The food was excellent. The staff was lovely, making for a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. The staff seemed to know everyone who came in besides us [our first visit, but we will go again]. It is a small dining area so noise level depends on your neighbours. The only drawback was that our table was just a little unsteady.
Tagar Amiel
We were disappointed. The food is average and even one dish of pasta was tasteless. High prices for no reason. Very low value for money.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Fussyaboutfood
Pulcinella is a small, quiet restaurant with excellent food and prompt, friendly service. It's a pleasure to find a place where the standards are dependably high and where you can actually hear conversation.
Elle
Very expensive meal. The food was not fresh and the tomato it in our caprese salad was white and hard — like melon rind. (If a restaurant doesn't have good, ripe tomatoes, why put caprese salad on the menu?) the lobster in the lobster ravioli special was hard and overcooked, although the sauce and noodles were good. The restaurant was cold, and I was shocked to see that the tablecloths were not changed after each dining party left.
Nancy
Nice owner, you could tell it used to be a great spot but alas the post Covid world gives us another overpriced dining experience. My pasts Di mare was served lukewarm to cold. The linguine was cut up into pieces as if for a child. The supposed spicy tomato sauce was a bunch of cherry tomatoes. The shrimp in the dish were those itty bitty teeny tiny ones, the size of the clams were very small. I was let down. For the price, I'll go elsewhere.
Melinda Fern
Amazing dinner and service. All the food was incredibly fresh and flavorful. This restaurant really deserves 5 stars for the food and incredible service!! True Italian food with a north end caliber chef!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brian C.
My wife, our 4-year-old, and I chose this spot for a Valentine's Day dinner. Upon arrival, the restaurant was nearly empty, with only one occupied table. However, as the evening progressed, it became busier. The service was handled by one server and the owner/manager, who did a commendable job despite the increasing crowd. Despite its small size, the ambiance was pleasant. Parking may be a challenge, as it's primarily available on the side streets. We ordered three meals and three desserts, all of which were absolutely delicious. I have no complaints about the food; every dish exceeded our expectations. However, there was a bit of a wait for our food to arrive. The only downside I encountered was the cost. Our bill came to about $200 for three meals, three desserts, two sodas, and water (excluding tip). While the quality of the food was exceptional, the price gave me pause. Considering the cost, I might opt for a different dining experience, such as Palm Restaurant or Fogo de Chao.
Delicious food! Can't stress that enough! Server was very nice and helpful. It's a small restaurant so I think it'll be best to make a reservation if anything. Ordered the calamari appetizer, bolognese, lobster ravioli, and chicken parm. We also ordered 3 desserts. Every bite was delicious. Prices are a bit high in my opinion. Lobster raviolis for example (3 large ones) was about $53.
Bea T.
Wow! I am so honored to have dined in this family business for 30 years! I was reading reviews on this restaurant, and had to come here for authentic Italian cuisine ! I was right the food was amazing and it had the home made touch to it! There is a historic element to this restaurant the owners knew Julia Child would come and dine at this restaurant back in the day! Maria, the owner is so welcoming and lovely. We ordered the Caprese salad with prosciutto, and had the Lobster Arrabbiata linguine and the frutti do Mare. For dessert we had the tiramisu and Spumoni. The food was delicious and the sauces were addicting. I am totally surprised that it was not crazy busy on a Saturday night maybe because people don't know the neighborhood enough. It's located in a nice neighborhood section in Cambridge and it's quite known in the area. All I have to say is if you want really good Italian food with the warm family love, this is a place you must come and visit. I will definitely come back here again!
Foodie
I really enjoyed dinner there! Love, the authentic Italian food for my fruiti dinner Mare and Arrabiata.  Service was attentive and sweet love speaking to Maria, the owner and knowing the history of the restaurant did you know Julia died here? I love the tiramisu and the Spumoni. Definitely coming here again.
Not sure why the rating is a 3 star. This restaurant is phenomenal. High quality Italian food with a great atmosphere. The owner, chef's, and staff are so kind. My girlfriend and I have gotten takeout and sat for dinner. The pesto gnocchi is to die for, and the tiramisu is amazing. Out of several Italian restaurants in the Cambridge area, this is up there at the top. Stop by and enjoy a fantastic meal with incredible service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pesto
NicholasP
This is by far my favorite Cambridge restaurant and my wife and I eat there at least once a month. Very friendly and efficient service, a casual ambience and great food (authentic Neapolitan) What's not to like? This time was yet another really good experience.
ESGF
Hidden gem. Scrumptious food. Appetizers to desserts. Cozy atmosphere. Very attentive. Thoroughly enjoyed NYE dinner with friends. Received outstanding attention and service. Never disappointed!
N G
Great family run fancy Italian restaurant. Perfect for dates and special events. We've been going for two decades.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aran Nathanson
Mediocre food in an ok setting.Gran Gusto has better food.
The food was excellent. The staff was lovely, making for a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. The staff seemed to know everyone who came in besides us [our first visit, but we will go again]. It is a small dining area so noise level depends on your neighbours. The only drawback was that our table was just a little unsteady.
We were disappointed. The food is average and even one dish of pasta was tasteless. High prices for no reason. Very low value for money.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Pulcinella is a small, quiet restaurant with excellent food and prompt, friendly service. It's a pleasure to find a place where the standards are dependably high and where you can actually hear conversation.
Very expensive meal. The food was not fresh and the tomato it in our caprese salad was white and hard — like melon rind. (If a restaurant doesn't have good, ripe tomatoes, why put caprese salad on the menu?) the lobster in the lobster ravioli special was hard and overcooked, although the sauce and noodles were good. The restaurant was cold, and I was shocked to see that the tablecloths were not changed after each dining party left.
Nice owner, you could tell it used to be a great spot but alas the post Covid world gives us another overpriced dining experience. My pasts Di mare was served lukewarm to cold. The linguine was cut up into pieces as if for a child. The supposed spicy tomato sauce was a bunch of cherry tomatoes. The shrimp in the dish were those itty bitty teeny tiny ones, the size of the clams were very small. I was let down. For the price, I'll go elsewhere.
Amazing dinner and service. All the food was incredibly fresh and flavorful. This restaurant really deserves 5 stars for the food and incredible service!! True Italian food with a north end caliber chef!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife, our 4-year-old, and I chose this spot for a Valentine's Day dinner. Upon arrival, the restaurant was nearly empty, with only one occupied table. However, as the evening progressed, it became busier. The service was handled by one server and the owner/manager, who did a commendable job despite the increasing crowd. Despite its small size, the ambiance was pleasant. Parking may be a challenge, as it's primarily available on the side streets. We ordered three meals and three desserts, all of which were absolutely delicious. I have no complaints about the food; every dish exceeded our expectations. However, there was a bit of a wait for our food to arrive. The only downside I encountered was the cost. Our bill came to about $200 for three meals, three desserts, two sodas, and water (excluding tip). While the quality of the food was exceptional, the price gave me pause. Considering the cost, I might opt for a different dining experience, such as Palm Restaurant or Fogo de Chao.
Delicious food! Can't stress that enough! Server was very nice and helpful. It's a small restaurant so I think it'll be best to make a reservation if anything. Ordered the calamari appetizer, bolognese, lobster ravioli, and chicken parm. We also ordered 3 desserts. Every bite was delicious. Prices are a bit high in my opinion. Lobster raviolis for example (3 large ones) was about $53.
Wow! I am so honored to have dined in this family business for 30 years! I was reading reviews on this restaurant, and had to come here for authentic Italian cuisine ! I was right the food was amazing and it had the home made touch to it! There is a historic element to this restaurant the owners knew Julia Child would come and dine at this restaurant back in the day! Maria, the owner is so welcoming and lovely. We ordered the Caprese salad with prosciutto, and had the Lobster Arrabbiata linguine and the frutti do Mare. For dessert we had the tiramisu and Spumoni. The food was delicious and the sauces were addicting. I am totally surprised that it was not crazy busy on a Saturday night maybe because people don't know the neighborhood enough. It's located in a nice neighborhood section in Cambridge and it's quite known in the area. All I have to say is if you want really good Italian food with the warm family love, this is a place you must come and visit. I will definitely come back here again!
I really enjoyed dinner there! Love, the authentic Italian food for my fruiti dinner Mare and Arrabiata.  Service was attentive and sweet love speaking to Maria, the owner and knowing the history of the restaurant did you know Julia died here? I love the tiramisu and the Spumoni. Definitely coming here again.
Restaurantji Recommends
Not sure why the rating is a 3 star. This restaurant is phenomenal. High quality Italian food with a great atmosphere. The owner, chef's, and staff are so kind. My girlfriend and I have gotten takeout and sat for dinner. The pesto gnocchi is to die for, and the tiramisu is amazing. Out of several Italian restaurants in the Cambridge area, this is up there at the top. Stop by and enjoy a fantastic meal with incredible service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pesto
This is by far my favorite Cambridge restaurant and my wife and I eat there at least once a month. Very friendly and efficient service, a casual ambience and great food (authentic Neapolitan) What's not to like? This time was yet another really good experience.
Hidden gem. Scrumptious food. Appetizers to desserts. Cozy atmosphere. Very attentive. Thoroughly enjoyed NYE dinner with friends. Received outstanding attention and service. Never disappointed!
Great family run fancy Italian restaurant. Perfect for dates and special events. We've been going for two decades.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mediocre food in an ok setting.Gran Gusto has better food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4