Nestled in a cozy corner, this lively bakery delights with a tempting array of Middle Eastern pastries and savory bites, inviting you to linger—if you can snag a spot.
"The daytime sibling to citywide Mediterranean favorites Oleana and Sarma, Sofra is the place to go for sweet and savory Lebanese, Turkish, and Greek fare just after sunrise. And now thanks to its new bigger location in Allston, there’s more elbow room to spread out and enjoy proper breakfast time instead of just grabbing something to go. The shakshuka is excellent, as is the Turkish-style breakfast with soft-boiled egg, feta, and veggies, and the asure, a flavorful pudding made with chickpeas, milk, rose water, and apple butter." - Nathan Tavares
"This Middle Eastern bakery and cafe blends the flavors of Turkey, Lebanon, and Greece in both sweet and savory offerings. For sweet, try the classic Syrian shortbread cookie, a thumbprint cookie filled in the center with a seasonal jam. Order singles or in bulk from both their Cambridge location and their new Allston location." - Celina Colby
"A casual bite for lunch or breakfast can still be something you'll be thinking about for months. That’s why you come to Sofra, a counter-service Mediterranean cafe and bakery from the team behind Cambridge spots Sarma and Oleana. Go for a dreamy Turkish breakfast, shakshuka, any mezze for lunch, and baklava for dessert." - tanya edwards
"This Middle Eastern counter-service cafe and bakery in West Cambridge, which comes from the same team behind Oleana and Sarma, is one of those places where you can easily walk in and linger for hours. Snack on mozzarella-stuffed börek and date turmeric rolls for breakfast, and then toss out any other plans you might’ve made for the day in favor of muhammara, whipped feta, and tahini hummus with beef for lunch. Before you know it, you’re getting some to-go spinach falafel and lamb shawarma for dinner. Oh, and now you have to catch up on all the errands you didn’t get done." - tanya edwards, megan zhang, dan secatore
"Little sibling to Oleana and Sarma, Sofra serves up a fun breakfast menu. Of particular note is the halloumi egg sandwich with feta butter (and optional bacon). Sugar-seeking visitors can follow up with pastries such as the tahini brown-butter doughnut." - Nathan Tavares, Eater Staff
