50 Best Italian Restaurants near Lexington

“I have been coming here for fifty years even when I have lived far away. High quality food, reasonable prices, friendly staff. It is a vestige of the Lexington of my childhood.“

“Family friendly Italian food in Lexington Center. We saw all ages there from 2 to 80. There are about 12 tables plus a bar area that serves only wine. This is counter service, so you order and pay at the counter and they bring the food to you when it is ready. I had the design-your-own-pasta and it was fresh and delicious.“

“nice place, good meal and quick service“

“It amazes me that this place has a 4.1 star rating. I personally owned a food business and I am very picky. Every single thing that they cranked out smelt amazing and looked the same. I had the roast beef sandwich it was top notch. Don't let these cheap people leaving bad reviews change your mind from trying this place. Everybody was super friendly.“

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

“The food and drinks were excellent. 5:30 reservation right when they opened-probably wouldn't do that again. Everyone got sat at the same time and made for a long wait. Didnt get drinks until 5:52. Total dining time was 2 hours. Found street parking but I can see where this wouldn't be as possible during busier times of year. Bar is first come first serve and people start lining up around 4:30.“

“Great dinner and absolutely superb service! Ask for Tim to be your server. Mushroom fusilli is incredible along with scallops with a limoncello reduction. Went for my wife’s birthday with sister and brother-in-law, couldn’t have asked for a better dinner and service. Will definitely come back and highly recommend. Just a great night overall!“

“Definitely worth the hype. The food is exceptional. Pizza Bianca with the tomato relish is delicious bite and the bread is so perfect, the pepperoni pizza with hot honey is probably the only thing we ate that you can skip but it's still really good, clams and guanciale is cooked to perfection and the sauce is addicting, the bucatini with chilli anchovy butter is one of my favorite dishes I've had, perfect chew and flavor. The sausage cavatelli was a delicious change of pace again a perfect cook on the pasta, finally the taleggio signature dish, absolutely delicious, if you're going with a group I'd probably get it as a shared plate because it is so so rich. Service was also stellar“

“My husband and I went to Il Ponte in Woburn for the first time tonight. Let’s just say it will not be the last. From the moment we walked in right up until we walked out the door it was an incredible experience. We both had cocktails: a Cabernet and falling for you and both were amazing. The bread/focaccia with garlic and oil was a fantastic start to the meal. We got the octopus and a bruschetta to start and they were flavorful and cooked perfectly. My husband had the braised short rib over saffron risotto and he said it was delicious and fork tender. He said the flavor was like nothing he’s ever had and the saffron risotto was incredible and cooked perfectly. I got the special which was a crusted swordfish with asparagus risotto and it was, hands down, the best swordfish I have ever eaten. It was crusted so lightly and the swordfish was cooked to perfection. The portion was so big that I took half home. We don’t usually order dessert but when the server said “pistachio gelato” they reeled me in. My husband got bomboloni and couldn’t stop making all the faces and sounds…it was to die for. Before we finished the owner was making rounds at the tables thanking everyone and making sure we enjoyed our meals. I would give Il Ponte a 20/10 rating. We will absolutely be back again. If you get the opportunity….do not sleep on Il Ponte.“

“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!“

“Great food and great service! I even got gluten free chicken parm and spaghetti which was excellent! They have a wonderful food and drink menu. Our server Jess was was excellent as well. The manager Nick greeted us when we came in and found us a great table by the window. So the bottom line is, this is a great restaurant and I'm so happy we found this little gem! We will be 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! :)“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“Only gets better with time. Jan 2026 • Family Still remaining one of the top best Italian restaurants around. The stellar staff customer service is amazing. The ambiance, decor and most gracious familial atmosphere is refreshing. The food is superb as always. We were seated in the private round dome room which is magical. Salvatore and his crew served us with grace, kindness and humor. Bravo!!!“

“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!“

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

“Restaurant atmosphere and decor was beautiful, mirorring a true Italian resataurant. All wait staff were extremely kind and attentive, especially Mary Beth. The food was delicious as well, and I highly recommend the Chicken Parm, and house made pastas. We will definitely come back soon!“

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

“This is a hidden gem! We stopped here randomly while traveling home from Boston. We got zucchini pillows and beet salad for appetizers. They were fabulous and flavorful! For dinner we got gnocchi and chicken parm. Probably the best we have ever had! Delicious and good size portions. We had tiramisu for dessert. It was excellent! Great meal start to finish. Our waitress, the owner's daughter was personable , sweet, efficient and great to talk to. We will DEFINITELY be back!!!!“

