Contessa Boston
Boston
At a glance
Contessa Boston is a rooftop Italian restaurant at 3 Newbury Street, positioned on the upper floor of The Newbury with views across Back Bay and the Boston Public Garden. Its cooking takes inspiration from Northern Italy, while its setting brings a polished, celebratory character to breakfast, lunch, brunch, drinks and dinner.
The dining room was designed to recall another era, combining Art Deco references with mid-century modern details. During the day, natural light gives the restaurant a bright, composed atmosphere. In the evening, the rooftop setting takes on a more intimate feel, with dinner and cocktails served beneath the sky as well as in the interior dining space.
The menu follows the traditions of a grand Italian trattoria, with a focus on carefully prepared antipasti, handmade pasta, pizza, meat and other regional specialties. Northern Italian influences shape the menu, giving the restaurant a more specific identity than a general Italian dining room. The food suits diners looking for a full meal as well as those stopping in for drinks and shared plates.
The bar is a central part of the experience. Its wine collection concentrates on established Italian and French regions, including Piedmont, Tuscany, Bordeaux and Burgundy, with a particular emphasis on bottles suited to a serious meal. Classic cocktails, including Negronis and Martinis, provide a straightforward option for guests visiting before dinner or settling in for an evening at the bar.
Contessa's design, rooftop position and formal-leaning atmosphere make it a natural choice for occasions that call for a little more polish, from a celebratory meal to an evening with drinks and conversation. The space also accommodates daytime dining, so its character shifts with the light and the service period rather than remaining limited to dinner.
For diners interested in Italian cooking, a considered wine list and a setting with broad city views, Contessa offers a complete restaurant experience in a prominent Newbury Street location. The combination of Northern Italian food, tailored interiors and rooftop dining gives the venue a clear sense of place without separating the food from the setting.