Sweet Basil on Moody

I've dined at this location and the one in Needham several times. We were lucky to catch a live reggae band during our visit, which made the evening even more enjoyable. When the band was playing it was loud but before it was an enjoyable atmosphere. The wait staff was incredibly patient with our table as we spent time catching up. That night, the chef was a bit heavy-handed with the salt, so while my meal was good, it wasn’t quite as exceptional as I’ve come to expect. Still, I definitely recommend this place and look forward to returning. Forgot to mention the bread service, the pesto and bread were delicious.

As a party of ten we had a variety of drinks, appetizers, and entrees. Everything was delicious and the portions were large. The service was friendly but not intrusive. The decor was attractive and interesting. The noise level was reasonable even with the restaurant full due to tables being spaced well apart, soft materials used in the decor to absorb sound, and no loud music! All-in-all we were quite pleased with the evening. We'll go back and also recommend it to others.

Looks like it used to be a Chinese restaurant by the wall decor and trim. Smallish menu but everything is GREAT, definitely pay attention to the specials. You can dress down or up for whatever your occasion is and it still works here. Little thing, only thing that wasn't fantastic, was the bread wasn't served hot. So snobs might not approve, but the pesto and bread itself was delicious.

One of my favorite restaurant's on Moody Street. Sweet Basil is an Italian restaurant with a twist. The cocktails are delicious and funky! The staff is always super friendly and everything always tastes fresh. The best comfort dish is the Rosemary Chicken! The owner recommended heating up the leftovers in a cast iron with olive oil, tasted amazing (pictured below)!

Went on a Saturday evening and there was no wait. The aesthetic of the restaurant was calm and intimate. Service was amazing, and our waiter was attentive to all of our requests. The food itself was awesome, great portion sizes with the gnocchi being my favorite. The ravioli was also pretty good, and the calamari was solid. Bread with pesto is a great app too. All in all I felt the price I paid reflected the quality and experience I had.

We had quite high expectations for Sweet Basil coming into our reservation, but honestly they were all met and in some cases exceeded. Firstly, the ambience and decor of this restaurant is so unique and pretty. This was one of those rare times I thought, wow this restaurant is actually beautiful. The food was dynamite. We got the crispy Brussels sprouts, octopus, baked gouda, and burrata for appetizers, as well as the bread with pesto. The pesto was insanely delicious, the octopus was solid, the sprouts were delectable (though I am a bit biased), and the cheese dishes were great, as was the beer selection. For entrees, we got the handmade ravioli and eggplant pasta, among other things, both of which blew us away with their flavor and smokiness. Just awesome food all around. Next time, definitely going to try the lamb shanks though. The server, though he made a couple mistakes, was very nice and attentive. No complaints and thus we had an amazing experience at Sweet Basil on Moody's.

I used to love Sweet Basil and would recommend it to everyone—until last summer, when I had one of the most uncomfortable and upsetting dining experiences I’ve ever had. I haven’t been back since. I came in with my boyfriend and was treated with blatant disrespect by our blonde waitress from the moment we sat down. She was cold, dismissive, and clearly had a problem with me being there. While I was still eating, she brought out two fellow employees who stood nearby and just stared at me. No attempt to be subtle, no words—just standing and watching me eat, like I wasn’t welcome there. I was confused and honestly shocked. At the end of the meal, she slammed the bill down on the table without saying a single word. Despite everything, I still tipped her 25%, trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. She didn’t acknowledge it, didn’t thank me—just continued to glare at me with what felt like hostility. It wasn’t until a few days later, looking at a selfie I took that same day, that I realized I had been wearing my Palestine flag earrings. I can’t say for certain that’s why I was treated this way, but the signs are hard to ignore. Even if someone disagrees with my views, I came in as a respectful, paying customer. I was polite, caused no issues, and tipped generously. And yet, I was made to feel targeted, judged, and deeply unwelcome. Whether it was discrimination, bias, or just cruelty—it was unacceptable. Sweet Basil lost a loyal customer that day, and I will never be returning and spreading this info to whomever I can.

