Life Alive Organic Cafe in Harvard Square has earned a reputation as a beloved destination for health-conscious food lovers. Nestled at 22 John F. Kennedy St, this cafe boasts an inviting atmosphere with cozy seating both on the main floor and downstairs, making it perfect for casual hangouts or study outings. Customers rave about the variety of wholesome, organic dishes, emphasizing the fresh flavors and generous portions. Highlights include the Buddha Bowl and the Autumn Falafel Bowl, both bursting with color and nutrition. The crispy falafel pita and vibrant Rainbow Nori Wrap are also crowd favorites, showcasing how delicious vegan options can be. For those with a sweet tooth, the Avocado Chocolate Mousse stands out, offering a guilt-free indulgence. Reviewers often note the attentive and accommodating staff, with particular praise for their willingness to cater to dietary restrictions, ensuring that everyone feels welcome. Many patrons, like Tamara, declare it their favorite spot in Boston, attributing the cafe's success to consistent quality and a delightful ambiance. The emphasis on nutritious ingredients—with creativity in flavor—reinforces Life Alive’s mission of proving that healthy eating can be both satisfying and delicious. Whether you're post-yoga or simply on the hunt for tasty organic fare, Life Alive is a must-visit gem in Harvard Square.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Quick bite
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space
Popular with university students
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid street parking
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Photos
Reviews For Life Alive Organic Cafe Harvard Square
Wen
May 25,2025
Stopped in here for a post yoga workout meal (studio is downstairs) I had the Greek Tahini except I held the olives & added avocado...the result WOW!!! This salad was absolutely delicious! I also loved their Blue Magic drink, so refreshing! Their avocado toast was pretty tasty as well with just enough little kick from their pepper flakes. I loved it so much I’ve now gone several times. Trust me you won’t be disappointed, they prove healthy food can be just as delicious as anything else
Aisie Maire
May 24,2025
Cozy spot! Love all of the veggie options and the ability to do substitutions. I’ve taken some of my students with disabilities here and the staff are very kind as they practice ordering for themselves. The elevator works to go to the first floor for wheelchair users. The honey lemon ginger tea and Buddha bowl is a favorite!
Eli Moslemi
May 11,2025
Wow, such a magnificent place. I went there for the first time tonight and I loved it. The location is decorated amazingly. The atmosphere is so quiet, calm and cozy not only on the main floor but also downstairs. By accident when we were looking for a sit, a woman told us downstairs is worth to try. Definitely it was. A great place to sit, enjoy your order, and even work with your laptop or read a book. I and my husband had a great time there having our green salad, living caesar salad and miso soup. The salad is highly recommended. It’s a must try.
Tamara
Apr 27,2025
Life Alive is my favorite Boston staple and after years of living in the city and eating at every Life Alive, this location is my favorite. Though the food should in theory be the same at all of them, it’s very much not the case and I’ve found that more often than not at Harvard Square portions are always the size they should be, bowls are not as overdressed, and staff is friendly and helpful. Their warm bowls are the star of the menu, and the best ones are the Autumn Falafel bowl and the Green Goddess bowl (I like adding hummus or miso tofu). Outside of this, their ramen, rainbow nori wrap, and soups are also good options. Their beverages are nice but usually overly sweet. Generally, if you’re looking for flavorful, healthy (and/or vegan friendly), and fairly-priced food, you cannot find a better option than Life Alive.
Justin Shaw
Mar 19,2025
Lovely, cozy spot in Harvard Square. They have wifi. They have comfy seats on the main floor and downstairs. Great for catching up with friends or quiet studying. Also wonderful for lunch. My falafel bowl was super yummy. They also have a variety of excellent juices and smoothies.
Cam Bowman
Mar 16,2025
I tried the superfood squash latte, the super greens smoothie as well as the date smoothie. All were pretty good, plenty of comfortable seating. Charging spaces for working, free smoothie for downloading the app which is nice, their waffles also looked good.
Pegah Hosseinpour
Mar 1,2025
I love this place (and other chains in towns nearby). Food is great and so is the atmosphere. A lot of options for gluten free food too. I never had issues despite my celiac. Veggie food becomes another level of tasty at this place.
Su H
Feb 20,2025
I was always disappointed by the lack of decent food options in Harvard Square and was super happy when this place opened. It’s got a lot of variety in bowls, sounds, small plates, and drinks, and the food is really good. I usually get a bowl w mixed roasted veg, grains, and mushrooms, along with a soup. I’m always super full and feel really good after I eat here. Amazing vegan and vegetarian options.
Reviews For Life Alive Organic Cafe Harvard Square