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Name: Emma’s Pizza
Address: 40 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA, 02139
Telephone: (617) 864-8534
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.01

Emma’s Pizza

40 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA, 02139

(617) 864-8534
Store is closed

Emma’s Pizza Menu

Beginnings

Goat Cheese Marinated In Olive Oil And Fresh Herbs With Grilled Toast Points

Pedro's Guacamole

Antipasto With Sliced Prosciutto Dressed Baby Arugula Roasted Red Peppers Hot Pepperonicinis And Shaved Parmesan Cheese
Salads

Baby Greens With Homemade Croutons Red Onions And Choice Of Roasted Garlic Balsamic Dressing Or Red Wine Vinaigrette

Baby Spinach With Artichoke Hearts Roasted Red Peppers Olives And Garlic- Pommery Mustard Dressing

Famous Fling With Baby Spinach Granny Smith Apple Red Onion Gorgonzola Cheese And Toasted Almonds With Our Special And Secret House Dressing
Sandwiches

Chicken Pagnotelle

Emma's Tuna Melt

Pressed Veggie

Blt

Toasted Meatball Hero
Cheeses

Mozzarella

Smoked Mozzarella

Feta

Cheeseless

Gorgonzola

Ricotta

Goat Cheese**
Pizza

Roasted Red Peppers/caramelized Onions/ Rosemary Sauce/ Mozzarella

Cherry Tomato/ Basil/ Garlic/ Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella

Baby Spinach/ Roasted Sweet Potato/ Caramelized Onions/ Garlic Rosemary Sauce/ Mozzarella/ Goat Cheese

Crispy Smoked Bacon/ Roasted Yukon Potato/ Cilantro/ Dried Cranberries Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella

Italian Sweet Sausage/ Caramelizes Onions/ Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella

Broccoli/ Roasted Yukon Potato/ Gorgonzola/ Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella

Pepperoni/ Hot Cherry Peppers/ Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella

Healthy Meal suggestions for Emma’s Pizza

Beginnings

Goat Cheese Marinated In Olive Oil And Fresh Herbs With Grilled Toast Points [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pedro's Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto With Sliced Prosciutto Dressed Baby Arugula Roasted Red Peppers Hot Pepperonicinis And Shaved Parmesan Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Baby Greens With Homemade Croutons Red Onions And Choice Of Roasted Garlic Balsamic Dressing Or Red Wine Vinaigrette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Spinach With Artichoke Hearts Roasted Red Peppers Olives And Garlic- Pommery Mustard Dressing [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Famous Fling With Baby Spinach Granny Smith Apple Red Onion Gorgonzola Cheese And Toasted Almonds With Our Special And Secret House Dressing [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

Chicken Pagnotelle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Emma's Tuna Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pressed Veggie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toasted Meatball Hero [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cheeses

Mozzarella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Mozzarella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Feta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheeseless [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gorgonzola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ricotta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goat Cheese** [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pizza

Roasted Red Peppers/caramelized Onions/ Rosemary Sauce/ Mozzarella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cherry Tomato/ Basil/ Garlic/ Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Spinach/ Roasted Sweet Potato/ Caramelized Onions/ Garlic Rosemary Sauce/ Mozzarella/ Goat Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Smoked Bacon/ Roasted Yukon Potato/ Cilantro/ Dried Cranberries Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Italian Sweet Sausage/ Caramelizes Onions/ Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broccoli/ Roasted Yukon Potato/ Gorgonzola/ Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepperoni/ Hot Cherry Peppers/ Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

misfit s.

Hi! I just went to Emma's last night Friday Nove 20. It was my first time there and It was soo good. It is very thin pizza . Many choices and there was a wait but it went fast. I will go back again. Price was mmm ok 3 people plus 2 beers came to $36 and some change .12" pizza @$10 with one topping and the16"was @ $15 and that had 2 toppings Its pretty tight seating but cozy. I enjoyed it very much !
(5)
Steven P.

What a great place! We showed up about eight o'clock on a Friday night and I was HUNGRY! I had set myself up to expect a half hour wait, but we were seated and eating twenty minutes later. My dinner companion had thankfully been to Emma's before, so I had a great tour guide through the menu. We settled on #12 and I couldn't have been happier. It's a shame that I don't feel as good about the date as I do Emma's pizza.
(5)
natalie c.

I haven't found a place that compares to Emma's when it comes to thin crust pizza. It. will. blow. your. mind. (the periods were necessary!) the wait is worth it. trust me! #3 is my fav -- although sometimes they clump all the carmelized onions together, i wish that they would spread them all around.. but hey, they are busy and the pizza still turns out really well. #22 is slowly creeping up to the level of #3. it just makes sense to put wings with pizza and Emma's did that. the chunks of hot wings matched with the crunchy and refreshing celery is like a party in my mouth. add the hints of blue cheese (?) and it's perfect for me. #4 and the sausages with carmelized onions pizza are pretty good too. but not up to par as #3 and #22. but its a preference kinda thing.. staff are always very friendly. their lemonade isn't too sweet nor too sour. and they do free refills! i want to say that they have coke with real sugar in them, but i'm not 100% sure.. take out is sometimes a pain though.. sometimes when they say 15 minutes.. it takes a little bit longer. but it is quite busy so it is understandable! quirky thing about emma's is that they dont like it when you talk on your cell inside the restaurant. also after eating #3 your breath really smells like garlic :(
(5)
Juli W.

My husband really likes this place and we try to stop by when we're going to a movie at Kendall. I'm not as big a fan - and since I'm the one writing the review - you're going to get my opinion. The place is small, so is usually packed. Service is usually so-so. Pizza is decent - though a bit pricey; not sure what the hype is. We sat at the take-out counter on our last visit due to the 40 minute wait for a table. We ordered two small pies. Pizza crust is cracker thin and pretty tasteless once you run out of toppings. But it's decent for a 'once in awhile' visit.
(3)
Bret C.

So everyone freaks out about this pizza....Not so much for me. Emma's to me is a place with an identity crisis with mediocre pizza! You can either sit down restaurant-style, get take-out, or get pizza and just sit by the window without service. Which one is it going to be?! Kind of weird to have two sitting options. Very easy to get a few quick thin-crust slices at Emma's, though.
(2)
Johan S.

Really good thin-crust pizzas, either one of a busload of well-thought-out options, or make-your-own from the ingredients on the menu, which limits you to more or less classic Italian fare (no pineapple, if you were feeling a bit cheezy). A-OK food, a little noisy, but otherwise very cozy atmosphere.
(3)
Kristine A.

I couldn't believe how busy this place is, but then again it's small. I really had to find out what the hype was all about so I finally went to check it out. It was delicious. I couldn't believe the amount of pizzas on the menu, wow. So many to choose from & veg-friendly to boot. Not exactly cheap, but it's great for sharing & having leftovers. I am going to check out some of the other items at some point to make an informed decision. So far this place is worth the wait.
(4)
Francesca R.

Cheap and cheerful, my favorite kind of establishment. Three of us ladies split a small pizza and it was completely enough. If there were a man present we might have had to order the large,but for us wee ladies the small was perfect. The pizza was a tasty thin crust with fresh ingredients and excellent crust to sauce to topping ratio. The waiting area is a bit stressful--it's crowded and there's no host so you kind of have to jump into the fray and accost a server, but once someone sees you, you're golden. Service was excellent. Our table had an unexpected third, and we switched tables with the couple next to us who had a table for three. We did this without asking our server which I *know* is incredibly annoying, but he didn't bat an eyelash. He didn't even comment on it. He just brought an extra plate and glass for our friend and that was that. But I would have commended service anyway, since everyone we encountered were soft-spoken, polite, efficient and kind. Not friendly, exactly--they kind of melted away after attending to a table, but everything was done with a mindful kindness. It's hard to explain but it was really nice. The decor plays to it's strengths. Dark lighting, a cozy space, comfy, sturdy, and colorful chairs. It's a place utterly without attitude, so it's easy to stop in here for a meal any time of day.
(4)
Andrew M.

A friend mentioned that this is the best pizza in greater Boston. I can't speak to that; however, I've not found one better. I just wish they delivered.
(5)
Abby M.

This place is great-- just discovered it by chance a few years ago, and I tell people about it in any relevant conversation (some not so relevant). I always always order the #3 pizza. It is my soulmate in pizza form. Rosemary sauce, baby spinach, mozz, carmelized onions, garlic, goat cheese, roast sweet potato. I'm sure all their other pizzas are good but I can't speak for myself because this is all I can bring myself to order when I go there. A-maz-ing. Maybe I'm a little piggy, but my MO is to order a large for myself and enjoy leftovers later on. Hey, I don't come here too often. It's my 'special' place. I usually come here for late lunch-- better for avoiding a long wait. The waitstaff does their job but they don't really try to smile and chat or anything...and that's ok by me, as long as I'm there with good company and my food gets to me relatively quickly and hot. I -know- it will be worth it.
(5)
Lynette S.

wicked big meh on food. good-tasting sangria but i like my own better. this one tasted good but had no booze-soaked fruit floating in it, just a slice of orange on the side. wont be back, nothing special in my little opinion. did i hate it? no, just not worth a specific trip.
(2)
Courtney H.

I really enjoyed this pizza. I was a bit scared after hearing about the owner complaining about cell phones, but I didn't see anything out of the ordinary and I definitely appreciated no cell phones at dinner! We went before a movie and I pleased. I love thin, crispy crust pizzas and this one fit the bill for sure! We created our own pizza with chicken, broccoli, spinach and peppers and I enjoyed it but it was a bit pricey. But honestly that's what I keep seeing these days anyway at pizza places like this. I will def go back some time if I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)
Luke P.

Every time I've been the food experience has been amazing. The pizzas are the best thin crusts in the Boston area. Nothing else even comes close. I usually start with the baby greens salad. Both dressings are excellent. I recommend the roasted garlic balsamic if you want something a bit more rich and can handle intense garlic flavor. This past weekend I tried the "Famous Fling with Baby Spinach" salad which was also outstanding. The salad portion is very generous and perfect for sharing with one or two friends. I'd skip the sandwiches and go directly to the pizzas. I've been blown away by pretty much every suggested combo I've ordered. My particular favorites are #'s: 8,12,13,17,20, and 21. They are fairly gourmet though with a lot of things some people may find unappealing, e.g. goat cheese. If you have a diverse palate though, you will probably find many combinations that fill you with wonderment. It doesn't hurt that for a tiny little pizza place they have a few decent beers in bottles. I think Victory Prima Pils goes very well with pizza. I'm still giving 5 stars even though service hasn't been perfect every time. I will say the host/hostess who takes your name (because if you go on a weekend, you will almost always wait 15 minutes to an hour) has always been great. They are extremely friendly, prompt and on point and I love that they will immediately bring you a drink as you're waiting. The actual waiters and waitresses can be hit or miss. There's this older dude who looks a bit like Walt from "Breaking Bad." He's been there every night I've gone and while he's accurate and does his job well, he's a bit surly and doesn't give off any warm vibes. It would be nice if the waitstaff just made you feel a bit more welcomed. I've seen the negative reviews here about rudeness regarding cell phones and I witnessed something on January 29, 2011 relating to this issue. A woman sitting behind me took out her cell phone on a busy Saturday night. I didn't hear her talking and she didn't appear to be obnoxious, but our waitress immediately came over, interrupted the conversation and bluntly told her there was a no cell phone policy. The woman ran to the front of the store with her phone and returned a few minutes later, obviously very upset. She then flagged down the waitress and told her she had no right to speak to her in that manner, she had never been treated that way, it was incredibly rude, etc. The waitress defended herself saying "hmm..really? no one's ever told me that before?" As an objective observer, I understand your policy, but I'd suggest a few things. 1. No one likes to be embarrassed like that in front of their date. I don't think the waitress was overly rude or offensive, but you're working for a tip, and it really seemed like the girl wasn't being a distraction, especially since it was very loud in there. Personally, I'd let it go, but I understand either reaction. But... 2. If waitstaff and management are going to call people out like that, please make the sign more conspicuous and abrasive. I think it should say something like "IF YOU TALK ON YOUR CELL PHONE, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE PREMISES!" I noticed the sign, but I could see people in its current form either missing or glossing over it.
(5)
Matthias J.

#NAME?
(3)
Liz S.

The pizza is really good, but overpriced ad overhyped. I had BBQ chicken with gorgonzola (my fav, and my measure of a good pizza joint). Yum, but I probably won't be going back. What you get is not worth the price.
(3)
Meaghan W.

This place is really cute. I split a salad and a small pizza with my boyfriend here and both were excellent. If you like thin crust pizza with interesting toppings like goat cheese or scallions, then this is your place. If you order soda it comes in these dinky little bottles. This is a little neurotic of me but it kind of ticked me off. I've been told by friends that in Europe that's how they serve soda or WATER if you order it in a restaurant, was that what they were going for? Were they trying to make me feel guilty for wanting to wash their EPIC pizza down with a sweet carbonated beverage? Or were they just trying to gouge us, because inevitably my boyfriend would end up getting two and paying for two because he's a thirsty guy? Were they just trying to embarrass us for not ordering wine or beer? Reading far too much into it, but this is America. Sometimes we want a frosty soda with our pizza. :gets off red white and blue soap box: Also it always looks like it's closed.
(4)
Ligaya T.

I popped in here craving delicious Emma's for my first single slice. Wanting to adhere to their no cell rule I asked if it would be okay for me to step out for a minute. The lady nodded saying the pick-up was to be ready in 20 seconds. TWENTY SECONDS?! Why that sounds like a microwave time! Wouldn't she have said a minute if it would be warmed up in the oven?? Alarm bells went off. To my dismay 20 seconds later I received two chewy, Hi-Fi caliber slices. Never again, dearest Emma's. It's a whole pie or nothing.
(4)
Dave L.

great pizzas with awesome topping combos. Of course pizza is bad for you, but I feel a bit better health-wise leaving this place against a standard pizza joint. the parking is iffy for non-cambridge restaurants, but you can not be lazy and take a moderate walk from kendall station. i will probably try takeout one of these days..
(4)
Theodore Y.

Emmas = a small but intimate place to eat We ordered 2 large (16 '') pizzas to share amongst teh 3 of us. We definitely forces ourselves to finish it. #15 - it had peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes. it was the "wet" one has the vegetables bled water onto the pizza. #17 - had chicken, scallions, sun dried tomatoes, and we added garlic. it was rather "dry" we also ordered a Brooklyn Lager and Sam Smith Winter Lager. Both were great beers to enjoy with pizza. at first, the pizza was very plain and not what we had imagined. i think it was due to our voracious appetites, but after the first 2 slices, we slowed down and started to really enjoy the flavors. i wasnt impressed as i left, but as i think back to it at this moment, i want some of that #17 again. i guess you sometimes appreciate the food after the fact. o yeah. i thoguth their bathroom was interesting. haha.
(4)
Carly R.

This pizza was fantastic! I ordered takeout and it was great. I don't know if I'm up for eating in the restaurant- the reviews of the staff/ the service are quite terrifying! I'll definitely be back for takeout though.
(5)
Chi N.

Oh, yes. Yes, yes, yes. The pizza at Emma's is the Sean Connery of pizza. Sexy, tasty, and full of Scottish love. Comparing Emma's to any other pizza shop in Boston is like comparing Facebook to Myspace. Or an iPhone to a broken-Nokia. Or my Audi to a Ford Fiesta. I promise you, you cannot get better. Well, then you ask, what should you get. Well, pizza, obviously... #3, you can't wrong with. The sweet potatoes, spinach, and caramelized onions work together like the Three's Company.. Even Mr. Furley would be jealous. And then my favorite, #11. A bite into this is like biting into a mermaid's tail. On sushi rice. At Oishii. Yum. The only drawbacks are the limited seating and limited parking, but the quality of the pizza overcome all deficiencies -- if you're looking for the best pizza in New England, go here without thinking twice.
(5)
Joshua C.

First of all, my wife really liked this place. She thought it was the best pizza we've had to date since coming here to Boston. I think she would give this place 5 stars. That being said, I would probably give it 4 stars because personally, I like to get a little more bang for the buck. Don't get me wrong, the pizza is delicious (we had the sausage pizza and also one of their famous bacon pizzas), but the crust is so thin it almost breaks on you. You might say, well, you're getting more of the goodies like veggies and meat and cheese as opposed to dough. While that may be true, I also want to feel somewhat satisfied at the end of my meal. We were satisfied at the end of our meal...but we ordered two small pizzas for three people. The other negative I would say that it's quite small and cramped. I suppose you could angle that another way and say it's packed and popular. Parking isn't fun though and it's somewhat distant from the Kendall T (closest subway stop). Overall, the pizza and toppings were very delicious. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. But at the end of the day, I just want a little more food in my tummy for what I'm paying.
(4)
Sogol G.

Been there a few times. Love the place and pizza. Also they have great appetizer, mozzarella cheese, olive, greens and pita bread that is great. Very good food. You can not use cell phone inside that is even better. If you are going there at lunch time during the week, make sure you get there 10 minutes before 12. It gets packed very fast.
(4)
Ver D.

Delicious thin crust pizza with fresh ingredients. Friendly service. Great hot pressed sandwiches. Amazing "spring fling" salad. Yummy and reasonable prices!
(5)
Bernadette S.

This is a nice place. Quaint and cozy, nice selection of beers and wines and a very solid pizza/sandwich/salad menu. It's a nice value spot. We shared the Fling salad (it was outstanding and plenty of food for two), split a 12" custom pizza (two slices left over) and Jen had a beer, and we were out of there for around $30. The pizza is good, too. A nice selection of toppings and great custom ideas. As others have said, the crust is great, thin and ultra-crispy (maybe a bit too crispy). Service was solid and overall, it was a great spot for our pre-movie nosh.
(4)
T I.

great pizza and wine. Cute and small and close to MIT campus. You can also order on the phone and pick it up on your way to movie theatre. The salad is also great.
(4)
Bill M.

Cool joint, good pizza, busy but friendly, would not change a thing..also(I like the coors light in a can so don't get rid of it!)
(4)
Adam L.

This place does pizza well. The menu is almost too long with options, and while they don't get as creative with their suggested pizzas as they could, you can always craft your own. Even the born and raised Italian girl we brought along approved of the cherry tomato / basil / mozzarella. It's got the vibe of a gourmet pizza place, but slightly nicer. Overall, a good experience at Emma's.
(4)
J S.

I will say this first. I am biased. This place used to be 3 blocks from my house. It was crammed into a TINY shop. The one pizza oven took up most of the space so customers had to eat at a bar like style. In the window facing the street, the cook would throw the pizza right in front of your eyes. This place was amazing. Cheap good food. Wonderful staff. Although it was super cramped, it was worth it. It had moved years ago to its current location. I decided to pop in and see what it was like. This place was now a restaurant, not a simple pizza joint. The place is upscale and trendy. The pizza is still great, much more classy. But the crust is a little too thin from what it used to be, which is unfortunate. This place is nice, but it gives off a totally different atmosphere. It gives off a more upscale and classy feel.
(3)
Gwen K.

Super tasty pizza. There's a giant list of toppings, many of which are atypical. My boyfriend and I went with a 12" pie with all our favorite stuff on it: sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, caramelized onions, bacon and mozzarella. We got the rosemary sauce, and at first I didn't think it really went with the toppings we picked, but I changed my mind as we ate. The crust was extremely thin, but not at all cardboardy like some thin crusts: it was actually very light. The mozzarella is extremely high-quality, creamy and fresh. None of this part-skim nonsense. Yet the pizza wasn't the slightest bit greasy. I don't know whether Emma's would fulfill my run-of-the-mill pizza cravings, but it was definitely delicious and I'm sure we'll be back. By the way, the 12" ended up being the perfect size for the two of us, but we're not very big eaters. If we'd been super-hungry, we might have wanted an appetizer too. My only complaint is that our server was apathetic to the point of being rude. She really seemed miserable. I mean, when you come over and reach across the table to pick up my water glass, fill it up, and then plop the glass down on the edge of the table with your back to me while walking away... well, it doesn't give me the warm fuzzies. I'm just sayin'.
(4)
Gwen F.

Full disclosure - I used to work here. Ahh, Emma's. I never, ever got sick of the pizza, even though I was around it every day. Amazing thin crust, and the toppings are always fresh - the owner keeps his standards for the quality of his food very high. There are tons of inventive pizza options, but you can always go by the traditional route. I recommend the #5 (sweet sausage and caramelized onion) or the #7 (pepperoni and hot cherry pepper) - they're customer favorites. My favorite? The #16 (bacon, scallions, gorgonzola and roasted tomato on garlic olive oil). You can never go wrong with that pie. And I swear to all that's holy that they put crack in the garlic-pommery dressing (used for the spinach salad). I could drink the stuff straight. The chicken pag? Holy cats deliciousness! The food there is made with love. It shows. The staff is awesome (I'm know, I'm biased). Really, really nice people, and they do really care that your food is to your liking. They're also responsible for many of the decorated pizza paddles on the wall. The policy banning cell phones? That's for everyone's benefit. In a place that small, do you really want the guy next to you yapping at top volume about his gall bladder surgery? I wouldn't. It gets busy, yes. If you can get there between the rushes (like at 3:30 or 4:00 pm), do it. Go when it's mellow, sit at the counter with a slice or nine and a glass of the house red, and read a copy of the Dig (they keep a bunch at the front). Chat up some of the staff, and relax. When you're done, get some post-meal coffee over at Beantowne Coffee House, because that place rocks, as well.
(5)
Lisa R.

My husband and I stopped here for after work last night and we both LOVED it. It was totally different inside than I had imagined it would be. It's a small, cozy joint with candles on every table . . . and old building decorated with pizza paddles that have been painted in interesting ways. He ordered a "Green Monsta" beer, and I got a glass of the sangria. Tastiest sangria ever, I must add. It was a bit pricey at $5-something for a glass (that was half ice), but worth it. We got a 12" #16 pizza, which had crispy bacon, gorgonzola cheese, house roasted tomato . . . OMG. Pure heaven. It wasn't just pizza, it was art. The service was wonderful, and we will be back many times, I'm sure.
(5)
Arturo P.

Great Pizza, Good Vibes After walking by this place way too many times, I finally checked it out a couple of weeks ago. I was not disappointed. The pizza was fantastic, seemed like a blend of east coast style thin crust pizza with west coast style topping combinations. As a bonus the restaurant itself has a friendly staff, laid back decor and the music selection was right up my alley. We tried a few different ones and they were all great, but the Pepperoni and Hot Cherry Peppers (#7) stood out and the Thyme Roasted Mushrooms, Baby Spinach, Garlic, and Feta (#9) was absolutely spectacular, even as someone who believes pizza without meat is blasphemy. A great place to get pizza with great service and a pleasant atmosphere. I'll be back again and again.
(5)
Kat R.

Love Emma's... drooling as I type this. I'm not a fan of thick doughy pizza, so Emma's is right up my alley. Very thin (sort of pita like) crust. You can pick different sauces... and then the toppings... ohhhhh yeahhhhhhhh... the topping choices are excellent! I usually get 1/2 #7 (pepperoni & hot cherry peppers) and the other 1/2 #9 (spinach, feta and mushrooms)... sooooo good. It's good to get 1/2 #7 because it can get pretty hot, so it's fun to start w/ 7, then have a #9 and so on... I also really like the salad dressing. VERY small seating area, so it gets squishy and can have long waits. If you go right at noon, there will be a line out the door, so go a little early. They only have certain slices available from the take out window, so be prepared if they don't have what you like. I've heard the sandwiches are also yummy, but I've never personally tried them.
(5)
tomato s.

Emma's probably doesn't need yet another review. What more can be said about it? Consistently good, thin-crust pizza. Worth the wait. A Cantabrigian institution. Everyone likes a certain type of pizza, and I'm definitely a huge fan of Emma's - along with the spicy rosemary sauce! It's a little pricey for take-out (unless you're just grabbing one or two slices), but eat-in is a great value. There can be a wait sometimes--but once you're seated, you never feel rushed. And the people who work there are kind and patient, which just adds to the magic.
(5)
Steven D.

This is the best pizza that I have eaten in Boston my a long chalk. I have read reviews that mention appalling service, but I have never seen it in the many occasions that I have been. The only area where they risk losing the fifth star is that the non-pizza options are nowhere near as good, but then that is a high standard.
(5)
Cyrus W.

The chicken sandwich was so good that it made me angry at other, substandard chicken sandwiches.
(4)
R S.

Best pizza I've had in the area for sure. Thin crust... for those that enjoy it. Their feta, spinach, fresh garlic, etc is a real winner. Enjoy!
(5)
Gelsey B.

The pizza was incredibly good! thin crust and delicouse. The atmosphere, nice and cozy. The salad, not so good. I will go back for the pizza for sure!
(4)
Bill W.

This place is overrated. Maybe their crazy specialty pizzas are something spectacular, but I personally judge a pizza place by their plain cheese slice first. If you can't do that right, you aren't going to fix it by covering it with other stuff. Not a fan of the crackery crust here at all. A thin crispy crust that breaks when you fold it is fine on pizza, but that's not what I got. It's more like a thick crunchy saltine or something. It's this in between zone between thin crust and regular and way too expensive for what it is.
(2)
Jamie H.

WOW. I've been all over the world and have never been treated this rudely by a restaurant staff. I checked out this place today on the recommendation of a friend. I was by myself and wanted a good thin crust pizza and a peaceful place to read my paper as I ate. Good pizza, not outstanding, but simple thin crust pizza. Wonderful, right? Well, the place only had one other seated party other than myself. And maybe a couple at the counter getting slices. I get a call on my cel phone and talk for a couple minutes with a friend of mine. the music in the place was so freakin loud I could barely hear the caller. What I did hear, because he practically screamed at me was some guy in a red shirt yelling ... "TAKE THAT PHONE CALL OUTSIDE NOW!!! WE DON'T ALLOW CEL PHONE CALLS IN HERE. GO OUTSIDE!!!" Not kidding. My waitress had walked by my table a few times while I was on the call and said nothing. Then all of a sudden I feel like I'm being oppressed by the Taliban. I simply hung up and finished the rest of my pizza. I wasn't all that mad, I just thought the guy was a miserable clown. Gotta feel sorry for people like that. Then he kept giving me dirty looks over the next few moments. I was going to say something, but I wasn't in the mood for an argument. Then I thought of leaving a light tip. Then again, why should this clown make the waitress suffer. I asked for my check and the waitress said, "Yeah, sure!" in a totally snotty voice. That did it. I have to say, today was the first time in my ENTIRE life I didn't leave a tip for table service. First time EVER! Actually, I did leave behind a well worn copy of today's herald if anyone wanted to read it. As I left I looked for any sign or notice of any sort prohibiting cel phone calls in the restaurant. Nada. I guess they figure you must be a mind reader. I'm all about manners and such and I rarely use cel phones in restaurants. But this is not a restaurant. It's a pizza shop. Nothing more. Just a pizza shop with a cute paint job. They have a walk up counter and they are acting like they are L'Espalier. Th pizza was pretty good, but an absolutely miserable staff. It was a simple phone call. No need to yell at me. All they had to was ask kindly. I guess they are above all that. Might be a good idea if they turned the music down a bit so people can hear themselves think. I haven't been on Yelp in a while, but a clown show like Emma's is what it takes sometimes to get motivated. I'm working on a new project in the area and will be visiting many Kendall Square eateries for the foreseeable future. I'm making sure I tell everyone of my experience at Emma's. Peace out!
(1)
Erin C.

The pizza is pretty good with interesting toppings. I also love the Famous Fling salad...there's something addictive in that dressing. Additionally the sangria is delicious. HOWEVER, I hate places that are too crowded and it's hard enough to get a seat on the weekend for 2 people and it's pretty terrible for a group of 4+. Also, for pizza, this place is on the expensive side.
(4)
here t.

Oh No...Emma's is not THAT good. There is a strange thing going on with the pizza here... sure its way better than the average student ghar-bahge in Cambridge but does it really earn its $$ and stars? I'm sure that a better place wouldn't use sugar in their caramalized onions.. but I'm sure they do... which is a bad distractor from the pizza. The italian sausage pizza was a bland experience. With the sweet caramalized onions saying.." nyah nyah.. you paid alot for this.." The pizza should be absolutely top notch here and it sometimes is but often is not. For those prices, that's not enough. Dehydrated garlic in the spinach salad is NOT funny. You shouldn't do that to us you know...no way. The service staff try to be nice but are clearly burned out, disdainful of most customer, or thinking about their art project that you as customer are interfering with. I think they mean well. I'll give them one more try, but Mr. Emma, get the QA department involved soon.
(3)
Sarah S.

I've had Emma's amazing pizza a few times before, and it is absolutely delicious. Why, then, the harsh 1 star review? I am so shocked, upset, and appalled at an 'incident' that occured last night. I arrived at Emma's at 9:20 pm (40 minutes before their 10 pm closing time) with a party of 2. There were 4 other parties sitting and eating and enjoying their pizzas. A woman emerged as we walked in and stated, "Oh, sorry, we closed our kitchen because we're having a slow night." What? My companion and I stood there, our mouths agape. For a Tuesday night, at 9:20, it actually looked like they were doing pretty well! We had driven 20 minutes to eat here, after double-checking that they would be open when we arrived. We did not come in 5 or 10 minutes before closing... I was so disappointed not only that we didn't get to eat their pizza, but in the uncaring way we were dismissed from the restaurant without even a real apology! I will be calling Emma's today because I am so upset with the poor customer service.
(1)
Molly Y.

This is a great restaurant, but ... it's not a pizzeria, not in the sense that I was hoping for. It's more of a great place to get a nice crispy flatbread topped with fresh ingredients. Don't get your mouth set for pizza, though. You'll be disappointed. We got a 12" pizza with spinach, sweet potato, caramelized onion, and goat cheese. Perfect size for two hungry lunchers. The atmosphere is nice enough, though some of the chairs are hilariously short for the tall tables. Our waitress was kind of a surly airhead, but the other staffers seemed very friendly. The price was very fair for the fast service and high-quality toppings. Would we come back? Maybe. It's not the kind of thing I'd crave, but it's definitely worth a try if you like non-pizza pizza.
(4)
Kelly M.