I went to Sweet Basil 🥬on Moody street in Waltham📍 with my parents this week. This italian spot has some eclectic vibes with flowerful🌸 trees🌳 and vibrant paintings🖼️ on the wall. To start this dinner, every table gets fresh bread🍞 and homemade pesto! This is simply amazing in my eyes. Who doesn't love pesto? The pesto is made without nuts too which is perfect for all those who may have a nut allergy. For cocktails 🍹we got the "Let's be Clear" which was a sweeter tasting drink that had watermelon🍉 mezcal and tomato vermouth. We also got the handsome devil😈 drink which had bourbon and st germain. The perfect option for bourbon lovers! Finally, they were experimenting new cocktails and we tried their version of a mushroom🍄 negroni which was very interesting. Basically a negroni with an earthier after taste! Check out their cocktail list next time you go and see what they have in store. Now for the entrees. We tried their handmade four cheese🧀 ravioli which was simply delicious 9/10. You can really tell they handmade the ravioli and tomato basil sauce🍅 as it was made very fresh. The arugula and burrata salad 🥗was the perfect combination. This salad had toasted nuts, jicama slaw and a peach vinaigrette. You just cant go wrong with burrata it works with everything. (Warning⚠️ to the wise to be careful with the exploding burrata though lol!) I thought this was also a great shareable plate for the table 8/10. I'm obsessed with the rosemary chicken with pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus over rigatoni pasta🍝 This was so filling even after two bites. But honestly you need to save room for this dish it is so good and a must get 9/10. We also got their version of chicken🐔 parmesan. This came with mozzarella in a basil marinara sauce. I wish there was more sauce on this dish and maybe the chicken wasn't as juicy or tender as I would have liked 6/10. The eggplant involtini was incredible and I'm not even a big eggplant person. This came with pesto ricotta, basil marinara sauce, and riccia pasta (I think thats my new favorite pasta shape!). If you are a cheese and eggplant lover you got to get this dish 9/10 (at least get it for the crazy cheese pull). Last but not least, my personal favorite⭐ dish of the evening was of course their squash gnocchi. The squash gnocchi came with pickled onions, apples and a brandy cream sauce. I will be dreaming about this dish all fall season long 10/10. You have to check out this spot if you are in Waltham (or in Needham as they have another location there!) And if you aren't local you can get a food delivery. On their grubhub delivery page you can buy a full pint of their pesto! Food: 9/10 Ambiance: 8/10 Affordability: 7/10

Crazy salty pasta dishes. They dusted the top of the entree with salt that was still visible and were heavy handed with the salt in the making. I bit into a piece of chicken and it didn't have that normal chicken breast look. It was like the chicken you get in those frozen bags of pre-made pasta at the supermarket. Like the Viola ones or Swanson. The pesto is awesome though. You pay $5 for bread and pesto which I thought was free at the Needham location. Pesto is ridiculously good. Just come for that. This place really went downhill. Please get a chef in here. Have someone taste your dishes and use quality meats. For the prices you would think you're getting a freshly made dish.

The name of the restaurant makes me think this is a Thai restaurant. Fault alert it not! I went here for dinner. They have bar section and the vibe here is relaxing. They have a lot of options on their menu, and their drink selection is various. When we were there, a lot of other tables were having a great time drinking and chatting. The vibe was nice to be in! The bread and pesto at the beginning was cold. I wish the bread is warmer. I ordered two dishes and I would highly recommend you order the Bucatini Amatriciana. The smoked pork on the top paired with a little bit spicy spaghetti were a great combo! Highly recommend that if you come here. I will for sure come back because they have a lot of other great options on their menu

