Only a small brass plate attached to the side a what otherwise looks like a guest house announces Ventuno to pedestrians. The restaurant within gives off a cozy simple vibe. There are two floors of dining space including a wine room table that seems to fit 12-14 guests for private parties. My sister & I were warmly greeted by the hostess and taken to our table on the second floor. We had the floor to ourselves for the moment as we had a 5:45pm reservation...by the time we left (7ish) the floor was entirely occupied. Make a reservation. We both started with a salad. I had an outstanding Caesar with just the right balance of anchovy & lemon. Each romaine leaf gently glazed with the dressing. My sister had the estiva composed of peaches, cherries, plums with whipped ricotta, arugula, radicchio and balsamic. Both were exceptional. I ordered the mafaldi pasta (a thinner lasagna with ribboned edges) with an abundance of maitake, porcini and king trumpet mushrooms topped with thin shaved squares of Parmesan, fried rosemary and black truffles. Absolutely superb! My sister enjoyed a Pollo al Mattone which was a pan-seared chicken breast, chive spaetzle, spring peas, prosciutto crumble, parmigiano crema & ramp salsa verde. High level eye appeal and also delicious. The chicken exterior was crispy & golden and the flesh juicy. An excellent spot for authentic Italian food made to a very high standard. Our waitress, Emma, was attentive and personable. Ventuno represents one of my top 5 restaurants on Nantucket. Visit & experience it for yourself! read more

See all

Wow!! This place is AMAZING! One of the best meals we had on the island. They make all their pasta and seriously all the pasta dishes are good. My favorite is probably the tagliolini which was super fresh and didn't taste heavy which I was expecting. We also got a bunch of appetizers and everything was so delicious. The arancino is probably one of the best I've ever had. We had a large group and made a reservation pretty much a month in advance and we got a spot that was almost semi private upstairs. They took care of us really well. Also their desserts are so good! I enjoyed the crostata and the bombolocini with gelato. I think the halibut was good but a bit underwhelming compared to all the other things we got. If I return I'll get a pasta as my entree. Some of the best Italian food I've had!! read more

See all

Meatballs were excellent, short ribs were decent, ribeye was excellent and pork osso buco was excellent. Service was pretty good and the ambiance is casual and comfortable, if a bit loud. Wine list offered a lot of selections but honestly it seemed a bit overpriced for what was on it. Still, we enjoyed our meal here very much. I think we would return and bring guests along with us. read more

Such a great experience! Felt like you could be in the North End or West Village, but on an island getaway. The service really stood out as well. read more

See all

I am so unclear as to why this restaurant has so many terrible reviews. This spot was incredible from start to finish. We ordered ciabatta, stracciatella corn pizza dough, olives, arancini, mushrooms, insalata, rigatoni, risotto with lobster, scallops and shrimp. Everything was a 10/10. We seriously had no complaints. My favorite items on the table was the bread, corn pizza dough, insalata and risotto. But please don't let me forget about the torta di fragole for dessert. This was probably the most unique dessert I've had in a while. It was perfectly light & sweet, and the mixture of all the flavors was seriously decadent. I highly recommend for some really tasty and not overly heavy Italian food. The service was great and we felt super attended to. Definitely a spot you must go to while on the island! read more

Ventuno was the best dining experience we've had since arriving on the island. Every savory dish was absolutely amazing! We started with the Fall Burrata -- it was incredible. We completely cleaned the plate, and if we'd had bread, it would've been spotless. For our main courses, we shared the Agenello Lamb and the Bistecca 12 oz grilled ribeye. Both were phenomenal; we couldn't stop eating long enough to switch plates as planned! My only small complaint about the lamb is that I wish there had been a bit more meat and a little less fat. But I imagine that is what gave it the amazing flavor for the meat I did have. For dessert, we had the cheesecake, which unfortunately was a miss. It's usually my go-to for celebrating special occasions, but this version tasted more like a cheese board with jam than a classic creamy cheesecake. I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars only because we were celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary and my birthday, and despite my husband mentioning it, there was no acknowledgment from the staff. Still, the food was outstanding -- hands down, an island must-visit! Just opt for a different dessert spot. read more

See all

Five star experience- again! We came here right after we got engaged :) hostess gave us a great table, entire staff was ecstatic for us! The sommelier gave us a nice suggestion for bubbly to celebrate. Still waiting for them to add the Bucatini back to the menu as that was our favorite dish! read more

See all

Great first night on the island here! Cute atmosphere in an old house - but still lively by the bar area. Got the frito misto, bruschetta and olives to start. Found all the portions small for the price, but that's pretty standard across the board in Nantucket. They also were able to accommodate a fantastic mocktail which I appreciated being pregnant. The risotto frito di mare my husband ordered was definitely small, and we found the creamy sauce a bit bland and under-seasoned. Seafood all well cooked and fresh though. Standouts were the frito misto, bruschetta and the homemade pasta with chicken sausage and broccoli rabe - the fresh pasta was so original with the chicken, and delicious! read more

Let's be real: Nantucket is expensive and a lot of restaurants can get away with eh food at a high premium. However, we are 26 miles out to sea, so ya get what you get, and you don't get upset. And seemingly everyone's on vacation, so we best be feeling good. So, if you're like me, and want to make a last minute reservation, you take what you can get and in this case it was Ventuno. And while not my first choice, not even my second choice, hell, not my third either; I wasn't upset at it. I've enjoyed the back bar at Ventuno many of debaucherous nights and it's the best. I've eaten in the back bar/patio as well, and that fun, casual vibe sits in line with the fare. However, I recently ate in the more formal dining room and as one expects price didn't quite live up to the food. Although still good, it's good, not great. The burrata cheese plate was a great start, along with the fresh oysters. My friend and I passed on pastas and meat, and maybe that's where we went wrong? The fish was solid, but a small portion for that $50 price tag. Not only was it small, but it was a wee bit tough. Insert sad face emoji. And the side of Bartlett's Farm veggies were fine, albeit a bit boring. They are definitly not pushing boundaries and flavors here. The martinis were great, space is cramped and we had to ask them to fix the wobbly table. Overall, solid. It has that Nantucket charm and that was enough for a great night out. read more

Enjoyed dinner here night before last. What a great restaurant, this building used to be a home and it may still be for all I know at least upstairs but the downstairs, what were once rooms in a home are now dining areas with a limited amount of tables per room making it rather intimate. Staff was very attentive, the wine list was good also the music playing in the background was rather loud. I mean, not obnoxiously loud but just louder than I would expect for this type of establishment. Certainly not a dealbreaker! I had the Strozzapretti and it was really tasty! Best to make a reservation... read more

A culinary rollercoaster with hits and misses, where flavors danced, prices shocked (to be expected I guess), and service left us scratching our heads. Among the hits: - The burrata was delicately balanced and creamy, with crispy bread and a refreshing salad, it was a great start to the meal. - The pasta with sausage and broccolini showcased excellent cooking techniques and bold flavors. Although a tad oily. - The shrimp and scallops plate was cooked just right, and those fried capers? Brilliant move! They added a crispy briny pop that brought the whole dish together. - Their colossal steak was a beast of a dish, perfectly cooked and the only good value for money. Among the misses: - The lobster pasta, a big disappointment, perplexed my taste buds with its ill-fated combination of pea sauce and hummus. To make matters worse, the dish arrived cold, further detracting from its potential. - The arancini failed to make a lasting impression, lacking the desired depth of flavor and textural contrast, as well as the crostini with ricotta. The meal did not live up to its price tag. Also, I never include the service in my ratings, but I must mention the abysmal experience at Ventuno. From waitresses who couldn't hear a word we said to consistently mixed-up orders and peculiar rules, such as serving pasta with appetizers instead of the main course, the service left much to be desired. read more

See all

Good food and service. Nice menu options.The tables are very close together. Very small portions for the amount they are charging!

Another amazing restaurant in Nantucket. We came pretty late..around 9pm? There was about a 45 minute wait, but we made good use of our time and went to a bar around the street. When we came back, we were tipsy and ready to have a fantastic meal. The pasta here is actually incredible. We ordered a mushroom pasta and another pasta whose name I can't remember, but the entire meal was so flavorful and delicious. Service is really good despite how busy it is, and the entire restaurant is just so vibey. I love it, and I would definitely come back during another visit. read more

Our foursome had a very enjoyable dinner on a. Busy September Tuesday evening . We were on Anthony's capable hands . We shared a delicious app of pizzelli with hand- crafted cocktails. The gals shared a nice salad and the meatball apps have me savoring for more Entrees were pasta based and we tried lobster, short ribs and a spicy sausage . we shared a lemon mouse cake for desert While it was tricky navigating stairs to the 2nd floor the semi private room was wonderful ( once they turned down the music! ) A must try in downtown Nantucket ! read more

Beautiful ambiance, attentive staff, and imaginative, delicious dishes were all constants the multiple times we visited this establishment. One pasta with little necks won us over (can't recall the name for the life of me). With only the freshest ingredients, you'd be hard pressed to find a single thing on this menu that wouldn't knock your socks off. Try Dre's Spicy chicken sausage if you can! The Fritelle Di Ceci (chickpea fries with tomato condimento & yogurt) we're also a crowd pleaser!! read more

See all

Food is good. Place gets a little tight. Service is great . They have two floors . And they have a great back outside bar.

Ventuno is completely adequate. It's an Italian-Italian place, enough in common with red sauce places and enough truffles and olives to be interesting. The service is gracious and when your kid asks for extra red sauce it's promptly brought out and a nickle-and-dime charge is tacked onto the already extravagant bill. Having come a few times, it's never disappointed. The dining room has New England charm and the outdoor patio has grape vines hanging from the ceiling. It's one of the few downtown places that would probably survive in a more competitive restaurant environment. read more

My first time eating here was two weeks ago during Christmas Stroll weekend and my group had a blast!! I have been for drinks before at their outdoor bar which is always a fun time but never realized the fun continues inside as well! We went on Thursday of stroll weekend and it was already decorated and everyone was super festive and in good spirits. Ventuno's interior has charms for days as it's housed in an old house with multiple fire places, gorgeous wood floors and beautiful millwork throughout. We were with a party of 9 so we ordered multiples of the items on the "for the table" portion of the menu including the crostini with ricotta, the arancino and the sausage stuffed olives. The ricotta and arancino were delicious, as were the olives, but the olives were small and needed a little more sausage (some tasted like there wasn't any sausage at all). For dinner half the table ordered the scallop risotto which I had a bite of and really enjoyed. My mom said her chicken was one of the best chicken dishes she's ever had. I myself had the mafaldi and it was divine- very rich and only for those who love mushrooms (me!) as it was full of earthly mushroom flavor. I think I ended up with the best dish in the room. Drinks were good (my dad had one of the milk?? cocktails- to die for) and our server was super friendly albeit maybe a little slow, granted it was very busy so understandable. My tiny little gripe was that we ordered two of the apple crisp desserts and only one came out.... before the other one finally appeared more than 5 minutes later. That was the only hiccup though and otherwise we thoroughly enjoyed our meal! can't wait to come back! read more

See all

The salad with pears was overly tart. It took us awhile to finish. The main courses were both over salted. The server however,was great. Very attentive. I would not return though. read more

By FAR the best dinner we had in Nantucket! The crab pasta and meatballs were phenomenal (as was literally everything we ordered). Service was amazing, great wine list, and the restaurant itself has the most amazing ambiance. Great place for a romantic dinner :) read more

Ventuno - Inside seating - Italian Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

Have been coming to Ventuno since it started--- and when it was 21 Federal. It's a wonderful cozy spot, full of good memories. I guess I've applied the great experiences from 21 Federal, but Ventuno doesn't deserve them. They refused to accommodate a very do-able request-- one that has been accommodated for almost 40 years, until now. The attitude was stunning in its 'I don't care what you're asking' tone. The food is way below the price point (~$50/ entree. There are so many other better places on Nantucket, don't bother with Ventuno. Oh, and they have a rep for good drinks-- but mine was a glass 3/4 full of ice, shortest drink I've ever had... Also, service in general has been declining in recent years-- just read the reviews here and on TripAdvisor. I won't go back unless I hear that the management has finally started caring. read more

