Best restaurant in Boston. Yep I said it. I’ve been 4 times and it only gets better. Everything I’ve tried has been incredible. Favs include tallegio cappelletti and panna cotta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizza Bianca, Shaved Fennel Salad with Olives, Catering Lemon Whipped Ricotta Hot Honey 1 2 Pint
Kimberly
Had to make a reservation two months in advance, but happy to report that Tonino was well worth the wait! The interior is lovely—very cozy with classy decorations.The pizza is available for take-out, but the pasta is only available for dine-in, so we tried as many pastas as we could stomach. Unfortunately, the special advertised on the wall wasn't available, so we ended up getting:- Taleggio Cappelletti ($26): This dish only comes with 8 cappelletti, so the portion size is more akin to an appetizer, but this was my favorite of the pastas that we ordered. Rich, cheesy filling with a subtly sweet sauce. Delicious.- Lumache ($26): Second favorite. Very al dente (borderline crunchy; too al dente for my friend, but I liked the bite). Some tangy notes from the creme fraiche. Portion size was better than the taleggio cappelletti, but I wish there were more or larger cuts of mushroom.- Chitarra & Clams ($28): Wouldn't get this again. Very peppery, and the flavor didn't pack a punch like the other two pastas. Chitarra wasn't al dente, and the clams were quite small. Breadcrumbs were good.- Tiramisu ($14): Also available for take-out but had to get it because it's their signature dessert. I was in heaven. The mascarpone was runnier than that of other tiramisus that I've had, but I liked it like that. Very smooth and creamy. Loved the sporadic bits of salt too.There were two servers who waited on us throughout the night. Both were friendly. There's complimentary still or sparkling water, which was a plus. 5% kitchen appreciation fee, which is higher than the usual 3%.Overall, highly recommend this place. I think it is my favorite Italian place in Boston now!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Lumache
Dave Thompson
Tonino was one of my top dining experiences I've had in Boston. The kitchen outputs extremely high quality food, but the staff is extremely down to earth, which I loved.We ordered the stracciatella, a slice of the eggplant and ricotta pizza, the taleggio cappelletti, the lumache, and tiramisu for desert. The taleggio cappelletti reminded me of a meal I had at a restaurant in Rome and was one of those dishes that was so good, it made me laugh. The pizza had a great crunch on the bottom but was light and fluffy on the inside.As the cost of dining out in Boston relative to the food quality has soared in the last few years, I'm extremely excited that a restaurant like this recently opened. I'm already looking forward to my next visit back...well done!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dave
Went with the wife for a date night. Reserved a table just in case because we saw how popular this place is and it doesn't disappoint in that regard, especially with the small yet cosy feel inside.I had done some research on the menu before we arrived, so although we knew what we wanted we were open to hearing recommendations from our server because this was our first time dining at Tonino. These recommendations would not be ignored, as coming in, we knew we would order a pizza bianca but didn't know which. However, as we told our server we wanted the "small" that consisted of mortadella, pecorino, and house pickles, our server knew that we should try the ricotta and hot honey with the pizza bianca.That recommendation did not disappoint as the sweetness of the honey and the creaminess of the ricotta paired perfectly with the crispy and crunchy, yet airy bread of the pizza bianca. Shortly after, the mortadella, pecorino, and house pickles arrived on a platter. Now the mortadella had a nice aftertaste and pecorino cheese is always great, but their house pickles were easily the best pickles I have had in my life, hands down, not even close.In the end my wife ordered the bucatini and I ordered the rigatoni. The pastas themselves on both dishes were clearly handmade as labors of love to the customer. I do want to preface my thought on my main dish by saying that am not too cultured in terms of palatte or food exploration. That being said my rigatoni dish's sauce and topping of guancile I believe it was, was a bit too rich for me. But if that is the only complaint I can find about this establishment, then so be it.My wife (a slightly more travelled diner) told me that her pasta and the culmination of the mouth feel, flavor profile, and freshness made her believe this is a top 5 dish she has had in her life.If you are ever in the southern part of Boston and want AMAZING italian food, stop no further tham Tonino.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizza Bianca
Bob Mathews
First time at Tonino. Chitarra (spaghetti variation) with clams was tasty, with a generous portion of clams. Eggplant ricotta pizza was also good. Pizza bianca was similar to focaccia -- basically bread -- with dips, not toppings. Caponata dip was fine. Trevisano (radicchio) salad was skimpy with an unremarkable dressing. We didn't try desserts. The small space is attractive but crowded, with tables cheek by jowl. Long wait for the pasta and pizza.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
