I had dinner there Monday night with 4 friends and we all agreed that Viale was a fantastic place to eat and talk. Each of our entrees was excellent, I had the halibut and it was fantastic! The wait staff and atmosphere inside were very good! The only bad thing is it is difficult finding parking in Central Square. We would definitely return to Viale! read more

Food - 2/5 Service - 5/5 Ambiance - 4.5/5 Price point: Dine Out (3 courses) + tax/tip/kitchen appreciation fee = $60-80 per person (latter if you get a drink) We came here on Friday night for Dine Out week! This was our first time at Viale and restaurant week is always a good way to try somewhere new. Unfortunately our party of 3 all agreed Viale was a miss, especially for the price point. I ordered the salmon crudo, swordfish, and tiramisu. The salmon in the crudo was fresh as was the avocado, but it felt bland and like it was missing multiple ingredients - salt? Citrus? My friend said the sauce with the fried cauliflower she ordered didn't pair well with the cauliflower. The mains were the strong point of the meal - my swordfish was cooked well but still felt like it was missing something and I desperately wanted to ask for a lemon wedge but didn't get the opportunity to. My friend said her chicken parm was very good and my other friend said her crab risotto was decent and better than the salmon crudo. However, the desserts were once again disappointing like the starters. The lemon cheesecake was OK and the berry compote was my friend's favorite part - she ate that and left the rest. My friend's panna cotta was bland and the hazelnuts on it tasted stale or not prepared properly. My tiramisu was soggy and barely had the cream layer - sadly one of the worst tiramisus I've ever had at a formal dining restaurant. The service was a little slow but overall very good. Our server Marcelo was very good at checking in and keeping our water glasses full. There was complimentary bread which I really appreciated while waiting for the dishes. The ambiance was nice! We chose to sit inside for the AC, but I wish we'd chosen to sit outside because the inside was a little loud and we were struggling to hear at some points. This got better later in the evening when the restaurant was less full. All in all, it was an interesting experience. But the disappointing food means I won't be back and couldn't give this place more than 3 stars, especially when there are plenty of other restaurants in the Central area to try that can probably do better. read more

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First time at Viale, visiting from Houston, and what a way to be introduced to this place. I ordered the bucatini carbonara, and hands down the best carbonara I've ever had. Silky, rich, perfectly emulsified sauce clinging to every strand of bucatini. Only small thing that threw me off was the peas; unexpected addition to a classic, though I know it's important to get your veggie intake in. We also got the saffron lumache, which was excellent; the saffron flavor came through beautifully without being overpowering, and the lumache shape caught the sauce well. It just didn't reach the same creamy, decadent level as the carbonara. Service was ok as I'm used to more southern hospitality, but the atmosphere was warm and lively without feeling stuffy, and honestly this meal alone makes me want to plan a trip back to Cambridge. Houston needs a carbonara like this. Already thinking about my next visit -- carbonara's a must-order again! read more

Viale - Saffron Lumache - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Pretty underrated spot for brunch! Always love my time at Viale and the service is some of the best in the city, everyone is extremely warm and knowledgeable. Wish I lived closer as this would be my go-to neighborhood hang :) read more

Viale - CORN & SAUSAGE CRESPELLE - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Service was pretty excellent but it was diminished by the quality and care of my meal, the Rainbow Trout. Every bite, I had to take out at least one fish bone with my teeth (with a plate of fish bones to prove it). I was concerned because this many fish bones could be a choking hazard + when asked, the cooks said it depends on the fish and that I should just eat the sides of the fish. Unfortunately super disheartening to hear because I hate wasting food, especially food that I'm buying with my earned money, but also because the sides of the fish had fish bones too. I understand that fish bones are a part of the fish, and should expect 1-2 fish bones, but (as the second pic shows) there were at least 30, and I just wish the kitchen took a bit more time and care to prepare my meal. I don't think I'll be coming back in the foreseeable future :( read more

Viale - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Really cute inside! Service was a 4/5. Food: - calamari (9/10): loved the peppers - crudo (10/10): so many flavors, this was amazing - crispy sprouts (6/10): not my fav - lumache (7/10): flavorful, i loved the saffron - tagliatelle (4/10): did not love this pasta - chicken parm (10/10): best thing that we had - tiramisu (6/10): it was okay read more

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They have a really nice patio for dining outside, which is a plus. We had a good brunch here last weekend, and appreciated the vegetarian options. The English muffin under my benny was stale (couldn't get through it with a steak knife) but they apologized and brought me a new one immediately. My father-in-law liked his beet salad and arancini. read more

A restaurant where you can still order $1 oysters! In the year of our Lord 2025, it's increasingly difficult to come by such a good deal. My two friends and I ordered 56 oysters. There's no limit- as of now, at least- on the amount of oysters one person can order. They come with sriracha, lemon wedges, and mignonette. While not the biggest or most flavorful oysters I've ever eaten, for $1, it's the quantity and subsequent feeling of opulence that counts. We also ordered the grilled asparagus, which was served with a lemon aioli, stracciatella cheese, and crispy bits of soppressata. Delicious! We had the option to sit indoors or outdoors on the patio, and we opted for outside. Since the restaurant is right on Mass Ave, it's ideal for people-watching in Central Sq. Service was also great; the hosts and our waiters were very nice and attentive. read more

Viale - $1 oysters (5-7pm everyday - as of May '25) - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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First time customer. The food & drinks were great, the ambiance was cool - but not pretentious, and the service was good.

We ordered a smattering of veggie entrees: Brussel Salad, Heirloom tomato and watermelon salad, and grilled Asparagus- all were fantastic and beautifully presented. We also had the oysters, which were great! Our waiter was very attentive and had perfect suggestions. We were able to enjoy all of this outdoors on a gorgeous day. I did walk inside to use the restroom-restroom was dark and somewhat steamy-but the restaurant itself was very nice. read more

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The arancini was delicious--crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The meatballs were bursting with flavor, though a bit steeply priced for the serving size. The gnocchi sauce was fantastic, but may have paired better with a different type of pasta. Our server was very attentive and helpful. The restaurant also had a very comfortable vibe, which made the dining experience even mor enjoyable. read more

Viale - Viale Meatballs Saffron Arancini - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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This is the ideal spot for a foodie who appreciates great food! The chef has blended together flavors, textures, and spices that you would not normally expect to find and they work! They really work! I went two evenings, back to back ! And I'll keep going! Great service and great food! Dr. J. read more

Great service and pet friendly as long as your pet is well behaved. The shrimp and grits was yummy! Buttery and chili was spot on. The smoked pork hash needed more Brussels and something pickled to cut through the richness. Nice spot for Sunday brunch! read more

Viale - Shrimp and grits, smoked pork hash and fried eggs instead of the poached eggs - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Would not recommend this place unless you're getting the $1 oysters (5-7 daily). Everything we got was expensive and did not live up to its price. The oysters were very fresh and bouncy. Brussels sprouts salad was very very ok. Kinda literally just shaved brussels sprouts with some stuff on top that didn't contribute much. Saffron arancinis with tomato sauce were very ok as well. Really nothing special. Salmon crudo was extremely disappointing. There were maybe 5 slivers of salmon, like 1.5 nigiris' worth. Nothing especially aromatic about the crudo's additions. The pistachio pesto pizza may have been the best non-oyster dish but even it wasn't up to expectations. The cheese was almost Cheez-It-esque like some pizza slice shops. You can get unlimited breadsticks too which helped me fill up on an otherwise mehhh meal. Service was very friendly. I hear the pumpkin orecchiette is pretty good which I might try if I'm ever back. read more

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I really enjoyed my time at Viale! I stopped by for oyster happy hour, which they have daily, to try one of the most highly recommend oysters in Boston / Cambridge. They did not disappoint! They came with a tasty vinegar that perfectly complemented them. I also tried a grilled oyster, which had a spicy tomato butter, as well as the saffron arancini, which was in the most delicious spicy tomato sauce. Service was quick and the bartender was so sweet and friendly! This is definitely a spot I want to come back to try more of the menu highlights and enjoy the beautiful space with a group. read more

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Brunch menu here had a lot of good options! I ordered a special, which was a crab bucatini pasta. It felt a bit overpriced but the pasta dish did have a good amount of crab meat mixed into the sauce. The flavor wasn't as bold as I would have liked but overall I was happy with my dish. read more

Viale - Crab Bucatini - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Despite making reservations, we ended up showing up earlier for the dollar oysters, and staff was so accommodating. Everyone was super friendly. We were seated indoors, but they also have outdoor seating. I would say some dishes were better than others. The highlights were the crab risotto and the saffron Lumache. We ended up ordering two of the Saffron Lumache because it was such a hit. We also enjoyed the pizzas. The duck croquettes and arancini were good, but I wish there were more of the sauce to complement the croquettes and arancini to balance out the cheesiness. The $1 oysters will definitely entice us back to Viale. read more

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We came here for a work dinner on a Tuesday night around 6 pm. By the time 7 pm rolled around it was packed so highly recommend making a reservation in advance. Service was fine, nothing to write home about, as were the breadsticks with olive oil (mine was pretty stale). I ordered the striped bass and the fried baby artichokes. The artichokes were good, but had a very sweet aftertaste, almost like honey(?) which was a bit off putting given there was no honey listed under the description. My bass was fine, I did like the crispy skin but other than that it was pretty bland. The marinated cucumbers didn't taste like anything and I mostly relied on the corn to give it any sort of flavor. I also tried a bite of my friends' pastas (lumache and rigatoni) neither of which were finished. My friend said he liked the seafood in the lumache, but the pasta was weirdly rubbery. Overall, nice ambience but would probably recommend going elsewhere for dinner. read more

Viale - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Came for their happy hour. Only have $1 oyster for happy hour which is from 5-7pm every day...........Nothing can beat $1 oyster

Great food, and some of the best Arancini in the region. Excellent oysters and they do a $1 oyster deal daily from 5-7 PM. I am becoming a regular at this spot as a result. read more

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Happy hours dozens of $1 oysters with beers! So good!! Great services!! Also served us breadsticks for free read more

Viale - Happy hour $1 oysters - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

It's always reliable in the best possible way. Other ahem in the neighborhood will put water in your beer, give you the finger, and even remind you of something horrible that happened when you were a minor. And Viale is always good, year after year, into this decade. read more

Happy hour oyster is why I moved back to the east coast and Viale does it just right. As a cavegirl ofc I had to try all their raw dishes, and omg the hamachi crudo I can eat everyday at all hours, it's refreshingly savory, grapefruit really balances out the fishes. And the beef carpaccio never disappoints, I inhaled it immediately so just use your imagination. Place has a laid back vibe with fast service, perfect to talk shit at after work or listen to the coastal upper echelon unpack first world problems. read more

Viale - Crudo - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Brunch menu looks soooo good! Loved the crispy cornbread waffle with shaved Brussel sprouts on top! Lots of seating inside and outside. Would go back again to try more menu items or for dinner. read more

Viale - Brussel sprout cornbread waffle - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Italian restaurant in Central square, Cambridge Vibe: Upscale, graffiti decor, indoor and patio seating, bar Service: Very good service, frequent water refills and rapid bussing Food: Somewhat hit or miss. I got the bass crudo, It is a very small plate for $17, the fish slices I feel could have been smaller to be more bite size, the texture and flavor of the fish was underwhelming, the peach dressing was very good and a little spicy. I also got the brussel sprout salad, it wasn't bad, nothing too special, I did really enjoy the crispy quinoa which added a great texture. For dessert, I got the tiramisu which I thought was very good, did not have a strong alcohol flavor, and the cinnamon sets it apart from other tiramisus I have had in the past. I also tried another another person in our party's wild boar gnocchi, typically I'm not a fan of the texture of gnocchi but this was not bad and the boar was absolutely delicious, I would definitely recommend that dish. Drinks: I had the phony negroni mocktail that another in my party had ordered but didn't like and I loved it, I typically really dislike grapefruit but this drink had a great sweetness followed by bitterness, that I really enjoyed. Value: Dishes including small plates are definitely on the expensive side, for me were overpriced. TLDR: Overall was not in love with the food for the price, most was good but not amazing and $$$. If you do go I definitely recommend the gnocchi. read more

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For a weekend brunch I decided to try out Viale in Central Square. At 11AM, the establishment had just opened and had plentiful seating; in hindsight, I did not needd a reservation. I ordered some arancini ($3 ea) to share with friends and the gnocchi ($20) for myself. The arancini's tomato sauce seemed decently herbed and fragrant. The arancini itself seemed to lack sufficient internal seasoning; both the outer breading and the rice itself, without salt, relied wholly on the tomato sauce for flavor. The gnocchi, with wild boar bolognese, fared similarly. The bolognese sauce tasted savory and homely, without any strong gamey flavors. The gnocchi itself, while soft yet chewy, also seemed made without its own salt. read more

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We came for their dollar oyster happy hour and was surprised with how nice the ambiance was. Even at 5pm, it was bustling and it looked like a nice spot for a special date or girls night. Oysters were fresh and drinks were great too. If we had more time, we would've stayed for dinner. The food at all the tables look good that I want to Lao come back and try. Even though it was busy, the server always stopped by to check in on us. read more

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Viale holds a special place in my heart, and I can't recommend it enough! Having been a fan of the previous restaurant, Rendezvous, I was excited to see the new owners' vision for the new space. I first fell in love with the place while DJing a wedding there, and the experience was unforgettable. During that event, I was asked no fewer than five times--by the bartender, host, kitchen staff, even the bussers--if I needed anything. This level of attentiveness is simply not typical, and it made me an instant fan of what Shauna and Greg have built. My food favorites: saffron arancini, meatballs, Brussels sprouts salad, all of the pastas, and all of the desserts. The drink menu is unique in that I usually have a particular vibe for the night: beer, wine, or cocktails, but I can always find something tempting from each category. Since then, I've returned for date nights, family gatherings, and even quick stops just for a drink, and each time, Viale's team has catered their service and hospitality to fit the occasion perfectly. Whether it's a romantic dinner or a casual stop-in, they know exactly how to make you feel right at home. Their warm, genuine care for each guest is rare and so appreciated. Viale is not just a restaurant, it's a welcoming family--and one I will keep coming back to! read more

Viale - Saffron arancini - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

The dinner menu will not be available before 5pm. Therefore, we order a lot of appetizers to share with each other. Everything was perfect! From services to the food. There are 4 of us and we order 5 dishes - lamb croquettes: this is the highlight, everyone at the table love the dish. The lamb was not meaty at all. It has a whip taste of citrus, which makes the dish level up. You should definitely try this when you go to this restaurant! - I also recommend the pistachio pizza, the dough is moist and not dry/doughy. This could be an great vegetarian option if you want to diverse your selection. The server is also 10/10, he remembered everyone allergy notice, and always make sure that our water is full. read more

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i loveee viale for their $1 oyster Sooo good. I wish they had different sauces but nonetheless, so tasty. +++ i will say, i was worried for some of the oysters to be slightly bad as some of the reviewers have mentioned but besides 2-3 being that way out of the 63 we ate, NBD! i didn't intend to eat their dishes but I'm glad i did! their rigatoni pasta was garlicy oily and very flavorful!! Would recommend and come again. read more

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I've come to Vialé plenty of times because my office is right down the street. I've always appreciated that it the Vialé team are very friendly and willing to accommodate a group whose number of participants seems to always change! I've had many things on the menu, but some of my favorites are the chicken croquettes (they used to have lamb croquettes that were awesome) and potato gnocchi. They usually have seasonal drink specials with interesting ingredients, so I recommend checking those out. Vialé is a great place to go, especially if you're sitting outside on a summer day! It's not summer now, but I look forward to coming back for outdoor dining when it warms up. read more

Visited Viale for dinner with the girls. We ordered a few things to share. The staff were friendly and service was quick. The kale caesar was good as a side. The gnocchi was a bit heavy. Maybe it was the boar in the sauce but it felt like it needed something to help cut the heaviness of it. Flavors were a bit one dimensional. The calamari was crispy, the topping of pickles was a little too much for the amount of calamari. I wanted to enjoy this more but was let down. They do come around with bread and we love a good bread and olive oil app moment! The restaurant also gets a bit loud, it was difficult to hear each other across the table. Though it is a smaller space so that's understandable. Maybe I'll give it another try at some point but for now, I'd skip. read more

Viale - Calamari Fritti and Potato Gnocchi and Kale Caesar - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Wow... haven't had a meal this delicious in a long time! Cannot stop thinking about it, I'm going to have to come back. Drinks: they have a very short cocktail list, but there wasn't one I didn't like. Do not skip the clockwork orange! I typically don't like whiskey but this was incredible- a favorite by a long shot. It has a slightly spicy aftertaste. The fiore rosso was refreshingly sweet and not too heavy on the florals. Food: omg. The saffron lumache is to DIE FOR! Generous on the clams/shrimp, pasta shape is so fun, and the garlic white wine sauce is perfect- not too heavy or overly garlicky- 100% would reorder this dish. As for apps, the shaved brussel sprouts were the best I've had (whatever sauce they're in is delicious) but I wouldn't call it a salad. The meatballs were decent, but my friend did not like them. If anything, I'd subtract half a point for service- our waitress wasn't the friendliest, and drinks took forever to come out. There was also a large delay between appetizer delivery which I thought was strange, but the main dishes were delivered timely. read more

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Loved our dinner here! Our server was kind and made great recommendations, food and wine were delicious. Excited to return!

Definitely not a pizza place but oysters and drinks were good. Tye calamari were burned. The service was great. read more

Viale - Calamari - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I visited here during their Happy Hour! The oysters were delicious! They were a bit difficult to remove from the shell but definitely worth it! Their staff are absolute sweethearts as well! The inside of the restaurant is beautiful and full of artwork and plants. read more

I just moved to Cambridge and this restaurant always stuck out to us with their menu. Found out that they have $1 oysters from 5-7pm made us sit down. The minute I sit down, the waiter gives us a break down of the menu and offers us (really good) bread and oil. We decide to order 3 dozen oysters and some arancini balls. Whatever they put inside the rice balls was honestly as close to crack as you can get. It was amazing. The spicy tomato sauce had me drinking the sauce out of the bowl. We got the oysters super quickly and probably ate them as quick as we got them. This place is gonna be a regular for me. read more

Viale - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

We went there for their $1 oyster special! Although it was last minute walk-in, the host was super friendly and was able to accommodate us before their next reservation. They have great wine selection with various options. Their oysters were really fresh and meaty!!!!!!!! High recommend if you are near by. read more

Viale - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Viale is probably one of those places that I'd walk by and not notice it because of how it's in a busy part of Central Square where there are lots of people. My friends and I were searching for brunch, and we came by this place and thought we'd check it out on a Sunday afternoon. Surprisingly, it was not too busy. They have a small but interesting menu with a few brunch items. Food came out fast and our server was nice, although there was a miscommunication issue at the end of our meal with my bill. Prices are pretty high though so expect to pay $20-$25 per person or even more! read more

Viale - Italian Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This place caters to its locals in Cambridge. The vibes are immaculate. You'll find everyone and anyone here, from college friends to a romantic date in the corner booth. This is a place I would go alone for a drink before I head home, and I wouldn't feel shy about it at all. They a great selection of wine served by people who are genuinely knowledgeable about the selection. The servers are super friendly and will banter with you till the end of the night. Will definitely be returning! *Atmosphere: 9/10 *Food: 9/10 *Service: 10/10 *Price per Person: $65 Must Try Items: *Local Beef Carpaccio *Saffron Lumache *Casa di Monte 2021 Biancospino read more

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