It is rare to find third spaces or a place outside of home; however, The Smoot Standard — a new neighborhood cafe and bar — provides a warm space for intergenerational audiences.

Nestled in Cambridge, the restaurant combines a warmly lit, stylish scene with pockets of greenery and soothing yet vibey music that is perfect for those waiting for their food. Expect to see a variety of seating areas, from cushioned seating and desks perfect for studying to bar seating for those who want to engage in comfortable conversation. The Smoot Standard is a space for all, where one can see students on laptops alongside older folks chattering with a cup of chai in hand.

In the case that someone is craving a late breakfast, The Smoot Standard offers a moderately full space on a Wednesday mid-afternoon. The experience is further enhanced by the staff who assist individuals with their needs, such as catering to a vegetarian diet. If one is following the halal diet, the staff is also attentive when it comes to asking to remove or substitute certain ingredients. The wait time is not long, and one can expect to see a neat presentation of food.

For individuals who forgot to eat breakfast at a reasonable time, The Smoot Standard offers both breakfast and lunch until 3 p.m. Sunday through Monday and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. In particular, the presentation of the Belgian waffle is a neat fluffy waffle topped with creamy, rich honey butter alongside an appropriately sized bottle of maple syrup. The Belgian waffle is not too sweet, and the butter can be spread to fill every individual pocket for the perfect blend of waffle-to-butter ratio with hints of salty goodness. The portion size is also very reasonable for the price of $13, with an additional offering of berries for $2.

The drink menu has a variety of options for all, including a cafe and bar options. The cafe menu features drinks ranging from kombucha to drip coffee. The bar menu ranges from cocktails to wine by the glass. Although one might expect the restaurant to close late as it serves as a bar, the closing time is 3 p.m. Sunday through Monday and 9 p.m. for the remaining weekdays. The iced matcha latte in particular is rich, creamy, and delightful. Depending on one’s preference, the matcha is either hot or iced. Sometimes cafes miss the mark on good matcha when there is a grainy texture from matcha powder; luckily, this is not the case at The Smoot Standard. The only thing disappointing about this matcha is the lack of sweetness. Luckily, there is also a station available that offers amenities such as sugar, honey, and whole milk in case one wants to change up their drink a bit. Items can also be taken to go, making the restaurant more convenient for busy schedules. The pricing for the 12 oz. is $4.50, which is reasonable given the quality.

With the abundant number of cafes, restaurants, and bars available around Harvard and MIT, a stop at The Smoot Standard might serve as the perfect vibey getaway where people of all generations can meet in the middle, both figuratively and literally. The combination of breakfast, lunch, and dinner — including a bar — also allows for there to be something for a variety of customers to enjoy. Ultimately, The Smoot Standard is a great third space open throughout the day.