11 Best Italian Restaurants In Somerville, Massachusetts That Locals Absolutely Love And Keep Coming Back To

One pizzeria in this city sells a sub that runs three feet long. I read that twice to make sure I had it right.

That counter has been feeding the neighborhood since the 1950s. Another kitchen nearby has served Sicilian cooking since 1969, and it opens at 7 in the morning.

The newer crowd keeps things fun with a wood-fired pie topped with Nutella. Another spot serves deep-dish pizza until 1 AM on weekends.

I love that this pocket of Massachusetts packs old-school red sauce, handmade pasta, and late-night slices into such a small map. You can grab a cash-only square slice for lunch and twirl fresh pasta at dinner.

So which plate are you chasing first: the giant sub, the dessert pizza, or a bowl of gnocchi? I already know my answer, and it involves extra cheese.

1. Ciao Somerville

Dessert on a pizza crust sounds like a dare, and this wood-fired spot happily accepts it. The Nutella Pizza turns the oven into a sweet tooth’s playground.

Before you get there, though, start with the savory side of the menu. Ciao Somerville focuses on Neapolitan-style pizza and fresh pasta, both built around that wood fire.

Mushroom fans can go straight for the Funghi pie. If salty and elegant sounds better, Prosciutto di Parma brings the classic Italian ham to the table.

Greens get real attention here, too. The Beet Salad is vegan, and the Arugula Salad offers a peppery break between slices.

Vegetarians get a full menu of their own, which makes group orders much easier. The Milanese also lands on the vegetarian side, so nobody has to settle for bread.

The mood stays casual and trendy, with table service for lunch and dinner. Families are welcome, and high chairs are ready for the smallest pizza critics.

Flying solo works nicely too, since this is a popular pick for solo dining. Grab a seat, order a pie, and enjoy a quiet hour with excellent company: you.

Timing tip: weekday lunches open at 11 AM, while weekends start at noon. Friday and Saturday nights run until 10 PM, perfect for a late pizza craving.

Save room for a cannoli, because a crunchy shell is the right way to end the night. You’ll find this wood-fired spot at 688 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144.

2. Vinny’s Ristorante

A deli by day and red-sauce dinners by night? Vinny’s Ristorante has long been a Somerville, Massachusetts favorite.

The place pairs a homey dining room with a deli, which feels very neighborhood in the best way. Portions run huge, so plan on taking a box home.

Sicilian flavors and traditions drive the kitchen. Start with arancini, golden fried rice balls that make sharing feel very optional.

Pasta here is homemade, and the cheese ravioli is an easy win for picky eaters. Gnocchi is on the menu too, and it happens to be vegan.

Craving a red-sauce classic? Chicken Ziti and Broccoli brings the comfort.

Bigger appetites can look at heartier plates like beef braciola, lamb osso buco, or Australian rack of lamb. Those dishes feel made for a long, happy dinner with family.

Speaking of family, kids get their own menu and high chairs. Larger groups can book the private dining room, and reservations are accepted.

Desserts deserve a planned stop. Homemade tiramisu and homemade cannoli are both waiting, so maybe split one of each with whoever ordered too much pasta.

Planning a party at home instead? Catering lets that Sicilian cooking travel to your table.

Weekdays run until 9 PM, and weekends wrap up at 8 PM. Swing by 76 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145, and bring an appetite worthy of 1969.

3. Olivia’s Kitchen

Italy ships a little bit of itself to Broadway, thanks to the imported products this kitchen keeps on hand. Olivia’s Kitchen mixes those with fresh vegetables and premium meats.

The cooking follows the seasons, so the menu leans on what tastes best right now. That means your favorite plate in spring might have a new cousin by fall.

Handmade pasta is the main event. Refined appetizers and small plates make it easy to build a meal one bite at a time.

Eating plant-based? Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean you get plenty of real choices.

Organic dishes appear on the menu as well. That makes this a smart pick for diners who read labels as closely as menus.

The dining room feels modern and casual, a nice match for a relaxed date night. Solo diners also find it a comfortable place to grab a table.

Weekends bring a bonus. Saturday and Sunday mornings open at 9:30 AM, giving you a brunch window before dinner service returns at 5 PM.

Planning something bigger? A private dining room and catering services can handle birthdays, showers, or a pasta-themed office party.

Reservations are accepted, which helps when you have a celebration on the calendar. Takeout works too, if your couch is calling.

Mondays are a day off, so aim for Tuesday through Sunday. Head to 711 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144, and let the handmade pasta do the talking.

4. Posto

Tiramisu for breakfast sounds like a rule you’d break on vacation, yet Posto puts it on the brunch menu as French toast. Weekend doors open at 10 AM, so the sweet start is easy to plan.

This modern spot sits at Assembly Row, the riverside shopping and dining district in Somerville. Shopping bags and pizza boxes make a fine pair.

