50 Best Italian Restaurants near Brookline

“Amazing food and good service. I will go back.“

“Excellent food and cocktails! Service was wonderful. The bartender, Bernie, is wonderful! She makes the best Old Fashion I have ever had. It’s a small neighborhood “hole in the wall” vibe. Definitely worth trying.“

“Enjoyed a delicious brunch here today - they also serve their regular menu all day. Staff was friendly, beautiful space.“

“I had a great meal at BE Pasta today for lunch, Chef Fernando was very helpful and friendly and the caprese salad with chicken cutlet that he made me was delicious. It's always nice to find a casual place with great service. Thank you Fernando!“

“Fabulous location and delicious food. What is not to love?“

“Good Food and Good Vibe more bigger with bar and 10 minutes away from my job in Brighton 😋👍“

“Love the pizza! But I've had problems for like two years getting the website to accept the gift card I received for filling out a survey. I've finally started ordering by phone and paying in-store instead. Please fix this already!“

“The food was delicious, great pasta and pizza, tons of flavor, and the crème brûlée très lèches cake for dessert was so special and delicious. We celebrated a birthday and the service was kind and quick. They even gave us celebratory prosecco and sang happy birthday to my friend. Would definitely go back!“

“Pazza is AMAZING! Great service and the food is incredible. Highly recommend!“

“Perfect place for Mothers Day when Valet is a must!“

“This place is amazing!! The customer service was top notch!!“

“Stopped in on a Thursday night with the family, no reservations, and waited about 35 minutes for a table. Totally worth it.

We ordered two pizzas, the burrata salad, and a charcuterie board, and everything hit the mark. The pizzas were perfectly cooked, great crust and flavor, the burrata was fresh and creamy, and the charcuterie board was exactly what you’d hope for—quality meats and cheeses done right.

Food came out quick, service was friendly and efficient, and the overall vibe was casual but lively.

Bottom line: food was mad good, everyone left happy, and I’d absolutely come back.“

“We loved everything about this restaurant. We had a great table in the window, our server was so knowledgeable and her recommendations were outstanding and the food, the food!! We had a mix of meals, seafood, pasta, special truffle course, and the chocolate cookies. Every single bit was delicious. We will definitely be back - if we can get a coveted table!“

“My husband and I had dinner last Sunday night. It was a beautiful experience with impeccable service. I am going to remember my quail dish for a very long time. Highly recommend“

“First time in the city and this was an amazing dinner for us. The food is delicious.“

“Ciao…I love them so much. Their food never fails to amaze me. Owners are amazing, shout out *Edson and Marvin*. Will be eating here again!!🙌🏽“

“Service was impeccable and the food was generously portioned and absolutely delicious. Our party had the veal, chicken and eggplant parmesan as well as the bolognese, each of us sampling each other's selections and agreeing they were the best we'd had. Looking forward to returning!“

“Amazing food and service with authentic Italian hospitality!“

“By far the best, authentic Italian food in the North End. We have dined at several restaurants but the service, ambience and food is the best! They make their own pasta and sauces daily. I cannot recommend Casarecce enough. Delicioso.“

“I attended an event yesterday at this amazing Restaurant. The atmosphere is so inviting, the drinks were delicious. Food was absolutely scrumptious. And the staff all so kind and friendly. I highly recommend stopping in for a cocktail or dinner, you won’t be disappointed!!!“