“Great atmosphere. Excellent service. Delicious tiramisu & raspberry cheesecake. Very tasty watermelon strawberry sangria. & the absolute BEST chicken limone with fresh pasta!“

“Su buen servicio y la comida es deliciosa.“

“DELICIOUS food & wine, good service“

“First time trying their food, went with my food group to try out their menu and was not disappointed! Recently came back from Italy and had told my friends I missed the food, one said this place might help and it did not disappoint! I found the gnocchi to be amazing, even when I didn't finish it completely, it was still amazing the next day which is very unusual in my experience, but a happy surprise! The sauce they used was unreal, the chicken was on par, and honestly had a really good time. Will be going back again, definitely want to taste test a few other items next time around.“

“Great place, great staff and amazing food. Their pizza is as good as it gets.. But it’s tough to decide with so many great offerings.“

“The place is a jewel! The food is excellent, and the portions are generous. Camilo, the bartender is wonderful; he asked the right questions before suggesting a wine which has become a favorite. Camilo is always upbeat, respectful and helpful. Highly recommended place.“

“Spiga is our absolute favorite restaurant!! We've come a dozen times and it is always the best meal! This particular time, I made a reservation for Father's Day but I accidentally booked it for a week prior - the manager was so incredible and could hear the desperation in my voice, so squeezed us in and made it work by his own kindness, even though the restaurant was fully booked. Our waiter was amazing - the service was incredible from beginning to end and our meal was absolutely delicious and so freshly homemade as always! We cannot wait to come back, thank you Spiga!!“

“Best Italian pasta I ever tried!!!“

“Thank you for a nice chicken parm dinner. It was very good and a nice portion. I'll be back!“

“One of our favorites! Delicious authentic Italian dishes! Awesome mixed cocktails!“

“This was our first visit. The restaurant has plenty of natural light, space and free parking in back. Our meals were delicious and the portions are very generous! I especially enjoyed the peach panzanela salad and chicken marsala. The service was on point. We will be back!“

“excellent friendly service, delicious food, awesome date place.“

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

“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.“

“The delivery is always speedy and the steak tips NEVER disappoint. So good🤤🤤🤤“

“always excellent food and service!“

“The best restaurant in Boston!! Congratulations guys!“

“Went in for my birthday dinner. Service was great and the food was fantastic. Will definitely be back again.“

“We all had something different and everything was equally delicious. We started with a Caprese salad (amazing) and then each had a different pasta dish - including spaghetti with mussels. The sauce was slightly spicey (as advertised) and SO GOOD! The chef’s specials were perfect.

We enjoyed the relaxed interior and could comfortably converse in the cozy and authentic space. The chef checked in on us multiple times and the waiter was friendly and attentive.

We HIGHLY recommend this local gem!“

“Was there for the first time for Valentine's Day. Food was delicious and our waitress was very attentive. We look forward to returning again soon!“

“One of my favorite local Italian restaurants! Their homemade pasta is delicious. Their service is fast and their portions are gigantic!“

“Local family owned gem. Great service, Amazing food.“

“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!“

“This place is KILLING IT...a small family-run restaurant tucked away in the corner of a North Reading strip mall but pumping out big dishes, big flavors and great creativity...the staff is always present, warm and welcoming...keep up the good work !!!“

“Superb restaurant, one of my Top Three Favorites.“

“The food here is the best. Huge options for even the toughest critic. Also have take home & make options. Prices are really good for the amount & quality of the food. I live near some very expensive Italian restaurants & their menus iare skimpy comoared to the choices at Strombolis. The iwner is always friendly, showing his appreciation to his customers. Like in any restaurants even in top notch sometimes an order is wrong but open your mouth & the owner will make it right. Been coming here for years. Atmosphere is like a pizza joint but dont let it fool you. The atmosphere keeps the prices reasonable“

“My family and I were looking for places to eat before a family friend’s play in Belmont. We decided to stop in and nothing short of amazing! The staff welcomes you when you walk in, super friendly and were very generous. Place was busy which is a good sign and ton of people doing pick up orders. The pizza was very authentic and probably the best I have had in a long time. The hot honey tenders were delicious. I wish we had one close to me, I would be a loyal customer!“