Cambridge Dining Guide
Best Italian in Cambridge
Find the best Italian restaurants in Cambridge, Massachusetts — from wood-fired pizza to handmade pasta. Locally curated, reviewed, and updated.
7 restaurants curated
Cambridge's Italian dining scene spans the full range, from red-sauce institutions that have served Harvard families for decades to modern trattorias where house-made pasta is the draw. The Italian presence here runs deep — many spots source ingredients from the same North End purveyors that supply Boston's legendary Italian restaurants.
Insider TipWeekday lunch at most Italian spots is significantly less crowded and many offer fixed-price specials not available at dinner.
Giulia
Italian · Harvard Square
Handmade pasta perfection in an intimate setting. Chef Michael Pagliarini crafts Roman-inspired dishes with seasonal New England ingredients. Known for exceptional wine program and house-made pasta. Reservations essential.
Bar Enza
Italian · Harvard Square
Neo-trattoria at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square. Handmade pastas, fresh seafood, seasonal entrees. The current kitchen is led by Tony Susi (Sulmona; Amelia's Trattoria), who took over from Michelin-rated chef Mark Ladner.
Geppetto
Italian · East Cambridge
Northern Italian at Cambridge Crossing from chef Will Gilson (Puritan & Company, Amba). Handmade pastas from chef Tony Susi, in-house gelato, and a warm, modern dining room on the first floor of The Lexington. Sister restaurant to Puritan & Company and Amba.
Gufo
Italian · East Cambridge
All-day modern Italian restaurant and cafe in East Cambridge from the SRV / Salty Pig / Baleia team. Named Gufo — 'owl' in Italian — with a menu built around wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and an Italian-leaning cocktail program. Morning cafe, evening restaurant.
Central Square
1Sulmona
Italian · Kendall Square
Abruzzo-rooted Italian restaurant in Kendall Square from the Susi family of Amelia's Trattoria. 130 seats, a long marble bar, semi-open kitchen, and a menu named for the medieval town in Abruzzo the family comes from.
Amelia's Trattoria
Italian · Kendall Square
Small family-run Italian trattoria just outside Kendall Square. Handmade pastas, house gnocchi, and meat dishes from chef-owner Delio Susi Jr. An off-the-beaten-path neighborhood spot from the same family behind Sulmona.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambridge has several excellent Italian restaurants. The highest-rated options include spots in Harvard Square and Central Square, with styles ranging from traditional Neapolitan to contemporary Italian-American. Check our full listings sorted by rating above.