The Smoot Standard

Spacious café near MIT with decent food and drinks. Stopped by a few times for lunch. One thing I really like about this place is that they have a small mezzanine level, which is a rare find for cafes in the city. It’s easy to miss, but once you’re up there, it’s a great quiet alternative when you want a change of scenery from the library. Food and drinks were fairly basic. Nothing to write home about, but good enough for a casual meal. Prices are also reasonable for the neighborhood. The better options I’ve tried were the tuna Niçoise salad sandwich and the chicken Cobb salad. They also offer dinner service, though I’ve rarely seen much activity in the evenings. The menu looked like standard American café fare. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’d consider if I started hearing good things.

Had a great experience here! I ordered a latte and it was absolutely delicious — perfectly smooth and well made. My companion ordered the Chicken Cutlet sandwich (with cucumber, shaved fennel, arugula, parmesan-peppercorn aioli, and lemon vinaigrette) and really enjoyed it. The girls were super attentive, the service was excellent, and the space is beautiful and very inviting. My only suggestion would be to expand the gluten-free options a bit more — it would be great to see more variety in the future. Overall, we’ll definitely be back!

Delightful! Bagels and lox and bluefish spreads, brioche sandwiches, and delicious chai lattes. Our daughter loved her iced vanilla latte. It’s named after the smoot, the unit of length of Oliver Smoot, the MIT frat pledge who measured the length of the bridge by lying down body-length by body-length

Highly recommend breakfast sandwich (I got it with chicken sausage) and the cuban sandwich. I wouldn’t get the latte again, but jasmine tea lemonade has good tea flavor if you’re into that. Great atmosphere with plenty of tables and beer on tap🍻

We had a fantastic meal and absolutely loved the ambiance warm, stylish, and relaxed without feeling noisy. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully made, and the space just has that stay a little longer vibe. Highly recommend, especially if you want a cozy spot to bring your laptop for a workday (comfortable seating, good energy, and perfect for settling in).

Amazing experience – thank you Maria and Lina! Maria and Lina are absolutely wonderful hosts — kind, attentive, and incredibly efficient. They make you feel welcome from the moment you walk in. The food was delicious, the coffee was excellent, and the service was outstanding. I’d highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a cozy spot to enjoy a great meal and a friendly atmosphere. I’ll definitely be coming back!

I was visiting a friend who recommended SMOOT. We went in for a Monday lunch and the owner and sat down to eat with us! He was so kind and welcoming, as was the rest of the staff. We had a delicious meal and loved the ambiance! Highly recommend. Would be a great spot to bring your computer for a work day.