50 Best Italian Restaurants near Needham

“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!!“

“We would like to give a higher rating and hope to in the future but there were several areas that could be improved:

1) My husband and I sat on the patio next to the front door. We used to come here alot when it was Petit Robert. They have done a nice job of changing it from French country bistro to modern upscale Italian, still very cozy. It was a lovely evening but it was disrupted by 2 young boys running in and out of the restaurant yelling the score to some game. They continued to yell up and down the sidewalk and climbed the lamppost. It really ruined the vibe. It was surprising that their parents (inside) nor the staff said anything to them. We could over hear the table next to us also commenting about this raucous behavior.

2. The service, although super friendly was slow. We waited for quite some time to place our order and for the bill. I never got the ice that was requested. Perhaps this is because of thr busy crowd on a Friday night.

3. The majority of our dishes were outstanding. The grilled squid appetizer was the best we have had in awhile. The squid was very tender and went perfectly well with the sliced fennel and lemon vinaigrette. My husband's wagyu dish was also beautifully executed. It was cooked to the perfect medium rare and paired nicely with the garlic sauce. Sides included lightly seasoned crispy fingerling potatoes and broccolini also cooked to perfection. I ordered the house special, lobster in vodka sauce with house made pasta. This was the biggest disappointment when the other dishes were so well delivered. The pasta was over cooked and mushy. The sauce was a bit sweet and there were only a few small pieces of lobster claw meat. This was surprising since the dish was more expensive than the wagyu. When the hostess checked in on us, she was gracious in offering to get us something else. I went with the black truffle wheel since we had seen other tables ordering it and the waitress had said it was her favorite dish there. Indeed it was incredible and did not disappoint! The pasta was not overcooked and the sauce was to die for! I loved it and would come back just for that dish alone!

When the bill came out, we assumed that they would have comped us for the lobster dish since that was what we didn't like and had sent it back despite their offering us to take it home. But instead, they had comped us for the truffle dish ($26), which was just over half of the lobster dish ($44). Seemed like a strange unprofessional practice.

Overall we still loved 3 out of 4 dishes so would still come back. Hopefully there won't be screaming kids and perhaps the wait staff would not be as slow.“

“My family makes it there at least once a month. Best mussels on the planet. Bolognese, risotto, chicken parm, rosemary chicken, Lamb shank, something for everyone. Best friendliest staff ever. BYOB makes it even more fun. Daphne, Shannon, Joe, Angel, Dillon…all the bomb!“

“The Greek chicken wrap was amazing! Mainly takeout, small place with a few tables. Nice, clean pizza joint atmosphere, but much better food. A little pricey, but a good value, especially considering that it's in a pricey area.

Parking: Small, free parking lot.“

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

“The hype around this restaurant was insane. After weeks of trying, I was able to snag a reservation 30 days out and as the date got closer, I was sure I was in for a hell of a let down.

It was actually quite the opposite. We had a reservation for 2 at 8:30 pm and were seated within 10 minutes of our arrival (we arrived 15 minutes early). The restaurant does a great job of staggering their seating so the kitchen can properly flow and doesn't get backed up.

The atmosphere was really nice, warm and enjoyable. My wife and I were able to talk the whole time. The waitress was very kind and friendly. She kept us entertained and ensured our anniversary dinner was special. The drinks were really good and the food was ridiculous. Everything we had was amazing and I would be hard pressed to identify a dish I would consider not ordering to be able to taste something different.

This place is definitely worth the hype and am hoping I can snag another reservation in the months to come.“

“Marybeth was the sweetest!! Went in to use my birthday meal before it expired and she went above and beyond to make it still feel so special weeks later!! It was our first time at this location and we are definitely coming back. Loved loved loved the lavender blueberry cosmo, brussel sprouts, chicken parm & citrus honey torta!!“

“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.“

“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.“

“DELICIOUS food & wine, good service“

“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.“

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

“Molto bene! The decor was bright & cheerful, with yellows and whites. The owner’s daughter was friendly, fun, upbeat and managed a very busy & very loud restaurant with grace and patience. She was our server. The food was exceptional. I got meatballs (homemade) and spaghetti. I’m a homemade meatball chef at home and these were delicious! My husband’s braised beef and mashed was delicious, too. Looking forward to coming again!“

“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! :)“

“The woman who waited on me and my family was incredibly kind. We have a wheelchair bound daughter and I just hope the know how come the made us feel plus the food was amazing. Save room for a cappuccino and tiramisu!“

“Su buen servicio y la comida es deliciosa.“

“Food and service were both spectacular.

Pizza was shared as an appetizer and was extraordinary. Totally fresh ingredients and flawless crust.

Clams and spaghetti was another great choice. Chocked full of clams, light lemon flavor, and great portion size.

