Mare E Monti

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mare E Monti – Exceptional Authentic Italian & Seafood Pasta Spot in Worcester, MA Mare E Monti is an exceptional Italian gem — probably home to the best seafood pasta I’ve ever had. I was in town ahead of a half marathon near Hampton Beach on Sunday. After a long drive and a surprise call that my extended family was touring the East Coast nearby, we decided to meet halfway — and Worcester made perfect sense. I booked a table for eight at 8 PM on Saturday. We miscounted our party, which led to about a 45-minute wait, but honestly, that just gave us more time to catch up. The interior strikes a lovely balance — rustic yet modern, cozy yet romantic, and unmistakably Italian in feel. 🥂 Starters We kicked off with two plates of Calamari Fritti — classic native calamari, lightly fried and tossed with cherry peppers and a delicate butter sauce. Absolutely delicious; I had to restrain myself from finishing the whole plate. Complimentary garlic bread with olive oil was also served, and I stopped myself at 2–3 slices to save room for the race-fueling carbs to come. For salad, I chose the Insalata Casalinga — crisp field greens, grape tomatoes, julienne carrots, cucumbers, red onion, and imported olives in a light vinaigrette. Simple, fresh, and highly recommended. 🍝 The Main Event The real reason I chose Mare E Monti was simple: carb loading. I went with the Pasta con Cozze e Fagioli — sautéed mussels in a garlic white wine sauce with diced tomatoes and cannellini beans, tossed with linguine. It was everything I’d hoped for: flavorful yet light, satisfying without being heavy. The mussels were tender, the beans added substance, and the pasta was perfectly cooked. Others at the table tried the Ravioli di Aragosta (lobster ravioli) on my recommendation. I snagged a bite — and it was heavenly. Rich, delicate, and beautifully balanced. 🌟 Final Thoughts Dinner here was the perfect pre-race meal — nourishing without weighing me down. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, the service attentive, and the food consistently excellent. Even parking was simple; I found easy street parking just around the corner (though valet is also available). Oh, and the next morning? I ran a personal best in my half marathon — just over 1 hour and 20 minutes. I’d like to think the perfect plate of pasta helped fuel that finish. All in all, Mare E Monti is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Italian cuisine and standout seafood pasta in the Worcester area. I’ll absolutely be back next time I’m in Massachusetts. Last visited: October 4, 2025

The highlight feature is Lobster Ravioli and Calamari and pistachio - chocolate mousse. We never skip them when we been there. You can't find anywhere else like that. worth the money and THIS IS MY FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT. The best one in my heart

Great Italian, risotto was outstanding. we came early at 4 with a well behaved 2 year old for a special family birthday dinner. I would say it’s more for date nights. Excellent service and cozy atmosphere. Can’t wait to come back.

Food is pretty good. The menu is quite diverse and our Waiter told us they would make additional foods that weren't on the menu. Which is quite kind. We found our appetizers and main courses while prepared and good. And we were surprised at how quickly they came out. It seems we hit it right before it dinner rush. The place can get pretty busy. At one point I did feel like they were trying to rush us out the door when we were done eating and enjoying our wine . Would definitely visit again.

We visited this place for the first time and the foods were amazing. The service not though. We had a good time there with our friends.

We had the pleasure of dining here recently, and I can confidently say it was an exceptional experience. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance set the tone perfectly. The low lighting created a cozy, intimate atmosphere ideal for a date night. The food was nothing short of amazing. Each dish was bursting with authentic Italian flavors, and you could tell that high-quality ingredients were used in every bite. The portions were generous, making it easy to indulge without feeling overwhelmed. The service was another highlight of the evening. Our server was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, ensuring that everything was just right. Ask for their dessert tray. We had the pistachio tiramisu which was the perfect end to our meal. Overall, this restaurant is a local gem. Whether you're looking for a romantic evening out or simply craving authentic Italian cuisine, this is the place to be. I can't wait to return!

