Tonino
A beloved Italian gem in Jamaica Plain, celebrated for its exquisite handmade pastas, phenomenal pizzas, and intimate, charming atmosphere.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Tonino
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved Italian gem in Jamaica Plain, celebrated for its exquisite handmade pastas, phenomenal pizzas, and intimate, charming atmosphere.
"This is a must-try pasta experience, and the Pizza Bianca is delicious with unique toppings."
Book Far in Advance
Reservations are essential due to high demand; plan your visit a month ahead.
Don't Skip the Tiramisu
The tiramisu is a must-try dessert, often hailed as the best ever.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Cappelletti Pasta
Experience the magic of Cappelletti pasta, lauded as a life-changing dish with rich, cheesy goodness.
Pizza Bianca with Hot Honey
Indulge in the crispy, airy 'Pizza Bianca,' elevated by unique toppings like ricotta and hot honey.
Cozy Ambiance
Enjoy an intimate dining experience in a charming, dimly lit space with elegant Art Deco accents.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Far in Advance
Reservations are essential due to high demand; plan your visit a month ahead.
Don't Skip the Tiramisu
The tiramisu is a must-try dessert, often hailed as the best ever.
Consider Takeout for Pizza
Enjoy renowned pizza bianca at home via takeout, especially if reservations are hard to get.
Ask for Recommendations
Servers are knowledgeable and eager to help with wine, aperitif, and dish selections.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Far in Advance
Reservations are essential due to high demand; plan your visit a month ahead.
Don't Skip the Tiramisu
The tiramisu is a must-try dessert, often hailed as the best ever.
Consider Takeout for Pizza
Enjoy renowned pizza bianca at home via takeout, especially if reservations are hard to get.
Ask for Recommendations
Servers are knowledgeable and eager to help with wine, aperitif, and dish selections.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tonino is a highly acclaimed Italian restaurant praised for its exceptional pasta dishes, particularly the Cappelletti, and its standout Pizza Bianca. Guests rave about the cozy ambiance and attentive service, though securing a reservation can be a challenge. Some diners note that while most dishes are excellent, certain pasta preparations can be a bit rich or salty for some palates, and portions for delivery have been criticized.
"Had an incredible experience here - lived up to the hype based off the cappelletti alone. It is a MUST, I’ve never had a pasta experience like it before. The pizza Bianca is not a pizza, beware, it’s hot delicious bread. The ricotta and eggplant caponata we ordered with the pizza Bianca highly recommend. The tomato salad and mushroom pasta (lumache) were good, but not standouts. The tagliolini aglio olio pomodoro we wouldn’t get again (still delicious, but there’s better on the menu). Tiramisu is a MUST. Best I’ve ever had. Incredible and kind service!! Worth the stress to get a reservation"
Cami Tussie
"The pepperoni pizza slice with hot honey: nothing special. The bread was crispy and delicious, but the toppings were underwhelming. The sauce was perfectly tangy, but there wasn't enough of it, or the cheese. I also wish the pizza had come out more hot.
Servers are very attentive here. I did notice that a lot of people with reservations were being asked to wait for a while to be seated. The small space is definitely the issue.
Mushroom pasta - the mushrooms were meaty, pasta perfectly cooked, parsley was fresh and aromatic, and contrary to popular opinion, the portion size perfect (not sure if it was just this dish). However, it was a little saltier than I liked. I will say, it's nothing to write home about.
Cocktail - I got the Bergamot Blush and it was delicious, strong, not too sweet, and very citrus forward.
Overall, I think the food here is unnecessarily overpriced. While I would not come back here for the food, I might return for a cocktail in 3 years when I can finally get another reservation."
Noyonika Parulekar
"Amazing restaurant experience! Everything I've had has been great and left wanting to come back. The waitress went above and beyond helping us with wine and aperitif picks. Small restaurant, can be hard to get a reservation but definitely worth it."
Sabina Shorey
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Reservations are highly sought after and can be very difficult to obtain. It's recommended to plan and book at least a month in advance.
The Cappelletti pasta and the Pizza Bianca with ricotta and hot honey are frequently highlighted as must-try dishes.
Yes, Tonino offers a limited takeout menu, which often includes pizza, salads, and desserts like tiramisu.
The restaurant is described as small, warm, cozy, and intimate, with dim lighting and elegant decor, creating a charming atmosphere.
While specific options are not detailed, many pasta and pizza dishes can often be modified. Inquire with your server.
Parking can be challenging in the area, so it's advised to leave extra time to find a spot.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
31 Best Restaurants in Boston
This JP (that's Jamaica Plain) spot is consistently packed with locals and out-of-towners alike who heard the buzz and came running (once they were able to snag a rare reservation, of course) for pillowy sheet-pan pizzas, decadent-yet-light handmade pastas, and a smattering of aperitivo and natural wines in a cozy residential-neighborhood joint where the food truly blows you away. The duo behind nearby (and deeply beloved) Spanish tapas spot Tres Gatos opened Tonino, their second Centre Street bolthole, in 2022 with chef-owner Luke Fetbroth to rave reviews that eventually sounded as far as the New York Times' inaugural best restaurants in Boston list.
The Best Italian Restaurants In Boston - Boston
Tonino in Jamaica Plain falls into the category of restaurants we’re calling ZBVs, or places with zero bad vibes. It’s a small restaurant where people from the neighborhood actually have dinner, and it’s impossible not to find happiness on the menu. Especially if you order the taleggio cappelletti and pizza bianca that you can customize with pairings like ricotta and hot honey or eggplant caponata.
Where to Find the Most Romantic Restaurants in Boston Right Now
Sometimes we love to plan our date nights at a bustling neighborhood spot, the type of place where you can get cozy with your significant other—and also eavesdrop a bit on nearby tables. Tonino, which opened in JP in 2022, is the perfect restaurant for this: fantastic Italian food, warm hospitality, and lots of energy. (Try to snag the two wonderful counter seats if you want a little more separation from other diners.) Start with a small plate of countneck clams with guanciale, Calabrian chili, garlic, and basil—this dish charmed even the most clam-ambivalent Boston staffer—and then share a pasta or two, like taleggio cappelletti with aged balsamic.
Want the best Italian food? Visit these 10 Greater Boston spots
The Italian restaurant Jamaica Plain had been waiting for, Tonino is tiny, busy, and delicious. Reserve in advance to eat all the carbs from chef Luke Fetbroth (Giulia, Sarma): pasta dishes such as Taleggio cappelletti, bucatini with anchovy-chile butter, and cavatelli with sausage and broccoli rabe, but especially the excellent, focaccia-adjacent pan pizza. Add a salad to lighten things up, sip Lambrusco, and put a cap on the evening with some ricotta cheesecake.
Top Takeout Restaurants in Boston for Delicious Home Dining
ToninoIt is nearly impossible to get a table in Tonino’s small dining room in Jamaica Plain, unless you plan a month in advance. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a taste of the food people are flocking to. Available on their limited takeout menu is pizza, salad and usually a dessert and appetizer like tiramisu and mortadella.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit