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The Federal, Waltham, MA

The Federal

4.7 (1001)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
74 Tower Rd, Waltham, MA 02451-1022

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 21 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for business meals
  • Good for special occasions
  • Fancy
The Federal is an exciting seafood and chophouse with scratch-made, chef driven modern Italian inspired food. The restaurant is upscale, affordable, comfortable, and relaxed.

Come and explore our wine list where new age and old world meet. Our wine list is curated by co-owner/managing partner David Alphonse and features wines from around the world with a focus on Italian and old world selections. We have a great selection of new world wines as well.

We feature two adjoining private dining rooms and a seasonal covered patio.

Located in Waltham, MA in the Market Basket Plaza, we look forward to serving you soon.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, Italian, Contemporary Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (781) 373-1245
  • Website
    http://the-federalrestaurant.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Joel Portillo
  • Private party facilities
    Please contact Erika@the-federalrestaurant.com regarding any private events! We have plenty of versatile indoor and outdoor space available for parties of all sizes.
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    74 Tower Rd, Waltham, MA 02451-1022
  • Neighborhood
    Waltham
  • Cross street
    Main Street
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    Bus Route 70, Main Shopping Center @ Marshall's stop
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

The Federal's menu was last updated on 4/19/2023.

Seasonal Dinner Menu. All steaks come with choice of one sauce or salt. Additional $2 each

Starters

  • Charcuterie$25.00

    Assorted Italian Meats, House Marinated Olives, Cornichons, Local Jam & Garlic Toast

    • Cheese Board$25.00

      Hand Selected by Our Friends at Wasik's Cheese Shop

      • Crab Cakes$21.00

        Remoulade & Lemon

        • Steak Tartare$19.00

          Cognac Mustard, Capers, Onion, Parsley, Cornichons & Toasted Baguette

          • Carpaccio$18.00

            Pecorino Cheese, Arugula, Capers & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

            • Rockefeller$27.00

              Six Oysters Baked with Spinach, Parmesan Cheese & Pernod Anise Liquor

              • Shrimp Skewers$17.00

                Brushed With Scampi Sauce

                • Escargot$19.00

                  Baked in garlic-parsley and Pernod anise liquor served with olive oil baguette

                  • Clams Casino$18.00

                    Eight Littleneck Clams Baked w/ Bacon, Garlic & Parmesan Breadcrumbs

                    • Calamari$17.00

                      Cherry Peppers & Pomodoro Sauce

                      Raw Bar

                      Add 1 Shrimp $4, Add 1 Oyster $4, Add 1 Littleneck Clam $2

                      • Oysters (6)$24.00

                        Cocktail Sauce & Champagne Mignonette

                        • Shrimp Cocktail (6)$24.00

                          Cocktail Sauce & Fresh Lemon

                          • Tuna Tartare$19.00

                            Cucumber, Avocado, Seaweed Salad & Citrus Vinaigrette

                            • Crabmeat Cocktail$29.00

                              Jumbo Lump Crabmeat & English Mustard Sauce

                              • Chilled Lobster Tail$35.00

                                Cocktail Sauce & Lemon

                                • Shellfish Tower$115.00

                                  Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Lobster Tails, Local Oysters, Littleneck Clams & Jumbo Lump Crabmeat

                                  • Littleneck Clams (8)$16.00

                                    6 fresh shucked littleneck clams

                                    Salads & Soup

                                    • Onion Soup$11.00

                                      Classic French Onion Style Soup with Broiled Baguette and Cheese

                                      • Chowder$11.00

                                        • Caesar Salad$12.00

                                          White Anchovies, Garlic Croutons & Parmesan Cheese

                                          • Wedge Salad$13.00

                                            Bacon, Cherry Tomatoes & Blue Cheese

                                            • Mixed Greens$12.00

                                              Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette, Cherry Tomatoes, Red Onion, Cucumber, Shredded Carrots, Radishes, Garlic Parmesan Crouton

                                              • Prosciutto & Burrata$22.00

                                                Sliced Prosciutto di Parma, Fresh Burrata, Red Wine Poached Pear, Arugula & EVOO

                                                • Beet & Goat Cheese$14.00

                                                  Red and Golden Beets, Fried Goat Cheese, Pistachio Nuts, Arugula, & Citrus Vinegarette

                                                  Entrees

                                                  • Vongole$25.00

                                                    Littleneck Clams, Garlic & White Wine

                                                    • Bolognese$25.00

                                                      Veal & Wild Boar Ragu, Rigatoni & Parmesan Reggiano

                                                      • Orecchiette$27.00

                                                        Orecchiette Pasta, Sausage Crumble, Broccolini & Chili Flakes

                                                        • Genovese Primavera$24.00

                                                          Basil Fusilli Pasta & Seasonal Vegetables

                                                          • Haddock$36.00

                                                            Olive Oil Crushed Potatoes, Asparagus & Herb Lemon Butter

                                                            • Salmon$29.00

                                                              Mashed Potatoes, Broccolini & Pinot Noir Sauce

                                                              • Baked Stuffed Shrimp$40.00

                                                                Five Baked Crab Stuffed Shrimp, Drawn Butter, Lemon & Aparagus

                                                                • Tuna$42.00

                                                                  Sweet Potato Puree, Gingered Bok Choy & Wasabi Aioli

                                                                  • Swordfish$36.00

                                                                    Shrimp, Baby Spinach, Cherry Tomatoes, Scampi Sauce

                                                                    • Halibut$45.00

                                                                      Herb Lemon Butter Sauce, Basil Fusilli, & Cherry Tomatoes

                                                                      • Brick Chicken$28.00

                                                                        Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Asparagus & Arneis Beurre Blanc