10/10 experience. I sat at the bar and Aimee was my bartender and she was fabulous! Would definitely recommend coming for a wonderful experience!

If you're looking for a cozy, family-owned Italian restaurant that makes you feel right at home the moment you walk in, look no further. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and full of charm—like dining in a beloved family friend's kitchen. The food was absolutely delicious, with classic Italian dishes made with care and bursting with authentic flavor. Every bite felt like it was made with love, and the portions were generous without being overwhelming. What truly made our experience unforgettable, though, was the exceptional service. A very special shout out to our server Robin, who went above and beyond to make our night special. Robin was incredibly attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable—offering great recommendations and making sure we had everything we needed without ever feeling rushed. It’s rare to come across someone who so clearly loves what they do, and it made all the difference. Highly recommend this gem for a relaxed, satisfying meal that makes you feel like part of the family. We’ll definitely be back!

Amazing food! Mare E Monti will move into my Top 5 restaurants in Worcester with this latest visit. The cuisine is fantastic, service is excellent. I had the swordfish special. It was paired with a butternut squash risotto and it was delicious. For an appetizer my table tried the stuffed calamari. It garnered mixed reviews but I thought that the seafood stuffing was very tasty. The restaurant is vibrant. The tables are a little close and you will usually need to use the free valet parking but this hidden gem is a perfect choice for your Italian dinner plans.

Food: they have plenty of pasta options to pick from and portions are huge. It's one of the many places that I recommend people to try for an Italian restaurant. I would say some of their pasta is slightly bland, specifically their white sauce version. However, I do love the red sauce dishes they have available as it's more rich in flavor and salt. Their espresso martinis are delicious and if you request it on the creamy side, it's pretty good. Service: our server was fine, the food runner might've been more helpful than the server making sure we had everything. We had reservations for 8 o'clock for eight people, but when we arrived, we had to wait about 15 to 20 minutes before getting sat. It happens when it gets busy on a weekend, it would be nice if we were told accordingly how long to wait. Ambiance: it's a very small warm intimate area where you can enjoy a delicious dish under a candle. There is a small bar at the front once you enter the restaurant that's kind of more rustic vibes. Location accommodation: there is free street parking if you do so find it yourself, but you can do valet as a complementary to the restaurant. Reservations can be made through the phone or now Resy, but just know that everybody from your party must arrive before you get started.

I used to drive by this place thinking nothing of it until one of my cousin's told me this was the best pasta in Worcester. My best friend and I decided to check it out one afternoon and we were quite impressed! Parking is a little hard because there is no lot - it's street parking but does offer valet. It's a lot bigger than I thought! When you walk in, there's a little bar and waiting area then you walk up the steps and into the dining room. Pretty spacious and the lighting is quite dim. We got the calamari and caprese to start. Can't go wrong with fried calamari ever, but the caprese was just average. I was expecting some balsamic glaze, maybe I could've asked but it's whatever. Also comes with complimentary bread for the table with some really good garlic olive oil to dip. The star of the show was the pasta! SO good and flavorful! I don't remember the name of my dish unfortunately but I chose to have rigatoni and salmon as my protein and it was amazing. My friend got the Linguine alle Vongole and the sauce was to die for! We literally kept going back and forth on eachothers dishes lol. I would definitely come back just for the pasta not the apps.

Always excellent food and service and generally nice ambiance although it can be noisy and hard to hear depending on other parties.

TERRIBLE!!!!!! had a reservation and was told there were "5 tables ahead of us" after 15 minutes of waiting. what's the point of a reservation?? either make it reservation only, hold the table for the reservation or be honest and let the party know that they will be waiting OVER 45 minutes... we didn't even dine we left. very disappointing and very poor management

My husband and I went tonight for our anniversary dinner. I did make reservations on line and thank goodness! it did ask me what the occasion was and I clicked anniversary which wasn't acknowledged (no biggie) but It was the most amazing meal we have had in a long time. I was blown away. The "gravy" or "sauce" my god. Legit tasted like home. We do not get red sauce out EVER. I will be back. I can not wait. LUAN! She was great! Attentive and told us the almond dessert was to die for and she delivered !!!!

