVED my meal! It was generous portions, very good flavor, moist, and great presentation! Everyone loved what they ordered; the fish and chips, the ½ chicken dinner, and the Shepard’s pie. Finely poured pints, delicious shots of baby Guinness, and good whiskey. It was empty when we first arrived, but it filled very quickly. The service was prompt and very friendly. Would absolutely recommend eating here and we will be back!!!

Chow told me the Druid has the best fish & chips in town and I was on a mission to have such on my trip to Boston.
First good note was when it came to the table wrapped in newspaper, just like in Ireland.
This is legit.
I also ordered a cider to go along with my meal.
Fish: perfect. That barely there coating, but definitely present, in crisp glory. A few large hunks atop the bed of fries.
Chips: Obviously fresh cut but… overpowering seasoning that I tried my best to get over, but unfortunately couldn’t. I ended up not eating half of these. I shouldve asked for a side of curry sauce to dip because these fries needed help for my palate.
The atmosphere of this place is different but charming. Not a lot of seating and it’s popular, but we lucked out going in for an early dinner around 5pm.

Are you looking for a bar with food that really tastes good in a place like Cambridge? Well, this place might have your answer. When I walked inside, I felt like I was walking into a popular pub located in a local countryside village or shire. The people work here seem to talk in an Irish accent, and I remember hearing loud voices, and the sound of a violin playing a «jig».
The beer selection is pretty good for a bar that’s not very big. I remember that the draft beers were refreshing and served as great complements to the food here. In fact, this place was one of the few bars I remembered the food more than the drinks.
I ordered the Fish and Chips here, and although they claim to have the best Fish and Chips in the area, it’s good, but not amazingly delicious. The texture of the fish was great, but did not have much of that crispiness I was looking for. The chips had a great flavor, liked the slight saltiness. It’s definitely not the best Fish and Chips, but it was still a great choice to fulfill a Fish and Chips craving. It was kind of cool that they would use the traditional way of using a newspaper to wrap the dish to show the humble origins.
The Beef Stew is an excellent choice. The beef had a great tenderness and flavor. The vegetables were really fresh, and were so enjoyable to eat, and one of the best complements I have seen to balance the meat. The Irish Soda Bread was also great, and another excellent complement to the stew. The Beef Stew with plenty of Irish Soda Bread can possibly make an excellent meal for a bar and should be enough for a full stomach. Another great choice is the Oxtail soup. The beef portions are fairly generous, and the oxtail isn’t too bony.
Don’t expect good service when the place is crowded but the bartenders were fairly courteous. This place is not very big, but it’s a nice place for a group of 4 – 6 people. The kitchen seems to be very small.
Overall, I think this is going to be one of my favorite bars in Cambridge, mainly because the beers are not bad, and the food tastes good. Most of the food I have eaten at bars either tasted good, was mediocre, or just didn’t taste great. I think if you are looking for an ideal bar to celebrate St. Patrick’s day (the Irish holiday where you may have to wear green on the 17^th of March or get «pinched») in Cambridge, this might be a great choice, but it might get crowded, and you might need to «watch your back».