This 70-seat trattoria in Cambridge is a diamond in the rough, forgotten stretch of Mass Ave between Harvard and Porter. Former Via Matta chef Michael Pagliarini spends hours each day rolling out his handmade doughs at the restaurant's centerpiece pasta table, and the resulting ravioli, fusilli, and pappardelle truly taste like they were made hours earlier. At night, the table transforms from a workspace to a communal dining table that serves family-style tasting meals.
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First date, ninth date, anniversary date, besties date… Giulia is perfect for them all. The cozy, intimate, brick-walled space is so dimly lit, it’s almost impossible not to feel romantic vibes. And the service is so far above what you might usually settle for that you’ll quickly relax into the evening—just in time to twirl delectable plates of housemade pasta before sharing bites of chocolate terrine. And when you inevitably return years later for your engagement party, be sure to snag the special-occasion pasta table.
Brought to you by pasta master chef Michael Pagliarini, Giulia serves up some of the best Italian in Cambridge. Inspired by Pagliarini’s culinary roots, which stem from Umbria, Italy, the restaurant has quite the selection of dishes like the pappardelle with wild boar, paccheri alla bolognese, potato culurgiones, and more. Dimly-lit, and, of course, filled with wine, what better inspiration for your next date-night spot?
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