Talulla is one of my favorite restaurants in the Boston area. A cozy, vibey, and intimate space, it feels like you are visiting a friend's house - only the food tastes waaaay better than anything your friend would make. I promise you! There is a real mastery at work here, and chances are you will love every single dish you try. And to make it even more appealing, you can choose between à la carte dishes and a tasting menu. All you need to do is bring your appetite. The service is lovely, the cocktails are great and the wine list is full of interesting selections - with a great showing of smaller, off-the-beaten-path producers. It's a total gem of a restaurant and one you should absolutely have on your list. It's perfect for any occasion, or no occasion at all. Just go already!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelly Cambridgeport
Talulla is a gem tucked away on Walden Street in Cambridge—quiet, intimate, and guided by a deep sense of seasonality. My recent visit featured the five-course tasting menu with a few à la carte additions, and most of the evening was memorable in the best way.
Before I was seated, though, there was a slightly awkward moment worth mentioning. I arrived a little early, during a heavy summer rain. The door was open and the restaurant was empty, so I stepped inside and asked if I could wait quietly. A staff member told me they were still setting up and asked me to come back closer to opening. While I understand needing prep time, the tone felt unnecessarily firm, especially considering the weather. With today’s strict cancellation policies and travel unpredictability, arriving early sometimes feels safer than risking being late. That small moment at the start left a bit of a chill.
Fortunately, once the meal began, everything else warmed up beautifully.
The Tasting Menu – $95 1. Scallop Crudo – Crisp and elegant, with cucumber, honeydew, and nasturtium. A beautiful seasonal start. 2. Foie Gras Torchon – Luxurious and balanced, paired with stone fruit and toasted brioche. 3. Butter-Poached Halibut – Perfectly cooked and served in a rich, briny broth with sea beans and dulse. 4. Lamb Loin – Tender, comforting, and clean, with a minimal and intentional presentation. 5. Lavender Panna Cotta – Light and fragrant, with lemon, blackberry, thyme, and almond. Not too sweet—a lovely finish.
À la Carte Additions • Chilled Peach Soup ($17) – A refreshing bowl with cucumber, green strawberry, and mint. Light and subtle, with just the right balance of fruit and herb. • Tagliolini with Lobster ($30) – Silky noodles with a generous amount of lobster, black garlic, and sourdough crumb. Rich, savory, and satisfying.
The meal closed with a tiny cinnamon-sugar pastry—unexpected and sweet in both senses of the word.
Once seated, service was thoughtful and attentive without being intrusive. Talulla includes a 23% administrative fee in place of tipping, which is clearly explained and reflects their commitment to fair wages for all staff.
Despite the rocky start, the dinner itself was wonderful. Thanks in large part to Jade’s gracious service, the rest of the evening felt smooth and considered. The kitchen’s restraint, clarity, and confidence show in every plate. With just a little more warmth at the door, it would’ve been a flawless evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
E L
Service: Absolutely atrocious service. We’ve never been so ignored at a restaurant. It’s one thing to be busy, it’s another to blatantly continue to ignore and neglect a table when they have already kindly brought it to your attention that we’ve been waiting a long time for service. Once we got our food no one came to our table for over 30 minutes, despite us watching and waiting and raising a hand in hopes someone would finally lift their head to make some sort of eye contact and realize we were trying to get their attention as they darted by a dozen times attending to a everyone else but us. They also lacked basic communication skills, just slapping dessert menus down on our table and running away not bothering to ask if we were even interested in dessert, which we were not as we had been there long enough and just wanted the check. The straw that broke was when we finally got someone’s attention and requested the check he said yes then proceeded to attend to a brand new table that had just sat down, pouring their water, chatting with them for several minutes while we continued to wait for our check. Unbelievable. Food: While the food was cooked and flavored nicely it was small proportions with no complex carb to accompany the meal and no option to add any kind of side if you’re not trying to be on a keto diet. We just had to fill up on the breads from the starter portion of the meal. We will not return. It’s really too bad because the decor was beautiful, and clearly the chef has talent, but leaving us hungry when we got home and very frustrated about the terrible service.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Javier E. Ramos
Hidden gem in the middle of Cambridge!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sejal Patel
Everything was perfectly cooked and unique. Hard to choose my favorites, but it was butter, soup, and blueberry and root beer desserts. We weren't going to order the desserts and we would have missed out. Rose was perfectly dry.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elizabeth Carlson
Great food and service. The bread and the strawberry rhubarb soup were especially divine. I highly recommend this delightful spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Makarovsky
This must be the best restaurant we've ever been to in Boston! Elegant and exquisite food, friendly and dedicated staff, cozy atmosphere – a great combo of style and warmth.