Between loud music and noisy patrons at closely-spaced tables, this was not a relaxing meal at 6:30pm. The food and drink were OK, as they should be with grossly overpriced entrees starting over $50. Service was perfunctory, with the usual elbow or forearm across my face as table mates are served. When will wait staff learn to move around a table to pour water and deliver food? With so many on-Island options, we will not return. read more

Not sure what happened here....have had 40+ terrific meals over the years here, and had looked forward to returning after not having frequented Ventuno in a while. Last night's experience was frankly "meh," with most of the dishes not living up to the standard I'm used to from this establishment. The tuna special, in spite of being requested black and blue, came out greyish, as if it had sat under a heat lamp for too long, slow cooking away, and was excessively salty. My swordfish dish was OK, but the piece of swordfish was rather thin and slightly overcooked. Service, attentive and spot on in the past, was slow and spotty. Perhaps we caught Ventuno on an "off night," certainly will try again. The building remains beautiful, and the overall "vibe" is still good. read more

We thoroughly enjoyed our recent dinner at Ventuno. We started with both the burrata with radishes as well as the house salad. Both were delicious. For entrees we had the meatballs with pasta - one of the best meatballs we have ever tried and the spaghetti equally we delicious. We also loved the bucatini dish it was tasted by everyone at our table and we all loved it and the zucchini pesto. I ordered Dre's chicken sausage and it was a very nice dish as well but the ration of sausage to pasta/greens was a little to much for me personally. We shared a bottle of Donelan Chardonnay, and it was a perfect compliment to our dinner. read more

Food is average for the price. Nickle and diming for bread and a side of red sauce for a kids pasta is ridiculous. Especially when the adults got pricey entrees and apps. Waiter was beyond nice and attentive, but won't be back. read more

Really disappointing. The stuffed clam appetizer (which by the way was one half clam for $6) literally had no clam in it. They were seriously taking the piss in even serving that thing. Other appetizers were also disappointing. All courses were served room temp/cold. I'd forgive them if the prices weren't crazy - $60 for entree, etc. I actually had an outstanding meal at this place years ago, but it's just a trap now. Won't go back. read more

Absolutely delicious food! Not one complaint from our party of 9. Very cute outdoor eating area as well. I got the Spaghettini and would gladly eat it again!! Note: the prices on the "primi" pastas are for appetizer vs entree read more

Solid food options and not too overpriced for Nantucket. Our server was busy so our service wasn't the best but that's understandable, it was Labor Day weekend after all. I got the lamb and I liked it a lot. The bruschetta is also a must have. read more

Great place to go to and good atmosphere but the prices here were ridiculous compared to other restaurants in Nantucket but cant complain - food was great for the most part. The appetizer we got the burrata didn't taste fresh and felt like a waste of calories - no taste or character to it. My prime ribeye was cooked perfectly medium rare and tasted awesome. My girlfriend who got the same thing, got hers medium and was very chewy despite being pink - she liked mine more than hers. I recommend if you usually get medium for steaks to get medium rare. The desert sundae was good as well as the cappuccinos. Not my first pick in Nantucket but a good choice with well-rounded options if you're staying here multiple days and looking for a solid spot. read more

Ventuno - Prime Ribeye - Get Medium Rare!! -From someone who usually gets Medium - Italian Near Me - Nantucket, Massachusetts

The cave women and I we're in need of a restaurant since we had been blown off by the first place who screwed up our reservation (& it was 6:30-feeding prime time for Nantucket diners) Ventuno gave us a ( much needed) quiet table upstairs. They were in fact gracious about helping us. Our waiter, Anthony, was a credit to his profession. Gave us great suggestions from the menu. Every dish had multiple seasonal elements to them. Did I tell you the homemade bread was not to be missed? The sommelier was spot on with his recommendation. Try the following: The homemade Burrata The fried olives The tagliolini verde The soft shell crabs The wait staff was on it the entire time. I'm from NY and we eat a lot of Italian. This place is a breath of fresh air. Ciao! read more

Food and service were amazing. The interior is well styled and the atmosphere was inviting. The food was delightful - 10/10. Will be back again. read more

