Amazing menu with great Italian-American dish options. The portions are great and filling. Parking is difficult to find in this area so I suggest arriving a few minutes early if you have a reservation. The ambiance is romantic due to the dim lighting and candles. Service was great but slow, we had to look out for the waiter a few times. Nonetheless, I recommend this place if you want a good meal with good company. read more

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Hidden gem!! Cozy vibe - mix of seating options (high tops, tables, booths, & the bar). Attentive and friendly service. Awesome food!!! Great rotating list of specials and menu is updated seasonally, but continues to keep some core items. Always order the focaccia - you won't regret it. Entrees are all great - pizza, pasta, fish, meat. 10/10! read more

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Tavolo is our local haunt. It has fabulous food but that is not the best part, the staff and clientele are fantastic. Every time we go we sit at the bar where the bartender always provides us with the newest specials. We love meeting the other diverse neighbors. A great find read more

Located just next to the ashmont Red line station this Italian spot is a local favorite. I walked over from the train station after work for dinner. I arrived just around 5 pm and sat at the bar. The restaurant is low lighting and has a nice calming atmosphere. I was greeted with water by the bartender as well as offered suggestions on drinks. I ended up going with the cinnamon old fashioned and a seasonal cocktail. Both were great. The start of the show however was the salmon and mushroom risotto. The salmon was cooked perfectly, though it probably could have used a little more salt. However, accompanied by the mushroom risotto and eaten together. It was absolutely delicious. I can't wait to return and try the chicken piccata which was recommended to me by a local who lives upstairs in one of the condos. read more

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Just amazing. Great local food. Bartenders are awesome. Can't recommend enough. Bar is awesome after work, easy to enjoy. read more

Always a good meal and positive experience at Tavolo. Featured is chicken parm with vodka sauce and the carbonara with griled chicken. Good martinis. Staff very friendly and accomodating. Old school pizza is also a must! read more

Tavolo - Vodka Chicken Parmigiano Chitarra Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Dorchester, Massachusetts

I haven't left a review in awhile but I had an amazing experience today. I went out by myself because I had to finish some work. I got one of the special cocktails that had watermelon, elderflower and Prosecco it was like a Hugo spritz was really good and refreshing. After doing my research I seen that the pizza is very popular here, so I asked my server which one I should get. I was torn between 4 and he helped me narrow it down so I got the chefs Burrata pizza and when I tell you it reminded me of the pizza I had in Naples, Italy ! It was soooo good! And the dough was super light, I had 3-4 slices and wasn't full and that's how it should be unlike other places that have heavy and greasy pizza (which still tastes good btw but still! Lol) special shoutout to the lady at the host stand she was super friendly, made me feel comfortable and boxed my pizza for me. My server was super attentive too and the service was fast ! Definitely recommend and will be back to try more! read more

Tavolo is our go-to neighborhood spot and somehow it keeps getting better. The house-made pastas are unreal, the meatballs are THE BEST, and the menu evolves to showcase beautiful seasonal produce. Be sure to get the goat cheese gnudi and some of that oh-so-pillowy rosemary focaccia for sopping up the cream sauce. The staff is super friendly, knows their stuff, and makes you feel right at home. They strike the perfect balance of attentive, knowledgeable, relaxed, and approachable. Great cocktails, awesome wine list, and prices that make you wonder how they pull it off. Go. You'll love it. read more

Great service and vibe. Food was great overall except the clams vongole was skimpy on tomato ingredient. Clams were bland and skimpy. Supposed to be linguini, angel hair was served instead. Not their forte for sure. They have an appetizer called jars, and it is one of three jars with bread and olive oil. That was unique and cool, and tasty we ordered one of each jar. read more

For starters the food is amazing! The mussels they serve with the slightly charred toast is a great app to start with. if that's not your speed I'd recommend the house meatballs. Currently my favorite main dish there is their spaghetti à la Chica which is phenomenal. I've never had a problem with any service on top of a great quiet yet intimate ambiance. read more