This is one of the few places I'm not bothered by "no cell phone" signs. Why? Because the place is small and people on cell phones are loud. Also, the wait can be long, so when it's your turn, you'd best be ready to get your table -- if you're busy with your headphones and tweeting your Angry Birds, I'll gladly be seated ahead of you. There's a small waiting area with a window bar, and the host will quickly get you a drink to make the wait bearable. The pizza is hot, crispy, and delicious. Have a few slices, get a glass of wine, and go to an 8 pm screening at the Kendall Square Cinema. Friday night solved.
(4)
Jonny C.

Upon recommendation of Ligaya Papaya"I run this motherf'ing BeanTown" T, we met at this Kendall Square staple for lunch on a Tues. Busy, but the crowd was dying down. AbFab spizzot. We split a creatively named salad of spinach, granny smiths, red onions and Gorgonzola with a lite dressing. Fresh and tart, perfect starter for the real shakes, the buffalo chix pizza.. This is magnificent thin crust pie. So thin, that it is almost a cracker, charred and flaky at the perimeter, but moist where covered by cheese/sauce/etc. I was very impressed. The chicken wasnt breadedwhich I love, becausebreaded chicken on a pizza is like bread with a side of bread. The edition of semi-raw celery was outsanding. I also enjoyed that they used a red sauce on a buffalo pizza, which had standard pizza blend cheeses with a smattering of blue. Tres Bien. Rounding it out was an old school diet Coke bottle, funky decor, cool background music and great lunch conversation. 2 blocks from my office. Yumm. Why then, Jonny, no 5th star? Well, because, I was mildly hungover and starving (sans breakfast) and the pizza is so light that I ate more than I should have. Which was fine, until half an hour later when I enetered Tierra del Coma and was largely paraplegic for 3 hours! (probably my fault, but who am I to accept blame when I can write a frivolous review and blame gluttony on another?) Thouroughly enjoyable
(4)
Steph F.

Good thin crust pizza, casual atmosphere, lots of customization options
(4)
Amy E.

The setting is cozy, the staff is friendly and the location is convenient but the House wine and pizza were lousy. The crust especially sucked, kind of that cardboard flavor. I usually love crust for its sweetness, doughy-ness or crisp texture but this was lacking all three. Unfortunately I will not return because for a $20 dollar pizza, I really expect better.
(1)
Carlin T.

Emma's is a fun place. They offer a number of interesting and delicious pizzas, so more than one visit is recommended.
(5)
Stephen Y.

I really appreciate Emma's thin crust pizza style that focuses on letting interesting topping combinations shine. Despite that, though, I usually wind up ordering the chicken pagnotelle sandwich for lunch though; it's definitely my favorite toasted sandwich in the greater Boston area.
(5)
Lily V.

Fantastic combination of flavors! My favorite is the pepperoni and pepperoncini, and the all meat combo. I've been there a couple of times in the recent past and I love the pizzas and the goat cheese appetizer. I don't even like goat cheese normally! One thing that I'd caution folks about is their salad with a garlic dressing. It's super strong! I ate 1/3 of it, and just couldn't eat any more. Don't get me wrong, I love garlic, but the amount of freshed garlic in there could scare away 2 dozen vampires easily!!!
(4)
Cat M.

Happy 100th review, Emmas! I saved my century Yelp for my favorite establishment in the Boston area, the one I will rush to after touchdown if I ever move away and come back to visit, the place that elevates pizza to art, where I can go every week and order the same thing and have a fresh and delightful experience. Don't bother trying to create your own pizza -- trust the experts and go with one of their creations. It took me a while to get jazzed about sweet potato on pizza but now I always get it. My SO and I had either lived/worked/studied in the area for many years and we made it our Friday night tradition to go to Emma's for dinner. We got to know the staff and they are so dedicated and friendly. Sadly we moved farther away and don't find ourselves in the area as often as we would like, but still try to patronize Emma's at least once a month. Also, try the guacamole with grilled pita chips! It was better than the stuff at most Mexican restaurants around. Emma's, I love you!
(5)
Patrick H.

Quality thin crust pies in a Neapolitan style with quality, fresh and sometimes unusual ingredients. Stopped in on a Saturday night for take-out. We ordered two smaller pies so we could sample more. The first a vegetarian pizza with roasted sweet potatoes, baby spinach, artichoke hearts and mozzarella cheese over a spicy Rosemary spiked tomato sauce. Truly delicious. The second was a meat extravaganza, bacon, ham, sausage, pepperoni, grilled chicken and more. Equally delicious. I love a good thin crust pizza but this seems to lack a bit of chew to it that would make this a 5 star pizza instead of 4 star. I will be curious to try them again and eat the pie at the restaurant instead of taking it out to see how that changes my perspective. That being said, with quality ingredients like this I can see myself coming back here many times over.
(4)
L J.

I've been going to Emma's for 20 years, through three different managements (including Emma herself), and the food has been consistently delicious no matter who was making it. The current menu is no exception, and offers gourmet sandwiches in addition to pizza (which is a new twist from prior menus). The signature dish, the pizza, is delicious as ever - to the point where I could easily eat a whole pie if I had the appetite! :) Bottom line: thank you, Emma's, for staying consistent all these years!
(5)
Jason H.

The people who work here are great. More than once I've gotten something free and it's no big deal to them. Their specialty pizzas are really good. The cheese pizza you buy by the slice is pretty good, but if you have the time order one of their specials, I've never been disappointed.
(4)
Kimberly P.

I stopped in Emma's on the way back from an interesting venture into the world of the Garment District (wow was that an experience btw). I didn't know anything about Emmas, I just knew that I was hungry and wanted a slice of 'za. The inside was pretty cozy. There was space for traditional dining as well as bar type seating in front of the window for a more "grab, stuff your face like a chipmunk and run" type of meal. I was more inclined to the latter of the two options so I ordered a slice of plain cheese and plopped down the wait. Tick tock. I was hungry so the maybe five minutes that it took for my slice seemed like AGES but at long last the server approached with my slice. My first thought was, "$2 for this?!" I guess I'm just used to jumbo sized slices and the slice that I got at Emmas looked like a slice from a small or medium sized pizza. My second thought, "Ugh. Thin crust pizza. Damn it!" I am a creature of habit and have never really dilly dallied in the land of crispy crust. I like my dough soft and warm. With much disappointment I had my first bite and it was surprisingly better than I was expecting. By the time I finished the bite with much gusto, I was sold. It was YUMMY. I considered getting another slice but I didn't want to wait plus I still kind of felt that $2 for such a small slice was a slight rip off. To make a long story short, I would probably come back here to sit down and order a whole pie. But I am not sure if I would order individual slices here again.
(4)
Sarah G.

Wow. I am so disheartened - no, disgusted - after reading Emma's owner Jeffrey W.'s comments here and on Twitter. Emma's pizza is OK, not outstanding (just because the crust is cracker-thin doesn't make it flavorful, Arthur Avenue-style) and DEFINITELY not worth overlooking the atrocious behavior of the owner. There are so many small business owners who are struggling but doing their best to attract and retain customers right now that it's extremely distressing to see a business owner berate his customers in person and online and still get good reviews. Please consider supporting businesses that treat their customers well, folks. We've been doing dinner and a movie at Emma's/Kendall for almost seven years now but I can say with certainty that we'll never be back.
(1)
Kate S.

Tasty and unique pizzas! Something for everyone--regardless of your preferences!!! I've only gone once, but I really want to go back!
(5)
Masood Q.

The pizza is very tasty. The ingredients are fresh and the menu selection is very original. I also like the salad and the goat cheese toast points. I do wish the seating was more roomy. I also think they are too overbearing with cell phones. I like to check my email on my phone and listen to my voicemail. I don't have any voice conversations on my phone. But, whenever I have my phone out, I feel like the wait staff is freaking out about me using my cell phone in the restaurant.
(4)
Joe R.

Think of Emma's as Pizza Hut's younger, cuter sister. Except that soon after Emma was born, her distant-second-cousin CPK told child protective services that she was living in grease, fat, and would be forced to play Galaga with a broken joystick until the end of time. So, the government yanked Emma outta there, relocated her to Kendal Square, got her on The Biggest Loser, loving marathons and yoga, that B.A. in Art History she always dreamed about, and probably a subscription to Real Simple magazine...for starters... Now, Emma has shed her Jabba-the-Hut surname and is kickin' it VIP at Liberty Hotel on weekends, frequently featured on Boston.com's "Hot Shots" section, and occasionally writes for the Huffington Post. Once, after several drinks, she stumbled past a truck stop to find that all too familiar sight of the Hut. Needless to say, it was a lot like when Jenny re-visited her home in Forrest Gump. *It's a small place, so plan ahead. Try anything with Goat Cheese.
(4)
V S.

I've ordered take-out from Emma's enough times by now to confidently say that this is some of the best pizza in Cambridge. The crust is thin and crispy, and the house specialty topping combinations are fabulously-designed. It's a bit on the pricier side, but I am more than happy to pay that much for a pizza this well-crafted. I'd give it 5 stars, but I like to reserve those for the truly outstanding. Emma's, however, does come close.
(4)
David Y.

Simply amazing pizza, and innovative toppings. I particularly like their sausage and carmelized onion pizza. If you want to try a lot of things, you can ask them to divide the pizza half-and-half (sort of obvious, but a nice touch). The crust is thin, and nicely-charred, like a New York style pizza. My one objection is they didn't offer delivery, and there's basically no parking. Other than that, the food is terrific, and service is friendly!
(4)
Jatin R.

I make a habit of trying pizza places wherever I live or am visiting. Emma's pizza is pretty good! But not amazing, particularly for the price. 1. The crust is very thin. 2. The sauce is just ok. SImply adding rosemary to mediocre sauce doesn't make it spectacular. 3. The veggie toppings are nice. I particularly like the feta and spinach pizza. 4. The apple and gorgonzola salad was amazing! Overally, definitely worth a visit, but definitely not the best pizza in the Boston area.
(4)
Vanessa M.

Cracker crust isn't pizza. It's bland and dry, not chewy and flavorful like pizza crust should be. I wasn't impressed with our take-out pizza here, although I will say the thyme roasted mushrooms were delicious. The service was excellent, the woman asked if we wanted our pizza reheated before taking it home. But I can't appreciate the crust here. It's probably the most important aspect of what makes pizza Pizza.
(2)
John S.

I have no problem with continuing the trend of heaping praise on Emma's. It is not New York pizza. It is not New York style pizza. If you want it, head down to Grimaldi's in Brooklyn. But if you want lovingly made, flavorful pizza in a quaint little parlor, come to Emma's. I have never had a bad pie there, regardless of the baffling combinations of toppings I put on it. The service is adequate, but you won't remember it either way. What you will remember is the bubbly cheese and crisp crust. Go there, folks. You won't regret it.
(5)
Nikki B.

God do I love Emma's. My personal favorite is the 13 (artichokes, ricotta, mozzarella, garlic) with bacon and chicken. The crust is thin and tasty and they go easy on the sauce.. you can eat half of a pizza yourself and not feel disgusting about it, and it's the perfect kind of slices to fold in half before enjoying. The place is small and a little cramped, so be careful navigating around the tables and be prepared to get bumped and jostled a little by the other patrons. On the bright side, aesthetically the inside is well decorated and pleasing while you're enjoying your meal. If you come during lunch, prepare for a wait, so if time is of the essence I highly recommend calling ahead for take out. Once seated though the servers have always been attentive and friendly to me. One thing I also really liked was that despite it's more cozy physical nature, they take care to make sure all patrons are comfortable. I'm reading some complaints on other yelp reviews about their no cell-phone policy (it says so on the sign on the door, guys) and I'm really glad they have it in effect. I wish more restaurants had the same rule, especially when we're all in such close quarters.
(4)
Megan B.

This is some of the best pizza I have ever eaten. The pizza with goat cheese and sweet potato was amazing, as is the #9 although it's not as exciting (spinach and mushrooms). The crust is nice and thin and the ingredients all seem fresh. I've both eaten in and gotten take-out. Eating in can be a little crazy since the dining room is so small, but overall it's a nice cozy space. Yes, I think it's expensive for pizza, but at the same time two people can easily share a large which makes it closer to $10 each even for the most expensive ones.
(4)
Anne W.

Pretty good.. pretty.. good. The prices are reasonable.. the pizzas are big.. and they are delish. The bacon with goat cheese was really good. Not the best thin crust I have ever had.. but pretty good. The house red wine wasn't too bad either. The only thing.. the place is kind of small and dark. A little darker than what I'd like.. I like to see my food. Make sure there aren't any hairy spiders crawling on it.
(4)
Judy P.

Good pizza and friendly service make me happy.
(4)
Connie C.

The pizza here is absolutely AMAZING. Thin crust, really good topping combinations, doesn't leave you feeling bloated and gross after having like seven slices. The place is a little small so you might have to wait and take greater care navigating around the tables, but the decor is cozy and cute. Usually when people rave to me about pizza I just nod and agree half-heartedly. But this place I recommend completely! Go here! You will feel satisfied and full and all sorts of other happy things.
(5)
Michael M.

Being the foodie in my office it came as much surprise to my boss that I had not experienced Emma's. As a 5 year East Cambridge resident I have been to many of the local establishments in Kendall and find many of them quite delectable, but Emma's is my new favorite. We split a large pizza with spinach, goat cheese, sweet potato, onion and probably a few other ingredients. The crust was thin and crunchy, sauce was sweet and tangy and the pizza was served piping hot. Emma's pizza is everything that the Upper Crust tries to be, but better.
(5)
Shaina P.

Dark, can't tell what's on my pizza even though the menu listed every ingredient. Somewhat slow service. Waiting for the waiter. Thin, cripsy crust. Pricey pies. Fancy pies, not for hangovers. These are reasons I'm not a regular at Emma's. Cute, local, right down the street, serves beer and wine, and take out. These are reasons why I should stop here more often.
(3)
Julie R.

I was amazed at all the combinations they had. If you weren't creative enough to come up with one on your own there were about 25 specialty pizzas tried and true for your taste buds. We decided to go with #21 which has hot sausage, tomatoes, scallions, goat cheese and mozzarella. It was excellent. The best thin crust I've had in a while. The other combinations were more unique with sweet potatoes, cranberries, bacon, you name it. Our server was quick to take our order. Along I got a stiff sangria for $5.95. The place is very charming with decorated paddles all over the place. It's small too. On a weeknight around dinner time it was getting packed. They have sandwiches on the menu but you must try the pizza. I did think the price of $20 for a large was a little steep but you get what you pay for here.
(4)
Meredith P.

The pizza is okay IF you get it fresh out of the oven. If you get a take-out pizza that's more than 1 hour gone, the crust turns into a tasteless cracker. Personally, I find thin crispy pizza crusts awkward to eat because each bite tends to fragment the adjoining crust, so I end up taking huge bites in order to prevent topping spillage. The chicken topping was a bit dry, but overall, the toppings were creative and obviously of good quality. That being said, does anyone really WANT sweet potatoes on their pizza? On a busy night, the wait is abominable and the service is iffy. Personally I don't like the cramped atmosphere, and our table was awkwardly placed on the floor. I think this place is over-rated.
(2)
Layla P.

I finally made it to Emma's! We got half/half pizza with Italian Sweet Sausage/ Caramelized Onions/ Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella and Thyme Roasted Mushrooms/ Baby Spinach/ Garlic/Feta/Traditional Sauce/Mozzarella, and split a Famous Fling with baby spinach, Granny Smith apple, red onion, Gorgonzola cheese and toasted almonds with our special (and secret) house dressing and a big, cold newcastle. Everything was good, but I can't seem to see what all the fuss was about. The crust is all right if you like very thin crust (not doughy) which I can go either way. The service was decent but bordering on unfriendly and I felt like it was a bother to them that we were there in the first place. The atmosphere is cute and nice so I'm guessing that's what people like about it so much. I would go back, but only if I was in the neighborhood.
(3)
Faith N.

I LOVE pizza places like this, and like flatbread, who offer up really creative, exciting pizzas on delicious soft/crunchy crust. The goats cheese and sweet potato pizza was out of this world yum! The salads are also very very good. My mouth is watering as I type this! I really really really like the interior design too.. really cute and warm and homey. I would love to find out about Emma's environmental initiatives, and if they have ever looked into becoming a certified green restaurant..
(4)
Jim D.

OK what am I missing here? Pizza toppings served on matzo crust. Cannot believe the rave reviews that led me to spend over $50.00 for one of the worst pizzas I have ever had. My wife's comment: "We would have been better off eating Elio's" Place is a dump. they haven't spent a dime on the inside I would say since they opened. Did I see someone compare this to Pepe's in New Haven?? Get real people. It's time to speak the truth: this pizza stinks!
(1)
V M.

I had never heard of this place, and I admit I was a bit iffy about it since how classy can pizza really get? Boy was I wrong. I never knew such pizza customization existed! Although I am not very adventurous when it comes to trying new things with food, I did have their Chicken Patalogne which was EXTREMELY DELICIOUS. I highly recommend the sandwich if you want to switch it up instead of pizza. My two complaints would be that they served me a coca cola in a small bottle with a glass of ice AND space is pretty limited. :/ They use every inch they can get in that establishment. But the food is great. :) Overall, awesome little neighborhood place with great food.
(4)
Frederick C.

All others pale in comparison. I've been going there for years. My Mother continued the family trend after moving to Boston 6 years ago. In a city of over-rated pleasures and under-rated treasures*, Emma's is the latter. The staff does not revolve, which speaks volumes as to the ownership and management. Even with the occasional waiting, and bustling environment, we've always felt well taken care of. The wine list, though small presents good value and perfect wine gulping goodness to go along with particular favs-mine being numbers 2 and 5-especially 5. *P.Madeira
(5)
Kayleigh S.

Emma's is a "food nazi" place even twitter addicts will be willing to turn off their phones for. The toppings here are really outstanding and the light, crisp crust makes everything atop it taste even better. The traditional oregano sauce is slightly sweet, which helps bring out the flavor of the vegetable toppings like spinach or sweet potato. A few of my favorites: No. 18, the Ig Nobel: artichoke hearts, baby spinach, roasted sweet potatoes, rosemary sauce, mozzarella. No. 7, the Crimson: pepperoni, hot cherry peppers, traditional sauce, mozzarella I've eaten a lot of pizzas all over this crazy continent and I've never had another quite like Emma's.
(5)
Tim S.

Very close to a 5-star review, but I feel like I need to try something other than the Chicken Pag (which is the bomb dot com) before I can do that. It's not you, it's me, Emma! They offer quirky pizzas and an equally-quirky beer selection, which also gets them serious points. One (nit-picking) qualm is that my sandwich takes about 20 minutes to come out sometimes, and I would expect it to take slightly less time. It's so good, I can definitely overlook my heightened anticipation.
(4)
Kim B.

It was a Sunday afternoon. Many of Greg's and I plans already kind of got ruined that day. Not to say that Greg hadn't planned a great afternoon, however just a few unexpected events happened and plans just weren't working out. Gster decided on Emmas, since he had been there and said the pizza was awesome. Walking in, it looks like a hole in the wall, but has interesting decor with pizza pies painted different colors, and styles, all around the walls. It was unique, small, and intimate . It felt true Italian. Our waitress brought over water right away, and I noticed that there were some tomatoes floating in it... is that true Italian too? I'm not sure. However It took about 20 minutes in order to get another glass of water. This should have been an indication of how long our wait would be the rest of our meal. In summary, we ordered two small pizzas and waited over 90 minutes for our food to be brought after we ordered it. Now at any type of restaurant this is an obscene amount of time, however because we could see into the kitchen (which again is a unique aspect, and I like that) but we also know that it took them about six minutes to make a pizza. The serving staff just seemed as if they needed at least one other server, a hostess, as well as a couple more people in the kitchen. There is no way that a six minute pizza should've 90 minutes. By the time I get the food I was so anxious, annoyed, and starving that it was hard to appreciate if the pizza was really that good or not. Regardless any pizza having to wait an hour and a half is not going to taste as good as it otherwise would. I will say i was very impressed with the menu options, and the creativity of the pizzas was fun and unique. Several of the pizzas sounded to die for. Therefore, I do think that the pizza is good.... However (and this is a big however) it is not worth the ridiculous wait. The pizza was not the best I've ever had, I'm not sure if I would give it another try. Unless I had a lot of time to kill. I do appreciate Greg thinking of the idea for a day and for that sake it was a memorable experience.
(3)
Alan G.

Came here with my sister for lunch on Thursday. The place was packed and we had to wait for about 15 minutes to be seated. We ordered a 16 inch Biotech pizza, which basically has all the meats (both sausages, both bacons, pepperoni, and grilled chicken). The crust was very thin, though somewhat soggy which made the slices flimsy. The toppings kept falling off when I tried to pick up the slices. The meat itself was okay, but nothing special. The pizza was not too greasy, which was good. Overall, it wasn't bad but I wasn't impressed either. The staff was very friendly and efficient.
(3)
Rose J.

"We'll have the Hasty Pudding Pie" "You're gonna taste unicorns and rainbows" Unicorns and rainbows it was. Do you like sweet potato? Do you like goat cheese? Do you not hate spinach? (Everyone loves caramelized onions, so I'm not even going to ask.) Then you will love the hasty pudding pizza. So much delicious in every bite. Until now, Figs on Beacon Hill was my favorite pizza place. Now I'm torn. Guess I'll have to go back to both again to choose a favorite. :) Prices for pizza and drinks are reasonable. A 16" pie was perfect for us (3 women with average-to-small appetite). Pies are thin-crust. Staff is friendly. Decor is casual. Love the painted peels on the wall.
(5)
David G.

Emma's is the bomb dot com. I actually ate there twice. First was delivery and it was great. Fast delivery and the vegetarian pizza with goat cheese, caramelized onions, and mushrooms was wonderful. The crust, I am not a thin crust fan, was phenomenal...it wasnt cracker crisp and had a nice moist texture without being mushy. The second time I walked over and had a salad, bottle of wine, and a delicious pizza. Salad was really good: Famous Fling With Baby Spinach, Granny Smith Apple, Red Onion, Gorgonzola Cheese And Toasted Almonds With their Special And Secret House Dressing, Nice and fresh and yes their special secret house dressing was good. Great Malbec win was not crazy expensive and 25 bucks or so. The pizza was Italian Sweet Sausage/ Caramelizes Onions/ Traditional Sauce/ Mozzarella. It was perfection. It was a large. And it was only 16.25. San Francisco it would have been 25 bucks. Service was great even though they were busy with one waitress. Pizza makers were fun to chat up too. I highly recommend this funky, fun, fabulous pizza place
(5)
Ellen B.

Every time my family and I come to Boston from Texas, we always make it a point to come to Emma's for some good ol' pizza! It's been a great place for us with lovely service and enjoyable pizza. The ambience is fun with their theme of decorated pizza peels on the wall. Come somewhat early to beat the crowds for a sit down meal or grab a slice to go! Definitely worth a visit and be willing to try some excellent classics or challenge yourself to branch out to new creations of pizza!
(4)
David M.

Great pizza and good bear. Not much more to ask. The crust is nice and crunchy w/o being scorched and the toppings were all fresh and delicious.
(4)
William M.

Very little place near Kendall Square. They do not take reservations. My friend and I stopped there before catching a movie at the Kendall Square Cinema. We ordered the Hasty Pudding Pie pizza, which was topped with baby spinach, roasted sweet potato, caramelized onion, garlic, rosemary sauce, mozzarella, and goat cheese. Do I even need to say it was amazing? We also ordered the guacamole and I was not as impressed with that. The guac didn't have a ton of flavor and the chips they serve it with do not go very well with gauc. Other than that, I loved this place!
(4)
Michael B.

The caesar salad was very good but small for the price. The pizza crust was burnt (meaning the crust itself was black) and the toppings dry from being overcooked, not good. Right across the street at Cambridge Brewing Company you can have superb pizza for less money. That's a real chef's version of gourmet pizza, always perfectly done.
(2)
Raynold Y.

Mediocre service and pizza was a bit too salty (ordered #25, the biotech). If you're a local perhaps it's worth supporting local businesses. However, if you are touring around Boston, I'd probably invest my money and time elsewhere a little more satisfying.
(3)
Miles H.

If I had to choose a restaurant for my last meal in Boston, I'd go straight to Emma's and order a large #1. I've been coming here with my family and solo since I was in high school and believe me, this place is the total package. The location alone, just a few yards from Kendall Square Cinema, is tough to beat. Then you step inside and the space is toasty, cozy, and decorated with painted pizza boards. (Plus a reliable rotation of good music coming from the stereo.) The pies themselves are some of the best in town, with a long list of traditional and esoteric ingredients. There's also a strong likelihood that you'll walk out the door a newly converted crust fan. But what really makes this place so special is the crew. Popping in here is like visiting old friends. That sort of no frills (genuine) friendliness can be hard to come by in Boston - especially in a haute neighborhood like Kendall - but Emma's is the exception. And that's why I make a point of recommending this place to locals and visitors. Jeff, Bob...whenever you're reading this, see you soon.
(5)
Catie F.

Yummmmmm. I'm pretty particular about my pizza - and Emma's won me over. I liked the creative menu options and the fun names. Great for inspiration, or when you are too lazy to come up with something good on your own - but of course, I love that you still have the option to do that. The thin crust is JUST RIGHT. Light, crisp and slightly chewy. Doesn't weigh you down and thin enough so that the sauce and toppings are still the superstars. Every pizza I saw come out of the kitchen (which is open, btw) looked delicious. I personally tried mine with rosemary sauce - it is slightly spicy and has notes of rosemary - I'll be getting it EVERY TIME, forever. My toppings were ricotta (fresh and creamy), grilled chicken, and thyme-roasted mushrooms. Yes... just, yes. Points to the owner/manager for greeting us at the door, trying to help us find parking (the one fairly major negative is this very issue) and for checking-in on us during our meal. I also heard they've started to deliver around Cambridge!
(4)
Amaresh S.

This place is all about serving pizza that is untraditional: they line having creative topping combinations, as well as funky pizza names that are based on the nearby area. Now, I'm fine with untraditional as long as it makes the experience better. And their pizza was certainly good, I had some of one with broccoli and gorgonzola and another with sweet potato and goat cheese. But the experience wasn't better than a traditional pizza place, and since they're similarly price I have to give this place an average review. Also got the guacamole to start, it comes with fresh warm pita chips and it was good. I'd recommend it to others, it was a yummy spin on something that's not usually at Italian places
(3)
Matthew S.

I've been to Emma's pizza about 10 times now. I've eaten a lot of pizza in a lot of places. I think Emma's makes some of the best on the planet. We're very lucky to have them in Cambridge!
(5)
Raina B.

Best pizza I've had so far in Boston (I'm a New Yorker, so that's not saying much - but it would be a solid New York pizza place too!). The space is on the smaller side - maybe seats 20 people? The pizza is delicious! Good thin crust, the rosemary sauce tastes really fresh (I'd like a little more rosemary taste though), and there are tons of topping options. I tend to make my own with spinach and garlic and whatever else I'm feeling! Sometimes service can be pretty slow, even if (especially if?) you're one of the only tables there. Have had their Malbec - not my favorite.
(4)
Jen O.

What nice folks! I took a pizza-making class at the Boston Center for Adult Education with the Emma's Pizza gurus last night. They were all very kind and knowledgeable re: technique. They provided lots of insider tips, and the pizzas we made (3 instructional, 1 hands-on creative) were delicious - especially when paired with Cisco brews. They even allowed me to use "Bertha," the rolling pin. My favorite selection had to be the meat lovers' pizza - Biotech on their official menu, I believe. I normally hate pepperoni because most American versions taste like spicier bologna to me, but this was delicious. I know the meats are not house-cured, but wherever they source it, that pepperoni was a grade above. :-) I can't wait to visit the shop.
(5)
Michael M.

This pizza was alright at best, not anywhere near as good as the rating for this restaurant is.
(2)
Chelle C.

Decent pizza, kind of pricey. Nothing that sold me on returning. I just got 2 cheese slices... left me feeling ehh. But I know they are a local favorite and use fresh ingredients... so they get a 3 :-)
(3)
Stephanie L.

My friend and I came here on a Sunday and walked around MIT and Kendall square until it opened at 3 pm. We split a large pizza, half was #1 Kendall Pizza, with roasted red peppers, caramelized onions and the other half had broccoli and potatoes. We ordered a Caesar salad to start and a beer. I asked the waitress which beer was medium, not too dark or light and she recommended some, but we went with the CBC, whose brewery is just down the street. My friend and I split the pint, too and the server brought us two pints with the split portion in each. The pizza has a thin crust and I didn't think I would like it for being skimpy, but it is baked fresh and when I got it, it tasted so good, especially the first slice. The dough is soft and chewy and all the flavors melted into each other. I was definitely full, and we took the leftovers to go. I liked how the menu had local themed pizzas. I saw the Chomsky, a professor at MIT, pizza. There's an open vast window from the kitchen to the dining area and you can see the workers putting in and pulling out the pizza from the ovens. It gives a comfy feeling, seeing the people who make your food. The dÃ©cor is funky with decorated pie pans in different motifs. The math part in me and my friend gravitated towards the 3.14 pi. The bathroom is quite a labyrinth and it took me awhile to find the light. This building does have charm, I believe the business has been there since 1964, but it was probably built earlier?
(5)
Steven G.

Called in a pizza to this place because we'd heard good things and my boyfriend went to pick it up. After waiting on hold for over 5 minutes finally was able to place the order and was told the pizza would be ready in 35 min. He's still sitting there waiting for it 60 min later, still no pizza. No pizza is good enough to have to sit around for 30+ after the 35 min wait time. (To be fair, haven't tried the pizza yet since it still hasn't come out).
(2)
John H.

