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Trattoria Pulcinella, Cambridge, MA
Trattoria Pulcinella, Cambridge, MA
Trattoria Pulcinella, Cambridge, MA

Trattoria Pulcinella

4.9
4.9
588 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
Trattoria Pulcinella is a nice family run business; we offer a lot of specials from our native homeland of Naples, Italy.

Make a reservation

2 people

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
  • 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
  • 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

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

NoiseModerate

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
  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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  7. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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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  10. 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?

  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. 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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  16. 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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  17. JaneS

    Thailand

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding, food, service and atmosphere. Great experience.

    Is this helpful?

  18. 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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  19. 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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  20. 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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  21. 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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  22. 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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  23. 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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  24. 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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  25. 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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  26. 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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  27. 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?

  28. 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?

  29. 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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  30. 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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  31. 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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  32. 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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  33. 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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  34. 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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  35. 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.

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  36. 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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  37. 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.

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  38. 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.

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  39. 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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  40. 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

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 6 times today
Google Map for Trattoria Pulcinella

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
  • 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
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