Little Donkey

4.7

2060 Reviews

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 25, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 27 times today

Lively
Great for creative cocktails
Neighborhood gem

We’ve only got one rule: there are no rules. Our menu is an eclectic mix of global flavors, inspired by our chefs’ travels around the world. From Istanbul meat ravioli to ramen cacio e pepe, our menu is always unique and forever evolving. With a full raw bar, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, we’ve truly got something for everyone. Owned and operated by James Beard Award Winning Chef Ken Oringer, Little Donkey has been serving global tapas in Central Square since 2016

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Tapas / Small Plates, International, Dessert
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 945-1008
Website
http://www.littledonkeybos.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Ken Oringer
Private party facilities
Little Donkey offers family-style options as well as a la cart, specially selected to accommodate any occasion. Our culinary and beverage teams will work with you to come up with the perfect wine, beer and artfully crafted seasonal cocktail selections to suit your needs. Please visit our website or email jai@littledonkeybos.com for more information

Location
505 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Neighborhood
Cambridge
Cross street
Norfolk Street
Parking details
Currently street/meter parking. There are also parking lots on our block that are incredibly convenient such as Green Street Parking Garage, Franklin Street Garage, Metered lots on Bishop Allen Ave in between Essex St and Norfolk St and Norfolk St and Douglass St.
Public transit
Easily accessible by the RED LINE at CENTRAL SQUARE or the Number 1 BUS.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

sturgeon caviar*$6.00
add caviar to any oyster
clearbrook*$4.00
plump, seaweed, touch of sweet (Wellfleet, MA)
pleasant cove*$4.00
salty and kelp, mushroom and chicken bouillon (Damariscotta, ME)
jolly select*$4.00
of savory sweet with a bright sweetness of grass and root veggies (Dennis, MA)
cold bottom*$4.00
a kiss of sea salt with a touch of chicken bouillon on the finish (Plymouth, MA)
pink moon*$4.00
perfect balance of salt, creaminess, and a pleasant mineral finish (New London, PEI(CAN))
countneck clams*$3.00
plump, meaty, buttery
oyster shooter*$9.00
chef selection with a shot of bloody mary
donkey platter*$95.00
assorted shellfish + crudos with traditional & non traditional accompaniments

crudo

tuna & salmon belly tartare*$19.00
crispy sushi rice, tobiko (add caviar +15)
salmon crudo*$19.00
salsa macha, carrot, chilies, lemon
scallop crudo*$19.00
coconut dashi, hakurei turnips, annatto, sesame, finger lime
tuna tostada*$19.00
charred tortilla salsa, avocado, radish, hatch chili crema
whitefish ceviche*$17.00
leche de tigre, aji panca, cilantro, sweet potato, crispy choclo
hamachi sashimi*$17.00
white soy, ginger, grapefruit, cucumber, trout roe
snow crab*$17.00
lemongrass, thai chili, sesame leaf

snacks

caviar sandwich$25.00
grilled martin’s potato roll, whipped butter, sturgeon caviar
blt lettuce wraps*$15.00
lamb bacon, pimento cheese, tomato jam, pickled red onion cheese
wagyu steak tartare*$22.00
brazilian steakhouse style, brown bread
parker house rolls*$8.00
sesame seeds, smoked cultured butter (add pimento cheese +5)
venison heart satay*$18.00
peanut sauce, ginger tare
shrimp toast bao buns$16.00
scallion, sesame, spicy mayo
spicy duck wings*$19.00
crispy smoked duck wings, thai chili jam, black garlic ranch
yum cha $15.00
spicy chinese braised tripe, ginger, scallion
empanada*$12.00
jamaican beef, peas, mango and pepper jam mayo
crispy pork belly*$18.00
thai flavors

veggies

kowloon fried cauliflower$16.00
chili garlic, sesame
brussels sprouts*$17.00
red curry, sultanas, ginger lime
roasted beets*$19.00
burrata, kale wakame salad, gochugaru honey
roasted carrots*$16.00
pepita mole, apple cider honey, herbs, avocado crema
honeynut squash*$15.00
vadouvan spice, zhug, crispy kataifi
grilled eggplant*$16.00
miso glaze, tzatziki, almond dukkah

grains

bangkok street noodles*$18.00
roasted pork, rice noodles, fried peanuts, herbs (add egg +4)
mushroom fried rice*$19.00
gv shiitake, maitake, king trumpet, egg, szechuan (add crab +8)
crab* mac n cheese*$26.00
gf blue crab, cheddar & parmesan fondue, green tabasco, korean rice cakes
manti meat ravioli$21.00
garlic sour cream, red pepper butter
pupusa*$16.00
squash, heirloom masa, curtido, chihuahua cheese
cacio e pepe miso$22.00
ramen noodles, parmesan, black pepper

meat & fish

fried chicken sandwich*$15.00
pickled jalapeños, papaya slaw, avocado ranch
burger*$17.00
dry aged beef, buffalo pickles, onion soup mayo, foie gras, jalapeño chips, cheese
hanger steak*$26.00
mushroom escabeche, crispy shallots
branzino*$25.00
grilled mediterranean sea bass, puttanesca, shallot, lemon
grilled octopus*$22.00
peruvian purple potato, aji amarillo, quicos

Cocktails and Mocktails

PSLD$18.00
pumpkin spice espresso martini
Fall Sangria$13.00
kleos mastiha, brandy, citrus, clove
White Lotus Gin$17.00
vermouth, bitter bianco, grapefruit, bitters
Pink Donkey Club$18.00
gin, aloe, raspberry, lemon, thai basil
Mangos After Dark$17.00
vodka, rum, mango, lime, greek yogurt
Papayas on the Dancefloor$18.00
tequila, apricot, papaya, grapefruit, lime, topo chico
Ode to Pablo$18.00
mezcal, aperol, spicy ginger shrub, lime
Quincey Girl Bourbon$18.00
angostura amaro, quince, orange, lemon
Primer Corte$17.00
rye whiskey, maple, lemon, ginger beer, laphroaig rinse
Alaska Gin$17.00
yellow chartreuse, bitters
High Tide Rum$18.00
blend, coconut milk, lime, pineapple (dairy free milk punch)
Blu Wu Vodka$9.00
triple sec, lime, pandan
Nat So Scary Aperitif$12.00
lemon, agave
Stair Car Grapefruit$11.00
lemon, cinnamon, hoppy refresher
I Carried a Melon$11.00
honeydew, lime, tonic
Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water$3.50
Athletic Brewing Co. 'Run Wild' 0% IPA$8.00
CT

Wine by the Glass

Azimut Cava Brut Nature$14.00
Penedès, Spain
Gaspard 'Bulles' Brut Rosé$16.00
Pineau d’Aunis, Touraine, Loire, France
Quinta de Raza Arinto$13.00
+Vinho Verde, Basto, Portugal
Domaine Daniel Seguinot 'Chablis'$18.00
Chardonnay, Burgundy, France
Christina Gruner Veltliner$21.00
Burgendland, Austria
Vincent Caille 'Le Fay d'homme' Melon de Bourgogne$16.00
Muscadet, Loire, France
Garalis 'Terra Ambera' Muscat$17.00
Limnos, Greece
Judith Beck 'Pink'$15.00
Blaufrankisch, Burgenland, Austria
Forlorn Hope 'Queen of Sierra' Co-Ferment$16.00
Sierra Foothills, California
Folk Machine Pinot Noir$18.00
Central Coast, California
Corazon e Paterno 'Il Corzanello'$15.00
Sangiovese +, Tuscany, Italy
Kate Arnold Cabernet Sauvignon$16.00
Columbia Valley, Washington
Gut Oggau 'Cecilia' Field Blend Rose$20.00
Burgenland, Austria

Beer+

Bunker Brewing 'Machine'$12.00
Czech Style Pilsner, ME
Finback 'Rolling in Clouds'$12.00
IPA, 7.1%, NY
Oxbow 'Farmhouse Pale Ale'$13.00
PA, 6%, ME
Winter Hill Brewing 'Dr. Leo Marzen'$11.00
Marzen, 5.2%, MA
Tecate Mexican Lager$6.00
4.5%, MEX
Miller High Life$6.00
American Lager, 4.6%, WI
Allagash White Wheat Beer$9.00
5.2%, ME
Jacks Abby 'Smoke & Dagger'$8.00
Black Lager, 5.6.6%, MA
Oeronaut 'Hop Hop and Away'$10.00
IPA, 4.6%, MA
Athletic Brewing Co. 'Run Wild' 0% IPA$8.00
CT
Shacksbury 'Arlo' Cider$9.00
6.0%, VT
Ambuki Himawari Junmai Gingo$14.00
150ml
Yuki No Tenshi 'Snow Angel' Sake$12.00
Nigori, 180ml

What 2,060 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

2,060 Reviews

b
bryano
Chicago
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing experience! So accommodating! The staff was over the top outstanding and extremely kind. I would highly recommended Little Donkey to anyone looking a for a great time! The food will leave you speechless and make you think about when you’ll come back again!
Is this helpful?
s
susan
Orange County
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The restaurant did not meet my expectations after I had heard so much about it. The server was a little too pushy/eager for us to order. We barely had the menus which have a lot to read on them as the dishes are unusual and wanted us to order. She came by two more times before we were ready. Note that we had a 5:15 PM reservation and were out by 6:45 PM. We tried four dishes, which were very good, but not outstanding except for the rabbit stew. Each dish seemed too salty. The Bangkok Street noodles seemed too mushy, like they had been cooked too long. Our table had one candle on it, and I needed to use my phone light to read the menu.
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L
Lisa
Greater Boston
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fabulous dining experience for my husband’s birthday. Not only did the staff present us with custom printed HBD menus, but they also brought dessert and cava gratis. The food and cocktails were delicious. Don’t miss the cacio e pepe ramen. Somehow it’s nostalgic and modern all at once!
Is this helpful?
r
rachel
Greater Boston
40 reviews
vip
5.0
40 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Insanely good last night. The mushroom crab fried rice was incredible! The empanada, Salomon and tuna tartar, the foie were all so delicious. This restaurant is always some of the best food in Boston. The atmosphere and service are always a treat as well. Thank you for a fantastic date night!
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n
ned
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Eclectic cuisine, small plates, excellent food. Nice ambiance and overall just great.
Is this helpful?
BM
BairsMom
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Mid-week business dinner with an out-of-town consultant; food was amazing, flavorful and the perfect temperature. Presentation was enticing. Our server was the just right amount of attentiveness. I haven't been to the restaurant in a few years, will definitely go back sooner than later!
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m
michael
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
LOVE Little Donkey. Food always amazingly tasty, ambiance great, and service exceptional.
Is this helpful?
J
Jean
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
great drinks, friendly service, excellent food. love the atmosphere.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great experience, amazing food! Our waitress, Siena, was the best!
Is this helpful?
A
Alex
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had an overall great meal and great time! Will be coming back :)
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FAQs

Little Donkey offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Little Donkey also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 945-1008.

Little Donkey is rated 4.7 stars by 2060 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 25, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 27 times today

Order delivery or takeout

505 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Norfolk Street
Neighborhood
Cambridge
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Tapas / Small Plates, International, Dessert
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Currently street/meter parking. There are also parking lots on our block that are incredibly convenient such as Green Street Parking Garage, Franklin Street Garage, Metered lots on Bishop Allen Ave in between Essex St and Norfolk St and Norfolk St and Douglass St.
Public transit
Easily accessible by the RED LINE at CENTRAL SQUARE or the Number 1 BUS.
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Ken Oringer
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.littledonkeybos.com/
Phone number
(617) 945-1008
Private party facilities
Little Donkey offers family-style options as well as a la cart, specially selected to accommodate any occasion. Our culinary and beverage teams will work with you to come up with the perfect wine, beer and artfully crafted seasonal cocktail selections to suit your needs. Please visit our website or email jai@littledonkeybos.com for more information

Little Donkey

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

raw bar

sturgeon caviar*$6.00

clearbrook*$4.00

pleasant cove*$4.00

jolly select*$4.00

cold bottom*$4.00

pink moon*$4.00

countneck clams*$3.00

oyster shooter*$9.00

donkey platter*$95.00

crudo

tuna & salmon belly tartare*$19.00

salmon crudo*$19.00

scallop crudo*$19.00

tuna tostada*$19.00

whitefish ceviche*$17.00

hamachi sashimi*$17.00

snow crab*$17.00

snacks

caviar sandwich$25.00

blt lettuce wraps*$15.00

wagyu steak tartare*$22.00

parker house rolls*$8.00

venison heart satay*$18.00

shrimp toast bao buns$16.00

spicy duck wings*$19.00

yum cha $15.00

empanada*$12.00

crispy pork belly*$18.00

veggies

kowloon fried cauliflower$16.00

brussels sprouts*$17.00

roasted beets*$19.00

roasted carrots*$16.00

honeynut squash*$15.00

grilled eggplant*$16.00

grains

bangkok street noodles*$18.00

mushroom fried rice*$19.00

crab* mac n cheese*$26.00

manti meat ravioli$21.00

pupusa*$16.00

cacio e pepe miso$22.00

meat & fish

fried chicken sandwich*$15.00

burger*$17.00

hanger steak*$26.00

branzino*$25.00

grilled octopus*$22.00

Cocktails and Mocktails

PSLD$18.00

Fall Sangria$13.00

White Lotus Gin$17.00

Pink Donkey Club$18.00

Mangos After Dark$17.00

Papayas on the Dancefloor$18.00

Ode to Pablo$18.00

Quincey Girl Bourbon$18.00

Primer Corte$17.00

Alaska Gin$17.00

High Tide Rum$18.00

Blu Wu Vodka$9.00

Nat So Scary Aperitif$12.00

Stair Car Grapefruit$11.00

I Carried a Melon$11.00

Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water$3.50

Athletic Brewing Co. 'Run Wild' 0% IPA$8.00

Wine by the Glass

Azimut Cava Brut Nature$14.00

Gaspard 'Bulles' Brut Rosé$16.00

Quinta de Raza Arinto$13.00

Domaine Daniel Seguinot 'Chablis'$18.00

Christina Gruner Veltliner$21.00

Vincent Caille 'Le Fay d'homme' Melon de Bourgogne$16.00

Garalis 'Terra Ambera' Muscat$17.00