Little Donkey
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Little Donkey

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A culinary adventure in global tapas from award-winning chefs, boasting a cool vibe and innovative dishes and cocktails.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Little Donkey

Little Donkey

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A culinary adventure in global tapas from award-winning chefs, boasting a cool vibe and innovative dishes and cocktails.

"Embark on a foodie world tour with inventive small plates and creative cocktails at Little Donkey."

TIP

Reservations Recommended

Book in advance, especially for weekend visits, to guarantee your spot.

Try Standout Dishes

Ask for recommendations and don't miss customer favorites like scallops or roasted cauliflower.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9PM

Cuisine

Global Tapas

Price

$$$

Phone

(617) 752-6762

Address

505 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Global Tapas Adventure

Global Tapas Adventure

Embark on a culinary world tour with inventive small plates from award-winning chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette.

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Signature Dishes

Signature Dishes

Savor unique creations like the renowned Caviar Sandwich and mouthwatering Bangkok Street Noodles.

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Creative Cocktails

Creative Cocktails

Experience innovative cocktails, including the iconic drink served inside a grapefruit.

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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Come celebrate National Gluten-free Day at Little Donkey in Cambridge! #glutenfreetiktok #glutenfree #celiacdisease #bostonrestaurant #bostondesserts
@jkfoodgroup
18 likes • 1.1K views

Reservations Recommended

Book in advance, especially for weekend visits, to guarantee your spot.

Try Standout Dishes

Ask for recommendations and don't miss customer favorites like scallops or roasted cauliflower.

Family dinner >>>> !!!!!!! At little donkey in Cambridge #boston #newengland #cambridge
@l3akyp0dr1p
16 likes • 498 views
AMAZING restaurant in Cambridge ✨ #boston #bostonfood #bostonfoodgram #fyp #cambridge #fyp #foryou #bostontiktok #bostonterrier
@bostonfoodgram
122 likes • 5.2K views

Share & Sample

Order multiple small plates to explore diverse flavors without overindulging.

Off-Peak Visits

Consider dining during less busy times for a more intimate atmosphere.

#bostonrestaurants #cambridgema #bostonfoodies
@hootsincahoots
14 likes • 1K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Reservations Recommended

Book in advance, especially for weekend visits, to guarantee your spot.

Try Standout Dishes

Ask for recommendations and don't miss customer favorites like scallops or roasted cauliflower.

Share & Sample

Order multiple small plates to explore diverse flavors without overindulging.

Off-Peak Visits

Consider dining during less busy times for a more intimate atmosphere.

Pico on the Side

Request pico de gallo on the side to prevent quesadillas from becoming soggy.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Little Donkey is praised for its inventive global small plates and lively atmosphere, with standouts like the Caviar Sandwich and Bangkok Street Noodles receiving frequent mentions. While many enjoy the unique flavors and creative cocktails, some find the pricing steep and certain dishes average or inconsistently executed. Service is generally noted as attentive and friendly.

"I came here for dinner on a Monday without a reservation and got hightop seating for a party of 4 (regular tables were all occupied). Overall the serving sizes exceeded expectations for a small plates place, and there were some great flavors!

Great, would get again
- The Bangkok street noodles had a wonderful smoky flavor and a good amount of pork.
- The mushroom fried rice was really good! Nice variety of mushrooms and perfect rice texture and flavor.
- The grilled octopus was cooked very nicely.

Okay, wouldn't get again
- The salmon crudo was fine but nothing special.
- The empanada was pretty mid.
- The crispy pork belly was not what I expected. Felt more like a salad and the pork wasn't that good compared to the Bangkok street noodles.

It's not a cheap place -- if we had gotten 2-3 dishes per person as was recommended, we would easily have spent over $50 per person (most dishes are $17 to $25). But the portion sizes for the rice and noodles were larger than I expected, and those two dishes were quite scrumptious. I'd come back!"

Gloria Ha

"The food at Little Donkey is so unique and flavor forward! It’s delicious and always a fun time and I really appreciate how often they change the menu while still keeping some of their star dishes like the fried rice and the miso cacio e Pepe!

This post was made in connection with a Toast promotion."

Brigitte Bakalar

"The atmosphere is nice, but the food is very very average.

