Mida gets as many as two stars only because the food is good (though over-salted), but the service is horrendous. We waited at least 15 minutes to have our drink order taken. We waited so long we thought we had been forgotten in the dark corner where we were sitting. We waited another 15 minutes to have our food order taken. In fact, the server seemed surprised we were even ordering food. When she finally came to our table, she asked, "Are you getting anything from the menu." Our answer was, "Well, we came here for dinner." We didn't realize that was just the beginning of how clueless the servers were. My husband and I each had a cocktail while we waited for our order to be taken and then we tried to get glasses of wine with our pasta. My husband ordered a red wine from Umbria. We pointed to it on the menu and I tried to pronounce the Italian name, but since I wasn't doing a very good job with that, I just said Umbria. I didn't know which wine would be best with my meal and the server offered to bring me a taste of one. When the server returned, she brought a white wine from Umbria, but no taste for me. We explained that we wanted the red wine from Umbria. She grabbed the menu out of my hand, looked at it, and threw it on the banquette. She never appeared again. We gave up on getting wine and just finished our dishes. At this point, another server came by and asked if we needed anything. We explained that since we had finished eating, we no longer wanted the wine. We asked for the check. A third server appeared offering us complimentary desserts, but we had no desire for them and asked him for the check. We never saw either of these servers again. My husband had to go to the back of the restaurant where he saw four waitstaff standing around and ask a third time for the check. Our original server came to our table with the bill, threw it down saying, "No one told me you wanted the check." I've detailed our first and last experience at Mida, but I will also mention three other things: that at the time we were eating, the restaurant was not busy, in fact, was emptying out; when the water carafe was removed from the table, no one replaced it; the wine list is very short--four white wines and five reds, all Italian. The staff should be trained to know the wines and to know that if someone asks for Umbria, there is both a red and a white. Clearly the staff is not trained and not organized. read more

MIDA was phenomenal -- truly a fantastic pasta-filled experience. Our waitress was great and gave awesome recommendations, although the smoked short rib lasagna we ordered pretty much speaks for itself. We tried the crispy polenta, Sicilian mussels, carbonara and the lasagna. Everything was delicious, but we may pass on the mussels next time because they're pretty small. If you're a pasta lover like me, this restaurant has lots of great options and we will soon be back! read more

MIDA - CLASSIC CARBONARA - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Over-priced. Overly rude staff. Very over-rated food. So many choices in Boston. Skip this one.

Roasted Chicken was the most amazing chicken I've ever had. It was the perfect flavor and perfect cook. The risotto paired very well with it too. Cocktails were great! The Dante Piccante was spicy & unique and as a Mezcal lover, it was perfect. Highly recommend checking this place out! Bartender and waitstaff were extremely nice and attentive. Had the best time! read more

MIDA - Amalfi Coast Dante Piccante - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Loved the monday special! The amount of food we got for the price was amazing and most of the pastas were really great!

Had the Burrata and Arancini for a starter, the Burrata was extremely good and the Arancini was solid too. Short Rib Lasagna was really enjoyable as was the Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi. Service was good and the vibe was solid. read more

The carbonara with the lemony taste was amazing, we ordered a 2nd dish after tasting it. The seating is a bit cramped, but it's okay overall- The pasta quality is high, would return in any future Boston visits. read more

Fabulous and creative menu every bite is bursting with flavor my husband and I were fighting over the house salad! A foodie's paradise. read more

The service was great and so was the ambience! I'm vegan/ vegetarian and there were barely any options for me. The vegetarian that was available was average. The mushroom risotto was great read more

MIDA - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

My bf loves gnocchi so we're always looking for new places that offer this dish. It was a very sunny and very hot day. We were seated directly in the sunlight. So hot sun hitting one of our backs and the other right in their face. Sadly looking at the window we could see there was no shade and we didn't see any other table that would be much better. The table to our left and another to our right, you could tell the sun was a nuisance for them as well. We were quite surprised there was no mechanism to block the sun. Once seated we were served water and then didn't see anyone for awhile. We ordered some appetizers the arancini and focaccia. The arancini were the best part of our meal. They were a tasty blend of rice and cheese, soft inside and crunchy outside with a tangy red sauce. They were the best thing of the meal. Unfortunately everything else were not to our liking. The focaccia bread was so hard they were almost like croutons. Taste wise they were fine but texturally it was even hard to cut with a knife. The gnocchi itself was good. Good texture and taste but the sauce it came in was just lacking something. We also ordered the carbonara and it was not to my liking. It doesn't say black pepper in the description of the dish but that's all it tasted like. I took a few bites and had to stop. I hesitate to wonder if someone accidentally spilled some in the dish. It was completely off from any carbonara we've ever had. Service could also use some training. One of the servers filling are water glasses spilled water on both my plate and on the silverware of my bf. They were pouring too fast and not really looking at what they were doing, hence they didn't even notice they spilled to apologize. Overall we won't be returning. But as always never take my word and see for yourself. read more

Tonight was my second time at Mida so I went in confident that my dinner would be delicious, and it did not disappoint. We started with the arancini and then my boyfriend and I split the gnocchi and short rib lasagna (*chefs kiss*). Props to our server Dan for really topping off our experience with his fantastic service and even better humor. We will absolutely be returning !! read more

What more do you want? Great food, great service, great atmosphere. The cocktails,olives and charcuterie were fantastic. I gad the bolognese my hubby had the carbonara. Portions were perfect. Pasta was cooked al dente with just the right amount of sauce. read more

MIDA - Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Place is incredibly over rated. Not sure if it's a sign of poor Italian food in Boston or whether it's just here. Poor starters to desserts. Wasn't impressed with one dish at all. read more

REALLY GOOD MEAL. So to set up the situation, I took a solo trip to Boston this past weekend, and I wanted at least one really nice, fancy meal. I chose MIDA, because the menu looked awesome and it was near the MFA, which I knew I'd be exploring until pretty late (because they're open until 10 on Fridays!). So I made a late dinner reservation (8:45pm) for one and walked over after I was done exploring the museum (as if that's possible). Because everything looked good, I decided to go with their "Della Casa" option - their favorites from the day's menu for $40. Full disclosure: I was warned it was a lot of food. But I thought: "$40? How much food could that be? In Nashville, I'd get three tiny little portions and I'd still be hungry after. It'll be like that." It wasn't. This was A LOT of food. To start, a bowl of their house-marinated olives. These were really good olives. And I don't know what they were marinated in, but I loved them. This bowl that 20 olives in it? I don't know for sure, but it was a lot of olives! Then came the pork belly. Another disclosure: I've never really understood America's current obsession with pork belly other than America is just obsessed with pork generally and pork belly is cool because of that? Because I've tried it at a lot of restaurants, and I'm generally not a fan. It's extremely fatty and not rendered properly (in my opinion) and therefore just kind of yuck. (This happens, in my opinion, when a food becomes cool or popular - a lot of restaurants put it on their menu without their cooks really knowing how to cook it properly.) But this was the night that I understood what pork belly can be. First of all, it was crispy (was it deep fried? I don't know. But it was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside) and amazing. Then it was served on top of a KILLER kumquat puree. Then it came with a fava been and herb salad on top. This is what pork belly can be and I saw the light, people. I'd eat this again today. Right now. (I think I got the last portion of the night, and the guy sitting at the table two down from me seemed a little upset. It's that good.) Then came an enormous insalata mista (greens with a bit of shaved radish and red wine vinaigrette). Simple, but delicious. And a huge portion. And I hadn't even gotten to my entree yet! For the entree, I could choose between the ricotta gnocchi (cacio e pepe style with pecorino and pepper) or the Berkshire pork loin. I went with the gnocchi, even though I'm pretty critical gnocchi eater. And it was GREAT. Seriously. You don't need teeth to eat their gnocchi - that's how light and fluffy it is. (Sorry if that's a gross image, but seriously they were that good.) A delicious dish. The Della Casa also comes with a serving of their focaccia with garlic butter. I'm not a huge bread eater. THIS WAS GOOD FOCACCIA. And it was bathed in that garlic butter. But halfway through (with dessert stilling coming), I knew I woudn't make it. I asked if I could box up the rest of my gnocchi and the rest of the focaccia and take the dessert to go. No problem. (This is probably weird, but the gnocchi, focaccia, and dessert were my breakfast the next morning). So, the next morning, when I ate the dessert (citrus cake), I wasn't expecting it to not be so great. Since it wasn't fresh. STILL GREAT. Everything else was good, too. Great service. Great wine (I had a glass of Sangiovese blend for $12). Great atmosphere. (The restaurant is small but quite simple and beautiful.) So - to sum up - for $40, I got: olives, pork belly starter, salad, gnocchi, focaccia, and cake!!! What a deal. And everything was delicious. I recommend this restaurant if you like well-prepared Italian food. I have no complaints or regrets. Yum. read more

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Grabbed a seat at the bar.. a perfect dining experience!! Gold Rush cocktail to start, followed by Aranchini starter, bucatini pasta dish with a lovely Montepulciano red wine and now a delicious espresso martini.. all before 5:30pm!! Bravo MIDA! read more

GREAT italian food! A bit expensive, but I had a great experience. Our server was super super nice. The only downside for me was that it was really, really hot inside. I sat with my back to the window, it was an already hot day, and the AC was barely on. I was uncomfortable and sweating the whole dinner. We got the bresoala cured wagyu beef, sicilian mussels, baccheri bolognese, and carbonara. The mussels and the its broth was AMAZING. dipping the bread in it was the best part. The carbonara was the so good, it wasn't too cheesy and the noodles were bouncy, and it's just the way I imagine the perfect carbonara to be. read more

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First off all walking in will make your mouth water because when this kitchen is in service you can smell the exquisiteness all the way down the block. This place is amazing and it's BLACK OWNED!! We got the espresso martini and mussels to start. I HIGHLY recommend these mussels. They are cooked in the most decadent sauce and come with some fresh baked crusty bread to sop it up with. Then I shared the fried chicken sandwich with my cousin. The salad it came with gave me a whole new appreciation for red leaf lettuce. Then we finished with the short rib lasagna. Let me be clear, this lasagna is in all the reviews for a reason - It's so good and the sauce is fresher than fresh. Come hungry, this place won't disappoint. read more

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Solid Italian food with great homemade pasta! Very reasonable pricing I thought especially for the location and quality of the food. The atmosphere isn't very Italian-esque, but fits into the South End neighborhood. We had the arancini to start and had the paccheri Bolognese and spaghetti al granchio. The plates may not look filling but they'll definitely fill you up. But you'll find a way to make room for the tiramisu at the end. The pasta is cooked perfectly and the sauced for both dishes were delish. Loved the added mix of broccoli rabe in the Bolognese and the added crunch from the breadcrumbs. I was impartial to the tiramisu and don't know if it's quite worth the $10. Too much crunch from the added cacao nibs or chopped espresso beans. Def check the place out- it gives North End a run for their pasta. read more

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Came here from NYC for a Mother's Day dinner since we were visiting Boston. Keep in mind the recommendation is to have parties of 4 or smaller. We were a party of 6, and the food was great. However they did run out of some of the items that we had ordered (roasted chicken, focaccia) so keep that in mind --though we were seated at 8:30pm so it was later. Food was great, ambiance was good for conversations and also very intimate. Dim lighting and seating was okay. We were pretty close to other parties and it was somewhat tight. But, I would HIGHLY recommend the Arancini and the Bucatini All Americana. Waiters were very attentive and very accommodating, given our big party. Overall, a restaurant worth visiting in Boston! read more

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Lobster scampi with freshly made linguine was delicious, in a buttery sauce that didn't overwhelm the lobster. Calamari was crispy and fresh. Do save room for the divine gelato -- biscotti was rich and pistachio really was nutty. The tiramisu has freshly brewed espresso poured over. Solid food and wonderful service. Definitely will return! read more

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I had a wonderful experience here! I came in on my own without a reservation and it seemed everyone had a reservation and they were popular and busy. There was not a server stand so I was a bit confused at first, but I think there's just not room and they were just next to the door with an iPad with other patrons waiting by the door. I hadn't planned ahead with a reservation but I just sat at the bar when a spot opened. The bar had some people waiting for their reservation, and some pairs of people who were just seated at and eating at the bar top. You are able to order from the full menu at the bar, so when there was space after a 5-10 minute wait I just dined there. If you are not coming alone, I would strongly recommend a reservation. The bartender noticed I waited a while and nicely offered me some arancini which was delicious! I ended up ordering the Sorrento Spritz which was nice, just make sure to stir it. The bolognese was a delicious sauce and the dishes are a very filling size. I wouldn't do more than one apprenticed unless you have a fridge to take some back with you. The servers were very friendly and so were the other patrons. I talked with the people seated next to me for almost 2 hours and even after we paid I didn't feel rushed by the staff to clear the seats. I apologized for lingering and talking so long after finishing and they said "that's the point of the bar seating, to chat and meet people" so that was a very appreciated response. The staff were just very kind and accommodating, it was a great first night in Boston! If you're also visiting from out of town, I walked here but I would recommend just getting a ride if you are coming at night. read more

MIDA - Sorrento Spritz - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I have been wanting to try MIDA for about a year now, and finally ordered for takeout. We ordered crispy polenta fries, smoked short rib lasagna, and bucatini all amatriciana. Everything really was delicious. The polenta fries were great, with a gorgonzola dolce topping. The short ribs in the lasagna were tender and delicious, along with great lasagna sheets and sauce. Finally, I have been eager to try the bucatini all amitriciana and it definitely held up to my hopes. I would definitely like to return to eat at the restaurant, for dinner and for brunch - hopefully soon! read more

Had a last minute dinner at MIDA and the staff were very accommodating. We didn't know that the restaurant we had booked reservations at didn't have air conditioning and it was 90+ degrees, so we cancelled that reservation and stumbled upon MIDA. What a great decision that was; the service and food were great. They were on top of drink refills and the pacing of the food was on point. I ordered the short rib lasagna and it was absolutely delicious. Would definitely recommend MIDA if you are in the area! read more

MIDA - SMOKED SHORT RIB LASAGNA - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We've been meaning to eat at MIDA since we moved to Boston last year and finally got to try it out - was not disappointed. Usually the type of dishes we ordered would feel really heavy at other Italian restaurants, but everything we got worked well together and didn't leave me feeling like I needed a nap (you know the feeling). Arancini - not too heavy, well-fried golf ball sized arancini that came with a side of tomato-based sauce. Loosely packed so the rice didn't feel congealed or compressed. Polenta - very unexpected block of polenta that was crispy on the outside and creamy inside. A nice kick of lemon and what seemed to be a drizzle of honey added some nice sweetness. Focaccia - my wife wasn't as big a fan but I really liked this. The texture wasn't like a typical focaccia as I had expected since it was extra chewy/glutinous, which was pretty unique. Had a nice herby, garlicky, cheesy flavor. Gnocchi - tender with a little bit of chew and a surprisingly light cacio e pepe sauce. Paccheri - giant tube noodles with a good chew in a deeply flavored tomato/pork/broccoli rabe sauce. Lemon cake - simple, tangy, and a nice bit of salt. I think next time I'd try their tiramisu though. read more

My husband and I visited Mida on a rare Monday date night and partook in Mangia Mondays - all you can eat pasta (with a side of bread and salad) all night for $35! I think the deal is quite worth it, considering you can literally eat as much pasta as you want, and you have freedom to choose which dishes you'd like to try. The only stipulation is that everyone at the table must order the same dish at once, and there can be no doggie bags (but they don't care if you don't finish your dish). We went through the entire 5 courses (my husband had 2 of the courses twice, because he was still hungry). Really nothing stood out except the clam carbonara, and I wonder if that's because I like clams and carbonara. The other dishes, especially the gnocchi, were much to rich for my taste. The first course, runner's Torchio, was quite soggy; while the last two courses, Bucarini and a Paccheri dish, were also sauce-heavy and very rich, without being able to appreciate the pasta. Overall a good deal, and although the first dish took forever to come out the rest of the dishes came out in quicker succession, but I was not impressed with the pasta dishes themselves. read more

MIDA - Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Recently moved to Boston and I've been having a tough time finding restaurants I enjoy here, but I really enjoyed Mida! Several vegetarian main pasta dishes to choose from. It's a smaller restaurant, so it is difficult to snag a seat without a reservation during busy periods, but can always wait for the bar. Dishes I tried: Arancini, foccacia, and the gnocchi cacio e Pepe read more

Went to Mida for a dinner for 2. Sat outside because the weather was nice. Wasn't a fan of the seating arrangement but that's honestly just me being picky. Incredibly polite and wonderful wait staff. I got the arrancini for appetizer and the Short Rib Lasagna, Spaghetti Carbonara and Spaccatelli Al Pesto. The lasagna was really great and saucy. Carbonara was a little salty but I admit I have a low salt tolerance that I did not mention and lastly the pesto was really great. To top it off, I had the tiramisu (was comped as we were celebrating a birthday) and the Citrus Cake. I love a good tiramisu and this was definitely that. The citrus cake was also really amazing. I think they deserve a 4.5 and maybe when I go back there I'll update my rating to give a 5 read more

This could be my new favorite restaurant in Boston.... I came here with a guest for dinner on a Thursday evening and we were able to get a reservation for around 6pm. So to be completely honest, the dinner service started out with a disadvantage because as we were Ubering to the restaurant, my guest and I were talking about how all we wanted to drink was a dirty martini... in fact, we were craving martinis! Well, we ordered our drinks, and then the server said they couldn't prepare us martinis and that we had to chose a different drink... heartbroken . But I ended up getting another delicious drink! Order the focaccia bread as an appetizer and you won't be sorry! But we also ordered the north shore sea food sampler and it was great. You can't go wrong with getting anything at this restaurant, but I highly recommend the short rib lasagna and the side of Brussels. No surprise this is a BOB (Best of Boston), and I can't wait to go back! read more

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Great staff, cooks & overall ambiance does it for me. Whether it's a first date, or drinks with friends. Dope spot to check out.

Great in all ways! Highly recommend the food , the service, ALL! I think you will find it a very good choice! read more

My wife and I, with our son ate this evening at Mida in downtown Boston. My wife and I have eaten at their walk-up pizzeria at TD Garden which was excellent. It is a New Haven style pizza. Back to Mida. We started with the bread - excellent. Mida makes their dough for both their pizza and their French bread. We shared a salad which was fresh. Their dressing was delicious. It contained pistachios. We also shared a dish of asparagus. Lastly, for our main course, my wife had the short rib lasagne, my son had the gnocchi, and I had the chicken. Everything was fantastic. And for dessert, we had the tiramisu and a citrus-almond cake. Both were amazing. Look, this place is wonderful. I loved it and I look forward to my next visit. read more

It was such a nice place to dine in especially on a sunny day! The service was friendly and attentive (but noticed that we didn't get bread like the other patrons). The aracini were delicious but for $12, it was quite small as a portion. The foccacia bread was great to munch on, but I don't like olives and they had some spread(?) on it -- not too sure but it definitely had more than just garlic butter and parmesean. The gnocchi was good but a bit too salty and didn't enjoy the lemon zest either. Their secret garden drink was delicious though. I would go back, but it was quite expensive for two people and not for the usual casual dine in. read more

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I recently visited Boston and happened upon this restaurant while walking around. Although a bit on the pricey side, the food was fresh and delicious. The dressing on the mixed salad (insalata mista) was delicious. I also ordered the gnocchi, which was light and fluffy. I could have eaten the salad and the wonderful bread they serve and been happy. My server, William, was very personable and attentive. The inside of the restaurant is air conditioned but on the day I visited, the weather was warm and comfortable so I dined outside. I will come back! read more

it is no secret that mida is tied for my new favorite spot in the south end. i discovered mida when searching for BOBs this spring, and have had takeout from them about a dozen times since. with covid restrictions preventing me from comfortably visiting anywhere in person, i was thrilled that i uncovered a spot that not only has amazing food, but a spot where the food holds up during takeout and is fantastic when it arrives. servings are reasonable for the price and everything is packed with flavor and care. let's really get into it: first of all, get the focaccia and don't question me. if you are a restaurant bread fan, this will blow you away. regular orders in our house are also the marinated olives, the arancini, and the eggplant parm. i'm going to be honest though, i have enjoyed every single thing i've ever ordered from mida (which is, embarrassingly, almost everything on the menu). i have not yet tried any desserts or cocktails, but i assume they will stand up alongside everything else. read more

MIDA - ARANCINI MARINATED OLIVES EGGPLANT PARMESAN FOCACCIA - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

AMAZING ! service was warm and welcoming and wonderful ...and the food is delicious... best focaccia ive ever tasted and the carbonara is just lovely ... read more

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So I really like Mida. I love that it's black owned and it's Italian. The mussels were honestly the best part of my meal. The bread was warm and fluffy and the focaccia in my opinion was the best focaccia I've ever had in my entire life. The SPACCATELLI AL PESTO was great I would try something else when I go next but overall amazing dining experience and would definitely go to the Newton site next. read more

MIDA - SICILIAN MUSSELS - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This place was incredible. The waitress was extremly knowledgeable and accommodating for my allergies. (I am allergic to nuts, eggs, dairy, and I keep kosher, so my list of restrictions is long). I was not expecting to have many options but the kitchen was able to make modifications and I had the most amazing meal. We started with the bread and olive oil which was beautifully seasoned and a salad with bread crumbs. The toppings were on the side so my friend could enjoy the full salad while I was also able to enjoy enough of it. The kitchen then said they could make a fully vegan pasta dish with mushrooms, broccolini, and spinach. It was delicious!!! This place is a must go for all! The food, the atmosphere, the service are top tier. read more

MIDA - Vegan pasta PACCHERI BOLOGNESE - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Delicious spot for Italian food!! But it is definitely on the pricey side - nice for special occasions (birthdays, etc.) read more

MIDA - ESPRESSO MARTINI - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We had a series of appetizers, split a pasta dish. And had a chocolate gelato for dessert. I found the food overall tasty. The standouts were the calamari..it included an ineresting mix of ham and peppers. Also, the arancini was very rich and tasty. My wine was solid and included a generous pour. Staff was friendly but overall a little inexperienced and could use a little polish. Nothing bad but something is missing,but forgivable at tbis price point. I shared with a friend two appetizers, pasta, and we each had a dessert. We both felt comfortably full. My share including tax and tip was $60. I found this a good,value considering food and service. I would recommend to others interested in a casual but good quality meal. read more

Oh my God. Why is Mida so good? Mida has nestled its way into our hearts as a go-to spot for... well... we don't need much of an excuse. Overall, the food is better described as "modern Italian," rather than "North End Italian." It's a cute, cozy little place that's nice enough to take out of town guests or a date, but not so nice that you couldn't come here in jeans and a polo shirt. (Not that I'm advocating for polo shirts. No one should advocate for polo shirts.) If you're seated to the left of the bar, you're surrounded by intimate tables; and to the right of the bar, you have the added entertainment of the lively kitchen activity. The best way to order here is to come with a little group of four or more friends who aren't afraid of sharing germs, and then just order basically all of the things and split them, family style. Every time we go, I have a new favorite dish. The ricotta gnocchi and bucatini are always top contenders. Mida's menu definitely has its own distinct style. For instance, through their Amazing Mida Carb Magic, they manage to make traditionally heavy things, like gnocchi and polenta, airy and delicious. They also have this genius trick where they top carbs (pasta) with more carbs (breadcrumbs), but get away with it because there's a fancy name for the breadcrumbs: pangrattato. We've taken this little trick home and now no pasta is complete without a crunchy dusting of pangrattato. If you don't have three or more friends or you're afraid of sharing germs, you can still sample a little of everything, because they offer Mangia Mondays. On Mondays, for $35 you can try an unlimited amount of salad, bread, and tasting portions of five different pastas. As an Italian who likes to eat a little bit of a lot of things, this is my idea of heaven. I was a little surprised that the unlimited bread is an off-menu simple sourdough, rather than their on-menu focaccia, but that's understandable, because I would destroy an unlimited amount of their focaccia. There is one important thing to note, though. Leave enough room for citrus cake. You'll thank me later. read more