Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Greater Boston
  4. Boston
  5. Waltham
The Federal, Waltham, MA

The Federal

4.5
4.5
981 Reviews
$50 and over
Steakhouse

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 7 times today
  • Good for business meals
  • Good for special occasions
  • Fancy
The Federal is an exciting seafood and chophouse with scratch-made, chef driven modern Italian inspired food. The restaurant is upscale, affordable, comfortable, and relaxed.

Come and explore our wine list where new age and old world meet. Our wine list is curated by co-owner/managing partner David Alphonse and features wines from around the world with a focus on Italian and old world selections. We have a great selection of new world wines as well.

We feature two adjoining private dining rooms and a seasonal covered patio.

Located in Waltham, MA in the Market Basket Plaza, we look forward to serving you soon.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, Italian, Contemporary Italian
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (781) 373-1245
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Joel Portillo
  • Private party facilities
    Please contact Erika@the-federalrestaurant.com regarding any private events! We have plenty of versatile indoor and outdoor space available for parties of all sizes.
  • Area
    Waltham
  • Cross Street
    Main Street
  • Parking details
    Public Parking
  • Public transit
    Bus Route 70, Main Shopping Center @ Marshall's stop
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 981 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Federal offers an exceptional dining experience with "delicious food" and a "great menu" that caters to diverse palates. Standout dishes include the swordfish, short rib, and baked stuffed shrimp. The cocktails are "excellent," and the service is consistently praised for being attentive and knowledgeable. The ambiance varies, but the bar area is notably energetic.

981 Reviews
  1. BELLA

    Caribbean

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Service was great! Tables need some light in order to see the menus. Food was good but mashed potatoes were cold. We would go back.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Pamela

    Greater Boston

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First time at the Federal. We had a reservation for a table, but chose to sit at the bar. We dined during the lunch menu. Our bartenders Luke and AJ were attentive, professional, and polite. We started with the shellfish tower, which was good. We then ordered the Prime French dip sandwich and that was extraordinary, and the Kennebec Truffle fries with Parmesan and black truffle oil. The portion was just right and they were out of this world. I had their Sangria which is perfectly made. The owners’s own recipe. I’ve tried a lot of sangrias over the years but this ranks top two for me. We will definitely go back. Next time we will try the steak. I was just trying to make a reservation there for Easter but it looks like they are closed on Sundays, unfortunately.
    The FederalResponded 2 days ago
    Pamela, Thanks for the great review! We are not accepting reservations yet for Easter Sunday but will next week. We are closed Sundays as a rule but do open for major holidays. Best, Richard

    Is this helpful?

  3. JEAN-FRANÇOIS

    Los Angeles

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 7 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and wine selection. Both the duck and steak were amazing. It was slightly overpriced though - probably 10-15% above

    1 person found this helpful

  4. John

    Greater Boston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 1 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Three of us went to dinner and two had the steak, one the dry aged bone in cooked medium rare and the other the cowboy cooked medium. The last had haddock with risotto and asparagus. We added mashed potatoes and asparagus for sides and finished off dinner with tiramisu. When I tell you it was one of the best experiences we’ve had dining out in a long time, I’m not kidding. Our server, Amanda was knowledgeable, attentive and overall wonderful. We’ll definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Steve

    Nashville

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 28 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Had a wonderful meal at The Federal. Pro tip: don't pass on the short rib.

    Is this helpful?

  6. ZITA

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    310 reviews

    5.0

    310 reviews

    Dined on 18 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The Federal offers an extensive menu providing something for any palate. The portions are substantial and DELICIOUS! The cocktails are excellent~ Our server was Dan, he’s outstanding. He’s helpful, he knows the menu and the how the entrees are prepared, he’s attentive and so gracious ~

    Is this helpful?

  7. Lisa

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 10 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent all around! We all loved it, the food was great as well as the waitress and ambience!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Laurie

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    29 reviews

    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on 9 January 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 1
    First time at the restaurant. The food and service were excellent but the atmosphere in the dining room was depressing and worn. Mishmash of styles and lighting too low for the high ceilings. The bar area looked more up to date. If I went back would only sit there

    Is this helpful?

  9. Cynthia

    VIP

    New York City

    21 reviews

    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on 1 January 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was excellent. And our waitress was friendly knowledgeable and attentive, but over all it took to long to clear plates and there was just enough lack in service to not merit 5 stars. Perhaps they were too busy for the amount of staff for new years. But a great restaurant and value. We will definitely be back.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Kelly

    Atlantic City

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 1 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Soup to nuts everything was fabulous. Special kudos to our server Mariah! She was just spectacular! Attentive, on point, friendly, outstanding! Thank you for a memorable New Year's Eve dinner!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Federal offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (781) 373-1245.

The Federal is rated 4.5 stars by 981 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 7 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Federal

74 Tower Rd, Waltham, MA 02451-1022

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Main Street
  • Area
    Waltham
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, Italian, Contemporary Italian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Parking
  • Public transit
    Bus Route 70, Main Shopping Center @ Marshall's stop
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Joel Portillo
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (781) 373-1245
  • Private party facilities
    Please contact Erika@the-federalrestaurant.com regarding any private events! We have plenty of versatile indoor and outdoor space available for parties of all sizes.
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable Australia Level 22, 357 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo