50 Best Italian Restaurants near Melrose

“It’s our 1st time here food atmosphere and wait staff were awesome me and my husband celebrated our anniversary there tonight we shared mozzarella marinara and a Caesar salad and we both got the chicken broccoli and ziti in a garlic cream sauce ugh so delicious the only thing that bothered me and my husband a little was the loud noise from everyone talking other than that everything else was amazing we are def coming back“

“Fantastic service - great food! Have never been disappointed.“

“After many years of walking by, I finally went in for dinner tonight. I was very happy with the experience. Friendly staff and excellent food. I will definitely return!“

“I'd been trying to find pizza I just craved since moving from Melrose to Stoneham 8 months ago. So far the leader is very good, but no delivery or open on Sunday. Then I saw a post from my favorite Petrones here and discovered that they'd deliver to me. 30 minutes later my pizza and a side of grilled chicken were on the way, ordered through the website and delivery app. A given time of 6:20 was exact! The driver came to my door like an old friend, in a clean Petrones golf shirt, even offering to bring it inside for me. Perfection! The crust was both crispy and chewy. With a unique slightly salty finish, which is delightful. Very generous toppings, well balanced across the pie. Their cheese blend is biteful yet has that long string satisfaction. I opted for alfredo over their signature red sauce and wasn't disappointed, although I'd like more garlicky taste--easily solved next time. The side of grilled & chopped chicken was very tasty and will be awesome on tomorrow's lunch salad. I was very pleased by the generous portion. I'm thrilled to have Petrones back on my speed dial. The ordering app was clunky although it did give real time updating. I think calling will be less annoying. Thanks for the great food. I knew they'd changed hands since I moved but the food quality was definitely unchanged! Yay“

“Alfredos Italian Kichen is a great place to order or eating. People are friends. Fresh clean food all the time. Price is good too. I love Alfredos Italian kichen. All my friends love too.“

“My cousin and I went to Melrose to pick up an item. We were hungry looking for a place to eat. We go to mother’s pizza and everyone was super friendly. The food was absolutely delicious!!!! I tried a chicken kebab sub and my cousin got spaghetti with chicken and broccoli, she loved it. She has allergies and they prepared her dish adjusting to her allergies.“

“Literally the best food i’ve ever had in my entire life. I came here for a trip with one of my best friends and we both agree that we should have saved this for last, because the meal we had really set the tone of all other food for remainder of trip and nothing measured up to this place, fortunately we came back the last day of our trip! I mean I dream about this food, I look back at the photos of the food, I get flashbacks daily of the food here. I wish I could’ve packed this shop up and brought it back to my city. Only downside- I know for a fact, they would be packed out every night out here. Im crying right now, I need to go back!“

“Best pizzeria,subs, Salad's,DOWN to amazingly scrumptious CALZONE'S OUR favorites-Chicken parm&The Steak&Cheese are absolutely delicious..The PIZZA'S ARE ALL FABULOUS!YOU GOTTA TRY EM OUT �%� BEST!“

“With a lot going on around the house (and the heat) we order a decent amount of delivery. Lisa’s is definitely the go to place for me. The problem is choosing what to order. Because everything I’ve ordered has been fantastic. Tonight’s choice was the avocado chicken panini for me, delicious. Some of our favorites are meatball subs, BLT wrap, antipasto salad and any of the pizzas. Ooh and the onion rings !!“

“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!!!“

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

“I hadn't been to Giulia since before COVID, mainly due to the extreme difficulty in getting a reservation during a desirable timeframe. Parking has become much more challenging in that interim. Still, enjoyed a great pasta dish and dessert with my out-of-town guest. Very generous wine pour as well.“

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

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

“If you’re looking for a sign to go to The Salty Pig, this is it.

At this point, I’m convinced they should start charging me rent.

Jade is the absolute best. She’s one of those people who can somehow make your day better just by being herself. Whether it’s recommending a wine I’d never think to order, talking me through the menu when decision fatigue has completely taken over, or making an absolutely perfect French 75, she somehow always knows exactly what I need. She has this effortless way of making everyone at the bar feel like a regular, and you can tell she genuinely cares about the people who walk through the door. She’s one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back.

And then there is Ty. Some of my favorite visits turn into conversations with him. We can talk about just about anything, and somehow he always has the perfect mix of humor, perspective, and genuine interest. It’s never just small talk. It’s the kind of conversation that makes you forget you walked in exhausted after work, and before you know it, your whole day is better.

Chris is always quick to say hi when he sees me, which is one of those little things that makes you feel welcome before you’ve even sat down.

Ann rounds out my dream team behind the bar. Between Ann, Jade, and Ty, I’ve discovered wines I never would’ve ordered on my own, had more laughs than I can count, and have never once felt like just another customer. Whether I stop in early or after a long day at work, they always make me feel like I’m exactly where I should be.

Jilllllll and Angela are always happy to commiserate with me about whatever kind of day I’ve had. And in the interest of full disclosure… while I was literally writing this review, one of them popped up behind me and scared the life out of me. I couldn’t have planned that timing if I tried.

