ArtBar is a warm, intimate retreat for food and art lovers located inside the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA. The ArtBar boasts stellar selections from the hotel's world-class art collection while the restaurant features innovative, regional American cuisine, a well curated wine list and specialty cocktails. Patio seating with unparalleled views of the Charles River and Boston Skyline, make ArtBar a neighborhood destination.

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32 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

(32 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 32 reviews

5 stars

(8)

4 stars

(13)

3 stars

(7)

2 stars

(2)

1 star

(2)

Food

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

scenic view(17)
great for outdoor dining(11)
fit for foodies(9)

neighborhood gem(8)
romantic(8)
good for groups(5)

ArtBar Reviews List

Review 1 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

Never again!!

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/18/2013

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Worst experience ever! We went there for lunch to celebrate my dads birthday. The view was gorgeous the service and food horrible! Our server barely spoke English making it difficult to communicate and our food was flavorless and cold. The flank steak was like rubber the macaroni and cheese egg rolls.. Were made with orzo and no cheese no taste or flavor. I highly do not recommend this place for food! Maybe for drinks to enjoy a nice view!"

Dined on 5/18/2013

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Review 2 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

A good debut visit, but not magical

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/18/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Surprise birthday lunch for my wife was OK but disappointing compared to website impression. When will I learn about hotel restaurants?! Host was borderline surly. Outdoor seating fine - more street/construction than river view for me, thankfully no traffic and my wife enjoyed city skyline and river view around trees. Waitperson was fine. Limited beer list compared to most places so gave up and had high-priced drink instead. Mac-n-cheese dumplings app. wrongly named/described and not great. Lobster salad and broiled trout entrees very good. Weather change forced us out before dessert but nice options we'd have tried. Overall a good meal, and considering limited riverside options in Boston/Cambridge, the outside deck ambiance/view is a plus."

Dined on 5/18/2013

Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, scenic view

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Review 3 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/12/2013

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Went for mother's day because last year was great. However, this year we couldn't sit outside and there was a buffet instead of a set menu. Also, the room they put us in was terribly loud. My mother said she had a nice time, but I will not be returning for a special occasion."

Dined on 5/12/2013

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Review 4 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

mother's day buffet not the best

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/12/2013

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"I usually love the Art Bar. However the normal menu was replaced with a mediocre buffet at a very high price. This was not announced on their website 10 day prior to Mother's day when i made the reservations. The service was rushed. The food was not labeled properly to accommodate people with food allergies and the staff did not know the ingredients in the food for the most part. Art bar is great for outdoor dining experience however they were not set up that day even though it did not rain.
I love the ambiance and that along with having a great company of friends saved this dining experience. Wilted rose with no leaves Moms received at the end was definitely not a plus.
I will still go to ArtBar for lunch but not for special events."

Dined on 5/12/2013

Special Features: great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly

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Review 5 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Great food, service and view

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/12/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"I took my mom there for Mother's day with my husband, niece and nephew. Was not really expecting a brunch so was surprised. The food was very good and they kept replenishing it when low. It had a range to cover all different types of appetites from healthy to not so (unbelievable array of desserts), and not one of us could complain, except that we could not move from eating too much. The waitress was exceptional and was always there when we wanted her but not too obtrusive. I would highly recommend it, especially in summer when it would be nice to sit at one of the outdoor tables."

Dined on 5/12/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, scenic view, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly

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Review 6 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

asked waiter about lobster

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/14/2013

2006

Dined on 04/14/2013

2006

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"asked waiter about lobster roll which he said was really very fresh and sweet lobster with not too much mayo. I could smell it before he set it down. Inedible. Replaced with Shrimp Cocktail - 3 shrimp! for $13. Will never go there again."

Dined on 04/14/2013

2006

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Review 7 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

We would definitely return

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/13/2013

2005

Dined on 04/13/2013

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Hotel restaurants get a bad rep, but ArtBar was a pleasant surprise. Drinks were excellent (which was part of why we went), though they were transitioning from a winter to spring drink menu in the near future, so not all drinks were available. Guys loved the No. 5, the Rootbeer Float was dangerously yummy (though the whipped cream was a weird consistency), and the French Connection punch was awesome. We ordered the mac & cheese eggrolls with ale fondue; too weird not to try and it was AWESOME: crunchy exterior, gooey inside and great fondue sauce. Boys loved the burger: perfect bacon, great side of sweet potato tots. Perfectly cooked scallops, and a delicious spring vegetable stew rounded off the meals. Understaffed so service was iffy."

Dined on 04/13/2013

2005

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, scenic view

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Review 8 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

ArtBar is great during nice

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/04/2013

2003

Dined on 04/04/2013

2003

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"ArtBar is great during nice weather when you can sit on their patio. Sitting inside is an altogether different experience- generic and a bit cramped/loud. The food is good and reasonably priced, but again, summer and outdoor seating is when it shines."

Dined on 04/04/2013

2003

Special Features: scenic view, great for lunch

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Review 9 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Great spot on the river

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2013

2013

Dined on 04/06/2013

2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"I was pleasantly surprised by this hotel restaurant. Food and drinks were very creative and delicious. I was there with a party of six on a Saturday night…not too crowded. But, I’m sure that will change when they open the patio for warmer weather."

Dined on 04/06/2013

2013

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, scenic view

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Review 10 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Great brunch spot

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/31/2013

2012

Dined on 03/31/2013

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We had a lovely Easter brunch for a party of seven at Art Bar. The buffet was well stocked, as you would expect, and the food was delicious, especially the tender, flavorful lamb, classic eggs Benedict and perfectly cooked bacon. The dessert bar was a work of art, and the chocolate mousse concoction with edible chocolate butterfly wings was divine. The ambiance is pleasantly hipster, and Art Bar does have a cool contemporary art collection."

Dined on 03/31/2013

2012

Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, scenic view

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Review 11 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

nice spot, would go again

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2011

Dined on 02/14/2013

2011

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Came here for Valentine's Day, so my experience is limited to their prix-fixe option. Great server, very attentive but not overbearing. Beautiful decor, and the hotel it is within is beautiful too. Although I didn't get a drink, the cocktail menu looked great and had some cocktails that piqued my interest. Food was all very tasty. I noticed some of the items seemed to have extras that weren't really necessary. Gnocchi with duck and root vegetables was delish and the pomegranate seeds on top were a bit distracting. Salmon was moist and tender. Grain with the salmon had no taste at all. Salad was yummy. Loved the chocolate dessert."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view

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Review 12 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Nice ambience, friendly service,

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/12/2013

2011

Dined on 02/12/2013

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Nice ambience, friendly service, gourmet food at a reasonable price. The outdoor tables along the Charles for warm-weather dining are a bonus for this restaurant that does not need one. Our best Cambridge-Somerville restaurant "find" in years."

Dined on 02/12/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, scenic view

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Review 13 for ArtBar

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

The food would have been more

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/02/2013

2012

Dined on 02/02/2013

2012

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The food would have been more stars had it arrived hot. It was Luke warm, the flavors were good. We had the cod and scallops. The manager was very helpful with the wine selection, after tasting 3 glasses and not being satisfied, he produced a great one! Part of our party had Martini's, the first one was a little watery, but the second was perfect. It was a cold evening and sitting by any of the outside windows had a draft. My husband had the vegetarian special and it came hot and he enjoyed it a lot."

Dined on 02/02/2013

2012

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Ratings-Only Reviews for ArtBar

Based on the average of (19) ratings-only reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 4 / 5

4 out of 4 recommend this product

Food

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic