The Hourly Oyster House

Beatrice Evans

This place is so good it’s unbelievable. First of all, the service is incredible. It’s clear the waiters have been trained or are all very experienced. I’m fine with having a rude waiter because at the end of the day everyone is human and that might just have not been their day, but it’s always nice to feel welcomed and respected when you eat. The interior of the restaurant is atmospheric but not in an overly pretentious way (meaning you can still watch a football game if staring into the moody lighting isn’t your thing). The food itself was very good, the menu consists of classic pub/American/British food done well. Of course the raw seafood they have is expensive but apart from that the pricing was very reasonable considering the portions and quality. The Brussels sprouts were nicely cooked although some of them were a bit mushy with how much oil there was. The cheese they came with and the sausage both had a pretty mild flavor but the sprouts made up for it. The lobster roll I had was really nice—good fresh lobster, not too much mayo and butter, and a slightly sweet toasted bun. The fries were good too and the fish for the fish and chips was buttery and smooth.

William Goldman

Had a really great experience at this restaurant!! I arrived around 5:45 on a weekday and despite the restaurant being quite crowded, we were seated right away in their outside heated patio. The wait staff were very attentive and super friendly! They also made excellent recommendations from the menu. Would highly recommend the mussels and the oysters!

Melody Cao

Great upscale seafood restaurant! Able to seat 10+ people with advanced booking. Food was delicious, you are paying a premium though, and came out pretty quick! The appetizers are quite nice but the portion of the main dishes sometimes are a bit smaller.

David Polk

The oysters were perfect and the lobster roll was good. Service and atmosphere was great too. I’m just sorry I didn’t have enough appetite to have the clam chowder because it looked tasty.

Derrick Bautista

Hourly Oyster House – A Solid Seafood Spot in Harvard Square We stopped by Hourly Oyster Bar while wandering around Cambridge and decided to try a few of their seafood dishes. Overall, it was a great experience—good food, chill vibes, and the location right in Harvard Square makes it a fun spot to relax and people-watch. We ordered the lobster roll, Fisherman’s stew, and the lobster mac & cheese. • The lobster roll was delicious—fresh, flavorful, and the bun was nicely toasted. What really impressed me was the price. It was reasonable, especially for such a prime location. You don’t feel like you’re getting ripped off like at some touristy places that charge $40 for a dry, flavorless roll. • The Fisherman’s stew was pretty good too. It came with a lot of seafood, which was great, but the broth was a bit thinner than I expected. I was hoping for something heartier and more savory. Still enjoyable, just not my favorite of the bunch. • The lobster mac & cheese was easily the star of the meal. Super creamy, packed with lobster, and had this smoky Gouda flavor that made it feel rich without being overly salty. I could’ve eaten the whole thing myself. If you’re in the area and craving seafood, Hourly is definitely worth checking out—especially for that lobster mac. Would go back just for that dish alone.