I went to Sweet Basil on Moody street in Waltham with my parents this week. This italian spot has some eclectic vibes with flowerful trees and vibrant paintings on the wall. To start this dinner, every table gets fresh bread and homemade pesto! This is simply amazing in my eyes. Who doesn't love pesto? The pesto is made without nuts too which is perfect for all those who may have a nut allergy. For cocktails we got the "Let's be Clear" which was a sweeter tasting drink that had watermelon mezcal and tomato vermouth. We also got the handsome devil drink which had bourbon and st germain. The perfect option for bourbon lovers! Finally, they were experimenting new cocktails and we tried their version of a mushroom negroni which was very interesting. Basically a negroni with an earthier after taste! Check out their cocktail list next time you go and see what they have in store. Now for the entrees. We tried their handmade four cheese ravioli which was simply delicious 9/10. You can really tell they handmade the ravioli and tomato basil sauce as it was made very fresh. The arugula and burrata salad was the perfect combination. This salad had toasted nuts, jicama slaw and a peach vinaigrette. You just cant go wrong with burrata it works with everything. (Warning to the wise to be careful with the exploding burrata though lol!) I thought this was also a great shareable plate for the table 8/10. I'm obsessed with the rosemary chicken with pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus over rigatoni pasta This was so filling even after two bites. But honestly you need to save room for this dish it is so good and a must get 9/10. We also got their version of chicken parmesan. This came with mozzarella in a basil marinara sauce. I wish there was more sauce on this dish and maybe the chicken wasn't as juicy or tender as I would have liked 6/10. The eggplant involtini was incredible and I'm not even a big eggplant person. This came with pesto ricotta, basil marinara sauce, and riccia pasta (I think thats my new favorite pasta shape!). If you are a cheese and eggplant lover you got to get this dish 9/10 (at least get it for the crazy cheese pull). Last but not least, my personal favorite dish of the evening was of course their squash gnocchi. The squash gnocchi came with pickled onions, apples and a brandy cream sauce. I will be dreaming about this dish all fall season long 10/10. You have to check out this spot if you are in Waltham (or in Needham as they have another location there!) And if you aren't local you can get a food delivery. On their grubhub delivery page you can buy a full pint of their pesto! Food: 9/10 Ambiance: 8/10 Affordability: 7/10

It was very easy to make reservations and there are some public parking lots and street parking nearby! I love the vibe on Moody St - which was so important because we definitely needed a walk to digest. My friends and I came for a birthday dinner. We totally recommend the bread service. It was odd paying for the bread but I think you're actually paying for the pesto which is ~chef's kiss~. The chickpea fries were good but there were literally four fries. The mussels were delicious!! And yes, the mussels are another reason you should get the bread because if you take the bread, put some pesto on, and then drizzle the mussel juice... GAH. I'm salivating. By the time our entrees came around, we were very full and very drunk. I got the Uncut Jams (cue "unca jahmz") and literally could drink 5 more of those, they were that good. The restaurant itself was beautiful. It was like Alice in Wonderland meets gothic architecture meets endless cherry blossoms. Twas a vibe! To top it all off, they brought a free birthday dessert :) Wonderful experience. Thank you for having us!!

We had dinner for a large party and not one person finished more than half their food. The food was extremely oily and not the flavors I expected. My lamb was very fatty but tender and fell off the bone. My biggest regret is not saying something. The eggplant arancini had a sour taste to it and our bread was burnt on top. I had high hopes given the reviews my friends had for the Needham restaurant. It turns out they're not equal. The ambiance was very nice and we had good service. Our waitress did seem annoyed to be working but we realized that was maybe her personality? Anyways... we won't be back and the leftovers I have my brother had equal reviews.

Came here for date night and really like the ambiance and the decor is very pretty. I have been to their location in Needham before and this one is pretty different but still gives that same intimate vibe. I love their complimentary homemade pesto and bread but we sat at the bar and I had to ask for it after we ordered versus it being offered after we sat down. The bartender also was not that busy but no one ever cleared our plates nor took our menus throughout the whole meal. We got the arancini to start and it came with cranberry sauce and apple butter which was a bit strange - I wanted to like it but couldn't quite get there. It was also quite pricey for 4 small pieces. The octopus ragu had a weird flavor that I couldn't put my finger on and the sauce to pasta ratio was off, but they gave big pieces of octopus. I only wish they cut the octopus into smaller pieces for you because it was really salty compared to the pasta. The shrimp scampi was really good flavor wise but I didn't like the texture that the big pieces of parsley added. The mock tail was good but it honestly just kinda tasted like lemonade. I think this place has a lot of potential but it just wasn't a great experience for me this time.

