Carlo's Cucina Italiana image

Carlo's Cucina Italiana

Restaurant Italian restaurant

Bustling Italian spot with simple decor draws crowds with classic dishes & popular take-out option. People often mention good, Great, great, portions, Italian, pasta, delicious, chicken, Boston, small,


Address

131 Brighton Ave, Allston, MA 02134

Website

carloscucinaitaliana.com

Contact

(617) 254-9759

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (604 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Friday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Sunday: (Easter), 12 to 10 PM, Hours might differ
  • Monday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Tuesday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Wednesday: 11 AM to 10 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (15) Great (9) great (8) portions (8) Italian (8) pasta (8) delicious (7) chicken (6) Boston (6) small (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Catherine V. 2 years ago on Google
    The food is really good and service is great too. Expect big portions and know that the food is Italian American not Italian.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 PJ K. 1 year ago on Google
    Best Italian food this side of North End, consistently serving great meals since the 90’s “The Rachel” with its sausage, meatballs chicken and eggplant parmigiana is hard to beat when sharing with someone. In short: haven’t had a bad meal here ever, from simple shrimp scampi to fra diavloo.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christine M. 1 year ago on Google
    Divine!! Tiny little joint, but massive portions of absolutely delightful pasta. Loved it!! Arancini app alone was huge - could have been a meal in and of itself - and totes delicious. We continued though with the penne w chicken & broccoli, and Fettuccine Marysa, and basically fed ourselves for the whole next day just on leftovers lol - HUGE. Service was perfect - attentive but not overbearing. Carlo's is now on our Must Do list for every visit to Boston/Cambridge 🍝❤️🍝
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stephen D. 2 years ago on Google
    The food is very well prepared and well portioned. I was pleasantly surprised with the reasonable prices. We had a table of six and all agreed their individual entrees were delicious. We will definitely return as the staff were professional and courteous.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Steve Da C. 2 years ago on Google
    Great small little place. Service is top notch with food to match. The location is pretty small. I imagine on a busy night it would feel cramped but there was plenty of space for us. Food is served quickly and the waiting staff is quick to take your order, filled your drinks, and bring out the check when you're ready. Worth going to for sure.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Adonis E. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent Italian restaurant outside of south Boston. Everything was perfectly presented and cooked to perfection. The taste was exquisite and the lunch menu was very well priced. Chris was very pleasent and was very attentive to us and everyone else at the family style restaurant. I highly recommend this restaurant and you should give it a try, you will thank me afterwards:)
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Riss L. 2 years ago on Google
    5 Star Service from Chris! I’d come back just to have Chris as our server again. Pasta special was great! We shared a plate, Great portions. Definitely check out this place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kerri M. 1 year ago on Google
    Huge calamari - delicious Bread - crusty home made amazing Minestrone soup loaded with fresh vegetables, delicious light broth, so flavorful - huge bowl. Home made parpadelle pasta with seafood and red sauce - out of this world! Adorable setting and super nice staff! Loved it!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ikc 2 years ago on Google
    If you're driving parking is very difficult. The restaurant is small maybe 10 tables. We got seated right away, it wasn't very busy. The waitress made great suggestions and the food was very good. Going to the restroom could be challenging for those with bad knees, because you've got to go down some stairs to the basement.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Patrick A. 1 year ago on Google
    Veal chop marsala special was amazingly flavorful. The sauce and risotto matched perfectly. However, upon a return trip a week later, I got the Marsala chicken with risotto, it was just okay. Perhaps I got really lucky the first time and the chef was inspired.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Susan B. 2 years ago on Google
    Great food and service. Definitely a "find" when we stayed in Allston for a few days. Small space that's a little loud (not bad, just be aware it's not a quiet spot when full) and an extensive menu. The calamari on the seafood pasta entree was unbelievably fresh and tender. The two gnocchi entrees were wonderful during the meal and good when reheated later. I think they put more than one sliced chicken breast on my entree and the salmon on top of ravioli had rave reviews by my friend. Limited but decent wine options. Would definitely go back but if you are traveling, you might want to share a meal since the portions were large enough to bring home enough for two lunches after I finished my meal.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael M. 2 years ago on Google
    Huge portions!! So unbelievably good and fair prices. Great small atmosphere as well.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sukanya S. 7 months ago on Google
    It's a cozy little place, but we loved every bite of all the dishes we ordered. Bruschetta was simple but filled with olive oil. Gnocchi spezzatino was so creamy and melting in the mouth. Seafood Fra Diavolo had an abundance of calamari, museles, shrimp, and clams, and it tested like heaven. Everything was creamy, delicious, and unforgettable!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Mary C. 3 years ago on Google
    Maybe I had the wrong dish but I ordered a simple spaghetti and meatballs. Well for 17 bucks I got a small dish with 2 meatballs. For 17 I expected at least 3. Maybe that was just me. I can't believe I make better sauce than this place though. I guess my expectations were too high... they do have. 4.7 but I didn't taste that 4.7!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Florian S. 8 months ago on Google
    Small and loud place - just like in Bella Italia. As a European always hard to find authentic tasting European cuisines in the US. This place did not disappoint. Felt more like a neighborhood place than the more touristy ones in the North End. The food was very well prepared with fresh ingredients. Both the Minestrone and the Seafood Linguine were great. Service overall was very attentive albeit a bit slow on the water refills which isn’t a big deal. Overall definitely will be back once in Boston the next time.

  • 5/5 B N. 7 months ago on Google
    I absolutely love this place!! The appetizers and entrees are always generous on portions. The prices are great and the flavors are wonderful!! This is one of my favorite places to go when we are in Boston. This time service was meh and the bread was stale (sat outside of the warmer to long maybe) but it’s all over looked because the food it that good!

  • 4/5 G E. 5 months ago on Google
    Very very good food I ordered a pasta and it was real good !! The 4 stars are just because they could rearrange the place to make it look nicer ! The prices are really good as well but if it’s your first time and you come in you can get the feeling it won’t be good ! But it actually is real good hope they can make it more appealing

  • 4/5 Hope P. 6 months ago on Google
    Went in here on a Friday night waited about 5 minutes to get seated. Was pleasantly surprised. Got the chicken parm, salmon on a bed of Alfredo pasta and the calamari. Chicken parm: Huge portion. Perfect for two. Good amount of cheese, lots of sauce and a good amount of pasta on the side. I like my cutlet a little more crispier, but with the sauce that’s tough. Overall a good parm. Salmon with the Alfredo pasta: Presentation was incredible, Alfredo pasta was rlly rlly good. In my book, flavor was a 9/10. Salmon was a little dry, would’ve preferred to have it a little more juicier. But with a busy night and people out the door. It happens. Calamari: Great appetizers, wouldn’t say Calamari is their strongest. Came out cold the first time, sent it back and there was no worries at all. Came back pipin hot. Waitress was a cutie with the way she handled it. Like I said with a busy night, it happens. All about the way the staff handles it! Staff were awesome, every one of them had great energy. Great opinions. Hostess was a sweetie. Come here a little earlier if you’re 6 or less. They only do reservations for 6 or more. Everything is very reasonable priced as well. Very interested to try more of there dishes.

  • 5/5 Joseph C. 5 months ago on Google
    Great little spot near Boston College. We stopped by based on the reviews and it lived up to our expectations. The food was exceptional and true Italian cuisine. Chris was our waiter and he was top notch. It has been a while since we have had a waiter that truly cares about your dining experience. Would highly suggest to anyone in the area and ask for Chris’ recommendations on the menu! I had the veal chop with risotto

  • 3/5 Marek M. 5 months ago on Google
    A reliable neighborhood spot with homey food and very big portions. Went here with a bunch of friends on a Sunday night. Waited a little longer than expected for our dishes (40+ minutes), despite the place being half full. We ordered about 8 things and I would say all of them tasted pretty much in the "ok" zone. One thing I will say - people who tell you this is the "real Italian" are still, I believe, referring to the "American real Italian", not the one in Europe. One thing I agree on with other reviewers - the portions are more than generous. If you come hungry, you'd be happy! Otherwise - there are plenty of spots in Boston serving much better food in similar price range. Verdict: Food is not bad, but after reading all the praises online I was somewhat disappointed.

  • 5/5 Oscar 4 months ago on Google
    Decided to check this place out based on the reviews. Well it did not disappoint. We were able to snag a parking spot a block away and were shocked to get a table since the place is cozy. Maybe because it was late on a Sunday evening. Great menu choices and all the food was delicious and generously portioned and executed. Highly recommend and Olga was delightful and provided great service!

  • 5/5 Joseph B. 2 years ago on Google
    Place is fantastic. Been coming for years, everything is so good and fresh. Great food and terrific staff.

  • 5/5 Kaela D. 4 years ago on Google
    A gem in the neighborhood... I have been coming to Carlo’s for the past 3 years. I enjoy eating here! The chicken saltimbocca is my absolute favorite (therefore I highly recommend it). The waitstaff is friendly and personable, and the food is delicious and served in a timely manner. If you are in the area, give Carlo’s a try! :)

  • 4/5 daniel r. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a small restaurant but is real Italian food with good drinks... the price is a little bit expensive in my opinion

  • 5/5 Ana C. 2 years ago on Google
    Wow wow wow Treat yourself and visit this restaurant! We follow our server recommendations and all of them were amazing.


Call (617) 254-9759 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery

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