Little Donkey

4.7

2077 Reviews

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 16, 2024

11:30 PM

Booked 42 times today

Neighborhood gem
Great for creative cocktails
Good for special occasions

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
Bar Fri 4:00 pm–11:00 pm 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 2,077 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
4.5Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Little Donkey offers an "amazing experience" with "exceptional service" and "amazingly tasty" food. Guests rave about its eclectic menu, featuring standout dishes like cacio e pepe ramen and mushroom crab fried rice. The "friendly service" and inviting atmosphere make it a top choice for memorable dining in Boston.

2,077 Reviews

K
Katie
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I feel it’s been hard to find spots that live up to the “hype.” Little Donkey was such a refreshing experience in every way. The host asked us if we were celebrating a special occasion and proceeded to give us a menu with “happy anniversary” written across it. Our waitress Melissa was super pleasant, wished us a happy anniversary and brought out a complimentary toasting champagne. The menu was unique, delicious, food came out quickly, and had such great flavor. We ordered the cookie dough for dessert which they brought out with a candle to again wish us a happy anniversary. This is definitely a place you keep in mind if you have people in town and are looking for a good experience with great food. Can’t wait to try all the different menu items!
Is this helpful?
S
Sheila
Washington DC
24 reviews
5.0
24 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
great interesting dishes; fun setting without too much noise. Definitely hit this spot when in Cambridge.
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G
Greg
Greater Boston
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Excellent food, great environment. Host was very friendly and accommodating. Service was good.
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L
Lauren
Greater Boston
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 8, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Overall experience was good. All the food was a little bit too salty is my only negative.
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G
Grant
San Diego
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
The “spicy af” duck wings had no spice whatsoever and were so crispy I wasn’t sure if I was biting meat or bone. They’re pretty much the reason I’m writing this review, the duck wings being advertised as so is insulting and I can’t get it off my mind. The burger tasted McDonald’s adjacent, cheese and pickles overwhelmed, buns sad. Roasted carrots, bland, manti, bland. Ode to Pablo $18 cocktail and no garnish, lazy. Host stand was so busy taking to go orders waited longer than should, then 10 minutes for server to show and he blows by to greet and take a drink order from table that sat after us. 2 stars because bussers were legit on table maintenance and shrimp bao buns were decent. $200+ tip, big time rip off. We’ll stay in JP and go to Tres Gatos for bomb tapas or Talullah in Cambridge for a nice meal. Heard this place used to be legit, I guess their good chef (James?) left and now they rely on past reputation which apparently works because they were packed and Boston loves mediocre, bland food.
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M
Morgan
Charleston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fernando was an amazing server and made perfect recommendations
Is this helpful?
M
Meghan
Baltimore
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our bartender was amazing, he explained everything to a tee. We got oysters, crisp, cacio e Pepe bowl etc etc My favorite meal I’ve had in Boston
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L
Lenore
Greater Boston
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Favorite plate was the shrimp toast bao buns this time. I always get the Ode to Pablo.
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R
Robert C
Greater Boston
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Incredible restaurant & food! Very lively inside—just a very very small critique—would have liked to see more of the beautiful food. The lighting a bit too dim.
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R
Rita
Columbus
18 reviews
4.0
18 reviews
Dined on December 5, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Nice tapas type restaurant… the BLT lettuce wraps were by far the best… service was good not great, food was good not great, cocktails were good not great. All in all good not great.
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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 2077 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 16, 2024

11:30 PM

Booked 42 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
Bar Fri 4:00 pm–11:00 pm 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