Looking for a sublime Italian meal near you?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Italian restaurants around Waltham, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fulfill your urges.
1. Domenic's
Topping the list is Domenic's. Located at 987 Main St., the Italian deli and bakery is the highest rated cheap Italian restaurant in Waltham, boasting 4.5 stars out of 383 reviews on Yelp.
Serving Boston since 1979, this Domenic's bakes its own bread daily. The menu includes paninis, salads, pastas, soups and appetizers. Try the Panino di Melenzane with smoked mozzarella. A large selection of pizzas and toppings is also available, and you can order your pizza half-baked, perfect for freezing and baking at home later. (Check out the full menu here.)
2. Prospect Cafe & Pizzeria
Next up is Prospect Cafe & Pizzeria, situated at 137 Prospect St. With four stars out of 91 reviews on Yelp, the New American and Italian spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for an inexpensive option.
Starters include stuffed avocado, chicken wings, stromboli and the soup of the day. Expect standard Italian pasta dishes — like ziti, linguine, ravioli and stuffed shells — as well as calzones, hot subs, dinner entrees and pizzas. (See the full menu here.)
3. Casa d'Italia
Casa d'Italia, located at 203 Newton St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the inexpensive Italian grocer and eatery 4.5 stars out of 16 reviews.
The mom-and-pop shop offers specialty Italian groceries as well as hot and cold sub sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes six days a week. Try the ziti with sausage, the salad with chicken cutlets and mozzarella, or a meatball sub.
4. Antonia's Sub Shop
Antonia's Sub Shop, offering sandwiches, pizza and more, is another much-loved, cheap go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 14 Yelp reviews. Head over to 200 High St. to see for yourself.
Chef-owner Antonia LiDonni established in 1984 to focus on what she loves: cooking for friends and neighbors. Her chicken parmesan and meatball subs are not to be missed.
