Asaro Bakery and Cafe

Unique Jewish bakery cafe near Harvard Square. Been coming here on and off ever since they opened last year. A lot of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spots in the area focus on baklava and small bites, but Asaro takes a slightly different route with challah sandwiches and savory fusions. The owners are incredibly warm, with decades of experience running bakeries in Israel, and that makes the space feel intimate and personal in a way most Cambridge cafés don’t. Asaro doesn’t carry a huge pastry selection, but what they do have, they do pretty well. I’m a sucker for babka, and theirs feels homemade and polished. Just sweet enough to make me feel not guilty after chowing down half a loaf. They used to run four versions (pistachio, coconut, Biscoff, chocolate), and I liked every single one. Their sandwiches run on challah, which has a subtle sweetness that enhances the toppings. The bread is slightly dense, so I find it works best with fillings that have some kind of sauce. My favorite was the meatball sandwich, where the tomato sauce partially softened the crumb and made the whole bite much more cohesive. They also sell a few refrigerated grab-and-go meals like lasagna and tortellini salad. Not perfect, but the tortellini was really solid as a quick lunch at work.

This café is conveniently located just around the corner from my workplace, and I’d heard great things before visiting. The space is beautiful with plenty of seating, though it fills up quickly. One area showcases an impressive selection of pastries, bread, and food, while a separate counter is dedicated to ordering drinks. The menu features all the classic coffee, espresso, and tea options. I visited with a friend and ordered a vanilla latte and a chai espresso. We didn’t try the food this time, but we enjoyed sitting and sipping our drinks in such a welcoming atmosphere. I’m definitely looking forward to coming back to sample the pastries and food, they look delicious.

This place is amazing—everything from the pastries and sandwiches to the salads is absolutely perfect. They also serve excellent coffee, and the customer service is great. Truly delicious food all around. Highly recommend!

This is the best bakery I’ve ever been to! The pulled chicken sandwich is incredible. The almond croissant & chocolate croissant are amazing. The chocolate chip cookie - life changing. And their coffee is delicious. Not to mention, they have the best staff! Asaro Bakery is a must-visit.

Food is amazing! Fresh and so delicious. The schnitzel sandwich was really good and honestly everything we tried was great. We had to wait for a table 5-10 minutes but aside of that we had great time - highly recommend

This cafe was not far from Harvard yard, which would be convenient for grabbing something to eat in work day noon. However, I think the croissants there weren't that good as rated. Omelette, cheese, beef, sweet potato, sun-dried tomato: At least for me, this croissant bread was crunchy but too dry to swallow. Omelette was a bit overcooked, beef was chewy, while the veggies were cold and palm. The only surprise was the mashed sweet potato, which contributed to the humidity, and a special taste of sweet-salty combination.

My absolute favorite bakery in the Boston area! Everything is astoundingly good...like, mind-blowingly good. Their sweets are universally full of flavor, perfect texture, really unique. Their savories and main meals are also crazy full of flavor. And the coffee is great, too. My personal favorites are the cinnamon bun (so moist), Jerusalem bagel (crazy flavorful), egg breakfast sandwich (again, flavor explosion), and pulled chicken thigh sandwich (best chicken I've ever had). The staff is also always warm and inviting. Just an excellent place to be!

Such a great spot with a fantastic atmosphere! Starting with the staff – super friendly and helpful. Right as you walk in, you’re greeted by a beautiful display of fresh pastries that immediately makes you want to stay. I went for the smoked salmon sandwich, and it was absolutely delicious. But the real star was the bread – fresh challah that tasted incredible in this combination. The portion was also really generous. I also recommend the iced green tea – super refreshing. And that pastry display… stunning! It’s hard to choose because everything looks so appetizing – and the smell is amazing. A really lovely visit.

Stumbled on this awesome place while waiting for my appointment at Spaulding Rehab. Their breakfast sandwich was one of the best I have had! Flavorful and filling without being heavy. And everyone loved the pastries I brought them.

The interior is elegant and inspiring. Beautifully decorated with gold frames and Renaissance-style decor. There are several seatings, and they do provide WiFi. Unfortunately, it was jam-packed when I visited, and it didn't feel like the kind of place where you could comfortably get work done, unlike other cafes. I tried their chicken sandwich, and while it was delicious, it didn't quite fit my personal taste, as I usually prefer food with bold flavors. The sandwich was on the bland side for me, but I wouldn't mind eating it again, especially if this is the best that they have on the menu.