After reading all the great reviews, gotta say I'm pretty disappointed. In town for work, ordered for delivery, and it took 45 minutes. That was not out of the ordinary, and I was ok with it. What was disappointing was the fact that the pizza was barely warm, onions that were supposed to bee caramelized were basically just sauteed, and it was just mediocre at best. Oh well, what do you expect for $12. Might as well go get pizza hut or dominos.
(2)
liz c.

I heart Emma's! Delish pizza with many vegetarian options, decent wine/beer/cider, pleasant atmosphere, and friendly staff. I often stop in on my way to the movies - it's walking distance to the Kendall Sq Cinema. Things to note: if they're busy, they won't seat your party until everyone has arrived, which seems reasonable. They ban cell phone talking, which I really appreciate. They have bicycle pizza delivery. There are bike racks on the sidewalk in front.
(5)
Michael B.

4.5/5 (I rounded up) Great pizza & salads, exceptional service, fun atmosphere. May not be the traditional pizza you want (whether or not you expect NYC-style or not), but they have great food that you will be very happy with if you ask them for some assistance. They recently stepped-up their delivery game, kudos. Looking forward to a return trip!
(5)
Gauravi P.

Amazing pizza and incredible guacamole. We ordered the guacamole and flatbread chips as our starter. The guacamole tasted fresh and delicious and had a little bit of a kick to it! The flatbread chips were astounding. They were warm, light, and crunchy. For our main meal, we ordered a 16" pizza with rosemary (spicy sauce), spinach, goat cheese, buffalo chicken, and caramelized onions. Omg- the pizza was nice and thin and tasted to die for! Very gourmet, very yummy!
(5)
Katie M.

This place is the bomb diggity! My coworker and I wandered in here before Juno because it was the only place open and had a really great meal! The pizza was delicious and the staff was super friendly despite that we were the last ones in there. Also .. I left my wallet here and they not only tracked my phone number down, but also dropped my wallet off at my house before the blizzard! What nice people! I love supporting places like this!
(5)
S.B. B.

Quick delivery, and they deliver, which is great. Pizza was just okay. Not terrible, and not great. Would recommend to a friend, but not sure if I would return given all the other options in the city.
(3)
Beverly E.

Ordered the #5 Brattle, and it was delicious. They delivered to our hotel in Kendall Square, and brought it right to the room. Very convenient! We will order from Emma's again.
(5)
Eunice L.

Pizza tastes great and there is a very large selection of different toppings! I came here with 3 other people during lunch time and we ordered two 12" pizzas with two different toppings on each. We all left feeling very happy and full. I especially liked the #5 - Italian sweet sausage, caramelized onions, with traditional sauce and mozzarella, but all four toppings were good. The decorations in the restaurant is cute and colorful. I really like how the walls are decorated with many different pizza peels, but one of them had pi on it and the digits of pi are wrong :( My only complaint was that although we were seated as soon as we got there, the two pizzas took a very long time - almost an hour - before it was ready.
(4)
Kurt N.

I've been on a real italian style pizza run lately, including stuff in Europe, and this was just as good. The combinations are inventive but not strange and served on a very thin crust that is secondary to the toppings.
(4)
Ply-Mouth S.

I've been dining at Emma's since the day I moved into to Cambridge and so far I haven't found a better pizza joint in the area. Their selection of pies are vastly creative yet to the point, and their crust makes any choice indistinguishably "Emma's". I love eating there because their staff couldn't be friendlier, and they've recently added a free delivery option which has made the commute from my couch significantly shorter. Highly recommend the #16. Enjoy!
(5)
Hossein A.

I ordered pizza from here for delivery for the office more than once. I've ordered several different types. Today I got the pepperoni and a vegetarian pizza. Both fantastic! Delivery was right on time. I paid with a credit card but wasn't there to receive the delivery so no tip for the driver which I felt bad about. If they'd asked when they took my order I definitely would've left a tip.
(5)
Joanna H.

As if Emmas didn't already have the best pizza on the planet, it has now been complimented with one of the best staff members. I work across the street at One Kendall and have still been reeling from the departure of my favorite barista at Beantowne Cafe. But yesterday evening when I ventured across the street to Emma's , I was beyond ecstatic when I found my favorite barista now behind the counter at Emmas. And as always his demeanor and friendliness was as spot on as always. I couldn't wait to get back into the office today to tell all of my coworkers who have very sorely missed him. Kudos to Emma's . You just strengthened your staff two fold! So happy to have seen him!! I came in for pizza and he suggested the chicken salad special that was just created by the new chef. Spot on amazing! Happy faces all around!!!!!
(5)
Rebekah C.

Emma's offers delicious pizza and some rather daring combinations that will not disappoint (unless you don't try them). Emma's serves pizza's made with quality, fresh ingredients and believe me your taste buds can tell the difference. I was a little nervous after reading some of the reviews about service - but my three experience so far have been nothing but pleasant. I have always done take out; but every order has been ready on time, accurate, and the staff has been extremely kind and helpful.
(4)
Salil T.

The best pizza place I have visited till date, and I have been to some pretty good ones, including authentic pizza places in Venice and Rome, so I would highly recommend this one.
(5)
Cody B.

After a disappointing venture to a nearby cafe my date and I ventured here to eat an actual meal and we were not let down. Great service, excellent pizza, and a very welcoming atmosphere.
(5)
Victoria P.

Came here with a coworker just to get out of the office, but the pizza looked so good I decided to try a slice. There's a side window for in and out service which is very convenient for work lunches. I had a slice of the mushroom, green pepper, and garlic pizza - delicious!!! The crust was thin and crispy - not something I usually like, but was quite tasty. The service at the window was a bit lackluster, but I didn't really expect much. I hear the sausage and caramelized onion pizza is very good. They are also a part of a biking program where if you order two slices (and prove that you biked there), you get a free drink. I'll definitely be back...
(4)
Joy J.

Yeah...I don't know about this place. Delivery is fast and the staff is courteous. But the actually pizza "study break" with the addition of grilled chicken really didn't have any particular flavor. Bland.com . And I'm still hungry. And the crust was all thin - so the toppings were soggy...
(3)
Sandeep H.

This place has never disappointed me. Great pizza and salads!! Little too small for its great food and fan following!!
(4)
Brett J.

My absolute favorite pizza place. I've been coming here for 10 years and I've never been disappointed. Often overlooked by reviewers are the sandwiches. The chicken pagnotelle is amazing, and their tuna melt is one of the best I've ever had. Expect a line at lunch. They sell slices.
(5)
Michele H.

Amazing pizza IF you buy by the pie and not by the slice. The by the slice pizza has a thicker crust, and the sauce and cheese is a bit disappointing. Get yourself one of the cracker-thin crust pies with adventurous toppings, and you will be glad for it. I love mine with roasted peppers and white sauce and all sorts of veggies, but they have everything. This place can be packed but is worth the wait.
(5)
Hrishikesh H.

Good pizza. Nice geeky decor that suits kendall square.
(4)
Nicole C.

Just went here last night with my husband and was surprised at how cozy and cute it was inside. I guess I was expecting the place to be more divey and a counter-ey type experience, not sure why. The pizza selection was creative and yummy and the service was excellent! Just tried a 1/2 & 1/2 pizza, but would definitely come back to try the salads, or I'd actually order delivery as well. Took 1-star off b/c the crust isn't the kind I prefer, but it was still good.
(4)
Sunita A.

I love their Pizzas. I would have given them 5 stars but the only thing that kept me from doing that was the long waiting time there.
(4)
Danae K.

One of the best places to eat food! Very high energy environment, and exceptional appetizer selections. Extremely high quality!!
(5)
Catherine W.

Small restaurant with a brisk takeout service. We did eat there and had waiter service. Fresh ingredients. Pizza combinations were extensive and original. Had a sausage and onion pizza which was tasty. Good selection of beers and drinks. Bathroom is a unisex single.
(4)
Alon R.

I am a New Yorker and it is hard to impress me with a good slice of pizza. I came here tonight and did a half and half of the number 13 and the number 8 pizza! The place is so cute and gives a great cozy atmosphere! The highlight of the pizza are the toppings...truly delicious and special. The crust was a bit too thin and couldn't hold up the pizza. Def had to use a fork and knife and that is why I give it 4 out of 5 stars. However it really had superb toppings and really yummy flavors! I will absolutely come back!!
(4)
H T.

Pizza is great as always. No complaints about that. However, service is an issue. I really miss the old staff that worked here. They were more attentive and friendly. I've had the young waitress serve quite a few times now, most of the time just average (not too friendly) service. But I can deal with it, bc it's just casual dining. Recently had dinner here, and being early, it wasn't so crowded. Hence, it's really inexcusable to have such awful service. Our water glasses were empty, and never refilled once. Nor did the waitress came by to ask if we need another drink, or ask how everything is going, or if we need anything else. She didn't give any straw to mix and drink the Arnold Palmer, and after waiting for a long time, I used the knife to mix it up. Just after dropping off the appetizers, we realized my dining companion was missing a fork to eat the salad. But our waitress disappeared yet again, and after waiting for a while, we had to ask another waitress for the missing utensil. Needless to say, she never came around to refill the Arnold Palmer. I've had better service here when it was during the dinner rush, when the old servers were here. 5-stars for the pizza, but 2-stars for the service.
(4)
Peggy H.

Was happy to grab a slice here! 3 options: plain cheese, pepperoni, or a special veggie slice. I went with door #3. It had sweet potato, spinach, and artichoke. Very tasty!!! Was a cheap, easy, and delicious grab-and-go option for the walk to the metro.
(4)
Moe C.

I've been here several times and have enjoyed each visit more than the last. Thin crust pizza with very fresh toppings and a lot of flavor. If you're a pizza traditionalist you may be slightly disappointed but sometimes a little something different really hits the spot.
(5)
Xin Z.

Not a fan of pizza but Emma's is pretty good. Despite the thin crust and all, I still think Lombardi's in NYC is the best pizza shop I've ever been to.
(3)
Harry H.

Really, people? Awfully weak slices even if they did toss 4 special slices at us for the price of 3 since we had to wait for 'em to go. They really weren't that generous since the nearly $10 was for about $6 worth of quality, so no favors were performed.
(2)
Reinne T.

I would hate to give this spot away as the places are so limited inside and I don't want it to be too crowded when I go in for my pizza craving. But seriously this is the best pizza I have tasted so far in the New England area - hats off for the chef as the ingredients blend so well that you enjoy every melting bite. You even enjoy the pizza slice the next day cold and out of the fridge. Yum just thinking about their pizza makes me hungry :)
(4)
Bagel C.

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about Emma's. Is it the best pizza within close walking distance of Kendall Square? Probably, yes. Does that necessarily mean that it's great pizza? No, it unfortunately doesn't. So if you're feeling like thin crust pizza, do a little bit of introspection before you decide on Emma's. Do you want toothsome, slightly chewy NY-style pizza? Definitely look elsewhere because you might end up crying. But if you're OK with a very liberal approach to pizza, I would cautiously give it a go. This is the type of crust that cracks in half if you try to fold your slice. (No, I'm not kidding.) And it does have that water cracker quality as other reviewers have mentioned. But there's some interesting toppings that might make up for it. It's places like this that make me wish the word pizza had some sort of appellation restrictions controlled by a regulating body of pizza-lovers.
(3)
John P.

Awesome pizza (and warm soup)! Lyndon was an great server/ host and he was super friendly to talk to. We ordered No. 16 (The People's Republic) and that was yummy. éžå¸¸å¥½åƒ! Hope to come back to Boston and to Emma's Pizza!
(5)
Yelena Y.

created my own pizza instead of the suggestions. I did the spicy sauce, mushroom, pepperoni, red pepper, olives with smoked mozzarella. Came out amazing!
(5)
Jesus C.

I travel frequently and visiting local pizza restaurants is my hobby. The service in this place was awful! For a town that prides itself on getting everything right, try figuring out how to host customers as they come in and providing a service that will produce a positive lasting impression. If making me feel you're doing me a favor and not valuing my time is what your goal is then SPOT ON!
(1)
Rokaya H.

This is simply the BEST pizza! My husband and I love and we used to eat here alot until we moved out of MA! I envy all cambridge residents for having this! Our favorites are the number 11 (Garlicky green olives + cracked black pepper + goat cheese) and number 22 (Buffalo Chicken + Gorgonzola + Celery) Keep it up Emma's!
(5)
Tim B.

The versatility on the Emma's pizza menu is incomparable. 'Boutique' pizza joints are popping up offering similar options for custom pies and toppings, but Emma takes the cake. The sweet potato, carmelized onion, and sweet sausage pie never disappoints. Great for a slice or dining in w/ a small group, Emma's can go toe-to-toe with any pizza spot in the 617.
(5)
Jane D.

Really love this place! The atmosphere is cozy, modest selection of beers, great service. But the real reason to come is the pizza! So many different, unique kinds to choose from! I've been here many times and I'm never disappointed.
(5)
Leigh M.

Went here with a date after seeing a movie at the Kendall Square Theater, it was the closest eats and it was freezing cold so we were desperate to get inside somewhere. The staff was extremely warm, friendly and accommodating, it was like visiting grandma. They have a great selection of wine and beer and AMAZING pizza with a lot of great and unexpected choices for toppings, which is a dream come true since it's so hard to find good pizza in this city. It has a cozy interior with decor that's hip but not too hip, and a good amount of seating with tables just the right size and none of them crammed too close to each other. This place is perfect. PERFECT.
(5)
Demetrius S.

Sitting here eating pizza as I'm writing this. The pizza is really good. Anytime I'm in Cambridge I will definitely be back.
(5)
John S.

Service isn't the fastest, but the food is worth the wait. Pizza is very thin crust, with rich sauces and relatively light on the cheese. Lots of interesting combinations to choose from, or create your own. Love it.
(4)
Nick H.

My favorite pizza shop in Cambridge/Boston. Crunchy thin crust, zesty sauce, quality toppings. People either love or hate this place. For some reason pizza is very polarizing, fans of thicker crust pizza loathe Emma's. Recommendations: Eat the pizza there, while it is boiling hot. Ricotta / red potatoes / rosemary sauce. Famous fling salad. Meatball sub Beware: The pizzas are a bit pricey for their size. It can get crowded during lunch or dinner rush.
(5)
Parissa S.

I am a fan and will be back. Emma's is a 10 minute walk from Kendall/MIT Station and is a cozy spot with the option of customizing your own thin crust pizza. I ordered hot sausage/sweet tomatoes/basil/rosemary sauce pizza coupled with Allagash White. Mmmmm. The sweet tomatoes on the pizza were cooked perfectly! My whole life I thought tomatoes were tasteless but this place swayed me. I knocked off a star because I think Emma's is missing the full romantic vibe that Christmas lights and real candles could fix. If local sit-down pizza restaurants that aren't trashy are your thing, also check out Figs in Beacon Hill.
(4)
Jonathan C.

I went to Emma's for a slice and a beer. It was close to closing time and I actually got more than one slice. Thank You! Great service! I thought the pizza was good. I'd definitely go back and try some of the other menu items.
(3)
Regina F.

Since it's now trendy to name pizza after various cities (because obviously bread with cheese and sauce is so wildly different that each type of pizza deserves its own fancy name) then Emma's would be prototypical Boston-style. With an Ã¼ber thin crust just slightly more substantial than that New York style, the cheese atop an Emma's slice stays in position as you bite into the delectable triangle. The sauce is smooth, with the texture of thinly spread tomato paste. It's seasoned nicely, and compliments the overly cheesed top brilliantly. If ever you're in the mood for a greasy slice without much crust, stop by Emma's. The only downside is that the "to-go" or "eat-at-the-bar" by-the-slice pieces come in peperoni or standard...and don't bother asking for extra cheese because they won't indulge your request for more fat without ordering an entire pie.
(4)
Sharon O.

Wow! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this pizza, considering it's a thin crust establishment. This isn't your average pizza joint- the toppings are only the best ingredients- this pizza is more to be savored instead of scarfed down. We got 4 pizzas for 12 people which was just enough (price ended up being close to $10 per person including a nice tip). Three of them were off their recommended combination menu- but my favorite was the one we put together ourselves: rosemary tomato sauce (very interesting! not your average tomato sauce), smoked mozz, caramelized onions (these were amazing), grilled chicken, and baby spinach. Try it for yourself! So good, I could have eaten it all myself. Then probably been sick afterwards. Luckily others were there to eat slices before I got the chance. There are a bunch of cute, uniquely-painted pizza paddles hung around the restaurant. It's quite small inside, but cozy. And somehow, someway, our group of 12 squeezed in for lunch and the waitstaff were so accommodating and kind about us being there! Wouldn't recommend for groups over 8 people, 4 is probably more ideal. Nonetheless, we had a great experience.
(4)
Anna B.

I usually don't do pizza (low-carb diet), but sometimes I do have cravings. Usually, I just go to Regina pizzeria in North End, but this time I wanted to try something closer to home. So we went on a Sunday night and were lucky to have snagged the last table there. That's where the good part ends. We ordered a pizza with the following ingredients, all fairly basic: thyme mushrooms, caramelized onions, and smoked mozzarella. We also ordered beers. The pizza took at least 45 minutes to an hour to arrive. The crust was very good and thin, and the smoked mozzarella was to die for. But: it had an overabundance of completely soggy tasteless button mushrooms, which were so heavy that they made the otherwise perfect crust sag. Another unpleasant surprise was that the tomato sauce was unevenly spread - first we thought that they actually forgot to put it on, but then realized it was just spread very unevenly. We ordered a 16'' to split between the two of us, but somehow we were still a bit hungry after this. So we ordered a slice of basic cheese-tomato pizza, which was really not good - just like your fast-food pizza place or a school cafeteria. Luckily we ordered only one. I still give it three stars, despite the very slow and indifferent service, for the smoked mozzarella and good crust (just don't ruin it with soggy mushrooms!)
(3)
Susan C.

The spinach salad with garlic dressing here gave me the worst heartburn ever. It was good going down, but definitely not thereafter. The pizza here was okay, but I do not recommend the buffalo chicken one, it just tasted weird.
(2)
Rafaella M.

Looking for a good Italian taste pizza??!! Go to this place is very small but super cute, I went to the bathroom and I looked like I was in Europe loooooove the place, food and price the only reason this review is missing a star is the service the worse server ever!
(4)
Jen F.

I've been going to Emma's off and on since Bush was president. (That's the vomiting at a Japanese banquet Bush, not the pretzel-choking Bush.) Emma's has always put out great pizzas, but after several nights where the place was packed and the service was crappy they went onto my 'not worth the hassle' list. Last night we were in the neighborhood and stopped in for dinner after (mumblety mumble) years away. We had a wonderful meal. Pies were tasty as always, but here's the kicker- the service was perfectly pleasant, personable, and efficient! Keep it up, Emma's - you're totally off the 'not worth the hassle' list.
(5)
sasha h.

The food is fine (pizza is actually good) but the service is so bad that my entire company stopped ordering from Emma's. They get very busy at lunch time and can't handle crowds. I've called to place an order at 11:45 and they ask if they can have it ready at 1pm. When i say that's unacceptable, i'll hear the woman on the phone have a screaming match with the chefs in the kitchen to see if they can do it faster (have they heard of the mute button). This place is extremely unprofessional and worst of all, they yell at you when you don't tip for takeout which is unbelievably inappropriate given its TAKEOUT. I used to order for our office from them a lot but after being over a 1/2 hour late on multiple occasions and getting orders entirely wrong we just stopped. They are very stressed out bunch and very understaffed
(2)
Sean H.

I can dig it! Thin crust pizza was pretty awesome, as was their guac and chips. I had some pizza with a bunch of meats and this somewhat spicy "Rosemary" sauce. Well, I thought it was good. That, or my standards have been lowered by too much Domino's in recent months.
(5)
Rachel W.

Yummmmm pizza. love the combos. good service. you can even order by the slice. super casual. good beer. good place to bring kids. right around the corner from our apartment so can't go wrong with the location. Some may say they don't like the consistency of the pizza, I happen to enjoy it, it's different. Why would I go out for pizza if I wanted it to taste like pizza I could make at home? right? They'll even let you do half and half pies, which is awesome. They just charge you for the more expensive pie, I think that's fair.
(4)
Marilyn T.

Emma's is a tiny space, but we were lucky to get a table quickly around 8:30pm on a Saturday. Pizzas come in 12" and 16", and they can do half and half, so you get more of a variety. We got: #9: mushrooms, roasted garlic, thyme, feta - probably my least favorite of the pies. #18: sweet potatoes, spinach, artichoke hearts, mozzarella. Mozzarella is good to not overpower the roasted sweet potato, which was so good it was like a dessert. #17: grilled chicken, sundried tomatoes, gorgonzola: lots of strong flavors, chicken wasn't too dry, LOVED this #21: sausage, roasted tomatoes, goat cheese. I love strong cheeses, so I loved the creamy goat cheese. The crust is amazingly thin, but it still holds up to the toppings. Their pizzas are probably the least heavy/greasy ones I've had. 3 of us had no problem finishing off both pizzas. Beer and wine are available, no full bar. Definitely one of the best thin crust pizzas in Boston/Cambridge (still so sad Joe V is gone...).
(5)
John M.

Best pizza in Cambridge, hands down! Great location and friendly service...keep up the great work, can't wait to go again soon!!
(5)
Jacqueline J.

I love this place! I have been here multiple times and have been pleased every single visit. The pizza is delicious, there is a good drink selection and I love the ambiance. It feels like you're eating in a friend's kitchen complete with unique pizza peel art and mismatched kitchen chairs and tables. The people who work there are friendly and very pleasant. Order different pizzas in small sizes so you can try more than one, you can't go wrong. Check this place out!
(5)
Jamie F.

Spectacular. We did take-out. Fantastic very-thin crispy-crust pizza. We got a plain cheese and the #1. Both were good. I had the Pressed Veggie which was the only thing that didn't seem like a calorie-killer on the menu, and I was probably the best veggie sandwich I've ever had. It's tough competition just across the street from Cambridge Brewing, but they seemed to have a steady stream of locals, even early on a tuesday night like when we were there. I would go out of my way to eat here - if it's not the best pizza in Boston, then I've got to try whatever you think is. Also, the staff was really nice. They chatted with me about the original Emma (who was apparently like the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld - very, very particularly about how things were done). It seems much more out of the way than it really is, just 3-4 blocks from Kendall Square, it's worth the very short walk.
(5)
Corydon S.

I came in here tonight, because I heard it was good. I am glad I called in my order because it was so packed I could barely get to the window to pick up my pizza. Since it took me a while to find a parking spot, my pizza had gone cold but I didn't want them to reheat it. I also had to wait for a guy who was reading the menu by the light of an app on his cell phone to order. While the low lights are romantic, the takeout counter would benefit from better lighting. I thought the pizza was good but the cracker like crust resulted in my pizza tasting more like a great appetizer than dinner. I will try it again sometime.
(3)
Dan N.

I first became aware of Emma's while playing in an Inman Square softball league about five years ago. It was a friendly league and they all seemed to be having a great time together. Walking to meet a friend at the Cambridge Brewing Company a few years later in the dead of winter, I noted their location across the street from 1 Kendall Square and vowed to pay a visit. And to get warmer gloves. After an early morning Yelp event at the Kendall this spring, I attempted to go for lunch to find the restaurant closed until late afternoon. Finally, my swings and misses were rewarded with a ringing double in the gap. As noted throughout the other reviews, Emma's features cracker thin crust pizza, fresh toppings and several cheeses both orthodox (mozzarella) and unique (gorgonzola) to assemble your pie. We spent some time while waiting for our movie at The Kendall going through the menu and building our dream menu online- smoked mozzarella, rosemary sauce, caramelized onions and roasted red peppers. We arrived at the restaurant at six sharp and after a short wait in front of the take-out area, we were seated in a corner of the small dining room. Emma's carries a handful of quality beers in bottles (Cisco's Whale Tale Pale Ale, Allagash White), wine and other specialty sodas and drinks (no fountain drinks). She ordered a bottled Boylan Diet Root Beer and I decided on a house-made Arnold Palmer (free re-fills!). We glossed the menu, quickly noting that the #1 on the menu was our pizza, with regular instead of smoked mozzarella. We took the hint and ordered the #1. Fifteen minutes later, we were presented with a gorgeous 16" thin crust pie. The rosemary sauce is sweet with a definite rosemary taste and a slight bite; the sweetness was also picked up by the wealth of caramelized onions on each slice. The roasted red pepper was delicious but a bit long and stringy to eat without a bit of spaghetti syndrome. The crust, however, is the most unique component. It's somewhere between a Saltine cracker, baked fresh pita and a floury pizza crust- not a style that is common outside of southern California (let's not discuss CPK). While not as hearty as your standard Italian or Greek pizza, Emma's pie was perfect for a warm summer evening. We'll be back. We have vowed to split two smalls- one with marinara sauce and mozzarella, another with olive oil instead of sauce, olive oil and goat cheese.
(4)
Jeremy K.

I have a very weird, love-hate kind of relationship with Emma's. I've been there four times, very sporadically and on impulse over the near five years that I've been living in the Kendall Square area and can say that although I do love their food, I still find it too expensive for what it is. The place is tiny and it can be tricky to get a table at times but they turn the tables over fairly quickly so the wait has never been too long. They have an alcohol license which is a plus since being able to get a beer with a freshly baked pizza is always a winning combo. The service is always quick, the ingredients always very fresh and their menu always spot on. Really, this place is near perfect except for their pricing which I find to be too high. If you're ever wondering what to order as an appetizer for 2 or more people, try their fresh goat cheese appetizer, it's simply awesome!
(4)
John C.

If ever I am close to this area Emma's is a must. The pizza there is one of a kind just like everything else they serve. Big fan of their guacamole and their selections of soda. Worth every cent spent.
(5)
Monica R.

I loooooooove this place. I didn't realize how much I'd miss it until I moved to the midwest and found that one of the few specific dishes that I craved from my old haunts in Cambridge was the #4 pizza (bacon, cilantro, cranberries, potatoes). We came back after two years away this last Friday (it was actually our first meal back in Beantown) and I was comforted to see that everything was exactly as I remember it - down to the staff! Our service was great - pizzas and salads (oh the Famous Fling is SO good!) came out in time, we were able to snag the last 3 top before the dinner rush began, and we didn't even really have to wait for the check. Yes, it's small and yes, sometimes you'll have to wait longer than you want to. These things are a fact but they do not take away from the fact that their pizza is delicious (and unique!)
(4)
Traci K.

Thin crust to the max. The crust is crispy like a delicious cracker. I'm not sure how they make the crust so thin and crispy, but even topped to the max (sauce, mozz, ricotta, mushrooms, olives and chicken) the pizza didn't buckle. No flacid pieces of pie here. I have to say, I'm not much a fan of thin crust, but Emma's changed my mind. The service was nice and the atmosphere was cute. (The pizza maker was wearing a Luigi hat - which was pretty cute as well) Delightful!
(3)
Marilyn C.

They have a window for slices and an area with about 10 - 15 tables for dining in. Good pizza, good salads, and a friendly staff. Definitely one of my go to pizza places in Cambridge for dining in or delivery.
(4)
Rhianna C.

The first thing I ate on my gluten challenge? Pizza from Emma's. I love the different options and non-traditional toppings. Prior to having to go gluten free, pizza was my favorite food. Seriously. I could eat it every meal of the day. The last time I had Emma's was maybe 2003, mostly because my only experience was a thanksgiving pizza that was awesome, but I didn't want to walk all the way from MIT to Hampshire. Yeah, all that distance was too much. But I digress... I picked up two slices at lunch and while it was incredibly tasty, I think the pizza may have been sitting out a little too long. The topping part of the pie was fine- not too soggy for the thin crust, but able to support the toppings, which were perfect in distribution. Each bite was another party in my mouth. The crust that did not have any toppings, however, was so hard that it cracked when I'd try to bite it, and actually left the roof of my mouth a little torn up because I'm not smart enough to stop eating pizza when it's in front of me. I have yet to eat there-- I honestly don't think I would have the patience to sit in their dining area because it's so small. However, now that I'm able to eat gluten I will give them another chance with a full pie. I realize getting slices could offer an unfair experience/rating, but I do think that it was a disappointment to not get the nice crust that I'd experienced previously.... in 2003.
(4)
Bailey Z.

I was excited to try this place when Kevin T. said it was his favorite pizza place in Boston. Located near the MIT campus, I'm sure Emma's keeps plenty of geniuses happy and ready to get back to work on a full stomach (or a food coma in my case). It was packed on a Saturday night, but the wait wasn't long at all. I loved the decor, which had decorated pizza paddles adorning the walls. The layout of the kitchen is nice too because it is right in front of the dining room for easy viewing of your pizza getting made and baked. Being the greedy hungry patrons that we were, our party of three decided to order one pizza for each of us. That's two 16" and one 12". The waitress had to remove our dinner plates so that the pizzas could all fit on the table. I ordered half of the Italian sweet sausage and the Canadian bacon, the latter with rosemary sauce. When the pizzas finally came, it was love at first bite. I have decided that all pizza should now come with caramelized onions. What an ingenius concept. It gives the perfect balance of sweet to the savory ingredients of the pizza. The rest of the toppings tasted great and everything complimented each other very well. The thin crust was both chewy and crunchy. I also tasted bacon, Yukon potato, cilantro and dried cranberry pizza. The big chunks of potato were difficult to eat, but I was surprised that I liked the cranberry and cilantro combination so much. Mushroom and spinach was also one of my favorites. All of the toppings were outstanding - everything was thick cut instead of paper-thin. It's no surprise that I finished a whole 16" pizza by myself. Yes, you heard correctly. I might have to visit Boston more often just to try Emma's once more.
(5)
Andrea F.

Stopped in for a tasty lunch today. Emma's has 3 special pizzas each day (check out the specials on twitter: twitter.com/emmaspizza ) and sells them for about $2.95 a slice. Cheese is $2.25. The pizza is thin crust and delicious. The line can get long. Call ahead for anything other than slices.
(4)
James L.

