
Giulia
A beloved Italian gem serving refined, rustic cuisine with an emphasis on superlative handmade pastas in a cozy, intimate setting.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Giulia

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved Italian gem serving refined, rustic cuisine with an emphasis on superlative handmade pastas in a cozy, intimate setting.
"Consistently rated as one of the best Italian restaurants, Giulia offers a sublime dining experience worth the wait."
Reservations are Essential
Book well in advance, or try your luck with walk-in bar seating. Off-peak visits may offer better availability.
Don't Miss Signature Dishes
Highlights include chicken liver crostini, squid ink pasta, and the unforgettable pistachio gelato.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
$$$
Phone
(617) 441-2800
Address
1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Website
giuliarestaurant.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Handmade Pasta Perfection
Experience the artistry of house-made pastas with unique regional flavors and fresh ingredients. A true Italian culinary journey.

Exceptional Appetizers & Desserts
From delicate crudo to surprising gelato flavors, start and end your meal with memorable, expertly crafted dishes.

Rustic, Welcoming Atmosphere
A cozy, intimate setting with exposed brick and candlelight, perfect for lingering over a romantic meal.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations are Essential
Book well in advance, or try your luck with walk-in bar seating. Off-peak visits may offer better availability.
Don't Miss Signature Dishes
Highlights include chicken liver crostini, squid ink pasta, and the unforgettable pistachio gelato.
Consider the Bar for Walk-ins
If you can't secure a reservation, the bar area offers a great dining experience, though seating is limited.
Explore Daily Specials
Look beyond the regular menu for unique, seasonal flavor combinations crafted by the chef.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations are Essential
Book well in advance, or try your luck with walk-in bar seating. Off-peak visits may offer better availability.
Don't Miss Signature Dishes
Highlights include chicken liver crostini, squid ink pasta, and the unforgettable pistachio gelato.
Consider the Bar for Walk-ins
If you can't secure a reservation, the bar area offers a great dining experience, though seating is limited.
Explore Daily Specials
Look beyond the regular menu for unique, seasonal flavor combinations crafted by the chef.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Giulia is celebrated for its exceptional, handmade Italian cuisine, particularly its pastas, which are consistently praised. Diners also rave about the welcoming yet rustic atmosphere and attentive service. While portions are noted as small and prices are on the higher side, the overall dining experience is considered a standout.
"Simply the best. The service is attentive, friendly, and helpful. The atmosphere is lovely. And most importantly the food is exceptional. I had been looking for an Italian restaurant with simple, delicious pastas and this is it. The squash agnolotti (filled pillow pastas) was my surprise favorite. If it sounds good on the menu it will probably be even better when it comes out!"
Alexander
"Great food and service. I know they can get away with it because they are so good but my only gripe with this place is that you have to have a reservation to get a table. To me it comes off a bit off putting if you are trying it out for the first time and didn’t know….(which happened to us) since it’s not common for most restaurants to ONLY allow reservations. Anyways the bar is your only option if you didn’t manage to snag a coveted reservation and the bar service was wonderful so I can’t complain. Overall, I loved the food and the standout item for me was actually the chicken liver crostini and the pistachio gelato dessert."
Rachel Iacomini
"My wife was flying home from a business trip in Tampa and asked me to pick a place to go out to dinner for my birthday and I chose Giulia. We arrived and got on the waitlist to sit at the bar, our favorite place to dine. The hostess was so pleasant and when it was time for us, she didn’t call or text, she came and found us and ushered us to our seats. We were greeted by Matt and our Giulia experience began. The atmosphere is so relaxed and welcoming, the food is absolutely fresh and delicious and the service is attentive and impeccable. We started with cocktails, mine was the mezcal with habanero, Margie’s was one with special rum, pineapple and orgeat, both well balanced and wonderful.
We chose to start with the eggplant caponata. The mix of flavors and textures with the sweet pepper and golden raisins and the toasted almonds and capers were simply delicious. We both ordered a full bodied, red wine to go with the dishes to follow. Next, not on the menu, was a truffle pasta special that was absolutely special. The creamy, buttery sauce, cheeses, fresh pasta and truffles were truly amazing.
We followed up the pasta with the house made sausage which sounded like a “beans and greens” dish, which we love and absolutely did not disappoint. And I have to say, the portions at Giulia do not over do it, they are right sized and let you try multiple choices from their wonderful selection.
Next was on to dessert and when Matt told us the chef was excited about how the chocolate chip, mint ice cream had come out, we just had to try it. And we were totally glad we did, every spoonful was joyful. We dubbed this dessert “Chef’s Excitement “ and shared the new name with Matt who chuckled at our excitement. Paired with a port for me and a Vin Santo for Margie, it was the perfect finish.
Overall, Giulia is a magnificent dining experience, every dish is a well portioned masterpiece, the service is impeccable and we cannot wait to come back."
David Cullerot
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Reservations are highly sought after and often book up weeks in advance. It's recommended to book online as soon as possible. Consider trying for bar seating if you can't secure a table.
Giulia has a rustic and cozy atmosphere, suggesting a smart casual dress code. While not explicitly stated, most diners dress comfortably yet stylishly.
The handmade pastas are legendary, particularly the pappardelle with wild boar. Other highly recommended dishes include the chicken liver crostini and the pistachio gelato for dessert.
Yes, Giulia offers vegetarian dishes, with pasta options often available to accommodate this dietary preference.
Due to its popularity, it's best to visit during off-peak hours or weekdays for a slightly better chance of seating without a reservation. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Diners often note that portions at Giulia are on the smaller side, which allows guests to sample multiple dishes.
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Serving deliciously dressed handmade pastas, beautiful antipasti plates and gorgeous Italian wines, Giulia is rustic yet sophisticated, welcoming and stylish. The staff here are true patrons of excellent service as well as top quality dishes and the most tempting flavor combinations. For a four course meal that certainly won’t disappoint, start with a plate of oysters on the half shell with pickled gooseberry mignonette before tucking into a tasty homemade pasta course of roasted veal breast and sweetbread ravioli.
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From husband and wife team Michael Pagliarini and Pamela Ralston, Giulia is known for their exceptional handcrafted pasta, complemented by tried and true hospitality. A neighborhood favorite, Giulia has everything from potato culurgiones to cavatelli with broccoli rabe (did we mention that the pasta is homemade?). Coming off the heels of the restaurant’s 10 year anniversary, the duo plans to open a second restaurant in the spring, Moëca, which will serve up sustainable seafood between Harvard and Porter Square.
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This Italian restaurant on the edge of Porter Square is consistently booked a couple weeks out, and you’re going to have to deal with that if you want to eat there. And let’s be clear: you do want to eat at Giulia. They have a “pasta table” right by the kitchen that you can book for a big group and eat a bunch of family-style dishes, along with a small selection of tables and a dark bar in a back room that’s always packed.
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Chef-owner Michael Pagliarini and his wife Pamela Ralston pamper their guests with a warm welcome, friendly, professional service and killer pastas that are handmade by day on a custom-made table used to accommodate large groups at night. Brick walls and candlelight keep the vibe romantic and rustic. The all-Italian wines pair well with the dishes, which are often inspired by the chef’s travels to Italy.
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Chef Michael Pagliarini’s lovingly house-made pastas put this Italian restaurant on the map when it opened a dozen years ago. While those pastas—particularly the fan-favorite pappardelle with braised wild boar—certainly don’t require any extra adornment, we won’t judge if you decide to splurge on a seasonal truffle add-on for a bit more decadence. Don’t be afraid to try a truffle dessert, too, when available: We’re still dreaming about a visit at the tail-end of white-truffle season, when we indulged in white-truffle gelato with white-truffle meringue, honey olive oil cake, and—you guessed it—shaved white truffles.
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It might seem hyperbolic to proclaim Giulia as my favorite Italian restaurant in America, but I’m not prone to exaggeration when it comes to something as important as pasta. Since opening in December 2012, this neighborhood spot between Porter and Harvard squares has been a go-to for Cantabrigians, Bostonians, and visitors alike, who come for locally-sourced, seasonally-inflected fare like Sardinian flatbread with ramp pesto, lobster and asparagus tortellini in brodo, and house made lamb sausage with wild fennel risotto. The vibe is casual, the food is sublime.
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Giulia is as close to Harvard Square as it is to Porter, but it’s within walking distance—and worth it for homemade pasta dishes—like a decadent Pappardelle with Wild Boar—and other Italian food favorites. Rustic meats like Chicken Liver Crostini and and fresh Lamb Sausage are comforting and craveable, the Affogato comes with house-made gelato, and classic cocktails like a Negroni are riffed on just right at this Massachusetts Ave. restaurant. Reservations can fill up a month in advance at this longtime Cambridge destination.
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If you're looking for Italian food in Cambridge, try Giulia, located within close proximity to both Porter and Harvard Square. While their menu changes frequently, you can expect dishes like pappardelle with wild boar, celery root gnocchi with lobster, and potato culurgiones with smoked pork belly and littleneck clams. No matter where you prefer to sit or your party size, you'll want to plan ahead and make a reservation, as this restaurant can get booked up.
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Italian food and pasta fans will definitely want to check out this classy restaurant, which features a variety of pasta dishes made with noodles that are always cooked daily. In addition, the menu benefits from a rotating range of seasonal ingredients, so everything tastes fresh and cooked to perfection no matter when you stop by for a bite. Plus, each dish comes with a recommended wine for cocktail to complete your dining experience.
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In 2023, Boston Magazine named Giulia the winner in the 2023 Best of Boston awards for best Italian. That says a lot — there's a lot of stiff competition. With a menu that includes oysters, duck, house-cured pancetta, locally-sourced seafood and beef, wild boar, house-made lamb sausage, and dry-aged duck — among many other options — it's immediately clear that customers can expect a high-class dining experience.
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Consistency, excellence, and the pasta table: These are just a few of the reasons to love chef Michael Pagliarini’s soulful, seasonal Italian restaurant near Porter Square. It’s hard to come here and not get the pappardelle with braised wild boar, but everything on the menu is worth ordering … and then there are the specials. Whatever else happens, do not fail to order one of the wonderful desserts.
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Gather between 6 and 12 of your besties and tuck in for a memorable Northern Italian meal. You’ll be seated at the actual table the restaurant uses during the day to roll out their homemade pasta with options for 3 or 5-course prix-fixe menus. Considering the exclusivity of the experience, the prices are very fair making this one of the best restaurants in Boston for a 21st birthday.
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Located in Cambridge, Giulia is an Italian restaurant that embodies the true spirit and cuisine of Northern Italy. Its dishes are simple yet classic, crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients, including pizzas, pastas and other traditional meals. The highlight is undoubtedly the house-made pasta, guaranteed to transport you to the rolling hills of Italy with every bite.
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A rustic and romantic place for your next date, Giulia pampers their guests with delicious homemade pastas and impeccable service. Chef Michael Pagliarini pairs many of his homey dishes with wine that is inspired from his Italian travels. Their desserts also deserve a special mention, because you will not taste pistachio ice cream that good west of Italy.
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If you’re searching for Italian food in Cambridge Visit Giulia , which is near to Porter and Harvard Square. however their menu is usually change so before reservation check their menu. No whatever the size of your group or your preferred seating location, you should start planning and reserve a seat at this restaurant because it can get crowded.
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Let me start by saying that Giulia is a hidden gem in the bustling culinary scene of Cambridge. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted with an ambiance that screams sophistication and class, while still maintaining a cozy and inviting atmosphere. One of the highlights of my dinner at Giulia was the extensive menu of creamy dishes.
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If you're craving pasta with an authentic feel, you have to make a stop at Cambridge's Giulia. Though, you'll want to make reservations ahead of time, because during the busy nights of the week, a free table is nearly impossible to find. And a table is your only option, as the restaurant does not do take-out or delivery.
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The outdoor dining area at Giulia is like an Italian oasis right on Mass Ave in the middle of Cambridge. Outfitted with heaters for coolers nights and lined with trees for those sunny summer evenings, it’s an idyllic spot from which to watch the world go by over plates of housemade pasta, craft cocktails and more.
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If you’re looking to plan a date night at an Italian restaurant then this unexpectedly romantic restaurant in Boston, MA will surely please you. Giulia offers a romantic setting that’s lit by candlelight in a brick-walled location with many handmade pastas to try.
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Located at 1682 Massachusetts Ave., it's the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 426 reviews on Yelp. The menu features high-end Italian fare, including flatbreads, pastas, veal, wild boar and lamb sausage.
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Looking for romantic Italian food, specifically homemade pasta?. Giulia does require a reservation — weeks in advance — but this hole in the wall between Harvard and Porter Square is definitely worth a trip, they are consistently yummy!
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1682 Massachusetts AveCambridge, MA 02138(617) 441-2800 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Giulia, created by pasta guru Michael Pagliarini, is home to some of the finest Italian cuisine in all of Cambridge.
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1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138Phone: 617-441-2800 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Giulia (@giuliarestaurant)
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But no matter what the boat brings in, as a sister concept to nearby Giulia, it’s safe to say the fare will always take inspiration from Italy.
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