                                                                        • Pork Chop$38.00

                                                                          Soft Polenta, Red Wine Poached Pear & Pork Jus

                                                                          • Skirt Steak Frites$38.00

                                                                            Garlic Butter & Parm French Fries

                                                                            • Vegan Plate$26.00

                                                                              Portobello, Black Bean Salad, Grilled Tomato, Seasonal Vegetables, Broccolini & Asparagus

                                                                              Chops

                                                                              • 8oz Filet$48.00

                                                                                • NY Sirloin$55.00

                                                                                  • Au Poivre NY$57.00

                                                                                    • Dry Aged Bone-In$58.00

                                                                                      16oz Bone-In NY Sirloin (will be rarer towards bone, consider Boneless Sirloin if ordering over Medium temperature)

                                                                                      • Delmonico$55.00

                                                                                        • Cowboy$58.00

                                                                                          Sides

                                                                                          • Zucchini & Summer Squash$10.00

                                                                                            • Roasted Fingerling Potatoes$9.00

                                                                                              • Sautéed Broccolini$12.00

                                                                                                Garlic Butter, Chili Flakes & Sea Salt

                                                                                                • Sautéed Wild Mushrooms$13.00

                                                                                                  Roasted Cipollini Onions & Herb Oil

                                                                                                  • Grilled Asparagus$12.00

                                                                                                    Sea Salt & Olive Oil

                                                                                                    • Parmesan Polenta$10.00

                                                                                                      Soft White Polenta with Cream & Parmesan

                                                                                                      • Creamed Spinach$12.00

                                                                                                        Parmesan Croutons

                                                                                                        • Yukon Mashed Potatoes$9.00

                                                                                                          Garlic Confit & Chive Butter

                                                                                                          • Kennebec French Fries$7.00

                                                                                                            • Kennebec Truffle Fries$9.00

                                                                                                              Fries w/ Parmesan Cheese and Black Truffle Oil

                                                                                                              • Bone Marrow$11.00

                                                                                                                Additional Sauces

                                                                                                                • Armagnac Sauce$2.00

                                                                                                                  • Béarnaise$2.00

                                                                                                                    • Demi-Glace$2.00

                                                                                                                      • Horseradish Crema$2.00

                                                                                                                        • Lemon Rosemary Sea Salt$2.00

                                                                                                                          • Maitre d'Butter$2.00

                                                                                                                            Herbed Garlic Butter

                                                                                                                            • Steak Sauce$2.00

                                                                                                                              • Truffle Sea Salt$2.00

                                                                                                                                Chef's Specials

                                                                                                                                • Friday: Catch of the Day$46.00

                                                                                                                                  • Friday: Beef Wellington$55.00

                                                                                                                                    Friday Special - Individual Puff Pastry Wrapped Filet w/ Liver and Mushroom Duxelle. Medium Rare Only

                                                                                                                                    Last updated: April 19, 2023

                                                                                                                                    What 1,001 people are saying

                                                                                                                                    The Federal reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

                                                                                                                                    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
                                                                                                                                    • 4.6Food
                                                                                                                                    • 4.7Service
                                                                                                                                    • 4.5Ambience
                                                                                                                                    • 4.2Value

                                                                                                                                    Noise • Moderate

                                                                                                                                    Review summary

                                                                                                                                    AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                                                                    The Federal offers a memorable dining experience with "excellent food and service." Diners rave about dishes like swordfish, duck breast, and baked stuffed shrimp. The ambiance is lively, and cocktails are praised as "delicious." Attentive staff, like servers Dan and Amanda, enhance the experience with their "knowledgeable and professional" service.

                                                                                                                                    1,001 Reviews

                                                                                                                                    1. ZITA VIP

                                                                                                                                      Greater Boston314 reviews

                                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                                      Dined 3 days ago

                                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                      2. Food 4
                                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                                                      The tone set from the moment you walk into the Federal, you are warmly greeted by Erica the hostess who is so gracious and welcoming as well as the team at the desk. The Federal has a menu that’s appealing to any palate, seafood, vegetarian, beef eaters and chicken. A wide range of appetizers and salads. We enjoy and recommend the swordfish, baked stuffed shrimp and duck breast when it’s in season. The swordfish is a thick cut served over spinach topped with shrimp~ Cocktails are always delicious!! Our server Dan is outstanding! He is so gracious and is so knowledgeable about the menu. He is such a professional!

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                                                                                                                                    2. Don VIP

                                                                                                                                      Greater Boston7 reviews

                                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                                      Dined 3 days ago

                                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                                      The Food was very good. Service was excellent !!