“Wow, wow, and wow again! What a treat that my dear friend and I happened upon this GEM! At first glance it doesn’t look like much from the outside, but when you step inside it’s like entering a whole new world. It is elegant and beautiful, a fantastic combination of fine dining with an atmosphere like coming home. Such a quaint spot with the best quality Italian food I have ever had. Cristiano was the kindest server on the planet, so attentive, and so welcoming! As a worker in the food service industry, I was blown away! First off, drinks. To our surprise, Arancini has a BYOB policy (SO COOL! People had brought their own bottles of wine, which Cristiano offered to open and put on ice). Other than that, they offer your typical sodas, some juice, and a variety of sparkling and still water options. Let’s talk food. Right away, they bring fresh, warm, house-made bread, with fantastically seasoned dipping oil. Other than that, we started off with the Caesar salad and the friend mozzarella appetizer. The Caesar salad (despite it being just about the most basic thing that someone can order) was so well put together. It had just the right amount of dressing, and fresh grated, high quality parmesan cheese! The mozzarella app was quite possible the tastiest thing I have ever put in my mouth. Oh my god, it just about dissolved in my mouth. Imagine the best mozzarella sticks you’ve ever had in your life, but the cheese is so high quality and it is freshly battered and friend minutes before it is brought to your table. Never frozen - just made hot and fresh for you to eat. Don’t even get me started on the marinara sauce. Again, clearly house-made and so fresh. I could’ve had it as a soup! For a main meal I had the most delicious fettuccini Alfredo. The sauce was TO DIE FOR. The pasta was perfectly cooked (I didn’t know pasta could even taste like that ). I asked for chicken in the pasta and… oh. my. god. I have no words. I mean I can attempt to describe it but I won’t do it justice. Tender, JUICY, and you KNOW it’s authentic because the chicken was battered in egg. I was drooling before I took a single bite. I also added broccoli and it was SO PERFECT. The whole meal, it was just the best food I have ever had I swear. PLEASE give this place a shot! You’ll probably want a reservation because I don’t think there are more than 10 tables there! It’s small but mighty. Thank you Cristiano for making this experience incredible!“

“Outstanding menu that changes seasonally and with specials. Service is superb! Especially Christina. We love to visit and eat here with goid friends. Never a bad meal. A plus! 10 stars! All quality food! Worth every penny. Love pans cota too!“

“Exceptional Italian food. Extremely pleasant and generous offerings. Strongly recommend to family and friends.“

“I had an amazing experience and can’t wait to go back🥰“

“10/10–same rating I would give Sarma! The mortadella app was fantastic (honestly I didn’t think I liked mortadella but this stuff melted in your mouth!!), and the cappelletti was unlike anything I have had before! The panna cotta was so special (we ordered all three desserts and they all were amazing!)! Everything was great!“

“Grilled Clams make it so worthwhile“

“By far the best food and atmosphere! Cheryl was our server and was simply outstanding! The portions are huge and the food is fresh and inspired!“

“We went there tonight. The food was delicious. The staff were amazing. We loved everything about this place. Thank you for a wonderful dinning experience. We will definitely be back.“

“My favorite restaurant we live in Southern NH I will only go there to eat in Boston just there yesterday for Lunch , Food and Service is outstanding we also had our daughters wedding there. Staff and food was amazing service is very professional no other place I rather be while visiting Boston will always come back“

“Hands down the best in Davis. Don't think twice about going to eat here! 10/10 atmosphere 10/10 staff 10/10 food 10/10 drinks Don't believe me? Go and see for yourselves! :)“

“This is a tad bit late but better late than never. I had the absolute luxury of dining here on September 26th for a birthday celebration, and from the moment we stepped inside, the entire experience felt nothing short of extraordinary. The host greeted us with a warmth and polish that immediately set the tone, seating us without delay as if they had been expecting us personally.

The ambience was a perfect balance of elegance and comfort—soft lighting, thoughtful design, and an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve discovered something special. The food? Spectacular. Every dish arrived looking like it belonged on the cover of a magazine and tasted even better. The service flowed with effortless grace, attentive without ever being intrusive. Even the aesthetic details—the table settings, the décor, the vibe—were crafted with intention and charm.

Hard to believe it was my first time, because it delivered on every expectation and then exceeded it. After walking by countless times, I’m almost embarrassed it took me this long to step inside. This place is not just a restaurant—it’s a reminder that some experiences are worth slowing down for. A definite re-do, and easily one of the most memorable meals I’ve had in a long time.“

“One of my favorite restaurants in the area for a night out with friends, especially when we are meeting partway between Boston and western suburbs. The food is really delicious, the drinks are great, and the service is attentive. It can get a little loud, but you can definitely still have a conversation. Don’t miss the focaccia and ricotta, but the pizza and pasta are also always outstanding. So are the salads. This place is just really solid.“

“Being 100% Italian also the food was amazing! They started us off with real EVOO to dip Our bread in with salt & pepper you can tell the EVOO was straight from Italy. I started with the arancini special which was sausage and saffron sitting in a white creamy sauce that was absolutely delicious. Then it was a toss up on my pasta dish between lobster raviolis and wild mushroom pappardelle I went with the lobster raviolis in a pink sauce. I never finish my food and I ate ever single ravioli. The portion was good enough for me and the proper way to eat a pasta dish so you don’t have left overs or waste. The pink sauce was creamy and delicious (I even dipped my bread in it at the end). Then I went straight for the dessert and ordered affogato (gelato with espresso) wow amazing not too sweet and not too bitter from the espresso perfect blend. Then my friend and I still were not ready to leave so I ordered a espresso martini and again amazing only advice I would give them is shake the martini more to make it foamy And that was my first experience at Gusto’s I give it a 10/10 Oh and the pizza looked really good that will be my next outing.“

“If you ever find yourself in Boston, do yourself a favor and visit Jen’s place. Jen is an incredible woman, hard working, dedicated, and truly passionate about what she does. She built her business with the kind of diligence and professionalism that can only come from someone with deep Italian roots and a genuinely kind heart.
From the moment you walk in, you can feel her warmth in every detail. The food is unforgettable, her meatballs are rich and comforting, and the cannoli are some of the best I’ve ever tasted. But what truly sets this restaurant apart is the atmosphere Jen creates. Strangers sit together at the same table, share a meal, laugh, talk, and by the time they leave, they already feel like new friends. It’s a beautiful experience, one that stays with you long after the evening is over.
I loved every moment I spent in Boston at her restaurant, and I’m deeply grateful for Jen’s generosity, her spirit, and the love she puts into her work. Thank you, Jen, for making your restaurant not just a place to eat, but a place to feel at home.
Laura Laureto.“

“Quaint location on second floor looking down on Hanover St. and full of tradition. Sport celebrities decorate the wall. Red sauce was brilliant with well developed, flavor profile. Owner Massimo Tiberi oversees the operation personally and makes all feel welcome.“

“DELICIOUS food & wine, good service“

“We usually come here in the evening, this being our first time here for lunch. We also introduced another couple to the restaurant. They were duly impressed with the service food quality and ambiance which I knew they would be. Everything was perfect. It will NOT be the last time we are here for lunch. Everything was paced to perfection. Thank you Savlatore and staff for a wonderful afternoon.“

“An absolute must if you have not been. Food is beyond incredible and service is very kind. I recommend 2 orders of chicken croquettes, shrimp toast, and ricotta gnocchi. Girlfriend had the spirit free “Ferrari” which was delicious and would be great with a mezcal. Will definitely be returning.“

“What amazing food! Salvo took such good care of us. Recommended fabulous dinners and made us a specialty cocktail. Highly recommend!“

“Excellent food and service“

“Quality ingredients. A sublime attention to detail. Balance in salty, umami and heat. The broccoli Caesar is a must have along with the homemade ricotta. I sat at Chefs counter and got wonderful attention from everyone. Amazing!“

“Went here on a friday evening and place was absolutely packed - highly recommend reservations because you'll be lucky to get a table otherwise.

Ambiance was better than expected. You wouldn't be able to tell by looking from the outside but the inside is a classy well lit spot with tons of seating a spacious bar area. Great spot for dates, friends, and family.

Service was so-so. Could tell they were busy and trying their best. Maybe hire more servers?

Food - pizza was alright. Not amazing like others raving on here but it wasn't bad either. One of them was lacking flavor and the other was undercooked.“

“This place had the best chicken Parmesan we had ever eaten. I’m so glad we stumbled upon this place that was not too far from our hotel. Our waitress was so kind and attentive.“

“Very nice staff and delicious food“

“Beautiful interior and food was amazing. The staff and bartenders were very attentive as well.“

“Amazing food and great customer service! Put this place on your To Go list in Boston!“

“The best meal- great service- Beautiful atmosphere And warm friendly hostess“

“Another wonderful family lunch today! Thank you Chris and the Carlo’s Cucina family. My second visit in three weeks. We’ll definitely be back! My new favorite dining spot on my visits to Allston, from the Cape. 👍🍽️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mark N.“

“Do yourself a favor - skip over the Boston restaurants and head straight here. I’ve been coming for years and the food never disappoints. The service is great. And there’s gluten free on Monday - what more could you want!? Fabulous.“