The Hourly Oyster House

4.7

1447 Reviews

$30 and under

Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 45 times today

Neighborhood gem
Charming
Lively

The Hourly Oyster House is a vibrant and welcoming neighborhood outpost in the heart of Harvard Square, where guests can enjoy thoughtfully sourced and playfully prepared seafood and oysters from New England and beyond, as well as a carefully crafted selection of signature cocktails, beer and wine. With a focus on seafood, The Hourly serves up New England classics in a dynamic and airy space.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, Oyster Bar, American
Hours of operation
Bar Daily 11:00 am–11:00 pm Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 765-2342
Website
http://thehourlycambridge.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Julmeus St. Luc
Private party facilities
From intimate dinner parties to festive cocktail receptions, the events team at The Hourly Oyster House awaits your next private function. Our contemporary yet casual atmosphere in the heart of Harvard Square is the perfect backdrop for any special occasion. Please email us at events@thehourlycambridge.com or visit our website for more information thehourlycambridge.com.

Location
15 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Neighborhood
Cambridge
Cross street
Massachusetts Avenue
Parking details
Parking is available at the Smith Center Garage, directly across the street from the restaurant at 11 Holyoke Street. There is also on street metered parking directly in front of the restaurant on Dunster Street.
Public transit
Just steps away from the Harvard Square T-stop on the Redline.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

A Tale of Two Oysters*$45.00
two of each of today's oysters
The Hourly Seafood Tower*$120.00
tale of two oysters, 6 littleneck clams, 6 jumbo shrimp, shrimp ceviche, tuna crudo, lobster salad
Tuna Tartare*$16.00
sushi rice, spicy poke sauce, scallions, house chips
Tuna Crudo*$14.00
harissa, chives
Hamachi Crudo*$16.00
white sturgeon caviar, chimichurri, fried garlic
Shrimp Ceviche*$16.00
pico de gallo, cucumber, wonton chips
Littleneck Clams*
rosé mignonette, house cocktail sauce
- ea$2.00
Shrimp Cocktail
house cocktail sauce
- ea$4.00

Oysters

$3ea / $33dz

Boomamoto*
Barnstable, MA - nutty, briny, sweet finish
Cotuit*
Cotuit, MA - plump, sweet brine, clean
Rip Tide*
Buzzards Bay, MA - soft brine, earthy finish
Chatham*
Chatham, MA - plump, briny, rich meat
Malabar Select*
Barnstable, MA - clean, mineral, oceanic
Wellfleet*
Wellfleet, MA - savory, vegetal, refreshing
Edgewater*
Buzzard's Bay-dense, salty kick, root vegetables
Cadillac Mountain*
Goose Cove, ME - brothy, umami brine, stony

Starters

Clam Chowder$10.00
bacon, seasoned oyster crackers
Crispy Calamari$14.00
arugula, cherry peppers, harissa aioli
Blackened Swordfish Tacos$12.00
mango curtido, avocado crema, pickled onion
Oysters Rockefeller$16.00
kale, smoked bacon, pernod, panko
Hushpuppies$13.00
chili honey butter
Caesar Salad$14.00
anchovy croutons, parmesan
Lobster Bisque$11.00
tarragon, brandy
Grilled Octopus$16.00
potatoes, chimichurri, chorizo, paprika aioli
Mussels Provencal$16.00
white wine, tomato, fennel, garlic, grilled crostini
Blistered Shishitos$10.00
sea salt, olive oil
Roasted Brussels Sprouts$10.00
andouille sausage, parmesan
Cobb Salad$14.00
avocado, pancetta, feta, 6-min egg, red onion, red wine vinaigrette

Entrées

Lobster Roll$34.00
touch of mayo, griddled roll
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich$17.00
lettuce, tomato, pickles, special sauce, brioche bun
Double Smash Burger*$16.00
american cheese, caramelized onion, special sauce, seeded roll
Day Boat Haddock Sandwich$18.00
coleslaw, bread & butter pickles, spicy tartar sauce
Beer-Battered Fish & Chips$22.00
hand-cut fries, slaw, tartare sauce
Lobster Macaroni & Cheese$25.00
smoked gouda, mozzarella, pepper jack, ritz crumbs
Grilled Salmon Nicoise*$25.00
heirloom tomatoes, roasted potatoes, kalamata olives, haricots verts, six-minute egg, garden herb vinaigrette
Roasted Farro$21.00
kale, butternut squash, peach, yellow beet, pecans, feta

What 1,447 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
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Hourly Oyster House delights with "excellent seafood" and a "cozy and welcoming" atmosphere in Harvard Square. Guests rave about the "impressive oyster selection" and "delicious cocktails." Attentive service, inviting ambiance, and standout dishes like clam chowder and lobster mac and cheese make it a "highly recommend" spot for seafood lovers.