Best authentic tasting Italian food in the area and a beautiful ambiance for a good date night

I'm just going to list pros and cons of my visit here. Pros: good food, nice ambiance, friendly staff, affordable prices. Cons: location makes it hard to find parking (but they have valet), I waited 30 minutes for my table WITH A RESERVATION. People that came in after me were sat before me which didn't make sense because I arrived 5 minutes before my reservation time and didn't get seated till half an hour later. I'm not sure what the issue was but they seemed a little disorganized. This left a bad taste in my mouth and it might be a while before I return.

Great food, friendly bartender service and enjoyed the old school ambiance. Food is solid.

From start to finish this could be my favorite Italian restaurant ever. Food, wine and service was exceptional! Had the Fruitti de Mare, Chicken Parm and homemade Parpadelle! Exceptional and huge portions!! When in the area we will make a special trip to eat here again!

Absolutely a hidden gem. The food was incredible in a very unassuming building in Worcester.

first of you definitely need a reservation, and even then there may be a wait and there's a good reason for it and frankly well worth it... this place is in a frankly weird location... but it's awesome food was awesome A+++ service was also A+++

Great place,family owned, high quality Italian cuisine. Had an awesome experience ! Terrific waiters, very attentive.

The pasta, the seafood, the appetizers, the cocktails....OMG I had the bolognese and it was simply PERFECT! My partner had past with seafood and it was completely tasty and delicious! Who knew this place was even here. We both will be returning shortly. The staff was extremely attentive and very professional and cordial. I can't say enough good things about this place, just wish it was closer!!!! I took some pics of our food and drinks and will post them shortly

Another restaurant week try and we were happy with the traditional Italian food and the menu. I had the Cesar salad to start which had a great flavored Cesar dressing and wife had eggplant ensalada. Her eggplant was so thinly sliced and perfectly cooked with an amazing sauce. We then both had the Pollo Ala Vodka. It was extremely tasty and had three small but filling pieces of chicken with the homemade pasta and sauce. We finished with the tiramisu, which was also small but very tasty. Our server was good, but not overly friendly. The restaurant itself was also small, which usually means cozy, but it was so loud that we had trouble hearing each other. Located in a small neighborhood it did offer free valet parking. Although most of the restaurants are located on the main drive, this is worth the look.

First, I LOVE that they have valet parking so I don't have to worry about finding a spot in the residential area. Second, I love that the staff hustle and seem to anticipate your needs. Third, the food is delicious and the portions enormous! We always try to get there before 7pm to avoid the huge crowds that overtake the lobby area.

This place was bussin bussin! Like it was pretty slay! Best Italian food I had for a while! I asked them to just make me the vodka rigatoni. (FIRE) my sister got the chicken parm, it was also pretty fireeee!! The service was good. Nothing fancy. Ambiance, let me say, the best places are in the sketchiest of areas. (The area is a little sus but worth it! Free street parking or you can do valet) overall, 10/10 would come again. (If I lived by) also, it can be a nice place to take someone or some place causal. That was a nice surprise!

Favorite restaurant in the city. Amazing food, beautiful ambiance, consistently good service. Can be a little challenging for parking but they provide valet which removes that obstacle.

Very expensive for microwaved food. It use to be great, now very mediocre. Not impressive anymore. Worcester deserves better.

A last minute decision after picking up a family friend at the bus station at 7:00 pm. Checked Yelp before we went, it had 4+ rating. It Lived up to expectations. Swordfish, lasagna, pasta bolognese were great. Good wait staff, good portions, reasonable prices. A winner with free valet parking I seek family owned restaurant as they care about their customers This is one of the

Prepare to have your taste buds dazzled with their Spaghetti al Formaggio Parmigiano Cheese Bowl. It's pasta made right on a cheese wheel, and trust me, it's as good as it sounds! We celebrated my birthday there, and it was an unforgettable experience. If you're up for this cheesy delight, make sure to visit them from Tuesday through Thursday. My fiancé got the Ravioli's ai Funghi. It earned a perfect 10 out of 10 from him! The service in here was amazing. This Italian restaurant was truly amazing. To get a better idea of their culinary style and the cozy ambiance, check out their website I think it beautifully captures what makes mare e monti so special!

Never been Worcester Massachusetts before, and if you haven't either, at the very least this is the reason to go! This was some of the finest Italian food I've had, and you look back on my reviews, you'll note that I like Italian food! I usually test a restaurant by the quality of its veal parmesan, and that's what I did here. That thing came out moist on the inside and crispy on the outside - perfect! Rather than get red sauce on my pasta, I went with olive oil, butter and garlic. My business partner did the exact same thing - he loved it as well! This place is located in a neighborhood adjacent to a commercial at area. I initially missed it when I was driving in, looking for a parking space. Be sure to keep an eye out because you don't want to miss Monte d Mare!

I had the Maiale Saltimbocca "14-ounce double-cut pan-seared pork chop". While it was good it was hardly 14oz. If this is written on the menu I expect 14 oz. I could not have been more than 8. At the $30 price tag it's the most expensive pork chop I've ever had. I would not go back here. The pollenta its served with taste like corn gruel formed into a square, why anyone would serve that is beyond me.

Absolute gem. Located in a spot you may just drive right past but trust me, once you stop in you will feel very differently. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and absolutely stunning. Cocktails were spot on and food was out of this world. The turnaround was unbelievable, the food came out so quickly we couldn't believe they could have been our dishes. We ordered the Bolognese, a fettuccine dish and a veal piccata dish. Amazing. We could not pass up the delicious looking desserts and they were also out of this world. I would recommend trying the almond tort. One of the best desserts I've had by far anywhere. The citrus cannolis were fantastic as were the Derby cakeand chocolate chip cheesecake. We have heard such great things about this gem and will definitely return. Met the owner at the end of our meal and just loved the feeling of being welcomed. So kind and warm.

Such a lovely experience here. Food was incredible - huge portions of pasta. Highly recommend

Everything was great! The food was so delicious, our waitress was amazing. The ambiance was perfect. The only thing I can say is that I suggest a reservation. Everyone knows it's good so the wait was a little long but totally worth every minute!!

One of my absolute favorite restaurants. The food is so good. Always crowded with a fun ambiance inside. Service is great even large groups!

Went with a party of 12 friends and had an awesome experience!! The pasta is handmade in some cases (they tell you when you order). Food was very authentic and affordable!! They offer Spaghetti al Formaggio Parmigiano Cheese Bowl made table side. ​(Served Tues-Thurs). I would recommend everyone just go to see that made table side! It makes you feel just like your in Italy. The waiter was very knowledgeable and helpful.

Great food, excellent service, coming from San Francisco I wanted to try a local Italian joint and everything was great and I couldn't fault a thing. The restaurant was busy and had great family and young people vibes. The servers were all super friendly from my phone call to the staff. Also I heard people speaking Italian at the table next to me... which is always a good sign

I really wanted to love this restaurant. We went for my birthday, as a party of four. The 2 dinner salads were fresh and our guests enjoyed them. The pasta dishes were not what I expected. The texture and flavor suggested they been precooked and reheated for us. The fish in my dish was previously frozen, not fresh as described in the menu, and overcooked. The staff were great - friendly and attentive. It was mixed for us. Maybe it was an off night, but it wasn't what I was expecting based on the reviews. I might try it again in the future.

Absolutely amazing!! Best pasta and the salmon was delicious. Service was excellent and I love the ambiance.

Came here for valentines dinner- did not disappoint! Drinks, food, service- all fantastic! I loved the dim lights, the real candle light at the table, and the perfect portions. Will definitely be coming back. Also, the lemon dessert we had with espresso was delish. Loved this place

This is absolutely one of my favorite places. The bartender and the owner are so awesome. It is very quaint inside and gives a true Italian feel. The food is phenomenal and everything we've tried I have been pleased with. My favorite is the bolognese!

Amazing little hole-in-the-wall place. The gnocchi was incredible... the sauce was what sold me. It was so wonderfully rustic, it tasted like something my grandma would've made me. Almost made me cry. Desserts, service, and perfectly intimate ambiance were all just the cherries on top of a phenomenal cake. Will be coming back here for sure.

I did what any person who prides themselves on being a foodie does after their moving to a new city is quickly followed by an earth shattering pandemic that precludes significant eating out time and chose to eat at one of the few restaurants I have not only already been to in Worcester but been to multiple times. If I may defend myself, Mare e Monti is a very short evening stroll from Vincent's which is perfect for a night cap and I also pride myself on being a night cap bitch. GF's aunt was in town for a transient 36 hours so stakes were high and I was confident that Mare e Monti could deliver. Fortunately there was no wait on a Wednesday evening at around 7:30 and we were seated immediately. I do recall, in pre-pandemic times, there was a wait on weekend nights during prime dinner eating time. I started with The Rosa which GF reflected on as a beverage she enjoyed during a previous visit. Tito's vodka, st. germain, grapefruit, and usually rosemary (they were out on this particular night) is just the right combo of strong but refreshing without the rubbing-alcohol essence. As a table, we agreed upon the burrata and requested it to be served without onions which I will always say are unnecessary but this was a rare occasion where my onion-slut dinner companions agreed. The burrata was creamy and delicious, served on a beautiful bed of crostini, speck over a bed of arugula and unfortunately, onions. If you know me at all, you know that beverages don't last long in my presence. By this time of the meal, I was ready for another drink and elected to continue with a glass of their red sangria. This was juicy and standard but was lacking in the fruit chunk department. Ultimately the alcohol is more important than the fruit and it got the job done as far as that was concerned. We continued on with the next course which for both me and GF's aunt was the insalata casalinga with greens, grape tomatoes, carrots, onions, and olives with house dressing. In my case, the onions were requested to be omitted and thankfully, were. I tend to like my salads as dressing with a side of greens but even this was way too heavily dressed for my liking. What made it particularly unpleasant was that by the time it made its way to our table, the greens were soggy and I cannot tolerate consuming soggy greens in a salad. Needless to say, this was a disappointment and a missed opportunity to clean out the internal plumbing. Regarding my main, I succumbed to the existential crisis of whether to stick with what I know is good or try something new. I've previously tried both the gnocchi and eggplant parm and both were DELICIOUS but the tortellini caught my eye. As someone who would fill their pool with sweet peas, I couldn't pass up a dish of goat cheese-filled tortellini with sweet peas and a blush sauce covered in mozzarella. I'm glad I went this route because, like the other two dishes, this was absolutely fantastic and I wolfed it down so quickly I hardly remember details. I would also like to add that the service was amazing. Our waitress was super patient with all of our dumbass questions and adjustments. I love how everything is made to order and you can request alterations as you like. Other than a few hiccups, we had an absolutely fantastic time dining this restaurant and I wouldn't hesitate to return.

Very busy restaurant. Extremely delicious and authentic Italian food. Only issue was the parking due to its obscure area but it is what it is... they have free valet to offset the issue. And FYI for management your valet staff (the 2 brothers) were VERY POLITE. Haddock soup in red sauce with clams, shrimp and mussels was insanely good. Calamari and tuna carpaccio apps were solid. Beet salad very clean. Service top notch. Highly recommended and will definitely return.