Starting off with a plus, I really liked the decor of the restaurant- it was eclectic, quirky, and a mismatched vibe that works well for them. We started off with three appetizers- arugula with burrata, calamari, and caesar, and all were pretty yummy. Side note: we LOVED the free pesto and bread- couldn't stop eating it! The shrimp scampi was really watery and soup-like, but I really enjoyed the grits with the lamb shank, and thought the octopus ragu had nicely charred chunks. The braised chicken was pretty tender and flavorful as well. (didn't take pics of the entrees) The main reason for the 4 stars is because the service was eh. There seemed to be no communication between servers, and at one point, our waiter brought us new plates just for another server to walk by and take them away without saying a thing! Overall, I would come back again just for the pesto.

The bread and pesto as a starter was so good. Best pesto. We got the eggplant appetizer which was really good but then was disappointed with our entree which was supposed to be pasta and eggplant and the sauce turned out to be barbecue sauce...not good when it comes to barbecue sauce pasta. But besides that the food was good and atmosphere was nice.

We stopped in to try Sweet Basil Waltham . We have ordered take out at Needham location but no bar area and byob. Waltham had full liquor and beer taps. We sat at bar area and no one else at bar... Dark as the Alaskan nights with dim lighting. Taps were not working ; so ordered a can beer for 10 bucks. Ordered the braised chicken . The owner was working the door this night . Greeted us. Since bar tender wasn't too attentive and looked mixing a month's worth of mixers?; owner brought over some small slices bread , and pesto. I had no utensils yet, so dip dry bread in pesto and pesto excellent, dry cold, dry, few 1/4 slices... a lot of pesto wasted as not enough to dip or spread without a knife. Chicken braised meal arrives and could not see what I was eating as so dim lighting... chicken was hidden under excess sauce, chicken had not marinate or flavor ... I didn't see any braising... small chicken piece like a breast cut in half and plated with the sauce. The sauce I could see what in it but tasted some short rib I think? The side of roasted root veggies... was awful... a waste and few option... I was hoping for seasoned or marinated carrots, potato, sweet potato, ... anything with a taste... as was dry 3-4 pieces of a slice of Brussels sprouts.... Maybe all sautéed in a maple bacon honey glaze 2 beers, dinner, side root veggies, tip 70 bucks... I don't see revisiting. I'll do take out from Needham of the Rosemary chicken or other dishes... Owner I have seen many times since his start in Needham...in original small space then expanded and added Wellesley, Waltham... I think Waltham needs attention and changes.

We had a dinner there Saturday evening, 8 adults and 2 children. The service from the get-go was iffy. Our waitress was not familiar with their drinks offerings, but that wasn't a big deal. My drink came in a bourbon glass looking like it hadn't been washed and had sticky and crusty residue. I only noticed halfway through so I didn't notify the waitress. The problems started when the food arrived, first the apps then the mains (they forgot to make one of the mains which lead to some confusion). The apps were not bad but nothing spectacular. I would rate them average at best. Meatballs were dry, calamari lacked flavor. The mains were not liked by our entire party. Lamb shank was dry and not cooked well, Caesar salad had the saltiest anchovies on planet earth (and I enjoy anchovies!), and the grilled chicken I ordered with my salad was dry and hard as a shoe. We were charged $10 to add a one dry chicken breast on top of $14 Caesar salad! Shrimp scampi was average. Mac and cheese great. The restaurant had an unprofessional, unpolished vibe. Waiters were disengaged, kitchen clearly not firing on all cylinders. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend anyone spending their hard earned money at this restaurant. DaVinci's across the street is in a different league despite similar price point and similar food.

I was looking forward to trying this place for a fun Friday night but wow how sad. The ambiance is cute (not Italian, but fun for a date night) and some of the service people were very nice but that's sadly where the positive experience ends. Waited probably 15 minutes for two simple drinks, bread was fine but nothing special for $5. Ordered a salad to start which never came and received our entrees immediately after ordering. The bucatini is a weird Asian style oil slick with giant chunks of uncooked guanciale and the meatballs are maybe the worst I've ever had. Dense and sad, which I had wanted to love. When handed back entire full plates of food the staff looked crestfallen but not surprised. Probably not the first time this has happened. We went to Paparazzi in Wellesley for second dinner and it was worlds better. Save yourself and go to Needham. This place was also empty on a Friday night so the writing is on the wall for their future.

We had a great dinner. The bread and pesto was AMAZING, so so good! We started with the arancini and it was different but very good. We ordered the cheese ravioli, which was very good, I loved the filling! And we also ordered the shrimp scampi and the shrimp wasn't cooked enough so that was a bummer. Service was okay.

What a disappointment! Sort of an Asian ambiance which was confusing for an Italian restaurant but the funky smell in the entry way should have warned us! Service was great but the food just was not very good. Rubbery calamari & not fresh tomato sauce. A really substandard experience at an inflated price!

Wonderful food and friendly service! Best chicken parm around. Takeout is always great, too.

Excellent food. I had the ravioli. Good ambiance, quiet, quick service. I really liked it here and would go back.

Dined on weeknight so found parking on the street. Moody St is the worst for parking...Google for parking lot a few blocks away. Arancini balls were delish with nice red wine started out the meal fabulously. And the complimentary bread with pesto sauce was awesome like every review said! My friend loved the shrimp scampi. However, I was disappointed with Rosemary chicken seeing that it is a popular dish.The sauce was thick and salty with not much chicken. The ambiance is very cool and certainly a step up from the Needham location. The service was great as it wasn't busy.

I have been to Sweet Basil multiple times and it's always such a positive experience. The wait staff and bartenders are so friendly and attentive. They have waited on myself and my friends/family like we're vips. I love the ambiance and decor. The food is great. During one of my dinners there a chef gave me his newly printed cookbook for free. They have gluten free options and I like most of the drinks I've had there. Honestly the best service I have had in a long time.

The service the waitress her name was Nancy she was really sweet and it was good it's a cute restaurant. The food was absolutely disgusting. I had a the calamari for an appetizer it was so salty. I ended up sending it back and got a Caesar salad which had a weird sweet taste. Couldn't finish it. I got the rosemary chicken which had a sweet taste and some of the chicken was raw. I sent that back and got the salmon with bacon mashed potatoes and asparagus. The bacon mashed potatoes were ice cold cold and the asparagus was nasty. I had the a drink called sex and the watch city that was good. I wouldn't come back and i wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone.

I've been to the Sweet Basil location in Needham and it is great. I'm glad they have a second location here in Waltham because the one in Needham is take out only right now due to COVID. My Partner and I were so impressed by the great service of the staff and how delicious all of the food was. We got peppermint tea to start and they offer bread and a pesto spread as a free appetizer. They brought out more complimentary bread and pesto as they saw we enjoyed it. (Great customer service)! The lamb shank was so tender it fell off the bone with a touch. The rosemary chicken was super tasty and the portions of both our plates were enough to fill us for dinner and take home leftovers for lunch the next day! The arancini is one of the best in Massachusetts - you won't regret this as an appetizer. I've shared pictures of the inside stuffing of the arancini which includes red peppers and warm cheese. This restaurant makes for a great date spot, the lighting is dim and there are faux trees and plants all around making the atmosphere feel very intimate and romantic. Afterwards we walked down the street to Lizzy's Homemade Ice Cream for dessert!

I had made a reservation for 10 people, a birthday celebration, this past Sunday for 5:00. At 4:00 they called to tell me that they had to cancel because the gas wasn't working. Now, you can't help problems that come up due to natural disasters However, the man on the phone said they had lost electricity on Saturday, and had to close. He knew a day in advance there were major issues. My issue is why, oh why, give me under one hour to call 10 people to change plans. One person had already taken the red line to the commuter rail to get there. I couldn't stop her in time. They should have let me know hours before they did. Very, very bad indeed !

Sweet basil never disappoints. I learned about them first at their needham location and am delighted to have them in Waltham. They serve pesto with their bread instead of butter which is simply delightful. Last night we had The "braised chicken" which was extremely flavorful. The pasta tastes freshly made although I don't know for certain if it is, I don't believe they advertise it. The steak was very juicy although I have to say it was slightly overdone (ordered medium rare but it came medium+). Nevertheless the meal was overall fantastic and looking forward to returning

Never actually dined in the restaurant and this restaurant is still my favorite in the area. The pasta is exceptional. You can't go wrong with any of the classic Italian dishes here. My favorite item is the rosemary chicken and the wings. The rosemary chicken is a cream based sauce that is garlicky and addictive. The chicken wings have a really great sauce that is sweet and tangy. Some other great dishes are the chicken parmesan, bolognese, anything with the pasta. Hope to make it into the actual restaurant one day. My favorites: Rosemary Chicken, Chicken Wings(Calabrian chili and honey sauce)

Between the high price and mediocre food, this was an unfortunate bust. They charge for cold bread to start the meal. We had to send back our cold appetizers, and both our dinners were subpar pasta dishes. All of this for $85 before tip and we didn't even get drinks! We had wanted to get dessert but decided to leave and go elsewhere. Not even worth trying.

Service was good, but that's all. Artichoke ravioli was dry and hard to eat. The sauce was abundant and seemed ridiculous. The Cesar salad was flavorless. The eggplant was just a bowl of hard to eat cheese and no flavor. The Spaghetti Amatriciana was more soup than anything, and couldn't eat it. Very disappointed and will not go back.

Highly recommend! Food, service and Atmosphere 5 star! So beautiful inside. 5 of us all loved our food. I got the Chicken Marsala - delicious! They have scrumptious bread served with pesto. YUM! Steve was our Server. He was awesome. So pleasant, easy going, attentive. And put up with our "can we get more bread, pesto, how about cheese, another drink, please" He checked in on us to make sure we were doing good. We were one of those groups that probably overstayed our table time, but he never let us know. We just came back from hospital visiting a very sick friend, a group of friends gathering from different states to be together. So that together time was so precious. Thank you Steve and Sweet Basil team for making the night special. Even the other Staff members smiling and thanking us for coming.

Great pasta, same quality as their Needham location. Bountiful portions too - expect to have leftovers.

Wow is an understatement! This place checked all the boxes from the ambiance to the food and service. Couldn't ask for a more attentive and knowledgeable server, Steve, who made sure all our drinks were filled and food was exactly what we asked for. The ambiance is super chill with the lighting and music. I was very impressed with this restaurant and hats off to the chef for an amazing braised chicken :) the pesto and bread is a sure fire winner to order for an app. Ended the night with the most delicious spiked hot coco - Swiss miss has nothing on this. Thanks Sweet Basil. I'll be back for more!

I really wanted to enjoy this meal. We've eaten at Sweet Basil in Needham but this is not that. The service was kind and polite. The pesto and bread was delicious. The decor is NOT Italian, but it's still pretty awesome. Cherry blossom trees and pagodas make no sense, but it's still cool. I had a cocktail, Penichillin, that was basically straight ginger and essentially undrinkable. I had the bolognese and it would be generous to say that's what I was served. The pesto pasta was super rich and good, but not great. Again, I really want to love this place, but it just didn't hit the mark.

We got the fried calamari and tagliatelle bolognese. The calamari wasn't too heavy and came with a spicy marinara sauce. The bolognese sauce was really good and flavorful but unfortunately the pasta itself was slightly too dense and chewy for our taste.

Visited last night. Passing through on Moody, we caught sight of what we thought was a Thai place...but surprise-- "Italian?" The place was packed, got me thinking the food would be great. Wrong! Super vinegary Gouda salad, almost inedible. Fried calamari as chewy as bubble gum. The "famous" rosemary chicken could not find a hint of rosemary. Pasta from a box, or so it seemed, with a few pieces of chicken in a gross heavy cream sauce. We didn't eat almost any of the dishes, and no one asked if we enjoyed it or looked for any feedback. Gordon Ramsey needs to give this kitchen an overhaul! Never going back, in spite of the cool atmosphere.