1,447 Reviews

R
Rebecca
VIP
New York City
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The best Oysters!! I also tried a new fish dish that was spot on. They did a great job with a large Valentine crowd.
Is this helpful?
A
Adam
New York City
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Went for a great Valentine’s Dinner and was very pleasantly surprised. Every part of the meal was great. The drinks, oysters, appetizers, and entrees. The service was also great and our waitress was friendly and knowledgeable.
Is this helpful?
E
Eniko
VIP
New York City
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great please, friendly staff, wonderful food. highly recommend it!
Is this helpful?
L
Linda
VIP
Greater Boston
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 7, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Yummy food, good wine and friends enjoyed the espresso martini affogato. Service was great and relaxing!
Is this helpful?
C
Crystal
VIP
Greater Boston
27 reviews
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on February 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Good food, great cocktails and super service. Oysters are outstanding with great choices.
Is this helpful?
M
Mark
VIP
Greater Boston
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on February 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
First time visitor. Four people, everyone delighted with their food. Madison the hostess was great - very helpful and professional.
Is this helpful?
K
Katherine
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Sunday evening is a delightful time to dine here, our favorite restaurant. It was relatively quiet. Livelier nights are great also, at the same time, the relative quiet was welcome. Love their oyster varieties -- new ones to try almost every time we come. Great wine list, single -malt list. Excellent salads and imaginative first courses.
Is this helpful?
B
Beth
Philadelphia
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 1, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
We went for lunch in a Saturday. The couple at the table next to us were extremely loud so after they left, the ambiance was nice. My clam chowder was bad. My husband said his octopus was good. I think sixty dollars for a light lunch with no alcohol is expensive especially when the food was mediocre at best.
Is this helpful?
k
kristin
Chicago
11 reviews
2.0
11 reviews
Dined on January 30, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Have been here once before and it was positive. This time wasnt same level of positive experience. They changed some things on menu but listed them same way and it was not same portion. The server also started off okay but became less and less friendly as lunch went on. A family member ended up getting sick after with stomach issues and literally we ordered same thing as previous time.. no issues then.
Is this helpful?
E
Eric
Greater Boston
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on January 26, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious oysters, friendly staff, comfortable seating area.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Hourly Oyster House offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 765-2342.

The Hourly Oyster House is rated 4.7 stars by 1447 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 45 times today

Order delivery or takeout

15 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Massachusetts Avenue
Neighborhood
Cambridge
Hours of operation
Bar Daily 11:00 am–11:00 pm Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, Oyster Bar, American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking is available at the Smith Center Garage, directly across the street from the restaurant at 11 Holyoke Street. There is also on street metered parking directly in front of the restaurant on Dunster Street.
Public transit
Just steps away from the Harvard Square T-stop on the Redline.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Julmeus St. Luc
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://thehourlycambridge.com/
Phone number
(617) 765-2342
Private party facilities
From intimate dinner parties to festive cocktail receptions, the events team at The Hourly Oyster House awaits your next private function. Our contemporary yet casual atmosphere in the heart of Harvard Square is the perfect backdrop for any special occasion. Please email us at events@thehourlycambridge.com or visit our website for more information thehourlycambridge.com.

The Hourly Oyster House

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Lobster Bisque

Grilled Salmon

Tuna Crudo

Raw Bar

A Tale of Two Oysters*$45.00

The Hourly Seafood Tower*$120.00

Tuna Tartare*$16.00

Tuna Crudo*$14.00

Hamachi Crudo*$16.00

Shrimp Ceviche*$16.00

Littleneck Clams*

Shrimp Cocktail

Oysters

Boomamoto*

Cotuit*

Rip Tide*

Chatham*

Malabar Select*

Wellfleet*

Edgewater*

Cadillac Mountain*

Starters

Clam Chowder$10.00

Crispy Calamari$14.00

Blackened Swordfish Tacos$12.00

Oysters Rockefeller$16.00

Hushpuppies$13.00

Caesar Salad$14.00

Lobster Bisque$11.00

Grilled Octopus$16.00

Mussels Provencal$16.00

Blistered Shishitos$10.00

Roasted Brussels Sprouts$10.00

Cobb Salad$14.00

Entrées

Lobster Roll$34.00

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich$17.00

Double Smash Burger*$16.00

Day Boat Haddock Sandwich$18.00

Beer-Battered Fish & Chips$22.00

Lobster Macaroni & Cheese$25.00

Grilled Salmon Nicoise*$25.00

Roasted Farro$21.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does The Hourly Oyster House offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is The Hourly Oyster House restaurant rated?

Is The Hourly Oyster House currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information