Good pizza. I liked the crust as well. It was nice and cracker-like. The managers were very nice to me. This is one of the top 3 pizza places in Cambridge. The others are Ottos and All-Star Pizza.
(4)
Jessie C.

glorious. The pressed veggie sandwich was fantastic today. Great big fresh veggies on a tasty pressed bread - was hoping for a bit more goat cheese but added some cracked black pepper and now that's all I can think about. Great job Emma's!
(5)
Sarah C.

This place is super cute. The only problem here is that it's TINY! The wait can be pretty lengthy but it's worth it. If there is room, you can squeeze in the front area and the hostess will take a drink order. The have a very wide selection of pizza ranging from the usual Pepperoni to the more specialized - Yukon potato with gorgonzola (yum). The quality of the ingredients are excellent. The service is usually very friendly and efficient. They also have AMAZING sangria. This is a great place to pop in and grab a slice for take out if you are in a hurry and can't afford to wait for a table.
(4)
Lisa S.

In college, I used to make it to Emma's fairly often. Now that I live a bit farther away (Central), I've only gone a few times, mostly because it's about half a mile from the T and I'm lazy when it comes to foraging for food. If they delivered, I'd order from here all the time. The restaurant is small, with only maybe 10 tables. The decor is cute, with an open kitchen and decorated pizza peels on the wall. I've seen a lot of people come in here to get pizza to go, especially during lunch time. However, I've only had sit-down meals here. Last night, I had the goat cheese appetizer marinated in olive oil with grilled toast points ($7.25). It came with a large amount of goat cheese and the perfect number of pieces of toast (usually I don't get enough toast). It would be a great sharing appetizer for 2-3 people. While I haven't had a salad here in awhile, I have some friends who swear by them. One of my friends loved the Famous Fling and would always order it when we came for lunch. They also have a few sandwiches on their menu, but honestly, their pizza is so good that what's the point? They have 25 specialty pizzas on their menu, and all the ones I've had have been delicious. They also allow you to do half-and-half, even when the two halfs are completely different (i.e. different sauces, cheeses, toppings, etc) which is great for sharing. They come in 12" or 16" sizes, and their 12" specialty pizzas run about $11-16. You can also make your own pizza, and they have a selection of beer and wine. Great place to try if you love pizza. I'd suggest that you go during off-hours... otherwise you will have quite a long wait.
(4)
Max H.

I thought the only Emma I could ever love was a Hogwarts alum, but now my heart must be shared (please forgive me, Ms. Watson). My friends and I sat down in this living room-sized pizzeria and had one of the best-tasting thin crust pizzas in the North East. Quite a broad claim? You're damn right. I, tapping into my inner food artist, built a mouth-watering pizza with a combination of fresh toppings that could only be created by divine intervention. Toss on that goat cheese. Add some hot sausage. Splash of garlic and basil? Of course! I was in the damn zone. But then...I saw the price per ingredient. It wasn't a hit on the wallet, just more of a firm nudge. The pizza, while delicious and worth every bite, got expensive quick so be careful. If you're racking your brain over which toppings go best with crispy smoked bacon (hint: MORE BACON), maybe first take a step back and check your finances. If you love pizza, embrace Emma's into your heart. If you don't, you're dead to me. And if you happen to be Ms. Watson, I apologize again. Peace.
(4)
Steve H.

The crust (and the sauce) SUCK(S). COME ON Yelp. The crust has no spring, no texture, no flavor, no reason to exist. They run the pizzas through a rolling machine. It doesn't rise at all. It's like a coating of flour underneath your pizza. The sauce is just thoroughly mediocre. LOTS of oregano, possibly tomato paste? Why? The toppings, though, are good and that is clearly why everyone on yelp is letting emma take them to the prom and then letting her bang them in the back of her parents' Prius. The decor is also good, the staff is nice, but the pizza is just awful.
(2)
Elizabeth G.

There's something a little bit odd about Emma's, but I like it. It's in an out-of-the-way corner of Kendall Square -- you'd never find it unless you knew it was there -- but people DO know it's there, so it's always busy. It's the kind of neighborhood place you might find on a side street on the Upper West Side. A tiny storefront dressed up to the max with window boxes and neon beer signs. Emma's has a "story." According to its website, "Emma's is a survivor" -- it moved to this location from the west side of Cambridge, and the original location was at Revere Beach. It definitely doesn't have a Revere Beach vibe now. The toppings cater to the foodie set: rosemary sauce, thyme roasted mushrooms, crispy smoked bacon. It's not just potato, it's "roasted Yukon potato." Not black olives, but Kalamatas. Not just spinach, but "baby spinach." They assume you know the difference between mozzarella, gorgonzola, and goat cheese -- I'm pretty sure a pizza joint at Revere Beach would just list "cheese" and leave it at that. Any pizza place that has green olives is near and dear to my heart, and Emma's kicks it up a notch by offering "garlicky green olives." There are three kinds of sauce and 25 inventive flavor combos suggested, or you can get creative and choose your own toppings for about the same price. In my mind, there are two kinds of pizza crust: good and bad. Well, yes, there is thin crust and deep-dish, but the more important distinction, for me, is between crust that sucks and crust that doesn't suck. The main mistake places make is using zero salt in their dough, resulting in dough so bland you might as well eat your pizza toppings on a bed of corrugated cardboard -- hey, at least you'd save on the calories. Emma's makes a cracker-thin crust with a hint of salt to give it flavor. Then it piles on the succulent toppings. Fait accompli. Emma's is close enough to the Kendall Square Cinema to make it a great choice for the dinner-movie combo. The website even notes, "Our tables turn fast so we can get everyone to their movies around the corner at the Kendall Cinema." They offer a decent selection of wines and bottled beers. Despite the fact that your bill will be handwritten, they do take cards. Nicely done, Emma.
(4)
Joshua S.

Emma's Pizza has found that balance between intimate and crowded. Upon walking in you will notice their circular tables, they are small, usually meant for just two, but with just enough space to fit the plates and the pizza. This is Emma's style; quaint, romantic, and intimate much like their tables. If you come when it's busy you might find yourself huddled close against the wall with your date waiting for your table. in any other restaurant you may get impatient and want to leave. But, at Emma's once you see the couples in the dining room you'll want to stay. Candles illuminating their faces, and fingertips just inches away from their date's. In this quiet and dimly lit room you might whisper to your date that the couple in the back left corner was a carbon copy of a young Woody Allen and Diane Keaton. The combination of the romantically lit room and the couples swooning you soon realize you are about to be put in a very intimate and romantic situation. You put on your best Ryan Gosling or Carrie Mulligan face, put your Iphone back in your pocket and clasp the hand of your date. When the hostess calls your name and leads you to the table he does not intrude on your conversation with meaningless small talk. He is very humble and calm and acts merely as a guide to where you'll enjoy your meal. The humble role of the hostess seems to transcend to the waiter as well. iEvery person there is trying not to intrude on your night, letting you truly enjoy your time with your favorite person. This is not to say that they are not attentive to your needs. The waiter slides by our table refilling my water and moving on to the next task. It was like he was just part of the machine that is this restaurant. out of the corner of my eye i can see him from across the room keeping tabs on our table and i know he is not a machine but a human who is also walking the fine line of being attentive and not intruding. The pizza itself was excellent, we had a buffalo chicken styled pizza. It was a gourmet thin crust pizza with traditional sauce that had a great "crunch". The buffalo chicken is not the breaded chicken you may get at a greek pizza place, it is a sliced chicken in buffalo sauce. with gorgonzola cheese and pieces of celery on top this pizza was delectable. Though the food is great, i am far more attracted to the environment of the restaurant itself. I found myself looking across the room seeing everyone engaged with their date and soon i locked eyes with mine. We both started to smile. I began to blush and so did she, i think we both realized that this was a "real date", much like one you see in the movies. Emma's Pizza helps make your date a "real date" with its quiet and non intrusive staff, its romantically lit dining room, and its small but not too small tables. In a movie, it would be the place that the charming male lead knows, the small quiet pizza shop that serves great food. It is the place where the couple usually start to fall for each other. I put my hand on top of my girlfriend's, she blushed and i knew it was the start to a great evening. Years later i imagined us on the couch reminiscing about the good times, that time would be one of the memories you would both agree upon as being one of the best dates you went on. Walking in to Emma's is much like when your girlfriend shows you her room in her parent's house. She holds your hand and takes you up the stairs to her room, the one she's grown up in. You see the dolls she played with, the old posters, and the teddy bears she cried into. Something in your brian clicks and your realize how important this place is to her. When i sat down at the table at Emma's my girlfriend gave me the same eyes she did when we sat on her bed in her parents house. Immediately i knew this was a place for quiet voices, red cheeks, and barely touching fingertips. Afterwards we walked down the street feeling something that was new to both of us She compared it to resting her head on my shoulder on the long bus ride home after a long day walking around the city. I smiled and i realized it was a humbled feeling, one of being happy with where you are and with who you are with. This is what a restaurant should be, it does more than provide food. it radiates a feeling that everyone in the room knows, an unspoken agreement that this place is special. Emmas Pizza puts you in the perfect situation to have a great time with your date with great food and a romantic environment. Besides serving excellent food isn't this all we really want from a restaurant?
(5)
Chris R.

I saw the reviews and needed to come here. I sat in the dining area for lunch and asked if they did slices. The waitress said not in the dining area. Then she asked me how many did i want and i said 2. She went out of he way to accommodate me. Service is wonderful. Might have just been my accent being from Alabama. Either way. Super place
(5)
Michael N.

Incredibly tasty food. No matter what I get here, it is delicious. Good lord. So tasty. It's not even particularly expensive. However, something is rotten in the state of Denmark... The host has always been rude (sometimes only hipster rude, other times raging D-bag rude), and the waiting staff has maxed out at average but normally is more mediocre. The restaurant is small and cozy, and is a great place for a date. I hope your date has a sense of humor about the staff though (I'd suggest warning them ahead of time). Might I recommend making a drinking game out of the rudeness of the staff? Or order take out.
(4)
Sarah G.

Thin crust pizza in Kendall Square! Well sort of Kendall Square. It is a semi random location, but definitely has the feel of a nice little locals only spot! A group of us came here for dinner and drinks and at $29 for a carafe of sangria it is definitely not the cheapest place in the world to do lots of drinking. Wine bottles start at around $30ish as well and go up from there. It is also pretty small, so if you don't want to wait don't come here at peak times either. They have a separate window in the front for take out of whole pizzas or just slices too which I definitely appreciate. Food wise we split three pizzas in our group and the notion that 1/2 a pizza per person is pretty good, unless you are with a bunch a boys you may want some extra. The pizzas are all around $18-20 or so, so not the cheapest again in the world, but you do get some pretty creative pizza combinations here that I have not seen other places. Half of our pizza was covered with bacon, potato, cilantro, cheese and wait for it...dried cranberries! Yup so we had to get it. The verdict? It was actually pretty good and I thought the cranberries added a refreshing taste to the pizza as a whole, but there was pretty much no cilantro on that bad boy which just made me sad inside. The other half of our pizza was the other bacon option complete with Gorgonzola and scallions and garlic and it is pretty hard for that one not to taste good. The other pizzas of the night their traditional pepperoni with hot cherry peppers and it was pretty good and one pizza with kalamata olives which also was good. I left feeling like each pizza was good and fine, but none were out of this world amazing. So that leaves me with yet another average 3 star review. Not amazing, not bad, but pretty good and average.
(3)
Hannah M.

Oh Emma's! How have I never written a review before? I've never been disappointed. Ever. Famous Fling salad is tasty. Pizzas are amazing. Especially any pizza with caramelized onion and/or roasted sweet potato.
(4)
Louis G.

I like thin crust pizza, but this crust is too thin - like paper, and sometimes burnt on the edges. Good variety of pizza toppings/combos. Salads are nothing special either, though. Small, quite busy.
(3)
Susie W.

One of those great little haunts that always has a crowd waiting. The guacamole with pizza dough chips was amazing, very garlicky. Delicious flatbread style pizza - ours had bacon, tomatoes, gorgonzola and scallions. OK our second one had cranberries, bacon, potatoes, and some other stuff. It has a nice old school low key kind of lighting and I loved that they frown on cell phone usage. They refilled our water glasses constantly - a big plus!
(5)
Dan B.

The rosemary sauce is killer...The toppings are fresh and tasty...There is only one thing missing, a decent crust. The crust can be described as more of a cracker or pita consistency rather than a hand-tossed or even thin-crust dough. Change the crust and this place could easily go from OK to amazing.
(3)
Marnie S.

I'm from Chicago, but I hope that doesn't make my review seem biased in favor of one particular type of pizza (which, for Chicagoans, is deep dish). I can see the virtue in many a pizza pie, so I was excited to try the thin crust and unique toppings available at Emma's. The thing is, despite from the interesting variety of toppings and sauces, the crust and base of the thing was just, I don't know, crackery. Dry, in an unpleasing way. I'm not saying it should be stuffed with cheese or be as puffy as a baguette, but there's just not much setting the pizza as a whole apart enough for a review beyond 2.5 stars. The goat cheese appetizer is HEAVEN ON A PLATE. It's amazing that some restaurant SOMEWHERE has figured out that there are more interesting ways to serve chevre than drowning it in marinara. And the toast points were drooldrooldrool. I'll be coming back for this app alone. I don't know if this is unfair, but what's with the claustrophobic wobbly-table epidemic of small-scale Boston eateries? The wait staff bumped into a number of tables around us, sending beers flying onto the faces of admittedly well-crafted pizzas. I literally couldn't squeeze into the seat our server directed us to, so tightly was it wedged between two walls and a child's booster seat. When we wanted to leave, the entire table next to us had to rearrange themselves. Anyway, if I'm going to get a gourmet pizza, I'll take City Girl Cafe's caramelized onions and spinach pizza over Emma's any day. The location of Emma's is great for a dinner-and-a-movie date night, and if your favorite food is goat cheese, as it is mine, then you'll want to come back again and again for that appetizer. But as a pizza placed being judged by and for its pizza, this is a thoroughly meh institution. (Cue the owners getting mad at me for not understanding east coast pizza.)
(2)
Mike H.

We never leave town without a stop at Emma's. It is unlike any other pizza out there. Cracker-like crust with well-prepared ingredients. The #4 is where it's at.
(5)
Leah L.

My best friend took me here after months of raving about it. Now I'm the one taking people here and raving about it. I love that they let you do half and half pizzas even with all the gourmet options. So far I've tried the #3, the # 16, and the #21. While they were all really good, the #3 is the best pizza I have ever eaten in my life. Now, it's not like red-sauce pizza, so it's sort of something different, something that allows me to have another favorite pizza that is more like traditional pizza somewhere else in the world. But hot damn, the #3 is worth putting in your mouth. Baby spinach, roasted sweet potato, caramelized onions, garlic, rosemary sauce, mozzarella and goat cheese? SOLD! Pros: fricking awesome thin crust pizza cool decor - decorated pizza paddles an old man refill'd our Arnold Palmers frequently from a pitcher a neighborhood-joint type of atmosphere Cons: LONG wait odd arrangement of tables? Arnold Palmers need a little sugar I hereby swear I will try to convince whoever I'm with next time (and every time) to do a half and half pizza that includes the #3. It falls within my moral code that I should share amazing things with others. This is one of those things.
(5)
Michelle J.

Emma's is one of those guilty pleasures I rarely afford because: 1. They don't deliver. 2. They also don't serve pizza by the slice. 3. I live 30 minutes away. That being said I've never had the pleasure of dining in. Which is probably to my fortune from some of the reviews of their customer service. Takeout though is pretty decent. I like that I can order half and half because their gourmet pizzas are delicious. Especially the sausage and caramelized onions. But as much as I enjoy sticking to the sweet flavorful sausage and onions I'd like to think variety is the spice of life and sometimes order the grilled chicken with gorgonzola. The guy behind the take out window even offers to heat it up for me when I arrive so it's not cold. I've had nothing but pleasant experience with their takeout and they do have some inventive flavors going on there.
(3)
Kristen M.

Omg this place is so good. So here's a story with a happy ending. Me and my boyfriend were like "WE NEED FLATBREAD PIZZA." No normal regular pizza would do. So we went to flatbread pizza co. in davis square (attached to the sacco bowling alley.....blah blah blah). Place has over an HOUR wait at 6:15 on saturday. FUUUUUCK that place. So we go all the way to kendall (a long way when you live in davis square....much effort) to go to Emma's Pizza. Can I just say that this place was SOOOO so so worth it. We say down right away (although when we left at 8:30 there was a little wait). There were like 35 pizzas to choose from, all of which I wanted to try. And my pizza.....think #10....chicken, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and CAPERS. Omg so good. Bf got the artichoke, red pepper, ricotta and motz...... in conclusion really really good. There is only bottled beers (I think)....which is fine. But I would say expand the beer selection PLEASE. And get rid of he coors light! I like a wide variety of fancy beers while eating my fancy pizza. WORTH finding it in kendall
(5)
Jennifer N.

Still the best in town. Love the small, dimly lit, cute interior; love the two servers who have been there forever (the guy with the moustache, and the woman with short silver hair); love that my husband can get cheese-less, tomato sauce free pizza that still tastes amazing; love their caramelized onions (so, so sweet!); love their famous fling salad (how many times I have tried to replicate it at home, only to find myself longing for Emma's version of it). My only grievance, and yes, it's a small one, is that a few times, I have been there with my husband, and the server always hands him the check -- add it to my list of pet peeves, but I think a restaurant should make no assumptions about who pays. Otherwise, this place is absolutely amazing.
(5)
Colleen K.

My favorite pizza place in the world. Not joking. I dream of the #3 (sweet potatoes, goat cheese, spinach, garlic, rosemary tomato sauce)... When my husband and I lived in Kendall we ate here all the time. Now that we're out in the 'burbs we just talk about how much we miss it and scheme up excuses to pop into Kendall for the night. It can be a crowded/hectic atmosphere, but the music is great, and the pizza is even greater, 95% of the time the service is too. Great date night spot if you're watching your budget. If you're a homebody, do the takeout- we've never had to wait around for it. In the words of Kip Dynamite: I still love [Emma's] always and forever.
(5)
Dessa R.

Got a personal delivery from Emma's last week, but my lunch buddy had to go to an unforeseen work meeting, so I was left alone with a giant pie of bacon ricotta goodness all to myself. Yummy thin crust pizza, but worthy of all the fuss? The bacon was thick, sticky, and of obvious high quality, but the ricotta was nothing to call Mom about. The sauce was hearty, savory, and far better than the sweet ketchup sauce that seems to plague this city's pizza places. Although I admit freely that it was some of the better pizza I've tried in Boston, which in theory makes it worthy of four stars, it still didn't induce pizzagasm like many of the slices in my hometown NYC. Is it unfair for me to hold Boston pizza to NYC standards? Perhaps. This rating dilemma aside, I was pretty satisfied with the pizza here. Oh- this is important. When ordering toppings, you have to specify that you want cheese too, or else all you get is a cheeseless saucy slice with the toppings you asked for. In my experience, "toppings" means they go on top of a regular cheese pizza slice, but Emma disagrees with me there. I'll keep it in mind next time I give this spot a try.
(3)
May W.

Been all over the world and Emma's has the BEST pizza in the world. When I used to work in Kendall Square, the wait was usually an hr long so I would either get their single slices with their unique toppings or go there after work with out-of-town friends that come in from NYC just to eat there. I usually get the sweet potato pizza which comes with caramelized onions and roasted garlic. Talk about heaven on Earth! I dream about this pizza all the time....
(5)
Misty S.

YUM YUM YUM!!! Go to Emma's for thin crust creatively topped pizza goodness! I've never had a bad piece of pizza here! The sandwiches are also huge and fresh. There's quite a line at lunchtime and it's a very small place so go early if you're in a hurry. Also, because it's small I always come home smelling like a cafeteria!
(5)
DaphnÃ© A.

Great pizza, fresh ingredients and original as well as classical recipes. The sizes are great too. I like the simple service, the room is simple too, and the focus is on the quality of the food. Great dry ham, fantastic thin crust, the roasted tomatoes are awesome too. The only downside: The room is small and you can hear the neighbor conversation a bit too much. Well I guess that bring an even more traditional aspect to the experience!
(4)
Justin S.

Excellent neighborhood pizza joint in a part of Cambridge typified by ugly corporate office blocks, chain restaurants, and overpriced concept restaurants. Really happy we stumbled on this place last night and will definitely be back.
(5)
Demetri P.

Went to Emma's last week and had another great meal. My kids are finicky about their pizza and they LOVED the pepperoni. my wife and I split 1/2 9 1/2 18, which is a great combo btw and it was excellent. I don't know how they do it, but they have remained consistent for years, love this place.
(5)
Rob M.

This place is worth stop. The pizza is really good. The service is great. The owner stopped by and checked on us a few times. This is a neighborhood place with just that type of feel. The pizza crust is as thin and crispy as you could want! YUM
(4)
Scott S.

I've been to Emma's a number of times, and the food has been fine. The service... eh. I wish it was better. But the owner's attitude takes the cake. Not only has he berated customers in his store, he has been doing it here on Yelp since early 2010, which is quite a contrast to the many positive reviews dating back to 2005. He seems to think that some folks don't know how to order, when really the staff there should be helping customers make good decisions. And if they don't... well, that's their prerogative, right? Why make fun of them in public? Read this sampling of his responses, and see if you trust him to respect you as a customer. Comment from Jeffrey W. of Emma's Pizza 7/5/2011 what about the crust don't you like? too thin for you? weird vague review. i'd give your review 1.25 stars. work on your descriptors, etc. thanks for coming by. ***update*** that's the spirit, anonymous yelper, david p! your update is what i'm talking about. get some negative adjectives into those reviews. everyone in nyc is waiting for your next gem! your update deserves at least 3 stars. thanks for all the attention!! Comment from Jeffrey W. of Emma's Pizza 3/31/2011 it just doesn't make sense to order caramelized onions again (if you were trying to enjoy your meal) when you didn't like them the first time. you may be a "pizza connoisseur", but you're not very good at ordering. ps. i'm truly sorry that you don't enjoy our product. a lot of time goes into each element of our pies and when we can't satisfy someone, it's dissatisfaction for all of us. especially me, i'm jeff, i'm the owner, and i hope you find your perfect pie and caramelized onions elsewhere. Comment from Jeffrey W. of Emma's Pizza 9/26/2010 really? what makes you so jaded and so unspecific? this review is crap. Comment from Jeffrey W. of Emma's Pizza 4/28/2010 apparently this guest has never been to a small restaurant before and threw a temper tantrum expecting to get what she wanted from speaking loudly so other guests could hear her complain. as a matter of fact, once her partner arrived, he was never given the benefit of any sort of decision. sorry you have to deal w/that bro. the temper tantrum continued as she left and i thanked the stars my staff didn't have to deal with her rude behavior. low volume means that others can't hear you be a spoiled brat... my takeout guy who works the other side of the restaurant asked what your problem was.
(2)
Apolinaras S.

Should I leave a review, so "pizza nazi" Jeffrey W. can send me a nastygram, like he did to others who dared to point out where improvements could be made? Since he is not interested in improving, not going to spend the time going into details, though I have gone there three times before I saw how he acts. His ego is too fragile. Just going to say, pizza is OK. Better than Za (not a high bar), but not 4 or 5 stars either. And Jeffrey W., you send me a nastygram and I will update this review to single star. Kapish?
(3)
Aboud Y.

Great super-thin crust pizza. No question, no doubt. But somehow it always leaves me wanting more...maybe its just not the style of pizza I prefer. Another undoubted truism...its way over-priced! Two 12" pies and a salad = nearly $40! Really? Gadzooks! It's good but not THAT good. I might appreciate paying that much if it came in the shape of an Apple with some free downloadable apps or something. All in all, its one of Boston's best...but it has its flaws.
(4)
A H.

First let me say the pizza and salad were wonderful! Everything was clearly made fresh, from fresh ingredients, including the salad dressing, which was wonderful. I first took a friend there for dinner for her birthday about 2 weeks ago. We were going to the Kendall Cinema, so this was close. We felt welcome from the moment we stepped in the door. It was a Friday and business was brisk, but the staff was very welcoming and the atmosphere was very intimate. It gave me the feeling that I was in on a secret. We shared a small pizza and a salad, and there was plenty of food. The salad comes in this smallish bowl, but each time you serve out of it it still looks like the bowl is full. And as I said, the dressing was wonderful. I thought to myself, this place is really well managed, as the staff all seemed happy. Great prices, too. I couldn't wait to come back. About a week later I took a business associate there for lunch as I work in the area. It's a little on the far end of where I would usually go to lunch, but made the effort because it was so good. Same great food. But the atmosphere was a bit different. It was a Wednesday and there were only 3 other tables taken at the time. The waitress was surface friendly, but seemed not too interested in serving us. I asked her twice to turn down the music, and it was still too loud. And had to ask twice for sugar. Although there were so few tables in use, she kept disappearing for long stretches. So that's why the 4 stars instead of 5. I will still be back again for dinner. Want to take my husband next time.
(4)
David P.

***Update*** In response to the owner who said my review was subpar, let me clearly spell out what qualities a good thin-crust pizza should have. Crust: I never knew one needed to explain what makes a good thin crust. Crispy on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside. Also, the pizza should not be floppy like it needs viagra. Emma's crust is just crunchy like pita chips. There's no chewiness to it at all. It's okay in the floppy category. Toppings: Obviously, fresh is the best which Emma's does well. I've had much better though. If these are not good enough descriptors for you, then order a pizza at Pizza Gruppo in NYC. *ugh* I'm sorry P.G. for putting you in the same sentence as Emma's. Will not come back obviously. *shrugs* The End.
(1)
The Hungry American E.

Good. Surprising little restuarant in Cambridge with a wide selection of local beers to compliment your pie. Place is excellent and tasty.
(3)
Tanya S.

You will not run out of creative possibilities here! The thin crust is tasty and your topping choices are endless, sweet potatoes, meats, fruits, you name it. The sauces have a strong variety too. Will have to come back quite a few times to try out more options!
(4)
Jacquee P.

The crust is a smidge too thin for me. I prefer a little chewy "meat" to my crust rather than a thin, crispy carb stand-in. The toppings are fresh and plentiful. We went half/half with #5 and #15. I have to be honest, I added a little salt and pepper to the veggie side. The sweet sausage side was very nice. The garlic dressing on the baby green salad is no joke! Don't *exhales loudly* eat *exhales* the dressing *exhales* on a *exhales* first date. Unless you want to leave a lasting impression of fire breath. Ha cha cha! I will now use this section to shamelessly plug my favorite pizza places in SF so you Bostonians can check us out. Flour + Water Gialina Delfina Cheeseboard/Arizmendi Bakery
(3)
Danielle C.

If you like thin crust pizza with fresh, delicious tops than you've met your match. Emma's is a great Cambridge neighborhood spot. The servers are friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and cozy. The menu offers some excellent pizza choices, or you have the option to build your own masterpiece. I've tried both and as far as I can tell, you can't go wrong with either.
(5)
Lisa I.

Their pizza is DELICIOUS! They use fresh, premium ingredients, and they have a ton of unique flavor combos. My fav is the spinach, goat cheese, sweet potato & caramelized onions. SO YUMMY! The restaurant is small, so seating can be tough, but takeout is always an option.
(4)
Brandon G.

I truly don't understand the 4 star rating this place has. I don't rate on service because of how it can vary from employee to employee and day to day. My review is on the food alone. I am a pizza connoisseur and have tried pies all across the country with so many different toppings I have lost count. Emmas seemed poised to introduce some new combinations and inventive recipes but it ultimately fell flat. The first time I ordered from here I ordered the oft-mentioned sweet potato pizza. As cool and creative as it sounds.... the sweet potatos are just too mushy to make for a good topping. As another reviewer mentioned, the carmelized onions taste like pure sugar and really take over the flavor of this pie. The pizza tasted like a sugar pie with a mushy texture. Not impressive. Nevertheless, my faith in yelp forced me to give emmas another try. I was sure that maybe the sweet potato pizza just wasn't my style and this place had to be good. For my second go around I ordered the Italian sausage pizza. Again they piled it up with carmelized onions and I really lost all of the other flavors. The crust and sauce seemed to be good and the sausage was well seasoned and cut just right. I believe this pizza could have been decent without the onions but it would have only been good and nothing special..... Which is a problem because.... The price. I am not sure why a pizza should cost nearly $20 when they only offer one size. The pies were way too expensive and it added to the poor arrangement of toppings. I really wanted to like Emmas because it was close to my hotel and as I mentioned.... I love pizza. It fell flat in a couple of ways and I feel sorry for the reviewers who claim this is the best pizza they have ever had.
(2)
E. A.

The inventive toppings are cool and delicious, and the pies are very consistent. I'm ambivalent about their cracker-thin crust...I like that it's not filling and that it usually stands up to the heavy toppings, but it's not particularly flavorful on its own. You have to be in the mood for a tiny dining room to eat-in here, which is a good reason to call for takeout. However, I've found that the takeout pies are often cold, not because I'm tardy to pick them up, but because once they come out of the oven they sit in the open, unwarmed and on baking trays until the customer comes in to get them. If I'm paying 15 to 20 bucks for a 16-inch "gourmet" pizza, it would be nice if it were at least warm when I pick it up. In short: fun and tasty, but the price and other little bothers keep me from calling it a favorite.
(3)
CW W.

This is the second time in the past 2 months that I am writing a review for a restaurant without eating there. I had heard good things about Emma's pizza and was looking forward to trying it. My boyfriend and I walked in and seeing the sign "please wait to be seated" we waited. Now as soon as we walked in the person at the take out window saw us. We stood right by the sign and at least 2 other employees saw us as well. Yet it took a few minutes for anyone to even acknowledge us and another few minutes to be seated. We were seated and given menus, water arrived a few minutes later, but just water. The person who brought the water didn't ask if we wanted a drink and seemed to be in a rush (the restaurant was about 3/4 full). We took a few minutes and decided on a pizza. We placed our menus down and to the edge of the table and waited for our server, and waited, and waited and waited. Literally 10mins went by and no one came to our table. During this time a party of 4 came and sat down and THEY had their order taken before us. We said to each other that if the server did not come to take our order after the table of 4 we would leave, so we left. Oh and to add to the annoyance....there was a party of 1 sitting next to us. He was already eating his food. A server was chatting with him when we were seated. During the time we were waiting a server came to that table to ask how his food was, then when it looked like he was done server came and asked if he wanted this food boxed up AND got his bill. All this happened but no one came to our table to even take our order. I really wanted to try the food but now I doubt I'll be going back.
(1)
Joel M.

