Award-winning restaurant featuring authentic, unique, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
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You walk into a place where the seafood actually tastes like the ocean, not a freezer. The pasta is made fresh, not pulled from a box. The calamari has that perfect tender bite you’ve been searching for.
This is what happens when someone who actually knows Mediterranean cuisine gets their hands on quality ingredients. You get dishes that make sense—grilled calamari that doesn’t taste like rubber, seafood pasta where you can taste both the pasta and the seafood, risottos that have actual depth.
The atmosphere matches the food. Live saxophone jazz on certain evenings, but not so loud you can’t have a conversation. Romantic enough for date night, comfortable enough to bring the family.
We’ve been serving Malden and the greater Boston area since 2004. That’s two decades of perfecting Abruzzese and Mediterranean techniques, building relationships with suppliers who understand quality, and creating the kind of dining experience that keeps families coming back year after year.
Our founder Anna Mountzuris established Tartufo with a specific vision: authentic Italian cuisine using organic meats, fresh fish, vegetables, and bread baked fresh daily. Not the Americanized version of Italian food—the real thing, prepared the way it’s meant to be.
Our 4.5-star reputation didn’t happen by accident. It came from consistent attention to detail, from sourcing ingredients that matter to training staff who understand hospitality. When locals in Newton, Watertown, and Waltham want Italian seafood done right, they know where to find us.
Everything starts with sourcing. The seafood comes in fresh, the pasta gets made in-house, the sauces are built from scratch using traditional methods. No shortcuts, no compromises.
When you order our grilled calamari, it gets prepared to order—not reheated from a batch made hours ago. Our seafood pasta combines house-made noodles with seafood that was swimming recently, finished with sauces that complement rather than mask the natural flavors.
Our kitchen operates on Mediterranean principles: let quality ingredients speak for themselves, use techniques that enhance rather than complicate, and never serve something we wouldn’t eat ourselves. Whether you’re getting the lobster ravioli or the seafood risotto, the approach stays the same—respect the ingredients, execute with precision, deliver something worth your time and money.
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You get made-to-order Italian cuisine using all natural ingredients in an atmosphere that actually feels welcoming. Our menu spans from signature grilled calamari and fresh seafood pasta to traditional veal dishes and house-made desserts, all prepared using Abruzzese and Mediterranean techniques.
For Malden diners, this means access to authentic Italian seafood without the drive into Boston proper. We accommodate both intimate dinners and larger celebrations, with private event space available for special occasions. Live saxophone jazz music creates ambiance on select evenings, adding to the romantic atmosphere without overwhelming conversation.
Our service approach focuses on genuine hospitality—staff who understand the menu, can make recommendations based on your preferences, and ensure your dining experience matches the quality of the food. Convenient parking eliminates the usual restaurant hassles, while our catering services bring the same authentic flavors to your home or office gatherings throughout the greater Boston area.
The difference lies in authentic preparation methods and ingredient quality. While many restaurants serve Italian-American adaptations, we use traditional Abruzzese and Mediterranean techniques passed down through generations. Our seafood arrives fresh, gets prepared to order, and combines with house-made pasta and sauces built from scratch.
This means our grilled calamari has the tender texture that comes from proper timing and technique, not the rubber-band consistency you get when it’s overcooked or reheated. Our seafood pasta actually tastes like both seafood and pasta because neither component gets overwhelmed by heavy sauces or poor execution.
We’ve maintained these standards since 2004, building relationships with suppliers who understand the difference between fresh and merely acceptable. When you’re investing in a dining experience, these details matter—and they’re noticeable in every dish.
Yes, we deliberately create an atmosphere that works for multiple occasions. The live saxophone jazz music on select evenings provides romantic ambiance for couples without being so loud that families can’t enjoy conversation. Our dining room accommodates both intimate tables for two and larger parties for celebrations.
Many families return regularly because our staff understands how to serve both adults who want sophisticated cuisine and children who might prefer simpler preparations. Our menu offers enough variety that everyone finds something appealing, from traditional Italian comfort foods to more adventurous seafood specialties.
For special celebrations, we provide private event space and can customize menus for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other occasions. The combination of quality food, accommodating service, and flexible atmosphere makes it work whether you’re planning a quiet date night or a multi-generational family gathering.
Our grilled calamari stands out as a signature dish—it’s prepared with the proper Mediterranean technique that delivers tender texture without the chewiness that ruins this dish at many restaurants. Our seafood pasta combinations showcase both house-made noodles and fresh seafood in balanced preparations where you taste both components.
Our lobster ravioli represents our approach to elevated Italian cuisine—house-made pasta stuffed with quality lobster meat, finished with sauces that complement rather than mask the seafood flavor. Our seafood risotto demonstrates traditional technique, with arborio rice cooked to proper consistency and combined with fresh shellfish and fish.
For those wanting to experience our range, the mixed seafood dishes like our linguini with shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, and calamari provide a comprehensive taste of our seafood preparation skills. Each component gets individual attention before combining into a cohesive dish that represents authentic Italian coastal cuisine.
We accommodate dietary needs through flexible preparation methods and menu modifications. Since our dishes are made to order using fresh ingredients, our kitchen can often adjust preparations for common restrictions like gluten sensitivity, dairy limitations, or specific allergies.
Our staff understands the ingredients in each dish and can guide you toward options that work with your dietary requirements. For gluten concerns, while not all pasta dishes can be modified, there are naturally gluten-free seafood and meat preparations available. Dairy-free options exist among our seafood dishes that rely on olive oil-based preparations rather than cream sauces.
For larger parties or special events, advance notice allows our kitchen to plan modified menus that ensure everyone can enjoy the dining experience. Our commitment to made-to-order preparation means we have more flexibility than establishments relying on pre-made components, making accommodation more feasible for most dietary needs.
Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend evenings and during peak dining hours when our popularity can create wait times. Our intimate dining room fills quickly, particularly when live jazz music is scheduled, as this draws both regular customers and special occasion diners.
During busy periods, even with reservations, there might be brief delays as our kitchen maintains its made-to-order approach rather than rushing food quality. Most diners find the wait worthwhile given the food quality, and our bar area provides comfortable space while you wait for your table.
For the most relaxed experience, consider earlier seating times or weekday visits when the pace is more leisurely. Our commitment to quality means we won’t compromise food preparation to rush turnover, so planning ahead ensures you get the full experience without feeling hurried. The convenient parking eliminates at least one common restaurant frustration.
Yes, we provide comprehensive catering services that bring our authentic Italian and seafood specialties to your location throughout the greater Boston area, including Malden, Newton, Watertown, and surrounding communities. Our catering maintains the same quality standards as our restaurant, with dishes prepared fresh and transported properly to preserve flavors and presentation.
For private events, we offer dedicated space that can accommodate celebrations, business dinners, and special occasions. Our private dining area provides the same atmosphere and service quality as our main restaurant while allowing for customized menus and more personalized attention for your group.
Our catering menu includes our signature seafood dishes, homemade pasta selections, and traditional Italian specialties, scaled appropriately for your event size. Whether you’re planning a corporate gathering, family celebration, or wedding-related event, we work with you to create a menu that fits your needs and budget while maintaining our commitment to authentic preparation and quality ingredients.
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