Trattoria Pulcinella

Name: Trattoria Pulcinella
Address: 147 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA, United States, 02138
Telephone: (617) 491-6336
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.9

4.9

588 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Top Tags:

Trattoria Pulcinella is a nice family run business; we offer a lot of specials from our native homeland of Naples, Italy.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 24, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 6 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 491-6336
Website
http://www.trattoriapulcinella.net/
Payment options
Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Giovanni Oliva
Private party facilities
We close the restaurant for private party of 32 people and up.
Private party contact
Giovanni: (617) 851-0371

Location
147 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138
Neighborhood
Cambridge
Parking details
From Harvard Sq. take the 72 bus or the 75 and stopped in the corner of Concord Ave. and Huron Ave. We are next to CITGO gasoline station
Additional
Beer, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wine

Ceviche Italiano$16.00
Shrimp & calamari, prepared with a piquant lemon marinade
Parmigiana di Melenzane$13.00
Layers of Eggplant, mozzarella Parmigiano & tomato sauce
Il Piatto del Contadino$16.00
Mix of cold cuts, cheese, marinated olives
Moscardini alla Griglia con Salmorigilio Napoletano$15.00
Baby Octopus, grilled & served with lemon garlic marinade
Carciofini e Patate Oreganate al Gratin$13.00
Artichoke hearts & Potato baked with Oregano, white wine, breadcrumb
Insalata Romana con Vinaigrette di Parmigiano$12.00
Romaine salad served with vinaigrette di parmigiano and onions

Paste Speciali

Gnocchetti con Vongole e Pesto di Prezzemolo$25.00
Little potato dumplings served with clams & parsley pesto
Fregola Sarda con Ceci, Calamari e Gamberi$28.00
Sardinian specialty toasted pasta served with chickpeas, squid & shrimp & tossed with san Marzano tomato sauce
Ravioli alla Genovese$26.00
Homemade braised beef ravioli served with caramelized onions, bay leaves, parmigiano
Paccheri con Baccalà$25.00
Large tubes pasta served with salt cod, cherry tomato ragù sauce, black olives & capers
Cacio e Pepe$22.00
Spaghetti served with pecorino romano sauce & black pepper
Fusilli con Conserva di Tonno e Foglie Verdi$25.00
Spiral pasta served with tuna conserva & green leaves

Paste Tradizionali

Carbonara$23.00
Guanciale, egg & pecorino romano
Pesto$23.00
Basil pesto sauce
Matriciana$24.00
Guanciale, Onions & San Marzano Tomatoes
Bolognese$25.00
Ground meat, onions, celery, carrot, tomato paste, wine
Frutti di Mare$30.00
Clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp, white o red sauce
Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino$19.00
garlic, oil & hot chili pepper

Secondi Piatti

Scaloppe di Pollo alla Valdostana$24.00
Chicken with prosciutto, fontina cheese, white wine sauce
Zuppa di Mare$30.00
Clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp & octopus in a lite tomato sauce & fried bread
Straccetti di Vitello alla Cacciatore$26.00
Strips of veal sauté with onions, tomatoes, bell pepper
Trippa e Fagioli In Bianco$23.00
Beef tripe served with garlic, hot chili pepper, cannellini, beans, fresh mint
Pesce del Giorno
Fish of the day
- M.P.

Dolci

Dessert of the Day$12.00
Tiramisú$8.00
Crème Brulee$10.00
Spumone$10.00
Limone Ripieno$10.00

What 588 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.9Service
4.4Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Greater Boston
Best Food
Greater Boston
Best Value
Greater Boston
Neighborhood gem
Greater Boston
Italian
Boston
Best Food
Boston
Best Value
Boston
Neighborhood gem
Boston
Italian

588 Reviews

s
sassysaveur
Greater Boston
78 reviews
vip
3.0
78 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall3food2service3ambience3
Small menu, not truly Italian and food flavor/quality mediocre. Food and service slow given there were only 3 tables /8 guests total the entire time we dined. Small and cozy spot with view to kitchen has potential to be a great neighborhood spot but not under current owner/chef/team.
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F
Fussyaboutfood
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
It's wonderful to find a quiet, pleasant place to eat with excellent service and good food. We had a pear poached in wine, a seafood risotto and a gnocchi dish. All were delicious. It's worth the two-thirds mile walk from Harvard Square. And if you come by car, it's easy to park.
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AM
AnneM
Chicago
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall4food4service4ambience3
Quiet spot for 2 or 4. Tasty food in a traditional style; nothing too nouvelle or bougie.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
A wonderful meal! Just like being in Italy. Very relaxing
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R
Rudy
Greater Boston
12 reviews
4.0
12 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Lovely place, good food, but a limited menu. I would hope they could expand it.
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F
Fussyaboutfood
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A quiet, friendly, atmosphere, and delicious Italian food. A blessing for grownup diners looking for a civilized evening. I’ve never been disappointed here.
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MG
MenloGal
San Francisco
53 reviews
vip
5.0
53 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great birthday celebration! The staff was extremely attentive and gracious. The food was amazing. Highly recommend.
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K
Kathy
Greater Boston
21 reviews
vip
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on August 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is a charming, family-owned neighborhood restaurant. The food and service were excellent, and we enjoyed dining in their outdoor patio.
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j
jeffrey
Greater Boston
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on July 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and service as always. Maria, Amanda and Mario make everyone feel like family. We can’t wait until our next visit!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on June 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We enjoyed a casual dinner with 5 star food. Will Be back
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful family run restaurant with great food and service
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E
Eric
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Second time we’ve been here and the food, service and atmosphere were all great!
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ER
EasternReader
Greater Boston
19 reviews
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on June 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We eat often at Pulcinella, a lovely small restaurant owned and operated since its inception by a single family. Last night’s meal was in a charming outdoor courtyard with perhaps five well separated tables, each overhung by a large red umbrella. Service is always warm and efficient, attentive but not the least intrusive, and the food delicious and appealingly plated and served, in particular the artichoke, mushroom risotto, seared branzino, and cioppino. Prices are moderate, wine is excellent, and the restaurant has a loyal following of regular customers.
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B
Beth
Greater Boston
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on June 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
An absolute gem. Food was delicious, seafood was beautifully cooked and fresh, place was clearly family owned. I can see why others said it felt like being back in Italy. We’ll be back and are thrilled to have found such a local charmer.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food Lovely service Perfect neighborhood places
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KK
KathrynK
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Fabulous in every way! Excellent southern Italian food. Authentic. Wonderful people!! Thank you for a memorable dinner….as good as it was 20 years ago!💕
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JS
JaneS
Thailand
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding, food, service and atmosphere. Great experience.
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SK
SloKat
Greater Boston
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on May 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Don’t let the simple interior fool you . The food was fantastic!!! The lobster raviolis were amazing !
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on May 25, 2023
overall2food4service2ambience2
I don’t normally write negative reviews, but I would have liked some warning of several of the things we experienced at this restaurant. First, I made a reservation many weeks in advance of the date, but got a call from the restaurant weeks after making the reservation and was told I needed to immediately give them a $200 deposit to “secure” my reservation for that date. I kind of thought that making the reservation “secured” my reservation when I made it. There was no mention of a deposit, or even anything asking for card information when I made the reservation weeks before that, and I got the impression they were charging deposits ad hoc. After I paid the deposit, I was promised the $200 would be taken off our bill at the restaurant, but, predictably, they forgot, and charged us the full amount on the day. Luckily I remembered and reminded them, but otherwise, we would have paid for the meal twice over. The afternoon of the day of our reservation, I received another call from the restaurant, saying they were offering us the “opportunity” to dine outside that evening. Given that it would be a chilly evening and several of our party were not dressed for outdoor dining, I said I preferred to eat inside and declined the offer to eat outside. When we arrived, nonetheless, we were sat outside, and it was very clear there was no table available inside for us to sit at. It turned out the “opportunity” to dine outside was an “opportunity” we couldn’t refuse. There was a heat lamp outside, so we asked if it could be turned on, but we were informed that it had recently “exploded” and was nonfunctional, thus, it was a bit of a chilly dinner. The food itself was fine, but by the end of the meal, I found myself pretty frustrated with how the entire experience had been handled.
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TD
TonyDiFrancesco
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Hidden gem. Food made me feel like I was back in Italy. Great service and a great wine list
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L
Lisa
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had been offered dining outside and it was the quaintest spot. The owner and staff were very pleasant and service was excellent. Lobster ravioli was delicious and well stuffed and the branzino was filleted and cooked to perfection. Will return. Thanks to Amanda and all.
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RM
RosieM
Greater Boston
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
This place is just perfect. Delicious food and wonderful ambience. They will also cook off the menu if they have the ingredients. I eat here often and take a myriad of friends.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really delicious Italian food. The server suggested a perfect wine. I don't usually order dessert, but it was impossible to resist. We had one each, chocolate hazelnut cake, tiramisu and cannoli.
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A
Anto
Greater Boston
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was delicious, the service was warm and very intimate. Love the place.
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T
Tgac
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great restaurant. Food cooked as you watch all with fresh ingredients. Highly recommended!
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N
Nancy
Greater Boston
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful restaurant with outstanding food! This is our favorite Cambridge restaurant!
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BD
BerkeleyDiner
San Francisco
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 21, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
Such a delightful place!! So grateful to be here again after 26 years!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Fort Lauderdale
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 31, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing! Lovely owner and great food/ambiance. Will definitely be back soon!
Is this helpful?
N
Nancy
Greater Boston
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful food in a small, charming restaurant. The service is attentive and thoughtful. The restaurant is a Cambridge gem, a treasure to all who love eating the delicious food.
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LS
LizzieS
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went for a casual dinner and found it very nice. As good as the north end! Loved the homemade meatballs and the truffle flavor for the risotto.
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j
jeffrey
Greater Boston
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on March 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
New menu. New decor. New Chef. Same awesome, friendly and attentive service. Go Eat!!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
31 reviews
vip
5.0
31 reviews
Dined on March 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Even after several years away, the food quality and dining experience has only gotten better. We were celebrating the 5th anniversary of our wedding at Pulcinella and had a wonderful time. Went on a Wednesday—conversation probably more moderate on weekends.
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E
Eric
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was amazing! Service was great too - family owned and it shows in the quality of the food and service.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Fantastic and very authentic Italian cuisine. Lovely service and great experience. We loved it and will definitely come back regularly.
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SB
SuzanneB
Greater Boston
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
My husband and I heard great things about the food. All true! It was all delicious , including the nice piece of cake they brought out to us at the end of our meal.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We went to Pulcinella for my husband’s birthday. It is a very beautiful, romantic space. The service is professional, attentive and personal. Once seated, we were immediately greeted with 2 glasses of Prosecco in honor of my husband’s birthday. We ordered an arugula salad, the frutti di mare pasta and the paccheri con sugo ragu. Both incredibly delicious. We will absolutely be returning to this special place.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Pittsburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 15, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
Very nice dinner for Valentines Day. We had a later reservation (830pm) and we were the last few guests to leave the restaurant. On our way out, the owner had some very sweet things to say to us and she was very friendly and made you feel welcome! Would surely come again.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 14, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
We returned to a favorite spot after several years and had a lovely time and a delicious meal.
Is this helpful?
N
Nancy
Greater Boston
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful restaurant!Trattoria Pulcinella is the perfect restaurant for delicious Italian food. The atmosphere feels neighborly and friendly, with a cozy comfortable vibe, and with friendly personal service. When you enter the restaurant, you are greeted like a friend and welcomed into the restaurant as if they were waiting for your return. Everything is cooked to perfection; the meal is memorable; and when you finish dinner, you know you will return, and as soon as possible. Pulcinella is a Cambridge gem.
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LD
LauraD
Chicago
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and great service. I like that it's a family-run place.
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FAQs

Trattoria Pulcinella is rated 4.9 stars by 588 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 24, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 6 times today

147 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138

Additional information

Neighborhood
Cambridge
Hours of operation
Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Cuisines
Italian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
From Harvard Sq. take the 72 bus or the 75 and stopped in the corner of Concord Ave. and Huron Ave. We are next to CITGO gasoline station
Payment options
Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Giovanni Oliva
Additional
Beer, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wine

Website
http://www.trattoriapulcinella.net/
Phone number
(617) 491-6336
Private party facilities
We close the restaurant for private party of 32 people and up.
Private party contact
Giovanni: (617) 851-0371

Trattoria Pulcinella

Make a reservation

Additional information

Antipasti

Ceviche Italiano$16.00

Parmigiana di Melenzane$13.00

Il Piatto del Contadino$16.00

Moscardini alla Griglia con Salmorigilio Napoletano$15.00

Carciofini e Patate Oreganate al Gratin$13.00

Insalata Romana con Vinaigrette di Parmigiano$12.00

Paste Speciali

Gnocchetti con Vongole e Pesto di Prezzemolo$25.00

Fregola Sarda con Ceci, Calamari e Gamberi$28.00

Ravioli alla Genovese$26.00

Paccheri con Baccalà$25.00

Cacio e Pepe$22.00

Fusilli con Conserva di Tonno e Foglie Verdi$25.00

Paste Tradizionali

Carbonara$23.00

Pesto$23.00

Matriciana$24.00

Bolognese$25.00

Frutti di Mare$30.00

Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino$19.00

Secondi Piatti

Scaloppe di Pollo alla Valdostana$24.00

Zuppa di Mare$30.00

Straccetti di Vitello alla Cacciatore$26.00

Trippa e Fagioli In Bianco$23.00

Pesce del Giorno

Dolci

Dessert of the Day$12.00

Tiramisú$8.00

Crème Brulee$10.00

Spumone$10.00

Limone Ripieno$10.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

How is Trattoria Pulcinella restaurant rated?

Is Trattoria Pulcinella currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information