BEST restaurant dinner I've had in years!! My favorite was the Delicata Squash entree. It was served with a light drizzle of maple, just enough to accent the natural flavor of the squash & wild rice filling--respecting its treasures rather than trying to drown it out like other places do. Staff was friendly and attentive and made us feel welcome & appreciated. Can't wait to go back to try more!!

Sweet Basil on Moody is WOW awesome. I ate a dinner "Rosemary Chicken", so delish. The environment is so cozy and friendly. I ll go back there again for sure.

My friends and I had a delicious dinner here. The shrimp scampi was decadent and delicious. Buttery and garlicky on the bottom! The pork tenderloin dish was equally delicious. They start you off with fresh bread and an amazing basil buttery spread. They have a very cute outdoor dining area that is romantic and charming. The wait staff was very friendly. Parking was okay once you figured it out. I hope to make it back again sometime!

Had food yeah really nice steak was very good pastor was lovely staff was very helpful and polite I recommend I will go back

3.5! Super easy online ordering for take out! When I went in to pick up the order, the people were very nice and the ambiance was great! I got the Rosemary chicken (substituted for linguini) and the bolognese. First off, the portions were really big! The pasta was well cooked for both: not too firm or too chewy. I also liked the rustic look of the pasta as well. The Rosemary chicken had lots of veggies and chicken in it. The chicken wasn't dry at all! However, I found it to be extremely salty (my hands and my face were super swollen the next day from the sodium). Therefore, I preferred the bolognese, which was less salty than the Rosemary chicken. The bolognese was good but I wish it were a little more saucy.

This is really nice place. The design of the restaurant is unique. There is something from Japan, Thailand, and at the same time, you could feel that you are in the museum. You can see a lot of cool pictures on the walls. Some designs are similar to Alice in Wonderland. It is a pretty cool place overall. Honestly, I was expecting Asian cuisines. The name of the place is giving you an idea that it can be something Thai. I am a big fan of Asian food. But I was surprised that there was no Asian food. It was mostly something similar to Italian food. The food was great, everything tasted great. You need to go there when you are super hungry because portions over there are huge! Moreover, the cocktails tasted delicious.

Disappointing overall. Ambiance is very nice. Bread was delicious. Service was sometimes okay. They seemed surprised and annoyed when we asked them to remove used plates as they were attempting to deliver entrees to a table packed with used dishes and empty drinks. Entree was not good - overcooked to the point of being not enjoyable. Cocktails were fantastic.

I have only been to Waltham a few times and this was my best trip and find in the area. The pesto that comes with the bread is delicious and the entrees come in large portions - enough to split into two meals even after coming straight from the gym. The bolognese was a very generous portion with handmade noodles and a sauce packed with flavor. They also had a vegan pasta option for my friend. Only reason I'm giving Sweet Basil 4 instead of 5 stars is because the noodles were slightly hard for my liking but tasted softer when reheated the next day. They did a great job with social distancing with only one other party in the restaurant while we were dining. Decorations are interesting with fake cherry blossom trees and paintings with the same color scheme. I also liked the wide sinks that prevented water from getting all over the countertops in the bathroom.

A little bit disappointed after wanting to try this place for so long and seeing all of the delicious photos of the food on Instagram. The free pesto and bread at the beginning was a nice start though. Our server was kind but overall service was really slow and they didn't clear our appetizer plates before bringing our entrees so we were shuffling plates around. Got an Uncut Jams drink which was supposed to have strawberry jam and basil in it. Could taste neither of these ingredients and the drink tasted like a spicy margarita- a little steep for $15. I was most upset with the shrimp scampi- it was so acidic and the fettuccini was really thin/short. Reminded me of ppl who break spaghetti in half before cooking it.

I went with a friend for dinner last night. I has the Rosemary Chicken and my friend had a salad. The Rosemary Chicken was VERY salty and I couldn't eat it. My friends salad was okay. I don't think I'll be revisiting this place. Lay off the salt!!

