Love stories don’t usually end with a restaurant, but for Francesca and Matteo Ronzio, that’s exactly what happened.
Real Italian Gusto is the result of a couple-owned Italian restaurant built from a shared passion for Boston and their Italian roots.
This is authentic Italian cuisine in the truest sense, right down to the imported brick oven and a fifth-generation Neapolitan pizza chef running the kitchen.
How Real Italian Gusto won Medford’s hearts
Real Italian Gusto opened in 2015 after Francesca and Matteo fell in love with Boston during a New England trip and decided to make the move permanent.
Rather than settling for a generic concept, the couple set out to recreate a genuine slice of home, importing many of their ingredients directly from Italy.
Even the restaurant’s brick oven made the trip — it was shipped straight from Florence, a detail that speaks to just how seriously the Ronzios take authenticity.
Real Italian Gusto brought over Ciro Langella, a fifth-generation pizza chef trained in Naples, to lead the pizza program and ensure every pie meets true Neapolitan standards. 🍕
Between the imported olive oils, handmade pasta, and a chef flown in from Naples, this Medford Italian restaurant built its reputation on substance rather than shortcuts.
The Ronzios describe their goal as making every guest feel like they’re walking into the home of a close friend, and that philosophy shows in the warmth of the service.
Between the handmade pasta program and a menu built on family recipes, Real Italian Gusto has become one of the most trusted names for authentic Neapolitan pizza in the Boston area. 🍝
Food Highlights
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Pappardelle alla Bolognese – Wide ribbon pasta tossed in a classic, slow-simmered Italian bolognese sauce.
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Porcini Mushroom Pappardelle – Porcini mushrooms folded into a creamy sauce finished with truffle oil.
- Fusilli al Pesto – Fusilli pasta tossed with muddled fresh basil, walnuts, and parmigiano for a bright, herbaceous dish.
- Pizza Speranza “Hope” – Topped with prosciutto, mozzarella, stracciatella cheese, fig jam, and cherry tomatoes.
- Emilia Pizza – Topped with mozzarella, arugula, prosciutto, and shaved parmesan for a savory, peppery bite.
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Margherita Pizza – Tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmigiano, and fresh basil on a Neapolitan-style crust.
- Cannoli Alla Siciliana – Crunchy handmade cannoli shells filled to order with creamy sweetened ricotta, available plain, with chocolate chips, or dipped in pistachios.
Atmosphere
Real Italian Gusto feels like stepping into a small trattoria straight out of Italy, warm and welcoming from the moment guests walk in. 🍷
The imported brick oven glows at the heart of the dining room, adding both charm and genuine cooking authenticity to the space.
It’s cozy enough for a casual dinner and still special enough for a celebratory night out.
Bottom Line
Visit for handmade pasta, Neapolitan pizza from a Naples-trained chef, and imported Italian ingredients that make every dish feel genuinely authentic.
Add warm, personal hospitality from the owners themselves, and it’s easy to see why Real Italian Gusto has won over Medford diners.
Address:
24 High St, Medford, MA 02155
📞 (781) 990-3300
🕔 Tue–Fri 5 PM–10 PM, Sat–Sun 11 AM–3 PM & 5 PM–10:30 PM (closed Mon)