Can't wait to come back again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emma
I enjoyed the dinner, but it didn't live up to the price or the rave reviews. I got the tasting menu last summer and only one of the dishes wowed me. The outdoor sidewalk seating is very cute. Some of the utensils on our table weren't clean so we had to send them back.
Melly from the Ville
It’s your girl’s last year in her 40s, so we decided to celebrate with a fancy dinner at Talulla in Cambridge!
I had a lot of spare time to write this review, so I gave my opinion for every plate. But if you only have a few seconds, then here’s my bottom line: Hands down, highly, highly recommend Talulla, and I can’t wait to return!
For a more detailed review, keep reading…
We started with the housemade sourdough and focaccia with herb butter. The sourdough was good, but my favorite was the focaccia! Since there were only two pieces of focaccia, I made sure to savor every nibble. And that melt-in-your mouth herb butter…perfection.
We shared two starters, the Crunch Salad and the Local Burrata. The flavors in the Crunch Salad were exquisite, but the game changer was the whey sorbet that was placed in the center of the salad. I never want to eat another salad again unless there’s a scoop of sorbet with it. The Local Burrata was so smooth and creamy and it paired well with the sweetness of the stone fruits. The croutons were crunchy and a flavorful addition to the appetizer. There was a small slice of duck prosciutto with this plate, and since I was the birthday girl, I selfishly ate the whole thing in one bite.
For our pasta, we ordered the Spaghetti which included littleneck clams and yuzu kosho (citrus and chili paste) which gave it a nice kick! For our main meal, we delighted in the Bavette Steak, which was perfectly seared and incredibly satisfying.
During our meal, I sipped on a sweet mocktail while my husband opted for a glass of wine. For dessert, I ordered an Espresso Martini which paired well with the complimentary birthday dessert of coconut gelato. (Aw…what a thoughtful and refreshing birthday treat!)
We were pleased to meet Danielle, of Talulla’s husband and wife team. She was so sweet and very kind.
When we received our receipt, we also received a small card explaining that a 23% Admin Fee had been added to our bill in lieu of asking for a tip. This fee goes towards paying the salaries of all of their employees. After enjoying such a scrumdiddlyumptious meal, we felt that the 23% admin fee was reasonable and well-deserved.
All in all, we highly recommend Talulla and are looking forward to our next reason to celebrate at this charming establishment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maya Minkin
Intimate setting, great cocktails, delicious food.
We hosted our wedding dinner and ceremony at Tallula. Danielle, Connor, and their team made everything easy.
They were able to take a credit card deposit over the phone. About 30 days before the event, we coordinated to finalize the menu and seating arrangements. They were able to make a few adjustments and special additions based off of our feedback.
The day of was easy! We dropped off a few items for the Tallula staff to set up and the day went off without a hitch. The food was well made, delicious and the servers were attentive but not disruptive.
Thank you!
Bahar Rahsepar
After having Tallula on our list for the longest time, we finally made it—and on Valentine’s Day, no less. The perfect setting for a romantic night, with a menu that was as creative as it was sensual. Every dish was flawless, from the tender beef cheek with smoked carrots to the beautifully balanced hamachi crudo and two outstanding pasta dishes. The squid ink pasta, in particular, was one of the best I’ve ever had. Each bite was elevated by a thoughtful selection of unique, curated wines. Can’t wait to return for their regular menu! Lovely friendly staff!
nick d
This place is great! It’s easy to see why they got nominated for a James Beard award. The food is amazing! Great service. Great place to bring a date.
Yong K
Really great neighborhood fine dining option. I like the atmosphere and care put in by the owner!
Edward Campion
This is a great small place for delicious food, beautifully served. The emphasis is on quality, creative gourmet dishes, but not out of control. Portions are very reasonable. It’s not one of those places that produce exotic, show-off foam-food with little taste. Vegetable torte, soups, hamachi crudo, monkfish, cavatelli, campanelle are all superb. It’s unlike other Cambridge places on two counts: really friendly staff and no problem parking.