The wood-fired oven turns out Neapolitan-style pizzas. The Stracciatella and White Truffle pie is the fancy one, pairing soft cheese with truffle.

Pasta is handmade, and the potato gnocchi with braised short rib is a house standout. Rich, hearty, and very hard to share.

Starters pull their weight here. Meatballs and a mushroom appetizer with polenta and a fried egg both make strong openers.

Prefer the classics? Chicken Parmesan, carpaccio, and a ribeye give the menu plenty of range.

Space is generous, so groups can spread out without bumping elbows. Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs.

Nice weather? Outdoor seating lets you dine in the open air, and dogs are welcome outside.

Nights run late, with Friday and Saturday service until 11 PM. That makes it a handy stop after a movie or shopping trip nearby.

Dinner reservations are a smart move, especially on weekends. Portions are good-sized, so pace yourself before dessert.

Speaking of which, save a corner for something sweet. Your pizza mission ends at 400 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145.

5. Josephine

Thin crust or deep dish? Josephine refuses to make you choose, firing both styles of pizza for one big happy table.

The deep-dish pie is a classic, thick and proud. Thin-crust fans can reach for the Grilled Eggplant and Burrata Pie instead.

Pasta brings its own personality here. Rigatoni and spaghetti carbonara sit on the lineup, and the carbonara shows up at brunch, too, for anyone who thinks pasta counts as breakfast.

Meatball lovers should know about Dom’s Aged Meatball Parm. That name alone makes it hard to skip.

The room has high ceilings and a fireplace, so it feels polished without getting stuffy. Outdoor seating is there on nicer days, and dogs can join you outside.

Night owls, take note. Friday and Saturday service runs until 1 AM, which makes late-night pizza feel downright civilized.

Weekend brunch kicks off at 10:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday. A Caesar salad at brunch pairs nicely with a slice for the table.

Dessert is a three-way race between tiramisu, olive oil cake, and rice pudding. Good luck picking just one.

Plant-based eaters get full vegan and vegetarian menus. Kids are covered with their own menu and high chairs.

Hosting a party? Catering is available, but plan ahead and order at least 24 hours early.

Dinner reservations are recommended, so book before you get hungry. Find the deep dish and the fireplace at 515 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143.

6. Premiere on Broadway

Pasta with a soundtrack? Premiere on Broadway mixes live music with American-Italian cooking, so dinner comes with a show.

The menu wanders happily between both sides of that hyphen. You might see lobster ravioli next to chicken and waffles, and honestly, why not?

Ravioli fans get options. Butternut squash ravioli brings a fall feeling, while the lobster version leans fancy.

Linguini and clams is a seaside classic that fits right in near Boston. Calamari and a mushroom appetizer make easy shareable openers.

The chicken parm earns special mention. Tender chicken, tomato sauce, and melted cheese hit the comfort trifecta.

Wrap things up with tiramisu, the dessert that never seems to go out of style. Coffee is on hand if you want a little extra pep.

Timing matters here, since the schedule is a little unusual. Most days open in the late afternoon, so check the schedule before you go.

Sunday switches gears with a morning start at 10 AM.

That Sunday slot is a great excuse for brunch with friends. Families are welcome, and the kids’ menu keeps younger diners happy.

Got a big occasion? A private dining room and catering make birthdays and reunions easier, and reservations are accepted.

Bring friends who like a little music with their marinara. Your table and the tunes are waiting at 517 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145.

7. Hot Tomatoes

A sandwich called the Gobbler basically introduces itself. Hot Tomatoes has been feeding Somerville since 2008, and that playful name fits the friendly mood.

Expect casual, quick, and satisfying food. The kitchen turns out thin-crust pizza, hearty sandwiches, subs, salads, and soups.

Pasta deserves a spot on your radar. Chicken pesto pasta and bolognese both get plenty of love here.

Calzones join the lineup too, for anyone who likes pizza folded into a tidy package. It’s the portable cousin of a slice.

The shop sits on Bow Street near Union Square, one of Somerville’s liveliest neighborhoods. Strolling the area before or after lunch makes a fun little outing.

Weekday hours come with a twist. Monday through Thursday, lunch runs 11 AM to 1 PM, then dinner starts at 4 PM.

Fridays stay open straight through from 11 AM to 9 PM. Weekends start at noon, closing at 9 PM Saturday and 8 PM Sunday.

Need to work on a laptop while you eat? Free Wi-Fi makes it an easy spot for a working lunch with a side of pizza.

Groups fit in nicely, and kids get high chairs.

Can’t stay? Delivery and takeout bring the Gobbler home, and catering handles larger crowds.

Brunch also shows up on the dining options, which is a nice weekend surprise. Your thin-crust adventure starts at 77 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143.

8. Mortadella Head

Naming your restaurant after a sandwich takes confidence. Mortadella Head backs it up with a signature sub called, naturally, The Mortadella Head.

Mortadella is a silky Italian cold cut from Bologna, often studded with pistachios. If you’ve never tried it, this is a great place to start.

