Zinneken's Belgian waffles | Harvard square — Restaurant in Cambridge

A true Harvard classic and a must-try if you visit Cambridge! I wandered past Zinneken's after a long afternoon of touristy shenanigans and campus tours when I caught a whiff of the aroma of freshly cooked waffles and crystallized sugar wafting through the streets. My friends and I were, of course, unable to resist so we popped into Zinneken's and discovered one of the cutest little gems in Harvard Square (and shortly after realized that it was not at all a hidden gem and constantly packed with people...but since we found it on a whim and not because we knew it was popular, I'll pretend like we made a cool new discovery).

As the name implies, Zinneken's Belgian Waffles serves a variety of Belgian waffles, as well as a small assortment of tea, coffee, and smoothies. You can choose a base waffle in either a liege or brussels style, depending on if you prefer your waffles soft and chewy (liege) or a little lighter and crispier (brussels). From there, you can add whatever accoutrements you'd like, including all the fruits you can imagine and other dessert-ish items (e.g., Oreos, caramel, whipped cream, Nutella, etc.) . They have a few pre-curated options you can choose from if you're feeling indecisive, but I love the flexibility to add whatever combos of toppings you'd like.

I opted for a classic choice -- the Strawberry Glamour, which is topped with a generous serving of chopped strawberries and healthy drizzle of chocolate. It was an incredibly combination -- the hot, lightly crispy waffle contrasted beautifully against the cool strawberries and warm, rich chocolate. I was initially afraid that the combo would be a bit too sweet for me, but it was honestly fantastic. The tartness of the berries paired wonderfully with the slightly bitter dark chocolate and the lightly sweetened waffle.

Given how popular this spot is, you're likely going to have to wait for a bit, especially if you just happen to saunter in unplanned like we did. The line moves quite quickly so you can usually place and receive your order within 10-15 min., but customers like to stick around for a bit and it's a small space, so you're unlikely to be able to snag a table. Unless you're one of the lucky first few visitors, the staff will often give you your waffle in a to-go box so you can easily take it on the road with you, but you're always welcome to take the box to a table if...

Last night, I was deep in a TikTok scroll when I came across a video about Dubai strawberries. I knew they were available in Boston, but I wanted to find a spot closer to home. Without hesitation, I made plans to check it out first thing in the morning.

When I arrived, the place was pretty quiet, and I was warmly greeted by a lovely woman who took my order with a smile. Despite juggling multiple to-go orders, she remained polite and graceful—such a great first impression! While I initially came for the strawberries, I quickly realized that this spot is actually known for its “Build Your Own” Belgian waffles. So, of course, I had to try both.

I ordered a Belgian waffle with whipped cream and drizzled chocolate, plus a side of Dubai strawberries. Unlike the typical chocolate-dipped ones served in a cup, these were beautifully presented on a stick—perfect for those who prefer a lighter, less chocolate-heavy treat. The strawberries were juicy, crisp, and fresh, while the waffle was light, fluffy, and slightly crisp on the edges—simple yet packed with flavor.

To top it all off, I spotted something I rarely see on menus: an ube latte! As a huge ube fan, I couldn’t resist. Even though I don’t normally drink coffee (it doesn’t wake me up, just makes me jittery), I ordered a decaf ube latte—and it did not disappoint. It was smooth, creamy, and had just the right balance of sweet and earthy ube goodness.

Between the amazing service and delicious food, this is definitely a spot I’ll be returning to. Some places make you feel like your money is well spent, and this was one of them. Highly recommend!

ps I posted a tiktok which gained some traction! you...

Final edit:

Okay so I went back a third time and tried to order the Liege again with toppings. My friends did the same. This time each order came out in in less than five minutes. And it was all yummy! I don’t know what changed. Maybe I went on bad days before and had the wrong impression. I still maintain that the Brussels waffle was the grossest thing I’ve ever had, but I think this is definitely a five star place otherwise.

Original review:

Very cozy place reminiscent of Europe. Prices are very good. However, I had the Liege Waffle and not only did they take extremely long to complete my order despite not being busy (10-15 minutes), the waffle was not good. So doughy it feels undercooked and so chewy it feels like a bagel more than a waffle. I will try the other waffle (light and crispy type) and change my review accordingly. Still, I hope my order doesn’t take so long next time.

Edit: I ordered a Brussels waffle and deducted a star. I was hoping it’d be better than the Liege but it was somehow worse. At least it came out quickly this time. The driest thing I’ve ever had. It was pretty much inedible and I had to throw it away. So all in all, cute quiet atmosphere but that is literally all this place is good for. The waffles are gross.

Also, the girl working there was screaming on her phone the entire time I was there, her voice was quite loud and abrasive. I don’t think the other staff are like this, but it was a huge turn...