Little Donkey

Name: Little Donkey
Address: 505 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, United States, 02139
Telephone: (617) 945-1008
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

4.7

2060 Reviews

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Make a booking

2 people

26 Nov 2024

8:30 pm

Booked 21 times today

Lively
Great for creative cocktails
Neighbourhood gem

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
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
Area
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, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

sturgeon caviar*USD 6.00
add caviar to any oyster
clearbrook*USD 4.00
plump, seaweed, touch of sweet (Wellfleet, MA)
pleasant cove*USD 4.00
salty and kelp, mushroom and chicken bouillon (Damariscotta, ME)
jolly select*USD 4.00
of savory sweet with a bright sweetness of grass and root veggies (Dennis, MA)
cold bottom*USD 4.00
a kiss of sea salt with a touch of chicken bouillon on the finish (Plymouth, MA)
pink moon*USD 4.00
perfect balance of salt, creaminess, and a pleasant mineral finish (New London, PEI(CAN))
countneck clams*USD 3.00
plump, meaty, buttery
oyster shooter*USD 9.00
chef selection with a shot of bloody mary
donkey platter*USD 95.00
assorted shellfish + crudos with traditional & non traditional accompaniments

crudo

tuna & salmon belly tartare*USD 19.00
crispy sushi rice, tobiko (add caviar +15)
salmon crudo*USD 19.00
salsa macha, carrot, chilies, lemon
scallop crudo*USD 19.00
coconut dashi, hakurei turnips, annatto, sesame, finger lime
tuna tostada*USD 19.00
charred tortilla salsa, avocado, radish, hatch chili crema
whitefish ceviche*USD 17.00
leche de tigre, aji panca, cilantro, sweet potato, crispy choclo
hamachi sashimi*USD 17.00
white soy, ginger, grapefruit, cucumber, trout roe
snow crab*USD 17.00
lemongrass, thai chili, sesame leaf

snacks

caviar sandwichUSD 25.00
grilled martin’s potato roll, whipped butter, sturgeon caviar
blt lettuce wraps*USD 15.00
lamb bacon, pimento cheese, tomato jam, pickled red onion cheese
wagyu steak tartare*USD 22.00
brazilian steakhouse style, brown bread
parker house rolls*USD 8.00
sesame seeds, smoked cultured butter (add pimento cheese +5)
venison heart satay*USD 18.00
peanut sauce, ginger tare
shrimp toast bao bunsUSD 16.00
scallion, sesame, spicy mayo
spicy duck wings*USD 19.00
crispy smoked duck wings, thai chili jam, black garlic ranch
yum cha USD 15.00
spicy chinese braised tripe, ginger, scallion
empanada*USD 12.00
jamaican beef, peas, mango and pepper jam mayo
crispy pork belly*USD 18.00
thai flavors

veggies

kowloon fried cauliflowerUSD 16.00
chili garlic, sesame
brussels sprouts*USD 17.00
red curry, sultanas, ginger lime
roasted beets*USD 19.00
burrata, kale wakame salad, gochugaru honey
roasted carrots*USD 16.00
pepita mole, apple cider honey, herbs, avocado crema
honeynut squash*USD 15.00
vadouvan spice, zhug, crispy kataifi
grilled eggplant*USD 16.00
miso glaze, tzatziki, almond dukkah

grains

bangkok street noodles*USD 18.00
roasted pork, rice noodles, fried peanuts, herbs (add egg +4)
mushroom fried rice*USD 19.00
gv shiitake, maitake, king trumpet, egg, szechuan (add crab +8)
crab* mac n cheese*USD 26.00
gf blue crab, cheddar & parmesan fondue, green tabasco, korean rice cakes
manti meat ravioliUSD 21.00
garlic sour cream, red pepper butter
pupusa*USD 16.00
squash, heirloom masa, curtido, chihuahua cheese
cacio e pepe misoUSD 22.00
ramen noodles, parmesan, black pepper

meat & fish

fried chicken sandwich*USD 15.00
pickled jalapeños, papaya slaw, avocado ranch
burger*USD 17.00
dry aged beef, buffalo pickles, onion soup mayo, foie gras, jalapeño chips, cheese
hanger steak*USD 26.00
mushroom escabeche, crispy shallots
branzino*USD 25.00
grilled mediterranean sea bass, puttanesca, shallot, lemon
grilled octopus*USD 22.00
peruvian purple potato, aji amarillo, quicos

