You can usually tell what kind of experience you’re going to get within seconds of stepping in a new store. At the newly opened Zara at CambridgeSide, it’s calm, understated, and quietly advanced. 

Designed by Zara’s in-house architecture studio, this two-level space feels more like a gallery than a retail store, with wide walkways, soft lighting, and a neutral palette that invites you to slow down and explore. Here’s what the experience was like.

Getting there is easy. Finding Zara is even easier. 

If you’ve ever been to Zara on Newbury Street, you know it delivers on both style and, often, a crowd. That’s why this new CambridgeSide location feels like a breath of fresh air: same fashion-forward finds, now in a space that’s easier to navigate and travel to, particularly if you live north of the Charles.

I took the Red Line to Kendall/MIT and walked about 15 minutes through East Cambridge to the shopping center. It’s a pleasant route, but if you’d rather save time (or skip the weather), Lechmere on the Green Line drops you even closer. There’s also a free EZRide bus that loops between Kendall, Lechmere, and CambridgeSide every 10-15 minutes.

Once at CambridgeSide, I didn’t need to look far — all signs (literally) pointed straight to Zara. The store is front and center. Even if I hadn’t come for it, I would’ve ended up browsing there one way or another.

Where style meets stillness 

Inside, the design is clean and minimal but still warm. Instead of bright white lights and crowded racks, the space is lined with matte finishes, natural materials, and well-paced displays that give each piece room to breathe. The layout unfolds intuitively: womenswear on one side, menswear on the other, with accessories and trend features layered throughout.

“It feels very clean. I love how they organize everything and make it easy,” says Karen Alves and Art Iamsuri, a local couple exploring the shop for the first time. Although they live only two minutes away from the Zara in Back Bay, they decided to see how the new CambridgeSide location would compare. “It’s honestly night and day,” says Iamsuri.

The tech that makes it tick 

Zara has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to fashion. But what surprised me most about this new location was just how seamless the tech integrations were. It’s not flashy for the sake of it, but smart, intentional, and useful.

While checking out the women’s section, I came across a cream blazer I loved, but I couldn’t find in my size. Normally, this would be the part where I either give up or start hunting down a store associate. But here, I simply used the Zara app to check the store’s inventory in real time. Within seconds, I knew what sizes were in stock, where to find them, and even details like the section and rack. I had the blazer in hand in under a minute.

That same efficiency applies to online orders, too. You can place an order through the app and pick it up in-store in as little as two hours. And instead of waiting in line at a counter, you head to an automated pickup silo on the top floor where a sleek locker system dispenses your order with just a code. It’s part tech lab, part fashion concierge, and it makes the entire process feel effortless.

Even checkout is a breeze. Just place your items in the bin to scan automatically, confirm any security tags are removed, and pay. The process is quick, seamless, and supported by staff nearby.

“The self-checkout bins really stood out to me,” says Alves. “I like when stores have an option like that where you don’t have to talk to anyone and just do it yourself.”

A space built to be more sustainable

Near the entrance, I noticed two things: a cardboard collection point for responsibly recycling packaging, and a clothing donation bin where pre-loved pieces can be dropped off to extend their life. It’s a small but thoughtful detail, and one that made me feel like I was participating in something a little bigger than my next outfit.

The store is also equipped with energy-efficient systems, such as optimized heating and cooling, LED lighting, and environmentally friendly materials, all monitored through Zara’s internal Inergy platform. It tracks energy use in real time, helping the team continuously improve operations and reduce environmental impact.

None of it feels performative or tacked on. Like everything else in the store, it’s seamlessly built into the experience. The systems in place aren’t just one-offs, as Zara, a member of the Inditext Group, has a global commitment to reach climate neutrality by 2040. They’re part of a larger, long-term effort to raise the bar on how fashion spaces function.

And, of course, the clothes are amazing

At the end of the day, all the design and tech in the world wouldn’t mean much if the fashion didn’t live up to the hype. Spoiler: it definitely does. 

Zara’s signature mix of European edge and everyday ease is fully on display here. As part of the Inditex family — which includes sister brands like Massimo Dutti, Bershka, and Pull&Bear — this collection strikes a balance between classic, Spanish-inspired silhouettes, and trend-forward details, all at an accessible price point.

During my visit, I spotted oversized poplin shirts, tailored trousers, a perfect-for-summer crochet midi, and sleek, minimal accessories that could pull an outfit together in seconds. The collection is cohesive but not repetitive, and its balance of timeless staples and bold statements are as versatile as they are wearable. Zara rotates collections frequently, so there’s always a reason to come back.

“This is my first time here and already I’ve seen so many cute things,” says Alves. “It feels a lot bigger than the store on Newbury too which is great because now I feel like I have more options.”

Make a day of your visit 

Zara’s new CambridgeSide flagship isn’t just another store, it’s a blueprint for what the future of fashion retail can look like: smart, stylish, and designed with the customer in mind. Every detail, from the layout to the tech to the sustainability features, is intentional. And it works. 

But what makes it even more compelling is everything around it. CambridgeSide has evolved into an ultimate shopping destination where convenience and culture collide. After checking out the latest looks, you can unwind with a craft cocktail at C-Side Bar, grab a bite at one of the 13 local eateries at CanalSide Food + Drink, or hop on the Tiki Boat by Charles River Boat Company just outside and enjoy skyline views of East Cambridge from the water. 

In short: Zara’s new space is worth the trip — and so is everything that comes with it.