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                                                                                                                                    3. Greg

                                                                                                                                      Greater Boston26 reviews

                                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                                      Dined 3 days ago

                                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                                      Wonderful restaurant encompassing great food, beautiful bar, outstanding wine list and friendly/efficient staff. Never been disappointed, a "go to" place for a formal meal, quick bite or just a drink.

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                                                                                                                                    4. Altair VIP

                                                                                                                                      Greater Boston5 reviews

                                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                                      Dined 5 days ago

                                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                                      Great food and atmosphere, service was great. Great overall dinner destination

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                                                                                                                                    5. James

                                                                                                                                      Greater Boston3 reviews

                                                                                                                                      2.0

                                                                                                                                      Dined 7 days ago

                                                                                                                                      1. Overall 2
                                                                                                                                      2. Food 2
                                                                                                                                      3. Service 3
                                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 1
                                                                                                                                      The dinning room was so loud you could not talk to each other a party of two kim a both for 6. The temperature was so cold even the wait staff complained up it. My cocktail was wrong . The steak was cooked wrong. they had a rub that was not disclosed on the menu . And again the dinning room was so cold that the side orders were ice cold Mash potatoes and cream spinach . The problem wast not the server but the staff preparing the cocktail and the chief. Will not return for dinner drinks at the Federal.

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                                                                                                                                    6. Hillary

                                                                                                                                      Greater Boston2 reviews

                                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                                      Dined on May 4, 2025

                                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                                      This is definitely a new favorite for my boyfriend and I, the tuna tartare was fabulous and the calamari was delicious!

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                                                                                                                                    7. Melodie

                                                                                                                                      Greater Boston2 reviews

                                                                                                                                      3.0

                                                                                                                                      Dined on May 1, 2025

                                                                                                                                      1. Overall 3
                                                                                                                                      2. Food 3
                                                                                                                                      3. Service 2
                                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 2
                                                                                                                                      Although it was not crowded it was very loud and there was a LONG wait between appetizers and meal. Food was good, but the experience and good-enough food is not worth returning for.

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                                                                                                                                    8. Mary VIP

                                                                                                                                      Greater Boston26 reviews

                                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                                      Dined on April 29, 2025

                                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                                                      Food and server were great! Not a place for a quiet conversation.

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                                                                                                                                    9. Jim VIP

                                                                                                                                      Greater Boston9 reviews

                                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                                      Dined on April 20, 2025

                                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                                      Always excellent food and service, today was no exception! Wonderful restaurant in which to spend a holiday or special event.

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                                                                                                                                    10. Kryska VIP

                                                                                                                                      Denver12 reviews

                                                                                                                                      5.0

                                                                                                                                      Dined on April 20, 2025

                                                                                                                                      1. Overall 5
                                                                                                                                      2. Food 5
                                                                                                                                      3. Service 5
                                                                                                                                      4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                                                      Recommended by a friend and we live out of town. Excellent food, great customer service, and great atmosphere.

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                                                                                                                                    FAQs

                                                                                                                                    The Federal offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (781) 373-1245.

                                                                                                                                    The Federal is rated 4.7 stars by 1001 OpenTable diners.

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

                                                                                                                                    1. Home
                                                                                                                                    2. United States
                                                                                                                                    3. Greater Boston
                                                                                                                                    4. Boston
                                                                                                                                    5. Waltham

                                                                                                                                    Make a reservation

                                                                                                                                    2 people
                                                                                                                                    7:00 PM
                                                                                                                                    Booked 21 times today
                                                                                                                                    Google Map for The Federal

                                                                                                                                    74 Tower Rd, Waltham, MA 02451-1022

                                                                                                                                    Additional information

                                                                                                                                    • Cross street
                                                                                                                                      Main Street
                                                                                                                                    • Neighborhood
                                                                                                                                      Waltham
                                                                                                                                    • Hours of operation
                                                                                                                                      Lunch Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
                                                                                                                                    • Price
                                                                                                                                      $50 and over
                                                                                                                                    • Cuisines
                                                                                                                                      Steakhouse, Italian, Contemporary Italian
                                                                                                                                    • Dining style
                                                                                                                                      Casual Elegant
                                                                                                                                    • Dress code
                                                                                                                                      Business Casual
                                                                                                                                    • Parking details
                                                                                                                                      Public Lot
                                                                                                                                    • Public transit
                                                                                                                                      Bus Route 70, Main Shopping Center @ Marshall's stop
                                                                                                                                    • Payment options
                                                                                                                                      AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                                                                    • Executive chef
                                                                                                                                      Joel Portillo
                                                                                                                                    • Additional
                                                                                                                                      Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                                                                                    • Delivery & takeout
                                                                                                                                      Order direct
                                                                                                                                    • Website
                                                                                                                                      http://the-federalrestaurant.com/
                                                                                                                                    • Phone number
                                                                                                                                      (781) 373-1245
                                                                                                                                    • Private party facilities
                                                                                                                                      Please contact Erika@the-federalrestaurant.com regarding any private events! We have plenty of versatile indoor and outdoor space available for parties of all sizes.
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