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Contessa - Boston, Boston, MA

Contessa - Boston

4.7
4.7
85 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 62 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Fancy
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for fine wines
Perched atop The Newbury Hotel like a crown jewel, Contessa is a grand destination. Guests are welcomed from morning till night to a sunlit, rooftop restaurant with Art Deco references and mid-century modern detailing, offering sweeping views of Back Bay and the Boston Public Garden. The menu offers a wide variety of delicious options, from feasts of antipasti, carpaccios and pizzas, to pastas and large steaks. A vast wine list, classic cocktails and a selection of dolci punctuate a beautiful meal.
Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:30 am–10:30 am Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (617) 741-3404
  • Website
    https://contessaristorante.com/
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Private party facilities
    For a party of 9+, please email events@contessaboston.com.
  • Private party contact
    Contessa Boston Events Team: (617) 536-5700
  • Location
    1 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116
  • Neighborhood
    Back Bay
  • Cross street
    Located in The Newbury Hotel at Arlington St. and Berkeley St.
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    The main entrance to the restaurant is located at 3 Newbury Street. If you enter through the hotel, you will need to walk through the restaurant to check in at the host stand.
  • Additional
    Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access

Experiences

  • New Years Eve at Contessa Boston

    $295.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Ring in the New Year at our jewel box in the sky this New Year’s Eve, with the best views in Boston. Gather over an elegant Italian feast with old-world glamour. From Burrata with Caviar to satisfying pastas and Wagyu Ribeye, celebrate with your loved ones at Contessa. Cancellations may be made up to 1 week in advance at 5pm. Cancellations after that date will forfeit the deposit. Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion. Any guest who does not appear sufficiently well-presented may be refused entry. No shorts, open-toed shoes, or tank tops. Athletic wear and baseball caps are kindly prohibited. If you have any questions, please email holidays@majorfood.com for more information.
    New Years Eve at Contessa Boston Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 85 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Greater Boston

    Best Ambiance

  • Greater Boston

    Great for brunch

  • Boston

    Best Ambiance

  • Boston

    Great for brunch

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Contessa in Boston offers stunning city views, "delicious food," and a "fantastic ambiance." Highlights include the squash carpaccio and sweet corn ravioli. While many praise the "excellent service," some note occasional delays in seating. The elegant decor and vibrant atmosphere make it a "must-visit" for special occasions.

85 Reviews

  1. Ron

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great staff and experience. Managers took care of my family

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  2. Joe

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    162 reviews

    5.0

    162 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    From the moment we stepped into Contessa, we were greeted with the warmth and charm that only an exceptional Italian restaurant can offer. Located in the heart of Boston, this dining gem delivers an unforgettable experience, from its stunning ambiance to its mouthwatering cuisine. The setting itself is nothing short of spectacular. The stylish interior, complete with elegant lighting and cozy seating, creates the perfect atmosphere for an intimate meal or a celebratory dinner. The breathtaking views of the city from the rooftop, especially with the adjacent park lit and sparkling for Christmas, made every bite of our meal feel even more special. The menu at Contessa is a true tribute to the flavors of Italy. We began our meal with the freshest antipasti of Tonnato Crudo. Each bite of this dish consisting of thinly sliced raw tuna, artichoke hearts, and anchovy was a burst of flavor and authenticity. For the primi course, we shared the Spicy Lobster Capellini. Wow! Pasta was cooked perfect al dente; the lobster sauce was amazing. Nice small chunks of lobster throughout. For the main course, we split the Grilled Mediterranean Branzino. Believe me, it was cooked to perfection, flaky and full of delicate flavors. Dessert was the grand finale. The tiramisu was light, airy, and just the right amount of sweet. It was a divine ending to what was already a remarkable meal. What truly sets Contessa apart, though, is the service. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and eager to ensure our experience was nothing short of flawless. They offered wonderful wine pairings and gave great recommendations, making us feel like VIPs throughout the evening. If you’re looking for an elevated Italian dining experience in Boston, look no further than Contessa. Every detail, from the food to the ambiance to the exceptional service, makes it a must-visit destination for food lovers and anyone looking to enjoy an unforgettable meal.

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  3. belinda

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    A very special Christmas Day dining experience - would love to to it again next year at Thanksgiving!

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  4. Dang

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    As a returned customer, my experience at Contessa Boston was incredibly disappointing. I’ve always enjoyed dining here before, but this time, the service was unacceptably poor and discriminatory. The waiter and floor manager consistently checked in with other tables, but completely ignored ours. It felt as though we were invisible, and the lack of attention was especially noticeable. As a customer, the dismissive and unwelcoming attitude was upsetting and left me feeling uncomfortable. It’s disheartening to see a place I once enjoyed treating customers this way. I will not be coming back.

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  5. Lori

    Greater Boston

    17 reviews

    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    It was our first time at Contessa for lunch. It was beautiful- but they seated us at a table where the sun was in my face and so hot, it was quite uncomfortable. I also had a feeling that the staff knew it, and I was wondering why they didn’t seat us some place more comfortable. If you go during the day, ask to sit on the other side of the restaurant. Our server was excellent and we loved the tuna crisp and the artichokes. Truly nice appetizers! We shared the pesto. It was a bit heavy. It had a beautiful strong basil taste, but left us feeling full- And we shared one plate among the three of us. Overall, it was a nice experience, but I would probably just do drinks and appetizers if I return.

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  6. Carlos

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 19, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really nice environment and nice people!! Thank you for all your attentions!

    1 person found this helpful

  7. Dante

    VIP

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    incredible experience! attentive service & excellent food!

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  8. Kenia

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent!! Service, food , place. .. love it

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  9. Meghan

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was great. Views were great. Service was great.

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  10. Brian

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Might be the nicest spot in the city.Take a girl here, you can’t beat it.

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FAQs

Contessa - Boston is rated 4.7 stars by 85 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 62 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Contessa - Boston

1 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Located in The Newbury Hotel at Arlington St. and Berkeley St.
  • Neighborhood
    Back Bay
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:30 am–10:30 am Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    The main entrance to the restaurant is located at 3 Newbury Street. If you enter through the hotel, you will need to walk through the restaurant to check in at the host stand.
  • Additional
    Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access
  • Website
    https://contessaristorante.com/
  • Phone number
    (617) 741-3404
  • Private party facilities
    For a party of 9+, please email events@contessaboston.com.
  • Private party contact
    Contessa Boston Events Team: (617) 536-5700
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