The rest of the sandwich lineup reads like a comfort food wish list. Steak Bomb, Pesto Chicken, and Chicken Parmesan all make the menu.

Pig and Fig might be the most fun name on the board. Sweet and savory together is hard to resist.

Pizza takes a creative turn here, too. The Grandma Pie keeps things vegetarian, while the Buffalo Chicken Pie brings a little kick.

Ordering happens at the counter, so it’s an easy spot for a quick bite. No reservations needed, just stroll in.

The location near Davis Square makes it popular with college students. Tufts University is just up the road on College Avenue.

Vegetarians get a full menu to explore. Free Wi-Fi helps if you’re squeezing in some homework between bites.

Hours are refreshingly simple. Doors open at 10 AM and close at 8 PM, seven days a week.

Delivery and catering are available if you need sandwiches for a group. A tray of Steak Bombs could make you the hero of game night.

Save room for tiramisu, because ending with a sandwich and dessert feels like a win. You’ll find the mortadella magic at 20 College Ave, Somerville, MA 02144.

9. Leone’s Subs & Pizza

Cash in your pocket and a craving for square slices are your only two requirements here. Leone’s Subs and Pizza keeps things simple, and that’s the charm.

The star is Sicilian-style pan pizza, thick and square. Slices are sold alongside whole pies, so you can snack or feed a team.

Subs are the other half of the story. The homemade meatball sub is the house favorite to try first.

Steak and cheese, the Steak Bomb, and the Italian sub keep the lineup strong. A Cheeseburger Sub also shows up for anyone torn between two cravings.

This is a grab-and-go kind of place, with quick counter service. Treat it as fuel for a stroll around the neighborhood.

Remember the cash rule before you go. A quick ATM stop now saves a U-turn later.

Hours are generous, from 8 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week. That makes it handy for an early lunch or a late-night slice.

Leone’s sits on Broadway in East Somerville, right in the mix of local shops and eateries. It’s a classic Massachusetts sub shop experience in the best way.

Delivery and catering are both available. A box of square slices makes any office meeting feel like a celebration.

College students and visitors both find their way here, and families with kids fit right in.

Bring cash and a big appetite. Square slices are waiting at 292 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145.

10. Alfredo’s Italian Kitchen

Pizza at 3 AM on a Friday? Alfredo’s Italian Kitchen stays open until 3 AM Friday and 3:30 AM Saturday, which is a gift to night owls.

The menu is big and friendly, covering pizza, subs, wraps, pasta, seafood, and full dinners. Appetizers round out the list for snack cravings.

Chicken broccoli ziti alfredo is the dish to know. Portions run large, so leftovers are basically guaranteed.

Pasta lovers get an extraordinary array of choices here. It’s a good place to try something new or stick with an old favorite.

Pizza comes with a crispy crust and generous toppings. Buffalo Chicken Pizza brings the heat, while pepperoni keeps it classic.

Not in a pasta mood? A steak tip salad nods to a true Massachusetts favorite, and chicken stir fry over rice adds even more variety.

The dining room is unassuming, letting the food do the talking. Counter-style ordering keeps things quick and easy.

Families are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs ready to go. Groups fit in nicely, too.

Reservations are accepted, which is handy for a team dinner after practice. Delivery and takeout cover nights when the couch wins.

Hours start at 10:30 AM daily, so an early lunch is easy to pull off. Sunday through Thursday, the kitchen closes at 10 PM.

Fun fact: it’s only a few doors down Broadway from another sub shop on this list. Find your late-night pizza fix at 284 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145.

11. Angelina’s Pizzeria

Three feet of sandwich is not a typo. Angelina’s Pizzeria offers a Jumbo sub that long, and it’s made for parties, game days, and brave appetites.

This counter has been serving Somerville since the 1950s. That’s decades of pizza boxes heading out the door.

Thin crust is the house style, with a nice crunch and tasty sauce. The eggplant pizza is the one to try if you want something a little different.

The Italian Cold Cuts Pizza puts a deli tray right on top of a pie. It’s a fun twist for sandwich fans who can’t pick between lunch options.

Speaking of sandwiches, the sub list runs deep. Angelina’s Cold Sub, the Genoa Salami Cold Sub, and the Meatball Hot Sub are all strong picks.

Want maximum comfort? The Meatball Sausage Combo Parmigiana brings two classics together under melted cheese.

Wings, wraps, calzones, and pasta fill out the menu. Onion rings are a crunchy side, and they happen to be vegan.

Ordering happens at the counter, which keeps things fast and casual. Curbside pickup and delivery make it easy to eat at home.

Planning a bash? Catering pairs nicely with that three-foot sub.

Hours run 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Wednesday, then until 10 PM Thursday through Saturday. Sundays are a day of rest, so plan accordingly.

Holland Street makes a pleasant stroll after a big lunch. Grab your slice or your mega sub at 230 Holland St, Somerville, MA 02144.