Cocktails and Mocktails

PSLDUSD 18.00
pumpkin spice espresso martini
Fall SangriaUSD 13.00
kleos mastiha, brandy, citrus, clove
White Lotus GinUSD 17.00
vermouth, bitter bianco, grapefruit, bitters
Pink Donkey ClubUSD 18.00
gin, aloe, raspberry, lemon, thai basil
Mangos After DarkUSD 17.00
vodka, rum, mango, lime, greek yogurt
Papayas on the DancefloorUSD 18.00
tequila, apricot, papaya, grapefruit, lime, topo chico
Ode to PabloUSD 18.00
mezcal, aperol, spicy ginger shrub, lime
Quincey Girl BourbonUSD 18.00
angostura amaro, quince, orange, lemon
Primer CorteUSD 17.00
rye whiskey, maple, lemon, ginger beer, laphroaig rinse
Alaska GinUSD 17.00
yellow chartreuse, bitters
High Tide RumUSD 18.00
blend, coconut milk, lime, pineapple (dairy free milk punch)
Blu Wu VodkaUSD 9.00
triple sec, lime, pandan
Nat So Scary AperitifUSD 12.00
lemon, agave
Stair Car GrapefruitUSD 11.00
lemon, cinnamon, hoppy refresher
I Carried a MelonUSD 11.00
honeydew, lime, tonic
Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral WaterUSD 3.50
Athletic Brewing Co. 'Run Wild' 0% IPAUSD 8.00
CT

Wine by the Glass

Azimut Cava Brut NatureUSD 14.00
Penedès, Spain
Gaspard 'Bulles' Brut RoséUSD 16.00
Pineau d’Aunis, Touraine, Loire, France
Quinta de Raza ArintoUSD 13.00
+Vinho Verde, Basto, Portugal
Domaine Daniel Seguinot 'Chablis'USD 18.00
Chardonnay, Burgundy, France
Christina Gruner VeltlinerUSD 21.00
Burgendland, Austria
Vincent Caille 'Le Fay d'homme' Melon de BourgogneUSD 16.00
Muscadet, Loire, France
Garalis 'Terra Ambera' MuscatUSD 17.00
Limnos, Greece
Judith Beck 'Pink'USD 15.00
Blaufrankisch, Burgenland, Austria
Forlorn Hope 'Queen of Sierra' Co-FermentUSD 16.00
Sierra Foothills, California
Folk Machine Pinot NoirUSD 18.00
Central Coast, California
Corazon e Paterno 'Il Corzanello'USD 15.00
Sangiovese +, Tuscany, Italy
Kate Arnold Cabernet SauvignonUSD 16.00
Columbia Valley, Washington
Gut Oggau 'Cecilia' Field Blend RoseUSD 20.00
Burgenland, Austria

Beer+

Bunker Brewing 'Machine'USD 12.00
Czech Style Pilsner, ME
Finback 'Rolling in Clouds'USD 12.00
IPA, 7.1%, NY
Oxbow 'Farmhouse Pale Ale'USD 13.00
PA, 6%, ME
Winter Hill Brewing 'Dr. Leo Marzen'USD 11.00
Marzen, 5.2%, MA
Tecate Mexican LagerUSD 6.00
4.5%, MEX
Miller High LifeUSD 6.00
American Lager, 4.6%, WI
Allagash White Wheat BeerUSD 9.00
5.2%, ME
Jacks Abby 'Smoke & Dagger'USD 8.00
Black Lager, 5.6.6%, MA
Oeronaut 'Hop Hop and Away'USD 10.00
IPA, 4.6%, MA
Athletic Brewing Co. 'Run Wild' 0% IPAUSD 8.00
CT
Shacksbury 'Arlo' CiderUSD 9.00
6.0%, VT
Ambuki Himawari Junmai GingoUSD 14.00
150ml
Yuki No Tenshi 'Snow Angel' SakeUSD 12.00
Nigori, 180ml

What 2,060 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
4.6Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

