Contessa Ristorante Boston - Italian Restaurant

PERCHED ATOP THE NEWBURY HOTEL LIKE A CROWN JEWEL

Contessa is a grand restaurant serving Italian cuisine of a caliber that matches its magnificent setting. A sophisticated ode to the cuisine of Northern Italy, Contessa debuted in 2021 and has continued to cement its reputation as one of the best dining destinations in the city of Boston.

Forbes wrote that Contessa is “the place you’ll want to trade in the sweatsuit for high heels or a suit,” while Boston Common declared it the “crème de la crème” of the city’s dining scene.

Sense of Place

Designed by Ken Fulk to evoke a nostalgia that conjures another era, Contessa boasts sweeping views of Back Bay and the Boston Public Garden. Guests dine in a sun-soaked space for breakfast, lunch, and brunch or under the stars for drinks and Contessa’s classic grand trattoria cuisine for dinner.

THE CUISINE

The menu’s classics include Piemontese carpaccio, feasts of antipasti, signature pizzas, tortellini en brodo, ricotta gnudi, and traditional bistecca Fiorentina. As for the wine list, Boston Magazine described it as “a Nebbiolo nerd’s cherry-toned, vertical-vintage playground—deep and dreamy.”

THE BAR

With a wine inventory of 6,000 bottles, Contessa boasts an extensive collection focused on benchmark Italian and French wines, particularly from Piedmont, Tuscany, Bordeaux, and Burgundy. Savor each sip of classic signature cocktails like Contessa’s famous Negronis or a chilled Martini at the picturesque bar.

THE EXPERIENCE

Upon reaching the top floor of the historic property, guests are welcomed to a sunlit rooftop trattoria with Art Deco references and mid-century modern detailing, offering sweeping views of Back Bay and the Boston Public Garden.

MAJOR FOOD GROUP

Founded a decade ago by Jeff Zalaznick, Chef Mario Carbone, and Chef Rich Torrisi, Major Food Group has consistently delivered the most celebrated, innovative, and exciting culinary experiences in the world. Together, the three visionary leaders deliver exceptional, delicious food and hospitality concepts that delight guests, define categories and, while creating distinguishable sense of place in every city, establish new standards for the industry.

While each brand this creative team brings to life is distinct, they all reflect MFG’s refined, celebratory, and thoroughly contemporary approach to its craft.