This is a lovely little Italian place right around ashmont. No parking lot but I was able to drive down a bit and find street parking pretty easily. tavolo is all decorated for Christmas and the lights were dim so it gave off a very cozy vibe. We started off with a round of drinks and I had their sangria. The it was spiced with some delicious, warm flavors- definitely one of the best Sangria's I've had. I got spaghetti and meat ball for the meal- pretty solid, no complaints. At the end we ordered a round of cannolis. They were small but truthfully just the right size so they aren't overwhelming to eat. This place is a little on the pricier side, so think more of a date night vibe than your regular weekly hang out. read more

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Good food, nice atmosphere, but lousy service. There was only one server working the entire dining area and it was very frustrating having to wait to be served. read more

This restaurant is DotCool. The decor is well done. Staff were personable especially to the regulars. But I did not enjoy my food. The seafood portabella mushroom thing my friend ordered was a horror. I actually think I got sick from trying a tiny bit of it. I got a sort of katsu pork thing which had too much of the same salad I had as an appetizer but I did not eat it as my stomach was beginning to turn. The staff was kind and replaced the dish but it wasn't much better. I guess I just ordered the wrong things. Might try it again someday, might not. read more

This was one of the best meals we've had in a while! From the bread, app, entrees, dessert, cocktails, and coffee - each bite was incredible. Can't say enough good things! Our server, Sean, went above and beyond for us. We will absolutely be back and recommend to all. read more

We were in town to watch the Marathon. There were 5 of us, including a 3 year old. The staff greeted us and seated us quickly. We were concerned about a 3 year old melt down due to hunger! The hostess was wonderful and our waiter great. They totally understood our dilemma. Food came out quickly and it was soooo good. The pizza was top notch. Definitely get their yummy homemade meatballs. Also ordered the Chicken Picata which was crispy outside and tender in. The Carbonara was also very good. I wish we'd left room for dessert! Almost forgot- their cocktails are worth getting too-- if you are a tequila drinker, go for the SPEZIATO MARGARITA! Thank you for a cozy and delicious evening out. read more

Our server was very relaxed and attentive. He answered all of our questions with a lot of enthusiastic detail that did not feel at all phony. All of the pastas (except GF) are housemade and the three we had were delicious. The focaccia is very high quality. I could just eat that with a drink! Speaking of which - the bartender made me really perfect Old Fashioned. This restaurant is extremely clean. That is exceptional in my experience. I came away feeling the entire staff cares about providing hospitable service, quality dining and a welcoming atmosphere. We will return again soon. Also - we're always able to find street parking somewhere near here but you can also take the Red Line, bus or BlueBike. read more

Got take out from Tavolo last night and it was so good! It was ready within 20 minutes. We got the focaccia bread, kale Cesar salad, spaghetti and meatballs, pasta alla normal and 2 martinis! The martinis were massive! Easily 1 and a half martinis each. It was so delicious I highly recommend! read more

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Even the owner admits that Tavalo had a rocky start a decade or so ago. But that is behind us, in a time long forgotten. But it is now a neighborhood linchpin, with superb menu offerings. The menu changes frequently, so I won't pick through my latest meals (plus, I'm hardly a food critic), but I have never been disappointed. The focus is Italian. Friendly hangout, a real-life chef. Check it out! read more

We loved Tavolo! cool atmosphere. our waiter was wonderful - very attentive and knowledgeable. we got a great bottle of wine and after-dinner cocktails. and the food was amazing. we ordered the gnudo appetizer and the carbonara. Both were so delicious. very pleased! read more

Everything was great food and drinks till I walked out and stepped Into a big pile of dog mess outside their door of business...That ruined the whole experience for me and put me in a horrible mood for the rest of the night. read more

This restaurant is beyond my expectations. Cute decoration and lovely ambience. Service was also 5 stars. We had house meatball and arugula salad as our appetizers. The salad is average but the meatball is really good. Entrees are my favorite - Bolognese is one of the best pasta I've ever had. It's flavorful but not too heavy. Also huge portion - I couldn't even finish half of it lol. The only thing that can be improved is that I feel that the tagliatelle was a little overcooked. I personally do prefer harder texture. My boyfriend had the steak. The meat was so tender and juicy - A $30 steak tastes even much better than a $50 one in other restaurants. Definitely a must try! read more

Tavolo - a plate of food on a wooden table - Italian Near Me - Dorchester, Massachusetts

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I can honestly say that we have given Tavolo a fair chance and multiple tries Each time, food has been amazing, absolutely no complaints there. My problem is with the service. Not once in the 3 times we have been have we felt welcomed in the least. Our server last time seemed as if he had a problem with us from the get-go. Was unfriendly and frankly rude, we felt rushed to leave when the dining room was packed. Maybe joke should be on us for continuing to give Tavolo a chance but we so badly want to have an experience that will change our minds. Sadly though we are continuously made to feel uncomfortable by service staff. read more

Over the years, the price of Tavolo's Pasta Tour has crept up from $18 in 2009, to its current $30 for 3 courses in 2014. On this visit, the tour took us to the Lombardy region of Italy, with the following on the menu: House Cured Bresaola ~ farm boiled egg, arugula, fried capers Braised Veal Brisket ~ saffron risotto, watercress, preserved lemon sauce Almond Cake ~ mascarpone, pistachio brittle A few changes had occurred over the years. No longer did everyone have to strive to make it for the same 6:30pm seating to enjoy this special prix-fixe. No longer did we have to sit awkwardly with strangers at long tables. But no longer was there a formal description of our evening's repast by the chef. Though the cool lamps still hung from their ceiling, the space was no longer bright and casual, but was now a bit more formal, yet still warm and welcoming. Rather than ordering the Pasta Tour times 2 for me and my DC, we opted to share one of those along with an appetizer and a pizza. And I'm so glad we did, as the veal - though tender - tasted weird to me. Perhaps it was the seasoning? It was not distasteful to my DC, however, so while I turned my attention to the risotto and the Pear & Gorgozola pizza $13 (ricotta, sage, local honey) after my single piece of veal, my DC single handedly finished off the rest of the young cow chunks. The pizza, though a bit burnt here and there on the underside, was a a nice mix of sweet and savory. Prior to this entree course, however, were the Polenta alla Icarus: Madeira-braised shitake, oyster mushrooms, parmesan $10 and the smaller plate of bresaola, which was portioned for one. The polenta was quite warming and rich an appetizer - perfect for a chilly winter evening. The cured meat was nice but simple. But the star of our meal was the sweet ending. The almond cake itself was a tad dry, but the generous sprinkling of shattered brittle - though initially curious and misleading - was both pretty and tasty, and added a nice crunch. Service was pleasant though a bit leisurely as our visit lasted nearly 2 hours. It probably didn't help that we were first presented with the wrong add-on appetizer. read more

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I always order take out from Tavalo when I'm craving authentic spaghetti and meatballs. I always get another entree to have for lunch the next day too which is a plus. The food and the courtesy of the staff are 5 stars. The quality of the food and the amount is also 5 stars. I highly recommend a visit. The atmosphere when I pick up is very welcoming, dim lit and relaxing. read more

One of my new favorite spots. Came here with a friend over the weekend for my birthday and it was wonderful. We ate like kings and queens ordering appetizers such as the meatballs which were delicious, Frico which wasn't for me, but she enjoyed (too many onions for this guy), a four cheese pizza which was very good. A mix of bar style and Italian style. That was just for appetizers. I was already hitting a wall! She went for the chicken piccata(one of my favorite dishes) and the sauce and chicken were amazing when I tried some. Came with roasted diced potatoes that I couldn't keep away from. I went for the Steak Tagliata which came with Parmesan potatoes, grilled broccolini, rosemary butter on the steak. It was cooked a perfect MR. Washed it all down with a few Dorchester Brewing Cream Ales. Tasty and refreshing. We had an espresso martini after which completed the perfect meal. Service was friendly and engaging and all around awesome. It was a busy night St Patrick's Day weekend with a band performing as well in the back. Prices are great and not expensive at all. Casual and comfortable. My kind of place. I'll be back! read more

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Christopher was our server. Implicit bias! Never to be found, aloof. Our food sat in the window and was delivered as cold entrees, because we waited so long and I didn't want to upset the kids, we ate it. Spaghetti and meatballs. Christopher never asked us how the food was, we had to 'flag him down' several times. Mike had to help him with a our table of 5. Thanks Mike you're the best. We got the bill at a table full of all of our drinks and dishes, and app dishes...., finally after waiting a good bit. He had charged for every refill of every soft drink which added an additional 15$. Chris Douglas, we are all hurting from inflation and the pandemic, we were able to go to your restaurant only because we had a gift certificate. I know you make your money on drinks, but really, kids sodas? Cold food, bad service, overcharged. Not recommended. We started out as one of two tables in an empty restaurant. read more

When I ate there the food was delicious and the drinks were delicious. You could actually enjoy everything. Waiter was nice and served us with suggestions as well. I enjoyed it. read more

Shame on me for waiting so long to eat at Tavolo! My wife and I stopped in for dinner the other night and it was fantastic! The food was amazing, the service was great, and even with all the Covid precautions the restaurant still felt warm and inviting. I highly recommend getting the stuffed shells when you go! read more

Tavolo - Italian Near Me - Dorchester, Massachusetts

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I made a reservation on Friday night for Saturday night dinner. Reservation was for 7pm and we were very late (my bad) - got there around 7:30pm. Was totally expecting to have my reservation cancelled, but they were so nice about it and very accommodating! I had put in the reservation that it was my birthday, and the host welcomed me with "happy birthday!" and the waiter made my night special from the beginning. They seated me and my boyfriend at a romantic corner booth table by the window, which definitely felt special. We started with the brussels sprouts, which were very good. I would say the price was a bit steep for the portion, but it was tasty. For our main dishes, I got the bolognese which was INCREDIBLE. I ate the entire dish, which I normally never do at restaurants, but it was too delicious! The sauce was creamy, and the flavor was excellent. My boyfriend got the steak and potatoes dish, which came with broccolini. It was the perfect serving for him, too - he also devoured it! We had to finish with dessert since it was a special occassion. We tried the maple walnut tiramisu and ordered a scoop of gelato, but they brought out 3 scoops of gelato and it was on the house for my birthday! That was very sweet (pun intended). Overall, I had a pleasant experience here, the food was great, it was romantic and not too crowded or loud, and I would definitely return! read more

Tavolo - Our table, and the bolognese and steak dishes! - Italian Near Me - Dorchester, Massachusetts

Very nice atmosphere and the food is absolutely delicious! I never thought a simple dish of Spaghetti and Meatballs could be so amazing! Outstanding service and great food. Our server Sean was very attentive and had a great sense of humor. I will definitely be back. read more

Had dinner and brunch here. I'd recommend both to anyone. The brunch had more unique options compared to a lot of the typical brunch places around here. read more

Tavolo is hands-down my favorite dinner and date night spot. The cocktails and food are the best in the neighborhood. With all the new restaurants popping up around Dorchester, we admittedly have strayed on a few Friday nights over the past year or so just for the novelty, but nothing beats our experience here. We like to sit at the bar, start with cocktails, and order any one of their delicious starters -- our favorites are the jars and the antipasto plate / salumi & formaggi board. We sometimes split a salad and a pizza. I actually crave the pizza if we go too long without visiting. We have tried and love ALL of the pizzas, but especially the old school and house sausage. We've also been in for some holidays/special occasions like NYE and Valentine's, and the specials never disappoint. Entrees like braised short ribs and seared scallops stand out in my mind as particularly amazing meals. Finally we almost never leave without one last glass of wine or an Irish coffee. Our favorite thing (aside from the food & service) is that we can really slow down, relax, and take our time here. We also really appreciate that everyone who works there seems to remember you and treat you as a regular, no matter how many times or how often you go. Tavolo is a special place for us that we love to keep coming back to, and we couldn't recommend it more highly. read more

Tavolo - The old school pizza & a glass of rose. My kind of Friday! - Italian Near Me - Dorchester, Massachusetts

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Tavolo is one of those places you know you are going to get high quality food, awesome drinks, attentive service and people at bar to chat with! Perfect place to hop into for an awesome night out read more

Fabulous atmosphere, attentive and knowledgeable staff, delicious wine and fantastic food (pizza, meatballs, picatta to name a few!) Special restaurant in the heart of Dot not to be missed. read more

The food and drinks are good. The staff are, in general, nasty, rude, snarling, and contemptuous.

Not great. Was not impressed with the food or the service. Felt that we were overlooked during our whole dinner and treated poorly. Up charged for drinks, poor quality of food, over cooked pasta, pizza was burnt, rude wait staff. Honestly very disappointed. The 2 star is because the base of the sauce was pretty good. Just light $300 dollars and fire and then say you went to Tavolo. read more

I am very glad I tried this place out. My boyfriend and I took out his son and my mom to dinner last night and found this place.....guess how....through yelp haha. Here's the rundown, the drinks are great! Compliments to the bartender on that one! As for food, the bread they brought out tasted stale and old...was hoping for something along the lines of Bertucci's rolls or Olive Garden breadsticks. But that was the only complaint I had regarding food. The spicy clams app was amazing....the sauce was very flavorful. My mom and I finished it rather quickly between us two. We also had a cheese pizza, hands down one of the best I've ever had in a restaurant. For the mains, my bf got the chicken parm, I got steak with broccoli rabe and crispy potatoes, and mother got a chili shrimp pasta. I was in heaven, my steak was cooked perfectly! The portions for the chicken parm was very generous! Chicken was very tender. My mom devoured her meal so I know she liked it. Dessert I had tiramisu and it was delightful. Our waiter was very friendly so the service was also great there. The dim lighting and setting off the restaurant was very cozy, would make a great date spot too! You guys need to try coming here if you are in the neighborhood. read more

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I've been in Dorchester over 10 years and was delighted when Tavolo opened as a sister restaurant to Ashmont Grill. A little hesitant to visit a new restaurant, I began visiting them for drinks and pizza but over the past year more frequently to indulge in their Gilt city deals ( 4 course Dinner for 2 and a bottle of wine for $50) & the regional pasta tour (3 courses for $25)! Now I'm hooked! My favorite appetizers this summer were the Soft Shell Crab salad & the Fried Truffle Egg! If you see them on the menu...order them, no questions asked! I was also completely blown away by the hearty Orecchiette Fra Diavolo and the simple but surprisingly delicious Baked Peach with creme fraiche & mint. Be careful, the tour will fill you up with Italian love and the paired wines they offer make it hard to leave without needing a good nap! read more

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Monday and Tuesday they now have a deal for a $1 menu. 3 items each cost a dollar for you to try. My friend and I both tried the bass ravioli which was interesting...I've never had a fish ravioli before, not sure I will again, but the pasta was great. Really soft, which i how I think you know it's fresh. We got the mushroom pizza as well and it was great! Perfect size for 2 people so it's a cheap night out too! The mushrooms were plentiful and fresh, and they'll add parm and black pepper to anything if you ask. Service was friendly and laughed at his own mistakes (when I asked for the ravioli, he said squash (which was the soup) and then we both looked at one another confused, I said ravioli, he said squash, and then said wait WHAT, yeah ravioli). read more

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Was here once 6 years ago and then just this weekend. Initial thoughts all those years ago was how basic the meals were. There was nothing screaming come back other than to try something different. My in laws recently went, and recommended trying it again. We ordered garlic bread, kale Caesar salad, chic parm, eggplant parm, and the flourless chocolate cake. Figured we'd try favorites. Wouldn't get the garlic bread again. Caesar was good enough to get again. Eggplant parm was very thick and the corresponding thick skin was a little tough. Wouldn't get it again. The chic parm was better and we ended up focusing on that. Shockingly my wife took one bite of the cold flourless cake and pushed it away. Waiter was keen to it and removed from our bill. Interior is nice, but dark. We were comfortable. Service was fair to inattentive up until the dessert, which corresponded with being slower at that point in the evening. Called an hour in advance and got a reservation. Street parking was tough, but manageable. All in all average. Maybe not worth driving 10 miles for us on purpose, but would try again if I was already in the area. read more