After more than four decades of service, Cafe Barada in Cambridge will be closing its doors in December. The family-run restaurant is well known for serving authentic Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Cambridge’s Cafe Barada Says Goodbye
Cafe Barada was established in Arlington in 1985 by Youssef and is currently operated by the Salameh family. Over the years of its operation, the restaurant has built a strong following in the community with its cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
The menu features Lebanese dishes, including hoummos, baba ghannouj, falafil, and shish kebabs.
In a social media announcement, the team behind the restaurant shared the closure news with a long farewell message. The restaurant, located at 2269 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, will end full-service dining on December 5.
Talking about its journey, the team said, “What began as one man’s vision grew into a family legacy rooted in tradition, hard work, and a shared love of bringing people together.”
The team also thanked the community and customers for their support and noted, “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making Cafe Barada such a special place. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you.”
Why Are They Closing
According to a Hoodline report, the restaurant needs a complete kitchen renovation; however, the current landlords could not offer a long-term lease.
The report also mentioned that the cafe owner, Charbel Salameh, who runs the restaurant with his parents, stated that the restaurant would need a 5- or 10-year lease to make such a big investment. He further added that the outcome and closure decision were not what the family had hoped for.
While the restaurant prepares to close in December, it remains hopeful that this is not a final goodbye. “We look forward to continuing to share our food with you through future endeavors,” continued the statement.
The team encourages the community to visit Cafe Barada and have their favorite meal before it permanently closes.