Mare E Monti Trattoria is hands-down our favorite Italian restaurant in Central Mass. They serve traditional Italian fare and have many pasta and non-pasta options alike. They have exceptional appetizers. We had calamari, Caprese, and Arancini di Riso: stuffed risotto balls packed with ham, peas and other goodness - a few days post this meal, I find myself dreaming of those little guys. For entrées I went with the Pappardelle alla Bolognese which is the best Bolognese I have ever had. Some of their dishes are served fresh out of a giant cheese wheel - definitely need to try that. The restaurant itself has a small bar area and a medium-sized dining space. The dining room is dim-lit with candles and other beautiful light fixtures giving rise to a cozy and intimate dining experience. I heard they serve a mean Black Manhattan - will try that next time I visit! If you're even considering trying Mare E Monti do yourself a favor and get in your car and drive to this place for an exception meal.

The service was exemplary. The food was excellent. One star nocked off due the noise level. All of the dining walls are hard brick, wallboard. The restaurant was busy so the noise constant. If I could knock off 1/2 star it would be because the herbed olive oil with bread used a bland olive oil. If they want to take the noise the could hang Italian inspired tapestries on the walls. I suspect that they wouldn't want to do that.

This place is the Best in the city! Hidden gem with amazing Italian dishes. Definitely recommend!

Came here for dinner last night-- it was delicious. Bolognese, Marsala, and beet salad were excellent. The almond cake is exceptional do not forget to get this!!! Amazing!!!

We were visiting from out of town and wanted Italian. We were not disappointed, the food, drink and ambiance were fantastic. I would highly recommend the Frutti Di Mare and coconut cake. The waiter was also very attentive.

Overpriced and underwhelming. Mare y Monti used to be a fantastic italian place but they have gone down hill. We went for the first time in a few years and the food was overpriced and not good enough to justify the price. We ordered the lasagna which was gummy and mushy and the mushroom ravioli which was good but for $24 they gave you 6 small ravioli swimming in a pool of sauce. Pasta and mushrooms are cheap I just can't understand why they skimped on that dish and sent out an entree that was barely bigger than an appetizer. During the meal our table was bumped by servers running by constantly until we moved it ourselves. It was also insanely loud in there. It was all very disappointing and I don't think we'll be back. It's a shame because they used to be great.

Food was phenomenal. Our first time here. Have been hearing great things about it for years. It did not disappoint. We arrived shortly after it opened and were seated right away. The apps were brought out quick and they were the best starters I've ever had at an Italian restaurant. Our entrees (Bolegnese and Veal) were off the charts good. We had such a hard time choosing from the menu because it all sounds great. We weren't even finished with our food and we're already talking about coming back. No more Shrewsbury street for Italian anymore. We will be coming here any chance we get.

Italian cuisine at its best! Beautifully prepared food. Absolutely delicious. Lovely restaurant with excellent wait staff. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Everything about Mare E Monti's was superb. The quaint North End Boston atmosphere, impeccable service and delicious food will bring me back here every time I'm in Worcester.

The Food is good and the atmosphere is solid. Authentic italian food. The service is solid and waiters are on top of it.

I was very much looking forward to dining out for authentic Italian. We had been planning this for several months, and finally found a time to go. I was impressed by the meatball appetizer, but that is about it. The appetizer came with ricotta, which was refrigerator cold. Really brought down what could have been a five star starter dish. The bread was not fresh, but actually somewhat stale, and please know I am NOT picky when it comes to bread. I ordered chicken parmigiana and paid extra for the "fresh" pasta, which on the menu is described as home made. It was okay. The portions are plentiful and the food presentation was excellent, but it left much to be desired. The place is well staffed, and we never felt like we were being ignored despite the full house. I was very impressed with the staff quite honestly, it was clear they knew how to handle a consistently busy restaurant.

The staff were welcoming and responsive to our requests. The food was authentic, fresh, and simple. A must try!

Friendly staff and great food !! The lighting was really fun and set good ambiance. Had really good garlic olive oil and bread.