S Fisher
Dining last evening at Tonino was truly an outstanding experience, probably the best overall restaurant experience I have enjoyed ever. The food was amazing and delicious, and what made dining here even more special was the very personalized and attentive service. I had the pleasure of being seated in view of the kitchen. I observed the care and diligence taken with food preparation and beverage concoction as well as the close teamwork that explains why one’s total dining experience feels so perfectly orchestrated here. I loved the food, staff, ambience, and the extraordinary feeling of being tended to as if I had been invited into a good friend’s home. I so look forward to returning to this jewel.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizza Bianca, Tiramisu
MaryCatherine Bowden
Best pasta I’ve had in years, warm and highly refined service, and a cozy atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steamed Clams, Tiramisu
Jade Eliasson
My husband and I went here for a date night and it blew us away. The service was outstanding – each server takes pride in knowing the menu inside and out, and they can recommend the perfect drink, entree, or dessert based on your mood or what else you're enjoying. We were particularly impressed by the pizza, the digestifs and extensive drink menu, and, of course, the tiramisu! Do not miss the tiramisu. It's some of the best we've ever had, and so creative (the sea salt on the top makes it really pop!). Could not recommend this place more highly, especially for those looking for a lovely spot for a romantic meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ilya Levin
By far my favorite restaurant in Boston and I’ve been to them all. I’ve been 5 times and went last night for an incredible meal. Everything on Tonino’s menu from pizza to salad to dessert and of course pasta has so much thought and care put into it. The talleggio cappelletti is just mind bogglingly good, and did not disappoint. I loved the bolognese ravioli special. I wish Tonino kept the old bucatini menu item with EVOO and red sauce rather than the current with anchovy chili butter because the former was just incredible and this one my girlfriend and I thought wasn’t nearly as amazing. The service is also great, it’s always the same staff and the complimentary sparkling water is a great touch. Look forward to coming back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shaved Fennel Salad with Olives, Broccoli Rabe, Tiramisu, Chitarra and Clams
Vali Tamm
I generally turn up my nose at ‘meatballs’ on a menu: they are usually a dead giveaway to a forthcoming assault of oversized portions in pursuit of a memory that has been stripped of its soul. But on this occasion at Tonino (Jamaica Plain), as we were seated practically in the chef’s lap—best seat in the house—and the waiter went out of his way to recommend them, it felt rude not to order them. He told us they’d be served with focaccia…’if nothing else,’ then, I thought, ‘we can always eat that.’ How nice to be proven wrong! The flavor invaded my senses the moment my fork tines first wrenched that little architectural marvel apart unleashing an aromatic waft of ground mortadella that was just the first step to an accelerated journey through flavor. And the focaccia? A masterfully controlled olive-oil-infused crust, on top as well as on the bottom, with perfect crumb between them to accommodate the taste of the meatballs. I could look at that focaccia for hours: with my own 17-year-old starter in a jar at home processing its latest feeding, I appreciate how much understanding of chemistry goes into achieving this structure. This focaccia is no sidekick; it is Prometheus bringing fire into the cave.There’s so much else to say about this little gem of a place, from the happy staff to the understated elegance and clear competence of the owners, to the thoughtfully controlled menu and the tasteful decor, but I could not leave off without mentioning the panna cotta dessert because I’ve never seen it served like that: they top it with half an inch of airy, finely diced Granny Smith apple (the cubes are the size of a match head) and sprinkle it with fennel pollen. Each time you sink your spoon into it the tanginess of the apple gets pushed into the underlying sweetness of the cream and then picks up the buoyant fennel powder on its way back up: more than a dessert, this is an elevator of flavor! Tonino is full of what Italians call sprezzatura. Can’t wait to go back! Vali
This place is special, in the best possible ways. Incredible food with great staff. Make your reservation EARLY.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Claire A. Wheeler
Lovely ambiance, lovely staff, very good food. Limited menu but that inspires confidence
Peter Olds
Intimate, great food, amazing service. A true gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stuart Shuman
What a meal!Excellent food, great staff (always helpful and smiling).The house made pasta and bread are outstanding (from a carbo freak) as are the fresh vegetables. And Claire is a perfect hostess.Great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patrick Lanciault
Cozy vibe, super friendly staff, and absolutely delicious food and drink. I found my new go to Italian restaurant.
