UpperWest

4.4 (38)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

1 Cedar Street, Back Entrance, Cambridge, MA 02140

About this restaurant

Neighbourhood gem
Romantic
Innovative

A casual neighborhood wine bar in the basement of a veteran’s club with old world wines, classic cocktails, tasty bites, and good vibes brought to you by owners Kim and Xavier. Menu changes regularly including cheese, charcuterie, and shareable small plates.

Reservations are generally seated at the bar. Contact us by phone for table seating or parties of 5 or more.

You will find us in the back entrance of the green house located at 1 Cedar Street, just off Mass. Ave., next to the bike path, and a short walk from Davis Square.

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Additional information

Dining style
Home Style
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Dining Bar, Speakeasy
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sun 6:00 pm–12:00 am
Website
http://upperwestcambridge.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Kim Courtney
Private party facilities
UpperWest is a versitile space available for parties and events up to 45 people.

Location
1 Cedar Street, Back Entrance, Cambridge, MA 02140
Area
Cambridge
Cross Street
Massachusetts Avenue, Bike Path
Parking Details
There is free street parking available from 6pm at meters on Massachusetts Avenue near Cedar Street. There are also many Zip Cars in walking distance. Please do not park in the veteran's club parking lot behind the building.
Public transport
Davis Square T - 7 minute walkAlewife T - 17 minute walkPorter Square T - 18 minute walk77 Bus from Harvard Square or Arlington - Cameron Avenue stop outbound, Cedar Street stop inbound.Hubways across the street on Massachusetts Avenue.Zip Cars available in walking distance.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at UpperWest.

4.4

(38)

4.3Food
4.2Service
4.0Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

38 Reviews

GB
GregB
Greater Boston16 reviews
5.0
Dined on 8 December 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Unique place ... almost like you know something secret!
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M
Matthew Gold
Greater Boston44 reviews
4.0
Dined on 15 August 2018
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
I come back to UpperWest every couple of months to see what Kim's added to the menu and enjoy a cool and relaxing midweek dinner. This time we enjoyed a meat and cheese board of six items, mostly chosen by her, and the day's pasta. I've never been let down by what she and Xavier make for food or drink.
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a
accidentalreviewer Gold
Maine41 reviews
1.0
Dined on 31 May 2018
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
I keep going back and re-reading the reviews for this place and wonder what we missed. This place is indeed quirky and we ended up leaving because there was nothing much (except cheese) for the vegetarian in the group. The woman who greeted us on arrival was nice enough, though there were two other people at the bar in the whole place and she seated us right next to them. They moved over because they felt it odd. We looked at the menu on the chalkboard. When we asked about vegetarian options the bartender turned and asked the chef about them and the chef replied, "I usually make a vegetarian pasta but tonight it's bolognese." And that was all she said. She turned around and walked away. We walked away too. It was a gorgeous night and dark and dingy wasn't cutting it. We went to Spoke in Davis Square instead, which was spectacular.
1 person found this helpful
J
Jacquie Gold
Greater Boston54 reviews
4.0
Dined on 14 April 2018
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Delicious food and unpretentious ambiance!
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HO
HughO
Greater Boston14 reviews
4.0
Dined on 30 March 2018
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Quirky but fun. (Don’t be put off by the entryway.). The house pasta was good; the bocarones were Excellent.
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KM
KevinM
Greater Boston11 reviews
5.0
Dined on 29 December 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
UpperWest is my favorite place to sit and enjoy some great food paired with a small but well chosen wine list. Everyone who works here is dedicated to excellent service and hospitality. The environment is funky, warm, and inviting. And the guests gathered around the bar are likely to become friends and acquaintances of yours because of the convivial atmosphere. This is truly a gem of a place!
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P
Patty Gold
Greater Boston1 review
5.0
Dined on 21 December 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 2
stunningly good food in the most unexpected venue. seriously. wander around the back of the VFW hall, go down the old basement stairs, sit down at the bar in the wood-paneled basement, and be amazed.
1 person found this helpful
r
runnunglode Gold
Greater Boston45 reviews
5.0
Dined on 14 December 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Another great meal at UpperWest! The cheese selection was fantastic, and the pasta was just delicious!
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J
Jams Gold
Greater Boston8 reviews
4.0
Dined on 9 November 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 1
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Good service, over priced wine list. Limited whiskey cocktail choices.
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J
Jams Gold
Greater Boston8 reviews
3.0
Dined on 3 November 2017
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
I have frequented Upper West about ten times, and each time I go the prices have increased on the food menu and portions have gotten smaller. Service is also slow, which is to be somewhat expected since there only one chef. During my last visit over the weekend, however, my appetizer of a ham sandwich AND entree of ravioli took over an hour to be served without acknowledgment or apologies by the staff of the unusual wait time. Disappointed with the food service, but wine menu cannot be beat in the NoCA neighborhood. For a "hipster" and "funky" atmosphere, a price point of almost $40 for 2 glasses of wine is too steep for this Cambridge native. Also, easy parking and friendly bartender, Abby.
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Additional information

Dining style
Home Style
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Mediterranean, Dining Bar, Speakeasy
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sun 6:00 pm–12:00 am
Website
http://upperwestcambridge.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Kim Courtney
Private party facilities
UpperWest is a versitile space available for parties and events up to 45 people.

Location
1 Cedar Street, Back Entrance, Cambridge, MA 02140
Area
Cambridge
Cross Street
Massachusetts Avenue, Bike Path
Parking Details
There is free street parking available from 6pm at meters on Massachusetts Avenue near Cedar Street. There are also many Zip Cars in walking distance. Please do not park in the veteran's club parking lot behind the building.
Public transport
Davis Square T - 7 minute walkAlewife T - 17 minute walkPorter Square T - 18 minute walk77 Bus from Harvard Square or Arlington - Cameron Avenue stop outbound, Cedar Street stop inbound.Hubways across the street on Massachusetts Avenue.Zip Cars available in walking distance.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing