***Note: AMEX not accepted here!*** Visited Semolina Kitchen & Bar in Medford for dinner after spending the day at the beach! We didn't make a reservation ahead of time but there was no wait time luckily for us when we went. Our server was very kind and she gave us some great recs! We ordered the following dishes to try: - semolina fried calamari - za'atar cacio e pepe - margherita pizza - crispy pancetta pizza (added sausage) - fried cod sando (to go) The pizzas were absolutely delicious and were a good size. I personally had the za'atar cacio e pepe and added mushrooms. It was flavorful and the pasta tasted very fresh. The only thing I wished was that I had added a protein, as well lol. Like some chicken or shrimp would've been lovely. The calamari was the perfect starter dish for us to share. We really enjoyed this calamari! It came with a spicy cherry pepper aioli and the dip was very addictive. I didn't personally find it to be spicy but it paired sooo well with the calamari. Something that I found cool about Semolina Kitchen & Bar is that they are a scratch kitchen and make most things from scratch here! The pasta is made fresh and delivered daily from a local supplier, Dave's Fresh Pasta. We had an amazing meal here and will definitely be back again! Parking: street parking read more

See all

Managed to get a table in 5 minutes after our beach day with no reservations. It was really busy during the early dinner time, packed house! Our hostess was very nice, and our server as well! Food came out timely, hot and fresh! The calamari was so yummy, fresh, light, crispy with a nice aioli dip. Also grabbed margarita and crispy pancetta with sausage (additional topping). The pizza dough was nice, held its shape and didn't flop over spilling the toppings. Had a bit of a crisp bite and nice chew, finished the crust too! The pasta we added mushrooms, al dente, the Pepe pasta. I forget what it was actually called haha but it was tasty with a nice portion! The lady enjoyed it so! The ginger ale bottles were tasty and bubbly! Def be back read more

See all

Walking distance from Tufts University. It has a Bus Shuttle stop in front of restaurant. They have inside and outside dining area. It was such a nice Boston day that we asked the friendly staff to be seated outside on a shade. We shared 2 pasta dishes for light lunch. The focaccia bread was good but I prefer unsliced. Babaganoush tasted more like Humus. Pasta was cooked well and tasted a homemade pasta. read more

See all

Wandering around Yelp and found this gem. It's by Tufts and on a Saturday night, parking on the street was easy. We had a reservation (highly recommend) and were seated immediately. Nice table. Took almost 10 minutes for the server to come and ask about drinks. No bread or oil to the table. We ordered cheese fries and the cheesy garlic toast. Both were delicious and the portions were large. She ordered a cod sandwich which was huge. I was told it was delicious. I ordered the eggplant pizza and he the Margherita. The dough was fantastic, just enough chew in it but not tough. We finished our meal and again waited a bit before the server came by and asked if we wanted anything else. Overall the food was fantastic, service a bit pokey. Overall ambiance was chill, nice environment and you could have a conversation. If you are in the area, add it to your list! read more

See all

Food: The pasta allá vodka was my favorite. Their noodles were so so good, sauce was cooked to perfection. The zucchini flowers were also good, just a bit pricey for the portion. Service: Waitresses were friendly, food was also fast. Ambiance: Loved it. So many windows, tons of seating, great vibes with awesome 2000s good vibes playlist, clean bathrooms. Would recommend to anyone. read more

See all

Ordered the garden salad based on the menu picture, which looks like there was a mixture of greens and a sprinkling of herbs. No, the "greens" were iceberg lettuce only, and it was a little wilted. No herbs. Totally bland dressing for a flavorless salad. I picked it up to eat at home and tried to dress it up with mushrooms, basil and feta to no avail. Just a very boring salad. And who even serves iceberg lettuce in the middle of this Cyclosporiasis outbreak? read more

A wonderful choice for a business lunch. The staff is attentive, accommodating, and genuinely kind. The daily specials are always a highlight, and the food is consistently fresh and delicious. My only suggestion would be to add more seafood options beyond pasta dishes. Parking can be challenging during the school year, but it becomes much easier after graduation. Overall, a lovely restaurant with excellent food and service. read more

See all

Had a caesar salad and half portion of the shrimp pappardelle for dinner and it was a good meal. The caesar was dressed well with crisp romaine that was cut in pieces that were easy to eat and topped with a few salty anchovies. There were 4 succulent shrimps in the pappardelle and the pasta was nice and toothsome, but the sauce left a bit to be desired as it was very butter forward which overpowered any acidity from the white wine. Service was fast and friendly and the ambiance here is always lovely. Solid neighborhood spot that uses quality ingredients, it's just a bit pricey unless you're splitting a pizza. read more

See all

Food and drinks are really good but the service is a bit lacking. We didn't have a reservation so there was a 30 min wait for a table (expected on a Friday night at 6pm). We were told we could get a drink while we waited which we said we definitely wanted. Was told someone would come by to take our drink order.... That never happened. Tried to ask someone about it but all the staff kind of had their heads down doing other things. When we got sat at the table, it took probably 15 minutes for someone to greet us and take our drink order. The actual drinks and food came out pretty fast, and the service was fine after that, but definitely a bummer to be sitting around the first 45 mins there without any drink or anything! read more

I wish I could leave a review in sections. Our server was great! She was extremely busy but was super attentive. We ordered French fries (very good) and wings (delicious). I ordered the crispy pancetta pizza. It wasn't impressive by any means. This pizza has pancetta, of course, but truthfully I didn't taste it at all. The Romano cream; balsamic reduction, and fresh thyme were not standout ingredients either. It was very very bland. A good note - if you take it home and add your own toppings to it, it reheats well in the oven. read more

Semolina Kitchen & Bar - Grilled Chicken Wings - Pizza Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts

See all

The food was beyond my expectations as was the service and staff Great energetic atmosphere topped off our visit Highly recommend read more

Excellent experience with Semolina catering for my daughter's graduation. It was a delight to work with Christina who is incredibly professional and accommodating. From menu recommendations to beautifully presented appetizers and main course items, the food was fresh and delicious! read more

tl;dr excellent pasta and great pizza along with a warm ambiance. Will be back for more! My partner and I went to Semolina on a Friday night at 7pm. We were initially hesitant to go without a reservation (they seemed booked out for weeks for the weekends), but to our pleasant surprise, when we showed up, they had a few tables ready to go! Turns out that they hold the bar as well as an additional enclosed tent area for walk-ins, so there's way more availability than what the website may suggest (which is a good thing!). We ordered the Strawberry Blossom Gimlet and Sister Spritz (NA) to kick it off, both of which were excellent. For food, we split the Spinach Ricotta pizza and a Pasta alla Vodka. The pizza was tasty and got the job done in its own right, but the Pasta alla Vodka was the true star of the show. Not overly creamy yet packed with flavor, and the pancetta crumbs (which I swapped out for a vegetarian version) combined with basil provided an excellent boost to the texture. Really just excellently done. I look forward to returning and trying out their other pastas as well as the vodka pizza which had also caught my eye on the menu. read more

See all

The food was delicious no matter what you choose from chicken wings to pasta. Everything is delicious but proportions are small.

Semolina Kitchen is such a cute neighborhood restaurant. The atmosphere and vibe inside is so warm and inviting. The menu is incredible and has many great options, and if that wasn't enough, their selection of specials are plentiful and all sounded so so good, making it tough to choose! I started with the Midnite Cruiser cocktail (tequila blanco / Aperol / cucumber / pineapple / lime) and I loved it. The bread for the table was fresh and delicious and we ordered the Burrata salad and caesar salad to go with it to start. I went with the Sausage, Spinach & Shallot white pizza as my main and the flavor was a fantastic. I just wish it was a touch more well done and crispier. Overall a great restaurant, excellent food, and top tier service. I'll definitely be back. read more

See all

I hate writing negative reviews, but I had such a bad meal at Semolina that I feel compelled to do so. I've had good food here in the past, so I don't know what happened. Fried chicken sandwich: chicken (two breast tenders) was so dry it was tough. Also under-seasoned and bland, with extremely basic toppings (lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo). The fries were decent and salty. Za'atar cacio e pepe pasta: I'd normally not order cacio e pepe at a restaurant, because it's so easy to make at home, but I love za'atar so I went for it. The overwhelming flavor was bitterness, and it was otherwise bland and under-seasoned. The pasta itself was good, because Dave's fresh pasta is good. Veggie lover's pizza: this was fine. I prefer a chewier crust, but that's just personal taste. Especially at this price point, such poor-quality dishes are inexcusable. At least the portions weren't large. I won't be returning to Semolina or recommending it to others. read more

I've been obsessed with Semolina for their locally sourced, fresh pasta served with high quality ingredients I LOVED their seafood fra diavolo but the pasta alla vodka stole the show the pasta itself had such a great texture that clung perfectly to every sauce and of course was topped with fresh basil For starters you just have to try their cheesy caprese toast (nut allergy), fried Semolina calamari, or buttermilk fried chicken which came with this ranch aioli dip that we could not get enough of The restaurant itself has lots of seating but beware of a wait during peak dinner times! Overall, I enjoyed their pasta selection and will be back to try more read more

Was excited to check out this cute spot and was not disappointed. Friendly service, interesting food and drink options. Was looking for lighter fare so opted for chicken wings, burrata and fried cod sandwich - everything was delicious, especially the chicken wings. They serve Dave's fresh pasta so I will have to come back to try more of their menu items. We didn't have reservations but was offered bar seating, hightops or their outdoor space which was heated. So if you are looking for a sit down experience recommend you make a reservation. Street parking available.o read more

See all

Best meal we had on our recent trip to the Boston area--and it's not even close. Slid into semolina on a bitterly cold wintery March afternoon. We were greeted warmly by Jacqueline. She escorted us to a very nicely decorated outdoor patio area which I was worried about due to the weather. But, I was totally wrong as it was fully enclosed and had a fantastic heater. As we have two small kiddos the extra space was appreciated. The meal did not disappoint. We ordered; honey rosemary wings, Burrata with Serrano ham and squash, chicken shawarma salad, and the STAR of the show lobster pasta with vodka sauce. Place isn't cheap but I'll gladly pay $43 for a whole lobster with fresh pasta doused in a dynamite vodka sauce. My wife and I both agreed it was our favorite meal of the trip as our adorable daughter caught on to our praise and insisted we try her "amazing" grilled cheese sandwich. Gotta love the kiddos... To end the meal, Jacqueline came out and chatted us up for a bit and totally surprised us with an insanely delicious and decadent bread pudding with vanilla Icecream. This was a fantastic way to end our east coast journey. I will 1000% be back next time I travel to the northeast. Thank you Semolina staff, I will be dreaming of the lobster pasta. Until we meet again... read more

See all

Semolina was just wonderful! I have food allergies and the staff was so attentive and they suggested delicious food on the menu I could enjoy. Loved it! So grateful to them. read more

Pleasant place.. Good food.. Service charges? Kitchen Appreciation.. 3%.. OK 5 people .. automatic 20%. not OK Just letting people know ahead of going there Tipping should possibly be 15% to start and then add on? read more

Every single time I've called the hosts are always frosty and unhelpful. However, dinner and cocktails are great and every server I've had has been wonderful. Perhaps the hosts could benefit from some hospitality training! read more

This is one of the very best restaurants in the Boston area. Everything on the menu is great, the specials are always great, the cocktails are amazing, and the staff is all very friendly. This is our go to place. Everyone should go here and leave a really good tip for these wonderful people. I love the mortadella pistachio pizza which is sometimes on special and I always get a marzano martini but everything is fantastic. It's like 20-30$ per person without drinks which is super reasonable for the Boston area. read more

I came here for a pizza making class and it was SO fun. The whole restaurant is reserved for the class (and the restaurant is adorable). 2 people are staffed on the class - a bartender and a chef. The bartender provided excellent service to the event and the chef led a very positive cooking experience. The chef encouraged creative liberty, so each person in the class made a pretty unique pizza. Mine was delicious and I had a great time making it! read more

Semolina Kitchen & Bar - Pizzas - Pizza Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts

You know this place is going to great, one block away, you can smell how delicious their bread, fresh pasta, & pizzas are going to be The meatballs were flavorful & tender, ricotta fluffy & seasoned, sauce not too heavy The grilled focaccia is wow, ordered extra for the red sauce left over. Service is warm & attentive Pizza was fire, the crust deserves it own order! Crust so good it can be a standalone app read more

See all

I had a fantastic time at Semolina. I was initially a little worried because all the reservations were gone, but I called the restaurant and they said they reserve half the restaurant for walk ins so that was GREAT to hear. Our waitress was incredibly attentive and kind. I got the Aleakis wine which was fruity, but I wish it was a little colder. Nevertheless it was a good pour which I appreciated. We shared the vodka pizza, fries, and banana pudding which was excellent. All more than enough to share with two people. The high top tables are a little small for a place that has such a big pizza menu so things were a little cramped at the table but we made it work. The restaurant had a great interior and low lights making it a great date or night our spot. There seemed to be ample street parking right outside the restaurant as well. I would definitely return. read more

I met two friends here for lunch today and it did not disappoint! The staff was very friendly and accommodating, the food was fantastic and the cocktails were superb. Lots of variety in the menu, especially for vegetarians but meat eaters will be happy as well. I also appreciated the overall vibe of the place. It's not a huge restaurant, but a nice size, with a high ceiling. A lot of restaurants around here feel kind of claustrophobic to me but this one was great and I didn't feel like I was on top of people like I usually do. So, short story, if you're thinking of going, the place is great! Highly recommended. read more

Went in early April on a Saturday afternoon for lunch and food and service were excellent. The menu was fantastic and I could have picked 6 things and been happy. I had thought it was strictly Italian (from the name) but they offered a great selection of Italian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. It was early April so outside seating wasn't an option but I can imagine when the weather gets warmer - it'll be a great spot for outside dining. Big thumbs up. read more

Really amazing food. We got takeout but the vibes were so cute inside I want to go back to eat there! We got the vodka pasta and the sausage & onion pizza. 10/10 some of the best pizza I've had! read more

Upscale Mediterranean with great service! The atmosphere is open and trendy. It's very clean! The food was fresh and good. We have a unique allergy and they were very accommodating. We really enjoyed this place! read more

What a cute place! I love the plants and fairy lights! Seating can be a bit cramped and close to others so not the place to go if you want more privacy. I ordered one of the specials the corn and feta salad and it was soooo flavorful and fresh. I got a side of fries and they were so good. My husband got a pizza and also really enjoyed it. read more

Semolina Kitchen & Bar - Corn and feta salad - Pizza Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts

See all

This is a long overdue shout-out to Semolina's which has been our 'go to' neighborhood restaurant for several years now. Yes, the food is great, with varying delicious specials offered each week, as is the atmosphere, but it's the staff that make it special. The bar staff are great, both attentive and personable. Claudio orchestrates everything that happens in the kitchen, keeping things moving with a great team working with him. He's warm/friendly and it's always a pleasure to see him! Lastly, Audrey! She is the BEST! Every restaurant should have an Audrey on their team, the problem with that is she's truly one-of-a-kind! She goes the extra mile for customers and takes care of anything that's needed. I recently saw her outside videoing landmarks with her phone to share with a customer so they could more easily find the restaurant. I am grateful that Semolina's survived Covid and continues to provide quality food at a reasonable price! Thanks. read more

Absolute god-send after a long, traffic-riddled road trip from New York. We came here on the later end of a weekday lunch so it was pretty empty and our food came out promptly. Love that they serve Boylan sodas - definitely a throwback to my law school days when I guzzled the sodas like water (yeah, definitely peak health for me). I've been on a Caesar salad kick and will always order that off the menu if I see it. Semolina's version adds anchovies and a good sprinkling of parm-reg, and the dressing wasn't too heavy-handed. Also tried the tuna melt, which came on a nicely toasted sesame braided roll - the first few bites were delicious but then it got kind of heavy. My favorite was the fried chicken sandwich. I loved the beautiful brioche bun and how well it held up, and the fresh toppings of lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Bonus point for serving the fries with both ketchup AND mayo if you want to get fancy with the McDonalds mix. The one nit is with the parking situation. There's supposedly parking for customers but, in the lot right next to the restaurant, the signs all read Tufts Reserved or Semolina employee. There were two unmarked lanes without any signs but for fear of being towed, we just opted for the street parking. Some clearer signage would go a long way. I'd want to come back to try the pies, they looked incredible. read more

See all

I cannot say enough good things about this place! It is so cozy, great for a date night! The food is INCREDIBLE!!! We got the garlic bread, Caesar salad and two pasta dishes! The penne alla vodka has the best sauce EVER! The cannolis were AMAZING! The service is incredible from the hostess to the bartenders to our amazing server Kelsey! She was so friendly, attentive and just such a sweet person! Cannot wait to come back! read more

Semolina Kitchen & Bar - Cannoli - Pizza Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts

See all

Perfect for an impromptu study lunch or a night out! I can't go here and not get the cacio e Pepe! Servers are always kind and efficient!

Meh, the food's not bad, but it is pricey. The draft beer selection is pretty good. That said, you'll have a difficult time finding a nastier group of hosts/hostesses than this place. They really need to train their staff better. If you're looking for decent food this place will do. If you're looking for good service, don't go here. read more

Semolina is a very cute restaurant- perfect for a date or a get together with friends. The staff are super nice & consistently checking in on customers. There's an extensive food menu & drink menu to choose from. I appreciate the multiple appetizers to share with others. My friend and I ordered our own pasta dishes (I ordered the Cacio e Pepe with chicken) & we shared the calamari & cheesy garlic bread. The quantity of food is very generous. read more

Semolina Kitchen & Bar - Cacio E Pepe with chicken - Pizza Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts

The cutest restaurant for a meal out without breaking the bank! I loved the rustic interior, kind servers, and range of food and drink options. My friend and I went to Semolina for dinner on a Friday night. We had a reservation and were immediately seated. We ordered a martini and strawberry blossom gimlet for drinks, and calamari, shrimp papardelle, and cacio e pepe for food. Everything tasted fresh and high quality and the portions were huge! We took home 3 boxes for lunch the next day after hanging around for 2.5 hours. read more

Semolina Kitchen & Bar - Cacio E Pepe - Pizza Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts

See all

Food and drinks are pretty good, though a little pricey for the portion, and I liked that they feature specials that use seasonal vegetables. I ate at the bar, and the bar staff in a particular are especially lovely and truly went out of their way to make sure I had a terrific meal. As some other reviews have noted, the reservation system is very confusing. I went without a reservation and said that I was happy to sit at the bar. Host told me that was not possible and I should sign up for the waitlist, which was 30 minutes. 20 minutes in, my wait time had an additional 45 minutes tacked onto it. Walked in after waiting outside for an hour. Host said they could seat me immediately because the bar was open seating. I had assumed the bar was also reservation only, based on the conversation I had had with them before. Host said seats had just opened up, but the bar definitely had people who had walked in after me, who were already eating. The reservation system also never texted me back. This was a really frustrating experience, but I assume there was some kind of an honest miscommunication here. I would just recommend checking in with the host and reminding them you're there, if you end up waiting longer than expected. read more

Food was good but forgot leftovers at the table and tried to call but no answer and came back ten minutes later and they were thrown out :( sad experience read more