Wow was this disappointing. So many people had suggested we try Ventuno. The place is always packed and usually during the summer hard to get enough to get a reservation that I avoided it. We ended up sitting at the bar upstairs. It was small but the bartender was nice and friendly. He made some suggestions on what we should try and we took some of his advice and went with some things that sounded good to us. First course: Fritto Misto - The batter was ok not enough calamari too much fried fish. The dipping sauce had a little too much lemon for me. The batter had a little lemon already and there was even friend lemon pieces. Meatballs - These were good but nothing to too special. This seems to be a thing now to have meatballs as an appetizer. I don't mind it but I wish it came with some bread to even it out. Second Course: Spicy Chicken Sausage Pasta- This was a misfire. I ate it because I was starving and regretted it later. There was no spice but this might have been the saltiest dish I have ever had (until the main course). It really wasn't good. Main Course: Lamp- I see lamb or duck and I ordered it. The lamb itself was tender and could have been good BUT the salt level was off the chart. The broccoli rabe that came with it was even saltier. I am talking like it tasted like someone cooked it in the ocean and added more salt after. Count me out next time. read more

Great Italian restaurant. I ordered pasta with a side of meatballs. The pasta was delicious, and I can say the same for the meatballs. As an appetizer, the table split rice balls. They were also very good. The others at the table ordered truffle pasta and chicken sausage pasta. I definitely recommend eating inside, because the outside is a bunch of picnic tables. Overall, great restaurant with great food. read more

Simply the best Italian restaurant in the island! Wonderful food and service. The staff are very knowledgeable about the wines and the menu. Sochiana, our waitress did an amazing job! She was able to answer my questions about the food. Very inventive Italian cuisine..California cuisine meets Italian in a good way. This place is highly recommended. Be sure to book a table and tell them that you want to dine inside..the outdoor area might be too loud..just like being on Cru read more

See all

Impossible to make a reservation. Don't return calls and phone always goes to voicemail. Don't waste your time with people who don't have the courtesy to return phone calls. read more

This use to be one of my favorite go to restaurants on Nantucket, but we had an overall poor experience here this past weekend. Conversations with others around the island confirmed that the quality here has gone down. We were a party of 7 and even though the hostess was very friendly and welcoming and the waitress was overall helpful, the overall quality of the meal was low, despite some decent plates. We all ordered appetizers and mains, and when the runners came out with the food they had no idea which dish went to which person, which really isnt a great look at this price point. the quality of appetizers and portion size has diminished in recent years - the fried calimari wasnt great like it use to be, and the olives and other "morsels" were small and not great for an inflated price. My fish - sword fish - was good, but other pastas and stuff were of variable quality. We heard people at the table next to us asking where their food was - they kept delivering their dishes to our table. Honestly, it was kind of a disorganized mess and not the tight ship I'm used to. I'm sorry to report that. read more

I had eaten here several times years ago and it was excellent. No longer. Our drinks were good, but our food was just o.k. I had many meals a couple of years ago, but this recent visit was just o.k. and very pricey. $24 for a miniature Burrata. It was literally a ball of mozzarella on a small pile of arugula. There was nothing spectacular or special about it. It is pretty overpriced for what it is (If it was great we probably wouldn't e thinking about the cost). The indoor and outdoor bars are great and drinks are good. Maybe just stop in for a drink... read more

This has been my favorite restaurant in Nantucket ever since my first time there. I have recommended it to all my friends and family and always have had the most accommodating and respectful service... not to mention the best Italian food on and wine on the Island. However this past trip I came with my boyfriend to celebrate his birthday and had a very disconcerting experience. A celebrity was evidently at the restaurant and seated at the most visible table... we were issued upstairs into a corner table and we were not allowed to go downstairs to use the restroom or walk to the public outside patio...the hostess was frankly loutish and improperly trained. I am disappointed by this treatment considering all the praise and money I have given out to this establishment over the years. I hope the staff is made aware of how to courteously mitigate these situations in the future and that I will be able to not leave with a sour taste in my mouth next time. read more

Ventuno is incredible. The staff and the ambiance are amazing! The food is so delicious, it is some of the best pasta I have had. You can get a full or half portion of the pasta dishes which I love! The donuts for dessert can not be missed. I recommend Ventuno to everyone. We cannot wait to be back! read more

This was such a great Italian find, right in the center of town. The portion sizes are on the small side with higher prices than other comparable restaurants outside of town. The bar seemed like a great spot to hangout read more