Now let’s talk about the food.

I’ve honestly never had a bad meal here. Every single thing I’ve ordered has been outstanding, but if I had to pick a favorite, the beef cheek is absolutely unreal. Every plate arrives with a refined flair that somehow manages to feel elevated without ever feeling pretentious. It’s comfort food that decided to put on a tailored suit.

The Salty Pig has become more than a restaurant for me. It’s where I unwind after work, where decision fatigue magically disappears because someone always has the perfect recommendation, where I’ve learned to appreciate great wine, and where I know I’ll leave happier than I arrived.

To Jade, Ann, Ty, Chris, Jilllllll, Angela, and everyone else at The Salty Pig: thank you for making an incredible restaurant feel like home away from home. You all are the secret ingredient!!!!“

“We sat at the bar which is separate from the restaurant. Comfy chairs, good street scene. Attentive service and nice lighting.
The squash blossoms were a unique and yummy app. The lobster gnocchi had nice chunks of lobster.
A great experience all around.

lighting.“

“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.“

“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“

“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!“

“Stopped by here during a work trip and can 100% say I will be back! thank you guys for the amazing food and service!!“

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

“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.“

“Amazing food and service with authentic Italian hospitality!“

“We have eaten at Sorelina many times before but tonight was amazing! We started with the bread that has a great pesto dipping sauce, and the mussels which were delicious. I had the swordfish special and my wife had the scallops. Both were excellent and the lobster risotto was out of this world. We split the chocolate lava cake which was also delicious. Our server Maeve was friendly, attentive and informative. Overall great night and looking forward to our next dinner there.“

“A regular go to restaurant........fortunate to have locally“

“Great place to have date night. Very nice“

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

“Grilled Clams make it so worthwhile“

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

“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!“

“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.“

“The quality and presentation of the food was top notch. We were incredibly impressed by the dining room layout and staff. If you are looking for a place to propose to your significant other… this is NOT the appropriate place. As I mentioned the food was the finest I’ve ever had; however, the music was terrible. We felt like we were in a 1990’s discotheque. The music was loud, very heavy beat and not remotely romantic. We did mention to our waitstaff and they attempted to get it turned down to no avail. No coffee or dessert available either. I understand space is limited; however you have two of the finest dessert businesses well within walking distance. Even if you only carry two desserts. I would still go back there for the food with the hopes of different music…even soft jazz would be acceptable.“

“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!“

“By far our favorite restaurant anywhere. Amazing food, oustanding service and attentative staff. My wife and I have tried a lot of different meals at Tresca and have loved them all. No matter what you order, you will not be disappointed. Chef Rich does an amazing job!“

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

“Just ordered some yummy chicken bowl AMAZING! Hands down the best food I’ve had in a while!“

“First experience at LFG and wont be our last! Food was ON POINT! So much food and everything was delicious ! Fantastic gluten-free options and super mindful of allergies/safety. Michelle our server was fantastic and accommodating and helped us celebrate our daughter’s birthday. LFG has a whole new meaning! Let’s flipping go (LFG) to Lla Familia Giorgios (LFG)!“

“Husband and I went to Maggiano's for the first time today. The food was fantastic and the portions are huge. Our waitress Marisa was very attentive and made sure we had everything we need during our meal here. Highly recommend and we can't wait to come back!“

“Took my 9 year old son here today for lunch When we were done, he said “Daddy, this is the best pizza I’ve ever had!” My 9 year old is a major pizza snob“

“Amazing! Every bite was delish! First visit and will be back for sure!“

“It matches the hype. The Sicilian Pizza is…perfect. There’s not enough superlatives to do it justice and if there were, even then it wouldn’t reach hyperbole. Craziest thing of it all is the pricing. Four slices, arancini, and a drink for $16.00? How? In today’s economy how are they keeping the price this low? Also amazing. Just go. Don’t think about it, don’t pass go, don’t collect $200…go get your dang perfect slice.“

“Table was amazing!! After living in the north end for 2 years and hearing glowing reviews I was excited to try it out for myself. I would 100% recommend the meatball and the Gnocchi with pesto drizzle they were delicious. Service was friendly and fast! Would recommend to anyone!“

“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!“

“Probably one of the best meals ever. From oysters to bread pudding! So amazing! A burst of flavor in every bite! Go out of your way if you have to , you won’t regret! 💕“

“Food, drink’s & service are all amazing!“

“Our favorite date night restaurant!! We love Berry Tavern! Great food, great drinks and great service!“

“Excellent food good service people would smile on their faces nice cool and place inside and outside you could eat. I come here with my colleagues and I come here with my family members. Just love the drinks. Make sure you ordered the ribeye is delicious here I love the lamb strips Taki sauce and pita bread is my favorite.“

“DELICIOUS food & wine, good service“

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

“This’s our second time back at this place! We’re out of State and this has become a stable for us. The fish was favorable. The pasta and the artichokes were delicious. After the first bites, they both open up to a rich and well balanced flavor profile. Not sure about the tomato sauce infusion into the gnocchis though but still tasty.“