My friends all swear by it, so I figured it was worth a shot to try again. This time we went with a more traditional pizza (red sauce) and it was indeed better, but all my earlier comments about the floury/dry crust remain (I couldn't agree with David P.'s comments more!). Bumped up a star for the cane sugar soda... delicious! I think this is a situation where some people love it, but unfortunately I don't.
(3)
Mark N.

Came here for pizza... ended up with the Chicken Patalonge, a sandwich that was very tasty. It was warm, and had a good crunchy toasted bread. The pizza looked good too, however they only serve it by the slice if you don't sit in the dining room. Since I was eating a quick lunch alone, I couldn't do an entire pizza myself... I will return however - it looked very good. In the meantime, I will also come back for the chicken sandwich... two great reasons to frequent this casual, charming establishment.
(4)
Catherine W.

Accidentally stumbled onto this treasure on my food venture to Boston. At first glance of their restaurant signage, some how, I thought it was a key maker shop, but luckily it was a pizza shop! I tried their single slices($2.50 per slice): Tomato Mushroom, Caramelized Onion & Canadian Bacon, Green Pepper & Red Onion and Chicken with Arugula. They were all very delicious, with the perfect thin crispy crust and melted mozzarella, served pipping hot everytime. But the most memorable slice would have to be the Caramelized Onion & Canadian Bacon, it was sweet and savory at the same time, it was perfection in every bite! The restaurant's really small inside, and only has about 6 seats at the counter, if you're only getting single slices, do avoid peak dinning hours. But nonetheless, this' my new favorite pizza place, it's just too bad that I've to fly 6 hours when I'm craving their pizza...sigh...
(5)
Colleen H.

Boston, look no further. This place is where it's at. Their ingredients are phenomenal. Their pizza style, perfect. They serve beer and wine, and I promise no matter which you chose, you won't go wrong. Even their salads are to die for (do the Famous Fling!). If I HAVE to choose a favorite... it'd be #3. Without a doubt. Something about sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, goat cheese and garlic just makes my knees weak.
(5)
Erika G.

People from the suburbs will laugh at me here but I often think that if I didn't have to work in Cambridge, I would probably never go there. (Its like a different country!) But in actuality, that is a lie because I would still make a trek across the river for a LARGE #5. OMG I did not know pizza could be so amazing! Flaky crust? check amazing carmelized onions? check. deliciously flavorful sausage? Check! Also a big fan of $2.50 slices at lunchtime ... and the butternut squash pizza (you either love it or hate it) Oh .. and the famous fling salad.... I could go on....
(5)
Had H.

I used to work in the area a few years ago, and Emma's was the place to go. I loved the crispy thin crust which allowed me to enjoy the flavor of the toppings, rather than have the crust overpower the pizza. Its been 4.5 yrs since I went back, and I wasn't as impressed with the place as I remember. We got there a few minutes before 4 (which is when they open on Saturdays). Knowing there's always a wait, we decided to get there early and beat the mad rush. At 4:10, they still weren't open. So we walked over to the Kendall theatre to see what was showing, and to kill time. By the time we got back to Emma's, around 4:20, it was open. It was annoying, more than anything. With that said, I still think its worth the trip to try a different style of pizza. I ordered the buffalo chicken pizza, and before that Pedro's Guacamole. OMG. Pedro's Guacamole. If anything, I'd go back JUST FOR THAT. They give you fresh, hot flat bread to dip with, and the combination of the two got me hooked. If there were free refills, I would've ate that the rest of the night.
(4)
Jason E.

This is my first review and I dont want to start off by giving everyone 5 stars, but Emma's was just that good! The place is fairly small, I'd say 10-15 tables and it was packed from the moment we got there until the moment we left. And rightfully so! The Pizza was probably some of the best I've ever had! Ever! And I've had a shit ton of pizza in my life. They have 25 different prepared pizza's that you can order in either a 12" or 16" pie. The toppings include everything from Roasted Red Peppers, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Sweet Potato's, Sweet Sausage, Bacon, Herbs ahhhhhh so many delicious things! Also, a variety of cheeses and sauces rounded out the picture. A great way to try more than one pizza at a time is to get half and half, which is what my friend and I did. We got half each of: #9 - Thyme Roasted Mushrooms/Baby Spinach/Garlic/Feta/Traditional Sauce and Mozzarella. and: #16 - Crispy Smoked Bacon/Scallions/Gorgonzola(!!!)/House Roasted Tomato/Garlic Olive Oil/Light Mozzarella. Wow. These were two perfect pizzas. #9 was perfectly seasoned with the Thyme and Garlic and the Feta Cheese worked so well with all of the other flavors. It was a really great combination and I think my favorite of the two. It was perfectly simple, I loved it. #16 was a winner also. The BACON AHHHHH it was so great and crumbly and was just so great with the rest of the pizza, esp. the bleu cheese. Great. The service could have been better (more attentive) but I forgave them because the atmosphere was so charming and the pizza was great. I'm thinking I'm gonna need to make a trip back here in the near future. Great place.
(5)
Boulder And Pebbles H.

Emma's is not what it used to be - less flavorful toppings and flaccid, undercooked crust. Though it's still a bit erratic, I miss the quirky service as well. Nice beer and wine by the glass options at fair prices. The Fling Salad is still great and worth getting.
(2)
Ali K.

Found this place while walking around Cambridge and really liked the atmosphere. Just a cool pizza shop vibe. We ordered a large pizza; half #3, half #19. Loved that you could try 2 different kinds in one as we were having trouble trying to decide. I thought the pizza was good, but not the best I've ever had... but I'd still like to go back to try some of the other combos though!
(3)
Rob C.

Generally speaking, i'm partial to deep dish, thick-crust pizza. Adherents of New York-style pizza will usually have a hard time convincing me that theirs is the best; for me it's mostly because the crust only makes an impression if it's bad; burnt, dry, or chewy. Emma's, however, is an exception; theirs has a thin, but very flavorful crust. They cover it with a huge variety of quality toppings, good sauce, and yummy cheese. Of course, it's a tiny little place, like your standard neighborhood pizza joint gone legit. Tables are crammed in, and it was a test of my innate long-limbed grace (note to people who don't know me: this is hilarious) to reach a seat in the back of the room. Despite all this, it's not uncomfortable, and the waitstaff make a point of not rushing you. And even though the wait is lengthy, they're happy to bring you a beer to sit in the waiting area which, considering the space and the crowd, isn't too bad. If i lived in the neighborhood, i think i'd gravitate towards take-out, but since i don't, the pizza's good enough that i'd brave the crowd.
(4)
Jessica M.

LOVE LOVE LOVE EMMA'S! My husband and I have our favorite Emma's pizza (half #4 for him, half #18 for me) at least once every 2 weeks. We ordered it for take-out again last night, which reminded me that I needed to leave a review. The crust is super thin and crunchy and delicious around the edges, but substantial enough under the rest of the pie that it isn't soggy. I notice in a bunch of reviews people say things like "I don't like crispy crust and I went to Emma's and I didn't like their pizza." Well, duh. Their crust is crispy. If you don't like crispy crusts, you're not going to like Emma's. Don't go - problem solved. The rosemary sauce is so delish, with a bit of a bite that really enhances my half of the pizza (#18 - baby spinach, artichoke hearts, sweet potato!). Pedro's guacamole - who would think that a pizza place would have good guac? But they do and it's drool-worthy, especially with the crispy yet chewy pita/pizza crust chips they serve it with. The only two minor drawbacks (which are not enough to knock off a star - maybe a 1/4 star) are: 1) the dining room is so tiny that if you want to eat in on a weekend date night, you're guaranteed to have a wait - but they totally redeem themselves by serving you drinks in the waiting area! Wine while I wait? Yes, please! 2) the servers on occasion (maybe 2 out of every 5 times we dine in) sometimes forget about you - long waits for the check or for drink refills. The odd thing about this one is that it tends to be when the dining room is actually less busy, like early Sunday evenings. Speaking of Sunday evenings - thank you thank you thank you Emma's for opening up on Sundays now! I don't know how many times in the past that we have been lazing around on a Sunday and were suddenly motivated to get out of our PJs to get Emma's, only to remember, "Darn it, they're not open." Well, no more! Thank you thank you thank (I can't say it enough!!!). Emma, you'll always be one of my favorite Cambridge ladies! (The other two are Christina [home made ice cream] and Anna [Taqueria]).
(5)
Fab B.

Anchovies + capers + garlic + black olives + thin crispy crust = HEAVEN!!! Enough said.
(5)
Jeff M.

At first glance you may walk by Emma's and assume its just another pizza shop. Once you get your food you'll realize its not. Emma's is a very solid option for thin crust pizza. The baguette on the meatball hero is nice and crispy, unlike a typical pizza shop you could find on Cambridge St.
(4)
Kelly N Z R.

Excellent pizza, great 'gourmet' toppings. They don't take reservations, and with their small dining room and excellent food it can get a little crowded in there. Prepare to wait a bit to get seated if you come with a group and it's meal time.
(4)
Bridget H.

Review Summary: Emma, the original owner, was aggressive and rude. Sadly, the current owner is agressive and rude and also has a terrifying temper. The food is excellent, but stay away from Emma's unless you're willing to check your self-respect at the door. To begin with, some history for those of you more recent immigrants to Cambridge: Emma's is a Cambridge institution. The original Emma's was up in West Cambridge, in a small storefront in Huron Village. Emma was a notoriously unpleasant Italian woman, who I remember being intensely afraid of as a child because she would yell at people who came in. There were two pizza joints on Huron Ave then, Emma's, and the still surviving Armando's. Every pizza night local Cantabrigians faced an awful conundrum: brave Emma's wrath, to get the best pizza in town (thin crust and perfectly peppery, before all that was hip), or go see Armando, who was kind to children, supported little league, and made deeply unremarkable pies. Emma's Pizza was excellent, but you couldn't be certain she would let you stay. We learned young not to send the weird-looking kid to get the slices - she might refuse to give them to him. Anyway, after Emma passed away I was please that her fine pizza was reincarnated into a hip, creative new eatery in Kendall Square, with a seemingly much better attitude. I've had many happy meals at the new Emma's. Their pizza is delectable, the tuna melt is luscious, and their basic salad is one of my favorites (get the red wine vinaigrette, excellent advice I took from the friendly, silver-haired waitress). Also, they have beer! Okay, so, why give Emma's one star, you ask? Well, today at Emma's was first time I've been thrown out of... anywhere - a first I didn't expect would happen over iced teas at a lunch with my father to discuss my wedding plans. Here's what happened: We walked in, got a table for 2, and ordered teas from the nice waitress. My dad asked for the BLT, and I went for my fave salad with chicken. All was going well as we sipped our drinks and fell deep into a discussion about the wedding band. It is relevant here that I have a connective tissue disorder that causes irritation in my joints and makes it difficult for me to sit in chairs for long periods of time, so I'm fidgety, and I often, as I did today, slip off one flip-flop and nestle a foot into my lap to relieve my knee pain. As we talked, I was unconsciously sitting this way. Suddenly, a tall guy with dark hair interrupts our conversation, and with no preamble or introduction, points down and say "you need to put on your shoes." I felt kind of flustered by this. A little confused, I pointed to my other food, securely on the ground and in my shoe and stammered something about how I wasn't barefoot I just had one foot in my lap. He repeated, "I said, put your shoes on, now!", and then walked abruptly away. I had no objection to doing so, but would it have killed him to just ask nicely? Now, the sensible thing would have been to stick my foot in my shoe and just grumble over my salad but I don't like to leave things with bad feelings, and I felt he'd been really rude about something that there was no reason not to be polite and friendly about. So I got up, and walked (in my shoes of course) to where the man was talking to another guy. I said, "Excuse me, I'd like to talk to you about what just happened." Now, seriously, the guy just ... exploded. "There is nothing to talk about!" he said loudly "That's why it says no shirt, no shoes, no service, so if you don't want to wear your shoes, you can get out! And" he continued angrily "it was incredibly rude of you to interrupt my conversation, so I think you should leave." Suddenly, literally for asking to talk to him, I was being thrown out. Wow. At this point things get a little fuzzy. Voices are raised, he walks back into the dining room, I follow, my dad has reared up in daddy-grizzly mode and has started in, "Now look here, I've been coming to this restaurant for 30 years and ..." Dark-haired man was having none of it "Well you won't be coming here any more!" he yelled "Get out of my restaurant, now!" The dining room is small, and everyone was staring. I'm thinking, ohmigod, why is he yelling at us? At this point, I'm sorry to say, we kind of lost it too. I'm not proud. My dad let loose a shocking M-F bomb, which caused the guy to yell to his staff to call 9-11. We started to walk out, but I couldn't help lecturing the silent room about how he had kicked us out for no reason, because they were looking at us in horror. Sorry other diners. I know we seemed like jerks at the end there, but aggressive and mean is no way to run a restaurant. The proprietor took a cell phone photo of us for his surely extensive wall of local undesirables - I guess we've now entered the criminal class of people who fidget and don't like to be treated poorly.
(1)
Sara M.

I am extremely picky about my pizza. I am a Chicago girl and deep dish rules my heart. Emma's is honestly the one restaurant I have found in Boston where I can truly say I like their pizza. We always get the goat cheese and hot sausage pizza, with the Famous Fling salad. The spinach is fresh and the toasted almonds add a nice crunch. The dressing is not too heavy and is a secret, which makes me sad because I love it so much! The pizza is thin, with a crunchy crust. The toppings are plentiful but not overwhelming. I just cannot find anything wrong with their pizza, except that it is not deep-dish. This is the only place I will go to when I am craving pizza.
(5)
Meridith H.

The Good: Here is the best I've had in the greater Boston area so far. I tried a thin crust with sweet potatoes as topping; it was very tasty. The Bad: The dining room is very small; tables for 4 exist, but the tabletops are not large enough to accommodate 4 sets of plates & silverware, much less a pizza to share. The Ugly: The atmosphere was unfriendly; upon entering you are confronted with handwritten signs that declare: No cell phones. This, combined with the too-small dining area, overwhelmed my positive impression of the pizza. The pizza is good, but not overwhelmingly so, and not good enough to overcome the unwelcoming vibe of the place. If I lived nearby, I might order delivery. My search for excellent pizza in the greater Boston area continues.
(2)
Fawn Q.

Emma's pizza has really unique combination of toppings, it's baked fresh, thin crust, and oh so delicious. The restaurant is cozy and cute with hand-painted pizza peels hanging all over the wall. We had 3 of their pizzas, I forgot the names, but one had hot sausage, one had large pieces of BACON, and one had sweet potatoes. They were all delicious, the sausage and sweet potatoes were my fav!
(3)
Paul H.

If you like thin, crispy pizza, this is a good place for you. If not, I doubt you'll enjoy it. The servers are hired based on the tightness of their crankypants, and the non-pizza menu is very restricted. They quality of the items used, however, is outstanding. Friday nights is cray cray for seating though.
(3)
Erica P.

Emma's is probably one of the only reasons I'm sad to be moving out of East Cambridge. Ever since I've tried it, I've been hooked. My favorite is to make your own - I go with goat cheese, caramelized onions, and mushrooms. Heavenly. I really want to give Emma's 5 stars, but there are a few things keeping me from doing so: 1) they don't deliver, 2) the pizza is pricey, 3) if you want to eat in, the lines are usually pretty long, and 4) you generally will have to fight through a crowd of hipsters to get to the take-out counter (but hey, it's Cambridge...they're everywhere). I've never had an exceptionally great experience with the service, but it hasn't really ever been horrible, either. I suppose the service is a bit slow, given how tiny the place is. Emma's, I will miss you and your $20 pizzas when I move to Arlington, but I'm sure I will make the occasional trek back to Kendall Square for you. Even if you are overrun by hipsters.
(4)
Nitya D.

SO good! I love the variety of toppings and flavor combinations Emma's has on the menu. In terms of apps/salads I've had: toast points + goat cheese ($8) and the spinach artichoke salad w/ garlic mustard vinaigrette ($7.25). Both were delicious and extremely filling for being just appetizers. I'm a vegetarian so I have naturally not tried any of the meat pizzas, but I've had the following veggie pizzas: #3, #6, #10, #11, #13, #20, and #23 (clearly I like this place enough to go back for more). The pizzas range from $12-16 for a medium (no small) and $16-22 for a large, which is a little pricey because as good as this place is, sometimes I feel like I'm paying more for the novel concept of fresher/more interesting ingredients on pizza. But it's worth it considering the vegetables are always fresh and of good quality. I was here last week and ordered a medium pizza for take-out. I hadn't realized before this visit that they sell pizza by the slice (I usually am here with friends and with our combined forces can easily put away a good number of slices). So after looking around for a few minutes while waiting for my za I asked the lady behind the counter what slices were being sold that day and she rattled off a few. And then I asked where this information could be obtained (it's not mentioned on the website nor on a specials menu in the restaurant). She responds, "Oh, we update our by-the-slice selections daily on Twitter." So I said, "Ok, but what if I don't have Twitter?" And she stared at me like I had 5 heads and didn't answer my question. It gets pretty crowded right at lunch time and then in the evenings around 6. But overall, the pizza here is yummy and the crust is thin and therefore not too filling. And maybe one day Emma's will update their website w/ information about the slices of the day (or maybe I should just get Twitter).
(4)
Cory K.

oh yum! crispy thin crust pizza at it's best! I shared #21 with friends and could tell the ingredients were fresh- the hot sausage was as tasty as it was plentiful and the sauce and cheese all came together perfectly. I always have to applaud a place that does an amazingly tasty thin crust that can still hold up to weighty ingredients. Bravo!
(4)
Frank D.

I fail to understand why people rave about Emma's pizza. I find the dough bland and uninteresting, the sauce is too sweet and the prices are ridiculous. There are far better choices (and worse). I also find the service to be lacking .... the only reason why I ever order anything here is because I often have to bring food to an event and if I haven't planned well, they are the only convenient game in town. I think the fact that this place is built up so much by other, misguided, rave review makes me dislike it that much more.
(2)
Chris S.

Try their Buffalo Chicken pizza ( I think it's number 22). It will rock your world like an earthquake. Service is fast, lighting is mellow, and despite the size of the establishment, they do a great job of adding that cozy factor in. They could expand their beer selection a bit, but really all the elements you hope for in a pizza establishment are all there.
(5)
J S.

I just love this place...the interesting and delicious pizza, surprisingly good salads, and cozy rustic charm. A fantastic place to meet up with friends for pizza and wine.
(5)
Philip T.

For the most part, I've had really good pizzas here, and you can get your order really quickly if you ask nicely. We've been here several times, and the last time we got in at 9:05 and had to catch a movie next door at 9:20. They actually had our order on our table by 9:15. I'll definitely keep going back, but if you've never been here before, there are a few things to watch out for: - It's almost always full, and you'll have to wait for a table, sometimes for quite a while - We once ordered a half and half pizza, one half vegetarian and the other half meat, and it was upsetting to see some of the meat had made its way over to the vegetarian half - There is a place to hang your coat, but there are so many coats hung up here that it's not unlikely that someone else might walk off with your coat instead of their own, so it's probably better to just hang it on your chair Apart from that, really good selection of pizzas on the menu, there's nothing that says "don't eat me", so if you're adventurous, just close your eyes and pick a number. The starters are also good, there's this one thing with rosemary brie, olives and crostini I think that's really good.
(4)
Andrew M.

I hate to review a pizza place after only one visit. If I try the cheese pizza, I feel like I should really give the specialties a try before rating; if I go with a specialty, well, cheese is really the measure of a pizzeria. But the specialty pizza I had at my first visit to Emma's - goat cheese, caramelized onions, spinach, and sweet potato - was so good that I'll go ahead and rate it anyway. I had to wait about 40 minutes for the pizza but I won't hold it against them because they did offer me a free soda for the delay.
(5)
Jennifer S.

Good God. Seriously? The pizza here is mediocre at best. Bland tomato sauce and about a half ounce of cheese baked on a tortilla basically. The food sux in it's own right, but the staff here is what really makes this place absolutely dreadful. The staff is wicked, wicked, WICKED rude. Instead of placing my plate gently on the table like a relatively gracious host, he dropped the plate in front of me about three inches above the table. That's how I serve someone dinner about ten minutes before I dump them. The waitress acted like bringing me another beverage was the last thing on earth she wanted to do. Lots of eye rolling and "Shesssh" expressions. Maybe they hated serving the lousy food as much as I hated eating it. Here's the interesting part, the waitress smelled like she just smoked an ounce of Mexican skunk weed. And the dude who seemed to be running the place was totally bug-eyed and kept sniffing and wiping his nose with the back side of his hand. Maybe he had a cold. Or maybe not. Overall sucky. I work for a company nearby. Which company? A MAJOR one. I'll make sure everyone in the building hears of my experience. Prisoners probably get better customer service than this places shells out. If you want great pizza in this neighborhood, go to Beauty's. The food is great and at the very least, they'll treat you like a valued customer. Oh, and enough with the painting of the wooden pizza peels and then mounting them on the wall. That should have tipped me off that this place was gonna be snooty and pretentious. Silly me.
(1)
Jolene S.

The price board has been updated. Hooray!
(3)
sara n.

Was visiting some friends in the area. I love little holes in the wall like this place. We had a table for 7 (luckily!) and we ordered three pizzas. Two of them (pepperoni special and something with bacon - I'm a vegetarian so I didn't' try them) were very well received. I got the # 11 - which had green olives on it, and I found to be too salty. I added caramelized onions - which were amazing, and helped me to get past the saltiness. I'd definitely go back (and order something different). Service was great.
(4)
Clare D.

Had a great time, fantastic pizza (thyme roasted mushrooms!), cozy spot with friendly service.
(4)
Amber A.

I ate at Emma's for the first time last weekend after hearing good things from a friend. We arrived and waited about 30 minutes to be seated on a Friday night at around 8:30. We were lucky to find a seat at the bar by the entrance, which was packed. (This is not a big place overall!). The staff was very accommodating and provided us with a glass of wine quickly, which was key. In the meantime, we perused the menu so by the time we were seated, we were ready to order right away. The service was quick and they kept the water glasses filled regularly. It was a bit loud, and you're definitely right on top of the people sitting next to you, which can be annoying (in our case it was, since there was a super-annoying loud talker sitting next to us). We ordered the spinach salad with apples and Gorgonzola cheese, and Emma's special dressing, which was delicious. The pizza we ordered was also fantastic, with a light crispy crust, good sauce and toppings. We felt like the pizza was very 'fresh' and tasty. For the gourmet/thin crust type of pizza, this place definitely delivers. We decided it was better than Upper Crust. Parking was somewhat of an issue, it was bad weather, and I had to park in the movie theater parking lot. Overall, I wanted to check out this place because I had heard good things, and it didn't disappoint. It has a nice ambiance and makes for a good pizza date night.
(4)
Melissa B.

Great Spot. Not too crowded. Yummy menu. Probably the best pizza I have had in Cambridge. Plus, the salad was crisp with an amazing dressing. Nice staff, well, everyone but the waitress I had....my only complaint of the evening.
(4)
Aine C.

I've been surprised by the lack of good pizza in Central Square, but maybe I am just a new york pizza snob. Emma's was good, enjoyable pizza, but nothing special. All the ingredients were fresh and the service was good, I just couldn't bring myself to give the pizza rating anything higher than three stars. The crust was thin, and I love my crust thin, but it was almost to the point where I felt like I was eating a cracker. And a tad on the expensive side for pizza in my opinion. It was good though, so if you're looking for a cute restaurant to take a few friends check it out!
(3)
Kerri O.

Great pizza. Other people have said all there is to say about choices, and toppings. I grew up going to Emma's when there was an Emma. And, it was only Emma. I used to love going there to see her intimidate Entitled Cambridge snobs. If you gave her any attitude, she bounce you out the door. Smell ya later. I was sad when they moved, because now they are further away from my folks.
(5)
Julia F.

There is something about my timing or the hours of this joint, but every time I think it's a good time to try food here... The damn place is closed! What the hell! Finally on a day off I made it in there to order. The special board is disorganized at best, the staff was unhelpful even if you look totally lost and start rummaging through all the crap on the little counter they have in search of a legit menu. After I finally procured a menu and perused it, and then settled on something that would bring me above the mandatory $10 credit card minimum, it took a long ass time to get attention of the lady to order. It was silent as can be in there. Which was awkward cause there were a few people in the "dining area" and even being hard of hearing, I felt as if I was part of their conversation, also I could hear all about how the people in the kitchen were amazed at how the Celtics had pretty wives and the open cut the lady had on her arm being the reason she wouldn't pull food from the oven. Ew. Whats so wrong with bringing an ipod into work and making it a less hushed atmosphere? Nothing, in my opinion. I got a slice (when I got home I saw two on the plate - did I stutter? Or do they just serve two as one?) and the spinach and artichoke salad. The pizza is good, I'll give them that. The salad - left a lot to be desired. The salad dressing, not good. So sad. Atleast the lady gave me an extra slice cause otherwise I would have been totally disappointed. I didn't have a great experience here, but I might be able to try it again under the right circumstances. They seem to have good beer choices, varied at the very least.
(1)
Nicole G.

Very successful experiments in pizza-topping combinations!! 'nuff said. Well, almost. Also worthy of mention: unpretentious atmosphere, clean, warm/welcoming interior, yummy salads, good thin crusts, and occasionally, you can get some tasty Sangria here.
(5)
Stephanie G.

Ok, so I was looking for the best pizza in Boston and I read YOUR reviews about Emma's. My boyfriend and I went. It was small and there was a wait. But it was short and the owner brought us drinks while we waited. Our awesome server recommended a few pies for the vegetarian palette. Unable to choose, he offered up both on one pie. I believe they were the 8 & 13, and phenomenal. The pizza was fab and I'll definitely go back, but here's more. Emma's has Bicycle Benefits meaning if you prove you're a cyclist (like ride up or have your helmet with you), at lunchtime you get a free beverage with your takeout slice. Also, the owner stopped by our table and sincerely asked our opinion. He was so nice and wanted us to come back that he gave us theatre tickets so we'd make a night of it and eat at Emma's again! By the way, he reads these reviews and takes your comments to heart. In brief: Great food Great people Supportive of the community Awesome service Worth it!
(5)
Noah K.

Stopped by for a late-ish post-movie dinner with my friend at 9pm on a Monday. I was torn between 3 and 4 stars but went for 4 stars after reheating leftovers for lunch. I used to fancy myself a bit of a pizza-snob, but after living in the thin-crust pizza wasteland of the Midwest for a few years, my standards may have altered a bit. Crust was good- thin, although a bit too crispy and not chewy on the edges, and i personally like a good "crispy on the outside/ still a little bread-like when you bite in/ slightly doughy underneath the cheese and toppings" mix. I wanted a bit more sauce than Emma's put on, but overall, the pizza was very good. The toppings were delicious- fresh and high quality. When I come back, it will be because of the toppings. We did a large, half #6 (broccoli/ gorgonzola/ russet gold potatoes) and half #9 (thyme marinated mushrooms, feta and spinach (I think)). I liked both combinations, although I wish the #6 side had a bit more gorgonzola. Both were delicious the next day. Looking forward to trying more.
(4)
Zachary A.

I called on a Saturday to order one pizza and a salad to pick up...they said it would be an hour and a half. wow...no thank you and you suck. there is no reason to be rude and hang up on me after letting me know the wait. suckbags.
(1)
Annie P.

You just learn to miss Emma's. How could you not miss Emma's? Emma's is my choice for go OUT for pizza to converse and keep intimate restaurant. Emma's has a sweet tone with their full on but still simple pizza & wine menu. I say stick to their already planted mixtures of toppings instead of ordering your own... but if you have special dietary needs.. go for it. Artichoke hearts on thin crust. Mmm. Be ready to wait a little. Enjoy close neighbor seating and plastic everything.
(4)
M M.

I used to like Emma's a lot and I even kind of got used to the mistake they ALWAYS make when you order a Buffalo Chicken pizza with NO celery (number 22 on the menu). Yes, they always put celery on it and you end up asking them to remove it, which they do, right? Well, this time (last wednesday 02/24/10) I ordered the usual # 22 with NO celery and # 1 which is peppers, onions, mozarella and rosemary and went to pick them up. This time they gave me Buffalo Chicken WITH celery and NO cheese... so they pluck the celery off, put cheese on it and goes back in the oven. The other pizza had pepperoni instead of onions and no rosemary, which is completely different to what I order. The guy at the till was basically arguing he had 3 phone calls and got mixed up with the orders? C'mon! your pizza place is always packed! do you always mix up everything? One thing for sure is Emma's Pizza can be good when they get it right and you are willing to wait, but I don't think I'm coming back after having to wait for 40 minutes to pick up 2 pies and then get them wrong. New administration? lack of phone skills while taking orders? Who knows...
(1)
Lisa C.

Haven't eaten in the restaurant, but can definitely comment on the food for takeout. We ordered the baby spinach, roasted sweet potato, caramelized onions, garlic, rosemary sauce, mozzarella and goat cheese pizza but substituted the caramelized onions for fresh onions and also added on some chicken. Though the pizza was a bit on the pricey side, it was absolutely delicious. It was kind of funky (since I had never had roasted sweet potatoes on my pizza before), but it was really a good flavor combination. What I liked most about the takeout for this place is that I ordered by phone and then picked up about 15 minutes later- the pizza was ready and waiting on a rack. The lady at the counter asked me if i wanted the pizza heated once more so that it was warm when we got it. I really like that they did that because then the pizza was at an optimal temperature when we got home and finally sat down to eat.
(4)
Greg F.