Unique food, desserts, and drinks that all look / sound amazing. The omelette sandwich, including a healthy dose of mixed greens, was nice on a large square-ish croissant - the kind with delicate vertical crisps that makes me drool. The tiramisu was on point. You'd think with all the Italian heritage in Boston there'd be tons of good tiramisu. But I've been disappointed with the ok but not amazing tiramisu at Eataly, Mike's Pastry, Tatte, etc. This one at Asaro was just the right balance of cream and coffee, well mixed textures, and not too sweet. The "jungle tea" - a ton of fresh mint with hot water - was the first I've seen anywhere. I enjoyed it much more than a mint mojito coffee because I really just wanted the hot drink with mint, not the coffee. Would be 5 stars except: - booth was uncomfortably high and significantly higher than the chairs so pairs' heights were weirdly mismatched. - most of the desserts and pastries were huge and much pricier than other bakeries. They looked good but the overwhelming size and prices discouraged me from trying some I'd have loved to get if sized and priced down proportionately

Really cute cafe sitting in Cambridge on a busy street. Once you step inside you're transported into a rustic atmosphere that's calm, friendly, and smells incredible. I opted to go for tea instead of my normal latte, the brand of oatmilk they use is not one I'm a fan of (normally an Oatly gal) but the tea selection was plenty and I enjoyed the Spring Tea - vegetal, bright and cleansing. Their variety of plates that come in generous portions and desserts that seem mega sized cover much of the pallete from dense chocolate chip cookies to gluten free chocolate marshmallow puffs. I could see this as a great work-away cafe with comfortable spaces to tuck in with your laptop. My biggest issue was the impossible parking situation, I truly don't think I'd be able to come often due to the difficulty to access - which sweetly keeps this more of a neighborhood affair but sadly not a frequent flyer for me! Worth a visit.

We arrived on Saturday around noon and the cafe was packed to the brim. I decided to grab a cheese bureka and chococlate chip cookie to try out. The bureka had a nice roasted flavor to it due to all the sesame seeds. I also really enjoyed the cheese filling inside. The pastry was crispy on the outside but soft and flaky on the inside. It was a great savory pastry without being overwhelming. The chocolate chip cookie was great after being warmed up. There was plenty of chocolate oozing out, but it was not too sweet. It definitely satisfies the craving though I wouldn't say that it is the absolutely best cookie I have had. The workers were very attentive and ready to take your order. I would definitely go back again and try out their other pastries and drink menu.

Asaro is nonstop busy for good reason. They have a beautiful space with free wifi. The majority of their pastries and breads are not only beautiful but taste amazing too. We enjoyed their Black Sesame Tahini cookie so much we had to order another one. They're packed with a ton of sesame flavor and have a perfect chewiness. The challah bread of the Egg Salad sandwich was perfect. The main downside of the sandwich was it was a mess to eat. Pistachio Babka was a bit stale. Iced Americanos are a bit overpriced but taste fine. It's a great cafe/bakery overall, just a tad expensive. However you're supporting a local business that puts care into their menu so it's worth the price point.

I spent the morning wandering around Cambridge and I found this bakery while on my way from Harvard to MIT. There are tons of tables inside to sit and enjoy our treat/meal/drink. It is not too loud so you can definitely do some work here. The bakery has so many treats and various drinks. I love a good Jerusalem bagel so I had to have it when I saw it. The staff were so kind and friendly. I felt welcomed the moment I walked in. They did not make me feel uncomfortable at all, even with my loud luggage that I was hauling around haha. The service was quick and I got the Jerusalem bagel and was on my way to MIT. The bagel itself was such a treat. Everything I needed for my day of wandering. It was soft and airy. I had half on my adventure and the rest on the plane. It was still soft Even after a few hours! I am lucky that they are not closer to Boston or else I would be getting it everyday when I am visiting for work...but also I am sad that they are not closer to Boston because I want it every time I am there for work.

