Boston is renowned for its vibrant Italian-American community and its rich culinary scene, making it a hub for authentic Italian cuisine. Particularly, the North End area is renowned for its vibrant Italian-American community and rich gastronomic heritage. Here are some key elements of Italian cuisine:
Pasta
Italian cuisine is famous for its pasta dishes. From classic spaghetti and meatballs to hearty lasagna, creamy fettuccine Alfredo, and delicate ravioli filled with ricotta cheese or spinach, you'll find an array of pasta dishes to satisfy your cravings.
Pizza
Pizzerias are popular in Boston, serving up delicious pies made with fresh ingredients and thin, crispy crusts. Whether you prefer traditional margherita pizza with tomato, mozzarella, and basil or more inventive toppings like prosciutto, arugula, and truffle oil, you'll find plenty of options to choose from.
Seafood
Being located near the coast, Boston also offers fantastic seafood dishes influenced by Italian culinary traditions. From seafood risotto and linguine alle vongole (linguine with clams) to grilled fish and shrimp scampi, you can enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean right in the heart of Boston.
Antipasti
Italian meals often start with a selection of antipasti, or appetizers, to whet the appetite. You can indulge in a variety of antipasti, including bruschetta topped with tomatoes and basil, fried calamari served with marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella and tomato salad (caprese), and an assortment of cured meats and cheeses.
Desserts
No visit to Boston would be complete without sampling some of its delectable Italian desserts in the North End. Indulge your sweet tooth with classic treats like tiramisu, cannoli filled with sweet ricotta cream, sfogliatelle (crispy pastry filled with sweet ricotta), and gelato in a variety of flavors.
Trattoria Il Panino Italian North End $$ Exceptional La Pizza & La Pasta - Eataly Boston Italian Back Bay $$ Awesome Serafina Seaport Italian Seaport $$ Exceptional Serafina - Boston Back Bay Italian Back Bay $$ Awesome Josephine Italian Somerville $$ Exceptional Quattro Italian North End $$ Exceptional Il Patio di Eataly Italian Back Bay $$ Excellent TreMonte Restaurant - North End Italian North End $$ Awesome Panza Italian North End $$ Exceptional Vinoteca di Monica Italian North End $$ Exceptional casarecce Italian North End $$ Exceptional Ristorante Saraceno Italian North End $$ Exceptional Massiminos Cucina Italiana Italian North End $$ Exceptional Nico Italian North End $$ Exceptional STREGA Italiano – Back Bay Italian Back Bay $$ Exceptional STREGA Italiano – Seaport Italian Seaport $$ Exceptional Prima Italian Charlestown $$$ Exceptional Mare Italian North End $$$ Exceptional Mida - East Boston Italian East Boston $$$ Awesome Capo Restaurant Italian South Boston $$$ Exceptional Bar 'Cino Brookline Italian Brookline $$$ Exceptional Ciao Roma Italian North End $$$ Exceptional Strega North End Italian North End $$$ Awesome Tresca Italian North End $$$ Exceptional Lucca North End Italian North End $$$ Exceptional Libertine Italian North End $$$ Awesome Arya Trattoria Italian North End $$$ Exceptional Contessa - Boston Italian Back Bay $$$ Exceptional Toscano Harvard Square Italian West Cambridge $$$ Exceptional Isabella Italian North End $$$ Exceptional The Florentine Cafe Italian North End $$$ Exceptional Mamma Maria Italian North End $$$ Exceptional Villa Francesca Italian North End $$$ Awesome Toscano Restaurant Italian Beacon Hill $$$$ Exceptional Umbria Italian North End $$$$ Awesome
Buttermilk & Bourbon | Southern | Back Bay | $$ | Exceptional | |
Citrus & Salt | Contemporary Mexican | Seaport | $$ | Awesome | |
Union Oyster House | Seafood | Faneuil Hall | $$ | Awesome | |
Legal Sea Foods - Harborside | Seafood | Seaport | $$ | Awesome | |
Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant | American | South Boston | $$ | Exceptional | |
Mistral - Boston | French | Back Bay | $$ | Exceptional | |
Area Four Cambridge | Pizza Bar | Cambridge | $$ | Exceptional | |
Fogo de Chao - Boston | Brazilian | Back Bay | $$ | Awesome | |
75 Chestnut | Contemporary American | Beacon Hill | $$ | Exceptional | |
Bar Vlaha | Greek | Brookline | $$ | Exceptional | |
The Capital Burger - Boston | Burgers | Back Bay | $$ | Exceptional | |
Moxies - Boston Seaport | American | Seaport | $$ | Awesome | |
Ma Maison | French | Beacon Hill | $$ | Exceptional | |
Mooo SEAPORT | Steakhouse | South Boston | $$ | Exceptional | |
Pink Taco - Boston | Mexican | Seaport | $$ | Excellent | |
Casa Romero | Mexican | Back Bay | $$ | Awesome | |
Shy Bird - South Boston | American | South Boston | $$ | Exceptional | |
State Street Provisions | American | Financial District | $$ | Exceptional | |
Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar - South Boston | Mexican | South Boston | $$ | Exceptional | |
Lucia Ristorante | Unspecified | North End | $$ | Awesome | |
The Beacon at View Boston | American | Back Bay | $$ | Awesome | |
75 on Liberty Wharf Bar & Grill | American | Fort Point Channel | $$ | Awesome | |
Moonshine 152 | American | South Boston | $$ | Exceptional | |
Hook + Line | Seafood | Seaport | $$ | Awesome | |
Night Shift - Lovejoy Wharf | Brewery | West End | $$ | Exceptional | |
The Hourly Oyster House | Seafood | Cambridge | $$ | Exceptional | |
Prairie Fire | American | Brookline | $$ | Exceptional | |
Hunter's | Southern | South Boston | $$ | Exceptional | |
Yellow Door Taqueria - South End | Mexican | South End | $$ | Awesome | |
The Maharaja | Indian | Cambridge | $$ | Exceptional | |
Tiki Rock | Comfort Food | Financial District | $$ | Awesome | |
Five Horses Tavern - South End | Contemporary American | South End | $$ | Awesome | |
Waypoint | Seafood | Cambridge | $$ | Awesome | |
The Bebop | American | Back Bay | $$ | Awesome | |
Bar' Cino Watertown | Unspecified | Watertown | $$ | Exceptional | |
Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar - Fenway | Mexican | Fenway–Kenmore | $$ | Awesome | |
South End Buttery | Contemporary American | South End | $$ | Exceptional | |
Russell House Tavern | American | Cambridge | $$ | Awesome | |
Peregrine - The Whitney Hotel Boston | Unspecified | Beacon Hill | $$ | Awesome | |
Oliveira's Steakhouse - Somerville | Brazilian Steakhouse | Somerville | $$ | Exceptional | |
The Sporting Club | American | South Boston | $$ | Awesome | |
Fat Baby Sushi and Cocktails | Sushi | South Boston | $$ | Exceptional | |
Rosa Mexicano - Boston | Mexican | Seaport | $$ | Awesome | |
Tradesman - Charlestown | American | Charlestown | $$ | Exceptional | |
Row 34 - Cambridge | Seafood | Cambridge | $$$ | Exceptional | |
The Banks Seafood and Steak | Seafood | Back Bay | $$$ | Awesome | |
Marseille | French | South End | $$$ | Awesome | |
Legal Sea Foods - Copley Place | Seafood | Back Bay | $$$ | Awesome | |
Eva | Mediterranean | Back Bay | $$$ | Awesome | |
Eastern Standard | American | Fenway–Kenmore | $$$ | Awesome | |
Beehive | American | South End | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Earls Kitchen + Bar - Boston - Prudential Center | American | Back Bay | $$$ | Awesome | |
Bistro du Midi | French | Back Bay | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Estella | American | Beacon Hill | $$$ | Awesome | |
Batifol | French | Cambridge | $$$ | Awesome | |
Blue Ribbon Brasserie | American | Fenway–Kenmore | $$$ | Awesome | |
Boston Chops - South End | Steakhouse | South End | $$$ | Awesome | |
Puritan & Company | Contemporary American | Cambridge | $$$ | Awesome | |
The Dubliner Irish Pub & Restaurant | Irish | Beacon Hill | $$$ | Exceptional | |
The Daily Catch - Waterfront | Seafood | North End | $$$ | Exceptional | |
La Voile | French | Back Bay | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Legal Sea Foods – Downtown Crossing | Seafood | Downtown Crossing | $$$ | Awesome | |
Alcove | American | West End | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Joe’s Waterfront | American | North End | $$$ | Awesome | |
Silver Dove Afternoon Tea | Afternoon Tea | Faneuil Hall | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Banyan Bar + Refuge | Asian | South End | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Shore Leave | Sushi | South End | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Aqua Pazza | Seafood | North End | $$$ | Exceptional | |
The Helmand Restaurant | Middle Eastern | Cambridge | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Krasi | Greek | Back Bay | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Legal Sea Foods - Kendall Square | Seafood | Cambridge | $$$ | Awesome | |
Reunion BBQ | Barbecue | South End | $$$ | Excellent | |
Sugar Factory - Boston | Contemporary American | Brighton | $$$ | Excellent | |
Legal Sea Foods - Long Wharf | Seafood | Faneuil Hall | $$$ | Awesome | |
The Lexington | American | Cambridge | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Gyu-Kaku - Boston, MA | Brookline | Japanese | Brookline | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Banners Kitchen & Tap | American | Downtown Crossing | $$$ | Awesome | |
Oak Bistro | American | Cambridge | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Limani Grille - Seaport | Mediterranean | Seaport | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Hojoko | Japanese | Fenway–Kenmore | $$$ | Awesome | |
Earls Kitchen + Bar - Assembly Row | American | Somerville | $$$ | Awesome | |
Salt + Stone | American | Somerville | $$$ | Awesome | |
Legal Sea Foods - Park Square | Seafood | Back Bay | $$$ | Excellent | |
Tuscan Kitchen - Seaport | Unspecified | Seaport | $$$ | Awesome | |
Rowes Wharf Sea Grille | Seafood | Financial District | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Gyu-Kaku - Boston, MA | South Bay | Japanese | South Boston | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Bianca | Contemporary American | Chestnut Hill | $$$ | Awesome | |
Mahaniyom | Thai | Brookline | $$$ | Exceptional | |
FuGaKyu Japanese Cuisine | Japanese | Brookline | $$$ | Exceptional | |
Oyster Bar by Puritan & Co. | Oyster Bar | Cambridge | $$$ | Exceptional | |
STK - Boston | Steakhouse | Back Bay | $$$$ | Excellent | |
Grill 23 & Bar | Steak | Back Bay | $$$$ | Exceptional | |
Abe & Louie’s - Boston | Steakhouse | Back Bay | $$$$ | Exceptional | |
Mooo BEACON HILL | Steak | Beacon Hill | $$$$ | Exceptional | |
The Nautilus Pier 4 | Pan-Asian | Seaport | $$$$ | Exceptional | |
Uni | Contemporary Asian | Back Bay | $$$$ | Exceptional | |
No. 9 Park | European | Beacon Hill | $$$$ | Awesome | |
B&G Oysters | Seafood | South End | $$$$ | Awesome | |
Limani | Mediterranean | Chestnut Hill | $$$$ | Awesome | |
Deuxave | French | Back Bay | $$$$ | Exceptional | |
The Capital Grille - Boston | Steakhouse | Back Bay | $$$$ | Exceptional | |
Little Whale | Seafood | Back Bay | $$$$ | Exceptional | |
Omakase at Shore Leave | Sushi | South End | $$$$ | Exceptional | |
Boston Chops - Downtown Crossing | Steakhouse | Downtown Crossing | $$$$ | Exceptional | |
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse - Boston | Steakhouse | Seaport | $$$$ | Exceptional | |
Wolfgang's Steakhouse - Boston | Steakhouse | Beacon Hill | $$$$ | Awesome | |
Ruth's Chris Steak House - Boston | Steakhouse | Downtown Crossing | $$$$ | Awesome | |
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse - Back Bay Boston | Steakhouse | Back Bay | $$$$ | Exceptional |