First time. Drinks were good! Pizza was 8.2/10 loved the truffle. Bolognese was 7/10. read more

Gran Gusto - Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Today was my mom's Birthday. I requested that for dessert, Happy birthday written with candles. Reminded manager, that what ever dessert my moms asks for to follow email request, but then the waiter brought some simple pie, that my mom didn't ask for, with nothing written and a candle not lit up. Waiters excuse was "i don't have a way to light it, sorry". This is totally appalling and insulting, told him take this back, not paying for this, you ruined my mom's surprise bday. No one came and said sorry for mistake, told staff and they didn't even try to make it up. Worst service i ever experienced and food wasn't even that good. Also they forgot my 2nd app, they said i never asked for it, which is a lie Blake Bettencourt read more

I have never felt compelled to write a negative review for a restaurant until now, but my experience at Gran Gusto was truly abysmal. This is easily the worst dining experience I've had since moving to the Boston area. The service was deeply uncomfortable from the start. I spoke with someone named Antonio (?). I'm not sure if he was the owner or the chef but he was incredibly condescending when I simply asked for a recommendation on which pizza was a bestseller. He got so close to my face to talk down to me that I could smell his breath, which was incredibly unprofessional and invasive. Furthermore, his treatment of his own staff was appalling; he was clearly irritable, and when employees approached him with questions, he would snap "WHAT!" at them with an attitude of sheer exasperation. The food was just as disappointing as the service: The Pizza: The dough was somehow simultaneously undercooked and burnt, leaving a bitter, unpleasant taste. The mozzarella was low quality, served in clumps, and lacked any proper "pull." The Pasta: The Chitarra pasta was a major letdown. It did not appear to be cooked in a cheese wheel as expected; the cheese was granular and failed to coat the noodles. While the pasta itself appeared to be fresh, it was served way too hard. Appetizers: Even the olive oil served with the bread tasted bitter. To make matters worse, there were visible spider webs around the spout of the oil cruet. I cannot recommend this place to anyone. Between the hostile environment created by the staff and the lack of basic quality control in the kitchen, this restaurant falls far short of acceptable standards. Avoid this place. read more

I don't think anything could've hit harder on this rainy Sunday. Due to the fact that I did a pick-up order, I can't really speak to service. However, after popping in to get my order I noticed the place was lively and the restaurant was beautiful! I had a truffle craving so decided to go with the O'Re pizza and spaghetti carbonara. The pizza had black truffle pate and prosciutto while the carbonara was typical except for the burrata cream and black truffle pearls on top. The pizza was SPECTACULAR. The crust was perfectly airy and charred. In terms of toppings, everything was well balanced. The truffle flavor was STRONG in the best way ever. I was scared the salty prosciutto combined with it would be overkill but everything came together beautifully. The pasta was creamy and also well balanced. I really enjoyed dipping the bread they included in the leftover sauce. My only complaint was that there could've been a little more guanciale, not every bite had it which made some bites a bit plain. I am most definitely coming back here! read more

Gran Gusto - O'Re Pizza - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Quaint Italian neighborhood restaurant is as it seems. Tucked away and unassuming. Excellent service, reasonable portions, and feels like what I imagine as a neighborhood restaurant to be. My group and I ordered family style and was able to order about 6 dishes to share. The pastas were al dente, and enjoyed the fire roasted pizza. Toasted crust and thin, had to use my knife and fork since the toppings slide off easily if I tried holding it up. A good selection of old world wines and not overly complicated choices. read more

never disappoints! I keep coming back! New menu item added here - the Carbonara with truffle. Really delicious. not a classic Carbonara but no complaints. not "too" truffley and very rich and creamy. Chittara is amazing every time (I wished I got a little more cheese though)! Service is good, perfect wine recommendations. The vibe was quiet and lowkey on a Tuesday night. read more

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Gran Gusto team grazie for an amazing dinner for our family. The food was terrific the service prompt. Authentic Italian with plenty of parking. We will be back read more

Ordered delivery caciocavallo pizza, and was pretty good! The tomato was perfectly juicy, the meat was flavorful, and the dough was chewy as I wanted. I'd say this is close-to-original Neapolitan pizza. Both in terms of appearance and flavor. read more

Gran Gusto - Caciocavallo pizza - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Went way down hill over the years. The appetizers and the mains were both so bland. The "scallop" pasta had tiny scallops (as if from a can) not real scallops as you'd expect. I couldn't even eat it, it was so unappetizing. I only could eat a few bites and not once did anyone ask how I liked it or if I wanted something different. They just took it away at the end like it was normal that I would have barely touched it and did not want a box at all. My husband already finished his so it wasn't worth trying to order something else, and we had already had to wait forever to ask for cheese (to try to make the dish more palatable... didn't work). Note this was on Valentine's Day and usually I would give more grace on service but we had a 5 pm reservation so it was not busy yet at all. read more

The patio is pleasant, except that we got distracted by a report of other diners spotting a rat running around outside. We didn't see it ourselves, so we can't verify the report. However, it spooked us enough to skip ordering dessert. My monkfish pasta was bland. It might have benefited from the addition of grated cheese, but none was offered. The dressing on the salad with grapes was a little acidic for my taste, but hubby liked it. He also liked his margarita pizza. Our friends liked their fish, so I would try the salmon or swordfish if I came again. The service was not attentive. read more

Gran Gusto - monkfish pasta, margarita pizza - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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It was 10/10 amazing! - calamari: 10/10 so good probably the best Ive ever had - burrata: 8/10 what I would expect at a good restaurant but not as impressive as other dishes - cod: 10/10 so good I didn't know cod could be this good - seafood pasta: 10/10 super good and fresh - tiramisu: 9/10 probably the best non-alcoholic tiramisu I've had read more

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Cute place, decent food and service but nothing special. We had a reservation but the place still had a decent amount of empty tables (it's a good sized place though). Ordered drinks and upon the delivery wanted to place an appetizer order but was told we needed to place our whole order (apps and meal). We ended up receiving 2 of the 3 appetizers prior to the meal and the other with the meal. The pizza we ordered was probably the star of the night, delicious with a chewy crust and great flavor combination. The pastas were lacking. The chiturra was a complete disappointment. There was no flavor, a watery consistency and for something that was placed in a cheese wheel there wasn't a hint of cheese (too watery). Dessert choices were minimal so we opted out at that point. Overall it isn't a place I would return to. There are far too many other options. Again, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't great. read more

Had an excellent lunch here today. The owner is from Napoli and we felt like we had a meal in his hometown. It brought back great memories of vacationing in Italy. I highly recommend the salumi e formaggi and the lasagna. All of the food was freshly made and the owner is passionate about the quality of his food. He was very accommodating with my elderly mother and he also makes a great apaerol spritze! I can't wait to go back for dinner. An added bonus for Cambridge is the free parking out back after 6 p.m. read more

Okay neighborhood Italian eatery. Extremely friendly service. Beautiful ambiance. Food was average.

The service was very strange - when we'd talk to the server he would never respond or answer questions he would sometimes just make a face...that was odd. Food was a mixture of average and hits. We particularly liked the pasta dish in pecorino and the short rib ragu. The chicken entree was tasty but overcooked. Our favorite dessert was the pistachio cake. Not sure I need to return or would recommend. read more

Excellent food with good choices and good service in a nice indoor or outdoor space. Highly recommend read more

We took my mother-in-law to Gean Gusto for her birthday lunch, and it was fantastic. The owner was very nice and treated my mother-in-law like he would treat his own mother. The food was delicious! My mother-in-law got the bolognese, my husband got the lasagna, I got a salad, and then we split a large salami & cheese platter, which was the best charcuterie platter we've had in a restaurant. The wine and Aperol spritz were great too, but what was really impressive was the made-to-order coffee. My husband and I have been talking about how we can't wait to go back for dinner. I am also planning a dinner here with my girlfriends. Definitely recommend Gran Gusto! read more

This is a cute neighborhood authentic Italian restaurant. Our server was attentive. The food was delicious. Tiramisu for dessert was light and flavorful. read more

I eat out a lot in many restaurants here , NYC & around the world. One thing most important besides the food is great service. I took a client today to Gran Gusto and we were the only people there. Seems the owner was too busy on his phone to give us any kind of decent service at all!! As good as the food is, it made for a terrible lunch! read more

My friend and I decided to give this place a try based on the recommendation of one of his friends. The service was friendly but slightly slow. We started with the calamari. Wow, it's not your typical fried squids. This was grilled and mixed sald in a vinegtrette l. It was yummy. I had the ore pizza with truffles. The dough was fantastic, but the pizza was slightly soggy to me TBH. My friend had the pasta with monk fish. He loved it. Overall, it was a great meal, good dining setting. The great thing is that parking is available in the back of the restaurant. read more

Owners, staff and food all good. Be careful if you are trying to book a larger event or private room. The event coordinator is not responsive or helpful and does not provide good customer service. read more

We lived in Kendall Square but left in 2015. We returned for the first time in early August 2025. We came back to Gran Gusto for two things. The hospitality and the squid appetizer. The son of the owner recognized my wife and, as always, provided great hospitality. The calamari is superb. It is perfectly grilled squid with arugula and mushrooms in a light dressing. The calamari is cooked perfectly. It is actually charred with a great flavor but is as tender as anything. The grillperson is totally awesome. The pastas and pizza are very good but nothing to write home about. Get the calamari! read more

Best authentic Italian restaurant in the area alert!! The eggplant parmigiana appetizer was perfect and well balanced. I tried bit of the sausage orecchiette and it had the most spicy and delicious sauce. Every little noodle was coated with it. I had the short rib pasta and it was as hearty and rich as I could have wanted. I'd skip the ricotta pie next time it was just okay. These homemade pastas are a steal at such reasonable prices. 1000% recommended read more

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We sat outside to eat pizzas, which were delightful. But I write to appreciate the thoughtful consideration shown to our friend in a wheelchair. The manager/owner (?) was assiduously accommodating and gracious. We made a cumbersome and prolonged trip to the bathroom. Our glacial progress might have been irksome, but he was there to help at every step. We are grateful. read more

I had scialatielli and tiramisu. I had never eaten this kind of pasta. Thick, short, and sticky. Actually it reminded me of home made Japanese udon. A variety of seafood in the dish and all tasty. Tiramisu is big and delicious. Only it was ok was bread and olive oil. read more

Pros (Kinda): 1. Decent food: Pizza was decent (5/10), but it didn't really "look" like it was made from a wood fired brick oven. It looked more like if dominoes attempted making napolese styled pizza. The flavor was just nothing special. I've eaten margherita pizza made by actual italians in Europe and in Canada. This tasted like a diet version of that. Based on yelp pics, it seems like the food is very inconsistent. Multiple pics of the same meals look absolutely different. Cons: 1. Horrendous customer service: The pretentiousness of the staff here is pure comedy. You would think you were coming to a restaurant listed in the michelin guide. I honestly think they assess how you look and then decide on which style of service to give you. My server (bald guy) was cracking jokes, smiling and suggesting items on the menu to another customer then comes over to me to give the stink face. This server didn't even ask how I was doing nor said anything after I placed my order. He literally just took the menu and left. Never came back to check on me while eating and also had to be flagged down again to retrieve the bill. Definitely earned my $0.00 tip. Definitely never coming here again for the shitty attitude and basic food. read more

Gran Gusto - Diavola Pizza - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Gran Gusto had been on my list for a while and I'm so happy I finally got the chance to give them a try. First off, love the vibe of the whole place - it's very neighborhood bistro/intimate vibes and the best part... a PARKING LOT (after 6pm). Any restaurant in Boston with a parking lot gets bonus points from me. For appetizers we got a mushroom risotto dish (not good, it was a special so it probably isn't on the menu) and the Ceci which was a chickpea fritter, prosciutto, stracciatella cheese, and a balsamic glaze. This dish was incredible - it has so many textures and flavors in one bite. I got the paccheri for my entree and this dish also blew my mind. I'm usually not a fan of pasta that requires cutting but it was cooked perfectly, the sauce was bomb, and they were not stingy with the short rib. Simple, well executed, flavorful dish. read more

Gran Gusto - Paccheri - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

The chitarra was one of the best pasta dishes I've had in my life, the thick noodles and the sauce go perfectly together. The scialatelli was good, nice taste of fresh fish, but not as good as the chitarra in my opinion. The Romana salad was nothing better than average, but it was nice that the restaurant divided it in two for my girlfriend and I without asking. Prices are quite reasonable, and the service was good, better than what I expected from the reviews. They don't rush you out the door to get your check, like so many other restaurants. On the negative side, The tables are very close together and it makes it tough for waiters to get through easily. Overall, I was impressed by the restaurant's ambiance and how amazing the Chitarra was and would definitely come back. read more

Gran Gusto - Chitarra - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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I no longer feel like I have to go to North End to enjoy good Italian! For the price point, Gran Gusto serves by far the best quality in the Boston area. After an experience here, I feel like I can confidently say that I know what authentic Italian food is. Gran Gusto is a hidden gem in the quiet residential area in North Cambridge. One of my friends from Italy recommended me this place and it was long on the list of restaurants I want to go to. We booked at 5:30 as other time slots were full on Saturday. Parking can be a bit tricky and I recommend Uber if possible. Beware that there's a 90-minute limit to the seating. What we ordered: Rughetta $12 Spaghetti alla Puttanesca $19 Salmerino $28 Tiramisu $8 Each ingredient is simple but so effective and well prepared. I love that the pasta remained hot until I finished eating. Salmon was prepared perfectly with the skin crispy and the meat so tender. It was only flavored with salt but the harmony with the veggies was just perfect. The staff is friendly, attentive, and pleasant to speak to. Would love to come back in the summer and enjoy their patio! read more

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Really cute Italian spot! Great pizza and a truly amazing cheese dish appetizer (and I say that as someone relatively unenthusiastic about cheese). Sadly the appetizer was a special but get it if you can. Ambiance is really cute with indoor and outdoor options. Only star off was for unpleasant service for a waiter who seemed genuinely angry we were trying to order/get the bill/etc. read more

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Best service with Luigi and authentic food around! I love in the summer when you can sit outside!

Delicious neighborhood Italian spot in Cambridge with a confusing as heck parking situation but I made it! The antipasto plate was super super fresh and lovely. My pasta dish actually ended up being tossed around in a cheese wheel next to our table before being served to me and I was beyond happy with this surprise because the more cheese the better, always! I am excited to come back to Gran Gusto! read more

Gran Gusto - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Now this is pasta. It was my first time at Gran Gusto. I used to live just around the corner, but the restaurant didn't exist back ten. I had the lobster pappardelle. The pappardelle had a wonderful homemade texture that is rare. And the New England twist with lobster meat is just ideal. A perfect dish. The only thing I didn't like is the (free) olive oil and bread. The olive oil just wasn't very good. Service was very friendly. I definitely want to go back. Free parking behind the building is available from 6 PM. read more

Gran Gusto - Lobster pappardelle - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

We went for the first time tonight. Incredible. Apps and pizza wonderful. primi too. We will be back. Certainly better than other mediocre North Cambridge restaurants especially the tired old ones on Mass Ave! read more

Food was really delicious. The room is rather loud once it fills up. The only reason I did not give five stars is that head Waiter was grouchy, abrupt, and seemed displeased that we hadn't memorized all the specials and every ingredient that he had named. read more

Great atmosphere, service and the best Italian food you can get in MA. Italian restaurant from an Italian owner who is working there every single day read more

Super charming spot with a patio! The orriechette was chefs kiss and the pizzas are thin, crispy and flavorful. Everything in the menu looks fabulous so you'll have to negotiate on how many dishes are appropriate for one sitting. Looking forward to my next meal there!! read more

Gran Gusto - a man sitting at a table with a pizza - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

it was my first time going to this restaurant and it was probably the best resturant ive ever been to in my entire life. 10/10 would 100% recommend. employees are so kind and the food is the best ive ever tasted. the place is also so homey. i love this restaurant and would definitely go again. read more

Gran Gusto - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I have been here another two times after my first review in 2019! It's amazing, we love coming here. The food is delicious, they do not gauge you at all for food or wine, the service is amazing and so is the atmosphere.... the pizza is delicious!! read more

Gran Gusto - Margherita Pizza - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I had the shrimp risotto and my husband had the zuppa de pesce. My risotto was so bland, I think it was plain brown rice mixed with gravy. It did have shrimp which was okay. No parmesan. Burrata didn't add any flavor. They didn't even bother with a bit of parsley. The fish soup was watery tasting. It had lots of seafood. The lobster tail which didn't even have much flavor could have been pre-released to make it easier to eat. I think they thought it amusing to see my husband struggle with it. A warm towel with lemon would have been a good thing. Service was perfunctory. The ambience was so noisy we couldn't hear ourselves think, let alone carry on a conversation. read more