Tempo

I love tempo! The food is great, the prices are reasonable. We love to sit at the bar (great and attentive bar staff — spiro is great!). They have dollar oysters on Tuesday nights. Overall its fab!

I walked in expecting it to be slightly above average and I’m glad they proved me wrong. I ordered the salmon which was meh but the wife ordered a pork chop which was out of this world. It may have been the best pork chop we ever had. I give it four stars because the salmon was two stars but the pork chop made up for it. Get the pork chop.

Love this place. Best appetizers and cocktails/​beer. Rotating menu keeps things fresh. Anytime we are in the area we always go back.

Great food. Great service. Wonderful atmosphere. My little neck clams were tasty. Friends got scallops which were phenomenal. Nice pour on their titos and tonic add well. Desserts are perfect size for just one person and their specials are always changing. We’ve been twice now and plan to repeat the experience many times to come. Plenty of street parking or nearby lots for cheap prices.

This place was packed! Was hard to find parking. Thankfully we had a reservation and were sat right away. Ordered wings and drinks which came out really fast and were delicious. The waiter seemed kinda awkward and not very happy to be there. I had the pork chop with Mac n cheese, Brussel sprouts and apple/​cherry chutney. First off it was huge! It was Cooked perfectly and I liked it at first but half way through it was too sweet to handle. My husband got the coffee rubbed hanger steak. It was pretty bland, no hint of coffee or salt.
We will probably go back just for apps and drinks.

In summary: Good food, ok drinks, ok waitstaff, unprofessional hostess.
I would give this restaurant a solid 4-​star review if it wasn’t for the hostess.
We had a reservation for 4 ppl. My husband and I arrived first. The hostess pointed (?!) to a table over the short wall and said «that’s your table». Um. ok. No menus were given.
She was also wearing what resembled a very old long-​sleeve tshirt as a dress with her bra sticking through the dress.
I think Tempo’s management needs to review job details with the hostess … which I believe should include looking presentable and actually taking people to their tables … giving them menus … you know, the basics. For a restaurant that is $$$, the way the hostess looked and behaved was unacceptable.
The waitress was ok.
Drinks were ok. I liked my Pearfection coctail, however spice margarita was undrinkable — it was basically cranberry juice and hot sauce. Peaches&Beam Smash and Something Blue cocktails were ok, nothing we would order again.
Food was very good. We ordered some apps to split and a meal.
For apps we got steak& cheese spring rolls, wings and brussel sprouts — all very tasty
Wild shrimp and scallops as main course was really good, a bit too spicy but I ordered medium. I substituted sticky rice with noodles …
Hanger steak with Gratin potatoes was the best. Highly recommend.

We walked in right after they opened and were told that all the tables had been booked for reservations, but we were offered a table that had a reservation a bit later. We opted to sit at the bar, and had a terrific dinner experience! We started out with the calimari and an offering off the specials menu, chicken fajita spring rolls. Both appetizers were hot and delicious. For dinner we had the hanger steak, and the Portuguese seafood stew. Everyone finished full and satisfied. My husband reported the stew was flavored by a rich broth and the seafood was plentiful. My steak was perfectly cooked, and I enjoyed the scalloped potatoes and asparagus as well. For dessert we split the heath bar bread pudding with ice cream. It was rich and delicious but not too much after such a nice meal. The bartender was very friendly, the beer selection was excellent, and the restaurant was welcoming and comfortable. We will definitely go back when we are in Boston.

Food was great! Citrus grouper special, hanger steak, fisherman a stew and tuna. If you don’t like seasoning/​spice then You may not like everything. it was definitely very seasoned but I love seasoning so that wasn’t an issue… the bread is AWESOME… my only issue was that desserts are typically somewhat shareable, unless noted and the bread pudding we had for dessert was the smallest thing I have ever seen… literally 2 bites… other than that — this place has great interesting food!

Tempo … I live locally and can walk to moody st. Hands down the place place to eat on the st. Great bar! Weekly and nightly specials. So nice to see something new every week.
The bar? Does weekly specials too. Great beers on tap (always changing) great low price wines. It’s a must try if you want to eat on Moody’s street.

We have been here a while ago. Today there was no pasta. Friend ordered buffalo chicken. Waiter said it was 3 hot on scale of 10. It was like an 8. Certainly not mild. When she said something the other waitress actually tried to argue that it’s a matter of taste.
Brussels sprouts were very good. Scallops were bland on bland mashed potatoes. Short rib was good. Bread pudding was ordered by me but we had told them it was friends birthday & they put her candle on my cake because she didn’t order dessert. It was very good & tiny tiny.
Generally disappointed.

Overall good experience — the food was prepared well, presented well and very tasty (I had the braised short ribs with mushroom risotto) and the atmosphere was pleasant. The small «spoonful of sugar» dessert was just enough dessert and incredibly good.
A few things that would have made the experience 5 stars:
1– we were told we couldn’t taste the more expensive wine on their list but could only order a half or full glass even though the menu specially states that you can request a taste!
2– the manager never came to check in with us (we have seen this a lot lately at most restaurants we frequent — a nice «how is everything this evening?»)
3– if we didn’t feel the cold breeze from outside each time the door opened (we were seated at the high tables by the bar which we liked but the weather was cold and they would benefit from having a curtain up)
4– our table was near the server station and at one point one of the servers leaned on the back of our booth and talked loudly about other people, leaning over us like he didn’t realize we were there.
We may try this place again to see if the experience is better as we liked the selection of creative food and the wine list which seems very interesting.

Tempo is my favorite restaurants/​bars in Waltham. It’s reasonably priced and the bar is beautiful. Staff has always gone above and beyond and the food is fabulous! The menu is super creative and tasty — I’ve yet to have anything disappointing.
I’ve only sat at the bar (half a dozen times or so) not at a table but the experience has always been a pleasure. Their shoestring truffle fries, philly cheesesteak rolls, calamari and desserts are particularly good.
I love their creative cocktails that change seasonally. They’re yummy and pack a punch. They always have specials. The other night they had $ 1 oysters that were wonderful. Can’t wait to go in for dinner and get the full experience. As of now they’re my go-​to when I’m craving a drink on Moody St.

Just went to tempo. excellent
Dollar oysters were a hit, food was delicious and service was great
Will return soon

Who knew a place like this existed in Waltham? I was lured in by the dollar oysters deal every Tuesday. The best part is that it is all day Tuesday so you can go anytime tempo is open, whether it’s lunch time, happy hour or dinner! When you walk in, it’s looks like a nice hipster-​woodsy cozy place. There’s a bar and all the waitresses and waiters wear lumber jack shirts. We go there only for the oysters, but looking at the menu there are so many other good options! It is a bit pricy around $ 25 – 30 per persons for entrees and apps are around $ 10. We always get the calamari and show string truffle fries (YUM!). If you share an entrée they WILL CHARGE YOU a sharing fee.
The service is really nice. They give you this frozen raspberry ice cream to cleanse your palette between appetizer and before entrée so that’s such a nice gesture. It’s the little things like that makes the place so much cooler. There’s so many restaurants in the street and in the area so parking may be a little difficult.

I had a nice upscale dinner here, more of a 3 & ½ rating. While I enjoyed the hanger stead ($ 28), the wife had the seared scallops special ($ 27). My steak was ordered medium but only half of it came out medium while the other half was rare. The asparagus and potatoes were great. The wife thought the scallops were good but really did not like the miso infused dumpings that came with it (too salty). The maple cocktail I had was not good at all and the wife’s after dinner coffee was supposedly quite bad (too weak). I enjoyed the dessert special of the day, the chunky monkey ($ 8) which had banana ice cream, cream, carmalized banana and fudge.

This restaurant open only at night. Since I don’t really eat dinner, it took me a while to actually try this place. It is like a bar.
I book marked it because
is expensive
has ribs. However when I finally ordered the ribs, I can’t imagine it is any kind of rib. The waiter said the is not going to be any bone attached to it, but other than that it is the same. I specifically asked if it was baby back ribs and he said yes. What I actually got was a whole piece of pork, like the stow pork from Gestazo. The decoration was decent and server was nice. They do put rice in lots of dishes though.
I don’t want to jump to the conclude that MA restaurant don’t know how to make ribs, so wish me find one!

I moved from downtown Boston to Waltham in 2005 and this was one of the first places I wanted to go upon moving to town.
10 years later, I’m happy to say that Tempo has been our go to for great food, cocktails and atmosphere. Great owner/​chef and bartenders.
The quality of the ingredients are local and the best.

Tempo is absolutely amazing. Wonderful establishment with a very lively feel and atmosphere to it. I came in with a group of friends to celebrate a small reunion. Service was impeccable and the entire restaurant was immaculate. The decorations, lighting, and table settings really bring the energy out in you.
Let’s talk about a few of the food items we ordered.
Fried Calamari — they give you this dumpling sauce thing which makes it so different but good.
Oysters — Who the heck knows which part of New England it comes from but it was perfect and so juicy.
Sweet Potatoes — The avocado sauce made it perfect.
The pork chop is the size of a puerto ricans ass and taste as good as it can get. Well seasons and cooked perfectly. Sea Scallops were done perfectly and goes so well with their brussel sprouts. Add five bottles of wine, 3 rounds of beer, and several gin and tonics and you have yourself one of the best times at a great restaurant.
Parking sucks really bad but its worth the walk if you cannot find a spot close by.

Absolutely incredible! Everything on the menu can be gluten free, so this is great for people with allergies or sensitive.
The philly rolls are absolutely amazing! So is the salmon, steak, brussels sprouts, and kale caesar salad.

Tempo Kitchen & Cocktails — Waltham, MA — 3÷11÷2015
This place is jumpin’! One of the busier restaurants I have frequented. Nicely appointed… Large bar although the bar is not exactly what I come for… And I didn’t even realize but instead of seating me in the dining room I was actually seated in the lounge… Never assume that as a single diner your patrons prefer the lounge because I for one don’t… I’ll have to remember to specify dining room seating on future reservations…
The beer bread made with a hint of PBR, fresh out of the oven is served warm on a bread board with a cream cheese and pimiento pepper spread.
The beet salad… A blend of burgundy and yellow… Topped with mixed field greens surrounded like soldiers by a regiment of tangerine… grapefruit and radishes topped with stringed pickled beets bathed in a shower of champagne vinaigrette! And… sitting by themselves like that shy couple at the dance… Two petit servings of warm goat cheese wrapped in a blanket of filo dough… What a wonderful combination of flavours and textures…
Next up the «fall off the bone» Short Ribs… Unlike many that are more fat than meat… This cut was one of the leanest I’ve seen. Served aside a wild mushroom risotto… Portobello, Button and Cremini to name but a few… Steamed green beans and one of the most savory sauces my palate has ever had the pleasure of tasting!
Finish that off with my signature cappuccino…
At the end of the meal the hostess came over to make sure I enjoyed my dinner and we had just a great conversation… What a really great dining experience tonight! Thank you…