Came to RI for a 4 day trip and wanted to say this was our top favorite place to eat. Amongst our group we had the short rib gnocchi, lemon chicken, and chicken parm. The purple rain drink was amazing. Everything was absolutely delicious. We are a family of italians from New Jersey so we can be very picky about our Italian food and this place is somewhere we would highly recommend. Waiter was also extremely friendly. Definitely will be back if we're ever in the area. read more

the staff and service at massimos is truly world class - they deserve 5 stars. we came in on a very busy night during waterfire and were seated but not attended to for about 3-5 minutes, nothing crazy. the only server on the floor came to us and apologized and we said it was fine, but after the meal and before dessert he gave us complimentary house made arancello to apologize even more! totally not necessary but we appreciated the care they have for their guests. why the 3 stars? the food is quite ok, it's good, but not great. especially coming in with the hype that this is the spot for italian food in providence it was relatively underwhelming. nothing was wow worthy but nothing was bad either. very middle of the road, so i think this would be good for groups or older crowds. cocktails were good too - didn't get to nab a photo since they were pretty yummy and went fast. read more

Massimo Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Was in town for a few days and xame here for a walk in meal around 5pm on a Saturday and was able to get a table right away. The venue is fairly big and can host a good number of parties. The place is fairly loud if that's a consideration. For food we shared a plate of muscles and a pasta. The pasta was huge for a portion size so we were glad that we didn't order too much since we weren't too hungry. The food itself was pretty good. My 2 star review really goes to the service that I experienced that night b/c it really coud have been better. When we finished our muscles, a woman came over to clean up and clear our plates. She dropped one of the knives on the table and then proceed to drop the sharing plate into the plate of red sauce that the muscles were in which splashed my face and get over my white tank top. All I got was a sorry and she walked away. As I was trying to clean my own shirt with my nakpin with the water from my cup the waiter asked if i needed a alcohol wipe and gave me a new napkin. I wasn't addressed the rest of the night by the server so instead of making up for the issue, they avoided it. It's a strange way to handle a poor situation and I wouldn't recommend going back. read more

If you eat gluten free this is a dream. Almost more choices than you know what to do with. Service was fabulous and food was all reasonably paced and delicious. Notice that while front entrance is accessible, there is a second floor and unsure if there is an elevator so if accessibility is a concern I would suggest mentioning it when you make a reservation. Reservations not required but I would highly recommend. read more

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My family and I visited Il Massimo during our recent trip to Providence after seeing so many positive reviews on Yelp and social media. The restaurant had a lively atmosphere when we arrived. Most of the tables were occupied, but it never felt overcrowded. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server greeted us promptly, took our drink orders, and gave us plenty of time to look over the menu. I ordered the Italian Old Fashioned, which was excellent, well-balanced, not too sweet, and with just the right amount of strength. My wife ordered the sangria, but she found it much sweeter than she expected. For dinner, my youngest son ordered the ravioli and really enjoyed it. My oldest, who is a very picky eater, ordered the short rib gnocchi and finished the entire dish in record time, which says a lot. My wife had the bard gnocchi and thought it was just okay; she didn't finish it. I ordered the scallops over risotto, and while it was prepared well, I found it to be just average. To end the meal, we shared the cannoli trio, which was easily the highlight of the evening. Our favorite was the candied orange cannoli, which had a great balance of flavors. Overall, I really liked the restaurant's beautiful space and inviting atmosphere. While the service was friendly and the cocktails were excellent, I found the food to be good but not particularly memorable. I'd come back for the ambiance and drinks, but I was hoping for a little more from the entrées. read more

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It's always a gamble on a road trip when you have to calculate where you'll be at lunchtime, search for restaurants just off the highway, and pick one based on high ratings. Finding Massimo Ristorante was the equivalent of drawing an inside straight flush. Their $24 three-course lunch could have been a bust, but it was an offer we couldn't refuse. What a winner! We started with a complimentary basket of good focaccia, served with olives and olive oil. For the first course, we had the ribollita and Caesar salad--both quite good. For our mains, we chose the Risotto di Gamberi and Spaghettoni alla Carbonara. Both were excellent, with the carbonara ranking among the best I've had anywhere in the U.S. or Italy. The cannolo and tiramisu were both very good as well. Overall, this was an amazingly solid three-course meal for just $24. And special credit to our waitress, Angelina, who was friendly and immediately earned our respect when I asked whether I should order the chicken parm or the carbonara. Without hesitation, she said, "The carbonara! You can get parm anywhere." She was 100% correct. read more

Massimo Restaurant - Spaghettoni alla Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Favorites in the area!! Food is so so so good!! Staff is extremely sweet and professional! Ambiance is also great. Great date night spot read more

Visiting Providence and stumbled upon this Italian gem. I understood that Federal Hill is known for its Italian restaurants and we searched for a place that had a good crowd. Massimo's has street parking or valet. They also take reservations. We came on a Monday and chose to order from their prix fixe menu. They also have a great à la carte menu. Our dinner came with focaccia and olives, a glass of house wine, an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $38/pp. Portions were smaller than the à la carte dishes but enough for us. Between my husband and I, we ordered the caprese salad and meatballs appetizers, sliced strip steak with mashed potatoes and mushrooms, a fettuccine with asparagus and prosciutto with cream sauce, and dessert was the pannecotta and cannoli. Pasta was freshly made and al dente, steak was tender and flavorful. We loved everything. My only complaint that for a large restaurant, bathroom was small. Only one unit per gender. read more

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massimo is a pretty good italian spot. i would recommend making a reservation beforehand. i went on a weekend for dinner. it was delicious. i had a really good time. there aren't a lot of vegetarian options. keep that in mind if you have any dietary restrictions. i enjoyed my meal. it definitely met my expectations. it's a little on the pricier side/ it's reasonable for the area and worth checking out. parking was a little difficult. i had to park a few streets away, i'd recommend planning a little extra time for that beforehand. read more

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If I could give this place 100 stars, I would. Our server was amazing and recommended great drinks and great food. And the food literally melts in your mouth. If I could eat here everyday I would. Only complaint is that the valet guy was very rude read more

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First off, our server was extremely attentive and kind. He checked in on us the perfect amount balancing giving us space and time to enjoy our meal, while ensuring all our needs were met. The ambiance is clean, vibrant, and welcoming. The food overall was solid. One star docked because my pasta was over-salted in which I had to scrape the excess sauce on the noodles toward the end. The guanciale paired with pecorino romano is bound to be on the saltier side, but I think the pasta could have been unsalted to balance it out a bit more. That said, the guanciale and pasta were delicious, perfectly cooked. You can tell they use quality, simple ingredients! Their 3-course presto lunch for $24 is a hard to beat deal; however, I may venture out to their regular menu next time. Yes--there will likely be another time! read more

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I stopped in for dinner at Massimo because it was walking distance from my hotel. I was not disappointed. I began with an app of Arancini. They were good. My main was Orecchiete with sausage and broccoli di rape. It was good also. A glass of Rose' and a glass of super tuscan were both very good. My server Connor was very cool. This was not quite a five star experience, but I will repeat the next time that I visit Providence. read more

Massimo Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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We had an excellent dining experience. Stopped in for lunch and we were so glad to do so. Our lunch started with the charcuterie board which was outstanding. It contained three different types of Italian cured meats, two types of cheeses, pickled veggies, red peppers and walnuts. For my lunch entree I had the lasagna. The lasagna was absolutely delicious. The sauce, meat and pasta was really good, probably one of the top three best lasagnas I have eaten. For dessert we had the bread pudding, it was not my choice but it was ok. read more

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This place gets busy! I was in the area for a gluten-free festival, did some shopping, and of course ended up hungry. I was originally planning to go to Pane e Vino, but nothing was available until 8:30--and I was definitely not waiting that long. Thankfully, the owner kindly recommended their sister restaurant and even called ahead to check availability. They had three seats at the bar, so my friends and I rushed over. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. They offer an extensive gluten-free menu, though they do note that cross-contamination is possible--which made me a bit nervous, but I decided to give it a try. I started with a mocktail, which was delicious. They also served made-to-order gluten-free bread--it reminded me of cloud bread (very egg-based), but it was warm and tasty. I had the Insalate Tricolore, which I loved for its bitter and salty balance. For my main, I ordered the bolognese--so good! Very filling... honestly, it might put you straight into a food coma. Overall, a great experience with really good food. I'd definitely go back! read more

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Bread was warm and delicious. Shrimp risotto was good- texture of of rice was spot on, shrimp was large and fresh. My only slight complaint, which may be personal taste, was it could use a little more salt. Waitresses were friendly and attentive, including the front desk staff on the phone. Not a dressy spot, decor is nice including art work and wooden wine boxes. Music was relaxing and not too loud. I gave 4 stars just because I've had better food. Not that it was bad. Just a little pricy. read more

Massimo Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Unfortunately, I've finally found a dish at Massimo that I didn't love. (Don't worry, I'll be back. This 4 star blip is temporary, I'm sure.) The gluten-free bread? Amazing as usual. The decaf espresso martinis? Amazing as usual. The service? Amazing as usual. The gluten-free bolognese? Totally lackluster. It was served with macaroni noodles which had the consistency of cardboard. The sauce was also clumpy in not a good way. It didn't stick to the cardboardnoodles at all, so I either got a bite of just lumpy sauce, or just cardboardnoodle. Oh well - they can't be perfect in *every* way, right? Just a heads up to the kitchen team, if they read reviews, that the gluten-free bolognese needs some workshopping (: Happy holidays! read more

$24 lunch special -- 3 courses, but not all edible. Caesar salad was nice, the saltiest ever spaghetti carbonara could barely swallow 2 bites, tiramisu was ok but nothing special. Service was attentive since we needed pitchers of water to counteract the sale infusion. read more

Massimo Restaurant - Looks are deceiving -- it was a salt laden conglomeration. - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Had a great dinner here celebrating my sisters graduation. We all got different entrees ranging from the cabonara to the duck. I personally enjoyed my cabonara the perfect level of cheese to pepper ratio. Our waiter for the night was excellent and attentive read more

Massimo Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Food was wonderful and our waiter was superb. His name is Colin and he didn't rush us, but was extremely attentive without hovering. Can't wait to go back, read more

Excellent service, nice quiet restaurant, very good food. No real issues. It's just that the dishes were a little bland and not adventurous.

We had a good experience here at Massimo. The service was really good. They had great drinks. I ordered the fettucine bolognese and it was really good. On the other hand, I tried a bite of the spahgetti carbonara was not good to me. I have had way better elsewhere. I was this close to ordering that, but I am glad I didn't. This is definitely a place to try while in Providence. read more

Massimo Restaurant - Honestly, this was not good at all. I was surprised too. - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

This is my second time visiting and it was as good as the first time! I dined at the bar and I got the lunch special. I let the bartender know that I needed gluten free options and she guided me through the menu. I got the chicken parmigiana and it was phenomenal. They also made sure that my food was allergy safe. The ambiance of the restaurant was great and felt very welcoming. I can't wait to bring friends here to dine again! read more

Massimo Restaurant - Lunch Menu - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Another great night at Massimo with 5 star plus service from Nate. He knows everything on the menu and his recommendations are spot on. Loved the squash flowers with vodka sauce. Chicken parm was delicious. The strawberry Fresca drink was a great summer cocktail. The Affogato was the perfect dessert to end the evening. Thank you again, Nate. read more

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First time dinning at Massimo; went for a work dinner with my team. It is located in Federal Hill so it can get busy, and parking can be difficult. The restaurant does have valet parking, not sure if its paid or you tip. You can also sometimes find street parking (paying the meter) or look for parking on streets a little further away. The restaurant has a lot of seating, including outside and some opem door tables in the summer. The street can get loud with cars, but it was nice to sit by the door since weather was good. We had drinks, apps and meals. The restaurant was packed, on a Wednesday night, so it took a while to put in our meal orders but we understood. Everyone loved their meals, great portions! Our waitress was very enthusiastic and nice; when she found out we were celebrating retirement of a team member, she brought him dessert and gave us after dinner shots of their house made orange-cello. Overall we all loved it and would go back. Unfortunately I didn't take pics of the drinks (my sangria or my teams drinks) and the apps we got (charcuterie board and calamari) read more

