Reviewing Paperback Tavern: a New American-style restaurant in Cambridge. 

Located inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cambridge, Paperback Tavern is a New American-style restaurant that boasts beautiful views of the Boston skyline and Charles River.  

Dine while overlooking the Boston skyline

My friend and I visited on a Saturday evening. The inside of the restaurant was spacious, with rows of spread-out marble-topped and wood tables. At the time of our visit, the restaurant was about half full. The majority of patrons were seated next to the floor-to-ceiling windows, including us. These seats gave the perfect view of the Boston skyline – particularly the Fenway area of Boston. There was also a large outdoor balcony that I would love to check out next time I get the chance to visit.  

A menu filled with international culinary influences

Once seated, we glossed over the menu. It included a variety of cocktails, burgers, pasta, salads, and meat dishes like rotisserie chicken and sirloin steak. I noticed a lot of international influences on the menu, like gochujang tofu and cacio e pepe wings. We ordered the truffled tater tots, mussels, brown butter salmon, Tavern burger, and strawberry shortcake.

The appetizers came out about ten minutes after ordering. I first tried the truffled tater tots, which included half a plate of tater tots and half a plate of cumin creme fraiche. The tater tots were perfectly crunchy and salty. The creme fraiche was creamy, garlicky, and had a subtle truffle flavor.  

The other appetizer we tried was the mussels, which came in a bowl with coconut milk and yellow curry. Naan bread was served on the side. The mussels were chewy, and the curry had a slightly sweet, slightly sour flavor. The grilled naan was good but a bit too salty.   

The entrees came out shortly after the appetizers. The salmon, cooked in a brown butter vinaigrette with a crusted, crunchy top layer, was served with succotash and fried sage. The flavor was buttery and creamy, with a very mild fish flavor, which is exactly what I like! I think the veggies were good, but they weren’t well-seasoned.   

The second entree we tried was the Tavern Burger, which ended up being my favorite dish. It came with a double patty, American cheese, red onions, tomatoes, pickles, dijonaise, and a side of shoestring fries with ketchup. The beef itself was super juicy. I was disappointed that there was no lettuce, but the red onions still added a satisfying crunch. All the contents were in a pillowy, buttery bun. The french fries were overall great – crispy and salty.  

A not-too-sweet strawberry shortcake

Last came dessert. I tried the strawberry shortcake, which included four vanilla scones and strawberries in a strawberry jam and whipped cream compote. The scones were crunchy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. I also loved the mild sweetness of the whipped cream and jam. Altogether, the dessert was airy and light. I prefer desserts that aren’t too sweet, so this was perfect for me!  

Paperback Tavern Final Review

The food was high-quality, and the ambiance was pleasant. I recommend this spot to anyone looking for a delicious meal along the water with breathtaking views of the Boston skyline.