I love pizza. Emma's makes excellent pizza. Ergo- I love Emma's. I'm somewhat of a traditionalist when it comes to pizza. I was pretty slow to join in on the gourmet pizza scene, but I'm broadening my horizons. Emma's pizza menu is a bit overwhelming ranging from familiar to alien. So far, everything I've had has been perfect. The thin crust, sauce, pepperoni, cheese and toppings are all great. However- don't stop at the pizza! I know the incredibly long list is both daunting and attractive... but you've got to try their chicken sandwich. The chicken itself is juicy and wonderful, but the best part about it is the mayonnaise. I'm not sure what's so amazing about it, but i cant get enough of it. They serve alcohol, but if you are like me and enjoy a diet coke with your pizza, they bring it to you in a miniature old-school glass bottle. I don't know whether I should be impressed at how cool it is, or angry that i spent 3 bucks on a few sips of soda. The last time I was there, I noticed that they sell soda by the can at the take out window, so I asked my waiter if he could sell me one of those instead of the hobbit bottle. He smiled and said no... ? No? I thought he was joking... but he just stood there smiling as if to say, "yes, we are the pretentious." I mean... he couldn't just take the can, and pour it in a glass for me so that people wouldn't have to see the peasant can on the table? This outrage has forced my hand- Emma's has fallen to 4 stars. The only down side is that it's a bit small, and the waiting times are a bit long at peak hours. So, if you're planning on going on a Friday evening, get there EARLY and be prepared to wait a bit.
(4)
Amanda Q.

Went here for an early dinner. The place is absolutely adorable. It's a small dining area and a popular spot, so be sure to be prepared to wait or go for an early dinner. Everything on the menu looked delicious, and the pizza did not disappoint.
(4)
Jennifer M.

My first complaint: They only take cash for takeout. Second complaint: A little overpriced. Third complaint: It's busy as anything at lunch (only time I make the trek). Fourth complaint: The crust is like Matzah or something -- really thin PITA-like and a touch overbaked. But my god, people love it. Go figure. Upsides: It's clean and the staff is really nice. I'm giving it a 3 because, while I'm not the biggest fan of their pizza, it seems that I'm a bit in a minority here. But they still only take cash unless you have time to wait to sit at a table -- and that just sucks.
(3)
No R.

Their buffalo chicken-topped pizza is wonderful, get it with roasted red peppers. Some of the toppings are a bit too 'out there,' IMO, but hey, someone must be ordering them.. Always found the staff very friendly and not in that fakey-tv-ad way. Some are quiet, some have different tones of voice, sometimes those can be misunderstood as unfriendliness (as this quiet person with a different tone of voice can attest to.) I always hear from friends about bringing relatives/friends from out of town to Emma's and some of them not digging the type of stuff that they do. Always thought it would be nice if they had, tucked away at the bottom of the menu, an 'emergency 'regular' pizza' - thick crust, mozz, 'roni/meatball/sausage/whatever, lots of sauce, cheese and grease. And charge a TON for it.
(4)
S R.

Unfortunately it's nothing like ny-style pizza (which i have yet to find in boston) but the pizza here is amazing. I prefer it to Upper Crust (but upper crust itself is pretty good). They also do take-out for those who live close by! I'd say the winner is the smoked mozzarella - SO GOOD. The sweet italian sausage is also a winner in my book. I've had both their pre-made pizzas an made my own too. You can also tweak their premade pizzas so that's another plus. The place itself is small and the wait can get long - so avoid if you're looking for a quick dinner. I think it makes for a good date place but i've also been here with a group. I wouldn't recommend large groups unless you don't mind sitting on your neighbor's lap.
(5)
Marco V.

Our new favorite pizza place. The bacon, cranberry, and potato pizza is amazingly amazing. We love it here, we keep going back to try new combinations
(5)
David G.

On my first trip I was standing by the door waiting for a table and trying to stay out of the way while folks picking up take-out strolled back and forth, when a waiter greeted me. "Would you like a beer?" Wow, Really right here? Ok I'll have a Belgian Brew. One beer later and I was sitting at my table by the kitchen. I must say while this place feels a little on the small size, and may leave you waiting for a table sometimes, it's definitely worth a trip. Fresh veggies and meats adorn a well-made thin crust pie that doesn't seem to suffer for quality when it's busy. The apps were good too. Do I have any complaints? No not really. Maybe the service could have been better, but I'm reaching. Best pizza I've had in Cambridge and certainly not typical in anyway. I think I ran out of reasons to trek over to Pizzeria Regina to deal with tourists and surly waitresses while mice run over my feet. I'd say 4.5 stars overall.
(5)
Ashley C.

Delicious pizza, that's all I can say. I was wandering around Cambridge with a friend, and we stumbled upon this gem without knowing much about it. Probably one of the best wanders of my life, given that I discovered Emma's! Everything is of a moderate to low price, which is perfect for us poor college kids, and the atmosphere is astounding. I love the feel of this place almost as much as I enjoy the food. They play great music, all of the waitstaff are friendly and upbeat, and the service is fast and superb. I can't wait to come back!
(5)
R G.

I came here with my boyfriend on a saturday night (after a great trip to the science museum) right during the restaurant 'rush hour'. we were told our wait would be 45 min to an hour. however, since not all members of one party were there and some other groups went AWOL, we were seated within 20-30 minutes. the host was very friendly and made sure to keep everyone updated on the wait, and served drinks to those waiting if desired. our waitress was also very friendly in an old school way. she made us feel like we'd been going there for years. the restaurant is small and crowded. if that's a problem for you, get it to go. but I kind of like that feel in a pizza place. it keeps it low key. the decor is also nice and fun. we ordered a large pizza (good for two very hungry people, but it could have fed more)- half spinach/sweet potato/carmelized onions/rosemary sauce/goat cheese (#3) and half bacon/scallions/gorgonzola/tomato/mozarella (#16). both were excellent! they're very generous with the topping and all the ingredients are high quality and work well together. there are so many great sounding combos on the menu, I can't wait to go back. we also ordered a couple beers (can't remember the name, it was their 'special') that were tasty and went well with the pizza. the salads that passed us looked good, but seemed a little pricey to order (but maybe next time?). one note: I might like Upper Crust's crust better in and of itself. it's a little more flavorful and has more bite, whereas Emma's is very, very light and almost cracker-like and not very present in its flavor. *however* I think it really works here. the focus is on the toppings and the crust does not distract, but rather showcases what it carries. Emma's may not be the place to get a slice of plain, floppy, greasy cheese, (and hey, we all get cravings for that), but if you're looking for truly excellent gourmet pizza, this is as good as it gets.
(5)
Matheus C.

For anyone looking for a change of pace as far as pizza goes, Emma's will surely satisfy your bill. Their pizza is light, but flavorful, and the toppings are quirkily creative. I'd rock the five-star on this joint, but it is overpriced. I suspect because they're probably eco-friendly Cambridge Co-opers, and have to pay a premium for the spa-treated organic hens. But despite the price, its a really good experience.
(4)
Tim S.

Excellent thin crust pizza. This was about the fourth visit. Service is friendly and the toppings were fresh.
(5)
Casey F.

It's.... Pizza On A Cracker! Not pizza on a white person, pizza on a water cracker, the kind your grandparents served with spreadable cheese to their bridge club on Saturday nights. When I want pizza, I want something MEATY... not meaty as in "having meat" but meaty as in "a chewy crust that a diner can really sink his or her teeth into." I got some pizza with blue cheese on it... and I never ever though I would say this but... there was too much blue cheese. Overwhelmed the pizza and the poor pitiful crust. In other news, it was a little pricey for a whole pie. Atmosphere = dark, but nice. Service was fine. Weather forecast: Cloudy with NO chance of Emma's pizza!
(2)
Cecilia L.

So my boyfriend works next door to Emma's. For a while he was eating two slices a day. I worried he was getting fat. Then I went there and realized two slices is actually not very substantial. Emma's is beyond thin crust -- think cheese and toppings on a cracker. Love the sauce (traditional or rosemary) and toppings, chichi stuff like red bliss potatoes, basil, caramelized onions and cherry tomatoes. I like a thin crust, but I prefer it doughy rather than crispy like Emma's. For a side, go with the awesome salad with apples. You can order slices at the counter, which change every day. Gourmet slices are available only at lunch, so if you stop in at night, you're stuck with cheese and pepperoni. You might as well get a whole pie and eat in if that's the case -- the little dining room is beyond cute, and great for a hand-holding date.
(3)
Sara G.

Delicious pizza--I recommend trying any of their specialty types. Taking out was easy and quick.
(4)
James A.

I went there once a couple years ago, thought it was awful, saw many good reviews, heard good things, and decided to give it another shot. I went again last night, and it's hand-down the worst pizza in Boston - if you can even call it pizza. I don't care how many "gourmet" toppings you can put on your menu or how many different combinations you can make with them. Pizza is first and foremost about the crust. If you can't make a good plain pizza, with a crust that stays crisp, stands up to the toppings, and actually has some body to it, then your pizza's doomed to begin with. Shoving on all the caramelized onions, gorgonzola and baby spinach in the world can't save a bad crust. Emma's crust is a soggy cracker. The slices are only a couple inches long, but even still, you pick up a slice from the edge, and it droops down into a flaccid, greasy mess. The fact that the pizzas are paper thin also means that they get cold really fast. Within seconds of arriving at your table, the crust is so soggy and the cheese so coagulated that its hard to tell the difference between the two. I am simply amazed that people pay for this kind of junk. Even Hi-Fi (former king of bad Central Square pizza) makes a better pizza than Emma's, and at least they don't pretend to be "gourmet". I think it's near criminal that people pay these prices and wait as long as they do for trash like this.
(1)
Courtney H.

Emma's has some of the best thin crust pizza around. Their toppings are creative and flavorful -- my husband split a artichoke, sweet potato, and spinach pie with a rosemary sauce and it was delicious. Their famous fling salad is also delicious. Don't bother with the homemade lemonade, though -- very weak and unmemorable. I'd give it five stars but the place is really cramped and the service, while prompt, always leaves me a little cold. Not that I want waiters to be all buddy-buddy with me, but a smile now and then is appreciated. Also, don't bother going on a weekend night or you'll have to wait a million years. Be smart and go on a weekday. We didn't have to wait for a table tonight (Wednesday).
(4)
Palak S.

This place is great for vegetarians! The pizza is gourmet enough that you don't feel like you're going to have a heart attack afterward but down-to-earth enough so you actually feel full afterward. My favorite flavor is the goat cheese and sweet potato with the rosemary sauce. Scrumptious! I am also addicted to the 'secret' dressing on the spinach salad. Its absolutely delicious. My only complaint....the crust is just slightly soggy....I wish they would make it slightly more crispy. And, yeah, the wait can be a nightmare, but you just have to time it so that you're either after or before the rush. None of this, however, stops me from dropping in once a week. The food and staff are efficient yet fair and courteous. They don't put up with drama (which I love) and they have a ban on cell phones(yay!)
(4)
N T.

The pizza was fair, not sure what all the hype is about really. Flat bread pizza that skimps on the "trendy" toppings. Echoing other reviews, the service needs an overhaul. To get to the point, not friendly and blatantly rude. I've been here twice and both times had some things to say about how they speak down to customers. First time, I there was for a late lunch, maybe around 2-3PM. There were three of us total and two of us arrived earlier than the third so we figured we'd get the table. Mind you at 2-3PM on a weekday this place was pretty much empty. We were told (rudely) that we could not be seated unless the third member was present. I completely understand if it was jammed with a line out the door, but there was literally room for another dozen people in there. Ridiculous! Second time, one of my friend's received an important personal phone call. Observing the no cell phone rule, which they make more than clear, he took the call as he walking out (keywords: walking out) of the building and was still approached by the wait staff to take his call outside - which he was clearly doing. The staff responds as if you have personally insulted them. Concentrate more on your job of being on the wait staff than policing for cell phones. We will take our calls outside, along with our business.
(2)
Jen A.

Emma's is consistently good. Last time we went, we got the #3 (spinach, sweet potato, caramelized onion, goat cheese, rosemary sauce) and the Famous Fling salad with secret dressing that is to die for. Pies are a little pricey but you get what you pay for.
(4)
Kara S.

Emma's is far and away my favorite pizza in the area, followed closely by Cambridge One. Some of the toppings seem bizarre (like the craisins on the potato pizza) but everything I've had is a perfect marriage of flavors. They know what they are doing when they top a pizza. Also, their famous fling salad is perfect. So so perfect. I was there this past Thursday night for the first time in a LONG time and my friend and I were both berating ourselves for not coming more often. The staff is SO FRIENDLY it's disgusting! They are attentive but not pushy, and we were able to have an amazing conversation that flowed all through dinner, despite ordering/food arriving/water refilling/bill paying. I love when there is flow, and the staff at Emma's really knows how to keep their little establishment cozy and warm. This is definitely BEST place to grab a bite before seeing a movie at Kendall. Believe it!
(5)
Nathan H.

I'm not sure I understand the 4 and 5 star ratings for this place. I went there for lunch recently for a few slices. It's cheap which is good. In all fairness I think I got there a little after the lunch rush so the pizza seemed like it may have been sitting out for a while. Nevertheless, I wasn't too impressed. It was pretty good, but I can't say I'd cross the river again to go here unless I was in the area already.
(3)
ziba c.

super service, we had a hungry five year old and there were no seats available so they brought us a slice of cheese pizza to help the little one get through the wait time. Great pizza, especially if you are a fan of thin crust. salad was great too - loved the dressing on the mixed green salad.
(4)
Amanda B.

Best pizza we've had in Boston! On our first encounter we had take out and were really pleased with the topping selections and freshness of the ingredients I'm not really one for the thin crust, but Emma's changed my mind on this! We went back a second time with a couple of friends on a Saturday night. While the wait was long, the host was super friendly, offered us drinks while we waited, and was apologetic of the wait. It's a small and cozy place, and as a result it can get somewhat crowded. The decor is really neat - they have a bunch of pizza "shovel" thing-y's that look like they've been decorated by different artists. Bottom line, the pizza is amazing, they have a fair selection of beer and wine, and the prices are reasonable for the quality of the food.
(5)
Sara G.

We finished our program for the day and 4 of us were already seated, 6, including myself, were waiting. The people were so accommodating, putting tables together so we could all fit in this small but adorable restaurant. It's a very literal hole in the wall that brings you in with good food and good people. We all had individual pies which were thin crusted and beautiful. One of our people was allergic to cheese and the staff took extra extra care to make sure the chefs were aware, that there was a special cutting knife used for the pizza, etc. It was the ultimate example of the golden rule in action. Further, they were patient with us (we were a slightly rowdy crowd) and were always attentive and considerate. As someone who values the integrity in relationships, especially when interacting with waitstaff, I was blown away. The food and the service were top knotch like I have not seen in years. I could not recommend this place more and I hope they will be successful for years to come.
(5)
Andrea S.

Certainly I won't say anything groundbreaking in this review. But the pizza is damn good and worth acknowledging. I wish they delivered.
(4)
Sandra M.

I think i've hit the jackpot! Gourmet pizza, killer service and great people watching. For dinner, there's a fabulous little dining room, for lunch, good luck with that unless you arrive early or have reservations with a party. For lunch I nab a pizza by the slice and eat outside on the bench or sometimes just take it back to the office.
(4)
kate l.

I think I met the most pathetic waiter in this world today in Emma. I wonder what life has done to him that made him such a mean person! Ok, this is what happened: I walked into this dingy place by myself, because my husband was parking. There was no body waiting in the front, and nobody coming after me. Two tables were there ready to serve. I told this staff that I need a table for two and the other party is coming soon. He told me to wait for the other party to show up. I said OK. So I was standing there, but the waiting area is cold, and there was no other ppl. After 10 minutes, I asked the waiter if can I take that table, my husband is coming soon, and I am cold by standing near the door. His wonderful answer: I am so sorry that you are feeling that way but our restaurant policy is giving out table when all parties are there. Good thing is my husband shown up right there, so I said: ok, he is here. He took us to seat. After sitting down, my husband asked me what I was talking, so I tried to explain a little, and was in low volume. Then the weirdest thing happened, and I never expected a normal fully grown up man with a sense of self respect would be like this, he overheard me, then decided to poke his face to my face, and started to insult that I am making a scene on myself, and if I am not pleased, I could leave... my husband and I were totally in shock. We decided this is too weird to deal, so we walked out. I have to say, this was an upsetting experience. I hope the pizza is good, but there are so many other good pizza places around, so I don't think I will miss this place.
(1)
Dianna B.

This is a great little place on the outskirts of Kendall Square. I've only ever had their daily "slice" specials. On a given day, they offer 4 slices: 1 cheese, 1 veggie and 2 others. They have interesting combinations like sausage and rosemary or pizza with cranberries. Still, for about $5, you get 2 slices of great, local pizza. Only downside -- with their thin, thin crust, sometimes the edge of the crust is overdone for my liking.
(4)
Nancy K.

Good pizza, but nothing to rave about. But then again, I'm not a huge pizza fan, especially thin crust pizza. I'd probably go back if someone wanted to go, but I it wouldn't pop up in my head as someplace that I'd crave.
(3)
Alex W.

Amazing pizza if you like thin-crust gourmet fare. They have about 25 different topping combinations, none of which have ever led me wrong, even the more out-there ones (like with potatoes). Definitely go for a salad before your pizza, they are all simple but excellent. The spinach/apple/walnut salad is delicious. Emma's has a great laid-back atmosphere and has a fun, easy-going decor with simple wooden tables, a rustic color scheme, bare light bulbs and creatively painted pizza peels on the walls. The staff has always been attentive and friendly. Beer is reasonably priced, and I often find myself here on weeknights for a low-key but delicious good time. The only thing that takes away from a five-star review is that they aren't open enough! They are closed on Sundays and other "off" hours...
(4)
John W.

Walk into most pizzerias and order a veggie pizza, and they will give you a greasy pie with canned mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers on tasteless crust. The menu at Emma's sets itself apart from the competition by offering stellar gourmet pizzas. They also have a nice selection of salads and sandwiches. Their charming, intimate dinning space only seats about three dozen people. The wait for a table can be anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour. Emma's also has a carry-out window for folks who would rather take their pizza to go than withstand the sometimes epic wait. Once seated, you have to decided between twenty-five rich combinations of wafer-thin crust pizzas. As a vegetarian, I enjoy #13 (artichoke hearts, house roasted tomatoes, mozzarella, and ricotta), #23 (baby spinach, olives, feta, garlic olive oil, and mozzarella), and #9 (thyme roasted mushrooms, baby spinach, garlic, feta, and mozzarella). But if that's not how you roll, they also have meaty options with grilled chicken, crispy smoked bacon, and the like. Emma's is a nice spot to eat after a trip to the nearby Garment District or the Kendall Square movie theater; it would be better if they were open later, and it's a little pricey for pizza. The food is imaginative, sometimes bizarre, but always delicious.
(4)
ryan c.

So, I have only done take out from Emma's but I will update my review once I sit down and order a whole pie. I have a feeling that I will bump up my rating to 5 stars when I go for the real deal. Take out was good, although you can only get cheese or pepperoni. I'm looking forward to going in, ordering a bunch of toppings, drinking (a bunch of) beers, and seeing what Emma can really do.
(4)
Jonathan R.

I'm guilty of cheating, with a girl named Emma. Boston is a pizza haven, Emma is not your typical pizza shop. This is not a "Boston" pizza, if your looking for the best Boston tasting pizza head over to Pizzeria Regina in the North End. Emma's pizza is gourmet and delicious, the use of goat cheese, fresh ingredients and thoughtful pizza combinations is tremendous. You can even order 1/2's of different cominations to satisfy everyone, they make it easy. Reasonably priced and good beer selection offset the long waits and small dining room. I wish they had a better appetizer selection, the pizza can take awhile and you're generally pretty hungry after waiting to get seated.
(4)
Douglas S.

Emma's has excellent pizza, and food in general. Can't say enough good things about the food. The restaurant is also cozy and has a nice feel, the opening kitchen is a nice touch. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 was because the service was slightly sub par. Our waitress was not super attentive, and never took our appetizer plate off the table to clear space even though we were clearly finished. Also our pizza took quite a while to come out. But overall those were minor complaints. The fact is the food is great, and I would definitely go back and recommend others to go as well.
(4)
Gray c.

yumm, f@@k the haters. Great food and service. Haven't been for years, but went back tonight and it was like visiting an old friend, yumm
(4)
Ryan M.

Me and my lady love this place. It's probably our favorite - and most frequently visited above any other, I think. We like pizza. I bought the T-shirt. For some reason, we get really masochistic and wait for about 30 minutes to an hour to be seated on Fridays. It's much lighter on the waiting if you go on other weekdays. You can build your own or order a preset pizza. If you go with the predetermined pizza, I recommend number 16. Wicked good, kid. :oP The "Famous Fling" salad is also yummy. Unfortunately, parking can be problematic but usually there are places on what I believe is Fulkerson St. (?) if you don't mind walking a couple minutes. Or you can use the Kendall theater garage (but you may want to augment your visit with a movie to get the better parking rate in that case).
(5)
Adam H.

Great service and good food. Would have been 5 stars but we found the chicken on the pizza to be bland.
(4)
jen m.

It's not your average corner pizza shop with the "free 2 Liter soda with a large pie" special. I'm a big fan of Emma's and used to be an almost-every-day regular at lunchtime. I moved here from New York & really missed Two Boots (NYC fancy chain) style pizza. Emma's is really the only pizza place in Boston that I get excited over. Mostly, I love that their sauces have pronounced flavor and that the crispy crust is very well done. Sometimes they burn it and actually I love that, and sometimes they give you the burnt slice for free which is also great. I've brought friends, dates, visiting family. All have felt happy & well-fed. If you're eating at the counter at an odd time of day, you can bury yourself in the Weekly Dig or meet all kinds of unusual Kendall Sq denizens- I've met people who ranged from weapons designer to comedian to artist to history professor- all of whom will strike up a conversation when you ask them to please pass the pepper. The whole pies are steep in price, but I tell myself you get what you pay for. The single slices are not expensive & usually they have cheese and 2 special pies on hand. I also love that I can drink a beer with my slices. The salads are very well balanced and I can also attest that the BLT is satisfying. I love their rosemary sauce & that their pies are not completely drenched in cheese. My all-time favorite is the #3- baby spinach, caramelized onions, sweet potato, goat cheese with rosemary sauce. My boyfriend says that they could just sell this one pie and he'd be satisfied. My least favorite are any of the pies with the smoked mozzerella. Too smoky for my taste. I also wish they had hot drinks like tea or (dare I say it?) cider in the winter. And if they had delivery, oh gosh... I have not in the recent past had problems with the service, but I can see where some reviewers are coming from. In the distant past (4 or so years ago) one of their employees was just downright rude to me every time I walked in, to the point that I stopped going until he stopped working there. Everyone currently there seems really hard-working & is very human & friendly when I go in.
(5)
A V.

they got good trimmings, the best fixings...i have no idea what i'm talking about.
(5)
vinny f.

i am going to keep it really short bcoz its about food and not about my writing skills. appetizer - gotta try mozz chez and pita bread. pizza- thin crust with variety of toppings. can have two different half's which makes it even better. tried almost all types of pizzas but you can also custom order your own. for starters order from the pizza suggestions list before you go with your own. sandwiches - awesome is the right word. especially chicken pagnotelle... beer - they serve local beer, you know the ones you never heard of or some weird combos like berry flavored beer. you can also do pickup. the menus are on their website. the only complain i have is their operating hours suck... wish they were open late.
(5)
Meagan K.

I loooove the pizza here. Crispy thin crust, so I could probably eat a whole pizza myself, and delicious toppings in thousands of combinations. On my last visit I tried the number 14 (pepperoni, basil, mozzarella), and I almost died. With joy. It's boring old pepperoni pizza but with basil leaves and yummy crust and fresh mozzarella and I am really hungry thinking about this. Try it. Oh and the restaurant is cozy, intimate, really cute. But I barely look around as I am so focused on wolfing down my pizza.
(5)
Susie H.

I think my mistake was coming here for a slice in the afternoon. I went, and got a slice of cheese. for 3 or so dollars (i believe), i got a thin slice of cheese that didn't really taste like much. I keep hearing rave reviews, so i will have to go during lunch time when they have veggie slices as well, and test this out. (A friend told be that from 11:30 - 1 (i think) they have a lot of lunch slices, and then after they just have pepperoni/cheese). I think another downfall is that I love a lot of pizza, not thin crust. So i didn't know what I was getting myself into. I will try you again Emma's, and report back!
(3)
Linda N.

It's amazing pizza, but sometimes they burn it and it ruins the experience. They're just not that consistent with it. And it takes *so* long to get your pizza, who wants to ask the server to remake your burnt pizza? Can you say, "yes, I'd like to wait another 45 minutes, please"?! I don't think so. I only recommend this place to people who have time to wait an hour to get a table, then another hour to get their food. If you don't mind waiting and you want excellent pizza(if they don't burn it) ...this is the place to go.
(3)
Carrie M.

Pizza number three has got to be the best pizza I have ever eaten. No matter how full I think I am, there's always room for another slice. If you're a fan of olives, number eleven is also great, but it will leave you with garlic breath for days! Oh, and while you're there I highly recommend the Famous Fling salad to start. I just wish the secret house dressing weren't a secret, as I would love to make this at home.
(5)
Colin N.

Emmas is great pizza. My roommate and I get it about once every couple of weeks. We usually get the sweet italian sausage with mozzarella and rosemary sauce. There may be better pizza in New York, but there isn't any in Boston. Even the upper crust fails to compare to Emmas.
(5)
Evan G.

I've been going to Emma's pretty regularly for a couple years now. The people who work there are all so nice, and recognize me and my friends when we come in. The pizza there is some of the best thin crust I've ever had. The toppings they put on are amazing, but even without sausage, bacon, gorgonzola and sauteed onions, the pizza is so so good. There are many pre-selected concoctions of toppings you can choose from, or make your own. Every choice we've ever made there has been phenomenal. They actually have a decent bottled beer selection for a small pizza joint, too. Update 7/3/2007: Went to Emma's the other day. They have a sign on the door asking people to not talk on their cell phones in the restaurant. While I was having lunch, some jerk in a suit started yammering on his blackberry at his table. The waiter came over and said, "If you want to talk on the phone, go outside" and made him hang up. It was awesome. If only Yelp allowed for six stars!
(5)
Jennie P.

Emma's has been one of my favorite places since I moved to Boston seven years ago. I have never eaten anything there I didn't like, and the staff is friendly, down to earth and efficient. Favorites are any pizza with the rosemary sauce, the fling salad, and they make the BEST tuna melt ever. EVER. If you live in Boston and have not eaten here before, you are completely missing out on one of the best places in town and should get over there ASAP.
(5)
D F.

I've been going here since 2008 so I've had quite a few opportunities over the years to get the Emma's experience. I've been many times and thought I was a fan but realistically, things just never go that well. I might be on the verge of giving up on them. The good: LOVE the chicken sandwich with bacon. It is SO so good. Also, the location is somewhat convenient to go to the Kendall Square Movie theater afterwards. The bad: I usually get kinda bad service from the waitstaff, (forgetful, slow, disinterested, impatient, short tempered, annoyed, etc...) or it will be freeeeeezing cold inside so 5 minutes after sitting down I can't wait to leave the restaurant. Mostly it's just that the pizza is not good from my perspective. I don't love the crunchy cracker crust (and lately it's been coming out brown and burnt too which is really not what I'm looking for) and the variety of toppings just do not win me over. A basic cheese pizza nicely done would be great. Recently had the buffalo chicken pizza and wouldn't recommend at all.. I'm not a fan of what they do with their mushrooms either. Because the place is on the expensive side and the food, service and ambiance don't balance things out I might be on the lookout for a new go-to pizza joint. Either that, or stick to takeout to get that delicious chicken sandwich.
(2)
Eric S.

I've eaten at Emma's and the pizza is consistently good. The service is good also. The last time I was there I seemed to have bad luck. My pizza was just OK, but the tables around me had some great looking pies. This place sometimes gets overlooked for the quick slice, but they also do that.
(4)
Gino T.

Stopped in today and tried there sweet caramelized onion and sausage pizza. It was great, I took it to go and devoured it on the way home. Halfway there I was tempted to go back for another slice but.... The place had an eclectic decor, small and cozy. I'll be back for more. 2 bucks for a slice of cheese, two fitty for a topping slice, can beat that wit' a bat.
(4)
Raj B.

We're on the crazy side of being vegetarians, but we're not rabbits and we don't like eating as such. We just don't like our food to accidentally have meat on it due to the rigors of preparing food in a commercial kitchen, so we usually ask for cutters/knives to be cleaned for pizzas or the food to be prepared such that some level of care is taken to make sure that we're not accidentally eating meat. The people at Emma's were **incredibly** patient with our requests. They didn't blink at all and were extremely courteous even going so far to mention that another couple comes in and regularly asks for the same. The lady who was our server (didn't get her name though) was beyond friendly and really made us feel welcomed. Oh --- and the pizzas were great. I suppose that's slightly important as well. We'll certainly be back.
(5)
Teju P.

I had one dish = hooked! I went there randomly with 2 coworkers for lunch and we all got the same sandwich. The veggie and cilatnro pesto sandwich is excellent. I had every intention of eating only half of my sandwich and saving it for later but no dice. It was way to good to wait for! I have not tired their pizzas, which I hear they are known for...it is going to be a hard decision when I go back. I would suggest carry out. The dining area is small and busy...
(4)
Vanilla P.

Ever since studying in Italy, I've been dying for a non-Americanized pizza joint where the cheese isn't two inches thick, and the appetizers aren't jalepeno poppers or other deep fried angina bombs. Went last night at 7:30 PM, and only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table. The waiters all were down to earth, dressed in their t-shirts and sweat pants... Or maybe they were pajama bottoms. Either way, next time I go, I won't hesitate to wear my most comfortable pj's. I'm talking about the ones with the stretchy elastic waistband, because when the pizza's good, this biatch can eat! Their Fresh Flip salad (I think that's what it's called) is misleadingly small looking, but after we split the bowl of spinach, granny smith apples, gorgonzola cheese, and almonds, topped in their own secret dressing, I was practically full. ALMOST didn't have room for the #16 pizza: bacon, gorgonzola, roasted tomatoes, basil, and a really light sauce. The 12" pizza was perfect for the two of us. We even were able to take home half of it for our fourth meal, aka movie snacks. This will be our go to, take out, favorite pizza mecca in the Cambridge area. I don't want to try anything else. :P
(5)
Lidya T.

Love this place! One of the best pizza i've ever hard with so many good stuffs packed on top of the fine and thin crispy pizza dough. We started off with a plate of antipasti, love the proscuittos, sweet salad dressings and pepperoncini peppers. Then came the pizza with artichoke, spinach and sweet potatoes. We savored every bite of it. I normally do not eat the thick outer layer crust for it is just too filling, but this time i ate them all without thinking. The pizza crust is just like roasted fresh pita chips. It was an enjoyable dining experience.
(4)
Tom E.

Emma's serves an American version of Roman Pizza. The roman pizza is not to be confused with the traditional Italian pizzas - the Neapolitans - as it is much much thinner with a crispy crackly edge. This kind of pizza is Rome's take on Napoli's baby and it can be bloody delicious when done well. I'm not sure why the people of Rome decided to go for this style - maybe they were short on yeast for their dough back in the 19th century. Yeast is after all, a very important little thing - it gives us bread, alcohol (and my research project). Anyhoo.... I was yelped at frequently in the last month or so to try Emma's so I went with my entourage of Italian experts including one bonafide Roman and we all agreed that Emma's was good stuff for Boston even if it's a little away from the best of Rome. The base edges are a little too crunchy for authenticity and of course, the strange (but gorgeous) toppings like sweet potato and bacon would be forbidden on the best Italian pizzas. But hey, we were having a good time. They serve Newcastle Brown Ale (my teenage drink!), they have a lovely trattoria feel and the menu has just about the right number of interesting pizzas at a cheap price that will make you want to come back for more. I certainly do. Ordering tip - such tasty thin pizza needs to be ordered in big portions to satisfy. Think two 16-inch pizzas per 3 people. You'll be surprised how quickly they'll be eaten.
(4)
M. A.

Life is too short to eat bad pizza. I love thin crust pizza, and New England offers some of the finest. I would equate Emma's crust to a pizza based on a large cracker (matzo, even), which just isn't pizza in my view. It was flavorless and utterly uninteresting. We had one pizza with garlic infused olive oil, feta, goat cheese, cracked black pepper and green olives. It was unbalanced and salty and rather than being a guilty pleasure of cheese, it was just unpleasant. Our other pizza toppings (artichoke, ricotta, rosemary sauce, maybe some other vegetable) were also just meh. Uninspired. It was especially disappointing for the price. Nearly any other Cambridge pizza establishment is preferable: Cambridge One, City Girl, Area 4, Veggie Planet, and even the chains of Otto's and Upper Crust. We were warned but wanted to try Emma's for ourselves, and won't be back.
(1)
Nic H.

I can't speak to friendliness/quality of waitstaff, as I've only done takeout here, but the food is very good. It's pricey (18 bucks for a pizza is a lot, I feel), but you're getting a pizza in Cambridge, and I've not found this good for less. The ingredients are fresh, which is huge when you're doing pizza IMO. I've also had their BLT, which uses VERY good bacon and bread. The artichoke/sweet potato pizza is a fave of mine, and the thin crust is something I'm a fan of. I'd recommend trying this place out, but be warned that it's small and seating is intimate.
(4)
Diane W.

Best thin crust pizza in all of Cambridge! So many of the toppings are hand made that I feel better about eating there - not just frozen or out of a can. The choice of sauces is awesome as well as the care an attention that they give to each order. Wholesome, fresh, funky and made with love. Viva Emma's!
(4)
Shane F.

Would you believe that this yuppie joint serves the second cheapest* slices in Kendall Square? Well, they do and I believe it is also the best slice in Kendall Square. The pizza is not traditional but is still clearly recognizable as pizza and not just bread with stuff on it. The crust is crispy and cracker thin, the Sauce is spicy and the cheese is bold. The line at the counter does get a bit long at lunch but it moves fast. I have also had the spinach and artichoke salad. It was freshest best tasting spinach I have ever had. That was just one time though, it's expensive compared to slices. *Emma's cheese slices cost $1.75, Kendall House of Pizza and Beauty's cheese slices cost $1.50. I believe Kendall House includes tax in the $1.50. Edited to reflect the fact that Emma's raised the price of a slice of cheese from $1.50 to $1.75. Edited again to include Beauty's as a new provider of reasonably priced slices and to note that I am done keeping track of slice prices in Kendall as a part of this review.
(5)
Al A.

Great pizza. Service is full of attitude. You would think with such bravado, they could do their jobs more efficiently. Not worth the hassle.
(3)
Taeminn S.

I think this is the best pizza at least in Cambridge. Their #25 on the menu (meaty pizza is really good). It is my favorite item on the menu. One downside is that you need to get there a little before lunch hour to get a table... otherwise... one must wait quite a bit...
(5)
Lana G.

I would give this place 5 stars BEFORE I tried a few other places (Sweet Tomatoes in Newton Center is my current favorite). I do like the thin, breaking crust of Emma's pizza still, but I do not like their hours. I used to work around the corner, so that was not an issue. Now it is. I drove by on weekends and weeknights - they are always closed. Not good for business, not at all....but maybe they make a killing otherwise, I don't know :0) I also don't like that you can't sit down until the rest of your party arrives. I was waiting for my friend and they wouldn't let me sit down at the table, even though I told them he would be there within 5 minutes.
(4)
Vanessa M.

Emma's Pizza AKA Emma's Cafe as noted on their door, has great pizza. We went early one Friday evening and had no problems getting a table. Though we were not looking for a pizza place, but instead a cafe that sells oh you know, COFFEE, the pizza was quite good. It is a thin style pizza with the crust resembling a toasty pita bread. My only problem with Emma's is that it is called a "CAFE" and does not serve coffee or any hot drinks and no desert. Remove the "Cafe" sign and it would be golden instead of misleading.
(4)
Meghan D.

Delicious pizza! First time I ever had sweet potatoes on pizza, and to my surprise it was actually good! It's thin crust, you can create your own but they have 20+ topping combos and I'll admit that I've tried most of them. I have yet to meet one I don't like. Bring cash if you're coming in for just a slice or two (credit card min = $10).
(4)
Ben G.

Easily the best pizza in Cambridge. Go at lunchtime and they have a great selection of slices. Follow them on Twitter (@emmaspizza) and get a heads up on their daily slice offerings. Have also tried the Chicken Pagnotelle sandwich, which is awesome.
(4)
Jessica M.

While I love Emma's dearly and it is my *favorite* lunch destination - aside from The Secret Deli (if I knew it's real name, I'd review it, but I don't) - it's amazingly slow. I could live on the tuna melts, they are so good. But be prepared to wait 7 minutes per melt. Which means if anyone is in front of you, 7 minutes for them. It adds up quick. And, for some odd reason, they tell me 15 minutes and 30 minutes later I'm still waiting. I've gotten it for free three times as I've had to wait almost an hour for one tuna melt. Maybe they just like forgetting about me? Sorry about the rant. The pizza is good although the crust is often overdone and therefore it crumbles and makes a huge mess (which is another way of staying the crust is super thin). The toppings are fantastic though and they do a great job with pairings that I'd never think of. Who thought sweet potato could work on a pizza? Overall, if you don't mind the potentially endless wait for you food (especially if you want the glorious tuna melt), the food is yummy and worthwhile. If you are in a hurry, go to the Secret Deli instead and get the chicken stir fry sub. Yummmmy.
(3)
Kelly K.

Emma's Pizza is amazing! The crust is thin and crispy. The toppings and sauce are mouth watering. Sometimes there is a wait, but it is well worth it. The waitstaff super friendly. A great find, since i've been living in the area! I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Jocelyn C.

Emma's Pizza features some of THE tastiest thin-crust pizza I've ever had, and I've had a lot of pizza in my lifetime. I'm the type of person who will only eat the pizza crust if I'm truly impressed by the pizza itself (so, needless to say, there's a lot of crust in some landfill somewhere)... when I get pizza here, there is barely a crumb left on the personal-sized pan, let alone any remnants of the crust. I'm practically licking that pan clean. The other thing I love is wine. I think it's ingenious to have a hole-in-the-wall cafe serving (mostly) pizza and wine (they do have a few salads and other beverages too). Pizza and wine is pretty much all I need to have a nice, warm feeling of euphoria inside. My only problem with this place is that it's way too small. They should really look to expand, either in square footage or in opening up some new locations!
(4)
Kylie S.

I prefer thick crust pizza but I liked Emma's pizza nonetheless. I had the slices, they were good and cheap and surprising interesting topping combinations. The service was really friendly even though I was a pretty incompetent order-placer, not having been there before. I wish this place was closer to Central Square. If I lived near here I would eat at Emma's all the time.
(4)
Laura M.

Oh Emma's...how I love thee. I've sampled a lot of the menu by now, and everything I've had has been wonderful. The pizza is obviously delicious (I like making up my own combo of toppings, but their suggestions are also very good), but the sandwiches and salads are awesome too. As for beverages, they have some beer & wine, but my favorite thing to order there is an Arnold Palmer, mostly because I enjoy the difficulty of pronouncing it. Maybe its just me, but unless I say it say it slowly syllable by syllable (I'll have an Ar-Nold Pal-Mer, please) it becomes a total tongue twister for me. I enjoy a challenge, enough said. Like everyone has mentioned, it is extremely small and backs up really quickly on weekends, but its totally worth it. If it really gets bad and you can't handle the wait, you can always order take out which they have been pretty timely with in my experience. Its become a habit of mine to walk past Emma's on my way home from work in Central sometimes to check out the crowded factor, and if it looks ok I'll run the 3 blocks or so back to my apartment and see if my roommates are as hungry for Emma's as I inevitably am.
(5)
Jim M.

Terrific. Original. Tasty.
(4)
V C.

On the visit back to the childhood home, I was determined to cram the best Boston has to offer, because for all of California cuisine hype, you just can't get a decent bagel, find a true deli, and get some kick-ass tomato sauce on a pizza. I had high hopes for Emma, given the fabulous reviews. My husband and I came ravenous, so hunger alone lowered our standards. Unfortunately, because I was on a trip, I could only give this place one try, and it was middling. Sauce wasn't flavorful, the crust was slightly burnt rather than crisped, and overall forgetful. On the upside, the salad was a bounty of freshness--but salad ain't pizza. Could've been an off night.
(3)
I D.

De-friggin-licious. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The guacamole appetizer is awesome. The chicken sandwich is awesome. The pizza is AWESOME. The thin crust is not only scrumptious but is also key to a "dieter" like me. I usually get their suggested pizzas, and even though I tend to go for the meaty pizzas, the #9 is one of the best things on the menu if you like mushrooms. This place is such a jewel of Kendall Square where the options to eat good food are limited!
(5)
Lindsay D.

There is a line out the door and around the corner every day around lunch for Emma's. Trust these patiently waiting 9 to 5'ers. The pizza is as delicious and unique as Boston pie gets. The vegetable panini is full of fresh grilled veggie goodness and the prices are reasonable. The only downside (if there truly is one) is that aside from a small dining room there's not anywhere to sit. There's an even smaller place to wait for your food - fine in the summer, not so fine in the winter.
(4)
C. N.

There is a point where the amusingly brusque New England style service tips over into something else, which is just rude or mean service. I read these reviews and I honestly wonder if there are a different set of staff for some of you than for others. The funny thing is that I've come here every now and then for what must be 20 years now, first on Huron and then to its current spot, and the staff here has always been like this. Almost every time I've been to Emma's, I overhear an employee speak down to a customer, and no staff member there has ever been truly friendly or pleasant, in fact I can't recall seeing a smile on a staff member's face to anyone. They are extremely nice, obviously, to some people, and extremely rude to others. Do you know which one you'll be? It's a shame when a restaurant has great food (they do, clearly) but you find yourself wondering how to obtain it without any contact with the staff or setting foot in the tiny, uncomfortable space. But also, it's clear that enough people will be coming here for the food to keep it open and doing fine regardless of how unpleasant the experience is otherwise.
(2)
Matthew G.

Emma's has a selection of unique and delicious pizzas. The pizzas are among the best in the Greater Boston area (alongside Veggie Planet and sometimes Sicilia's). Make sure to try something unusual! The atmosphere is pretty good as well. Somewhat dark with lots of interesting people spread across the different tables. They also do takeout, which is quick and tasty.
(5)
Andrew C.

Great pizza, okay service, weird little coke bottles... I enjoy Emma's pizza but it is on the expensive side for pizza for sure. I have gone there many times for lunch and the pizza has always been good. They have very fresh, tasty toppings. The pizzas are wafer thin so you can easily split a large between two people. The two things that I have not always loved is the service, the greeter can get pretty testy sometimes but that could just be because they are always crowded and it is a small place, and the size of the cokes, they have cool little 6 or 8 oz. bottles of Diet Coke which are very trendy looking but when they charge 2 bucks for them I would rather just have a can thank you. Those are just two small things, overall Emma's is very tasty, not cheap, but very tasty and I will definitely keep going back.
(4)
Trish F.

So.. I'm not completely writing off Emma's.. but I guess I'm waiting for the "third-times-a-charm" effect to kick in. First time I went.. I was waiting for a friend before a Kendall movie and I wanted a quick bite to eat. When I got to Emma's.. I thought perfect, I would love a BLT. Then I was told my BLT would take a little over half an hour because they were really backed up. I've worked in restaurants.. I know things can get busy... but half an hour for a pick up BLT? Second time I decided to be safe and just get a slice of pizza. It was decent for $1.84. The woman seemed like she was having a bad day, so I basically gave her whatever change I had in my wallet (I used to be a cashier too) and she suddenly perked up. So next time.. I'm looking to maybe eat in and see what the whole deal is. I believe in third chances.
(2)
Darragh M.

Defo great Pizza. This is right across from where I live but I've only been 2 or 3 times. Should go more. They number the pizzas I think 17 was good. Its always busy so be prepared to wait on weekend nights.
(4)
Greg L.

Probably the best pizza I've been able to find in the Boston area. Highly inventive combinations such as white pizza with bacon (which won best of Boston) and red pizza with cranberry and young potatoes. They have a couple of different varieties of red sauce and a long list of special combinations. The location is quaint, but tight. This is a nearly ideal "hole-in-the-wall" experience where they serve surprisingly outstanding food. But listen, this is not for everyone, particularly if you're merely looking for a plain old Greek-style cheese pizza with no personality. If if you're in the mood for flavor and adventure, this is a great small, local place.
(4)
Alden F.

For gourmet thin-crust pizza, this is the best I've had in Boston. The atmosphere and the staff are pretty casual, maybe a little too casual for some people's taste, but I like it. I wish they would improve their take-out slice selection, because its a gourmet pizza place --- I don't want just a pepperoni slice... I want something more interesting. Like Upper Crust always has a least one slice option of something more exotic. But overall Emmas is great. Better than upper crust.
(5)
Kevin T.

OK, so my boss decided to order pizzas for us for one of our meetings. My coworker said that Emma's was his favorite pizza place and I got pretty excited. I mean, who doesn't get excited for pizza???? And this is coming from someone who's lactose intolerant. Anywho, my coworker was in charge of ordering pizzas and she ordered all vegetarian pizzas, and in my mind, I was like "WHYYYYYY!!!!!" I'm not against vegetables...I actually love veggies....but why all vegetarian pizzas!?!? It turns out it's because one of our other coworkers is a vegetarian. My coworker asked me to come with her to pick up the pizza so I went. When we a block away, I smelled something that was super fragrant and my coworker said it was the pizza. I was like...right. It turns out, it was the restaurant! It's a small restaurant that was really crowded for lunch. I couldn't wait to dig in. First off, who knew that caramelized onions would taste that good (THE NUMBER 1!). It was seriously one of the best pizzas I've ever had in my life. We ordered another pizza that had loads of mushroom and was just as good. Although the pizzas are a bit pricey, I think it's pretty worth it. The pizzas are New York style, thin and crispy. We ordered large pizzas and I'm convinced that I can finish the entire thing in one sitting. Bottom line...pizza is extremely memorable.
(5)
Rory V.

Love Emma's Pizza- thin crust, interesting toppings or you can get something basic and it'll still rock. My favorite is #14, (pepperoni, basil, mozzarella, traditional sauce--LOVE the sauce). I usually get take out b/c it gets so busy and I hate to wait , but if you eat there, try the Famous Fling salad. Yummy! It's not a very big place, but the service has always been solid. Only bad thing I can say is that they aren't open on Sundays.
(5)
Megan B.

After hearing rave reviews, I went here for the first time last night. We walked in and were greeted by a really nice host who brought us delicious white wine right away while we waited. And we did WAIT, but it's a Saturday night, and the host thanked us several times for waiting. No problem! The menu provided lots of yummy flavor combinations with lots of cheese, so I was happy. I will absolutely be back. Our waitress was so - so. Not overly friendly, but was very available, ready to take our order, refill water. What really got me is on the check where they have the tip percentage, they give you a break down for 15%, 20%,25%. Really? 25%!?!! Yikes. Since when did great service go to 25%? It seemed a little passive aggressively pushy. I thought 15% was still good for normal, and 20% was great.
(4)
Noor A.

I was visiting my sister in Boston a few weeks ago when she took me here for dinner one night. The pizza was some of the best I've ever had, although I found it a bit too greasy for my liking. The dining room is small yet quaint. One amusing/annoying note - they have a very strict no cellphones policy. We got a call from our dad during dinner and a waiter quickly came over and demanded that we turn it off! How rude! Given how crowded the place was, it was already really really loud in there and I doubt our cell phone conversation bothered anybody. I can understand such a policy if this was an uber nice place with white tablecloth but this just the neighborhood pizza place. We had to abruptly end our conversation with Dad, lest we get in trouble. Give me a break! I wonder if they crack down on txting, too.
(4)
Abby L.

So good! I have been looking for a very delicious pizza place nearby and Emma's fits the bill. I was surprised by how flavorful the pizza is, while having such a thin crust. My trick to myself is I feel like it's healthier if it has a thin crust. I have to say the salads were lacking, but that's not the point of the place. Delish.
(4)
James P.

Goood Pizza, crowded place and it can sometimes take awhile but man was it good. You will often see people getting takeout but not making it to the car before they break out a slice to pound down, thats a good indication of something good. Don't be afraid of the wacky topping combinations, when you try them you'll be happy you did.
(4)
T M.

I must admit the crust here isn't my favorite - It's a bit TOO thin, crispy, and insubstantial (I get the feeling it would shatter into bits when bitten into if it weren't for the toppings holding it together) - but it's just a vehicle for the incredible toppings and sauce. My favorite is pepperoni and sweet sausage with rosemary sauce. Not my favorite pizza in Boston but the toppings are amazing. So- crust: 3 stars, toppings: 5 stars = 4 stars. Definitely worth a try. I can't comment on the service since I've only taken pizza out here.
(4)
Jamie S.

Extremely crowded-- for good reason--this place is not the place to go for lunch during the work day with the work crowd. While the staff kindly accommodated us party of 8 (pregnant lady counts for two?), I would visit again at a late hour...with a plus 1. The famous fling salad with granny smith apples and toasted almonds has an invisible and secret dressing and is big enough for two, maybe three, if three merely wants 'a bite'. The number 1 pizza is deservedly #1 on the menu. Unassuming roasted red peppers, caramelized onions and mozzarella is reminiscent of the Carmine at another brick oven chain pizza establishment...but Emmas is better...the roasted red peppers are that little special something. The sodas are served in adorable little glass bottles...but careful, those can add up. This reasonably priced good quality pizza, in a small neighborhood feel restaurant, fits right into the crunchier side of Boston known as Cambridge.
(4)
Josiah B.

One of the things I miss the most about Boston is Emma's Pizza. I ate there growing up back when it was run by Emma and her brother out of a hole in the wall on Huron Ave. She would slide the hot pie out onto the mustard colored Formica counter top and pop the bubbles in the crust with her fingertip. She always seemed to be kind of pissed off, but I remember loving her. Anyways, after Emma retired the joint was revived by some folks that really turned Emma's into a first rate pizzeria. I've only been to the "new" location once, but I have very fond memories of the old and new Emma's on Huron Ave. Last I remembered you had to call up on Friday afternoon to make a reservation to pick up a Pizza on Friday night. It must have been the spicy rosemary marinara and goat cheese with spicy sausages and fresh mushrooms that made me fall in love with the new owners!
(5)
Kaitlin B.

Delicious pizza! We've had takeout from her and have dined in. The menu is simple and straightforward and everything we've had has been good. Last night we had a generous antipasto platter as an entree followed by their #16 pizza, which was very good. The crust is amazing!
(5)
Huan z.

Super Thin, Very Tasty and so Fresh, that's how Emma's present their pizza. It's one of the best pizza place I have in Boston area. I use to work in Kendal area for years but never tried this restaurant. I am glad I did. It will be one of my frequent place for Pizza. Two Thumbs up! By the way, they have 5 mirrors in their small bathroom, it can drive you crazy for deciding which mirror to use ;)
(4)
Yun W.

I don't know if we just didn't order the right things but this was really quite disappointing. The Canadian bacon/caramelized onions/mozzarella/rosemary sauce was just average and the roasted sweet potato/spinach/mozzarella/goat cheese/rosemary sauce pizza was pretty bland. I appreciate thin crust but not to the point that it is burnt and black at the edges. Also, this place is just overpriced. Service was rather lackluster and we waited almost 35 minutes for just two pizzas.
(2)
Dana B.

There is too much to love about Emma's. The atmosphere, the waitstaff, and, obviously, their pizza. I'm not a very creative person with my food, but Emma's has so many different pizza combinations you can't help but want to be a little daring. And it's delicious! The appetizers all also great and there is quite a variety to choose from. It's an adorable little restaraunt with a "cellphone free environment" sign on the door. Can't help but love that! It's a casual establishment with a little bit of vintage flare that helps to add to the charm.
(5)
Stephanie T.

tremendously tasty thin crust pizza with a large, nontraditional array of topping options (from sweet potatoes to cranberries). the dining area is really cozy, and there's also a take out counter. but, i'd recommend avoiding this place all together on weekdays between the hours of 11:30-1pm because it is a zoo full of people from the surrounding offices on their lunch break. however, after 1, we had the entire restaurant to ourselves. they also have a really good small selection of beers on their menu.
(4)
David M.

I'm a pizza savant and this might be the best I've ever had. Found this place on yelp and had 4.5 stars avg review. People raving are not kidding. After a lifelong search for the best pizza, my search may be over. I'm usually not to adventerous when ordering toppings but I got outside the box on this one Try the #20 if you like that sort of thing. We saw others having this and everyone agreed it was awesome.
(5)
Jeff S.

This is by far hands down a great date place. The kind you go to after your third or fourth date when things are going well. The wine choices are varied and complement the pizzas well. I totally love the rosemary sauce one as well as the one with sweet potatoes on it. You can't go wrong with the traditional pepperoni and cherry tomato one either. I really need to go in for slices during lunch sometime. The atmosphere is condusive for great conversation and the waiters/waitresses are super friendly. There is a dark appeal I like and typically you can always hear Radiohead or Interpol playing on the speakers i.e. at least when I went. My mouth is watering just thinking about the pizza they have. The prices are extremely reasonable also for the pizza you get.
(5)
P-Rock F.

When you want some love in the form of pizza, go for the #3. Baby spinach, roasted yams, goat cheese, caramelized onions. You'll fall for this pizza.
(5)
Joe R.

I can't say the pizza blew me away, as I have a mid-westerner pizza eating reputation to uphold. Thin crusts are the crutch of the weak, after all. Not bad, though, if you're in Kendall Square and have the pizza urge. Interesting array of toppings, good crowd, good selection of bottled beers.
(4)
Jeff C.

One of our favorite places in Cambridge. Never had a bad night here. Great atmosphere for date night or small groups. My fav: The number six (Broccoli/Roasted Yukon Potato/Gorgonzola/Traditional Sauce/Mozzarella) with Italian sweet sausage added. Friendly folks too. Just a nice vibe. If you haven't been to Emma's, you're missing out.
(5)
Mike H.

Best pizza in Boston that I've had. Their sit-down menu is great too (I had a BLT that was the bomb, and tried the home-made tortilla chips with guacomole, also frickin' awesome). Their shining star, though, is the pizza. I pretty much only get take out ($1.95 for a slice of cheese) but frequently eat it at the counter with a bottle of Prima Pils from Victory. It's thin-crust deliciousness, and it's super quick.
(5)
John L.

I heart Emma's, just don't tell my girlfriend! ( ' ; We actually dine here whenever we want real pizza; it's the finest gourmet pizza in MA. Craisins, sweet potatoes and artichokes are only some of the toppings you can select for nice thin crust pies. The place is intimate, i.e., you often may rub elbows with your neighbors but it doesn't deter from the atmosphere (which includes a no cellphone policy.) Pricing is super reasonable and if you manage to leave with a doggy bag, it reheats well ( ' :
(5)
Michelle P.

Very yummy pizzas, while the ingriedients are immediately visible you can taste them in every single bite. For thin crust yummy pizzas the prices on some are a bit high but others its perfect a small pizza is enough to feed two and a large is to feed at least four. I had the Canadian Bacon with Carmelized Onions, Rosemary Sauce, and Mozzarella and it was absolutely delecious and piping hot! For a Saturday night it was a bit crowded but the wait wasn't more than 15 minutes. While the service was the best for personalization it was good for a night like last night.
(5)
Amy S.

A little known secret: BEST BLT EVER!!! and cheap- just over 5 dollars. The pizza is also fabulous. Typically chi-chi pizzas tend to just taste wrong to me. Not at Emma's. Their combinations are pure art. If you are a bacon fan like me, go for the #16 or #4 and you won't be disappointed. Also, when you're in the healthy mode, the fling salad with chicken will fill you up delightfully. They have a nice wine selection as well, and the glasses are generously poured. Overall, super yummy and cozy. Its worth the wait, believe me.
(5)
Melissa W.

I love you, Emma's! I like your decor, I enjoy your music, I love your pizzas, and I'd kill for your salads! Especially the one with apples and your secret house dressing. Where else can you get sweet potato on your pizza?? My only complaint is that you can get kinda noisy.... ah, such is the price you pay for excellence!
(5)
Robbie B.

We are Emma's regulars and boy did we get a treat tonight. Yes, the pizza was as delicious as always. So what was different? We could actually talk to each other without shouting. The volume of the music was miraculously, blessedly low. Yes, we could hear it. Yes, it set the mood. But it was in the background. We could talk. We could enjoy our meal without our heads and stomachs being bombarded with sound. We left a large (and larger than usual) tip. Please, please, please Emma's: keep the volume lower and allow us to enjoy our pizza inhouse more often, rather than grabbing our pies and fleeing to the quiet of our own dining table to enjoy.
(5)
E C.

The pizza crust is crispy like a pita chip! This place reminds me heavily of the Cheeseboard in Berkeley- relaxed and homey decor, fresh toppings, perfect crust. I like.
(4)
Megan H.

This place is closed on Sundays. Love the fact that they discourage cell phone use! Now here's what I wanted to really write about: their pizza is like everyone says, amazing, at we always get a pizza with half of one combo and half of another...., my sis always gets the same thing because it never disappoints (pepperoni, sauce, basil & mozzarella). My bro-in-law are more adventurous and try something different every time. Last night marked the first time that we were disappointed with our choice- it had chevre, cracked black pepper, salted olives. While this wasn't horrible, it was.totally dry, and a bit disappointing- more like an appetizer of flatbread more than a pizza. We ordered it as takeout- after washing down my two slices of chevre pizza with a gallon of water, my sister charitably offered me a slice of hers, which I was excited about... Well, I started to write this interview and all of a sudden I smell smoke! I ran to the toaster oven and realized that I not only ruined our half of the pizza by trying out the exotic combo, but I burned the best slice that was guaranteed to be outstanding. Sigh...at least the FD didn't show up, and Emma's is open tomorrow!
(4)
Laura M.

I adore Emma's. The thin-crust pizza with gourmet/exotic toppings cannot be beat. They have a few seemingly bizarre choices (caramelized onions, sweet potatoes, and goat cheese?) that are well worth trying, as well as more standard pizza fare, and you can customize any pie from their plentiful list of toppings, cheeses, and sauces. Awesome! The restaurant is small, as others have stated, and it can be hard to get a table during the dinner rush on a weekend. I suggest going after work one day if you'd like to dine in, or if you live reasonably close by, call in your order (you can take home a menu) and pick it up. When my friend spent a summer subletting in Kendall Square, she ordered Emma's at least once a week, and I envied her. So much.
(5)
Anonymous P.

Perfect cheese, perfect sauce, perfect crust, in perfect proportions. I'd like to try this cheese pizza up against Frank Pepe's. update: after my latest visit, I'm going to take it down a notch. Went for lunch, there was a long awkward line. It's clear that the staff were overrun. My pizza came out noticeably crisp--it was obviously not Emma's typical pizza, but they served it anyway. The crust was hard and unyielding, and tasted slightly burnt. High standards include consistency. update: went again...yummy. $1.50/slice, wow. back to 5 stars. Best in Cambridge. Closest competitor is Il Panino.
(5)
berzoris p.

Ahh... Emma's! This is the pizza I grew up on, albeit the original incarnation on Huron Ave. I remember Emma standing at the counter chatting, or - more frequently - yelling at her husband as he worked the oven, lazily poking cheese bubbles with his finger. Their pizza was absolutely amazing. Much better than Armando's across the street, though they could never compete on volume. We all cheered when the new owners came in to save the establishment, and then cringed at their frou-frou requirements (2-day pre-orders, etc). That being said, I'm glad that Emma's lives on, at least in spirit. And in Kendall Square. I'll have to eat there someday...
(5)
Ann S.