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Looking for a lunch spot on Federal Hill and so glad we picked Massimo. My ziti was perfect al dente was a great vodka sauce. We also shared the ravioli with lunch special. Overall the food absolutely exceeded expectations, the service was very good, and we had a nice table outside on a sunny Providence summer day. Couldn't have been better. I would go back! read more

This is a popular spot in the heart of Federal Hill. They offer valet and off street parking. The decor provides a vintage Italian restaurant feel but modern in the food and drink options. The staff is very knowledgeable of the specials and accommodating to dietary restrictions. This has become my new favorite spot on the Hill. read more

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Made our way up to Providence to see Corrine Bailey Rae. I wanted to try the short rib gnocchi. The bread and olive oil was an excellent starter. So fresh and tasty. We enjoyed the appetizer special: beets and mozzarella drizzled with a balsamic reduction. I would have like my short rib gnocchi more if I had more short rib. My niece's gnocchi came out piping hot but it was delicious. Don't forget to order the Lemon Sorbetto! You won't be disappointed! read more

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They have a ton of gluten free options which is amazing! Even gluten free bread which is awesome. I had the four cheese gnocchi and enjoyed it, and the dessert was pretty good but seemed over baked. We went on a Monday specifically for the three course special only to find out they weren't doing it, so check in advance if you're looking for that! Over all a good experience though, especially for anyone that's gluten free. read more

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Delicious!! We went early eve to the bar to split appetizers and all were so yummy! Meatballs, muscles in a red sauce, calamari with a aïoli, and the best of all was the fig and prosciutto pizza with caramelized onions and balsamic glaze. Out of this world ! the bartender, she was so nice and friendly and talkative & busy as could be, but took good care of us. Great experience! Super cute little bar. I think there was nine or 10 seats, but it was a very nice room. I felt transported to Europe for the evening. read more

Massimo Restaurant - Muscles prosciutto Gorgonzola pizza meatballs, three big ones and calamari, delicate and delicious aïoli - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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We came during lunch time on a Monday and were excited to try the three course lunch menu for only $24! For my courses I ordered a Caesar salad, chicken parm and tiramisu -- all of which was delicious! While our meals were a lunch special, the portions were still very generous and we ended up having to take home half of our entrees. Our server was very attentive and despite us not having a reservation, we were seated right away. read more

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We had a lovely dining experience at Massimo, celebrating a milestone birthday. The staff had our window table decorated for the occasion, and the service we experienced was wonderful. They were offering a Monday special, which seemed too good of a deal to pass up. For appetizers, we enjoyed the fried calamari, which was piping hot, tangy and tender. And the spinach salad was a delicious lighter option. We all enjoyed our entrees as well, including various versions of gnocchi - one with short ribs, one with burrata and pesto/marinara, and a decadent baked cheesy/ sausage version (al forno). The chicken piccata w/ fingerling potatoes and roasted green beans was also very good, though the chicken was a tad small and dry. Despite a full upstairs dining room, we all noticed how pleasant the volume was for conversation. No screaming across the table to be heard over other patrons...it was perfect. A glass of their house Cabernet and just-right-sized portion of tiramisu to end the meal rounded things out nicely. read more