Talulla is one of my favorite restaurants in the Boston area. A cozy, vibey, and intimate space, it feels like you are visiting a friend's house - only the food tastes waaaay better than anything your friend would make. I promise you! There is a real mastery at work here, and chances are you will love every single dish you try. And to make it even more appealing, you can choose between à la carte dishes and a tasting menu. All you need to do is bring your appetite.
The service is lovely, the cocktails are great and the wine list is full of interesting selections - with a great showing of smaller, off-the-beaten-path producers. It's a total gem of a restaurant and one you should absolutely have on your list. It's perfect for any occasion, or no occasion at all. Just go already!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Talulla is a gem tucked away on Walden Street in Cambridge—quiet, intimate, and guided by a deep sense of seasonality. My recent visit featured the five-course tasting menu with a few à la carte additions, and most of the evening was memorable in the best way.
Before I was seated, though, there was a slightly awkward moment worth mentioning. I arrived a little early, during a heavy summer rain. The door was open and the restaurant was empty, so I stepped inside and asked if I could wait quietly. A staff member told me they were still setting up and asked me to come back closer to opening. While I understand needing prep time, the tone felt unnecessarily firm, especially considering the weather. With today’s strict cancellation policies and travel unpredictability, arriving early sometimes feels safer than risking being late. That small moment at the start left a bit of a chill.
Fortunately, once the meal began, everything else warmed up beautifully.
The Tasting Menu – $95
1. Scallop Crudo – Crisp and elegant, with cucumber, honeydew, and nasturtium. A beautiful seasonal start.
2. Foie Gras Torchon – Luxurious and balanced, paired with stone fruit and toasted brioche.
3. Butter-Poached Halibut – Perfectly cooked and served in a rich, briny broth with sea beans and dulse.
4. Lamb Loin – Tender, comforting, and clean, with a minimal and intentional presentation.
5. Lavender Panna Cotta – Light and fragrant, with lemon, blackberry, thyme, and almond. Not too sweet—a lovely finish.
À la Carte Additions
• Chilled Peach Soup ($17) – A refreshing bowl with cucumber, green strawberry, and mint. Light and subtle, with just the right balance of fruit and herb.
• Tagliolini with Lobster ($30) – Silky noodles with a generous amount of lobster, black garlic, and sourdough crumb. Rich, savory, and satisfying.
The meal closed with a tiny cinnamon-sugar pastry—unexpected and sweet in both senses of the word.
Once seated, service was thoughtful and attentive without being intrusive. Talulla includes a 23% administrative fee in place of tipping, which is clearly explained and reflects their commitment to fair wages for all staff.
Despite the rocky start, the dinner itself was wonderful. Thanks in large part to Jade’s gracious service, the rest of the evening felt smooth and considered. The kitchen’s restraint, clarity, and confidence show in every plate. With just a little more warmth at the door, it would’ve been a flawless evening.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Service: Absolutely atrocious service. We’ve never been so ignored at a restaurant. It’s one thing to be busy, it’s another to blatantly continue to ignore and neglect a table when they have already kindly brought it to your attention that we’ve been waiting a long time for service. Once we got our food no one came to our table for over 30 minutes, despite us watching and waiting and raising a hand in hopes someone would finally lift their head to make some sort of eye contact and realize we were trying to get their attention as they darted by a dozen times attending to a everyone else but us. They also lacked basic communication skills, just slapping dessert menus down on our table and running away not bothering to ask if we were even interested in dessert, which we were not as we had been there long enough and just wanted the check. The straw that broke was when we finally got someone’s attention and requested the check he said yes then proceeded to attend to a brand new table that had just sat down, pouring their water, chatting with them for several minutes while we continued to wait for our check. Unbelievable.
Food: While the food was cooked and flavored nicely it was small proportions with no complex carb to accompany the meal and no option to add any kind of side if you’re not trying to be on a keto diet. We just had to fill up on the breads from the starter portion of the meal.