Desserts were also top notch

Guillermo proved incredible service from the initial greet and all the way through payment. Fantastic server.“

“Excellent high end meal in Waltham. The mushroom souffle is a signature dish with great sauce. The Tuscan kale ceasar salad is likely the best kale salad I have ever had. The chicken schnitzel main is a bomb of flavor. Strong, attentive service from the staff.“

“Great. Been there dozens of times.“

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

“Always amazing food and service!!!“

“I have never in my life had a steak cheese & mushroom sandwich as good as Lola’s. We stopped in for a quick dinner Wednesday and I have been thinking (dreaming?) since then about how delicious it was. It’s a bit far for us to come there regularly but I can’t wait to visit again.“

“Every time I eat here I say let's go back tomorrow! I got the chicken parm it was enough for two days and the chicken was so juicy the desert was out of this world and calamari's fried lightly . The owner is wicked friendly and I always get parking“

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

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

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

“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!“

“The best beef bolognese I have had in ages! Time to buy more!“

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

“I just ate here for the first time and it was excellent! What a local gem. The food was very tasty and the service was amazing; I felt like I was at someone's personal event the way we were attended to like old friends and not a restaurant. Amd the prices were very reasonable. I will definitely be back. Thank you!!“

“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.“

“always excellent food and service!“

“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!“

“Absolutely amazing experience! This is a must try for all.“

“Just had the most tastiest cheesesteak pizza from here. The dough was superb. Ingredients are definitely fresh! Will go back and try again.“

“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!“

“Adrian was the best service we have had in a long time. Great place ask for him if you want great service. Will be back.“

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

“Good food, friendly staff, affordable for lunch and catering“

“On October 2nd, we hosted a Rehearsal Dinner for 35 that opened up to a Welcome Party for 90. The transition in their beautiful event space was seamless, thanks to Joanna and her wonderful staff. Leading up to the events, Joanna answered any question I threw at her. It was especially comforting since I was organizing from Florida. The food at the rehearsal dinner was delicious, chicken parm, salmon, gnocchi. The service, both food and drink was exceptional. We did a prix fixe menu and Joanna created a specific menu for our event. It felt very special. For the welcome party with an open bar, we chose a charcuterie board, fruit platter, meatballs and arancini all served buffet style. High top tables were added to accommodate the additional guests. Again, Joanna and her staff paid attention to every detail. As the hostess, besides wanting great food and service for my guests, it was extremely important that I got to enjoy my son’s wedding festivities. I had the best time not having to worry about a thing. I can’t thank Joanna and her staff enough for making it all happen.“

“Delicious!!! You should, definitely, eat here!“

“I recently hosted a private party at Gran Gusto in Cambridge to celebrate a very special occasion, and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect experience. From start to finish, the staff was incredibly kind, accommodating, and attentive to every detail. As a vegan, I was blown away by how thoughtfully they crafted an entirely plant-based buffet menu just for the event. Every single dish was absolutely delicious—flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented. In addition to the vegan fare, the team went above and beyond to provide gluten-free options for a couple of celiac guests, making sure everyone could enjoy the celebration without worry. The warm atmosphere, exceptional service, and mouthwatering food made the evening truly unforgettable. I’m so grateful to the Gran Gusto team for helping make my celebration so special. I highly recommend them for any event—or even just a night out. They’re a gem in Cambridge! The only bad thing? Time flew by way too fast—because everything was so magical and beautiful. ✨“

“We had a lunch with my coworkers and the food was absolutely amazing , everything was delicious, I had Fruti Di Mare and it was to die for. Our server Alexia was lovely , she made sure we were taken care of, always checking in on us !
Great atmosphere I would definitely be coming back“

“Delish dinner. Swordfish & fresh vegetables. Scrumptious tart for dessert!“

“Fantastic place to hang out to be with friends always a great time and awesome food 😊😊😊“

“Fiorellas should more restaurants and takeout food with more food options. Special in wellsley all mass.“

“The food and service was outstanding. We were greeted by the owner,John Testa, he oversees the whole operation. Huge portions, a well balanced plate (not too heavy on the pasta) the Italian Chop Salad for two can feed four. The waitstaff are friendly and efficient. Looking forward to going back .“

“I and my husband had a dinner yesterday and food was delicious, Angelo, our server was excellent, real pro. The restaurant by itself gave us a feeling of the real Italy. Thank you!“

“2nd visit to your restaurant in the past month comments - the Bar Tender was not very friendly or welcoming - not ignoring customers but not intuned , Like " Hello I'll be right wth you " 2nd small item is the knives - not sharp where they need to be - time for some replacements Thanks“

“Rachael was an amazing server! She was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. She checked in on us at the perfect times, had a great attitude, and made the entire experience enjoyable. Her excellent customer service truly stood out, and I would definitely ask to be seated in her section again. Thank you, Rachael, for making our visit so great!“