Asaro is an absolute hidden(ish) gem -- I'd describe it as akin to Tatte before Tatte became mainstream / lost its charm to scale. The space is decently large and clean, with many tables and space for catching up with friends, working, or just enjoying a coffee and pastry solo. We ordered a "Not So Classic Egg Sandwich" and were amazed by the massive portion size -- each of its halves could have been their own sandwich. The combination of flavors was incredible, soft scrambled eggs with a tomato glaze and caramelized onions on a house-made challah. Would highly recommend and made me excited to try some of their other sandwiches for lunch some time. We also got a (massive) slice of their blueberry bread pudding from the pastry case. I liked the sesame seeds strewn throughout the inside and the crust on top. My only notes would be it should be served warm (we asked them to heat it up, which they kindly did) and it was slightly dry so could have potentially benefitted from some sort of pour over sauce. But it was delicious nonetheless! Food: 1. Not So Classic Egg Sandwich (5/5) 2. Blueberry Bread Pudding (4/5) Drink: 1. Cappuccino (4.5/5)

No places to seat due to 75% of the space being taken over with people without food and their laptops. Management perhaps should limit the use of laptops during the weekend and holidays.

Packed out but we still found 3 seats! Such a cozy feel and people were studying even though it was a louder cafe. If I lived closer I could totally see myself working here on slower days. I got the apple crumble muffin - YUM. Really amazing. I should've asked them to warm it up or something because I think that would've made it even better but it was great! The crumble was super delicious and my friend thought so too. Fresh apple pieces inside. Points off because the chai was milky and lacking in spice. My friend got a plain coffee latte and liked it. In the least creepy way, I think the owner(?) was like seriously one of the most FINE men I have seen in my life. Not to embarrass myself but wow, he seriously looks like he could be a tattoo model or something. And so nice? Anyways, points for ambiance or something there lol

Cambridge just won the lottery with this lovely bakery/cafe that has just opened up on Cambridge street! I'd been hearing all about this bakery for the past couple of weeks and finally made my way on a rainy monday morning to check it out. To begin, the space itself is a delight When you walk through the doors, you are greeted with a large, high ceiling, open air kitchen concept. Only a counter with the most ooey gooey looking pastries and a coffee machine separate the customers from the kitchen. The space boasts high ceilings and a kind of vintage Versailles meets rustic barn style of decor. Smooth and cozy jazz rings throughout the cafe. It's a space perfect for both taking out your laptop and getting some work done or grabbing a pastry to catch up with friends. Now onto the food. I ordered the Jerusalem breakfast platter and a warm brown butter cookie. The breakfast platter came with a Jerusalem Bagel, and several dips/sides: - pickled onions - sun dried tomato spread - chopped mediterranean salad - hard boiled egg - tuna salad I opted for double pickled onions since I despise tuna. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this dish. I really liked that the array of five spreads allowed me to experiment with all kinds of different flavor combinations--each of which was cohesive given the overarching mediterranean genre--atop the Jerusalem bagel, which boasted a crispy crunchy sesame seed galore outer crust and warm and soft inside. I particularly enjoyed the tart undertones of the labneh mixed with sun dried tomato spread. Now the brown butter cookie was also 10/10. Not overly sweet, perfectly soft and warm on the inside, and a kind of richness in flavor thanks to the browned butter. Overall, the service was great; although it was challenging to find an open table (we had to wait maybe 10 minutes for one to open up) If you're looking for a new breakfast/brunch place around Cambridge, go check Asaro out!

I'm extremely impressed with this place! I loved the cinnamon roll! It was soft and pillowy, had nice cinnamon flavor, and the yeasty dough flavor balanced the sweetness nicely. I appreciated that the matcha was unsweetened though a little light, and next time I'll have to try their La Colombe coffee. I was eyeing the challah, Jerusalem bagel, and basque cheesecake for next time!

Asaro is very quickly in contention for one of our favorite coffee shops in Boston. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxing, the food all had a unique twist that made it exciting to try, and the staff were all welcoming and friendly. The breakfast sandwich was a highlight with omelette style eggs, Gouda, and arugula. The bread pudding had great flavor, but could've been a bit more tender and added more fruit sauce to bring out the sweetness. Looking forward to our next visit!

Pastries and coffee are really good. Loved the Jerusalem bagel plate. The egg salad sandwich was tasty but a little runny, the roll it was served on was excellent. Really happy to have another great hangout in the old Darwin's space, I expect it will be a regular detour on my library trips.

Cute cafe in Cambridge, with immaculate vibes. The service was great and the baristas greet you upon entrance. The interior is very warm and you can tell that the people who own and work at the shop are proud of the standard and vibes. Great food and drinks! Great place will definitely go again!!

New bakery in Cambridge offering breads, pastries, desserts and sandwiches. I ordered the Jerusalem bagel and the mini challah and both were great. Couldn't be any fresher as the challah was just coming out of the oven when I arrived. The staff is super friendly and quickly answered any questions customers had on their selections. I definitely want to return to try their desserts.

First time since Darwin's closed and I wish I had gone sooner. Delicious pastries and coffee. I think I encountered 2 of the owners and they were fantastic as were all staff. I hadn't read about Asaro and for some reason didn't realize that it is a true bakery - my Mistake!

This bakery/café is located where Darwin's used to be on Cambridge Street. The ambience has definitely changed. The pastries are humongous and very good. The kale salad with grilled vegetables and chicken was out of this world. The service is warm and friendly. Given that it is located very close to my work, I will definitely be back.

Probably 4.5 would be better. Good service, super friendly, and lots of treats to choose from. Cookies were very good, brownies were top notch, bread was solid, and the almost croissant was almost great but not quite (filling was legitimately oily - just too 'juicy' with oil). Great local bakery overall.

I stopped in to see what they had on offer and asked if they had anything savory that was garlic-free. I explained that I'm allergic to garlic and they assured me the lasagna was safe. I was very excited because that's unheard of. Guess who ended up violently ill from an allergic reaction. If you have any kind of food allergy don't waste your money on this overpriced dump.

Great place to meet friends for coffee or lunch. Love the cinnamon baklava and excellent sandwiches.

A must. The best comfort food bakery in Massachusetts. I love Tatte but this has more savory variety. Don't miss out.

I had the pleasure of trying out Asaro Bakery and Cafe yesterday and loved everything about the new cafe that has taken over the old Darwin's spot. Excellent espresso drinks, delicious baked goods (all so amazingly substantial in size!), and many lunch options. We tried the brownie, cinnamon roll, afachores, and bought a whole chocolate babka. I can't wait to return to try some of the sandwiches and bowls! What an excellent addition to the neighbourhood!

Popped in before Head of the Charles and it was so good!!! Everyone was so kind and the almond croissant was the best I have had in the Boston area.

Just came across this cafe and it didn't disappoint! The food, coffee and baked goods are all phenomenal. And there is something to be said for their chocolate chip cookies in particular... they might be the best cookie I've ever had. Definitely worth a try if you're in the neighborhood

Croissants are so good Great customer service Really nice atmosphere Eat here You won't be sor

Terrific new bakery. Wonderful sweet treats and sandwiches. Excellent decor. A very welcome replacement for the Cambridge Street Darwins.

I live in the neighborhood and have been excited for the space to be filled again. The sandwiches are excellent, the freshly baked challah bread is outstanding (they sell large loaves on Fridays), and my cortado had the perfect balance of coffee to milk. I've stopped by twice so far, and both times I found the staff to be very friendly and knowledgeable. It's a nice place to sit and read or do some work (free Wi-Fi).

Absolutely delicious! Friendly owners. Sandwiches and burkas to die for! The place is busy and for a good reason. A great asset to the local community. I wish we would place like this in my town.

Have been there before, but yesterday had the greatest chocolate croissant ever created. Absolutely the best ever. Coffee was great. Service with a smile!!

Super cute inside, but the coffee is really bitter plus it's overpriced. I don't mind paying a little more for a really good coffee, but $5.20 for an oat milk cortado that was bad, yikes. The pastries look really friggin, I just haven't tried any yet. I'll be back but not for coffee.

Yummy and reasonable priced food, welcoming and helpful staff, clean and comfortable space... what more could you want from a breakfast and lunch spot? My partner and I shared a delicious bagel platter with lots of toppings to mix and match. Our friends gobbled down egg sandwiches. We shared a "piece" (really a slab) of moist banana bread with lots of chocolate chips. Will be back to eat in and take out their delicious bakery items.

Delicious food, great vibe, clean, friendly staff. What's not to like? The iced chai latte was great, and the almond croissant was delicious.

I miss the Darwin's vibe and variety. Sometimes you just want a bag of chips with your drink. Also, it's annoying that they don't display prices on the pastries. My coffee and sweet potato hand pie were very good.

"Not so classic breakfast sandwich" was quite tasty and larger than expected. Annoying that they do not display prices. Miss the larger sandwich offerings of Darwins.

I just sat down with my drink and immediately pulled up this page to write this review. Ambiance is really great and the service is so friendly. They were super helpful with explaining the unique pastries and recommending items. I got a draft chai and alfajor, both of which were delicious. Will definitely be returning to try more.

Lovely space and staff. Pasteries are good (although not quite up to the same level of quality Cambridge residents may expect with Flour and La Saison). The brownie I got was over $8 and the price wasn't marked. I suggest they dial down the prices and find a way to stay profitable.