Stylish restaurant serves creative Italian fare on one of city's largest riverfront patios.

(617) 497-4200

40 Edwin H Land Blvd (McGrath Highway)
Cambridge, MA 02142 42.3632 -71.0835

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Neighborhood: East Cambridge

www.restaurantdante.com

Hours:

Dinner:

Monday-Thursday, 5:30-10:00 PM

Friday-Saturday, 5:30-11:00 PM

Sunday, 5:00-9:00 PM

Bar:

2:30 PM - close (Monday-Sunday)

Price:

$$

Last updated 11.28.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Waterfront Dining, Private Rooms, View Dining, Lunch Spot, Date Spot, Casual Date Spot, Hotel Restaurants, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, Notable Chef, Business Dining, Online Reservations, Upscale Casual Dining, Group Dining, Happy Hour, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene, Notable Wine List, Private Parties

Cuisine:

New American, Italian

Smoking Permitted:

No

Special Offers

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Dante

The Owner

Dante

Owner

Boston's beloved star chef Dante de Magistris presents a fresh Italian cuisine at his eponymous hot spot. Enjoy food that's playful yet familiar in a warm space that evokes the serenity of the Mediterranean, featuring magnificent views of the Charles River and Boston's skyline. Serving lunch and dinner daily with the Inferno Brunch (2 courses, plus breakfast pastry for only $20) on Sunday. Dante has a little something for everyone. Whether you sample the chef's latest creation or one of his classic fresh pastas, you're sure to discover an experience you won't soon forget! Boasting distinctive…

Provided by CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Eric Grossman

Contributor

Dante de Magistris, formerly of the The Sports Club/LA's blu, opened his first restaurant in the Royal Sonesta (in the former Cambridge Davio's), serving all three meals with flair. More than 200 seats are spread throughout eight different seating areas, including two lounges and a large outdoor patio that sports views of the Charles and Boston's skyline. Dante's lengthy menu consists of creative, Mediterranean-tinged dishes like escargot with truffle whipped potato spuma and andouille sausage corn dogs.

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Sunday brunch, offered from 11am to 2pm, includes a $20 prix-fixe option. The menu is broken down into the following categories: Heaven, Purgatory and Hell.
Parking:
Plenty of free parking is available along the Cambridge Parkway, along the restaurant's patio.
ambiance
92.30999946594238% positive
  1. “Our group was seated at a comfortable banquette overlooking the Charles River on a beautifully sunny morning.”
  2. “enjoy the ambiance and dining experience provided by "Dante”
  3. “You won't find a more beautiful view of the Charles or a better place to spend a summer evening.”
  4. “On our way out we enjoyed a few cocktails in the lounge snuggled on cozy couch.”
  5. “Besides the nice views of the river and city, dante's is HELL!”
  6. “However they did it, dante has some great atmosphere, happy people, and serious food.”
  7. “fun, creative fare, we'll be back.”
  8. “made reservations in advance and requested the patio, luckily we got sat right away with a beautiful view of the river.”
  9. “We all agreed the atmosphere was perfect.”
  10. “She had a big smile and it looked like she was having fun.”
  11. “The food is great, the ambiance is nice and I can't wait for the patio to open.”
  12. “The menu is unique, fun and tasteful.”
  13. “The atmosphere is amazing: huge windows overlooking the Charles River, comfortable chairs and a lounge area, and a definitely relaxed attitude.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “the dessert menu was particularly interesting and it was hard to choose.”
drinks
77.2700023651123% positive
  1. “This place is my new favorite restaurant and bar in Boston.”
  2. “great bar,great food and good people”
  3. “He assured us that we could get the full menu at the bar so we decided to stay put and dine at the bar.”
  4. “The nice thing was that there were two seats at the bar in front of a nice flat screen TV showing the red sox game.”
  5. “This is something my wife and I don't do that offen but the bar staff was very inviting and friendly so we decided to give it a try.”
  6. “for the main course i took the waiters recommendation and ordered the chips on fish (we were drinking white wine) and my wife who is not such a foodie ordered the "crazy good steak frites" which is like a french country comfort food dish.”
  7. “It's literally steps from the River, has a full bar, and has plenty of tables, chairs and umbrellas.”
  8. “When my boyfriend tried to quiz her on the wines (his way of showing off) she easily rattled off some interesting info on some cool wines.”
  9. “On our way out we enjoyed a few cocktails in the lounge snuggled on cozy couch.”
  10. “All I have to say is if you love great food, great drinks, and more than attentive service you need to check dante out.”
  11. “The wine list is extensive and has a variety of excellent wines over a wide range of prices.”
food quality
94.58999633789062% positive
  1. “Fantastic food, well-prepared.”
  2. “Next came the entree and the bartender was right on with his suggestion this is the best chicken dish ever.”
  3. “over all food was incredible.”
  4. “The lobster claw in a pseudo-bouillabaisse base is an expensive appertiser but the bouillabaise base is bland as a canned soup from Campbell's.”
  5. “Great food, amazing patio”
  6. “In addition to the great cuisine, we love the convenience of the Sonesta Hotel.”
  7. “All the food was delicious, however, the big cut brioche French toast got our vote for the favorite breakfast entree.”
  8. “great bar,great food and good people”
  9. “the ginger with the caramel mouse had the perfect carribean flavor profile to finish the meal.”
  10. “Oh, and the gnocci are delicious!”
  11. “My son declared his steak frite the best meal he had ever had anywhere.”
  12. “went for restaurant week, and everything was delicious!”
  13. “We expected a good meal & enjoyable evening, but the staff made it absolutely horrible.”
  14. “However they did it, dante has some great atmosphere, happy people, and serious food.”
  15. “All I have to say is if you love great food, great drinks, and more than attentive service you need to check dante out.”
  16. “Great food!”
  17. “The food is great, the ambiance is nice and I can't wait for the patio to open.”
  18. “best food for "foodies", best patio.”
  19. “After a crisp dry prosecco we opened the meal by sampling the Oysters, and the raw calamari, peppers over brioche, salad.”
  20. “It was served with spiced butter and fresh Vermont maple syrup -- from the chef?”
  21. “our waiter was great and was up to the challenge of us grilling him on the food and we will return definitely for the tasting menu next time.”
  22. “clear passion for great food”
  23. “Each time the food has been outstanding.”
  24. “Although dante is listed as Italian food, you won't find any eggplant parmesan or pasta with red sauce - their menu spans a range from elegant seafood and vegetable dishes to the downright unusual and playful, like a grilled baby cuttlefish, a "mini lobst”
  25. “All of the food was delicious, from the chewy bread and crispy crackers, to the appetizers that we shared--an onion tart and to-die-for gnocchi.”
  26. “Delicious food and excellent service”
  27. “highly recommend dante for anyone that truely loves food.”
  28. “The cuttle fish and the lobster clam bake were both excellent but if we had to choose just one the clam bake wins.”
  29. “for the main course i took the waiters recommendation and ordered the chips on fish (we were drinking white wine) and my wife who is not such a foodie ordered the "crazy good steak frites" which is like a french country comfort food dish.”
  30. “Chef Dante deMagistris is brilliant in his combination of complimentary tastes in a delicious and novel way.”
  31. “Each of us loved every course of our meal.”
  32. “love this place and want to eat every meal there (dante serves delicious breakfast, lunch & dinner, 7 days a week)!”
  33. “and I ordered the most delicious, creamy lemon encased in something coconut.”
  34. “the portions were perfect and Dante respected the classic guittara adding his special touch like the crab and guanciale which i had never seen before (cut of pork).”
  35. “had tastes of the juicy chicken that came with a stuffed pepper, and the scallops.”
  36. “the salad was simple with young arugula and the most divine parmigiano reggiano chease.”
  37. “The oysters were fresh and came with a very well balanced sea salt based seasoning mix, and the calamari were exquisite and oh so delicate (may have been med calamari as they tasted too delicate and sweet to be north Atlantic).”
menu variety
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. “He assured us that we could get the full menu at the bar so we decided to stay put and dine at the bar.”
  2. “the dessert menu was particularly interesting and it was hard to choose.”
  3. “When the bartender greeted us with the full dinner menu and the cocktail menu we were in heaven.”
  4. “our waiter was great and was up to the challenge of us grilling him on the food and we will return definitely for the tasting menu next time.”
  5. “The menu is unique, fun and tasteful.”
  6. “The wine list is extensive and has a variety of excellent wines over a wide range of prices.”
  7. “Delicious and creative menu.”
  8. “the chef is into tasting size portions to start and then has a selection interesting entrees with a blend of traditional meets modern.”
  9. “Although dante is listed as Italian food, you won't find any eggplant parmesan or pasta with red sauce - their menu spans a range from elegant seafood and vegetable dishes to the downright unusual and playful, like a grilled baby cuttlefish, a "mini lobst”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This place is my new favorite restaurant and bar in Boston.”
  2. “In all, I think it is a nice place but not as hailed by some of the enthusiastic reviews.”
  3. “recently had the great pleasure of dinning at Dante de Magistriss new restaurant at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge (across from the galleria).”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “fun, creative fare, we'll be back.”
  2. “our waiter was great and was up to the challenge of us grilling him on the food and we will return definitely for the tasting menu next time.”
service
71.4300012588501% positive
  1. “understand the previous reviewer may have been unhappy with her service, but sometimes when you go to a restaurant on such a busy holiday, things can happen due to the high traffic flowing in the restaurant.”
  2. “The service was excellent.”
  3. “Our server was friendly and really accommodating, especially of me as a vegetarian.”
  4. “We were greeted by a big smile from a friendly server.”
  5. “All I have to say is if you love great food, great drinks, and more than attentive service you need to check dante out.”
  6. “Servers are rude and extremely slow.”
  7. “for the main course i took the waiters recommendation and ordered the chips on fish (we were drinking white wine) and my wife who is not such a foodie ordered the "crazy good steak frites" which is like a french country comfort food dish.”
  8. “Horrible service.”
  9. “Very impressive, friendly, and reasonable!”
  10. “The service is a bit slow and careless, but since it was Sat evening, I give them a break on that.”
  11. “Next came the entree and the bartender was right on with his suggestion this is the best chicken dish ever.”
  12. “We expected a good meal & enjoyable evening, but the staff made it absolutely horrible.”
  13. “We really enjoyed the brunch service and want to highly recommend it.”
  14. “our waiter was great and was up to the challenge of us grilling him on the food and we will return definitely for the tasting menu next time.”
  15. “However they did it, dante has some great atmosphere, happy people, and serious food.”
  16. “The manager, Seth was very accommodating and the staff was very knowledgeable and friendly.”
  17. “When the bartender greeted us with the full dinner menu and the cocktail menu we were in heaven.”
  18. “great bar,great food and good people”
  19. “This is something my wife and I don't do that offen but the bar staff was very inviting and friendly so we decided to give it a try.”
  20. “The bartender suggested an apertivi made with pims and cucumber and my wife had some thing called a freak cocktail a weird combination of tropical flavors with blue cheese olives, the combination worked.”
  21. “Delicious food and excellent service”
value
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “the portions were perfect and Dante respected the classic guittara adding his special touch like the crab and guanciale which i had never seen before (cut of pork).”
  2. “The wine list is extensive and has a variety of excellent wines over a wide range of prices.”
  3. “you won't get outta here for cheap, but it's one of the best spots for alfresco dining in the city!”
  4. “The lobster claw in a pseudo-bouillabaisse base is an expensive appertiser but the bouillabaise base is bland as a canned soup from Campbell's.”
  5. “The atmosphere is amazing: huge windows overlooking the Charles River, comfortable chairs and a lounge area, and a definitely relaxed attitude.”
  6. “the chef is into tasting size portions to start and then has a selection interesting entrees with a blend of traditional meets modern.”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “The service is a bit slow and careless, but since it was Sat evening, I give them a break on that.”
  2. “Servers are rude and extremely slow.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/18/11

Ever changing menu

by ctddamm at Citysearch

dante's. If you haven't run into Chef Dante around town yet you haven't been looking. The man inspires the same personallity in his menu as he does hosting a 7 deadly sins NYE Blow Out!

I've been visiting the restaurant since August, it seems the cocktails are always changing, keeping me comming back.

The menu changes seasonally though often features nightly additions. Catch a White Alban truffle dish if your lucky.

Best way to experience Dante is with a Pre-fixe tasting. Extra special when Chef is in the house.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/03/09

Great food!

by loftladycheryl at Citysearch

Fantastic food, well-prepared. I went for restaurant week, and everything was delicious! Good location.

  • Pros: Go for restaurant week!
  • Cons: none
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/18/09

Great experience

by laupic at Citysearch

My friends and I had a wonderful experience at Dante for my recent Birthday dinner. The manager, Seth was very accommodating and the staff was very knowledgeable and friendly.

I have been to Dante several times and have had a great experience every time. The food is great, the ambiance is nice and I can't wait for the patio to open.

Oh, and the gnocci are delicious!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

05/27/08

Great food, amazing patio

by wonderwallofsound at Citysearch

I'm a frequent diner at "Dante". Our meals have been consistently awesome. I enjoy the ambiance and dining experience provided by "Dante". The waiters tend to be very kind and know the menu in detail. And the patio is fantastic come summer time.

3 things: 1. About the previous review: my family had brunch on Mother's day, and it was very busy at the restaurant. I understand the previous reviewer may have been unhappy with her service, but sometimes when you go to a restaurant on such a busy holiday, things can happen due to the high traffic flowing in the restaurant. To judge "Dante" just on a mothers day brunch experience is ridiculous. Try going on a weekend or weeknight to really see what's it's like. 2. They don't have a kids menu. I brought my little bro once and the servers offer choices for kids. I don't know why this past reviewer was mentioning having to ask for a kids menu, when they don't have one. 3. Their patio is "first come, first serve". You can't make reservations for it, you can only request it when you call to make a reservation, and if you show up without a reservation on a busy night, good luck, because you will be forced to wait. I learned the hard way, so just call in advance!

  • Pros: ambience, patio, creativity in dishes, services, food
  • Cons: pricey, portions for certain dishes dissapointing, random location
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/07/07

Try it before it is too busy to get in!

by cfs78 at Citysearch

We've been twice to this upscale Italian restaurant in the Royal Sonesta. Each time the food has been outstanding. The original draw was that were able to get a reservation on a weekend night. If word gets out on how good the food is that shouldn't be true for long. We dined with our two children. Each of us loved every course of our meal. To start we were treated to an amuse bouche of risotto cakes, which made my children swoon. The waiter could see how much we enjoyed them and promptly brought us another plate of them. My son declared his steak frite the best meal he had ever had anywhere. The service was excellent. I highly recommend Dante.

The Details on Dante

Place Categories:

  • great serious food
  • particularly interesting dessert menu
  • great experience
  • friendly bar staff
  • excellent brunch service
  • friendly server
  • best patio
  • careless service
  • great atmosphere
  • impressive very
  • beautiful view
  • favorite bar
  • nice place
  • oh so delicate calamari
  • happy people
  • best meal
  • full dinner menu
  • big smile
  • highly recommend dante
  • interesting info
  • flat screen tv
  • huge windows
  • best spots
  • cool wines
  • unhappy previous reviewer

As Seen In…

Best of Citysearch

Boston

Message from Dante

  • Friendly Italian restaurant
  • Magnificent skyline views
  • Outdoor patio

Boston's beloved star chef Dante de Magistris presents a fresh Italian cuisine at his eponymous hot spot. Enjoy food that's playful yet familiar in a warm space that evokes the serenity of the Mediterranean, featuring magnificent views of the Charles River and Boston's skyline. Serving lunch and dinner daily with the Inferno Brunch (2 courses, plus breakfast pastry for only $20) on Sunday. Dante has a little something for everyone. Whether you sample the chef's latest creation or one of his classic fresh pastas, you're sure to discover an experience you won't soon forget! Boasting distinctive cocktails, an extensive wine list, seasonal patio dining, Dante is the perfect spot to refresh your mind, restore your spirit and reinvigorate your taste buds.

Dante

Free Sfizi

Present this Citysearch special offer and enjoy a complementary Sfizi with the order of any lunch or dinner entree.

Dante - 40 Edwin H Land BlvdCambridge, MA02142 - (617) 497-4200

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