Without a doubt some of the best pizza we've ever had! Simply amazing. So good that we ate here _twice_ during our week long stay in Cambridge. Service was business-like, not friendly, but not rude, simply getting the job done. We'll be returning every chance we get.
(5)
Anup A.

Just try the #21 or #3, and you'll see what the fuss is all about. The staff is also tops.
(5)
Sadalit V.

Great pizza, funky atmosphere. We ordered the avocado & chips appetizer & I highly recommend spreading the fresh guacamole on your pizza. The bathroom is such a trippy carnival funhouse it's worth the trip alone.
(4)
Kristin T.

Great pizza! I like to get whatever is the daily special. Lucky for me this place is so close to work that it's a definite go-to spot.
(4)
Dennis J.

The pizza's pretty good given the options. However, I'm writing to address the service. I was just hung up on twice for asking benign questions about taking reservations and the wait time.
(2)
Alice G.

I went here a week ago and "made" one with feta, artichokes and spinach. overall quality of ingredients was outstanding. However, half of each slice was soggy and falling under its own weight. I wish they struck a balance between quality and quantity on a pizza. I believe Oggi does the best job of doing this. We had an old guy who was incharge of our table, and , maybe he was trying to be non intrusive or was plain busy, but it took forever to get his attention every time. We didnt mind our additional time here, none the less. We had some very interesting imported beers, i believe they change/ rotate the selection often. overall, a nice cute pizzeria and a pleasant evening, but the soggy pizza wont get it any more stars.
(3)
Shannon A.

The pizza is AMAZING - cracker thin crust, great choice of sauces (the rosemary is my favorite), original toppings - this place turns other pizza joints on their head. Not only is the food good, but the atmosphere is wonderful. They're always piping in great music and the staff is friendly with a pleasant dose of "Cambridge indie." I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a casual and inexpensive dining experience. Be warned, though, on weekends, the wait for a table can be long, so plan ahead.
(5)
Katy D.

mmmm - it's the surprise of the daily rotation and the comfort of the awesome famous fling salad that keeps me coming back. Thin crusts, ample feta, and a very nice, cool vibe that makes me happy that they are not still in sleepy Huron Village.
(4)
admir a.

Had an awesome chicken sandwich there today. Roasted tomatos to die for ,chicken, bacon, and mozarella served hot. One of the best meals i've had in months and months, yes that good. The best tasting tomatoes I have ever had.
(5)
Christopher N.

Having lived in Watertown for a bit, pizza places are everywhere. And some are pretty darn good (Stella's). However, no Boston pizza place has measured up like Emma's. I have been here a few times with no disappointments. They have incredible variety including numerous veggie options. They also serve beer and wine, so you can enjoy your pizza the correct way. It is genuinely one of those places, where if I lived in the Kendall area, I would visit 2x per week. Really, it is that good.
(5)
Kristina D.

Awesome, cute pastel atmosphere and pleasant staff. My boyfriend and I just beat the dinner rush there tonight, and enjoyed a carafe of chianti with half a pie of the #9 (thyme roasted mushrooms, baby spinach, feta, mozzarella, original sauce) and the #10 (scallions, garlic, gorgonzola, original sauce). The cheese/sauce/crust integrity was excellent and the thinnness rivaled that of Rome pizzeria offerings (and my beloved 2Amys, but not with the same crust bubbliciousness). I also like that it's cell phone free.
(5)
Nancy C.

Just went to Emma's with coworkers. We loved it! We started with the guacomoli appetizer. Yummy! We ordered a #1, with artichoke hearts. Delicious. The proce was right, 3soda, apps, and large pizza, $25.00.
(5)
kevin d.

Due to my mild lactose-intolerance, I've become a bit of a pizza snob. Stakes are high! I'm rolling the dice! Emma's is one of the few spots around for which I'll take the risk. Beyond the tasty pies (get artichokes and olives) and discriminating beer/wine menu, it has a warm ambiance that makes it the perfect lunch spot for your Kendall work crew. Pass the lactaid pills.
(4)
Arnaz M.

There are many awesome places in this world, but this place is awesome & unique! The best pizza there is AND (yes, it gets better) you can have a sangria to go with it!! I lived right by it a few years ago, and now I make sure I bring as many of my friends here when I can. Of course you can get thin crust elsewhere, but its all about the toppings. The feta and goat cheese toppings are to die for (assuming you like these cheeses - if you don't please start working on it). If you crave the traditional pizzas this might not the place for you. Its not the oily, heavy stuff which some people crave.
(5)
Jesse W.

12/22/07: Oh Emma - my how you've stayed the same! Its been six years since I last saw you, you had just moved to this location from your original home in huron village - back then, you were just a secret. Your pizzas are still wonderful and light - still so healthy and delicious!. Your menu still hasn't changed much, and you're still popular as ever! I'm glad we had the chance to meet again!
(5)
Chris R.

This is one of my favorite places to eat in Cambridge. I often bring guests from out of town here. There is often a wait, especially on weekend evenings. But, the host will be sure to share the current selection of beers with you and offer to bring one out while you wait. My friends and I put Emma's on our top ten list of restaurants that need to expand to a larger location. OK, so now about the pizza. Basically, its just really good. The pizzas are thin crust, like you get in Italy not New York. The ingredients are all really fresh. The best part is the suggested combinations. They have come up with some of the most interesting, tasty combinations of pizza toppings I have ever experienced. There are plenty of meaty options. But, generally I go for the vegetarian pizzas because they are so friggin' good. Definitely check this place out.
(5)
Sara B.

For food, this place desrves 5 stars. All the other reviews say it - great thin crust pizza with all sorts of unique toppings. There are two problems. One is that they seem to keep strange hours, I can't tell you how many times I've tried to go when they've been closed. I guess I should call ahead. The other problem is that the place is tiny. Even when they are open, if you go at any normal dining time, you'll be waiting a long time. It often seems like there are just as many people waiting as there are eating. Maybe I'm just trying to scare you off so there's more room for me. There's no denying that if I could only have pizza from one place for the rest of my life, it would be Emma's.
(4)
Katy T.

AMAZING pizzas. Usually forgettable pizza is turned into something that you remember long after you've finished your meal. The selection of unique pizzas is so varied, that you are certainly going to find something that really gets your attention. The staff is friendly and they make you feel very welcome. I am not a beer drinker, and the waitress introduced me to a new beer that I'd not tried that I will definitely order again. This is definitely a place to return to and enjoy again and again.
(5)
Jessica R.

For a pleasant date, go to emma's for dinner and follow it with an independent film at the kendall cinema right across the street. Caution though: it is very small and rather popular so avoid it on friday and saturday nights unless you want to wait outside in the cold for an hour. None of the pizza's on the menu are vegan, but they will make anything you like custom and the Rosemary-Garlic Tomato sauce is divine.
(4)
Flora B.

Totally delicious! I am psyched to have discovered another great pizza place in the neighborhood... The atmosphere was a little dark. The salad was very good and our pepperoni pizza just right. Great service. I'm definitely going to go back.
(5)
Pete P.

if you like VERY thin crust, crispy crust pizza with "gourmet" toppings this place is for you. no reservations and be ready to wait for a while... 30 mins to an hour on a busy night. dont forget, there is take out! we get take out pretty often which is almost as good. the place is small with a quaint, funky decor. they have the big newcaslte beers which i love and dogfishead IPA is usually available. parking? you can park in the theater lot or drive around and get lucky...
(4)
b c.

great pizza, impressively poor service. i thought it was a bad day, but it has happened again, with multiple staff. i believe in treating service professionals as well as one expects to be treated. still, these folks made me wish i had gone elsewhere, despite the quality of the pizza. update: the owner wrote me a nice note expressing interest in improving the service.
(1)
Kristina M.

Delicious pizza, nice atmosphere, ok prices. Just good!
(4)
aaron t.

What a wonderful place to eat. The service is awesome with some of the most vibrant staff around Cambridge. The pizza is great! Thin but semi-thick. not crunchy, but just right! Great place to catch up with friends! Price: 10-15 a pie, enough for 2-3 easily. Environment, fun, comfy. Food: Excellent!
(4)
Matt W.

I love Emma's!! I always go back and forth between Emma's and The Upper Crust. They are both great and distinctly different. I feel the customization at Emma's is far superior. Plus Emma's has subs and pasta (I think) for those not wanting pizza. There are 3 sauce choices, 25 pre-desgned pizza types, or a menu of options to create your own pizza. The crust is quite thin and is often rather crispy (some might say burnt) on the very edge, but I love that. Before declaring any pizza place give Emma's a try. Be warned, Emma's is quite crowded during lunch.
(5)
William M.

While I would be extatic if I could like Emma's, it just doesn't make the cut. The dough is bland, the sauce is bad (often sweet), and the cheese is just no good! Fails to deliver a quality pie.
(2)
Lala L.

Pizza Queen at it again! This is by far my most FAVORITE pizza joint. They don't make it as big as it use to be before they moved from Hurley Street. But I'm still happy with the super thin crust. In fact, so thin, it's thinner than pita bread, and you have to eat it with a fork and knife. The gourmet toppings are a plus. They range from smoked mozzarella to goat cheese to potatoes to cranberries...etc...very eccentric choices. Since I'm a fan of sauce, I'm particularly pleased with their spicy rosemary tomato sauce. You can also have your pizza with pesto, traditional tomato sauce or plain.
(5)
Tracee D.

I like it here. I like places where the owner's break a sweat. Great Salads for real!! The spinach gorgonzola nut salad is serious. Its like being in some healthy eating professional person's kitchen. Equipped with granola and jazz.Butcher block tables, simple chairs. The pizza is great. I liked #5 and #10 this time. 5 was sweet sausage, mozz, caramelized onions and sauce. Caramelized onions always seem like a good idea...then you grow tired of them. The # 10 was pure bliss. Mozz, basil, tomato sauce and gorgonzola-Love it! They have beer and wine so thats a plus. I would not call it cozy but I will call it quaint. There's not enough of that. So thin, crazy thin, perfect thin pizza.
(4)
Eric W.

One of the better independent pizzerias I've found in the area. The pizzas are carefully crafted and flavorful. The staff is pleasant but not attentive. You might not need them for much. The crust isn't substantial or even particularly flavorful; it tends to dissolve into a bland paste once it hits your mouth. That's not necessarily as bad as it sounds, though. Here the focus is all on the toppings, the crust simply being the vehicle from plate to mouth. Be sure to be adventuresome when making choices of how to top your pie, because otherwise what comes out could be a bit of a bore.
(4)
Nat S.

I have worked essentially next door since they moved to the current location from Huron Ave. I eat there a lot - still not burned out. The salads are great, as is the pizza. The idea of putting roasted tomatoes on a BLT is genius. I would'nt attempt a weekend movie at the Kendall with dinner beforehand at Emma's- too many people get the same idea and it get's crazy- you feel rushed - you get a lousy seat in theater....
(5)
Bhuvana H.

I've been going to Emma's for years and have always loved it. The pizza has a great thin crust, the sauce is super tasty, and the toppings are wonderful & unique. My favorite combo is roasted red peppers with caramelized onions. The only drag is waiting for a table at this small and busy restaurant!
(4)
Dan G.

Pizza is good. Thin crust is great. Pepperoni is the best. Not the best pizza, but good. If you want something really good, get the Chicken Pagnotelle...its damn good but beware...the bread is baked and hard...can cut the roof of your mouth..but its yummy.
(4)
Bernice S.

Just thinking about their #3 (baby spinach, roasted sweet potato, caramelized onions, goat cheese--mmmmm...$15/$20) makes my salivary glands go into overdrive--bring home the pizza, daddy-o.
(4)
sam h.

I thought it would be good, not great. But I was wrong. We enjoyed a starter of goat cheese, olives, and crostini. It was first rate, goat cheese delicate, tangy, and a perfect foil for the olives. We ordered an amazing ricotta pizza with rosemary essence, awesome slow-roasted tomatoes, and a perfect artichoke complement. The flavors mixed and contrasted so, so well. What a delightful surprise!
(5)
shary m.

Emma's is no doubt inventive and progressive, their salad, sangria that turns my ears red, the attentive help who care about customer service (they gave me free movie passes when they needed me to change tables to accomodate a bigger party) and cute rustic homey enviroment are sublime. BUT with all those yummy creative ingredients they throw together, the flavors just don't always seem meld the way I wish they would, and the crust is powdery and overbaked. Like when you buy baked unsalted tortilla chips by mistake, booooooo! Gimme some sauce to dip it in, and she gets 4 stars.
(3)
Lindley E.

I wanted to love Emmas -- since their first incarnation on Huron to this location near the movie theatre. I keep hoping maybe I'll change. But the crackerbread pizza just doesn't work for me. Don't feel bad if it doesn't work for you either. Its okay. My therapist said so.
(1)
Thomas F.

While at first it may seem overly pretentious for a pizzaria to ask you to choose your crust and sauce as well as toppings, the quality ingredients and superb flavors demonstrate that it's really just offering you a new style of pizza experience. I've been to Emma's twice and both times were fabulous... the only reason I'm not there all the time is that its slightly out-of-the-way location (10 to 15 minutes walk from the Kendall T stop) causes it to fail to come to mind as often as it deserves.
(5)
Jungmin L.

Always crowded, that's the only problem. So far the potato/bacon/cranberry pizza is the best on the menu. I personally don't like the dough, because it gets too hard in their oven.
(3)
Geoff T.

I love this place. The thin crispy neopolitan style pizza with nothing but fresh ingredients is unlike anything else you can find in the city. The small ten table place makes it perfect for two (I took my girlfriend here on her Latvian Name Day-- a kind of Latvian half-birthday) and it's close proximity to the Kendall Theater makes it a great dinner part of the old Dinner and a Movie. Try one with artichokes... MMMM....
(5)
Richard S.

Emma's is a scene during prime dining times most nights of the week. Watch out for Thursday through Saturday. The pizza definitely has a certain something that you won't get anywhere else. Lots of respectable veggie selections. And since i mostly only go there to pick up food, it's actually kind of fun hanging out front with the hip and hungry who are mostly waiting for tables.
(4)
Mags L.

pizza is a very personal thing. you'll always find people that will rave about emma's. i am not one of those people. it's a decent enough pizza place, but i prefer my pizza without all the pretense. the people that work here are like the people that work at darwin's - weirdly overweening. i think the best thing i had here was not even pizza, but the salad (the one with apples in it). it's just not my taste. i guess i was not sufficiently charmed by the charmingness of it.
(3)
Gil S.

Quite possibly the only place better than Upper Crust. Atmosphere is chill and cozy; the pies and beer are yummy. Thin crust pizza offered in various permutations - all scrumptious. Parking can be scarce, which is the only detraction. Highly recommended.
(5)
Catherine M.

One of the best pizza places I've been to. The crust is light and thin. It is one of the few pizza places where I would actually eat the crust. The toppings are all good. Try the one with caramelized onion and Italian sausage. Their salads taste fresh with just the right amount of dressing. Be prepared for a wait but they move pretty fast. I've had good service every time I went. The restaurant itself is small and cozy with painted pizza paddles on the walls. It is a cute place to bring a date without breaking the bank.
(5)
A H.

mediocre pizza, weird decor, and bad location. i left with three thoughts in my mind 1) why didn't i just go to domino's (across the street) if I wanted so-so pizza, 2) WTF happened to my $20?!? (oh yeah, that overpriced large 2-topping half/half pizza), and 3) damn, why didn't i go to domino's, be twice as full and half as broke? I'll have to keep #3 on my mind the next time i walk past emma's and get the urge to try their "legendary" pizza
(2)
Nancy S.

We love Emma's. The food is fresh and varied. The pizzas are well-balanced and not overwhelmed by cheese or toppings. The cracker crust isn't for everyone, but works well in the minimalist style that is Emma's. Cute space, laid-back vibe, and fun service. Go early so you can avoid the crowds.
(4)
Terry W.

Emma's pizza is interesting and delicious! It just seems more like pizza toppings on pita bread to me than actual pizza. I think if I ate inside the restaurant I might have had a different perspective, but ordered takeout the pizza toppings were bountiful and delicious. I was thrown off by the fact that they put the pies in a pastry box of some sort instead of a pizza box and the pizza was too big for the boxes that they had, but the end product was pretty much as advertised one of the best. Although I prefer Figs in Charlestown's crust for a buegouis pizza.
(3)
Valerie L.

I love Emmas! Get the number 4 - delicious, even though it might sound weird (cranberries). When I lived in the area, I had it at least once a week. The only problem is that there is a wait during the weekend, but it's easy to get a drink across the street until your table is ready. I'm not a fan of the thyme mushrooms however that they have on their pizzas. I really like the guacamole.
(5)
Kiley f.

It's the best friggin' pizza around...if you think other wise, it may be your own fault...After all, if you don't make your own pizza you're lazy...There are so many options. It's tiny and low lit, no cell phones... I don't think of it as "gourmet", it's simple, rustic and un-fussed with..Just like pizza should be. My combo of choice Grilled chicken, rosemary sauce, smoked mozzarella, red onion, peperoni. They have a few apps but, I personally love the idea of a limited menu in that area, it's definitely a quality rather than quantity thing. The goat cheese and toast points are just enough for a table of four to share and still have good conversation. The staff is old skool Cambridge, i like that, I know that they are on control and that everything will be handled quickly and correctly. My P.S. This place knows how to stock a drink list, GIANT bottles of New Castle, unusual wines, coke in a glass bottle and Sangria that doesn't taste like Hawaiian Punch.
(5)
Al B.

No question, the best place in the world for inspired pizza. Very tasty and done just right. Personal favorite is #5 with sausage and caramelized onions. Usually crowded on a Friday or Saturday night, but worth the wait and it's usually not that long a wait anyway. Great atmosphere (cozy and not too bright) and service is friendly -- even when it's busy, you still know they care. Been there dozens of times and have NEVER had anything but an awesome experience. If I could only ever go to one restaurant, it would be here.
(5)
Cass S.

Great fresh toppings. Super thin crust. Always a good slice, very consistent. My fav: sweet potato, caramelized onions. Top three pizza places in the Boston area.
(5)
matt o.

My favorite pizza outside of boston, the #3 and #8 are a gift from the gods. I'm a sucker for thin crust pizza and this is thin to the extreme.
(5)
Pancake ..

The food here is SOOOO good, but it's just so hard to go there because of the wait time (very small dining room). I love the pizza, apps, and salads.
(4)
Sarah T.

I had been hearing about Emma's pizza for a while, so one day, I decided to take a detour and make a visit. I was needing for some pizza. The verdict: yes, the pizza crust is thin and crisp, yes the sauce is yummy, yes this place is neo hip. But I think Emma's should be noted as more of a sit down place, or for ppl who have the foresight to pre-order. You end up waiting on line, getting pushed around, etc. do get your $3 slice (or whatever it was) of pizza. I'm not sure it was worth it for me. But would be up for going there again for the sit-down / order out experience.
(3)
Bevin C.

Ah, what a nice place! It reminds me of a restaurant you'd wander into in some little college town, not a barren, MIT wasteland. At Emma's, you can get really tasty pizza and great wine. End of story. A wonderful place. On a Friday night, my boyfriend and I shared a jug of sangria while waiting and hour for our table - best restaurant wait in a long, long time.
(5)
Miles H.

A unique pizza restaurant which I have fallen in love with over the years. The food is delicious, albeit a little expensive at times, and the waitstaff is extremely friendly. Highly recommended for dinner with friends or for dates.
(5)
Kevin C.

Alright Pizza but does not really fill you up as it is very thin crust with inadequate toppings. This restaurant has an attitude about it that is less than endearing. When asked if they deliver over the phone, the staff responds as if you have insulted them rather than just answering the question. Also another time I got attitude for picking up my pizza 5 minutes after their scheduled pickup. Not worth forking 20$ over for one pizza if you have to deal with their obnoxious air about the product they serve.
(2)
Anna f.

Little pizza place but the pizza is so good, thin crusted and completely natural. The mozzarella they use is amazing. One day I asked where they buy it...did I understand well that they make it there? Take out is a solution on very busy nights
(4)
lil s.

The pizza options are plentiful with high quality ingredients and the execution yields a light, crunchy and delicious product. However, the downgrade to 3 stars is a result of our server, who I have nicknamed "Kelly Catrone" in waitress form. Not only was she annoyed when we didn't order within 5 minutes of sitting down, but never came to check on the table to make sure everything was good and watched us like a hawk while we collected ourselves to pay the bill. While I admit we went through a slight calculation, two members of our party still had half full $7 beverages and had every right to take our time. I don't know about most people, but I don't enjoy a dining experience when I'm treated like a mix between a common criminal who's not going to pay the bill and a second grader who needs to be monitored. While the pizza itself was great, I would rather eat at an establishment that respects its customers, no matter what night or how busy.
(2)
Kasra G.

Emma's is terrific. I thought I was walking into a yuppie trap the first visit, in part due to the person taking me there. But...no. Their pizza rocks! Creative, fresh, and oh so tasty. There are as many different types of pizza as there are foot diseases (I have no idea what that means), and it's great to know that on that random Wednesday night in February when I know I want Emma's that Emma's will be there for me. I love you, Emma('s), whoever you are. The lines can be pretty long if you go at the wrong time, like right after work gets out. But you can always take slices to go, and they're just as fresh and good.
(5)
Jennifer B.

delicious pizza with interesting, delicious, appropriate toppings. Great for a lunch slice or dinner with friends (esp. with movie theater proximity). One of only two (Regina's being the other) acceptable pizza places I've found in Boston.
(5)
R F.

It has a strange layout, but it is mainly for sitting down and eating there. It's pretty cool, original, friendly, welcoming, and not too pricey. They have an endless menu of toppings for creating your own pizza and it's awesome. I love all of their pizza and try to switch up the toppings every time if I'm not just going for plain cheese... I remember one time I got a medium rosemary sauce mozzarella chicken tomatoes and garlic topped pizza and ate the entire thing myself in like 15 minutes. It was really good. The ingredients are very fresh, made for you right there, and I like the kick that it had. Everything is well done, hot, fresh, and crispy and there is hardly any grease, and the ingredients are nicely chopped. I will definitely be going back there once a week considering I work 2 blocks away and I definitely recommend it to anybody who likes fresh pizza in this area. My breath probably smells right now, so I'm going to eat my smoothie skittles and get back to work... Yum...
(4)
Patrick B.

Great place to grab a few slices for lunch. As they offer something different every day makes it easy to return several times a week. The toppings are often quite creative and usually extremely good - I'm sure there's one or two that I've had along the way that I didn't love, but even then the pizza was still better than others. The crust is thin and crispy on the edges. Better than many of the pizza's I had on a recent trip to Italy.
(5)
Nik O.

I've had Emma's pizza a few times through work lunches and I have never enjoyed it for some reason. Maybe it's because the pies are thin and the toppings aren't your normal toppings. I dunno, I just prefer pizza that's more substantial and normal, for lack of a better word.
(2)
Kelly L.

Mmmmm.... I like Emma's. The food is good, the vibe is relaxed. It's your neighborhood pizza joint taken up a notch. Emma's offers thier own combinations of sauce, cheese, and toppings, but I usually create my own. I love the rosemary sauce and the thyme mushrooms. As pizza goes, this place is a tad pricey. But you get more for your moolah then you do at Camrbidge, 1 and it certainly doesn't break the bank.
(4)
K. T.

A nice selection of very interesting pizzas served by a friendly wait staff. I was slightly disappointed there wasn't a lunch menu with smaller portions, but the food was so good we finished most of it anyways. I was glad I got there early for lunch hour since there was a huge line when I left! There were lots of people getting take-out for lunch, which I might try next time when I don't have time for a sit down meal.
(5)
Tinimini K.

Their pizza is really good - thin crust, homemade spicy rosemary or regular tomato sauce, and lots of unique ingredients to choose from for the toppings. Although, I do wish they had more options, such as grilled eggplant, and avocado... To start, the goat cheese with toast points appetizer is delicious! It's a big heaping of goat cheese that is perfectly marinated with olive oil and dressed with herbs. The crunchy toast points are the perfect complement to the soft goat cheese! Love it! For the main course, I usually get #3 - the sweet potato pizza. The heat from the spicy rosemary sauce and the sweetness of the sweet potato + caramelized onions go together perfectly! I have also tried the Pressed Veggie sandwich and it's good. Again, I wish they had eggplant so I could substitute it for the yellow squash (which I'm not a big fan of). The restaurant gets packed during lunch hour and it's not comfortable for groups larger than 6 or so. But if you are ordering take-out, you can always call in your order ahead of time! PROS: Pizza - sauce, crust, toppings; location CONS: Wish they were open later than 10 pm, issues with service once, parking (street parking but it's hard to find a spot), no dessert!!
(4)
Michael C.

Probably my favorite pizza. Its heavenly in Emmas. The thin, crispy crust, goutmet pizza is amazing- especially that smoked mozzerella cheese! Even the sandwiches on the menu are excellent. Scotty's sangria is also very good. I love going here in the summer. Unfortunately the place is always packed and you will have to wait for a seat, but it is well worth the wait. You can't miss with Emmas.
(5)
Rachel S.

best pizza, great sangria...and a really fun atmosphere. I love the #16!
(5)
Rob B.

My favorite thin crust pizza. Staff is wonderful. Music is not too loud and usually from a playlist I'd like on my iPod.
(5)
buckminster f.

its just too easy to walk there from 77 mass ave after a long hard day (of the usual dosage of neglect by your advisor) and order the sweet potato pizza with goat cheese, mozzarella, and a bunch of other stuff i cant remember right now. their carafe'd wines are cheap and good enough to pair with the pizza. my only wish is that they offered dessert, because there isn't a dessert place nearby. well you could walk to the nearby 7/11, but a house tiramisu would be so much better.
(5)
Andrew B.

I love the light nature of the thin-crust, and the variety of toppings makes for a unique meal each time. The to-go guy was a bit rude, and the place was absolutely packed, but we just got some pizza to go and ate at their little wait area and they didn't mind at all. Nice, pleasant staff. Above average prices. Would definitely return for a sit-down meal when I wasn't starving and willing to wait a bit longer to sit at a table.
(4)
olivia s.

I work down the street and frequently pick up pizza from the window for lunch. If I have extra time, I love to actually sit at a table and order the guacamole app. I highly recommend trying the odd pizza combos Emma's has to offer. Yesterday I had a yukon potato + cranberry combo. So delightful.
(5)
Johanna V.

I've been here a couple times-- the pizza has always been delicious! It's the first place I've ever seen with sweet potato as a pizza topping, and let me tell you, more places should have it. It's a nice, cozy place for a laid back date.
(4)
Nick Z.

Whenever my wife & I are looking for a small restaurant without the fancy atmosphere, we end up at Emma's. The staff are excellent and always friendly - whether you eat in the small dining room or at the counter. The salads are a great beginning to a meal and big enough to split. The rosemary sauce on the pizzas is not to be missed. You don't have to go any fancier than the #1 pizza, and the toppings are tasty, and the crust crispy. A great diversion from your day and worth a wait in Kendall.
(5)
S N.

best pizza in Boston
(5)
Zoe L.

nice vibe, ok prices ($20ish for a 16"), take out by the slice, interesting toppings (sweet potato, yukon potato, smoked mozz, etc.) to combine w/sauce of your choice. i took off 2 stars b/c it's basically toppings on a saltine cracker- VERY THIN CRUST. small joint, fills up fast, they don't seat you until everyone in your party arrives, but sometimes they let you order while you're still waiting for a table, which is great!
(3)
Erin G.

I heart Emma's pizza. Every single slice of pizza I've tried at Emma's has been delicious. There are a couple of things to mention here. Firs, ever since California Pizza Kitchen got rid of their rosemary chicken and potato pizza, I have been searching for a pizza place that will put potatoes on my pizzas...Emma's hooked me up! On top of being a potato on my pizza fan, I also love caramelized onions ad seriously, i don't know how they caramelize their onions but I'd pay to learn now they do it...oh my goodness their good! Their combinations are interesting and if you're in that area for lunch, it's an excellent place to grab pizza by the slice. It's not just pepperoni or cheese...they have a variety of slices to choose from and from my limited experience, they're all fantastic. The dining area is relatively small so you might have to wait a while...if you live in the neighborhood however, I recommend ordering the pizza and taking it home. It's kind of on the spendy side if you ask me but I'll gladly return to Emma's again soon...yea for delicious thin crust pizza!
(5)
Sara P.

I love this place! Interesting toppings, but their plain cheese pizza is also quite good -- so light and thin that you can quickly eat more than you meant to. Things can get crowded at lunchtime, and the only things that would make me like Emma's better is if they had a larger location, and if they offered delivery. But at the right time of day you can get a pizza for takeout with almost no wait.
(5)
Anna S.

I remember Emma's pizza way back when it was down the street, on Huron Ave. It used to be owned by a grumpy couple and a new, sweet loving couple took their place. The crust got a little crispier, but the atmosphere fluffed up a bit. Occasionally, despite the fact that I work at my favorite pizzeria, I do make the trek over to the Kendall area for a slice of Emma's fine pizza. That begin
(4)
Juliette V.

Great brick oven pizza. This is a small 10 table restaurant with great salads and lots of choices on pizza toppings. The wine is resonable and the atmosphere is cozy. Take note, they are not open on Sundays.
(4)

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Address : 40 Hampshire St
Cambridge, MA, 02139
Phone (617) 864-8534
Website https://www.emmaspizza.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Validated
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Pizza

Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.

Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.

Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20^th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.

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Emma’s Pizza

40 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA, 02139

Emma’s Pizza Menu

Beginnings

Salads

Sandwiches

Cheeses

Pizza

Healthy Meal suggestions for Emma’s Pizza

Beginnings

Salads

Sandwiches

Cheeses

Pizza

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