The Bangkok noodles and octopus were overcharred, such that none of the other flavor notes came through almost at all.

An extra star for gluten free consciousness. But it was a two star experience in terms of the culinary side. And very pricey for tapas.

If you end up here with a group of friends, it won’t be the worst thing, but don’t waste a date night."

Brett Murphy Hunt

What People Like

Inventive global small plates
Creative cocktails
Lively, cozy atmosphere

What People Dislike

Pricey for tapas
Inconsistent dish quality
Limited vegetarian/vegan options

Frequently Asked Questions

Customers highly recommend the Caviar Sandwich, Bangkok Street Noodles, scallops, ceviche, and roasted cauliflower.

Google Review

Yes, Little Donkey is noted for its gluten-free consciousness and has gluten-free options available.

TikTok

While some find it pricey for tapas, many feel the unique flavors, innovative dishes, and portion sizes justify the cost.

Google Review+2

The restaurant has a cool, hip vibe with dim lighting, creating a cozy and energetic atmosphere, sometimes described as club-like.

Google Review+1

It is highly recommended to make reservations, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant can get busy.

TikTok

Some reviewers have noted that the restaurant could benefit from more vegan options, though some dishes may be adaptable.

Google Review

Little Donkey is known for its creative and globally inspired cocktails, including a signature drink served in a grapefruit.

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Someone in the group wants Thai, another wants a burger, and someone’s new significant other says they’re “just having drinks.” You can satisfy everyone at this place in Central Square, which specializes in global tapas - meaning you can have a fried chicken sandwich, Bangkok street noodles, pupusa, and a caviar sandwich all in the same meal. Definitely check out the cocktails too - especially the one served inside a grapefruit, which is helpfully labeled on the menu as “The One in the Grapefruit.

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Great things come in small packages—just ask Little Donkey, the small plates-centric eatery from James Beard Award-winning chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette of Boston’s beloved Toro and Coppa. Located in the heart of Cambridge’s Central Square, Little Donkey offers a welcoming, day-to-night dining experience that features market-driven, global tapas, inspired by the chefs’ world travels. The caviar sandwich and lamb bacon BLT lettuce wraps are cherished menu staples.

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Made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, Little Donkey in Central Square specializes in global small plates, courtesy of James Beard Award winners Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette (also of Toro and Coppa). Currently serving expansive seafood fare, with local oysters and a raw bar with creations from a caviar sandwich to a sea urchin benedict, Little Donkey ensures surprise for your palette.

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One of Boston’s most respected restaurant groups—Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette’s JK Food Group—lets loose at Little Donkey, a foodie world tour located right in Central Square, serving up what Biss allegedly once called “chef stoner food.” Treat yourself to a Caviar Sandwich (exactly what it sounds like), and don’t miss the BLT Lettuce Wraps or the Manti (Istanbul meat ravioli). The wide-open dining room holds a mix of high, communal bar tables, bench seating along the walls, low tables, and bar seats; it can get loud. Pro tip: The drink in the grapefruit you keep seeing people order is called, “The One in the Grapefruit.” Take me there.

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Serving up everything from burgers to pho (with pupusas and lobster fra diavolo somewhere in between), James Beard Award-winning chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette give wannabe world travelers the chance to trot the globe while still eating local. The restaurant’s freewheeling eclecticism even shines through in the raw bar selections—look no further than the fluke ceviche, a dish that flashes nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) flair by adding a dash of ají amarillo and yuzu. And local oenophiles can learn the true meaning of “Vino Veritas” with wine director Jodie Battles, whose curation of pét-nats and other gems is always on the menu.

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Little Donkey is a lively restaurant co-owned by chefs Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer. Known for its eclectic and globally-inspired menu, Little Donkey offers a vibrant dining experience in the heart of Cambridge. The restaurant's menu features a wide range of small plates and innovative dishes that draw inspiration from cuisines around the world.

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The highest accolade I can provide about this Central Square restaurant is that it is the number one favorite of my father, a lifelong gourmand and terrific cook. “We’ll go to Donkey, right?. ” he asks me each time I come to visit, and refuses most requests to dine elsewhere.

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The Bangkok noodles and octopus were overcharred, such that none of the other flavor notes came through almost at all. An extra star for gluten free consciousness. But it was a two star experience in terms of the culinary side.

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