Award-winning restaurant featuring authentic, unique, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
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This isn’t your typical red-sauce Italian restaurant. You’re getting authentic Abruzzese coastal cuisine – the kind of regional Italian food that most people only experience during trips to Italy. Our chefs come directly from the Abruzzo region, bringing traditional techniques that create depth of flavor you simply can’t find elsewhere in North Reading.
Every plate tells the story of Italy’s coastal traditions. Homemade pasta crafted daily. Fresh seafood prepared with Mediterranean flair. Signature dishes like our Grilled Calamari and bone-in Veal Chop that have kept North Reading families coming back since 2004.
You’ll taste why we’ve maintained our 4.5-star reputation for nearly twenty years. This is Italian food that satisfies both your craving for comfort and your desire for something genuinely special.
Anna Mountzuris founded Tartufo in 2004 with one goal: bring the authentic flavors of Italy’s Abruzzo region to North Reading. We hire chefs directly from Italy because authenticity isn’t negotiable. When your pasta is hand-rolled by someone who learned the technique in their grandmother’s kitchen in Abruzzo, you taste the difference immediately.
North Reading has supported us through two decades because we’ve never compromised. Organic meats, fresh-caught seafood, house-made pasta, bread baked daily. The same standards you’d demand from Italy’s finest establishments, delivered with the warmth and consistency that builds neighborhood loyalty.
We’re more convenient than Boston’s North End, yet we maintain the same commitment to quality that defines the city’s best Italian restaurants. North Reading families trust us with their celebrations, date nights, and the simple pleasure of exceptional Italian dining close to home.
Walk in and choose your setting. Upstairs offers elegant dining with chandeliers and golden drapes – perfect for anniversaries and special occasions. Downstairs provides a more relaxed atmosphere around our expansive bar, ideal for casual dinners and catching up with friends.
Our servers know every dish inside out. They’ll guide you through our menu, explaining regional specialties and helping you discover new favorites alongside trusted classics. Whether you’re curious about our famous lobster ravioli or ready to try authentic Abruzzese preparations, we make sure you order exactly what will satisfy you.
Everything is prepared to order. You’ll notice the difference in our homemade pasta, the freshness of our daily seafood selections, and the authentic flavors that come from traditional Italian cooking methods. We pace your meal perfectly, giving you time to enjoy each course and the company around your table.
Live saxophone jazz often fills the dining room, creating the kind of atmosphere where conversation flows naturally and every meal feels like a small celebration.
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Our menu spans both comfort and sophistication. Classic Italian-American favorites like Chicken Parmigiana and Spaghetti with house-made meatballs sit alongside regional Abruzzese specialties featuring fresh seafood, truffle preparations, and pasta varieties you won’t find at typical Italian food restaurants.
North Reading diners appreciate our flexibility. Large parties, dietary restrictions, special requests – we handle them all with the same attention to detail. Our upstairs private dining room accommodates up to 45 guests for special events, complete with full bar service and customized menus.
Practical matters are covered too. Easy parking eliminates the hassle. Takeout brings our authentic Italian food to your home on busy nights. Professional catering extends our Abruzzese cuisine to your events. We’ve thought through every detail that makes great Italian dining accessible and convenient for North Reading families.
We specialize in authentic Abruzzese cuisine from Italy’s coastal region – not typical Italian-American fare. Our chefs come directly from the Abruzzo region, bringing traditional techniques and family recipes that create genuine Italian flavors. You’ll find unique preparations like our Grilled Calamari and regional pasta dishes that showcase coastal Italian traditions rarely available in North Reading.
Since 2004, we’ve built our reputation on ingredient quality and authentic preparation methods. Organic meats, fresh daily seafood, house-made pasta, and bread baked in-house. These aren’t shortcuts or compromises – they’re the standards that define excellent Italian dining. North Reading families have trusted us for two decades because we deliver consistency alongside authenticity.
Absolutely. We regularly host large parties and have extensive experience managing groups of all sizes. Our upstairs private dining room seats up to 45 people for dinner service, featuring a full bar and customizable menu options. For cocktail-style events, we can accommodate up to 55 guests in the same space.
Our kitchen team handles dietary restrictions and special requests with care and expertise. Gluten-free preparations, food allergies, specific dietary guidelines – we work directly with you to ensure delicious options that meet your needs. Calling ahead for large parties or dietary accommodations helps us prepare properly and guarantees the best possible experience for your group.
Our signature Veal Chop exemplifies our Abruzzese specialization – bone-in double cut, stuffed with prosciutto and fontina cheese, finished with mushrooms and port wine reduction. The Grilled Calamari showcases our coastal Italian expertise and remains a guest favorite after twenty years. Our lobster ravioli in vodka pink sauce with crab meat and arugula consistently earns rave reviews.
Traditional preparations like our duck with Bolognese and homemade gnocchi with tomato-basil sauce represent the comfort side of authentic Italian food. Our seafood risotto – featuring shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, and calamari – demonstrates the Mediterranean influences that make our menu unique in North Reading. Each dish reflects traditional Italian techniques applied to the finest available ingredients.
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner service and weekend dining. Call us directly to secure your preferred time and seating area. For special occasions, anniversaries, or larger groups, advance notice helps us prepare the perfect experience and ensure proper accommodation.
Our complete menu is available for takeout when you want authentic Italian food at home. We package everything carefully to maintain quality during transport, so you get the same flavors and presentation that our dining room guests experience. While our atmosphere adds to the dining experience, our takeout maintains the same preparation standards and authentic flavors that define Tartufo.
Tartufo offers versatile atmospheres for any occasion. Upstairs provides elegant dining with chandeliers, large windows, and golden drapes – perfect for romantic date nights, anniversaries, and special celebrations. Downstairs features our newly renovated space with an expansive bar and intimate table settings, ideal for casual dinners and social gatherings.
Live saxophone jazz music often enhances the ambiance without overwhelming conversation. The energy tends to be lively when we’re busy, creating an engaging dining experience that many guests love. Families feel comfortable, couples find romance, and business diners appreciate the professional yet welcoming environment. Whether celebrating or simply enjoying great Italian dining, the setting enhances your experience.
We deliver the same authentic Italian cuisine you’d seek in Boston’s North End, with the convenience of staying local in North Reading. Our chefs trained in Italy bring identical traditional techniques and authentic recipes, while our ingredient sourcing matches the quality standards of the city’s top establishments.
You avoid the drive, parking hassles, and crowds while getting award-winning Italian food that rivals anything in Boston. Many regular guests tell us they no longer make special trips to the North End because we provide the same authenticity and quality right here. Plus, our service is more personal and attentive than busy city restaurants, making exceptional Italian dining a regular part of your routine rather than a special occasion trip.
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