CSCA Cafe

I had really high expectations considering it’s a Culinary Arts Cafe. The customer service was exceptional but the Matcha Latte didn’t hit the spot because there wasn’t enough Matcha. It was definitely high quality tho. The chocolate croissant had same story, there wasn’t enough chocolate in it. A bit stingy overall.

Updated review 4/25/2025: I've been to CSCA Cafe a couple more times since they officially opened, and I've had a better experience each time! There are always different types of pastries and entremets available --the selection is always changing. There are more drinks available now too --seasonal flavors like matcha raspberry latte and iced tea lemonade. The drinks are reasonably priced at $4-6 and they are not too sweet. I've enjoyed the matcha raspberry latte and chai latte and look forward to trying more. The entremets are really good, and a steal at $6.50! I loved the raspberry vanilla entremet which had three layers of crunchy pastry, berry jam, and cake inside of a light white chocolate mousse. I didn't like the raspberry chocolate tart much, but I'm definitely going to try more entremets. They also have day old pastry grab bags for $7.50. I'm so glad to have CSCA Cafe in the neighborhood -- truly a gem! Limited opening hours is the only downside. Original review Feb 2025: I've been eagerly awaiting CSCA Cafe's opening, so was excited to go to their soft opening. The interior has limited seating -- 8 chairs -- and is a bit cramped, but is decorated well and inviting. We got the ham and cheese croissant and the chocolate croissant (both $4.75). I liked the ham and cheese in the croissant -- good flavor and a good amount of ham. The croissant itself was more bready than flaky, but it was still pretty good. The chocolate croissant had a good amount of chocolate (3 sticks!) and was more flaky, but not as much as I'd like. Overall I'd say these were good but there are definitely other croissants in the area that I would prefer. We also got the hot chocolate which was pretty good and not too sweet. They sell frozen ready to bake croissants (and will eventually have additional pastries) for $14.99 for 4 croissants with filling. I'd definitely want to try getting these and seeing how they taste fresh out of the oven! They also sell some chocolates and other items made by alums. Pretty pricey, but it's cool that they do it!

I’ve been blessed to encounter this place! I got to go with friends and the friend who has introduced this to us has shared of how special this place is for it to be an extension of a culinary school! All the baked goods looked so good - and I was tempted to try them all. We were able to share three unique pastries all with an aesthetically pleasing and delicious take of the flavors raspberry, coffee, and mango. Friends got the strawberry matcha latte and hibiscus lemonade. Drinks were equally delicious! The service is kind and friendly. I hope the cafe grows to accommodate more seating! The limited seating was the only downside that I would state. Thank you to all the students, teachers, and staff who work here!! The menu here is indeed fresh and ever changing!

Pastry paradise! Unique beverages (I had the blood orange hibiscus iced tea with homemade simple syrup) and GORGEOUS desserts that actually taste just as incredible as they look. This bakery is nothing short of extraordinary. The cardamom bun is my favorite with just the right balance of sweetness, the chocolate croissant is flaky and rich, and the key lime pie on a stick is both playful and delicious. Honestly each pastry is crafted with artistry and flavor. A truly exceptional bakery. Not to be missed!

I had two experiences with the CSCA Cafe and both of them were great! I really loved their lemon blueberry brioche and if you are a "full butter croissant" addict, this place is for you! I also tried several pastries: the lemon raspberry tart, the hazelnut cream puff pastry and the Tropical Petit Gateau and all of them were beautiful (I'm team "eat at first sight" here) and delightful. There isn't a lot of seating inside as the place is small, (maybe be aware), but it's really pleasant and in my experience, the team is super welcoming and kind. Little bonus, It was raining both times I went to the café so I wasn't able to try, but the terrace outside is probably quite pleasant. Bref, for a coffee or also for pastries, I would say CSCA Cafe is a lovely address.

I have been here a couple of times now and everytime I had a good experience. I love their iced teas and the pastries are amazing. I tried Raspberry Vanilla Bean Entremet, Mango Passionfruit Entremet and the Coffee Bean Entremet. All of them were good, had layers of flavour and priced decently. The staff is good.

Really interesting café run by the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. Never been to a café or restaurant directly operated by a culinary school before, so when I heard CSCA had a public-facing spot, I had to check it out. While it doesn’t carry the prestige of places like CIA or Le Cordon Bleu, CSCA has produced some respected chefs in the Northeast, and it seemed like this café was a low-key way to showcase that talent—or maybe even function as a training ground. Either way, most of what I tried was great. They had a solid selection of croissants and sweets, and they sourced drinks from top-notch local vendors like George Howell Coffee and MEM Tea. My favorites so far have been the chocolate croissant, ham & cheese croissant, and their London Fog. The croissants don’t quite reach the flakiness of Iggy’s (my favorite local bakery), but they’re wonderfully buttery, fresh, and satisfying. However, the Honey Butter Cube Croissant was a complete miss. Too dense, under-filled, and oddly dry. We couldn’t make it past a few bites. Bonus points for the outdoor patio though, which is a rarity in this part of North Cambridge. If you’re looking for a peaceful, low-key café experience with high-level pastry game, this spot is worth a try.

Amazing pastry. Best scones. Egg cups were perfect. Operated by the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. A must visit.