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    Olivia's Bistro

    4.4 (240 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM

    Olivia's Bistro Italian Restaurant Photos

    OLIVIA'S BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Romantic
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Olivia's Bistro

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    two glasses of wine and a menu
    Erica L.

    Their pasta is amazing. You definitely need to make a reservation ahead, or hope to sit at the bar! It is small and very popular so it is lucky to get a seat at the bar depending on the time. The pizza I've had before was also delicious.

    Tagliatelle Bolognese
    Susan D.

    I've lived in the area for years but this is the first time I've tried Olivia's. I had an early weeknight dinner- street parking was easy and there were only a few other diners. I was deciding between the Bolognese and a pizza - the server advised the Bolognese was amazing. I took the recommendation and it was fantastic. I took 1/2 of it home (in a very sturdy reusable take out container). The limoncello martini was very (strong) good. The bread and oil was pretty average- nothing notable. The tiramisu was recommended but too filling- the raspberry sorbetto was perfect. Service was friendly and attentive. Seating was comfy and there was a nice bar area. Will definitely be back to try the pizza.

    Roast broccolini and roast carrots

    We had a lovely outdoor dinner. Hubby's vegan mushroom pizza tasted as good as regular pizza. My mushroom tagliatelle was excellent. The roast broccolini and roast carrots were a little undercooked for my taste. Hubby was grateful for the vegan menu Leah, our waitress, was pleasant.

    Colin P.

    Grabbed a seat at the bar no problem. Fantastic neighborhood vibes. Heard multiple parties on a first name basis with the staff - super cool Italian joint! highly recommend the pizza. Gnocchi was a bit rich, but not a big deal!

    Megan H.

    This is the perfect spot for a date night, small and intimate setting with some delicious food. I'll say it's a bit pricey however how delicious the food was and my wife raved about their limoncello martini. My wife is gluten free and they had a great gluten free and even vegan options! We sat at the bar for an early dinner and the service was great. In a very convenient location for us we will definitely be back.

    Margarita Pizza
    Srinithi R.

    I wanted to try a new spot in Newton and found this place online and I was not disappointed. I was seated at the bar bc it was very busy on a Thursday night, so I do recommend making reservations. I was still presented with a full menu at the bar and I got truffle fries, a margarita pizza and a drink. I really enjoyed my truffle fries and would get it again!

    3 meat Bolognese with a wonderful sauce.

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    1 month ago

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    5 months ago

    We had really good food, fun casual ambiance, great pizza! The service was great as well.

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    8 months ago

    A fortunate neighborhood find. The food service atmosphere all terrific. Would return again, enjoyable casual environment.

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    7 months ago

    Our go to place for Italian food, especially pizza, in Newton. Very good service, and a nice selection from the menu.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

    Good food & service. Always like the food and drinks they have. Easy street parking to find and is a neighborhood gem

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Olivia's Bistro

    Does the bistro accommodate patrons with allergies to nuts, seeds, dairy, wheat and shellfish?

    Do any of the chairs have comfortable cushions?

    No. This is one of the best restaurants in the city for food and service but the comfortableness of the seating ranks near the bottom

    View All 3 Questions

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    Tonino - Wow

    Tonino

    4.7(128 reviews)
    5.6 miJamaica Plain

    Another 10/10 visit to Tonino in the books!…read more It's such a hard reservation to get, but so worth it. I'm actually getting salivating while posting this review and looking back at my food pictures. I get the Eggplant & Ricotta Pizza as my appetizer and the Rigatoni Amatriciana as my entree each time I go - because they're consistently amazing. The service is always warm and friendly, and I also love the music playlist they play. Believe the hype & come to Tonino!!

    People rave about this place being better than the north end; I would say it's definitely more…read moreoriginal, and the approach to food is much more intentional. However, I don't know that it lived up to the hype that I anticipated. We got the pizza Bianca with ricotta with hot honey, which was basically just like plain toasted focaccia and ricotta (wasn't anything to write home about). The taleggio was 100% our least favorite and we didn't even finish half. We had asked the waiter to describe taste profile, which they said was a "little funky" and had asked for clarification if it was closer to blue cheese. Once it arrived, it was like a verrrrrry strong/stinky Brie on the inside. The balsamic didn't really contribute to the taste at all. Sad that we didn't like this/kinda made me feel yucky after eating. The cavatelli was very good- nice light creamy sauce with the sausage and bitter broccolini. Very well balanced. Forgot to take a pic of the tiramisu but it was good, too! It's kinda salty (they add sea salt to the top). Drink menu was limited. Had two different glasses of red wine but wish they had something more full bodied on the menu!

    Photos
    Tonino - Interior

    Interior

    Tonino - Countneck Clams

    Countneck Clams

    Tonino - Countneck Clams

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    Countneck Clams

    Jinny's Pizzeria

    Jinny's Pizzeria

    4.5(101 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    You had me at Spiced Carrot Soup!…read more Jinny's Pizzeria located in Newton Centre and steps away from where I work is the place to be. With excellent pizza, service and a great cocktail and wine menu, everything they offer is excellent. We have been only a few times mainly because this place gets so jam packed that it is hard to get a table. Small, quaint and cute neightborhood gem. You can tell all the locals flock to this place every weekend. The bar is also perfect to grab a quick bite and it is first come first serve. Move over Tatte because this Spiced Carrot Soup was phenomenal. And, I mean it. From asking the owner to "how do I make this at home" to practically wanting to order another bowl. And, don't get me started on their homemade foccacia bread that came with it. Every dunk of this bread into the luscious soup had me craving more and more. Best part, I was actually full. Hallelujah! All I have to say is head to Jinny's for their pizza, but don't forget they have a whole menu to choose from as well. And, everything tastes great and is nice and fresh. You will definitely stay awhile eating and drinking here at this cozy spot. Cheers~

    My partner and I shared the wood-fired chicken wings plus ranch dip, allá Norma pizza, and…read moresun-dried tomato pizza - TASTE: 4/5 - favorite was the Norma pizza's eggplant and smoked mozzarella, so good! Appreciated the buttermilk ranch to dip the pizza crusts into, though the Calabrian chili glaze on the wings was just alright. When we came a couple years ago, we were obsessed w the sun-dried tomato, but it didn't hit the same this time -- they've since added arugula, and the burrata and tomato sauce seem different TEXTURE: 4/5 - wish there was maybe more tomato sauce on the sun-dried tomato pizza? Otherwise, light dough and chewy crusts PRICE: 4/5 - came to $80 total. Prob wouldn't get the $4 ranch again lol SERVING SIZE: 4/5 - about 20 small wings in the order, more than we expected. Took half the pizzas home for leftovers SERVICE: 4/5 - walked in at 4:30pm on a Sunday and thankfully most of the seating at the counter was open. Food came out 10-15min after ordering ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 - narrow space w maybe 20 seats. We were so charmed by the family photos on the wall and custom wallpaper; such wonderful personal touches! PARKING: 4/5 - got a metered street spot right on Centre St

    Photos
    Jinny's Pizzeria - Inside, owner allows kids to draw a picture and she puts in the frame to display it

    Inside, owner allows kids to draw a picture and she puts in the frame to display it

    Jinny's Pizzeria - Wood-fired chicken wings

    Wood-fired chicken wings

    Jinny's Pizzeria - Caesar salad

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    Caesar salad

    Bar 'Cino Watertown - Bomboloni

    Bar 'Cino Watertown

    4.3(105 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Came w a friend and got the picky pear drink, bomboloni, and scrambled eggs & fontina grilled pizza…read more- TASTE: 3/5 - couldn't taste the pear in my drink, and thought the pizza was missing seasoning: the potatoes were tasty, but the garlic aioli didn't come through. Loved the lemon curd filling and sweetness of the bombolini TEXTURE: 4/5 - liked how thin the grilled pizza was PRICE: 4/5 - standard brunch prices. My total came to $38 SERVING SIZE: 4/5 - much larger pizza than I expected SERVICE: 3/5 - made an OpenTable reservation beforehand for 11:30am brunch on a Sunday, and there lots of open tables upon walking in. Service was a bit slow: drinks came out 15min after ordering, and food 40min after that ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 - large open & airy space w an elevated Italian vibe PARKING: 5/5 - plenty of parking in the lot behind!

    I attempted to dine here just before 6pm on a Wed night. I was asked if I wanted to sit at the bar…read morebut noticed it was very crowded and didn't see any seats available. I've had mixed service experiences when previously dining at their bar. I asked for a table since I saw many open and was told they didn't have tables for one. As a single female diner, this happens at many restaurants. I suggested it wasn't the best idea to force single females to sit at the bar if tables were available. The two female employees didn't say no tables were available or offer suggestions (such as having me wait for an open table or reserving a table for me within 30 mins). A man came over to help- later identifying himself as the manager. He said nothing was available for one and he clarified that all tables were reserved. Again, no offer to have me wait for a table. I walked around and there were no seats open at the bar. I did photograph many open tables that may have been reserved. I also checked the reservation system after leaving- they could have offered me a later reservation as demonstrated by the photo. But they didn't. Again it seemed there was little interest in a solo diner except at the bar. It was clear they didn't need or want the solo business. My advice is to make a reservation and perhaps consider other nearby options when dining solo. The food has been good during my previous visits but this type of experience sours that memory.

    Photos
    Bar 'Cino Watertown - Where the magic happens

    Where the magic happens

    Bar 'Cino Watertown - Picky pear drinks and complimentary bread

    Picky pear drinks and complimentary bread

    Bar 'Cino Watertown - Outside view

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    Outside view

    Olivia's Bistro - italian - Updated June 2026

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