Pastoral ARTisan Pizza + Kitchen + Bar

Enjoyed our second visit to Pastoral and it was as expected - Excellent!! The food, vibe, service, location and ambiance makes this one of my favorite casual restaurants in Boston.

Sebastian was our attentive server and was excellent. We had a couple pizzas, pasta and I even tried the grilled squid. Yes - I'll get it again, if you're wondering!!

Be sure to make a reservation for Saturday night. We arrived at 5:10pm and the restaurant was 1/2 full. By 6pm it was packed with enthusiastic customers enjoying their dinner and wine.

The presence of the (very pretty!) wood oven created high expectations and the vibe entering the restaurant was very positive. Good lighting, lots of Italian cultural references. We (a bunch of Italians) were ready! Unfortunately, the food we ordered didn't live up to the excitement:
1) First appetizer (pics in order) had a papery, dry and bland flavor, yet it was greasy.
2) The meatballs tasted like a commercial / supermarket, not artisanal, product (I want to stress this is purely a flavor-based observation, i'm not implying anything on the actual source)
3) The margherita pizza presented itself very well, though it was very salty (it sholdn't be) and - more importantly, burnt - one member in our party had a pizza that was completely black (picture 4 shows partially the amount of dough involved after scraping off the topping). Finally, while my pizza tasted good at the moment, it turned out difficult to digest.
4) The spritz was ok, on the blander side but within standard quality for an average Italian restaurant in the US.
For the price and expectations, it was an overall disappointing experience for our party.

Fantastic Pizza, Even Better Service!

Pastoral Pizza has been one of our favorite spots in Boston, and a big reason for that is Ray behind the bar. He’s not just a bartender—he’s a true host, always welcoming, personable, and an expert at crafting great drinks. Whether you're looking for a perfect cocktail pairing or just a friendly conversation, Ray makes every visit feel special.

The food is also top-notch—the wood-fired pizzas are consistently delicious, with a perfectly blistered crust, and the pastas are just as impressive. The restaurant has a lively, comfortable vibe that makes it easy to spend an evening enjoying great food and drinks.

Pastoral is a gem, but Ray is what truly makes it stand out. If you’re stopping by, grab a seat at the bar and let him take care of you. Highly recommend!

Just recently visited pastoral & I can confidently say it was a great experience. From the moment I stepped in, the ambiance was warm, inviting, and perfectly suited for a relaxing evening out. The food was absolutely divine, with each dish expertly crafted and bursting with flavor—definitely a place for food lovers.
However, what truly made the night exceptional was the service, and specifically the bartender, Ray. Ray went above and beyond to ensure that my experience was top-notch. He was not only knowledgeable about the extensive drink menu but also made fantastic recommendations tailored to my preferences. His charisma and hilarious personality were unmatched, and he truly made us feel like valued guests.

The pizza was ok. The employees were very nice. PS: They need new knives. It was impossible to cut the pizza, so I had to eat it with my hands.