Viale

Name: Viale
Address: 502 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, United States, 02139
Telephone: (617) 576-1900
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.5

4.5

948 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Top Tags:

Located in the vibrant Central Square neighborhood of Cambridge, and voted 'Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Central Square' by Boston Magazine "Best of 2018", Viale is a casual, upscale restaurant focused on the flavors of Italy & New England. Fresh pastas and dishes from our wood burning grill are just some of the highlights of our locally sourced menu. A lively bar atmosphere spotlights old and new world wines, original craft cocktails and artisan brewed beers. Whether you are looking to celebrate a special occasion, or just have dinner with some friends, Viale's warm hospitality is here to accommodate all of your needs. $1 oysters daily from 5-7 pm! Grilling and Chilling every Friday with a DJ on our outdoor deck patio starting 4/30/21

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Italian, American, Oyster Bar
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon, Tue, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Wed–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Tue, Sun 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 576-1900
Website
http://www.vialecambridge.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Greg Reeves
Private party contact
Mark Young: (617) 576-1900

Location
502 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Neighborhood
Cambridge
Cross street
Brookline St.
Parking details
There is street parking and multiple public parking lots within a 2 block radius of the restaurant.
Public transit
We are located just steps away from the Central Square T and bus stops.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

½ Dozen East Coast Oysters$18.00
cocktail sauce, champagne mignonette & lemon
Saffron Arancini
fontina, spicy tomato sauce
- each$3.00
Halibut Crudo$17.00
candied lemon, crispy quinoa, rhubarb, chili oil
Duck Croquettes$14.00
sage-brown butter aioli
Viale Meatballs$11.00
marinara, buffalo mozzarella
Fried Artichokes$14.00
chive aioli, calabrian chili, gremolata, breadcrumbs

Pastas & Large Plates

Fettuccine Alfredo$16.00
black pepper & parsley
Potato Gnocchi$26.00
wild boar bolognese, rosemary
Pappardelle alla Zozzona$27.00
guanciale, sausage, egg yolk, grana
Squid Ink Spaghetti$28.00
shrimp, calamari, seasoned breadcrumbs
Atlantic Halibut$32.00
asparagus, snow peas, spring onions, lemon-thyme butter
Grassfed Strip Steak$32.00
parnsips, ben's mushrooms, red wine reduction

What 948 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.5

4.5 based on all time ratings

4.5Food
4.5Service
4.3Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

948 Reviews

E
Ellie
New York Area
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on September 10, 2022
overall2food2service4ambience2
We were sat outside right next to the road. Bikes were flying past us a foot away. Also next to no lights so very dark. Both of us god pasta. Both dishes were too salty and mine was overdone with garlic (hard to do since I love garlic). Pastas were nearly the same price as the steak? Overpriced for both the quality and quantity.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 5, 2022
overall2food2service3ambience4
Quality of the pizzas and burrata were really poor Restaurant doesn’t deserve rating it has
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S
Silvina
Greater Boston
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on September 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Oysters, great food, drinks and they make you feel like welcome. What else could you ask for?
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P
Peony
Greater Boston
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
The wait staff here is always so nice - friendly and accommodating. The food is really always amazing. Three of us had the seafood pasta dish and it is one of the best I’ve had and not an exorbitant price. Have been here multiple times over the last year and literally everything that I have tried from pizza to salads to mains is absolutely delicious. It is also wonderful to have such a range of dishes and prices, you don’t always want to spend a lot when going out to dinner in the neighborhood, and, on the other hand, sometimes you want to splurge. Wine selection is good and you can even get a bargain carafe. Love Viale!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food was excellent, service was great - a fantastic time always.
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E
Eliza
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We have been going to Viale almost since thier inception. We have watched them grow and eaten everything on their menus, many times over! We love them as people, as restauranteurs. The family of workers they have hired are just that. many have been there for years. That tells you something. Always going back, even though we’ve moved a little further from Central❤️
1 person found this helpful
CC
CarolineC
Greater Boston
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always delicious food and wonderful service. It is our favorite spot!
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DP
DanielP
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always delicious. One of my favorite places around the city.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great experience. They were very accommodating to our needs and even brought my dog a bowl of water.
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MW
MichaelW
Greater Boston
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience3
The music could have been a little less energetic. Long wait for entree; other wise very enjoyable.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent $1 oysters - 2 varieties.
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PW
PeterW
Greater Boston
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I go to Viale every 23rd of every month as a memorial to my long-term partner (it was the last place we ever had lunch in August, 2018). I've come to know Shauna & Greg (the owners) pretty well and the restaurant is truly one of the jewels of Central Square, Cambridge. A smallish menu, but varied, and always prepared with skill, taste and love. Servers (whom I have also come to know) are exceptionally polite and attentive. I highly recommend Viale to anyone: the salads are great (shaved brussels sprout/quinoa/blue cheese being one of my favorites); the signature single-serve pizzas totally outstanding and the pasta offerings the best you'll find outside of the North End (and much of the inside, as well). Added to which Viale boasts the best cannoli (top-quality, soft ricotta: not too sweet) and an exemplary tiramisu; perfect with their beautiful latte or cappucino - even the decafs are great. Also: the wine selections are terrific and extensive. Highly recommended to anyone for any occasion. Outdoor as well as indoor seating. Also, dollar oysters (for seafood lovers) are often available. And Shauna and Greg are simply great - they've created a beautiful place.
1 person found this helpful
Z
Zander
Greater Boston
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was delicious from the first course to the dessert, excellent service, overall much better Italian food than you can find in the North End!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 16, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience5
$1 oysters were great. The octopus was also very tasty. The place has a fun atmosphere. Just not crazy about the service. Sometimes I felt like the server was avoiding us but it was quite busy so I get it.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Sat at the bar. Service was intimate and personal! Drinks were delicious and prompt! Food was incredible and quick! Everything came out hot and perfectly prepared! Amazing dinner and amazing service!
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GJ
GJMSH
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Warm and professional staff. Interesting and unique wines but not over priced. Great cocktails. Cool vibe. And most importantly, the food is consistently great. This is the type of place you can keep going back to and never be disappointed. The owners and staff care and it shows.
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MG
MarcoG
Greater Boston
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Oysters were excellent—- our happy hour favorite spot
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CG
CaitlinG
Greater Boston
7 reviews
2.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 9, 2022
overall2food2service2ambience3
I want to stress that I completely and totally understand that restaurants are understaffed, and patience is important. But our waiter almost pointedly… ignored us? He would serve the table next to us, turn around and speed off? The server with the bread basket would tend to the tables around us but wouldn’t come back with more breadsticks when it emptied… our water was empty for most of the meal. We had to wave another server down to put in our meal order… The food was good, a little pricy for the portion, but just when I thought “ok this is nice,” my second to last bite of gnocchi had a big shard of plastic in it. With tip, my portion of the bill for a handful of $1 oysters, 1 drink, & a smallish plate of pasta was $68… I kind of regretted it. Overall, it was a disappointing experience.
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YW
YWong
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Staff were helpful, efficient, and attentive. Food & drink were great; they don’t skimp on their cocktails! Lastly, buck a shuck just as advertised - come earlier on a weekday to guarantee a table without reservation.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 30, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience4
Amazing food and fun atmosphere
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 29, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
It was fantastic! The food was excellent, our server was kind professional, and fun! Will absolutely be back!
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TK
TaylorK
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We got dollar oysters and sat outside. It was wonderful, would highly recommend.
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1
13feather
Greater Boston
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on July 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
This remains one of the finest restaurants in Cambridge--"routine splendor" is my phrase.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had a wonderful birthday dinner at Vialé. They were extremely busy for a Monday, and the service was still excellent. Always recommend!
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PW
PeterW
Greater Boston
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on July 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Another great night sitting outside and enjoying first-class food and service. Thanks to Greg & Shauna and the team for another great night at one of Central Square's brightest jewels.
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JM
JohnM
Greater Boston
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on July 16, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Sat outside; nice ambiance; waiter was excellent; great wine selection; food was very good.
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AH
AnnieH
Greater Boston
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great spot for a date night!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on July 13, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience4
Food was outstanding!
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SW
SteveW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Viale is a great spot! Highlight recommend it to others.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was amazing and Zack was a great server!
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PH
PatriciaH
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved our dish - wish I could the recipe! And the server was wonderful!
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PW
PeterW
Greater Boston
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on July 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Viale is an old friend. It is always a great experience being guests of Shauna & Greg. A jewel in the middle of Central Square
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s
shaz
Chicago
18 reviews
vip
4.0
18 reviews
Dined on July 1, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience3
Overpriced. Portions were small. Asked for a few items we never got.
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AI
AyeshaI
Greater Boston
14 reviews
vip
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on June 26, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
Sunday Brunch was relaxed and lovely. I got shrimp and grits, and asked for sunny egg on the side (for my husband). He ordered the gnocci with wild boar and a side english muffin. The side English muffin made in house was the best we HAVE EVER had. So fresh and perfectly grilled. Everything was very flavorful and nice. Thanks for an easy, fun brunch date !
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WG
WelshGirl
Detroit
25 reviews
vip
3.0
25 reviews
Dined on June 26, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience3
A bit "used up" but staff is nice. I've eaten there more than once and the quality on any given dish can be hit or miss. Hence my rating of "good" rather than better than that.
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R
Raveena
Greater Boston
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 25, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Small and concise menu. Good wine and cocktail selection. Don't forget to try their daily specials. They are delicious and worth the price.
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R
Russell
Greater Boston
34 reviews
vip
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on June 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was amazing, negronis was amazing and bartenders were so friendly!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 20, 2022
overall5food5service3ambience5
The food and ambiance here is amazing. We were a little turned off after getting chased out of the restaurant and being accused of skipping out on our check, when really they gave us the wrong tab. My friend had to end up charging two $200+ amounts to her card. Additionally, it is short staffed but there’s a hiring crisis right now so that’s not their fault. Food is nearly perfect every time so we will be back regardless of the embarrassing and inconvenient incident.
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SW
SusanW
San Francisco
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on June 20, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience3
While the duck app was not that flavorful, the cocktails, the Hamachi crudo and the potatoe gnocci were just outstanding!!
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a
anne
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on June 20, 2022
overall2food2service2ambience4
Oysters were good, but food was not worth it and pretty plain for the price. Servers also could have been more attentive. We kept getting dishes and utensils that were dirty/weren't washed well. We got the duck croquette that was decent but mushy on the inside.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Staff temperature check required

