Not sure why this place has three stars. The service was incredible, the drinks were outstanding (nice lemon drop) and my pasta that was made in the cheese wheel is something dreams are made of. It was truly a fabulous experience and a memorable evening. read more

the sign got me! i saw $1 oysters and missed the "only with lunch or dinner." when we came in, the host asked if we were having dinner which i said i wasn't sure yet, he seemed disappointed before pointing to the only seats at the bar. they had a solid flirtini, frozen, icy & delicious. the food looked decent but hard to say since i didn't try it. good place for drinks. umberto is an excellent bartender. ambiance: 5/5 food: n/a drinks: 5/5 service: 4/5 villa francesca: 3.5/5 i didn't like that they only offered $1 oysters if you have a meal here, even with the sign. not a great way to bring in or retain customers, especially locals. read more

Villa Francesca - outside - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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tl;dr cramped, slow dining experience with lackluster food. Much better options around if you plan ahead. Came here with a group of friends for a last minute reservation at 7:45 PM. For past the dinner rush, service was extremely slow. We were seated pretty quickly but ordering food took almost 15 mins. Seating downstairs was also extremely cramped. In regards to the food, the scampi sauce was very good. We found ourselves using it as bread dipping sauce and also took the extra home. However, was very disappointed with their cheese wheel special. It was my first time getting a cheese wheel pasta and I had been looking forward to it. For the price of $49, there was also no protein included which was pretty absurd. However, it was fun watching the show but did not make up for the cold, flavor lacking dinner. read more

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I live a few hours outside of Boston so I'm not a frequent visitor of Villa Francesca but a few weeks back, on my fifth visit, I ran into the classic "bait & switch" scenario. First, I've always enjoyed the food and they do it good job with that. Unfortunately, the four of us visited the restaurant on a Sunday afternoon around 4:30 pm. As the couple we were with had never been to Francesca's they reviewed the menu posted outside. We entered and ordered are cocktails along with tap water. They push bottle water but tap is available and tastes fine. We placed our food order and enjoyed the meal. When the bill arrived each of our entrees were $7.00 higher than listed. We requested to see the menu again to validate this issue but our waitress was aggravated but did go to retrieve the menu. In the distance I could see her digging through the pile of menus pulling out one from the bottom. When she presented it to us we firmly said that's not the menu provided to us nor matched the one posted outside. Neither menu specifies lunch or dinner. She then stated we must've ordered from the lunch menu not their dinner menu and she would check with her boss about correcting the bill. When she returned, with the corrected bill, she was not apologetic and just dropped it on our table. As an aside, while waiting for our corrected bill, and tying into the tap water conversation as described above, a family with four children seated next to us asked for tap water from the children and their waiter stated they only offered bottled (clearly not true and thereby jacking the bill by $10 a bottle). We paid and left the restaurant at 5:50 pm and the same menu (their so called lunch menu) was still posted outside. I'm sure many folks don't notice the difference on the bills and just pay. It was disappointing to have this confrontation and loose confidence in Villa Francesca. read more

It's always tough to choose where to eat in The North end. Villa Francesca might be one of my favorites. We had an amazing meal. Loved the ambiance. The people were super friendly. Homemade pastas. It's hard to decide what to order. Garlic bread is a must. I suggest ordering different dishes and sharing. read more

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We had a very pleasant experience here. The host was friendly and did his best to ensure we were comfortable while we waited for our table to be ready. Service was a bit disjointed and slow. Water came fast, drinks were slow, it took a very long time to put in our food order, food came out at a reasonable time, paying our bill took much too long. The food was quite good. I highly recommend the lobster ravioli appetizer. I was very impressed by the flavor, presentation and quality of the dish. Portion sizes are very good, including lots of proteins in the dishes. My spaghetti and clams had a large number of clams which was a pleasant surprise. I'm very happy with the quality and portion sizes for the price. We didn't stay for dessert due to the slow service but maybe next time when we have more time. read more

Was lucky to get a last min Friday night reservation and got seated in the basement. Seating was crammed and service slow cuz how busy they were. The mussel and shrimp appetizer were okay and the special pasta in the cheese wheel I was most excited about came cold with chunks of undissolved cheese. read more

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Very friendly and intimate place . Service was accomodating even without reservation given multiple seating areas. we were able to get a window seat . Service reasonably fast considering how busy the restaurant is . Prices are comparable to the other neighboring places . Pasta is made on site ,highly recommend the pesto . read more

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Super slow service, unfriendly waiter. The atmosphere was nice but the food was sub par. Bread came with just some olive oil and was very plain. Try somewhere else unless it's your last option. I wanted to like this place but I will never go back. read more

Excellent service and the atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for in the North End. The food was phenomenal. Ordered the cheese wheel special and it did not disappoint!! Added chicken to it and it was so perfectly grilled and delicious. Mussels and eggplant rolitini as appetizers and the Dover Sole. Absolutely perfect! Husband ordered Fruti DeMar and it was delicious. Five out of five stars from beginning to end. read more

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Food - forgettable and average Service - really good no issues Ambiance - the restaurant is very esthetic and lovely read more

Don't get me wrong this is a lovely space. They have seating right in the front of big open windows on street leave, you get a feel of maybe alfresco Italian dining. However it is a tourist trap for food. Outrageous up charges for pasta, it doesn't come with the dish unless it's a pasta dish and terrible mixed drinks, mine was undrinkable. If you want tasty Italian food this should be a miss. read more

Touristy and way overpriced. Service was okay but the food itself was not good sorry. Oysters worst in the city

There was barely anyone when I went and no wait. I had the Spaghetti Carbonara which was very good and creamy. The price was very cheap surprisingly. read more

Villa Francesca - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I went because I saw a video of them preparing the pasta in a cheese wheel. But the service wasn't offered or even on the menu. We made reservations and arrived early and they got us in pretty quick. The server was friendly, but the service was kind of slow. They had a decent bar I just wish the list of wines by the glass was bigger, because there was really only five white and five red aside from the full bottles. We started with the lobster ravioli which was super flavorful, and done so well with the perfect sauce. I got the Fettuccine con Gamberi which tasted so fresh and came with a really great sized portion of shrimp. I do wish there were more protein options for dishes. They seemed very much seafood Italian. The restaurant itself is set up really nice, but it's definitely meant for a small group at most. I'd definitely recommend for a couple or small group max. Not super loud so you can still carry a conversation even though it's the typical small space north end Boston restaurant. read more

Villa Francesca - Lobster Ravioli - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Charming restaurant located in the North End. The space in the restaurant itself is pretty tight so chances are you will bump into your neighbor. The restroom is in the back and it a single toilet per gender. Service was quick! Our food came out fast. We ordered the lobster special (lobster/mussels/clams all over a spicy fettuccine) and the table side prepared brandy flambéd fettuccine with portobello mushroom and sundried tomato. The table side prep was fun to watch but honestly the meal was very normal. Nothing crazy stood out to me about the two dishes we ordered. The mussels and clams were kind of over cooked. We also got some bread for the table and it was ok. Not the best bread. Didn't seem fresh. read more

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Always been a very cozy restaurant and came here for a dine out week fixed price of $42. Had delicious muscles with an amazing red sauce, and had the veal Francesca and it was so delicious! They did a very basic gelato vanilla ice cream, but it was a good palate cleanser. Friendly service. read more

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Visited villa Francesca during restaurants week, they had a great deal , 2 course meal for 27. I felt the menu was quite extensive compared to most places during restaurant week. I liked the appetizer options they had as well. We tried the mussels and fried mozzarella, both were good and had good flavor. For the main we had the spinach ravioli and the sole fish. The food in general taste wise was decent. Was slightly disappointed in the bread, for a place like this I expected that to be better. But overall on that day, though the food was decent, id say it was slightly on the greasier side or more oil. It could have been what we ordered as well, almost everything had it. So slightly felt a little more oily than I'd like. read more

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Hands down the best Italian place to eat in Boston , no questions asked. The food is authentic, consistently delicious, and the kind of meal you think about long after the plate is cleared . I've brought family, clients, and friends here over the years, and every single one of them has walked away giving it five stars . Relocating to another state was honestly heartbreaking because this spot became such a staple for me . In the summer, the massive windows are thrown open , letting the surrounding North End energy pour right in and elevating the whole experience. Parking in the North End can be a challenge , but I usually park at Sargent's Wharf Lot and enjoy the 0.3 mile walk, perfect for building an appetite or walking off the pasta. Rideshare is also a solid option . I've ordered so many dishes over time that the list feels endless, but standouts include the Lobster Ravioli , Risotto Pescatore , Penne Alla Norma , and Ravioli Burro e Salvia . Dessert is non negotiable here, the homemade cheesecake is an absolute must . If I could rate this place higher than five stars, I would do it without hesitation . Any time I'm back in the Boston area , this is a guaranteed stop. They accept reservations and occasionally you can get lucky without one, but I would never wait in line anywhere, and this is the kind of gem I secretly hope stays that way for people like us . The servers make you feel like you're at home , which somehow makes the food taste even better. If it were closer, I'd dine here multiple times a week, though maybe the distance is for the best . I already cannot wait for my next visit back . read more

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I came in just for drinks and appetizers. We were seated right by the large windows which has the best view. The place was decorated like a wine cellar but with lots of sunlight. I really loved the gamberi scampi! The staff were super friendly and made sure we were satisfied with our meal. I will come back next time to try the entrees. read more

Villa Francesca - Gamberi Scampi - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The service was very slow and inefficient. It was 10 minutes before someone came to our table. After 1 hr 20 mins from ordering the food we had to leave since the food never arrived. Appetizer was ok. Additionally my first glass was dirty and I had to request a new one. Manager had problems keeping the place working efficiently and on a rhythm. Lovely ambiance but the service was so disappointing. read more

We had a table by front window. It had a great atmosphere. The waiter could have been a bit more attentive. We had to ask the waiter to the next table to fill our drinks. We had pasta, chicken parm and a Caesar salad. Special for the night was Alfredo with sun dried tomatoes lit on fire in a big bowl of cheese. It was yummy, but still had the flavor of the brandy they used to light it. Didn't get to use the restroom as there was A line and not a lot of room to stand around. Food was good. I'd go back. read more

Villa Francesca - Pasta - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

My son and I stopped in for a late lunch after Christmas shopping in the North End. We ordered the bruschetta appetizer and the lunch special which was homemade fettuccine with sundried tomato, portabella mushrooms, grilled shrimp and a creamy sauce. It was served table side warmed in a cheesewheel. It was honestly the best dish I've ever eaten. My son rated it in his top 10. Absolutely yummy read more

Villa Francesca - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

When I lived in Boston in the late 90's this was my favorite restaurant. After moving away from the city it has remained my favorite. My husband surprised me with a trip to the restaurant this weekend and it was just as delicious as it was on our last visit before we had kids. While there is no kid menu you can order classics like spaghetti and meatballs or fettuccine Alfredo. They have plenty of great drink options for kids as well. My youngest is 11,, I would not recommend it for infants/toddlers, kids who need constant entertainment. But older tweens/teens are fine. We can't wait for a good excuse to come back to Boston. Highly recommend sharing the lobster ravioli with the table. This is now my kids favorite restaurant, to the point they are looking at colleges in Boston just so they can eat here. Absolutely recommend, even if you are vegetarian or gluten free they can accommodate a lot of food allergies/preferences. read more

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My dad used to bring my mom here when they were young so I find this spot super special. The food is amazing- I've never had a bad meal, and this meal specifically shown hit the spot especially because they were the only location with space this particular friday. They have such a cool ambiance, but upstairs in my opinion is much better than downstairs. I feel like an afterthought down there. The service is usually slower, or not as friendly which is interesting because it seems like a whole other world upstairs. Regardless, its never too much where it ruins my meal. read more

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Went on a rainy afternoon around 3pm. We were seated immediately but the service was slow. Eventually we ordered but then our server disappeared for at least a full 15 minutes before brining us bread or the wine we ordered. Eventually he came back and crowded our table with the food/drink that should've been more paced out. The food was good but not as stunning as you would think for the price. Good vibe inside though. read more

Villa Francesca - Penne Pollo Piccato - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Service (Attitude) was very poor the young lady there was just very unpleasant and unprofessional. The ambiance was quaint and food was par at best. It's unfortunate that the service was very poor. I'm sure the young lady doesn't care what we think but if she is not happy being there maybe find a different job. I and or we travel a lot and must say other than this young lady Boston people are great. DO NOT come here if you're looking for good service. read more

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Great location and very nice portions for the price. Pricing in this area is inflated so you just have to know that's gonna happen everywhere. Nice ambiance with a decent size bar and small dining room window opens up with a street view. Other places advertise their homemade pasta but didn't see that here, other than the lasagna egg noodles so that's why I ended up with that. read more

Villa Francesca - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Poor overall experience. Ambiance was nice, but downstairs was so dark I had to use my cell phone light to read the menu. Lesson learned for me, but I ordered the table side cheese wheel pasta, thinking they would just stir it in the pasta. Nope. They dug into the side of the cheese wheel and basically turned the dish into a lump of cheese. It was honestly like eating mouthfuls of Parmesan. My wife ordered an incredibly bland seafood risotto dish. Very little flavor. Our dessert was a "just OK" tiramisu. Wouldn't recommend with those prices. read more

I can only rate the ambiance and cocktails - specifically the espresso martinis - 5++ stars! We didn't eat, but the place was cute and inviting and the drinks were heavenly. read more

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Overall very good. Staff was pleasant and helpful, wine was great, and the food delicious. Love the vibe. Had garlic bread and bruschetta which were delicious. I had home made linguini with calamari, my friend had veal dish. The food is quite good. Must try, you will enjoy. read more

Villa Francesca - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Love the look of this place! Brings me back to my time spent in Italy. I'm a slut for carbonara so I had to get it and it did not disappoint. The soup of the day was only okay. Server was nice! read more

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I enjoyed a delivery from the North End restaurant Villa Francesca, consisting of Vitella Valdastana and a side order of penne. My veal sautéed in white wine with mushrooms, filled with a layer of prosciutto and fontina, was delightful, so filling I could not finish it (though I longed to do so--every bite was delicious and i was sopping up sauce with the bread provided). Recommended. read more

Villa Francesca - Vitella Valdastana, side of penne - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

It seems to us, in our opinion, a Spanish-Italian fusion restaurant. We spent approximately $130 for lunch and it wasn't really any better than you could cook at home. The young man who was our waiter was very attentive and pleasant. Everyone seemed friendly, but it didn't seem to be an Italian-identity based neighborhood restaurant. I am a good sized man and they sat us at a small 2-top table. And to say it was tight is polite. When we asked to move to a larger table, well we didn't. The chicken piccata didn't really look like chicken piccata. The chicken wasn't sautéed brown, and it had trimmed artichoke hearts and stems on it. The sauce was thin. And the lady at the next table asked what we had because it looked a lot like her dish. However her dish didn't have lemons. And they were supposed to be two different menu items. We paid a $5 charge to upgrade to homemade fresh pasta, and I don't think it was homemade or fresh. It had been cooked Al dente and was chewy. Perhaps I am wrong ... but I have been to Italy, NYC, and Philadelphia and have had a lot of homemade fresh pasta. So if this was homemade fresh pasta, it was the most unique I have ever had. The bruschetta was ok. It was good. But that is really a hard one not to do well. The lobster dish at the next table was large and had a nice presentation and sat on exactly the same pasta that we had. It seems that what they do is 'pretty.' It looks good, and it looks plentiful, but something is just not right ... in our opinion. The place is 'pretty to look at' and the interior design is very pleasing and soothing. I would aliken it to an upscale Stouffers or Marie Callender's. In summation, it is what we would consider slightly less than average and a tad above mediocre. Would we go back? If we were really really hungry and everything else were closed. But you don't know unless you try it. Best advice - go and try it for yourself. It is a very pleasing atmosphere and the people were very polite. Food: 1/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 3/5 read more

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Came here on a Saturday evening for a really early dinner. I'd recommend getting reservations for this place in advance if you'd like to come as there was a line waiting to be seated when we left and it was barely 6! We were seated outside ( inside does not have air conditioning either way ) and they have this nice area with umbrellas and seating by the street. Service was overall okay, our waitress didn't come check on us nearly as often as we would've liked and when we asked for things like water and bread, we were often forgotten about by the other folks working as well which was a bit disappointing. The host was also not very friendly and seemed almost impatient seating us. The food itself was okay - we ordered from the restaurant menu which is a three course meal for $38. The portions were pretty good and the quality was all worth the price. The drink was all right as well, plenty strong and complemented the food decently. I will say that I feel like the location ( the North End ) itself brings people to the place rather than the food, meaning that the dishes themselves aren't fantastic but it doesn't stop folks from coming. Overall, the meal and experience was all right. I don't think I'd return personally, but I wouldn't discourage anyone from coming if they were craving Italian. read more

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I've been going to Villa Francesca for over 10 years. The restaurant has great food, ambiance, restaurant is large with several rooms and a downstairs. They have amazing food. I can't wait to go back! read more

Good service and not good food. The prices are very high for very mediocre food. We ordered garlic bread & fried cheese & left with a $36 bill. read more

Too expensive for average food. Took almost an hour for us to get our food. One of our orders was wrong. Didn't want to wait another hour for the correct meal. When I asked for a refill on my Diet Coke, I was told that I had to pay for refills. Way overrated and overpriced! read more

Excellent meal and service with Daria It was bustling but very enjoyable. Lobster Ravioli read more

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Nice environment and cozy restaurant, but shitty food. The garlic bread was fine. The soup tasted like it came out of a can. My wife ordered some pasta special with mushrooms where they prepare the pasta in a cheese wheel. The presentation was nice, but her pasta came out flavorless. It was as if they boiled the pasta and then threw on a can of Bertoli's cream sauce with a bunch of cheese and then sliced some mushrooms to throw on top of it. Why bother letting the sauce get any flavor of the mushrooms? Why bother infusing the mushrooms in some oil or butter before mixing it into the cream sauce? I ordered the fettuccini with the shrimp in a pink sauce. Once again, it was like getting some crappy canned sauce from a grocery store, smothering it with cream, and then dumping pasta in the bath of sauce. The total came out to $150...(no alcohol included) It's a shame that such a nice restaurant in the heart of Little Italy can't just hire an Italian grandmother to get the kitchen in shape. I could have cooked both of those dishes better in my sleep, and I work in an office... please, owner of Villa Francesca, just hire an old Italian grandmother for some direction, so this place can get to 4 stars one day. read more