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Italian-Mediterranean · Boston, MA

Contessa Boston Menu & Prices 2026: Italian-Mediterranean Dining

Contessa Boston brings upscale Italian-Mediterranean cuisine to Boston's Back Bay — set inside the Newbury Boston hotel at 1 Newbury Street. The menu features handmade pastas, wood-fired mains, premium seafood, Neapolitan-style pizzas, and a curated Italian wine list in one of the city's most elegant dining rooms. Below: signature dishes, the full menu by category, ambiance guide, and FAQs.

1 Newbury Street, Boston MAItalian-MediterraneanHandmade PastaWood-Fired MainsUpscale · $$$
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$$

Signature items

Tagliatelle al RaguHandmade pasta
Lobster RavioliMaine lobster & ricotta
Branzino al FornoWhole roasted sea bass
Bistecca FiorentinaWood-fired steak
Tiramisu della CasaHouse dessert
Jump to: Signature dishes Pasta Wood-fired mains Pizza Ambiance & location Full menu Related restaurants FAQ
Quick answers

Contessa Boston at a glance

The four things guests most often ask about Contessa Boston, answered quickly.

Signature pasta
Tagliatelle al Ragu

Hand-rolled tagliatelle with slow-braised Bolognese. The dish guests mention most often in reviews.

Most popular starter
Burrata & Polpo alla Griglia

House burrata and grilled octopus with white bean puree are the standout antipasti.

Best for sharing
Bistecca Fiorentina

Wood-fired T-bone, market-priced by weight. Designed for two or more; reserve in advance.

Vegetarian pick
Cacio e Pepe

Tonnarelli tossed tableside with aged Pecorino and Parmigiano. A Roman classic done with care.

Signature dishes

The dishes that define Contessa Boston's menu

Six dishes drawn from press coverage, guest reviews, and the restaurant's own positioning as of 2026. If you're visiting for the first time, these are where to start.

Signature Pasta

Tagliatelle al Ragu

Hand-rolled tagliatelle with a slow-braised Bolognese of beef and pork, finished with Parmigiano-Reggiano. The dish that defines Contessa's pasta program and appears in nearly every review.

Roman Classic

Cacio e Pepe

Tonnarelli pasta finished tableside with aged Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and freshly cracked black pepper. Simple, precise, and one of the best ways to judge a kitchen.

Wood-Fired Seafood

Branzino al Forno

Whole roasted Mediterranean sea bass with capers, olives, cherry tomatoes, and lemon. A classic Italian preparation elevated by the restaurant's wood-fire technique.

For Sharing

Bistecca Fiorentina

Florentine-style T-bone or Porterhouse cut, finished over wood fire with rosemary and extra-virgin olive oil. Market-priced by weight; best reserved in advance for groups.

Seafood Pasta

Lobster Ravioli

House-made ravioli filled with Maine lobster and ricotta in a saffron lobster bisque. A showcase for both the pasta and the local New England seafood program.

Classic Dessert

Tiramisu della Casa

Classic tiramisu with mascarpone cream, espresso-soaked ladyfingers, and cocoa. A benchmark dessert executed to Italian standards.

Setting & ambiance

A refined Italian dining room in Back Bay

Contessa Boston occupies the ground-floor dining space of the Newbury Boston hotel at 1 Newbury Street, one of Boston's most prestigious addresses. The interior channels warm Italian-Mediterranean hospitality: marble surfaces, soft lighting, an open kitchen or wood-fire station, and an overall atmosphere that is elegant without being stiff.

The restaurant draws hotel guests, Boston-area professionals, and celebrants of special occasions in roughly equal measure. Outdoor terrace seating on Newbury Street is a draw during warmer months. The wine program focuses on Italian regions — Barolo, Chianti Classico, Brunello, Amarone, and a curated white selection anchored by Vermentino and Pinot Grigio.

  • Address: 1 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
  • Neighborhood: Back Bay
  • Hotel: Newbury Boston
  • Dress code: Smart casual to business casual
  • Reservations: Strongly recommended
  • Outdoor seating: Seasonal Newbury Street terrace
  • Wine: Extensive Italian wine list
Browse the menu

Jump to a category

All menu categories at Contessa Boston.

Antipasti6 itemsPaste (Handmade Pasta)7 itemsSecondi (Main Courses)6 itemsPizza & Wood-Fired Dishes4 itemsContorni (Sides)4 itemsDolci (Desserts)4 itemsCocktails & Beverages5 items
The full menu

Contessa Boston full menu by course (2026)

All categories below — antipasti, handmade pasta, wood-fired mains, pizza, sides, desserts, and cocktails. Descriptions are drawn from press coverage and publicly available menu snapshots.

About pricing. Contessa Boston does not publish a full priced menu publicly online. Based on guest-reported data and press coverage gathered as of May 2026, antipasti and pasta courses typically run $18–$38, and main courses $38–$65+. The Bistecca Fiorentina is market-priced by weight. Expect dinner for two with wine to run $150–$250 or more. Always confirm current pricing directly with the restaurant at contessaboston.com or by calling ahead.
Dietary guide

Vegetarian, vegan, and dietary-restriction dining at Contessa Boston

Several dishes are vegetarian as served: Cacio e Pepe, Gnocchi di Patate, Insalata Stagionale, Margherita and Quattro Formaggi pizzas, Tartufo Nero pizza, and all four desserts. The contorni (sides) are mostly vegan. The kitchen is generally accommodating for dietary restrictions and allergies — inform your server in advance.

  • Vegetarian pastas: Cacio e Pepe, Gnocchi di Patate
  • Vegetarian pizza: Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, Tartufo Nero
  • Vegan sides: Roasted potatoes, grilled broccolini, sauteed spinach, mushrooms
  • Seafood-forward: Crudo del Giorno, Branzino al Forno, Lobster Ravioli, Linguine alle Vongole
  • Inform staff of allergies when booking and upon seating
About Contessa Boston

Italian-Mediterranean hospitality at the Newbury Boston hotel

Contessa Boston opened as the signature restaurant of the Newbury Boston, a luxury hotel at 1 Newbury Street in the city's storied Back Bay neighborhood. The concept centers on the warmth and precision of Italian-Mediterranean cooking: handmade pastas crafted daily, wood-fired proteins and seafood, Neapolitan-influenced pizzas, and a wine list rooted in Italy's premier appellations.

The kitchen emphasizes seasonal sourcing — New England seafood (Maine lobster, littleneck clams), local market vegetables — and pairs it with Italian technique and classic Roman and Bolognese preparations. Its location on Newbury Street, steps from the Public Garden and the boutiques of Boston's most prominent shopping corridor, makes it a natural choice for special occasions, business dining, and hotel guests seeking a true taste of elevated Italian cooking in Boston.

$$$Price range
Back BayNeighborhood
ItalianCuisine
1 NewburyAddress
Common questions

Contessa Boston — frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Contessa Boston's location, menu, pricing, reservations, dress code, and dietary options.

Where is Contessa Boston located?

Contessa Boston is located at 1 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116, inside the Newbury Boston hotel in the Back Bay neighborhood. It is steps from the Public Garden and easily accessible from the Arlington (Green Line) and Hynes Convention Center (Green Line) MBTA stations.

What kind of food does Contessa Boston serve?

Contessa Boston serves upscale Italian-Mediterranean cuisine — including handmade pastas (tagliatelle al ragu, cacio e pepe, lobster ravioli), wood-fired dishes (branzino, bistecca Fiorentina, Neapolitan-style pizzas), premium New England and Mediterranean seafood, and an extensive Italian wine list.

How much does dinner at Contessa Boston cost?

Contessa Boston is a fine-dining establishment with pricing in the upper-upscale range ($$$–$$$$). Based on publicly reported guest experiences as of 2025–2026, antipasti and pasta courses typically run $18–$38, main courses $38–$65+, and the Bistecca Fiorentina is market-priced by weight. Expect a dinner-for-two with wine to run $150–$250+. Confirm current pricing with the restaurant directly.

Does Contessa Boston take reservations?

Yes. Contessa Boston accepts reservations — recommended, especially for weekends and special occasions. Reservations can typically be made via the official website at contessaboston.com or through third-party booking platforms. Walk-in seating at the bar is generally available for smaller parties.

Is there a dress code at Contessa Boston?

Contessa Boston has a smart casual to business casual dress code, reflecting its hotel-dining setting. Guests are expected to be neatly dressed; athletic wear and beachwear are not appropriate. For special occasions or the dining room, smart evening attire is recommended.

Does Contessa Boston have vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes. Several menu items are vegetarian — including the Cacio e Pepe, Margherita pizza, Quattro Formaggi pizza, Tartufo Nero pizza, Gnocchi di Patate, and Insalata Stagionale. Vegan options include most of the contorni (sides) such as roasted potatoes, grilled broccolini, and sauteed spinach. The kitchen is generally accommodating; guests with dietary restrictions are encouraged to inform their server.

What is the ambiance like at Contessa Boston?

Contessa Boston occupies a stylish dining room in the Newbury Boston hotel, featuring warm Italian-inspired design with marble accents, soft lighting, an open kitchen or wood-fire element, and a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere. The restaurant draws a mix of hotel guests, Boston professionals, and special-occasion diners. It is ideal for romantic dinners, business meals, and celebrating milestones.

Does Contessa Boston have outdoor seating?

Contessa Boston offers seasonal outdoor seating on its terrace overlooking Newbury Street — one of Boston's most desirable dining settings. Outdoor seating is available during warmer months (typically May through October, weather permitting). Confirm availability when booking.

Is Contessa Boston good for a special occasion?

Yes. Contessa Boston is widely regarded as one of Boston's top choices for special occasions — romantic dinners, anniversaries, birthdays, and business entertaining. The combination of handmade pastas, refined seafood, an extensive wine list, and the elegant Newbury Street hotel setting makes it a popular upscale destination in the Back Bay.

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