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Wow- just wow! I had googled top places for a graduation dinner and Massimo was in the top 3. So I knew I wanted to give it a chance for my graduation dinner and was I amazed from beginning to end. The customer service from management day 1 when I booked for my party of 16 was so easy- and they were very flexible with time for me. I was graduating from college so the time of ending varied and Massimo understood and was well prepared for my party. When we arrived the valet was smooth and fast. When we arrived they had a beautiful congratulations quote for me on the table with graduation confetti such a cute touch. We had Nate as our server and he was patient, funny, professional and overall exactly what I hope for when I go to restaurants. He made sure to allow me to taste wines until I found one I liked and he was very insightful and answered all the questions my family had in regard to food. Top tier service for sure. Kudos Nate! And he takes great pictures, gets all the angles and he makes sure everyone is taken care of. Now to the food. Oh man! You can tell this food was freshly made and made to perfection. I had an eggplant mozzarella of some sort as an appetizer it was so freaking good that I only ate some and wanted the rest for home. And I also ordered lasagna and boy was it HUGE, it was a huge portion. And it tasted so good, you can tell the sauce was made there. My meals were delightful. My whole party enjoyed themselves and we all really enjoyed Nate's service. I would for sure recommend this place and I will be back. And this place was located in a great spot. The ambiance was perfect. The lighting was perfect and with me having a hearing impairment I asked to be placed in an area that would be great for me to see everything. And they do accommodate which I love. Thank you all at Massimo! read more

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I got dinner here with a few friends the other night and had a decent experience. The service was just the right amount of attentive (not always at your table but still checking in). The restaurant had a lot of older customers when I came, not sure if this is always the case but my group was definitely the youngest by far so this is not exactly a family restaurant. The food was good! I had the fettuccine alla bolognese and it was great, there was a lot of meat in it. The margarita pizza was alright. The mozzarella balls on it kept falling off the slices and it was so thin crust it felt like there were almost no toppings on it. The cheesecake dessert was thick and filling. Overall: decent upscale place for dinner with great service, good food, and an older crowd read more

Massimo Restaurant - Fettucine Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

The food was delicious, and the ambience was nice. I enjoyed my Saturday dinner here and although not a huge place they do extend onto the sidewalk outside. The service was nice & the waitress was very kind. read more

Massimo Restaurant - Chicken Parmigiano - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

I visited the spot while visiting Rhode Island, and I highly recommend it! I liked that the place opened up to the patio, it added to the upscale but laid-back atmosphere. The servers were very friendly and attentive. The drinks were so refreshing, and the food was amazing too. I had the oricchiette, and it hit the spot without feeling too heavy. If I were to visit the area again, I would definitely come back here read more

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Service and the place were great! I loved my bucatini and everyone loved their entrees. The calamari was cold and the gelato wasn't great but I would come bach! read more

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IL MASSIMO delivered an incredible evening from start to finish. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between upscale and welcoming, making it a great spot for a date night, a night out with friends, or even treating yourself at the bar. We started with the Beef Carpaccio, and it was phenomenal--paper-thin slices, beautifully seasoned, and topped with fresh arugula, shaved parmesan, and a drizzle that brought everything together. Light, flavorful, and expertly prepared. The Short Rib Gnocchi stole the show. The gnocchi was soft and pillowy, and the short rib ragu was rich, hearty, and perfectly comforting. Generous shaving of parmesan on top sealed the deal--this dish alone is worth coming back for. For cocktails, we tried a lineup that hit every note: Pineapple Dolo - tropical, smooth, and refreshing Blood Orange Cosmo - bright, balanced, and elegant Pomegranate Mule - crisp, slightly tart, and beautifully presented Each drink was crafted with care and complemented the dishes perfectly. Service was friendly and attentive, and the bartenders clearly take pride in their craft. IL MASSIMO combines authentic Italian flavors with a modern twist and warm hospitality. We'll absolutely be back. Highly recommend! read more

Loved the lunch special here! Came for a quick lunch after walking around Federal Hill and the ribollita and carbonara hit the spot. The service was a tad slow considering there were only a few other tables in here but I guess that's just the Italian way. The vibes definitely brought me back to Italy with the whole indoor outdoor seating. It was the perfect way to enjoy the cooler weather while fueling up for the day. read more

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Love this place for brunch, very good serivce and a cool location. Good brunch cocktail spot. Federal Hill doesn't have enough Italian places anymore unfortunately. read more

Solid place. Nice ambiance and the service was great. Bread was alright, probably would be better if it was right out of the oven. Calamari was excellent and same with the burrata. Chicken Parmesan was fine. Chicken could have been a bit crispier and the sauce could have had slightly more flavor, but it was good overall. I would definitely come back to try some of the other dishes. read more

Massimo Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island