Little Donkey

4.6

2061 Reviews

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Make a booking

2 people

30 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 34 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
Bar Fri 16:00–23:00 Dinner Mon–Sat 17:00–22:00
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
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

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

crudo

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

snacks

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

veggies

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

grains

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

meat & fish

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

Cocktails and Mocktails

PSLDUS$18.00
pumpkin spice espresso martini
Fall SangriaUS$13.00
kleos mastiha, brandy, citrus, clove
White Lotus GinUS$17.00
vermouth, bitter bianco, grapefruit, bitters
Pink Donkey ClubUS$18.00
gin, aloe, raspberry, lemon, thai basil
Mangos After DarkUS$17.00
vodka, rum, mango, lime, greek yogurt
Papayas on the DancefloorUS$18.00
tequila, apricot, papaya, grapefruit, lime, topo chico
Ode to PabloUS$18.00
mezcal, aperol, spicy ginger shrub, lime
Quincey Girl BourbonUS$18.00
angostura amaro, quince, orange, lemon
Primer CorteUS$17.00
rye whiskey, maple, lemon, ginger beer, laphroaig rinse
Alaska GinUS$17.00
yellow chartreuse, bitters
High Tide RumUS$18.00
blend, coconut milk, lime, pineapple (dairy free milk punch)
Blu Wu VodkaUS$9.00
triple sec, lime, pandan
Nat So Scary AperitifUS$12.00
lemon, agave
Stair Car GrapefruitUS$11.00
lemon, cinnamon, hoppy refresher
I Carried a MelonUS$11.00
honeydew, lime, tonic
Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral WaterUS$3.50
Athletic Brewing Co. 'Run Wild' 0% IPAUS$8.00
CT

Wine by the Glass

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

Beer+

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

What 2,061 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

2,061 Reviews

A
Amy
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Waiter was super helpful and knowledgeable. Love each choice we made (tuna tostada, blt, crab Mac n cheese, ramen cacio e pepe) and would definitely eat here again. Atmosphere and service was also excellent.
Is this helpful?
b
bryano
Chicago
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 22 November 2024
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 on 21 November 2024
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!
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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?
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?
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.
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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?

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 4.6 stars by 2061 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

30 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 34 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
Bar Fri 16:00–23:00 Dinner Mon–Sat 17:00–22:00
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
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

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*US$6.00

clearbrook*US$4.00

pleasant cove*US$4.00

jolly select*US$4.00

cold bottom*US$4.00

pink moon*US$4.00

countneck clams*US$3.00

oyster shooter*US$9.00

donkey platter*US$95.00

crudo

tuna & salmon belly tartare*US$19.00

salmon crudo*US$19.00

scallop crudo*US$19.00

tuna tostada*US$19.00

whitefish ceviche*US$17.00

hamachi sashimi*US$17.00

snow crab*US$17.00

snacks

caviar sandwichUS$25.00

blt lettuce wraps*US$15.00

wagyu steak tartare*US$22.00

parker house rolls*US$8.00

venison heart satay*US$18.00

shrimp toast bao bunsUS$16.00

spicy duck wings*US$19.00

yum cha US$15.00

empanada*US$12.00

crispy pork belly*US$18.00

veggies

kowloon fried cauliflowerUS$16.00

brussels sprouts*US$17.00

roasted beets*US$19.00

roasted carrots*US$16.00

honeynut squash*US$15.00

grilled eggplant*US$16.00

grains

bangkok street noodles*US$18.00

mushroom fried rice*US$19.00

crab* mac n cheese*US$26.00

manti meat ravioliUS$21.00

pupusa*US$16.00

cacio e pepe misoUS$22.00

meat & fish

fried chicken sandwich*US$15.00

burger*US$17.00

hanger steak*US$26.00

branzino*US$25.00

grilled octopus*US$22.00

Cocktails and Mocktails

PSLDUS$18.00

Fall SangriaUS$13.00

White Lotus GinUS$17.00

Pink Donkey ClubUS$18.00

Mangos After DarkUS$17.00

Papayas on the DancefloorUS$18.00

Ode to PabloUS$18.00

Quincey Girl BourbonUS$18.00

Primer CorteUS$17.00

Alaska GinUS$17.00

High Tide RumUS$18.00

Blu Wu VodkaUS$9.00

Nat So Scary AperitifUS$12.00

Stair Car GrapefruitUS$11.00

I Carried a MelonUS$11.00

Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral WaterUS$3.50

Athletic Brewing Co. 'Run Wild' 0% IPAUS$8.00

Wine by the Glass

Azimut Cava Brut NatureUS$14.00

Gaspard 'Bulles' Brut RoséUS$16.00

Quinta de Raza ArintoUS$13.00

Domaine Daniel Seguinot 'Chablis'US$18.00

Christina Gruner VeltlinerUS$21.00

Vincent Caille 'Le Fay d'homme' Melon de BourgogneUS$16.00

Garalis 'Terra Ambera' MuscatUS$17.00