Best restaurant in Boston. Yep I said it. I’ve been 4 times and it only gets better. Everything I’ve tried has been incredible. Favs include tallegio cappelletti and panna cotta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizza Bianca, Shaved Fennel Salad with Olives, Catering Lemon Whipped Ricotta Hot Honey 1 2 Pint
Had to make a reservation two months in advance, but happy to report that Tonino was well worth the wait! The interior is lovely—very cozy with classy decorations.The pizza is available for take-out, but the pasta is only available for dine-in, so we tried as many pastas as we could stomach. Unfortunately, the special advertised on the wall wasn't available, so we ended up getting:- Taleggio Cappelletti ($26): This dish only comes with 8 cappelletti, so the portion size is more akin to an appetizer, but this was my favorite of the pastas that we ordered. Rich, cheesy filling with a subtly sweet sauce. Delicious.- Lumache ($26): Second favorite. Very al dente (borderline crunchy; too al dente for my friend, but I liked the bite). Some tangy notes from the creme fraiche. Portion size was better than the taleggio cappelletti, but I wish there were more or larger cuts of mushroom.- Chitarra & Clams ($28): Wouldn't get this again. Very peppery, and the flavor didn't pack a punch like the other two pastas. Chitarra wasn't al dente, and the clams were quite small. Breadcrumbs were good.- Tiramisu ($14): Also available for take-out but had to get it because it's their signature dessert. I was in heaven. The mascarpone was runnier than that of other tiramisus that I've had, but I liked it like that. Very smooth and creamy. Loved the sporadic bits of salt too.There were two servers who waited on us throughout the night. Both were friendly. There's complimentary still or sparkling water, which was a plus. 5% kitchen appreciation fee, which is higher than the usual 3%.Overall, highly recommend this place. I think it is my favorite Italian place in Boston now!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Lumache
Tonino was one of my top dining experiences I've had in Boston. The kitchen outputs extremely high quality food, but the staff is extremely down to earth, which I loved.We ordered the stracciatella, a slice of the eggplant and ricotta pizza, the taleggio cappelletti, the lumache, and tiramisu for desert. The taleggio cappelletti reminded me of a meal I had at a restaurant in Rome and was one of those dishes that was so good, it made me laugh. The pizza had a great crunch on the bottom but was light and fluffy on the inside.As the cost of dining out in Boston relative to the food quality has soared in the last few years, I'm extremely excited that a restaurant like this recently opened. I'm already looking forward to my next visit back...well done!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went with the wife for a date night. Reserved a table just in case because we saw how popular this place is and it doesn't disappoint in that regard, especially with the small yet cosy feel inside.I had done some research on the menu before we arrived, so although we knew what we wanted we were open to hearing recommendations from our server because this was our first time dining at Tonino. These recommendations would not be ignored, as coming in, we knew we would order a pizza bianca but didn't know which. However, as we told our server we wanted the "small" that consisted of mortadella, pecorino, and house pickles, our server knew that we should try the ricotta and hot honey with the pizza bianca.That recommendation did not disappoint as the sweetness of the honey and the creaminess of the ricotta paired perfectly with the crispy and crunchy, yet airy bread of the pizza bianca. Shortly after, the mortadella, pecorino, and house pickles arrived on a platter. Now the mortadella had a nice aftertaste and pecorino cheese is always great, but their house pickles were easily the best pickles I have had in my life, hands down, not even close.In the end my wife ordered the bucatini and I ordered the rigatoni. The pastas themselves on both dishes were clearly handmade as labors of love to the customer. I do want to preface my thought on my main dish by saying that am not too cultured in terms of palatte or food exploration. That being said my rigatoni dish's sauce and topping of guancile I believe it was, was a bit too rich for me. But if that is the only complaint I can find about this establishment, then so be it.My wife (a slightly more travelled diner) told me that her pasta and the culmination of the mouth feel, flavor profile, and freshness made her believe this is a top 5 dish she has had in her life.If you are ever in the southern part of Boston and want AMAZING italian food, stop no further tham Tonino.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizza Bianca
First time at Tonino. Chitarra (spaghetti variation) with clams was tasty, with a generous portion of clams. Eggplant ricotta pizza was also good. Pizza bianca was similar to focaccia -- basically bread -- with dips, not toppings. Caponata dip was fine. Trevisano (radicchio) salad was skimpy with an unremarkable dressing. We didn't try desserts. The small space is attractive but crowded, with tables cheek by jowl. Long wait for the pasta and pizza.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Dining last evening at Tonino was truly an outstanding experience, probably the best overall restaurant experience I have enjoyed ever. The food was amazing and delicious, and what made dining here even more special was the very personalized and attentive service. I had the pleasure of being seated in view of the kitchen. I observed the care and diligence taken with food preparation and beverage concoction as well as the close teamwork that explains why one’s total dining experience feels so perfectly orchestrated here. I loved the food, staff, ambience, and the extraordinary feeling of being tended to as if I had been invited into a good friend’s home. I so look forward to returning to this jewel.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pizza Bianca, Tiramisu
Best pasta I’ve had in years, warm and highly refined service, and a cozy atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steamed Clams, Tiramisu
My husband and I went here for a date night and it blew us away. The service was outstanding – each server takes pride in knowing the menu inside and out, and they can recommend the perfect drink, entree, or dessert based on your mood or what else you're enjoying. We were particularly impressed by the pizza, the digestifs and extensive drink menu, and, of course, the tiramisu! Do not miss the tiramisu. It's some of the best we've ever had, and so creative (the sea salt on the top makes it really pop!). Could not recommend this place more highly, especially for those looking for a lovely spot for a romantic meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
By far my favorite restaurant in Boston and I’ve been to them all. I’ve been 5 times and went last night for an incredible meal. Everything on Tonino’s menu from pizza to salad to dessert and of course pasta has so much thought and care put into it. The talleggio cappelletti is just mind bogglingly good, and did not disappoint. I loved the bolognese ravioli special. I wish Tonino kept the old bucatini menu item with EVOO and red sauce rather than the current with anchovy chili butter because the former was just incredible and this one my girlfriend and I thought wasn’t nearly as amazing. The service is also great, it’s always the same staff and the complimentary sparkling water is a great touch. Look forward to coming back soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shaved Fennel Salad with Olives, Broccoli Rabe, Tiramisu, Chitarra and Clams
I generally turn up my nose at ‘meatballs’ on a menu: they are usually a dead giveaway to a forthcoming assault of oversized portions in pursuit of a memory that has been stripped of its soul. But on this occasion at Tonino (Jamaica Plain), as we were seated practically in the chef’s lap—best seat in the house—and the waiter went out of his way to recommend them, it felt rude not to order them. He told us they’d be served with focaccia…’if nothing else,’ then, I thought, ‘we can always eat that.’ How nice to be proven wrong! The flavor invaded my senses the moment my fork tines first wrenched that little architectural marvel apart unleashing an aromatic waft of ground mortadella that was just the first step to an accelerated journey through flavor. And the focaccia? A masterfully controlled olive-oil-infused crust, on top as well as on the bottom, with perfect crumb between them to accommodate the taste of the meatballs. I could look at that focaccia for hours: with my own 17-year-old starter in a jar at home processing its latest feeding, I appreciate how much understanding of chemistry goes into achieving this structure. This focaccia is no sidekick; it is Prometheus bringing fire into the cave.There’s so much else to say about this little gem of a place, from the happy staff to the understated elegance and clear competence of the owners, to the thoughtfully controlled menu and the tasteful decor, but I could not leave off without mentioning the panna cotta dessert because I’ve never seen it served like that: they top it with half an inch of airy, finely diced Granny Smith apple (the cubes are the size of a match head) and sprinkle it with fennel pollen. Each time you sink your spoon into it the tanginess of the apple gets pushed into the underlying sweetness of the cream and then picks up the buoyant fennel powder on its way back up: more than a dessert, this is an elevator of flavor! Tonino is full of what Italians call sprezzatura. Can’t wait to go back! Vali
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is special, in the best possible ways. Incredible food with great staff. Make your reservation EARLY.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovely ambiance, lovely staff, very good food. Limited menu but that inspires confidence
Intimate, great food, amazing service. A true gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a meal!Excellent food, great staff (always helpful and smiling).The house made pasta and bread are outstanding (from a carbo freak) as are the fresh vegetables. And Claire is a perfect hostess.Great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cozy vibe, super friendly staff, and absolutely delicious food and drink. I found my new go to Italian restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5