FAQs

Viale does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Viale also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 576-1900.

Viale is rated 4.5 stars by 948 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

502 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Additional information

Cross street
Brookline St.
Neighborhood
Cambridge
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon, Tue, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Wed–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Tue, Sun 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Cuisines
Italian, American, Oyster Bar
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
There is street parking and multiple public parking lots within a 2 block radius of the restaurant.
Public transit
We are located just steps away from the Central Square T and bus stops.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Greg Reeves
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.vialecambridge.com/
Phone number
(617) 576-1900
Private party contact
Mark Young: (617) 576-1900

Viale

Not available on OpenTable

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Oysters

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Gnocchi

Eat Your Veggies

Kale Panzanella$14.00

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad$12.00

Smoked Beets$13.00

Pizzas & Sandos

Margherita Pie$14.00

Spicy Sausage & Fennel$15.00

Pistachio Pesto Pie$16.00

Pepperoni Cup & Mushroom Pie$16.00

Chicken Parm Sando$16.00

Choose Your Own 3 Course Menu

1st Course From 'Eat Your Veggies' or 'Snacks'

2nd Course From 'Pizza & Sandos' or 'Pastas & Large Plates'

3rd Course From 'Dessert'

Snacks

½ Dozen East Coast Oysters$18.00

Saffron Arancini

Halibut Crudo$17.00

Duck Croquettes$14.00

Viale Meatballs$11.00

Fried Artichokes$14.00

Pastas & Large Plates

Fettuccine Alfredo$16.00

Potato Gnocchi$26.00

Pappardelle alla Zozzona$27.00

Squid Ink Spaghetti$28.00

Atlantic Halibut$32.00

Grassfed Strip Steak$32.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Protective equipment

Screening

FAQs

Does Viale offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Viale restaurant rated?

Not available on OpenTable

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information