2,060 Reviews

b
bryano
Chicago
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing experience! So accommodating! The staff was over the top outstanding and extremely kind. I would highly recommended Little Donkey to anyone looking a for a great time! The food will leave you speechless and make you think about when you’ll come back again!
Is this helpful?
s
susan
Orange County
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The restaurant did not meet my expectations after I had heard so much about it. The server was a little too pushy/eager for us to order. We barely had the menus which have a lot to read on them as the dishes are unusual and wanted us to order. She came by two more times before we were ready. Note that we had a 5:15 PM reservation and were out by 6:45 PM. We tried four dishes, which were very good, but not outstanding except for the rabbit stew. Each dish seemed too salty. The Bangkok Street noodles seemed too mushy, like they had been cooked too long. Our table had one candle on it, and I needed to use my phone light to read the menu.
Is this helpful?
L
Lisa
Greater Boston
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on 18 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fabulous dining experience for my husband’s birthday. Not only did the staff present us with custom printed HBD menus, but they also brought dessert and cava gratis. The food and cocktails were delicious. Don’t miss the cacio e pepe ramen. Somehow it’s nostalgic and modern all at once!
Is this helpful?
r
rachel
Greater Boston
40 reviews
vip
5.0
40 reviews
Dined on 17 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Insanely good last night. The mushroom crab fried rice was incredible! The empanada, Salomon and tuna tartar, the foie were all so delicious. This restaurant is always some of the best food in Boston. The atmosphere and service are always a treat as well. Thank you for a fantastic date night!
Is this helpful?
n
ned
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 15 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Eclectic cuisine, small plates, excellent food. Nice ambiance and overall just great.
Is this helpful?
BM
BairsMom
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 13 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Mid-week business dinner with an out-of-town consultant; food was amazing, flavorful and the perfect temperature. Presentation was enticing. Our server was the just right amount of attentiveness. I haven't been to the restaurant in a few years, will definitely go back sooner than later!
Is this helpful?
m
michael
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 12 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
LOVE Little Donkey. Food always amazingly tasty, ambiance great, and service exceptional.
Is this helpful?
J
Jean
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 12 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
great drinks, friendly service, excellent food. love the atmosphere.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on 9 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great experience, amazing food! Our waitress, Siena, was the best!
Is this helpful?
A
Alex
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 8 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had an overall great meal and great time! Will be coming back :)
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Little Donkey offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Little Donkey also offers takeaway which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 945-1008.

Little Donkey is rated 4.7 stars by 2060 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

26 Nov 2024

8:30 pm

Booked 21 times today

Order delivery or takeout

505 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Norfolk Street
Area
Cambridge
Hours of Operation
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, Takeaway, 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 booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

raw bar

sturgeon caviar*USD 6.00

clearbrook*USD 4.00

pleasant cove*USD 4.00

jolly select*USD 4.00

cold bottom*USD 4.00

pink moon*USD 4.00

countneck clams*USD 3.00

oyster shooter*USD 9.00

donkey platter*USD 95.00

crudo

tuna & salmon belly tartare*USD 19.00

salmon crudo*USD 19.00

scallop crudo*USD 19.00

tuna tostada*USD 19.00

whitefish ceviche*USD 17.00

hamachi sashimi*USD 17.00

snow crab*USD 17.00

snacks

caviar sandwichUSD 25.00

blt lettuce wraps*USD 15.00

wagyu steak tartare*USD 22.00

parker house rolls*USD 8.00

venison heart satay*USD 18.00

shrimp toast bao bunsUSD 16.00

spicy duck wings*USD 19.00

yum cha USD 15.00

empanada*USD 12.00

crispy pork belly*USD 18.00

veggies

kowloon fried cauliflowerUSD 16.00

brussels sprouts*USD 17.00

roasted beets*USD 19.00

roasted carrots*USD 16.00

honeynut squash*USD 15.00

grilled eggplant*USD 16.00

grains

bangkok street noodles*USD 18.00

mushroom fried rice*USD 19.00

crab* mac n cheese*USD 26.00

manti meat ravioliUSD 21.00

pupusa*USD 16.00

cacio e pepe misoUSD 22.00

meat & fish

fried chicken sandwich*USD 15.00

burger*USD 17.00

hanger steak*USD 26.00

branzino*USD 25.00

grilled octopus*USD 22.00

Cocktails and Mocktails

PSLDUSD 18.00

Fall SangriaUSD 13.00

White Lotus GinUSD 17.00

Pink Donkey ClubUSD 18.00

Mangos After DarkUSD 17.00

Papayas on the DancefloorUSD 18.00

Ode to PabloUSD 18.00

Quincey Girl BourbonUSD 18.00

Primer CorteUSD 17.00

Alaska GinUSD 17.00

High Tide RumUSD 18.00

Blu Wu VodkaUSD 9.00

Nat So Scary AperitifUSD 12.00

Stair Car GrapefruitUSD 11.00

I Carried a MelonUSD 11.00

Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral WaterUSD 3.50

Athletic Brewing Co. 'Run Wild' 0% IPAUSD 8.00

Wine by the Glass

Azimut Cava Brut NatureUSD 14.00

Gaspard 'Bulles' Brut RoséUSD 16.00

Quinta de Raza ArintoUSD 13.00

Domaine Daniel Seguinot 'Chablis'USD 18.00

Christina Gruner VeltlinerUSD 21.00

Vincent Caille 'Le Fay d'homme' Melon de BourgogneUSD 16.00

Garalis 'Terra Ambera' MuscatUSD 17.00