Award-winning restaurant featuring authentic, unique, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Address
Info :
Follow Us
You walk in and immediately smell the difference—fresh pasta made that morning, sauces simmering with organic tomatoes, and the unmistakable aroma of authentic Italian cooking. This isn’t your typical red-sauce joint.
Every bite connects you to the Abruzzo region of Italy. Our chefs, hired directly from that coastal area, bring recipes passed down through generations. The handmade pasta has that perfect al dente texture. The seafood tastes like it came straight from the Adriatic.
The evening unfolds exactly as it should. Maybe there’s live saxophone jazz floating through the dining room. Maybe you’re tucked into a quiet corner table with someone special. Either way, you’re experiencing what Italian dining was meant to be—unhurried, authentic, and memorable.
Anna Mountzuris founded Tartufo with a simple but ambitious goal: bring genuine Abruzzese and Mediterranean cuisine to Watertown families who appreciate the real thing. That was 2004. We’re still here, still doing it right.
We hire chefs from the Abruzzo region because authenticity isn’t negotiable. They bring techniques you can’t learn from cookbooks—the way to handle fresh pasta, how to balance seafood with coastal Italian herbs, when to add that final touch of rare truffle that gives our restaurant its name.
Watertown chose us as their Italian restaurant for good reason. You get North End quality without the North End hassle. Families celebrate birthdays here. Couples have anniversary dinners here. Business people close deals over our lobster ravioli. After twenty years, we’ve become part of the community’s important moments.
Call ahead for reservations—weekends fill up fast, and you don’t want to be disappointed. When you arrive, choose your setting. Upstairs offers elegant chandeliers and golden drapes for romantic dinners. Downstairs features our newly renovated bar area with a more relaxed but equally sophisticated vibe.
We know Italian hospitality. We’ll guide you through the menu, suggest wine pairings, and accommodate any dietary needs. Each dish gets prepared to order using organic ingredients and traditional techniques that take time—but that’s why it tastes right.
Some evenings feature live saxophone jazz. Others are perfect for quiet conversation. The food arrives when it’s ready, not rushed from a heat lamp. You taste the difference in every bite, from our signature pappardelle al tartufo to the freshest seafood preparations this side of the Italian coast.
Ready to get started?
Our second-floor private dining room handles everything from intimate birthday celebrations to corporate meetings for up to 45 people. Full bar service, custom menus, and the same attention to detail that makes our regular dining special.
Catering brings our authentic Abruzzese cuisine to your event. Wedding receptions, family gatherings, business functions—we create menus that match your occasion and budget while maintaining the quality standards that earned us our award-winning reputation.
Watertown locals also rely on our takeout service when they want restaurant-quality Italian food at home. Same ingredients, same preparation, same attention to authenticity. Because sometimes you want Tartufo’s lobster ravioli on your own couch.
We specialize in authentic Abruzzese cuisine from Italy’s coastal region—not the typical Italian-American dishes you’ll find elsewhere. Our chefs come directly from the Abruzzo region, bringing techniques and recipes you can’t learn from cookbooks.
The rare truffle mushroom that gives us our name appears in signature dishes like pappardelle al tartufo and our famous veal chop. We use organic ingredients exclusively and prepare everything to order, from our fresh pasta to house-made sauces.
Twenty years of serving Watertown has taught us what authentic Italian dining should be. Live saxophone jazz some evenings, elegant atmosphere always, and food that connects you to genuine Italian coastal traditions rather than watered-down American interpretations.
Absolutely. Since we prepare everything to order and make our sauces from scratch, we have complete control over ingredients. Gluten sensitivities, dairy restrictions, food allergies—our kitchen team handles these requests regularly.
Our organic ingredients and fresh preparation methods mean fewer processed components that typically cause problems. We can modify pasta dishes, adjust sauces, and suggest naturally compatible options from our menu.
Call when making your reservation to discuss specific dietary needs. This gives our kitchen team advance notice to prepare properly and ensures we can offer you delicious Italian food that meets your requirements without compromising authenticity or flavor.
Perfect for both. Our upstairs dining room, with elegant chandeliers and golden drapes, creates the ideal romantic atmosphere—especially during evenings with live saxophone jazz. Couples choose this space for anniversaries, proposals, and special date nights.
Families love our newly renovated downstairs area and our private second-floor room for larger celebrations. We regularly host birthday parties, graduation dinners, and family gatherings where multiple generations can enjoy authentic Italian food together.
We understand both settings. We know when to give a romantic couple privacy and when to help coordinate a family celebration. Whether you need a quiet corner table for two or arrangements for a group of twenty, we make it work.
The pappardelle al tartufo showcases the rare truffle mushroom our restaurant is named after. This signature dish represents authentic Abruzzese cuisine at its finest—earthy, complex flavors you won’t find at typical Italian restaurants.
Our handmade lobster ravioli and grilled calamari reflect the coastal Italian traditions we specialize in. The signature veal chop, also featuring our namesake truffle, has become a favorite among guests who appreciate authentic preparation methods.
Fresh seafood preparations change seasonally, but always maintain that connection to Italy’s Adriatic coast. Even familiar dishes like chicken parmigiana get prepared with organic ingredients and traditional techniques that make them taste completely different from standard Italian-American versions.
Weekends require several days’ notice, sometimes more during busy seasons. Weeknight reservations are usually available with shorter notice, but calling ahead prevents disappointment—especially if you have specific seating preferences.
Special occasions need more planning. Anniversary dinners, birthday celebrations, or requests for our upstairs chandelier dining room should be booked at least a week ahead. This ensures we can accommodate your preferences and prepare any special arrangements.
Holiday periods and local events fill our reservation book faster. If you’re planning something important, calling early gives you better table selection and allows us time to coordinate details that make your evening special.
Our second-floor private dining room accommodates up to 45 people for seated dinners or 55 for cocktail receptions. Full bar service, custom menus, and complete privacy for birthday celebrations, business meetings, wedding receptions, or family gatherings.
Catering brings the same award-winning Abruzzese cuisine to your location. Corporate functions, family celebrations, community events—we maintain our quality standards and authentic preparation methods regardless of venue.
The planning process is straightforward. Call to discuss your event’s specific needs, guest count, and budget. We’ll create a custom menu and coordinate all details, ensuring your event features the same authentic Italian food and professional service our restaurant is known for.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Watertown Town