Contessa Boston

Contessa is a rooftop Italian restaurant atop The Newbury Boston hotel, run by Major Food Group and devoted to the cooking of Northern Italy. Designed by Ken Fulk to evoke the glamour of another era, the sunlit trattoria features Art Deco references, mid-century modern details and sweeping views over Back Bay and the Boston Public Garden. It serves breakfast, lunch and brunch by day, then drinks and dinner in the evening.

Since opening in 2021, Contessa has built a reputation as one of Boston’s top dining destinations. The menu leans on grand trattoria classics such as Piemontese carpaccio, antipasti spreads, signature pizzas, tortellini en brodo, ricotta gnudi and bistecca Fiorentina. The cellar holds around 6,000 bottles focused on benchmark wines from Piedmont, Tuscany, Bordeaux and Burgundy, and the bar is known for its Negronis and martinis. Major Food Group was founded by Jeff Zalaznick and chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi.

What to Know

• The private Wine Room seats up to 22 guests for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
• The main dining room hosts large parties of 9 to 35 guests.
• A full buyout accommodates up to 120 seated guests or 200 for a standing reception.
• Boston Magazine praised its wine list as a Nebbiolo lover’s playground.