Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse

Savor this top Boston Italian restaurant!

Dine at Davio's, and you'll fall in love with Northern Italian cuisine. 

No one does it better than Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse Restaurant - possibly because of the sensational blend of Italian specialties with American favorites. 

Fabulous pastas and risottos share center stage at this favorite Boston restaurant with succulent steaks, chops, fresh-from-the-pier seafood, numerous local New England veggies, and lush desserts. 

At lunch, burgers, pizza, and panini join the mix.  

Gluten-free menus for lunch and dinner widen the choices.

From power lunch to after-theater drinks

Located on the southeastern edge of Back Bay, next to Park Square and Bay Village, the restaurant is a popular place for power lunches, weeknight dinners, and weekend splurges. 

It's also favorite Theatre District restaurant for dinner before a show or after-theater drinks. 

Walk into the restaurant, and you'll be immediately struck by the dramatic impact of high ceilings (a furniture store once occupied the space), massive columns, and a gorgeous open kitchen.  The decor's soothing chocolate browns and silvery taupes balance with warmth of the food and high-energy ambiance.

On the menu, you'll find an awesome array of first courses, salads, pastas, and small plates, many of which change seasonally. 

Where to begin? 

Perhaps with Davio's acclaimed lobster bisque, or the perfectly fried crispy oysters served with vegetable slaw and basil aioli.  Or maybe the warm spinach salad, or a half-portion of the incredible lobster risotto. 

Don't overlook the pasta - everything from simple but perfect angel hair pasta with pomodoro sauce and fresh basis to fedelini with out-of-this-world baby clam sauce. 

You could easily put two or three of these small dishes together for a perfect meal.

But you'll also want one of the mouth-watering main courses.  Here's where you'll find extensive choices featuring hearty steaks, super lamb and pork, free-range chicken, and veal scallopini. 

Even though this is a steakhouse, take a close look at the scrumptious seafood - especially the grilled swordfish and fabulous pan-roasted lobster with lemon tarragon sauce and Yukon gold potatoes.

Vegetarians and vegans, you'll also find plenty to be happy about here.  Davio's Italian roots show in the large number of vegetable options, in addition to the pastas and risottos. 

Gluten-free menus for lunch and dinner include favorites from the regular menus as well as yummy specialties - so whether or not you're avoiding gluten, be sure to take a look.

Love dessert?  Better plan ahead!

Portions tend to be large - so if you want to have dessert, you'll need a strategy.  Perhaps order a little less, or plan to take home part of your meal - because the desserts, all made in house, are worth saving room for.  They vary somewhat from day to day, but almost always include what must be the all-time favorite: an incredibly decadent molten chocolate cake served with ice cream. 

To accompany all of this is an excellent list of mostly Italian wines, plus plenty of other beverages.  In fact, Davio's also offers a small but super bar menu, so you can happily remain at the bar if you'd like.

In addition to the regular menu, prix fixe menus are also often available, with and without wine pairings. 

Where will you find Davio's?

Owner Steve DiFillippo started Davio's back in 1985 when he was only 24, and the restaurant has existed in various locations since that time.  Today, it can be found in the Back Bay location, the spectacular new Patriot Place next to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, and Philadelphia. 

Behind the Back Bay location, you'll even find Davio's To Go tucked away in a lobby space - one of Boston's hidden secrets, and a local favorite for cheap eats.  When you're in a rush but starving for something tasty, grab a carryout container of soup, panini, salad, or my personal favorite, the deep dish pizza, fragrant with olive oil and garlic.

Details and Directions

Cost range:  
   Massachusetts restaurants: Lunch $$$; Dinner $$$$
   Davio's To Go $ (Monday - Friday, 7am - 4:30pm (4pm on Fridays) - one of my favorite Boston Cheap Eats
Address: 
   Back Bay:  75 Arlington Street Green Line/Arlington; 617-357-4810
   Back Bay:  Davio's To Go - 10 St. James, between Arlington and Berkeley
   Foxborough:  Patriot Place, next to Gillette Stadium 
   Philadelphia:  111 South 17th Street; 215-563-4810
For more information and menus:  617-357-4810; website