I may be a WEE bit biased because I worked here but I LOVE SWEET BASIL!!!!! Whether you know people here or not you'll always be made to feel like family. This location is top notch. Excellent quality food, huge portions, everything made with L-O-V-E, LOVE! Yup. Pure love, people. I know from personal experience from working here that the highest caliber of quality and care goes into this food. The owner, David Becker, has the highest standards for professionalism, hosting, cleanliness, flavor, ambiance, service, creativity, and customer experience. The list goes on. You will not have a bad meal here. Whether you're eating a staple, the Rosemary chicken, or a new dish- as the menu changes frequently, you will be satisfied, and your mouth will sing. You'll be well taken care of by the immaculate people that work here. The restaurant is big and has plenty of seating. Enjoy and excellent cocktail at the bar. Also, this place is great for any occasion. Dress down or dress up. Enjoy the creativity and whimsical decor that takes on a life of its own. This restaurant is an escape for the senses. Xoxo, Ari

The atmosphere is relaxing and fun. The drinks are unique and delicious and The food is amazing. Top that off with phenomenal service and you've got a 5 star review. I recommend the swordfish if its on the menu, and the beet/goat cheese salad. Great drinks are The sad clown, lol and the Mezcal Mule. We will definitely be back again and again!!!

The atmosphere was nice, very low lighting. The staff members were very friendly. I ordered the Rosemary Chicken & my god sister had the Bolognese. We were pleased with our choices. I really enjoyed the pesto that was served with the bread! I would definitely recommend

Wow, not sure where to begin.. First, their pesto is fantastic & so fresh, as is the bread that comes with it. Their menu is always changing, but the variety is impeccable & I have never had trouble finding something that I would enjoy. The chicken parm in particular is incredible, as are their cocktails. Lastly, their staff is always so friendly & welcoming, & I go here regularly because of that. The prices are to be expected for the quality of food that they serve, & I would highly recommend for anyone considering eating here!

After getting rebuffed at a nearby resteraunt for our party of 9, we rolled into Sweet Basil! Sat night, No reservation? No problem. 10 minutes in our seats. Service was great. Real attentive! Food was excellent! From the lamb shank to the chicken parm to the risotto it was a real pleasure! Ambiance? Yup plenty of that! Everyone left pretty darn fulfilled! From the front end to the back kitchen this is how it's done! Can't wait to return

Went to Balani last night which is currently serving the Sweet Basil menu from their needham location. In short, the food was Unbelievable. A friend and I shared the 32 oz Tomahawk Ribeye with fingerling potatos and broccoli rabe. The meat was cooked perfectly, tender and unbelievably flavorful. It was also only $64 which for a Tomahawk is unbelievably cheap, usually you would expect this steak to be 80-120 dollars. I have eaten here many times and the food is always exceptional (highly recommend the Rosemary Chicken). But this steak really did it for me. If it is added to the regular menu this meal will be in my regular rotation for sure.

I recently had dinner with my best friend and his family at this restaurant. My meal, the Chicken Parmesan was on point. Highlight of my meal was their pesto sauce with the house bread.

Was having a wonderful experience tonight until the entrees showed up. Ordered the braised chicken with pasta and the bolognese with tagliadelle. Both pastas very under cooked. Promptly brought to our waiters attenuation and meals were whisked away to the kitchen. Anticipating freshly cooked pasta were saddened to be given back our meals merely microwaved and the pasta hotter but not cooked any more so than before. Every kitchen has a mistake but it's all in how you fix it that separates a restaurant.

Took my 18 year old daughter here on a Saturday night. The place has a very cool ambience and the food was very good. Especially the pesto that comes out with the bread when you're seated, good lord that's one of the best things I've ever eaten. Super fresh, perfect balance of basil and Parmesan. My daughter couldn't get enough of it, and she said her four cheese ravioli slapped, so thumbs up there. I had the lamb shank with roasted vegetables, all cooked perfectly and delicious. Service was good too. Highly recommend. Would be a great date spot