We will not return. It’s really too bad because the decor was beautiful, and clearly the chef has talent, but leaving us hungry when we got home and very frustrated about the terrible service.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Hidden gem in the middle of Cambridge!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was perfectly cooked and unique. Hard to choose my favorites, but it was butter, soup, and blueberry and root beer desserts. We weren't going to order the desserts and we would have missed out. Rose was perfectly dry.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and service. The bread and the strawberry rhubarb soup were especially divine. I highly recommend this delightful spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This must be the best restaurant we've ever been to in Boston! Elegant and exquisite food, friendly and dedicated staff, cozy atmosphere – a great combo of style and warmth.
Can't wait to come back again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I enjoyed the dinner, but it didn't live up to the price or the rave reviews. I got the tasting menu last summer and only one of the dishes wowed me. The outdoor sidewalk seating is very cute. Some of the utensils on our table weren't clean so we had to send them back.
It’s your girl’s last year in her 40s, so we decided to celebrate with a fancy dinner at Talulla in Cambridge!
I had a lot of spare time to write this review, so I gave my opinion for every plate. But if you only have a few seconds, then here’s my bottom line: Hands down, highly, highly recommend Talulla, and I can’t wait to return!
For a more detailed review, keep reading…
We started with the housemade sourdough and focaccia with herb butter. The sourdough was good, but my favorite was the focaccia! Since there were only two pieces of focaccia, I made sure to savor every nibble. And that melt-in-your mouth herb butter…perfection.
We shared two starters, the Crunch Salad and the Local Burrata. The flavors in the Crunch Salad were exquisite, but the game changer was the whey sorbet that was placed in the center of the salad. I never want to eat another salad again unless there’s a scoop of sorbet with it. The Local Burrata was so smooth and creamy and it paired well with the sweetness of the stone fruits. The croutons were crunchy and a flavorful addition to the appetizer. There was a small slice of duck prosciutto with this plate, and since I was the birthday girl, I selfishly ate the whole thing in one bite.
For our pasta, we ordered the Spaghetti which included littleneck clams and yuzu kosho (citrus and chili paste) which gave it a nice kick! For our main meal, we delighted in the Bavette Steak, which was perfectly seared and incredibly satisfying.
During our meal, I sipped on a sweet mocktail while my husband opted for a glass of wine. For dessert, I ordered an Espresso Martini which paired well with the complimentary birthday dessert of coconut gelato. (Aw…what a thoughtful and refreshing birthday treat!)
We were pleased to meet Danielle, of Talulla’s husband and wife team. She was so sweet and very kind.
When we received our receipt, we also received a small card explaining that a 23% Admin Fee had been added to our bill in lieu of asking for a tip. This fee goes towards paying the salaries of all of their employees. After enjoying such a scrumdiddlyumptious meal, we felt that the 23% admin fee was reasonable and well-deserved.
All in all, we highly recommend Talulla and are looking forward to our next reason to celebrate at this charming establishment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Intimate setting, great cocktails, delicious food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We hosted our wedding dinner and ceremony at Tallula. Danielle, Connor, and their team made everything easy.
They were able to take a credit card deposit over the phone. About 30 days before the event, we coordinated to finalize the menu and seating arrangements. They were able to make a few adjustments and special additions based off of our feedback.
The day of was easy! We dropped off a few items for the Tallula staff to set up and the day went off without a hitch. The food was well made, delicious and the servers were attentive but not disruptive.
Thank you!
After having Tallula on our list for the longest time, we finally made it—and on Valentine’s Day, no less. The perfect setting for a romantic night, with a menu that was as creative as it was sensual. Every dish was flawless, from the tender beef cheek with smoked carrots to the beautifully balanced hamachi crudo and two outstanding pasta dishes. The squid ink pasta, in particular, was one of the best I’ve ever had. Each bite was elevated by a thoughtful selection of unique, curated wines. Can’t wait to return for their regular menu! Lovely friendly staff!
This place is great! It’s easy to see why they got nominated for a James Beard award. The food is amazing! Great service. Great place to bring a date.
Really great neighborhood fine dining option. I like the atmosphere and care put in by the owner!
This is a great small place for delicious food, beautifully served. The emphasis is on quality, creative gourmet dishes, but not out of control. Portions are very reasonable. It’s not one of those places that produce exotic, show-off foam-food with little taste. Vegetable torte, soups, hamachi crudo, monkfish, cavatelli, campanelle are all superb. It’s unlike other Cambridge places on two counts: really friendly staff and no problem parking.
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